Written Answers of 10 March 2003

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's official estimates are for the total of UK carbon dioxide emissions in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002; what proportion of each total is attributable to emissions from the domestic sector, as defined in the UNECE definitions of end user groups; and whether the Government has made an estimate of what those levels will be in 2003. [100878]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 6 March 2003]: The most recent UK carbon dioxide emissions data, published in March 2002 show that total UK carbon dioxide emissions were 152.1 million tonnes of carbon per year (MtC/yr) in 2000. Provisional data suggest that while emissions were around 3.4 MtC higher in 2001 than in 2000, they declined between 2001 and 2002. Final data for 2001 will be available later this month.

  Data based on the UNECE classification are available for 2000. This classification includes coal, oil and gas delivered for combustion in dwellings. The use of these fuels produced emissions of around 23 MtC/yr in 2000. In addition, approximately 18 MtC/yr were emitted from power stations, refineries and other energy industries serving the domestic sector. End user data for 2001 based on the UNECE classification will be available in April 2003.

  Compulsory Purchase
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many properties have been compulsorily purchased by the British Waterways Board in each year since 1999. [101817]

  Alun Michael
  None.

  Electronic Correspondence
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy for it to be possible for correspondence between hon. Members and Ministers to be carried out electronically. [95021]

  Alun Michael
  A great deal of progress has been made recently on tackling the significant difficulties experienced by DEFRA on dealing effectively with Member's correspondence since it's formation in June 2001 and the situation continues to improve. I have asked officials in DEFRA to look at how we might introduce an electronic correspondence system with Members. However, as our highest priority on 2W
  correspondence at the moment is to ensure that we continue to improve Departmental performance under the existing system.

  Environment Agency Inspections
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets were set by her Department for the number of inspections carried out by the Environment Agency in each year since 1997; what percentage were met; and if she will make a statement. [93708]

  Mr. Meacher
  Operational decisions are delegated to the Environment Agency. Although the Agency publishes a number of output and performance statistics, the departmental requirement upon the Agency is that they should assign resources to inspections that address environmental risk.

  The Agency makes information about its regulatory inspection activity available in its published Corporate Plans. These record the Agency's performance against its internally-generated targets. The Agency has recorded the following statistics for its planned inspections for each year ending 31 March as follows:

  Year

  Waste target

  Percentage achieved

  Percentage industries target

  Percentage achieved

  1998

  171,940

  82

  3,998

  80

  1999

  180,000

  83

  4,342

  76

  2000

  150,000

  84

  4,835

  79

  2001

  125,000

  96

  4,227

  70

  2002

  125,000

  81

  4,276

  84

  The Agency only sets targets for inspecting waste and process industries. Other inspections are not "planned" and therefore do not have targets set for them.

  Foot and Mouth
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many contracts which her Department and its agencies signed with companies to incinerate animal carcases under the over thirty months scheme have been cancelled since 1996; and if she will list the reasons for those cancellations. [101265]

  Alun Michael
  24 contracts for the incineration of over thirty month scheme animal carcases have been cancelled since 1996. The reasons for cancellation, are as follows:One contract was terminated for failure to comply with a contractual requirement to commence full operations, Eighteen contracts were terminated at the end of their term, with new contracts being introduced following a competitive tendering exercise; Five contracts terminated following the cessation of the foot and mouth emergency.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she will support the 18 applications for marketing consents for GM crops and foods under consideration by the European Commission. [100867]
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  Mr. Meacher
  The United Kingdom has not yet reached an opinion on any of the 19 applications to place GMOs on the market under EU directive 2001/18. Each application is considered initially by the member state where the GMO is to be placed on the market for the first time. Once the lead member state is satisfied that the application complies with the directive it is passed to the other member states with an assessment report. The UK will consider each application on its own merits on a case-by-case basis using the criteria laid down in the EU legislation. The Government's view will be informed by the advice of its relevant independent expert groups, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, together with advice from the statutory nature conservation bodies, the Food Standards Agency and the Health and Safety Executive. If the UK has comments or reasoned objections to the placing on the market of the GMO in question these will be forwarded to the European Commission. A collective decision will then be taken by member states as to whether or not the GMO in question should be placed on the market in accordance with the provisions of the Directive.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the public debate on genetically modified organisms will be concluded. [100868]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Public Debate Steering Board is due to submit its report on the debate to Government by the end of September.

  Greenhouse Gas
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what she estimates the cut in greenhouse gas emissions in the UK between 1990 and 2010 will be, relative to the target of 12.5 per cent. [101731]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 7 March 2003]: The UK published its Climate Change Programme in 2000. It contains an integrated package of policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the UK economy. The programme estimates that these policies and measures could reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 23 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010, and could reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 19 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. A formal review of the Climate Change Programme will take place in 2004.

  Ruddy Ducks
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her written ministerial statement of 3 March 2003,Official Report, column 71WS, for what reason domestic legislation was introduced to protect the ruddy duck population. [101380]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, all wild birds, as defined by Section 27(1), are protected. As ruddy ducks have been present in this country in the wild since 1953, the Department considers that they fall within this definition.
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  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her written ministerial statement of 3 March 2003,Official Report, column 71WS, on ruddy duck culling, whether those ruddy ducks culled under the control scheme will be made available for human consumption. [101621]

  Mr. Morley
  All recovered carcases of ruddy ducks are subject to post-mortem examination to determine age and sex of the animals. This information is used to help assess the consequences of control on population growth rates and productivity. The Department has no plans to make ruddy duck carcases available for human consumption.

  Secondments
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of her Department's officials have been seconded to(a) British Energy, (b) BNFL and (c) other (i) companies and (ii) NGOs involved in the nuclear sector since 1 January 2002; and on what areas of policy seconded individuals have worked. [101701]

  Alun Michael
  None.

  Tallow
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much compensation from the European Union her Department has received for the incineration of tallow produced under the over thirty months scheme since its inception. [101263]

  Alun Michael
  Compensation paid to producers under the OTMS scheme is funded approximately 70 per cent. by the EU and 30 per cent. by HM Treasury. Of the element that can be reimbursed by the EU, 80 per cent. is payable at the time animals are rendered, and the remaining 20 per cent. after the Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) and Tallow produced by the rendering process have both been incinerated.

  To date,£106,057,555 has been reimbursed following the incineration of MBM and Tallow.

  Waste Disposal
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) incinerators and (b) waste to energy plants handle waste collected by local authorities in the UK; and where they are located. [100473]

  Mr. Meacher
  There are sixteen facilities which burn municipal waste in the UK at the following locations.

  Bolton (Manchester)

  Cleveland (Billingham)

  Coventry

  Dundee

  Dudley

  Edmonton (North London)

  SELCHP (Lewisham, London)

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  Tyseley (Birmingham)

  Kirklees

  Lerwick (Shetlands)

  Nottingham

  Sheffield

  Stoke

  Wolverhampton

  Isle of Wight (PDF)

  Pebsham (RDF)

  They all generate power and/or heat. The last two plants on the list burn refuse derived fuel (RDF) prepared from municipal waste.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many waste incinerators are planned by waste disposal authorities; what the capacity is of each incinerator planned; and what information she collates on the contractual arrangements for waste disposal. [99675]

  Operator

  Location

  Size/tonne/yr

  Planning status

  Permit status

  NEWLINCS Developments

  Grimsby

  56,000

  Granted

  PPC application to be submitted

  Onyx

  Portsmouth

  165,000

  Granted after appeal

  PPC application expected this year

  Onyx

  Marchwood, Southampton

  160,000

  Granted

  PPC application being determined

  Surrey Waste Management

  Capel, Surrey

  116,000

  Permit withdrawn after JR. New application expected

  PPC permit issued

  Grundons

  Slough

  400,000

  Granted

  PPC application being determined

  Onyx

  Chineham, Surrey

  110,000

  Granted

  PPC permit issued

  HLC Waste Management Services

  Neath, Port Talbot

  85,000

  Granted

  PPC permit issued

  Waste Recycling Group

  Hull

  150,000

  Application refused. Planning appeal in progress

  PPC permit issued

  Kent Enviropower

  Maidstone, Kent

  500,000

  Granted

  PPC permit being determined

  Riverside Resource Recovery

  Bexley, London

  580,000 nominal capacity

  Application submitted; public enquiry pending

  PPC application pending

  Brightstar Environmental

  Derby

  55,000 up to 222,000

  Granted

  PPC application to be submitted '03

  Onyx

  Sheffield

  225,000

  Granted

  PPC application determined

  County Environment Services

  Roche, Cornwall

  64,000

  Application submitted

  No application

  Waste Electrical Equipment
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that there are markets for waste electrical equipment diverted from landfill. [101691]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Markets already exist for many of the materials arising from waste electrical equipment and there is also a wide spread reuse and refurbishment market for specific products such as mobile telephones or washing machines. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, due to be transposed next year, is likely to result in an increase in the availability of materials and components arising from WEEE although the additional tonnages will not be large relative to other sources of these materials.

  There will, however, be a need to encourage some new market applications where, for example, materials are contaminated or market prices are very low. The DTI will be working with Defra, WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) and business to help address this.
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  Mr. Meacher
  Information on the number of waste incinerators which are subject to planning applications determined by local planning authorities is not held centrally.

  Information is available, however, from the Environment Agency on the number and status of proposed new Municipal Waste Incineration Plants in England and Wales and is set out in the following table. The data are based on information shared with the Environment Agency by prospective applicants for Pollution Prevention and Control permits which are needed before a new plant starts operations. There may be other planning applications or amendments which have been submitted to local authorities on which the Agency has not been consulted. The planning status may have changed since the data were supplied.

  My Department does not routinely collect information on contractual arrangements for waste disposal which is the responsibility of waste disposal authorities.

  Waste Minimisation and Recycling Schemes
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria will be adopted for the funding of waste minimisation and recycling schemes when changes to the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme are introduced. [98526]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 24 February 2003]: The precise arrangements for the administration of the new public spending programme to encourage sustainable waste management, which will replace parts of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS), are still under development but are unlikely to include a grant scheme for which criteria would need to be drawn up. Details will be set out alongside the Government's response to the Strategy Unit Report "Waste Not Want Not", which we aim to publish in the spring.

  For the period prior to 1 April 2004, my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced on 3 February 2003, Official Report, columns 5–7WS, that Government would provide transitional funding for waste management and recycling projects currently supported through the LTCS beyond March 2003, for

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  one year only, provided these projects meet the eligibility criteria included in the announcement and subject to any constraints resulting from EU state aid rules.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Trade
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if, when drafting the secondary legislation for the Export Control Act 2002, she will extend the licensing regime for extraterritorial controls on brokered arms deals to cover all types of military and security equipment brokered by UK nationals to any destination, wherever they conduct their activities; [101338]

  (2) if she will extend the provisions in the Export Control Act 2002 to include the licensing of all brokered activities, including the provision of financial services to those involved in the arms trade. [101340]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The consultation document published on 30 January 2003 sets out the draft secondary legislation to implement the Export Control Act 2002 and explains what brokering activities are proposed to be licensed. Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of the House. Final decisions on drafting the secondary legislation will not be taken until after the consultation closes on 30 April 2003 and all the responses have been carefully considered. The current consultation reflects the conclusions reached in the light of the earlier consultations.

  Bottled Water
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the number of litres of bottled(a) sparkling and (b) still water consumed in the United Kingdom in each year since 1992; and what percentage was supplied in (i) plastic, (ii) glass and (iii) other materials. [99291]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government do not themselves gather data to this level of detail. However, industry market intelligence data available to us show the following:

  UK bottled water consumption

  Litres (million)

  Still

  Sparkling

  1992

  315

  180

  1993

  330

  200

  1994

  350

  250

  1995

  440

  288

  1996

  430

  270

  1997

  495

  279

  1998

  550

  285

  1999

  696

  300

  2000

  862

  283

  2001

  990

  270

  2002

  1,080

  300

  In addition, the data available reveal that in 2002, 81 per cent. of bottled water was supplied in plastic, nine per cent. in glass and 10 per cent. in other materials.
  8W
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the number of litres of chilled water cooler water supplied to homes and businesses in the United Kingdom each year since 1992; and what proportion of this water is classified as mineral water. [99292]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government do not themselves gather data to this level of detail. However, industry market intelligence data available to us show the following:

  UK water cooler water supplies

  Litres (million)

  1992

  33

  1993

  43

  1994

  57

  1995

  76

  1996

  95

  1997

  124

  1998

  153

  1999

  205

  2000

  265

  2001

  335

  2002

  390

  In addition, the data available reveal that in 2002, mineral water accounted for 27.4 per cent. of total water volume supplied.

  Broadband
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the planned 2002–03 allocation of resources to the broadband category listed in the Better Regulation Section on page 123 of the Department of Trade and Industry's Expenditure Plans 2002–03 to 2003–04, Cm 5416. [100149]

  Mr. Timms
  The £15 million listed represents the 2002–03 allocation from the £30 million UK Broadband Fund given to the Regional Development Agencies and the devolved Administrations.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures her Department is taking to promote access to broadband in rural areas. [100342]

  Mr. Timms
  DTI has established the UK Broadband Task Force to look at the aggregation of public sector broadband demand and it is envisaged that this will help extend broadband availability into rural areas. Projects funded through the £30 million UK Broadband Fund are seeking to develop broadband networks, often in rural and remote areas, and spread best practice from these throughout the country. DTI works closely with DEFRA on rural broadband issues and will continue to do so.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives the Government have offered to encourage(a) BT and (b) other suppliers to provide affordable broadband in rural communities. [100343]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government's policy is not to subsidise service providers to roll out broadband but to stimulate a competitive market through fair regulation to provide consumer choice at low prices.
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  We have provided the RDAs and devolved Administrations with the £30 million UK Broadband Fund to help develop broadband networks. The UK Broadband Task Force through its demand aggregation work will help broadband become increasingly available to areas not currently served by an affordable broadband service.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the economic impact on areas where people are unable to access broadband in the next three years. [100344]

  Mr. Timms
  No such assessment has been made.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what projections her Department has made of the level of access to broadband by the beginning of next year. [100345]

  Mr. Timms
  DTI does not make detailed forecasts of levels of access to broadband. Currently, broadband is available to just over 70 per cent. of the UK population and it is anticipated that this will rise substantially in the future.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of broadband coverage in Liverpool; and if she will make a statement. [101420]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government has made no specific assessment of broadband coverage in Liverpool. In the UK as a whole, 71 per cent. of the population has access to a broadband service.

  A map showing geographical availability of broadband services can be found in the UK Online Annual Report 2002, available at http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/oee/oee.nsf/ sections/esummit-ukoannrep/$file/indexpage.htm

  Controlled Goods
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what records she holds of offsets arranged by UK companies as part of the conditions of sale of controlled goods to overseas buyers; and if the details of these offsets are publicly available; [101710]

  (2) what records she holds of arrangements entered into by UK companies to license the production overseas of controlled goods; and whether the details of these arrangements are publicly available. [101711]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Since information is held only if it was contained in documents provided in support of an export licence application. Such documents are not normally publicly available.

  An export licence is not a requirement from the Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation to manufacture items outside the UK. However, where the product to be manufactured under commercial licence has a potential military use, the UK exporter might require an export licence before the goods and technology necessary for the establishment and operation of the licensed production facility can be supplied from the UK.

  Deloitte & Touche
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the matters upon which her Department and the public bodies sponsored by her Department have obtained recent advice from Deloitte & Touche. [100523]

  Ms Hewitt
  Deloitte & Touche have provided advice to the Department and its NDPBs on the following issues:

  Tax advice to various NDPBs

  Audit work for various NDPBs

  Risk management

  Management information system

  Electronic submission framework

  Administration strategy

  Wind up of the Pension scheme of Inward

  Access to Finance—SMEs

  Data Protection Act review and Performance Management Framework

  Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund

  Royal Mail including the Post Office network

  National Debtline pilot evaluation

  BNFL PPP Advisors

  Financial Systems development

  Inward Investment Overseas and in UK

  The Department's Executive Agencies will be responding directly.

  Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 10 March 2003:
  You tabled a question on 27 February 2003 to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, asking if she will list the matters upon which her Department and the public bodies sponsored by her Department have obtained recent advice from Deloitte & Touche. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service(ETS) which is an executive agency of the DTI.
  The Employment Tribunals Service have obtained no advice from Deloitte & Touche in the calendar year 2002.

  Letter from Alison Brimelow to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 10 March 2003:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question, tabled on 27 February 2003, about matters upon which the Department of Trade and Industry has received recent advice from Deloitte & Touche.
  The Patent Office has received no advice from Deloitte & Touche.

  Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 10 March 2003:
  The Secretary for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question if she will list the matters upon which her Department and the public bodies sponsored by her Department have obtained recent advice from Deloitte & Touche.
  National Weights and Measures Laboratory have not obtained recent advice from Deloitte & Touche.
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  Letter from Claire Clancy to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 10 March 2003:
  I am responding to your recent Parliamentary Question on behalf of Companies House, which is an Executive Agency of DTI. I can confirm that Companies House has received no recent advice from Deloitte & Touche.

  Letter from Martin Wyn Griffith to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 10 March 2003:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the matters upon which her Department and the public bodies sponsored by her Department have obtained recent advice from Deloitte & Touche.
  I am writing to confirm that the Small Business Service has not called upon the services of Deloitte & Touche in the last calendar year.

  Letter from Mike Goddard to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 10 March 2003:
  I have been asked to reply in respect of the Radiocommunications Agency to your recent Parliamentary Question about advice from Deloitte & Touche.
  This Agency has no recent contracts with Deloitte & Touche.

  Energy White Paper
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to paragraph 2.27 of the Energy White Paper, Cm 5761, what areas of liaison she expects to develop with the European Parliament to implement the proposals on emissions trading. [100079]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department takes the lead in negotiations on the EU Emissions Trading Directive. Political agreement was reached on the proposed Directive at Environment Council on 9 December 2002. The European Parliament will begin its second reading shortly. Officials from my Department have had meetings with the rapporteur for the Directive in the European Parliament and a number of Members of the Parliament to discuss the agreement reached in Council and the prospects for the Parliament's second reading. I expect further discussions with the European Parliament to take place during the second reading process. The trading scheme is due to begin in 2005. There is provision for the European Commission to bring forward proposals to amend the scheme, including extending its scope to cover other sectors and gases, before the start of the second phase in 2008. Any proposals would be subject to agreement between Council and Parliament, and I would expect these to lead to further discussions with the European Parliament.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage improvement in energy efficiency would be required to deliver from the household sector the(a) 5 MtC saving between 2002 and 2010 and (b) the 6 MtC saving between 2010 and 2020 identified in the Energy White Paper. [100783]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  Assuming continuation of past trends for the growth in household demand for energy, an additional annual saving of 5 MtC by 2010 would correspond to an energy efficiency improvement of approximately 20 per cent. relative to the year 2000. This represents broadly a doubling of the average rate of improvement seen in the 1990s.
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  A further 4 to 6 MtC of annual.savings by 2020 would correspond to an efficiency improvement compared with 2010 of around 18 to 22 per cent.

  HMX
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what conditions were attached to the recent licence for the export of HMX to Iran; and if she will make a statement. [101298]

  Nigel Griffiths
  There were no special conditions attached to the licence since the Government is satisfied that the HMX pellets, specifically designed for cutting collars and perforating tubes, are intended for only legitimate purposes as part of the process of drilling oil and gas wells.

  Internet
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it a requirement for the internet sites of companies registered in the United Kingdom to carry the registered address of their company. [101337]

  Mr. Timms
  In June 2002, the European Commission published a proposal to update the First Company Law Directive, which sets out basic safeguards for the protection of shareholders, creditors and other third parties dealing with limited companies, to reflect technological developments since the Directive was originally agreed in 1968.

  A provision within the Commission proposal was that companies should be required to include basic statutory information, including information sufficient to identify the public file relating to the company and the location of its registered office, in electronic documents and on any company website. The UK supports this proposal as an important protection for those dealing with companies via the internet.

  It is hoped that agreement to the final text can be achieved in the near future. Early consideration of the legislative steps necessary to achieve the objectives of the Directive in the UK will then take place

  Miners' Pensions
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress in reinstating pension rises for miners sacked as a result of the 1984 industrial dispute. [101812]

  Mr. Wilson
  Following my announcement in December 2001, a scheme was launched in April 2002 to handle applications from those miners dismissed in connection with the 1984–85 strike, and not subsequently re-employed by British Coal.

  The closing date for the scheme was 31 December. The Department is currently assessing the applications which have been received, and we hope to be able to inform those who are eligible for the enhancement of their pension in the near future.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation of
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  the renewables obligation certificate trading system; and if she will calculate the effect of every certificate holder being able to realise the full value by having the right to cash out. [101286]

  Mr. Wilson
  The renewables obligation certificate trading system is working smoothly and well. The obligation is a market based mechanism and the value of certificates is established in contracts between generators and suppliers or third party traders. The terms of these contracts are a matter for the parties concerned, renewables obligation certificates are trading at a high value at present reflecting the shortage of renewables electricity in the early years of the obligation.

  Sudan
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many UK companies are operating in the oil sector in Sudan. [101585]

  Mr. Wilson
  As the Department is not active in promoting trade with or investment in Sudan, our information on the number of UK companies operating in the oil sector in the country is limited. To our knowledge, no UK companies have any direct investment in the upstream oil sector in Sudan.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Ordinands
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what financial provision is being made for an expansion in the number of ordinands. [101632]

  Mr. Bell
  The Church of England has always made financial provision for all those who have been recommended for ordination training. In 2003 this will cost in the region of £9 million.

  Clergy Pensions
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the ability of the Church of England pension fund to meet its future liabilities. [101634]

  Mr. Bell
  Clergy pensions earned on service before 1998, for which the Commissioners are responsible, are covered more than twice over by the Commissioners' assets. Those on service from 1998 are met from the new scheme administered by the Church of England Pensions Board and funded by contributions from parishes. Actuaries provide regular advice on the financial position in both cases.

  Bishopstone Estate
  Mr. Key
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what income has been derived from the Commissioners' estate at Bishopstone, Wiltshire, in each of the past five years. [101635]
  14W
  Mr. Bell
  The income for the Bishopstone estate has fallen by just over 14 per cent. during the last five years as a result of the general downturn in agricultural incomes. The Commissioners, in common with other large estate owners, do not publish precise income figures for their estates, as this information is commercially sensitive.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

  Proportional Representation
  John Robertson
  To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent discussions the Commission has had with the Scottish Executive regarding proportional representation in Scotland. [101633]

  Mrs. Browning
  I have been asked to reply.

  I understand that Commissioners and staff regularly meet members and staff of the Scottish Executive. However, no discussions have taken place on the subject of proportional representation in Scotland.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Youth Fitness
  Syd Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Department's strategy is for improving youth fitness. [101467]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government's £459 million investment over the next three years in PE and sport in schools will increase youth participation and fitness.

  Game Plan recommends that participation needs to rise to improve the fitness of the whole population. We are working with the Department of Health to deliver this.

  Access to Music
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she proposes to give greater access to(a) ballet and (b) classical music concerts to persons in social classes C1 and C2. [101468]

  Dr. Howells
  In our latest funding allocation to the Arts Council of England, we have asked the Arts Council to put strategies in place to ensure that world class art is accessible to as many people as possible. This will be reflected in the Funding Agreement which is currently being negotiated with the Arts Council. It will now be for the Arts Council to develop measures to address these issues, building on the success of initiatives like Creative Partnerships, the New Audiences Programme and the National Touring Programme.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who will fund the proposed Stonehenge visitor centre. [101469]
  15W
  Dr. Howells
  The new Stonehenge visitor centre will be primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, DCMS and English Heritage. English Heritage will conduct a fund-raising campaign to cover part of the cost.

  2012 Olympics
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of sites for sailing events for a bid to hold the Olympics in London. [101470]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Arup report on the costs and benefits of staging the Olympic Games in London in 2012 considers a number of venues that will be required should we win the right to stage the games. Some of the venues, including a venue for sailing, will be located outside the London area. All the venues will be subject to further assessment if the Government decide to support a bid.

  Lottery Grants
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to simplify the application process for lottery grants; and if she will make a statement. [101471]

  Mr. Caborn
  As part of the Lottery Funding Review, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering a number of proposals further to simplify application processes and will make an announcement in the summer.

  International Sporting Events
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on bringing international sporting events to the United Kingdom. [101472]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government remains committed to attracting more international sporting events to the UK. The Department will take forward the recommendation of the Strategy Unit to create a strategy for bidding for mega events. We will consider with UK Sport how best to assist organisations at the bidding, delivery and evaluation stages of major sporting events.

  Capital of Culture
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what reports she has received from the independent expert panel who will judge Liverpool's bid to be designated European Capital of Culture. [101473]

  Dr. Howells
  The independent Advisory Panel, chaired by Sir Jeremy Isaacs, considered all 12 bids carefully and thoroughly against the criteria laid down by the ED and the Government. The panel thought that all the bids were of a very high standard but the six shortlisted bids are those which the panel considered to be the strongest overall. As my hon. Friend knows, Liverpool's bid has been shortlisted.

  The Panel will now consider the shortlisted bids in more detail. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will wait for further advice and recommendations from
  16W
  the panel before reaching any conclusions about which city should be the UK's nomination for European Capital of Culture 2008.

  Broadband
  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she is taking to ensure that internet access in public libraries can be by broadband. [101461]

  Mr. Caborn
  The £100 million, Lottery funded, People's Network programme has enabled internet connections to 99 per cent. of UK libraries so far. It was a condition of the funding that broadband connections should be made, where possible. Through business plans received from library authorities, Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, estimate that around 85 per cent. of our libraries will have broadband internet connectivity of 2 mega-bytes or more. The remaining 15 per cent. of libraries are in areas where it is very difficult to install broadband currently.

TREASURY

  Translation and Interpreting Services
  John Mann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Government contracts for(a) translation and (b) interpreting services are put out to tender. [101579]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is not held centrally.

  Accidental Deaths (Wales)
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many accidental deaths there were in Wales in each of the last 20 years. [101239]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 10 March 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many accidental deaths there were in Wales in each of the last 20 years. I am replying in his absence. (101239)
  The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2001. Figures on the total number of accidental deaths for each year from 1982 to 2001 are given in the attached table.

  Number of deaths from accidents1, persons' Wales3, 1982 to 20013

  Calendar year

  Number of deaths

  1982

  803

  1983

  756

  1984

  793

  1985

  780

  1986

  820

  1987

  770

  1988

  632

  1989

  701

  1990

  690

  1991

  706

  1992

  666

  1993

  659

  1994

  678

  1995

  684

  1996

  735

  1997

  706

  17W

  Number of deaths from accidents1, persons' Wales3, 1982 to 20013

  Calendar year

  Number of deaths

  1998

  751

  1999

  720

  2000

  687

  2001

  717

  1 The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (1CD-9) codes E800-E928 excluding E870-E879 for the years 1982 to 2000, and, for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes VOI-X59.

  2 Figures relate to deaths of people resident in Wales, rather than deaths occurring in Wales.

  3 Figures are for deaths registered in the years 1982 to 1992, and for deaths occurring in each calendar year from 1993 to 2001.

  Accounting Standards Board
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer(1) pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2003, Official Report, column 302W, on the private finance initiative, what assessment he has made of the performance of the Accountancy Standards Board; [101191]

  (2) what plans he has for his Department to issue accounting standards in relation to (a) special purpose vehicles, (b) PFI contracts and (c) other issues; [101194]

  (3) whether officials from his Department have met representatives of the Accounting Standards Board to discuss accounting standards relating to special purpose vehicles. [101192]

  Mr. Boateng
  The issue of accounting standards is a matter for the Accounting Standards Board (ASB), not for HM Treasury.

  HM Treasury does not assess the performance of the ASB. The ASB is an independent body, a company limited by guarantee, which is formally a subsidiary of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). A full report of the ASB's activities is set out each year in the FRC's Annual Review.

  HM Treasury has observer status on the Accounting Standards Board and Treasury officials have regular contacts with the Board on a range of issues.

  Annuities
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he has made to the recommendation from the Financial Services Consumer Panel that the Government should consider establishing an independent charitable trust charged with offering consumers free advice on the purchase of annuities. [101333]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Pensions Green Paper, "Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement" (Cm 5677), made clear the Government view that compulsory independent financial advice would not be appropriate at this stage. Reforms to the market for financial advice and sales look likely to increase both consumer choice and the availability of low-cost financial advice.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will create a CAT standard annuity. [101332]

  Ruth Kelly
  There are no plans to introduce a CAT standard for annuities.

  Centre for Non-Residents
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance the Centre for Non-Residents has issued for British nationals(a) returning from countries neighbouring Iraq and (b) otherwise affected by Foreign Office advice on safety, concerning their tax liability and legal residency for financial year 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [101781]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The tax position of those returning to the UK from countries neighbouring Iraq on the basis of advice on safety from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is as set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 4 March 2003,Official Report, column 919W. Staff at the Inland Revenue's Centre for Non-Residents are advising taxpayers accordingly. They have taken appropriate steps to ensure that their contact telephone number (0151 472 6196) is widely available.

  Child Care
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if lone parents will be able to claim the new child care tax credit for a period of time before returning to work. [101049]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The new Working Tax Credit, including the child care element, can be claimed by lone parents who are in qualifying remunerative work for at least 16 hours a week. To meet that test, the person has either to be working 16 hours a week at the date of claim or to have accepted an offer of work at that date and the work is expected to start within 7 days.

  People who are on paid maternity leave, paid adoption leave or paid paternity leave, and who met the Working Tax Credit remunerative work requirement before their leave started, will be able to claim during their leave for child care costs for the children in the family they were responsible for before the arrival of their new child.

  Child Support
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the change in Government financial support for children since 1997. [101364]

  Dawn Primarolo
  From this April, the introduction of the new tax credits, the Working Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, will provide more generous support for families with children—with more for those on lower incomes.

  The Child Tax Credit combined with Child Benefit will deliver up to £54.10 a week in support for first child, compared to £27.70 a week in April 1997.

  Under the new tax credits:
  the average gain for those currently receiving Working Families Tax Credit will be £12 per week;
  families on Income Support and income based Jobseeker's Allowance will gain an average of £11 per week;
  students and student nurses with children could gain up to £38 per week for the first child; and
  over 500,000 one-earner families with children with incomes over £30,000 a year will become newly eligible for support for their children.
  19W
  This builds on existing policies to support families financially:
  we have provided record increases in Child Benefit. From April 2003, the rate of Child Benefit for the first child will rise to £16.05, a 25 per cent. increase in real terms on the 1997 level;
  we introduced the Children's Tax Credit in April 2001, now worth up to £529 a year;
  we have introduced the Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC), which benefits over 1.3 million families, and nearly 2.7 million children;
  as part of the Working Families Tax Credit, 175,000 thousand families received help with their child care costs, more than three times the number who benefited from the old child care disregard in Family Credit. We are currently paying out £1 million a day in child care tax credit; and
  we have increased the children's allowances in Income Support and other income-related benefits, including a doubling in real terms of the rates for children under 11.

  Computer Misuse
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2003,Official Report, column 653W, on computer misuse, how many Inland Revenue staff have been (a) dismissed and (b) prosecuted as a result of misuse of its computer systems. [101141]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information, for each of the last five years, is as follows.

  Dismissals

  Prosecutions

  1998

  1

  0

  1999

  7

  0

  2000

  8

  0

  2001

  6

  0

  2002

  3

  0

  Consumer Confidence
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent research he has commissioned into the level of consumer confidence in the UK economy; and if he will make a statement. [101274]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's Fiscal Statement and Budget Report, to be delivered on 9 April 2003, will include a full assessment of developments in the UK household sector including consumer confidence.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the change in corporation tax revenue resulting from the introduction of the congestion charge. [101076]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No estimate has been made of the impact of the congestion charge on corporation tax receipts. But estimating its impact would not be straightforward as companies may feel benefits as well as the more obvious costs.

  Economic Growth (EU)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's forecast is of the average economic growth rate in the EU from 2000 to 2010. [101606]
  20W
  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 7 March 2003]: In line with the practice of previous Governments, we do not publish growth forecasts for the EU. Growth forecasts for the G7 aggregate are published in the Pre-Budget and Budget Reports.

  Euro
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent(a) discussions he has had with and (b) representations he has received from (i) the Bank of England, (ii) representatives of business and (iii) employees representatives on the assessment of the five tests for euro entry. [101863]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11 February 2002,Official Report, columns 104–05W.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the(a) terms of reference and (b) guidance issued to the review of the implications for UK statistics of joining the euro. [101275]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor has asked Christopher Allsopp to undertake a wide-ranging review of the informational and statistical requirements for monetary and wider economic policy-making, following the end of his term as a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England.

  The terms of reference and other details of the review were published in a press notice on 27 February 2003, available on the Treasury's website: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

  Economic Reform (EU)
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent proposals he has made to the European Union on increasing the rate of its economic reform. [101864]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's proposals for increasing the rate of EU economic reform are set out in "Meeting the Challenge; Economic Reform in Europe", published on 17 February 2003.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 217W, on Lisbon and Stockholm objectives, if he will (a) make a statement and (b) publish a document listing progress towards each objective listed in Appendix A of the European Economic Reform White Paper 2002. [102048]

  Ruth Kelly
  Progress towards the Lisbon and Stockholm objectives is described in the progress report on European economic reform, 'Meeting the Challenge; Economic Reform in Europe', and in 'Structural Indicators of European Economic Reform; Measuring Europe's Progress', both published on 17 February 2003.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 3 February 2003,Official Report, column 30W, whether the FSA will

  21W
  continue the advertisement complaints procedure to its conclusion in cases in which the offending advert has been removed. [101396]

  Ruth Kelly
  Decisions about the action to take in response to complaints about advertisements, and when and how to bring that action to a conclusion, are a matter for the FSA, taking into account the circumstances of each case.

  Fraud
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions for tax fraud the Inland Revenue's special compliance office has pursued in each year since 1997; and how many of these prosecutions resulted in convictions. [102005]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Statistics on prosecutions and convictions by the Inland Revenue are published each year in their Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the House Library.

  House Price Inflation
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment HM Treasury has made regarding the level of house price inflation in the UK economy. [101698]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's Fiscal Statement and Budget report to be delivered on 9 April will include an assessment of recent house price developments.

  Household Debt
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to reduce the level of household debt as a percentage of disposable income in the UK. [101053]

  Ruth Kelly
  Within a sound financial framework, the Government believe that households are best placed to decide on the level of debt that they should hold. Growth in household debt reflects strong fundamentals with a robust labour market, low interest rates and strong gains in housing wealth.

  Inflation
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the inflation rate was for(a) the public sector and (b) the private sector in each of the last 12 months. [101280]

  Ruth Kelly
  Public and private sector inflation, as measured by the implied Government and private consumption deflators respectively, are not available on a monthly basis as they are derived from quarterly nominal and real consumption data. The latest data were published by the Office for National Statistics in the First Release on UK output, income and expenditure for the fourth quarter of 2002 on 26 February 2003.

  Insurance Premiums
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions officials from his Department have had with representatives of(a) employers and (b) employees concerning the cost of insurance premiums. [101700]
  22W
  Ruth Kelly
  Officials from HM Treasury and other Government Departments have meetings with a wide range of representative groups on issues related to insurance, including the cost of insurance premiums.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what revenue has been received from Insurance Premium Tax in each year since 1997; [101704]

  (2) what plans he has to provide business with a rebate from Insurance Premium Tax revenues. [102117]

  Ruth Kelly
  The total amount of insurance premium tax collected in the UK can be found on the HM Customs and Excise website: www.hmce.gov.uk/about/ reports/ann-report/n2.pdf.

  As with all taxes, Insurance Premium Tax is kept under review and any changes would be announced in the annual Budget.

  Labour Statistics (Wales)
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people aged 16 to 21 there were in low rates of pay in Wales for each of the last 20 years; [101241]

  (2) how many people aged 16 to 21 were unemployed in Wales in each of the last 20 years. [101243]

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

  Letter from Mr. Colin Mowl to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 10 March 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about unemployment and low pay rates in Wales. I am replying in his absence. (100241, 100243)
  The attached table gives estimates of the number of unemployed people aged 16 to 21 in Wales for the three month periods ending May of each year from 1984 to 2002. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey and are not seasonally adjusted. This information is not available on a consistent basis for 1983.
  For years from 1998, ONS has published estimates of the numbers of people paid below the National Minimum Wage on the basis of sample survey data. However, for the group requested, sample numbers are too small to provide a reliable estimate.

  Unemployed people aged 16–21 in Wales; Spring (March to May) 1984 to 2002

  Thousand, not seasonally adjusted

  March to May

  1984

  49

  1985

  45

  1986

  47

  1987

  35

  1988

  31

  1989

  23

  1990

  25

  1991

  28

  1992

  23

  1993

  33

  1994

  22

  1995

  23

  1996

  23

  1997

  28

  1998

  21

  1999

  26

  2000

  21

  2001

  24

  2002

  23

  23W
  Note:

  These Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates are Not Seasonally Adjusted (NSA) and have not been adjusted to take account of the Census 2001 results.

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Maastricht Criteria (Budget Deficits)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the prospects for the United Kingdom meeting the Maastricht criteria relating to budget deficits. [101645]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 2.61 of the 2002 pre-Budget report. A copy can be found in the Library.

  National Health Service
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the increase in spending on the national health service announced in the Budget Statement 2002 in relation to(a) productivity, (b) efficiency and (c) savings due to economies of scale. [101278]

  Mr. Boateng
  The health settlement announced in the 2002 Budget Statement, which covers the period from 2003–04 to 2007–08, is linked to a programme of reform to deliver the NHS Plan. Progress against this will be assessed and reported regularly by the Department of Health in their annual Departmental Report and in their Autumn Performance Report, both of which are available on the Department of Health website.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2003,Official Report, column 769W, on national insurance contributions, what assessment his Department has made in recent economic forecasts of the effect that the increase in national insurance in April will have on (a) disposable income, (b) consumer spending as a percentage of GDP, (c) personal borrowing levels and (d) the savings ratio. [101911]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given him by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General on 28 February 2003,Official Report, column 769W.

  Pensions
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he has made to the European Commission on its inquiry into whether UK pensions tax rules meet EC requirements. [101362]

  Ruth Kelly
  In common with all other member states, the UK was asked to provide details of existing tax rules for pension schemes, and whether any changes to those rules were contemplated. The response was a factual description of the reliefs and tax treatment currently available. Reference was also made to the pensions simplification review then under way.

  Personal Sector Wealth
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of total personal sector wealth was owned by the wealthiest half of the adult population in each year since 1997. [102112]

  Ruth Kelly
  The available information which relates to the distribution of UK marketable wealth, including that owned by the wealthiest half of the adult population, is given in Table 13.5 of Inland Revenue Statistics 2003 which is available at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/ index.htm.

  Public Sector Comparators
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish Treasury investment appraisal guidance used to construct Public Sector Comparators; and if he will make a statement. [101759]

  Mr. Boateng
  Guidance on Public Sector Comparators is set out in Treasury Taskforce Technical Note 5, "How to Construct a Public Sector Comparator".

  Work is currently under way to assess how guidance might be updated to reflect recent changes in the 2002 Green Book.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the contribution Public Service Agreements will make to the Government's sustainable development strategy. [101506]

  Mr. Boateng
  Public Service Agreements make a significant contribution to the delivery of the Government's sustainable development strategy. The Spending Review 2002 required each Department with its own Public Service Agreement to produce a Sustainable Development Report, explaining the sustainable development implications of its policy priorities. Further information on the specific contribution Public Service Agreements make can be found in the 2002 Spending Review White Paper and in the Government 2002 Annual Report on sustainable development, "Achieving a Better Quality of Life".

  Revenue Qualifying Regimes
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2003,Official Report, column 33W, on revenue qualifying regimes, whether changes to the qualifying regime will be subject to an assessment of the likely impact to those on low incomes. [101810]

  Ruth Kelly
  I confirm that in considering changes to the qualifying policy regime the Government will assess the likely impact of those changes on those on low incomes.

  Secondments
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 220W, on secondments, from

  25W
  which private accounting firms the three people are seconded; how long the secondment is of each; and what their responsibilities are. [102046]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information is as follows:

  Deloitte Touche—24.9.01–23.09.03

  Duties: General Business Taxation (including corporation tax, capital gains for companies, tax issues for multinational businesses, taxation of insurance, offshore funds and other collective investment schemes, rural tax issues and film tax relief).

  Arthur Andersen—2.1.02–30.6.03

  Duties: Team Leader responsible for Public Enterprise Partnerships

  PKF—-22.7.02–21.7.04

  Duties: Accountancy advice. Post-Enron work and Corporate Governance issues.

  Suicides (Wales)
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides of those aged 15 to 24 there were in Wales in each of the last 20 years. [101244]

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

  Letter from Mr. Colin Mowl to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 10 March 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many suicides have been recorded in each of the last 20 years for those aged 15 to 24 in Wales. I am replying in his absence. (101244)
  The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2001. Figures for each year from 1982 to 2001 are given in the attached table.

  Number of deaths from suicide and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted1, persons aged 15 to 24, Wales2,1982 to 20013

  Calendar year

  Number of deaths

  1982

  31

  1983

  36

  1984

  28

  1985

  26

  1986

  31

  1987

  40

  1988

  35

  1989

  31

  1990

  33

  1991

  42

  1992

  42

  1993

  40

  1994

  44

  1995

  46

  1996

  40

  1997

  53

  1998

  47

  1999

  50

  2000

  35

  2001

  41

  1 The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (1CD-9) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8for the years 1982 to 2000, and, for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (1 CD-10)codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending,

  26W
  2Figures relate to deaths of people resident in Wales, rather than deaths occurring in Wales

  3Figures are for deaths registered in the years 1982 to 1992, and for deaths occurring in each calendar year from 1993 to 2001.

  Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) of 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 604W, how much each mailshot to potential new tax credit claimants has cost. [100764]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The answer I gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) referred to a reminder mailing in November and a further mailing in February. The approximate costs for these mailings are as follows:

  £

  Date

  Print and production

  Postage

  November

  299,000

  588,000

  February

  70,000

  364,000

  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Northampton, South will be entitled to the new Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit; and of these, how many (i) have applied for them and (ii) have returned their claim form. [100788]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Six million families in the United Kingdom are expected to benefit from the new tax credits in 2003–04, including 1.3 million families with children who receive Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance and who will receive the additional support through those benefits until they move into the Child Tax Credit itself in 2004. By the end of February we had already received over three million claims. Numbers for Northampton South are not available.

  Tax Evasion
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the rate of prosecution for tax evasion. [102012]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Revenue tackle fraud, error and avoidance using civil investigation and settlement, and applying financial penalties where appropriate. The Revenue also operates a selective prosecution policy intended to bolster the overall enforcement strategy. The focus is on cases where prosecution will do the most to promote compliance by deterring tax, contribution and tax credit fraud.

  Statistics on prosecutions and convictions by the Inland Revenue are published each year in their Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the House Library.

  Tax Revenues
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 222W, on tax revenue forecasts, what estimate he has made of the effect on public sector

  27W
  net borrowing (a) this year and (b) next year if GDP growth were 1 per cent. lower than assumed over the coming year. [102047]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to paragraph B17 of the 2002 Pre-Budget Report (Cm 5664), where the estimates are set out.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of lower than forecast manufacturing growth on total tax revenues; [102118]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the strength of the growth of tax revenues. [102107]

  Mr. Boateng
  Consistent with the Code for Fiscal Stability, projections for the public finances, including tax revenues, will be set out in the Budget to be presented to the House on 9 April 2003.

  Teenage Pregnancy (Wales)
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many births there were to girls conceiving under the age of 16 in Wales for each of the last 20 years. [101240]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 10 March 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many births there were to girls conceiving under the age of 16 in Wales for each of the last 20 years. 1 am replying in his absence. (101240)
  The latest available figures are for 2001. The information requested is given in the attached table.

  Births to mothers conceiving below 16 years of age, Wales 1982–20011

  Number

  Year2

  Births3

  1982

  273

  1983

  303

  1984

  288

  1985

  308

  1986

  287

  1987

  259

  1988

  275

  1989

  241

  1990

  293

  1991

  231

  1992

  253

  1993

  267

  1994

  276

  1995

  330

  1996

  360

  1997

  318

  1998

  322

  1999

  282

  2000

  265

  2001(P)

  235

  1 Figures are for mothers who were usually resident in Wales at the time of birth.

  2 Age at conception was estimated before 1987 using complete months, and from 1987 onwards using exact dates.

  3 Includes live births and stillbirths.

  (P)Provisional data.

  28W

  Voluntary Service (Young People)
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what funding he is making available to encourage gap year voluntary service by young people. [102010]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Secretary of State for Education and Skills has allocated £5 million of the Spending Review 2002 settlement for the Young Volunteer Challenge scheme to promote volunteering for 18–19 year olds from lower-income backgrounds. Through this scheme, young people will receive a weekly allowance of £45 and a lump sum end of experience award of £750 to support them during a period of full-time voluntary activity.

  War Chest
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been allocated, by continent, by HM Treasury for the global war on terror since 11 September 2001. [101279]

  Mr. Boateng
  Such information is not kept in the format requested. Apart from funds for military operations in Afghanistan, which totalled £618 million from 2001 to 2003, and £1.75 billion set aside this year to cover the costs of military and overseas operations so that the UK can continue to play a leading role in the global war against terror, the Treasury does not hold information on all departmental expenditure on counter terrorism and UK resilience measures since 11 September 2001. The Government are committed to ensuring that UK domestic security is given a high priority and the strengthening of the UK's defences against the threats posed by international terrorism was a key theme of last year's Spending Review. Consequently, departments have prioritised measures for improving the UK's resilience to, and capability to deal with, a terrorist attack. UK resilience arrangements have been reviewed and planning has been mainstreamed as a routine activity.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Arts Council Steering Group
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who the members of the Steering Group for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's research project on the Arts of Irish and Ulster-Scots are; and what organisations they represent. [100445]

  Angela Smith
  The current members of the Steering Group are as follows:

  Roisin McDonough

  Arts Council of NI

  Noirin McKinney

  Arts Council of NI

  Nick Livingston

  Arts Council of NI

  Aodan Mac Poilin

  lontaobhas Ultach/ Ultach Trust

  Deirdre Davitt

  Foras na Gaeilge

  George Holmes

  Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch

  Maurna Crozier

  NI Community Relations Council; seconded to DCAL at the time of the setting up of the Steering Group

  Royal Victoria Hospital
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Royal Victoria Hospital is retaining body parts from recent autopsies. [101940]

  Mr. Browne
  The Royal Victoria Hospital has only retained body parts from recent post mortem examinations with the valid consent in writing of the next of kin or closest living relative.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many post mortems had been performed at the Royal Victoria Hospital between the setting up of the numbered post mortem system and 31December 2002, broken down by(a) coroners and (b) hospital post mortems. [101936]

  Mr. Browne
  There was a total of 49,956 post mortems carried out in the period between the commencement of the current post mortem numbering system and 31 December 2002. It is not possible to provide further information in the form requested, as it is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Burns Report
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report by Professor Gardiner on the practical issues of implementation of the Burns Report, commissioned by the Educational Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly, will be published. [99339]

  Jane Kennedy
  As I explained to the hon. Gentleman in my reply on 13 February 2003 Official Report, column 934W, it is my understanding that this report cannot be made publicly available until the Assembly Education Committee has had the opportunity to consider and approve it.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated impact on the environment the European Union Working Time Directive will have in respect of carbon dioxide emissions from heavy goods vehicles in Northern Ireland; and if he will seek derogation from this Directive on behalf of the quarrying and construction industries. [101738]

  Jane Kennedy
  The European Working Time Directives are designed to protect the health and safety of people at work.

  I have not assessed the impact of the Directives on the environment and I do not propose to seek a derogation along the lines suggested.

  Columba Initiative
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many annual reports the Columba Initiative have published; and if he will place them in the Library. [100442]

  Angela Smith
  The Columba Initative registered as a company limited by guarantee in April 2002. Its first annual report is expected to be published in the summer of this year on completion of annual audited accounts. The annual report and accounts will be placed in the Library.

  Credit Strategy
  Mr Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with counterparts in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London regarding the development of a pan-UK credit strategy, particularly with respect to a credit transcript system. [100433]

  Jane Kennedy
  The introduction of a unit based curriculum with credit attached remains a major aim of the Department for Employment and Learning's (DEL) lifelong learning strategy. Officials are working with the relevant Departments in England, Scotland and ales to try to secure complementarity across the UK.

  In 1999 DEL commissioned a three year, Northern Ireland Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (NICATS) implementation project, to develop the specifications for a single credit framework which could be used to support the operation of a credit accumulation and transfer system in NI including a template for a standardised NICATS credit transcript to provide a summary of each learner's achievement.

  DEL has tasked the NI Council for the curriculum, examination and assessment (CCEA), as the regulatory authority for Northern Ireland, to provide advice on the next phase of NICATS taking account of funding implications, added value and work of credit systems in the rest of the UK.

  Hospital Post-Mortems
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether(a) parents and (b) relatives of deceased persons are entitled to refuse a hospital postmortem. [101938]

  Mr. Browne
  Hospital post mortems are only carried out with the consent of the parents, legal guardian or relative of the deceased, as appropriate.

  Organ, Block and Slide Retention
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether(a) organs, (b) blocks and (c) slides (i) are and (ii) have been retained at (A) Moyle Hospital, Lame, (B) Omagh Hospital, (C) Foster Green Hospital, Belfast, (D) Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, (E) Antrim Hospital, (F) Erne Hospital, Enniskillen, (G) Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, (H) Coleraine Hospital, (I) Ards Hospital, Newtownards, (J) Wavenay Hospital, Ballymena, (K) Mid Ulster Hospital and (L) Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. [101939]

  Mr. Browne
  The Royal Group of Hospitals has previously retained and continues to retain organs, blocks and slides. Antrim Area Hospital has previously retained organs, blocks and slides and currently retains blocks and slides. The Ulster Hospital has previously retained, and continues to retain, organs. The Waveney Hospital previously retained organs, blocks and slides. This has ceased and all pathology has moved to Antrim Area Hospital.

  The other hospitals listed have never had the on-site laboratory facilities to produce blocks and slides and at the time of the Chief Medical Officer's survey in May 2001 had no retained organs. Beyond that, the information is not available in the format requested.

  Police Service of Northern Ireland Band
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the Northern Ireland charitable organisations that have benefited from a performance from the PSNI Band. [101609]

  Jane Kennedy
  The names of the charitable organisations who have benefited from a performance of the PSNI Band are not available. In 2002, the band played at six functions affiliated to registered charities and fourteen other fund raising functions for various community organisations.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many, and what proportion, of Police Service of Northern Ireland band members have been returned to normal policing duties. [101610]

  Jane Kennedy
  The PSNI Band will be stood down on 31 March 2003. When the decision to stand down the band was taken 32 officers were serving with the band. On 1 April 2003, 30 police officers will be returned to duties at District Command Units, 1 officer will take up duties in Crime department and 1 officer has resigned.

  Policing Partnerships
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people applied to be members of the Belfast District Policing Partnership; and how many were deemed to be appointable candidates. [100440]

  Jane Kennedy
  203 people applied to be members of the Belfast District Policing Partnerships and of those, 63 were deemed to be appointable candidates.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have applied to be members of the District Policing Partnerships in Northern Ireland; and how many were deemed to be appointable candidates. [100435]

  Jane Kennedy
  1,511 applications have been received for membership of District Policing Partnerships and of those, 737 were deemed appointable candidates.

  Resettlement Grants
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid in resettlement grants to prisoners released under the early release scheme in Northern Ireland since the scheme began; and if he will make a statement. [100616]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Northern Ireland Prison Service has made payments of £44.5k to organisations or individuals assisting with the resettlement of prisoners under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Indian Ocean Territories
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many joint financing arrangements, at what estimated budgetary cost, have been made since 1997 with the United 32W
  States for (a) site preparation, (b) construction, (c) maintenance and (d) operation of facilities on British Indian Ocean Territories. [100886]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the islands in the British Indian Ocean Territories that have buildings and facilities used or set aside for future use by the United States or UK for defence purposes. [100894]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Diego Garcia.

  Charlotte Wilson
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burundi since the killing of British aid worker Charlotte Wilson in December 2000. [98985]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since the tragic death of Charlotte Wilson we have made numerous representations to the Burundi authorities. As soon as our Embassy in Kigali was made aware of her killing, we made contact with the Burundi authorities, urging them to bring the perpetrators to justice. They assured us that they would do all they could to apprehend Charlotte's killers. The Burundi Foreign Ministry has confirmed this in writing.

  Since that time, our Ambassador in Kigali and other Embassy staff have frequently raised Charlotte Wilson's case with the Burundi authorities and will continue to do so. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Charlotte Wilson with Burundi President Pierre Buyoya and Minister of Justice, Fulgence Bakana, during his visit to Burundi in January 2002. More recently, on 10 February 2003, my noble Friend Baroness Amos raised Charlotte's case with the Burundi Foreign Minister, Therence Sinunguruza, during his visit to London. We also arranged for Charlotte's mother to meet the Foreign Minister on the same day.

  We have offered assistance to the Burundi authorities from the Metropolitan police, should they require it. We continue to press for a full investigation and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

  Congo
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of progress towards the ratification of the all inclusive agreement signed in December 2002 between the participants of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue; and if he will make a statement. [101047]

  Mr. Rammell
  Three issues are blocking the establishment of the transitional national government (TNG) provided for in the Global Accord (signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002):

  (i) Agreeing the constitution for the TNG;

  (ii) Provision of security in Kinshasa for the TNG and its institutions;

  (iii) Formation of a new national army.

  33W
  Talks aimed at resolving these issues started in Pretoria on 25 February under the mediation of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative and the Government of South Africa. Our diplomatic staff in Kinshasa and Pretoria are monitoring the talks and remain on hand to support the mediation as required.

  Detention
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on paragraph 18 of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention opinion 16/2002; and what additional information his Department has sought from the authorities in Dubai. [99941]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in paragraph 18 of its opinion 16/2002 of 29 November 2002, comes to the conclusion that"with regard to the present period of detention, dating from 13 December 1999, the Working Group considers that it does not have sufficient information to give an opinion on whether or not the continued detention is of an arbitrary nature, which would involve interpreting a domestic regulation on the granting of early release".

  We have previously advised Mr. Atkinson in Dubai that a local lawyer would be best placed to address the issue of the application and interpretation of the laws governing his imprisonment. Early last year, our embassy supplied Mr. Atkinson's UK based lawyer with a list of Dubai lawyers. We will continue to offer Mr. Atkinson all the assistance we properly can.

  Diego Garcia
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation has taken place with the United States concerning the use of construction labourers on Diego Garcia since 1997; and how many workers from Mauritius and the Seychelles have been employed on such construction projects. [100887]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Matters relating to the workers employed on Diego Garcia by the US contractors are regularly discussed between the United Kingdom and United States authorities at all levels. The number of workers fluctuates from year to year and within any given year. Currently, about 40 Mauritian workers are employed by US contractors on Diego Garcia. No workers have been engaged from the Seychelles for many years.

  Diplomatic Corps
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the range of salary scales for Her Majesty's ambassadors and high commissioners. [100857]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Her Majesty's Ambassadors and High Commissioners abroad are appointed from the following Foreign & Commonwealth Office grades. The current salary ranges for these grades are shown in brackets.
  34W

  Current Salary Ranges

  (£)

  D6

  34,544 to 776

  D7

  42,640 to 58,182

  SMS

  51,250 to 145,550

  Grade 1 Ambassadors

  115,000 to 189,000

  Guantanamo Bay
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for how many hours in each month since their initial detention each of the UK citizens held at Guantanamo Bay has undergone interrogation. [100888]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The detainees at Guantanamo Bay are in US detention. We do not know the length of time each detainee has been interrogated.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the legal authority for the detention of UK citizens at Guantanamo Bay. [100890]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The question of the status of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay under international humanitarian law is complex and has to be considered in the light of the facts relating to each individual detainee. We have made clear our position that, whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment, and, if prosecuted, a fair trial.

  HMS Mauritius
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK personnel are stationed at HMS Mauritius; and at what annual cost in the last five years. [100892]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  HMS Mauritius was a Royal Navy Communications Centre in Mauritius. It was established under an Agreement on Mutual Defence and Assistance that came into force on 12 March 1968 when Mauritius became independent. HMS Mauritius closed at the end of March 1976 and all personnel were withdrawn.

  Iran
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press European Union partners to introduce a censure resolution on human rights abuses in Iran at the next session of the UN Human Rights Commission. [100942]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  All EU partners are concerned about the human rights situation in Iran and we are currently consulting on how to encourage positive change. A resolution is one of a number of possibilities, which are being discussed.

  Ituri Pacification Commission
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has made to the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to ensure the effectiveness of the Ituri Pacification
  35W
  Commission; and if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [101027]

  Mr. Rammell
  The humanitarian situation in Ituri (north-eastern DRC) remains serious. We have urged all Congolese parties and the Governments of Rwanda and Uganda to play their part in stabilising the situation, and to give their full support to the lturi Pacification Commission. But we believe that the real key to bringing stability to the region is the formation of a transitional national government in Kinshasa.

  We are working closely with our partners on the UN Security Council and at the EU to maintain pressure on the parties to address the situation in Ituri, and to take forward the formation of the transitional national government.

  Myanmar
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on trade sanctions against the Government of Myanmar; and if he will make a statement. [101383]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We do not encourage trade or investment in Burma. We offer no assistance at all to companies wishing to pursue trade or investment with Burma. Companies asking for our advice are told of our policy, the regime's appalling human rights record and its economic mismanagement.

  Due to a combination of these factors, there is virtually no new foreign investment in Burma and Burma's international trade is falling.

  Rwanda
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received regarding the arrest of the Rwandan journalist Ismail Mbonigaba; and if he will make a statement. [101026]

  Mr. Rammell
  We received a report in January that Ismail Mbonigaba (editor of the Rwandan newspaper Umuseso) had been arrested for allegedly inciting "divisionism and discrimination" through an article and cartoon which appeared in his paper. On 27 February the Court of Appeal released Mr. Mbonigaba provisionally pending a further hearing. No date has yet been set for this hearing.

  We will continue to monitor events closely and to urge the Government of Rwanda to respect the principle of freedom of the press and free speech. I, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development and my noble Friend Baroness Amos discussed this with President Kagame in January.

  Smoking
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace. [100951]
  36W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas in Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings in the UK. The same principle is applied in overseas missions where feasible.

  Terrorist Incidents
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of terrorist incidents which have taken place in each of the past five years. [102085]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not keep this kind of statistical record of world-wide terrorist incidents. A number of academic institutions compile such statistics. Another useful reference is the United States Department of State's Annual Report on "Patterns of Global Terrorism".

  UN Resolutions
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the British Government has to sponsor a resolution against(a) Libya, (b) Zimbabwe and (c) Iraq at the UN Commission on Human Rights Session in Geneva, Switzerland, on 17 March; and if he will make a statement. [101802]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UK is committed to playing an active role in the forthcoming meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The UK does not table resolutions at CHR on a national basis. We are currently discussing with EU partners which resolutions the EU will sponsor at this year's CHR. Decisions on EU initiatives at CHR are taken by consensus. At last year's CHR, the EU tabled resolutions on Zimbabwe and Iraq and it is likely the EU will do so again this year. We are discussing with EU partners whether to make reference to Libya at this year's CHR.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Turkey
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid has been provided by the Government to Turkey to assist in dealing with Kurdish refugees from Iraq in the last 10 years. [101144]

  Clare Short
  My Department has not provided assistance to the Government of Turkey to assist with Kurdish refugees. UNHCR, for whom we provide annual core funding, has a regional programme that includes some support to Kurdish refugees in Turkey.

  Afghanistan
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of civilian deaths which occurred(a) directly and (b) indirectly as a result of military action in Afghanistan since 11 September 2001. [101023]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been asked to reply.
  37W
  It is impossible to know for certain how many casualties, either military or civilian, there have been as a result of coalition action in Afghanistan. The Taliban's claims of casualties cannot be taken at face value.

  Military action inevitably carries risks, but as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear in the House, our targeting and weapons selection processes are rigorous. Every effort is made to avoid civilian casualties.

  Award Schemes
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the award schemes in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002 promoted by her Department; what their scope was; when the relevant participating organisations are scheduled to be sent results; and whether other parties will be given notification of the results at the same time. [102051]

  Clare Short
  None.

  Contingency Reserve
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the Department's contingency reserve for this financial year has not been spent. [101999]

  Clare Short
  DFID's contingency reserve for 2002–03 has been fully committed, mainly to strengthen our response to emergencies in Africa and the Palestinian territories.

  Developing Countries (Water Supplies)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with other EU governments about(a) the management of water and (b) the control of water supplies in developing countries; and if she will make a statement. [101872]

  Clare Short
  My department is currently working with other EU member states on a joint water initiative, which is addressing these issues.

  The European Commission and the EU Member States set up the water initiative in order to respond to the demand of the partners in developing countries and create a platform for better co-ordination of water related development aid and for new partnerships.

  Although involved in many aspects of the initiative, my department is leading the financing component, working on management and control issues through a multi-stakeholder process. The finance working group is currently developing a set of guiding principles that recognises the important contribution of the many stakeholders to the provision and management of water and sanitation services, and the need for effective governance in the water and sanitation sector.

  Israel
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from NGOs regarding access to water supply in Jayyous. [101200]
  38W
  Clare Short
  I have not received any representations from NGOs regarding access to water supply in Jayyous.

  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to(a) the Israeli authorities and (b) the United Nations regarding (i) the potential separation of Jayyous from its water supply and (ii) alternative water supply options. [101204]

  Clare Short
  The route of the security fence and its effects on the Palestinian people are unacceptable. The route taken will have a severe impact on Palestinian water rights and access to water resources in Jayyous and other towns and villages near the Green Line. We have made representations at the highest level, both bilaterally and through the EU, to the Government of Israel.

  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has given to charitable work and projects in the Occupied Territories that have been, or may be, demolished by the Israeli authorities to make way for the concrete separation wall. [101205]

  Clare Short
  The security fence has already severely disrupted the lives of many Palestinians, separating them from their land, water and communities. British funded development projects have not so far been affected, but we will continue to monitor closely this aspect, and the situation more generally.

  Small Arms
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the conference on small arms proliferation attended by representatives of her Department on 14 to 15 January. [101365]

  Clare Short
  On 14 and 15 January a conference on Strengthening Export Controls of Small Arms and Light Weapons: Implementing the UN Programme of Action was held at Lancaster House. The Conference was organised by my Department, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence, and was funded from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool. I gave the opening address to delegates. The Conference brought together representatives of 49 States that produce or trade small arms and light weapons, as well as representatives of international and non-governmental organisations, in order to discuss strengthening controls on exports and transfers of small arms and light weapons (SALW).

  Some consensus on strengthening export controls had been achieved during the 2001 UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its aspects, and the objective of the Lancaster House conference was to make further progress on this issue. Participants discussed better implementation and strengthening of existing export controls and controlling brokers and trafficking of SALW. The Conference identified those areas where there is now considerable consensus and those requiring further work. A full report of the Conference will be published shortly.
  39W
  We will use the further opportunity to achieve greater consensus on strengthening export controls in the margins of the UN Biennial Meeting of States in July 2003.

  Sudan
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Sudanese Government in relation to aid available to their internally displaced persons in Southern Sudan. [101591]

  Clare Short
  We have not discussed with the Sudanese Government aid available to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in southern Sudan; however, under the auspices of OCHA, a Displaced Persons Task Force (with representatives from UNDP, UNICEF, IOM and others) has been established to take forward planning for IDP return in the event of peace. The Task Force will also to assist the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in planning around IDP issues and establishing an IDP policy framework.

  With some four million IDPs, Sudan has largest IDP population in the world. We continue to be deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, particularly in the south. In the decade since 1991 Britain has pledged over £220 million to help with humanitarian crises in Sudan. This financial year, we have committed approximately £10 million to support life-saving humanitarian work, education, peace building activities (including support for the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development Secretariat and monitors for the Nuba Mountains ceasefire), and anti-slavery work.

  Trade Liberalisation
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the likely impact on developing countries of trade liberalisation, with particular reference to the control of water supplies. [101873]

  Clare Short
  The impact on developing countries of trade liberalisation depends on a variety of factors such as the nature and extent of initial trade distortions, whether trade liberalisation is comprehensive or limited to a few sectors, and whether other countries also open up their markets. As a result, estimates of impact vary widely. One assessment by the World Bank indicates that comprehensive multilateral trade liberalisation backed up with increased aid for trade related infrastructure (e.g. roads and ports) could lift an additional 300 million people out of poverty by 2015.

  The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) provides the framework for multilateral (WTO) negotiations between countries on the liberalisation of trade in services, including water supply. The GATS is a bottom-up agreement, which means that countries themselves decide whether—and
  40W
  when—to open up their service sectors to foreign competition. Nor does GATS require or encourage countries to privatise public services. Should WTO members choose to involve the private sector, there is nothing under the GATS to prevent or pressure them into a specific public or private service delivery model.

  My Department's priority is to make sure the poor benefit from improved water and sanitation services, through effective regulation and appropriate tariff structures, including subsidies for the poorest, if required. In all water and sanitation services, whether municipalities chose to involve the private sector or not, the principle of cost recovery is important and must be recognised as central to sustainability. Effective institutions that are accountable, representative and transparent are essential to manage and regulate the water sector.

  Wildlife and Poverty Study
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about her Department's Wildlife and Poverty Study. [101363]

  Clare Short
  My Department endorses the recently published DFID Wildlife and Poverty Study. The study is available on the DFID website at www.dfid.gov.uk.

CABINET OFFICE

  Public Information
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the trends in spending on public information by(a) the UK Government and (b) the European Union in the last five years. [101088]

  Mr. Alexander
  The UK Government have spent the following on advertising in the last five years.

  £000s

  Cash expenditure

  Prices in real terms1

  1997–98

  60, 000

  65,800

  1998–99

  106,000

  110, 600

  1999–2000

  113, 500

  114,100

  2000–01

  192,400

  186,600

  2001–02

  162, 600

  162,600

  1 In real terms at 2001–02 prices based on advertising media inflation rates.

  Source:

  COI.

  Advertising is used by Departments when they judge it is the most cost effective way of delivering the publicity necessary to support a policy or proposal. These figures represent the advertising commissioned on behalf of Departments and Agencies by the Central Office of Information. The EC budget finances a variety of EU information programmes, the funding amounts for which are decided on an annual basis by the budgetary authority.

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken against United Kingdom companies which assisted Iraq in providing equipment and material in support of weapons of mass destruction. [100113]

  The Prime Minister
  Following the inquiry led by Sir Richard Scott (now Lord Scott of Foscote), the Government has introduced a number of legislative and non-legislative measures to improve the UK export control regime, culminating in the Export Control Act of 2002.

  A number of UK companies and individuals were prosecuted for the supply of goods to Iraq in contravention of legislation in force at the time. The prosecutions were subsequently scrutinised by Lord Scott as part of his inquiry.

  Any further allegations that there have been breaches of export controls in respect of exports to Iraq would require careful examination by HM Customs and Excise, which is responsible for the enforcement of UK export controls.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if, in the event of conflict with Iraq, he will issue a statement of the war aims of the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the post-war government of Iraq. [101408]

  The Prime Minister
  No decision to launch military action against Iraq has been taken. Our policy objectives were set out by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in his written statement of 7 January 2003,Official Report, column 4WS.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to publish the actions which the Government of Iraq must take in order to avoid conflict with Her Majesty's forces, and the maximum length of time in which those actions must be completed; and if he will make a statement. [101502]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to answers I gave at Prime Minister's questions on 5 March 2003,Official Report, columns 808–17.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with other governments about the costs of(a) a conflict in Iraq and (b) the subsequent occupation of the country. [101636]

  The Prime Minister
  No decision has been taken to launch military action against Iraq. I regularly discuss all aspects of our Iraq policy with other governments.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Prime Minister what records the Government has kept of claims by Mr.Hussain Karnell relating to the destruction of weapons by Iraq. [101736]

  The Prime Minister
  Mr Kamil's claims were dealt with by UNSCOM, not the UK. UNSCOM's files are now the responsibility of UNMOVIC. It is they that have the most complete records of Iraqi disarmament claims which they share by regular reports to the UN Security Council.
  42W
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister when he first decided that the possible use of military action to disarm or overthrow Saddam Hussein should become British defence policy. [101922]

  The Prime Minister
  No decision to launch military action against Iraq has been taken. Our policy objectives remain as set out by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in his written statement of 7 January 2003,Official Report, column 4WS. United Nations Security Council resolution 1441(2002) recalls that the Council has repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violation of its obligations.

  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is the policy of the Government that the second United Nations resolution on the Iraq crisis will invoke Article 42 of the United Nations Charter. [101931]

  The Prime Minister
  The draft resolution tabled by the UK, US and Spain on 24 February makes it clear that the Security Council would be acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which includes Article 42. It does not make specific reference to individual articles of the Charter.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is in respect of providing compensation to families of civilian victims of military action against Iraq. [101995]

  The Prime Minister
  No decision to launch military action against Iraq has been taken. The UK is committed to acting in accordance with international law.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement of 25 February 2003,Official Report, column 123, on Iraq, what the evidential basis was for his statement that Saddam Hussein has used much of the money from the oil-for-food programme for his own and his family's personal use. [102072]

  The Prime Minister
  This information comes from a number of sources, including contracts submitted for approval to the UN Sanctions Committee.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister whether Lord Levy has represented him in discussions with overseas governments on policy towards Iraq. [101412]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Northern Ireland Assembly
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons he would not hold the Northern Ireland Assembly elections on 29 May. [101943]

  The Prime Minister
  We intend that the election will be held on 29 May 2003 and will bring forward legislation to that effect later in the month.

  Security and Intelligence Agencies
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister further to his Written Ministerial Statement of 28 February 2003,Official Report, column 58WS, on the Security and Intelligence Agencies' Vote, what the reasons are for

  43W
  (a) the change in resources, (b) the change in capital, (c) the change in administrative costs limits, (d) the change in the security and intelligence agencies DEL, (e) the take up of end of year flexibility, (f) the PES transfer from the MOD, (g) the PES transfer from the Home Office, (h) the transfer from capital to revenue, (i) the take up of end of year flexibility and (j) the PES transfer from the Cabinet Office; what his policy is on increasing resources to public service organisations (i) as a general rule and (ii) in relation to the security and intelligence agencies, when they have received adverse audit reports on how they have handled existing allocated resources; and if he will make a statement. [101346]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the information provided in my Written Statement of 28 February and in the published Estimates and Departmental Reports for the Security and Intelligence Agencies. Detailed information about the Agencies' accounts is outside the scope of the 'Code of Practice on Access to Government Information' (paragraph 6 of part 1). However, there are processes that exist to ensure that the detail of these accounts can be properly scrutinised while maintaining security.

  Government policies on expenditure apply to the Agencies in the same way as to all other departments.

  Smoking
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Prime Minister what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace. [100923]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 7 March 2003.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Community Charge/Council Tax
  Andy King
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people able to pay the(a) community charge or (b) council tax refused to do so in each of the last 10 years; and from how many people the taxes could not be recovered by attachment to earnings or benefits. [100615]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Fine Defaulters
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the(a) maximum and (b) minimum penalties for non-payment of financial penalties imposed by magistrates' courts. [99874]

  Yvette Cooper
  When a defaulter is brought before the court, the magistrates will have a number of enforcement options available to them. The sanctions to ensure the payment of fines include an attachment of earnings order if the defendant is in employment or deductions from social security benefits if they are not working. The maximum amount that can be deducted from an unemployed person is £2.70 per week. Other options include the issue of a distress warrant, (which empowers the person executing it to seize a person's goods or money to the value of the sum owed), or as a last resort, the court may decide to commit the defaulter to prison. The Courts Bill currently before Parliament proposes a number of new arrangements to facilitate the enforcement of fines, including new penalties such as clamping vehicles and entering the fine in the Register of county court judgments.

TRANSPORT

  Car Insurance
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with insurance companies on the provision of car insurance for young drivers with an aim to reduce driving without insurance. [101176]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, in reporting on the UK vehicle registration system, recommended a review of the motor insurance industry aimed at reducing uninsured motoring. The Secretary of State established a Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board to take forward the Jill Dando Institute's recommendations. The insurance industry are represented on that board. They have considered a number of matters and we are currently progressing measures which are intended, among other things, to help reduce uninsured driving. The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 already provides that a driver caught driving uninsured within two years of passing his test will have his licence revoked.

  Disabled Parking
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirements the Department of Health places on(a) public and (b) private bodies to designate a proportion of parking spaces they provide for disabled only use; and what requirements are placed on such providers to enforce disabled only parking. [101051]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The responsibility for the provision of disabled persons' parking bays on the public highway lies with individual local authorities. They have a wide range of powers available to them to designate parking places for specific users, including bays for use by holders of disabled persons' badges (Blue Badges). The position in private car-parks is different and the conditions of use and provision of parking for disabled people are matters for the individual operators concerned.

  The allocation of parking spaces for disabled people is the subject of a Departmental Traffic Advisory Leaflet (5/95) which includes guidance on the proportion of spaces that might be appropriate. The decision on exactly how many parking spaces to provide, both on and off street, remains one for individual authorities and operators to determine, depending on local circumstances.

  However, under Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (when fully implemented) service providers will be required to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people do not find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to enjoy the service on the same basis as non-disabled people. This will have implications for local authorities and car park operators, who may have to demonstrate that as well as marking out disabled person's parking spaces, they have taken reasonable steps to ensure they are available to disabled people.
  46W
  In terms of enforcement of disabled persons' parking bays, there are a wide variety of powers available to local authorities under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to tackle abuse and misuse on-street. For example it is an offence to park a vehicle which is not displaying a badge in a designated disabled persons' parking bay.

  Off-street car parks are private property and the conditions of use are a contractual matter between the owner and the motorist. In these car parks, spaces marked for badge holders only are in most cases not legally enforceable, but depend on the courtesy and consideration of other drivers. Car park operators could ask a non-disabled driver to move their car from a space set aside for disabled people but they might not be in a position to insist upon it.

  The Department has, however, given its full support to the 'Baywatch' campaign run by a coalition of disability organisations (including the Disabled Drivers Association and the Disabled Drivers' Motor Club). They are committed to encouraging greater protection of disabled persons' parking bays in retail car parks from abuse by non-disabled drivers.

  The issue of enforcement was a key part of the major review of the Blue Badge Scheme that we have just completed. Following a public consultation process that ended last year, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), the Department's statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled people, considered responses and submitted 47 recommendations to Ministers on the future shape of the Scheme. I announced in the House on 18 December 2002 that the Government would be taking forward the majority of these, including a number of additional enforcement measures. Details of all the recommendations were placed in the House Libraries on 18 December 2002. The Government will be seeking to implement the changes at the earliest opportunity.

  In the meantime, it is open to anybody to bring instances of fraudulent use to the attention of the police, traffic wardens, the appropriate local authority or car park operators and we will continue to work with these bodies and stakeholder groups to minimise the potential for abuse and misuse.

  London Underground
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role the Government had in assisting London Underground PPP Infrastructure Consortia to obtain grants or loans from(a) the European Investment Bank and (b) other financial institutions; and if he will make a statement. [101751]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government has played no direct role in assisting the London Underground PPP consortia to obtain grants or loans. The method by which they finance their obligations under the PPP, and how they raise the necessary funding, is a matter for the consortia.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) train failures, (b) signals/

  47W
  points failures and (c) track failures there were on each London Underground line (i) in 2001–02 and (ii) in 2002–03. [100995]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground who have provided the information set out in the table.

  London Underground rolling stock, track and signal failures by line

  Rolling stock failures

  Track and signal failures

  Line

  2001–02

  2002–03 to date1

  2001–2002

  2002–2003to date1

  Bakerloo

  1,113

  951

  567

  273

  Central

  2,957

  2,353

  715

  586

  Circle/Hammersmith and City

  2,055

  1,720

  562

  357

  District

  1,149

  1,150

  822

  694

  East London

  147

  80

  94

  62

  Jubilee

  1,427

  865

  518

  312

  Metropolitan

  1,034

  1,067

  749

  584

  Northern

  1,518

  1,104

  531

  646

  Piccadilly

  3,070

  2,181

  433

  283

  Waterloo and City

  36

  60

  32

  29

  Victoria

  1,022

  949

  370

  460

  Total

  15,528

  12,480

  5,393

  4,286

  1 To 1 February 2003

  Transport Grants
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the administrative costs were of the(a) Water Freight grant, (b) Mobility grants, (c) Road Safety grants, (d) Clean Up Haulage grant, (e) Clean Up grant, (f) Powershift grant, (g) Track Access grant, (h) Rail Freight grant and (i) Bus Service Operator's grant in the last financial year. [101474]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2002,Official Report, column 663W.

  Airports
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet a delegation from Essex and Kent on Saturday 5 April to discuss issues surrounding options for an airport in the Thames region. [100858]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Ministers are happy in principle to meet hon. Members with representatives of areas affected by options in the current airports consultation. Although I am unable to make the date suggested by the hon. Member, I am sure that alternative arrangements can be made. I would invite the hon. Member to contact my office.

  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what statutory authority security companies operate at British airports; and what guidance he issues on the criteria to be used in recruiting security firms at British airports. [101165]

  Consultation document

  Annex

  The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Midlands

  D

  The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East (Second Edition February 2003)

  C

  The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: North of England

  I

  The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South West

  D

  The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Scotland

  E

  48W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Airlines, airports, air cargo agents and aviation caterers are currently directed under sections 12 to 14 of the Aviation Security Act 1982. While they may engage agents to act on their behalf, they remain legally responsible for the security function. Work is under way to create a list of approved providers of aviation security, which will include those companies contracted by Directed parties to provide a service. Such companies will have to meet certain criteria, set down by my Department, before they can deliver security functions at British airports.

  Croydon Tramlink
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the arrangement between Amey and Croydon Tramlink regarding the Special Purpose Vehicle is a non-recourse financial arrangement. [101427]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Croydon Tramlink is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). I understand that the Tramlink Concession Agreement is between TfL and Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. (TCL). It would not be appropriate for the Government to speculate about TCL's financial arrangements.

  Aviation
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the impact of the potential use of hand-held surface to air missiles on aviation security. [100721]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department's approach is to manage the risk to the industries arising from the threat of a terrorist attack. The security measures imposed seek to minimise the industries' vulnerabilities while recognising operational realities. The Government's aim is to set the measures to counter the risk.

  All the security programmes are kept under continuous review. It is not our practice to detail the required security measures for obvious reasons.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned as part of the Government's work for the Aviation White Paper. [101283]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government have commissioned a substantial body of work in connection with the proposed air transport White Paper. Most of the work has been carried out as part of the Regional Air Services studies relating to the North of England, the Midlands, the South West, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; the Regional Air Services Co-ordination study; and the South East and East of England Regional Air Services study. This work is formally categorised as consultancy rather than research. The relevant reports are listed in the Annexes to the regional consultation documents on the future development of air transport in the United Kingdom, as follows.
  49W

  Consultation document

  Annex

  The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Wales

  D

  The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Northern Ireland

  D

  Copies of the consultation documents have been placed in the House Libraries and are also available on the Department for Transport's website www.aircconsult.gov.uk.

  The Department has also commissioned or is supporting research in a number of areas to inform ongoing policy development. This includes research into the impact of aviation on climate change, the subjective perceptions of noise, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and aircraft engine emissions. In addition, we have offered a substantial contribution to help fund an international study (under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation) into establishing a global emissions trading scheme in which aviation can participate.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many properties have been compulsorily purchased by the Civil Aviation Authority in each year since 1999. [101827]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There has been no compulsory purchase of property by the Civil Aviation Authority since 1999.

  Biofuels
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars in the UK run on biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the benefits of the use of biofuels for the environment. [101063]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The best indicator of biofuel use is volume of sales rather than number of vehicles. This has increased significantly since the introduction of a lower rate of duty for biodiesel in July 2002; Customs and Excise figures for January indicate over 400,000 litres of the fuel being sold from around 100 filling stations. The November Pre-Budget Report announced a commitment to introduce a similar preferential duty rate for bioethanol and we would expect a similar pattern of take-up of this new fuel once this has been introduced.

  Biofuels offer a number of environmental benefits compared to conventional mineral fuels. Importantly, they can contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions due to the absorption of carbon dioxide during the growth stage of the biofuel feedstock; recent studies have shown that both biodiesel and bioethanol can reduce emissions by at least 50 per cent. measured over the "life-cycle" of the fuel. In addition, the use of biofuels can help improve air quality, particularly when used in a blend with conventional mineral fuels. Furthermore, the low toxicity and high biodegradability of biodiesel in particular makes its use ideal for sensitive environments such as waterways.

  Biofuels are mainly used in a 5 per cent. blend with conventional fuels. All cars are warranted for use with
  50W
  5 per cent. blends of biodiesel and bioethanol which meet the respective European Fuel Standards, EN590 and EN228. Biofuels not produced to these standards may damage vehicles and their use will invalidate car manufacturers' warranties. It is also an offence to use fuel on which the relevant duty has not been paid.

  Registration Numbers
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the matter of cloned number plates on vehicles; what action in relation to it is planned; and if he will make a statement. [101215]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We are extremely concerned about the apparent increase in vehicle cloning in order to avoid road traffic enforcement cameras. We are taking action to tackle this difficult problem.

  Since 1 January 2003 it has been a requirement for suppliers of number plates to be registered with DVLA. To date over 26,000 outlets have registered. This will ensure that in future number plates are only sold by registered suppliers to a purchaser who can show proof of entitlement and identity. Records will be kept of all sales for inspection by the police and local authority trading standards officers. Plates already have to be marked with the details of the producer.

  In addition, in order to prevent the theft of number plates from vehicles for the purpose of cloning, consideration is being given to the use of additional security features designed to establish a clear and visible link between a number plate and the vehicle on which it should be displayed. The use of more secure fixings is also under urgent investigation.

  Highways Agency
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the Highways Agency's performance in registering with the Land Registry its acquisition of land; whether a system is in place to ensure acquired land is registered; and if he will make a statement. [101748]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State has not made a specific assessment of the performance of the Highways Agency in registering the acquisition of land with the Land Registry. Solicitors acting for the Agency register land as a matter of course following the acquisition of title.

  Congestion Charging
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the London Congestion Scheme on overcrowding on suburban rail routes into London. [100897]
  51W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Transport for London (TfL) has projected an increase in overall public transport use of 1–2 per cent. as a result of the introduction of congestion charging. TfL expect that there will be about 5,000 additional passengers on London Underground and national rail services in the morning peak (7–10 am). This is around one extra person per carriage.

  TfL are assessing rail patronage using both existing data and an enhanced programme of station and terminal counts at locations in and around the charging zone. TfL will be publishing a comprehensive report detailing all the effects of congestion charging early next year.

  Motorways
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the number of journeys on English motorways each(a) day and (b) year, broken down by (i) cars, (ii) lorries and (iii) other vehicles; what information is available to break these figures down by each such motorway; and if he will make a statement. [101528]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This information is unavailable in the format requested. Statistical information can be found in the document entitled Transport Statistics, Road Traffic Statistics: 2001 and Transport Statistics Bulletin—Traffic in Great Britain: Q4 2002 Data. Access to both these documents can be found at the following websites: http://www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/ tables/2002/rts/rts01. htm and www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/ qbullets/qtraff.htm.

  I have arranged for copies of the downloaded document to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the marginal cost to the(a) motorist, (b) other motorists and (c) society of each marginal additional mile of travel on the M25 motorway for each period of the day; and if he will make a statement. [101529]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No estimate at this level of detail is available for the marginal costs of travel on the M25 motorway.

  Trust Ports
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2003, ref 100668, which of the first ports identified are classified as non-fishery. [102128]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The non-fishery trust ports on that list are:

  Caernarfon;

  Chichester;

  Dover;

  Falmouth;

  Harwich;

  Langstone;

  52W

  Littlehampton;

  Port of London;

  Milford Haven;

  Orford;

  Poole;

  Sandwich;

  Shoreham;

  Teignmouth; and

  Port of Tyne.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2003, ref 100668, when a decision will be taken as to whether the ports fall within the classification as public corporations; and what the cause of UK present uncertainty is. [102129]

  Mr. Jamieson
  As soon as we are able to assess the full impact of the proposed classification, my officials will resume discussions with the Office of National Statistics and the Treasury.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the latest annual account of(a) non-fishery trust ports, and (b) fishery trust ports. [102130]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Although non-fishery trust ports are required to submit their annual accounts to the Secretary of State, the obligation to make them publicly available lies with the individual harbour authorities, not my Department. Copies of the annual reports and accounts for each trust port, both fishery and non-fishery, are available from the individual authorities.

  Railways
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail on their(a) objectives, (b) accountability, (c) pay awards and (d) performance bonuses. [102170]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My right. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State meets the Chairman of Network Rail on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues. Pay awards and performance bonuses are a matter for Network Rail, subject to its licence conditions. These require the preparation of an annual management incentive plan and set out the broad parameters of such a plan.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he was consulted on the Strategic Rail Authority's latest announcement on cuts to rail services to Liverpool; and if he will make a statement. [101430]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 7 March 2003]: The changes to the rail service to Liverpool were made by the SRA to improve the operational effectiveness of the UK rail network. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, was consulted on these changes and fully supports the SRA's strategy to improve the reliability of train services.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of investment in the national railway infrastructure. [101974]
  53W
  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 4 March 2003,Official Report, column 942W.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have been employed by the Office of the Rail Regulator in each year since 1997. [102226]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 3 February 2003,Official Report, column 46W.

  Rolling Stock
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with(a) the Strategic Rail Authority, (b) South West Trains and (c) Connex South Eastern on their Mark I replacement programme; and when the last Mark I stock will be replaced for each of the operators; [102167]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority on (a) the delay to the replacement of Mark I carriages, (b) the safety implications of the delay and (c) compensation claims for the inoperability of new rolling stock. [102165]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government has regular meetings with the Strategic Rail Authority covering a range of issues including Mark 1 replacement. The SRA is leading an industry wide Mark 1 replacement programme to ensure that all Mark 1 rolling stock is removed from the Network by 31 December 2004. Because of the failure of Railtrack to ensure an adequate power supply for the South London Network, it has become clear that it may be necessary to provide for around 300–350 vehicles to operate on the network after December 2004 but the SRA expects these vehicles to be removed from the network in Spring 2005. From 1 April 2003 all Mark 1 vehicles will be fitted with Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS), which seeks to prevent a collision by providing automatic braking if trains pass red signals or travel at excessive speed. Compensation is a commercial matter between the relevant parties.

  Motoring Costs
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce motoring costs in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [101637]

  Mr. Jamieson
  National statistics show that average motoring costs—for motorists in rural areas and elsewhere—have fallen by 5 per cent. in real terms since 1997. This fall is primarily due to lower car prices which we have encouraged through greater retail competition. We have also reduced vehicle excise duty for motorists who use fuel-efficient cars and introduced fuel duty incentives for clean fuels—all of which rural motorists can benefit from.

  Roads
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of funding new trunk roads in the private sector through road tolls; and if he will make a statement. [101639]
  54W
  Mr. Jamieson
  There has been no general assessment of funding new trunk roads in the private sector through road tolls.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his latest estimate is of the total external social costs in pence per average vehicle mile for road travel in the United Kingdom accounted for by(a) congestion costs, (b) accident costs, (c) air pollution costs, (d) noise pollution costs and (e) climate change costs; and if he will make a statement. [101526]

  Mr. Jamieson
  A study commissioned by my Department from the Institute for Transport Studies1 at the University of Leeds made the following estimates of the marginal external social cost of road use per vehicle kilometre in Great Britain:

  a) Congestion costs: 9.71 to 11.16 pence

  b) Accident costs: 0.82 to 1.40 pence

  c) Air pollution costs: 0.34 to 1.70 pence

  d) Noise pollution costs: 0.02 to 0.78 pence

  e) Climate change costs: 0.15 to 0.62 pence

  1Surface Transport Costs and Charges, Great Britain 1998, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds July 2001.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the total growth in vehicle miles travelled on United Kingdom roads in each year from 1980–81 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [101527]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The year on year growth rates for vehicle miles travelled from 1980–81 to 2002–03 are detailed in the table.

  Percentage

  Year

  All Motor Vehicles

  1980

  6.2

  1981

  1.8

  1982

  2.7

  1983

  1.3

  1984

  5.2

  1985

  2.2

  1986

  5.1

  1987

  7.7

  1988

  7.2

  1989

  8.3

  1990

  1.0

  1991

  0.2

  1992

  0.1

  1993

  0.0

  1994

  2.5

  1995

  2.0

  1996

  2.7

  1997

  2.3

  1998

  1.5

  1999

  1.7

  2000

  0.3

  2001

  1.3

  2002

  2.4

  The figures on which these are based have been published in the Transport Statistics Bulletin (02)23—Road Traffic Statistics: 2001 (Table 1.1) and Transport Statistics (03)5—Traffic in Great Britain: Q4 2002 Data, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the funding of the special purpose vehicle projects being pursued by the Strategic Rail Authority; and if he will list the companies with which the Strategic Rail Authority is negotiating regarding SPV projects. [101183]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority is developing its model for procurement of projects, including those in which SPVs may play a role, in discussion with Network Rail. Projects are under preparation but are not yet at the negotiating stage.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budget(a) resource, (b) capital and (c) in total has been provided by his Department to the Strategic Rail Authority in each year since it has been in operation, including in its shadow form, and projected to 2004–05 (i) at out-turn prices and (ii) at today's prices. [95570]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The table provides the information requested, for the years from 1999–2000 to 2004–05.

  £million

  Resource

  Capital

  Total

  Outturn prices

  1999–2000

  1,110.7

  0.2

  1,110.9

  2000–01

  1,036.3

  4.6

  1,040.9

  2001–02

  1,248.3

  623.7

  1,872.0

  2002–03

  1,407.4

  944.1

  2,351.5

  2003–04

  3,370.1

  -19.0

  3,351.1

  2004–05

  3,408.0

  -4.0

  3,404.0

  2002–03 prices

  1999–2000

  1,192.0

  0.2

  1,192.2

  2000–01

  1,087.2

  4.9

  1,092.1

  2001–02

  1,279.5

  639.3

  1,918.8

  2002–03

  1,407.4

  944.1

  2,351.5

  2003–04

  3,296.0

  -18.6

  3,277.4

  2004–05

  3,251.6

  -3.8

  3,247.8

  From 1 April 2003 capital grants to the private sector will be classified as resource instead of capital. This is why the figures in the resource column increase from 2003–04 onwards. In 2003–04 and 2004–05, the negative capital figures reflect the fact that the main capital item is income from property sales.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether any specific liabilities of the Strategic Rail Authority, beyond those detailed in his Minutes to Parliament of 27 June 2002, are comprised within the comfort letter proposed to be issued to the Strategic Rail Authority, as set out in the Secretary of State's Minute of 3 February; [98960]

  (2) what requirements for accountability to Parliament he intends to apply to the Strategic Rail Authority in respect of its receipt of guarantees from public funds for its borrowings; [98970]
  56W
  (3) if he will inform the House if his current intentions as regards the matters contained in his proposed comfort letter to the Strategic Rail Authority (3 February 2003 written statement) were to change; [98941]

  (4) whether the contingent liabilities of the Strategic Rail Authority which are proposed to be the subject of a comfort letter from him would score against public sector debt; [98956]

  (5) pursuant to his written statement of 3 February, for what reason his power to guarantee the Strategic Rail Authority's borrowing under Schedule 14 of the Transport Act 2000 is confined to "sums which the SRA borrows temporarily"; and how he defines "temporarily" in this context; [98977]

  (6) whether the contingent liabilities of the Strategic Rail Authority in respect of which he proposes to issue a comfort letter includes (a) the Bridge Facility I, (b) the KfW facilities, (c) the EIB facilities and (d) the legacy working capital facility, as set out in Minutes from him laid before Parliament on 27 June 2002; [98952]

  (7) whether any limit (a) has been and (b) is intended to be set in relation to the contingent liabilities of the Strategic Rail Authority which are proposed to be the subject of a comfort letter from the Secretary of State, as set out in his minute of 3 February; [98957]

  (8) what limit on contingent liabilities, which may be the subject of the proposed comfort letter to the Strategic Rail Authority from him as proposed in his Minute to Parliament of 3 February, is consistent with the Strategic Rail Authority's current (a) agreed budget and (b) financial framework; [98972]

  (9) under what circumstances his statement in paragraph 12 of his proposed comfort letter to the Strategy Rail Authority, that the letter does not create binding obligations and should not be construed as a guarantee, would override his current intention as set out in paragraph 11. [98969]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The contingent liabilities notified to Parliament on 27 June 2002 were in respect of the SRA's specific obligations for the support arrangements for Network Rail. These included support for the Bridge Facility, the KfW facility, the EEB facility, and the legacy working capital facility. The SRA comfort letter notified to Parliament on 3 February 2003 covers the generality of the SRA's financial obligations, and therefore covers, inter alia, the specific obligations notified in June.

  It is not possible to quantify or limit the contingent liabilities in respect of the SRA comfort letter beyond the provisos set out in the letter, especially at paragraphs 9 to 11. The SRA is required to operate within its agreed budget and financial framework.

  Any new contingent liabilities in respect of the SRA, or any significant changes to the nature or size of existing contingent liabilities, will be notified to Parliament in accordance with Government Accounting. Under UK

  57W
  accounting standards, a liability is defined as contingent if it is dependent on uncertain future events or is not likely to be called. Contingent liabilities do not score as public sector debt.

  The Minute accompanying the proposed SRA comfort letter summarises the Secretary of State's statutory powers to finance the SRA. In particular it notes the Secretary of State's opinion that he has no legal power to guarantee the performance of the SRA's financial obligations apart from the provision in Schedule 14 of the Transport Act 2000 in respect of temporary borrowing by the SRA from another person. Temporary borrowing is intended to cover borrowing such as by way of overdraft or bridging facility, where moneys are not intended to be advanced on a long-term basis.

  There are currently no such guarantees from public funds for any temporary borrowing by the SRA. If any such guarantees were to be given by the Secretary of State, or where any sum were to be paid out in fulfilling a guarantee, then notification to each House of Parliament is required in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act 2000.

  The statement in paragraph 12 of the SRA comfort letter, that it does not create legal obligations, reflects the legal position in respect of that letter. It is compatible with the statement of the Secretary of State's current intentions in paragraph 11 of the comfort letter.

  Trafficmaster Detectors
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Trafficmaster detectors on motorways and trunk roads are equipped with lenses capable of reading vehicle registration numbers; and if he will make a statement. [101382]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Trafficmaster units on the motorway and trunk road network use two types of detector. The model using an infrared beam is not fitted with lenses. The other type incorporates a camera that reads vehicle registration marks.

  To preserve privacy, equipment at the roadside removes the first and last characters of each number plate read by the cameras. The remaining characters are

  Service

  Offered

  Accepted

  Percentage

  Royal Navy (including Royal Marines)

  3,581

  1,346

  38

  Army

  6,466

  4,340

  67

  Royal Air Force

  8,572

  3,840

  44

  Other (including Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Joint NEC Regiment and civilians)

  1,160

  569

  49

  Total

  19,779

  10,095

  51

  Immunisation against anthrax is recorded in an individual's medical records when it is administered. However, it takes time for copies of these details to be passed back to Ministry of Defence and entered into central records, hence these figures do not include personnel most recently included in the programme. We are confident that a majority of personnel now deploying to the Gulf will opt to receive immunisation against anthrax, and expect take-up to improve further
  58W
  encrypted and processed to create a unique Identifier which is used to calculate the average speed of a batch of vehicles. No other information about a vehicle is recorded, and after two hours, the Identifiers are discarded.

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been of British operations in Afghanistan in each month since operations began. [101281]

  Mr. Ingram
  The monthly totals for 2001–02 are as follows.

  £million

  Month

  September

  13.677

  October

  12.016

  November

  25.942

  December

  27.775

  January

  25.335

  February

  24.358

  March

  92.285

  Total

  221.388

  I regret that since 2002–03 figures have not been audited, it might be misleading for me to provide that information on a monthly basis until the NAO audit has been completed. The forecast annual cost is £376 million.

  Anthrax Immunisation
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces offered voluntary immunisation against anthrax received the vaccine at(a) zero weeks, (b) three weeks, (c) six weeks and (d) six months into the course; what percentage of the total offered vaccination this represents; and if he will break down these figures by service. [99363]

  Dr. Moonie
  Up to 12 February 2003, the period for which most recent figures are available, the data requested are as follows:

  as the programme expands. Up-to-date information on second, third and subsequent immunisations could be only provided at disproportionate cost.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on compliance by the UK with the Ottawa Convention on the use of anti-personnel mines. [102352]
  59W
  Mr. Hoon
  The United Kingdom is fully in compliance with its obligations under the Ottawa Convention.

  Astute Submarine
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the delay in the Astute Submarine in service date will affect the Astute Class Training Service run by DSEI; what the cost will be to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [99925]

  Mr. Ingram
  A contract for the provision of an Astute Class Training Service was placed with FAST Training Services Ltd in September 2001. The Department is currently evaluating the impact of realigning the training programme to take account of delays in the ASTUTE submarine programme. A decision on the way ahead, based on the best value for money solution is expected later this year.

  Civil Aircraft Contracts
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what experience of tenders for civil aircraft contracts was available to the assessor of the Wattisham Air Traffic contract. [101373]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 March 2003]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the competence of the technical assessor of the bids for the second Wattisham Air Traffic contract. The Wattisham contract was for the provision of air traffic control services, associated equipment maintenance and simulator services. As the most significant proportion of the contract was for air traffic control services for the Ministry of Defence, the most appropriate technical assessor was a military air traffic controller. Against this background it was not considered necessary for the assessor to have had experience of civil air traffic contracting.

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the main differences were between the risk assessments used in the first and second assessments of the Wattisham Air Traffic contract. [101374]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 March 2003]: The risk assessment used in the second competition for the Wattisham Air Traffic Contract benefited from lessons learnt in the first competition. The second competition utilised a better defined requirement, a more rigorous and explicit approach to the risk assessment and a different assessment team—all of which improved the quality of the risk assessment overall.

  CVF Project
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether industrial co-operation between France and the United Kingdom on the CVF project will have an impact on his Department's contractual arrangements with(a) BAE Systems and (b) Thales UK; [97329]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the proposed Anglo-French co-operation on the CVF aircraft carrier project. [97326]
  60W
  Mr. Ingram
  While we have been exchanging information and discussing carrier procurement issues with the French Government, to date there has been no Anglo-French co-operation on CVF at the industry to industry level. As a result of France's decision to buy a second aircraft carrier we are exploring potential areas for co-operation—such as transferring design information and facilitating, in due course, industry to industry links—to inform the French decision-making process. Much will depend on the procurement route and solution selected by France. It is not envisaged that industrial co-operation will impact on our procurement strategy and our relationship with BAE Systems or Thales UK.

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the firms bidding for the CVF project are estimated to have spent on their participation in the competition. [97330]

  Mr. Ingram
  From the start of the CVF Assessment phase contract in November 1999 to the end of the competitive stage on 20 November 2002, the Ministry of Defence paid around £39 million (VAT inclusive) to both BAE Systems and Thales UK. Additional spending by the companies is a matter for them.

  Dean Hill
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether plans for the closure of Dean Hill munitions depot remain as before; and if he will make a statement. [101662]

  Mr. Ingram
  The closure of Dean Hill munitions depot remains on track and it is planned to cease operations by 1 April 2004.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 3 February 2003,Official Report, column 55W, on Gibraltar, whether the Government of Gibraltar have requested a meeting to discuss commemoration of 300 years of British sovereignty. [101815]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government of Gibraltar have not requested any meeting with either British Forces Gibraltar or the Ministry of Defence to discuss the commemoration of 300 years of British sovereignty.

  Home Defence
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the UK's home defence capability. [101670]

  Mr. Hoon
  Defence and security within the United Kingdom are primarily the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. The Ministry of Defence's contribution, including the enhancements currently being implemented, were described in Section 5 of the White Paper "The Strategic Defence Review: A New Chapter" (CM5566 vol. 1), presented to Parliament on 18 July 2002.

  Media and Communications (Gull)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from his Department
  61W
  with responsibility for media and communications operations are (a) in the Gulf and (b) on their way to the Gulf; and if he will make a statement. [101593]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 7 March 2002, the Ministry of Defence had 160 specialist media operations staff deployed to the Gulf. There is one more member of staff due to be deployed within the next week.

  Mines
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on new technologies for detecting and removing landmines; if he will list such new technologies that have been tested in the field; under what conditions such technologies have been tested; and in which mine-affected countries they are now operational. [101294]

  Mr. Ingram
  Research into mine detection, and destruction or removal, continues to be undertaken by several firms in the United Kingdom. A wide range of technologies have been tested, including: ground penetrating radar; magnetometers (sometimes combined with GPS locating equipment); aerial platforms for mine detection equipment; vehicle mounted mine detection and marking equipment; mine destruction flails; mine destruction and lifting rotators and scarifiers; and pyrotechnic disposal tools. Tests have included remote controlled equipment of all types. Testing work has also been carried out with explosive and mine detection dogs.

  Technologies have been tested under control conditions against dummy targets (for example, a known number of targets buried at a known depth in a known location and in a certain type of soil), in dummy minefields laid in typical conditions found in various parts of the world, and under control conditions against live targets. Equipment that is derived from or has benefited from these tests is operational in the Middle and Far East, in Africa, and in Europe (including Bosnia and Kosovo).

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are involved in landmine clearance; and in which countries they are working. [101295]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no British troops currently involved in landmine clearance. British troops may be required to clear mines on a war fighting deployment in support of operations. They may also be required to carry out limited mine clearance operations or operations other than war if the local situation demands. However, mine clearance on humanitarian operations will normally be passed to appropriate United Nations or civilian contractors.

  No-fly Zones
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since October 2002 coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone in Iraq have(a) detected violations of the no-fly zones,
  62W
  (b) detected a direct threat to a coalition aircraft and (c) responded in self defence; how much ordnance was released in each month since October 2002; and if he will make a statement. [99714]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 3 March 2003]: The information requested is only currently available up to the end of January. No-fly zone (NFZ) violations are detected in several ways, though rarely by tactical aircraft. The number of violations recorded, by month, in the southern no-fly zone, is as follows:

  Number

  October 2002

  2

  November 2002

  2

  December 2002

  9

  January 2003

  2

  Coalition aircraft recorded threats on a total of 113 occasions, as follows

  Number

  October 2002

  14

  November 2002

  48

  December

  18

  January 2003

  33

  Coalition aircraft in the southern NFZ responded in self defence against Iraqi Air Defence targets on 41 occasions in the period, and released 128.4 tons of ordnance.

  Responses conducted in self defence

  Number

  October 2002

  6

  November 2002

  10

  December 2002

  13

  January 2003

  12

  Tonnage of ordance released

  Number

  October 2002

  17.7

  November 2002

  33.6

  December 2002

  53.2

  January 2003

  23.9

  Operation Telic
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many urgent operational requirements (UORs) there are in respect of Operation Telic, and if he will list them, together with the total value, broken down where available by individual urgent operation requirement. [101417]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 March 2003]: Over 170 urgent operational requirements (UORs) have been approved at a value of around £500 million for equipment related to Operation Telic. The broad categories into which these can be broken down are shown in the following table.
  63W

  Category

  Description

  Force protection

  Including measures to enhance situational awareness and platform protection, and to maximise Combat ID inter-operability with US forces.

  Modifications for desert operations

  Action to address the lessons identified from Exercise SAIF SAREEA II and enhance, inter alia, the performance of Challenger 2 and AS90 in desert conditions.

  Close-quarter fighting

  A range of measures including additional light machine guns and enhanced night vision and thermal imaging equipment.

  Precision munitions

  Increased stocks of precision munitions in accordance with lessons identified from operations in Kosovo.

  Secure communications

  A range of measures to ensure interoperability with US forces at both unit and platform level.

  NBC protection

  A range of measures to protect UK forces from any CBRN threat.

  Medical support

  Includes enhancements to field hospital infrastructure and medical equipment.

  Support equipment

  Including additional Temporary Deployable Accommodation (TDA), support to logistics operations, water and fuel distribution.

  These measures do not include the additional purchase of stock, such as clothing, which are not obtained by the UOR process.

  Service Personnel (Welfare)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanisms exist for servicemen and women on operations to raise concerns and complaints about their welfare; and if he will make a statement. [101592]

  Dr. Moonie
  The provision of operational and non-operational welfare support to Service personnel and their families is a high priority within the Armed Forces personnel strategy and in particular during operational deployments. Welfare is part of the unit commander's responsibility, supported by welfare staff both within the operational theatre and at home. There are a number of avenues through which a Service person can raise a welfare concern. These include the officer commanding their unit or section, the Chaplain and medical staff. The specific procedures, which apply equally to operational and non-operational duty, are publicised to Service personnel through normal briefing arrangements. Welfare support is also available to the families at home.

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  HMS GRAFTON (Chinhae 11 to 13 October)

  Nil

  HMS CORNWALL (Pusan 31 August to 4 September)

  Nil

  Nil

  HMS GRAFTON (Pusan 13 to 17 October)

  HMS NEWCASTLE (Pusan 31 August to 4 September)

  RFA FORT VICTORIA (Pusan 31 August to 4 September)

  RFA FORT VICTORIA (Pohang 15 September)

  Uranium-tipped Ammunition
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance has been given to British troops regarding the(a) handling and (b) use of uranium-tipped rounds. [101159]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave on 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 508W to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson).

  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British forces destined for the Gulf have been equipped with uranium-tipped rounds. [101160]
  64W
  In the event of a complaint, there are the Service Redress of Complaints procedures. These procedures are enshrined in the Services Discipline Acts. They apply equally to welfare as to any other issue and provide the statutory right for all personnel to state a complaint and have it reviewed at successively higher levels in the Service. The principle is to deal with a complaint in an effective, fair and timely manner at the lowest appropriate level but with provision for escalation if it cannot be resolved there.

  South Korea
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British warships have made a visit to South Korea in each of the past five years. [101162]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of Royal Navy ship visits to South Korea in each of the past five years is detailed below. For completeness visits by Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are also included. HMS Nottingham had been programmed to visit South Korea towards the end of September 2002 but the visit was subsequently cancelled following her grounding off the east coast of Australia in July 2002.

  No visits have been undertaken so far during 2003.

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 January 2003,Official Report, column 858W to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith).

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Airline Passengers (Deportations)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers have been removed from the United Kingdom on scheduled airlines pursuant to Government deportation or removal orders under section 27 of the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the last three years; and at what cost to public funds. [101416]
  65W
  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 6 March 2003]: No passengers have been removed under section 27 of the Immigration Act 1971.

  This section of the Act refers to offences committed by carriers rather than passengers. It does not contain powers for removal.

  Section 27 makes it an offence for a captain of a ship or aircraft to knowingly permit a person to disembark when this is prevented under schedules 2 or 3 of the 1971 Act, or to fail to make arrangements for a person's removal under this Act.

  The power to remove persons refused leave to enter and illegal entrants lies in schedule 2 of the 1971 Act. Paragraph 9 of that schedule provides for removal at the carrier's expense and paragraph 10 provides for removal at public expense. Schedule 3 to the 1971 Act allows the Secretary of State to set removal directions pursuant to a deportation order, with the expenses defrayed by the Secretary of State. Section 10(6) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 gives a power to set removal directions for persons who breach their conditions of leave or who obtain leave to remain by deception. The costs must be met by the Secretary of State.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to ensure that unaccompanied child asylum seekers are not recruited for(a) sexual exploitation, (b) child labour and (c) other forms of child exploitation. [100315]

  Jacqui Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  Unaccompanied, asylum-seeking children are supported by councils with social services responsibilities, in accordance with the duties laid on them by the Children Act 1989. The Act draws no distinction between such children and other children in need.

  Children at risk of becoming involved in prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation are likely to be in need of welfare services and, in many cases, protection under the Children Act 1989.

  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 section 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.

  When a child is identified as at risk of being drawn into prostitution or other commercial sexual exploitation, an assessment of the child's needs will be undertaken in accordance with "Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution" (2000) and "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's child protection guidance, and the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families" (2000). This assessment should be followed by
  66W
  consideration of how best to address the identified needs of the child and the development of a care plan. The plan could include a range of services.

  The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 is the primary legislation governing child employment. The legislation is intended to protect children and young people who are being employed. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring compliance with the legislation and any related local byelaws.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to agree a target figure for the removal of asylum seekers whose claims are judged to be unfounded. [101148]

  Beverley Hughes
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary during Home Office oral questions on 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 13. In his reply my right hon. Friend said 'Within weeks of taking over as Home Secretary, I made it clear to the House that the original intention, the technical commitment that had been made in relation to the number of people who could be removed from the country was not feasible. I indicated then that it would be more sensible to have commitment related to a proportion of the intake and that we should switch our energies into preventing entry by strengthening our borders. That is precisely what I have done in the past 20 months'.

  The Public Service Agreement (PSA) in 2003–04 remains the same as in the PSA 2000 i.e. to enforce the immigration laws more effectively by removing a greater proportion of failed asylum seekers.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers known to his Department are in the UK and not in receipt of any kind of benefit; and how many there were at the same date in each of the last three years. [101237]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 6 March 2003]: The requested information is not available.

  Statistics on the number of asylum seekers who are supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html

  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances work permits can be issued to asylum seekers who do not have jobs. [101429]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 17 February 2003]: None. The United Kingdom's work permit arrangements are employer-led. It is for the employer to apply for a work permit in respect of a specific post.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans are in place for Iraqi asylum seekers already in the UK should war be declared on Iraq. [100835]

  Beverley Hughes
  No decision has yet been taken to launch military action against Iraq. Appropriate arrangements are, however, being put in place to deal with the consequences, should such action be taken. Those arrangements cover the situation of Iraqi asylum seekers already in the United Kingdom.

  Chorley Hospital
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking with the Department of Health to provide more resources to Chorley Hospital in order to cope with the number of prisoners being treated at the hospital. [99909]

  Jacqui Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for meeting the costs of prisoners' medical treatment in hospital lies entirely with the national health service. Allocations made to primary care trusts include provision for the costs of such services.

  Clearsprings Management
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the work Clearsprings Management Ltd. undertakes for the National Asylum Support Service; [100842]

  (2) for what reason Clearsprings Management Ltd. requires a confidentiality agreement from landlords; and if he will make a statement. [100853]

  Beverley Hughes
  Clearsprings Management Ltd. has a contract with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) to provide accommodation for destitute asylum seekers. As part of the contract, Clearsprings Management Ltd. is required to respect a confidentiality clause. This is primarily to protect the identities and location of asylum seekers accommodated within their properties. To enable it to comply with the terms of its contract with NASS, Clearsprings Management Ltd. would need to ensure that its contracts with subcontractors also included a confidentiality clause.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer the letter dated 13 December 2002, from the hon. Member for Totnes, concerning the status of Mr. Fahrettin Yalcin of Brixham, Devon, which was transferred to his Department from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for reply; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in replying. [101771]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 7 March 2003]: I wrote to the hon. Member on 6 March.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of(a) 13 November 2002, reference 22406/2 and (b) 26 September 2002, reference 19999/2; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in replying. [96152]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 10 February 2003]: The information is as follows:

  (a) I wrote to the hon. Member on 4 March in response to his letter of 13 November 2002.

  (b) My noble Friend Lord Filkin, responded to the hon. Member's letter of 26 September on 11 February 2003.
  68W
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 23 December 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Ahmed. [98962]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 20 February 2003.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 20 December 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Mark Kissingu; [100686]

  (2) why he has not replied to the letter to him dated 20 December from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Mark Kissingu. [102187]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 March 2003.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what reasons he has not replied to the letter to him dated 23 December 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Lutfi; [100688]

  (2) why he has not replied to the letter to him dated 23 December from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Lutfi. [102190]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 7 March 2003.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the inquiry headed by Patrick Carter into the Criminal Records Bureau cost. [100165]

  Hilary Benn
  [holding answer 6 March 2003]: The estimate cost of the independent review of the Criminal Records Bureau is £585,000. This includes the costs of various consultancies in support of the review.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the vetting of nannies by the Criminal Records Bureau. [99552]

  Maria Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Child care workers operating in child care settings regulated by Ofsted or the National Care Standards Commission are vetted through the Criminal Records Bureau. Nannies or other child care workers who care for children in the child's own home are not regulated by Ofsted, and therefore, are not vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau.

  However, parents wanting to secure a nanny who has been vetted by the Bureau can go to a registered agency offering to supply such a nanny.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many volunteers have requested checks through the Criminal Records Bureau; how many have been processed; and when he expects the backlog to be cleared to meet the processing time target. [99651]
  69W
  Hilary Benn
  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has received 160,000 applications from people in the voluntary sector. To date 135,000 have been processed and a percentage of the outstanding applications are under three weeks old.

  The latest figures show that 51,857 of all the applications being processed are older than three weeks, that is to say, outside the published service standard of three weeks. This figure does not include incomplete or incorrect applications that have had to be sent back to the customer before they can be processed.

  I am unable to confirm exactly when the backlog of outstanding applications will be cleared. It is, however, falling steadily and equates to less than two weeks' output. When compared against the number of outstanding applications in October 2002, 115,483, and the last week in January 2003, 62,687, there has been a steady improvement in performance.

  Emergency Planning
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent guidance on emergency planning has been issued to local authorities. [102134]

  Mr. Alexander
  I have been asked to reply.

  The most recent guidance issued to local authorities, emergency services and other responding agencies on emergency planning was 'The Decontamination of people exposed to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) substances or material: Strategic National Guidance'. Its publication was announced in a Written Ministerial Statement by the Minister of State for the Home Department, on 3 February 2003, Official Report, column 3WS.

  'Dealing with Disaster' (3rd Edition) is currently being revised and will be published by the middle of this year. This forms the core guidance to local authorities and other responders for emergency planning and response to all types of emergencies.

  Guidance on the 'Response to the deliberate release of chemicals and biological agents: guidance to local authorities' was issued in October 2001 by the Cabinet Office. This is currently being updated by the Home Office and will be re-issued in the next two months.

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to make available to the public an information booklet for emergency planning in the event of a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement. [99112]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 25 February 2003]: The Government keeps under constant review its arrangements to ensure that the public has the best possible advice about the threat in the United Kingdom. Any general advice has to be carefully considered, to ensure that it is neither too vague nor too comprehensive to be useful, given the many different forms that threat may conceivably take. We already publish information on the current security position on the Government's emergency planning website, www.ukresilience.info, together with practical advice as and when necessary in connection with specific alerts, for example handling suspect packages. That site contains a wide range of emergency planning
  70W
  information and links to other United Kingdom government department sites and related sites around the world, which interested members of the public can explore in depth. The Government will ensure that the advice which it provides strikes the right balance between keeping the public informed and not provoking unnecessary anxiety.

  I also announced to the House on 3 March, a new website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism to ensure the public has more access to information about terrorism and how best to protect themselves.

  Illegal Meat Imports
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted in the last 12 months for illegal importation of meat products in their personal luggage on arrival at UK airports. [100782]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Figures on prosecutions for the illegal importation of meat are not collected centrally. Responsibility for prosecutions lies with local authorities. We are, however, aware of one successful prosecution last year, brought by Crawley borough council in July 2002. The Corporation of London Port Health Authority issued six cautions in October 2002.

  A decision to bring a prosecution before the courts is a matter for the enforcement authority. They would take a number of factors into account, including the weight of evidence to prove intent to break the laws in question, and the ability to bring the offender before the British courts. These criteria may not be easy to satisfy in the case of air passengers bringing in meat illegally, especially where small quantities are seized.

  In many cases, other penalties may be more appropriate. Seizures are confiscated and destroyed. We have been working with the Home Office to add details of repeat offenders to the warning index used by immigration officers.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what surveys his Department has made of the views of people living within the Metropolitan police area on the efficiency of the police force; and if he will make a statement. [100603]

  Mr. Denham
  The British Crime Survey asks all respondents a general question regarding how good a job they think the police are doing. Findings for this question are available by police force area and therefore for the Metropolitan police area. The latest findings from this question have been published in "Crime in England and Wales 2001–02: Supplementary Volume 01/03" (table 8.03). A copy can be found in the Library. These results can also be found in the Police Performance Monitoring 2001–02 publication.

  Office for Civil Nuclear Security
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role was played by the Government's Office for Civil Nuclear Security in the preparation of the
  71W
  "National Guidance on Decontamination Following the Accidental or Deliberate Release of Dangerous Material", published on 3 February 2003; and what steps he has taken to publicise this guidance to relevant bodies and individuals. [96922]

  Mr. Denham
  Advice on civil nuclear issues to inform the "Strategic National Guidance on the Decontamination of People Exposed to CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Substances or Material" was obtained through the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Following the written ministerial statement I made on 3 February 2003, Official Report, column 3WS, a press release announcing the publication of the guidance was issued. The document has been placed on the Home Office and UK Resilience websites. Stakeholder organisations, including Government Departments, the emergency services and local government have been asked to ensure that their members are made aware that copies of the guidance can be downloaded and to place links to the document on their own websites. Notification of the publication has also been sent directly to Emergency Planning Officers.

  Police
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of policing(a) the Iraq demonstration on 15 February and (b) the last Countryside Rally in London. [101145]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the total cost of policing the 'Stop the war' demonstration on 15 February was £965,238 and the total cost of policing the Countryside Alliance Mass Lobby of Parliament on 16 December 2002 was £163,000.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on administration by each English police authority in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [99880]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are in each police force area in England and Wales; and how many(a) police officers and (b) civilian support staff there were in England and Wales in each year since 1996. [100803]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is provided in the tables. By 31 March 2002, police service strength had reached the record number of 129,603, on track for the Government's targets of 130,000 by March 2003 and 132,500 in 2004.

  Force

  Police officer strength as at 31 March 2002

  Civilian support staff strength as at 31 March 2002

  Avon and Somerset

  3,096

  1,611

  Bedfordshire

  1,069

  524

  Cambridgeshire

  1,362

  733

  Cheshire

  2,059

  884

  Cleveland

  1,461

  626

  Cumbria

  1,100

  631

  Derbyshire

  1,848

  953

  72W

  Force

  Police officers strength as at 31 March 2002

  Civilian support staff strength as at 31 March 2002

  Devon and Cornwall

  3,053

  1,639

  Dorset

  1,381

  741

  Durham

  1,614

  660

  Essex

  2,946

  459

  Gloucestershire

  1,183

  1,571

  Greater Manchester

  7,217

  545

  Hampshire

  3,480

  3,135

  Hertfordshire

  1,825

  570

  Humberside

  2,058

  1,597

  Kent

  3,355

  1,121

  Lancashire

  3,304

  816

  Leicestershire

  2,100

  1,958

  Lincolnshire

  1,198

  1,442

  London, City of

  764

  816

  Merseyside

  4,125

  600

  Metropolitan Police

  26,223

  247

  Norfolk

  1,468

  1,532

  Northamptonshire

  1,214

  10,459

  Northumbria

  3,929

  819

  North Yorkshire

  1,417

  645

  Nottinghamshire

  2,330

  743

  South Yorkshire

  3,199

  742

  Staffordshire

  2,133

  1,403

  Suffolk

  1,203

  1,087

  Surrey

  1,992

  1,435

  Sussex

  2,893

  1,352

  Thames Valley

  3,762

  1,030

  Warwickshire

  969

  692

  West Mercia

  2,018

  1,043

  West Midlands

  7,681

  1,507

  West Yorkshire

  4,889

  2,061

  Wiltshire

  1,157

  459

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,132

  1,116

  Gwent

  1,333

  3,007

  North Wales

  1,506

  2,364

  South Wales

  3,222

  649

  Total Secondments

  2,336

  887

  Total police officer strength

  129,603

  58,909

  Year as at 31 March

  Police officers

  Civilian support staff

  1996

  126,901

  52,933

  1997

  127,158

  53,011

  1998

  126,814

  52,975

  1999

  126,096

  52,465

  2000

  124,170

  52,588

  2001

  125,682

  53,575

  2002

  12.9,603

  58,022

  Source:

  Home Office Statistical Bulletins—Police Service Strength—1996–02

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations have been made by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary on the optimum number of probationers as a proportion of overall office numbers within a police force. [100690]

  Mr. Denham
  None.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of(a) officers, (b) constables and (c) police area constables were probationers in each police force in each year since 1998–99. [100730]

  Mr. Denham
  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has provided the information in the table. Police area constable is not a recognised category. The
  73W
  proportion of probationers has been rising as a consequence of the very substantial increase in recruitment that began in 2000–01. As a result of that increased recruitment, by 31 March 2002, police service strength had reached the record number of 129,603, on track for the Government's targets of 130,000 by March 2003 and 132,500 in 2004.

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Probationers as a percentage of:

  Force

  All ranks

  Constables

  All ranks

  Constables

  Avon and Somerset

  6.5

  8.4

  5.4

  6.9

  Bedfordshire

  7.4

  9.4

  6.4

  8.2

  Cambridgeshire

  2.0

  2.6

  3.7

  4.8

  Cheshire

  8.4

  10.8

  6.1

  8.0

  City of London

  4.8

  6.1

  1.8

  2.3

  Cleveland

  5.2

  6.5

  4.4

  5.6

  Cumbria

  2.0

  2.6

  3.6

  4.7

  Derbyshire

  6.2

  8.2

  6.7

  8.7

  Devon and Cornwall

  7.9

  10.2

  4.8

  6.1

  Dorset

  7.3

  9.5

  6.5

  8.5

  Durham

  11.9

  15.2

  8.5

  10.8

  Dyfed-Powys

  6.7

  9.0

  6.2

  8.4

  Essex

  6.4

  8.4

  5.2

  6.7

  Gloucestershire

  7.7

  9.8

  11.4

  14.7

  Greater Manchester

  1.6

  2.0

  2.7

  3.5

  Gwent

  6.2

  8.0

  8.3

  10.9

  Hampshire

  8.2

  10.5

  6.5

  8.4

  Hertfordshire

  7.4

  9.6

  11.7

  15.1

  Humberside

  5.3

  6.9

  4.0

  5.2

  Kent

  7.4

  9.5

  8.3

  10.5

  Lancashire

  5.3

  7.0

  2.7

  3.5

  Leicestershire

  9.4

  11.8

  7.5

  9:3

  Lincolnshire

  3.7

  4.9.

  3.0

  4.0

  Merseyside

  7.7

  9.8

  4.2

  5.4

  Metropolitan Police

  10.0

  12.9

  7.7

  10.0

  Norfolk

  5.1

  6.6

  3.5

  4.5

  Northamptonshire

  4.9

  6.2

  4.2

  5.4

  Northumbria

  11.5

  14.6

  7.7

  9.8

  North Wales

  7.1

  9.3

  7.2

  9.5

  North Yorkshire

  5.8

  7.6

  1.9

  2.5

  Nottinghamshire

  0.0

  0.0

  4.3

  5.4

  South Wales

  9.1

  11.7

  8.9

  11.6

  South Yorkshire

  6.8

  8.8

  7.1

  9.3

  Staffordshire

  10.1

  13.2

  3.0

  3.9

  Suffolk

  10.4

  13.2

  1.3

  1.7

  Surrey

  11.4

  14.8

  16.2

  20.7

  Sussex

  7.9

  10.4

  5.6

  7.4

  Thames Valley

  10.4

  13.4

  8.6

  11.0

  Warwickshire

  9.1

  11.6

  6.8

  8.6

  West Mercia

  4.2

  5.4

  1.4

  1.8

  West Midlands

  12.0

  14.8

  9.4

  11.6

  West Yorkshire

  3.8

  4.8

  1.2

  1.6

  Wiltshire

  0.0

  0.0

  1.3

  1.8

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Probationers as a percentage of:

  Force

  Alll ranks

  Constables

  All ranks

  Constables

  Avon and Somerset

  4.5

  5.7

  5.2

  6.6

  Bedfordshire

  10.4

  13.3

  19.1

  24.1

  Cambridgeshire

  11.0

  14.5

  15.8

  20.3

  Cheshire

  5.8

  7.6

  11.7

  15.1

  City of London

  4.1

  5.5

  12.8

  16.6

  Cleveland

  8.6

  10.9

  13.0

  6.5

  Cumbria

  4.5

  5.8

  9.8

  12.6

  Derbyshire

  9.4

  12.2

  11.6

  14.9

  Devon and Cornwall

  7.9

  10.0

  11.0

  14.0

  Dorset

  10.1

  13.1

  12.7

  16.4

  Durham

  7.5

  9.5

  10.0

  12.7

  Dyfed-Powys

  17.9

  23.7

  12.6

  16.4

  Essex

  8.4

  10.8

  13.3

  17.0

  Gloucestershire

  12.0

  15.3

  12.0

  15.3

  Greater Manchester

  3.2

  4.1

  13.0

  16.3

  Gwent

  9.3

  12.0

  16.4

  21.0

  Hampshire

  8.4

  11.0

  11.2

  14.5

  Hertfordshire

  11.9

  15.5

  14.8

  18.9

  Humberside

  7.3

  9.3

  15.4

  19,5

  Kent

  3.6

  4.5

  14.4

  18.2

  74W

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Probationers as a Percentage of:

  Force

  Alll ranks

  Constables

  All ranks

  Constables

  Lancashire

  7.9

  10.3

  11.1

  14.4

  Leicestershire

  9.2

  11.4

  11.8

  14.7

  Lincolnshire

  11.6

  15.0

  15.6

  20.4

  Merseyside

  5.0

  6.4

  8.7

  10.9

  Metropolitan Police

  7.9

  10.3

  9.1

  11.8

  Norfolk

  8.1

  10.4

  12.0

  15.3

  Northamptonshire

  7.9

  9.9

  13.2

  16.7

  Northumbria

  7.9

  10.0

  10.9

  13.8

  North Wales

  11.7

  15.4

  14.0

  18.3

  North Yorkshire

  5.6

  7.2

  2.1

  2.8

  Nottinghamshire

  7.5

  9.6

  0.9

  1.2

  South Wales

  3.0

  3.8

  13.3

  16.9

  South Yorkshire

  5.2

  6.8

  10.3

  13.5

  Staffordshire

  3.8

  4.9

  7.1

  9.3

  Suffolk

  6.4

  8.2

  13.6

  17.1

  Surrey

  19.3

  24.7

  21.2

  26.9

  Sussex

  9.6

  12.6

  13.5

  17.7

  Thames Valley

  10.7

  13.8

  15.1

  19.4

  Warwickshire

  9.2

  11.6

  14.9

  18.7

  West Mercia

  4.0

  5.2

  10.4

  13.6

  West Midlands

  10.3

  12.8

  9.5

  11.7

  West Yorkshire

  5.4

  6.9

  11.0

  13.9

  Wiltshire

  7.1

  9.4

  11.8

  15.3

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the average annual cost of employing, training and developing a probationary police constable in the last year for which figures are available. [100731]

  Mr. Denham
  No central records are kept of the overall cost of employing, training and developing a police officer, which is the responsibility of the Chief Officer of each force.

  However, when payment rates were agreed for new recruits to be taken on through the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) provision was made for pay-related costs, recruitment and for the residential element of foundation training. The current CFF payment rates are set out in the table. This does not account for the full cost of training and developing a probationary constable.

  CFF Payment rates 2002–03

  Pay-related costs

  Training

  Recruitment

  Payment per officer at £ per annum

  Payment

  per officer at £

  Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Thames Valley Police

  28,298

  17,000

  1,056

  Bedfordshire, Hants, Sussex Police

  27,208

  17,000

  1,056

  Metropolitan Police Service

  32,542

  17,000

  1,056

  City of London Police

  32,542

  17,000

  1,056

  All other forces

  26,118

  17,000

  1,056

  1Paid to Centrex

  Port Security
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security measures are in place for(a) Sovereign harbour in Eastbourne and (b) Newhaven port. [100775]
  75W
  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Newhaven Port services ships engaged on international passenger and ro-ro freight routes. Therefore, mandatory counter terrorist security measures in accordance with the requirements of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act (AMSA) 1990, are in place at Newhaven Port.

  The level of security at locations such as Sovereign harbour, Eastbourne is decided by the Harbour Authorities or Harbour Operators as appropriate and will be commensurate with their commercial imperatives.

  National Probation directorate staff breakdown—Current staffing levels

  Grade

  National directors office

  Communications

  Corporate support

  Finance

  Estates

  Procurement

  Policy

  SCS

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  GRADE 6

  —

  —

  1(C)

  1

  3

  —

  2

  GRADE 7

  —

  1

  1

  8(1C)

  13(9T)

  —

  3

  SEO

  2

  —

  1

  5

  8(7T)

  —

  —

  HEO

  —

  1(T)

  2

  2

  2(1T)

  —

  8

  E0

  1

  2

  1

  4

  8(5T)

  —

  6(1T)

  AO

  —

  —

  —

  3

  2(IT)

  —

  5(1T)

  AA

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2(1T)

  —

  —

  SPS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2(1T)

  —

  —

  PS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3(2T)

  SRO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  RO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  ACO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5(4S)

  SPO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  PO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  DCI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1(1S)

  DI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Consultants

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  1

  —

  Secondees

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  5

  4

  7

  28

  40

  1

  34

  Total number consultants

  0

  0

  1

  5

  0

  1

  0

  Directorate total

  333

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Consultant total

  32

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grade

  Performance and planning

  What works

  Human resources

  Diversity

  Public protection unit

  ITG

  Total

  SCS

  1

  1

  1

  —

  2

  1

  10

  GRADE 6

  10

  4

  2

  1

  1

  3

  28(1C)

  GRADE 7

  12

  20(20S)

  7

  —

  1

  9(2T)

  75(1C, 20S, 11T)

  SEO

  —

  3(1S)

  3

  —

  —

  7(2S)

  29 (3S, 7T)

  HEO

  1

  2

  3(2T)

  2(1T)

  3

  7(2T)

  33 (7T)

  E0

  4

  4

  3

  2(IT)

  3

  15(9T)

  53 (16T)

  AO

  —

  5(3T)

  2(1T)

  1(T)

  2

  5(1T)

  25(8T)

  AA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4(1T)

  SPS

  —

  1(T)

  1(T)

  —

  —

  —

  4(3T)

  PS

  1

  6(4T, IS)

  2(2T)

  1(T)

  1(T)

  3(IT)

  17(1S, 11T)

  SRO

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  RO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  ACO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  5(1T)

  13(4S, IT)

  SPO

  —

  l(S)

  —

  —

  l(S)

  3

  5(2S)

  PO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  DCI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  l(S)

  —

  2(2S)

  DI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Consultants

  —

  —

  3

  —

  1

  21

  30

  Secondees

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Total

  29

  49

  27

  7

  21

  81

  333(32C, 32S, 65T)

  Total number consultants

  0

  0

  3

  0

  1

  21

  32

  Directorate total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Consultant total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  C = Consultant

  S = Secondee

  T = Temporary staff
  76W
  In addition to AMSA the three border agencies, police Special Branch, HM Customs and Excise and the Immigration Service control the movement of passengers and goods through small ports. Their presence at the ports is determined by a risk assessment.

  Probation Service
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons by grade and function were employed at the National Probation Directorate on 31 December 2002; and how many of these were consultants. [99931]

  Hilary Benn
  The information requested is as follows:

  Unaccompanied Children
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) unaccompanied children and (b) children unaccompanied by adults with parental responsibility arrived in the UK in each of the last five years. [100477]

  Beverley Hughes
  I regret that the information requested is not available. Information is not recorded (or collated centrally) on whether children who arrive in the United Kingdom are accompanied or unaccompanied.

  The available information on applications from unaccompanied asylum seeking children is given in the table. Reliable information on the entry routes of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC), including when UASCs first enter the United Kingdom, is not available.

  Unaccompanied children1,2,3 aged 17 or under, applying for asylum in the United Kingdom, 1998 to 2002

  Total

  Applied at port

  Applied in country

  19984

  3,035

  1,085

  1,955

  19994

  3,350

  1,500

  1,850

  20004

  2,735

  1,395

  1,340

  20014,5

  3,470

  1,645

  1,820

  20025,6

  5,945

  1,220

  4,725

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest five.

  2 Unaccompanied at point of arrival and not known to be joining a close relative in the United Kingdom.

  3 Figures exclude age dispute cases reported by Asylum Cases Information Database (A-CID).

  4 Figures exclude cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices (LEO) and postal applications.

  5 Provisional figures.

  6 Figures not comparable to manual count data previous to 2002, which excluded LEO and postal applications, which are now reported by A-CID.

  Information on asylum applications from unaccompanied asylum seeking children is published annually in the statistical bulletin, "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom", a copy of which is available in the Library, and from the RDS website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

  Work Permits
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits he has authorised since 1 September 2002. [101428]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 7 February 2003]: 64,681 applications for work permits have been approved in the period 1 September 2002 to 1 March 2003.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  "The Future of Higher Education"
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether admission on merit to a higher education institution will discharge that institution's access obligations under the White Paper, "The Future of Higher Education". [100155]
  78W
  Margaret Hodge
  Universities are responsible for their own admissions policies. We believe students should be chosen on merit whatever their class and background and that those with the potential to succeed at university should be given the opportunity to do so.

  Convention on the Future of Europe
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact on education of proposals coming forward from the Convention on the Future of Europe. [101797]

  Margaret Hodge
  The European Union's role in education, vocational training and youth, as set out in Articles 149 and 150 of the current Treaty establishing the European Union, is limited to supporting and supplementing member state action. The draft text of Articles of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, currently being discussed within the Convention, states that education, vocational training and youth are areas for supporting action only.

  Early Education
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of three year olds in Somerset have access to a free early education place; and if he will make a statement. [99816]

  Maria Eagle
  The information is not available in the form requested. In January 2002, 2,390 free early years education places were taken up by three year olds in Somerset Local Education Authority area.

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

  Latest figures on three year olds in early years education providers were published by the Department in the Statistical Bulletin "Provision for Children Under Five Years of Age in England—January 2002 (08/02)" in December 2002, a copy of which is available from the Library. An electronic copy of this publication is also available on the Department's web-site (www.dfes.gov.uk/ statistics).

  Education Maintenance Allowance
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of education maintenance allowance and post-16 education on neighbouring local authorities. [100598]

  Margaret Hodge
  Our assessment of the effects of introducing the education maintenance allowance compares participation by young people in post-16 education in pilot areas with participation by young people in control areas. We have not made an assessment of the effects of introducing EMA on neighbouring local authorities as we intend to introduce the scheme nationally from September 2004.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the retention rates are of pupils moving into post-16 education in(a) education maintenance allowance and (b) non-education maintenance allowance authorities. [100599]
  79W
  Margaret Hodge
  An independent evaluation of EMAs has been taking place since 1999. Evidence from the second year of the pilots, which was published last year, shows that EMAs have had a positive effect, increasing the number of eligible young people in full time education in year 12 in the pilot areas by 5.9 percentage points, compared to the local authority areas without EMA that we have used as controls.

  Foundation Degree Courses
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have enrolled on foundation degree courses in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002; and if he will make a statement. [98502]

  Margaret Hodge
  Latest figures from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) show that there were 12,000 students enrolled on Foundation Degrees in 2002–03, compared with 4,200 in 2001–02. Figures published recently by UCAS, covering students applying for HE courses in 2003–04, show that the number of applications for Foundation Degree courses have more than doubled.

  Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools1: Eligibility for free school meals January 2002

  Day pupils2

  Nursery and primary schools

  Secondary schools

  Number on roll

  Number Known to be eligible for free meals

  Percentage known to be eligible for meals

  Number on roll

  Number Known to be eligible for free meals

  Percentage Known to be eligible for free meals

  Northampton, South

  7,721

  753

  9.8

  9,013

  978

  10.9

  England

  4,405,639

  754,511

  17.1

  3,260,931

  486,353

  14.9

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed

  2 Excludes boarding pupils

  Higher and Further Education
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students were in higher education in each year since 1980. [94709]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest available information is given in the table.

  Higher Education1 Students in Great Britain

  Year

  Postgraduate

  Undergraduate

  Total2

  1980–61

  101,400

  699,800

  801,200

  1981–82

  102,600

  728,900

  831,500

  1982–83

  100,000

  749,600

  849,700

  1983–84

  103,400

  767,900

  871,300

  1984–85

  107,300

  774,500

  881,700

  1985–86

  114,200

  795,100

  909,300

  1986–87

  121,200

  823,800

  945,000

  1987–88

  125,600

  842,300

  968,000

  1988–89

  134,500

  869,100

  1,003,600

  1989–90

  145,700

  920,900

  1,066,700

  1990–91

  163,600

  982,400

  1,146,100

  1991–92

  188,900

  1,079,000

  1,267,900

  1992–93

  213,100

  1,195,700

  1,408,800

  1993–94

  236,900

  1,304,400

  1,541,300

  1994–95

  297,000

  1,400,800

  1,697,800

  80W
  We welcome the increase in numbers. We now need to build on this as we look to make Foundation Degrees the standard two year qualification at this level.

  Free School Meals
  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children will be entitled to free school meals under the Government's new child tax credits from April. [101142]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  From 6 April 2003, we estimate that 1.2 million children in England will be entitled to receive free school lunches. This estimate includes around 162,000 children who will be entitled to receive free school lunches because their parents claim the new child tax credits. This figure includes 75,000 new recipients who would not have previously benefited from this entitlement.

  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Northampton, South are entitled to free school meals; and what the average is in English constituencies. [100785]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The latest information available is shown in the table:

  Higher Education1 Students in Great Britain

  Year

  Postgraduate

  Undergraduate

  Total2

  1995–96

  310,800

  1,476,200

  1,787,000

  1996–97

  310,300

  1,534,500

  1,844,800

  1997–98

  321,400

  1,561,200

  1,882,600

  1998–99

  337,900

  1,579,500

  1,917,500

  1999–2000

  351,300

  1,586,100

  1,937,500

  2000–01

  363,600

  1,620,800

  1,984,400

  2001–023

  371,800

  1,669,100

  2,040,900

  1 Census count as at December 31 in years up to 1993–94, and as at December 1 subsequent years. Includes home and overseas HE students studying both full and part time courses at HE institutions, FE institutions and the Open University.

  2 Numbers may not add as totals were calculated before rounding.

  3 Provisional.

  Note:

  Numbers have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have been enrolled in(a) higher and (b) further education in each academic year since 1997–98. [96702]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest information is shown in the table.
  81W

  Students on higher and further education courses—England

  Academic year

  Higher education1

  Further education2

  1997–98

  1,568,200

  3,767,300

  1998–99

  1,591,400

  3,662,300

  1999–2000

  1,610,000

  3,608,100

  2000–01

  1,651,600

  3,671,400

  2001–02

  31,690,900

  Not available4

  1 Census count as at 1 December. Covers all home and overseas students on postgraduate and undergraduate courses, including HE students in FE colleges and the Open University.

  2 Based on a whole year count of students. Includes FE students in HE institutions.

  3 HE figures are provisional.

  4 The whole year count of students in FE sector colleges is collected retrospectively after the end of the academic year.

  Maintenance Awards
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when Education Maintenance Awards will be introduced in(a) Blackpool and (b) Lancashire. [101492]

  Margaret Hodge
  The national Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme will be available from September 2004 across the whole of England.

  In areas such as Blackpool which are not part of the pilot scheme, the first tranche of eligible students will be those who reach the compulsory school leaving age in the 2003–04 academic year.

  East Lancashire is currently piloting a variant of EMA whereby young people are given help with transport costs. This will continue until the national scheme is introduced.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team in 2002; and what the(a) purpose and (b) cost was in each case. [101482]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 22 January 2003,Official Report, column 334W.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Sure Start schemes; if he will list by education authority those approved to date; and if he will make a statement. [99814]

  Maria Eagle
  A major evaluation of Sure Start began in January 2001. It will examine the impact of Sure Start on children, families and communities, both in the short, medium and long term by tracking a sample of 8,000 children and their families over time. Information on impact and effectiveness will become available over the next 12–18 months. 427 of the 524 planned Sure Start local programmes have been approved to date. In addition we are funding 50 Mini Sure Start local programmes in rural areas and areas with pockets of deprivation. Of these, 49 have been approved to date.
  82W
  A list of the programs has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Sure Start schemes there are in(a) rural and (b) urban areas. [99815]

  Maria Eagle
  Of the 524 planned Sure Start local programmes there are 15 based in identifiably rural areas and 509 located in predominantly urban areas. Of these, 427 Sure Start local programmes have had their funding approved to date.

  In addition, we are funding a pilot project of 50 Mini Sure Start local programmes in rural areas and areas with pockets of deprivation. These programmes cover areas where the number of disadvantaged children living in a defined area is less than the 800 required for a full local programme and so would not be covered by the traditional Sure Start model. The Mini Sure Start local programmes are building on existing services like Neighbourhood Nurseries or other facilities delivering children's services and using Sure Start funding to deliver outreach and additional health work. Of the 50 Mini Sure Start pilots, 29 are in rural areas.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Sure Start programmes have been established in Somerset; if he will list them; and if he will make a statement. [99821]

  Maria Eagle
  Since 1997 three Sure Start local programmes have been established in Somerset. These are Bridgwater (Sedgemoor); West Somerset (West Somerset); and Taunton Deane (Taunton Deane).

  Two mini Sure Start programmes have also been established in Somerset in this time period, and are located in Glastonbury and Chard. These mini Sure Start programmes are building on Neighbourhood Nurseries and are using Sure Start funding to deliver outreach and additional health work.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what reasons underlie the recent increase in university tuition fees. [100359]

  Margaret Hodge
  As in previous years, the maximum student contribution towards tuition fees for full-time undergraduates in England and Wales, attending courses at publicly funded institutions of higher education, has increased by £25 in order to maintain its value in real terms.

  University Museums (Funding)
  Mr. Bryant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on funding for university museums. [101464]

  Margaret Hodge
  University museums in England receive funding through higher education institutions' block grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). In addition, the Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) provides funding of over £9 million a year to selected university museums and galleries. University museums also receive funds from other sources, for example from donations and as a result of providing services.

  Violence/Harassment
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what figures his Department collates on the incidence of(a) violence and (b) harassment perpetrated (i) by higher and further education staff on students and (ii) by students on higher and further education staff. [101727]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information is not collected by the Department on the incidence of violence and harassment by further and higher education staff on students, nor by students on staff.

  Major injuries and others resulting in more than three days' absence from work as a result of physical violence are reportable to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Between 1996 and 2001 there were 117 major injuries and 561 over three-day injuries to all teaching staff as a result of physical violence reported to HSE. These figures include teachers in all schools, further and higher education and adult and other education institutions. Information is not available on whether the assaults were carried out by pupils/students, parents or others.

  Work Experience
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003, ref 96764, if he will list the independent evaluations of work experience placements which have taken place; and if he will make a statement. [100256]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  There have been two independent national evaluation studies on the pre-16 work experience programme, both carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies: "Pre-16 Work Experience in England and Wales" (IES Research Report, 1996), and "Pre-16 Work Experience Practice in England: An Evaluation" (IES Research Report, May 2001). These evaluations both show that placements are generally satisfactory and well-received by schools, pupils and employers. The second evaluation indicated that overall quality had improved since the first, reflecting the impact of a number of initiatives taken to enhance it, but a very small minority of placements were not of good quality and there was scope for further improvement in aspects of practice in some schools. As I indicated in previous answers to the hon. Member, we are committed to enabling all pupils at Key Stage Four to have at least two weeks of high quality work experience, and have measures in hand to promote this.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Company Pensions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the shortfalls in company pension schemes as a result of compliance with FRS17. [100530]

  Mr. McCartney
  There are a number of alternative ways of evaluating the assets and liabilities of pension schemes. The FRS17 accounting standard sets out how pension assets, liabilities and costs should be reflected in 84W
  company accounts. It offsets the long term liabilities of schemes against the current value of assets. The standard is the responsibility of the Accounting Standards Board which is independent of Government. Although companies are currently required to present balance sheet and performance statement information under the FRS17 standard in the notes to their accounts, mandatory full implementation of FRS17 has been deferred until 2005. FRS17 does not in itself create pension liabilities but seeks to make them clear in company balance sheets. It is therefore not appropriate to calculate an estimate of the shortfall in company pension schemes as a result of compliance with FRS17.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the estimated take-up of the minimum income guarantee in 2002–03 is; and if he will make a statement; [99148]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the numbers of people eligible for minimum income guarantee in 2002–03. [99149]

  Mr. McCartney
  The latest available estimate of take-up of Minimum Income Guarantee relates to financial year 1999–2000 and is presented in the DWP report "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up in 1999–2000". A copy of the publication is available in the Library. The next edition of the report containing statistics for 2000–01 will be released on 27 March 2003.

  Information on the number of people eligible for Minimum Income Guarantee in 2002–03 is not available. The latest published number of recipients of Minimum Income Guarantee as at November 2002 is 1,768,000. This estimate is taken from a 5 per cent. sample of administrative data and may be subject to a small degree of sampling error.

  Automated Credit Transfer
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) of 27 January 2003,Official Report, column 649W, in what order he will be sending out invitation letters to recipients of each category of benefit. [95566]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The mailing exercise for direct payment began in October 2002 with four weekly paid Child Benefit customers and people in receipt of a War Pension. Since then we have continued with these benefits and started to issue mailings to people getting Retirement Pension. From March 2003 we plan to start to write to weekly paid Child Benefit customers.

  Also from March 2003 we will start to contact customers in receipt of Jobcentre Plus benefits (Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Industrial Injuries Scheme Benefits, Severe Disablement Allowance, Bereavement Benefit and Widows Benefit). Jobseeker's Allowance customers will be dealt with as part of their usual contact with the Department and will not receive a mailing.

  In summer 2003 we plan to start writing to customers in receipt of Disability and Care benefits including Invalid Care Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

  Benefit Payment Methods
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of benefit claimants he expects to be unable to receive their benefits into a bank or building society account, including a Post Office card account; what types of people he expects to fall into this category; and when the new arrangements for these people are likely to be announced. [100796]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Around 85 per cent. of our customers currently have access to an account suitable for Direct Payment. For those customers who wish to open a new account information on all of the options available is given in mailings being sent to benefit and pension customers.

  There is now a wide range of easy to operate bank and building society accounts available. The availability of these accounts and the Post Office card account will mean that there should be only a small number of people who cannot open a suitable account. However, we have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who we cannot pay directly into an account and they will continue to be paid in the same way they are now until an alternate payment method is available. Work is in progress to develop a solution to make these payments. Once this work is complete we will announce details.

  Commonwealth Pensions
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will uprate the pensions paid to UK pensioners living in all Commonwealth countries; and if he will make a statement. [100877]

  Centre

  Target

  April to December 2002 Notes

  Notes

  DWP Corporate

  Public Enquiry Office

  To answer 65 per cent. of all calls offered to the PEO.

  41 per cent.

  Average performance calculated April-December 2002. No data for November 2002

  Jobcentre Plus

  Jobcentre Plus Chief Executive helpline

  100 per cent. of calls received in 20 seconds

  100 per cent.

  This is a single line service operated by one member of staff. The number of calls received and answered are recorded but the telephone system does not enable the monitoring of any callers receiving an engaged tone.

  Employer Direct

  1: 80 per cent. of calls answered within 20 seconds

  85 per cent.

  2: Maximum of 5 per cent. of calls abandoned after 20 seconds

  3 per cent.

  Jobseeker Direct

  1: 95 per cent. calls answered

  98.0 per cent.

  Current Jobseeker direct telephone technology is unable to monitor how quickly calls are answered

  2: 1 job submission per call

  1.12

  3: 8 job entries per service point per week

  9.1

  One—Milton Keynes

  1: 65 per cent. of calls answered within 25 seconds with no more than 10 per cent. abandoned

  68 per cent.

  2: 80 per cent. of call backs made within 48 hours.

  66.66 per cent.

  Figure supplied is calculated average as unable to supply exact figures in time available.

  One—Taunton

  1: 65 per cent. of calls answered within 25 seconds with no more than 10 per cent. abandoned

  70.1 per cent.

  2: 80 per cent. of call backs made within 48 hours.

  Not available

  86W
  Mr. McCartney
  State pension is uprated in some Commonwealth countries and certain other countries abroad where there is a legal requirement or a reciprocal social security agreement to do so.

  The Commonwealth countries with which the UK has reciprocal agreements allowing state pension upratings to be paid are, Barbados, Cyprus, Jamaica, Malta and Mauritius. Pensions are not uprated in any other Commonwealth country.

  The uprating of state pensions abroad is the subject of a Court of Appeal hearing set for 24 and 25 March 2003. This is an appeal against the High Court's finding that the Government is not in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights by not annually uprating the state pension in countries where there is no agreement to do so.

  Departmental Helplines
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets are in place for each of the Department's telephone helplines; and what the most recent performance figures against these targets are. [91973]

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the targets for each of the Pension Service call centres; and what the performance against those targets has been. [98108]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information in the table shows the targets currently in place for each of the Department's telephone helplines and recent performance against them.
  87W 88W

  Centre

  Target

  April to December 2002

  Notes

  One—Cwmbran

  1: 65 per cent. of calls answered within 25 seconds with no more than 10 per cent. abandoned

  69.3 per cent.

  2: 80 per cent of callbacks made within 48 hours.

  70.0 per cent

  Jobcentre Plus Pathfinders

  Answer 80 per cent. of calls within 30 seconds (see note)

  90.5 per cent.

  This measure excludes calls that abandon within the 30 seconds time to answer target time.

  National Benefit Fraud Hotline

  1: 99 per cent. calls answered

  97.76

  2: 6 minute call duration

  6.54

  3: 70 per cent referrals to fraud

  78.45

  The Pension Service

  The Pension Service Chief Executive helpline

  All calls answered within 30 seconds

  100 per cent.

  This is a single line service operated by one member of staff. The number of calls received and answered are recorded but the telephone system does not enable the monitoring of any callers receiving an engaged tone.

  Pension Centres

  Not currently in place—see note: From April 2003 these will be 1: To ensure that less than I per cent. of attempted calls receive an engaged tone or message and

  N/A

  In 2002–03 the priority has been to maintain quality of service during transition of the service into 26 regional pension centres.

  2: To ensure that 92 per cent. of calls to Pension Centres are answered 90 per cent. of calls answered

  92.7 per cent

  International teleclaims Pension Direct

  1: Answer 92 per cent. of calls offered to ACD

  91.6 per cent.

  2: Average time to answer of 30 seconds

  50 seconds

  Retirement Pension teleclaims

  1: 90 per cent. of calls answered in 30 seconds

  88.16 per cent.

  2: No more than 1 per cent of calls are blocked1

  0.64 per cent.

  Retirement Pension Forecasting Team

  90 per cent. of calls answered in 30 seconds

  81.25 per cent.

  Minimum Income Guarantee

  1: 90 per cent. of calls answered in 30 seconds

  99.97 per cent.

  2: 1 per cent. of calls are blocked1

  0.34 per cent.

  Children Group

  Child Benefit Centre

  90 per cent. of callers answered (this current internal target excludes the number of times customers have to re-dial.)

  94.5 per cent.

  90 per cent. of calls answered within 20 seconds from transfer to Inland Revenue April 2003.

  Child Support Agency National Enquiry and Customer Help lines

  1: 85 per cent. of calls to be answered first time

  91.8 per cen

  2: No more than 20 per cent. of calls to be abandoned

  12.1 per cent.

  Disability and Carers Service

  Benefit Enquiry Line

  1: 90 per cent. of calls answered within 30 seconds

  54.75 per cent.

  2: Ineffective calls no more than 15 per cent.

  30.9 per cent.

  (BT announcement or engaged tone)

  3: Occupancy 80 per cent.

  91.9 per cent.

  This is a measure of time advisors wait to take call

  4: Utilisation 64–70 per cent.

  68.9 Per cent.

  This measures the overall proportion of worked time that advisors handle calls.

  5: Productivity 80 per cent.

  84.6 per cent.

  This measures the impact of time required for breaks

  Centre DLA/AA Helpline

  Target: 90 per cent. of calls answered within 30 seconds

  17 per cent. answered in 30 seconds

  Outsourced centres The Pension Service

  Winter Fuel Help Line

  95 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  96.3 per cent.

  Pensions Information Line (PIL)

  90 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  96 per cent.

  Pensions Charter Information

  Same figure as Pensions Information Line (PIL)

  See PIL above

  Inherited SERPS

  1: 80 per cent. calls answered within 20 seconds

  98.5 per cent.

  2: 95 per cent. calls answered in 40 seconds

  99.42 per cent.

  89W

  Centre

  Target

  April to December 2002

  Notes

  Pensioners Guide

  90 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  87.8 per cent.

  Winter Fuel Bulk Line

  90 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  90 per cent.

  Minimum Income Guarantee (leaflet order line)

  85 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  71 per cent.

  Corporate and others

  Welfare Reform Order-line

  90 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  97 per cent.

  Sure Start Response Line

  Same as Welfare Reform Line

  Direct Payment -Customer conversion centre

  95 per cent. calls answered in 15 seconds

  97.53 per cent.

  Direct Payment -Information Line

  95 per cent. calls answered in 15 seconds

  98.7 per cent.

  Interactive Electronic Services

  1:95 per cent. of calls answered within 15 seconds

  100 per cent.

  Service commenced 28 October 2002. All calls have been answered within 15 seconds

  2: 100 percent. availability of call centre

  100 per cent.

  This measures whether the call centre was open and that there were staff available to answer calls during contracted hours

  Working Age

  National Benefit Fraud Hotline

  90 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  90.6 per cent.

  New Deal

  85 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  90 per cent.

  New Deal for Lone Parents

  85 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  89 per cent.

  New Deal for Disabled People

  90 per cent. calls aswered first time within 10 seconds

  100 per cent.

  Publicity Register

  90 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  90 per cent.

  Child Support Reform Information Service (CSA Contact Centre)

  85 per cent. calls answered first time within 10 seconds

  37.9 per cent.

  This service is primarily to respond to bulk mailings to clients using dedicated agents. In this period the centre has only been required to handle low numbers of calls offered on an intermittent basis dealing mostly with third party. Theses are not handled by dedicated agents.

  1 Blocked calls are those where the caller is unable to get through to the service because of a limit placed on the number of calls that can be accepted. The caller receives a network message or engaged tone.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 3 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Akbar Ali. [102184]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 March 2003.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 3 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Donna Neokli. [102189]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 March 2003.

  Pension Forecasts
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the accuracy of information on entitlement to SERPS, which is provided by his Department to individuals via pension forecasts. [99957]
  90W
  Mr. McCartney
  The calculation of additional pension, which includes SERPS, state second pension, graduated pension and any contracted-out deductions is based upon information held on an individual's national insurance record and information provided by the customer on form BR19 when they request a state pension forecast.

  The calculation is based upon current pension legislation and has been thoroughly tested.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the accuracy of information provided to individuals regarding their future pension entitlement(a) within pensions forecasts provided on request and (b) within pension forecasts issued automatically. [99958]

  Mr. McCartney
  The calculation of all pension forecasts is based upon current pension legislation and has been thoroughly tested.

  Pension forecasts on request are based upon an individual's national insurance record and also detailed information provided by the individual on form BR19 when they apply for a forecast.
  91W
  Forecasts issued "automatically" will be either a combined pension forecast (CPF) or a state pension forecast issued to a specific group. A CPF is the existing benefit statement issued by the employer/pension scheme provider coupled with a state pension forecast.

  From May 2003 the Government is issuing automatic state pension forecasts to the self-employed.

  Automatic forecasts are based upon a set of specified criteria relating to working status and National Insurance contributions. Planned retirement will be assumed to be at state pension age.

  Included in the literature accompanying an automatic forecast is an invitation to request a more detailed Individual Pension Forecast (IPF) should customers wish to provide the Department with more personal information about their likely circumstances and intentions leading up to retirement.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will review the practice of recording nil on individual pensions forecasts, when exact levels of entitlement are not known; and if he will make a statement. [99961]

  Mr. McCartney
  There are two elements to a pension forecast. They cover the position at the time the forecast is issued as well as a projection of the position at state retirement age. The first element provides exact information on state pension at "today's" rates based on an individual's current national insurance record at the time the forecast is provided. No assumptions are made in calculating this element of the forecast.

  The forecast of expected state pension at retirement age is based on the same record, which assumes that contributions will continue at the same level. Further information is supplied with the forecast to explain the calculation and the projection. In some instances the pension entitlement will be "nil" at the time the forecast is requested. For example, if someone asks for a state pension forecast but has less than 10 years national insurance contributions then they have not accrued enough national insurance contributions for a state pension at that time. However, taking account of current levels of contributions, and projecting that they continue at that level, may mean we can give a positive forecast at retirement age. Some women though may have elected to pay the reduced rate national insurance contribution, so they would not have an entitlement to a state pension in their own right and their forecast would remain as "nil".

  The purpose of providing the calculation at "today's" rates and at retirement age is to provide information to individuals to help inform their pension planning and enable them to make informed choices with regard to their retirement income levels.

  Pensioner Households
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of how many pensioner households there are in(a) the UK and (b) Scotland. [102034]

  Mr. McCartney
  There are 5,800,000 pensioner households in the United Kingdom and 515,000 pensioner households in Scotland.
  92W
  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on Census 2001 Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales and the General Register Office for Scotland rounded to the nearest 5,000 households.

  2. A household comprises one person living alone or a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address with common housekeeping, that is sharing either a living room or sitting room or at least one meal a day.

  3. A pensioner household is defined as either a single person over state pension age, a couple, where both partners are over state pension age, or a group of individuals who are all over state pension age.

  Pensioners (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps he has taken to improve the financial position of pensioners in Portsmouth; and if he will make a statement. [98347]

  Mr. McCartney
  Over 5,300 people in Portsmouth benefit from the Minimum Income Guarantee—a policy we introduced—and receive an average £49.83 a week. 31,600 pensioners have benefited from the above inflation increases in the State Pension. Additionally 33,800 people received a Winter Fuel Payment of up to £200. Those Portsmouth pensioners eligible for Pension Credit stand to gain around 400 a year on average.

  The creation of The Pension Service provides an ideal opportunity to further encourage pensioners to take up their entitlements. Not only are our customers being encouraged to claim when they ring their pension centre but we also have a network of local service teams throughout the country actively encouraging take up.

  There is a local service team of 18 staff covering the area of Portsmouth, Havant and East Hants, meeting customers in the community and actively encouraging take-up. They are developing advice and drop-in surgeries in partnership with other local organisations. For example, in partnership with Portsmouth local authority, the team provide Pension Service advisors every Monday at the Somerstown and Landport Access Points, and in partnership with JobCentre Plus they attend Robuck House Cosham on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

  Pension Entitlement
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to make available information on pension entitlements to British Citizens working in other EU countries. [101079]

  Mr. McCartney
  There are several information products available from either DWP or Inland Revenue (IR) to British Citizens who leave the UK to work in another European Union (EU) country. These products provide appropriate information that can be either general in nature or specifically tailored to the individual.

  There are two comprehensive information leaflets available. The leaflet SA29, "Your Social Security Insurance, Benefits and Health Care Rights in the European Economic Area', explains specifically about social security, including State Pensions, within the EU. Leaflet NI38, "Social Security Abroad" explains about social security for people living abroad. Both leaflets are

  93W
  available on the internet, from local DWP offices or from the Pension Service and IR offices in Newcastle, which deal specifically with people living abroad.

  The websites of DWP, the Pension Service and IR give comprehensive information about their services. This includes information about working in another EU country and the impact on State Pension entitlement. These sites have links to each other and there is a hyperlink from the DWP website to the European Commission website for people wanting further information about the European Community Regulations on Social Security. In addition, the DWP is playing a major role in a new EU-funded project aimed at linking national social security administration websites (the COWEBS project). This project is specifically targeted at the information needs of migrant workers. It will compliment the web services already available; both by providing user friendly access to each country's website and, in the medium term, by making general information available on each site in the main European languages, in addition to the national language.

  IR provide, on written request or via the internet, a comprehensive State Pension forecasting service for people who have lived or worked abroad, which tells people about their future State Pension entitlement including the effect of the EC Regulations on Social Security. IR issue approximately 9,000 State Pension forecasts a year to people who have worked or lived in the EU.

  A State Pension claim pack is sent to people about four months before they reach State Pension age inviting them to claim their State Pension, including those who are recorded as living or who have lived or worked in the EU.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to use the terms 'pension income' instead of 'annuity' and 'pension savings' for funds paid into a pension plan. [101331]

  Mr. McCartney
  The terms 'annuity' and 'pension income' are not interchangeable. An annuity is a product that guarantees an income stream rather than being the income stream itself. Consequently, while an annuity can be a source of pension income, pension income need not be in the form of an annuity and it is important that this distinction is made clear. As far as the term 'pension savings' is concerned, the Government are generally in favour of terms like these, which are simple and understandable to individual savers and pension scheme members. The expression 'pension savings' is used in several places in the Green Paper, "Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement" (Cm 5677), which contains proposals to make information available to individuals in the clearest possible way, to help them make decisions about working longer and saving more for retirement.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research he has done to assess the likely impact of the end of the Inland Revenue qualifying regime on the ability of those on low incomes to save for their retirement. [101356]

  Ruth Kelly
  I have been asked to reply.
  94W
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 6 February 2003, Official Report, column 397W, and confirm that the Government will consider the impact of the Sandler proposals on those on low incomes.

  State Pension
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer, net of savings in means-tested benefits and of non-introduction of the pension credit and of additional income tax revenue, of an increase of £5 per week in the basic state pension together with the introduction of age additions of £5 per week at age 75–79 and £10 per week at age 80 years and over, on the basis that the age additions for those aged 75 to 79 and 80 years and over are paid in full, regardless of contribution record. [94404]

  Mr. McCartney
  Our priority is to target help on those current pensioners who have the lowest incomes. While it is true that older pensioners tend to be poorer on average, income inequality is far more pronounced across the whole pensioner population than between pensioners of different ages. For example, the median net income of the richest fifth of pensioner couples is around four times that of the poorest fifth.

  Age additions are not the most effective way to target those pensioners with the lowest incomes. For example, just under half of all minimum income guarantee claimants are aged under 75.

  From October 2003, the poorest third of pensioner households will have gained over £1,500 a year in real terms as a result of the reforms introduced by this Government.

  If the maximum rate payable of the basic state pension was increased by £5 per week and weekly age additions of £5 were introduced for people aged 75-79 and £10 for people aged 80 and over in 2003-04, we estimate that the increase in public expenditure could be in the region of £0.5bn. This assumes that pension credit is not introduced and spending is re-directed into the basic state pension. It is also calculated on the generous assumption that consequent savings in other benefits and any additional tax yield are channelled back into the basic state pension.

  In this scenario, many of the poorest pensioners are no better off than they would have been under pension credit because their increased basic state pension is completely offset by the reduction in their minimum income guarantee. Instead, expenditure is targeted on those further up the income distribution. In addition many pensioners with modest private pension provision would be worse off under this scenario than under pension redit.

  For example, a person aged 75 is receiving a full basic state pension and has a small private pension worth £10 per week. Under these proposals, they would receive a basic state pension of £87.45, plus their private pension of £10 per week and would be topped up to £102.10 by the minimum income guarantee.

  Under pension credit they would receive £77.45 from the basic state pension and would still be topped up to the guarantee of £102.10. However in addition they

  95W
  would also receive a savings credit of £6 per week, giving a total weekly income of £108.10. This person is over £300 per year better off under pension credit than under the suggested proposals.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are in cash terms for Great Britain and are rounded to the nearest £0.5bn.

  2. The estimate takes account of offsetting savings in income related benefits and additional tax yield. Income related benefit offsets are calculated using the Department for Work and Pensions Policy Simulation Model for 2003/04. Additional tax yield is calculated by the Inland Revenue based upon the Survey of Personal Incomes2000/01, projected to 2003/04.

  3. Calculations assume the maximum rate payable of the Basic State Pension is increased by £5 per week and all other payments proportionately and that age additions of 5 per week are paid to all those aged 75–79 and £10 per week to those aged 80 and over.

  4. For modelling purposes, the pension credit is assumed to be in place throughout2003/04. In fact, the pension credit will begin in October 2003.

  5. Projections of distributional consequences for 2003/04 are subject to a variety of assumptions and should be treated with caution.

  Source:

  Department for Work and Pensions calculations.

  Top-up Fees
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 13 February 2003,Official Report, column 969W, on top-up fees, whether his Department will be undertaking studies to assess the impact of the proposed introduction of university top-up fees on the pension contributions of those under 40 years of age. [101288]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Department's regular annual review of future research requirements is currently under way, and when it is complete, the Research Programme will be published. At this stage, we are unable to provide details of plans for specific studies. However, following publication on 17 December 2002 of the Green Paper, "Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement" (Cm 5677), identifying and remedying gaps in our information on pension accumulation and savings behaviour is a priority for the Department.

  Winter Fuel Payment
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people who have to make a claim for the 2002–03 winter fuel payment before the 30 March cut-off date; and of that number how many have yet to do so. [99955]

  Mr. McCartney
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 17 December 2002,Official Report, column 607W.

  However, further to that answer, I would like to clarify the figures provided. They included written requests for claim forms. As at 28 February 2003, some 205,000 actual claim forms had been received.

  It is up to an individual to decide whether or not to make a claim.

HEALTH

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list general practitioners who have piloted the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's disease; [100422]

  (2) if he will publish the findings of the Technologies Advisory Group study into the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's in November 2001; [100423]

  (3) on what basis the Technologies Advisory Group in his Department declined to recommend the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's disease for assessment by NICE; [100421]

  (4) how many people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each PCT area; [100547]

  (5) what tests are available through the NHS to detect early onset of Alzheimer's disease. [100420]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information is not available about the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each primary care trust area. Research shows that about 5 per cent. of the population over 65 has dementia, and Alzheimer's disease causes about 60 per cent. of cases of dementia.

  A number of different tests are available to detect the early onset of Alzheimer's disease. Consideration is being given to the possibility of guidance on methods for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, including the CANTAB-PAL test, in the context of a possible National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on management of dementia generally. Decisions on topics to be referred to NICE are taken by Ministers on the basis of advice from the Advisory Committee for Topic Selection (previously the Technologies Advisory Group). Final decisions will be announced shortly.

  Ambulance Call-outs
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of ambulance call outs to people over the age of(a) 50 and (b) 65 in each of the last five years for which figures are available have been as a result of a fall. [100112]

  Mr. Lammy
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Area Child Protection Committees
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 586W, on ACPCs, which area child protection committees are complying with his guidance. [100536]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust
  97W
  on (a) improving the level of cleanliness, (b) ensuring syringes, needles and other equipment are kept in a hygienic state, (c) the safe storage of needles and syringes in paediatric areas, (d) the need to keep refrigerators used to store drugs locked, (e) the proper storage of equipment and (f) the quality of food provided for patients at Oldchurch Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [99402]

  Mr. Hutton
  Oldchurch hospital was inspected by a patient environment action team (PEAT) on 21 February 2002. Overall standards of both the environment and food were assessed as acceptable and the hospital has been awarded Amber status. A further inspection will be undertaken as part of the current PEAT assessment programme.

  Additionally, all hospitals are required to meet the national cleaning standards for the National Health Service, issued in 2001. These standards are currently being revised to include equipment frequently cleaned by nursing staff such as diagnostic equipment, trolleys and drip stands.

  It is the responsibility of individual trusts to ensure the safety of items such as needles, syringes and drugs and that they are stored in a safe and hygienic environment and in line with the Controls Assurance standards and related regulations. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 lays a duty on employers to ensure the health and safety of their staff. Under this statute NHS employers are required to carry out a risk assessment in relation to the safe storage, use and disposal of all sharps and needles. Responsibility for ensuring compliance with the legislation lies with the Health and Safety Executive.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 26W, on care homes, whether the statutory instrument will be (a) negative and (b) affirmative. [100139]

  Jacqui Smith
  The relevant procedure for the necessary statutory instrument will be the negative procedure.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had recently with the health authorities in the London Borough of Havering regarding residential care home provision. [99745]

  Jacqui Smith
  I have had no recent discussions with the health authorities in the London Borough of Havering. The council is the lead agency for commissioning residential care provision. The council will work in partnership with local primary care trusts in determining the local need for this type of care.

  Consultant Rheumatologists
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of consultant rheumatologists; and if he will make a statement. [101658]
  98W
  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 7 March 2003]: Between 1997 and 2002, the number of consultants in rheumatology has increased by 90, or 26.5 per cent., from 340 in September 1997 to 430 in March 2002.

  We are also increasing specialist registrars (SpR) numbers. For 2003–04, trusts will have scope to create up to 40 locally funded SpR training opportunities in the specialty.

  Current workforce projections indicate that by September 2004, there will be around 80 additional trained specialists in rheumatology over September 2000 levels.

  Correspondence
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter to him from Mr. Ken Mack of Wrexham dated 14 September 2002. [101143]

  Jacqui Smith
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 6 March.

  Foundation Hospitals
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the details of the preliminary application process for foundation trusts, as sent to potential applicants for foundation status. [100845]

  Mr. Hutton
  Details of the preliminary application process sent to potential applicants for national health service foundation trust status have been placed in the Library.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations, not currently part of the NHS, will be eligible to apply for NHS foundation trust status. [100846]

  Mr. Hutton
  Forthcoming legislation will set out the process for the Independent Regulator for national health service foundation trusts to consider applications for NHS foundation trust status.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways foundation trusts will be freed from detailed performance management, as stated in paragraph 1.12 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'; and if this refers also to three star trusts without foundation status. [100849]

  Mr. Hutton
  The proposed arrangements for national health service foundation trusts are explained in paragraph 4.1 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to ensure that foundation trust board of governors will represent the full range of members' interests. [100850]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our policy on the election of the Board of Governors is explained in paragraph 2.25 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to ensure that foundation trusts use their freedoms to give staff unlimited pay bonuses in a way which does not undermine other providers in the local health economy. [100851]
  99W
  Mr. Hutton
  The exercise of any of the proposed freedoms which national health service foundation trusts will enjoy will be a matter for the trust to decide, subject to the role of the Independent Regulator. Details will be set out in forthcoming legislation.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers a board of governors will have in relation to the management of foundation hospitals. [100847]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our policy on the powers and duties of the board of governors of a national health service foundation trust is explained in paragraphs 2.32 and 2.33 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the requirements to be included in the licences of foundation hospitals. [100848]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our policy is explained in paragraph 3.4 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.

  Unrestricted Principles and Equivalents (UPEs)1 by Age Band for Castlepoint and Rochford, Maldon and South Chelmsford and Southend on Sea Primary Care Trusts: As at 31 March 2002

  Number (headcount)

  Primary Care Trust

  PCT code

  Total UPEs

  Of which: Under 30

  30–34

  35–39

  40–45

  45–49

  England total Of which:

  27,956

  285

  2,441

  4,698

  5,774

  5,140

  Castlepoint and Rochford PCT

  5JP

  75

  0

  1

  8

  14

  14

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5GL

  40

  0

  2

  3

  11

  8

  Southend on Sea PCT

  5AK

  83

  0

  2

  7

  11

  16

  Numbers (headcount)

  Of which:

  of which:

  Primary Care Trust

  PCT code

  50–54

  55–59

  60–64

  65–69

  70+

  aged 69

  England total

  4,525

  3,281

  1,358

  454

  0

  56

  Of which:

  Castlepoint and Rochford PCT

  5JP

  17

  13

  3

  5

  0

  1

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5GL

  9

  3

  4

  0

  0

  0

  Southend on Sea PCT

  5AK

  21

  15

  8

  3

  0

  0

  1 Unrestricted principles and equivalents include GMS unrestricted principles, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPS.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  Unrestricted Principles and Equivalents (UPEs)1 Leavers by Age Band for Castlepoint and Rochford, Maldon and South Chelmsford and Southend on Sea Primary Care Trusts: October 1999/September 2000 to September 2001/March 2002

  Number (headcount)

  Primary Care Trust

  PCT code

  Total UPEs

  Of which: Under 30

  30–34

  35–39

  40–45

  45–49

  30 September 2001–31 March 2002

  England total

  687

  4

  71

  101

  81

  46

  Of which:

  Castlepoint and Rochford PCT

  5JP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5GL

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Southend on Sea PCT

  5AK

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  30 September 2000–30 September 20012

  England total

  1,313

  11

  124

  178

  137

  93

  Of which:

  Castlepoint and Rochford PCT

  5JP

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5GL

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southend on Sea PCT

  5AK

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100W
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which trade unions he has met to discuss his proposals for foundation trusts; when the meetings were; and which unions have expressed support for his proposals. [101661]

  Mr. Hutton
  I discuss a range of issues at the regular meetings that I have with trade unions.

  GPs
  Mr. Francois
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners are expected to retire in the next 12 months in(a) the Southend PCT area,(b) the Rochford and Castle Point PCT area and (c) the Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT area; and if he will make a statement. [101935]

  Mr. Lammy
  The local primary care trusts are aware of this problem and are taking steps to improve the situation.

  The information requested is shown in the tables.
  101W

  Unrestricted Principles and Equivalents (UPEs)1 Leavers by Age Band for Castlepoint and Rochford, Maldon and South Chelmsford and Southend on Sea Primary Care Trusts: October 1999/September 2000 to September 2001/March 2002

  Number (headcount)

  Primary Care Trust

  PCT code

  Total UPEs

  Of which: Under 30

  30–34

  35–39

  40–45

  45–49

  31 October 1999–30 September 20002

  England total

  1,090

  14

  92

  149

  89

  73

  Of which:

  Castlepoint and Rochford PCT

  5JP

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5GL

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southend on Sea PCT

  5AK

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Number (headcount)

  Primary Care Trust

  PCT Code

  50–54

  55–59

  60–64

  65–69

  70+

  30 September 2001–31 March 2002

  England total

  88

  138

  95

  63

  0

  Of which:

  Castlepoint and Rochford PCT

  5GL

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5GL

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Southend on Sea PCT

  5GL

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  30 September 2000–30 September 20012

  England total

  125

  270

  239

  136

  0

  Of which:

  Castelpoint and Rechford PCT

  5JP

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5GL

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southend on Sea PCT

  5AK

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  31 October 1999–30 September 20022

  England total

  132

  210

  196

  135

  0

  Of which:

  Castlepoint and Rochford PCT

  5JP

  2

  2

  2

  1

  0

  Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT

  5AK

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southend n Sea PCT

  5GL

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Unrestricted Principles and Equivalents include GMS Unrestricted Principles. PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.

  2 Data for Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT and Southend on Sea PCT is not available for these years.

  Notes:

  1. Leavers are calculated by comparing successive censuses.

  2. September 2001–March 2002 leavers only refers to a six month comparison and are not directly comparable with 1999–2000 and 2000–01 which are based on a 12 month comparison.

  Mr. Francois
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Spanish GPs have(a) signed contracts agreeing to work and (b) commenced work in the Southend PCT area; and if he will make a statement on recent progress in recruitment of Spanish GPs. [101934]

  Mr. Hutton
  10 Spanish general practitioners have been appointed into the Southend Primary Care Trust area. Eight contracts have already been signed and a further two are in the process of being signed.

  Five GPs will commence at the end of April with the further five starting three months later.

  Health Services (Children)
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has provided guidance to PCTs on improving(a) the treatment of enuresis and (b) paediatric continence services. [100419]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department has provided grant aid to the enuresis resource and information centre, which produces guidance on paediatric continence services. Common childhood conditions, including enuresis and 102W
  paediatric continence, will be considered under the forthcoming national service framework (NSF) for children, young people and maternity services.

  Good Practice in Continence Services was issued by the Department in April 2000 and provides guidance to primary care trusts (PCTs) on continence services. This includes that PCTs should have specialist continence services in place, which provide patients with an individual assessment of their needs. This assessment should include the provision of continence products to any patient who needs them.

  Continence also features in the NSF for older people standard two—person centred care. The milestone for achievement of integrated continence service provision is 2004, by which time it is expected that "all local health and social care systems should have established an integrated continence service".

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-UK passport holding children are being looked after by Social Services. [100471]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not collected centrally.
  103W
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has discussed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the mental health needs of children at risk. [100494]

  Jacqui Smith
  No specific discussions have taken place. However, the Department has made a significant investment in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) over the last three years, £105 million to 31 March 2003, and is committed to achieving radical improvements in the quality and quantity of CAMHS. Our current public service agreement target provides for an expansion of the service by at least 10 per cent, per year for the next three years, leading to a comprehensive service, able to respond to all children with mental health needs in all areas, by 2006. This development is underpinned by over £250 million of additional funding, including £140 million for local authorities. The children's national service framework will set out the standards and milestones for improvements in CAMHS services for all children, including those at risk.

  Laser Eye Surgery
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further plans he has for regulating laser eye surgery. [99329]

  Mr. Lammy
  From 1 April 2002, independent health care establishments that provide treatment with Class 313 lasers, except where these are used by or under the supervision of health professionals, and all independent health care establishments that provide treatment with Class 4 lasers have been regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000 by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC).

  Independent providers of all Class 4 laser treatment are required to comply with regulations made under the Act. There are also two sets of national minimum standards: core standards, which apply to all independent health care providers, and service-specific standards for each type of service provided, including laser treatment. In deciding whether an establishment has complied with regulations, the NCSC must take into account whether it meets the national minimum standards.

  Midwifery
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students are undertaking training to become a midwife(a) by direct training and (b) post-registration at (i) diploma and (ii) degree level; what proportion of students (A) completed and (B) did not complete their studies in the last three years; which institutions offer midwifery courses; and what the sources are of the information used to answer this question. [100983]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of students in training to become a midwife is shown in table 1.
  104W

  Table 1: Number of students on pre and post-registration midwifery courses 2001–02 whole-time equivalents

  Whole-time equivalents

  Student population

  Midwifery Total

  3,324

  Pre-registration courses

  2,274

  Diploma

  1,288

  Degree

  986

  Post-registration courses

  1,050

  Diploma

  1,050

  Source:

  Department of Health non-medical education and training business planning 2002–03

  Attrition data for midwifery students are shown in table 2 for each of the last three complete years available. The years refer to the cohort for that year and figures include all types of course.

  Table 2: Midwives training progress

  Percentage

  Eligible to register1

  Discontinued2

  Interrupted3

  Active4

  1995–96

  76.9

  17.9

  0.5

  4.7

  1996–97

  73.0

  21.8

  1.5

  3.7

  1997–98

  76.3

  17.1

  0.9

  5.7

  1 Those midwives who have completed their training and are eligible to register with the English National Board and therefore join the NHS.

  2Students who have left the course.

  3Students whose course has been interrupted (for individual reasons) and may continue at a later date

  4Students who are still in training.

  Source:

  English National Board for Nursing

  The following institutions offer midwifery courses.

  Anglia Polytechnic University

  Bournemouth University

  The University of Bradford

  University of the West of England, Bristol

  Canterbury Christ Church University College

  University of Central England in Birmingham

  University of Central Lancashire

  Chester (A College of The University of Liverpool)

  City University

  Coventry University

  De Montfort University

  University of East Anglia

  Edge Hill College of Higher Education (A higher education institution accredited by Lancaster

  University)

  University of Greenwich

  The University of Huddersfield

  105W

  The University of Hull

  Keele University

  University of Leeds

  Liverpool John Moores University

  University of Luton

  Middlesex University

  University College Northampton

  University of Northumbria at Newcastle

  Oxford Brookes University

  University of Plymouth

  The University of Salford

  St Martin's College, Lancaster: Ambleside: Carlisle (an Accredited College of the University of Lancaster)

  University of Southampton

  Staffordshire University

  The University of Stirling

  Suffolk College An Accredited College of The University of East Anglia

  University of Surrey

  University of Wales Swansea

  University of Teesside

  Thames Valley University

  University of Wolverhampton

  University College Worcester

  Source:

  University and College Admissions Service (UCAS)

  Hospital and Community Health Services Medical and Dental Staff

  As at 30 September each year

  Numbers

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  North West London Hospitals NHS trust

  -

  -

  530

  540

  560

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  190

  190

  -

  -

  -

  Northwick Park and St. Marks NHS Trust Trust

  290

  310

  -

  -

  -

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  HNS hospital and community health services (HCHS) qualified nursing midwifery and health visiting staff and physiotherapists within the specified organisations

  As at 30 September each year

  Headcount

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  All staff

  Qualified nursing, midwidery and health visiting staff

  1,356

  1,371

  1,345

  1,426

  1,643

  Physiotherapists

  80

  75

  74

  84

  86

  North West London Hospital NHS Trust

  Qualified nursing, midwidery and health visiting staff

  -

  -

  1,345

  1,426

  1,643

  Physiotherapists

  -

  -

  74

  84

  86

  Central Middlesex Hospital Trust

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff

  459

  462

  -

  -

  -

  Physiotherapists

  26

  25

  -

  -

  -

  Northwick park and St. Marks NHS Trust

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff

  897

  909

  -

  -

  -

  Physiotherapists

  54

  50

  -

  -

  -

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts

  - Not applicable

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust merged with Northwick Park St. Marks NHS Trust in 1999 form North West London Hospitals NHS Trust

  Source:

  Department of Health non-medical workforce census

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) professions ancillary to medicine, (d) nursing auxiliaries and (e) hospital porters, cleaners and cooks were employed in the NHS (i) in each health authority area in the North East in 1996 and (ii) in each PCT area in the North East at the most recent date for which figures are available. [100561]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 4 March 2003]: The requested information has been placed in the Library.

  Northwick Park Hospital
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) physiotherapists worked at Northwick Park Hospital in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [100595]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is collected by National Health Service trust and not by individual hospital. Northwick Park Hospital was part of Northwick Park and St Marks NHS Trust until 1999, when the trust merged with Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust to form North WestLondon Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Figures for Northwick Park & St. Marks NHS Trust for 1997 to 1998 and North West London Hospitals NHS Trust for 1999 to 2001 are shown in the tables.

  Prisoner Treatment (Chorley and Preston)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Home Office regarding the provision of extra resources to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust in order to treat prisoners at Chorley and Preston hospitals. [99951]

  Jacqui Smith
  Responsibility for meeting the costs of prisoners' medical treatment in hospital lies entirely with the National Health Service. Allocations made to primary care trusts include provision for the costs of such services.

  Protection of Children Act Database
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often the PoCA database is updated and maintained; and what checks are in place to ensure information is accurate. [100147]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Protection of Children Act list database is updated on a daily basis, Monday to Friday. The information on the database is supplied by referring organisations and, where possible, checked with the individuals concerned.

  University College Hospital
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from(a) local institutions and (b) members of the public concerning the conversion of University College Hospital into a Foundation Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [100527]

  Mr. Hutton
  No representations have been received from local institutions or members of the public concerning University College Hospital National Health Service Trust becoming a NHS foundation trust.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Fire Services
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will initiate a national attendance standard relating to speed response and weight attack for each Fire Brigade; [99610]

  (2) when the Standards of Fire Cover were last reviewed. [99634]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The current national standards of fire cover provide that the country should be divided into four main categories of fire risk, according to the nature of the premises, and that, in response to fires in a particular risk category area, a predetermined number of firefighting appliances will attend within a specified time. The national standards are under review. In the light of the recommendation of the Independent Review of the Fire Service, chaired by Professor Sir George Bain, that the Government should issue guidance to implement a new risk-based approach to fire cover, we are drawing up, for consultation, draft guidance on a new approach. This guidance would provide a national framework, against which fire authorities would prepare local integrated risk management plans, responding to locally identified needs.
  108W
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether prior to the publication of the Bain report, drafts of the report were shown to(a) the Government, (b) the Fire Services National Employers and (c) other organisations. [99083]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The work of the Review was carried out independently and objectively. Draft passages were shown to some people and organisations, including government officials who had provided evidence to the review to confirm points of factual accuracy. However no-one, apart from members of the review, its secretariat and the publishers saw the full text before the report was published on 16 December 2002.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2003,Official Report, column 865W, on the firefighters' dispute, (1) what the total cost was to firefighter employers in (a) lost working days and (b) lost man hours of industrial action taken by firefighters in each of the last 14 months; [101179]

  (2) how many firefighters went on strike on (a) each of the 10 days of industrial action in November 2002 and (b) the day of industrial action in January 2003; [101180]

  (3) how many (a) man hours and (b) working days were lost to industrial action by firefighters in each of the last 14 months. [101178]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are two shifts in a 24-hour period. 20 shifts were severely affected by strike action by members of the Fire Brigades Union in November 2002, six in January 2003 and four in February 2003.

  Information on the exact number of man hours lost or firefighters on strike is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has consulted the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council on the proposal to remove his functions under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. [100714]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No. The Bain Review, which recommended repeal or amendment of section 19, invited evidence from all major stakeholders in the fire service, including those which are members of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he has taken of the Central Fire Brigades Council's Task Group report, The Fire Cover Review, drawing up the proposal to remove his functions under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. [100715]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The work of the Task Group was taken into account by the Independent Review of the Fire Service, which recommended the urgent introduction of a risk-based approach to fire cover and the repeal of most of the provisions of section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947.

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what procedure the Government will use if the Secretary of State's powers under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947 are removed, to ensure that fire service emergency cover is maintained to a level deemed satisfactory by HM Fire Service Inspectorate. [100717]
  109W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The repeal of section 19 will not alter the statutory responsibility that rests locally with fire authorities to provide fire services. Fire authorities will have guidance on the proposed new approach to fire cover. In addition, they have a general duty, under the Best Value provisions of the Local Government Act 1999, to secure continuous improvement in the way their functions are exercised, having regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness; and they must consult, amongst others, representatives of persons who use are likely to use their services. The Best Value framework, which is backed up by an inspection regime, gives my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister intervention powers if an authority is failing to comply with its obligations.

  High Hedges Bill
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will produce(a) a regulatory impact assessment and (b) an assessment of the burden on local government in respect of the proposals in the High Hedges Bill (Lords). [102132]

  Mr. McNulty
  When the High Hedges (No. 2) Bill is printed, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will publish a full regulatory impact assessment. This includes an assessment of the burden on local government in respect of the proposals in the Bill. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will be available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.

  Inspection Officers (Local Authorities)
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) health and safety officers, (b) trading standards officers, (c) environmental health officers,(d) road safety officers, (e) housing inspectors and (f) planning officers have been employed by local authorities in each year since 1997. [100157]

  Mr. Leslie
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I understand that the Employers Organisation hold some data and I will write to the hon. Member with further details. I will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Local Authority Delegations
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list those local authority delegations which met

  Standard spending assessments/formula spending shares

  Education

  PSS

  Fire

  Highway Maintenance

  EPCS

  Capital

  Total

  Formula Grant (ie RSG plus NNDR)

  Adjusted 1995–96

  43.621

  17.456

  2.971

  3.742

  17.635

  7.874

  93.298

  N/a

  1996–97

  45.138

  17.309

  3.043

  3.624

  17.940

  7.986

  95.041

  69.899

  Percentage change

  3.5

  -0.8

  2.4

  -3.2

  1.7

  1.4

  1.9

  N/a

  Adjusted 1996-97

  44.229

  18.605

  3.043

  3.624

  17.940

  7.986

  95.428

  N/a

  1997–98

  46.316

  18.798

  3.118

  3.604

  17.753

  7.554

  97.143

  70.681

  Percentage change

  4.7

  1.0

  2.5

  -0.5

  -1.0

  -5.4

  1.8

  N/a

  Adjusted 1997–98

  47.225

  19.675

  3.118

  3.604

  18.963

  6.344

  98.929

  N/a

  1998–99

  50.795

  20.734

  3.395

  3.527

  18.776

  5.632

  102.858

  74.372

  Percentage change

  7.6

  5.4

  8.9

  -2.1

  -1.0

  -11.2

  4.0

  N/a

  1999–2000

  53.189

  21.589

  3.586

  3.601

  19.771

  6.000

  107.736

  77.616

  Percentage change

  4.7

  4.1

  5.6

  2.1

  5.3

  6.5

  4.7

  4.4

  110W
  him or his Department's Ministers between May 2002 and January 2003; which hon. Member accompanied each such delegation; and what subjects were discussed. [98863]

  Mr. Leslie
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Local Government Bill
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many clauses were(a) fully, (b) partially and (c) not debated during the Committee Stage of the Local Government Bill. [101871]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In the course of its 14 sittings, the Standing Committee of the Local Government Bill:

  (a) fully debated 106 clauses (including 15 new clauses) and two schedules;

  (b) partially debated one clause; and

  (c) did not debate 21 (including four new) clauses and five schedules.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Standard Spending Assessment was for each year between 1996–97 and 2002–03 and the Formula Standard Spend for 2002–03 and 2003–04 and the percentage change in each year from the previous year, for the Isle of Wight(a) in total and (b) broken down by major funding blocks; and what the aggregate external finance was for each year. [101556]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Over the period requested there have been many changes in the functions and funding of services to local government. To enable a like-for-like comparison between years, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister calculates adjusted Standard Spending Assessment (SSAs) and grants. The percentage change figures have been calculated on the basis of these like-for-like comparisons.

  Until the introduction of Central Support Protection Grant in 1999–2000, there was no need to calculate grant on a like-for-like basis, and for this reason grant comparisons in the years 1996–97 to 1998–99 are not available. There were no changes in funding and function between 1998–99 and 1999–2000 that needed reflecting in adjusted SSAs or grants for 1998–99 to allow a like-for-like comparison; the actual 1998–99 values have therefore been used in this case.
  111W

  Standard spending assessments/formula spending shares

  Education

  PSS

  Fire

  Highway Maintenance

  EPCS

  Capital

  Total

  Formula Grant (ie RSG plus NNDR)

  Adjusted 1999–2000

  53.189

  21.589

  3.586

  3.601

  19.771

  6.000

  107.736

  77.616

  2000–01

  57.247

  23.068

  3.784

  3.740

  20.500

  6.657

  114.996

  83.135

  Percentage change

  7.6

  6.9

  5.5

  3.9

  3.7

  11.0

  6.7

  7.1

  Adjusted 2000–01

  57.502

  22.763

  3.784

  3.740

  20.421

  6.656

  114.867

  83.016

  2001–02

  60.928

  24.124

  3.968

  4.026

  21.532

  7.721

  122.299

  88.412

  Percentage change

  6.0

  6.0

  4.8

  7.7

  5.4

  16.0

  6.5

  6.5

  Adjusted 2001–02

  55.437

  23.766

  3.968

  4.026

  21.562

  7.748

  116.507

  82.658

  2002–03

  59.156

  25.137

  4.148

  4.135

  22.622

  8.722

  123.920

  88.231

  Percentage change

  6.7

  5.8

  4.6

  2.7

  4.9

  12.6

  6.4

  6.7

  2002–03 FSS

  61.840

  27.418

  4.676

  4.050

  27.492

  8.571

  134.048

  91.394

  Comparitors 2003–04 FSSs

  64.834

  29.471

  5.373

  3.818

  30.612

  10.114

  144.221

  96.318

  Percentage change

  4.8

  7.5

  14.9

  -5.7

  11.3

  18.0

  7.6

  5.4

  Ordnance Survey Maps
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent guidance has been issued by his Department on the symbols and markings included on Ordnance Survey maps; what assessment he has made of the Ordnance Survey's decision to omit the traditional symbols and markings indicating(a) civil and parish boundaries, (b) national park boundaries and (c) churches from future editions of its maps; and if he will make a statement. [101719]

  Mr. McNulty
  Ordnance Survey, before making decisions about what is depicted on its maps, takes full account of the needs of its customers and other stakeholders. To this end, it consults widely before implementing any change.

  Following Parliament's decision to widen public access to the English and Welsh countryside under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW), Ordnance Survey has concluded that this access land should be shown on the 1:25 000 Explorer series, which is designed specifically for use during outdoor activities.

  The way the access land is shown will be crucial in helping the Open Access initiative to be implemented successfully. Clarity will be vital in minimising any misunderstanding between users of the countryside and landowners. There is much additional information to be added to the mapping. Therefore, to avoid clutter and ensure clarity, it will be necessary to take off some existing information.

  Consultation and research among users indicates that the removal of the national park, civil and parish boundaries while adding the access land, significantly improves clarity and helps avoid confusion on the ground. National Park boundaries will remain on the cover diagram of each Explorer and on the printed and data versions of the OS Landranger series. They are also freely available as part of the Get-a-Map service on the Ordnance Survey website.

  Ordnance Survey has also consulted users on the proposed changes to symbols for places of worship on both Explorer and the 1:50 000 OS Landranger Map series. In this regard, the primary consideration has been the navigational importance of buildings with towers, spires, domes or minarets. These will continue to be marked with the familiar symbols. Other buildings that are places of worship will continue to appear on the
  112W
  maps, but without reference to their religious or cultural significance. Final decisions about the proposed changes will be made within the next few weeks and Ordnance Survey will take into account all points of view.

  Planning
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether all planning considerations of individual small-scale applications will be removed from local councils under his plans for regional assemblies. [101663]

  Mr. McNulty
  Local councils will continue to retain all existing powers of development control and none will be transferred to regional bodies now or in the future.

  Poll Tax
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much uncollected poll tax revenue remains outstanding in the UK, broken down by local authority. [101512]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not currently collect information on the level of community charge (or poll tax) arrears owed to English billing authorities. It is estimated that the arrears in England totalled £185 million at 1 April 2001. This estimate is based on information supplied to the Chartered Institute of Public Accountancy on its revenue collection statistics return and on information on amounts of community charge received, which is collected from billing authorities on the QRC4 return.

  After discussions with local government, The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will, however, be collecting information from English billing authorities on the level of community charge arrears as at 31 March 2003 on the QRC4 return for 2002–03.

  Figures for Wales and Scotland are a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Parliament respectively. The community charge never existed in Northern Ireland.

  Regional Government
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the results of his regional government soundings exercise broken down by English region. [101906]
  113W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister asked for responses by 3 March 2003 on the level of regional interest in holding a referendum for an elected regional assembly. We are now evaluating the responses and will announce our decisions after the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill has received Royal Assent.

  Schools Funding
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the interaction between changes in aggregate external finance to local authorities and passporting of schools funding; and what arrangements are in place to ensure that the latter is not undermined by the former. [102033]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Aggregate external finance is distributed by formula (Formula Spending Share or FSS) and is not ring-fenced. All authorities with education responsibilities receive at least 3.5 per cent. more formula grant for 2003–04 than they did for 2002–03, on a like-for-like basis. Setting budgets is a matter for local authorities. The Government encourage them to increase spending on schools by an amount equal to the increase in their education FSS. Authorities who have difficulty with this are encouraged to discuss with the Department for Education and Skills. Increases in education FSS were themselves constrained between 3.2 per cent. and 7 per cent. on a per pupil basis, by means of a formula floor and ceiling.

  Sales of stock by social landlords* to sitting tenants and others: London 1997–98 to 2001–02

  1997–98

  1998–99

  LAs to

  Las to

  Local authority

  Sitting tenants

  Others

  RSLs to Sitting tenants

  Sitting tenants

  Others

  RSLs to Sitting tenants

  LAs to Sitting tenants

  Barking and Dagenham

  433

  n/a

  0

  393

  0

  0

  762

  Barnet

  195

  0

  0

  260

  0

  0

  287

  Bexley

  183

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Brent

  214

  n/a

  3

  184

  n/a

  1

  265

  Bromley

  0

  0

  34

  0

  0

  37

  0

  Camden

  514

  n/a

  0

  505

  n/a

  0

  560

  City of London

  26

  36

  1

  58

  21

  0

  81

  Croydon

  164

  n/a

  1

  156

  n/a

  1

  181

  Ealing

  205

  0

  6

  218

  0

  10

  354

  Enfield

  172

  0

  1

  163

  0

  0

  327

  Greenwich

  392

  0

  2

  373

  0

  0

  515

  Hackney

  222

  0

  0

  337

  n/a

  0

  493

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  141

  4

  1

  189

  1

  0

  240

  Haringey

  262

  0

  0

  284

  0

  1

  442

  Harrow

  85

  0

  0

  97

  0

  0

  134

  Havering

  183

  0

  0

  209

  n/a

  0

  307

  Hillingdon

  231

  0

  3

  287

  0

  0

  266

  Hounslow

  192

  0

  14

  290

  0

  5

  335

  Islington

  339

  0

  0

  393

  0

  0

  325

  Kensington and Chelsea

  103

  0

  1

  95

  0

  0

  147

  Kingston upon Thames

  65

  0

  0

  55

  0

  2

  98

  Lambeth

  387

  0

  0

  454

  n/a

  0

  644

  Lewisham

  365

  15

  3

  524

  n/a

  0

  634

  Merton

  120

  0

  0

  173

  0

  4

  177

  Newham

  286

  n/a

  0

  300

  0

  0

  430

  Redbridge

  61

  0

  0

  85

  0

  0

  108

  Richmond upon Thames

  86

  0

  1

  92

  0

  0

  225

  Southwark

  344

  n/a

  0

  439

  0

  0

  653

  Sutton

  141

  n/a

  0

  124

  n/a

  0

  214

  Social Housing Grant
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what impact he estimates the abolition of Local Authority Social Housing Grant will have on Torbay UA; and if he will make a statement. [100250]

  Mr. McNulty
  LASHG was an unfair funding mechanism that did not allocate funds to areas of greatest need, consistently under-spent nationally, and gave unfair advantage to debt-free local authorities.

  As part of the measures outlined in "Sustainable Communities: building for the future", The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has decided to abolish LASHG to allow a more strategic use of resources. The change is to take effect from 1 April 2003. I announced the transitional arrangements on 5 March 2003, Official Report, column 82WS.

  Torbay UA has submitted information to the Government Office for the South West indicating that it has a total Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) commitment of 2,181,500 for 2003–04 and 2004–05. Full details of the transitional arrangements have yet to be finalised.

  Social Landlord Properties
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) social and (b) regulated social landlord properties in each London borough were sold (i) to sitting tenants and (ii) on the open market in each of the last five years. [100273]

  Mr. McNulty
  Information reported by local authorities and registered social landlords is as follows:
  115W

  Sales of stock by social landlords* to sitting tenants and others: London 1997–98 to 2001–02

  1997–98

  1998–99

  LAs to

  LAs to

  Local authority

  Sitting tenants

  Others

  RSLs to Sitting tenants

  Sitting tenants

  Others

  RSLs to Sitting tenants

  LAs to Sitting tenants

  Tower Hamlets

  465

  n/a

  0

  641

  n/a

  0

  815

  Waltham Forest

  192

  0

  0

  190

  0

  0

  289

  Wandsworth

  240

  214

  0

  267

  n/a

  0

  514

  Westminster

  164

  n/a

  0

  270

  0

  0

  403

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  20001–02

  RSLs to

  RSLs to

  Local authority

  Others

  Sitting tenants

  Sitting tenants

  LAs to Others

  Sitting tenants

  Sitting tenants

  LAs to others

  RSLs to Sitting tenants

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  0

  527 (3)

  n/a

  0

  374 (3)

  n/a

  0

  Barnet

  n/a

  4

  252

  0

  0

  169

  0

  0

  Bexley

  0

  74

  0

  0

  6

  0 (3)

  n/a

  1

  Brent

  0

  0

  156 (3)

  n/a

  1

  159

  0

  0

  Bromley

  n/a

  60

  0

  0

  52

  0 (2)

  n/a

  58

  Camden

  n/a

  0

  760

  n/a

  0

  671

  n/a

  0

  City of London

  36

  0

  50

  15

  0

  39

  15

  0

  Croydon

  0

  0

  249

  0

  0

  259

  0

  0

  Ealing

  0

  2

  330

  0

  0

  309

  0

  4

  Enfield

  0

  0

  216

  0

  0

  210

  0

  0

  Greenwich

  n/a

  0

  518

  0

  2

  470

  0

  0

  Hackney

  n/a

  10

  764

  0

  17

  373 (3)

  n/a

  2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0

  0

  380

  0

  0

  221

  0

  0

  Haringey

  0

  0

  239 (2)

  n/a

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  Harrow

  0

  0

  88

  0

  0

  88

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  273

  n/a

  0

  219

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  n/a

  1

  231

  n/a

  0

  163

  0

  1

  Hounslow

  0

  16

  283

  0

  4

  142(3)

  n/a

  1

  Islington

  n/a

  4

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  844

  0

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  0

  108

  0

  0

  42

  n/a

  0

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  0

  51

  0

  0

  32

  0

  1

  Lambeth

  n/a

  0

  669 (3)

  n/a

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  19

  Lewisham

  n/a

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  Merton

  0

  8

  164 (3)

  n/a

  4

  165

  0

  7

  Newham

  n/a

  0

  272 (2)

  n/a

  0

  611

  0

  0

  Redbridge

  n/a

  1

  129

  0

  0

  101

  0

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  0

  33 (2)

  n/a

  0

  0 (2)

  N/a

  3

  Southwark

  0

  0

  819

  0

  0

  943

  0

  0

  Sutton

  n/a

  7

  146

  3

  0

  130

  0

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  n/a

  71

  1,074

  0

  18

  1,007

  2

  41

  Waltham Forest

  0

  0

  244

  0

  0

  188

  1

  0

  Wandsworth

  n/a

  0

  333

  115

  0

  149(3)

  N/a

  0

  Westminster

  8

  0

  449

  6

  1

  220

  2

  0

  * Local authorities (LAs) and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs).

  Notes:

  1. LA sales to sitting tenants include those under Right to Buy (RTB) and similar local schemes, plus Rent to Mortgage (RTM).

  2. Other LA sales include all those to owner-occupiers under Built or Improved for Sale, but exclude transfers to RSLs and a small number of unspecified disposals.

  3. Where reporting is incomplete, the bracketed figures indicate the number of quarters for which complete information was provided.

  4. RSL sales to sitting tenants include RTB, RTM, Preserved RTB (in respect of ex-LA properties), Right to Acquire and Voluntary Purchase Grants.

  5. Data on RSL open market stock disposals are not collected centrally at local authority level.

  Sources:

  1. DETR/DTLR/ODPM Housing Activity return P1B (quarterly); Housing Investment Programme returns (annual).

  2. Housing Corporation Continuous Recording (CORE) returns.

  Spending Formulae
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how, in establishing formula spending share, he measured sparsity in calculating(a) the 'older people' element of the social services formulas, (b) the police formula and (c) the EPCS formula; and in each
  116W
  case (i) what proportion of the relevant aggregate FSS allocation was distributed on the basis of sparsity and (ii) if he will list the authorities which benefited from the sparsity measure in each allocation. [101548]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The sparsity indicator is calculated for each of the blocks as follows.
  117W
  The sum of:

  (i) Two multiplied by the resident population of those enumeration districts within the area of the authority at the 1991 Census with 0.5 or less residents per hectare, divided by the total resident population of the authority, calculated using information from the 1991 Census; and

  (ii) The resident population of those enumeration districts within the area of the authority at the 1991 Census with more than 0.5 but less than or equal to four residents per hectare, divided by the total resident population of the authority, calculated using information from the 1991 Census.

  For the 'older people' element of the social services formula 0.36 per cent. of the aggregate Formula Spending Share (FSS) allocation was distributed via the sparsity indicator; for police 0.15 per cent. was distributed via the sparsity indicator; and for the 'services provided predominantly by non-metropolitan district councils in non-metropolitan areas' element of the Environmental Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) formula 4.22 per cent. was distributed via the sparsity indicator.

  Of the Personal Social Service authorities, only Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth and Southwark did not have at least one enumeration district within their
  118W
  area at the 1991 Census with less than or equal to four residents per hectare; all other PSS authorities benefited from the sparsity indicator.

  All police authorities have at least one enumeration district within their area at the 1991 Census with less than or equal to 4 residents per hectare, and hence all police authorities benefited.

  Of the district-level EPCS authorities, only Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth and Southwark did not have at least one enumeration district within their area at the 1991 Census with less than or equal to four residents per hectare; all other district-level EPCS authorities benefited from the sparsity indicator.

  Standards Board for England
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce a referrals unit for complaints to the Standards Board for England. [101220]

  Mr. Leslie
  This is an operational matter for the Standards Board. I understand that a referrals unit is already in place, with the function of assisting the Board in its consideration of allegations. Provisions in the Local Government Bill will allow the Standards Board flexibility to introduce other arrangements for the efficient handling of misconduct allegations.

  UN Peacekeeping Personnel
  UN Peacekeeping Personnel
  Afghanistan: Dasht-e-Leili
  Afghanistan: Dasht-e-Leili
  Mr Derek Bond: Detention in South Africa
  Mr Derek Bond: Detention in South Africa
  Police Officers above the Rank of Inspector Currently Suspended
  Police Officers above the Rank of Inspector Currently Suspended
  Government IT Systems: Security
  Government IT Systems: Security
  Key Commercial IT Systems: Security
  Key Commercial IT Systems: Security
  Trafficking Victims
  Trafficking Victims
  National Asylum Support Service
  National Asylum Support Service
  Judiciary: Criticism by Ministers of Court Decisions
  Judiciary: Criticism by Ministers of Court Decisions
  Civil Court Cases: Fees
  Civil Court Cases: Fees
  Legal Aid: Residents of the Irish Republic
  Legal Aid: Residents of the Irish Republic
  West Bank "Security Fence"
  West Bank "Security Fence"
  Protection of Cultural Property: Hague Convention
  Protection of Cultural Property: Hague Convention
  Iraq: Attitude of Irish Republic
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  Cyprus
  Cyprus
  Tibet
  Tibet
  Slug Pellets: Song Thrush Population
  Slug Pellets: Song Thrush Population
  Coal-fired Generation Plant
  Coal-fired Generation Plant
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  Capita: DIES Contracts
  Children with Disabilities and SEN
  Children with Disabilities and SEN
  Sir William Stubbs: Payment
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  Stagetext
  Stagetext
  English Heritage
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  Pharmacy Services
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  NHS Workforce
  NHS Workforce
  NHS: Leaving Rates
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  NHS: Minority Ethnic Nurses
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  NHS: Vital Connection
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  NHS Management Costs
  NHS Management Costs
  Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999
  Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999
  NHS Charges
  NHS Charges
  Northern Ireland Multi-Party Talks, 19 December 2002
  Northern Ireland Multi-Party Talks, 19 December 2002
  Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
  Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
  North/South Implementation Bodies
  North/South Implementation Bodies
  Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line
  Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line
  Northern Ireland: Traffic Accidents
  Northern Ireland: Traffic Accidents
  Questions for Written Answer
  Questions for Written Answer
  Rail Industry
  Rail Industry