Written Answers of 18 June 2003

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Regeneration (North-West)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on regeneration in the North West. [119758]

  Yvette Cooper
  "Sustainable communities in the North West—Building for the future" accompanied the publication of the national action plan launched in February. This sets out proposals in the North West, complementing the work of the Local Strategic Partnerships and investment of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

  Regional Government
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his referendum proposals for regional government in the North West. [119759]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on Monday 16 June that the level of interest in the North West region is sufficient to warrant a referendum about whether to establish an elected regional assembly. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister directed the Boundary Committee for England to undertake a local government review in the region as a precursor to a referendum.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on trends in the numbers of homeless households in priority need since May 1997. [119760]

  Keith Hill
  The latest Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Statistical Release on statutory homelessness, covering figures for England in the first quarter of 2003, was published on 17 June. Table 1 of the statistical release shows the number of households accepted by local housing authorities in England as homeless and in priority need under the homelessness legislation for each year from 1997–98 to 2002–03, with a quarterly breakdown of figures for each quarter since 1 January 2000. Copies of the statistical release are available in the Library of the House.

  Affordable Housing
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to require property developers to provide more affordable homes in private housing schemes. [119755]

  Keith Hill
  The recently published Sustainable Communities Plan sets out our intentions with regard to increasing the number of affordable homes. The Office 214W
  of the Deputy Prime Minister is updating existing planning guidance and will support this with practical advice about what works well and where. The latest statistics shows a steep rise in permissions for affordable homes to around 18,500. Through the update we want to see this improved yet further.

  Arson
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of fires(a) on farms and (b) in retail premises were caused by arson in each year from 1997 to 2001; and what the estimated cost to the fire service was in each year. [120031]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is in the following tables. Malicious fires are those where malicious or deliberate ignition was proved or suspected.

  Information on the cost to the fire service is not available before 1999. The estimates in the table are derived from applying an average fire service response cost for commercial fires of £12,950 to each farm and retail fire attended.

  Fires in agricultural premises, UK, 1997–2001

  Total

  Malicious

  Percentage malicious

  Estimated costs (£000)

  1997

  1,663

  747

  45

  —

  1998

  1,315

  659

  50

  —

  1999

  1,435

  650

  45

  8,418

  2000

  1,380

  651

  47

  8,430

  2001

  1,267

  486

  38

  6,294

  Fires in retail premises, UK, 1997–2001

  Total

  Malicious

  Percentage malicious

  Estimated costs (£000)

  1997

  5,787

  2,321

  40

  —

  1998

  5,699

  2,229

  39

  —

  1999

  5,699

  2,236

  39

  28,956

  2000

  5,358

  2,200

  41

  28,490

  2001

  5,687

  2,474

  44

  32,038

  Notes:

  Data for 2001 are provisional.

  The definition of retail premises includes vehicle trade premises

  Council Tax
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the expenditure was by local authorities on council tax benefit administration for the financial years 1999–2000 to 2002–03. [119995]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Council tax benefit administration costs as reported by local authorities are as tabled:

  £ million

  1999–2000

  178.8

  2000–01

  194.8

  2001–02

  218.7

  2002–031

  208.3

  1 Budgeted figures

  Source:

  RO4 forms 1999–00 to 2001–02 and RA form 2002–03

  Equality
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to establish a single equality body to deal with all equality issues. [114613]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  I announced a consultation on the future of Great Britain's equality institutions on 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 246W, looking at the possibility of creating a single equality body among other options. We received nearly 300 written responses to this consultation which closed in February and are currently considering in detail the views expressed. We will make an announcement on the broad shape of future arrangements for equality institutions in due course.

  Estate Agents Act
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to amend the Estate Agents Act 1979. [118133]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Office of Fair Trading is currently investigating the market for estate agents in England and Wales, including the effectiveness of the Estate Agents Act 1979.

  I will consider carefully any recommendations the Director General of Fair Trading makes about future regulation of this market.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of firefighters who will be made redundant in each fire authority in England under the new arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [119677]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No such estimate has been made as part of the process of introducing integrated risk management. The Deputy Prime Minster has repeatedly made it clear that the modernisation of the fire service can be achieved without the need for compulsory redundancies.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect on fire service 999 emergency response times in Harrogate and Knaresborough of the new risk management plans. [119678]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No assessment has been made of the effect on fire service 999 emergency response times in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Under integrated risk management, it will be for fire authorities to set local standards for responding to fires and other emergencies in the light of a full assessment of the risks faced by their communities.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library(a) the Burchill proposed costing for each fire authority in England and (b) the fire authority costing for the proposals put forward by the fire authorities. [119680]
  216W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The proposals put forward by Professor Frank Burchill for the resolution of the pay dispute between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and their local authority employers contained no detailed costings. The proposals put forward by the employers, accepted by the FBU on 12 June 2003, do not include costings, but the employers have assured me that the deal is deliverable within current budgets, supported by £30 million of transitional funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, repayable over the Spending Review 2002 period.

  Home Starter Initiative
  Andrew George
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many key sector workers were housed and what amount was spent on affordable housing in rural areas under the Home Starter Initiative since September 2001. [117988]

  Keith Hill
  As at 31 May 2003, £5.253 million has been spent under the Starter Home Initiative to assist 287 key workers in local authorities with rural districts.

  Official Spelling
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that all official(a) correspondence, (b) reports and (c) documentation from his office uses the English spelling of words where this differs from the American version. [118748]

  Yvette Cooper
  In line with the guidance issued by the Cabinet Office to departments on the Handling of Ministerial and Order correspondence it is the policy of the Office of the Prime Minister to use the English spelling of English words. Where we employ specialist proof readers, and typesetters we direct them to use the Oxford English Dictionary as their reference and to use the guidance issued on Plain Written English. Within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister the spell check facility on our IT systems is set to the UK English dictionary.

  Regional Assemblies
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on holding a referendum for elections to a regional assembly in Yorkshire and the Humber. [118361]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is considering views, information and evidence that has been received about the level of interest in each English region (outside London) in holding referendums on elected regional assemblies. Decisions will be announced shortly as to which region(s) should proceed towards referendums and a summary of responses to the soundings exercise will be published at the same time.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses were sold under(a) the Right to Buy and (b) the right to acquire in each of the last five years; what his estimate is of those totals over the next three years; what plans he has to revise the guidance to tenants

  217W
  in respect of these schemes; and what plans he has further to amend the (a) discount and (b) clawback period in respect of these schemes. [119603]

  Keith Hill
  The information is as follows:

  Right to Buy

  1. Sales

  The following are the most recently available figures for sales under the Right to Buy scheme in England:

  Number

  1997–98

  41,329

  1998–99

  40,272

  1999–2000

  54,251

  2000–01

  52,380

  2001–02

  51,968

  No estimates have been made of sales over the next three years.

  Guidance to tenants

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister booklet for tenants "Your right to buy your home" was reissued in August 2002, along with a separate booklet on the 'Rent to Mortgage' scheme. When the booklet is next reprinted, during the next few months, it will be amended to reflect the announcement in March 2003 that the maximum discount available to tenants under the Right to Buy scheme has been reduced in 41 areas under the greatest housing pressure. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister wrote on 6 March 2003 to local authorities in London and the South-East, Eastern and South-Western regions, confirming these reductions; with this letter was enclosed an extra page explaining the changes, for inclusion in copies of "Your right to buy your home" given to tenants.

  Discounts

  The Government will keep the position on maximum discounts under review.

  Repayment of discount (clawback)

  At present, if an individual resells the property which he has purchased under the Right to Buy scheme within three years from the date of purchase, he must repay discount. During the first year, all the discount must be repaid; thereafter, the amount to be repaid reduces by one-third for each complete year that elapses.

  The Government's draft Housing Bill, published on 31 March 2003, proposes to extend the repayment period to five years. During the first year, all the discount will have to be repaid; thereafter, the amount to be repaid will reduce by one-fifth for each complete year that elapses.

  Right to Acquire

  Sales

  The following are the most recently available figures for sales under the Right to Acquire scheme in England:

  Number

  1998–99

  0

  1999–2000

  5

  2000–01

  18

  2001–02

  37

  2002–03

  111

  218W
  The right to acquire is a demand led scheme that enables housing association tenants to purchase their rented home at a discount. No estimates have been made of sales over the next three years.

  Guidance to tenants

  The Government have no plans to amend the guidance issued to tenants.

  Discounts

  The Government have no plans to amend the discount offered under the Right to Acquire scheme.

  Repayment of discount

  The Government intend that the measures in the draft Housing Bill designed to modernise the Right to Buy, including increasing the clawback period for repayment of discount from three to five years, will also apply to the Right to Acquire scheme.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homes were transferred from local authority ownership in(a) all English local authorities and (b) rural English local authorities under (i) the right-to-buy scheme and (ii) registered social landlords in each year since 1996. [117990]

  Keith Hill
  The figures available are tabled.

  Homes transferred from local authority ownerships

  Right to buy scheme sales

  Transfers to registered social landlords

  England

  Of which rural Las

  England

  Of which rural Las

  1996–97

  33,206

  1—

  22,534

  1—

  1997–98

  41,329

  1—

  35,701

  1—

  1998–99

  40,272

  7,212

  76,543

  26,425

  1999–2000

  54,251

  9,556

  96,755

  15,526

  2000–01

  52,380

  8,137

  132,462

  28,730

  2001–02

  51,968

  7,744

  35,687

  17,370

  1 Not available

  Rough Sleepers
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress he has made in assisting local authorities to reduce the number of rough sleepers. [119458]

  Yvette Cooper
  As of June 2002, local authority statistics show that 600 people were sleeping rough on any one night. This figure sustained the Prime Minister's target to reduce rough sleeping by at least two-thirds from a baseline figure of 1,850 in June 1998.

  The Homelessness Directorate within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister brings together the work of the former Rough Sleepers Unit, the Bed and Breakfast Unit and a team to ensure the effective implementation of the Homelessness Act 2002 and assist local authorities in the development of strategies to tackle homelessness.

  The Homelessness Directorate has a revenue budget this year of £70 million and is providing grant support to local authorities to help them implement homelessness strategies and where necessary bed and breakfast action plans and rough sleeping strategies. To ensure the two-thirds reduction is sustained, key local authorities have been asked to draw up strategies for their areas for the period up to 31 March 2004 in consultation with local voluntary agencies and other partner organisations.
  219W
  The Homelessness Directorate is continuing to work closely with local authorities, particularly where rough sleeping remains at a significant level.

  Social Exclusion
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the role of transport in tackling social exclusion. [119455]

  Yvette Cooper
  Good transport provision that enables people to access the services they need when they need them is essential in promoting social inclusion.

  This was highlighted in the recent Social Exclusion Unit report "Making the Connections: Final Report on Transport and Social Exclusion", which aims to tackle social exclusion by ensuring people can get to work and key services and to reduce the disproportionate impact of traffic on disadvantaged areas. This does not just involve improving transport but changing where and how services are delivered.

  The report introduces a new framework—accessibility planning—to be led by transport authorities when preparing and implementing their second Local Transport Plans (due in 2005). This process aims to improve joint working between authorities and a range of other local partners in identifying and tackling accessibility problems.

  This will be complemented by a comprehensive cross-Government programme to make it easier for people on low incomes to access work and key services.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Criminal Justice
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland. [119725]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government are making good progress in taking forward the implementation of the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland. I wish to take this opportunity to announce a number of significant developments.

  First, the updated Implementation Plan for the Criminal Justice Review is being published today. The updated Implementation Plan sets out an ambitious programme of transformational change designed to modernise and enhance public confidence in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. It reports on the significant and encouraging progress which has already been made, and sets out clearly how the remaining work will be taken forward and the timescales over which this will be achieved.

  Copies of the updated Implementation Plan have been placed in the Library.

  Second, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General, has appointed the right hon. the Lord Clyde as independent Justice Oversight Commissioner for Northern Ireland.
  220W
  The Oversight Commissioner will provide public assurance about the implementation of the changes in criminal justice arrangements and structures in Northern Ireland set out in the updated Implementation Plan.

  Copies of the Oversight Commissioner's terms of reference were placed in the Library on 18 December 2002.

  Third, the Secretary of State has appointed Mr. Kit Chivers as Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, as required by section 45 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002.

  The Chief Inspector will assist in the establishment of the new independent Criminal Justice Inspectorate recommended in the "Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland". The new Inspectorate will play a vital role in ensuring that individual criminal justice agencies in Northern Ireland are meeting their objectives and those set for them by the Government, as well as ensuring that the criminal justice system works effectively in a 'joined up' way and as a coherent whole. It will also be responsible for ensuring the proper expenditure of public resources.

  The functions of the Chief Inspector are set out in sections 46–49 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002.

TRANSPORT

  Children's Car Seats
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what duty there is for car hire firms when providing children's car seats to ensure that the seats meet current safety standards; and what requirements there are for car hire firms to ensure that children's car seats are properly fitted and appropriate to the weight of the intended child passenger. [119166]

  Mr. Darling
  Under seat belt wearing legislation, the driver of a vehicle is responsible for ensuring that children under 14 years use child restraints or adult belts, as appropriate, in accordance with the regulations. There is nothing in this legislation to require hire companies to provide appropriate child restraints for customers or ensure that they are properly fitted. The provision and fitting of appropriate child restraints is a matter between a hire company and their customers.

  A46 and A453
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects construction work to begin on the planned dualling of the A46 Fosse Way between Widmerpool and Newark-on-Trent; [119171]

  (2) when he expects construction work to commence on the planned dualling of the A453 trunk road between Kegworth and Clifton in Nottinghamshire. [119172] I

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 13 June 2003]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the right hon. Member.
  221W
  Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Kenneth Clarke, dated 18 June 2003:

  I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Transport to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the start dates for construction work on the proposed dualling schemes on the A46 between Widmerpool and Newark and the A453 between Kegworth and Clifton in Nottinghamshire.

  Public consultation on our preferred option for the A46 scheme commenced at the end of March this year and local exhibitions were held in April. The public consultation period ends on 20 June 2003. The future programme depends on how quickly the various statutory processes can be completed but we are currently planning to announce a preferred route in Spring 2004, with a start of works sometime during 2007.

  The proposals for the A53 scheme are at an early stage. As a result of recommendations made in the A453 Nottingham to M1 Multi-Modal Study, the Secretary of State for Transport announced last December that he was minded to include a scheme in the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI). At the same time, he asked the Highways Agency to carry out further preliminary assessment work. Assuming that a scheme is included in the TPI later this year, construction work is currently scheduled to commence in 2008.

  As with the A46, achievement of this date is subject to the satisfactory completion of the required statutory procedures.

  If you would like any further details about these proposals, our staff would be pleased to help. The Project Manager for the A46 scheme is Geoff Bethel and the Project Sponsor for the A453 scheme is John Holt. Both can be contacted at the Agency's offices at Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL; Geoff on 0121 678 8137 and John on 0121 678 8314.

  Air Accidents Investigation Branch
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average length of time is for the publication of reports by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch following the air accident under investigation. [119707]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The average length of time taken to publish a report following an AAIB investigation is 28 weeks.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reports have been published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch(a) within 12 months of and (b) more than 12 months after the accident under investigation in each year since 1996. [119710]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number of field and AARF (Form to Pilot) investigations conducted within the UK, broken down by time taken to publish report

  Less than 12 months

  More than 12 months

  1996

  335

  7

  1997

  317

  16

  1998

  360

  27

  1999

  331

  28

  2000

  271

  11

  2001

  261

  31

  2002

  1239

  21

  1 In addition, there are 29 investigations to be published that are less than 12 months old.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed in the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in each year since 1996. [119711]
  222W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The number of staff employed by the AAIB by year since 1996 is in the table.

  Number

  1996

  42

  1997

  44

  1998

  46

  1999

  44

  2000

  44

  2001

  46

  2002

  50

  2003

  46

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many personnel, broken down by grade, are employed in the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. [119875]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The number and grades of staff employed by the AAIB on 16 June 2003 is in the table.

  Grade

  Number

  SGB 1

  2

  Divisional Secretary

  1

  Personal Secretary

  1

  Administration Officer

  5

  PGSE

  1

  Executive Officer

  3

  HPTO

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  G7 (Inspectors)

  25

  G6 (Principal Inspectors)

  4

  G5 (DCIAA)

  1

  G4 (CIAA)

  1

  Total

  46

  Congestion
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what his Department's policy is on exempting motorcycles, scooters and mopeds from further congestion charging schemes; and if he will make a statement; [119927]

  (2) what plans his Department has to promote the use of powered two-wheelers in reducing congestion; if he plans to introduce legislation to mandate exemptions for powered two-wheelers from future congestion charges and road pricing schemes; and if he will make a statement. [119928]

  Mr. Jamieson
  With the help of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling the Government are currently exploring a number of important issues relating to the role of motorcycling in an integrated transport policy, including congestion. The key workstreams should be completed by 2004, when we aim to determine a strategy for motorcycling.

  We will consult on the scope of a uniform minimum standard of exemptions and concessions once we have had an opportunity to take into account the experiences gained from road user charging schemes in London and Durham. In the meantime it is a matter for those local authorities developing charging schemes to decide how to manage such vehicles within their schemes.

  Motorways
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Government have made of the(a) availability and (b) accessibility of designated rest areas on motorways; and how many rest areas there are on each motorway. [119858]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Motorists wanting to take a break in the course of their journey can stop at motorway service areas, which are available at approximately 30-mile intervals on most of the motorway network in England. I am arranging for a map showing the location of existing motorway service areas, from which may be deduced the number of rest areas on each motorway, to he placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Network Rail
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) Network Rail's rail land disposals, broken down by (i) date and (ii) value, and (b) the occasions on which the Rail Regulator has intervened to block rail land sales, in each of the last five years. [119317]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Office of the Rail Regulator advises that the regulatory accounts of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (and formerly Railtrack PLC) show income from land being £73 million for the financial year 2001–02. The unaudited figure for 2002–03 is £51 million. A breakdown of income per land case is not available. Data are not available prior to 2001–02.

  Since the introduction of the land disposal licence condition by the Rail Regulator in November 2001, the Regulator has received 58 requests for consent from Network Rail (and formerly Railtrack plc). The Regulator has consented to 40 of these requests, refused consent on nine occasions, with nine requests awaiting a decision.

  This information is set out in the following table.

  Case

  Outcome

  1. Lee

  Consent granted 14 March 2002

  2. Netherfield

  Consent granted 14 March 2002

  3. Salford

  Consent granted 20 March 2002

  4. Castle Bromwich

  Consent granted 20 March 2002

  5. Grimethorpe

  Consent granted 27 March 2002

  6. Bristol Parkway

  Consent granted 30 April 2002

  7. Plymouth Intercity House

  Consent granted 3 May 2002

  8. Cardiff Virgil Street

  Consent granted 3 May 2002

  9. Preston Strand Level Crossing

  Consent granted 3 May 2002

  10. Salisbury

  Consent refused 7 June 2002

  11. Birkenhead

  Consent granted 21 June 2002

  12. Borehamwood

  Consent refused 27 June 2002

  13. Stone

  Consent granted 27 June 2002

  14. East Kilbride

  Consent granted 19 July 2002

  15. Henley-in-Arden

  Consent granted 25 July 2002

  16. Rufford & Clipstone

  Consent granted 09 August 2002

  17. Bristol East

  Consent refused 13 August 2002

  18. Heighten

  Consent granted 27 August 2002

  19. St. Mary Cray

  Consent granted 29 August 2002

  20. Beckenham Junction

  Consent granted 29 August 2002

  21. Penge East

  Consent granted 29 August 2002

  22. Hove

  Consent refused 5 September 2002

  23. Hastings

  Consent granted 19 September 2002

  24. Dunfermline

  Consent granted 7 October 2002

  25. Kirkby-in-Ashfield

  Consent granted 11 October 2002

  26. Bredbury

  Consent granted 11 October 2002

  27. Hexham

  Consent granted 18 October 2002

  28. Salisbury

  Consent granted 24 October 2002

  29. Woodley

  Consent granted 22 November 2002

  224W

  Case

  Outcome

  30. Fratton

  Consent granted 22 November 2002

  31. Barking

  Consent refused 2 December 2002

  32. Shildon South

  Consent granted 11 December 2002

  33. Heaton

  Consent refused 20 December 2002

  34. Harwich Town

  Consent granted 20 December 2002.

  35. East Grinstead

  Consent refused 20 December 2002

  36. Formby

  Consent granted 19 December 2002

  37. Sutton-in-Ashfield

  Consent granted 24 January 2003

  38. Barry

  Consent granted 29 November 2002

  39. Ipswich

  Consent granted 21 February 2003

  40. Norwich

  Consent refused 21 February 2003

  41. Hethersett

  Consent granted 21 February 2003

  42. Bedford

  Consent granted 7 March 2003

  43. Chester

  Consent refused 23 March 2003

  44. Wigan

  Consent granted 18 March 2003

  45. Braintree

  Consent granted 21 March 2003

  46. Boston

  Consent granted 7 April 2003

  47. Wolverton

  Consent granted 22 April 2003

  48. Wembley

  Consent granted 29 April 2003

  49. St. Albans

  Consent granted 22 May 2003

  50. Rutherglen

  Pending

  51. Glasgow Hayburn

  Pending

  52. Edinburgh

  Pending

  53. Cranmore

  Pending

  54. Sankey

  Pending

  55. Carnoustie

  Pending

  56. Heaton

  Pending

  57. Cardiff Saunders Road

  Pending

  58. Bognor Regis

  Pending

  Paper Supplies
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 23 January 2003,Official Report, column 514W, on paper supplies, whether any of the paper or paper products supplied to his Department by Premier Paper are supplied by Stora Enso's Veitsiluoto Mill in Finland; and what assessment has been made of whether this paper contains (a) timber from old growth forests and (b) timber that may have been logged illegally in Russia. [117545]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Paper and paper products supplied to my Department by Premier Paper are not supplied from Stora Enso's Veitsiluoto Mill in Finland.

  Over 94 per cent. of the paper that we use is made from material containing a high proportion of post consumer waste. Our approach is to phase out virgin paper for non-specialist uses and where it is used we specify that it should be made from pulp that comes from sources that have been independently verified as legal and sustainably managed in accordance with Government Policy. This should ensure that the Department does not purchase any paper that contains (a) timber from old growth forests and (b) timber that may have been logged illegally in Russia. However, I am taking steps to ensure not only that the policy is understood and implemented but also that it is being policed.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government has to amend the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 in relation to the working time for train drivers; and if he will make a statement. [119720]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 17 June 2003]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are currently reviewing the Railways (Safety Critical Work)

  225W
  Regulations 1994 and considering whether the provisions relating to fatigue are adequate for all safety critical railway workers, including train drivers. As part of this process, the HSE are focusing on the management of fatigue and not just the number of hours worked.

  Roadworks
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of roadworks was conducted by(a) utilities, (b) local authorities and (c) the Highways Agency in the last 12 months. [119558]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Comparative figures are not available at this stage. However, we have appointed consultants —Halcrow—to monitor the number of utility works carried out on roads in England. They will be reporting to us later this summer with figures for the period April 2002 to March 2003. Copies of their report will be placed in the Libraries of the House in due course. Copies of their 2001–02 report have already been placed in the House Libraries.

  Royal Mail
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact the decision of Royal Mail to switch the transport of mail from rail to road will have on the Government's commitment to expanding the transportation of goods by rail. [119370]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government remain committed to increasing rail's modal share of the freight market. The Strategic Rail Authority's "Freight Progress Report", published in May 2003, explains the achievements to date and sets out its future plans for increasing rail's overall share of freight traffic. Copies of the report are in the Libraries of the House.

  South Coast Multi-Modal Study
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce his decision on the south coast multi-modal study. [120277]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We are currently considering the final report and recommendations from a number of multi-modal studies together with the views of the respective Regional Planning Bodies. We expect to be in a position to make an announcement before the summer recess.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis the Strategic Rail Authority has intervened in negotiations and agreements which have been reached between the managements of the train operating companies and the rail unions. [119373]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Negotiations and agreements between rail unions and train operating companies are matters for those bodies. Franchise agreements do, however, require the Strategic Rail Authority to approve any proposed pay agreement that would exceed the average earnings index either in the last 12 months of a franchise or in later years because these would result in liabilities for successor train operators.

PRIME MINISTER

  Intelligence Services (Corruption)
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what assessment he has made of levels of corruption within the British intelligence services; and if he will make a statement; [118639]

  (2) whether he has identified corrupt activity within the intelligence services in the United Kingdom over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [118640]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 4 June 2003,Official Report, columns 147–48, and to the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West (Mr. Kennedy) on 4 June 2003, Official Report, columns 151–52.

  Iraq
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the officials, with their responsibilities, who contributed to the final text of the dossiers on Iraq which were published and presented to Parliament before the war in Iraq. [117135]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 254W and on 3 March 2003, Official Report, columns 856–57W.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he will take to ensure that there is a thorough scientific examination of the quality of the evidence provided to hon. Members for the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. [118468]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 4 June 2003,Official Report, columns 147–48 and the answering right hon. Friend the Leader of the House gave the hon. Member on 5 June 2003, Official Report, column 318.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister whether persons(a) in his office and (b) in the security and intelligence services have been subject to penalty, reprimand or disciplinary action related to their conduct in the preparation of the dossiers on Iraq published before the war. [118880]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 4 June 2003,Official Report, columns 147–48, to the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West (Mr. Kennedy) on 4 June 2003, Official Report, columns 151–52 and to the hon. Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Adam Price) on 9 June 2003, Official Report, column 573W.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make an assessment of the consistency with the terms of(a) the Open Government Code and (b) the Freedom

  227W
  of Information Act 2000 of the content of the parliamentary written answers he has provided since June 2001. [117617]

  The Prime Minister
  Answers to parliamentary questions are provided in accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code. The Freedom of Information Act comes into force in 2005.

  Security Services
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the system within the security services for maintaining contact with the press. [119665]

  The Prime Minister
  In line with ministerial responsibilities, media inquiries about the Secret Intelligence Service are handled by the FCO Press Office. Media inquiries about the Security Service are handled by the Home Office Press Office. GCHQ has its own dedicated Press Office which works closely with the FCO Press Office.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Medical Staff
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many medical staff are employed in the Palace of Westminster; what the(a) hours of employment and (b) grades of qualification of such staff are; what the figures were in 1993; and if he will make a statement. [119114]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The Occupational Health. Safety and Welfare Service, which provides medical services to both Houses, currently has a consultant occupational health physician working one day a week, a medical adviser who works three days a week, and three qualified nurses (one full-time, two part-time). Ir addition, the Occupational Health Manager is a qualified nurse, and is full-time.

  Records for 1993 are no longer available.

  September Sittings
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate the Commission has mad of the additional costs arising from the House sitting for a short period in September. [119256]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The overall cost of running the House administration (excluding capital works etc.) in 2002–03 was some £133 million, giving an average daily cost of the order of £365,000. The difference in cost between a sitting day and a non-sitting day is negligible: the major costs of accommodation and staffing are no affected appreciably by the change to Septembe sittings. These figures do not include the cost of paying Members' salaries or allowances, which are not normally regarded as part of the cost of running till House itself.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Analogue Switch-off
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of public awareness of analogue switch-off; and what percentage of the UK population she estimates are aware of the proposed deadline for switch-off. [119651]

  Estelle Morris
  No formal assessment has been made. Research commissioned from MORI by DCMS in spring 2002 into consumer attitudes to digital television found that 56 per cent. of people were aware of analogue switch off between 2006 and 2010, which compared with 44 per cent. in 2001. No figures are available for 2003.

  HMS Vengeance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will place HMS Vengeance on the Historic Ships List; [120057]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the criteria for eligibility to place a ship on the Historic Ships List; and what powers she has to make exceptions to these rules. [120058]

  Estelle Morris
  The Government welcomes the efforts of those involved in the preservation of the country's maritime heritage. However, decisions on which ships should be included in the Core Collection and Designated Vessels lists, and the specific and well established criteria which inform those decisions, are a matter for the National Historic Ships Committee (NHSC) and not for Government. These lists and criteria are reviewed regularly by the NHSC.

  Digital Broadcasting
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the percentage of residents in(a) north west England. (b) Cumbria and (c) South Lakeland who are able to receive digital audio broadcasting on terrestria' transmitters. [119254]

  Estelle Morris
  This Department does not hold these figures. They are held separately by the BBC and Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB). According to the BBC and DRDB:

  BBC

  (a) North west England: approximately 75 per cent. of the population is currently reached, (expected to rise by end of 2004 to about 85 per cent.);

  (b) Cumbria: no coverage at present;

  (c) South Lakeland: no coverage at present, (but expected to reach half the population by the end of 2004).

  Commercial Radio

  (a) North west England: approximately 75 per cent. of the population is currently reached;

  (b) Cumbria: approximately 33 per cent. of the population i currently reached;

  (c) South Lakeland: There is limited coverage, but detailed information on population coverage is not available.

  229W
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the level of take-up of digital television services has been from 1998 to the most recent date for which figures are available, broken down by region. [119648]

  Estelle Morris
  This information is not available currently. Subscriber figures for the take up of digital television services are not available on a regional basis, as the data is commercially sensitive and therefore confidential to the pay television companies. However the Office for National Statistics hope to be able to produce figures on the level of take up of all digital television services on a regional basis in the future.

  Digital television receiving platform

  Possible viewing households

  Actual viewing households

  digital terrestrial television (figures based on core coverage from main six digital multiplexes)

  17.5 million (73 per cent.)

  1.4 million (5.7 per cent.)

  digital satellite (figures do not take into account planning restrictions or restrictive covenants)

  23.5 million (98 per cent.)

  7.36 million of which: 6.7 million (subscribers) (27.2 per cent.) 660,000 (free to view only) (2.7 percent.)

  digital cable

  6 million (25 per cent.)

  2.1 million (8.5 per cent.)

  DSL

  Not known

  (0.05 per cent.)

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the Digital Action Plan, what her definition of digital television being affordable is; and what criteria she used to come to this definition. [119650]

  Estelle Morris
  We have said that switching to digital television must be an affordable option for the vast majority of people; and as a target indicator of affordability, 95 per cent. of consumers must have access to digital equipment. One of the key tasks for Government in the Digital Action Plan is to conduct a comprehensive review of progress towards digital switchover, with particular reference to the accessibility, availability and affordability tests announced in September 1999. I have asked the Digital Television Consumer Expert Group announced on 17 June to help the Government with this.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether recent changes to the concessionary TV licence fee regulations will require people who are over 65, who previously had concessionary TV licences and who work part-time, to pay full rates; and if she will make a statement. [119381]

  Estelle Morris
  The recent changes to the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary television licence scheme, to introduce preserved rights to the concession for existing beneficiaries, have not altered the categories of resident eligible for the concession. These are disabled persons, mentally disordered persons and retired persons aged 60 years or more. The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system, including responsibility for determining entitlement to the ARC concession in individual cases. However, I understand that residents aged 60 years or more who are either not in paid employment, are in paid employment but work no more than 15 hours per week,
  230W
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of(a) people and (b) households in the United Kingdom (i) receive and (ii) can receive digital television by (A) digital terrestrial, (B) digital satellite, (C) digital cable and (D) other means, broken down by region. [119649]

  Estelle Morris
  The information is not available in the form requested. The coverage information available from the Independent Television Commission is calculated using the 24 million UK households.

  For the first quarter of 2003 the estimated UK figures are:

  or are in paid employment but do not work in their lifetime career, are considered to fall within the category of retired persons aged 60 years or more.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether sheltered housing schemes which bought TV licences at full cost before 1 April will have the fees reimbursed to take account of recent changes in regulations; and if she will make a statement. [119382]

  Estelle Morris
  The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system. This includes responsibility for determining refund policy. However, I understand that, in cases where residents in sheltered housing have obtained full fee licences but have since become entitled to preserved rights to the Accommodation for Residential Care concession, the BBC's policy is to offer refunds for full, unexpired calendar months from 1 April this year, when the amending regulations came into effect.

TREASURY

  Access for Disabled People
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what actions he has taken or is taking to ensure that the websites of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are accessible to partially sighted and blind people; and if he will make a statement. [117357]

  John Healey
  The Chancellor's departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies are working together to ensure that both their current and future websites are accessible to the blind and partially sighted.

  The Inland Revenue's site has been won the RNIB's accessible website award, HM Customs and Excise are current redesigning their site to conform with the RNIB's `See it Right' standard and HM Treasury's site has been designed to meet the world wide web

  231W
  consortium's web accessibility (W3C WAI) guidelines and was recently recognised by a National Audit Office report as one of the most accessible in government.

  The National Savings and Investment website has been built to meet the W3C WAI guidelines and the Valuation Office (VOA) is working to be fully compliant with the Office of the E-envoy guidelines.

  The Debt Management Office's website is currently being re-designed. Accessibility to the website is a priority and the DMO will be following the RNIB Accessibility Best Practice guidelines in taking forward this work. National Statistics currently meets all but one of the priority W3C WAI objectives and will be seeking to address areas of non-compliance when it redevelops its website, subject to specific data visualisation and presentation issues. The Royal Mint's current site is programmed to meet W3C WAI objectives and accessibility will be central to the forthcoming redevelopment of the site. The main websites of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and OGC

  £

  Department

  (i) 2003–04

  (ii) 2004–05

  HM Treasury

  0

  0

  Inland Revenue

  Not yet available

  Not yet available

  HM Customs and Excise

  2,570,000

  4,300,000

  Office of National Statistics

  0

  0

  Debt Management Office

  529,000

  This information cannot be disclosed. Exemption 6 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies

  Government Actuary's Department

  59,000

  62,000

  Valuation Office Agency

  270,000

  Not yet available

  Royal Mint

  This information cannot be disclosed. Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies

  See column (i). Exemption 7 applies

  Office of Government Commerce

  0

  0

  OGC Buying Solutions

  40,000

  0

  National Savings and Investments (NSI)

  2,000,000

  3,000,000

  BAE Systems
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his assessment of the proposals submitted by BAE Systems for the provision of Hawk training aircraft to the Royal Air Force; what matters he raised in representations to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the BAE Systems proposals; and if he will make a statement. [119853]

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what instructions he has issued to the Ministry of Defence relating to the purchasing of the BAE Advanced Jet Trainer; [119726]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the factors that will determine Treasury approval for the Ministry of Defence to purchase a new Advanced Jet Trainer for the RAF. [119727]

  John Healey
  The Ministry of Defence is carefully evaluating the proposals submitted by BAE Systems on the Advanced Jet Trainer. The Secretary of State for Defence will consult Treasury Ministers and other colleagues when this evaluation is complete.232W
  buying solutions have been built in line with the Office of E-envoy guidance and while some older sites are not yet fully compliant, a website accessibility champion at OGCbuying.solutions, and a team including an expert on the application of the relevant standards for web design at OGC, will be responsible for ensuring the accessibility of all sites to partially sited or blind people.

  Advertising
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [114426]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For(a), I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 19 June 2002, Official Report, columns 387–390W; and for (b), to the Financial Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 5 March 2003, Official Report, columns 1061–63W. The information relating (i) to 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05 is given in the table.

  HM Treasury will take all relevant factors into account when considering proposals to provide the armed forces with an Advanced Jet Trainer, including the impact that any decision might have on the economy of the UK. Our objectives on this are clear and are shared across Government. We are determined to ensure that the armed forces get the best possible equipment at the best possible value for money to the taxpayer. We are committed to the Defence Industrial Policy launched last year, and to a globally competitive aerospace industry.

  Birth Statistics
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children were born in 2002–03; and how many women had their first child in that year. [119919]

  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. Willetts, dated June 2003:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of children born in 2002–03, and how many women had their first child in that year.
  233W
  Births data for the first quarter of 2003 are not yet available. In the calendar year 2002 there were 596,122 live births in England and Wales. The latest year for which estimates are available that give whether a birth is a mother's first live birth or not is 2001. For that year it is estimated that 248,000 women had a first live birth in England and Wales. There were 594,634 live births in 2001.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total yield in a full year of imposing capital gains tax at present rates on the disposal by individuals of their only or main residences. [119369]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The latest estimated costs of exempting gains arising on disposal of a main or only residence were given in Chapter A of Budget 2003.These costs are not the same as the yield from abolition of the relief as consequential effects on the housing market would substantially reduce the yield. Reliable estimates of the yield from imposing capital gains tax at present rates on the disposal by individuals of their only or main residences are available only at disproportionate cost.

  Child Benefit
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provisions he plans to ensure that child benefit continues to be paid without interruption to the father of dependent children when his wife dies. [118984]

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

  The surviving partner should also claim child tax credit.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to allow those already in receipt of child benefit and who are eligible for child tax credit to receive the credit without resubmitting information provided for receipt of child benefit. [119522]

  Dawn Primarolo
  To claim child tax credit the claimant, or claimants, are asked to provide their details and those of the children they want to claim for. The child information required has been kept to a minimum. It includes information not relevant for child benefit purposes such as whether disability benefits are received for a child.

  Although, in most cases, the person entitled to child benefit for a child will be the same as the recipient of child tax credit for him or her, that is not always the case. So it is right that people should be asked to confirm the details of the children they are claiming for.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much arrears of national insurance contributions was reclaimed from employers in the construction industry in each year since 1999. [118829]
  234W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The Class 1 and Class 1 A national insurance contributions recovered from employers recorded as being within the construction industry are shown in the table. These figures represent national insurance contributions recovered by Employer Compliance officers and relate to a range of circumstances where employers failed to account properly for Class 1 and Class lA national insurance.

  £ million

  1999–2000

  12.3

  2000–01

  9.3

  2001–02

  9.2

  2002–03

  10.8

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 6 May 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Julie Walker; and if he will reprove the Tax Credit office for failing to fulfil its commitment to reply within 15 working days. [119859]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue replied to the right hon. Member on 13 June 2003 and very much regret having been unable to do so sooner. The Tax Credit office aims to reply to 80 per cent. of complaints within 15 working days and will measure their performance and report against that aim in due course.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 1 May 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Teresa Cole; and if he will reprove the Tax Credit office for failing to fulfil its commitment to reply within 15 working days. [119860]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue replied to the right hon. Member on 13 June 2003 and very much regret having been unable to do so sooner. The Tax Credit office aims to reply to 80 per cent. of complaints within 15 working days and will measure their performance and report against that aim in due course.

  Inheritance Tax
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the cost of professional advice in executing a will subject to inheritance tax is not allowable against the value of the estate. [119301]

  Dawn Primarolo
  IHT is charged on the value of the estate at death net of liabilities existing at that time. Expenses incurred after death do not affect the deceased person's net assets at death, and accordingly, have never been deductible, with the single exception of an allowance for reasonable funeral expenses.

  Inland Revenue (Business Support Teams)
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many small businesses have received assistance from the Inland Revenue's Business Support Teams in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [119447]
  235W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 June 2003]: The Inland Revenue set up its Business Support Teams in 1999 to provide help and support to businesses and employers, particularly new and small businesses, on dealing with income tax and national insurance contributions, and payroll matters.

  In 2000–01 they assisted:

  Number

  Employers with fewer than 10 employees

  37,565

  Employers with 10 or more employees

  25,131

  Businesses

  7,539

  Prospective businesses

  1,815

  In addition, 37,547 individuals representing both employers and businesses attended technical presentations given by Business Support Teams.

  In 2001–02 they assisted:

  Number

  Employers with fewer than 10 employees

  41,652

  Employers with 10 or more employees

  20,280

  Businesses

  20,891

  Prospective businesses

  3,568

  In addition, 45,767 individuals representing both employers and businesses attended technical presentations given by Business Support Teams.

  In 2002–03 they assisted:

  Number

  Employers with fewer than 10 employees

  40,839

  Employers with 10 or more employees

  18,135

  Businesses

  36,074

  Prospective businesses

  5,318

  In addition, 64,418 individuals representing both employers and businesses attended technical presentations given by Business Support Teams.

  Iraq
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there are restrictions on imports and exports to Iraq, save those set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483. [117030]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I have been asked to reply.

  On 22 May 2003 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1483 (2003). Among other things this Resolution lifted all trade and financial restrictions on Iraq, but retains the arms embargo. The terms of UNSCR 1483 will be implemented by the issue of a revocation Order under 1939 Act and following Privy Council approval, of the Orders made in Council under the UN Act 1946 all of which will come into force on 14 June 2003.

  Import and export restrictions will continue to apply in respect of goods subject to control as detailed in Orders made under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (defence) Act 1939.
  236W

  Millennium Development Targets
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has held with other Governments on financing the Millennium Development targets. [117970]

  John Healey
  The UK Government continues to press the urgent case for an International Finance Facility to raise the additional finance needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 in all relevant national and international fora and with both developed and developing country governments.

  Support has been achieved through events such as the Chief Secretary's visit to Ethiopia, Ghana and South Africa earlier this month; an official level visit to Rwanda to address the eighth meeting of the HIPC Finance Ministers on the IFF; and a Treasury representation at the Annual Economic Commission for African Finance Ministers in Addis Ababa. At this meeting Ministers issued a Communique stating "we strongly welcome the proposed International Finance Facility as the first of its kind designed to mobilise additional resources for the poorest countries to meet the MDGs."

  The Development Committee and the IMFC discussed the IFF at the Spring Meetings in April and the Development Committee will raise it again at the Annual Meetings. Agreement was made in the Communique of the last G7 Finance Ministerial meeting to continue to focus on the Millennium Development Goals, and their financing, including facilities. At the G8 Summit in Evian, Heads of State requested that Finance Ministers report back on the IFF in advance of the Annual Meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in September 2003. The Treasury also continues to discuss the IFF in European meetings, including ECOFIN, at both Ministerial and official level.

  Motorcycle Equipment (VAT)
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce the rate of VAT levied on motorcycle(a) protective clothing, (b) replacement helmet visors, (c) safety equipment and (d) security equipment; and if he will make a statement. [119717]

  John Healey
  Under our long-standing formal agreements with our European partners, we are permitted to keep our existing zero rates but may not extend them or introduce new ones. As such, it is not possible to remove VAT from the items mentioned. Member states are permitted to introduce reduced rates of VAT on a prescribed list of goods and services set out in Annex H of the EC Sixth VAT Directive. However, none of the items mentioned currently feature on this list, and we cannot therefore apply a reduced rate to them at this time. The Annex H list is due to be reviewed by the European Commission later this year, and we will consider any representations for new reduced rates in the context of this review.

  Mutuality Principles
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential of the principles of mutuality in the delivery of local government services. [119749]
  237W
  John Healey
  In order to improve service delivery at local and community level, the Government have looked at new structures for collaboration between local authorities and other organisations, including mutual organisations. We are aware of the potential of the mutual sector to complement local authority services in areas such as child care provision, social housing, leisure and community transport. We encourage local authorities to explore such options and opportunities in order to bring improvements in the delivery of local government services.

  National Insurance (Top-up Payments)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value is in(a) real terms and (b) cash terms of the total amount paid in national insurance top-up payments in each year since 1992–93. [119915]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information is given in the table.

  £million

  National insurance class 3 contributions receipts, UK

  Financial year

  (a) Real terms (2001–02 prices)

  (b) Cash terms

  1992–93

  68

  54

  1993–94

  50

  41

  1994–95

  70

  58

  1995–96

  63

  54

  1996–97

  74

  65

  1997–98

  77

  70

  1998–99

  59

  55

  1999–2000

  62

  59

  2000–01

  60

  58

  2001–02

  75

  75

  Note:

  Real term prices calculated using the HMT GDP deflator series.

  Source:

  The Government Actuary's Department has provided these estimates.

  Tax Credits
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for reducing delays for people applying for tax credits. [119514]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 12 June 2003,Official Report, column 823, to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk), and the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous), on 12 June 2003, Official Report, column 828.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what target he has for the time taken to process claims for tax credits. [119521]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I would refer the hon. Member to the Inland Revenue Departmental Report 2003 (Cm 5925) and to the Inland Revenue Service Delivery Agreement 2003–06 (updated May 2003). Both are available on the Inland Revenue website at: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
  238W

WALES

  Agency Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many agency workers have been employed by the Department in each of the last two years; and at what cost to public funds. [115204]

  Peter Hain
  During the last two financial years five posts in my Department have had to be covered by agency workers at some stage or other. The number of individual agency workers who were employed in each year, and their cost, was:

  Agency workers employed

  Financial year

  Number

  Cost £

  2001–02

  11

  35,000

  2002–03

  10

  56,600

  Employment
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what projects are being put in place in Wales to increase employment opportunities for people over 55. [118050]

  Peter Hain
  New Deal 50 plus is the programme that helps increase the employability of unemployed people aged 50 and over including the over 55s. Five thousand people in Wales have found employment under New Deal 50 plus since the programme was set up in 2000.

  Unemployed people in Wales aged 50 and over also have immediate access to the work-based training grants (WBLA). Such access is not available in England or Scotland.

  The Age Positive team, which is part of the Department for Work and Pensions, promotes age diversity in employment. The team aims to increase the number of people aged 50 and over who are in employment, encourages employers to use age-diverse practices, analyses the position of older workers in the employment market and shares good practice internationally. An Age Positive campaign was launched in Cardiff on 9 June 2003.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (1)(a) the location, (b) the purpose and (c) the cost of each overseas visit made by members of his Department since 1999; [115144]

  (2) how much his Department has spent on overseas visits in each year since 1999. [115146]

  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office on 22 January 2003,Official Report, column 334W. The Wales Office is committed to ensuring that staff use the most efficient and economic means when accompanying Ministers on overseas visits. 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.
  239W

  Rural Economy
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with(a) First Minister of the National Assembly, (b) the National Farmers Union of Wales, (c) the Farmers Union of Wales and (d) the Country Land and Business Association on the impact on the Welsh rural economy of the decreasing number of agricultural holdings in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [119336]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 16 June 2003]: I have regular meetings with the First Secretary to discuss a variety of issues in relation to agriculture. I have not yet met with any of the farming unions or the Country Land and Business Association.

  As with most rural issues, agriculture is fully devolved to the Assembly and it would therefore be for the Welsh Assembly Government to handle these issues. However, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales has regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside to discuss a variety of issues. My ministerial colleague and I would be happy to meet with representatives from the Farming Unions and the Country Land and Business Association.

  Rural Proofing
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. [115575]

  Peter Hain
  I have not met with the chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. The Countryside Agency is an English body, which is responsible for countryside issues in England only. The Welsh equivalent is the Countryside Council for Wales, which is the Government's statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters.

  As with most rural issues, the matter is fully devolved to the Assembly and it would therefore be for the Welsh Assembly Government to handle these issues. However, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales has regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside to discuss a variety of issues. My ministerial colleague and I would be happy to meet with representatives from the Countryside Council for Wales.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [119553]

  Hilary Benn
  A DFID humanitarian adviser has recently returned from an assessment mission in Ituri. The first humanitarian priority for people in Ituri is basic security. The fighting in the area frequently targets civilians. Casualties and victims among civilians are far more numerous than those among fighters. After 240W
  security, medical services, clean water, sanitation. Distribution of relief items and shelter are priorities. People displaced by fighting are in the most urgent need. As a result of the assessment mission, we have allocated up to £5 million to finance proposals we expect to receive shortly from UNICEF, Save the Children and other agencies working in the area. We have already agreed a grant of £450,000 to Merlin for emergency health care in Ituri. In addition, DFID recently provided £1 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) for its Emergency Humanitarian Initiative in Ituri and other emergency situations in the DRC.

  The UK is working at different levels to try to address these needs. We are supporting the wider peace process in the DRC and are contributors to the UN Mission in Congo (MON UC) and the Interim Emergency Multinational Force (IEMF) to try to bring about an improvement in security.

  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of(a) the availability of clean water and (b) the availability and distribution of other essential provisions for displaced persons in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo. [119554]

  Hilary Benn
  Following on from the report of DFID's humanitarian adviser who visited north Kivu and Ituri during the week of 2 June 2003, we have assessed that clean water and relief items, including food, are a priority. Following this assessment mission, we have allocated up to £5 million to finance proposals from international NGOs and UN agencies to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Ituri.

  We have also provided £1 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) for Emergency Humanitarian Interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and have agreed with the UN that Ituri will be a priority for these funds.

  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what support his Department is giving to displaced persons in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo. [119555]

  Hilary Benn
  A DFID humanitarian adviser visited Ituri in early June 2003 to have detailed discussions with humanitarian agencies about their support needs. As a result, we have allocated up to £5 million to finance proposals we expect to receive shortly from UNICEF, Save the Children and other agencies working in the area. We have already agreed a grant of £450,000 to Merlin for emergency health care in Ituri. In addition, DFID recently provided £1 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) for its Emergency Humanitarian Initiative in Ituri and other emergency situations in the DRC.

  The UK is also contributing to the Interim Emergency Multinational Force for the stabilisation of Bunia, and is committed to helping the parties to the wider conflict in DRC to reach a lasting and peaceful solution through the early establishment of the

  241W
  proposed Transitional National Government. Only by achieving this can displaced people return home confident of their security and prospects for the future.

  Export Control Act
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions the Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on the secondary orders for the Export Control Act 2002; and whether the Department proposed under changes to the draft orders before they were published. [119325]

  Hilary Benn
  Strategic export control policy is agreed by the four Departments involved in export licensing and policy—DFID, DTI, FCO and MOD. DFID was fully consulted prior to the publication of the January 2003 consultation document on secondary legislation.

  Food Aid
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that food aid from UK charities and non-governmental organisations is reaching people in the affected areas of Zimbabwe. [119544]

  Hilary Benn
  It is a fundamental principle of the international humanitarian system that food aid be distributed to all those in most need of assistance—regardless of political affiliation. Food aid provided by the UN, bilateral donors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is distributed in accordance with clear criteria of vulnerability. The selection of beneficiaries is developed and checked through registration exercises within the community, and food is distributed by NGOs outside of government systems.

  Both the UN and DFID have detailed monitoring mechanisms in place to check that food is being distributed according to the agreed humanitarian principles and selection criteria, and that problems are investigated as they arise and adjustments made on an on-going basis. The UN and NGOs are committed to investigating all complaints and problems that arise and to resolve these wherever possible.

  UK NGOs and charities are playing a vital role in responding to the crisis in Zimbabwe, and DFID's country team supports and assists those present in Zimbabwe. DFID would be grateful for details of any specific concerns or complaints so that these may be investigated.

  Iraq
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what sources of expertise the Department has used for measures to restore water services in Iraq. [118940]

  Hilary Benn
  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UN agencies, and the Coalition Provisional Authority have made available information on water services in Iraq.

  DFID's support for the water and sanitation sector in Iraq is channelled through the ICRC, UN agencies and NGOs, which have their own sources of technical
  242W
  expertise working in collaboration with Iraqi water managers on the ground. A DFID adviser, working with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, specialises in infrastructure issues, including water supply.

  Liberia
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether his Department has suspended humanitarian aid to Liberia due to the recent escalation of fighting in Liberia. [119359]

  Hilary Benn
  We have increased our support to UN and other humanitarian aid agencies by £1.5 million in response to the displacement by fighting of up to 200,000 people into and around Monrovia. The first two grants we have made from this sum are to ICRC and Merlin. This is additional to the £1 million we provided for International Committee of the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières in Liberia earlier this year.

  This year we have also given a total of £3 million to humanitarian agencies in Guinea and Sierra Leone for programmes directed at or including Liberian refugees.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what support the Department is providing to refugees who have fled recent fighting in Liberia. [119360]

  Hilary Benn
  We have provided a total of £3 million this year to UN and other agencies for programmes in Sierra Leone and Guinea providing services either wholly or partly for Liberian refugees.

  We have also provided £1 million for International Committee of the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières in Liberia. In response to the recent advances by opposition forces, we have allocated an additional £1.5 million, focusing on assistance to internally displaced people in and around Monrovia, whose situation is causing greatest concern.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Department supports projects working with the Government of Liberia to reduce poverty in Liberia. [119363]

  Hilary Benn
  We have no projects directly with the Government of Liberia. The nature of the present Government and the absence of security prevents the establishment of projects to promote development and poverty reduction.

  Our activity in Liberia is confined to support for international agencies providing humanitarian relief. We have provided a total of £2.5 million this year for this purpose, including £1.5 million in response to the recent displacement of people into and around Monrovia.

  The UK strongly supports the efforts of ECOWAS to negotiate a ceasefire. This the necessary first step towards peace and security, which are the conditions needed for development and poverty reduction programmes to be put in place.
  243W
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the impact of recent fighting in Liberia on the Department's work in(a) Liberia and (b) Sierra Leone. [119358]

  Hilary Benn
  There has been no direct impact on our work in Sierra Leone. We have, this year, contributed £1.4 million to UNICEF, ICRC and UNHCR in Sierra Leone. The grant to UNHCR is specifically for care of Liberian refugees. Those to ICRC and UNICEF are for services that include refugees. The instability in Liberia underlines the importance of the strengthening of the security sector in Sierra Leone, which is a key part of our programme.

  We have no bilateral programme in Liberia. We support humanitarian programmes managed by UN and other agencies. Earlier this year, we provided £1 million to ICRC and Medecins Sans Fronti"res. In response to the recent worsening of the situation, we have agreed an additional £1.5 million for humanitarian activity. The first two grants from this sum have been to ICRC and Merlin.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  British Sign Language
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 7 April 2003,Official Report, column 85W, on British sign language, what action is being taken to ensure that (a) rural areas and (b) Cornwall are represented on the consultation regarding the additional funding for raising awareness of British sign language; and if he will list those being consulted on how the additional funding should be allocated. [118479]

  Maria Eagle
  We are in the process of establishing a BSL working group comprising organisations of and for deaf people and Government Departments to facilitate the process of consultation. The organisations represented on the working group are the British Deaf Association, the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People, the Federation of Deaf People, the National Deaf Children's Society, The Royal National Institute for Deaf People and the UK Council on Deafness. The working group will be coming forward with proposals for our approval.

  Carers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his policy on the eligibility of carers of people who are affected by asbestosis for carers benefit. [117109]

  Maria Eagle
  People aged 16 or over who care for a person with asbestosis are entitled to carer's allowance if they meet the usual qualifying conditions for the benefit. The person they care for must also receive either attendance allowance, the middle or highest rate care component of disability living allowance or the equivalent rate of constant attendance allowance paid under the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit scheme or the War Disablement Pensions scheme.

  Crisis Loans
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria the Department has for awarding crisis loans. [119123]

  Maria Eagle
  Crisis loans can be paid to anyone in an emergency or as a result of a disaster, when they have no other means of preventing serious damage or risk to their, or a member of their family's, health or safety. The applicant does not have to be in receipt of any benefit or pension, but any income or capital which they have will usually be taken into account by the decision maker.

  Part 3 of the Discretionary Social Fund Guide (para 4700 et seq.), a copy of which is in the Library provides examples of the circumstances in which a crisis loan can be awarded.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimates he has made of the rate of(a) cash and (b) case compliance under the new Child Support Scheme. [112336]

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

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb, dated 23 May 2003:

  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

  You asked what estimates have been made of the rate of (a) cash and (b) case compliance under the new Child Support Scheme.

  I will be providing the Secretary of State with a full set of information after the first quarter of the Agency's business year. The Secretary of State intends to report this information to the House.

DEFENCE

  Armed Services Accommodation
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on renting private accommodation for armed services personnel(a) in the last financial year and (b) this financial year to date. [119394]

  Mr. Caplin
  The following figures show expenditure on substitute Service accommodation in Great Britain rented by the Ministry of Defence from the private sector when accommodation according to entitlement, within daily travelling distance from the work place, could not otherwise be provided for Service personnel and their families.

  £million

  Financial year 2002–03

  33.8

  1 April to 31 May 2003

  5.7

  Roughly one third of the figures quoted is for family accommodation.
  245W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much(a) single living accommodation and (b) service family accommodation was empty in each month since July 2002; and if he will make a statement. [119395]

  Mr. Caplin
  The figures for empty single living accommodation are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The approximate figures for vacant Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in mainland United Kingdom at the end of each month from July 2002 to May 2003 are as follows:

  Number

  July 2002

  9,000

  August 2002

  9,100

  September 2002

  9,100

  October 2002

  9,200

  November 2002

  9,300

  December 2002

  9,300

  January 2003

  9,100

  February 2003

  9,200

  March 2003

  8,200

  April 2003

  8,200

  May 2003

  8,300

  Since January 2000, some 12,000 surplus SFA have been released for disposal. The disposal programme will continue, but the numbers released are constrained by Service deployment uncertainties.

  BSkyB
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects of the recent decision by BSkyB to turn off BBC TV and radio on the provision of a TV and radio service for the British forces living and working in Italy. [119724]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Ministry of Defence is aware of changes introduced recently by various broadcasters, including the BBC, to restrict reception within Europe in compliance with international rights and licence agreements. It is with these agreements in mind that the Ministry of Defence provides bespoke radio and television services overseas to British service personnel and their families (the "entitled audience") under the banner of the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) through a contract with the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC) which is an independent limited company and registered charity. The availability of BFBS services to any specific location is, however, subject to practicality and affordability. The MOD is, in conjunction with SSVC and British command staffs based in Naples, currently reviewing the means by which it may be possible to extend the BFBS television service to entitled personnel in the Naples area and other locations in Italy. The deliberations are being undertaken independently of, and without reference to, any changes introduced by other broadcasters.

  Colchester Garrison
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has made for security and management matters at the Colchester Garrison 246W
  resulting from the disposal for civilian occupation of dwellings previously occupied by Service families; and if he will make a statement. [119771]

  Mr. Caplin
  There are regular routine patrols by Military and Ministry of Defence police. However, the properties in Colchester that are included in the disposals programme are not 'on camp' but are a mile or so from the unit and near a main road and there have never been any access restrictions. Vigilance is maintained, where properties are unoccupied, in order to discourage vandalism, and no serious problems have been reported.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 649W, on Colchester Garrison, (1) how many of the four-bedroomed services family houses are to be disposed of; how many other dwellings are to be disposed of; when this will occur; and what the arrangements are for the disposal; [119902]

  (2) if he will offer the empty service family houses at Colchester Garrison to Colchester borough council. [119901]

  Mr. Ingram
  40 Service family houses in Colchester are being disposed of in March 2004, of which 24 are four-bedroomed and 16 three-bedroomed. These properties have been selected for disposal because they are of lesser quality than other properties in the area and are in an estate which is not popular with Service families.

  The Ministry of Defence will hand the surplus properties back to their owner, Annington Homes Limited (AHL) in accordance with the sales agreement of November 1996, when AHL purchased most of the Service family housing in England and Wales. AHL will decide whether to retain or sell them, and the MOD has no influence over this decision. The local authority may wish to negotiate with AHL over the lease or purchase of the properties.

  Congo
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops will be deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force. [116959]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 June 2003]: The United Kingdom currently contributes six UK military personnel to the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC) that has been operating in the DRC since 13 November 1999.

  In addition, as I announced in the House on 12 June 2003, Official Report, column 849), the UK has offered a small contribution to the EU-led multinational force being deployed to Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We have offered five staff officers for the Force Headquarters in theatre, a liaison officer to work with the UN, some Hercules transport aircraft to help deploy the force and a small detachment of engineers. The precise number of personnel will not be known until we have completed a detailed analysis of the engineer tasks to be undertaken in Bunia. This is not a UN force but is EU-led as a European Security and Defence Policy operation.

  Defence Estate (West Sussex)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the extent is of the defence estate in West Sussex. [119660]

  Mr. Caplin
  The extent of the defence estate in West Sussex is currently 678.5 hectares. This can be broken down as follows:

  Occupied by

  Site

  Hectares

  Army

  Roussillion barracks, Chichester

  11

  Army

  Baker barracks, Thorney Island

  667

  Meteorological office

  Pease Pottage, near Crawley

  0.03

  Meteorological office

  Birchfield house, 'field road, Charlwood

  0.02

  Reserve Forces

  Little High street, Worthing

  0.06

  Reserve Forces

  Kilnmead, Crawley

  0.37

  Properties occupied by the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps have not been included.

  Environmental Monitoring (Dundrennan)
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent environmental monitoring results at Dundrennan. [119342]

  Mr. Caplin
  On 24 February 2003, we published our report on the use of new and more sensitive monitoring equipment to search for any previously undetected depleted uranium fragments around the gun positions and along the firing lines. The results of this survey confirm the findings of the routine environmental monitoring programme and the adequacy of the existing safety precautions. A copy of this report has been sent to the local council.

  Executive Agencies
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Defence Export Services Organisation; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119276]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) employed 615 service and civilian personnel at the end of April 2003, compared with 595 a year previously. Three DESO personnel, employed through the Disposal Services Agency, were employed in Scotland at each of these points.

  The personnel costs of the organisation for the relevant years, part of which are met from receipts, are as follows:

  Personnel cost

  Financial year

  £million

  2001–02

  26.8

  2002–03

  28.8

  Note:

  Figures for numbers employed are full-time equivalents. Personnel numbers and costs include Disposal Services Agency staff.
  248W
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Ministry of Defence police; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119277]

  Mr. Caplin
  As at 1 June 2003, 3,267 police officers and 320 civilian staff were employed by the Ministry of Defence Police Agency, as compared to 3,322 police officers and 278 civilian staff on 1 June 2002. As at 1 June 2003, 776 police officers and 38 civilian staff were employed in Scotland, as compared to 801 police officers and 38 civilian staff on 1 June 2002. The personnel costs of the MDP agency for financial year 2001–02 were £153 million. The chief constable's accounts for financial year 2002–03 are currently being audited by the National Audit Office.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119278]

  Mr. Caplin
  As at 1 April 2003 there were 4,060 people working for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) of which 306 employees were employed in Scotland. The annual personnel costs of the agency as at 1 January 2003 were £110 million. For the comparable 12 month period as at 1 April 2002 there were 4,343 DARA employees of which 317 were employed in Scotland. The comparable annual personnel costs of the agency as at 1 January 2002 were £120 million.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the British Forces Post Office; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119279]

  Mr. Caplin
  The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) agency employed a total of 554 (557 in the previous year) staff (full-time equivalent) as at 31 March 2003.

  In Scotland the BFPO agency currently employs nine full-time staff (this figure is unchanged from 2002). Eight staff are employed at its Defence Mail Centre in Glasgow, plus one driver who works for our Defence Courier Service.

  The personnel costs for BFPO for the respective reporting years ended 31 March were:

  £million

  2001–02

  12.009

  2002–03

  13.461

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119280]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency was disestablished in October 2000. Part of the organisation was restructured and became the Defence Clothing Integrated Project Team (IPT) in April 2001.
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  As at April 2003 there were 233 people working for the IPT. There are no staff employed in Scotland. The annual personnel costs of the IPT for financial year 2003–04 are estimated to be approximately £6.3 million. For the comparable 12-month period as at April 2002 there were 268 IPT employees, again with no employees in Scotland. The comparable annual personnel costs of the IPT for financial year 2002–03 were approximately £5.9 million.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Defence Engineering and Science Group; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119282]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Defence Engineering and Science Group is not an agency. It is a classification for a group of professional civil servants employed across a wide range of agencies and organisations in the Ministry of Defence.

  Since last year we have changed the method of recording information on our civilian employees and the figures also now exclude Trading Fund Agencies. The baseline figures for 2002 therefore now comprise 8,585 engineers and scientists, of whom 899 were employed in Scotland. The figures for 2003 are 8,314 and 677 respectively.

  The personnel costs for these engineers and scientists cannot be uniquely or separately identified and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Army Base Repair Organisation; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119283]

  Mr. Caplin
  ABRO (formerly known as the Army Base Repair Organisation), employed 2,600 staff, as at 1 June 2003. Of the total ABRO staff, 147 individuals are employed at Stirling, ABRO's sole workshop facility in Scotland.

  The forecast pay cost of ABRO staff for the current financial year of 2003–04 is £63.8 million. This figure includes £3 million for Stirling.

  In the financial year 2002–03 ABRO employed an average of 2,545 staff, of whom 145 worked in Stirling. The total pay cost for ABRO in 2002–03 was £63.9 million, which included £2.99 million spent by Stirling.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many people work for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002; [119290]

  (2) how many people work for the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119281]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was disestablished on 1 July 2001, when two new organisations, QinetiQ and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), were created.250W
  QinetiQ is a plc, and all operational inquiries should be addressed to the Chief Executive. Dstl remains a part of the Ministry of Defence.

  On 1 June 2003, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) employed 3,145 staff (compared to 3,037 in January 2002). Of these, 46 (compared with 54 in January 2002) were employed in Scotland. Dstl's paybill (which includes total pay, casual allowances, ERNIC and pension costs) averaged £9.03 million per month (compared with £8.56 million in January 2002) over the year to 31 March 2003.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place copies of the Naval Manning Agency's annual reports for 2000–01 and 2001–02 in the Library. [119627]

  Mr. Caplin
  Copies of the Naval Manning Agency's annual reports are routinely placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The 2001–02 report was available in the Library of the House on 10 October 2002.

  Gulf Deployment
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) plans and (b) provision his Department has made for transporting troops no longer involved in active operational duties in the Gulf back to the UK; what the timetable is for returning troops home; and if he will make a statement. [110542]

  Mr. Ingram
  United Kingdom Military Campaign Objectives contain a commitment to withdraw British Military Forces from Iraq as soon as practicable. Regular announcements on 11 April 2003,Official Report, columns 38–39WS, 30 Apri12003, Official Report, columns 15–16WS and 11 June 2003, Official Report, columns 52–53WS, have been made outlining in some detail the plans and arrangements for moving UK forces to and from the Middle East, and these will continue.

  The planning process is dynamic and we will continue to review our force levels to ensure that we maintain an appropriate military presence for as long as is necessary.

  Infantry Regiments
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the number of infantry regiments. [119619]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no plans to reduce the number of infantry regiments.

  Iraq Survey Group
  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the costs of the Iraqi survey group will be met by(a) coalition forces and (b) the proposed Iraqi assistance fund. [114561]

  Mr. Hoon
  On current plans, costs in respect of units and personnel contributed to the Iraq Survey Group will be met by the contributing nations. Costs in respect of the continued disarmament of Iraq, for example decontamination of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) sites or long-term storage of WMD materials, may be met from the Development Fund for Iraq,
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  consistent with the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people and as set out; in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 (2003).

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government will take to verify the origin of material linked to weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq. [111113]

  Mr. Hoon
  Coalition forces in Iraq have dedicated resources to conducting investigations into sites, personnel, documentation and other forms of evidence that may be connected to programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The objective of these investigations will be to account for Iraqi WMD and related facilities and ensure that these are no longer a threat. Where possible and practicable, we will also aim to identify the origin of any materials linked to Iraqi WMD programmes where these materials may have been supplied in breach of sanctions imposed by the United Nations or other international agreements.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many alleged sites of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq identified by the Government are fully secured by coalition forces; and how many have yet to be(a) secured and (b) inspected. [113011]

  Mr. Hoon
  As at 7 June 2003, Coalition forces had initiated investigations into 140 sites within Iraq, from a list of over 500, which may be connected to programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, investigations had been initiated into a further 74 sites identified since the conflict began. We anticipate that further sites will be identified as investigations progress. Where these sites are thought to contain materials which may relate to weapons of mass destruction programmes, or otherwise contain hazardous substances, Coalition forces are taking action to secure them.

  Unexploded Ordnance
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department is working with NGOs in Iraq to educate the public about the dangers of unexploded ordnance. [117037]

  Mr. Ingram
  Providing a safe, secure and risk free environment for the Iraqi people is a key aspect of restoration activity for the Coalition. The United Kingdom itself has made a significant effort to educate the local population in its area of operations about the dangers of mines and unexploded ordnance. A Theatre Mine Risk Education Programme has been developed with the support of UNICEF and the ICRC. A poster and leaflet campaign has been carried out, head teachers in Basrah have been briefed and military teams are delivering mine and unexploded ordnance awareness training to Primary and Secondary schools on a daily basis using material approved by the ICRC. In addition to this local radio stations are informing the local population about unexploded ordnance and encouraging them not to tamper with anything that has either been marked as or may look like unexploded ordnance.
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  Medical Distribution Network
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the British army is doing to restore the medical distribution network in Iraq. [117057]

  Mr. Caplin
  United Kingdom forces are working with the local health authority and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to re-stock the central Basrah warehouse, from which drugs and pharmaceuticals were supplied before the war. They have also provided security for the warehouse and for deliveries to local medical facilities. These medical facilities have been visited on a regular basis. UK forces are also working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and NGOs to correct any deficiencies there might be in drugs for chronic illnesses. Along with the WHO, we are monitoring humanitarian donations ensuring that they are appropriate and properly used. The Office of the Provisional Coalition Authority in Baghdad intends to reintroduce routine re-supply in the near future.

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the bunker-buster missiles used in Iraq were tipped with depleted uranium. [118323]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no air-launched ordnance containing depleted uranium in United Kingdom service.

  Operation TELIC
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) reservists and (b) regulars on Operation TELIC have been medically downgraded, broken down by service; what percentage of the force deployed by each service these figures represent; and if he will make a statement. [119010]

  Mr. Caplin
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in response to how many parliamentary written questions during the 2002–03 session he has decided to withhold information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and what percentage of written questions asked this constitutes. [119104]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 13 June 2003]: During the current session 3,160 parliamentary written questions have been tabled to the Ministry of Defence. From the information available on our database, information was withheld in 142 questions under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. This is equivalent to 4 per cent. In some instances a Code exemption will have been cited to withhold only part of the information requested.

  The hon. Member will be aware that the Select Committee on Public Administration publish this information in their report 'Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions'. Their last report was published on 13 December 2000 for Session 2000–01.
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH

  Liberia
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action he has taken to support the extradition of President Taylor of Liberia; [119365]

  (2) what steps the Department is taking to help bring peace to Liberia; [119361]

  (3) if he will make a statement on (a) the UN indictment of Charles Taylor for war crimes and (b) his Department's work to reduce conflict in Liberia; [119362]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the impact of UN sanctions against Liberia. [119364]

  Mr. Mullin
  On 4 June 2003 the Special Court for Sierra Leone unsealed an indictment for President Charles Taylor of Liberia for bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sierra Leone since 1996. The UK has called on President Taylor to hand himself over to the Special Court. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1470 calls on all countries to cooperate with the Special Court.

  The UK has been instrumental in containing Taylor's Liberia through UN sanctions aimed at stopping the funding of arms purchases, a travel ban on those who breach the arms embargo and a ban on timber exports which takes effect on 7 July. We are working through the International Contact Group on Liberia, the UN and the EU to encourage all sides to participate actively in peace negotiations taking place in Akasombo, Ghana. Our aim is an immediate cease-fire and a comprehensive negotiated political settlement.

  Sierra Leone
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the lifting of sanctions on conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. [119367]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement that I made today.

  Burma
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Burmese Government on their recent arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. [119262]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK has made numerous representations to the Burmese Authorities. The British Embassy in Rangoon has repeatedly sought access to National League for Democracy (NLD) leaders Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo. On 2 June we called in the Burmese Ambassador to the UK to express the British Government's deep concern over recent events in Burma and again spoke to him on 3 June. On 6 June I spoke to the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister to reiterate our concern and to call for substantive and meaningful dialogue with the democratic movement. On 9 June the EU d"marched the Burmese Government 254W
  calling for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party officials and for the reopening of universities and NLD offices. With our EU partners we are considering what further steps we will take if the regime does not provide immediate satisfactory responses.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese authorities about the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi; and if he will make a statement. [119477]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Tamworth (Brian Jenkins) today (UIN 119262).

  Congo
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with particular reference to Ituri province. [119059]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer the hon. Member to the Statement given to the House on 12 June 2003,Official Report, column 849, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence (Mr. Ingram).

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government has had with the(a) Rwandan and (b) Ugandan Governments regarding the supply of arms to the Lendu and Hema tribes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [119060]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are in regular contact with the Governments of Rwanda and Uganda and continue to call on them, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to stop all support to armed groups in Ituri. UNSCR 1484 of 30 May demanded "the cessation of all support, in particular weapons and any other military materiel, to the armed groups and militias" and that "all Congolese parties and all states in the region actively prevent the supply of such support".

  The UK continues to uphold the EU arms embargo (imposed 7 April 1993), which bans the export of military equipment from the EU to the DRC, and to examine all export licence applications against our national criteria and the EU Code of Conduct.

  Aid to Women
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 May 2003,Official Report, column 567W, on democratisation, what proportion of the (a) Global Conflict Prevention Pool, (b) Human Rights Project Fund, (c) the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, (d) British Council, (e) Africa Conflict Prevention Pool and (f) Global Opportunities Fund monies provide assistance directly to women. [118056]

  Mr. Rammell
  [holding answer 10 June 2003]: Assistance to women is not accounted for as a distinct FCO budget line. Separately identifying all the activities within these programmes that directly provide assistance to women could be undertaken only at

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  disproportionate cost. However, we can identify activities which by their nature are likely to provide some assistance to women:

  (a) The Global Conflict Prevention Pool supports a number of initiatives that bring a gender perspective into its conflict prevention activities. For instance, under the Indonesia/East Timor Strategy, the Global Pool is helping UNIFEM's Women, Peace and Security Programme gather information on women's peacebuilding and gender justice initiatives, and is helping the Department for Peacekeeping Operations implement its new guidelines on mainstreaming gender in peace operations. Given that 90 per cent. of those killed, wounded, abused or displaced in conflict are women or children, focusing people's attention on women in conflict is a natural corollary of Conflict Prevention Pool activity;

  (b) The Human Rights Project Fund has allocated £624,050 (9 per cent.) of this year's £7.1 million budget to womens' rights projects;

  (c) The Westminster Foundation for Democracy has committed £440,000 (19 per cent.) out of £2.32 million allocated so far this year to projects directly supporting women;

  (d) Much of British Council activity is geared towards young people, men and women, but of its work on governance £1.1 million (9 per cent.) out of £12.1 million specifically relates to women's projects;

  (e) The Africa Conflict Prevention Pool promotes peace and security in Africa as a necessary condition of development. Peace, security and development benefit men, women and children alike. There is growing evidence that the most vulnerable groups in society, including women, children and the aged are among the principal victims of modern African conflicts. Efforts to reduce conflict are therefore potentially of greater benefit to these groups; and

  (f) The Global Opportunities Fund has just been launched and will be used to reinforce work in five main thematic areas, including human rights and good governance. Funding will be channelled first to programmes and then, through these, to projects. Five programmes are being launched this financial year. We are not yet able to confirm how funds will be allocated, but we are committed to working with women in all areas, particularly through the programmes on Engagement with the Islamic World, Good Governance in EU Applicant Countries and Near Neighbours, and Strengthening our Relations with Emerging Markets.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanism has been established to monitor and report on the use of Hawk fighter jets in Indonesia. [119064]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I visited Indonesia on 3–4 June, and raised the issue of the use of Hawk aircraft with senior Members of the Indonesian Government, including President Megawati. I warned the Indonesian Government of the possible consequences for defence sales and our defence relationship if Hawk aircraft are used to violate human rights.
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  Our embassy in Jakarta receives information from inter alia, NGOs, other foreign observers and the media as well as from the Government.

  Iraq
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to ensure that the international community has been given the opportunity to participate in the rebuilding work agreed by Coalition forces; and what form this participation and partnership has taken. [1189751]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  UN Security Council Resolution 1483 gives a clear framework for international participation in the rebuilding of Iraq. Many countries are already contributing to the rebuilding process through a presence in the Coalition Provisional Authority [CPA], co-ordinated in Baghdad by the International Co-ordination Council, chaired by Polish ex-Deputy Prime Minister, Marek Belka. The UN is to hold a conference on 23 June 2003 to instigate an updated UN Flash appeal, to be followed by a conference on 24 June 2003 for countries planning to contribute to reconstruction in Iraq. The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) is now operating in Iraq and we are encouraging the European Commission and our EU partners to maximise their contributions to reconstruction.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken(a) to prevent indiscriminate attacks, revenge attacks, hostage taking and collective punishment being perpetrated by Iraqi civilians and (b) to ensure that the police and security services in Iraq do not perpetrate similar acts. [1189761]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Coalition is committed to maintaining law and order. Coalition forces are currently conducting 2,000 patrols per day, of which 200 are joint patrols with the Iraqi police. UK police experts on law enforcement and the criminal justice system are advising on the stabilisation of the security situation and rebuilding the Iraqi police.

  The Royal Military Police investigates complaints made against the Iraqi police by Iraqi civilians. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave her today [UIN 118979].

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to restore and maintain public order and safety in Iraq since the ending of military action. [118978]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Restoring public order is a top priority for the Coalition. Reporting from Baghdad indicates that progress is being made, with a significant decline in armed criminality. 2,000 Coalition patrols are conducted each day, of which 200 are joint patrols with the Iraqi police.

  Over 2,000 Iraqi police have returned to work in the UK-divisional area in Southern Iraq and 9,000 in Baghdad. I am told that 18 Iraqi police stations in Baghdad are now operating 24 hours a day with 23 more scheduled to reopen by 30 June 2003. UK police experts on law enforcement and the criminal justice system are

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  advising on the stabilisation of the security situation and rebuilding the police service. UK forces have been conducting joint patrols with the Iraqi police since 13 April 2003 in Basra.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to ensure that Iraqis serving in the police and security services are subject to a vetting process to ensure no individuals suspected of or known to have perpetrated human rights violations are given positions of influence. [118979]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  UK field security teams conducted background checks on re-registered police in the UK area. The Coalition has published an order which bars senior members of the Ba'ath Party from future positions of authority including in the police and security services. Those suspected of criminal conduct are investigated and detained if necessary.

  HOME OFFICE

    Alcohol (Public Places)
    Mr. Steinberg
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local authorities have made use of orders banning consumption of alcohol in public places; and what percentage of local authorities this represents. [119095]

    Caroline Flint
    Seventy-four local authorities have so far notified the Home Office that they have made designation orders under section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to restrict anti-social public drinking in areas that have experienced alcohol-related disorder or nuisance. These are listed in the table. This represents around 18 per cent. of the total number of local authorities (county, metropolitan, unitary, borough and district councils) in England and Wales. The new arrangements introduced by the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 replaced the previous Home Office public drinking byelaw. Any such byelaw will lapse after five years from the commencement of the relevant provisions on 1 September 2001, unless replaced by a section 13 designation order.

    We have included a proposal in the Licensing Bill, currently before Parliament, that will increase police powers to confiscate alcohol in sealed alcohol containers, in addition to opened containers, from people who are drinking and causing a nuisance in designated public areas.

    Local Authorities: designation orders under section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

    Brighton & Hove City Council

    Bristol City Council

    Breckland Council

    Bromley Borough Council

    Burnley Borough Council

    Chelmsford District Council

    Cherwell District Council

    Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council

    Dacorum Borough Council

    Daventry District Council

    Denbighshire County Council

    Derby City Council

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    Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

    Eastbourne Borough Council

    Eastleigh Borough Council

    East Riding Borough Council

    East Staffordshire Borough Council

    Enfield Borough Council

    Great Yarmouth Borough Council

    Haringey Borough Council

    Harrogate Borough Council

    Herefordshire District Council

    Hyndburn Borough Council

    Kingston upon Hull City Council

    Leicester City Council

    Mendip District Council

    Macclesfield Borough Council

    Manchester City Council

    Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

    Middlesbrough Council

    Milton Keynes Council

    Newcastle City Council

    Northampton Borough Council

    North Cornwall District Council

    North Devon District Council

    North East Lincolnshire Council

    North Norfolk District Council

    North Somerset Council

    North West Leicestershire District Council

    Oadby and Wigston Borough Council

    Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

    Oxford City Council

    Preston City Council

    Reading Borough Council

    Redditch Borough Council

    Ribble Valley Borough Council

    Royal Kingston Borough Council

    Salisbury District Council

    Sefton Council

    Shepway District Council

    Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

    South Bedfordshire District Council

    Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

    South Somerset District Council

    South Staffordshire Council

    Stafford Borough Council

    Stratford on Avon District Council

    Stroud District Council

    Sutton Borough Council

    Swindon Borough Council

    Taunton Deane Borough Council

    Thanet District Council

    Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

    Warrington Borough Council

    Watford Council

    Westminster (City of)

    Weymouth & Portland Borough Council

    Wigan Council

    Windsor & Maidenhead

    Wolverhampton City Council

    Worthing Borough

    Wrexham County Borough

    Wycombe District Council

    York City Council

    Antisocial Behaviour
    Mr. Jenkins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to curb under-age drinking as part of his strategy to tackle anti-social behaviour. [118684]

    Ms Blears
    Underage drinking is one of the forms of behaviour that can be tackled by the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs), as was confirmed in the guidance "A Guide to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts" issued on 12 November 2002. In addition, the White Paper "Rights and Responsibility—Taking a Stand Against Anti-Social Behaviour" made clear the Government's intention to introduce, in the Criminal Justice Bill, a new Individual Support Order that will extend the protection that ASBOs provide to the community by requiring children and young people subject to such orders to undertake individually tailored activities, which could include attending treatment for substance misuse.

    The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, currently before Parliament, contains measures to extend the penalty notice for disorder scheme, initially to 16 and 17-yearolds, with an option to extend it to cover all juveniles over 10. This will make it possible for juveniles involved

    Proportion of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts or cautioned for offences of arson1 who were aged 10 to 17 England and Wales 2000 and 2001

    Proceeded against

    Cautioned

    Year

    all ages

    Age 10–17

    % of all ages who were age 10–17

    All ages

    Age 10–172

    % of all ages who were age 10–17

    20003

    2,375

    1,005

    42

    1,034

    936

    91

    2001

    2,475

    1,134

    46

    1,144

    1,022

    89

    1 These data are on the principal offence basis.

    2 From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings.

    3 Staffordshire police were only able to supply a sample of data for magistrates courts proceedings covering one full week in each quarter for 2000. Estimates based on this sample are included in the figures, as they are considered sufficiently robust at this high level of analysis.

    Children (Online Safety)
    Margaret Moran
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he intends to take to ensure mobile phone companies provide advice and guidance(a) to parents on how to safeguard children from access to inappropriate content and sites and (b) directly to children about online safety in general, and in particular the dangers of giving personal information to strangers in chat rooms or via the internet. [118855]

    Ms Blears
    We are in discussion with providers of mobile phone services through my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet, which they have joined. A sub-group of the task force is considering with them how the models of good practice which we issued earlier this year for the fixed internet are applicable to the mobile industry. The models include advice in both these areas. I am confident that the mobile phone companies have taken notice of these issues, and I understand they will be issuing a code of practice for consultation shortly which will include proposals in these areas.260W
    in the type of minor, often drink-related, offending covered by the scheme to be issued with fixed penalty notices.

    The Licensing Bill now before Parliament will, if enacted, amend existing legislation to allow the police to confiscate all alcohol, whether in sealed or opened containers, from young people who are drinking in public places.

    The Home Office is also working with the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit on their project to develop a cross-governmental alcohol harm reduction strategy for England. The project is paying particular attention to issues such as alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour as well as the health impacts of alcohol misuse. The strategy is planned for publication in autumn 2003.

    Arson
    Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of those people(a) prosecuted and (b) cautioned for arson offences in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2002 were between the ages of 10 and 17. [117895]

    Ms Blears
    The information requested is contained in the table.

    Statistics for 2002 will be published in the autumn.

    Earlier this year, the task force ran a campaign to raise parents' and children's awareness of the risks of giving out their personal details to strangers and provide Advice on using chat rooms. The evaluation of this campaign showed improved awareness of the core messages.

    Consultation Exercises
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many consultation exercises his Department has held with a closing date of less than 90 days from the announcement date in the last 12 months. [117114]

    Mr. Blunkett
    I would refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the hon Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) on 6 May 2003,Official Report, column 596W.

    Emergency Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
    Mr. Steinberg
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic violations were
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    committed by police vehicles answering emergency calls; and how many prosecutions arose for them in the last five years. [119094]

    Ms Blears
    Information is not collected centrally on the number of police vehicles involved in traffic violations.

    Energy Efficiency
    Mr. Roger Williams
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets his Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets. [116656]

    Fiona Mactaggart
    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Margaret Beckett) on 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 581W.

    Entitlement/Identity Cards
    Mr. Bailey
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the analysis from the consultation on entitlement and identity cards will be complete. [119357]

    Beverley Hughes
    It is hoped that we will have completed our analysis of responses before the summer recess.

    EU Constitution
    Bob Spink
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on those sections of the draft EU constitution relating to(a) tackling terrorism and (b) external order controls. [118739]

    Mr. Blunkett
    The existing Treaty on the European Union includes preventing and combating terrorism as a Union objective and already provides for extensive police and judicial co-operation. This has been strengthened by the action agreed at the Tampere European Council in October 1999. This co-operation is in Britain's national interest as we face the threat of terrorism and has already proved its worth, for example by ensuring that all member states have effective legislation on combating terrorism.

    The effect of the new draft treaty is to draw together all the elements in the fight against terrorism in a single merged treaty. I believe it will provide a strong framework for effective EU action against terrorism in the future.

    Provisions on external border controls are also already provided for in the Treaty establishing the European Community. They are the basis of firm collective action by member states to tackle illegal immigration. Those provisions have been amended and incorporated into the new draft Constitutional Treaty. I believe they will provide the framework we need to establish strong and effective external border controls across an enlarged EU.

    Nevertheless, the United Kingdom does not intend to give up its right under the Treaties to exercise at its frontiers with other member states such controls on persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom as it
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    considers necessary. As a consequence of this position on frontiers, the United Kingdom has not participated in certain measures relating to external borders. But, within this constraint, we will continue to seek to co-operate with EU colleagues to the maximum extent possible, without prejudice to the maintenance of our national immigration controls.

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

    Justice and Home Affairs Council
    Mr. Hood
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 5 to 6 June; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [118416]

    Caroline Flint
    The United Kingdom was represented at the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council in Luxembourg on 5–6 June by my noble Friend (Lord Filkin) and my noble Friend (the Baroness Scotland). The A points were approved as in document PTS A 32 and ADD 1 (9941/03) (a copy has been placed in the Library) with the exception of item 21.

    The Council concluded a political agreement on the Council Directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents.

    One member state retained scrutiny reservations on the Directive on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third-country nationals and stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection. The Presidency remitted the Directive to COREPER with a view to securing agreement at the Thessaloniki European Council in order to meet the deadline set at the Seville Council. Member states lifted the majority of their reservations on the first two Chapters of the amended proposal for a Council Directive on minimum standards on procedures in member states for granting and withdrawing refugee status. Five member states, including the United Kingdom, also presented a joint declaration calling for a minimum common EU list of safe countries of origin to be included in the text.

    The Commission presented its Communications on illegal immigration, asylum systems and integration and employment. Lord Filkin welcomed the Communications noting that there was a need to address the crisis in Europe and across the world in the international protection system. Lord Filkin also said that the Council should consider the priorities for the Thessaloniki European Council. In particular, there was a need to integrate asylum and migration issues into the EU's relations with third countries; set targets for the conclusion of readmission agreements; and give a commitment to burden sharing. He also called for a European Returns Fund; extra Community funding for JHA activity post-2006; and agreement to take forward

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    pilot projects to test out new approaches to international protection with interested member states and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

    The Council subsequently agreed conclusions on the effective management of the EU's external borders. A discussion on conclusions on a common policy on illegal immigration, external borders, the return of illegal immigrants and co-operation with third countries focussed on the need for a financial mechanism to assist Community return policy, which the United Kingdom supported.

    The Council agreed conclusions on the functions of SIS and the SIS II architecture and the Council Decision concerning the signature of Agreements between EU-US on extradition and mutual legal assistance. On the latter, the majority of member states, including the United Kingdom, entered declarations under Article 24(5) TEU to the effect that they would not be bound by the Agreements until they had met constitutional, or in the case of the United Kingdom, legislative requirements.

    The Council resolved the outstanding issues of principle on the Regulation concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility on the basis of a Presidency compromise package. The Regulation was remitted to experts to address the final technical questions.

    The Council held an orientation debate on the Regulation creating a European enforcement order for uncontested civil claims during which Ministers discussed the scope of the Regulation, minimum standards for the service of claims, appeal provisions and the omission of a public policy based right to refuse enforcement. Baroness Scotland welcomed the proposed Regulation, emphasising the benefits that better debt recovery would bring to businesses trading cross-Europe. She supported the Presidency's proposals, in particular the inclusion within the minimum standards of postal service where that method was permitted in the State in which both parties resided and where the possibility of setting aside the judgment continued until enforcement commenced. The issue of whether to exclude consumer debts from the scope of the Regulation and the matter of claims which attracted state immunity protection were remitted to the working group.

    Member states indicated that they could accept the proposal that confiscation orders be enforced in the absence of dual criminality for a list of offences specified in Article 5 of the Framework Decision on the execution in the EU of Confiscation Orders. However, member states linked the enforcement of extended confiscation orders as defined in Article 2 to grounds for refusal set out in Article 7.

    The Presidency presented a progress report on the Framework Decision on the application of the principle of "ne bis in idem" and on negotiations with Switzerland to participate in the Schengen Aquis and asylum matters. The Commission gave a detailed summary of the latest version of the JHA Scoreboard noting in particular that some of the deadlines set at the Seville European Council were not going to be met.
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    Under Any Other Business, the Presidency presented its ideas for the creation of common data protection rules for the Third Pillar.

    The Mixed Committee with Norway and Iceland met at Ministerial level in the margins of the Council. It approved conclusions endorsing the creation of the Visa Information System; conclusions on the functions of SIS and SIS II architecture; the Directive on assistance in transit for the purposes of removal by air; conclusions on the Schengen Evaluation of Spain; a report following up the Schengen evaluation of France; conclusions on increasing the efficiency of the Schengen evaluation mechanism; and the Regulation on the issuing of visas for members of the Olympic family for the 2004 Games. The Mixed Committee also took note of the Presidency's report on the implementation of programmes, ad hoc centres, pilot projects and joint operations for the effective management of the external border.

    Parole
    Mr. Lansley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what his policy is in respect of making representations to(a) the Prison Service and (b) the Commissioner for Correction, concerning the exercise by the Parole Board of its judgements on parole; [117583]

    (2) on how many occasions since June 2001 he has made representations to the (a) Prisons Service and (b) Parole Board concerning the exercise of the Parole Board's judgment on parole decisions. [117587]

    Paul Goggins
    [holding answer 9 June 2003]: Information is served on the Parole Board on behalf of the Secretary of State in every case which is referred to the Parole Board to consider an application for early release. All such information is served to the prisoner, save in special circumstances described below.

    The Secretary of State has made no undisclosed representations to the Parole Board in respect of any individual case. Such action would undermine the transparency and fairness of the parole and early release process, as well as the independence of the Parole Board, which he considers an essential contribution to public confidence in the criminal justice system.

    Under the Parole Board Rules 1997 (which apply to oral hearings of the Board) the parties to a parole hearing are the prisoner and the Secretary of State. Paragraph 5 of the Rules requires the Secretary of State to serve on the Board and on the prisoner, information relating to the prisoner, reports relating to the prisoner and such further information which he considers to be relevant to the case. This material takes the form of a dossier of reports from prison and probation staff, prison psychologists where appropriate, court and police reports at the time of the trial, and any other relevant information, including an assessment of risk which the prison may pose if released. Where the Parole Board decides that an oral hearing should take place, both parties are entitled to be represented at the hearing and to hear each other's evidence.

    The same principles apply to paper reviews by the Board, and the information which is required to be put before the Board on behalf of the Secretary of State in these cases is set out in Prison Service Order 6000, a copy

    265W
    of which is in the Library. All material must be disclosed to the prisoner unless for reasons set out in the Order—which include risks to the health and welfare of others—disclosure is withheld.

    From time to time my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary discusses the operation of the parole and early release system with officials. The Home Secretary has made no representations to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the exercise by the Parole Board of its judgments on parole.

    Passports
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 11 June 2003,Official Report, column 948W, on duplicate passports, how many current passports have been issued as second passports. [119952]

    Beverley Hughes
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: The UK Passport Service (UKPS) does not routinely collate centrally figures relating to the issue of second passports. The information could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

    Police Authority Attendance Allowance
    Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was paid in attendance allowances to members of police authorities in England and Wales in each of the last 10 municipal years; and how much he estimates will be allocated in the current municipal year. [118744]

    Ms Blears
    The Police Act 1996 provided for the reimbursement of expenses and allowances by police authorities to their members from within their own budget (schedule 2, paragraph 25 and schedule 2A, paragraph 20). Payment was subject to any framework determined by the Secretary of State and approved by the Treasury. This framework was deregulated by virtue of section 107 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2002 which amended Schedule 2 of the 1996 Act to allow police authorities to develop their own local expenses and allowances schemes. The Home Office has never made direct payment to police authorities to cover the costs of allowances payable to police authority members and neither is there any power to require police authorities to provide this data to the Home Office. Accordingly, there is no central record held by the Department of the total costs borne by authorities in respect of such expenses and the cost of collecting this information from individual authorities would be prohibitive.

    Prostitution
    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests there have been on the grounds of prostitution in the last five years in(a) England and Wales, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Coventry. [119052]

    Ms Blears
    Information on the number of persons arrested for prostitution offences is not collected centrally within England and Wales.

    Information relating to Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
    266W
    Matters related to Scotland are for the Scottish Executive.

    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategy is in place to reduce the number of(a) young people and (b) women at risk of (i) sexual exploitation and (ii) prostitution in England and Wales; and what studies he has made of other EU states' strategies for the reduction of prostitution and the protection of (A) young people and (B) women from such exploitation. [119053]

    Beverley Hughes
    The Government are taking a range of measures to address the involvement of young people and adult women involved in prostitution.

    The Sexual Offences Bill, currently before Parliament, will strengthen the legal framework for tackling the commercial sexual exploitation of adults and children and trafficking for this purpose, both within the United Kingdom and internationally. The provisions covering children will protect them up to the age of 18 and cover buying sexual services from a child, recruitment, control in prostitution or pornography, causing, inciting, arranging or facilitating child prostitution or pornography. The maximum penalties will range from seven years to life imprisonment depending on the age of the child and the activity involved.

    The offences in the Bill will help fulfil the requirements of European Union Framework Decisions on Combating Trafficking of Human Beings and the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography, which the United Kingdom were actively involved in negotiating.

    In May 2000, the Government published "Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution". This guidance is aimed at all agencies that come into contact with children involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, prostitution. It sets out a multi-agency approach, based on local protocols. It is issued pursuant to the Government's child protection guidance "Working Together to Safeguard Children".

    In September 2001, the Government published the "National Plan for Safeguarding Children from Commercial Sexual Exploitation", in preparation for the Second World Congress on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Yokohama, Japan in December 2001. The plan forms an important part of the Government's drive to improve safeguards for children. It focuses on those children who are induced or coerced into unlawful sexual activities for the commercial advantage of others. It explains what the Government, the devolved administrations and partner agencies are doing and are planning to do, looking at both UK-based and international sexual exploitation of children.

    In addition, the Home Office recently funded 11 prostitution initiatives as part of the "What Works: Tackling Prostitution" scheme, funded by the Crime Reduction Programme. These projects seek to develop and inform us of successful strategies for dealing with and managing the nuisance caused by the activities of prostitutes, the behaviour of those involved in the exploitation of others and ways of supporting those involved in prostitution who wish to exit the trade. Reports will be available later this year.
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    With respect to children at risk of being drawn into prostitution or other commercial sexual exploitation, an assessment of the child's individual needs will be undertaken in accordance with the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000)". This assessment should be followed by consideration of how best to address the identified needs of the child and the development of a care plan.

    For individual children already in prostitution, assistance and support should be provided by local statutory services in response to identified needs, whether directly or through specialist agencies. Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation are likely to be in need of welfare services and, in many cases, protection under the Children Act 1989. Social services have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of these children following an assessment of their circumstances.

    Where there is a risk to the life of a child or a likelihood of serious harm, an agency with statutory child protection powers, such as the police or councils with social services responsibilities, should act quickly to secure the immediate safety of the child. In some cases, it may be necessary to ensure either that the child remains in, or is removed to, a safe place. Under s.20 of the Children Act 1989, a local authority may provide accommodation for any child within its area if it considers that this would safeguard or promote the child's welfare.

    The Government are extremely concerned about the Mafia-style criminality associated with the exploitation of girls and women, the links between prostitution and drug dependency, and the way in which prostitution can blight local communities. There is a great deal of work to be done to establish how best to break the links between the sex trade and organised crime, to help those who are exploited to leave prostitution, and to support local communities to develop effective neighbourhood regeneration schemes. This is a complex area. As announced in 'Protecting the Public', published in November 2002 [Cm 5668] we are examining the scope for a review of the issues surrounding prostitution and the exploitation, organised criminality and class A drug abuse associated with it.

    Sickness Absence
    Simon Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the honourable Member for Buckingham, of 28 April,Official Report, column 219W, on sickness absence, at what level information about long-term sickness absence in his Department is held. [112145]

    Beverley Hughes
    There has been no central definition of long-term sickness absence. Individual managers have responsibility for managing and monitoring all levels of sickness absence. Information about staff who are absent because of long-term illness is held by individual units but 268W
    will also be passed on to pay. personnel and health and welfare services to ensure that appropriate action is taken.

    Special Constables
    Dr. Pugh
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have seen a decline in the number of special constables employed in the last five years; and how many have seen a decline greater than 20 per cent. [117773]

    Ms Blears
    Figures on strength by police force area have moved to an annual cycle from March 2002 and will be available in the Library as previous publications. From March 1997 to March 2002 (latest figures available) all but one police force (Merseyside) in England and Wales have seen a decline in their numbers of special constables; and 38 have seen a decline greater than 20 per cent. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) figures (from records supplied by 37 forces) show that 569 specials left to join the regulars in the year ending 31 March 2002 and by 30 September 2002 (the latest date available) there were 131,548 police officers in England and Wales. There was also 58,909 civilian support staff in March 2002 (latest available). Both are record numbers.

    The Government are committed to reversing the decline in specials and we are working with stakeholders to increase the size and effectiveness of the special constabulary. In particular, we will be publishing 'Good Practice Guidance' on the new website, following on from the Specials "champions projects", ensuring that specials' contribution is properly valued and used to best effect. The new specials website, www.specialconstables.gov.uk, was launched in February to provide specials and their managers with up-to-date information on the special constabulary and access to legislation and Home Office circulars.

    We also held the first ever National Specials Weekend in February to raise the profile of specials and give recognition to the invaluable work they do. And we have freed up regulations to allow forces to trial payment schemes funded locally. We are also looking at how we can improve the engagement of employers with the special constabulary; and whether we can increase the opportunities for recognising the skills and experience specials acquire in forces within their wider workplace.

    Mr. Paice
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in each police force in England and Wales in each year since 1997. [119374]

    Ms Blears
    Figures on strength by police force area have moved to an annual cycle from March 2002 and will be available in the Library, as previous publications. The number of serving special constables in each police force area from March 1997 to March 2002 (latest figures available) are set out in the table.
    269W

    March 1997

    March 1998

    March 1999

    March 2000

    March 2001

    March 2002

    Avon & Somerset

    759

    621

    547

    459

    400

    364

    Bedfordshire

    182

    186

    154

    151

    115

    118

    Cambridgeshire

    303

    320

    310

    274

    218

    207

    Cheshire

    475

    459

    407

    350

    290

    191

    Cleveland

    160

    164

    126

    128

    93

    85

    Cumbria

    189

    198

    204

    176

    156

    102

    Derbyshire

    428

    380

    317

    282

    275

    260

    Devon & Cornwall

    1,148

    1,024

    918

    870

    796

    689

    Dorset

    289

    315

    305

    298

    267

    253

    Durham

    184

    144

    159

    157

    146

    134

    Essex

    634

    638

    544

    483

    445

    381

    Gloucestershire

    297

    276

    233

    206

    183

    154

    Greater Manchester

    685

    598

    523

    457

    367

    338

    Hampshire

    621

    698

    760

    615

    454

    444

    Hertfordshire

    297

    306

    238

    216

    198

    206

    Humberside

    340

    324

    269

    246

    212

    207

    Kent

    589

    592

    526

    436

    392

    327

    Lancashire

    483

    489

    449

    382

    360

    363

    Leicestershire

    415

    406

    316

    247

    162

    143

    Lincolnshire

    271

    260

    216

    195

    166

    155

    City of London

    86

    76

    64

    56

    43

    36

    Merseyside

    401

    419

    458

    476

    541

    468

    Metropolitan police

    1,714

    1,282

    1,138

    758

    774

    680

    Norfolk

    402

    337

    336

    285

    259

    244

    Northamptonshire

    316

    288

    230

    199

    188

    177

    Northumbria

    533

    400

    342

    332

    300

    256

    North Yorkshire

    362

    358

    276

    217

    182

    185

    Nottinghamshire

    620

    558

    461

    411

    335

    341

    South Yorkshire

    308

    281

    246

    205

    188

    206

    Staffordshire

    685

    595

    468

    482

    402

    384

    Suffolk

    379

    397

    420

    391

    349

    308

    Surrey

    297

    235

    224

    175

    149

    187

    Sussex

    472

    442

    393

    352

    306

    306

    Thames Valley

    656

    609

    569

    472

    418

    356

    Warwickshire

    381

    345

    261

    260

    221

    209

    WestMercia

    582

    512

    515

    476

    399

    339

    West Midlands

    945

    889

    731

    680

    617

    598

    West Yorkshire

    690

    589

    559

    484

    415

    349

    Wiltshire

    154

    149

    184

    173

    152

    147

    DyfedPowys

    283

    254

    237

    202

    191

    157

    Gwent

    157

    119

    113

    119

    137

    142

    North Wales

    341

    358

    400

    247

    207

    125

    South Wales

    361

    366

    338

    267

    254

    277

    Total all forces

    19,874

    18,256

    16,484

    14,347

    12,722

    11,598

    Source:

    Figures provided by Research Development Statistics Directorate.

    We are working with stakeholders to increase the size and effectiveness of the special constabulary. In particular, we will be publishing 'Good Practice Guidance' on the new website, ensuring specials' contribution is properly valued and used to best effect. We also held the first ever National Specials Weekend in February to raise the profile of specials and the invaluable work they do. And we have freed up regulations to allow forces to trial payment schemes funded locally. We are looking al whether we can increase the opportunities for recognising the skills and experience specials acquire in forces within their wider workplace as well.

    Sustainable Development
    Simon Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment is made(a) of the environmental impact and (b) against sustainable development criteria of bids made for (i) grants and (ii) contracts awarded by his Department; who makes such assessments; and whether these assessments are published. [118785]
    270W
    Fiona Mactaggart
    The Department does not carry out environmental impact assessments or assess against sustainable development criteria when evaluating bids for grants or awarding contracts.

    However, the Department does take environmental purchasing seriously. Environmental issues are considered when awarding contracts where it is considered relevant to the contract and where it has been included in the contract specification. Such assessments are undertaken by a tender evaluation board, which where appropriate would be augmented by an environmental specialist who has the appropriate skills to perform the environmental assessment. These assessments are not published.

    Tasers
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the health implications arising from the use by police forces of tasers; and if he will make a statement. [119081]
    271W
    Ms Blears
    The Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) Sub Committee on the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (DOMILL) has issued a statement on the medical implications of the use of taser. It concludes that the risk of death from high power tasers (such as the M26) is low, and certainly very much lower than that from conventional firearms. The full statement was included in the Third Report of the Research Programme into Alternative Policing Approaches towards the Management of Conflict issued by the Northern Ireland Office in December 2002.

    The statement recommended further work in three areas to clarify cardiac hazards associated with the use of taser on individuals who could be considered to have a greater risk of adverse effects. Although DOMILL did not consider this research essential, it was commissioned last autumn. The work is being carried out by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) under contract to the Police Scientific Development Branch of the Home Office.

    Terrorism
    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to prevent UK citizens being encouraged and assisted to travel overseas to commit terrorist acts; and if he will make a statement [119001]

    Mr. Blunkett
    The police and Security Service attach a high priority to monitoring the activities of those in the United Kingdom who are suspected of involvement in terrorism overseas. It is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to incite another person to commit an act of terrorism wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom. It is also an offence under the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 to conspire in this country to commit an act of terrorism overseas. Where there is any evidence of any offence being committed under this or any other counter-terrorist legislation, then action is taken.

    We have made clear our abhorrence of terrorism and of those who plan or commit terrorist acts.

    Blackpool Tower Project
    John Mann
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total costs of the Blackpool Tower project were in the first three months of this year. [119271]

    Ms Blears
    On the basis of information provided by the Lancashire Constabulary, total costs of the Blackpool area Basic Command Unit Tower project for the first three months of this year include multi-agency funding of £99,333.25, of which the Home Office Police Standards Unit contributed £19,241.00.

    John Mann
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Tower project in Blackpool and Burnley. [119272]

    Ms Blears
    The Blackpool Tower scheme is a multi-agency project targeting persistent offenders. Its aims are to reduce crime combining police disruption and targeting tactics with the provision of drug treatment.272W
    Huddersfield University conducted an evaluation of the project, the final report of which is due shortly. Ministers will consider this evaluation and how its content should be shared.

  CABINET OFFICE

    Asbestos
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what actions the Cabinet Office, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are taking to comply with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002; whether he has made an estimate of the cost of compliance; and if he will make a statement. [118851]

    Mr. Alexander
    The Cabinet Office has undertaken Asbestos surveys for the London and Basingstoke Estate, the GCDA's buildings, HMSO Norwich, the Emergency Planning College and the Centre for Management and Policy Studies Residential Training Centre at Sunningdale.

    The following action and costs were identified:

    London Estate—some asbestos has been identified. The advice of our specialist contractors is that there is no risk and no need to take any actions unless areas are disturbed due to building works. Costs of required measures will be identified and incorporated into any project costs at the time of the works.

    Basingstoke Estate—the control of Asbestos is the responsibility of the building's Landlord. Some low risk asbestos was found and removed. No costs are anticipated.

    GCDA—the survey concluded that there was no asbestos on the site, or in any consumable/vehicle workshop products. The results of the survey are being reviewed but no costs are anticipated.

    HMSO Norwich—the control of Asbestos is the responsibility of the Landlord of the premises. No risk has been identified and no costs are anticipated

    Emergency Planning College—the survey identified some risk 1 asbestos, which has now all been removed. All other traces of asbestos which were recommended for removal or treatment will be dealt with by September 2003. In addition some asbestos has been identified in buildings due for demolition as part of the College's major accommodation upgrade and will be dealt with as part of the demolition process in September 2004. The cost of all these works will be some £48,000.

    Centre for Management and Policy Studies Residential Training Centre at Sunningdale—some asbestos has been detected and is registered. The PPP partner within the site development works is handling its removal, under appropriate guidance and control. The risk is borne by them at no further cost to the College.

    Correspondence
    Chris Grayling
    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Paymaster General will reply to the letter
    273W
    from the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell of 29 April on behalf of Mrs. P. Cooper of Ewell, forwarded to his Department by the Treasury on 6 June. [119862]

    Mr. Alexander
    A reply was sent to the hon. Member today.

  MINISTER FOR WOMEN

    Disabled Women
    Mrs. Calton
    To ask the Minister for Women what recent consultations she has had with the Minister for Disability about access to work for disabled women. [118481]

    Ms Hewitt
    My hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), the former Deputy Minister for Women and I have regularly met with our Department of Work and Pensions ministerial colleagues on a range of employment questions, including in relation to gender and disability.

    Most recently, I attended a breakfast meeting at 11 Downing Street with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to discuss with senior business leaders increasing employment opportunities for disabled people.

    Temporary Agency Workers
    Miss McIntosh
    To ask the Minister for Women what the implications will be for(a) women employed as temporary agency workers in Government Departments and (b) for the Government as their employees of the European Agency Workers Directive. [118409]

    Ms Hewitt
    The Directive is currently under discussion at the European level, and until a final version is agreed, its implications will remain unclear. There is a risk that additional costs arising as a result of the Directive may reduce employment opportunities for temporary agency workers, including for women in the public sector. The Government are working to ensure that the Directive protects temporary agency workers without putting their jobs at risk.

    We believe that the impact of the Directive, as it is currently drafted, on the hourly pay of female temporary agency workers in the public sector would be insignificant and will not have any significant impact on public sector costs.

    An assessment of the overall impact of the Directive as drafted is detailed in the regulatory impact assessment, of which the House Library has a copy.

  CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

    Adults with Incapacity
    Mr. Cameron
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to introduce a Bill on adults with incapacity. [119251]

    Mr. Lammy
    My Department is currently preparing a Draft Mental Incapacity Bill for publication, based on our Policy Statement, 'Making Decisions'. We will introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.

    Immigration Adjudicators
    Keith Vaz
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many adjudicators are in post; and how many are(a) full-time and (b) part-time. [119529]

    Mr. Lammy
    As at 13 June 2003, there were 587 adjudicators in post with the Immigration Appellate Authority. These include the Chief Adjudicator, the Deputy Chief Adjudicator, nine Regional Adjudicators and six Deputy Regional Adjudicators. In total, there are 168 permanent adjudicators and 419 fee paid adjudicators.

    Immigration Appeal Tribunal
    Keith Vaz
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Lord Chancellor has to abolish the Immigration Appeal Tribunal. [119527]

    Mr. Lammy
    On 22 May 2003, the Government announced their intention to draw up further legislative proposals to build on the measures in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. One such proposal involves the creation of a single tier of appeal. The policy is currently being developed in greater detail and an announcement will be made in due course.

    Legal Aid
    Mr. Frank Field
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many users of legal aid have over the past five years had bills settled(a) in excess of £1 million, (b) between £500,000 and £1 million, (c) between £250,000 and £500,000, (d) between £100,000 and £250,000, (e) between £50,000 and £100,000 and (f) under £50,000. [117850]

    Mr. Lammy
    The information needed to answer the question is not readily available, and the answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  HEALTH

    Additives
    Chris Grayling
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure food products contain(a) the name and (b) the number of additives in the list of ingredients. [116888]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    European rules implemented here by the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 already require additives to be identified in the list of ingredients by their function, for example, "preservative', 'colour' and either their specific name or serial number except where specific exemptions apply. There are no plans to require the name and the serial number to be given, although there is nothing to prevent this from being done voluntarily.

    Alcohol Dependency
    Mrs. Calton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to provide a multi-agency
    275W
    approach to treatment for those with alcohol dependency who also have mental health and other drug problems. [119906]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    The Department of Health issued guidance last year on the management and delivery of effective treatment for adults with severe mental illness and co-existing drug or alcohol misuse problems. The guidance highlights the responsibilities of drug action teams and local implementation teams to work together locally in order to implement the guidance in accordance with local needs.

    The National Treatment Agency for substance misuse has also issued guidance in the last year for commissioners, 'Models of Care'. The framework of this guidance applies to alcohol and drug treatment services and strongly supports the development of multi-agency approaches to treatment based on comprehensive assessment of needs, including for those with dual diagnoses. In addition, the National Institute for Mental Health in England is also working to identify how access to effective treatment can be improved and waiting times reduced. Many of the services affected by this work are joint drug and alcohol services.

    The Department of Health is preparing a new strategy on alcohol harm reduction which will set out a coherent and practical framework for a responsible approach which reinforces the message about sensible drinking and seeks to tackle alcohol misuse in all its forms. The NHS Plan said that we will be implementing the strategy by 2004, and we are on course to achieve that target. The Cabinet Office strategy unit is to undertake a project on alcohol misuse. Conclusions from the project will form the basis of the Government's alcohol strategy.

    Cancelled Operations
    Tim Loughton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many routine operations were cancelled by each hospital trust in the week of star rating assessments at the end of March. [116470]

    Mr. Hutton
    [holding answer 3 June 2003]: Data are collected quarterly on the number of operations cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons in two categories. There are operations cancelled at the last minute, that is on the day patients are due to arrive or after arrival in hospital or on the day of their operation, and (in 2002–03 only) operations cancelled on the day of surgery.

    Cancelled operations data at England level and by national health service trust and strategic health authority level are available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.doh.gov.uk/ hospitalactivity/data_requests.htm. Data for the quarter corresponding to March 2003 are not yet available.

    Chris Grayling
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS operations were cancelled in(a) March and (b) February 2003. [116876]

    Mr. Hutton
    [holding answer 3 June 2003]: Data are collected quarterly on the number of operations cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons in two categories. There are operations cancelled at the last minute, that is on the day patients are due to arrive or
    276W
    after arrival in hospital or on the day of their operation, and (in 2002–03 only) operations cancelled on the day of surgery.

    Cancelled operations data at England level and by national health service trust and strategic health authority level are available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.doh.gov.uk/ hospitalactivity/data_requests.htm

    Data for the quarter corresponding to February and March 2003 are not yet available.

    Cardiac Services
    Mr. Kevan Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to assist NHS trusts and PCTs in making available latest innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of sudden cardiac death. [118522]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    The Department's National Screening Committee will be reconsidering whether, in the light of recent research, to recommend screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (the most common condition causing sudden adult death syndrome) later this year.

    Chemical Attacks (Preparations)
    Dr. Murrison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on conclusions drawn by NHS trusts from exercises in response to a chemical, biological or radiological incident since 11 September 2001. [104161]

    Mr. Hutton
    All national health service trusts have major incident plans in place and there are regular exercises to test these plans. Chemical, biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents are now considered at every planning meeting between Health Emergency Planning Advisers (HEPAs) and NHS trusts and are a significant focus of all NHS emergency planning development.

    The emergency response division of the HPA has introduced a system to record centrally all exercises undertaken in the NHS and will be disseminating lessons learned. NHS trusts have, since 11 September 2001, been provided with greater amounts of improved personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination equipment. Training for dealing with CBRN incidents is also being urgently rolled out. NHS trusts have been working with local HEPAs to assess their capability to respond to CBRN incidents and lessons learned from these assessments are being implemented.

    The HPA is also working with NHS trusts to improve emergency preparedness, particularly through a much expanded programme of exercises. Training needs are being identified and targeted training is being delivered. Consideration is also being given to staff turnover and the need for a programme of continuous training to be offered. Work being taken forward under the New Dimensions Project will also engage NHS trusts in a more integrated emergency response to CBRN threats together with other partner agencies.

    Chemicals
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the impact on human health of(a) wood preservative and varnishing products, (b) alkylphenols, (c) brominated flame retardants, (d) organotin compounds, (e) phthalate esters, (f) short-chain chlorinated paraffins and (g) phthalates DEHP and DBP in products; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if he will make a statement. [119083]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    Wood preservatives and the use of organotin compounds in antifouling products are controlled under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended). The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) most recently considered the wood preservative substance IPBC, and is awaiting responses from the industry before recommending any necessary regulatory action on the 101 products containing this substance. The most recent review of a wood preservative before that was copper/ chrome/arsenic in November 2000, and the ACP recommended that approvals for the 32 products containing this could continue, subject to certain conditions. The organotin compounds, tributyltin oxide and tributyltin naphthenate, have previously been considered by the ACP. Information on assessments by the ACP are published on the following website: http:// www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/acp/acp.htm

    Advice on the safe use of pesticide products is given on product labels.

    The majority of the other substances or groups of substances have been the subject of comprehensive risk assessment under the European Union Existing Substances Regulation (ESR). This has included nonylphenol (an alkylphenol), several brominated fire retardants, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and a number of phthalate esters, including DEHP and 1D BP.

    For some, the United Kingdom competent authority, the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, acting jointly, have produced the risk assessment on behalf of all EU member states. Assessments that have been agreed by member states are publicly available on the website of the European Chemicals Bureau at: http://ecb.jrc.it/ existinq-chemicals/

    No advice has been given by the Department to the public relating to the use of these compounds.

    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on human health of(a) paints containing a high amount of volatile solvents and (b) adhesives and sealants marketed for use in the home; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if he will make a statement. [119086]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    The Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) considered the health effects of exposures to volatile organic compounds in the home in 1997. This applied to volatile organic compounds from a variety of sources. COMEAP's conclusions are published on its website at: www.doh.gov.uk/comeap/pdfs/comeap9798.pdf 278W
    The Government commissioned the Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health to produce a leaflet to assist environmental health officers in giving advice to members of the public. This leaflet is available at: www.le.ac.uk/ieh/pdf/vocslflt.pdf

    Food Standards
    Mr. Martlew
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies were found by the Food Standards Agency to be selling salami containing horse and donkey meat, which was not identified on the label. [118553]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    The pilot survey, which was funded by the Food Standards Agency and carried out by five trading standards departments, found that three products contained undeclared horse meat. Two products, a peppered salami and Cervalat salami, were of the brand L'Artibon and these were purchased from Safeway in Durham. The third sample was labelled as a wild boar salami, manufactured by Bernadi Gastone of Pisa, Italy and sold by Alvini North, a wholesaler in Leeds.

    Mr. Martlew
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to prosecute retailers that are selling salami that contains horse and donkey meat where the meat is not identified on the label. [118557]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    Local authorities are responsible for enforcement of food law. The three samples of salamis found positive for horse DNA in the pilot survey funded by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) were the subject of further investigation by two local authorities. Formal samples of a different batch of product were taken at a later date, but were subsequently found to be negative for horse DNA and no further action is possible on these samples. The FSA is carrying out a larger, nation wide survey on salami and salami-type products to determine the extent of this problem. If further unidentified horse meat is detected, local authorities will be encouraged to take formal action.

    Food Supplements
    Mr. Colman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methodology was used in setting the upper limit for intake of vitamin B6 supplements at 10 mg. [119130]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    Details on the methodology used are contained in the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals' (EVM) report, a copy of which is available in the Library. The EVM reviewed over 200 pieces of information on vitamin B6 from both animal and human studies. The available human data were considered inadequate for use in risk assessment. The EVM concluded that, based on the most appropriate animal data, 10 mg per day represents a clear safe upper level, with no adverse effects being anticipated over a lifetime's exposure. This reinforces existing Government advice, which has not changed.

    Mr. Colman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation took place between Food Standards Agency scientists and(a) the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and (b) other bodies with specialistss

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    knowledge of vitamin supplements on the decision to reduce the limit for intake of B6 supplements to 10 mg. [119131]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    The Institute for Optimum Nutrition and other bodies had the opportunity to provide views and evidence on vitamin B6 and other vitamins and minerals during the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals' (EVM) deliberations. The draft EVM report was issued for a 12-week public consultation. Over 100 replies to the consultation were received, including a detailed response from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, which were considered by the EVM in finalising its report.

    Hospital Treatment Records
    Mr. Jon Owen Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients who are Welsh residents have been treated in English hospitals in each of the last five years for which records are available; and if he will list(a) the top 10 procedures carried out on such patients and (b) the numbers of each procedure carried out. [117280]

    Most common operation procedures for Welsh residents by year from 1997–98 to 2001–02

    Operation code

    Operation description

    1997–98

    1998–99

    1999–2000

    2000–01

    2001–02

    K45

    Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty of Coronary Artery

    —

    —

    —

    —

    260

    G45

    Total Prosthetic Replacement of Hip Joint Using Cement

    240

    257

    249

    347

    375

    H22

    Surgical Removal of Tooth

    284

    325

    286

    317

    C79

    Prosthesis of Lens

    522

    503

    487

    768

    649

    H25

    Operations on Vitreous Body

    293

    323

    259

    —

    —

    X29

    Extracapsular Extraction of Lens

    —

    —

    —

    —

    267

    W37

    Diagnostic Fibreoptic Endoscopic Exam/Upper Gastrointestine

    858

    852

    977

    976

    655

    M45

    Diagnostic Endoscopic Examination of Colon

    279

    258

    284

    273

    —

    C75

    Diagnostic Endoscopic Examination of Bladder

    612

    563

    591

    663

    662

    C71

    Diag.Endo. Exam/Lower Bowel Using Fibreoptic Sigmoidoscopy

    255

    372

    433

    499

    383

    K49

    Contrast Radiology of Heart

    853

    1,023

    1,282

    1,517

    1,517

    F09

    Continuous Infusion of Therapeutic Substance

    444

    746

    834

    851

    1,063

    K63

    Connection of Thoracic Artery to Coronary Artery

    —

    —

    —

    285

    289

    Totals per year

    4,640

    5,222

    5,682

    6,496

    6,120

    Note:

    Where figures are not shown for a procedure, this procedure did not rank in the top ten for that year

    Source:

    Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

    Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
    Mr. David Stewart
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the sixth edition of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's Code of Practice will be implemented; [119964]

    (2) how many responses have been received by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on their current code of practice. [119966]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: Consultation on the sixth edition of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) code of practice will close on 8 August 2003. The HFEA hopes to publish the new edition for implementation by clinics in the autumn.

    The current code of practice was published in June 2001. The HFEA consulted stakeholders in clinics and professional bodies on the content of the code prior to publication.
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    Mr. Hutton
    [holding answer 9 June 2003]: The data are shown in the tables.

    The figures given for Finished In-Year Admissions should be used to replace those that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgend (Win Griffiths) on 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 20, which contained a definitional error and did not take account of improved methodology in compiling the data. I have written to my hon. Friend to apologise for the inadvertent error.

    Finished in-year admissions

    Number of admissions

    1997–98

    38,806

    1998–99

    39,490

    1999–2000

    40,694

    2000–01

    41,221

    2001–02

    40,983

    Note:

    A finished in-year admission is that first episode of care in one health care provider, starting in the April to March period indicated.

    Source:

    Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

    Mr. David Stewart
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been(a) interviewed and (b) visited by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in each of the last four years. [119965]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority does not collect statistics on the number of patients it interviews.

    Mental Health (Cornwall)
    Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent on mental health services in Cornwall in each of the last 10 years. [119392]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    Data on mental illness expenditure for primary care is not available. The table shows expenditure by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
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    health authority area for secondary care mental health services commissioned from 1996–97 to 2001–02. Information on health authority expenditure before 1996–97 was not collected in the same format.

    Expenditure on mental illness

    £000

    Cornwall and Isles of Scilly area

    2001–02

    39,569

    2000–01

    33,966

    1999–2000

    26,647

    1998–99

    27,260

    1997–98

    24,519

    1996–97

    25,894

    Primary Care Trusts
    Andy Burnham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cumulative net surplus or deficit from target was for each primary care trust in(a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06. [117937]

    Mr. Hutton
    Primary care trusts do not have a target related to a cumulative net surplus or deficit.

    Total pay costs incurred from 1996–97 to 2002–03

    £000

    Agency

    1996–97

    1997–98

    1998–99

    1999–2000

    2000–01

    2001–02

    2002–03

    Medical devices agency (MDA)

    4,224

    4,394

    4,610

    4,688

    4,752

    5,086

    15,482

    Meat hygiene service (MHS)

    28,932

    33,909

    39,583

    39,603

    38,525

    42,108

    244,765

    Medicines control agency (MCA)

    12,512

    14,700

    16,714

    17,885

    18,299

    20,094

    321,856

    1 Data from management accounts.

    2 Subject to audit by the National Audit Office.

    3 An estimate based on the unaudited management accounts and thus subject to change.

    Post-cardiac Rehabilitation
    Chris Grayling
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made in national service frameworks for post-cardiac rehabilitation. [119051]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    Provision for cardiac rehabilitation is addressed in standard 12 of the national service framework for coronary heart disease. This states that,"NHS Trusts should put in place agreed protocols/systems of care so that, prior to leaving hospital, people admitted to hospital suffering from coronary heart disease have been invited to participate in a multidisciplinary programme of secondary prevention and cardiac rehabilitation. The aim of the programme will be to reduce their risk of subsequent cardiac problems and to promote their return to a full and normal life".

  LORD CHANCELLORS DEPARTMENT

    Transsexuals
    Mr. Ben Chapman
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor has to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that transsexuals are accorded the same level of rights whether or not the end of the gender realignment process is clear. [118794]

    Private Finance Initiative
    Chris Grayling
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use by NHS trusts of new funding approaches for the development of premises under public-private partnerships outside present PFI arrangements. [116895]

    Mr. Hutton
    The Private Finance Initiative continues to help deliver the biggest hospital building programme in the history of the national health service.

    We will continue to keep other methods and models of funding for capital investment under review.

    Pay Costs
    Mr. Norman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2003,Official Report, columns 1273–74W, on staff numbers, what the total pay costs incurred by the (a) Medical Devices Agency, (b) Meat Hygiene Service and (c) Medicines Control Agency were in each year since 1997. [113378]

    Mr. Hutton
    The information requested is shown in the table.

    Ms Rosie Winterton
    The Government are committed to legislating as soon as possible to give transsexual people their Convention rights. We aim to publish a draft Bill later this Session with substantive legislation Following when parliamentary time allows. The draft Bill will give legal recognition in their acquired gender to transsexual people who can demonstrate that they have taken decisive steps towards living fully and permanently in the gender acquired since they were registered at birth.

    Changing legal identity is a serious step, with significant consequences. It is important that no one should embark upon formal recognition in the acquired gender without convincing evidence. We will therefore propose that applications should be scrutinised by an authorising body, given legal powers to assess medical evidence before the transsexual person is allowed to register in the new gender. In some cases, where the person undertook gender reassignment years earlier, and has lived successfully in the acquired gender, that assessment may be straightforward. In other cases, the authorising body will need to be assured that, in addition to meeting medical criteria, the transsexual person has lived successfully in the acquired gender for at least two years. The medical criteria may include medical treatments to modify the person's sexual characteristics, but the Government will not require

    283W
    surgery as a condition of registration in the acquired gender.

    World Summit on Sustainable Development
    Mr. Horam
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development(a) have been incorporated into the Department's existing delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements and (b) will be incorporated in its delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements in advance of the 2004 Spending Review. [113883]
    284W
    Mr. Leslie
    The current delivery plans for my Department do not incorporate specific commitments from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The Department is not one of the Government Departments identified as having direct responsibility for delivery of the commitments as set out in the interdepartmentally-agreed Annex to the Memorandum submitted to the Environmental Audit Committee in response to their enquiry on WSSD follow-up.

    Nevertheless, my Department will work to support Government policy on sustainability wherever the opportunity arises.

  ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

    Animal By-products
    Mr. Laws
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when her Department plans to start its proposed subscription scheme to deal with carcases that can no longer be buried on farm land as a result of the implementation of the EU Animal By-products Regulation; [118915]

    (2) what plans her Department has for the disposal of fallen stock in the time between the ban on burial of carcases on farms and the beginning of the subscription scheme; [118916]

    (3) what the cost will be to the average farmer in (a) England and (b) each region of the new arrangements for the disposal of carcases following the implementation of the EU Animal By-products Regulation; and whether the Government will be making financial assistance available; [118917]

    (4) what alternatives to the subscription scheme her Department is offering to farmers to help them dispose of animal carcases following the introduction of the EU Animal By-products Regulation. [118919]

    Mr. Bradshaw
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: There was a low response rate of 30 per cent. from livestock farmers to the letter inviting interest in a national scheme. In the light of this disappointing response, the Government are now considering whether the scheme should go ahead, and if so, in what form.

    A national scheme was proposed in order to reduce the cost of collecting and disposal of fallen stock and to encourage compliance with the Regulation. However, an infrastructure of knackers' yards and renderers is already in place, and we would expect farmers to have been complying with the new rules from 1 May 2003. There is a help line in place for farmers to use if they do not know what disposal services exist in their area. The help line number is: 0845 8507070.

    In the absence of a scheme, costs to the farmer of disposal of fallen stock would depend on the type and number of animals on the farm and its location. Under the proposed scheme, small farms would pay £50, medium farms £100 and large farms £200 in the first year. Additional costs of the scheme would be subsidised by Government on a digressive basis over three years.

    Additional information on the disposal of animal carcases is available on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/default.htm and from local Defra Animal Health Offices.

    Mr. Laws
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department is putting in place to ensure that under the subscription scheme to collect carcases from farms(a) carcass collection will take place promptly to avoid vermin infestation and the smell of rotting carcasses and (b) vehicles coming on to farmland to pick up carcasses do not spread disease from different areas. [118918]
    286W
    Mr. Bradshaw
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: No decision has yet been made on whether to proceed with he proposed subscription scheme.

    Although no specific time has been specified, we would envisage that fallen stock will, once an approved collector has been notified, normally be collected within 24 hours and not more than 48 hours.

    This would be consistent with existing contractual arrangements where collectors are expected to carry out the collection of fallen bovines and ovines within 24 hours for TSE testing purposes.

    The Animal By-Products Regulation requires animal by-products to be consigned or disposed of "without undue delay", which in essence means as soon as is reasonably practicable, taking into account the circumstances of the case.

    Any person in possession of animal by-products, such as fallen stock, who do not comply with the Regulation may face prosecution. Prosecutions may result in a fine of up to £5,000 and six months' imprisonment for cases heard in a magistrates court or an unlimited fine and up to two years imprisonment for cases heard in the Crown Court.

    Asbestos
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [117699]

    Alun Michael
    Defra already has asbestos registers for each of its buildings, including those of its executive agencies. To comply with the new regulations Defra and its agencies have commissioned additional surveys of these properties. Specialist consultants are currently surveying buildings to try to identify any hidden asbestos. They will then prepare plans advising whether we should remove it or manage it. The programme of surveys and production of management plans will be completed by March 2004.

    The estimated cost of surveying properties and preparing management plans is £250,000. It is too early to produce an estimate for any removal or retention as we currently await the completion of our survey programme.

    Defra's non-departmental public bodies manage their own estates of buildings and land, and will therefore be responsible for complying with the new regulations.

    Batteries
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) car batteries and (b) alkaline batteries were (i) purchased and used, (ii) disposed of by (A) landfill, (B) incineration and (C) other means, (iii) recycled and (iv) reused in the last year for which figures are available. [119073]
    287W
    Mr. Morley
    These figures are not collected centrally. However, part of a Government study (2000) carried out an assessment to forecast the consumption of batteries within the UK. For 2002, it was estimated that 12,986 tonnes of alkaline batteries and 111,016 tonnes of car batteries would be sold. The current recycling rate is estimated to be less than 2 per cent. for the alkaline batteries and 90 to 95 per cent. for car batteries in the UK.

    A proposal for a new EC Batteries Directive is expected this year, which will set targets for the collection and recycling of all types of batteries. It is likely to require member states to set up systems to monitor the quantities of all batteries recycled.

    Bovine Tuberculosis
    Mr. Martiew
    To ask the Secretary of State foc Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of bovine TB there have been in Cumbria in each of the last five years. [116174]

    Mr. Morley
    Pursuant to my answer of 4 June 2003,Official Report, column 406W, the table shows the number of new bovine TB herd incidents and confirmed new bovine TB incidents in Cumbria 1998–2002. A TB incident is confirmed if typical lesions are found at post mortem, or if Mycobacterium bovis (the causative organism for bovine tuberculosis) is isolated from tissue samples in laboratory examination.

    Operator (Works)

    Fuel1

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

    Lafarge (Hope)

    Tyres

    0

    0

    0

    0

    2,880

    Lafarge (Cauldon)

    Tyres

    17,382

    13,695

    23,859

    27,869

    23,751

    Lafarge (Westbury)

    Tyres

    0

    3,635

    0

    1,333

    8,545

    Castle (Ketton)

    SLF

    26,645

    34,038

    30,782

    26,476

    31,834

    Tyres

    372

    1,932

    2,838

    1,472

    2,305

    Solid Waste

    0

    329

    551

    0

    7,890

    Castle (Ribblesdale)

    SLF

    41,812

    40,113

    15,829

    34,189

    47,184

    Rugby (Barrington)

    SLF

    19,932

    24,647

    21,531

    22,837

    19,327

    Rugby (Southam)

    SLF

    10,792

    9,148

    1,554

    Closed

    Closed

    Blue Circle (Blakenham)

    SLF

    2,721

    216

    Closed

    Closed

    Closed

    1 SLF ("Substitute Liquid Fuel") includes both Cemfuel(r). Solid Water is exclusive Profuel(r) manufactured from paper, cardboard and packaging type wastes.

    PVC
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research has been conducted into the impact on the environment of the production and disposal of PVC-u; and what chemicals may be released(a) upon disposal and (b) during production. [119087]

    Mr. Morley
    A number of studies into the impact of PVC-u on the environment have been carried out including:

    "The Behaviour of PVC in Landfill", for the European Commission DGXI (2000);
    "PVC: An Evaluation Using the Natural Step Framework", The Natural Step (2000); and
    "The Life Cycle Assessment of PVC and Alternatives", for the ex- Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (2000).
    The European Commission is currently conducting a rigorous assessment of all published PVC life-cycle studies to ensure the availability of sound data on which
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    Bovine TB in Cumbria, 1998–2002

    New herd incidents

    New confirmed herd incidents

    1998

    8

    0

    1999

    9

    1

    2000

    4

    1

    2001

    2

    0

    2002

    33

    6

    Note:

    In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also, the proportion of high-risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. This includes herds restocked post-FMD where additional testing is being carried out to manage the increased risk posed by the movement of infected cattle into re-formed herds. As a result, the number of new herd incidents in 2002 is not comparable to that of previous years.

    Cement Kilns
    Mr. Bill O'Brien
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of waste were used in cement kilns in the years 1998 to 2002; and if she will make a statement. [115771]

    Mr. Morley
    The amount in tonnes of waste burnt in cement kilns in England and Wales is contained in the following table as reported to the Environment Agency for the years 1998 to 2002.

    to develop future policy in this area. This is expected to De published by the end of 2003 and will include Information on the impacts of production and disposal.

    (a) Disposal—PVC is generally disposed of either to landfill or to incineration. In both cases there is no specific separation of PVC from other waste streams such as municipal waste.

    Incineration of PVC has the potential to produce a number of chemicals such as hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and small quantities of dioxins and furans. Incineration of waste is regulated under Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), and tight limits are imposed on releases from incinerators to ensure the protection of health and the environment.

    The PVC polymer is generally considered to be stable under landfill conditions, but there is a potential for losses of plasticisers and stabilisers from flexible PVC to

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    occur. The behaviour of PVC in landfill is a complex subject and further information may be obtained from the above European Commission report at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/studies/ pvc/landfill.pdf

    The Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC requires that landfills comply with a number of technical standards regarding the protection of soil and water, including leachate collection, bottom sealing and gas emission control.

    (b) Production—during production of the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) there is the potential for emissions of VCM, chlorine, ethylene, ethylene dichloride, HCI and other chlorinated by-products to occur. Due to this pollution potential, production has been regulated for many years under Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) and will be regulated under IPPC. During compounding and transformation of PVC, there is the potential for release of the antioxidants, plasticisers and pigments used, but closed processes mean that any release would be small.

    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the weight of consumer goods known to contain PVC(a) disposed of by (i) landfill, (ii) incineration and (iii) other means, (b) recycled and (c) reused, in the last year for which figures are available. [119088]

    Mr. Morley
    Information on waste arisings held by the Environment Agency are based on the Agency's special waste database, which comprises records of each load of special waste moved, and on the commercial and industrial waste survey.

    PVC is not classified as a special waste and so does not appear on the special waste database. The commercial and industrial waste survey is a sample survey of approximately 18,000 businesses, but it does not include the level of detail to establish the weight of PVC in waste consumer goods or the proportion disposed by different routes. The Government's Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) will shortly be funding a comprehensive research project into options for PVC recycling in the UK. The research will identify the relevant sources of waste, assess reprocessing options and investigate potential end markets for the reprocessed materials.

    Chemicals (Environmental Impact)
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental impact of (1)(a) alkylphenols, (b) brominated flame retardants, (c) organotin compounds, (d) phthalate esters, (e) short-chain chlorinated paraffins and (f) phthalates DEHP and DBP in products; and if she will make a statement; [119068]

    (2) textile and leather finishing treatments; and if she will make a statement. [119069]

    Alun Michael
    The Existing Substances Regulation (ESR) (793/93/EEC) is the main mechanism through which assessments have been carried out on the environmental impact of existing chemicals. As part of 290W
    the UK's responsibility as a member state of the European Union, the Government have published the risk assessments and risk reduction strategies for certain alkylphenols, brominated flame retardants and short chain chlorinated paraffins. The Environment Agency undertook a general review of alkylphenols last year and the final reports are due June 2003. The UK is currently working jointly with the French Competent Authority in producing a risk reduction strategy for decabromodiphenylether—a brominated flame retardant.

    Organotin compounds: The Department has commissioned a number of pieces of research to determine the extent to which use of tributyltin (TBT) as an antifoulant in maritime paints has contaminated the environment and caused effects in biological communities, such as the effect known as imposex in dogwhelks. These include surveys of TBT and imposex on the North Sea (1992 and 1998) and Irish Sea (1998) coasts and the study of the recovery of the benthic communities of the River Crouch in Essex following the 1987 ban on the use of TBT on small craft. Following further amendments to marketing and use restrictions on the use of TBT as a biocide in antifouling paints under Council Directive 2002/62/EC the Department is in the process of commissioning a further survey of effects and concentrations of TBT in UK waters.

    There has been no assessment of phthalate esters as group of substances, but DEHP and DBP are part of this group.

    DEHP (diethylhexylphthalate) is being assessed under the Existing Substances Regulation by the Swedish competent authority. A draft risk reduction strategy has been produced.

    DBP (dibutylphthalate) is also being assessed under ESR by the Dutch Competent Authority. A risk assessment was produced in July 2001.

    Risk Assessments are published on the European Chemicals Bureau website http://ecb.jrc.it/existingchemicals/

    (2) There has been no systematic assessment of the environmental impact of textile and leather finishing treatments. Risk Assessments have been carried on a range of substances used in finishing treatments for leather and textiles such as detergents, azo dyes, alkylphenols, brominated flame-retardants and chlorinated paraffins under the work of the Existing Substances Regulations (793/93/EEC). Textile coating and leather finishing processes using more than 5 tonnes of solvent a year have been regulated domestically under the Environmental Protection Act since 1992, and are now subject to the provisions of the European Solvent Emissions Directive (1999/13/EC).

    Clinical Waste
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much clinical waste she estimates was disposed of by
    291W
    (a) landfill, (b) incineration and (c) other means in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by types of clinical waste. [119071]

    Mr. Morley
    The commercial and industrial waste survey carried out by the Environment Agency for 1998–99 estimated that, in England and Wales, health care establishments produced almost 750,000 tonnes of different wastes associated with their activities, although only part of this could be considered clinical waste. In 2001, the most recent year for which data are available, the Environment Agency special waste database reports some 5,500 tonnes of clinical waste consigned as special waste. Details of how these wastes were managed are given in the table.

    Thousand tonnes

    Type of disposal

    Waste from health care

    Special clinical waste

    Landfill

    17

    0.2

    Incineration

    234

    3.2

    Other

    490

    2.1

    Total

    741

    5.5

    Departmental Property (Angel Group)
    Mr. Peter Bradley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the properties acquired by the Angel Group and its subsidiaries from the Department and its agencies and the(a) dates and (b) costs of their acquisition. [118836]

    Alun Michael
    Neither the Department nor any of its Executive Agencies have sold property to the Angel Group or its subsidiaries.

    Departmental Website
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what actions she has taken or is taking to ensure that the websites of her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are accessible to partially sighted and blind people; and if she will make a statement. [117356]

    Alun Michael
    It is our policy, and that of our agencies, that new or redesigned websites should be accessible in line with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative's guidelines, as detailed in the Guidelines for UK Government websites. These include specific provision for blind and partially-sighted users. In implementing Defra's new corporate identity on our web site, we have incorporated a number of improvements into the design specifically to increase the ease of use of the site by people who are visually or physically impaired.

    Farming Subsidies
    Mr. Cameron
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received about plans to use the period 2000–03 as the reference point for subsidy payments to farmers; and if she will make a statement. [117148]

    Mr. Bradshaw
    There has been general support from consultees for the proposed 2000–02 single payment scheme reference period, including the special provisions for farmers affected by force majeure or exceptional circumstances. However, there have been a292W
    number of representations seeking additional flexibility to ensure farmers are not disadvantaged by, for example, changing the nature of their business or acquiring land during or after the reference period. In the on-going CAP reform negotiations, we continue to explore with the European Commission and others the best means to protect the interests of such farmers.

    Flood Defence
    Mr. Gardiner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 7 May 2003,Official Report, column 714W, if she will publish details of the representations. [119214]

    Mr. Morley
    A report on the outcome of consultations on the Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Review was placed on the Defra website in October 2002. In accordance with normal practice, copies of the individual responses to consultation have been placed in the Defra library for public inspection.

    Flood Risk Insurance
    Mr. Salmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when Ministers or officials in her Department have met representatives from the Association of British Insurers since January 2002 to discuss Flood Risk Insurance; and what the outcome was in each case; [119586]

    (2) what discussions Ministers or officials in her Department have held with representatives from the Association of British Insurers since January to discuss the agreement between the Government and the ABI on flood risk insurance which concluded at the end of December 2002. [119587]

    Mr. Morley
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: Defra and HM Treasury Ministers and officials met regularly with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) throughout 2002 to ensure continuance of flood cover for as many people as possible. The outcome of these discussions was a Statement of Principles announced by the ABI in September 2002.

    Since January 2003, Defra and Treasury Ministers met the ABI on 20 May. Officials from both Government and ABI continue to meet regularly to discuss progress against the statement of principles.

    Genetically Modified Organisms
    Mr. Fallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to implement the recommendations of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee's Fifth Report of Session 2001–02, on Genetically Modified Organisms. [119545]

    Mr. Morley
    The Government response published on 24 October 2002 agreed with all of the conclusions and recommendations in the Committee's report. This centred on the then proposed GM public debate, now underway, and eventual decisions on the commercial cultivation of GM crops. We have implemented, or are implementing, all the recommendations relevant to Government.
    293W
    Alan Simpson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the precautionary principle, set out in the EU Directive 2001/18/EC and in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, has been adhered to in the farm scale evaluation programme; and if it is her policy that it will be adhered to in the Government's forthcoming decisions relating to GM crops. [118575]

    Mr. Morley
    The Government is firmly committed to taking a precautionary approach to decision making on GMO releases, this had always been the case under directive 90/220/EEC and is now explicitly recognised in directive 2001/18/EC and the national legislation that transposes it. Each proposed GMO release is subject to an evidence-based, case-by-case assessment of the potential risks to human health or the environment and approved only if the applicant can satisfy the regulatory authorities that all appropriate measures are being taken to avoid adverse effects.

    The farm scale evaluations are an example of the Government's precautionary approach working in practice. In 1998, a genuine concern was raised about the potential impact on farmland wildlife of the herbicide use associated with GM herbicide-tolerant crops. We established the programme to investigate these concerns, and secured the agreement of the biotechnology industry that no GM crops would be grown commercially in the UK until the evaluations were complete.

    The companies who developed the GM crops in the evaluations had already made applications at European level through directive 90/220 for approval for commercial cultivation. This requires the submission of a comprehensive dossier of information about the GMO and its properties and an environmental risk assessment. In one case (T25 maize) approval for commercial cultivation had already been granted. The risks to the environment of carrying out the farm scale evaluations were explicitly addressed before they commenced based on advice from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. The trials have been closely monitored and could and would have been halted if necessary.

    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received from the United States government regarding(a) the EU moratorium on the growing of GM crops and (b) the licensing of GM crops in the EU. [119258]

    Mr. Morley
    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly discusses issues raised by GM crops with her counterparts from the United States and other nations. However, details of these exchanges are not recorded centrally.

    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many invitations have been sent out for each of the planned debates on GM crops; [119260]
    294W
    (2) what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the size of each venue chosen to host GM public debates. [119261]

    Mr. Morley
    GM Nation?—the public debate on GM issues—is being conducted by an independent steering board at arm's length from Government. The regional launch meetings organised by the steering board in Birmingham, Swansea, Taunton, Belfast, Glasgow and Harrogate were open to the public on a first come, first served basis—no specific invitations were issued. The events involved facilitated active participation in small discussion groups, which limited their overall size, and the venues chosen were sufficient for this purpose. In the event, the numbers of tickets requested were in line with the capacity of all the venues selected. Two sessions were held at Taunton in response to public demand.

    In addition to these regional launch events, local authorities, other organisations and members of the public are being encouraged to organise their own local debates with the help of a debate toolkit. Copies of the toolkit are provided for each participant and facilitators can be provided on request for the larger county council level meetings. Members of the public can also get involved in the debate through the interactive debate website at www.gmnation.org.uk.

    Illegal Logging
    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU action plan to address the trade in illegal logging will be discussed by the Council of Ministers; and if she will make a statement. [119397]

    Mr. Morley
    The Communication from the Commission on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade was raised by the UK and Denmark at Environment Council on 13 June 2003. The UK urged the Presidency to facilitate a full discussion in Council at an early time.

    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the next steps in the(a) development and (b) implementation of the EU action plan to address the trade in illegal logging are; and if she will make a statement. [119398]

    Mr. Morley
    The Communication from the Commission on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade was published on 21 May. The Commission request endorsement from Council and the European Parliament to:

    (a) Enter into negotiations for FLEGT Partnership agreements with wood producing countries;

    (b) Present a Regulation setting up the voluntary licensing scheme, in conjunction with wide stakeholder consultation; and

    (c) Review options for, and consider the impact of, further measures to support the Action Plan, including, in the absence of multilateral progress, the feasibility of legislation to control imports of illegally harvested timber, and report back to the Council on this work during 2004.

    295W

    (d) Member states are also asked to identify relevant national legislation which could be applied to address the illegal logging issue, and to inform the Commission of their findings.

    The UK Government are seeking an early discussion in Council in order to allow the Commission to take the process forward.

    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the UK Government will ensure that the EU action plan on illegal logging will include the introduction of legislation to ban the import of illegal timber into EU member states; and if she will make a statement. [119399]

    Mr. Morley
    The Communication from the Commission on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade was published on 21 May. The Commission request endorsement from Council and the European Parliament to:

    (a) Enter into negotiations for FLEGT Partnership Agreements with wood producing countries;

    (b) Present a Regulation setting up the voluntary licensing scheme, in conjunction with wide stakeholder consultation; and

    (c) Review options for, and consider the impact of, further measures to support the Action Plan, including, in the absence of multilateral progress, the feasibility of legislation to control imports of illegally harvested timber, and report back to the Council on this work during 2004;

    (d) Member states are also asked to identify relevant national legislation which could be applied to address the illegal logging issue, and to inform the Commission of their findings.

    The UK Government are supportive of the proposed Action Plan, including the licensing scheme to prevent the importation of illegally harvested timber into the EU from participating countries and the review of options for further legislation to control imports of illegally harvested timber.

    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is the Government's policy to support the development of EU legislation to ban the import of illegal timber into Europe; and if she will make a statement. [119400]

    Mr. Morley
    The Communication from the Commission on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade was published on 21 May. The Commission request endorsement from Council and the European Parliament to:

    (a) Enter into negotiations for FLEGT Partnership agreements with wood producing countries;

    (b) Present a Regulation setting up the voluntary licensing scheme, in conjunction with wide stakeholder consultation; and

    (c) Review options for, and consider the impact of, further measures to support the Action Plan, including, in the absence of multilateral progress, the feasibility of legislation to control imports of illegally harvested timber, and report back to the Council on this work during 2004.

    296W

    (d) Member states are also asked to identify relevant national legislation which could be applied to address the illegal logging issue, and to inform the Commission of their findings.

    The Government supports the Commission's proposal to review the options for legislation to control imports of illegally harvested timber, will help with related analysis and, together with other member states, will consider carefully the Commission's report.

    Landfill Licences
    Mr. Battle
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2003,Official Report, column 877W, for what reason the Environment Agency in Leeds wrote to residents on 10 June 2003 informing them that the modification to the licence applied for had been withdrawn. [119579]

    Mr. Morley
    [holding answer 16 June 2003]: I understand from the Environment Agency that the letter was sent in response to one received by two members of the public, who had outlined their objection to the application, currently being considered by the Agency, for the modification of Waste Management Licence No 735 relating to a waste transfer station at Ingram Works, Wortley Moor Road, Leeds held by Harry Sanders Ltd.

    The response confirmed that the applicant had written formally to the Agency withdrawing that part of the modification application requesting the acceptance of bonded asbestos at the site. The remainder of the modification application is still being considered by the Agency.

    Radioactive Materials
    Gregory Barker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list locations licensed by her Department for the use of radioactive materials; and if she will make a statement. [117535]

    Mr. Morley
    None is licensed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In England and Wales registration of users of radioactivity is the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

    Recycling
    Joan Ruddock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of homes in England have(a) one material, (b) two materials, (c) three materials and (d) four materials or more collected from their home for recycling separately from their residual waste; and what percentage of household waste is recycled from homes in each of the above categories. [117818]

    Mr. Morley
    [holding answer 9 June 2003]: The figures relate to 2001–02 which is the most recent year for which we have full statistics.
    297W
    The percentage of households with kerbside collection of recyclable materials:

    (a) one material—12 per cent.

    (b) two materials—11 per cent.

    (c) three materials—11 per cent.

    (d) four materials or more—24 per cent.

    This assumes co-mingled collection contains three materials.

    The recycling rate for each of the above is:

    (a) 6.7 per cent.

    (b) 10.1 per cent.

    (c) 10.8 per cent.

    (d) 11.7 per cent.

    These figures do not include any recyclates from civic amenity site collection which generally makes up about one third of the total figure—which is why the headline figure is higher.

    The reason for the absence is that kerbside recylate collections are monitored by the Waste Collection Authority and waste from the civic amenity sites are dealt with by the Waste Disposal Authority.

    Regulatory Bodies
    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the(a) number of staff employed by and (b) budget of each regulatory body for which her Department is responsible in each year since 1997. [117778]

    Alun Michael
    This information is available in published documents. The annual publication Public Bodies contains details of all non-departmental public bodies and public corporations sponsored by departments, and includes details of the number of staff employed at 31 March each year, and details of their annual government funding and expenditure. The latest published edition is Public Bodies 2002.

    Copies of Public Bodies 2002, and previous editions going back to 1982 are available in the Libraries of the House. It is also available, together with editions going back to 1998, at: http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/ agencies-publicbodies/publicbodies/index.shtm.

    Tourism
    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many visitors visited(a) the Brecon Beacons, (b) the Norfolk Broads, (c) Dartmoor, (d) Snowdonia, (e) Exmoor, (f) the Lake District, (g) Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, (h) the North York Moors, (i) Northumberland, (j) the Peak District, (k) the Pembrokeshire Coast and (l) the Yorkshire Dales in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000, (v) 2001, (vi) 2002 and (vii) 2003 to date. [119144]

    Alun Michael
    Statistics are not collected annually. The last comprehensive visitor survey of the national parks was undertaken in 1994. The figures for national parks in England and Wales are given in the following table. A new survey is to be undertaken in 2004.298W

    National park

    Visitor days

    Norfolk Broads

    5,361,000

    Dartmoor

    3,825,000

    Exmoor

    1,397,000

    Lake District

    13,925,000

    North York Moors

    7,790,000

    Northumberland

    1,408,000

    Peak District

    12,400,000

    Yorkshire Dales

    8,303,000

    Pembrokeshire Coast

    4,622,000

    Snowdonia

    6,568,000

    Brecon Beacons

    3,622,000

    Policy for national parks in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales. The national parks in Scotland come under the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament, which has established them, and did not exist at the time of the 1994 Survey.

    Veal Imports
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what have been the total annual imports of veal from Holland for each year from 1985 to date. [119107]

    Mr. Bradshaw
    [holding answer 13 June 2003]: Official Overseas Trade Statistics do not separately identify veal. The following table shows the total annual imports of bovine meat from Holland for each year from 1985 to date.

    Bovine meat (fresh, chilled or frozen) with bone in

    Bovine meat (fresh, chilled or frozen) boneless

    Tonnes

    Thousand

    Tonnes

    Thousand

    1985

    4,996

    12,965

    6,468

    16,851

    1986

    7,950

    18,621

    7,174

    19,507

    1987

    8,122

    20,961

    9,700

    25,976

    1988

    15,481

    39,234

    10,354

    26,039

    1989

    11,798

    34,870

    8,119

    21,822

    1990

    5,666

    18,751

    5,794

    18,914

    1991

    7,419

    19,061

    5,512

    16,286

    1992

    3,804

    13,294

    4,538

    14,612

    1993

    4,200

    12,047

    3,816

    11,374

    1994

    3,662

    11,112

    5,040

    13,584

    1995

    1,794

    6,124

    6,389

    16,235

    1996

    3,123

    7,253

    8,986

    19,485

    1997

    3,455

    7,314

    14,126

    30,883

    1998

    2,311

    5,711

    7,105

    17,057

    1999

    1,767

    5,108

    8,167

    19,160

    2000

    1,645

    4,143

    6,753

    18,105

    2001

    2,151

    4,019

    10,811

    23,313

    2002

    2,304

    4,236

    11,241

    25,197

    Note:

    2002 data is provisional and subject to amendment

    Source:

    HM Customs and Excise

    Data prepared by Statistics (Commodities & Food) Accounts and Trade, ESD, DEFRA

    Waste Management
    Mr. Battle
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the operator pollution risk appraisal score of each of the licensed(a) waste disposal and (b) landfill sites in (i) the Leeds Metropolitan District area and (ii) the Yorkshire and Humberside area was in each year since 1990. [116205]
    299W
    Mr. Morley
    The Environment Agency has supplied the relevant data which will be placed in the House Library.

    Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress(a) since February 2002 towards

    Target

    2000–01

    2001–02

    Recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003–04

    11.2 per cent. (Municipal waste 12.3 per cent.)

    12.4 per cent. (Municipal waste 13.5 per cent.)

    By 2005 to reduce the amount of industrial and commercial waste sent to landfill to 85 per cent. of that landfilled in 1998;

    Provisional EA data suggests that was a reduction of 8 per cent. between 1998–99—2000–01 in the amount of waste sent to licensed landfill sites. This means that we are at 92 per cent. of 1998 levels, and are hopeful that we will meet this target. The Environment Agency will be conducting the next Industrial and Commercial Waste Survey this year.

    To recover value from 40 per cent. of municipal waste by 2005

    —

    22.3 per cent.

    Reduce biodegradable waste landfilled to 75 per cent. of that produced in 1995, by 2010 (with derogation)

    It is estimated that we landfilled 93 per cent. of biodegradable waste produced in 1995, in 2000–01

    No current figures available

    Since the Waste Summit in 2001, the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit has produced its report. "Waste Not, Want Not". This looks at how our progress in reducing our reliance on landfill and moving towards more sustainable waste management might be speeded up.

    The Government published their response on 6 May. In the response, the Government accept the majority of the recommendations and support the direction or intent of many of the others. The Government have already acted on a number of recommendations. A package of measures is now being taken forward:

    Landfill Tax will be increased by £3 per tonne in 2005–06 and by at least £3 per tonne in the years thereafter, on the way to a medium to long-term rate of £35 per tonne.

    The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme has been reformed and a proportion of the funding—£84/£92/£92 million—has been re-directed to a new Sustainable Waste Management Programme in England in 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06;

    The new Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) run by Defra will concentrate on improving waste minimisation, recycling and composting, and researching new technologies for dealing with those wastes which are not readily reduced, reused or recycled. A Local Authority Delivery Taskforce will assist local authorities to meet their recycling and composting targets.

    A new Delivery Team and Steering Group is being established in Defra to drive forward implementation of the Government's response to the Strategy report and new programmes of work in Defra and WRAP;

    Local authority funding of £90 million each year for 2004–05 and 2005–06 has been provided for the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund or its successor Performance Reward Fund.
    300W
    meeting the targets of the Government's Waste Management Strategy of 2000 and (b) since the Waste Summit. [117388]

    Mr. Morley
    The information is as follows:

    The Waste and Emissions Trading Bill includes provisions to allow waste disposal authorities to direct waste collection authorities to collect separated waste. It will soon include measures to promote more strategic waste planning at a local level in two tier authorities.

    A review of the health and environmental effects of waste management and disposal options has been commissioned. This work is well under way.

    There will be a review of the planning guidelines for waste management, Planning Policy Guidance 10. The Government recognise that there will be an increasing need for waste management facilities to deal with our waste, in particular, for recycling. The review will aim to improve the guidance and help local authorities to make timely and appropriate decisions. Expansion of WRAP will take forward a number of waste minimisation schemes:
    Home composting scheme—increase the number of households carrying out home composting and promote the effectiveness of composting carried out.
    Reusable nappies scheme—promoting the use of reusable nappies.
    Retailer initiative—with top retailers, aiming to reduce the amount of waste entering the waste stream from supermarket purchased products.
    Innovation fund—aimed at identifying and developing innovative approaches to waste minimisation.
    Kerbside task force—the Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team (ROTATE) to work with local authorities to help maximise the potential of kerbside collections, particularly biodegradable organics.
    National education and awareness programme—raising the general public's awareness of waste issues and the benefits of recycling,
    Local education and awareness programme—to support the ROTATE and waste minimisation initiatives outlined above.
    Government estimate that new WIP measures alone will contribute substantially to recycling and composting rates, cumulating to an estimated overall impact of 21 per cent. by 2005–06 and bring us much closer to our targets.

  EDUCATION AND SKILLS

    Academy for Gifted and Talented Children
    Mr. Damian Green
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of pupils accepted for courses at the Academy for Gifted and Talented Children in 2003 come from the maintained sector. [118699]

    Mr. Miliband
    80 per cent. of applications so far received for the Academy's 2003 summer schools are from the maintained sector; the remainder are either from home-educated students or from the independent sector.

    Arson
    Mr. Damian Green
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost was of damage to school premises from malicious fires in each year since 1997(a) in England and (b) by LEA. [119433]

    Mr. Miliband
    The Department does not collect these figures.

    Mr. Damian Green
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what targets his Department has set in relation to malicious fires on school premises. [119436]

    Mr. Miliband
    The Department does not set targets for malicious fires, but we take very seriously the threat that arson poses to some schools. If a fire should happen in a school, the Department's primary concern is for the safety of pupils, teachers and other users. Regulation 17 of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 requires that every part of a school building, and of the land provided for a school, shall be such that the safe escape of the occupants in case of fire is reasonably assured. Schools are also covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and by subsequent related regulations. These include aspects of fire safety.

    To help schools manage fire safety, The Department published Managing School Facilities Guide 6, Fire Safety, in 2000. This offers guidance on how to minimise the risks of both accidental and malicious fires occurring, and advises on how to identify hazards and carry out risk assessments. It also gives advice on training and on fire detection and alarm systems.

    In addition, officials from the Department sit on the Arson in Schools Working Group, a group of experts representing the insurance industry, the fire and police services, local authorities and government departments. The Group exists to research and promote ways of reducing malicious fires in schools. One of its outputs

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    (e)

    (f)

    Private sector partners

    Opening dates

    Number of pupils and age range

    Capital costs from the public purse (£million)

    Revenue Funding 2003–04 (£ thousand)

    Barnet

    Peter Shalson

    2004

    1,425 11–18

    22

    1 900

    Bexley

    Sir David Garrard

    2002

    1,400 11–18

    25.75

    4,232,598

    Bradford

    To he confirmed

    2005

    2,000 11–18

    2 19.5

    1 250

    Brent

    Sir Frank Lowe John Laycock, University of the

    2003

    1,200 11–18

    21.4

    4,419,823

    Bristol

    West of England and others Lord Harris of Peckham and the

    2003

    1,236 11–18

    21.87

    5,437,152

    Croydon

    Whitgift Foundation

    2005/06

    1,300 11–18

    17.87

    1 250

    302W
    has been the publication of the guide "How to Combat Arson in Schools", copies of which have been sent to all schools in the UK.

    Capital Allocation, Kent
    Mr. Fallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he intends to ensure that schools in Kent can make rapid use of the devolved capital allocation announced on 15 May. [119546]

    Mr. Miliband
    On 15 May, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that in response to exceptional pressures this year on some school budgets he has decided to help schools manage their budgets by allowing them. in discussion with their local education authorities, to use their devolved capital funding to support their day-to-day running costs. This is to be for this year only and must be a decision taken by the school with the agreement of the local education authority only where there is a clear case that failing to do so would lead to excessive instability within the school.

    On 16 May, my Department made detailed guidance available to schools and to local education authorities, to enable them immediately to discuss locally where thus capital flexibility can be used. My Department is not included in these discussions, but we expect later this summer to ask all authorities of the extent to which this flexibility has been used.

    City Academies
    Mr. Andrew Turner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list each site for which his Department has considered a city academy, indicating for each(a) the LEA, (b) the names of private sector partners, (c) what dates have been agreed for an opening date, (d) the expected number of pupils, and their age range, (e) the contribution to capital costs from the public purse and (f) the estimated revenue funding per project. [119580]

    Mr. Miliband
    [holding answer 16 June 2003]: The table sets out the information available. Academy projects receive modest funding to develop proposals to a point where we are satisfied that the plans are viable and a funding agreement can be signed. From this point, projects receive additional funding to implement their proposals and prepare for opening.

    Once open, Academies receive an operational budget to cover their day-to-day running costs, which is comparable to the level of funding for similar maintained schools within their local authority areas. The level of capital funding is intended to ensure that Academies are built and equipped to a standard comparable with the best in the maintained sector.
    303W

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    (e)

    (f)

    Private sector partners

    Opening dates

    Number of pupils and age range

    Capital costs from the public purse (£million)

    Revenue Funding 2003–04 (£ thousand)

    Doncaster

    The Vardy Foundation

    2005

    1,470 11–18

    219.5

    1 250

    Ealing

    Alec Reed

    2003

    1,200 11–18

    27.53

    4,644,164

    Greenwich

    Archdiocese of Southwark

    2004

    1200 11–16

    2 23.5

    1 900

    Hackney

    Clive Bourne

    2004

    900 11–16

    20.5

    1 900

    Hackney

    —3

    2006

    3— 11–16

    2 21.5

    1 250

    Church of England and the Greig

    Haringey

    Trust

    2003

    1,200 11–18

    11

    3,966,945

    Hillingdon

    Barry Townsley and others

    2004

    1,250 11–18

    19

    1 900

    Hillingdon

    Watford Football Club

    2005

    1,000 11–19

    2 23.5

    1 250

    Kensington & Chelsea

    Martyn Arbib

    2005/6

    1,150 11–18

    2 23.5

    1 250

    Kent

    Roger DeHaan

    2005

    1,180 11–18

    2 19.5

    1 250

    The Saga Group and Kings

    Kent

    School Canterbury

    2006

    1,480 11–18

    2 19.5

    1 250

    Lambeth

    United Learning Trust

    2004

    1,200 11–18

    22.28

    1 900

    The Church of England and

    Leeds

    Intercity Group

    2006

    1,170 11–18

    2 19.5

    1 250

    The De La Salle Brothers and

    Lewisham

    Archdiocese of Southwark

    2005

    1,260 11–16

    2 23.5

    1 250

    The Haberdashers' Livery

    Lewisham

    Company

    2005

    1,550 11–18

    2 23.5

    1 250

    The University of Liverpool and

    Liverpool

    others

    2005

    1,650 11–18

    2 23

    1 250

    The Diocese and Archdiocese of

    Liverpool

    Liverpool

    2005

    900 11–16

    18.9

    1 900

    United Learning Trust and

    Manchester

    Manchester Science Park

    2003

    900 11–16

    10.62

    3,498,929

    Middlesbrough

    Amey plc

    2002

    1,200 11–16

    18.59

    5,381,861

    Middlesbrough

    The Vardy Foundation

    2003

    1,250 11–18

    19.2

    5,744,508

    Northampton

    United Learning Trust

    2004

    1,420 11–18

    18.7

    1 900

    Nottingham

    Sir Harry Djanogly

    2003

    1,620 11–18

    18.61

    7,153,347

    The Mercers Company and

    Sandwell

    Thomas Telford Online

    2005/06

    1,200 11–18

    16.5

    1 900

    Solihull

    I M Group

    2005

    1,350 11–18

    2 19.5

    1 250

    Southwark

    The Corporation of London

    2003

    1,200 11–18

    27.2

    1,788,246

    Southwark

    Lord Harris of Peokham

    2003

    1,450 11–18

    19.97

    5,998,577

    The Mercers Company and

    Walsall

    Thomas Telford Online

    2003

    1,200 11–18

    15.5

    2,927,266

    Westminster

    Chelsfield plc

    2006

    1175 11–18

    2 23.5

    1 250

    Westminster

    United Learning Trust

    2006

    1,175 11–18

    2 23.5

    1 250

    1 Estimated figures for revenue funding include feasibility and implementation funding. These are the total amounts of such funding for which projects are eligible during the relevant phases. Actual expenditure in any given year will depend on the progress of the project.

    2 Estimated figures, subject to change, and will be finalised when the projects are in a position to sign a funding agreement with the Secretary of State.

    3 To be confirmed

    Note:

    Revenue figures for 2003–04 for the three open Academies and the nine Academies due to open in September 2003 include implementation and start-up grant, as appropriate, in addition to the General Annual Grant payable to meet their normal running costs.

    Criminal Records Bureau
    Bob Spink
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy to recompense schools for the additional costs of searches through the Criminal Records Bureau. [118753]

    Mr. Miliband
    The cost of Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures falls to individuals. Schools which choose to pay for Disclosures on behalf of staff are expected to meet the cost from within their existing budgets. My Department is contributing £7.4 million towards the Bureau's costs in 2003–04.

    Mr. Damian Green
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what total costs schools have incurred since September 2002 as a result of the Criminal Records Bureau checks. [119431]

    Mr. Miliband
    The cost of CRB checks falls to individuals: schools which decide to pay their fee are expected to meet this cost from within their existing budgets. I am not able to provide information on the 304W
    costs involved as my Department does not hold information on the number of checks which have been carried out on school-based staff.

    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) schools and (b) his Department of funding Criminal Records Bureau checks in (i) 2002 and (ii) 2003. [118134]

    Mr. Miliband
    My Department is not able to estimate the cost to schools of funding CRB checks as we do not hold information on the number of CRB checks which schools have applied for. The cost of applications falls to individuals: schools which decide to pay their fee are expected to meet this cost from within their existing budgets. My Department contributed £4.2 million towards the CRB's costs in 2002–03 and will contribute a further £7.4 million in 2003–04.

    Departmental Website
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what actions he has taken or is taking to
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    ensure that the websites of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are accessible to partially sighted and blind people; and if he will make a statement. [117353]

    Mr. Stephen Twigg
    The Department for Education and Skills website has been designed in accordance with UK government accessibility guidelines for web design, incorporating guidance from the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), the accessibility initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the standards and development body for the web. The site design has also been validated using "Bobby"; an industry standard web-based accessibility tool that analyses web pages for their accessibility to people with disabilities.

    The Department has also ensured that non-departmental public bodies are aware of UK government web standards and has issued supplementary guidance for these bodies.

    Beacon Schools
    Mr. Damian Green
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the beacon schools which have not been accepted as leading edge schools. [118700]

    Mr. Miliband
    We will shortly be making an announcement of the schools that have been successful in this round of the Leading Edge Programme. At that stage we will provide a list of schools—including Beacon Schools—that applied but were unsuccessful.

    Mr. Gibb
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the structural distinction between the Leading Practice programme and the Beacon school initiative. [117173]

    Mr. Miliband
    The Leading Edge Programme is specific to secondary schools and builds on the success of the Beacon Schools initiative to encourage an accelerated pace of change and improvement. The LEA puts significantly more emphasis on active local collaboration to spread excellence.

    In primary, the 'Leading Practice' programme, described in the recent primary strategy document `Excellence and Enjoyment', will also build on successful practice developed through the beacon programme. We intend to develop a 'Leading Practice' programme with common national criteria and branding. It will be focussed on identifying outstanding work in particular areas, within schools that are performing well across the board. The LEA will have a role in working with 'leading practice' schools to ensure they contribute to local networking arrangements so that excellent practice is spread widely.

    Education Funding
    Gregory Barker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was made available to East Sussex local education authority under the Standards Fund in each year since 1997. [117634]

    Mr. Miliband
    The following table shows the Standards Fund grant for East Sussex since 1997.
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    The figures include Government grant only, they do not include local authority contributions to the Standards Fund.

    Standards Fund grant allocated to East Sussex

    £ million

    Year

    Recurrent Grant

    Capital Grant

    Total Standards

    Education Standards Spending Assessment

    1997–98

    1.7

    0.1

    1.8

    151.3

    1998–99

    2.2

    1.4

    3.6

    164.7

    1999–2000

    6.8

    1.1

    6.9

    174.3

    2000–01

    9.6

    4.2

    13.8

    185.3

    2001–02

    11.3

    6.8

    18.1

    196.0

    2002–03

    12.3

    10.9

    23.2

    199.0

    2003–04

    9.6

    10.6

    20.2

    1 224.0

    Education Formula Funding Share (EFSS). This includes the transfer of Class Size grant and Nursery Education Grant. The equivalent figure on the same basis for 2002–03 would be £210.4 million.

    The recurrent grant figure for 2002–03 includes class size grant of £0.95 million. The funding for class size grant is distributed via the Education Formula Spending Shares (EFSS) in 2003–04. On a like for like basis East Sussex has received an increase in EFSS per pupil of 3.2 per cent. on a like for like basis.

    Mr. Drew
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when education maintenance allowance will be available to Gloucestershire. [117674]

    Alan Johnson
    The national Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme will be available from September 2004 across the whole of England to those students who complete their compulsory education in the 2003–04 academic year.

    Ethnic/Cultural Diversity
    Nick Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to educate(a) primary and (b) secondary school students in (i) ethnicity and (ii) cultural diversity in Britain. [119141]

    Mr. Stephen Twigg
    Understanding the origins and implications of the diverse ethnic, cultural, national, regional and religious identities in the United Kingdom is an important part of Citizenship education. Citizenship education is part of the Personal, Social and Health Education framework for primary schools and became part of the statutory National Curriculum for 11–16 year olds in September 2002. Pupils are taught from an early age to respect the differences between people, to appreciate other's feelings and points of view, to recognise the effects of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination of any kind and to develop the skills to challenge them assertively. Guidance from QCA on how to deliver these aspects of the National curriculum was sent to all schools in 2002.

    Examination Markers
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had with organisations responsible for employing A level markers; what assessment he has made of whether they
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    are employing sufficient numbers, and of the quality needed, to carry out the job; and if he will make a statement. [118653]

    Mr. Miliband
    Ministers and officials stay in touch with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) on examination matters. We have made available an additional £6 million this year which is funding a number of initiatives from awarding bodies to help ensure that sufficient markers are recruited.

    The Chief Executive of QCA has reported, publicly, that the exam boards are in a better position than last year on marker recruitment.

    Further Education
    Mr. Drew
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many targets and milestones are prescribed as part of the Government's FE strategy, Success for All. [117673]

    Alan Johnson
    Success for All contributes to several of the Department's PSA targets and is being delivered through a three-year development plan agreed by the Learning and Skills Council with each provider. These plans specify four improvement targets with milestones for each year. The targets are for learner numbers, learner success rates, employer engagement, and the proportion of teachers, lecturers and trainers with professional qualifications. The target for learner numbers will be split for adults and young people and the target for learner success rates split into long and short qualifications.

    Higher Education
    Mr. Simon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he is taking to ensure universities and colleges are collaborating effectively with schools in order to cultivate among disadvantaged children the aspiration to enter higher education. [112997]

    Alan Johnson
    The Aimhigher programme supports a wide range of activity involving collaborative working between schools, colleges and higher education institutions in order to increase the educational attainment and aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Activities can include university tasters such as summer schools, mentoring, support for teachers, master classes and many more. Much of the activity is aimed at getting year 11 pupils to stay on in education and get better grades so that they can aim higher. The Aimhigher publicity campaign provides clearer information and better marketing of the route to HE for young people with a particular focus on reaching families and communities who do not have a tradition of entering HE, raising expectations of students and teachers alike. Any university wishing to introduce higher fees from 2006 must first have an access agreement, approved by the Office for Fair Access, and outreach with schools and colleges will be one of the essential elements of such an agreement.

    Dr. Kumar
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to increase awareness of further and higher education opportunities amongst under-represented groups. [118147]
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    Alan Johnson
    The Government are committed to widening participation in Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). In FE, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has a clear remit to raise and widen participation in education and training. The LSC's "Successful Participation for All: Widening Adult Participation Strategy" was launched for consultation in February of this year. The LSC will publish its resultant Widening Participation Strategy in the autumn. This is likely to consider widening participation targets, funding and prospects for future growth in FE and training.

    Our plans for HE are set out in "The Future of Higher Education" (Cm 5735) with more detail given in "Widening Participation in Higher Education" (DfES/0301/2003). The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) published its plans in March in "Funding for Widening Participation in England". HEFCE is spending £285 million on widening participation in 2003–04. In addition, the DfES's Aimhigher Programme is aimed at raising levels of awareness and aspiration towards HE of young people in more disadvantaged parts of the country. We are spending £62 million in 2003–04 on this Programme.

    Mr. Clappison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what additional financial assistance he intends to give to universities to enable them to provide(a) outreach work with schools and colleges and (b) bursaries and other financial support as described in Widening Participation in Higher Education. [118393]

    Alan Johnson
    The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) intends to make available £285 million in 2003–04 for widening participation activities. This compares with £55 million last year. In addition, the Department is also providing £62 million in 2003–04 for widening participation to partnerships of schools, colleges and universities through Aimhigher, compared to £35 million in 2002–03. A further £5 million is being made available in 2003–04 for the Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth based at the University of Warwick, and £2.5 million is available to support development of foundation degrees.

    With respect to bursaries for young people, are expanding Opportunity Bursaries so that grants to the sum of £18.5 million will be available in 2003–04, compared to £11.5 million last year. The level of hardship funding is likely to be around the same in 2003–4 at £96 million.

    In addition, from September 2003, a new Parents Learning Allowance will be paid directly to student parents on low income. From September 2004, a new Higher Education Grant of £1,000 per year will be paid directly to poorer students. Details of eligibility to this grant will be published in due course. The Department is also planning to make available assistance to students studying Foundation Degrees. Details will be announced later in the year.

    Mr. Clappison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the amount spent in 2002–03 by universities on(a) outreach work with schools and colleges to help

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    raise the level of attainment, aspirations and applications and (b) bursaries and other financial support. [118394]

    Alan Johnson
    The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocated to universities and colleges a total of £55 million for the financial year 2002–03 for outreach work. A further £35 million was spent by Excellence Challenge partnerships which comprise schools, colleges and higher education institutions. £96m was made available for higher education institutions to use to provide bursaries and other financial support for students. The Department has no information on the additional amounts spent by institutions from their own funds.

    Mr. Clappison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to what extent his decisions on the charging of tuition fees by universities will be determined by his assessment of their admission arrangements under the proposals set out in Widening Participation in Higher Education. [118395]

    Alan Johnson
    Under the proposals in "Widening participation in higher education", institutions that wish to charge variable fees in excess of the standard fee (currently £1,100) for any of their courses will be required to enter into an access agreement with Office for Fair Access (OFFA). The agreement will cover a 5-year period, though there will be some flexibility for the institution to modify its arrangements during that period. An individual university's admissions policies and procedures will be outside the remit of the access agreement and OFFA.

    Mr. Wray
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to create teaching-only universities; and if he will make a statement on(a) the value of combined teaching and research departments and (b) how this link will be preserved. [119620]

    Alan Johnson
    As set out in the White Paper "The Future of Higher Education" (Cmnd 5735), the Government's vision for higher education is one in which each institution plays to its individual strengths. We expect all universities to excel in teaching but also have strengths in one or more of the following areas: research; knowledge transfer; and linkages with the local and regional economy.

    In order to acknowledge that teaching is, in itself, a core mission for a university we propose to change the criteria for university title so that it is awarded on the basis of taught degree awarding powers, up to masters level, and student numbers.

    Evidence available to the Department suggests that effective teaching requires academic staff to engage in high quality scholarship rather than undertaking research activity themselves. For that reason, new requirements about scholarship have been included in the proposed revised criteria for degree awarding powers and university title.

    Mr. Wray
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to attract prospective entrants into the higher education profession; and what measures are in place to address staff shortages. [119623]
    310W
    Alan Johnson
    While the recruitment of staff is the responsibility of higher education institutions, the Government is concerned that higher education institutions should be able to recruit, retain and reward the high quality staff they need. That is why we announced in the White Paper that spending on higher education in England will rise from a total of £7.5 billion in 2002–03 to almost £10 billion in 2005–06. In the 3 years between 2001–02 and 2003–04, we have allocated £330 million specifically to help with the recruitment, retention and reward of all staff and, in particular, to value and reward good teachers. We have also pledged £50 million in 2004–05 and £117 million in 2005–06 for this purpose. From August 2003, we will be introducing "golden hellos" for 1,000 new lecturers in shortage subjects each year.

    Mr. Boswell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the number and outcome of regional consultation workshops held in connection with the White Paper on the Future of Higher Education (Cm 5735); and what further consultation exercises are planned. [119789]

    Alan Johnson
    We held 8 regional consultation events in connection with the White Paper during April and May 2003, attended by around 800 delegates from all interested parties in the higher education sector.

    We intend to present the outcomes from these and the written consultation exercise, at the same time as we respond to the Report of the Select Committee for Higher Education. A number of consultation exercises will be undertaken by the Department and the Higher Education Funding Council for England in the coming months on specific areas of policy related to implementing the commitments made in the White Paper.

    Mr. Rendel
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the additional resources required in each year between 2003 and 2010 in order to meet the Government's 50 per cent.participation target, broken down to show(a) the increase in the direct grant to universities and (b) additional funding to improve recruitment and retention. [119959]

    Alan Johnson
    [hulling answer 17 June 2003]: The funding for higher education to 2005–06 was set out in "The Future of higher education" Cmd 5735, and in the annual grant letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Assessments of the costs for increasing and widening participation beyond 2005–06 will be made as part of the 2004 Spending Review, work on which will commence shortly.

    Higher Education (Selby)
    Mr. Grogan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people from each ward in Selby district received higher education in each year since 1997. [109014]

    Alan Johnson
    Figures for the number of people who go on to higher education are not collated centrally on a ward or constituency basis. The closest available information, as given in the table, shows the number
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    of students from North Yorkshire local education authority who were enrolled on higher education courses in UK HE institutions.

    Students from North Yorkshire Local Education Authority on HE courses1

    Academic Year

    Students

    1996–97

    16,400

    1997–98

    16,100

    1998–99

    18,400

    1999–2000

    16,100

    2000–01

    16,500

    2001–02

    17,000

    1 Covers full-time and part-time students on both postgraduate and undergraduate courses. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

    Source:

    Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

    Independent Schools
    Mr. Clappison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what account will be taken of the position of children from lower income families in receipt of scholarships or bursaries at independent schools under his proposals set out in 'Widening participation in higher education'. [118396]

    Alan Johnson
    Paragraph one of Section four of "Widening participation in higher education" sets out a range of proposals which will help students from lower income families.

    Leadership Incentive Grant
    Mr. Cameron
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) selective, (b) grammar and (c) independent schools have received funding under the Leadership Incentive Grant; and if he will make a statement. [119239]

    Mr. Miliband
    1402 mainstream secondary schools are eligible for the new Leadership Incentive Grant which began in April. Twenty nine of these are grammar schools which select wholly or mainly by ability. Independent schools are not eligible for the Grant.

    One of the primary aims of the Leadership Incentive Grant is to stimulate and embed collaborative working to improve standards of teaching and learning amongst local groups of schools. As part of the initiative, schools are required to invest significant resources in working collaboratively. Groups of schools have developed collaborative plans which set out shared priorities for action. Collaborative plans are based upon a rigorous self and peer review of individual schools' strengths and weaknesses, identifying capacity which can be shared to raise standards across the community of schools.

    Leading Edge Schools
    Mr. Cameron
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in counties in the South East of England have received funding as Leading Edge Schools; and if he will make a statement. [119232]
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    Mr. Miliband
    We will shortly be making an announcement of the schools that have been successful in this round of the Leading Edge Programme, at which stage a full list of schools that have been successful will be available.

    Maintained Schools
    Mr. Brady
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reasons it is his policy that maintained schools must use a different external adviser each year in carrying out the performance review of the head teacher; and under what statute this power to direct is derived. [119168]

    Mr. Miliband
    [holding answer 13 June 2003]: Maintained schools are not obliged to use a different external adviser each year. Our current guidance to schools is that the same accredited external adviser may advise the governing body in carrying out the performance review of their headteacher up to three times.

    Ministerial Visits
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list official ministerial visits made to schools, broken down by date, school and minister, since 2001. [118123]

    Mr. Stephen Twigg
    The information requested has been placed in the Library.

    Nanotechnology
    Mr. Gardiner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether his Department has examined the extent to which nanotechnology should be part of the science national curriculum. [117009]

    Alan Johnson
    While nanotechnology is not specified in the statutory National Curriculum, there is potential in the National Curriculum for science teachers to explore some of the scientific aspects of nanotechnology with their students. At Key Stage 4, students learn about making and changing molecules, which is a precursor to understanding nanotechnology. The QCA are currently consulting on changes to the programme of study for science Key Stage 4, following their recent review. The new science GCSE, Science in 21st Century, which is being piloted from September 2003 includes emphasis on students' understanding of the ethical issues surrounding potential applications of controversial new scientific technologies. The Applied Science GCSE, introduced in September 2002, provides an opportunity for young people to study for a science qualification which focuses on vocationally-related aspects of science.

    There is also potential for the social implications and ethical aspects of new scientific technologies such as nanotechnology and genetic engineering to be covered in Citizenship, introduced in the National Curriculum in secondary schools in September 2002.

    Official Spelling
    Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy that all official
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    (a) correspondence, (b) reports and (c) documentation from his office uses the English spelling of words where this differs from the US version. [118862]

    Mr. Stephen Twigg
    I can confirm it is this Department's policy to use the English spelling of words in preference to the US version and to write all correspondence in plain English. Departmental publications are prepared in line with Guidance on the Work of the Government Information and Communication Service.

    Pay Rates (Non-teaching Staff)
    Mr. Cameron
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions ministers have had with UNISON about the appropriate rates of pay for non-teaching staff in schools; and if he will make a statement. [119238]

    Mr. Miliband
    I have met support staff unions on a number of occasions in recent months. Meetings have focused in particular on monitoring the implementation of the National Agreement on Raising Standards and Tackling Workload, which was signed by government, the local authority employers and school workforce unions on 15 January this year.

    The government's position remains that the terms and conditions of employment of school support staff are best determined locally, in light of local needs and circumstances. The National Agreement will improve training and career progression opportunities for support staff and makes clear that we expect their pay to reflect their level of training, skills and responsibilities.

    Public-Private Partnerships
    Mr. Streeter
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of PPP contracts for educational provision in England in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [115949]

    Mr. Miliband
    Contracts with private sector providers for education provision are for the most part the responsibility of local education authorities, who assess their effectiveness as part of the contract management process. Ofsted has in the past 12 months inspected seven authorities which had contracted out significant education functions at the time of the inspection, or previously had entered into short-term management support contracts as part of an intervention solution. In all cases, performance had improved by at least one grade since the previous inspection. The recently published Indepen/Bannock Consulting Evaluation of new ways of working in LEAs studied three cases where education provision or senior management had been contracted out. In all three cases, they concluded that the arrangements were organisationally robust, had already or promised well to improve performance, represented value for money, and were likely to be sustainable and replicable.

    PPP contracts have also been used for three schools in Surrey. These are the responsibility of Surrey Education Authority who let the contracts and it is for the LEA to assess the effectiveness of the contracts.

    Pupil Numbers
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list, by LEA, the future estimates his Department has made of(a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil numbers. [118768]

    Mr. Miliband
    This information is available only at national level.

    Projected pupil numbers for England as a whole

    000s1

    At January

    Maintained primary schools

    Maintained secondary schools

    20022

    4,214

    3,264

    20033

    4,167

    3,308

    20044

    4,099

    3,334

    20055

    4,048

    3,325

    1 Full-time equivalents, counting each part-time pupil as 0.5.

    2 Actual

    3 Provisional

    4 Projected

    Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the relationship between the Government and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; what plans he has to change it; and if he will make a statement. [118104]

    Mr. Miliband
    The Government work closely with QCA. My right hon. Friend and I meet Sir Anthony Greener and Dr. Ken Boston, the Chair and Chief Executive of QCA, regularly on a wide range of issues. Regular meetings also take place between officials. I am satisfied that the arrangements in place secure the right framework of accountability while ensuring that the QCA is properly independent in its setting of examination and testing standards.

    A Memorandum of Understanding which describes the relationship between the Department and QCA has been agreed and made available on the QCA website. I am placing a copy in the Library. We will continue to keep the relationship under review.

    Rural Affairs
    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken in urban-based schools(a) lessons and (b) activities to encourage greater awareness of (i) rural and (ii) countryside issues. [119151]

    Mr. Miliband
    Growing Schools, launched in September 2001, seeks to tackle concerns that young people have become distanced from the natural environment and know little about food, farming, agriculture or the countryside. We are working with a number of partners to encourage schools to use the `outdoor classroom' as a resource across the curriculum. We want all pupils, in both rural and urban communities to have opportunities to gain knowledge and understanding of rural and countryside issues through first hand experience.

    Rural Schools
    Mr. Peter Duncan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many rural small schools have closed in England in each year since 1997. [119343]

    Mr. Miliband
    The Department does not have reliable data on the number of rural school closures for individual years before 1998. Following the introduction of the presumption against closure in 1998, the number of rural small schools approved for closure is as follows:

    1998

    5

    1999

    2

    2000

    2

    2001

    3

    2002

    3

    2003

    3

    The Department defines a small primary school as one with fewer than 200 pupils and a small secondary school as one with fewer than 600 pupils.

    Cost of producing school and college performance data 2002

    £ million

    Data

    Cost

    (a) Primary school performance tables of achievements in Key Stage 2 tests

    0.9

    (b) Secondary school performance tables of achievements in Key Stage 3 tests

    n/a

    (c) Secondary school performance tables of achievements in GCSE examinations and vocational qualifications

    1.98

    (d) School and college performance tattles of achievements in A/AS examinations and vocational qualifications

    n/a

    (e) Pilot tables testing the calculation and presentation of a Key Stage 2-GCSE/GNVQ value added measure

    0.15

    (f) Tables testing the reporting of achievements in all approved qualifications at age 16

    n/a

    Notes:

    1. The figures shown above are programme costs and do not include departmental staff costs.

    2. The secondary school performance tables of achievements in Key Stage 3 tests were published alongside the secondary school performance tables of achievements in GCSE examinations and vocational qualifications.

    3. The secondary school performance tables of achievements in GCSE examinations and vocational qualifications and the school and college performance tables of achievements in A/AS examinations and vocational qualifications are managed as one exercise so there are no separate costings.

    4. The tables testing the reporting of achievements in all approved qualifications at age 16 will be piloted in 2003.

    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost of producing school and college performance tables was in 2003, including(a) data collection and analysis, (b) production, (c) publication and (d) distribution. [117874]

    Mr. Miliband
    [holding answer 9 June 2003]: The breakdown of the cost of producing the most recent (2002) school and college performance data is as follows:

    Breakdown of cost of producing school and college performance data 2002

    £ million

    Data

    Cost

    Data collection and analysis

    0.8

    Production

    12.05

    Publication

    0.09

    Distribution

    0.09

    1This figure was higher in 2002 because of the need to carry out additional confirmations of results.

    Notes:

    1. The figures shown above are programme costs and do not include departmental staff costs.

    School League Tables
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost was of producing and publishing the most recent(a) primary school performance tables of achievements in Key Stage 2 tests, (b) secondary school performance tables of achievements in Key Stage 3 tests, (c) secondary school performance tables of achievements in GCSE examinations and vocational qualifications, (d) school and college performance tables of achievements in A/AS examinations and vocational qualifications, (e) pilot tables testing the calculation and presentation of a Key Stage 2-GCSE/GNVQ value added measure and (f) pilot tables testing the reporting of achievements in all approved qualifications at age 16. [117849]

    Mr. Miliband
    The cost of producing the most recent (2002) school and college performance data is as follows:

    2. The data for the primary tables were checked and compiled by the Department then published by LEAs on 5 December 2002. The Department makes the data available on their website but hard copies of the booklets are available from individual LEAs. 3. The Department published the 2002 secondary school performance tables on 23 January 2003 and the 2002 post 16 tables on 3 April 2003. Distribution costs have been radically reduced since 2001 with the introduction of print on demand. We no longer print and distribute bulk copies but still ensure all schools and local libraries receive one copy of the tables for information purposes.

    School Funding (Essex)
    Bob Spink
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many schools in Essex are running a deficit budget; [118751]

    (2) if he will list the schools in Castle Point that are running a deficit budget, and the size of the deficit in each case. [118752]

    Mr. Miliband
    The latest outturn statement published by Essex Local Education Authority shows that 21 schools ended the financial year 2001–02 with a deficit balance. Of these, two schools were in the Castle Point constituency: Leigh Beck Infant School and Nursery (— £6,915) and The Cornelius Vermuyden School (— £1,633).
    317W
    Figures for the year ending 31 March 2003 are due to be published by authorities by 9 October 2003.

    School Governors
    Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was paid in attendance allowances to members of school governing bodies in England and Wales in each of the last 10 municipal years; and how much he estimates will be allocated in the current municipal year. [118746]

    Mr. Miliband
    Although Governing Bodies have the power to set up schemes to pay governors for any expenditure necessarily incurred to enable them to carry out their governor duties, there is no provision to pay attendance allowances.

    School Workforce Agreement
    Gregory Barker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the projected cost of implementing the National Agreement on Restructuring the School Workforce is. [117639]

    Mr. Miliband
    The costs will vary from school to school, depending on how much progress they have already made on the various elements of workforce reform. Delivering the changes is as much about different ways of working as it is about additional resources. Many schools will be able to implement the September 2003 changes from their existing budgets.

    The phasing of the contractual changes means that the more radical provisions do not come into force until September 2005. We are working to ensure that the delivery of the Agreement will be sustainable, as we consider changes to the funding system for 2004–05 and beyond.

    Schools Finance (Cornwall)
    Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Cornwall have a budget deficit; and what the size of the deficit is in each case. [119391]

    Mr. Miliband
    Information on the number of maintained schools in Cornwall carrying forward deficits at the end of the financial year 2002–03, and on the size of any deficits, will be contained in the outturn statement for 2002–03 which the local education authority is required to publish under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The deadline for publication of these statements is not until October 2003.

    Somali Schoolchildren
    Jeremy Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his assessment is of the needs of Somali children in schools in each London borough; how many receive free school meals; and what proportion continue education beyond the age of 16. [117693]

    Mr. Miliband
    The requested information is not held centrally.
    318W
    As part of the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC), schools are required to record ethnicity data to reflect the main categories used in the 2001 National Population Census. Children of Somali ethnic origin are recorded under the category of "Black African". In 2002, the Department carried out a consultation exercise with Local Education Authorities (LEAs) on a "key list" of extended ethnicity categories that included a separate "Somali" category. In 2003, for local reporting and monitoring purposes, LEAs were given the option of using the extended categories in their schools if they felt that the main categories did not meet their local management needs. However, not all LEAs chose to use extended categories and LEAs are required only to report to the DfES using the national categories. The Department does not therefore hold complete data for the extended ethnic background categories.

    Specialist Schools
    Mr. Gibb
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 203W, on Excellence Schools, if he will place in the Library a copy of the full research published by the Department of Innovative Grouping Practices on flexible forms of pupil grouping. [119871]

    Mr. Miliband
    A copy has now been placed in the Library.

    Student Finance
    Mr. Marsden
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been paid by students from(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in higher education tuition fees in each year since 1997; and what the average amount paid was in each case. [119386]

    Alan Johnson
    My Department does not collect student support data at the constituency level. Student support data on the levels of contribution to tuition are collected from Local Education Authorities (LEAs) through a voluntary survey. However, the data are only robust enough to be published at the national level.

    Mr. Wray
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has for(a) a replacement graduate repayment scheme and (b) reintroduction of grants for disadvantaged students. [119621]

    Alan Johnson
    The White Paper "The Future of Higher Education" (Cm 5735) which was published in January 2003 sets out our plans for a Graduate Contribution Scheme in England. We plan to abolish up-front tuition fees from 2006/07 and to allow higher education institutions to charge variable fees, between £0 and £3000 per year per course. Institutions will only be able to charge higher fees if they have an access agreement approved by the Office for Fair Access. Graduates will repay their student loan through the Tax System, at a zero real rate of interest, once they are earning above the £15,000 repayment threshold. Monthly repayments will be linked to earnings.

    For those students from low income households starting full-time higher education from Autumn 2004, we will be introducing a new Higher Education Grant of up to £1,000.
    319W
    Mr. Boswell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what consultation he has held with(a) the Year Out Group and (b) other organisations furthering gap year arrangements for students; and what action he will take to mitigate potential turbulence in numbers arising from the introduction of approved top-up fees from 2006–07. [1197911]

    Alan Johnson
    No formal consultation has taken place with these groups. However, there has been written correspondence between my hon. Friend the former Minister of Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education and Lifelong Learning and the Chief Executive of the Year Out Group, Sir Richard Oliver, as well as representatives of the Engineering Development Trust, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Project Trust and Year In Industry. The Government does not intend to take any action to regulate student numbers in advance of the introduction of variable fees in 2006/07.

    Mr. Boswell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he intends to provide that any approved top-up fees chargeable under the proposals in the Future of Higher Education (Cm 5735) should be fully covered by additional student loans. [119792]

    Alan Johnson
    The White Paper "The Future of Higher Education" (Cm 5735) which was published in January 2003 sets out our plans for a Graduate Contribution Scheme in England. We plan to abolish up-front tuition fees from 2006/07 and to allow higher education institutions to charge variable fees, between £0 and £3000 per year per course. Institutions will only be able to raise their fees if they have an access agreement approved by the Office for Fair Access. Student loans will be available to cover in full the variable fee so that every student will be able to defer payment of their fee until after their graduation, if they choose to do so. Graduates will repay the loan at a zero real rate of interest, with repayments linked to earnings, once they are earning above the £15,000 repayment threshold.

    Teacher Training
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans his Department has to remit the(a) tuition fees and (b) top up fees of students undertaking undergraduate teacher training courses. [118119]

    Mr. Miliband
    Any changes to the existing support arrangements for students on courses of initial teacher training would be announced at the appropriate time.

    Teacher Vacancies
    Mr. Damian Green
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vacant teacher posts there were in(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools, (c) special schools and (d) all schools as a percentage of the total number of head teachers, in each year since 1997, broken down by local education authority. [110131]

    Mr. Miliband
    The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.
    320W

    Teachers
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many successful completers of(a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate teaching qualifications there were as a proportion of entrants and applicants in each year since 1990. [118121]

    Mr. Miliband
    Course length data for new entrants is not available for all years and so it is not possible to match completers, entrants and applicants to give a meaningful proportion of completers to entrants and applicants in each year.

    The data which is available is shown in the tables.

    Table 1: the number of applicants to undergraduate and postgraduate teacher training courses

    Undergraduate

    Postgraduate

    Total

    England and Wales

    1990–91

    1—

    1—

    1—

    1991–92

    1—

    24,870

    1—

    1992–93

    1—

    31,130

    1—

    1993–94

    1—

    33,650

    1—

    1994–95

    1—

    31,640

    1—

    1995–96

    1—

    33,250

    1—

    1996–97

    34,020

    33,240

    67,260

    1997–98

    28,110

    33,300

    61,400

    1998–99

    24,300

    31,640

    55,940

    1999–2000

    21,630

    33,060

    54,680

    2000—01

    20,270

    34,860

    55,130

    1 Data for these years is not available.

    Source:

    Graduate Teacher Training Registry and Universities and Colleges Admission Service.

    Table 2: the number of entrants to postgraduate and undergraduate teacher training courses

    Undergraduate

    Postgraduate

    Total

    England and Wales

    1990–91

    11,840

    11,960

    23,800

    1991–92

    13,760

    15,050

    28,800

    1992–93

    15,490

    16,500

    31,990

    1993–94

    14,360

    17,690

    32,050

    1994–95

    12,420

    19,090

    31,500

    1995–96

    11,700

    19,330

    31,020

    1996–97

    10,950

    19,720

    30,660

    1997–98

    10,460

    19,480

    29,930

    1998–99

    9,650

    18,790

    28,430

    1999–2000

    9,340

    18,880

    28,220

    2000–01

    8,960

    21,190

    30,140

    England Only

    2000–01

    8,100

    19,620

    27,720

    Note:

    The figures above do not include trainees on employment based routes.

    Source:

    DFE Recruitment Survey, 1990–91 to 1993–94; HESES 1994–95; TTA Survey of ITT Providers 1995–96 to 2000–01.

    Table 3: the number of successful completers gaining QTS on teacher training courses by phase of training

    Year of completion

    Undergraduate

    Postgraduate

    Total

    England and Wales1

    1990

    6,270

    9,600

    15,870

    1991

    6,930

    10,380

    17,300

    1992

    7,330

    13,460

    20,790

    1993

    8,350

    15,110

    23,460

    1994

    9,380

    16,130

    25,510

    1995

    10,500

    17,330

    27,830

    1996

    11,230

    16,900

    28,120

    321W

    Table 3: the number of successful completers gaining QTS on teacher training courses by phase of training

    Year of completion

    Undergraduate

    Postgraduate

    Total

    1997

    10,640

    17,780

    28,410

    1998

    9,680

    17,150

    26,820

    1999

    10,180

    16,500

    26,670

    2000

    7,590

    16,160

    23,750

    England only2

    2000

    6,850

    14,850

    21,690

    2001

    6,490

    16,150

    22,640

    1 DfES Database of Teacher Records

    22 TTA Performance Profiles

    Tuition Fees
    Miss McIntosh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to review the system of tuition fees; and if he will make a statement. [118507]

    Alan Johnson
    The Department for Education and Skills has reviewed the system of tuition fees as part of a wider assessment of the higher education sector. The White Paper "The Future of Higher Education" (Cm 5735) which was published in January 2003 sets out our proposals to allow higher education institutions to charge variable fees, between £0 and £3000 per year per course from 2006/07. We will also abolish up front fees, so that students can defer paying their fees until after they graduate. We will continue to provide a means-tested grant to cover the standard tuition fee (£1,100 in 2002/03), as part of a wider package of measures to encourage students from families on low incomes to enter higher education. We have no further plans for review of the system of tuition fees.

    University Admissions
    Mr. Clappison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the letter referred to in paragraph 5 of Page 19 of Widening Participation in higher education from the Secretary of State to Office for Fair Access setting out guidance on applying the statutory framework for access agreements and covering an institution's milestones for assessing progress in widening participation will include admissions from(a) type of schools and (b) family social class as such milestones. [118065]

    Alan Johnson
    "Widening participation in higher education" made clear that it would be for "each university to decide on the milestones that are appropriate to its circumstances that it wishes to include in the access agreements".

    Mr. Clappison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the reply of 3 June from the Minister for Higher Education to the honourable Member for Hertsmere, ref 115686, how he expects that the Office for Fair Access will assess the milestones to be adopted by individual institutions. [118268]

    Alan Johnson
    "Widening participation in higher education" made clear that it would be for "each university to decide on the milestones that are appropriate to its circumstances that it wishes to include in the access agreements".
    322W
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have been wrongly informed by UCAS that they have lost their place at the university of their choice for 2003/04. [117871]

    Alan Johnson
    [holding answer 9 June 2003]: We have been advised by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) that no students were wrongly informed that they had lost their place at the university of their choice. 18,000 prospective students were informed by UCAS in May that it had not received from them the necessary confirmations of acceptance of offers from institutions, and that a further 10 days were available for that process to be completed. The latest data available to UCAS indicates that the number of unconfirmed offers is now lower than at the corresponding point last year.

    University Students
    Mr. Paterson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of sixth formers in north Shropshire went to university in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02. [110073]

    Alan Johnson
    Figures for the number of students who enter higher education are not collated centrally by constituency. The latest available information, showing the proportion of 18-year-olds from Shropshire Local Education Authority (LEA) entering full-time undergraduate courses in the UK via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), is given in the table.

    It should be noted that the proportions in the table are based only on the number of 18-year-olds entering full-time HE. This is a different definition to the Department's main measures of HE participation: the Age Participation Index (API), which measures the proportion of UK domiciled students who enter full-time HE by the age of 20, and the Initial Entry Rate (IER) which measures the proportion of 17–30-year-old English domiciled first time entrants to full or part-time HE. Neither the API nor the IER are calculated for each LEA, because of the lack of detailed data at local authority level.

    Proportion of 18-year-olds entering full-time HE courses via UCAS

    Year of entry

    Students from:

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

    Shropshire

    21.5

    23.3

    22.8

    24.3

    24.1

    26.3

    Telford and the Wrekin1

    2—

    16.3

    18.3

    18.0

    18.6

    19.4

    All English LEAs

    20.5

    20.0

    20.0

    20.6

    21.5

    22.0

    1 As a result of Local Government Re-organisation Telford and Wrekin, which was previously part of Shropshire, became a separate LEA in 1998.

    2 Not applicable.

    York Minster Catalogue
    Hugh Bayley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money the Higher Education Funding Council for England has provided to the University of York to computerise the catalogue of York Minster Library to improve access to it by
    323W
    higher education; and what obligations the Minster library has to higher education institutions in return for this funding. [118762]

    Alan Johnson
    The University of York received funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) of around £390,000 in two phases for this project which was completed in 2000. The project has enabled the catalogue of the Minster's collection of books to be available on line and made more widely accessible to researchers via international networks.

  TRADE AND INDUSTRY

    Arms Exports (Indonesia)
    Jeremy Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of ECGD cover has been provided in relation to the sale of rnilitary equipment to Indonesia in each year since 1999; what amounts are outstanding in relation to all ECGD-covered military sales to Indonesia; and if he will list the licences granted for the export of military equipment to Indonesia since 2001. [118208]

    Ms Hewitt
    ECGD has issued no guarantees relating to exports of military equipment to Indonesia since 1999.

    £555 million is outstanding in respect of ECGD claims payments made in cases involving exports of defence equipment to Indonesia. These claims are being repaid, with interest, under three Paris Club agreements covering debt falling due between July 1998 and December 2003.

    Between 1 January 2003 and 2 June 2003, two Open Individual Export Licences and 48 Standard Individual Export Licences were issued, for goods on the military list, where the end users were in Indonesia, with the following ratings:

    MLI, ML4, ML5. ML6, MLIO, ML1I, ML13, ML22 and PL5017

    The details of all export licences issued are published by destination in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. A copy of the 2001 Annual Report is available from the Libraries of the House. The 2002 Annual Report will be published shortly.

    Assay Tests
    Mr. Mark Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what information she has collated on the number of precious metal items failing assay tests in the latest year for which information is available; [1116752]

    (2) whether she has undertaken a regulatory impact assessment of the implementation of Annex III of the draft directive on articles made of precious metal. [116751]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    The UK assay offices rejected 66,000 items in 2002. This represents 0.19 per cent. of the 34,000,000 items tested.
    324W
    The Department has not yet undertaken a Regulatory Impact Assessment on the implementation of Annex III of the draft EU Directive on the marking of precious metals. An RIA will be produced when the Italians formally propose to revive the draft Directive. Officials have discussed the likely impact of Annex III with stakeholders including the Assay Offices, Trading Standards, manufacturers and retailers. The Government do not support the Directive.

    Auditors
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will introduce legislation to cap the liability of auditors; and if she will make a statement. [119842]

    Jacqui Smith
    The Government are considering the recommendations of the independent Company Law Review.

    Broadband
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sums have been paid to(a) NTL and (b) BT to assist in the rollout of broadband services; when such payments were made; and if she will make a statement. [117716]

    Mr. Timms
    Certain Regional Development Agencies made payments from the (DTI's £30 million) broadband fund to BT in 2002 for Exchange Activate Trials to test a new approach to bring broadband ADSL technology to small exchanges across the UK, where previously it was not commercially viable.

    Under the Cornwall ActNow project, assisted by EC Objective 1 funding, BT received £237,225 from DTI between December 2001 and August 2002, as a result of a tender process to upgrade exchange for broadband in a region where such investment would also not be commercially viable.

    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received on the compatibility of public sector broadband with EU state aid rules; and if she will issue guidance on the application of state aid rules for broadband projects. [117720]

    Mr. Timms
    The state aid branch of the DTI provides advice to public authorities to ensure that interventions are compatible with EU state aid rules. The DTI-led public sector broadband aggregation project is being informed by advice from this unit.

    There are no specific state aid rules relating to broadband but further guidance on the application of the rules in general can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/ europe/stateaid.

    Mr. Drew
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the reasons for poor quality of band connections in rural areas. [118830]

    Mr. Timms
    7 per cent. of rural households have broadband access, compared with 72 per cent. of households across the country as a whole. Service providers have focussed initially on certain markets
    325W
    because—in the case of BT—more customers can be served within a given distance of an exchange in densely populated areas.

    I have now established a dedicated rural broadband team, working closely with Defra, to help promote the availability and take up of broadband in rural areas.

    Cat and Dog Fur
    Mr. Lyons
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to prevent the trade in cat and dog fur. [117396]

    Ms Hewitt
    The Government are investigating possibilities for labelling any products that may contain domestic cat and dog fur. Equally we are working to ensure a reliable scientific test is in place to validate the accuracy of any such labels. This will give consumers the information they want about exactly what they are buying. We will report back to Parliament before summer recess.

    It has not proved possible to determine either through trade statistics or through scientific testing, what level of imports of these products, if any, is entering the UK. Therefore the Government do not consider any more trade-restrictive action to be proportionate to the scale of the problem at this time.

    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy to ban the importation of cat and dog fur. [118112]

    Ms Hewitt
    The Government are investigating possibilities for labelling any products that may contain domestic cat and dog fur. Equally we are working to ensure a reliable scientific test is in place to validate the accuracy of any such labels. This will give consumers the information they want about what exactly they are buying. We will report back to Parliament before the summer recess.

    It has not proved possible to determine, either through trade statistics or through scientific testing, what level of imports of these products, if any, is entering the UK. Therefore the Government do not consider any prohibition on imports to be proportionate to the scale of the problem at this time.

    Citizens Advice Bureaux
    Mr. Hepburn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many debt inquiries have been reported by the Citizens Advice Bureau in(a) the UK, (b) Tyne and Wear, (c) South Tyneside and (d) the Jarrow constituency in each year since 1997. [119120]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    The coordinating body for Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABx), Citizens Advice, included a table in their May 2003 report on debt, "In Too Deep". This table contains figures for the number of new debt inquiries to CABx in the UK from 1997 to 2002, as follows:

    Number

    1997–98

    862,019

    1998–99

    952,734

    1999–2000

    1,031,377

    2000–01

    1,038,066

    2001–02

    1,066,509

    326W
    The full table, including a breakdown of type of debt inquiries, can be found on the Citizens Advice's website at: http://www.citizerisadvice.org.uk

    Citizens Advice does not, however, have statistics available on a regional or constituency basis.

    Mr. Hepburn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to help tackle debt-related issues reported by the Citizens Advice Bureau. [119122]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    The Government are currently considering the issues raised in the report, "In Too Deep", and have met Citizens Advice to discuss some of them.

    A number of the concerns raised by Citizens Advice are already being addressed by the review of Government policy on over-indebtedness. The review aims to investigate the demand for money advice and financial literacy programmes, clarify the roles and responsibilities of Government Departments, and make recommendations on future Government policy on reducing over-indebtedness. It will also focus in particular on achieving effective co-ordination of policy across Government.

    Coal Miners (Compensation)
    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which company is providing the expert report on miners' coal health claims and private small mines; and if she will set out the timetable for reaching an agreement between the solicitors and the private mine owners. [119490]

    Mr. Timms
    The expert report on miners coal health claims and private small mines being produced for the claimants' solicitors is a matter for that party, not the Department of Trade and Industry. It is not possible to stipulate a precise timetable for agreement between the Department, the claimants' solicitors and the small mines; however, negotiations are at an advanced stage and will continue as soon as the expert report is available, which is expected to be in the near future.

    Community Pharmacies
    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations her Department has received relating to the effect of deregulation on community pharmacies. [119063]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: The Department has received a very substantial number and range of representations from stakeholders both sent to the DTI directly and forwarded to us for our information by health departments.

    Consultations
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has held with(a) HSBC, (b) the Royal Bank of Scotland, (c) Halifax Bank of Scotland and (d) Abbey National concerning the provision of ban king services in the Post Office; and if she will make a statement. [119840]
    327W
    Mr. Timms
    The Government are keen that as many accounts as possible should be accessible at post offices. HSBC, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Halifax Bank of Scotland and Abbey National agreed to make their basic bank accounts accessible at post office counters from 1 April 2003 when universal banking services became operational. The Post Office's plans to extend post office access to all current account holders are a commercial matter between Post Office Ltd. and individual banks. I have not, therefore, had any recent discussions with these banks concerning the provision of wider banking services at the Post Office.

    Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act
    Mr. Swire
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act. [118164]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    The Government supported the private member's legislation that was enacted last Session as the Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002. We are in touch with disability groups and organisations representing copyright owners on the most appropriate date for commencement of the Act in the next few months.

    Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations
    Angela Eagle
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the vires of section 7.3 of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003. [118583]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    [holding answer 10 June 2003]: We have considered the position carefully and are satisfied as to the vires of the provision in Regulation 7(3) of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003. We consider that the provisions of Regulation 7(3) are consistent with Article 4 in Council Directive 2000/ 78/EC, which these Regulations implement.

    Equality Law
    Julie Morgan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will introduce legislation to unify and extend equality law. [119754]

    Ms Hewitt
    The Government are taking forward a significant legislative agenda on equality matters. This includes introducing protection against discrimination in employment and vocational training on the grounds of sexual orientation, religion and belief and age to implement the EU Employment and Race Directives. We are also strengthening and widening existing disability legislation, providing rights of recognition for trans-gendered people and looking at how same sex partnerships might be recognised.

    These are complex and far reaching changes which will need time to bed down once they are introduced. We are ensuring that we implement the Employment and Race Directives in a way that achieves greater consistency wherever possible across the equality strands. We do not believe however that comprehensive unifying legislation is the most appropriate way forward.
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    Export Control Act
    Mr. Gardiner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2003,Official Report, column 463W, which of the Home Office guidelines (a) would and (b) would not be met if extra-territorial jurisdiction were to be given in the secondary orders for the Export Control Act 2002. [119211]

    Nigel Griffiths
    Home Office guidelines are a matter for the Home Secretary.

    Extra-territorial Jurisdiction
    Mr. Gardiner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 16 May 2003,Official Report, column 463W, how that part of the Home Office guidelines that states that (a) not all of the points have to be met and (b) that extra-territorial jurisdiction can be considered in cases where at least one of the criteria is met informs the work of her Department. [119212]

    Nigel Griffiths
    I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today, PQ No. 119211.

    Foreign Inward Investment
    Caroline Flint
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives are being offered to encourage foreign inward investors in the UK. [116573]

    Ms Hewitt
    The UK attracts more investment than any other country in Europe, and in the world, is second only behind the US (FDI inward stock figures for 2001 source: UNCTAD World Investment Report 2002). Invest-UK works in partnership with all of the UK's Development Agencies to attract the maximum level of inward investment and to market the UK's attractions for high quality investment. Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is available to foreign inward investors located, or planning to locate, within the UK's assisted areas. RSA provides grants to help support business expansions and create and safeguard jobs.

    Fossil Fuels
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is the Government's intention to exploit all the UK's economically recoverable fossil fuel reserves. [117833]

    Mr. Timms
    Consistent with the Government's Energy White Paper published in February this year, the Government support the full economic recovery of the UK's fossil fuel resources.

    Government Contracts
    Margaret Moran
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of Government contracts have been awarded to small business in each year since 1997. [119613]

    Nigel Griffiths
    The Government has not historically collected this data. However, I have asked the Small Business Service to undertake an annual survey of Government procurement and I hope to be able to
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    report the results of the 2001–02 survey shortly. The Small Business Service will be commencing the 2002–03 survey at the same time.

    Mr. Martlew
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of government contracts have been awarded to small businesses, broken down by Government Department and agency since 1997. [119638]

    Nigel Griffiths
    The Government have not historically collected these data. However, I have asked the Small Business Service to undertake an annual survey of government procurement and I hope to be able to report the results of the 2001–02 survey, broken down by Government Department, agency etc. shortly. The Small Business Service will be commencing the 2002–03 survey at the same time.

    Ink Cartridges
    Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has taken to promote the re-use of ink cartridges used in laser and inkjet printers. [119907]

    Mr. Timms
    The printer cartridge refill business is steadily growing. The Department welcomes this but has not seen a need to take specific measures to promote the sector.

    National Institute for Medical Research
    Mr. Gardiner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will make a statement on the Medical Research Council's proposal to close down the National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill; [117004]

    (2) what consultation there has been over proposals to close the National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill. [117005]

    Ms Hewitt
    No decision has been taken regarding the future of the National Institute for Medical Research. The Medical Research Council is, at present, developing a long-term strategy for its major capital investments over the next 10 to 15 years, including the National Institute for Medical Research.

    The MRC informed all MRC Unit and Institute Directors of the decision to establish a Council Subcommittee to develop this strategy with further information on its terms of reference and membership—all Directors had the opportunity to comment on the consultation document when released on 4 April 2003. The Directors at the four sites were consulted over the six months taken to discuss and agree the strategy. The Directors at the four sites have had the opportunity to comment on the over-arching strategy and submit comments relating to their institutes. The draft strategy was released for general consultation on 4 April 2003 and the deadline for comments was extended to 26 May 2003.

    MRC has recently announced that, as a next step, they will be establishing an expert task force to include Council members, independent scientists from UK and abroad, and senior scientists currently working at NIMR. The task force will aim to accelerate further development of a vision for a strong scientific future
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    for NIMR. This will include consideration of, and consultation on, a broader set of options for the size and location of NIMR. Establishment of the task force emphasizes the MRC's commitment to continued stakeholder consultation and to consideration all the options for the future of the NIMR.

    Official Spelling
    Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy that official(a) correspondence, (b) reports and (c) documentation from her office uses the English spelling of words where this differs from the US version. [118860]

    Ms Hewitt
    All correspondence, reports and documentation issued by my office are written in accordance with the Cabinet Office guidance on the handling of Ministerial and other correspondence, which emphasise that appropriate arrangements should be in place to ensure that the quality of all replies is high. My office also adheres to the Cabinet Office guidance on plain written English.

    Partnership Agreements
    Angela Eagle
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she plans to conclude a partnership agreement with the trade unions representing the staff in her Department. [117449]

    Ms Hewitt
    A Partnership Statement was agreed with the Trade Union by my Department in February 2001.

    Post Office Pensions
    Mr. Robathan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the(a) reported deficit in the pension fund of Royal Mail Group and (b) treatment of the pension credit in Consignia's last two annual accounts and the six monthly accounts for September 2002; and if she will estimate the total change in credit and deficit in those accounts. [114582]

    Mr. Timms
    [holding answer 22 May 2003]: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Royal Mail. I have therefore asked the company's chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

    Precious Metals Directive
    Kate Hoey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, (1) whether(a) her ministers and (b) officials have met representatives of the (i) British Retail Consortium and (ii) Consumers' Association to discuss the EU draft directive on precious metals; and if she will make a statement; [116828]

    (2) with which stakeholders her officials are discussing the Government's position on the EU draft directive on precious metals; and if she will make a statement. [116866]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    Neither Ministers nor officials have met representatives of the British Retail Consortium or the Consumers' Association to discuss the Draft EU Directive on the marking of precious metals. Officials have met representatives of the National Association of
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    Goldsmiths, which represents retail jewellers, and have been in contact with representatives of the Consumers' Association regarding the Directive.

    Officials have discussed the Draft Directive with, among others, the British Hallmarking Council, the Assay Offices, Trading Standards and jewellery manufacturers. The Government does not support the Directive.

    Mr. Chope
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the policy is of the Government towards the Precious Metals Directive; and if she will make a statement. [118225]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    The Government do not support the Directive.

    Printing Waste
    Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she plans to take to implement the recommendations of the Office of Fair Trading report on the cost of printers and the cost of ink cartridges; and if she will make a statement. [118083]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    Recommendations in the report are a matter for the Office of Fair Trading to follow up with the IT industry.

    Pyramid Selling
    Mr. Barnes
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the(a) place and (b) dates of the conviction were of her Department's 1987 prosecution under the Fair Trading Act 1973 and the Pyramid Selling Schemes Regulations 1973; what companies were involved; what sentences were conferred; to which offences the companies and directors pleaded guilty; and if she will make a statement. [115993]

    Mr. Sutcliffe
    Central records within the DTI enforcement section have been unable to locate a 1987 prosecution under the Fair Trading Act 1973 and the Pyramid Selling Schemes Regulations 1973.

    Renewable Energy Policy
    Mr. Bellingham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what types of wood and other biomass material are classified as renewable for the purposes of the renewable obligation certificates available for industry; and whether this includes(a) material grown specifically for a renewable energy programme and (b) wood which is produced for other purposes. [119183]

    Mr. Timms
    All types of wood and other biodegradable material are renewable as the term is used in the Utilities Act and the Renewables Obligation Order (RO).

    Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) may be issued only for the biodegradable fraction of the fuel supply, and only where the conditions of the Renewable Obligation Order concerning the fuel supply and technology used are met. Where the feedstock is at least 98 per cent. biodegradable, there is eligibility for ROCs regardless of the energy conversion technology used.
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    Where the feedstock is mixed waste, there is eligibility only in the case of advanced energy conversion technologies.

    In the case of stations fired by both a fossil-derived fuel and biomass (known as co-firing), waste which is purely biomass is eligible under the Renewables Obligation until 31 March 2011, but from 1 April 2006, at least 75 per cent. of the biomass must be from energy crops as defined in the Renewables Obligation Order, that is "a plant crop planted after 1 January 1990 primarily for the purpose of being used as a fuel".

    A technical review of the Renewables Obligation, including the co-firing provisions, is under way. This will be followed by a Statutory Consultation, beginning later in the summer.

    Royal Mail
    Keith Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will next meet the Chairman of Royal Mail. [120071]

    Mr. Timms
    As shareholder of Royal Mail Holdings plc, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry meets the Chairman several times a year. Their next meeting has not yet been scheduled.

    Small and Medium Businesses
    Brian Cotter
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list sector specific guidance produced by her Department for small and medium sized enterprises since February 2002; and if she will make a statement. [119448]

    Nigel Griffiths
    [holding answer 16 June 2003]: The Small Business Service (SBS) provides guidance and advice to all SMEs via the national network of Business Link Operators and the Business Link Website. Current sector specific guidance on the Website includes aerospace, agriculture, rural retail, biotechnology, the automotive industry and the building sector. The Business Link Website—www.businesslink.org—provides fuller information.

    Terrorism
    Mr. Gummer
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to ensure that first tier authorities share their plans with parish councils for dealing with terrorist incidents at nuclear power stations. [119101]

    Mr. Timms
    First tier local authorities are required under the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR), to prepare and exercise the emergency plans which would be activated in the event of an emergency with off-site consequences at a civil nuclear site. This would include an emergency which might result from a terrorist incident. In the preparation of these plans, first tier local authorities are required to consult interested parties or agencies, which could include elected councillors at county, borough and parish level. They are also required to consult on any proposed changes or reviews, and we would expect them to continue to share their plans
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    with interested parties after publication. REPPIR is monitored and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.

    University Challenge Fund
    Mr. Bellingham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the objectives are of the University Challenge Fund; what progress has been made towards achieving those objectives; and if she will make a statement. [119639]

    Ms Hewitt
    The objective of University Challenge is to deliver commercial opportunities by enabling universities to access seed funding to assist the commercialisation of their research. In their first three years of operation, the 15 Seed Funds established in 1999 have assisted the creation of 159 spin outs companies, the development of 81 patents and 11 licences.

    Mr. Bellingham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the financial benefits to the UK economy from the University Challenge Fund have been found by her Department to exceed the money spent on it. [119640]

    Ms Hewitt
    It is too early to assess the ultimate economic impact of the University Challenge Fund. However, by its third year of operation, initial investment of £30 million by the University Challenge Funds had attracted an additional £40 million from private sector sources. An evaluation of the University Challenge scheme will be carried out in due course.

    Mr. Bellingham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent on the University Challenge Fund each year since it was started; what the projected level of expenditure is over the next five years; and whether these figures are different from projected expenditure levels when the fund was created. [119641]
    334W
    Ms Hewitt
    The Government awarded £25 million towards the first round of University Challenge in 1998–99, and a further £15 million for a second round in 2001. Future funding for University Challenge activity will be provided as part of the Higher Education Innovation Fund for which a total of £171 million was allocated in Spending Review 2002. The grant drawn down by the University Challenge Funds each year is published in the DTI Consolidated Resource Accounts.

    Unsolicited E-mails
    Tom Levitt
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the threat to the integrity of the internet posed by the incidence of spam e-mails; and what measures she proposes to combat spamming. [119421]

    Mr. Timms
    Bulk untargeted e-mails can cause serious offence and nuisance to the recipients and cause problems for internet service providers whose networks can be blocked or slowed down. The Government will be introducing stricter rules on unsolicited commercial e-mail under the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications and draft Regulations are available for consultation until 19 June. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House and are also available on the DTI website at: www.dti.gov.uk/industries/econommunications/directive_on_privacy_electronic_ communications_200258ec

    Wind Farms
    Mr. Keetch
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with Force 9 regarding a wind farm in the Golden Valley in Herefordshire; and if she will make a statement. [119802]

    Mr. Timms
    [holding answer 17 June 2003]: The Department has had no discussions with Force 9 regarding a possible application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to build a wind farm in the Golden Valley.

  Northern Ireland: Buses
  Northern Ireland: Buses
  Northern Ireland: Planning Appeals and Approvals
  Northern Ireland: Planning Appeals and Approvals
  PEACE II Funding
  PEACE II Funding
  SCOPE Programmed
  SCOPE Programmed
  Northern Ireland Act 2000: Section 5
  Northern Ireland Act 2000: Section 5
  Gocean Lodge Development Scheme
  Gocean Lodge Development Scheme
  The Lord Chancellor
  The Lord Chancellor
  Right-to-Buy Scheme
  Right-to-Buy Scheme
  Sexual Abuse of Minors: Standard of Proof
  Sexual Abuse of Minors: Standard of Proof
  House of Lords: Communications Monitoring
  House of Lords: Communications Monitoring
  Entitlement Cards: Stand Website Submissions
  Entitlement Cards: Stand Website Submissions
  Armed Forces: Campaign Medal for Service in Afghanistan
  Armed Forces: Campaign Medal for Service in Afghanistan
  Defence Storage and Distribution Agency
  Defence Storage and Distribution Agency
  Pilot Training
  Pilot Training
  British Forces Post Office
  British Forces Post Office
  Defence Transport and Movements Agency
  Defence Transport and Movements Agency
  Free and Open Source Software Foundation in Africa
  Free and Open Source Software Foundation in Africa
  Middle East and North Africa: UK Contributions to EU Assistance Programmes
  Middle East and North Africa: UK Contributions to EU Assistance Programmes
  Housing Benefit Sanctions and Anti-social Behaviour
  Housing Benefit Sanctions and Anti-social Behaviour
  Benefit Sanctions: Hospital Admissions and Imprisonment
  Benefit Sanctions: Hospital Admissions and Imprisonment
  University Entrants: Socio-economic Classification
  University Entrants: Socio-economic Classification
  EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, 5 and 6 June
  EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, 5 and 6 June
  Equality and Diversity: Consultation Responses
  Equality and Diversity: Consultation Responses
  Accidental Injury Surveillance
  Accidental Injury Surveillance
  IT Disposal in Government Departments
  IT Disposal in Government Departments
  Export Controls
  Export Controls
  Genetically Modified Crops
  Genetically Modified Crops
  Technetium-99: Discharge into Irish Sea
  Technetium-99: Discharge into Irish Sea
  Depleted Uranium
  Depleted Uranium
  NHS Staff: Flexible Retirement
  NHS Staff: Flexible Retirement
  Pro-life Groups: EU Monitoring
  Pro-life Groups: EU Monitoring
  NHS National Programme for Information Technology
  NHS National Programme for Information Technology
  NHS Electronic Patient Records
  NHS Electronic Patient Records
  Neurology Registrars
  Neurology Registrars
  Haemophiliac Patients: Access to Medical Records
  Haemophiliac Patients: Access to Medical Records
  Blood Products: Review
  Blood Products: Review
  Healthcare Regulation, Audit and Inspection
  Healthcare Regulation, Audit and Inspection
  Postgraduate Medical Education
  Postgraduate Medical Education
  Food Safety Act 1990: Water Supply'
  Food Safety Act 1990: Water Supply'