Written Answers of 9 June 2003

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact on the risk from al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the UK of the Coalition invasion of Iraq. [115566]

  The Prime Minister
  The terrorist threat remains real and serious. As recent events have shown, no country is immune from attack, and it is simply not possible to guarantee against more attacks in the future. However, the Government remain resolute in their determination to defeat terrorism regardless of its source.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Prime Minister what guarantees will be offered to serving members of the intelligence services wishing to give evidence to the Intelligence and Security Committee inquiry into the Government's conduct and preparation for the war in Iraq that legal or disciplinary action will not be instituted against them as a consequence of their submissions. [117921]

  The Prime Minister
  It is for the Intelligence and Security Committee, in accordance with section 10(4) and Schedule 3 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994, to establish the procedures and operation of their inquiry. I anticipate that the Committee will be taking evidence from members of the intelligence and security agencies in their normal way.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Overseas Trips
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor General if she will list each of the overseas trips made by herself and other members of her ministerial team in 2002; and what the(a) purpose and (b) cost of each trip was. [101839]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 12 March 2003]Since 1999 this Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Information for 1997–98 was included in the 1999 list. The overall cost of Ministers' visits for the years
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  1995–96 and 1996–97 was most recently provided with the 2001 list. The information for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.

  All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor General how many staff in the Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. [109262]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 28 April 2003]The information requested is as follows.

  Crown Prosecution Service

  The numbers of staff in the Crown Prosecution Service who have had periods of long-term sick leave (20 calendar days or more) in each of the last five years are listed in the table.

  Year

  Number of people

  Total number of employees

  Percentage of employees

  1998

  572

  6066

  8.7

  1999

  762

  6139

  12.4

  2000

  855

  6220

  13.7

  2001

  886

  6216

  14.3

  2002

  915

  6759

  13.5

  Serious Fraud Office

  The number of staff in the Serious Fraud Office who have had periods of long term sick leave in each of the last three years are listed in the table.

  Number of staff absent

  Year

  due to long term sick leave

  2002

  8

  2001

  3

  2000

  5

  It is not possible to provide information on long term sick absences in 1998 and 1999 without incurring disproportionate cost, as the requested information is not readily available for these years. In calculating the above figures, 'long term' is defined as being a continuous spell of sick absences lasting 4 weeks or more.

  The number of staff taking long term sick leave in the Treasury Solicitor's Department (defined as one month or more) in each of the last five years was:

  Number

  1998–99

  24

  1999–2000

  30

  2000–01

  41

  2001–02

  47

  2002–03

  46

  These figures include Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers staff.
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  HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

  Since HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate was established as a separate unit in 2000 only four members of staff have taken long term sick leave of more than four weeks.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor General what the salary bill was for special advisers in her Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108494]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 14 April 2003]: None of the Departments for which the Attorney-General holds ministerial responsibility employs special advisers.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Senior Clergy (Freehold Status)
  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Church Commissioners have to review the status of the freehold in terms of senior clergy. [118187]

  Mr. Bell
  As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Archbishops' Council has set up a group to review clergy terms of service. The first task of the group is to consider ways of improving security for those clergy who do not have freehold of office or employment contracts. The subsequent task, as defined by the terms of reference, is to consider the future of the freehold, irrespective of seniority.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Abandoned Cars
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what effect the charge on the disposal of cars no longer licensed has had on the number of abandoned cars. [115930]

  Mr. Meacher
  Local authorities have the power to charge the person who they consider has abandoned a vehicle—for removal, storage and disposal costs—irrespective of whether a vehicle is licensed or not.

  Local authorities have, however, had increasing difficulty in enforcing these charges because of the ease with which vehicles can fall out of the current UK vehicles register. New measures being introduced in January 2004, including an automatic £80 fine for failure to re-license a vehicle on time, should help remedy this problem by ensuring that a vehicle has a traceable keeper. If local authorities can enforce charges against those who abandon cars, this should act as a deterrent to their doing so.

  Action Energy
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with(a) the Carbon Trust and (b) Action Energy about changes imposed by a private company in the contracts with consultants to bring business to Action Energy. [114705]

  Mr. Morley
  The Carbon Trust is a private company created in April 2001 to take the lead on energy efficiency in the business and public sectors, and to support the development of the low carbon sector in the UK.

  Action Energy is the UK's main energy efficiency information, advice and outreach programme for non-domestic organisations in the public and private sectors.

  My Department, and the Devolved Administrations, provide the Carbon Trust with grant funding, subject to an agreed business plan for the Carbon Trust and its programmes (including Action Energy). The Business Plan, agreed with my Department and the Devolved Administrations, describes how the Carbon Trust intends to improve service delivery of Action Energy, in particular updated delivery targets. The management of Action Energy and on-going contractual arrangements are a matter for the Carbon Trust.

  Air Quality
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received concerning her Department's publication of report on the Review of the National Air Quality Strategy. [117532]

  Alun Michael
  A summary of responses to the report on the Review of the National Air Quality Strategy was published in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: A consultation 578W
  document, issued in August 1999 by the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The Government's current Air Quality Strategy was published in January 2000. Following a review of three of the pollutants in the Strategy, my Department published a consultation document in September 2001 on proposals for tighter air quality objectives for particles, benzene, carbon monoxide and a new objective for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A summary of responses to these proposals was published on the Department's website in August last year when we announced the adoption of the new objectives. These were formally incorporated into the Air Quality Strategy by an Addendum published in February this year.

  Copies of these documents can be found on my Department's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airqualitv/index.htm

  Asbestos
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a licence to operate a hazardous waste site includes permission(a) to store and (b) to process asbestos waste. [116201]

  Mr. Meacher
  Waste management licences are site specific and are subject to individual conditions regulating the activity in question. Whether a licence for a hazardous waste site includes permission to store and process asbestos waste will depend on

  (a) what has been applied for in respect of that site; and

  (b) what the Agency has permitted in that particular case.

  This will depend on whether the land in question has the benefit of the necessary planning permission.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how asbestos at waste disposal sites is classified; and if she will make a statement. [116206]

  Mr. Meacher
  All asbestos waste is classified as hazardous waste for the purposes of disposal and should go to landfill, either to a designated hazardous waste site or to a stabilised cell for non-reactive hazardous wastes within a non-hazardous waste site.

  For the purposes of classification, landfill sites in England and Wales are regulated by the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002. In those Regulations, "hazardous waste" is defined as any waste as defined in Article 1(4) of the Hazardous Waste Directive (Directive 91/689/EEC).

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the addresses of waste disposal and recycling sites in the United Kingdom licensed by the Environment Agency to accept bonded asbestos. [116207]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency has provided a list of sites which are specifically licensed to accept bonded asbestos. A copy of this has been placed in the Library of the House.
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  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring of bonded asbestos at waste disposal sites other than operator pollution risk appraisals is carried out by the Environment Agency. [116209]

  Mr. Meacher
  There is no specific monitoring required of bonded asbestos at waste disposal sites.

  Each case will be considered using risk assessment methodology and any necessary arrangements put in place accordingly.

  Cotswold Conservation Board
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that parish representation on the proposed Cotswold Conservation Board accurately reflects the geographical spread of parishes within the area of outstanding natural beauty. [117610]

  Alun Michael
  The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires at least 20 per cent. of the total membership of an AONB Conservation Board to be drawn from the constituent parishes for that area.

  This Department is currently considering the responses to an informal consultation on a draft Establishment Order for a Cotswolds Conservation Board, which would include eight parish members. The draft Order provides for a single parish member to be elected from each of eight groupings of parishes so as to provide the widest possible geographical representation. These proposals take account of discussions with the Cotswold Partnership and each parish in the Cotswolds has been consulted on them.

  Emissions
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure the compatibility of the new EU emissions trading scheme with the Energy Efficiency Commitment introduced in April 2002. [116172]

  Mr. Meacher
  This Department has the lead responsibility in Government for the EU emissions Trading scheme. The Government will take into account all existing policies, including the first Energy Efficiency Commitment, that affect emissions of sectors that will come into the EU emission trading scheme in preparing the draft of the UK's national allocation plan. We will also incorporate estimates of the impact on emissions from forthcoming policies in determining the allocation of allowances.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made by her Department towards meeting the target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050; and what representations she has received. [116180]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Energy White Paper accepted the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's (RCEP) recommendation that the UK should put itself 580W
  on a path towards a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of some 60 per cent. from current levels by about 2050. The Energy White Paper sets out a long term strategic vision for energy policy, setting out long-term strategies and shorter-term policies to put us on this path. A cross-governmental network, the Sustainable Energy Policy Network, will ensure that the aims set out in the Energy White Paper are delivered. The network will report annually on the progress being made towards these aims.

  Provisional data for carbon dioxide emissions are now available for 2002. This data shows emissions fell by an estimated 8 to 9 per cent. between 1990 and 2002, which demonstrates that the Government are making progress towards the domestic goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received concerning progress being made towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 12 per cent. by 2012. [116181]

  Mr. Meacher
  The UK's target under the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases to 12.5 per cent. below base year levels by 2008–2012.

  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.

  Our latest projections also indicate that we are well on course to meet our Kyoto commitment. This conclusion is supported by two recent, independent assessments.

  The Secretariat of the UNFCCC, in its report on the in-depth review of the UK's Third National Communication (3NC) report, published in May 2003, stated that the UK has put in place a diverse and innovative spectrum of measures to tackle climate change and is on course to meet its Kyoto greenhouse gas emissions target.

  The Sustainable Development Commission also found, in its audit of the UK Climate Change Programme published in February 2003, that the UK appears very likely to achieve its Kyoto commitment.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable has been established by her Department for the publication of an implementation plan setting out how the Defra strategy for domestic energy efficiency improvements, as outlined in the Energy White Paper, will be delivered; and if she will make a statement. [114682]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 22 May 2003]The implementation plan for the energy efficiency strategy set out in the Energy White Paper will be published within a year of the publication of the White Paper. Within the framework of the virtual Sustainable Energy
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  Policy Network, an energy efficiency workstream has been established and this group will be responsible for drawing up this implementation plan.

  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets her Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how she intends to achieve these targets. [116654]

  Mr. Morley
  All departments currently have an interim target of 1 per cent. per annum reductions in (weather-corrected) CO2 emissions from their estate, relative to the base-year 1999–2000. Defra will agree new targets for 2010, based on benchmarking the performance of individual buildings where possible, by the end of this year.

  This approach should also provide departmental energy managers with an effective management tool to identify the best opportunities for efficiency improvements. Detailed measures will be a matter for individual circumstances.

  Environmental Information
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken by her Department to improve public access to information on(a) air quality and (b) water quality in England and Wales. [117480]

  Alun Michael
  Defra actively publishes and releases information according to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Its Publication Scheme can be viewed at www.defra.qov.uk/corporate/opengov/accessinfo.htm. The Information Commissioner has approved the scheme. Defra will also release information on request wherever possible.

  Policy related air quality information, including the Air Quality Strategy is available on the Defra website (www.defra.qov.uk/environment/airqualitv/). Comprehensive information on past and present air quality and health is published through the Air Quality Information Service on the National Air Quality Information Archive website (www.airqualitv.co.uk), Teletext (page 156) and a freephone helpline (0800 556677). The information is updated hourly. Air Quality is also included in the Government's headline quality of life indicators, which are published annually and announced by means of a press notice. Information is also included in leaflets and reports produced by and on behalf of Defra and the Devolved Administrations.

  Defra actively reviews and develops the air quality information it publishes. For example, the Archive was relaunched in May 2002 following improvements to the user friendliness of the pages.

  The Environment Agency is the main provider of environmental information in England under the Environmental Information Regulations. The results of the Agency's General Water Quality Assessment scheme are reported annually and are included in the Government's headline quality of life indicators, which are published annually and announced by means of a press notice. The national and regional results are also
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  published on the Agency's website (www.environmentagency.gov.uk) and in fact sheets and reports, as well as on the Defra website (www.defra.co.uk/news/2002/ 0210Q3a.htm), and the Agency answers an estimated 350,000 queries annually, many of which are related to water quality.

  As part of the Agency's Freedom of Information Act publication scheme, the water quality grades for each river stretch are included on the Agency's website under 'What's in Your Backyard'. This site is designed to provide easy access for the public to information about their local environment. Water quality sample results are also placed on the agency public registers and available for inspection in every area office.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received concerning measures required to improve the quantity and quality of public information on(a) air quality and (b) water quality, broken down by region in England and Wales. [117481]

  Alun Michael
  As a devolved matter, this answer relates to England.

  The Department issued a consultation document in January 2001 on the air quality public information bulletin. A summary of the responses to this document are available on http://www.defra.gsi.gov.uk/environment/consult/airpoll/response.htm. The Department is not aware of any other representations concerning access to air quality information in England, which is freely available.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many miles of hedgerows there are on the Isle of Wight(a) in total and (b) protected by the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. [105946]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have no figures for the total length of hedgerows on the Isle of Wight, nor do we have actual figures for the length of hedgerows protected by the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. However, research carried out in 1999 indicated that more than 70 per cent. of countryside hedgerows may be protected by the Regulations by virtue of the fact that they form an integral part of a pre-1845 field system—a criterion that, when met, allows local planning authorities to refuse applications for removal. As the Regulations also lay down other criteria that can be used to prevent removal, the proportion protected may well be greater than 70 per cent., across the country as a whole.

  Ingram Works
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate the Environment Agency has made of the amount of waste tonnage being disposed of weekly at the waste disposal and landfill site operated by Harry Sanders Ltd. at Ingram Works in Leeds. [116328]

  Mr. Meacher
  The most recent waste return submitted by the operator to the Environment Agency indicates
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  that the site received 1,370.5 tonnes of waste in the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 March 2003. This equates to a weekly input of 114.2 tonnes.

  International Whaling Commission
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the outcomes of the annual International Whaling Commission meeting in Japan. [117101]

  Mr. Morley
  The outcomes of the 54th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), held in Japan in May 2002. were detailed in my letter of 10 July 2002 to hon. Members of the House. Copies of the letter were placed in the Library of the House.

  OSPAR Commission
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how often the countries which belong to the OSPAR Commission have met since July 1998 on matters within its auspices; what subjects they discussed; and what issues or matters were implemented. [116124]

  Mr. Meacher
  The OSPAR Commission, comprising representatives of each of the contracting parties, meets annually. It is supported by six committees (hazardous substances, biodiversity, eutrophication, radioactive substances, offshore oil and gas production, and assessment and monitoring) and a number of sub-committees, each of which also meets annually. The Commission has discussed progress on each of the six issues each year, and has agreed Decisions, Recommendation, guidelines and joint work programmes as appropriate in order to implement the OSPAR strategies. The Summary Records produced after each meeting provide a publicly available account of issues discussed and measures agreed—they may be found at: www.ospar.org

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken by the countries forming the OSPAR Commission to agree a baseline from which to measure whether reductions in radioactive discharges have taken place. [116125]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]In 2001, OSPAR's Radioactive Substances Committee set up working groups to recommend baselines for discharges, concentrations and dose. The final reports of the working groups were considered by the Committee at its meeting in February 2003. The Committee has been unable to reach agreement on the discharges baseline. It is expected that the issue will be resolved at the OSPAR Commission meeting in June this year.

  Waste Management
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what total weight of waste she estimates will be(a) recycled, (b) landfilled, (c) incinerated and (d) treated in other ways in the year 2010; and what percentage change on current figures this represents for each of the options. [114254]
  584W
  Mr. Meacher
  No estimates have yet been made of what weight of waste will be dealt with in each of the ways listed in 2010. The amount of waste treated under the different waste management options will depend on the actions of householders, waste disposal and collection authorities, business and others, in response to the measures Government have, or intend to, put in place including the targets listed below, to reduce waste growth and increase levels of re-use and recycling.

  The Landfill Directive requires reductions in the landfill of bio-degradable municipal waste to 75 per cent. of the total amount of bio-degradable municipal waste produced in 1995 by 2010, equivalent to 11.2 million tonnes (including the four year derogation that the UK has indicated that it intends to use).

  By 2010, the Government's target is to recycle or compost 30 per cent. of householdwaste.

  The Government's target for commercial and industrial waste is to reduce the amount landfilled in 2005 to 85 per cent. of 1998 levels.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was for external consultants to assist the Environment Agency with the production and guidance relating to waste management in the years 1998 to 2002; and what proportion this expenditure represented of the Environment Agency's total budget for waste management. [115772]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Agency spend on external consultants for the production of waste regulation related guidance in each of the years 1998–2002 is approximately £1.5 million per annum. This represents 2.0 per cent. of the Agency's total budget for waste management in the 2002–03 year.

  Year

  Total Budget (£m)

  Proportion (per cent.)

  1998–99

  65.9

  2.3

  1999–2000

  69.5

  2.2

  2000–01

  72.8

  2.0

  2001–02

  73.9

  2.0

  2002–03

  76.8

  2.0

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to set(a) commercial waste reduction and (b) commercial waste recycling targets for (i) local authorities and (ii) industrial sectors; [115941]

  (2) what steps are being taken by her Department to encourage the commercial sector to minimise waste and increase recycling rates; [115943]

  (3) what measures her Department is planning to assist local authorities to encourage the commercial sector to (a) minimise commercial waste at source, (b) increase recycling and (c) achieve a reduction in commercial waste levels. [115942]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government have set a target to reduce, by 2005–06, the amount of commercial and industrial waste going to landfill to 85 per cent. of 1998 levels. Current estimates suggest that we are on course to meet this target.
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  The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended) set targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste and provide incentives to minimise the amount of packaging handled. Between 1999 and 2002, the amount of packaging waste sent to landfill fell from 5.7 to 4.4 million tonnes, although the 2002 figure is still provisional at this stage.

  The Government have entered into a voluntary agreement with the newspaper industry, which has seen recycled content of newspapers increase to well over the target of 60 per cent. last year. The Government are looking to enter into more agreements of this kind.

  The Government fund Envirowise, a business support programme dedicated to making businesses more resource efficient, saving money by minimising waste. Last year alone, Envirowise helped UK businesses to achieve annual cost savings of over £175 million, with a reduction of 1.6 million tonnes of solid waste. They also fund the Sustainable Technologies Initiative that provides funding for research and development projects aimed at minimising waste at source.

  There are no plans to set local authority targets for commercial waste, since they have no statutory duty to collect commercial waste unless asked to do so by the business.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is planning to take to enable local authorities to refuse to dispose of waste that has been imported from other authorities to be landfilled within their areas of responsibility; and if she will make a statement. [115945]

  Mr. Meacher
  There are no plans to enable local authorities to refuse to dispose of waste imported from other authorities. The Government have issued guidance to local authorities on preparing municipal waste management strategies, Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies (DETR March 2001); http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/management/guidance/mwms/index.htm and on preparing waste local plans, Planning and Policy Guidance Note 10 on 'Planning and Waste Management'. Under that guidance, local authorities must take account of the proximity principle—which suggests that waste should generally be disposed of as near to its place of production as possible—in determining the Best Practicable Environmental Option for managing waste.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what materials are classified as hazardous waste for the purposes of licensing waste disposal and landfill sites. [116202]

  Mr. Meacher
  Landfill sites in England and Wales are regulated by the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002. In those Regulations, "hazardous waste" is defined as any waste as defined in Article 1(4) of the Hazardous Waste Directive (Directive 91/689/ EEC). For most licensed waste disposal sites other than landfill in the UK the term special waste would be used as defined in Regulation 2 of the Special Waste 586W
  Regulations 1996. The Government are currently reviewing the Special Waste Regulations in order to bring the terms special and hazardous into line.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions have been brought by the Environment Agency for breaking conditions of management site licences in each year since the Agency was established; and how many were successful. [116203]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency's National Enforcement Database (NEDS) was inaugurated on 1 April 1999. The Agency is able to provide national data on enforcement actions from that date, as follows:

  Total number per calendar year of prosecutions for contravening the conditions of a waste management licence contrary to section 33 (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

  Number

  1999 (from 1 April)

  17

  2000

  23

  2001

  25

  2002

  28

  2003 (to date)

  9

  All prosecutions were successful with the exception of one acquittal in 2002.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the difference between special waste and hazardous waste is for the purpose of licensing waste disposal sites. [116329]

  Mr. Meacher
  Special waste is the term used in the UK for hazardous waste and is defined in Regulation 2 of the Special Waste Regulations 1996. Hazardous waste is the term defined in the Hazardous Waste Directive (91/ 689/EEC) as a waste featuring on the European hazardous waste list. This list was recently revised and the European Commission brought the new list into force on 1 January 2002. At present, the Special Waste Regulations are still extant in Great Britain and the term "special" waste is still used in many waste management licences. However, some legislation such as the landfill regulations, already refer to "hazardous" waste as defined in the Hazardous Waste Directive. This means that some wastes not defined as special wastes in UK legislation would still have to dealt with in accordance with the requirements for "hazardous" wastes if disposed of to landfill. The Government are also reviewing the Special Waste Regulations and as part of the review the intention is to replace the term "special" with "hazardous", and to transpose the revised hazardous waste list.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many modifications to waste management site licences since 1997 have been regularisation of existing practices at waste disposal and landfill sites. [116332]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency carry out initiated modifications without a fee from the licensee and they are usually for the purpose of bringing sites into line with new or existing regulatory standards, e.g. Financial Provision, record keeping.
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  On this basis, figures are available but only back as far as 1999–2000:

  1999–2000—1,463

  2000–01—379

  2001–02—265

  2002–03—211

TRANSPORT

  Biofuels
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Department is responsible for co-ordinating Government policy on the development of the use of biofuels. [117542]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Department for Transport is responsible for co-ordinating overall Government policy on the use of biofuels in the transport sector. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is, however, responsible for policy on all taxation issues, including duty incentives for biofuels.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what preparations his Department is making for the introduction of the Biofuels Directive later this year; and if he will make a statement. [117543]

  Mr. Spellar
  The United Kingdom and other European Union member states are required, under the terms of the recently agreed Directive on the Promotion of Biofuels and other Renewable Fuels for Road Transport, to set their own indicative targets for the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels in their areas. Member states are required to set indicative targets to be met in the years 2005 and 2010, and to notify the European Commission of these targets by July 2005 and July 2006 respectively. The Government will consult key stakeholders in due course on possible indicative targets for biofuels sales and sales of other renewable fuels in the UK, as well as on the most appropriate ways of meeting these targets. Regulations will then be laid before the House in advance of the Directive's transposition date of 31 December 2004.

  The Government have already put in place a number of measures to incentivise the production and use of biofuels in the UK. These include a 20 pence per litre fuel duty incentive for biodiesel, which came into effect in July 2002. Sales of biodiesel in the UK have increased significantly as a result of this, and are now getting on for a million litres a month. Budget 2003 announced that a similar duty incentive in favour of bioethanol would come into effect in January 2005. It also indicated that the Government are considering how best to give further support to bioethanol produced from lignocellulosic feedstocks, which potentially offers even greater environmental benefits.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Minister in his Department is responsible for developing transport policy on the use of biofuels. [117589]
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  Mr. Spellar
  The Secretary of State for Transport has overall responsibility for developing all transport policies, including policies on biofuels. He is supported in this by myself and by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to investigate the basis on which car manufacturers impose a lower limit for the use of biofuels in the UK than in the rest of the EU for the purposes of the engine warranty. [117593]

  Mr. Spellar
  Almost all new diesel cars can run on biodiesel without any problems and without invalidating the manufacturer's engine warranty, provided that the biodiesel is blended into mineral diesel at a ratio of no more than 5 per cent. biodiesel to 95 per cent. mineral diesel, and provided that the biodiesel itself is of good quality. Higher rates of biodiesel in blends could cause performance problems and engine damage in some vehicles and would currently invalidate most vehicle manufacturer's vehicle warranties, both in the UK and elsewhere.

  The suitability of any diesel vehicle to run on blends consisting of more than 5 per cent. biodiesel is dependent upon the make and model of the car, rather than the country in which it is sold and used. For example, new Volkswagen diesel cars are warranted to run on 100 per cent. biodiesel anywhere in the EU. Supplies of 100 per cent. biodiesel are not widely available in the UK, however, and studies show that a greater environmental benefit can be achieved by using the available fuel in blends with mineral diesel than by using it as 100 per cent. biodiesel.

  Bioethanol, which can be used as a blend in petrol cars, is not yet on sale in the UK. Budget 2003 announced that a duty incentive for bioethanol of 20 pence per litre would be introduced in January 2005. Ford has developed a 'flex-fuel' petrol-engined vehicle, which can run on blends of up to 85 per cent. bioethanol, and which is already on sale in some other European countries (notably Sweden). Once bioethanol becomes available in the UK, it is likely that similar vehicles will be sold here, with similar warranties.

  Air Transport Consultation
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses his Department has received to the Future of Air Transport-Scotland Consultation document, broken down by local authority area. [118252]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We have not broken down the number of responses by local authority area. However by 1 June 2003 we had received over 1,500 responses concerning Scotland.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Future of Air Transport-Scotland consultation documents have been(a) sent out and (b) downloaded. [117093]

  Mr. Jamieson
  By 1 June over 29,000 paper copies of the Scottish consultation documents had been despatched and 32,000 documents were successfully downloaded from our website.
  589W
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many consultation forms had been returned from the Midlands Region Airport proposals by 1 June 2003. [117386]

  Mr. Jamieson
  By 1 June 2003, we received just over 21,000 completed Midlands' questionnaires in response to the consultation.

  Blue Lamp Vehicles
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list classes of vehicles that have an entitlement to use blue lamps; and if he will list regulations that are in force that control the use of blue lamps on vehicles. [117757]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 restrict the fitting of blue warning beacons or special warning lamps to emergency vehicles. The meaning of an emergency vehicle in these regulations is defined as a motor vehicle of any of the following descriptions(a) a vehicle used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
  (b) an ambulance, being a vehicle (other than an invalid carriage) which is constructed or adapted for the purposes of conveying sick, injured or disabled persons and which is used for such purposes;
  (c) a vehicle owned by a body formed primarily for the purposes of fire salvage and used for those or similar purposes;
  (d) a vehicle owned by the Forestry Commission or by a local authority and used from time to time for the purposes of fighting fires;
  (e) a vehicle owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used

  (i) for the purposes of the disposal of bombs or explosives,

  (ii) by the Naval Emergency Monitoring Organisation for the purposes of a nuclear accident or an incident involving radioactivity,

  (iii) by the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service for the purposes of rescue operations or any other emergencies, or

  (iv) by the Royal Air Force Armament Support Unit;

  (f) a vehicle primarily used for the purposes of the Blood Transfusion Service provided under the National Health Service Act 1977(a) or under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978(b);
  (g) a vehicle used by Her Majesty's Coastguard or Coastguard Auxiliary Service for the purposes of giving aid to persons in danger or vessels in distress on or near the coast;
  (h) a vehicle owned by the British Coal Corporation and used for the purposes of rescue operations at mines;
  (i) a vehicle owned by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and used for the purposes of launching lifeboats; and
  (j) a vehicle primarily used for the purposes of conveying any human tissue for transplanting or similar purposes.

  Regulation 27 of the same regulations prohibits the use of warning beacons emitting blue light and special warning lamps by emergency vehicles except (i) at the scene of an emergency (ii) or when it is necessary or desirable either to indicate to persons using the road the urgency of the purpose for which the vehicle is being used, or to warn persons of the presence of the vehicle or hazard on the road.
  590W
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the legal instruments that(a) control the behaviour of drivers in vehicles using blue lamps and (b) exempt drivers in vehicles attending emergency incidents from observing speed limits. [117758]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Regulations on the use of blue lights do not in themselves provide any special privileges for drivers.

  There are, however, certain relaxations often associated with the use of blue lights. Section 87 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 exempts drivers of vehicles used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes from speed limits in an emergency. The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations 1997 give qualified exemptions from signals at Pelican and Puffin crossings to vehicles being used for fire brigade, ambulance, national blood service and police purposes. The Traffic Signs Regulations 2002 give similar qualified exemptions from other red light signals and keep right/left arrows to vehicles being used for fire brigade, ambulance, bomb or explosive disposal, national blood service or police purposes.

  British Transport Police
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to amend the jurisdiction of the British Transport Police in respect of matters outside their immediate operating areas. [117730]

  Mr Jamieson
  The current railways jurisdiction of the BTP is provided by the British Transport Commission Act 1949 that allows their officers to act as constables on certain railway property, in the vicinity of this property and elsewhere in matters connected with the railways. This jurisdiction will be replaced by proposals in the Railways and Transport Safety Bill, currently before Parliament, which provides for an officer of the BTP to have all the powers and privileges of a constable on key pieces of railway infrastructure and throughout Great Britain for a purpose connected to a railway or to anything occurring on or in relation to a railway.

  The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 provides BTP officers with the powers and privileges of a constable outside the railways in certain urgent circumstances not related to the railways.

  Buses
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend the regulations on the passenger capacity of buses to recognise passengers' baggage as a restricting factor. [118033]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have no plans to amend the Public Service Vehicles Carrying Capacity Regulations to recognise passenger's baggage as a restricting factor. It would be impracticable to do this as luggage can vary so much in terms of size, weight and shape.

  The driver of a bus is responsible to ensure the safely of passengers on their vehicle and is permitted to limit the number of passengers and their baggage that may be carried if they believe that it would become a danger.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 4 April 2003,Official Report, column 879W, on CO2 emissions, if he will break down the figures for road transport to show cars and light vans. [117722]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Annual carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions from the transport sector are published each year in the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, which is available at www.naei.org.uk, and in Transport Statistics Great Britain, which is available via my Department's website at www.dft.gov.uk. Ratified data are available up to the year 2000. Detailed CO2 emissions for cars and light goods vehicles since 1990 are set out in the following table (all figures are given as megatonnes of carbon equivalents).

  Cars

  LGV

  1990

  18.76

  3.43

  1991

  18.68

  3.54

  1992

  19.02

  3.60

  1993

  19.13

  3.67

  1994

  18.69

  3.76

  1995

  18.30

  3.86

  1996

  18.93

  4.11

  1997

  19.05

  4.15

  1998

  18.81

  4.32

  1999

  19.06

  4.32

  2000

  18.93

  4.34

  Note:

  Figures given in this table are emissions "by source" and do not include emissions from the production of transport fuels and electricity. "Other transport" includes railways, domestic aviation and military aircraft, shipping, naval vessels and off-road sources. For further details, please see the explanatory notes in the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory and in Transport Statistic Great Britain.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has made to the French Government in respect of the losses suffered by Road Track Ltd. as a result of the closure by SNCF of the Channel Tunnel and criminal damage committed in French freight yards; and if he will make a statement. [118212]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Throughout the period of major disruption to freight services from Calais Frethun, the Government made repeated and strenuous representations to the French Government about the effects on UK and foreign businesses and the need for urgent action by the French authorities to restore normal service. The Government have made clear that it is for the individual companies concerned to seek compensation from the French authorities or the railway operator, as some are now doing.

  Community Transport Schemes
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial support his Department has given to community transport schemes in each year since 1997. [117528]
  592W
  Mr. Jamieson
  A wide range of community transport services have since 1 May last year been eligible for the first time to receive Bus Service Operators Grant from my Department. 800 community transport organisations have already been accepted as eligible under this scheme. Expenditure in the scheme's first financial year, 2002–03, was £0.6 million and is expected to rise to £3 million this year.

  Community transport has also benefited significantly since 1998 from support of projects submitted successfully by local authorities to our Rural and Urban Bus Challenge competitions. We estimate that around one-third of the 400 projects supported under these schemes have a community transport element. In total over £120 million has been awarded in Challenge grants to local authorities. However, it is not possible to identify separately the proportion of this total paid by authorities to community transport bodies.

  In addition, my Department has since 1994 supported the Community Transport Association's Information and Advice Service. Until 2000–01 this grant was £70,000 annually and has been £100,000 annually since then.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of pensioners use the concessionary travel scheme that operates within the Greater London area. [117151]

  Mr. Jamieson
  While figures for the actual usage of freedom passes are not available, in 2002, 83 per cent.of women over 60 and men over 65 obtained a freedom pass.

  As men aged 60 to 64 have only been eligible for a freedom pass on age grounds alone since 1 April 2003, there are no reliable figures for this age group.

  Croxley Rail Link
  Claire Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the Croxley Rail Link project. [117407]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My officials are working with the local authority promoters to develop the case for this scheme in order that it can be assessed within this year's local transport capital settlement.

  Cycles
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the new requirement for the fitting of a bell for pedal cycles for sale includes a requirement on the owner to have a working bell or other warning device fitted to the machine when it is being ridden. [117387]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations 2003, which will introduce a requirement for a bell for all new pedal cycles, only covers their supply. There will be no requirement for the owner to have a bell or other warning device when the cycle is in use.
  593W
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make it a requirement for the owners of pedal cycles to have working front and rear lights and a rear reflector fitted to the machine; [117404]

  (2) if he will make it a requirement for manufacturers, distributors and retailers of pedal cycles to fit front and rear lights and a rear reflector. [117405]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 already require pedal cycles in use on the roads between sunset and sunrise to be fitted with and use front and rear lamps and a rear retro reflector. Lamps and reflectors must be in good working order and lamps must be clean.

  The Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations 1984 already require a rear reflector to be supplied on all new cycles. As many pedal cycles are never used after dark, the Government have no plans to extend this requirement to include front and rear lamps or to require owners of pedal cycles to have lamps fitted and working at all times.

  Deep Vein Thrombosis
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to issue guidance to airlines flying to and from the UK to inform passengers of the risks of deep vein thrombosis. [118071]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department of Health issued advice in November 2001 to UK and other airlines flying to and from this country on the risks of deep vein thrombosis. One of the tasks of the new Aviation Health Unit we are setting up within the Civil Aviation Authority will be to advise on keeping guidance such as this up to date.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list departmental expenditure for each year since 1997 and the administration costs limits set for 2003–04. [117733]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department came into existence in May 2002. However, comparative figures for the financial years 1998–99 onwards are available in the Department's Annual Report 2003 (Cm 5907), copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Total public spending for the financial years 1998–99 to 2001–02, estimated total public spending for 2002–03, and planned total public spending for 2003–04 to 2005–06 is shown in Table Al of the Report. Expenditure against administration costs limits from 1998–99 to 2001–02, estimated outturn for 2002–03 and the administration costs limits set for 2003–04 to 2005–06 are shown in Table A5.

  Information for 1997–98 is not available on a comparable basis.

  Equal Treatment and Non-discrimination Directive
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the effect upon(a) the recruitment of foreign seafarers and (b) the UK Ships Register of implementing the EU Directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination. [118282]
  594W
  Mr. Jamieson
  A Regulatory Impact Analysis was completed when the implementation of the EU Article 13 Race Directive was under consideration.

  Ferry Passengers
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the current percentage of passenger traffic using ferry links from UK ports who arrive at each point by public transport. [118339]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This information is not available.

  Highways Infrastructure (Depreciation)
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account is taken within the Strategic Planning Framework for Highways Maintenance Expenditure for depreciation of highways infrastructure; and how much such expenditure was in the latest year for which figures are available. [118097]

  Mr. Jamieson
  For 2001–02, the latest year for which figures are available, the Highways Agency allowed £175,333,000 for depreciation of the trunk road network in England. This figure relates almost entirely to bridges and tunnels, as the roads themselves are depreciated on a renewals accounting basis; that is, the level of expenditure on maintenance is treated as a proxy for the depreciation charge on the asset. Further details are available in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts 2001–02, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Local highway authorities in England are not currently required to value their road assets nor to establish a basis on which to depreciate them. The total provision for local highway maintenance in the 10-Year-Plan is £30.5 billion, of which £9.2 billion is capital funding and £21.3 billion is revenue funding. This is linked to the Plan target of eliminating the backlogs in road maintenance by the end of the Plan period.

  Licence Plates
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the number of cloned vehicle licence plates on UK roads; and if he will make a statement. [117666]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Statistics on the number of cloned vehicles in use on UK roads are not available. However, evidence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems suggests that cloning is being used by a small minority of motorists to evade fines and charges.

  Motor Cycles
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a compulsory registration scheme for off road motorcycles. [117408]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are no plans to do so. Off road motorcycling causes nuisance from time to time, but is not a major problem. It does not warrant a national registration scheme, which would be costly to set up and administer, and difficult to enforce.

  Oil Tanker Safety
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place with other EU member states regarding oil tanker safety since the wreck of the Prestige. [118281]

  Mr. Jamieson
  At the Transport Council in December 2002, 20 Conclusions on oil tanker safety were agreed. Since then we have worked closely with our colleagues in other Member States to take forward the measures set out in the Conclusions.

  Rail Services
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what duties(a) Network Rail and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority have taken over from train operating companies which have signed new franchise extensions of less than 10 years' duration. [116102]

  Mr. Jamieson
  None.

  Road Safety
  Shona Mclsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the regulations regarding the siting of(a) roundabouts and (b) traffic lights. [118567]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The appropriate method of regulating conflicting traffic movements at junctions, or providing crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, is a matter for the engineering judgment of the traffic authority in the light of local circumstances. The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (SI 3113) specify the appearance of traffic signals, and of signs and markings associated with signals and roundabouts, and the circumstances in which traffic signs and signals may be placed.

  Sea Vision UK
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been allocated to Sea Vision UK; and what steps have been taken since 1997 to increase public awareness of the role of the sea to the UK. [118278]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We provided Sea Vision UK with £800 funding towards the cost of producing a publication to promote awareness of maritime careers in 2002 and have committed to providing funding for another such

  Date

  Tram

  Kerb guided bus

  1999

  London: Docklands Light Railway Lewisham extension opened November

  0

  West Midlands: Midland Metro line 1 (Birmingham to Wolverhampton) opened in May

  —

  2000

  London: Croydon Tramlink opened in May

  0

  2001

  —

  West Yorkshire: East Leeds Quality Bus Scheme opened in November

  2002

  Tyne and Wear: Tyne and Wear Metro extension to Sunderland and South Hylton opened in March

  West Yorkshire: Bradford-A641 Manchester Road opened January 2002

  Walking/Cycling
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage walking and cycling as alternatives to road transport; and if he will make a statement. [118149]
  596W
  publication in 2003. No other formal requests for funding have been received, but we fully support the initiative.

  Merchant Navy Day was launched in September 2000 to highlight the vital contribution to the nation of the UK shipping industry, and the need to encourage young people to consider a career at sea via the associated programme of events, Our Ships—Your Future.

  The Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme has been running since April 1998 and provides support for the training of officers and ratings, covering around 50 per cent. of training costs.

  Seafarer Training
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance has been given to the British shipping sector to train and employ British seafarers. [118279]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government's Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme has been running since April 1998 and provides support for the training of officers and ratings. Following a review in 2000 and receipt of EU State Aids clearance in 2001, additional courses were included and the levels of funding increased to cover around 50 per cent. of the costs of training.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the OECD report on Availability and Training of Seafarers; and if he will make a statement. [118266]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I welcome the OECD report as a valuable contribution to the debate on means of increasing the training and employment of seafarers. In particular, I note the support for measures such as tonnage taxes, initiatives to promote maritime careers, and the need to ensure training for future jobs ashore normally filled by ex-seafarers. These accord with United Kingdom policy.

  Trams
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list, broken down by city,(a) tram and (b) guided bus systems that have been opened for each year since 1997. [117732]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government are committed to increasing walking and cycling journeys to help tackle local congestion and improve public health. We have established the National Cycling Strategy Board for England and engaged a team of regional cycling advocates to assist local authorities and organisations in
  597W
  increasing cycling. We intend within the next month to issue a consultation paper on encouraging more walking and improving conditions for pedestrians. This will build on discussions at a round of regional seminars on walking sponsored by my Department last year.

  Improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians are largely funded through Local Transport Plans. Highway authorities are asked to develop local strategies to support and encourage cycling and walking as part of these plans. These must identify gaps in the local infrastructure and plans for delivering improvements.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to develop a national walking strategy; and if he will make a statement. [118430]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We intend to publish a consultation paper on encouraging walking and improving conditions for pedestrians within the next month.

CABINET OFFICE

  Terrorism (Emergency Planning)
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the sources of information that are available on emergency planning in the event of a terrorist attack for members of the public who(a) are unable to access the internet and (b) are visually impaired; and if he will make a statement. [117277]

  Mr. Alexander
  The main source of information for the public in the event of a terrorist attack will be through the broadcasters and their full range of services.

  This includes TV (with sign language or subtitles as necessary), Radio including minority language broadcasts, Teletext, Ceefax and through websites. These will provide a range of accessible options for users with hearing or sight impairments. Such arrangements are appropriate to existing and anticipated threat levels.

  The core advice to the public is to "Go in, stay in, tune in" and follow the advice from the emergency services who will be best placed to decide the appropriate response.

  While many people do not have access to the Internet at home, through the People's Network programme (part of the UK online initiative) the technology is available in most public libraries together with trained staff to help new users of any age or ability.

  The Home Office website, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism, has details about the nature of any threat, general guidance on sensible precautions to take for a civil emergency, and detailed information about how Government work behind the scenes to protect the public. More sources of information can be found on www.ukresilience.info.

TREASURY

  Bank Regulation
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the timetable for the introduction of 598W
  legislation to empower the Office of Fair Trading to regulate the bank clearing system; and if he will make a statement. [117717]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government are closely monitoring developments in payment systems and will introduce legislation to give the Office of Fair Trading new powers to promote effective competition in payment systems as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Leisure/Hospitality Sectors
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate was of new job creation in the leisure and hospitality sector in the last 12 months. [117000]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Gardiner, dated 9 June 2003:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the rate of new job creation in the Leisure and Hospitality sectors in the last 12 months. (117000)

  There are no figures for jobs created but an indication can be obtained by comparing the annual surveys of employee jobs. The Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) gives an estimate of the number of employee jobs in Great Britain in December of each year.

  The latest year for which figures are available is 2001 and so a comparison can be made with 2000.

  Between 2000 and 2001 the ABI data shows net increases in the number of employee jobs in the 2 specified sectors of:

  (a) Leisure: 34,200

  (b) Hospitality: 45,900

  Employment data are produced according to the internationally agreed Standard Industrial Classification (SJC92). The classes which best fit the categories for which data have been asked are:

  Leisure—Division 92 'Recreational, Cultural and Sporting Activities' but excluding Sporting Activities (92 less 92.6)

  Hospitality—Sector H. This includes all short-term accommodation, restaurants, pubs and other licensed premises and other catering (all of Division 55)

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in the(a) sport, (b) leisure and (c) hospitality sectors. [117003]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Gardiner, dated 9 June 2003:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many people are employed in the (a) Sports, (b) Leisure and (c) Hospitality sectors. (117003)

  The Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) gives an estimate of the number of employee jobs in Great Britain in December of each year.

  The latest year for which figures are available is 2001.

  For 2001 the ABI data shows the number of employee jobs in the 3 specified sectors of:

  (a) Sport: 335,600

  (b) Leisure: 436,000

  (c) Hospitality: 1,656,800

  599W
  Employment data are produced according to the internationally agreed Standard Industrial Classification (S1C92). The classes which best fit the categories for which data have been asked are:

  Sport—Sporting Activities (92.6), Manufacture of Sport goods (36.4), Sale of sports goods (52.48/5), Hire of Sports Goods (71.40/1) and Physical Well-being activities (93.04)

  Leisure—Division 92 'Recreational, Cultural and Sporting Activities' but excluding Sporting Activities (92 less 92.6)

  Hospitality—Sector H. This includes all short-term accommodation, restaurants, pubs and other licensed premises and other catering (all of Division 55)

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax revenues were generated by the leisure and hospitality sector in the UK in each of the last five years; and what percentage of total tax revenues this represents. [117002]

  John Healey
  It is estimated that in 2000–01 tax receipts from valued added tax, income tax and national insurance contributions collected under PAYE, business rates and corporation tax relating to the leisure and hospitality sector amounted to around £25 billion, just under 7 per cent. of total Government receipts. This includes all receipts from betting and alcohol duty. This is a broad and partial estimate as information is not available on all types of tax revenues from the sector and there are also issues of classification and definition of a business with more than one principal activity, with many encompassing a wide range of activities.

  Microsoft
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Government Departments have signed contracts with Microsoft; how much each contract is worth; how long each contract agreement is for; how many of the contracts require the signing of a non-disclosure agreement regarding the source code of programmes installed; and how much it would cost to terminate each of the contracts before the completion date. [116657]

  Mr. Boateng
  Most Departments license some desktop software from Microsoft. In February 2002, the Office of Government Commerce entered into an agreement with Microsoft under which Microsoft software was offered to Government departments at discounts reflecting the overall level of Government purchasing. The details of individual contracts between Microsoft and departments are not held centrally. However the total value of spend by departments through the central GCAT contract amounted to £29.2 million in 2002–03.

  Most purchasing of Microsoft software is by outright purchase of perpetual licenses, with payment sometimes phased over a three year period. Disclosure of Microsoft source code is not a standard feature of these agreements.

  Suicides
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides of(a) 16-year olds, (b) 17-year olds and (c) 18-year olds there were in each year since 1997. [117577]

  John Healey
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  600W
  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 9 June 2003:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many suicides have been recorded for (a) 16-year olds, (b) 17-year olds and (c) 18-year olds in each year since 1997. I am replying in his absence. (117577)

  The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2001. Figures for each year from 1997 to 2001 are given in the following table:

  Number of deaths from suicide and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted 1, persons aged 16,17 and 18, England and Wales, 1997 to 20012

  Number of deaths by individual year of age

  16-year olds

  17-year olds

  18-year olds

  1997

  27

  28

  42

  1998

  19

  41

  46

  1999

  20

  37

  57

  2000

  10

  43

  48

  2001

  17

  29

  45

  1 The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (1 CD-9) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1997 to 2000, and, for the year 2001, the International Classifications of Diseases, Tenth Revision (1 CD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y 10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.

  2 Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.

  Aviation Industry
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will repeal the aviation industry's exemption from fuel duty and VAT. [116952]

  John Healey
  The Chicago Convention prohibits the imposition of taxes or charges on fuel kept on board aircraft and consumed on international flights. The UK is also bound by bilateral air service agreements, which impose further restrictions. Although air fares, in common with all public transport fares, are zero-rated for VAT, air travel is subject to a separate tax, air passenger duty, which is charged at rates from £5 to £40 per flight, depending on the country of destination and the class of travel.

  The 2002 pre-Budget Report announced that the Government would discuss with stakeholders the most effective economic instruments for ensuring that the industry is encouraged to take account of, and where appropriate reduce, its contribution to global warming, local air and noise pollution.

  These discussions will be used to inform the Government's views, which will be set out in its Air Transport White Paper later this year.

  Biofuels
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the Government Departments for which he is accountable is responsible for developing tax policy on the use of biofuels. [117592]

  John Healey
  HM Customs and Excise and HM Treasury work closely together on developing the taxation policy for biofuels.

  HM Customs take the lead on providing policy advice while HM Treasury has strategic responsibility for taxation matters.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the establishment figure for Customs and Excise officers was in 1995; and what the latest available figure is. [118046]

  John Healey
  Customs and Excise employed the full time equivalent of 24,132 officers in April 1995. The latest published figure is for April 2002 when Customs had 22,120 full time equivalent employees.

  Insurance Discrimination
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that teenagers and children who have had cancer treatment are not excluded from access to financial services later in their lives. [118167]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Written answer I gave the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Sir Nicholas Winterton) on 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 603W.

  Regional Pay
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from(a) trades unions and (b) other bodies concerning his plans to introduce a stronger local and regional element to pay in the public sector. [116941]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer regularly receives representations from trade union leaders and others concerning a wide range of issues including public sector pay.

  Tax Credits
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has collated on the take up rate of working family tax credits in the Borough of Islington in each of the past five years and the applicant rate for tax credits in the current year, the number paid out, the value outstanding and the number of complaints. [117809]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC) was introduced in October 1999. The number of recipients in Islington at each quarter since May 2001 appears in "Working Families' and Disabled Person's Tax Credit Statistics. Geographical analyses". Estimates based on sample data appear for earlier quarters back to May 2000 in "Working Families' Tax Credit Statistics. Quarterly Enquiry". All these documents are available on the Inland Revenue web site, inlandrevenue.gov.uk, under "National Statistics".

  National estimates of WFTC take up rates appear in "Working Families' Tax Credit. Estimates of Take-up rates in 2000–01", which can be found on the Inland Revenue web site under "National Statistics". No estimates are available at local authority level. I regret that the other figures requested are not available, or not
  602W
  available at the local authority level. Statistics on awards of the Child and Working Tax Credits will be published in August.

  UK Tax Regime
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amendments to the draft EU constitution he will propose in order to protect the rights of the UK Government to determine its own tax regime. [117081]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Any changes to the provisions of the existing EU Treaties require the unanimous agreement of all member states. The Government have made it clear that they will not accept any changes that move away from unanimity on tax matters.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 8 April 2003,Official Report, column 133W, on autism, what consultations have been held on, and what definition will be used for, the collection of special educational needs data from schools and Local Education Authorities. [114503]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  On 29 November draft guidance, including a draft set of descriptions of each of the types of SEN we will be collecting, was sent out to a sample of 50 schools, 30 LEAs and 50 voluntary organisations for consultation. At the same time the information was placed on the DfES Consultation website. Comments were requested on both the accuracy and the clarity of the descriptions and respondents were also asked to make general comments. The consultation closed on 6 March 2003 and 120 responses were received. Amendments to the guidance have now been made in the light of the responses received.

  A final version will be sent to LEAs and published on the DIES SEN website in the near future and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Further Education Allowance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has commissioned on the effects of introducing further education allowance to support 19 to 30-year-olds in returning to education. [116585]

  Margaret Hodge
  My Department has not commissioned specific research on the effects of introducing a further education allowance for 19 to 30-year-olds. The key statistical and research evidence underpinning work to develop the National Skills Strategy to be launched later this month was summarised in the Evidence Paper we published on 26 March this year.

  Higher Education
  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he plans to introduce to widen participation in higher education for(a) ethnic minorities, (b) people with disabilities and (c) those of working class backgrounds. [108270]

  Margaret Hodge
  We are committed to widening participation in higher education for under-represented groups. While ethnic minorities are generally well represented in higher education, we recognise that there are pockets of under-representation. The Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service are looking to see what data are available for monitoring purposes.

  Through amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which came into effect in September 2002, we have made it unlawful for institutions to discriminate against disabled students in their admissions procedures. HEFCE has, since last year, included benchmark figures for participation by disabled students in its performance indicators for higher education. We have improved the assessment of Disabled Students Allowances, which are now being completed well before the start of the course, giving disabled students confidence about the level and nature of support.

  In order to widen participation to those from working class backgrounds, we need to raise levels of attainment, raise aspirations and encourage more applications. Our Aimhigher programme helps universities, colleges and schools to work together to achieve this, and we have recently announced an extension of this programme into 86 new areas over the next three years. The Office for Fair Access will encourage further improvements to widening access through access agreements, which will set out the universities' plans to offer bursaries and other financial support, encourage more applicants from less advantaged backgrounds, and which will include their own ambitions. If there are any particular issues around specific groups relating to any one university, we would expect that university to have plans to address the problem.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the funding of higher education after the introduction of top-up fees. [116586]

  Margaret Hodge
  As set out in the White Paper 'The future of higher education' (Cm 5735), the funding for higher education will increase by over 6 per cent. a year in each of the three years to 2005–06 as a result of the 2002 Spending Review settlement, so that total spending in England in that year will be almost £10 billion. The funding in 2006–07 will be determined through the forthcoming Spending Review, and will be supplemented by additional income generated through the introduction of a graduate contribution scheme for differential fees. The White Paper also made clear, however, that in order to meet the challenges of the future, universities need to develop other non-governmental funding streams. Therefore, in addition to the Graduate Contribution Scheme, the White Paper set out proposals in connection with the development of endowments and maximising donations from alumni.

  Physics
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has held with the Institution of Physics on the involvement of women in physics. [116618]

  Margaret Hodge
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not held any discussions with the Institute of Physics on the involvement of women in physics. However officials of the Department have met with the Institute to discuss this issue and the Institute's new programme to support women in physics, with a view to working together in this area.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Written Ministerial Statement of 15 May 2003,Official Report, column 13WS, on school budgets, what plans he has to issue guidance to local education authorities in connection with those obligations (a) to meet requirements under health and safety legislation and (b) to meet Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2000 requirements in respect of (i) the minimum education of children and (ii) to meet SENDA requirements in respect of physical access to premises. [115180]

  Mr. Miliband
  We have no plans to issue further guidance in these areas.

  My Department has worked closely with LEAs to ensure that they are aware of their health and safety responsibilities, including giving talks to LEA staff, sending the publication "Health & Safety: Responsibilities and Powers" to all LEAs and schools in England in December 2001 and more recently creating a health and safety section on the Teachernet website http://www.teachernet. gov.uk/healthandsafety.

  There is a requirement for schools to meet for a minimum of 380 half day sessions per year and recommended guidelines on the amount of teaching time have been published as follows:
  17.30–20 hours for pupils at Key Stage 1 (Recommended by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)
  19.10–22.30 hours for pupils at Key Stage 2 (Recommended by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)
  21.30 hours for pupils at Key Stage 3 (Recommended by the Key State 3 National Strategy)
  24 hours for pupils at Key Stage 4 (DfES Circular 7/90)
  The guidance for Key Stages 1 and 2 can be found on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's website: http://www.qca.org.uk/ca/5–14/learnmg_prim curr.asp
  The Key Stage 3 guidelines can be found at: http://www. standards. dfes. gov. uk/keystage3/publications

  In July 2002 my Department issued guidance for local education authorities and schools on carrying out their disability planning duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended by the SEN and Disability Act 2001). These duties require them to plan strategically to increase access to schools for disabled pupils over time. The duty covers physical access to premises, access to information in alternative formats, and access to the curriculum. The guidance—"Accessible Schools—Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils" can be found at http:// www.dfes.gov.uk/sen

  School Exclusions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school children are

  Number of permanent exclusions by type of school 2001–02 (provisional estimates) 1by local education authority area in London

  Primary2

  Secondary2

  Special3

  Total

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of the school population4

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of the school population4

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of the school population4

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of the school population4

  England

  1,451

  0.03

  7,741

  0.24

  343

  0.36

  9,535

  0.12

  London

  205

  0.03

  1,196

  0.29

  55

  0.45

  1,456

  0.14

  Inner London

  80

  0.03

  386

  0.30

  23

  0.50

  489

  0.13

  Camden

  2

  0.02

  24

  0.22

  2

  0.68

  28

  0.12

  City of London

  0

  0.00

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Hackney

  9

  0.05

  21

  0.26

  3

  0.80

  33

  0.12

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2

  0.02

  34

  0.47

  1

  0.32

  37

  0.22

  Haringey

  5

  0.02

  34

  0.47

  1

  0.32

  37

  0.22

  Haringey

  5

  0.02

  27

  0.24

  0

  0.00

  32

  0.09

  Islington

  0

  0.00

  12

  0.16

  0

  0.00

  12

  0.05

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3

  0.04

  9

  0.25

  1

  1.32

  13

  0.12

  Lambeth

  9

  0.05

  29

  0.40

  0

  0.00

  38

  0.14

  Lewisham

  13

  0.06

  51

  0.44

  2

  0.38

  66

  0.19

  Newham

  12

  0.04

  37

  0.21

  1

  1.39

  50

  0.10

  Southwark

  14

  0.06

  31

  0.29

  5

  1.05

  50

  0.14

  Tower Hamlets

  1

  0.00

  36

  0.26

  1

  0.25

  38

  0.10

  Wandsworth

  9

  0.05

  49

  0.49

  7

  0.96

  65

  0.23

  Westminster

  1

  0.01

  26

  0.32

  0

  0.00

  27

  0.14

  Outer London

  125

  0.03

  810

  0.29

  32

  0.43

  967

  0.14

  Barking and Dagenham

  10

  0.05

  14

  0.12

  0

  0.00

  24

  0.08

  Barnet

  3

  0.01

  51

  0.24

  0

  0.00

  54

  0.11

  Bexley

  11

  0.05

  45

  0.25

  4

  1.00

  60

  0.15

  Brent

  3

  0.01

  34

  0.23

  1

  0.25

  38

  0.10

  Bromley

  6

  0.02

  79

  0.37

  0

  0.00

  85

  0.18

  Croydon

  25

  0.08

  110

  0.62

  10

  1.79

  145

  0.29

  Baling

  4

  0.01

  59

  0.38

  1

  0.21

  64

  0.15

  Enfield

  6

  0.02

  64

  0.31

  2

  0.39

  72

  0.15

  Greenwich

  18

  0.09

  31

  0.22

  2

  0.35

  51

  0.14

  Harrow

  5

  0.03

  63

  0.70

  0

  0.00

  68

  0.24

  Havering

  2

  0.01

  42

  0.26

  1

  0.42

  45

  0.12

  Hillingdon

  8

  0.03

  35

  0.21

  0

  0.00

  43

  0.10

  Hounslow

  7

  0.04

  50

  0.31

  2

  0.52

  59

  0.16

  Kingston upon Thames

  1

  0.01

  2

  0.02

  0

  0.00

  3

  0.01

  Merton

  3

  0.02

  18

  0.24

  2

  0.78

  23

  0.10

  Redbridge

  2

  0.01

  30

  0.16

  0

  0.00

  32

  0.07

  Richmond upon Thames

  3

  0.02

  25

  0.34

  3

  1.99

  31

  0.16

  Sutton

  1

  0.01

  34

  0.23

  0

  0.00

  35

  0.12

  Waltham Forest

  7

  0.03

  24

  0.18

  4

  0.59

  35

  0.10

  1 19 LEAs in England have yet to confirm the data for their schools. Based on data as at 29 May 2003.

  2 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  3 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.

  4 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) pupils in primary, secondary and special schools, excluding dually registered pupils in special schools in January 2002.

  5 Not applicable (no schools of this type)

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many appeals against fixed term exclusions from secondary schools have been made in the last 12 months; [116939]

  (2) how many fixed term exclusions have been issued in secondary schools in the last 12 months. [116940]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Information on fixed term exclusions and associated appeals is not collected centrally.

  Following a review of data collected on exclusions, the Department is collecting information from Local Education Authorities on both fixed term and permanent exclusions on a termly basis from this summer.
  606W
  permanently excluded from schools in the Greater London area. [116707]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The information requested is shown in the table

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many excluded children have received education through(a) pupil referral units, (b) home tuition, (c) emotional and behavioural disorder day units, (d) emotional and behavioural disorder residential units and (e) other provision for excluded children in each year since 1995; [116632]

  (2) how many children have been excluded from mainstream education in each year since 1995. [116634]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]Information on the provision made for permanently excluded pupils was first collected in March 2001 via the Education of Permanently Excluded Pupils (EPEP) Survey and was updated in September 2001. The available figures are shown in the table.
  607W
  All local education authorities were committed to offering a full timetable to permanently excluded pupils from September 2002. In targeted schools in 34 local authorities, provision is also being made for those excluded on a temporary basis. These arrangements will be extended to a further 27 local authorities in the coming year.

  Distribution of mode of provision of education for excluded pupils—England, March and September 2001

  Provision of permanently excluded pupils

  March 20011

  September 20012

  Number of excluded pupils by mode of provision

  Percentage distribution of mode of provision

  Number of excluded pupils by mode of provision

  Percentage distribution of mode of provision

  PRU

  4,176

  41.0

  3,793

  47.6

  Home tuition

  1,706

  16.8

  1,124

  14.1

  Voluntary Sector

  51

  0.5

  95

  1.2

  FE college

  626

  6.2

  673

  8.4

  Work related

  212

  2.1

  270

  3.4

  Mixed provision

  1,248

  12.3

  525

  6.6

  Other provision

  901

  8.9

  660

  8.3

  No provision

  1,254

  12.3

  830

  10.4

  Total

  10,174

  100.0

  7,970

  100.0

  1 Based on replies from 144 out of 150 local education authorities

  2 Based on replies from 146 out of 150 local education authorities

  Source:

  EPEP Survey.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of excluded children in pupil referral units were regularly truanting in each year since 1995. [116633]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Information on pupil truancy is derived from Absence in Schools Survey returns made each year by schools to the Department. This survey is not completed by Pupil Referral Units.

  Sixth Forms
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Government's strategy is towards small school sixth forms. [117675]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We have said many times in the House that we have no intention of closing small school sixth forms where they are successful and popular and meet the needs of their communities. Indeed such sixth forms are an important part of the pattern of provision. They should be supported to build on their success where, in collaboration with others, they continue to offer a range of high quality learning opportunities.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the percentage of children with special educational needs in each local education authority. [115025]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The information requested has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding has been received by Sefton metropolitan borough council to support 608W
  educational services for children and people with learning difficulties, disabilities and other special educational needs in the current financial year. [116279]

  Mr. Miliband
  The calculation of Sefton MBC's Education Formula Spending Share (FSS) takes account of the estimated number of children between the ages of 3 and 16 with high levels of educational need. Sefton's overall FSS determines the general funding received through the authority through Revenue Support Grant. The authority decides how much of this funding is used to support spending on educational services for children and people with learning difficulties, disabilities and other special educational needs—it is not possible to identify a separate funding allocation for these services.

  The authority also receives funding from the Learning and Skills Council for students over the age of 16 with special educational needs. In 2003–04 this totalled £890,508. There is also support for children and people with learning difficulties through the Standards Fund: the authority's grant for SEN for 2003–04 is £519,437. There is capital funding available: the authority's School Access Initiative, to help make schools more accessible for children with disabilities, is worth £650,000 in Basic Credit Approvals for 2003–04.

  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which(a) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (b) dyslexia projects received funding from the (i) Special Educational Needs Small Programme Fund and (ii) Training and Development Fund; and how much each project received. [116904]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  In the financial year 2003–04, three projects related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or dyslexia are receiving funding under the Special Educational Needs Small Programmes Fund. These are;£45,000 to the NSPCC for their "Attention Difficulties: Developing a whole school approach" project. Among the partners involved in this project are the North East Special Educational Needs Regional Partnership and Durham University.
  £49,966 to The Dyslexia Institute for their "Bury Local Education Authority Dyslexia Friendly Schools initiative". This work is being done alongside the Bury Local Education Authority Special Educational Needs Support Service Team.
  £50,000 to The Dyslexia Institute for their "Effective Strategies to meet Specific needs of Pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties/Dyslexia in the Classroom". This is taking place at the Roebuck Primary School in Stevenage, Hertfordshire and the consortium includes the Regional Partnership and the Local Education Authority.

  Funding for the Training and Development Fund was available in financial year 2002–03. £81,400 was awarded to the Institute of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, for their project 'Raising the Achievement of Dyslexia Pupils: Dyslexia Friendly Teaching'. Among its partnership organisations was the British Dyslexia Association.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many higher education students in Suffolk pay all or part of the annual fee charged for university tuition. [114390]
  609W
  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 20 May 2003]Student support data on the levels of contribution to tuition are collected from local education authorities (LEAs) through a voluntary survey. However, due to poor response rates and quality of responses from a number of LEAs, the data are only robust enough to be published at the national level.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how much was raised through tuition fees from students in the London Borough of Havering in(a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000, (d) 2001 and (e) 2002; [115341]

  (2) how many students from the London Borough of Havering are exempt from tuition fees. [115345]

  Margaret Hodge
  Student support data on the levels of contribution to tuition are collected from local education authorities (LEAs) through a voluntary survey. However, due to poor response rates and quality of responses from a number of LEAs, the data are only robust enough to be published at the national level.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sports Tourism
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value was of sports tourism to the UK economy in each of the previous five years. [116998]

  Dr. Howells
  The Office for National Statistics collected statistics on sports tourism in 2001 and 2002. Figures for 2001 show that 650,000 overseas visitors to the UK either watched a sporting event or participated in amateur sport as the main purpose of their visit, and they spent an estimated £369 million. Figures for 2002 will be available in August.

  Asbestos
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the actions her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are taking to comply with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002; whether she has made an estimate of the cost of compliance; and if she will make a statement. [117700]

  Dr. Howells
  The DCMS has in place an asbestos register in respect of buildings on the estate. The audit and assessment of any asbestos still in situ in buildings is a three yearly occurrence in addition to any risk assessment that would he necessary prior to any works which might disturb asbestos in the structure of the buildings. The same applies to the Royal Parks Agency. Non-departmental public bodies, of which the Department has 60, are autonomous in respect of management of their estate, much of which is minority leased holdings in commercial buildings.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what targets her Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how she intends to achieve these targets. [116645]
  610W
  Dr. Howells
  Details of environmental policies and targets are posted on the Department's website. In common with all Government Departments DCMS has an interim target of 1 per cent. reduction in (weather-corrected) CO2 emissions from the estate, relative to a base year of 1999–2000. New cross-government targets will be agreed, based on benchmark ing the performance of individual buildings, where possible by the end of this year. An established Environmental Management System will enable the Department to identify best options and methods for seeking a continual improvement (reduction) in energy use and emissions.

  Protection of Cultural Property
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government has to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of armed conflict; and if she will make a statement. [116321]

  Tessa Jowell
  We remain fully committed to the protection of cultural property in time of armed conflict in accordance with international law and are currently giving active consideration, with other interested departments, to the ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention.

  Radio Stations
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Government assistance is available to the BBC to cover the whole of the Bridgwater constituency by local radio. [115614]

  Dr. Howells
  This is a matter for the BBC. The BBC is funded by the licence fee and the Governors are responsible for ensuring that the funds are spent in the public interest. I understand that the BBC currently has a local FM service across parts of Somerset in the form of BBC Radio Bristol, and the Corporation has no plans for further FM developments in this area.

  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will grant the BBC an FM frequency in Somerset. [115615]

  Dr. Howells
  This is a matter for the BBC. FM spectrum is a scarce resource and it is for the BBC to determine how their spectrum allocation is planned to deliver local radio services. I understand that the BBC currently has a local FM service across parts of Somerset in the form of BBC Radio Bristol, and the Corporation has no plans for further FM developments in this area.

  S4C
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the departmental budget allocations were for the S4C Channel each year since 1995; and if she will make a statement. [117744]

  Dr. Howells
  S4C's statutory grant entitlement is for the calendar year but the Department for Culture, Media and Sport operates on an April to March financial year. The Department's budget allocations for the relevant period may therefore differ from the Welsh Authority's grant entitlement for the corresponding calendar year, but were as follows.
  611W

  £ millions

  Departmental allocation

  1995–96

  68.486

  1996–97

  72.310

  1997–981

  18.414

  1998–99

  75.127

  1999–2000

  75.127

  2000–01

  75.127

  2001–02

  76.817

  2002–03

  80.217

  2003–04

  85.217

  1 From January 1998, under the new funding formula introduced by the Broadcasting Act 1996 S4C's annual grant ceased to be paid in full in January each year and became payable in instalments. The budget alloction for 1997–98 therefore covered the period January to March 1998 only.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of State. Department for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. [117163]

  Hilary Benn
  The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has improved over the last year. This winter passed without serious problems. But poverty is endemic and vulnerable sections of the population (WFP estimates about 5.9 million people out of a population of approximately 25 million) continue to require direct assistance.

  The security situation in the South is hampering assessment missions as well as food distributions causing some NGOs to suspend or curtail their programmes. In cities, programmes are operating normally but restrictions placed on travel because of security risks have resulted in many NGOs scaling down or postponing operations until the situation improves.

  In the North East there have been floods because of heavy rain and UNHCR and WFP are providing temporary accommodation and food.

  More than 100,000 Afghan refugees have returned home so far this year, primarily from Pakistan (65,000) and Iran (35,000), and within Afghanistan, more than 25,000 internally displaced people have gone home this year. DFID will continue to support UN agencies to help meet essential needs of refugees and returnees.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how much money was promised by the UK Government to Afghanistan in aid contributions at the Tokyo Summit. [117912]

  Hilary Benn
  At the Ministerial Conference in Tokyo (January 2002), we provided £75 million including £12.7 million to help clear Afghanistan's arrears to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. For this financial year, DFID is willing to increase our Tokyo commitment of £40 million per year to £50 million, linked to progress on civil service reform. The joint FCO-DFID-MOD Global Conflict Prevention Pool 612W
  will provide a further £16.8 million this year, in addition, DFID will contribute an estimated £40 million through multilateral channels (EC, IDA).

  Aid
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what funds were available through the Department for aid expressed as a percentage of GDP in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [117877]

  Hilary Benn
  The ratio of total aid to Gross National Income (GNI), which is the statistic normally used to measure aid performance, has been as follows over the last three years:

  percentage

  2000

  2001

  2002 (provisional)

  0.32

  0.32

  0.30

  An average of around 90 per cent. of this aid is provided through DFID. The low figure in 2002 was due to the lack of any contribution to IDA in that year, caused by delay in completing negotiation and ratification of the thirteenth replenishment.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what targets the Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets. [116653]

  Hilary Benn
  All Departments currently have an interim target of 1 per cent. per annum a reductions in (weather-corrected) CO2 emissions from their estate, relative to the base-year 1999–2000. DEFRA will agree new targets for 2010, based on benchmarking the performance of individual buildings where possible, by the end of the year. In the meantime, we are monitoring consumption figures on a regular basis and compiling the necessary baseline data in order to carry out an Energy Performance Benchmarking exercise in accordance with DETR guidelines.

  The refurbishment of our main London building, which took place in 2001, and the works currently under way at our East Kilbride office, include a wide range of energy efficiency measures. The design for the latest works on our East Kilbride building have received an "excellent" rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) rating system. We have also commenced testing to establish the feasibility of installing a wind turbine.

  Energy Efficiency is now a significant feature of the new contracts with our two respective specialist building maintenance contractors, with regular meetings being held to consider, inter alia, implementation of additional savings measures.

  Iraq
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what
  613W
  efforts are being taken to ensure that Clause 20 of UN Security Council Resolution 1483 can be met by the interim Iraqi administration. [117028]

  Hilary Benn
  Discussions are taking place among Coalition partners on the establishment of the Development Fund for Iraq within the terms set out in UNSCR 1483.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development which Government Department will be responsible for the administration of the Oil For Food programme when the US and UK Governments take over responsibility for the programme as set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1483. [117029]

  Hilary Benn
  The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) will take over responsibility for activities currently carried out under Oil For Food programme. Responsibility for the Government's policy towards the CPA is co-ordinated among several Whitehall Departments, including DFID.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if his Department will work with the United Nations to help draw up a nationwide, cross-sectoral needs assessment in Iraq. [117031]

  Hilary Benn
  World Bank and International Monetary Fund economic and social needs assessments will begin in the coming weeks, in co-ordination with work already being undertaken by the UN and Coalition Provisional Authority. DFID's future engagement in Iraq will reflect the needs highlighted in these assessments.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether an assessment has been made of the damage caused to Iraq's infrastructure by recent military action in Iraq. [117035]

  Hilary Benn
  We are not aware of any comprehensive assessment of the damage done to infrastructure in Iraq as a direct result of military action. Many of the current problems relating to infrastructure are a result of its poor state of repair from years of neglect before the conflict, and subsequent acts of sabotage and looting.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the WFP food lifts into Iraq will be extended to September. [117040]

  Hilary Benn
  Under the World Food Programme's (WFP) current plans, their food lifts will continue to the end of September. DFID has provided £33 million to assist WFP with their work in Iraq.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether courts are operating in (a) Baghdad and (b) Basra. [117041]

  Hilary Benn
  Two courts are operating in Baghdad. Courts have been operating in Basra since 1 June.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Department has a plan for repairs and restoration of the electricity network in Iraq. [117042]
  614W
  Hilary Benn
  The Coalition Provision Authority is working with local Iraqi municipalities, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and other humanitarian agencies to draw up plans for the rehabilitation of the electricity sector in Iraq.

  DFID has provided £7 million to UNDP to carry out emergency repairs lo the electricity sector in the centre and south of Iraq. DFID has committed £16.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for their work in Iraq, which also includes electricity infrastructure repair.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what efforts there will be in Iraq to offer retraining to doctors. [117043]

  Hilary Benn
  Current efforts to retrain health staff in Iraq are focused on specific priority issues, such as disease surveillance for cholera in Basra. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also provided 32 emergency library kits to update the reference resources of senior Iraqi Ministry of Health staff in all governorates. In the longer term, WHO is planning to support updated training for Iraqi doctors. DFID has provided £6 million to WHO for their work in Iraq.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what efforts are being made to restore public health laboratories in Iraq. [117044]

  Hilary Benn
  The World Health Organisation (WHO) is carrying out emergency repairs, and restocking equipment and supplies in strategically important laboratories in Iraq, including the Central Public Health Laboratories in Baghdad and Basra.

  WHO and other humanitarian agencies have assessed other laboratory facilities, particularly in urban hospitals, and judge their overall capacity to be reasonable, although they are only basically equipped. WHO is providing materials to enable these laboratories to perform priority tests. DFID has provided £6 million to support WHO'S work in the Iraq crisis.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Department has made an assessment of whether the interim regime in Iraq will be able to take over the food distribution network when the WFP control of the network ends in five months. [117045]

  Hilary Benn
  The Iraqi Ministry of Trade is responsible for the public distribution system for food rations, which it has operated since the start of the Oil for Food Programme (OFF) in 1996. On 1 June 2003 Ministry of Trade began distributing food brought into Iraq by the World Food Programme (WFP). Food may continue to be supplied to Iraq, if necessary, by WFP after the end of the OFF.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what agency will deal with property disputes caused by the return of internally displaced persons in Iraq. [117047]
  615W
  Hilary Benn
  The Coalition Provision Authority, in conjunction with the International Organisation of Migration, is expected to manage issues relating to the return of internally displaced persons in Iraq.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will discuss with the UN Secretary General the possibility of the UNHCR controlling the return of internally displaced persons in Iraq. [117048]

  Hilary Benn
  The UN Office of Project Services (UNOPS) reports that the majority of recently displaced people have returned to their homes in the north of the country. UNOPS is currently surveying groups displaced prior to the conflict.

  In addition, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), working with the Coalition Provisional Authority, is planning for the return of refugees from outside the country. DFID has provided £1.75 million to UNHCR since the start of the conflict to assist with their work in Iraq and neighbouring countries.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what efforts are being taken to pay school teachers in Iraq and to ensure that they receive regular payments. [117049]

  Hilary Benn
  The Coalition Provisional Authority has begun to pay salaries to 1.4 million civil servants, including teachers. Payments started on 24 May in Baghdad. Teachers will receive 100,000 Iraqi dinars a month, four times what they earned under the previous regime.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what work the Department is doing with UNICEF to assess educational needs in Iraq. [17050]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has provided £9 million to support UNICEF's work in Iraq, primarily for emergency activities, routine immunisation and mines awareness. Education will be included in the social and economic needs assessments soon to be carried out by the World bank, IMF and UN.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development when refuse collection services will be re-established in(a) Baghdad and (b) Basra. [117054]

  Hilary Benn
  The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has assisted in the removal of almost a third of the estimated 300,000 cubic metres of backlogged rubbish from Baghdad. The CPA is also planning emergency repairs to Baghdad's refuse centres. It hopes to resume regular municipal refuse collections shortly.

  A refuse collection service is being co-ordinated in Basra between Coalition authorities and the municipal government.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what work is being done to ensure there is an adequate supply of vaccines in Baghdad when the three month supply recently ordered by UNICEF is used. [117055]
  616W
  Hilary Benn
  The Oil for Food Programme, which currently has responsibility for the provision of medical supplies, will continue to supply vaccines under the guidance of UNICEF until 21 November 2003. Thereafter, the Coalition Provisional Authority will be responsible for ensuring the continued supply of vaccines, which may be financed through the Development Fund for Iraq, other national financing mechanisms as they evolve, or contributions from donors.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what her Department is doing to restore the medical distribution network in Iraq. [117056]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID is supporting the Iraqi Ministry of Health, through the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other humanitarian agencies, to undertake the repair and maintenance of damaged warehouse facilities and to meet temporarily the running costs of the Ministry of Health's procurement and distribution agency. DFID has provided £6 million to WHO for their work in the current Iraq crisis.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Department has drawn up a plan to deal with the reintegration of Iraqi refugees into Iraq. [117058]

  Hilary Benn
  The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has drawn up a repatriation plan for Iraqi refugees wishing to return to Iraq. UNHCR is discussing its implementation with the Coalition Provision Authority and the governments of other countries in the region. DFID provided £1.75 million to UNHCR for preparedness work in the Iraq crisis, and will consider further funding requests as they arise.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what efforts her Department is making to help UNICEF reactivate the Targeted Nutrition Programme in Iraq. [117060]

  Hilary Benn
  The Targeted Nutrition Programme in Iraq previously worked through community child care units located within primary health centres. UNICEF has made assessments of these units, and has delivered 10,000 cartons of high protein biscuits to those that are functioning in Baghdad. DFID has provided £9 million to support UNICEF's work in Iraq.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many water system specialists the UK has sent to help in the restoration of water services in Iraq. [117062]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID's contribution towards the restoration of water supplies in Iraq is being channelled through our support to humanitarian agencies on the ground. £4 million has been allocated specifically for water and sanitation work to UNICEF and CARE. One DFID infrastructure expert is working with the Coalition Provisional Authority on co-ordination with the humanitarian agencies. Further secondments may be made in the coming weeks subject to need.
  617W
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether a representative from his Department will be attending the weekly meetings between the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq and NGOs in the region. [117064]

  Hilary Benn
  A DFID representative will be attending weekly meetings between the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq and NGO's in the region.

  Partnership Agreements
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether he plans to conclude a partnership agreement with the trade unions representing the staff in his Department. [117453]

  Hilary Benn
  A partnership agreement was signed between Department for International Development management and representatives of the trade unions (Public and Commercial Services Union and the Association of First Division Civil Servants) on 24 October 2002.

  St. Helena
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on progress in the construction of an airstrip on St Helena. [117879]

  Hilary Benn
  As a result of talks held last September in St Helena, an invitation to the private sector seeking innovative proposals for the development of air access was launched by the St Helena Government on 7 April 2003. Details of this invitation can be found at www.giclimited.com. In response, various parties have given notification of intent to submit outline proposals by the invitation deadline of 25 July.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Equal Pay
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Minister for Women what evaluation she has made of the progress by United Kingdom employers in reducing the pay gap between men and women employees who are carrying out work of equal value; and what further measures she will take to remove the pay gap altogether. [113854]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's gender pay gap figures are based on earnings figures from the New Earnings Survey (NES) published annually by the ONS. The mean full-time pay gap as at April 2002 is 18.9 per cent. When median earnings are used it shows that in fact the full-time pay gap has narrowed over the last year, from 15.4 per cent. in April 2001 to 14.7 per cent. in April 2002—a fall of 0.7 percentage point.

  The Government also welcomes voluntary benchmarking initiatives, such as that conducted by Opportunity Now, as they provide additional information on the progress of employers in reducing the pay gap. Opportunity Now Benchmarking 2003 identified that increasing numbers of employers have started work on equal pay reviews: 41 per cent. reported that reviews have just been introduced or that new work is being developed.
  618W
  This is similar to the recent EOC survey finding that 1/3rd of large companies had conducted pay reviews or were developing new work. Opportunity Now found that the number doing nothing on equal pay has decreased from 31 per cent. last year to 23 per cent.

  The Government are working to reduce the gender pay gap in other ways:
  The equal pay questionnaire (which came into effect on 6 April)
  The Employment Act 2002 (including a right for parents to request flexible working and extended paid maternity leave and increased maternity pay)
  Working with the EOC to promote equal pay reviews
  Providing trade unions with additional funding for training representatives in equal pay issues
  Requiring the Civil Service to undertake pay reviews.

  Flexible Working
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Minister for Women what steps she is taking to promote flexible working for women. [111037]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's Work-Life Balance Campaign actively encourages businesses to follow best practice and offer flexible working opportunities. The Government recently launched the 5th round of the Work Life Balance Challenge Fund, inviting employers to apply by 31 July 2003 for consultancy support to introduce new working arrangements, including flexible working, within their organisations.

  On 6 April 2003 the Government introduced a new flexible working law providing mothers and fathers of children under six or disabled children under 18 with the right to apply for flexible working, and placing a duty on employers to consider such requests seriously.

  To promote the new right, the Government launched awareness-raising activity last Autumn. We ran a six-week advertising campaign in the national press prior to the new law coming into force, and we briefed representatives of the consumer and life-style media so that they could include articles in their publications, such as parenting magazines.

  We have also produced extensive guidance both on the internet at www.dti.gov.uk/workingparents and in hard copy. This includes a set of forms based on best-practice, case studies and user-friendly "How to …" tips. Guidance is also available in an interactive form at www.tiger.gov.uk and helpline support is being provided by AC AS on 08457 474747.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Broadband
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on(a) money allocated towards and (b) progress made in implementation of broadband in the Boston and Skegness areas. [116867]

  Mr. Timms
  BT has enabled the Boston exchange for ADSL and Skegness has nearly reached its trigger level of 500 expressions of interest, with 462 registrations to date according to BT's broadband website.
  619W
  Lincolnshire County Council is providing matched funding under the 'Lincolnshire Broadband Initiative' to draw down £64 million of European Regional Development Objective 2 funding to help key economic development projects. Broadband and Information Communication Technology (ICT) are identified by the County Council as important drivers for the county's economy.

  We provided the East Midlands Regional Development Agency (EMDA) £2.09 million during 2001–03, from the £30 million broadband fund, to further broadband throughout the region. EMDA have contributed from this to the Remote Area Broadband Inclusion Trials (RABBIT) programme, to trial alternative broadband internet access to small businesses in rural areas using wireless and satellite. 43 Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within Lincolnshire are benefiting, although I do not have a separate figure for those which are in the Boston and Skegness areas.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated(a) number of households and (b) percentage of population is in East Sussex who have access to broadband; and if she will place a map of coverage in the Library. [117358]

  Mr. Timms
  This information is not currently held centrally.

  Officials are talking to the holders of the underlying data to develop a map of broadband coverage and to explore how the data might be made publicly available.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regular contact her Department has with Interpol with regard to the licensing of arms deals. [117015]

  Nigel Griffiths
  None.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the basis for her policy on making the US exports controls on transportation, freight forwarding and financing of arms deals effective in the UK. [117016]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Government have no plans to make US export controls on transportation, freight forwarding and financing of arms deals effective in the UK. The Government outlined their own proposals, in the consultation document on draft secondary legislation, to control such activities in relation to the trade in controlled goods to embargoed destinations and equipment used in torture or long-range missiles to any destination.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department makes checks before granting arms export licences with other international export licensing agencies on whether those applying for arms licences have been banned from applying for licences in other jurisdictions. [117017]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Government do not comment on their internal procedures relating to the assessment of export licence applications to avoid giving disreputable exporters information which they might exploit.
  620W
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 8 April 2003,Official Report, column 165W, if she will change the provisions for the maximum penalty so that fines are commensurate with a company's market capitalisation. [117066]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer on 8 April 2003,Official Report, column 165W.

  Call Centres
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her assessment is of the economic impact of the loss of jobs within the UK from the transfer of administration of call centre operations from the UK to other countries where employment costs are lower. [117134]

  Mr. Timms
  No such assessment has been made.

  Although the UK market is maturing and, in common with other European markets, growth is slowing, the UK has by far the greatest number of call centre operations within Europe. There are conflicting predictions on future UK growth prospects. Mitial Research Limited predict that employment in call centres will decline from more than 300,000 today to 220,000 by 2005. The industry analysts, Datamonitor, predicts that employment in call centres will continue to grow. Datamonitor1 estimates that there are currently 5,700 call centres in The UK, containing 384,000 agent positions. By 2007 it predicts that there will be 6,900 call centres in The UK, containing 470,000 agent positions.
  1Datamonitor (2002) Call Centers in EMEA to 2007 Reference Code: DMTC0852

  Company Auditors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many auditors have been presented by her Department as a result of criticisms by her Department's inspectors in the last 10 years. [114909]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In relation to criticisms in reports of investigations by inspectors under sections 431, 432 and 442 of the Companies Act 1985 published since 1993, there have been six cases where auditors were specifically criticised by the inspectors:

  Publication date

  Astra Holding plc

  17 June 1993

  The Bestwood plc/Atlanta Fund Managers Ltd.

  20 January 1994

  Atlantic Computers plc/Atlantic Computer Systems plc

  21 July 1997

  James Ferguson Holdings plc/Barlow Clowes Gilt Managers Ltd.

  6 July 1995

  Chancery plc

  17 December 1998

  Mirror Group Newspapers plc

  30 March 2001

  None of the auditors concerned were prosecuted by the Department but there have been a number of disciplinary actions by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ("ICAEW") and the Accounts' Joint Disciplinary Scheme ("JDS") as regards auditors and accountant directors.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her latest estimate is of her Department's
  621W
  direct financial support for the construction industry in (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05; and if she will make a statement. [115593]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 20 February 2003,Official Report, column 67W.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 18 November 2002 and 3 February 2003 concerning his constituent, Mr. Robert Jones; and if she will make a statement on the delay in replying. [117663]

  Ms Hewitt
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Energy and Construction, replied to the hon. Member's letter of 18 November 2002 on 20 December 2002.

  I have sent a copy of the letter to the hon. Member's office in the House.

  My Department have no record of a further letter of 3 February 2003. If this letter still requires a response please send a copy to my office and I will ensure that it is dealt with as soon as possible.

  Electronics Design Programme
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding has been allocated to

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003 (to May)

  Total

  Companies making inquiries about the programme

  1,481

  1,200

  1,239

  915

  242

  5,077

  Companies receiving pre-project advice from local Support Centres

  406

  501

  577

  397

  130

  2,011

  Companies who started projects with local Support Centres

  48

  107

  145

  102

  47

  449

  The Programme has been in operation since 1999 and was extended for two years beyond its original plan. It will cease at the end of 2003. A recent survey of a number of companies who have used the Programme showed that their revenues grew by 163 per cent., average profit grew by 141 per cent., productivity grew by 150 per cent., employment grew by 30 per cent. and revenue from new products rose to 48 per cent. of total. Some of the local Support Centres are in discussions with other agencies including the Manufacturing Advisory Service about how to exploit the valuable infrastructure that this Programme has created.

  Following the Department's review of Business Support and in response to business concerns, the Department is replacing the large number of existing schemes with fewer, broader and more flexible products concentrating on key drivers of productivity.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what co-operation the DTI department responsible for export controls has with other(a) European and (b) North American countries. [117018]
  622W
  the Electronics Design Programme in each year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [117276]

  Mr. Timms
  Funding allocated to the Electronics Design Programme since its inception is as in the following table.

  £000

  1999–2000

  1,694

  2000–01

  1,346

  2001–02

  1,067

  2002–03

  1,285

  2003–041

  692

  Total

  6,084

  1 To May 2003

  I would refer the hon. Member to the statement contained in Parliamentary Question No. 117279 answered today.

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many small businesses have received assistance from the Electronics Design Programme in each year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [117279]

  Mr. Timms
  The management statistics for the Electronics Design Programme (provided by the Support Centres) show the following results for each year that the Programme has been in operation:

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department of Trade and Industry's fully co-operates with export licensing authorities in European and North American countries primarily through multilateral fora like the European Union and the international non-proliferation regimes.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what formal mechanisms there are for maintaining contact between the DTI department responsible for export control and the security services. [117020]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation does not comment on any contacts with the security services.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 16 May 2003,Official Report, column 463W, on export licences, if she will cite the Home Office guidance to which she refers. [117070]

  Nigel Griffiths
  This Home Office guidance on extra-territorial jurisdiction can be found in the July 1996 Steering Committee Report on the Review of Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction as published by the Home Office.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent by the ECGD to the companies who have been implicated in the bribery scandal in Lesotho in relation to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project requesting more information from them; [116776]

  (2) if she will place in the Library a copy of the replies by Balfour Beatty, Kier International and Sterling International to the ECGD's letter with regard to corruption allegations in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. [116777]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD's Chief Executive wrote to these three companies with regard to allegations of bribery and corruption in respect of the Lesotho HWP. Two of them replied in writing to assure ECGD that they were not involved in any such activity. The third communicated the same response during a meeting. The letters will not be published under Part II Exemption 14(b) (Information Given in Confidence) of the Code of Practice of Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sources the ECGD uses to check the track record of a company it is considering giving support to. [116778]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD uses a wide range of sources of information, tailored to reflect to nature of the risks being assessed. Much of the information is available in the public domain and includes analysis of company accounts, rating agency reports and business information from reputable information sources.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the ECGD's procedures for examining whether there is a genuine cause for concern when allegations of corruption are made include contacting investigating authorities in the home country and requiring the company to provide detailed accounts and relevant documents. [116779]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD is obliged—like any other Government Department—to report any allegation of bribery and corruption it becomes aware of about any project in which it is involved to the National Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS). NCIS are, in turn, responsible for reporting any allegation worthy of investigation to the authorities in the jurisdiction concerned.

  ECGD may also make its own inquires, depending on the nature and circumstances of the allegation. These may involve accessing various sources of information, mainly in the public domain, contact with overseas posts, relevant authorities and the exporter.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the ECGD is entitled to pass on documentation that it receives from companies to investigatory authorities. [116780]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD is obliged—like any other Government Department—to report any allegation of bribery and corruption it becomes are of about any project in which it is involved to the National Criminal 624W
  Investigation Service (NCIS). It undertakes to co-operate with any further investigation deemed necessary and if, as a result, ECGD is required by law to provide information to any investigatory authority, then ECGD will do so.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff there are in the ECGD's Internal Audit and Assurance Department. [116781]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Internal Audit service is provided by a combination of 6.5 members of staff and a contract with an external service provider.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have had their books examined by the ECGD's Internal Audit and Assurance Department in the last five years. [116782]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD's Internal Audit and Assurance Division does not examine company accounts. The department has a Financial Analysis Unit, which is responsible for analysis of company accounts and assessing bank and corporate risk. This unit has assessed over 2,000 company accounts, mostly of overseas enterprises in the last five years.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many visits to exporters and how many site visits the ECGD's Internal Audit and Assurance Department made in each of the last five years. [116783]

  Ms Hewitt
  In the last five years ECGD's Internal Audit and Assurance Division has made 49 visits to exporters. The aim has been to review approximately 10 cases each year.

  This has also involved two project site visits overseas and a number of visits to manufacturing plants.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times ECGD has refused cover because of evidence of corruption in the last five years. [116784]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD's procedures are designed to alert applicants to the seriousness of our commitment to combat bribery and corruption. There have been no occasions in the last five years where cover has had to be refused by ECGD due to allegations, suspicions or evidence of corruption.

  However, we continue to maintain our vigilance over the life of all cases.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many projects were subject to post-issue monitoring by the ECGD's Guarantee Management Branch after September 2001. [116785]

  Ms Hewitt
  Since its establishment, the Branch has carried out post issue monitoring on about 200 project cases.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of projects covered by the ECGD since September 2001 have proceeded on time and within cost. [116786]
  625W
  Ms Hewitt
  For projects where the cover has been made available since September 2001, ECGD understands all are so far proceeding within the original cost. About 8 per cent. have required a time extension.

  It is not unusual for the complex projects which ECGD supports to depart from the original timetable envisaged in the contract. Cost overruns or contractual delays are matters primarily to be resolved between the contractual parties, though ECGD may, as a result of such resolution, be asked to amend the terms of its support. ECGD does not, therefore, monitor this aspect across the whole range of its portfolio. However, ECGD does require notification of any such changes on individual cases, which might possibly affect the risk.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much agent's commission the ECGD covered on the sale of Hawk jets to South Africa; what percentage of the contract the commission represented; and where payment was made. [116787]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD's application process requires certain details of agents' commission to be disclosed to ECGD in order that it can follow its due diligence procedures. In this case such due diligence procedures were followed and no irregularities were detected. For reasons of commercial confidentiality specific details of the commission paid cannot be revealed.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of ECGD debt is interest payments. [116788]

  Ms Hewitt
  As at 31 March 2003 sovereign debt owing to ECGD under rescheduling agreements negotiated under the auspices of the Paris Club amounted to £9.6 billion. This debt portfolio consisted of £5.4 billion original debt £3.5 billion of capitalised interest and £700 million interest in arrears. Interest therefore accounts for some 44 per cent. of the total debt.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the ECGD gave investment insurance to(a) RP Godavari Power Ltd., (b) Rolls Royce Industrial Power and (c) Rolls Royce Plc for its investment in the Godavari Power Plant India. [116789]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD has not provided investment insurance to:

  (a) RP Godavari Power Ltd;

  (b) Rolls Royce Industrial Power; or

  (c) Rolls Royce Plc

  for its investment in the Godavari Power Plant, India.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 12 May 2003,Official Report, column 16W, on the ECGD's Underwriting Committee, if she will make a statement on the two high potential impact cases which have received final approval from the Underwriting Committee, including (a) the location and (b) the project type in each case. [117082]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 5 June 2003]The two high potential impact cases that received final approval from ECGD's Underwriting Committee referred to in my previous answer were:626W

  Project

  Location

  Type

  Nigeria LNG Plus—addition of trains 4 and 5

  Bonny Island, Nigeria

  Oil and gas

  Marlim Sul Oilfield Project— supply of flexible pipe

  Marlim Sul Oilfield, Brazil

  Oil and gas

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 12 May 2003,Official Report, column 15W, on the ECGD's sensitive cases mechanism, if she will make a statement on the two cases which have received final approval, including (a) the location and (b) the project type in each case. [117083]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 5 June 2003]The two cases that have been approved under ECGD's sensitive cases mechanism referred to in my previous answer were:

  Project

  Location

  Type

  Nigeria LNG Plus—addition of trains 4 and 5

  Bonny Island, Nigeria

  Oil and gas

  Marlim Sul Oilfield Project— supply of flexible pipe

  Marlim Sul oilfield, Brazil

  Oil and gas

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 12 May 2003,Official Report, column 16W, on the covenants and conditions included in the ECGD loan agreements, if she will make a statement on the three cases which were issued guarantees with covenants and conditions relating to environmental and social impacts, including (a) the location and (b) the project type in each case. [117084]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 5 June 2003]The three cases in which covenants and other conditions relating to environmental and social impacts were included referred to in my previous question were

  Project

  Location

  Type

  Nigeria LNG Plus—addition of trains 4 and 5

  Bonny Island, Nigeria

  Oil and gas

  Marlim Sul Oilfield Project— supply of flexible pipe

  Marlim Sul oilfield, Brazil

  Oil and gas

  Offshore exploration drilling

  Brazilian coast

  Oil and gas

  Freedom of Information Act
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the electronic document and electronic record management systems which have been procured by the public authorities listed in Parts I to V of Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for which she is responsible. [116390]

  Ms Hewitt
  The following electronic document and electronic record management systems have been procured by the public authorities for which I am responsible that are listed in Parts I to V of Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000:T2e records,
  TrueArc
  627W
  Not all of the bodies for which I am responsible have procured such systems.

  Home Safety
  John Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received on a statutory duty for home safety; and if she will make a statement. [116354]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have received several representations from organisations involved in promoting home safety including RoSPA and the Institute of Home Safety.

  Local Authorities may use their existing powers to promote safety in the home and work with the many other agencies with an interest, including Government Departments and RoSPA. I believe this is the right approach. To impose a statutory burden would result in considerable costs and could undermine the very positive work already in place without such a requirement.

  John Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the cost to public funds of home accidents, in each of the last five years. [116356]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  No direct estimate of this has been made in any of the last five years.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on manufacturing industry in the Greater London area. [117149]

  Alan Johnson
  There are approximately 20,000 manufacturing firms in London directly employing some 300,000 people. London provides 10 per cent. of the UK's manufacturing output and £12 billion of GDP, larger than transport, distribution, education and hotel and catering. London's manufacturing productivity is 23 per cent. higher than the UK average.

  The Government's Manufacturing Strategy, published last year, identified seven key areas of activity for Government and industry that are vital for manufacturing success. We are taking action in all of those areas—for example with the setting up of the Manufacturing Advisory Service—to help British manufacturers improve productivity in very difficult global conditions.

  The London Development Agency is establishing a Production Industries Commission to develop a pan-London strategy to sustain and enhance the competitiveness of businesses in the production industries sector. The Commission, which will be business led, expects to meet for the first time in September.

  National Minimum Wage
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people aged(a) between 18 and 21 and (b) over 21 years are receiving the national minimum wage in Scotland. [117095]
  628W
  Alan Johnson
  DTI analysis of low pay data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that a total of 120,000 workers in Scotland stood to benefit from the last major uprating of the National Minimum Wage in October 2001. Around 110,000 of these workers were aged 22 and over. A breakdown for 18 to 21 year olds is not possible due to small sample size.

  Non-executive Directors
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) discussions and (b) meetings her Department has had with the (i) chairman and (ii) members of the Financial Reporting Council concerning implementation of the recommendations contained in the Higgs review of the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors. [116819]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The responsibility for taking forward changes to the Combined Code as a consequence of Derek Higgs' report on the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors lies with the Financial Reporting Council. One of my officials is a member of the Council and attended the Council meeting on 14 May 2003 which discussed the Higgs review, as did the secretary to the Higgs review who is also a DTI official. The implementation of the recommendations contained in the report by Derek Higgs has also come up in a number of discussions between my Department and members of the FRC, including its Chairman.

  Overtime
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of employees who are forced to work unpaid overtime as part of their contract of employment; [117371]

  (2) what plans she has to introduce protection for employees not wishing to work unpaid hours overtime; [117372]

  (3) what plans she has to oblige employees to pay their staff for all hours worked. [117373]

  Alan Johnson
  We have made no estimate of the numbers of employees who are required to work unpaid overtime.

  Subject to the Working Time Regulations 1998 and the national minimum wage legislation, working hours and rates of pay, including any arrangements for overtime, are a contractual matter for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees (or their representatives). If workers do not receive a contractually-agreed rate of pay they can seek redress through the employment tribunals or the civil courts. Moreover, workers must be paid at least the national minimum wage on average for the period of time over which their wages are calculated. Employees are protected against dismissal for asserting their right not to suffer unlawful deductions from wages and enforcing their right to the national minimum wage.

  Post Office
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will grant funds from the support package for the rural post office network to maintain the North Cumbria Mobile Post Office in its present form. [118085]

  Mr. Timms
  I understand from Post Office Ltd. that arrangements are being made for a sub-postmaster to take over the staffing of the mobile post office instead of the loaned directly-employed staff. This is purely an internal operational change. The mobile office will cover the same route, at the same times and offer exactly the same level of service to customers in the same 37 communities in North Cumbria.

  Pyramid Selling
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many petitions she has received under the provisions of the Insolvency Act 2000 for the winding-up of companies for operating pyramid selling schemes; how many of these petitions included claims that the companies concerned were operating unlawful schemes under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and its amendments, including the Trading Schemes Act 1996; and if she will make a statement. [116028]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry carries out fact-finding inquiries into the affairs of companies each year. Based upon the results of these inquiries the my right hon. Friend decides if it is in the public interest to petition the Court for an order to wind-up a company. These petitions are presented under section 124(A) of the Insolvency Act 1986. There is no information held centrally concerning the number of companies which operate pyramid selling schemes and which are wound-up by the Court. The list of companies wound-up by the Court on the petition of my right hon. Friend is published in the annual report on Companies. This document is available on the DTI website; is held by the DTI library and can be requested through the Libraries of the House or can be purchased from HMSO.

  Quadripartite Committee
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her evidence before the Quadripartite Committee on 3 April, what assessment she has made of extraterritorial controls in the US, with specific reference to enforcement; and what her reasons are for concluding that the system does not work. [116300]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I refer my hon. Friend to the evidence given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to the Quadripartite Committee on 3 April, (Quadripartite Select Committee report (HC620) 'The Government's proposals for Secondary Legislation under the Export Control Act', section EV17Q107), which makes clear the Government's position.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her evidence before the 630W
  Quadripartite Committee on 3 April, what assessment she has made of the report issued by the Fund for Peace on US export controls. [116302]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Government's assessment was set out in the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's evidence to the Quadripartite Committee on 3 April. (Quadripartite Select Committee report (HC620) 'The Government's proposals for Secondary Legislation under the Export Control Act', section EV17Q107).

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what correspondence she has had with the Fund for Peace following her evidence before the Quadripartite Committee on 3 April. [116303]

  Nigel Griffiths
  None.

  Renewable Energy
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 12 May 2003,Official Report, column 20W, on renewable energy, if she will make a statement on the findings of the Transmission Issues Working Group report on the cost of connecting new renewable energy in Scotland. [117086]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 5 June 2003]The report concluded that the overall cost of connecting more than 6 GW of additional renewable capacity was £1.75 billion and found that the proposed reinforcements would have a positive net benefit. Over the lifetime of the asset, they would save more in constraint savings than they would cost to build. The investment required would be spread over 10 years, and the annualised cost of £100 million, spread over the UK consumer base of 23 million consumers, would be just over £4 per consumer per year.

  Street Lighting
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 7 February 2003,Official Report, column 461W, on street lighting, in what way regulation 25 of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 facilitates competition in connections for street lighting; and if she will make a statement. [116926]

  Mr. Wilson
  Regulation 25 of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 provides for connections being made to distributors' networks by persons other than the distributors' own staff or contractors. In order to protect the safety of the public and network integrity the regulation requires persons making connections to distributors' networks, for example cable jointers employed directly by local authorities, to obtain permission from the local distributor before making the connections. Disputes arising from the distributor's delay in giving or refusal to give consent for such connections on public safety or network integrity grounds may be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for determination. In this way regulation 25 provides a safety framework to enable competition in connections to operate for street lighting.
  631W
  Ofgem is currently engaging with the industry and local authorities with a view to formally introducing competition in connections at some stage in the future.

  Term-time Working
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how the hourly rate for full-time, term-time workers is calculated; and whether it is based on a full year's employment; [116692]

  (2) whether a full-time, term-time worker is entitled to the same amount of annual leave and Bank holidays as colleagues who are paid for the full year; [116690]

  (3) whether a full-time, term-time worker in education is classified as a part-time worker, as defined in the part-time Workers' (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000. [116691]

  Alan Johnson
  Subject to the National Minimum Wage provisions, hourly rates of pay are a matter for negotiation and agreement.

  This Government believe that employers can gain significant business advantages by introducing a range of flexible working opportunities in the workplace for employees. These options might include term-time working—whether this is a suitable option will depend on the needs of individuals, work teams and above all, the needs of the business.

  All workers have an entitlement to four weeks paid holiday a year. The entitlement of workers who work less than a full year will depend on their employment contract. Time off on bank holidays has never been a statutory entitlement, any right is either determined by the employees' contract or at the discretion of the employer.

  For the purposes of the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000, a full-time worker is a worker who works the normal full-time hours for the business and a part-time worker is a worker who works less than the normal full-time hours for the business.

  Subject to this employers are free to decide for their own purposes what constitutes a part-time or a full-time post and this applies to workers in education.

  Trade (Africa)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans there are to increase African participation in the international standard setting bodies on trade; and if she will make a statement. [116625]

  Ms Hewitt
  The WTO recognises the particular vulnerability of the least-developed countries, which include African countries, and the special structural difficulties they face in the global economy.

  Under the 'Doha Development Agenda', agreed by all WTO members at the fourth WTO ministerial in November 2001, the WTO is committed to addressing the marginalisation of least-developed countries in international trade and improving their effective participation in the multilateral trading system.

  United Kingdom Accreditation Service
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the(a) size and (b) value is of the conformity assessment sector in the UK with respect to (i) the number of UK Accreditation Service accredited bodies and (ii) their financial contribution to the UK economy. [116753]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I understand that there are currently 1,446 laboratories (testing and calibration); 116 certification bodies; and 130 inspection bodies accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.

  The information needed to answer the second part of the question is not available.

  United States Agency for International Development
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place a copy of(a) notes of telephone conversations and (b) copies of correspondence between her and Andrew Natsios of the United States Agency for International Development in the Library. [116268]

  Ms Hewitt
  In March I spoke on the telephone with Andrew Natsios and also wrote to him. The note of that conversation and the letter cannot be placed in the Library since they contain commercially confidential information. However I can let the hon. Member know that I used the telephone conversation and my letter to reinforce my strong wish that UK companies should be given the opportunity to play a full role in reconstruction work in Iraq. I gave Mr. Natsios details of British companies that have relevant experience and were interested in working in Iraq, together with details of companies who had direct experience of working in Iraq through the Oil for Food programme and/or before sanctions were imposed. Mr. Natsios confirmed that he would welcome the involvement of British companies and that he had already agreed to waive the normal requirement that only US companies might bid for work funded by the US Agency for International Development.

  Unsolicited Communicatoins
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints have been received by the Information Commissioner's Office concerning unsolicited(a) e-mail, (b) text messages and (c) phone calls; what measures are being taken to deal with Spam communications; and if she will make a statement. [115537]

  Mr. Timms
  The most recent figures available for complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) under the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999 cover the period April 2002 to February 2003. During this time the ICO received 1,339 complaints concerning direct marketing faxes and 210 complaints concerning direct marketing by telephone including SMS text messages to mobiles. A separate figure for the latter is not available. Updated figures will be available in the ICO's Annual Report to Parliament which is expected to be presented later this month.
  633W
  Email marketing is not covered by the current Regulations (though the Data Protection Act 1998 applies where a recipient's e-mail address includes personal data such as firstname.lastname@isp.com). The ICO does not record such complaints separately.

  Regulations to implement the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications will introduce new rules on unsolicited commercial e-mail and SMS messages, and these Regulations are currently open for public consultation closing on 19 June 2003. The consultation paper is available in the House of Commons Library, or on the DTI website at the following URL: http://www.dti.gov.uk/industries/ecommunications/directive_on_privacy_electronic_communications_200258ec.html

  Veterinary Medicines
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact on recommendation 9 of the Competition Commission report Veterinary Medicines: a Report on the Supply Within the United Kingdom of Prescription-only Veterinary Medicines of the European Commission's proposal to end the general licence classification of management products. [116105]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The regulatory controls relating to the supply of veterinary medicines in the UK is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is currently considering the Competition Commission's recommendations relating to the veterinary medicines regulatory system. The Government will publish its response by 10 July 2003.

  Working Conditions
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in developing management standards on policies(a) to tackle bullying and (b) to improve relationships in the workplace. [116822]

  Alan Johnson
  As a part of its priority programme on work-related stress, the Health and Safety Executive is currently working with organisations from the public and private sector to develop and pilot standards of good management practice designed to act as a yardstick to organisations in measuring their success in tackling work-related stress. One of these Standards, the Relationship Management Standard, will address the issue of bullying.

  During June 2003 the draft standards and supporting tools and guidance will be placed on the Health and Safety Executive's website to encourage all sizes and types of companies to try out this innovative approach and take action. Any feedback they provide will be incorporated when the system is formally developed for launch next year. The Draft standards can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/stress.

WALES

  Agriculture
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales regarding agriculture in Wales. [109967]

  Peter Hain
  I have regular bi-lateral meetings with the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales of which agriculture is one of the many subject areas we cover.

  Animal By-products
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the Animal By-products Regulations on farming in Wales. [115061]

  Peter Hain
  None. Responsibility for this matter rests with the National Assembly for Wales and as such it would be inappropriate for me to make an assessment.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each occasion Ministers from the Department have attended the Council of Ministers since 1979. [115057]

  Peter Hain
  Records prior to 1999 are not available and no Wales Office Ministers have attended the Council of Ministers since then. Since my appointment as Secretary of State for Wales, neither I nor the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Wales have attended any such meetings.

  Departmental Staff/Expenditure
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list(a) the number of staff and (b) the annual expenditure of his Department for each year since 1997. [115056]

  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the information at pages 23 and 26 of my Department's annual report (Cm 5928), copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Digital Broadcasting
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2003,Official Report, columns 720–21W, on digital broadcasting, what the membership is of the Spectrum Planning Group: and what professional qualifications the members have. [116796]

  Peter Hain
  Membership of the Spectrum Planning Group comprises those organisations responsible for spectrum planning and co-ordination in the UK. This includes representatives from the ITC, BBC, Radiocommunications Agency, DCMS and DTI. It also includes, as sub-contractors working for the ITC, NTL and Crown Castle. The Digital Network (the digital terrestrial broadcasters) are also represented as observers.
  635W
  As membership is conferred upon organisations and not individuals, it is for those organisations to decide on the necessary qualifications of those who represent them.

  Education and Learning Wales
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with Secretaries in the National Assembly for Wales concerning the expenditure of Education and Learning Wales this year. [115060]

  Peter Hain
  I meet the First Minister and the Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning regularly and discuss a range of issues.

  I know that the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning made a statement to the Assembly on 21 May welcoming the report from the Audit Committee of the National Assembly for Wales, and its investigation into ELWa's accounts to 31 March 2002.

  This is of course a matter for the Assembly but I am aware that the matter is being investigated thoroughly and action has been taken to strengthen the control framework and the risk management systems within the Council.

  Eurofighter
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) direct and (b) indirect jobs have been created in (i) Wales and (ii) the UK as a consequence of the UK's involvement in the development of the Eurofighter. [113119]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 13 May 2003]It is estimated that, in the UK, at peak production some 5,600 skilled engineering and production jobs will be created, with an estimated 16,000 jobs sustained or created in the supply chain.

  Figures are not available on a regional basis, which means I am unable to provide this information for Wales.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many requests for information were received by his Department in each month since 1999; and how many were responded to within the target period as outlined in his Department's annual report. [115222]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 22 May 2003]Information is requested from the Department in a number of ways, of which the principal ones are:

  Letters: for the levels of general correspondence, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 3 June, Official Report, column 311W. Of letters requiring an answer from Ministers, or from officials on their behalf: in the calendar year 2000, 50 per cent. were answered on time; in the financial year 2001–02 it was 80 per cent. and in 2002–03 it was 95 per cent.

  Subject access requests under the Data Protection Act: the first such requests were made during 2002–03 when the Department received 91 requests, all of which were answered on time.
  636W
  Requests under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information: in 2002–03 there were 11 requests of which three were answered within 20 working days; in 2001–02 there were three requests, all of which received a substantive or interim answer within 20 days; and in 2000–01 there were no requests.

  Phone calls/informal e-mails: these are answered as promptly as possible.

  Parliamentary questions: these are answered in accordance with parliamentary procedures.

  Liquefied Gas
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether he has issued guidelines to local authorities in Wales on the introduction of facilities for provision of retail and fleet liquefied gas; [96456]

  (2) whether he has issued guidelines to local authorities in Wales on the introduction of facilities for the provision of compressed natural gas. [96457]

  Peter Hain
  Facilities for the provision of liquefied natural gas (LNG), like all hydrocarbon fuels, are licensed by local petroleum authorities (LPAs) under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928.

  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) constitutes the Competent Authority (CA) that enforces the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations which apply to such facilities. Those facilities are also subject to the land-use planning system administered by local planning authorities subject to guidance issued by the National Assembly for Wales.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make an assessment of the success of each official visit overseas by Ministers in his Department since 1997. [116629]

  Peter Hain
  My Department was created in July 1999. I cannot answer for the period before that date. Since its creation, each official visit overseas has had clear objectives which have informed the choice of calls made. Every visit has fulfilled its objectives.

  Outsourcing
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what incentives the Government offer to(a) encourage businesses in Wales to remain in Wales and (b) discourage the use of outsourcing outside the UK. [115055]

  Peter Hain
  Business support is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales, which funds a number of schemes to help Welsh businesses to flourish and thus encourage those businesses to remain in Wales.

  In turn, the Government ensure that Wales, and the UK as a whole, is a place where businesses wish to remain through maintaining economic stability, low inflation, high standards of education and training and flexible employment laws—enabling UK businesses to be competitive on the world stage.

  Youth Pay
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people in Wales under the age of 18 are employed for less than £3.80 per hour. [113117]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 13 May 2003]The New Earnings Survey (NES) provides the primary data in this area. NES figures are not grossed up to give a number of people within the total population who earn a certain amount per hour. On this basis neither a figure for Wales nor a comparable UK figure are available.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH

  United Nations
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being taken to ensure that Clause 22 of UN Security Council Resolution 1483 is complied with. [117065]

  Mr. Rammell
  In operative paragraph 22 of its resolution 1483 (2003), the UN Security Council decided: that petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas originating in Iraq will be immune, until title passes to the initial purchaser, from legal proceedings and will not be subject to any form of attachment, garnishment, or execution; and that proceeds and obligations arising from sales thereof, as well as the Development Fund for Iraq, will enjoy privileges and immunities equivalent to those enjoyed by the United Nations. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in consultation with other Government Departments and the Overseas Territories, is preparing an Order in Council that will implement these measures.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost has been of the Afghan drug elimination programme. [117365]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Repeated internal conflict over the last 25 years, the collapse of legitimate economic activity and continuing insecurity in many parts of Afghanistan have all contributed to the creation of the conditions in which drug cultivation and processing have flourished. The Afghan Transitional Administration have made clear their determination to eliminate drugs from the Afghan economy and society. The UK is determined to provide assistance to help Afghanistan achieve this objective. The UK has committed £70 million over the next three years for this purpose.

  However, sustainable reductions in the Afghan drugs trade will only be achieved as progress is made on broader development and security. The UK is leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mazar-e-Sharif and has pledged £200 million of development assistance over five years (2002–07). Since development assistance helps to create the conditions in which viable alternatives to poppy cultivation can emerge, the total cost of eliminating drugs cannot be clearly separated from these broader development programmes.
  638W
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the Afghan drug elimination programme; and if he will make a statement. [117366]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Afghan Transitional Administration adopted a national drug strategy on 19 May 2003. Its objective is to eliminate the cultivation, processing and trafficking of illegal drugs in Afghanistan within 10 years. The UK has committed £70 million over the next three years to fund activities that will contribute to achievement of this objective. Additional British embassy personnel will be posted in Afghanistan over the next few months to pursue counter-narcotics work.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he received from representatives of the United Nations prior to the implementation of the policy of paying Afghan producers to reduce the cultivation of opium poppies. [117885]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK maintains regular contact with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on all aspects of its drugs policy. The Afghan Transitional Administration have developed a National Drug Strategy. The strategy has received the full support of both the UK and UNODC. Its objective is to eliminate the illicit drugs trade from Afghanistan within ten years. The strategy outlines a broad approach that balances the building up of Afghan drug law enforcement with the promotion of alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those non-governmental organisations with which he has collaborated in seeking to reduce the cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan. [117886]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Tokyo Reconstruction Conference for Afghanistan in January 2002 acknowledged that measures designed to contribute to the elimination of opium poppy cultivation should be mainstreamed into all reconstruction programmes. The UK works closely with a variety of non-governmental organisations to ensure that broad development assistance helps to create the conditions in which viable alternatives to poppy cultivation can emerge. Non-governmental organisations with which the UK has collaborated include: the Aga Khan Development Network, Afghanaid, Merlin, Concern, Ockenden, Mercy Corps International, Tearfund, Central Asia Development Group, Afghans for Civil Society, Food and Agriculture Organisation and International Red Cross.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the UK street value of opium and opium derivatives from poppies cultivated in Afghanistan in each of the past three years; and what his forecast is for the current year. [117887]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy production in Afghanistan, reported that the level of production in 2002 was 3,400 tonnes compared to 4,600 tonnes in 1999, 3,300 tonnes in 2000 and 185 tonnes in 2001. At
  639W
  current UK street value, this would have produced heroin worth approximately £58 billion in 2002, £78 billion in 1999, £56 billion in 2000 and £3 billion in 2001.

  The UNODC is in the process of carrying out the 2003 survey. Its results will be published in the autumn. In March 2003, the UNODC published an Opium Rapid Assessment Survey for Afghanistan. This gave an early insight into the pattern of opium poppy cultivation for the 2002–03 growing season but did not predict the level of opium poppy cultivation for 2003 or beyond. It did find however that there was a trend for farmers to cultivate opium poppy in increasingly remote and inaccessible areas.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in relation to the reduction of opium production in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [117888]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 19 May 2003, the Afghan Transitional Administration adopted a national drug strategy. Its objective is to eliminate the illegal drugs trade in Afghanistan within 10 years. The UK has committed £70 million over the next three years to fund activities that will contribute to achievement of this objective. Additional British embassy personnel will be posted in Afghanistan over the next few months to pursue counter-narcotics work.

  Bangladesh
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Bangladesh regarding the situation of the Biharis in that country. [115621]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The British Government are concerned at the periodic reports of discrimination against minority groups in Bangladesh. The British High Commission in Dhaka frequently raises human rights concerns, including those on minorities, with the Bangladesh Government. The situation of the Biharis has featured in these discussions.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 2 April and 15 May 2003 concerning his constituent, Mr. Bevan and others at King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford, Essex. [117661]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I will be replying to the hon. Member's letter of 2 April 2003 and his reminder of 15 May 2003 within the next few days.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Cyprus. [116954]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 4 June,Official Report, column 22WS.
  640W
  We welcome the recent partial lifting of restrictions on freedom of movement across the Green line announced by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, and the Confidence Building Measures announced by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. However, such measures are not a substitute for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan.

  We warmly welcome the proposals announced by the Commission on 3 June, aimed at promoting economic development in the north of Cyprus and bringing it closer to the EU. We urge the authorities in the north of Cyprus to work with the Commission to deliver the best possible results for the Turkish Cypriots.

  DynCorp
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the involvement of employees of DynCorp in(a) prostitution rings and (b) sex crimes against children in Bosnia; what contracts the UK Government has with DynCorp in (i) Bosnia, (ii) Kosovo, (iii) Iraq and (iv) Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [115472]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Ministry of Defence has not received any reports on this matter. However, I am aware of media reporting on the alleged activities of some DynCorp employees.

  The Ministry of Defence does not currently have any contracts with DynCorp in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq or Afghanistan.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what targets his Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets. [116655]

  Mr. Rammell
  The FCO is party to the Whitehall wide target of reducing (weather-corrected) CO2 emissions from buildings on the Government estate by 1 per cent. per annum relative to the base-year 1999–2000. To date, we have met this target through the purchase of green electricity exempt from the climate change levy and by a small reduction in consumption through closer building temperature control. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will agree new targets for 2010, based on benchmarking the performance of individual buildings where possible, by the end of this year.

  We have recently reviewed energy consumption across our estate. As a result, we now intend to set further specific efficiency targets which we aim to achieve by upgrading building facilities, using more energy efficient equipment, staff awareness campaigns and improved monitoring.

  Export Controls (Small Arms)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the meeting held by his Department in
  641W
  London in January on export controls of small arms; and what minimum standards were agreed for exports of small arms and light weapons. [117916]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), on 23 May 2003,Official Report, column 782W, and that given by the then International Development Secretary on 10 March 2003, Official Report, column 39W.

  Guantanamo Bay Prisoners
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made in relation to the human rights of British prisoners in Guantanamo Bay; and if he will make a statement. [118262]

  Mr. Straw
  The issue of the detainees' rights under international law is linked, at least in part, to the question of their status, which depends on all the facts of the individual cases. Whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment and if prosecuted, a fair trial. We have made this clear to the United States authorities. They have assured us they will treat the detainees humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Conventions.

  UK officials visited the British detainees in Guantanamo Bay for a fifth time in April. As part of this visit they checked on the welfare of the detainees who appeared generally to be in sound physical health. The physical conditions of their detention appear to be satisfactory. We have raised any welfare concerns we may have with the US authorities.

  Iraq
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence his Department has collated on whether Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction on 18 March. [115513]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government published its assessment of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes in September 2002, based on evidence drawn from a range of sources, including the reports of the UN weapons inspectors.

  There remained, on 18 March, no evidence to show that Iraq's weapons had been destroyed. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1441, the onus was firmly on Iraq to demonstrate its full compliance with the disarmament obligations contained in a succession of previous resolutions. They had also failed to address any of the unresolved disarmament issues arising from the final report of the UNSCOM Executive Chairman, Richard Butler, produced in February 1999.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs [pursuant to his answer of 6 May,Official Report, columns 562–63W], on Iraq, what discussions took place on options for a new judicial system (a) among the members of the Coalition and (b) among members of the UN Security Council prior to the commencement of military action. [116289]
  642W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We maintain regular contact with the US Ministry of Justice but we have no record of any specific discussions on options for a new Iraqi judicial system that took place prior to the commencement of military action.

  In accordance with UNSCR 1483, the Coalition Provisional Authority will work with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to assist the Iraqi people with legal and judicial reform. The UK has already deployed personnel to assist in this work. Assessments are underway as to how to take forward the justice sector but the immediate priority remains to reinvigorate a basic law and order capacity.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role is to be played by the UN in offering technical advice to the US and British Governments on good governance in Iraq. [117036]

  Mr. Rammell
  Security Council resolution 1483 calls for the United Nations Special Representative for Iraq to work closely with the Coalition Provisional Authority on a variety of issues including the rebuilding of Iraq and restoration and establishment of national and local institutions for representative governance in Iraq. We recognise that the UN has valuable experience which it can bring to bear on the situation and we will be staying in close touch with the Special Representative.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list reconstruction contracts approval by the Iraq Assistance Fund; the value of each and the contractor with whom the contract has been agreed; [118202]

  (2) what the total income of the Iraqi Assistance Fund is; from which source funds are drawn; and how much has come from each source; [118203]

  (3) what the membership is of the controlling body of the Iraqi Assistance Fund; how many times it has met; and what reports it has published; [118205]

  (4) by what process contractors are sought by the Iraq Assistance Fund; and what criteria are used to invite bids. [118226]

  John Healey
  I have been asked to reply.

  It will take a little while to assemble and confirm the information requested. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a state of war existed between the UK and Iraq; and what the current relationship between the two countries is. [118206]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A state of war was never declared between the UK and Iraq. The UK is an occupying power in Iraq and is carrying out its responsibilities under the Hague Regulations, Geneva Convention IV and UNSCR 1483.

  Kyoto Protocol
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken recently to persuade the Russian Federation to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. [117367]

  Mr. Rammell
  In recent months, the UK, other EU member states and other countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, have pressed the importance of ratification on the Russians on many occasions at ministerial and official level. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wrote to President Putin earlier this year urging ratification and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and the current President of the European Council, Costas Simitis, wrote more recently. President Putin's replies of 4 February and 9 May 2003 respectively stated that Russia hoped to be in a position to make a recommendation to the State Duma on the issue in the near future. We are now working more closely with Russia to address the technical issues surrounding Kyoto implementation. For example, last month the European Commission hosted a seminar for Russian and EU officials, which discussed these practical issues and the UK jointly funded with other European countries a seminar in Moscow on 'Implementing Kyoto'.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of(a) the US Administration and (b) the Australian Administration regarding the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. [117659]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not recently discussed this issue with the US and Australian Administrations.

  The Government believe that the Kyoto Protocol, with its binding targets and timetables, is the only existing international framework for tackling climate change and take every opportunity to urge all countries that have not yet ratified it to do so as soon as possible.

  The Government are encouraged that although Australia will not be ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, it intends to meet its Kyoto Protocol target.

  We welcome the US's recognition that climate change is a serious problem and the fact that they are taking domestic action, although this will not result in the absolute reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that the US would have been committed to make under the Kyoto Protocol.

  Mr. Lakhman Vangha
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when the papers in the case of Mr.Lakhman Vangha Modhvadiya (R/02/3534 and GV100/080442) were sent from Mumbai to the Home Office; [116934]

  (2) when the appeal papers from the High Commission in Mumbai, on the case of Mr. Lakhman Vangha Modhvadiya arrived in the Appeals Processing Centre of the Home Office. [116935]
  644W
  Mr. Rammell
  I am withholding the information requested under exemption 5 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  It is not our practice to disclose details of the individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. However, I will write to my hon. Friend about this.

  North Korea
  Mir. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the UK and North Korea. [116955]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for South West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 3 June,Official Report, columns 12W and 13W.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedures his Department employs to ensure the swift reply to parliamentary questions. [117073]

  Mr. Straw
  I attach great importance to ensuring that Parliamentary Questions (PQs) are answered accurately, helpfully, and within recommended deadlines.

  The Parliamentary Relations and Devolution Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a team of staff dedicated to processing PQs and monitoring both quality and timeliness of replies. From November 2002 to March 2003 the FCO has answered 81 per cent. of Named Day PQs on time, 94 per cent. of ordinary PQs within seven working days and 87 per cent. within five working days. The Department sets annual objectives to improve this record.

  The Department also runs an active programme of outreach and training events to raise FCO officials' awareness of their obligations towards Parliament and todisseminate best practice in Parliamentary work.

  Partnership Agreements
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to conclude a partnership agreement with the trade unions representing the staff in his Department. [117457]

  Mr. Straw
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently has no specific plans to conclude a formal "partnership agreement". Instead, the relationship the Department has with its Trade Union Side (TUS) operates in a spirit of partnership in which the TUS is given the opportunity to comment at an early stage in the development of all policies affecting the Department's staff.

  Pay Audit
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on completing a pay audit in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies to measure any disadvantage in terms of remuneration for(a) women, (b) ethnic minorities and (c) people with disabilities; and if he will publish the results of such an audit. [117438]
  645W
  Mr. Straw
  An equal pay audit, examining remuneration between men and women in the FCO, was completed earlier this year by an external consultant. Once we have concluded discussion with Cabinet Office on the action plan, we will place a copy of the action plan in the Library of the House. We intend to undertake similar audits to examine pay of minority ethnic staff and staff with disabilities.

  The British Council has also completed an equal pay audit which covered gender, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.

  Race Relations
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in his 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. [117622]

  Mr. Straw
  The FCO published its Race Equality Scheme, setting out how it would meet the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, in June 2002. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The FCO is shortly to issue its report on progress during the first year of the Scheme. This will include the results of the monitoring required by the Act. We will ensure that a copy is sent to my hon. Friend.

  Regulatory Bodies
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [117787]

  Mr. Straw
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not have responsibility for any regulatory bodies.

  Turks and Caicos Islands
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department has taken to guarantee political representation and civil rights for Turks and Caicos citizens and passport holders. [117087]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Turks and Caicos Islands constitution provides for a Legislature which includes 13 elected members and contains provisions for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department has taken to ensure that the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands fulfils its obligations under international treaties on the rights of the child. [117088]

  Mr. MacShane
  The FCO have contracted the children's charity National Children's Homes to prepare, with the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government legislation compatible with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  646W
  The TCI has a local Committee specifically on Rights of the Child. Following a recommendation by a local independent Constitutional Review Committee, the TCI Government established a Human Rights Committee last November to enhance monitoring and maintenance of its obligations.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department has taken to ensure that those born in the Turks and Caicos Islands get full access to lifesaving anti-retroviral drugs. [117089]

  Mr. MacShane
  Health is the responsibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government, who are actively addressing the issue both on their own and in collaboration with regional organisations and individual states in the region. An HIV triple drug therapy programme is offered free to pregnant women.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the refugee and asylum screening process is for Haitian boat people arriving in the Turks and Caicos. [117090]

  Mr. MacShane
  Immigration is the responsibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government. The TCI authorities believe that those arriving by sea are economic migrants. Those detained are screened for identification purposes and usually repatriated as soon as possible. There have been no known asylum cases from Haiti. TCI bears the substantial costs of detention and repatriation by air.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department has taken to guarantee that the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands provides education for all school aged children born in the Islands. [117091]

  Mr. MacShane
  Education is the responsibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government. They have a policy of free compulsory education for all up to the age of 16. Provision of education is available to all children legally resident in TCI.

  Diplomatic Residence (San Francisco)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the value of the Consul General's house in San Francisco; and what economic calculations he used to make his assessment. [115971]

  Mr. Rammell
  Replacement of the present over-scale Residence of the Consul General in San Francisco will make a net contribution to FCO finances and reduce the annual resource charge we pay to the Treasury for the property by half. The decision was based on the usual value for money criteria discounted back to net present value and informed by the reports of our local property agents on prospects for the San Francisco market. It was never our intention that the new Residence should provide for entertainment on the same scale as the old. Comparisons based on the presumed extra cost incurred by moving to a smaller Residence are therefore unnecessary. I am satisfied that this is a good deal for the taxpayer.
  647W
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether ministerial authority was given for the deposit placed on a replacement residence for the Consul General in San Francisco. [116098]

  Mr. Rammell
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]FCO procedures do not call for specific Ministerial authority before purchasing individual properties. The more important cases, under normal delegations, would be submitted to the Permanent Under Secretary (PUS). The PUS may then decide to refer this matter to Ministers. In this case we were operating within a strategy which has been approved by the previous PUS, having discussed the matter with Ministers in 2001. and which had been endorsed by the present PUS, having visited the property in 2002.

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much opium has been(a) impounded and (b) destroyed by ISAF forces in Afghanistan in each month since January 2002. [116418]

  Mr. Ingram
  Where ISAF forces come across opium, the drugs, and any individuals involved, are handed over to the Afghanistan authorities. However, it is possible that during initial ISAF operations, some drug stockpiles were destroyed.

  The Headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) does not maintain a record of the quantity of opium which may have been impounded and/or destroyed by ISAF forces.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been given to British forces in Afghanistan(a) to impound and (b) to destroy (i) opium and (ii) heroin. [116419]

  Mr. Ingram
  None of the British forces who are serving in Afghanistan has been instructed to impound or destroy opium or heroin. However, where British forces come across opium or heroin, the drugs, and any individuals involved, are handed over to the Afghanistan authorities.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial resources his Department has allocated specifically to reducing opium production in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [116811]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence has not allocated resources specifically to reduce opium production in Afghanistan. Increased security and stability are vital to Afghanistan's attempts to reduce opium production. Our contributions towards this have been considerable through Operation FINGAL (our contribution to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)) and Operation VERITAS (our contribution to the coalition against international terrorism). The costs for these operations for Financial Year 2002–03 are approximately £30 million and £170 million respectively.

  Armed Forces (Food Supplies)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where beef is processed into burgers for consumption by the armed forces. [117669]

  Mr. Ingram
  The beefburgers currently supplied to the armed forces are processed in Normandy, France.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether beef is reared and produced in the Republic of Ireland for consumption for the armed forces. [117670]

  Mr. Ingram
  A small proportion of the beef purchased for the armed forces is sourced in the Republic of Ireland for processing into beefburgers.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the amount of beef produced in the UK for UK armed forces consumption. [117671]

  Mr. Ingram
  While increasing beef production in the United Kingdom is not the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Defence, we are keen to purchase UK products for the armed forces whenever they are competitive. Currently, 55 per cent. of the armed forces' total annual consumption of beef is British. It would be contrary to Article 30 of the EU Treaty of Rome to unfairly favour British product.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where(a) lamb, (b) pork, (c) poultry and (d) milk for consumption by the armed forces is reared, processed and produced. [117672]

  Mr. Ingram
  Food for the armed forces is sourced from many countries throughout the world, but United Kingdom products are always sourced if they are competitive, they meet the relevant minimum specifications and the supply chain can be guaranteed. Of the meat purchased, lamb is sourced from New Zealand, Uruguay, Australia and the UK. Pork and bacon is all sourced from the UK. Chicken is sourced from France, Brazil and the UK.

  Fresh milk is sourced from the UK for consumption in UK and Germany for consumption in Germany. UHT milk or locally-procured fresh, is supplied to other overseas units.

  Armed Forces Personnel
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of(a) Naval Service, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force personnel are available for operational duties. [112013]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government will continue to ensure that sufficient troops are available to meet the tasks that we ask them to perform. The exact percentage of personnel available for operational duties at any given moment is a combination of a number of factors. These include the level of preparedness of forces, governed by readiness and position in the training cycle, and by the nature of the operation. Time would be needed to bring some force elements to the required level of training for particularly demanding operational theatres. Equally, the medical condition of individual service personnel may impact on their availability for operations, though
  649W
  it does not immediately follow that personnel who are medically downgraded are unfit for all operational tasks.

  British Warships
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received from the Spanish Government in respect of British and NATO warships patrolling the straits of Gibraltar. [117496]

  Mr. Ingram
  None.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional security measures have been taken by British warships visiting foreign ports(a) on entry and (b) when alongside; and what arrangements are made with host countries. [117497]

  Mr. Ingram
  The safety of our people and assets remain of paramount importance. Effective force protection for Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships visiting foreign ports is provided by a combination of internal and external security measures. The latter is the responsibility of the host nation with whom our Attaches and Fleet Security authorities liaise closely to ensure that adequate security measures, commensurate with the perceived threat, are put in place. Ultimately, a visit may be cancelled if it is considered that the risks outweigh the benefits to be gained from Defence Diplomacy. Measures vary considerably with the perceived threat but have included armed patrol vessel escorts to berths, booms placed around the ship, armed guards on the jetty and controlled access to the port and the ship. I am withholding precise information under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and International affairs) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Colchester Garrison
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many four-bedroomed houses at the Colchester Garrison are empty; and how many families are on the waiting list for a four-bedroomed house. [117398]

  Dr. Moonie
  No families entitled to four bedroom accommodation at Colchester Garrison are being kept waiting. The Defence Housing Executive (DHE) is however aware of 10 families in the Colchester area currently housed according to their entitlement under Tri Service Accommodation Regulations (TSARs) who would like to move to a larger, four-bedroomed property. 51 four-bedroomed Service family houses in the locality are currently empty, but almost all are already allocated to incoming entitled families, or are in the course of modernisation works, or are earmarked for disposal.

  Death Benefits
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many death benefits for(a) single servicemen, (b) married servicemen and (c) servicemen with unmarried partners in a substantial relationship have been paid since 1997; what the cost was for each category; and if he will make a statement. [116145]
  650W
  Dr. Moonie
  Under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS), number of single, and married service personnel who have died in service since 1 January 1997 and death benefits paid are as follows:

  Category

  Number

  Single servicemen/women

  1 541

  Married servicemen/women

  2 503

  1 A lump sum is payable to the estate of single personnel with no dependants. This would be a sum equivalent to three time the national pension calculated up to the date of death, or two times the full career pension rate whichever is the greater.

  2 A lump sum is payable when the death occurs is service. A short-term team Family Pension equal to the service person's daily rate of persionable pay is payable for a period of 91 days or 182 days (if there are children or the death was attributable to service). Thereafter, either a Long-term Forces Family Pension or an enhanced Attributable Forces Family pension is payable to the widow(er). Children's benefits are payable for up to a maximum of four children, and are paid until age 17 or full-time education ceases.

  On 20 March, I announced in a Written Statement that, from that date, unmarried partners, including same sex partners, of service personnel whose death was related to conflict would be eligible for ex-gratia benefits equivalent to those awarded to spouses under the AFPS. Partners would need to demonstrate that the relationship was substantial. We have received five claims for ex-gratia benefits under these arrangements but to date no decisions have been taken. Prior to the policy change, the Department offered an ex-gratia award to one unmarried partner; this was a response to the exceptional circumstances of the case. It would not be appropriate to discuss the value of the offer, which was a matter for the individual concerned. Under the War Pension Scheme (WPS) the number of death benefits paid in respect of deaths in service, and retirement since 1 January 1997 are as follows:

  Category

  Number

  Single servicemen/women

  3 Nil

  Married Servicemen/women

  4 9,711

  Servicemen/women with Unmarried partners

  5 Nil

  3 No benefits payable under the WPS.

  4 Standard rate of war widows/widowers pension is £93.85 per week. Other elements such as age/rent allowance or supplementary pension can also be paid. In addition to widower(ers) pensions, figure includes 91 awards of child allowances/orphans pensions paid: these are awarded in respect of the child regardless of whether the parents were married.

  5 Although no awards have been implemented since 1997, pensions for unmarried dependants are available where the relationship began six months prior to the start of the deceased's entry into the Service and the unmarried dependant has in their charge a child of the deceased.

  Information about the number of death benefits paid where the death occurred in retirement under the AFPS, and the costs of death benefits under the AFPS/WPS are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Document Disclosure
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions he has given to his Department's officials on limitations on the disclosure
  651W
  of documents requested by (a) the investigation team of His Honour Judge Corey and (b) the Inquiry team of Mr. Justice Barry. [116868]

  Mr. Ingram
  I believe my hon. Friend refers to the Cory investigation into six cases where allegations of collusion by security forces have been made and the Barron inquiry into the Dublin/Monaghan and Dundalk bombings.

  The Government are co-operating fully with Justice Cory's investigation and the inquiry of Mr. Justice Barron. In doing so, the Government must take account of its obligations to prevent real harm to national security and to safeguard the individuals right to life.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2003,Official Report, column 448W, on the Falkland Islands, when the last APT(S) came off station. [117658]

  Mr. Ingram
  The last Atlantic Patrol Task (South) ship, HMS Westminster, departed the Falkland Islands Area of Responsibility (FIAOR) on 26 October 2002 and finally left the Atlantic theatre of operations on 28 November 2002. For the majority of the gapped period, in addition to the Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel HMS Leeds Castle, the RN continued to contribute to the significant UK presence in the South Atlantic with the APT(S) tanker RFA Grey Rover, prior to her re-deployment on 31 January 2003 for Operation Telic duties, and the Ice Patrol Ship HMS Endurance, before she left the FIAOR on 18 March 2003.

  Female Submariners
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on female submariners; for what reasons females may not serve in submarines; and if he will make a statement. [118190]

  Dr. Moonie
  Women are excluded from service in submarines because no assurance can be given regarding the safety of a foetus due to the presence of contaminants which build up in the atmosphere of a submarine. The medical evidence on this issue is kept under review, most recently by the Defence Scientific Advisory Counsel and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the summer of 2001. At present, there are no plans to change the policy of excluding women from the submarine service.

  Gulf War (Compensation)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) medical reservists and (b) non-medical reservists in the Gulf are receiving compensation equal to their civilian salaries; and if he will make a statement. [118191]

  Dr. Moonie
  Under the provisions of the Reserve Forces Act 1996, any Reservists whose military salary is less than their civilian earnings may apply for financial assistance. This consists of a Standard Award that is calculated on the difference between civilian and military salaries. The amount that may be awarded is limited within set bands related to rank and specialism. If a Standard Award is insufficient to avert serious financial difficulties, a Reservist can also apply for a652W
  Hardship Award to cover essential outgoings such as mortgage repayments, school fees, child care costs etc. Hardship Awards are calculated on essential expenditure rather than actual earnings and there is no financial limit on the amount that may be awarded.

  The regulations governing financial assistance for Reservists are contained in Statutory Instrument 309 of 1997 ("The Reserve Forces (Call-Out and Recall) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 1997"), and are currently under review.

  Hercules
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to convert short fuselage C-130J Hercules C5 aircraft into long fuselage Hercules C4s. [112688]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Air Force operates a fleet of 25 C130J aircraft, comprising 15 Mk 4 long fuselage and 10 Mk 5 short fuselage aircraft. There are currently no plans to convert short fuselage aircraft to the long fuselage variant. The balance between Mk 4 and Mk 5 aircraft will be kept under review, in the light, for example, of operational experience.

  Iraq
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the availability was of the AS90, in percentage terms, on Operation Telic(a) on the first day of combat operations, (b) on 30 April 2003 and (c) on average for the duration of combat operations in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on its operational effectiveness. [111824]

  Mr. Ingram
  Post operational reporting will provide analysis and assessment of the performance of equipment deployed on operations in Iraq. It would, therefore, be premature for me to provide a detailed assessment of the performance or availability of individual equipments at this stage. However, the indications are that the AS90 fleet deployed on Operation Telic was very reliable and performed impressively.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tomahawk missiles were used in Iraq during Operation Telic; and what plans there are to replace them. [111839]

  Mr. Ingram
  United Kingdom submarines launched a number of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles during operations in Iraq. I am withholding the precise number of missiles fired and plans to replace them in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many prisoners have been released by British forces in the Gulf. [112078]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 28 May 2003, 2,282 prisoners of war had been released by the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether extended SCUD missiles have been found in post-war Iraq. [112478]
  653W
  Mr. Hoon
  As at 9 June 2003, Coalition Forces had not found any extended-range SCUD missiles in Iraq. Coalition Forces are initiating investigations into sites which may be connected with Iraqi programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction in breach of United Nations resolutions, and into other sources of evidence such as documentation or interviews with relevant Iraqi personnel. Investigations are at an early stage and we expect gathering and collating evidence from the various sources to be a long and complex task. We will aim to release information concerning evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction programmes when and where appropriate, as we did before the conflict began.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the cost of the clearance of unexploded ordnance left after military action by British forces in Iraq. [116260]

  Mr. Ingram
  A mix of abandoned Iraqi munitions, as well as United States and United Kingdom ordnance, exists in the UK area of operation. However, UK EOD forces are engaged in the clearance of unexploded ordnance in their area of operations, irrespective of its origin. The costs of the EOD force—in terms of salaries and explosives—amount to some £330,000 per month. A cost of clearance of UK munitions alone would not therefore be meaningful.

  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the questions asked by the hon. Member for Southport on 8 May about specific details in the Government's dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction as laid before the House on 24 September 2002 will be answered; and what is delaying a response. [117822]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have replied to the hon. Member today.

  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement of 14 April 2003,Official Report, column 615–17, on Iraq and the Middle East, how many of the possible sites for weapons of mass destruction have (a) been visited and (b) not been visited; what reasons have prevented sites being visited and inspected; and whether the list has been shared with the UN weapons inspectors. [112366]

  Mr. Hoon
  As at 4 June 2003, Coalition forces had initiated investigations into 140 sites within Iraq, from a master list of over 500, which may be connected to programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, investigations had been initiated into a further 67 sites identified since the conflict began. This master list subsumes the 146 sites referred to by the Prime Minister on 14 April 2003 and includes sites identified by our Coalition partners. These sites are being investigated as quickly as practicable and we expect further sites to be identified as investigations progress. Such sites are only one potential form of evidence; others could include delivery systems, documentation or interviews with relevant Iraqi personnel. We expect gathering and collating evidence from these sources to be a long and complex task.

  The majority of the sites on the Coalition master list were already known to the UN, having been identified by UNSCOM and the IAEA during their previous inspections. Before the conflict began, UK personnel
  654W
  briefed UN inspectors on suspect activities and capabilities at around 60 of the known sites, and on around 40 additional sites of which we suspected the inspectors may be unaware. We believe that we were as helpful as possible to the UN, working on a presumption of disclosure unless there were pressing security reasons not to. It is likely that other nations shared similar information with the UN concerning possible WMD sites.

  Jaguar Fleet
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the grounding of RAF Jaguars; [117503]

  (2) what problems have been experienced with the Rolls Royce Adour Mk 106 engines fitted to the Jaguar fleet; and if he will make a statement. [117504]

  Mr. Ingram
  On 8 May 2003, whilst operating from RAF Coltishall, a twin seat Jaguar T4 aircraft, powered by the Adour Mk 106 engine, made a precautionary landing due to a fire warning. The cause was found to be a technical problem that resulted in damage to the afterburner casing. As a result of this incident Jaguars fitted with the Adour Mk 106 engines did not fly until their engines had been inspected. These aircraft returned to normal flying on 24 May although some flying restrictions still apply pending a full engineering solution. Jaguar aircraft fitted with the Adour Mk 104 engines have no flying restrictions.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of the engine upgrade programme for the Jaguar fleet; and what improvements to the aircraft's performance have resulted in cases when the upgrade has been completed. [117505]

  Mr. Ingram
  The cost of the Jaguar aircraft Adour Mk 106 engine upgrade programme is £105 million. The programme will reduce the through life costs of the aircraft propulsion system by increasing engine reliability and availability.

  In addition the upgraded Adour Mk 106 engine provides an increase in thrust over the current Mk 104 engine. This increase improves the operational effectiveness of the Jaguar aircraft particularly when deployed in hot climates.

  Non-precision Weapons
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 16 May 2003,Official Report, column 454W, on non-precision weapons, how many (a) 5401b free fall bombs, (b) 1,0001b free fall bombs and (c) RBL 755 cluster bombs were dropped by UK forces in urban areas in (i) Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and (ii) Iraq during Operation Telic; whether, during post mission target assessments, 5401b and 1,0001b free fall bombs and RBL 755 cluster bombs are considered to have hit their target if they fall within the radius of their average accuracy; and if he will make a statement. [116051]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]No weapons were dropped by United Kingdom aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. During the course of operations in Iraq,
  655W
  while none of the weapons detailed in the question were dropped in dense urban areas, a number of military targets on the periphery of built up areas were attacked. 5401b and 1,0001b free fall bombs and RB 755 cluster bombs are considered to have hit their target if the weapon causes damage to the intended target.

  Reservists
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) medical treatment and (b) other work medical reservists stationed in Iraq have carried out in the last month; and if he will make a statement. [115073]

  Dr. Moonie
  From 1 to 30 May, medical reservists stationed in Iraq have performed a wide range of medical procedures ranging from the general treatment of minor cuts through to major surgical intervention following the traumatic amputation of a limb. The patient in this case was a 10-year-old Iraqi girl. It is not possible at this time to give details on specific treatments, however 202 (Volunteer) Field Hospital have undertaken 711 Primary Health Care treatments, 37 Theatre procedures and seen 1,123 patients in Accident and Emergency. During this time, medical reservists have also relocated an entire field hospital, facilitated visits from various agencies and have served with aeromedical evacuation teams throughout the evacuation chain.

  Tomahawk Missiles
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired by the Royal Navy during the Gulf conflict; and from which vessels. [112257]

  Mr. Ingram
  Two United Kingdom submarines, HMS Splendid and Turbulent, fired a number of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles during operations in Iraq. I am withholding the precise number of missiles fired by each in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

  Service Veterans
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) parliamentary questions have been tabled, (b) enquiries have been received from hon. Members, (c) early day motions have been tabled, (d) petitions have been presented, with the total number of signatories, (e) representations have been received from organisations representing veterans and (f) representations have been received from members of the public calling for the award of a medal for those who served in the Suez Canal Zone in the early 1950s, since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [117420]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since May 1997 the Ministry of Defence has responded to approximately 27 parliamentary questions, 510 letters from hon. Members and seven early-day motions on the subject of a campaign medal for those who served in the Suez Canal Zone in the early 1950s. In addition, 415 representations have been received from members of the public, a number of whom undoubtedly represented the views of one or more of the several Canal Zone veterans organisations, though it 656W
  would not be possible to differentiate between them and letters from individuals. One petition was presented to the MOD by my hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Bennett) in 1998, containing approximately 20,000 signatures.

  As the hon. Member is fully aware; the matter of a campaign medal for the Canal Zone presently rests with the HD Committee and not with the Ministry of Defence. The Committee is deliberating on recommendations submitted by a special sub-committee created late last year for the sole purpose of reviewing the case for a Canal Zone medal and will publish its decision, subject to the Queen's approval, very soon.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average number of sick days was in his Department for(a) civilian and (b) military staff in each year since 1997; what percentage of staff were on long term sick leave in each year; and if he will make a statement. [116865]

  Dr. Moonie
  The average number of sick days in the Ministry of Defence for civilian staff are as follows:

  Number of days

  1997

  7.9

  1998

  8.0

  1999

  8.8

  2000

  8.8

  2001

  —

  2002

  —

  The percentage of civilian staff on long term sick leave in the Ministry of Defence are as follows:

  Percentage of civilian staff

  1997

  —

  1998

  —

  1999

  5.7

  2000

  5.9

  2001

  —

  2002

  6.4

  Figures are for non-industrial staff and include staff on unpaid sick leave. Industrial staff, Trading Funds and RFAs are not included.

  Sick absence data for all Government Departments, which includes information about the average number of days lost to sickness absence, are published in an annual Cabinet Office report "Analysis of Sick Absence in the Civil Service". Copies of the 1999, 2000 and 2001 reports are available in the Library. However, the 2001 report excludes data for the Ministry of Defence, pending the introduction of a new and more accurate statistical reporting system. The 2002 report, which will include MOD data, will be placed in the Library of the House on publication.

  The report does not contain information about long term sick absence, the figures therefore are based on internal figures. Long term sickness is defined as staff who have been on sick leave for a spell of 30 calendar

  657W
  days or more in a calendar year. Due to data inaccuracies the figures for 1997, 1998 and 2001 are not available.

  A programme of measures is being implemented to help meet the target in MOD's Service Delivery Agreement to reduce sickness absence to 7.0 days by the end of 2003 (target adjusted following the reorganisation of Government Departments in 2000). This includes a regular audit of long-term sick cases. MOD is committed to improving the health of its staff and managing sick absence more effectively.

  Records are not held centrally of the number of sick days taken annually by military personnel or the percentage on long term sick leave. This information could be compiled only from records held locally by units, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  TA Estate
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 21 May 2003,Official Report, column 787W, on Territorial Army Estate, when he intends to secure a sale of TAC Greenhithe; and if he will make a statement. [116760]

  Dr. Moonie
  It is hoped a sale will be concluded in the near future.

  TA Medics
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many TA medics are serving in Iraq; and when he expects them to be discharged. [117548]

  Dr. Moonie
  The majority of Territorial Army (TA) medical personnel currently deployed in Iraq are serving with 202 Field Hospital (V) (a total of 483 TA medical personnel). These personnel are expected to be released from theatre through a staged process over the next few weeks, and all should have returned to the United Kingdom by the end of July 2003. Additionally there are a relatively small number of further individual appointments filled by TA medical personnel who will leave theatre when their parent Regular unit leaves.

  TA Reservists
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many TA reservists mobilised for Operation Telic have not yet received their full pay and allowances. [117838]

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

  Tri-Service Act
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Armed Forces Acts with a tri-service Act; and if he will make a statement on progress towards publication of a Bill in 2005. [117327]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Strategic Defence Review indicated our intention to replace the Army and Air Force Acts 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (the Service discipline acts) with a tri-Service Act. Work is proceeding on this project, which has the purpose of 658W
  providing a legislative framework better capable of meeting the needs of armed forces that increasingly operate together.

  The next five-yearly Armed Forces Bill, which will be needed to extend the life of the Service discipline acts, is due in the 2005–06 session. However, it will be understood that no commitments can be given at this stage as to when the tri-Service legislation might be introduced, as this will be subject to the availability of Parliamentary time.

  University Air Squadrons
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement of the financial benefits realised in each year since the transfer of the RAF's elementary flying training to the university air squadrons. [117490]

  Mr. Ingram
  Formal Elementary Flying Training (EFT) has been conducted at the University Air Squadrons (UAS) since 1993. Records of financial benefits have not been kept. However, we have recently studied the benefits of conducting EFT at the UASs compared with providing this training on a regional basis or at central location following recruitment to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The regional option offered no benefits. The central location option did offer a marginal cost benefit, but was not adopted because of the high risk that the removal of flying training from the UASs would render them less attractive to undergraduates and would, consequently, lose the support of universities for the UAS system as a whole. Additionally, there would be a reduction in return of service from graduates entering the RAF through non-flying UASs since these individuals would have to spend several months completing EFT before progressing to the more advanced phases of pilot training.

  We are transferring the RAF Direct Entrant EFT currently undertaken at the Joint Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Church Fenton to the UASs when the current contract expires early My 2003. This is expected to yield savings of at least £1.5 million a year.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Royal Air Force concerning the impact of transferring the RAF's elementary flying training to the university air squadrons. [117491]

  Mr. Ingram
  None. The recent decision to transfer the Royal Air Force Direct Entrant Elementary Flying Training, currently undertaken at the RAF Joint Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Church Fenton, to the University Air Squadrons was a matter for the Chief Executive of the RAF Training Group Defence Agency. I was briefed on the rationale for his decision and was content.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of students who joined the university air squadrons subsequently dropped out of the programme in each of the past five years. [117492]

  Mr. Ingram
  Details of students who joined the University Air Squadrons (UASs) and subsequently dropped out are not held. The UASs recruit to an annual target of up to 300 with a view to delivering 80 to
  659W
  90 graduate pilots for the RAF each year. It is evident from this that the UASs lose some 210 to 220 students each year. These losses include students who drop out for a variety of reasons and those who complete the full term but then choose not to join the RAF or are not selected or are suitable for entry but there are insufficient vacancies. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 520W.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications for entitlements for War Disability Pensions and War Widow(er)s Pensions are held pending by the Veterans Agency of the MoD; and how many applications were processed during the first quarter of 2003. [117808]

  Dr. Moonie
  As at 31 May 2003 the Veterans Agency had 5,232 first and further condition entitlement claims for war disablement pension pending. There were also 221 applications for War Widow(er)s Pension pending.

  During the period 1 January to 31 March 2003 the Veterans Agency processed 5,927 claims in respect of disablement and 686 claims for War Widow(er)s Pension.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Afghan Refugees
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the repatriation of Afghan refugees. [116627]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Government's preferred option for repatriating Afghan asylum applicants whose asylum claims have been rejected is assisted voluntary return, in line with the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Voluntary Return between the UK, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Afghan Transitional Administration. As agreed with the Afghan authorities from spring this year onwards those not choosing voluntary return and found to be without protection or humanitarian needs will be subject to enforcement action. We started enforced returns on 28 April 2003 and there will be flights once a month from now on.

  We are working closely with the Afghan authorities to ensure that all returns, whether enforced or voluntary, are phased, managed and dignified. We offer all returnees a training and employment package designed to ensure that their return is sustainable and that they can therefore make a positive contribution to the reconstruction of their homeland.

  We will continue to monitor the situation in Afghanistan with a view to developing our returns programme accordingly.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Afghan citizens who arrived on the hijacked plane at Stansted in February 2000(a) have been returned to Afghanistan, (b) have been granted asylum or leave to remain and (c) are still in the UK. [114721]
  660W
  Beverley Hughes
  Of the 170 people on the hijacked plane, 84 have returned voluntarily to Afghanistan and 18, including 13 dependants, have been granted asylum in the UK.

  The remaining 68 are still in the UK, most pending completion of appeals or legal processes of one kind or another. Of this 68, the accused hijackers and their families comprise 34 people. Nine of the hijackers were convicted and imprisoned until recently. In the case of these nine hijackers their convictions have now been overturned by the Court of Appeal.

  Action is being taken to remove all such remaining people as soon as possible as it is clear there is no legal or other barrier to their removal.

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders are in force in Leeds. [116188]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Available information given in the table shows the number of notifications received by the Home Office of Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued within the West Yorkshire Magistrates' Courts Committee (MCCs) area (in which the City of Leeds is situated) and by local government authority up to 30 November 2002 (latest available). Data are not collected centrally on the number of ASBOs in force at any given time.

  We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.

  The number of ASBOs as notified to the Home Office, by West Yorkshire Magistrates' Courts Committee and local authority area, April 1999-November 2002

  MCC/local authority area

  Total issued

  West Yorkshire MCC

  25

  of which

  From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 by pfa

  4

  From 1 June 2000 to 30 November 2002 by local authority area

  21

  Bradford, City of

  2

  Kirklees MC

  5

  Leeds CC

  14

  Note:

  Between 1 April 1999–31 May 2000 data available by police force area only.

  Crime/Policing
  Shona Mclsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been(a) applied for and (b) issued by North Lincolnshire council in each year since their introduction; [116156]
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  (2) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) issued by Humberside police in each year since their introduction; [116155]

  (3) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) issued by North East Lincolnshire council in each year since their introduction. [116154]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were introduced from 1 April 1999. Information held centrally up to 31 May 2000 is for the number of ASBOs issued within England and Wales by notice force area only.

  Number of applications1 for ASBOs issued within the Humberside MCC area, as reported to the Home Office, by type of applicant and result, 1 April 1999 to 30 November 2002

  Applications made by Humberside police force

  Applications made by North Lincolnshire council

  Applications made by North East Lincolnshire council

  Period

  Applied for

  Issued

  Applied for

  Issued

  Applied for

  Issued

  1 April 1999 to 31 May 20002

  n/a

  0

  n/a

  0

  n/a

  0

  1 June 2000 to 31 December 2001

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1 January 2002 to 30 November 20023

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Total

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  n/a = Not available

  1 Information collected centrally is the number of applications either issued or refused. Applications withdrawn are not reported.

  2 From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 information was collected on the number of ASBOs issued only within police force areas (pfas). During this period no ASBOs were recorded as issued within the Humberside pfa.

  3 Latest available. Following implementation of the Police Reform Act (2 December 2002) data for December 2002 will be included in the first quarter 2003.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government has to cease the support-only benefit for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [113892]

  Beverley Hughes
  Section 43 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (the 2002 Act) provides for the withdrawal of financial support only to asylum seekers. Use of this provision is by way of an order subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. We have no current plans to make any order under this provision.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many National Asylum Support Service private rented landlord houses there are in(a) Leeds and (b) the Leeds, West constituency; and what his estimate is of the total number of asylum seekers housed in (i) Leeds and (ii) Leeds West. [116009]

  Beverley Hughes
  The number of properties supplied to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), as at 3 June 2003, by private contractors is(a) 468 in Leeds; (b) 25 in Leeds West. NASS also has a contract with the Yorkshire and Humberside Consortium of Local Authorities. The consortium may contract with private landlords.

  The information for parts (i) and (ii) is not available in the form requested.

  The availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the United Kingdom is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the United Kingdom either receive support from NASS, local authorities or the Department
  662W
  From 1 June 2000 official statistics on the number of ASBO applications within England and Wales are based on quarterly returns from Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs). From copies of the orders we have been able to identify the type of applicant and local authority areas involved. Information is given in the table on the number of applications made to the magistrates courts (acting in their civil capacity), and the number issued, by type of applicant up to 30 November 2002 (latest available).

  We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.

  for Work and Pensions (DWP), or are supporting themselves. There is no information available at constituency level.

  At the end of March 2003, 1,785 asylum seekers1 (including dependents) were being supported in NASS accommodation and 280 asylum seekers (including dependents) were in receipt of subsistence only support in Leeds.

  From the grant claims sent to the Home Office by local authorities, as at the end of March 2003, there were 40 asylum cases (comprising 30 individuals and 10 families) being supported by Leeds local authority1. (Asylum seekers are not necessarily resident in the local authority that supports them due to the voluntary dispersal programme which operated prior to NASS).

  No information is held centrally on the location or residence of asylum seekers supported by DWP or who support themselves.
  1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest five. These figures exclude cases where support has been ceased.
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on asylum seekers from Afghanistan. [116886]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Home Office determines asylum applications from Afghan nationals on their merits according to United Kingdom's obligations under the terms of the 1951 Convention for the Status of Refugees.
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  In July 2002, in response to the improving situation in Afghanistan, we revised our blanket policy of granting exceptional leave to remain to all Afghans who do not qualify for refugee status.

  The Government's preferred option for repatriating Afghan asylum applicants whose asylum claims have been rejected is assisted voluntary return, in line with the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Voluntary Return between the United Kingdom, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Afghan Transitional Administration.

  On 28 April 2003 in line with our stated intentions and as agreed with the Afghan authorities we commenced enforced returns to Afghanistan. We are returning those not found to be in need of international protection or granted any other form of leave to remain who do not depart voluntarily.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many jailed asylum seekers from Somalia have been deported in each of the past six months [113893]

  Beverley Hughes
  Pursuant to her reply, 20 May 2003, 753W. I regret that due to an administrative error the information given in the text was not wholly complete. The complete answer should have been that the nationality of people who are removed from the UK after being detained under Immigration Act powers or on completion of a prison sentence is not available and could only be obtained by examining individual cases files, this would be at disproportionate cost.

  Furthermore statistics showing the total number of persons removed, by nationality, in the period January to March 2002 are due to be published at the end of August 2003 on the Home Office web-site: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew.1.html.

  Charities
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on measures that his Department has put in place to ease the administrative burden on charities. [117275]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Government are committed to removing unnecessary administrative burdens and legal restrictions on charities. We undertook to implement a package of measures to that end, by means of a Regulatory Reform Order (RRO). The need for an RRO has now been overtaken by the review undertaken by the Strategy Unit (SU) 'Private Action, Public Benefit'. We expect to announce our response to the consultation on the SU Report in the summer. We announced in February this year that a Charities Bill would be prepared and published in draft as soon as practicable. The reforms originally proposed for inclusion in the RRO will be considered for inclusion in a Charities Bill.

  Community Support Officers
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers there will be in each London borough under the 664W
  second funding round in 2003–04; how many were allocated to each London borough in the first round; and if he will make a statement [116748]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The allocation of Community Support Officers (CSOs) within the Metropolitan Police District is a matter for the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The number of CSOs being allocated to individual Boroughs as a result of each funding round is set out in the table.

  The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) was allocated 500 CSOs in the first funding round, where the Home Office paid for salaries and direct on-costs.

  They have also been allocated 250 CSOs in the second funding round on the basis that the Home Office will pay 50 per cent. of salaries and direct on-costs. The Commissioner has advised me though that the MPA will fully fund a further 250 CSOs. Their allocation is also included in the table.

  Boroughs

  Funding round one

  Funding round two and metropolitan police authority funded

  Total allocation to boroughts

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  15

  15

  Barnet

  8

  22

  30

  Bexley

  0

  20

  20

  Brent

  10

  15

  25

  Bromley

  0

  28

  28

  Camden

  30

  0

  30

  Croydon

  10

  21

  31

  Baling

  8

  21

  29

  Enfield

  9

  17

  26

  Greenwich

  10

  10

  20

  Hackney

  11

  8

  19

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  8

  7

  15

  Haringey

  11

  9

  20

  Harrow

  0

  19

  19

  Havering

  0

  21

  21

  Hillingdon

  0

  33

  33

  Hounslow

  0

  30

  30

  Islington

  10

  6

  16

  Kensington and Chelsea

  30

  0

  30

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  0

  13

  13

  Lambeth

  21

  9

  30

  Lewisham

  10

  13

  23

  Merton

  0

  17

  17

  Newham

  40

  3

  43

  Redbridge

  0

  22

  22

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  0

  16

  16

  Southwark

  14

  9

  23

  Sutton

  0

  17

  17

  Tower Hamlets

  20

  18

  38

  Waltham Forest

  0

  20

  20

  Wandsworth

  0

  25

  25

  Westminster

  200

  17

  217

  Heathrow

  40

  0

  40

  Total

  500

  501

  11,001

  1Table shows 1,001 due to rounding up adjustments and part- time posts.

  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Community Support Officers in assisting police forces. [116873]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  More than 1,300 Community Support Officers (CSOs) are currently being deployed by police forces throughout England and Wales. We have already received a good deal of anecdotal information from a wide variety of sources that CSOs are having a positive effect in their communities by providing a visible and reassuring policing presence.
  665W
  The money given to each police force includes an element for evaluation and forces are due to send us their initial findings by the end of September.

  Contingency Planning
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Nottinghamshire police service have received specialist training at the Police National CBRN training centre to improve their potential response to a nuclear, biological or chemical terrorist attack. [116480]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]The total number of CBRN trained officers to date is approximately 3,700 with 2,434 of these having been trained by the PNCBRNC since August 2002. This is in line with the Association of Chief Police Officers desired level of training to ensure that police forces nationally have the necessary resilience to deal with a CBRN incident.

  It would not be appropriate, on security grounds, to give more specific information regarding the CBRN response capability in each police force.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters of Miss P.C. Adams of Everton, Hampshire dated 7 February and 27 February regarding asylum. [112209]

  Beverley Hughes
  I am sorry that Miss Adams had not received replies to her letters. Immigration and Nationality Directorate officials have now written to Miss Adams.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 16 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Francis Mundan Bepfupfu. [117196]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 3 June 2003.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 22 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Abraham Kalola. [117197]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 3 June 2003.

  Crime Statistics
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in the last two quarters in(a) Haltemprice and Howden, (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (c) the Humberside Police Authority area. [116770]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  No notifications have been received by the Home Office of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued, from 1 July 2002 to 30 November 2002 (latest available), within the Humberside Magistrates'666W
  Court Committee (MCC) area, (which includes the East Riding of Yorkshire unitary authority, in which the Haltemprice and Howden constituency is located).

  We are aware that the number of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.

  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the crime detection rate for each police division in Wales was in the last year for which figures are available. [116872]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The overall detection rate for police Basic Command Units is not available. The detection rates for six key offence groups, for all Basic Command Units in England and Wales, were published in table 8.05 in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 7/02, "Crime in England and Wales 2001–02", which is available in the Library.

  Deportations
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he makes to check on the welfare of those of Chechen origin who are deported to the Russian Federation; what evidence he has that those of Chechen origin arrive safely in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement. [116320]

  Beverley Hughes
  There are no arrangements in place to check on the welfare of individual Chechens who are removed to the Russian Federation. However, in considering whether or not an unsuccessful asylum applicant from Chechnya should be removed to the Russian Federation, full account is taken of objective country information regarding the situation there for Chechens, as well as the ability of the individual concerned to reside in other parts of the Russian Federation. There has never been any question or possibility of removal from the UK either directly or indirectly to Chechnya. Whether or not an individual removed from the UK to the Russian Federation chooses to return to Chechnya is the decision of that individual.

  Dogs
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice his Department has given to police forces on dealing with stray dogs. [116842]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  No advice has been issued by the Home Office.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with(a) the Environmental Protection Agency and (b) Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on dealing with stray dogs. [116844]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Police Bureaucracy Taskforce's report, which was published on 17 September 2002, recommended that responsibility for dealing with stray dogs should be transferred, in full, to local authorities. The Home Office is continuing to discuss with relevant stakeholders how this recommendation should be taken forward within local government.

  Flight Attendants
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether flight attendants are required to have Criminal Records Bureau checks; and if he will make a statement. [116380]

  Paul Goggins
  Flight attendants are not required to obtain a Criminal Records Bureau check.

  Heroin
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the heroin seized in the United Kingdom originates in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [117875]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  It is estimated that over 90 per cent. of heroin seized in the United Kingdom each year originates from opium produced in Afghanistan.

  Iraq
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures and incentives will be in place to facilitate the return of Iraqi asylum seekers to Iraq. [117660]

  Beverley Hughes
  We are working actively to ensure that Iraqis can be assisted to return voluntarily to their homeland as soon as practicable. Many Iraqis in the United Kingdom have skills, which will be of value to the reconstruction of Iraq. The Government are committed to helping clear the way for them to do so.

  We already have the Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) in place. This programme is available to all nationalities and includes Iraqis. A number of Iraqis have already approached the International Organisation for Migration and they are making arrangements for their return over the next few weeks. VARRP facilitates assisted voluntary return as well as providing additional in kind reintegration assistance in the country of origin. The reintegration assistance is worth up to an approximate value of £500.

  We are consulting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organisation for Migration, refugee sector non-governmental organisations and Iraqi communities in the United Kingdom on the type of additional programmes that will be appropriate to facilitate voluntary return to Iraq. No decisions regarding the exact nature of the return programme that might be offered has yet been made.

  Job Entries
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 28 April 2003,Official Report, column 63W. what information on job entries is now available; and when it will be published. [118210]

  Beverley Hughes
  Information on job entries is being collected and it will be made available shortly.

  London Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many annual Board of Visitors reports he has received from London prisons for 2002–03. [116708]
  668W
  Paul Goggins
  None. Since the reporting period each year is staggered, the first batch of annual reports for 2003 are not due before September 2003. The timetable for receipt of the annual reports from the London prisons is as follows:

  Establishment

  Date due

  Belmarsh

  September 2003

  Brixton

  October 2003

  Holloway

  February 2004

  Pentonville

  May 2004

  Wandsworth

  July 2004

  Wormwood Scrubs

  August 2004

  Prison Accidents
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accidents occurred on the prison estate to(a) employees and (b) inmates, broken down by establishment, in the last five years. [113671]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 15 May 2003]The number of accidents to employees and prisoners from April 2002 to 13 May is shown in the following tables. Until April 2002, Home Office Health and Safety Services was responsible for recording all the accident statistics for the Prison Service. In April 2002, the Prison Service Safety Section assumed responsibility for this task and changed the system to ensure that the statistics gathered met the Services needs. The information for the period up until April 2002 is being collated from Home Office records and I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Prison service accident statistics-Accidents to staff and prisoners from April 2002 to 13 May 2003

  Staff

  Prisoners

  East Midlands (North)

  Lincoln

  53

  92

  North Sea Camp

  24

  82

  Nottingham

  39

  1

  Ranby

  51

  178

  Sudbury

  21

  68

  Whatton

  6

  25

  Total for East Midlands (North)

  194

  446

  East Midlands (south)

  Ashwell

  45

  56

  Gartree

  37

  7

  GlenParva

  107

  15

  Leicester

  34

  4

  Onley

  34

  1

  Stocken

  23

  58

  Wellingborough

  86

  48

  Total for East Midlands (South)

  366

  189 Eastern

  Eastern

  Bedford

  64

  7

  Blundeston

  24

  4

  Chelmsford

  23

  10

  Grendon

  33

  89

  Highpoint

  86

  72

  Littlehey

  41

  64

  Norwich

  113

  22

  The Mount

  40

  46

  Wayland

  63

  145

  Total for Eastern

  487

  459

  Hign Security Prisons

  Belmarsh

  291

  7

  Durham

  80

  28

  Frankland

  113

  72

  Full Sutton

  85

  23

  669W

  Prison service accident statistics-Accidents to staff and prisoners from April 2002 to 13 May 2003

  Staff

  Prisoners

  Long Lartin

  43

  36

  Wakefield

  99

  50

  Whitemoor

  69

  8

  Woodhill

  217

  104

  Total for High Security Prisons

  997

  328

  Juvenile Establishments

  Hollesley Bay

  64

  39

  Huntercombe

  95

  3

  Werrington

  85

  4

  Wetherby

  115

  10

  Total for Juvenile Establishments

  359

  56

  Kent, Surrey and Sussex

  Blantyre House

  5

  7

  Canterbury

  17

  1

  Coldingley

  10

  44

  Dover

  28

  10

  Elmley

  85

  34

  Ford

  30

  72

  Highdown

  105

  83

  Lewes

  36

  47

  Maidstone

  48

  24

  Rochester

  81

  48

  Standford Hill

  39

  65

  Swaleside

  50

  36

  Total for Kent, Surrey and Sussex

  534

  471

  Lancashire and Cumbria

  Garth

  26

  47

  Haverigg

  40

  113

  Kirkham

  27

  260

  Lancaster

  44

  72

  Lancaster Farms

  23

  20

  Preston

  125

  173

  Wymott

  60

  75

  Total for Lancashire and Cumbria

  345

  760

  London

  Brixton

  176

  20

  Feltham

  261

  76

  Latchmere House

  2

  2

  Pentonville

  186

  23

  Wandsworth

  118

  10

  Wormwood Scrubs

  138

  4

  Total for London

  881

  135

  Manchester, Mersey and Cheshire

  Buckley Hall

  38

  26

  Hindley

  268

  162

  Liverpool

  190

  27

  Manchester

  36

  69

  Risley

  95

  75

  Thorn Cross

  10

  21

  Total for Manchester, Mersey and Cheshire

  637

  380

  North East

  Acklington

  72

  79

  Castington

  73

  34

  Deerbolt

  103

  39

  Holme House

  68

  188

  Kirklevington

  9

  13

  Total for North East

  325

  353

  South West

  Bristol

  115

  67

  Channings Wood

  55

  33

  Dartmoor

  86

  18

  Dorchester

  63

  31

  Erlestoke

  31

  31

  Exeter

  105

  77

  Gloucester

  63

  7

  Guys Marsh

  49

  131

  Leyhill

  14

  61

  Portland

  57

  5

  Shepton Mallet

  6

  22

  The Verne

  28

  78

  Weare

  44

  46

  Total for South West

  716

  607

  670W

  Prison service accident statistics-Accidents to staff and prisoners from April 2002 to 13 May 2003

  Staff

  Prisoners

  Thames Valley and Hampshire

  Albany

  14

  36

  Aylesbury

  99

  53

  Bullingdon

  52

  81

  Camp Hill

  43

  26

  Haslar

  20

  8

  Kingston

  9

  7

  Parkhurst

  36

  1

  Reading

  31

  11

  Winchester

  99

  38

  Total for Thames Valley and Hampshire

  403

  261

  Wales

  Cardiff

  24

  41

  Swansea

  16

  14

  Usk/Prescoed

  10

  65

  Total for Wales

  50

  120

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  143

  74

  Blakenhurst

  50

  37

  Brinsford

  93

  2

  Featherstone

  22

  218

  Hewell Grange

  2

  17

  Shrewsbury

  56

  44

  Stafford

  73

  51

  Stoke Heath

  153

  81

  Swinfen Hall

  66

  109

  Total for West Midlands

  658

  633

  Women's Prisons and Yols

  Askham Grange

  24

  22

  Brockhill

  35

  22

  Bullwood Hall

  38

  7

  Cookham Wood

  6

  20

  Downview

  53

  60

  East Sutton Park

  12

  54

  East wood Park

  98

  62

  Foston Hall

  31

  64

  Holloway

  318

  54

  Low Newton

  106

  183

  Morton Hall

  22

  74

  New Hall

  109

  55

  Send

  1

  16

  Styal

  117

  106

  Total for Women's Prisons and YOls

  970

  840

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Everthorpe

  47

  86

  Hatfield

  2

  19

  Hull

  113

  40

  Leeds

  234

  176

  Lindholme

  99

  289

  Moorland

  134

  122

  Northallerton

  30

  46

  Wealstun

  39

  70

  Total for Yorkshire and Humberside

  698

  848

  Grand Totals: Prison Service

  8,623

  6,876

  Prison Drug Strategy
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have had access to treatment and support services on release in the last 12 months; and with what delay on average. [115745]

  Paul Goggins
  There are currently no comprehensive tracking systems in place to monitor access to community drug treatment and support services for prisoners on release. As part of the Criminal Justice Intervention Programme additional funding is being made available to boost throughcare and aftercare
  671W
  services. The Prison Service is working with the Home Office, National Treatment Agency and National Probation Directorate to develop tracking mechanisms.

  Sutton Volunteer Bureau
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Barbara Payton will receive clearance to act as a counter signatory for the Sutton Volunteer Bureau under the provisions of the Police Act 1997. [115833]

  Paul Goggins
  The Criminal Records Bureau wrote to Mrs Payton on 19 May 2003 and advised her she had now been approved as a Countersignatory for Sutton Borough Volunteer Bureau. A confirmation letter quoting the required Countersignatory reference number was then issued on 22 May 2003.

  TETRA
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received on behalf of police officers relating to possible health hazards caused by the TETRA mobile phone communication system; [117594]

  (2) if he will publish the available technical, scientific and medical data relating to the use of the TETRA mobile phone system by police forces; and if he will make a statement. [117595]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We have received several letters from chief police officers and from the Police Federation on health concerns relating to the new TETRA mobile radio system for the police service. We have also received helpful feedback directly from police officers through a series of seminars on TETRA health issues held across the country over the last 10 months.

  The Home Office has taken advice from independent experts. The experts concluded that TETRA technology was unlikely to pose a risk to health and recommended further research to address remaining areas of uncertainty. Results from the extensive programme of work we set up in response to those recommendations are now becoming available. No effects of TETRA technology on health have been found so far.

  Updates on our TETRA health programme are regularly published on the Home Office web site http:// www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/tetra.html, where interim reports can be found. Full results will be published in due course in scientific journals. The same publication strategy will be adopted for the national health monitoring study of police TETRA users we have recently announced.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many in-country work permits were granted in each of the last six months for which figures are available; how many of these were allocated each month to(a) students and (b) people who had recently completed educational courses in the UK; how many were allocated each month to visa nationals; and how many were granted exceptionally to visa nationals. [116057]
  672W
  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]Work permits are applied for by, and issued to, employers, not individuals. Work permit approvals issued in the last two quarters to employers in respect of visa nationals who were already present in the United Kingdom are as follows:

  In-country work permits issued

  Number

  October 2002

  4,050

  November 2002

  3,575

  December 2002

  3,086

  January 2003

  4,163

  February 2003

  3,516

  March 2003

  4,140

  Work Permits (UK) are unable to provide statistics which would indicate how many of these permits were issued in respect of overseas nationals who were previously present in the United Kingdom for the purposes of study; or for a purpose for which there is no provision under the Immigration Rules to switch into work permit employment and where, consequently, any decision to allow switching to take place would be considered on a discretionary basis outside the Rules.

  Youth Offending Teams
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent inspectors of youth offending teams there are; and what the professional background of each is. [115097]

  Paul Goggins
  The inspectors of youth offending teams (Yots) comprise, in terms of full-time equivalents, two inspectors from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation, two from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, one from the Commission for Health Improvement, one from the Office for Standards in Education and Employment and two from the Social Services' Inspectorate. These will be complemented by some part-time support from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales and the Social Services' Inspectorate for Wales and, for developing the methodology, an independent chartered forensic psychologist.

  The inspectors of Yots all hold appropriate qualifications for their professions and they have been selected on the basis of their experience and knowledge of working with Yots. They include three former Yot managers.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Elections
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to grant voting rights to citizens of EEA countries resident in the United Kingdom at local and European elections. [116925]

  Yvette Cooper
  Under Council Directives 93/109/EC and 94/80/EC, citizens of member states of the European Union (EU) resident in the United Kingdom
  673W
  are already able to vote in European parliamentary and local elections in the United Kingdom. All EU member states are also members of the EEA. There are no plans to extend these voting rights to citizens of the member states of the EEA that are not also members of the EU.

  Agency Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many agency workers have been employed by the Department in each of the last two years; and at what cost to public funds. [115200]

  Use of LCD national contract for provision of agency workers

  Financial year

  Estimated average headcount

  Expenditure £

  2001–02

  Lord Chancellor's Department and Associated Offices

  Not applicable—did not begin using contract until following year

  Not applicable—did not begin using contract until following year

  Court Service—including the Immigration Appellate Authority

  170

  2,360,000

  2002–03

  Lord Chancellor's Department and Associated Offices

  14

  276,000

  Court Service—including the Immigration Appellate Authority

  245

  4,692,000

  Census
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Department has to review the 100 year closure clause on individual census forms; and if he will make a statement. [115469]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  It is Government policy that census returns are closed to public inspection for 100 years. This was restated in the White Paper "The 2001 Census of Population 2001" (Cm 4253) para. 121, March 1999."Public confidence in the security and confidentiality of the information given in the census is paramount. Consequently, it is not intended that the Government's plans to revise legislation relating to greater access to public records, set out in White Paper proposals for a Freedom of Information Act, should affect the current period of closure for census records.'

  Criminal Cases (Payments)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent assessment she has made of the effect of payments to those involved in criminal cases by journalists upon the judicial processes; and if she will make a statement. [117814]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  In 2002, the Lord Chancellor published a consultation paper proposing to ban payments to witnesses by journalists during criminal proceedings because of the risk they pose to the administration of justice. This followed recommendations by the then National Heritage Select Committee and an inter-departmental working group.

  Following the consultation and further discussions, the Press Complaints Commission and other media organisations agreed to change their own codes to achieve this ban. They also agreed to regulate, for the first time, payments to potential witnesses made before criminal proceedings begin but when they are 'likely and foreseeable'. These can only be made when they are demonstrably necessary and in the public interest, for example to expose a crime.
  674W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department has a national contract for the provision of agency workers. Information regarding the number of agency workers provided to my Department under this contract and the associated expenditure is provided in the table.

  Information relating to workers employed through other agencies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  My Department uses agency workers to meet short-term requirements and in areas where it is difficult to recruit and retain staff.

  The amended Press Code took effect on 18 March 2003. The Government have said that they will legislate to ban payments should self-regulation prove ineffective.

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the total expenditure on advertising by the Department was in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the level of planned expenditure is for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05. [114432]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested for the financial years 2001–02 and 2002–03 is set out in the following table. LCD has not yet decided upon any significant advertising spending for 2003–04 or 2004–05.

  Expenditure on advertising

  £

  Financial year

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  0

  15,800

  Court Service

  0

  31,450

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  0

  0

  Public Guardianship Office

  0

  0

  National Archives

  5,250

  4,535

  HM Land Registry

  0

  23,000

  Euro
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor received the Treasury documents relating to the five economic tests and the 18 background studies; what discussions he has held with ministerial colleagues on the tests since receipt of the documents; when he expects to complete his analysis of the documents; and what representations(a) he and (b) departmental officials will make to other Departments before a decision is reached on the economic tests. [115385]
  675W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Treasury's 18 supporting studies on EMU were sent to Cabinet Ministers on 16 May. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor are holding meetings with Cabinet Members. There was an initial discussion at Cabinet on 22 May followed by a special Cabinet meeting on 5 June. The Chancellor has today made a statement to the House of Commons.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to make a decision on which constituency is to include Gibraltar for the next European elections. [117880]

  Yvette Cooper
  Section 10 of the European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 (EPR) requires the Electoral Commission to make a recommendation to the Lord Chancellor before 1 September 2003 as to the electoral region to be combined with Gibraltar. Section 11 of the EPR Act enables the Lord Chancellor to specify the region by order, and he would expect to do so shortly after receiving the recommendation from the Electoral Commission.

  Liquor Licences
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what financial savings the Lord Chancellor's Department will make when the responsibility for issuing liquor licences is removed from magistrates. [116742]

  Yvette Cooper
  My Department has not yet undertaken a full costing but it is unlikely there will be significant savings for the Department. The licensing judges and magistrates courts currently recover part of their costs through fees, so only limited savings will be made when responsibility for issuing liquor licenses is removed from magistrates. The magistrates' and clerks' manpower on licensing will be re-deployed so as to reduce unnecessary delay in criminal proceedings.

  Some savings are expected from changes to the appeal system. Appeals against decisions made by local authorities will be heard by magistrates courts, rather than the Crown Court where the cost of an appeal sitting is greater. The view of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is that the number of appeals to the magistrates court will not exceed the number of appeals currently handled by the Crown Court.

  During the transitional period the Department is likely to have increased costs as the courts will still be incurring the costs of enforcement without the income from renewed licenses.

  School Exclusions
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost to the legal aid system of appeals against fixed term exclusions from secondary schools in the UK was in the last 12 months. [116938]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information required to answer the question is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

  Mental Health
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress in creating a world class mental health service, as envisaged in the Wanless Report. [117575]

  Jacqui Smith
  Good progress is being made in creating a world class mental health service, as envisaged in the Wanless Report. Early targets, set in the mental health national service framework and the NHS Plan, have been met and progress is also being made towards the remainder, including a range of specialised teams and services; new staff and new ways of working. However, we are still in the early stages of a programme of work that will take some time to realise in full.

  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he will implement the proposals in the NHS document, Developing Services for carers and families of people with mental illness; and what funding he will make available for this. [115905]

  Jacqui Smith
  Implementation of the document Developing Services for Carers and Families of people with mental illness is the responsibility of commissioners and providers of health and social care mental health services. Primary care trusts also have a vital role to play in identifying and supporting carers of people with mental health problems.

  The NHS Plan published in July 2000 provided for extra annual investment of over £300 million by 2003–04 to support plans for modernisation and additional resources are delivered within general allocation; funds which are not ring-fenced. This arrangement, consistent with the principles set out in Shifting the Balance of Power, permits resources to be more closely matched to the needs of local people, and enables primary care trusts to take full account of strengths or gaps in local services. Strategic health authorities performance manage PCTs for their responsibilities in this regard, consistent with national guidance and the objectives set out in their local delivery plans.

  The National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE), including its development centres, are supporting local services and communities to implement this guidance. To help to this, NIMHE will help to share positive practice and support liaison at a national level.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under 18 are being treated by adult mental health services in the Mersey Care NHS Trust area. [116287]

  Jacqui Smith
  On 30 May 2003,31 children under 18 were being cared for by adult mental health services in the Mersey Care National Health Service Trust area.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of funding per capita is being spent by(a) Blackpool Primary Care Trust and (b) Wyre Primary Care Trust on child and adolescent mental health services in 2003–04; and what the average spending per capita is of primary care trusts in England. [116449]
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  Jacqui Smith
  The first set of financial returns for Blackpool and Wyre Primary Care Trusts will be for 2002–03, which are not yet available. The child and adolescent psychiatry services offered by Blackpool and Wyre PCTs in 2002–03, were in 2001–02 offered by Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community national health service trust.

  Information on expenditure by Blackpool. Wyre and Fylde Community NHS Trust, is shown in the tables:

  Attribution Data Set adjusted 1998 based mid 2001 population projections

  Number

  Total population

  50,180,601

  Population (0–14-year olds)

  10,042,683

  North West Lancashire (0–14-year olds)

  88,069

  Child and adolescent psychiatry

  £

  Primary care trusts

  NHS trusts

  Total

  Expenditure—2001–02

  6,981,200

  184,985,938

  191,967,138

  Expenditure per capita (full population)

  0.14

  3.69

  3.83

  Expenditure per capita (0–14-year olds)

  0.70

  18.42

  19.12

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde community trust

  £

  Expenditure—2001–02

  1,329,639

  Expenditure per capita (full population)

  0.03

  Expenditure per capita (0–14-year olds—)

  0.13

  Expenditure per capita (0–14 year olds— North West Lancashire health authority)

  15.10

  Mental health (including child and adolescent psychiatry)

  £

  Primary care trusts

  NHS trusts

  Total

  Expenditure—2001–02

  188,058,474

  4,387,360,642

  4,575,419,116

  Expenditure per capita (full population)

  3.75

  87.43

  91.18

  Note:

  A different set of population projections have been used in order to supply a population split for North West Lancashire Health Authority. Children have been classified as up to 14 years old.

  Source:

  Health Authority Revenue Resource Limits Exposition Book, 2001–2002. The Department of Health.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of funding per capita is being spent by(a) Blackpool Primary Care Trust and (b) Wyre Primary Care Trust on services for adults with mental health problems in the current financial year; and what the average spending per capita is of primary care trusts in England [116450]
  678W
  Jacqui Smith
  The first set of financial returns for Blackpool and Wyre Primary Care Trusts will be for 2002–03, which are not yet available. The adult mental health services offered by Blackpool and Wyre PCTs in 2002–03, were in 2001–02 provided by the Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community national health service trust.

  Information on the expenditure by the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community NHS trust is shown in the table.

  Attribution data set adjusted 1998 based mid 2001 population projections

  Number

  Total population

  50,180,601

  Population—Adults (over 14-years old)

  40,137,917

  North West Lancashire health authority adults

  374,174

  Mental health services

  £

  Primary care trusts

  NHS trusts

  Total

  Expenditure—2001–02

  188,058,474

  4,387,360,642

  4,575,419,116

  Expenditure per capita (full population)

  3.75

  87.43

  91.18

  Expenditure per capita (adults)

  4.69

  109.31

  113.99

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Trust—2001–02

  £

  Expenditure—mental health adult services

  20,974,938

  Expenditure per capita (full population)

  0.42

  Expenditure per capita (0–14-year olds)

  0.52

  Expenditure per capita (adults—North West Lancashire health authority)

  56.06

  Source:

  Health Authority Revenue Resource Limits Exposition Book, 2001–2002. The Department of Health.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of spending on child and adolescent mental health services was in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2002–03.[116451]

  Jacqui Smith
  The tables, based on returns from trusts, show expenditure for 1996–97 and 2001–02 on child and adolescent psychiatry for in-patients, out-patients and day care patients. Comparable expenditure for 2002–03 will be available this September in provisional form a nd the fully validated figures in February 2004.

  Other data now available from the new national child and adolescent mental health service mapping exercise, details of which can be found at www.dur.ac.uk/service.mapping/CAMH/, shows expenditure for 2002–03 on specialist child and adolescent mental health services at tiers 2–4 of £241,289,112.

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  Child and adolescent psychiatry expenditure—England 1996–97 and 2001–02

  £

  In-patients expenditure

  Out- patients expenditure

  Day care expenditure

  Total expenditure

  1996–971

  NHS Trust

  45,357,584

  58,825,911

  13,358,981

  117,542,476

  2001–022,3

  NHS Trust

  60,385,645

  105,272,276

  19,328,017

  184,985,938

  Primary Care Trust

  1,114,767

  5,866,433

  0

  6,981,200

  Total

  61,500,412

  111,138,709

  19,328,017

  191,967,138

  Sources:

  1Annual financial returns for NHS Trusts

  2 Annual financial returns for NHS Trusts

  3 Annual financial returns for Primary Care Trusts

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why schizophrenia patients on anti-psychotic medication are required to pay prescription charges. [116933]

  Mr. Lammy
  Prescription charges are not payable by schizophrenia patients who are aged under 16 or 60 or over, who are (or their partner is) receiving income support or income based jobseekers allowance, or who are named on a national health service tax credit exemption certificate. Other patients on a low income may receive help under the NHS low income scheme.

  By using a prescription prepayment certificate, no one who has to pay need pay more than £32.90 for four months, or £90.40 for 12 months, for all NHS medication they are prescribed.

  Social Services Finance (Scotland)
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the liability of councils in England and Wales to reimburse the costs incurred by Scottish local authorities' social services departments in processing social services assessments on individuals from England and Wales who are placed in residential institutions in Scotland and referred to the Children's Reporter in Scotland. [115826]

  Jacqui Smith
  Responsibility for the costs of assessing and meeting the needs of a child will depend on the circumstances of an individual case.

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on diagnosis of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [116903]

  Jacqui Smith
  Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been considered primarily as disorders of childhood, and are described in the International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders (ICD-10) and the U.S. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), where clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines are to be found. Diagnosis is clearly a matter for the responsible medical practitioner, but I understand that the position concerning ADD/ADHD in adults is less clear. I gather that evidence is accumulating that the disorder found in childhood may persist into adulthood and in some cases be first diagnosed in adulthood.

  Cheshire and Merseyside SHA
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people from each parliamentary constituency in the area(a) applied and (b) were interviewed for the post of chair of Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority. [112300]

  Jacqui Smith
  [pursuant to her reply, 15 May 2003, c. 413 W]I regret that my response was incorrect. The final paragraph of the response should have read as follows."Following sifting of these applications, interviews were held with people living in the following constituencies:

  Delon—one

  Southport—one

  St. Helens South—one

  Warrington North—one

  Wirral West—one"

  Cleft Lip and Palate Services
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals for future arrangements for the provision of cleft lip and palate services will be put to residents in the North West; and what arrangements will be made to encourage those in health-deprived areas to participate in a consultation on these services. [116099]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 4 June 2003]The three strategic health authorities in the north west—Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside and Cumbria and Lancashire—held a joint board and agreed to conduct a joint consultation on the options for the future delivery of cleft lip and palate services in the north west.

  It is proposed that one consultation document will be published and circulated to a wide range of organisations in accordance with the new arrangements for patient and public involvement.

  It is anticipated that the formal consultation will commence at the end of June/beginning of July 2003.

  Clinical Negligence
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on introducing a no-fault clinical negligence compensation system. [116893]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, has reviewed a wide range of options to tackle the complex issues involved in improving the present system for handling clinical negligence claims, including no fault compensation; these are under consideration by Ministers. I know the outcome of the Chief Medical Officer's review is eagerly awaited. We hope to publish our proposals for reform soon.

  Commission for Healthcare Audit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the new Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection. [116071]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, which includes provisions to establish the new Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI), is currently before Parliament.
  681W
  CHAI's principal role will be to carry out a fully independent assessment of the quality of both public and private healthcare in order to encourage improvement. Subject to parliamentary approval of the Bill's provisions, we intend that CHAI will be operational from April 2004. A shadow chair, Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, and 10 shadow commissioners have so far been appointed by the independent National Health Service Appointments Commission to lead in establishing the new body.

  Continuing Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his answer of 8 May 2003,Official Report, column 867W, on continuing care funding, from how many strategic health authorities further clarification has been requested; and what the reasons are for not publishing the information received from SHAs about their continuing care policies; [115569]

  (2) what the procedure is for estimating the numbers of people who may have been wrongly denied continuing care; which organisations were consulted when drawing up the procedure; and if he will place a copy of the procedure in the Library; [115568]

  (3) pursuant to his Answer of 21 May 2003, Official Report, column 852W, on continuing care, whether the formula he is using to estimate the number of people who were refused continuing care uses local information about the nursing home population. [116859]

  Jacqui Smith
  Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have estimated the number of people who may have been wrongly denied full national health service funding for continuing care based on local information. The Department in discussion with SHAs suggested a number of factors which could be taken into account, including the local nursing home population. There is no intention to publish the procedure for estimating the number. Further clarification has been requested from all SHAs. The Department of Health does not routinely publish details of estimated costs of a specific service.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 21 May 2003,Official Report, column 852W, on continuing care, what additional information was required from strategic health authorities following the deadline for reviewing existing continuing care criteria; and if he will make a statement. [116860]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have asked strategic health authorities for evidence of their legal advice taken when agreeing new continuing care criteria.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 10 February concerning the practical problems facing patients suffering from mental health problems. [117662]

  Jacqui Smith
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 2 June.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the provision of NHS dentistry in Herefordshire; and if he will make a statement. [116883]

  Mr. Lammy
  It is the intention of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill to better match the provision of primary dental services with local oral health needs through local commissioning of the service. It is our intention that funding for primary dental services will be allocated direct to primary care trusts (PCTs), so that they will be in a position to secure primary dental services for their population.

  Herefordshire PCI will receive a cash increase of more than 30 per cent., over the period 2003 to 2006. The Government has already invested over £2 million in the Herefordshire dental access centre, which operates from six sites throughout the county.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 22 May 2003,Official Report, column 966–67W, on dentistry, how many residents within (a) Portsmouth, (b) Fareham and Gosport and (c) Southampton City primary care trusts have been unable to register with an NHS dentist in the last year; and what assessment he has made of the likely timescale for all residents within the Portsmouth PCT area having access to an NHS dentist. [116915]

  Mr. Lammy
  This information is not held centrally. Information is collected on the number of registrations in each primary care trust (PCT) area and on the number of calls to NHS Direct which meet the locally set distance standards.53 per cent. of adults and 66 per cent. of children in Portsmouth PCT were registered with a national health service dentist at 28 February 2003.
  32 per cent. of adults and 56 per cent. of children in Fareham and Gosport PCT were registered with a NHS dentist at 28 February 2003.
  47 per cent. of adults and 60 per cent. of children in Southampton City PCT were registered with a NHS dentist at 28 February 2003.

  Not all patients seek routine access to NHS dental care. Some patients prefer to be seen on an unregistered basis under the occasional treatment arrangements or in a dental access centre.

  There is a personal dental services pilot in Southampton City PCT incorporating a dental access centre. It treated 9,980 patients in the year ending March 2003. There is also a personal dental service pilot in Fareham and Gosport PCT, which treated 2,156 patients in the year ending March 2003.

  The latest information available from NHS Direct suggest most callers in the three PCT areas are being put in touch with a dentist offering NHS treatment within local distance standards.

  The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, currently before Parliament, proposes local commissioning of primary dental services. It is anticipated that, through local commissioning, PCTs would be better placed to address local access issues as they arise. The new arrangements are expected to come into effect in 2005. It is also the intention of the Bill to

  683W
  make NHS dentistry a more attractive option to general dental practitioners by providing them with a more predictable level of income, allowing them to work differently and incorporating them into the NHS family.

  Diabetes
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to support NHS trusts in implementing the National Service Framework for diabetes. [116899]

  Mr. Lammy
  We published the "National Service Framework for Diabetes: Deliver/Strategy" in January this year. The delivery strategy offers a framework for the national health service to deliver the national targets.

  Underpinning national action to support local implementation includes:
  the appointment of a national clinical director for diabetes, to lead progress and provide support to the NHS
  a "Diabetes Information Strategy" to develop information systems so that information is easily available to support people with diabetes and professional carers
  a workforce programme to develop new roles and new skills
  National Screening Committee pilots to test the practicalities of systematic screening for Type 2 diabetes in high-risk populations in primary care
  NHS Modernisation Agency help to local NHS and partner organisations
  We have also announced funding of £27 million to provide digital cameras and related equipment to support a programme of screening people with diabetes for the signs of diabetic eye disease.

  In addition, £200,000 has been awarded to Diabetes UK to work with the National Clinical Director on a package of support to ensure people with diabetes are fully involved in helping the local NHS to plan, design and deliver diabetes services.

  A copy of the delivery strategy is available in the Library.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on major screening programmes for diabetes in the NHS; and how they will be funded. [116900]

  Mr. Lammy
  "Improvement, Expansion and Reform: the next three years", the planning and performance framework for 2003–06, includes a specific national target. It states that, by 2006, a minimum of 80 per cent. of people with diabetes are to be offered screening for the early detection and treatment, if needed, of diabetic retinopathy as part of a systematic programme that meets national standards, rising to 100 per cent. coverage of those at risk of retinopathy by end 2007.

  Funding totalling £27 million for the national health service to purchase state-of-the-art digital cameras and related equipment for screening people with diabetes for the signs of diabetic retinopathy was announced on 22 April 2003.
  684W
  The Department of Health is funding a pilot project, which will inform the policy development on screening for Type 2 diabetes, focusing on those populations among whom the prevalence of diabetes and risk factors is highest.

  Digital Hearing Aids
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the age profile of hearing aid users who have been using analogue hearing aids for more than three years. [116686]

  Jacqui Smith
  Although we have made no detailed age profile, as part of the modernising hearing aid services project a sample was taken of just over 5,000 patients who had been using hearing aids for about three years or more before the project began. This showed a mean age of 70 years with a standard deviation of 14 years, that is, just over two thirds of patients in the sample were aged between 56 and 84 years.

  Direct Payment Schemes
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which authorities operate direct payment schemes; and when each started to do so. [116458]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  The most recent data outlining the number of direct payments recipients by local council is in the Autumn Position Statement, September 2002. Further details can be found on the direct payments website at ww.doh. gov. uk/directpayments/index.htm.

  From 8 April 2003, The Community Care, Services for Carers and Children's Services (Direct Payments) (England) Regulations 2003 requires councils to offer direct payments to people using community care services who have an assessed need and are able to manage them (alone or with assistance).

  We have a performance indicator which serves as a further incentive and a strong challenge to encourage progress in this field. For 2003–04 we will be introducing a key performance indicator (KPI) that will mean that councils' overall performance will be reflected in their successful or otherwise implementation of direct payments.

  Domiciliary Oxygen Services
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the results of the review of domiciliary oxygen services initiated in March 2000. [115564]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 4 June 2003]I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 362W.

  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when there will be an announcement of the result of the review of domiciliary oxygen services initiated in March 2002; [117792]
  685W
  (2) what conclusions have been reached concerning provision of ambulatory oxygen for domiciliary use; and whether scope exists to improve the efficiency of domiciliary oxygen through the prescription of conserving devices. [117793]

  Mr. Lammy
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 362W.

  Eggs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the(a) quantity, (b) quality and (c) source of non-UK produced eggs used by hospital catering services. [115760]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]All eggs contracted for by the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHSPASA) are from United Kingdom sources.

  While the majority of NHS trusts use the NHSPASA contract, there may be some who buy eggs from non-contract sources. Information from trusts who buy eggs from their own sources is not held centrally.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly people were hospitalised as a result of cold in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997. [114759]

  Mr. Lammy
  I am unable to provide the figures asked for. The numbers of cases of elderly people hospitalised as a result of cold (hypothermia) within the two areas, for each year, are low. Under the terms of use for these data, including the Data Protection Act, figures under six are not disclosed due to the potential for identification for the patient involved.

  Endometriosis
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much government funding is provided to groups working to help sufferers of endometriosis. [116362]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department provides funding to voluntary organisations in the field of women's health through the Section 64 Scheme. The scheme provides funding to voluntary organisations whose activities support Department of Health policy objectives.

  Funding is provided to a wide range of general women's health organisations, supporting women with a variety of conditions. The Pennell Initiative for Women's Health has been awarded £7,000 in 2003–04. Women's Health Concern will receive £12,000 in 2003–04. Women's Health will receive a core grant of £15,000 and in addition, a project grant of £10,000 in 2003–04. The Department also provides funding to organisations that focus on specific conditions, such as endometriosis. The National Endometriosis Society (NES) will receive £25,000 from the Department in 2003–04 as a contribution towards the cost of its core activities. In the autumn, the NES and all the other
  686W
  organisations in the women's health field will have the opportunity to apply for further funding under the scheme for the 2004–05 round.

  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the level of funding of endometriosis services by health authority area over each of the past 10 years. [116365]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not collected centrally. It is for primary care trusts, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been provided for research into endometriosis in each of the last 10 years. [116366]

  Jacqui Smith
  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. The MRC can provide figures for spend on research relevant to endometriosis only for the last five years and these are shown in the table.

  £ million

  1997–98

  1.7

  1998–99

  1.8

  1999–2000

  1.8

  2000–01

  1.2

  2001–02

  1.2

  These figures cover research on both endometriosis and the general physiology of the endometrium.

  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 the National Health Service research and development programme, which aims to identify NHS needs for research and to commission research to meet those needs. Commissioning is undertaken through national programmes of research, including the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme. The report of a HTA project costing nearly £0.5 million on the management of menorrhagia was published in February 2003. Menorrhagia is sometimes associated with endometriosis. The report of a £0.3 million HTA project on diagnosis of endometrial abnormality is expected to be published in November 2003.

  Fostered Children
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on Government plans to oblige children who are being fostered to attend school; [116802]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the proportion of excluded school children who were fostered in the last year for which figures are available. [116801]
  687W
  Jacqui Smith
  The information sought is not available centrally. However, data on exclusions among children looked after by local authorities, up to year ending 2002 are in the table. As 'corporate parents' the local authority is responsible for ensuring the attendance at school of looked after children. The local education authority and social services must draw up a personal education plan for every looked after child. This should reflect the emotional and behavioural needs of the child as well as their achievements at school and provide a record of their attendance.

  Number of children looked after at 30 September 2000 and 2001 who had been looked after for at least 12 months, and number of permanent exclusions from school.

  Number

  Percentages1

  2000

  2001

  2000

  2001

  Number of children looked after at 30 September who had been looked after for at least twelve months

  42,200

  43,400

  —

  —

  and of these:

  Number eligible for full-time schooling

  33,100

  33,800

  —

  —

  and of these:

  Number of permanent exclusions from school2

  490

  450

  1.5

  1.3

  1 Expressed as a percentage of the number eligible for full-time schooling

  2 If a child was permanently excluded more than once in the previous school year, each occasion has been counted.

  Hospital Food
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources his Department has given to(a) strategic health authorities, (b) primary care trusts and (c) NHS trusts to implement phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme. [116861]

  Mr. Lammy
  An additional £6 million has been allocated for improvements to food services in 2003–04, and details on allocation of resources are currently under consideration.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what targets his Department has set under phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme for the(a) quality and (b) availability of drinks at ward level; and how improvements will be monitored; [116862]

  (2) what targets his Department has set under phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme for food and drinks services (a) for children and young adults and (b) in accident and emergency departments; and how improvements will be monitored. [116863]

  Mr. Lammy
  No new targets have been set under phase II of the Better Hospital Food programme.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department will assess the way the NHS buys its food to ensure that NHS trusts are getting the right kind of quality for the very best price, as set out in phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme. [116864]

  Mr. Lammy
  NHS Estates, in conjunction with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, will examine key aspects of commercial food procurement and logistics 688W
  systems to assess what lessons can be learned and transferred to the national health service with the aim of reducing costs and improving quality wherever possible.

  Legal Action
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on NHS trusts suing employees following legal action in which the trust accepted liability for the actions of those employees; if he will require NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts not to take such action; and if he will make a statement on the position of the National Health Service Litigation Authority with regard to this. [116840]

  Mr. Lammy
  Guidance has been issued to the national health service concerning arrangements for handling clinical negligence claims against NHS staff, NHS Indemnity—Arrangements for Handling Clinical Negligence Claims Against NHS Staff, HSG(96)48. The guidance contains an express provision against NHS bodies seeking to recover any proportion of the costs incurred in settling clinical negligence claims from health care professionals or others covered by NHS Indemnity:"They (NHS bodies) should not seek to recover their costs either in part or in full from the health care professional concerned or from any indemnities they may have."

  Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill will provide for NHS foundation trusts to have access to schemes administered by the NHS Litigation Authority on the same basis as NHS trusts.

  LIFT Scheme
  Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget is of the LIFT scheme in East Lancashire in(a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05; and whether this funding is time-limited. [116130]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department of Health has provided enabling funds amounting to £7.7 million in East Lancashire.

  The local investment finance trust (LIFT) schemes have also required project management and administration support. This is a total one-off cost of around £288,000, to be spent over 2002–03 and 2003–04.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget is of the LIFT scheme in North West Lancashire in(a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05; and whether this funding is time-limited. [116448]

  Jacqui Smith
  Currently, there is no local investment finance trust (LIFT) scheme in operation in North West Lancashire.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 21 May 2003,Official Report, columns 855–56W, on Long-term care, how much his Department has allocated to publicise the need for

  689W
  individuals to assess whether they or a relative failed to be given continuing care between 1996 and 2003, as set out in HC399. [116857]

  Jacqui Smith
  All strategic health authorities will be taking reasonable steps to ensure their local population is aware that a review is taking place. No additional Departmental resources have been allocated for this exercise.

  Maternity Services
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has issued to hospital maternity departments to enable women to give birth in positions other than lying down; [114727]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the number of Caesarean deliveries in each of the last six years where such interventions might not have been necessary had the mother been advised of positions for natural delivery other than lying down in bed. [114728]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department of Health has issued no specific guidance to hospital maternity departments on birthing positions and no such assessment has been made of caesarean section deliveries. The safety of the woman is paramount and all decisions about the birth, including positions during labour, should be decided by the woman in consultation with her midwife or doctor.

  We have recently given maternity units an extra £100 million to improve maternity unit environments. Some of these improvements will include additional privacy, space or equipment to facilitate a variety of birthing positions.

  ME
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department gives to the NHS about the treatment of ME. [117202]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have issued no guidance to the National Health Service on the treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

  We are, however, taking steps to improve services for patients with this condition. On 12 May, we announced funding of £8.5 million that will be used to develop services for people with CFS/ME. In July, health organisations will be invited to bid for development funds to set up centres of expertise to develop clinical care, support clinical research and expand education and training programmes for health care professionals and to establish satellite community multidisciplinary teams. The first phase of development will commence in April 2004. We have issued no guidance to hospital trusts and Primary Care Trusts on the provision of services to patients with CFS/ME.

  The main Government agency for research into the causes and treatment of disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding from the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. The MRC published a research strategy for CFS/ME on 1 May.
  690W
  The strategy will enable researchers and funders to develop research proposals on all aspects of this illness. It was developed by an independent research advisory group in response to a request from the Chief Medical Officer and was informed by contributions from patients, carers, charities, researchers and clinicians via a consultation exercise in summer 2002.

  The MRC has announced two initiatives in response to the strategy. One is a notice to the research community welcoming high quality proposals across the entire spectrum of CFS/ME research. The other is a scientific meeting to discuss the potential to use existing UK resources and infrastructures to undertake epidemiological studies in this country. In addition, the MRC announced funding, on 15 May 2003, for two trials that will look at the effectiveness of various treatments for CFS/ME. The results of these trials will help patients and their doctors to choose the best treatment. These complementary trials will assess a variety of treatments and in doing so will both help address important issues for those with CFS/ME.

  The first trial known as PACE (Pacing, Activity and Cognitive behaviour therapy: a randomised Evaluation) will make the first assessment of a treatment choice popular with patients called 'Pacing'. The second trial, known as FINE, (Fatigue Intervention by Nurses Evaluation) will test two different treatments that are particularly suited to helping reach those who are too ill to attend a specialist clinic as patients will be treated by nurses in their own homes.

  Medical Indemnity
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take measures to ensure that commercial providers of clinical indemnity to UK doctors and dentists are required to provide indemnity on an insured and regulated basis. [115900]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]Professional indemnity should ensure that patients who have suffered harm receive the compensation to which they are entitled. Indemnity cover should be occurrence based; that is, claims are met that arise from events which occurred when the clinician was covered but only later come to light, even if this is after the period of cover has ceased. Experience in the United Kingdom is that proper indemnity cover can be provided through membership of a defence society or a suitable insurance policy.

  Neurology
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on neurology. [118528]

  Jacqui Smith
  There is a wide range of initiatives under way to improve services for patients with neurological conditions. These include the development of the national service framework (NSF) for long term conditions that will focus on neurological disease, as well as brain injury and spinal injury. It will aim to set general standards that will improve the quality of treatment and care for all people living with these conditions. Publication of the NSF is currently planed for 2004 with implementation starting in 2005.
  691W
  The Modernisation Agency has been awarded £1.2 million funding to explore the ways in which the organisation and delivery of neurology services can be improved.

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, management and treatment of Parkinson's disease in primary and secondary care; the diagnosis and management of epilepsy in children and adults; and the management of multiple sclerosis.

  In February 2003, the Department published Improving Services for People with Epilepsy, in response to the NICE national clinical audit of epilepsy-related death (May 2002). Local health communities have been encouraged to review their epilepsy services against the audit and the epilepsy action plan and address any shortfalls as part of local planning arrangements and priorities.

  NHS Appointments Commission
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what form of annual appraisal is undertaken of the performance of the regional commissioners of the NHS Appointments Commission; [116581]

  (2) when the term of office of the Northern and Yorkshire commissioner of the NHS Appointments Commission is due for renewal; and what the process is for consulting on reappointment. [116580]

  Mr. Lammy
  All national health service appointments commissioners are appraised formally on an annual basis by the chair of the Commission.

  The term of office of Mr. John Marshall as Commissioner for Northern and Yorkshire comes to an end on 30 September 2003. Mr. Marshall will not be seeking re-appointment. The post will be advertised shortly and filled in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointment.

  Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Chief Executive of Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority has appeared before the scrutiny committee of a local authority in the past year; and if he will list the authorities. [112792]

  Jacqui Smith
  The chief executive of the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority has not been asked to appear before the overview and scrutiny committees (OSC) of any local authority. However, relationships between the OSCs and the national health service in Cheshire and Merseyside are well established. In practice, most of the contact between OSCs and the NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside is with primary care trusts, which have responsibility for commissioning services and overall public health for its area.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what training the chair of Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority has received on dealing with complaints; [112796]

  (2) what training courses the chair of Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority has attended since her appointment; [112795]
  692W
  (3) what training the chair of Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority has received on the role of an hon. Member. [112797]

  Jacqui Smith
  Training material is provided by the NHS Appointments Commission to all new national health service chairs and non executive directors. This material refers to the importance of right hon. and hon. Members as key contacts on strategic and operational matters and reinforces their role in representing the interests of their constituents.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names and job titles of those who carried out the interviews for the post of Chief Executive of the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority. [113088]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not available in the format requested.

  At the time when the chief executive posts for the strategic health authorities (SHAs) were advertised, the boundaries had not been identified. Candidates were therefore required to express an interest in the following areas: Eastern; London; North West; Northern and Yorkshire; South East; and South West.

  As such, no candidates expressed an interest in, or were interviewed for the Cheshire and Merseyside SHA.

  Overseas Treatment
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been carried out in France under the NHS overseas treatment scheme; what the medical outcomes were; what proportion of operations resulted in medical complaints; and what the cost was of each category of operation. [114683]

  Mr. Hutton [holding answer 22 May 2003]
  Since the pilot, a total of 245 orthopaedic patients have been treated in France as part of the overseas treatment programme.

  The process of post-operative assessment begins with a post-operative clinic held in the United Kingdom by the overseas consultant surgeon. These are usually held four to 12 weeks following surgery. It would not possible, therefore, to provide a complete record of clinical outcomes, as some post-operative clinics have not yet taken place.

  The Department of Health does not routinely collect information about the post-operative complication rates arising after surgery for patients treated abroad. In the future, all orthopaedic patients treated overseas will have the required information added to the recently established national joint registry. National Health Service organisations may collect and analyse this kind of information, among other indicators of quality, as part of their local clinical governance arrangements designed to assure and continuously improve the quality of care for all NHS patients. The NHS is responsible for ensuring that NHS patients receive high clinical standards of care wherever they are treated.

  A procurement process identifying spare capacity abroad is currently active, so the costs of specific procedures abroad are commercially sensitive. However, prices are comparable to spot purchasing in the UK private sector.

  Patient Discharges
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges of patients there were in the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust in the last quarter for which figures are available; and what the figures were for the preceding four quarters. [116768]

  Jacqui Smith
  Delayed transfer of care figures are published quarterly on a primary care trust basis and are available in the Library.

  Patient Records
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will have(a) ownership and (b) control of a patient record when electronic patient records are introduced. [116874]

  Mr. Lammy
  Patient medical records are owned by the national health service.

  Physical custody and control of patient medical records is normally the responsibility of the treating practice or trust. Electronic records may physically be held by third party service organisations. In all cases, storage of, and access to records is subject to NHS security policy and standards.

  Access to the content of patient medical records, whether electronic or paper, is subject to NHS security and confidentiality policy, in particular Health Service Circular HSC1988/089 "Implementing the Caldicott Report", and the provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998) and the Health and Social Care Act (2001).

  Contingency Planning
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in hospital accident and emergency departments in the East Midlands region have been issued with the newly designed protective suit for use in response to nuclear, biological or chemical attack by terrorists; and how many of those staff have so far received specialist training in the response to such incidents. [116437]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]The East Midlands region is served by 13 accident and emergency departments. Each of those Departments has 16 of the protective suits. Staff training is ongoing.

  Public Service Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what grades of officials are responsible for the monitoring of progress towards the public service agreement targets of his Department. [109477]

  Mr. Lammy
  Monitoring progress towards the Department's public service agreement targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

  Retinal Cameras
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding he is making available for retinal cameras in the NHS; and how many cameras this sum will fund. [116901]
  694W
  Mr. Lammy
  Funding totalling £27 million for the national health service to purchase state of the art digital cameras and related equipment for screening people with diabetes for the signs of diabetic retinopathy was announced on 22 April. We anticipate this will provide one camera per 100,000 population.

  Unused Drugs
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department has made an assessment of whether anti-tamper containers would be of use for reducing expenditure on unused drugs; [117012]

  (2) whether his Department has made an assessment of which drugs are most commonly returned to the NHS unused; [117013]

  (3) whether his Department has made an estimate of the cost of unused drugs returned to the NHS each year. [117014]

  Mr. Lammy
  It is estimated that unused medicines returned to pharmacies are probably worth £100 million per year. Although information is collected on which primary care trusts have schemes in place for the collection and disposal of waste medicines, we do not collect information on the kinds of drugs that are returned to pharmacies unused.

  Anti tamper containers would not be of use for reducing expenditure on unused drugs since, once medicines have been dispensed, they cannot be reused. The reasons for this include hygiene and safety. It is also not possible to guarantee that any returned medicines have been stored appropriately in patients' homes.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding programmes are operated by his Department to support voluntary organisations working with young people; and what the level of support has been over the last three years. [116496]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]The Department gives grants to voluntary organisations working with young people.

  The main support, given through grants to national voluntary organisations working in the health and social care fields, is under the Section 64 General Scheme of grants (Section 64 of the Health and Public Services Act 1968). Grants for those organisations working with young people are shown in the table.

  £

  Policy Area

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Child care/child abuse

  3,866,109

  2,688,770

  2,739,973

  Child health

  632,013

  958,102

  1,775,797

  Waiting Times (Hull)
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methods are used to calculate patient waiting times at the Acute Assessment Unit at Hull Royal Infirmary. [116736]
  695W
  Jacqui Smith
  Waiting times for admission to the acute assessment unit (AAU) at the Hull Royal Infirmary are included as part of the data collected by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Trust showing the length of time patients spend in accident and emergency before being admitted, discharged or transferred. Once a patient has been admitted to the AAU, they are no longer classed as being in A&E.

  The AAU at Hull Royal is not a part of the A&E department. It is a medical assessment area where patients are managed according to the individual patient's clinical needs.

  These figures are collected using the patient administration system.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Administration Running Costs
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the monthly running costs of(a) the Northern Ireland Assembly, (b) Members of the Assembly and (c) the Assembly administration have been since the Assembly was dissolved. [117204]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Assembly was dissolved on 28 April. The monthly running costs based on financial transactions for May 2003 are as follows:

  £000

  Assembly Secretariat—staffing

  785

  Assembly Secretariat—running costs

  408

  Former MLAs—salary costs

  217

  Former MLAs—staffing

  588

  All other Member/Party costs

  172

  Total monthly costs

  2,170

  Belfast Regeneration Office
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications have been received by the Belfast Regeneration Office; how long it takes to process each application on average; and how many applications have taken six months or more to process. [116834]

  Mr. Browne
  The following table relates to applications received by Belfast Regeneration Office during the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003.

  Applications

  Total number of applications received by BRO

  522

  Average length of time it takes to process an application (months)

  3.8

  Number of applications which have taken six months to process

  52

  Childminders
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training prospective childminders must complete before becoming registered with health trusts in Northern Ireland. [116968]

  Mr. Browne
  Article 125 of the Children (NI) Order 1995 sets out the requirements which an HSS Trust must impose on a person's registration and with which the registered person must comply.

  While some HSS Trusts make available to prospective childminding applicants pre-registration training, there is no mandatory requirement that prospective childminders must have completed any specified training before becoming registered with a Health and Social Services Trust.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what events are planned to mark the European Year of Disabled People in Northern Ireland. [115984]

  Mr. Browne
  An on-going rolling programme of events and initiatives is being taken forward to mark the European Year of People with Disabilities (EYPD) in Northern Ireland. This started with the widely publicised official launch of EYPD in Grosvenor House Belfast on 22 January 2003. Since then, Government have made available £100,000 to support 22 small, local projects in Northern Ireland. This adds to the £222,000 awarded to 12 Northern Ireland projects from the UK fund for the Year. These projects will make a significant contribution to the objectives of the Year, which are to increase awareness of rights and increase participation of people with disability in Northern Ireland.

  Examples of projects being undertaken include the Compass Advocacy Group Regional Development Project, which received funding to establish a comprehensive network of user-led self-advocacy groups in each Health Board area for people with learning disabilities; and the Circles Network, a Northern Ireland Partnership in Policy Making Programme, which received funding to work in partnership with the four Health Boards to facilitate a range of leadership/empowerment courses for disabled people and for the parents and carers of disabled people.

  These and other regional and local activities are being co-ordinated in partnership with the Equality Commission, local government, the voluntary and business sectors and trade unions.

  A list of events and activities has been placed in the Library of the House and this will be updated throughout the Year as plans are finalised. Information will also be published on the website www.eypdni.gov.uk.

  European Year of People with Disabilities

  Schedule of planned activities and events in Northern Ireland (as at 2 June 2003)

  22 January 2003—Official launch of the European Year of People with Disabilities in The Grosvenor House. A performance-based fun and celebratory event for

  697W
  approximately 200 guests. The production of a vox-pop video, which is being used by external organisations as an awareness raising tool.

  24 February 2003 onwards—Deaf Awareness and Basic Sign Language Skills

  Training—series of staff workshops on dealing with people with hearing impairments.

  5 April 2003—Amicus—Disability Awareness and "Disability Champions in the Workplace Information Day", Wellington Park Hotel.

  30 April 2003—Employers' Forum on Disability Launch of Disability Awareness Video for Employers, Studio 1 BBC

  6 May 2003—Arts Council for Northern Ireland—Launch of "Artists Abroad" Scheme, match funding by OFMDFM

  9 May 2003—Announcement by Minister Des Browne of 22 NI Grants winners under a one-off OFMDFM funded grant scheme. Total awards approximately £102,000. Additional to the £222,000 awarded to 12 NI projects under the Department for Work and Pensions Scheme in December 2002 to mark EYPD.

  10–16 May 2003—Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) Adult Learning Week.

  19 May 2003—International Week of Dance—Dance & Disability 1-day series of

  dance workshops event—Artscare, Olympia Leisure Centre.

  29 May 2003—NIPS A General Conference, Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle.

  30 May 2003—Sports Endeavour Award/Presentation for "New Horizon Minibus"—The Europa Hotel, The Lady Taverners, NI Region.

  Planned events

  3 June 2003—Opportunities Beyond School and Special Needs Careers Convention. Interactive Careers Convention for special needs students in full-time education—Southern Education and Library Board, Craigavon Civic Centre.

  13 June 2003—Torch Run Reception for the Special Olympics—Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

  14–16 June 2003—Events across NI to mark the Special Olympics including the Host Town Programme.

  15 June 2003—Regional Event—EU Interactive Trailer. Family-day of activities including, music, drama, leisure and fun—Carnfunnock Country Park, Larne.

  19 June 2003—The Scientific Symposium, Europa Hotel (Keynote Event)—Impact of

  Special Olympics on the Family.

  June 2003/October 2003—Series of Accessible Rambles—Belfast Shopmobility (Project Winner).

  21–29 June 2003—Rolling Skating Sporting Event —Special Olympics—King's Hall.

  1–5 September 2003—Accessible Arts—Dungannon Disability Arts Studio—Parkanaur Training College.

  Autumn—Regional Event—Employers Conference—(No further details).

  September 2003—Regional Event—reception for all 34 successful NI Project Winners—venue to be confirmed.

  25 September 2003—Arts and Disability Conference, Community Arts Forum, Craigavon Civic Centre.
  698W
  30 September 2003—Launch of Good Practice Guide, Causeway Volunteer Bureau

  (Project Winner)—venue to be confirmed.

  1 October 2003—Launch of Booklet on Accessible Rambles—Belfast Shopmobility—(Project Winner)—venue to be confirmed.

  October 2003—Cross-government regional event in partnership with external groups, on a range of disability issues, venue to be confirmed.

  6–12 October 2003—Community Transport Week, Community Transport Association—Roadshow across various towns in NI.

  11–14 November 2003—Children's World Integrated Play Tour, Contact a Family

  (Project Winner) cross community and cross-ability—Omagh, Plumbridge and Derry.

  14 November 2003—Conference "Pride and Prejudice-Our Pride Your Prejudice"—North West Forum of People with Disabilities (Project Winner).

  3 December 2003—European Day of People with Disabilities—events being hosted by a range of organisations throughout NI.

  December 2003—Regional Event—official closing event for the European Year (No further details).

  GPs
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) general practitioners and (b) other doctors aged more than 65 years are employed in Northern Ireland within the national health service. [116989]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is provided in the following table.

  General practitioners and other doctors aged more than 65 years employed in Northern Ireland

  Number

  General Practitioners1

  8

  Other Doctors (Consultants and Hospital Practitioners)2

  9

  1 General Practitioners figures are as at May 2003–06–09

  2 Other Doctors figures are as at 31 March 2003

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time permanent general practice posts there are in Northern Ireland. [116985]

  Mr. Browne
  At May 2003 there were 1,079 general medical practitioners of which 866 were full time and 213 were part-time or job share. A more detailed breakdown is given in the table.

  Number of general medical practitioners by employment status at May 2003

  Employment status

  Number

  Full time

  866

  Three-quarter time

  103

  Job share

  16

  Half time

  94

  Total

  1,079

  Source:

  Central Service Agency

  Hospital Appointments
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) in-patient admissions, (b) out-patient and (c) other hospital attendances there were in the last 12 months at (i) Ulster, (ii) Downe, (iii) Lagan Valley, (iv) Whiteabbey, (v) Mid-Ulster, (vi) Tyrone County, (vii) Erne and (viii) Mater Hospitals. [116975]

  Mr. Browne
  The information the hon. Member requested on(a) in-patient admissions, (b) out-patient attendances and (c) other hospital attendances at specific hospitals in Northern Ireland is detailed in the following table. The data relates to the 2001–02 financial year.

  Hospital

  In-patient Normal in-patient

  Day cases

  Out- patient

  A&E

  Ulster

  29,926

  11,192

  115,883

  63,148

  Downe

  5,686

  1,646

  21,349

  24,199

  Lagan Valley

  8,181

  4,287

  36,541

  36,600

  Whiteabbey

  4,204

  3,805

  21,416

  31,215

  Mid Ulster

  8,392

  2,302

  22,842

  25,061

  Tyrone County

  6,953

  3,235

  26,641

  20,421

  Erne

  11,044

  2,525

  21,913

  18,378

  Mater Infirmorum

  12,563

  4,812

  55,336

  44,568

  Notes:

  Part (a), Inpatient figures at the Ulster, Mid Ulster and Tyrone County include Ambulatory Care attendances; other hospitals classify these cases as Out-patients.

  Part (c), the only other hospital attendances recorded centrally are attendances at A&E Departments.

  Information for 2002–03 will be published in September in the Department's annual Hospital Statistics publication, this is available in the House of Commons Library and from the Department's website http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/stats&research/pubs.html.

  Hospital Procedures
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many procedures were postponed at hospitals in Northern Ireland during the last 12 months. [116967]

  Mr. Browne
  The information requested is not available.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) out-patient attendances, (b) accident and emergency assessments and (c) in-patient admissions there were during (i) the first quarter and (ii) 2002 at hospitals in Northern Ireland. [116971]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on hospital activity in Northern Ireland is detailed in the table.

  Activity

  1 January to 31 December 2002

  1 January to 31 March 20031

  (a) Out-patient attendances—patients seen

  1,463,464

  375,343

  (b) Accident and emergency attendances

  659,825

  157,214

  (c) Normal in-patient admissions

  325,138

  81,407

  (c) Day cases admissions

  135,598

  37,115

  (c) Total in-patient activity (normal inpatient plus day case admissions)

  460,736

  118,522

  1 Data is provisional and may be subject to change.

  700W
  Hospital activity in Northern Ireland is published each September in the Department's annual Hospital Statistics publication, this is available in the House of Commons Library and from the Department's website http://www.dhsspsni. gov.uk/stats&research/pubs.html

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) inpatient admissions, (b) out-patient appointments and (c) other attendances at hospitals in Northern Ireland there were in the last year by citizens of the Republic of Ireland. [116973]

  Mr. Browne
  During 2002–03 the total number of inpatient admissions at hospitals in Northern Ireland where the patient was recorded as a resident in the Republic of Ireland was 2,322. Patients may have been admitted on more than one occasion.

  Figures for the number of (b) out-patient appointments and (c)other attendances are not available.

  Organ Donor Cards
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to increase the number of individuals in Northern Ireland who carry organ donor cards; and if he will make a statement. [116991]

  Mr. Browne
  Over the past few years, organ donation rates in Northern Ireland have been among the highest in the UK and Ireland.

  The Department currently provides funding to the NHS special health authority, 'UK Transplant', which widely promotes organ donation across the UK, including the carrying of donor cards and the joining of the UK Organ Donor Register. The Department also contributes to the funding of four local Organ Transplant Co-ordinators, who have an important role in promoting organ donation in Northern Ireland.

  The Department continues to work with UK Transplant and local Organ Donation Co-ordinators to explore ways to further increase awareness of this important issue and promote organ donation.

  Residential Care
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) nursing home, (b) sheltered housing and (c) other residential care places for the elderly there (a) are and (b) were five years ago in Northern Ireland. [116970]

  Mr. Browne
  The most recent available information for a five-year period is presented as follows:

  31 March 2002

  31 March 1997

  (a) Places in Nursing Homes (Total)

  9,219

  9,766

  (b) Units of Sheltered Housing (Elderly)

  8,889

  7,612

  (c) Places in Residential Homes (Elderly)

  4,596

  4,965

  Urban Regeneration
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial resources were
  701W
  allocated for feasibility and economic appraisals in respect of urban regeneration projects in the Greater Belfast Area in each of the last 10 years. [116835]

  Mr. Browne
  The information the hon. Member requested is as follows:

  Financial year

  Number of feasibility/economic appraisals completed

  Total cost of feasibility/economic appraisals

  1993–94

  4

  16,382.46

  1994–95

  6

  16,646.00

  1995–96

  13

  36,405.72

  1996–97

  35

  191,826.27

  1997–98

  26

  73,232.03

  1998–99

  36

  104,688.00

  1999–2000

  24

  108,491.44

  2000–01

  15

  111,846.30

  2001–02

  18

  122,499.20

  2002–03

  28

  143,040.79

  2003–04 (to date)

  2

  7,110.00

  Total

  207

  932,168.21

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Benefits Payment
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for an exceptions service for elderly and disabled people who are unable to receive their benefits by direct payment. [117298]

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

  We have analysed a range of options and currently a cheque based solution accommodates most known requirements, however further research with Specific Interest Groups and customers will inform the final decision.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether benefits paid directly into and held in(a) Post Office card accounts, (b) basic bank accounts and (c) other bank accounts are disregarded for the purposes of calculating entitlement to benefits; and if he will make a statement. [117586]

  Malcolm Wicks
  In the context of income-related benefits, resources are either income or capital. In general, any benefit paid to a person is treated as income for the period to which the payment relates, and is therefore not subject at that time to the capital rules for income-related benefits. Any unspent income after that period would be treated as capital and subject to the normal capital rules. This applies regardless of the method of payment or type of bank account into which the benefit is paid.

  Some payments of arrears of benefit are classed as capital but are subject to a full disregard for 52 weeks from the date they are received.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 50W, on benefit order books,
  702W
  what criteria will be applied to determine whether a person will qualify for the exceptions service through being unable to open or manage an account; and if he will make a statement. [118186]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Our plan is to design the exceptions service to properly meet the needs of the small minority of our customers, who are unable to open or manage an account This will be based on an understanding of the problems such customers will face. We will closely monitor the way the new Direct Payment arrangements work in practice and work with customer representative groups to design a secure and efficient service which meets the needs of those customers who cannot manage accounts.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners will be in receipt of means-tested benefits as a result of the introduction of the Pension Credit. [117302]

  Maria Eagle
  Around half of all pensioner households will be entitled to Pension Credit when it is introduced in October and stand to gain £400 a year on average. We are committed to ensuring that as many of them as possible take it up.

  We estimate that by October 2003 around 1.8 million MIG claims will be automatically transferred to Pension Credit. Between October 2003 and October 2004 we expect to take on a further million successful applicants for Pension Credit.

  We also expect an additional 250,000 pensioners to become newly entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit from October.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what use of regional and local media his Department proposes to make in publicising Pension Credit and encouraging take-up. [117287]

  Maria Eagle
  We want as many pensioners as possible to take up their entitlement to Pension Credit which will be worth £400 a year on average to each pensioner household.

  We plan a comprehensive campaign, including national press and TV advertising as well as flyers in regional and local papers and magazines.

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Richard Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement about the level of Housing Benefit fraud. [117303]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We have set a challenging target to reduce fraud and error in Housing Benefit for working age people. We are working with local authorities to achieve a 25 per cent. reduction in March 2006.

  We are already using a wide range of initiatives to tackle Housing Benefit fraud. Since January 2003 the Department has funded Departmental solicitors to take forward prosecutions on behalf of local authorities. Our joint effort with local authorities is paying dividends—local authority prosecutions and sanctions for benefit fraud have more than doubled in the last two years.
  703W
  In addition, 81 per cent. of local authorities have now signed up to our Verification Framework, which stops fraud getting into the system in the first place. Additional funding has been made available from April, resulting in an across-the-board 50 per cent. increase for local authorities already compliant with the scheme or considering taking it up.

  For the first time we are undertaking an ongoing review of fraud and error in Housing Benefit and first results will be available later this year.
  Source:Fraud Information by Sector system

  Poverty Definition
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the new definition of poverty will be announced. [117304]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We launched Measuring Child Poverty: a consultation document in April 2002. We received over 80 detailed written responses to the consultation and have gathered feedback from workshops in London and Edinburgh with academics and organisations interested in child poverty measurement. We have also organised workshops in partnership with organisations such as the Children's Society, Bamardo's, Children in Wales and the European Anti-Poverty Network—to gather the views of children, young people and adults with direct experience of poverty.

  Measuring Child Poverty Consultation: preliminary conclusions was published in May 2003. This outlines recommendations and next steps based on a thorough analysis of the responses to the consultation. The report states that further technical work is necessary before finalising any new measure of child poverty and that we intend to publish final conclusions by the end of 2003.

  Both reports are available in the Library.

  Occupational Pensions Schemes
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the number of occupational pensions schemes that have closed in the last year. [117305]

  Maria Eagle
  The recent Green Paper 'Simplicity, security and choice: Working and Saving for Retirement' (Cm5677) set out proposals to minimise the number of pension scheme closures or wind-ups by encouraging employers to promote and persevere with pension schemes of all kinds. We intend significant simplification of the regulatory regime which could save employers considerable amounts of time and money.

  Child Support
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to change the rules on the pre-existing child support arrangements with regard to student loan payments [117306]

  Malcolm Wicks
  No.

  Adult Education
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many people counted under(a) claimant count unemployment figures and (b) International Labour Organisation unemployment figures did not have a first Level 2 qualification in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [114485]

  (2) what the proportion of economically inactive people without a first Level 2 qualification by age in each year since 1997 is; and if he will make a statement. [114483]

  John Healey
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Paul Holmes of 3 June 2003:

  The National Statistician has been asked 10 reply to your Parliamentary Questions about unemployed and economically inactive people without a first NVQ Level 2 qualification. I am replying in his absence. (114483, J14485)

  The attached tables give the information requested for (a) people classified as unemployed according 10 the International Labour Organisation definition and (b) economically inactive people. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Information about the qualification levels of people included in the Claimant Count is not available.

  Unemployed people of working age 1without a first NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification2 United Kingdom

  Thousand

  March to February

  1997–98

  690

  1998–99

  631

  1999–2000

  573

  2000–01

  610

  2001–02

  480

  2002–03

  463

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

  2 People with DO qualifications and those whose highest qualification is below NVQ level 2 or equivalent

  Note:

  These Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates have not been interim adjusted to take account of the recent census 2001 results.

  Source:

  ONS—Labour Force Survey

  Proportion of economically inactive people of working age 1without a first NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualification2, by age United Kingdom

  Per cent

  March to February

  Total

  16–17

  18–24

  25–34

  35–49

  50– 69/64

  1997–98

  40.5

  44.0

  19.5

  38.6

  46.6

  46.7

  1998–99

  40.3

  44.5

  18.4

  37.6

  46.4

  46.3

  1999–2000

  39.2

  45.5

  18.6

  35.8

  43.8

  45.8

  2000–01

  38.3

  43.8

  18.1

  35.8

  43.1

  44.2

  2001–02

  38.6

  44.4

  19.1

  35.8

  43.2

  44.2

  2002–03

  37.3

  43.9

  19.5

  33.5

  41.8

  43.0

  1 Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–69

  2 Includes economically inactive people with no qualifications, and those whose highest qualification is below NVO level 2 or equivalent

  Note:

  These Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates have not been interim-adjusted

  to take account of the recent Census 2001 results.

  Advice Services
  Mr. Paul Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish an implementation strategy for the Government's objective of providing a one-stop shop advice service to older people by 2006. [115525]

  Maria Eagle
  This Government made a commitment in it's 2001 Manifesto to the delivery of a 'third age service'. Specifically, it stated that"Pensioners need simple accessible services that treat them with dignity and promote independence. We will build on Care Direct to provide a better integration of health, housing, benefits and social care. This will be an integrated 'third age service' to help older people and those who care for them".

  Over the past few months we have been consulting representatives from the public and voluntary sector who provide benefits and services to older people in order to better understand how we can work more effectively in partnership.

  Officials are currently developing plans for how the DWP will enable the development of a 'third age programme'. This will build on the excellent work already underway at local level in many parts of the country to meet the needs of older people in a more joined up way.

  Age Discrimination
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and pensions what plans he has to introduce legislation to tackle age discrimination. [117300]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  We have made a commitment to introduce legislation to tackle age discrimination in the workplace by 2006. Consultation on this will be taken forward by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  In advance of this we have launched our Age Positive campaign to encourage employers to employ workers of all ages. The campaign is raising employers' awareness of the business benefits that older workers can bring, as well as the benefits to older people of staying in the workforce.

  The success of our New Deal 50 plus programme is also contributing to our wider campaign to tackle age discrimination. By the end of March this year over 98,000 people had moved into work with the help of New Deal 50 plus.

  Since 1997 the employment rate of people between 50 and state pension age has risen from 65 per cent. in 1997 to 68 per cent. in 2002.

  Miners' Pension Funds
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the trustees of the miners' pension funds. [118025]

  Maria Eagle
  The Miners' Pension Fund is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. I have not had any recent discussions with the trustees of the fund.

  Benefit Administration (Funding)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on the means by which the administration of(a) housing and (b) council tax benefit by local authorities is funded; [94004]

  (2) what the cost to (a) his Department and its predecessor and (b) local authorities of administering (i) housing and (ii) council tax benefit was in the last four years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [94005]

  Malcolm Wicks [pursuant to his answer, 3 April 2003, Official Report, c. 835–37W]
  Half of the administration subsidy for both housing benefit and council tax benefit is funded through a grant from the Department for Work and Pensions. This is allocated to individual local authorities using a formula agreed in consultation with the local authority associations. The formula takes account of the size of the caseload and the complexity of housing benefit cases, with elements for accommodation and staffing costs. The remaining half is funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive through the Revenue Support Grant (Grant Aided Expenditure in Scotland) within their local government finance settlements.

  From 2003–04, administration subsidy will be paid entirely by this Department as one direct grant to local authorities. During 2003–04, we will also distribute an additional £33 million for on-going and transitional costs associated with the introduction of the pension credit as well as £11 million for on-going costs associated with new tax credits.

  The Department also helps fund the administration of the Verification Framework and payments are made through the Help Fund to support various local authority led initiatives aimed at improving housing benefit administration where lack of funds is a barrier. A further £223 million Verification Framework funding is being made available for the three years from April 2003. This will provide a 50 per cent. increase in both set-up and on-going funding. We are also investing £200 million over the next three years in helping authorities meet the new Performance Standards.

  Actual expenditure on the administration of these benefits, as reported by local authorities, exceeds the total subsidy provided by central Government. Local authorities account for their expenditure in very different ways. For example, some will include a portion of central charges for administrative costs that will have little to do with housing benefit administration in their housing benefit costs. Some will provide a cost net of additional grants from the Department. Because the data reported by authorities do not reflect a uniform accounting standard across authorities, reported expenditure across all authorities may not be directly comparable with the grants paid figures.

  The information available is in the tables.
  707W

  DWP Administration Subsidy and Caseload

  Housing benefit administration initial allocation (£ mission)

  Average housing benefit caseload

  Council tax administration initial allocation (£ million)

  Average housing benefit caseload

  Additional in year payments (£ million)

  1998–99

  97.9

  4,414,000

  61.2

  5,257,000

  3.0

  1999–2000

  87.6

  4,198,000

  72.0

  5,022,000

  5.0

  2000–01

  86.8

  3,952,000

  74.2

  4,731,000

  13

  2001–02

  89.7

  3,844,000

  76.3

  4,636,000

  –

  Notes:

  1. Caseload data refer to households claiming housing benefit, which may be a single person, a couple or a family. More than one benefit household can live in one property, for example, two or more adults in a flat or house share.

  2. Caseload figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

  3. Council tax benefit caseload totals exclude any second adult rebate cases.

  4. Housing benefit caseload figures exclude any extended payment cases.

  5. The data are the average of caseloads taken in May, August, November and February of each year.

  6. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.

  7. Additional payments have been made to cover policy and procedural changes for both housing benefit and council tax benefit administration.

  8. Additional in-year payments were made towards administration of procedural changes.

  Sources:

  1. Social Security Income Related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Orders 1999 to 2002.

  2. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in May, August, November and February 1998–99 to 2001–02.

  DWP Expenditure on Anti-fraud Initiatives, the Verification Framework and the Help Fund

  £ million

  Challenge funding

  Benefits agency/ local authority joint working payments

  Security against fraud and error (SAFE) and weekly benefit savings

  Verification framework

  Help Fund

  1998–99

  9.5

  —

  18.6

  5.5

  —

  1999–2000

  5.5

  —

  15.5

  29.1

  —

  2000–01

  2.9

  2.7

  12.2

  24.4

  —

  2001–02

  —

  1.4

  14.4

  38.6

  1.8

  Notes:

  1. Although not specifically for administration, local authorities are given financial incentives for investigating and detecting fraud.

  2. Challenge Funding was a scheme where councils could submit bids for innovative anti-fraud initiatives.

  3. The Security Against Fraud and Error (SAFE) scheme was first introduced in April 2001 and fully replaced the Weekly Benefit Savings (WBS) scheme in April 2002.

  4. SAFE and WBS figures are subject to revision by local authorities.

  5. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.

  6. The reduction in SAFE and WBS funding may be attributable to increased VF funding which may have led to a fall in the level of fraud entering the benefit system.

  Sources:

  1. WBS and SAFE figures are from local authorities' audited final subsidy claims.

  2. Challenge Funding and Joint Working Payment figures from 1998–99 to 2000–01 are from DSS/DWP Appropriation Accounts. 2001–02 figures are from DWP records.

  3. VF data are from DWP administrative records.

  4. Help Fund expenditure is in the Social Security Income Related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2002.

  Reported Administrative Costs of Local Authorities in Great Britain

  Housing benefit (£ million)

  Council tax benefit (£ million)

  Total (£ million)

  DWP funding as percentage of reported expenditure

  1997–98

  349.7

  192.7

  542.5

  43

  1998–99

  361.4

  192.0

  553.3

  35

  1999–2000

  379.6

  209.4

  588.9

  36

  2000–01

  412.2

  229.9

  642.1

  32

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.

  2. Figures are subject to revision by local authorities.

  Sources:

  1. English authorities—reports to the ODPM, and its predecessors, using form RO4.

  2. Welsh authorities—reports to the Welsh Assembly using form RO4. Prior to devolution, returns were made to the Welsh Office.
  708W
  3. Scottish authorities—reports to the Scottish Executive using Local Financial Return LFR9. Prior to devolution, returns were made to the Scottish Office.

  Benefit Claims
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average duration of benefit claims was for each of the major benefits administered by his Department and its predecessors in each of the last 30 years. [110765]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Compensation
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average period of delay
  709W
  was in cases where compensation was paid for delays in processing retirement pension in each year since 1997; and in how many cases the delay for which compensation was paid did not breach the indicator of delay. [115487]

  Maria Eagle
  The information requested is not available.

  Demography (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of the working population within the Greater London area is over 50 years of age. [116706]

  John Healey
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Cox dated 3 June 2003:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the percentage of (he working population within Greater London who are over 50 years of age. I am replying in his absence. (116706)

  The latest available Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimate, for the three month period ending in February 2003. is that of the population resident in Greater London who were in employment, 20.4 per cent were aged 50 years or over.

  Disability Bill
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to publish the draft Disability Bill; and what areas it will cover. [116464]

  Maria Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, announced on 22 January his intention to publish a draft Disability Bill later in 2003. The draft Bill, which will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny, is still being developed and its exact scope has yet to be finalised. However, measures in it will include proposals that the Government outlined in "Towards Inclusion", our response to the Disability Rights Task Force. Those being considered include: extending the DDA definition of disability to more people with HIV and cancer; introducing a duty on public bodies concerning equalisation of opportunities for disabled people; extending duties under Part 3 of the DDA in such areas as the function of public bodies, transport operators and premises; and covering membership of larger private clubs.

  Female Pensioners
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which proposals in the recent Pensions Green Paper are designed to help female pensioners. [117289]

  Maria Eagle
  The Green Paper proposals will help women and men of working age to plan and save for the retirement they want in the future.

  Today's pensioners are on average £1,250 a year better off, thanks to measures taken by the Government. Today's poorest pensioners—usually women are £ 1,600 a year better off.

  Incapacity Benefit
  David Cairns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made on the Pathways to Work incapacity benefit reform pilots he announced last year. [117301]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The Green Paper "Pathways to Work" set out a strategy for enabling people with health problems and disabilities to move into work. Our response to the consultation will set out the recommendations we intend to take forward, together with our plans for implementing the pilots.

  I recognise that my hon. Friend has a particular interest here as one of the pilot areas falls within his constituency. This provides a great opportunity for the community he represents, and I can confirm that excellent progress is being made in establishing that pilot.

  Pension Provision (Foster Carers)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on Government plans to assist for foster carers with pension provision. [116803]

  Maria Eagle
  Regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly that will extend home responsibilities protection to registered foster carers, so that those years of caring count towards reducing the number of qualifying years needed to obtain a full basic State Pension.

  Pension Service
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the new Pension Service. [114870]

  Maria Eagle
  The Pension Service was launched to provide a service focused on the needs of pensioners. To date the service has opened 25 of its planned 26 new centres across the country and continues to deliver services through an International and two National pension centres at Newcastle.

  In addition, last month, The Pension Service launched the Pension Credit Application Line to support early applications for Pension Credit which is payable from October 2003.

  The Pension Service has also implemented a local service, now operating in all regions of England, Scotland and Wales, and is working in partnership with many other organisations dealing with pensioners such as local authorities and voluntary sector organisations.

  The local service will play a vital role in promoting Pension Credit, providing advice and information to partners, and working with them to help target customers who need additional help in taking up their entitlements, such as ethnic minority or housebound customers, and those with disabilities.

  Further information on The Pension Service targets and standards can be found in the Department for Work and Pensions Departmental Report 2002–03 published

  711W
  15 May 2003 and The Pension Service Business Plan 2003–04 published 14 April 2003. Both documents are available in the Library.

  Personal Capability Assessments
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many appeals against decisions made at personal capability assessments were(a) heard and (b) decided in the appellant's favour in (i) 2002 and (ii) each month of 2003; what proportion of the total appeals heard were successful in (A) 2002 and (B) each month in 2003, broken down by benefit; what the average length of time between lodging an appeal against a personal capability assessment decision and having that appeal heard was in (1) 2002 and (2) each month of 2003; and if he will make a statement. [114469]

  Maria Eagle
  This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Christina Townsend to Paul Holmes dated 6 June 2003:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question regarding personal capability assessments in 2002 and 2003.

  We do not have all the information on personal capability assessments you have requested. However, I have arranged for a set of tables to be placed in the library. The tables set out the number of personal capability assessment cases cleared and those appeals found in favour of the appellant for all benefits. The final table shows the average time taken to clear appeals from the date lodged at the first tier agency to the date, it is cleared at a hearing. I should perhaps point out that the Appeals Service is responsible for the appealonly from the date it is received from the first tier agency until cleared at a hearing, where the average waiting time for all appeals in 2002–2003 was 12.5 weeks.

  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Unemployment (Haltemprice and Howden)
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were unemployed in Haltemprice and Howden in(a) the last month for which figures are available and (b) each of the preceding 12 months. [116767]

  John Healey
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from John Pullinger to David Davis of 3 June 2003:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question regarding the number of people who were unemployed in Haltemprice and Howden in the last month for which figures are available and each of the preceding 12 months. I am replying in his absence. (116767)

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from surveys following the internationally standard International Labour Organisation definition. However the survey sample is too small to provide estimates for the Haltemprice and Howden Parliamentary Constituency, ONS also compiles claimant count statistics of chose claiming Jobseekers Allowance for Parliamentary Constituencies.

  The attached table gives the number of claimants of.jobseekers Allowance in the Haltemprice and Howden Parliamentary Constituency for the period April 2002 to April 2003. The data are not seasonally adjusted.
  712W

  Number of JSA claimants in Haltemprice and Howden Parliamentary Constituency

  Not seasonally adjusted

  2002:

  April

  781

  May

  763

  June

  754

  July

  809

  August

  796

  September

  768

  October

  757

  November

  753

  December

  740

  2003:

  January

  799

  February

  797

  March

  784

  April

  745

  Source:

  Jobcenter Plus administrative system

  Winter Allowance
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people aged 80 years and over in(a) Leeds Metropolitan District and (b) the Leeds, West constituency who will receive the increased winter allowance of £300. [116012]

  Maria Eagle
  We estimate that some 30,000 people in Leeds local authority area and around 3,000 in Leeds West constituency could be entitled to the extra payment announced by the Chancellor.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department is taking to address the issue of age discrimination. [109458]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to valuing and promoting diversity and equality of treatment for all regardless of age, and has taken steps to integrate age into equal opportunity policies. Action on diversity will tackle any negative attitudes towards older staff particularly through the training and development of managers and through the monitoring of recruitment, selection and appraisal statistics.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) central and (b) local government of administering council tax benefit in 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [109532]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  This Department subsidises local authorities for the administration of council tax benefit (CTB) and housing benefit (HB). In 2001–02 this amounted to £161 million and in 2002–03 it was £170 million. This sum is matched by Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive through

  713W
  the general funds that they distribute to local authorities. Of our allocation, in 2001–02 £74.2 million was specified for use in CTB administration, a similar amount was supplied by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive. However, the formulae used to split funds between HB and CTB by these administrations are slightly different, therefore the exact amounts may vary. In 2002–03 £78.5 million was specified by DWP for use in CTB administration.

  For 2001–02, in addition to the £161 million, we distributed a further £5.5 million for policy and budget changes and £7.5 million to implement new appeals procedures. These figures were not broken down into separate amounts for CTB and HB. This corrects the information given in my written reply on 8 April 2003, Official Report, column 228–9W.

  For 2002–03 the Department distributed an additional £6 million to local authorities to help them meet set-up costs relating to the new tax credits, and £15 million for set-up costs relating to the Pension Credit. These extra allocations were made to meet the costs of administering both HB and CTB and a separate breakdown for CTB is not available.

  From this year, administration subsidy for both HB and CTB is funded entirely by this Department as one direct grant to local authorities.

  Reported expenditure by local authorities on Council Tax Benefit administration is not yet available for 2002–03.

  Notes:

  Figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.

  Sources:

  1. DSS and DWP HB/CTB Subsidy circulars to local authorities (S6/2001, S8/2001, S2/2002 and S5/2002). Social Security Income Related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2001.

  2. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  3. The National Assembly for Wales.

  4. The Scottish Executive.

  Flooding
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations his Department has received concerning the dangers of house building on flood plains. [117488]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its predecessors have regularly received representations on various aspects of the risks of all types of inappropriate development, including house building, in areas at risk from river and coastal flooding. These risks have for many years been reflected in planning guidance to local authorities, most recently in Planning Policy Guidance Note 25, "Development and Flood Risk", published in July 2001. This updated, strengthened and replaced the previous guidance in Department of the Environment Circular 30/92. In particular, it introduced a risk-based approach that matches types of development to levels of risk.It makes clear that residential development is not appropriate in the functional flood plain, where excess water must flow in times of flood. In less high-risk areas that are already developed, further residential building may be possible,714W
  but only after a flood risk assessment appropriate to the scale and nature of the development has been carried out.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many new houses have been granted planning permission on areas deemed at(a) low, (b) medium and (c) high risk of flooding for each year since 1997. [117489]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 7 May 2002,Official Report, column 25W, in respect of the years before 2001–02. While information in not collected in the form requested, the operation of the policies on development in flood risk areas in PPG25, "Development and Flood Risk", is monitored by the Environment Agency through its high level target 12, which it reports to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and to the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs. The latest report, for 2001–02, shows that around 800 dwellings in England—less than 0.5 per cent. of the total—were subject to sustained objections by the Environment Agency on grounds of flood risk, but permitted after consideration by the local authorities concerned. Since about 10 per cent. of the land area and population of England is within the area of the Agency's indicative flood plain maps, this shows that local authorities are already giving serious consideration to flood risk in permitting new housing developments.

  Local Authority Funding
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what specific or direct grants have been made by his Department to local authorities for 2003–04(a) in England and (b) broken down by local authority, identifying whether the grant is (i) ring-fenced, (ii) a specific formula grant, (iii) within aggregate external finance and (iv) outside aggregate external finance. [114914]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is available in the Library of the House.

  Market Research
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what expenditure has been incurred by his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental bodies in 2002 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; and if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each. [106262]

  Mr. Leslie
  The detailed information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Parliamentary Question
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will reply to question ref: 111772, tabled on 5 May 2003 by the right hon. Member for West Worcestershire. [117203]

  Mr. Leslie
  The named parliamentary question was answered on 5 June 2003.

  Press Office
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people are employed in his Department's Press Office; and how many were employed on 2 May 1997. [108400]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. On 1 April 2003, the Office employed 21.8 full-time equivalent press officers and five full-time equivalent administrative support staff.

  Street Wardens
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Deputy P rime Minister if he will continue the funding arrangement beyond March 2004 to enable the experimental Community Street Wardens Scheme in Colchester to be established on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement. [116314]

  Mrs. Roche
  Government funding for Warden Schemes was awarded on a short-term basis, and it was clear from the start that this financial support would only be for a limited period. Additionally, local 716W
  authorities have requested that we stop area-based initiatives, in order that they have more flexibility in how they spend their own funds. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister already has examples of local authorities and housing associations that are mainstreaming schemes.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working closely with all schemes in the development of their future sustainability plans. Events are being held and guidance has been produced for scheme managers. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is promoting the wardens approach, particularly as a key element of neighbourhood management.

  Supporting People Grant
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister why his Department proposes to deduct money from the Supporting People grant allocation for Dorset. [118213]

  Mr. McNulty
  The adjustment has been made to allow for expected savings due to declining obligations in respect of transitionally protected clients and the impact of early service reviews.

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