Written Answers of 31 March 2003

DEFENCE

  Iraq
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is towards the commitment of British forces to long-term peacekeeping missions in urban areas in Iraq. [105449]

  Mr. Ingram
  We have made it clear that we are committed to help the Iraqi people rebuild their country once Saddam Hussein's regime is removed from power. We envisage that United Kingdom forces will help to provide a safe and secure environment to allow the renewal effort to begin.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to secure the Iraq/Iran border. [105463]

  Mr. Hoon
  The area in Southern Iraq in which United Kingdom forces are operating includes a significant segment of the Iraq/Iran border. UK forces are responsible for ensuring the security of the whole of the area under their control. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government is making every effort to liaise closely with the Iranian authorities to reduce the scope for any potential misunderstandings. We see no need to take special measures relating to the security of the Iraq/Iran border.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on Iraq. [105467]

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the military situation in Iraq. [105468]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave a short while ago to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Dudley, North (Mr. Cranston), my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor) and the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West (Mr. Brady).

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) soldiers from British Overseas Territories and (b) Gibraltarians are deployed in Iraq. [105248]

  Mr. Ingram
  Details of the number of soldiers from the British Overseas Territories and Gibraltarians are deployed in Iraq are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), of 23 January 2003,Official Report, column 450W, on Iraq, how much of the money was spent on munitions. [105355]
  488W
  Mr. Ingram
  The costs identified in my earlier answer are only the net additional costs the Department has incurred. Operational costs are recorded only when normal rates of peacetime activity and consumption are exceeded. As a result figures do not record the cost of all munitions used, only those expended in excess of normal requirements. However, centrally held records do not identify separately the additional costs of munitions consumed.

  Jim Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the logistic support required to sustain British forces in the Gulf region. [105453]

  Mr. Ingram
  The massive logistic effort, involving many of the 28,000 civilian and military personnel in the Defence Logistics Organisation and around 5,000 personnel in theatre, in support of United Kingdom armed forces operations in the Gulf, and the build up to it, has been extremely successful. The size of this task has been considerable; we have deployed an equivalent quantity of materiel to that supplied for the last Gulf conflict in half the time. This has ranged from some 13,000 tonnes of ammunition and over 15,000 vehicles, to 2.5 million operational ration packs. This level of logistic support is being maintained, including delivery of about 2,000 bags of mail per day totalling over 185 tonnes so far.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about delays to mail from UK forces in Iraq to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [106068]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have received no representations about delays to mail from United Kingdom forces in Iraq. On the wider question of mail services between UK and the Gulf area, I have received a large number of enquires from hon. Members and from the general public about services available. The British Forces Post Office is despatching and receiving mail regularly and there are no delays. Naturally, it is more difficult to arrange collection and delivery of mail to deployed units, many of which are moving rapidly across Iraq.

  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hot meals a day soldiers in the Gulf conflict are receiving. [105512]

  Mr. Ingram
  Personnel who have moved forward into Iraq are currently on Operational Ration Packs. These provide for two hot meals and one cold meal, plus snacks, per day. Similarly, personnel in the camps in Gulf have access to at least two hot meals a day.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many women from each of the British armed forces are taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. [105215]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2003]: As of 28 March 2003, there were 2,966 women serving with all three services in support of Operation TELIC. The figures by service are not available. Of these, 2,690 were serving in the Arabian Peninsular and 276 are in Cyprus.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Iraqi defections. [105461]
  489W
  Mr. Hoon
  There have so far been no 'defections' of very senior politicians or military commanders to the coalition.

  The coalition is, however, currently holding over 8,000 prisoners of war, many of whom have surrendered.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his working relationship with the media during the conflict with Iraq. [105464]

  Dr. Moonie
  The working relationship between the Ministry of Defence and the media during times of conflict or war is covered in detail in the Green Book—"Working Arrangements with the Media in times of Emergency, Tension, Conflict or War".

  In the United Kingdom, we have provided the media with briefings by Ministers, officials and military officers, and arranged facilities to demonstrate our capabilities. In theatre, we have established a media information service at the Coalition Headquarters. We have also compiled a media pool of 128 accredited UK war correspondents who are now embedded with our forces in the Gulf.

  While it is inevitable that at times the relationship is bound to be tested, overall the new arrangements appear to be working very well for both parties.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on military co-ordination of humanitarian aid in Iraq. [105465]

  Mr. Ingram
  Coalition forces are taking the utmost care to minimise the effects of conflict on the Iraqi people. However, there is an urgent need for humanitarian relief, not least because of damage and neglect during the long years of Saddam Hussein's misrule.

  United Kingdom forces will, where they are able, deliver emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq until the post-conflict security situation is stable enough for civilian aid agencies to deploy. The Government have allocated up to £30 million to United Kingdom Forces to provide this immediate assistance.

  In due course, the intention is that responsibility for humanitarian provision should be transferred to civilian aid agencies, however, assistance provided so far by UK forces has included drinking water, food, shelter, and medical supplies. Supplies have been delivered both overland from Kuwait, and through the deep port at Umm Qasr.

  European Security and Defence Policy
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, If he will make a statement on the future of the European Security and Defence Policy. [105469]

  Mr. Hoon
  We continue to make progress in developing the European Security and Defence European Union agreed Policy. Earlier this month, NATO and the arrangements, known as "Berlin Plus", giving the EU ready access to the Alliance's common assets and capabilities for operations. As a consequence, the EU is now able to launch its first military mission in Macedonia, taking over from the NATO operation "Allied Harmony" today. This is a tangible 490W
  demonstration of the strategic partnership between the two organisations and of the EU's determination to strengthen its ability to undertake crisis management operations. We also continue to make progress on improving European military capabilities and are actively engaged in the debate on the future of the ESDP in the Convention on the Future of Europe.

  Army Deployment
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the Army is deployed or warned to deploy on operations. [105470]

  Mr. Ingram
  Around 57 per cent. of the Army are currently deployed and between four to five per cent. are preparing to deploy on Operations.

  Troop Replacement (Gulf)
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace units currently engaged in the Gulf. [105471]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham).

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it will be possible to adapt either of the two new aircraft carriers so as to make them interoperable with the Rafale aircraft. [97328]

  Mr. Ingram
  As we announced on 30 September 2002, the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers will be configured to operate the STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter rather than a conventionally launched aircraft such as Rafale. The vessels will, however, be constructed to an adaptable design. which will allow us, if we so decide in the future, to modify the vessels from their original STOVL configuration to facilitate conventional flight operations.

  Although it might be technically possible to build the vessels so that they could operate STOVL-JSF and conventional carrier aircraft simultaneously, we assess that this could not viably or safely be achieved without substantial revision of the basic design. This would impact on construction and through life operations, as well as affordability.

  Armed Forces
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the effect of a declaration of war is on the(a) pay, (b) taxation and (c) legal liability of armed forces personnel. [105223]

  Dr. Moonie
  The declaration of war has no effect on the pay or taxation of armed forces personnel. In the event of a fatality, the only tax issue affected is the estate of the deceased member of the armed forces of the Crown, which may qualify for an exemption from inheritance tax under section 154 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. The presence or absence of a declaration of war does not have any effect on the legal position of
  491W
  armed forces personnel. Once a state of armed conflict exists, international humanitarian law applies to the conduct of the campaign.

  Colombia
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether UK military liaison teams provided(a) advice and (b) assistance to the Colombian armed forces during 2002; and what plans there are to do so this year. [105584]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been occasions when we have sent military liaison teams to Colombia to provide advice and training assistance. The nature of this advice and assistance is confidential between governments and I am withholding the details under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which covers information whose disclosure would be harmful to national security, defence or international relations. The uncertainties regarding military deployment as a result of Operation TELIC make forward planning for this type of assistance this year impossible at present.

  Departmental Creche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what crèche facilities are provided by his Department and at what cost. [104305]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence provides the following child care support for its civilian and military employees:45 work place nurseries offering 1,700 full day care places for children aged three months to five years. (Three new nurseries were opened during 2002–03 at Northwood, Andover and Ensleigh Bath).
  36 crèches (benefiting 700 children) providing occasional care and 70 pre schools (benefiting over 2,000 children) providing education on a sessional basis, primarily for Service families.
  14 wrap-around care schemes for 5–12 year olds (benefiting 350 children) providing after school care to match the working day.
  15 holiday play schemes providing full day care for 5℃12 year olds during school holidays (three are shared with other Government Departments) benefiting 550 children.
  Two child care voucher schemes: for civilian employees in Glasgow and a new scheme for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory staff, which started May 2002. (The schemes benefit over 18 parents).

  Within MOD responsibility for child care is delegated to the main budget areas. Initial funding can be from a variety of sources: the central budget allocation, MOD's grant from the Civil Service Modernisation fund (£900,000 in FY2000–01 and FY 2001–02 only), local authorities, benevolent funds or raised by the parents themselves. The business case then determines how much direct or indirect subsidy the MOD gives.

  MOD nurseries are usually run by contractors, as commercial enterprises. They frequently receive indirect subsidies in the form of a peppercorn rent. In addition about 10 per cent. of the nurseries offer direct subsidies, which can reduce the fees by around a third. Some play schemes also receive direct subsidies. MOD's two voucher schemes provide employees with about a third of actual costs for the registered care of their choice at a cost of some £16,000 a month.
  492W
  No further information regarding the MOD's contribution towards the costs of child care schemes is held centrally and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Gulf Forces (Equipment)
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the availability of(a) boots and (b) protection goggles to members of the armed forces who are stationed in the Gulf. [103134]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 March 2003]: There are sufficient quantities of both desert boots and protection goggles available for all personnel expected to fulfil a combat role in the Gulf.

  Gulf War Veterans
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will encourage the Trustees of the Gulf Trust Fund to make payments of(a) capital and (b) income to civilian Gulf War veterans. [105979]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Gulf Trust was set up on 12 February 1991 to meet the financial needs arising out of the engagement of the British Armed Forces and civilian personnel attached to or accompanying British Armed Forces in military and other operations relating to or in connection with the 1990–1991 Gulf conflict. The Gulf Trust was administered independently of the Ministry of Defence in accordance with Charity Law by the United Services Trustee. The fund was closed on 31 July 1994 at which point the remaining money in the fund was distributed on a pro-rata basis to the three Service Benevolent Funds. It would be inappropriate for the Ministry of Defence to intervene in any issues concerning disbursements of funds raised by the Gulf Trust. All enquiries, representations, applications for financial assistance or questions regarding the administration of funds raised by the Gulf Trust, should be directed as follows:

  RN, RM, and RFA personnel and all other sea-borne civilians:

  King George's Fund for Sailors

  8 Hatherley Street

  London

  SW1P 2YY

  Army personnel and all other civilians:

  The Army Benevolent Fund

  41 Queens Gate

  South Kensington

  London

  SW7 5HR

  493W
  RAF personnel:

  The RAF Benevolent Fund

  67 Portland Place

  London

  W1N4AR

  Kosovo
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are serving in Kosovo. [106450]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 21 March 2003 there were 1,264 United Kingdom Service Personnel serving in Kosovo.

  Middle East
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent since the end of hostilities of the Gulf War in 1991 by Her Majesty's Government on operations in the Middle East in each year since 1991, broken down by each of the armed services. [105780]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Department identifies the costs of Operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred. The costs which the Department would have incurred had the operation not been undertaken—expenditure on wages and salaries or on conducting training exercises for example—are deducted from the total costs of the operation. The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Costs of operations

  1992–93

  551

  1993–94

  179

  1994–95

  58

  1995–96

  14

  1996–97

  6

  1997–98

  16

  1998–99

  35

  1999–2000

  28

  2000–01

  25

  2001–02

  161

  2002–032

  2 31,045

  1 Denotes figure calculated on a full resource cost basis; all previous figures are cash-based.

  2 Estimate

  3 Includes £1,000 million for operations against Iraq.

  This information cannot be sub-divided into costs for each of the services. Costs are reported by Top Level budget holders. None of these are single-service organisations.

  Ministry Building
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which company is providing the doors for the refurbishment of the main MOD building; what types of wood will be used in their manufacture; and what efforts have been made to ensure that the timber used is being sourced from legal and sustainable sources. [105387]
  494W
  Dr. Moonie
  Contracts have been awarded for the supply of doors in the refurbished Main Building as follows:Swift Horsman. Timber doors made from American White Oak. PFI Contractor Skanska United Kingdom has paid a premium for a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified chain of custody.
  Stafford Bridge Doors. The frames, lippings and veneers of which are made from American White Oak. Cores are Ghanaian Celtis finger jointed off-cuts. The American White Oak originates from a FSC certified custody chain and the larger frames come from North American sustainable forests. Ghana is a member of International Tropical Timber Organisation with certification that the products are from a Sustained Yield Management system.

  Nimrod Patrol Aircraft
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the fleet of 18 Nimrod MRA.4 Maritime Patrol Aircraft will be operational; why these have been delayed; how much the aircraft will cost; how much they were originally expected to cost; and if he will make a statement. [104238]

  Mr. Ingram
  My noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Lord Bach) announced in another place on 19 February 2003,Official Report, columns 175–77W, that, as a result of the recent agreement with BAE SYSTEMS to restructure the Nimrod MRA4 contract, the revised in-service date is 2009. This is now defined as the delivery of the sixth series production aircraft. The balance of the 18 aircraft fleet is envisaged to be delivered during the subsequent period to mid 2011. The reasons for the delay are those that are indicated by the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr. Moonie) gave to the hon. Member for Newark (Patrick Mercer) on 10 December 2002, Official Report, columns 222–23W. The Agreement with BAE SYSTEMS recognises the delays that have occurred on this programme by deferring the start of series production of later aircraft until we have seen demonstrated performance from the first three flight trials aircraft. When an appropriate level of design maturity has been reached (and we envisage this to be in late 2005), we will then be in a position to finalise the negotiations with the Company over the production price of the remaining number of aircraft. As my hon. Friend also indicated in his statement of 19 February, the MOD has agreed to make a contribution to this restructured programme of an additional £270 million. Subject to on-going negotiations, this increase therefore brings the expected contract value to some £2,600 million at current prices. I have nothing further to add to the statement made by my hon. Friend on 19 February 2003.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office about the establishment of a UDR Fund to recognise and support the widows and families of soldiers serving with the Ulster Defence Regiment who were murdered by terrorists in Northern Ireland. [105980]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has, to date, had no formal discussions with the Northern Ireland Office about this issue. However I did meet with
  495W
  representatives from the UDR widows and widowers on 5 March 2003. This matter is being considered, although the Department is not yet in a position to make a decision on the way ahead.

  SA80
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on problems with the SA80 in the conflict in the Gulf; and what steps are being taken to overcome such problems. [105513]

  Mr. Ingram
  Hot and dusty environments—such as those pertaining in the Gulf area—are the most demanding in which to operate small arms of any kind. The new cleaning regime introduced for the modified SA80 is minimising the effects of the harsh environmental conditions. Units have expressed confidence in the modified SA80, and its performance during operations in Iraq thus far has demonstrated that it is one of the most reliable weapons in its class.

  Service Personnel
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the facilities available for families to communicate with service personnel by television. [105644]

  Mr. Ingram
  The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) is produced by the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC) under contract to the Ministry of Defence and provides radio and television services to most locations overseas where significant numbers of British forces are permanently stationed and, subject to practicality, to operational theatres.

  Two channels of BFBS TV, plus BBC News 24 and Sky News, are transmitted continuously from the UK to a satellite covering the Greater European and middle east operational areas. The signal is distributed to 55 locations in Kuwait and from 27 March to parts of southern Iraq. BFBS TV is therefore available live at all major UK military locations in the middle east, as well as to RN andRFA ships in the area.

  BFBS TV film messages from both service personnel in the Gulf and their families in the UK and Germany, and transmit these as "fillers" between TV programmes in lieu of the more usual community and welfare announcements. BFBS has a 'tie-in' with ITV's flagship programme "This Morning" (which is retransmitted on BFBS) which also provides a chance for families to see video messages from their people on operational duty. BFBS TV also communicates to the Forces via a daily news magazine programme, `BFBS Reports' which goes out across the BFBS network.

  Student Reservists
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether university student reservists called up to serve in the Gulf will be required to pay back the additional year's student loan that they may have to take out; and if he will make a statement. [104978]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2003]: Reservists who are full-time university students may apply to have their call-out notices revoked or deferred.
  496W
  Details on how to make such applications are given at the time call-out notices are served. The situation referred to in the question is unlikely, therefore, to arise.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding has been made available by her Department to tackle air pollution in Buckinghamshire in 2002–03. [105695]

  Alun Michael
  The Department wrote to local authorities in England on 14 February last year inviting applications for Supplementary Credit Approvals to support proposals for capital expenditure in 2002–03 on their air quality management duties under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995. Milton Keynes was the only authority in Buckinghamshire to apply, and £30,000 in additional borrowing powers has been awarded. Since 1997/98 the Government's annual revenue support grant settlement has included provision to support local authorities running costs associated with these duties.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many days of(a) moderate, (b) high and (c) very high air pollution there were (i) in the United Kingdom and (ii) in Buckinghamshire in 2002; and if she will make a statement on the suspected causes of high and very high readings. [106013]

  Alun Michael
  Air quality is now a devolved matter therefore my reply focuses on England. According to data provided by the Automatic Urban and Rural monitoring Network (AURN), the number of days air pollution at at least one AURN sites in England in 2002 was:

  (a) moderate: 194.

  (b) high: 25.

  (c) very high: 4.

  Very high readings were all related to particles (PM10). Of the 25 high readings, two were related to sulphur dioxide (S02), four were related to ozone and the remaining 19 were all related to particles (PM10). Meteorological conditions also affects the level of all pollutants.

  There is no AURN site in Buckinghamshire but all local authorities, including in Buckinghamshire, have a statutory duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the local air quality in their area against the national air quality objectives. I have provided information on the five local authorities in Buckinghamshire in PQ 106012.

  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the air quality strategy. [105421]

  Alun Michael
  The Government and Devolved Administrations' air quality policies are set out in detail in the air quality strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published in January 2000. An Addendum to the strategy was published in February 2003. The strategy and addendum can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/index.htm.
  497W
  The strategy sets objectives for nine main air pollutants to protect human health and two objectives to protect vegetation and ecosystems. The air pollutants covered by the strategy are benzene; 1,3-butadiene; carbon monoxide; lead; nitrogen dioxide; particles (PM10); ozone; sulphur dioxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

  The Government and devolved Administrations monitor progress to meeting the objectives in the strategy through the national air quality monitoring network, which consists of over 1,500 sites. Over 120 of these sites are sophisticated, real-time monitors from which information is available hour-by-hour, 24 hours a day, via a dedicated website: www.airquality.co.uk.

  Air quality monitoring indicates that we are on course or have already met objectives for six of the nine pollutants in England, namely benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, sulphur dioxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This is as a result of the measures that have been implemented over the last decade or so.

  Additional measures are likely to be needed if we are to meet the nitrogen dioxide and particles objectives in certain parts of England. We are considering those in the context of the delivery of our DEFRA/DfT joint Air Quality Public Service Agreement. We are also expecting to exceed the ozone objective in parts of southern England. However we believe that internationally agreed measures are the most effective ways to tackling this pollutant as ground level ozone concentrations in southern England are influenced largely by transboundary pollution. The UK will play a key role in seeking further agreements on international measures.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in Buckinghamshire towards meeting the National Air Quality Strategy targets. [106012]

  Alun Michael
  Local authorities have a statutory duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the local air quality in their area against the national air quality objectives for seven of the pollutants prescribed in regulations for the purpose of local air quality management. Where it is likely that the air quality objectives will not be met by the relevant deadline, the local authority must designate an air quality management area and produce an action plan setting out the measures they intend to implement to work towards meeting the air quality objectives.

  Of the five local authorities in the Buckinghamshire region (Milton Keynes, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Chiltern District Council, South Buckinghamshire District Council and Wycombe District Council), only one authority (Wycombe District Council) has declared an air quality management area along the M40 motorway due to predicted exceedences of the annual mean Nitrogen Dioxide objective. Wycombe District Council has produced an action plan which has been appraised by my Department. Wycombe will now have to work with the Highways Agency and other stakeholders to look to implement the most cost-effective and proportionate measures to improve the local air quality within the area affected by the M40.

  Coastal Erosion (Norfolk)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risk to the Norfolk Broads as a result of coastal erosion in the Happisburgh area. [103778]

  Margaret Beckett
  Responsibility for assessing such risks rests with the local operating authorities. The Environment Agency has sea defence responsibility for the length of coastline from Cart Gap, Eccles to Winterton, which fronts the low lying hinterland including the Norfolk Broads. North Norfolk district council has coast protection responsibility for the cliffs at Happisburgh. There is some concern abut the risk of a breach in the frontage at Cart Gap as a result of cliff erosion, but both operating authorities judge that such a risk is not expected for at least 15 to 20 years. Both authorities are keeping the position under review, and the Council monitors the rate of erosion monthly.

  Departmental Catering Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of(a) the in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by the Department in 2002. [104251]

  Alun Michael
  The costs of the subsidies paid by the Department for the four in house canteens, three in central London and one in York, for 2002 was £132,413.75.

  The figures for the full costs of these canteens and other catering services could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Invoices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the occasions on which her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies failed to pay valid invoices within 30 days or after the agreed credit period within financial year 2001–02. [104313]

  Alun Michael
  Information on the occasions where the Department, Agencies and non-departmental public bodies failed to pay valid invoices within the 30 days or after the agreed credit period can be obtained only by disproportionate cost. However I am able to say that the percentage of bills which were paid by Defra within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice was 91 per cent., or 85 per cent. when FMD transactions are included for financial year 2001–02. The average percentage of bills paid by the Departments' Agencies was 93 per cent. over the same period. The average percentage of bills paid by the Departments non-departmental public bodies was 76 per cent. over the same period.

  Dog Fouling
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fines were imposed for dog fouling during 2001. [105714]

  Alun Michael
  The number of fines imposed nationally for dog fouling during 2001–02 was 2,227.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to expand the remit of the Environment Agency; [105050]

  (2) what recent discussions she has had with the Environment Agency regarding a more independent status for the organisation. [105052]

  Mr. Meacher
  We intend that the Environment Agency should take responsibility from local authorities and internal drainage boards for all watercourses that present the greatest flood risk. We also intend that the Agency's flood defence functions should be funded by a single stream of DEFRA block grant which will, subject to enactment of the water bill, replace our grants for individual capital schemes and also the levies currently paid by local authorities. The timing of these changes will be announced in due course. The Department has no other plans to change the remit or status of the Agency.

  External Reports
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list(a) the title and subject, (b) the total cost to her Department and (c) the commissioned author or organisation of each external report commissioned by her Department and its predecessors in each year since 1997. [103714]

  Alun Michael
  The information requested in this question is not held centrally in the form requested and could be collated only at a disproportionate cost.

  Rural Tourism
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take to ensure the promotion of rural tourism after the merger of the English Tourism Council and the British Tourist Authority. [105533]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  VisitBritain, the new organisation which has been created from the merger of the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council will market England within Britain and Britain to the rest of the world. VisitBritain is developing a comprehensive long-term strategy for the marketing of England, to include the countryside. A partnership between VisitBritain, the Regional Development Agencies, the Regional Tourist Boards and the private sector will shortly launch a spring 2003 tourism marketing campaign urging British people to explore England.

  Waste Minimisation and Recycling Schemes
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what priority will be given to the funding of waste minimisation and recycling schemes in local authorities with a significant number of landfill sites in their area when changes to the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme are introduced; and if she will make a statement. [98525]
  500W
  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 24 February 2003]: Prior to current Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) reform, LTCS funding was directed mainly at approved environmental and social/community projects (approximately one third of the Scheme) and at local authority collection and recycling infrastructure improvements.

  Under the proposed reforms, the former will continue to be funded along similar lines as now, while the latter will be supported through closer focussing on sustainable waste management objectives. That will certainly include suitable waste minimisation and recycling schemes.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Aid Agencies
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the UK Government are taking to ensure aid agencies have safe access to endangered populations. [105200]

  Clare Short
  Humanitarian agencies cannot operate until a permissive security environment has been established. In the interim, the military will discharge their humanitarian obligations under the Geneva Convention and Hague Regulations in order to provide relief in the areas they occupy. Once the situation allows, NGOs will need to undertake their own security assessments before engaging.

  Cuba
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on aid to Cuba. [105497]

  Clare Short
  We do not have a government-to-government bilateral aid programme to Cuba nor do we have plans to develop one.

  Funding for DFID programmes in Cuba in 2001–02 was £346,000 primarily through NGOs.

  In addition DFID contributes £1 million as its share of the EC aid programme to Cuba.

  Emergency Preparations
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reasons the Government has not made extra funding available to her Department to finance emergency preparedness. [105202]

  Clare Short
  On 27 March the Chancellor announced that HM Treasury would provide an additional £120 million to DFID for its work in Iraq.

  Humanitarian Assistance
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government will take to support the role of the UN in co-ordinating humanitarian relief efforts. [105181]

  Clare Short
  It is essential that international plans are co-ordinated. This is the role of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). We
  501W
  have provided £150,000 to support their Iraq co-ordination centre in Cyprus and have seconded two members of staff.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government will take to ensure that humanitarian assistance is given on the basis of need by impartial and independent organisations. [105212]

  Clare Short
  The UK is committed to humanitarian assistance being provided by civilian agencies wherever possible, on the basis of need, and not as part of a military strategy. We are supporting the role of UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in co-ordinating humanitarian assistance. DFID funds for humanitarian assistance are disbursed through independent agencies.

  Iraq
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what(a) bilateral and (b) multilateral funding her Department has allocated for development aid for Iraqi citizens in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) each of the next three years. [105065]

  Clare Short
  Our bi-lateral programme assistance to Iraq in 2002–03 is expected to total approximately £8 million.

  Since the onset of the current crisis, DFID has committed £50 million to support preparations by humanitarian agencies, including £32 million for the Red Cross/Red Crescent and £8 million for the World Food Programme. DFID has a further £160 million earmarked for the humanitarian response and is considering further assistance in line with emerging needs. We will consider further resource needs for the reconstruction phase in due course. It is not possible at this stage to anticipate the sums that will be required over the next three years, or to anticipate the balance between bi-lateral and multilateral funding.

  DFID provides 19 per cent. of European Community (EC) funding to Iraq through the Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Commission (ECHO). Since 1991, these contributions have totalled £15 million.

  On 21 March 2003, the College of European Commissioners proposed to release an additional 79 million euros from their Emergency Aid Reserve for Iraq, increasing their total humanitarian commitment in the current crisis to 100 million euros. This funding is still to be approved by the European Council.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the levels of food and medicines stockpiled by the coalition on the Iraqi border for Iraqi refugees and internally displaced people within Iraq. [105106]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been asked to reply.

  United Kingdom forces will, where they are able, deliver emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq until the post-conflict security situation stabilises sufficiently for civilian agencies to deploy. The coalition has long recognised that this would be the case, and has made extensive preparations, including the purchase and pre-positioning of food, water, medicines and other
  502W
  supplies. Those supplies will be deployed as any humanitarian requirements arise, and on the advice of experts from the Department for International Development.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how the(a) cost and (b) logistical challenge of aid operations to replace the Oil for Food Programme will be met. [105201]

  Clare Short
  The immediate humanitarian priority is to get the UN humanitarian actors back into Iraq as soon as the security situation allows, at the same time we must work to get the Oil For Food (OFF) programme back up and running. A new Security Council Resolution has been passed which allows the UN Secretary General to take charge of the programme.

  The UK has meanwhile been in discussion with the UN humanitarian agencies, Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and international NGOs to determine what resources they require to procure food to cover any temporary, gap in the OFF programme. The UN is currently planning on a medium case scenario under which the World Food Programme will provide food assistance for a three-month period. We have committed £115 million to support the preparations of our humanitarian partners including the World Food Programme. The WFP is acutely aware of the need to maintain and re-build the Iraqi distribution system used for OFF so that humanitarian supplies can be delivered quickly to those in need.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to discuss the re-building of Iraqi institutions with European Union partners. [105829]

  Clare Short
  The first step is to secure a strong UN mandate for reconstruction. The European Council on 20 and 21 March agreed that the UN Security Council should give the UN such a mandate for post-conflict Iraq and make sure that the new Iraqi administration is one that is representative, respects the human rights of the Iraqi people, and allows the people of Iraq to live in peace internally and with their neighbours.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how she will ensure that humanitarian aid and re-construction of Iraq are carried out under the auspices of the United Nations. [105830]

  Clare Short
  The UN humanitarian agencies are well prepared and ready to re-enter Iraq as soon as the security situation allows. Iraq staff are still working within Iraq. The UN system has prepositioned stocks and supplies in the region, the World Food Programme has one months worth of food for two million people and is procuring more. The next priority is to get the Oil For Food (OFF) programme back up and running. A Security Council Resolution has now been passed to allow the UN Secretary General to take charge of the programme. 16 million people are reliant on OFF. Most have been provided with food supplies to the end of April but thereafter the need to supply food will be very urgent.

  We are also working to secure a UN mandate which will be required to provide legal authority for the reconstruction effort, and to make possible the

  503W
  engagement of the International Financial Institutions and the wider international community. The Government are holding on-going discussions with key partners to ensure such a mandate is put in place.

  Liberia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department as had with the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs regarding food shortages in Liberia. [105148]

  Clare Short
  We have not held recent discussions with the UN Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on the subject. DFID has provided substantial support to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Medicins Sans Frontieres, the UN High Commission for Refugees and UNOCHA in Liberia during the past year for both refugees and displaced people. Some of this assistance may be used to help tackle food security needs.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the expected saving to public funds from the private finance initiative schemes due to become operational in 2003. [105720]

  Clare Short
  DFID has no private finance initiatives.

  Somali Peace Process
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to the Somali peace process taking place in Kenya; and if she will make a statement. [105619]

  Clare Short
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has contributed £25,000 to the Somali Reconciliation process. Since January 2003, a new joint DFID/FCO Officer in the High Commission in Nairobi has engaged with the reconciliation talks and has facilitated several policy discussions on behalf of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development ([GAD) Special Envoy.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Bank Account Access (Post Office)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will seek to ensure that banks allow customers with regular current accounts to access their pensions and benefits at the Post Office; and if she will make a statement. [105577]

  Mr. Timms
  The Post Office currently provides banking services on behalf of Girobank/Alliance and Leicester, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, the Co-Operative, and the Internet Banks Smile and Cahoot. This (paper-based) service enables customers of these banks to cash cheques at post offices free of charge. The Post Office is in discussion with the banks to modernise these services and to extend commercial arrangements to cover other financial institutions. This is a commercial matter between Post Office Ltd. and the individual financial institutions.
  504W
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the(a) banks and (b) building societies that will offer access to (i) standard current accounts and (ii) basic bank accounts through the Post Office. [105578]

  Mr. Timms
  The Post Office currently provides banking services on behalf of Girobank/Alliance and Leicester, Barclays Lloyds TSB, the Co-Operative, and the Internet Banks Smile and Cahoot. This (paper-based) service enables customers of these banks to cash cheques at post offices free of charge. The Post Office is in discussion with the banks to modernise these services and to extend commercial arrangements to cover other financial institutions.

  From April this year the Post Office will provide access to basic bank accounts on behalf of Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland/Nat West, HSBC, Abbey National, HBOS, Alliance and Leicester, NAG, the Co-operative Bank, First Trust, the Bank of Ireland and the Nationwide Building Society.

  Broadband
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance her Department is providing to help small businesses in rural Suffolk access broadband services. [104807]

  Mr. Timms
  DTI has supplied the East of England Development Agency with £3.22 million from the UK Broadband Fund. Part of this funding has been used towards the RABBIT initiative (Remote Area Broadband Inclusion Trial), which has supplied SMEs throughout the East of England with financial grants to help purchase broadband connections other than ADSL or cable modem. EEDA's connecting communities competition, which aims to provide funding for groups of companies or individuals towards obtaining broadband connections for their communities, has seen more applications from Suffolk than any other EEDA county.

  Business Development
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what help her Department gives to(a) district and (b) borough councils to help local business to (i) expand and (ii) start up. [105514]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department supports small businesses and those thinking of starting a business through the Small Business Service (SBS). SBS works through a network of business link operators across England who provide information, advice, or access to experts on any aspect needed to start and expand a business. The budget totalled £140 million in 2002–03. Business link operators are independent autonomous organisations who work in partnership with local organisations such as their local authorities, district and borough councils.

  SBS funds over 90 Phoenix Development Fund projects to promote enterprise in disadvantaged areas amongst disadvantaged groups, a number have active local council involvement and two are run by local councils. Haringey council is being funded to undertake enterprise outreach work with young people in the local African Caribbean community. Stevenage borough

  505W
  council is receiving funding for 'Community Enterprise Champions' to work with groups who have found it difficult to access traditional forms of business support e.g. ethnic minorities, women and young people.

  Fuel Cell Technology
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the support given by the Carbon Trust to the development of fuel cell technology in the UK. [105218]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 27 March 2003]: The department works closely with the Carbon Trust on a range of energy and carbon related matters including fuel cell technology development. The Carbon Trust, an independent, not for profit company, has recently published an assessment of low carbon technologies and fuel cells were identified as one of its priorities for support through its Low Carbon Innovation Programme.

  In February, we published a joint study with the Carbon Trust reviewing the commercial potential of fuel cells in the UK. This study will help the department and the Carbon Trust develop a complementary approach to supporting the development and commercialisation of fuel cells for the home and export markets. Within this co-operative framework, individual funding decisions are matters for the respective organisations. In the case of the Carbon Trust, these decisions are taken by the company.

  Post Office Card Account
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to promote the use of Post Office card accounts. [105776]

  Mr. Timms
  The Post Office card account is one of a range of accounts that people can use to receive benefit payments into, and which will enable people who wish

  Biodegradable municipal solid waste

  Waste tyres

  Used to generate heat (thousand tonnes of oil equivalent)

  Percentage of total renewables and wastes used to generate heat

  Electricity generated (GWh)

  Percentage of total electricity generate from renewables and wastes

  Used to generated heat (thousand tonnes of oil equivalent)

  Percentage of total renewables and wastes used to generate heat

  Electricity generated (GWh)

  Percentage of total electricity from generated renewables and wastes

  1992

  49.0

  11.2

  177

  2.7

  3.7

  0.8

  —

  —

  1993

  44.9

  6.9

  251

  4.3

  3.9

  0.6

  18

  0.3

  1994

  46.8

  5.2

  449

  6.1

  3.4

  0.4

  88

  1.2

  1995

  48.5

  5.1

  471

  6.5

  2.3

  0.2

  135

  1.9

  1996

  50.6

  5.3

  490

  8.0

  —

  —

  129

  2.1

  1997

  14.3

  1.5

  585

  7.9

  —

  —

  139

  1.9

  1998

  24.1

  2.8

  849

  9.2

  —

  —

  84

  0.9

  1999

  32.0

  4.0

  856

  8.4

  —

  —

  55

  0.5

  2000

  40.6

  5.6

  862

  8.2

  —

  —

  26

  0.2

  2001

  46.5

  6.6

  948

  9.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. '—' means nil or negligible (less than half the final digit shown).

  2. As waste tyres are not a biodegradable waste, the two sets of figures have not been added together.

  Source:

  Digests of United Kingdom Energy Statistics

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of UK companies employ 15 or fewer employees; and what proportion of the UK workforce such establishments employ. [105819]
  506W
  to do so to be able to collect their benefits in cash at post offices. Our aim is that people should be able to choose the option that suits them best. Information about all the options is being supplied to benefit, pension and tax credit customers by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Inland Revenue. Post Office Ltd is also making its own material available to customers.

  Quality Mark
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates she has made of the number of builders that will receive reduced insurance premiums as a result of the new health and safety assessments made as part of the Quality Mark scheme. [101348]

  Mr. Wilson
  Discounts on liability insurance premiums are a commercial proposition, open to all Quality Marked firms. They are part of a package of financial benefits which will help drive take up of the scheme. Likely numbers are difficult to estimate at this early stage. Firms which do not initially pass the required health and safety assessment are given advice on how to meet the standards, to access the discount.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the total amount was of(a) electricity and (b) heat produced by the combustion of biodegradable municipal solid waste (i) including and (ii) excluding tyres in the United Kingdom every year since 1992; and what percentage of the total renewable energy produced these represented; [105669]

  (2) what the total amount of (a) electricity and (b) heat produced by the combustion of tyres in the United Kingdom was in each year since 1992; and what percentage of the total renewable energy produced these represented. [105668]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answers 28 March 2003]: The available information is as follows:

  Nigel Griffiths
  Data for businesses with 15 or fewer employees is not available. However, published figures do cover the size-classes 0–9 employees and 10–19 employees.
  507W
  At the start of 2001 there were about 3.5 million businesses with 0.9 employees and they employed a little over 6.5 million people. This represents nearly 95 per cent. of the UK business population and 29 per cent. of UK employment.

  About 3.67 million businesses had 0–19 employees. They employed 8.1 million people. This represents nearly 98 per cent. of the UK business population and 36 per cent. of UK employment. The 10–19 size-class accounted for an extra 112,000 businesses and 1.57 million employment.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Broadband
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to maximise broadband connections to new housing developments. [105308]

  Mr. McNulty
  On 14 March the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a public consultation document entitled "The Building Regulations and Electronic Communications Services (Broadband)1". The aim of this consultation is to assess whether the demand for broadband services is being restricted by the inconvenience people may experience when retrospectively installing broadband services in existing premises, and whether this should be addressed through the Building Regulations, by Government supported voluntary means or not at all. The consultation closes on 13 June 2003.

  1 Available at http://www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/bregs/consult/brecs/index.htm

  Council House Rents (East Riding)
  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of unpaid council house rents in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year since 1997. [105279]

  Mr. McNulty
  The information requested is tabled.

  East Riding Of Yorkshire Local authority housing arrears (unaudited figures)

  (£000s)

  Date

  Current tenants

  Former tenants

  Total

  31 March 1997

  920

  88

  1,008

  31 March 1998

  908

  263

  1,171

  31 March 1999

  634

  305

  938

  31 March 2000

  842

  319

  1,161

  31 March 2001

  1,198

  311

  1,509

  31 March 2002

  940

  503

  1,443

  Source

  Second housing subsidies and grants form

  Development Certificates
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what legal duties Swale borough council has when issuing a lawful development certificate to(a) consult parish councils and (b) inform elected council members. [105225]
  508W
  Mr. McNulty
  There is no statutory requirement on local planning authorities to consult parish councils when issuing lawful development certificates. The local planning authority may, however, seek evidence from the parish council if there is reason to believe that they possess relevant information about a specific lawful development certificate application. Lawful development certificate applications and decisions are entered in the local planning authority's planning register in accordance with section 69 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The planning register is available for inspection by the public, including members of parish councils and elected council members.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless households in the constituency of Buckingham have been resident in bed and breakfast accommodation in 2002; and what percentage of these claimed social security benefits in 2002. [106022]

  Mr. McNulty
  Information reported by Aylesbury Vale District Council on the number of homeless households resident in bed and breakfast hotels under statutory homelessness provisions at the end of each quarter in 2002 is given as follows. This information relates to households in the local authority area. Aylesbury Vale DC comprises the entire parliamentary constituency of Buckingham, and part of Aylesbury. The number of these households claiming, or in receipt of, social security benefits is not collected centrally.

  Homeless households in bed and breakfast accommodation (including shared facility annexes): Aylesbury Vale DC

  2002

  Number

  31 March

  1

  30 June

  4

  30 September

  4

  31 December

  0

  Note:

  Includes households accommodated pending completion of inquiries by the local authority.

  Source:

  ODPM P1(E) housing returns (quarterly).

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many council houses there are in each(a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district or borough council area. [106024]

  Mr. McNulty
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The number of council houses broken down by parliamentary constituency is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  (b) Information on the number of council houses in England broken down by local authority area has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Regional Assemblies
  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures the Department has taken to publicise public meetings arising from the public consultation into referendums for regional assemblies. [105197]
  509W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister invited responses by post and email from individuals and organisations to our soundings exercise on the level of interest in each English region outside London in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly. We advised representative bodies that we would attach additional weight to responses which had been framed in response to wide consultation, but left it to them to decide on how best to consult their members, constituents or the general public in their area. No public meetings were held by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many responses he has received to the consultation on a referendum for an elected regional assembly for Yorkshire and the Humber. [105289]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister asked for responses by 3 March on its soundings exercise about the level of interest in each English region in holding a referendum about an elected regional assembly. Approximately 5,000 responses have been received so far, amongst which we have identified just over 400 from Yorkshire and the Humber.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many responses he has received from the north-west in the recent soundings consultation on directly elected regional assemblies; and if he will make a statement. [105444]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister asked for responses by 3 March 2003 on its soundings exercise about the level of interest in each English region in holding a referendum about an elected regional assembly. Approximately 5,000 responses have been received so far, among which we have identified just under 2000 from the north-west.

  Decisions will be announced after the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill has received Royal Assent.

  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what EU funding is spent by regional assemblies. [105524]

  Mr. Raynsford
  None.

  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what civil service support is available to regional assemblies. [105525]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Meeting room space in government offices has occasionally been provided. But the voluntary regional assemblies are freestanding bodies that do not have civil service support.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the responses he has received to his proposals for referendums on regional assemblies. [106015]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister asked for responses by 3 March 2003 on its soundings exercise about the level of regional interest in each English region in holding a referendum about an elected regional assembly. So far the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received approximately 510W
  5,000 responses. We will announce our decisions after the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill has received Royal Assent.

  South West Area Multi-Modal Study
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role the South West Regional Assembly can play in revising the report of the South West Area Multi-Modal Study. [105518]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As Regional Planning Body, the South West Regional Assembly has reported to the Government with its conclusions and recommendations relating to the study. The final decision rests with Government.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Brass Bands
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if it is the policy of the Government that premises owned by brass bands and used for rehearsals and practice should be subject to licensing. [104744]

  Dr. Howells
  Under the Licensing Bill rehearsing or practising of any form of entertainment would not be licensable unless it is intended to be provided for the public or a charge was made for a private audience. Other users of, for instance, a village hall, passing through the practice or rehearsal area would not trigger the licensing requirements.

  Commercial Confidentiality
  Rob Marris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance her Department issues to civil servants on how to deal with claims from organisations that the information they provide to the Department is commercially confidential. [105553]

  Dr. Howells
  Procurement in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is the responsibility of procurement staff qualified by examination and experience and who, by virtue of the professional training they have received, are able to deal with questions of commercial confidentiality without further guidance.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the expenditure of her Department on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [106311]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department's spend on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002–03 was £29,393.

  External Reports
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list(a) the title and subject, (b) the total cost to her Department and (c) the commissioned author or organisation of each external

  511W
  report commissioned by her Department in each year since 1997. [103712]

  Dr. Howells
  The title and subject, cost and the commissioned author or organisation of each external report commissioned by the Department in each year since 1997 is shown in the following table.

  Year

  Title

  Cost £(including VAT where indicated)

  Author

  1997

  A review of the Ecclesiastical Exemption from listed building controls jointly with the Welsh Office): Listings

  30,000

  John Newman

  1998

  A study to assess the economic impact of Government policies for digital television and for the closure of analogue transmission: Broadcasting

  137,996.93

  National Economic Research Associates

  1998

  A feasibility study for compiling a tourism satellite account for the United Kingdom: Tourism

  not known

  Cambridge Policy consultants and Geoff Broom Associates

  1999

  Coalfields and the Lottery: Lottery

  113,240

  Tony Gore, Gordon Dabinett and Jonathan Breeze Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University

  1999

  Establising a new National Tourism Body for Tourism in England—Report and Action plan: Tourism

  18,000

  Angela Heath

  1999

  The Efficiency and Effectiveness of Government-sponsored Museums and Galleries: Museums and Galleries

  1260,424

  Deloitte Touche and Lord Cultural Resources and Planning

  1999

  Review of the future funding of the BBC: Broadcasting

  not known

  Gavyn Davies

  2000

  Improving Lottery Funding Access and Delivery in the British Coalfield: Lottery

  130,475

  Tony Gore, Gordon Dabinett and Jonathan Breeze Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University

  2000

  Out of the Box—The Programme Supply Market in the Digital Age—Broadcasting

  176,051.88

  David Graham and Associates

  2000

  Review of the BBC's Financial Projections: Broadcasting

  123,4847

  PKF

  2001

  A study into the Social Impacts of Lottery good cause spending in the UK: Lottery

  121,296.95

  Graeme Evans and Phyllidia Shaw, Centre for Leisure and Tourism Studies, University of North London

  2001

  Future of the Royal Park Constabulary—The Speed Report: Royal Parks Agency

  20,950

  Anthony Speed

  2001

  Review of the Tote privitisation sale strategy/An updated assessment reflection of the Tote's current financial projections and business plan: Gambling

  20,000

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  2001

  To quantify the enviromental and cost saving benefits of waste minimisation in the hotels sector: Tourism

  19,900

  AEA Technology

  2001

  Review of the BBC's Fair Trading Commitment and Commercial Policy: Broadcasting

  not known

  Michael Whish

  2001

  English National Stadium Review—Interim Report2

  46,000

  Patrick Carter

  2002

  UK Television Programme Supply review

  25,0000

  ITC

  2002

  Final Evaluation of the Travel Cumbria Project: Tourism

  4,995

  Halcrow Fox

  2002

  The Economic Impact of Tourism—North East pilot study: NE England Economy

  10,000

  Trends Business Research with Cogentsi

  2002

  Independent Review of BBC News 24: Broadcasting

  139,473.4

  Richard Lambert

  2002

  Lessons Learned—Review of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester Final Report—December 20023

  0

  KPMG

  2002

  English National Stadium Review—Final Report4

  346,000

  Patrick Carter

  2002

  Survey of Public Opinion on a London 2012 Olympic Bids5

  37,750

  ICM Polling

  2003

  Considering the potential taxation implications arising from he planned transfer of assets upon abolition of the Levy Board: Horserace Betting Levy Board

  5,023

  PKF

  2003

  E-commerce Impact Study on the Tourism Sector: Tourism5

  0

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  1 Indicates that VAT has been charged

  2 This figure includes the costs of the Review of the National Athletics Centre for Sport England.

  3 Jointly commissioned by DCMS, Sport England and Manchester city council in August 2002. The cost of the report was met from Games funding to which DCMS contributed but there is no direct, invoiced cost to us

  4 Published 16 October 2002. Costs of the Review process from 19 December 2001 to present day

  5 Although commissioned by the Department, this report was paid for by ukonline.

  The costs of these reports could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
  512W
  An "external report" has been interpreted as being a report produced at the request of government by a person, group or organisation external to the department, and which is publicly available. These costs are exclusive of any costs incurred by the Department in the publication of these reports which could have been obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  National Lottery
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what awards have been made to the Battersea constituency by the distributing bodies of the National Lottery in each of the last five years. [105641]

  Mr. Caborn
  According to the National Lottery awards database, which is based upon the information provided by the Lottery distributors, the number of awards that have been made to the Battersea constituency by each of the National Lottery good causes in the last five calendar years is set out in the following table:

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Arts

  5

  9

  18

  14

  14

  Charitable expenditure

  5

  13

  3

  11

  12

  Health, education and the environment

  0

  1

  5

  6

  5

  Heritage

  2

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Millennium

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Sports

  0

  1

  3

  3

  1

  Sports Facilities
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she is taking to(a) increase and (b) refurbish sports facilities in London; and if she will make a statement. [105598]

  Mr. Caborn
  Local authorities a re the key providers of sport and recreation facilities in their areas. For that reason they are responsible for making the difficult judgments about what sports facilities to provide at the expense of local taxpayers, and the decisions about the renovation of local facilities.

  Significant investment from the National Lottery has helped to create new state of the art community sports facilities. Local authorities may apply to the Lottery Sports Fund for grants for the creation of new sports facilities, and the upgrading of existing facilities to increase participation. London boroughs have received 201 grants from the Lottery Sports Fund's Community Capital Fund totalling over £249.5 million, for projects costing over £675 million.

  Local education authorities in the London boroughs will also benefit from the New Opportunities Fund's PE and Sport programme which aims to bring about a step change in the provision of sports facilities for young people and for the local community. The New Opportunities Fund provisionally allocated funding to each local education authority area to ensure that funding is available for projects in all parts of the country. Local education authorities in London have been allocated £81,286,000 under the programme.

  The Government's planning guidance to local authorities (PPG 17) requires local planning authorities to undertake assessments to determine what deficiencies exist in their areas and to remedy those deficiencies in provision via their plans and planning decisions.

TRANSPORT

  Air Travel (Environmental Taxation)
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact he estimates a reduction in passenger demand for air travel as a result of the introduction of proposals to introduce environmental taxation on air travel, outlined in Aviation and the Environment, would have on Government estimates of passenger demand cited in 'The Future Development of Air Transport in the South East'. [105240]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There would be no material difference as this has already been taken into account. Demand forecasts in The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom' consultation document took into account aviation's contribution to climate change, by far the most significant environmental cost. They did so by assuming a CO2 tax in place by 2015 to internalise aviation's climate change costs.

  The recent discussion paper 'Aviation and the Environment: Using Economic Instruments' cites a figure of £1.4 billion as the estimated annual cost of aviation's contribution to climate change. The costs are similar to the value of the CO2tax, which was assumed in the demand forecasts.

  Brighton West Pier
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from English Heritage in respect of the proposed Brighton West Pier Harbour Revision Order. [105381]

  Mr. Jamieson
  None.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce a decision on the proposed Harbour Revision Order for the Brighton West Pier. [105382]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There is one outstanding objection to this application and the Harbours Act 1964 requires that when this is the case, an inquiry must be held. If the applicants apply for an inquiry now, a decision on the Harbour Revision Order could be made within five to six months.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the need for repair to and restoration of the Brighton West Pier in considering the Harbour Revision Order; [105408]
  (2) what assessment he has made of the decision of Brighton and Hove City Council's Planning Applications Sub-Committee of 26 February 2003, in relation to the Brighton West Pier and the subsequent decision of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the West Pier Planning Application in considering the proposed West Pier Harbour Revision Order. [105407]

  Mr. Jamieson
  None. The Secretary of State will receive advice on all relevant issues from the Inspector after a public inquiry into the Order, if and when an inquiry is held.

  Central Railway
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has asked the Strategic Rail Authority to amend any aspect of its report delivered in autumn 2002 on the Central Railway proposal. [105550]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No.

  Civil Contingency Planning
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's(a) responsibilities and (b) assets with regard to civil contingency planning; what funds are committed; what action he is taking within his Department to improve such planning; and what action he is taking in collaboration with other departments. [102623]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 21 March 2003 Official Report, columns 957–58. Following a recent internal review the Department has increased its capacity for handling civil contingency planning by establishing a dedicated team within its Defence and Civil Contingency Planning Division. The overall resource for the current year is around £850,000 and will increase by £150,000 for 2003–04 mainly to reflect the increased work on civil contingency planning.

  The Civil Contingency Planning team is reviewing the Department's role with the transport sector's own contingency planning. It is also working closely with Whitehall committees, Government Departments and Government Offices on developing civil contingency issues and responses to such events, as demonstrated by the co-operation during the current fire fighters dispute and recent exercises. The team is also working closely on the improvement of the department's own contingency plan. The Department will also continue to play an active role in Government exercises.

  Civil Service Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what grades in the Civil Service in his Department are allowed to travel by air(a) first class and (b) business class at public expense when on official duties. [104965]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Staff in my Department must use the most efficient and economic means of travel commensurate with meeting operational needs.

  Staff may only use first class air travel where it is unavoidable, for instance:

  (a) it is necessary to travel in the company of someone else who is travelling first class

  (b) there is an urgent business at short notice where no other class of ticket is available.

  Business class air travel can be used by staff in the following circumstances:

  Internal flights

  (a) they are a member of the Senior Civil Service at pay band 2 or higher

  (b) no tickets are available in economy class and the business need is urgent.

  516W
  Overseas flights

  (a) the duration of the flight is more than 2½ hours

  (b) strict application of the rules might not be cost effective and can be justified by a saving in time or subsistence.

  Staff may also use business class travel if:

  (a) the facilities provided in economy class do not meet their needs in that they are pregnant, suffering from a temporary or permanent disability or because of their physical stature.

  (b) it is necessary to travel in the company of someone else who is travelling business class.

  (c) they are a member of the Senior Civil Service who transferred to my Department from the Treasury Solicitor's Department and have reserved rights.

  Communications Masts
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many communications masts will be required for the new GSM-R digital network. [105416]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I understand that Network Rail is upgrading its analogue radio systems network of around 1,400 telecommunications masts to a national digital network of approximately 2,000 masts. The increased number arises from the extended coverage of the new system across the entire rail network, including all tunnels and cuttings.

  Departmental Conferences
  Mr. John Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the(a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by his Department and which took place on non-departmental premises in the last 12 months, broken down by title, purpose, date and cost. [104275]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  External Reports
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) the title and subject, (b) the total cost to his Department and (c) the commissioned author or organisation of each external report commissioned by his Department and its predecessors in each year since 1997. [103725]

  Mr. Spellar
  Information on publications and reports produced by the Department is not broken down to this level of detail. This could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions' annual report in 2001 lists all white and green papers and major policy documents issued by the Department between April 1997 and March 2001.

  A list of the titles published by and for the Department and its predecessors in each year since 1997 is available in the Libraries of the House.

  M5
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on maintaining the M5 in Somerset in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [105520]
  517W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The total works and supervision cost spent on maintaining the M5 in Somerset for(a) 2001–02 was £1,649,416 and for (b) 2002–03 (to date) £4,178,450.

  Spend in 2002–03 is higher because a major road renewal scheme to replace a section of concrete carriageway was carried out south of Junction 26.

  Network Rail
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Network Rail pays(a) corporation tax, (b) income tax and (c) stamp duty; and what the VAT status of Network Rail is. [105118]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Network Rail is treated in the same manner as any other private sector company in relation to these matters.

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements his Department makes for the regulation of private hire vehicle companies employed by local authorities to transport(a) adults and (b) children with (i) autism and (ii) other disabilities. [105209]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Primary legislation requires that private hire vehicle companies must be licensed by district or borough councils, unitary authorities or Transport for London. However, it is a matter for the local authorities making the arrangements with private hire vehicle companies to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place with regard to the carriage of passengers with particular needs.

  Departmental Invoices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions on which(a) his Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department failed to pay valid invoices within 30 days or after the agreed credit period in the financial year 2001–02. [104320]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Information in respect of the financial year 2001–02 is not available as my Department came into being in May 2002. The Department currently has a service delivery agreement target to pay at least 98 per cent. of valid invoices within 30 days of receipt. The overall performance of the Department and its agencies is monitored centrally and corrective action taken when necessary.

  Rail Performance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on changes in rail performance since May 1997. [104938]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Rail performance is measured using the Public Performance Measure (PPM). This takes account of both the punctuality and reliability of trains. The SRA publish PPM data each quarter in National Rail Trends. The latest edition, published Wednesday 12 March, gives information PPM from Q1 1997–1998 to Q3 2002–2003. The document is in the Libraries of the House.
  518W
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement of his policy on minor improvements to the rail network designed to improve reliability of punctuality of services; and how he expects Network Rail and the Strategic Rail Authority to assess the cost and benefits of such minor schemes. [104988]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Securing the development of the rail network is a specific purpose of the Strategic Rail Authority. The Authority's strategic plan, published at the end of January, explains their investment priorities and approach to appraisal. The Authority must ensure that any expenditure from their budget is affordable and provides value for money. As stated in their directions and guidance, the Authority's assessment of value for money should be consistent with Treasury guidance in the green book.

  Rural Roads
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made with the proposals contained in the report, "Development of a Rural Road Hierarchy for Speed Management", published in November 2001. [105963]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Following the publication of the Rural Road Hierarchy Report in November 2001 we are progressing work to improve safety across our rural road network. This includes simplifying the procedures to introduce 30mph village speed limits and the development of a framework to assess what speeds are appropriate, together with surveys of what speeds are actually being driven on rural roads. The first results of this work should be available shortly and will feed into other work, including a review of the guidance on setting speed limits due to start later this year.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish good practice guidance on rural road speed management. [105964]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Guidance on the setting of rural road speed limits already exists in the form of Circular Roads 1/93. This remains good advice. The Government recognise, however, the need to build in the new experiences gained over the last 10 years. Work is due to start on revised guidance later this year. This will incorporate the on-going work to address the problems associated with vehicle speeds on rural roads.

  Airport Noise
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to monitor aircraft disturbance around airports, with particular reference to Stansted; and what plans his Department has for improving existing measures. [105241]

  Mr. Jamieson
  At Stansted, as at Gatwick and Heathrow, the noise climate is monitored by noise exposure contours, published each year to form an aircraft noise index. There are also fixed and mobile noise monitors in the vicinity of each airport which are part of the Noise and Track-keeping (NTK) system operated by BAA plc.
  519W
  The contours are determined by a computer model which calculates the emission and propagation of noise, using a database that is regularly updated with operational data gathered at the airports.

  The location of the fixed noise monitors was determined after a lengthy review and consultation on the departure noise limits and associated monitoring arrangements was announced on 18 December 2000, Official Report, columns 11–12W. In announcing that decision, my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin), confirmed the commencement of a further review of both monitoring efficiency and of the departure noise limits. The findings of that review will be published shortly.

  The mobile noise monitors are used to collect data for technical studies by the Civil Aviation Authority, for information gathering and to investigate local problems. At Stansted, as at Gatwick and Heathrow, it is normal practice for the deployment of monitors for local purposes to be discussed at meetings of the NTK working group on which local people are represented by members of the airport consultative committee.

  Stansted Airport
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment of alternative runway mode has been undertaken in connection with the proposals for three additional runways at Stansted Airport outlined in 'The Future of Air Transport in the South East'. [105242]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The option for three new runways at Stansted that was developed for the SERAS study provides for four runways arranged in two close parallel pairs. For the purposes of the study certain assumptions were made about the operation of the runways. The assumptions are set out in the SERAS Stage 1 report (option 7 on page 214), which is publicly available.

  One runway in each pair would be used for take-offs, the other for landings. In the case of the western pair, the outer (new) runway would be staggered to the northeast of the existing runway. On the basis that landing aircraft should land on the first runway they encounter, aircraft would land on the outer runway in westerly operations and the inner runway in easterly operations.

  The eastern pair would not be staggered so either runway could be used for landings and take-offs.

  The SERAS study did not appraise other possible ways of operating the runways. Consultees may wish to comment on these assumptions and any other aspect of the options for Stansted.

  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments his Department has made of the potential cost to public funds of a significant transfer of Heathrow's long haul and USA scheduled services to Stansted airport, if a second runway were to be built there.[105243]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No detailed assessment has been made. Chapter 15 of 'The Future Development of Air Transport—South East' consultation document considers issues relating to the funding of one or more new runways at Stansted and gives examples of the sort of Government action that might be required to allow Stansted to be developed as a hub.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese authorities concerning the treatment of Tibetan political prisoners. [105244]

  Mr. Rammell
  We have raised specific cases of Tibetan prisoners three times this year, in both London and Beijing.

  We raise Human Rights concerns both publicly and privately with the Chinese Government. We raise individual cases of concern, both Tibetan and Chinese, with the Chinese authorities in the context of the biannual UK/China Human Rights Dialogue, the last round of which was held in London in November 2002. We expect the next round to take place in May.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications of the presidential election in Cyprus for the future of the Annan plan. [99611]

  Mr. MacShane
  President Papadopoulos has taken a constructive approach towards the UN process. At the meeting in The Hague on 10–11 March, he was prepared to put the UN Secretary-General's plan to referendum.

  Detention (France)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received about UK citizens held(a) in remand and (b) following conviction in French prisons in the last 12 months. [105779]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We regularly receive representations on behalf of British citizens held in prisons in France. These are often from families concerned about members of their family. We look into the details of each case on an individual basis. We do not record statistics on the points raised by the hon. Member.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK lorry drivers are held(a) on remand and (b) in prison following conviction in France. [105777]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are currently 24 British lorry drivers held on remand in prisons in France and 25 British lorry drivers who are in prison following conviction.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens are held(a) on remand and (b) in custody following conviction in France; and what proportion of (a) and (b) was for drug offences. [105778]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are currently 79 British citizens held on remand in France and 107 British citizens who have been convicted and are serving prison sentences in France. 68 per cent. of the British citizens detained both on remand and sentenced are being held on charges related to drugs.

  Iraq
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what. steps he will take to ensure that in the Iraqi conflict, the 4th Geneva Convention of 1949 requiring that any force that occupies all or part of a territory has to ensure the provision of food, medical supplies and the maintenance of hygiene and public health is adhered to. [104874]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been asked to reply.

  We take our responsibilities to the Iraqi people extremely seriously and British forces have played a vital role in the effort to liberate the port of Urn Qasr, which will be a major point of entry for humanitarian aid into Iraq.

  Until the security situation in Iraq stabilises sufficiently to allow the full deployment of civilian aid agencies, United Kingdom forces will, where they are able, deliver emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq in full accordance with their obligations under the Geneva and Hague Conventions. The military has made extensive preparations for this, with the assistance of experts from the Department for International Development.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the source of evidence passed to the UN inspectors in Iraq in support of the allegation that Iraq had attempted to obtain uranium from Niger; and if he will make a statement. [105302]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information was passed to the UN weapons inspection teams from a number of sources. The documents referred to by Dr. El-Baradei in his presentation to the UN Security Council on 7 March 2003 came from only one of those sources. These were not documents provided by the UK. We continue to have confidence that the information provided by a variety of sources demonstrates a clear intention by Iraq to procure uranium to restart a covert nuclear programme.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what contingency plans are in place(a) to supply British citizens who remain in Kuwait with emergency supplies and (b) to evacuate such people; [105249]

  (2) how many British citizens remain in Kuwait; what advice he has given them; and what safety equipment has been made available to them. [105250]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We advise against all travel to Kuwait. British nationals are urged to leave while commercial flights remain available. Kuwait airport remains open.

  Kuwaiti authorities say that there are no shortages of food or water. There are food stocks to feed the entire population (including expatriates) for several months. Ports are fully functional. The border with Saudi Arabia is open for the overland shipment of imports. Food aid shipments are being made into southern Iraq.
  522W
  On 11 March 2003, the number of British citizens registered at our embassy in Kuwait was 3,170. By 24 March 2003, 888 citizens had left. There will be some who have not registered, or have left without informing the embassy. Those who remain in Kuwait despite our travel advice are advised to follow the safety instructions of the emergency services in the event of a chemical or biological incident.

  I am advised that safety equipment needs to be adequate. However, only a full NBC suit, plus the full training needed to use it, would provide safety. A gas mask and other equipment of themselves might provide a false sense of security without the full NBC suit.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to Kuwait about the use of the Kuwait Compensation Fund for the post-war reconstruction of Iraq. [105264]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The purpose of the UN Commission for Compensation is to compensate for losses arising out of the illegal invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1991. The reconstruction of post-war Iraq will require funds from the wider international community.

  Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2003, Official Report, column 727, on OPCW, what information the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has given the UK Government about when budgetary contributions should be paid. [105362]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The timelines for payment are in the OPCW's Financial Regulation 5.4. This states that contributions to the budget are payable in full within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment or on the first day of the financial period to which they relate, whichever is later. However, at 28 February 2003, 85 states parties had not paid anything towards their 2003 assessments.

  Pensions
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) funded and (b) unfunded public sector pension schemes for which his Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies are responsible; when the last actuarial valuation was of each scheme; what the value was of the assets at the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; what deficit is disclosed by the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; and if he will make a statement. [104934]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK based staff employed by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office are members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) and related schemes. These schemes are managed under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972, by the Civil Service Pensions Division of the Cabinet Office, on behalf of HM Treasury. The audited accounts of the PCSPS for 2001–2002 were laid before the House on 21 January 2003 by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
  523W
  Of the non-departmental public bodies for which the Foreign & Commonwealth Office is responsible, the staff of the British Council, the Great Britain China Centre and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy are similarly members of the PCSPS and related schemes. Staff of the Britain-Russia Centre and the British Association for Central and Eastern Europe receive an enhancement to their individual salaries in lieu of having pension arrangements.

  Various different pension arrangements exist for local staff at United Kingdom Missions abroad. Readily available information on such schemes is as follows:

  £

  Country

  Date of valuation

  Assets

  Future liabilities

  Belgium

  2000

  2,168,000

  1,847,000

  Canada

  2001

  3,902,000

  3,383,000

  Irish republic

  2001

  1,316,000

  1,486,000

  Jamaica

  2001

  247,000

  206,000

  South Africa

  2000

  1,713,000

  1,103,000

  USA

  2002

  30,220,000

  36,320,000

  To obtain the information requested in respect of other schemes elsewhere abroad, would incur disproportionate costs.

  Somalia
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is providing to establish a new reconciliation committee to address human rights, war crimes and transitional justice in Somalia. [105620]

  Mr. Straw
  The UK is playing a leading role among international observers in assisting Ambassador Kiplagat, the new Kenyan chair of the Somali National Reconciliation Conference. The UK contributed £25,000 to conference costs. Addressing past human rights abuses is critical to resolution of the Somali conflict. However, the timing and way in which these issues are addressed is a matter for the Somalis.

  Telecommunications Network
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk of short term disruption to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Telecommunications Network in the event of the failure of the providing company; and if he will make a statement. [105186]

  Mr. Rammell
  Since the FCO's private sector supplier, Global Crossing, went into Chapter 11 proceedings in the US, the FCO has taken steps to ensure continuity of the FTN service. Contingency arrangements are in place to allow the FCO's essential services to continue to operate should Global Crossing, for any reason, withdraw their service. We are closely monitoring the company's progress towards exit from Chapter 11.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the(a) telephone system and (b) network connections were provided as part of the Foreign and Commonwealth
  524W
  Office Telecommunications Network to the British Embassies in (i) Egypt, (ii) Syria, (iii) Jordan and (iv) Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [105185]

  Mr. Rammell
  The installations of the telephone systems and network connections at the embassies in Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Turkey were completed, under the FTN contract, by Global Crossing as follows:

  Embassy

  FTN Network Connection

  Telephone Systems Installed under FTN

  Amman

  21 December 2000

  11 March 19991

  Ankara

  26 March 2002

  None2

  Cairo

  12 March 2002

  None2

  Damascus

  24 May 2002

  21 October 2001

  1 The telephone installation at Amman was completed prior to signing the FTN contract with Global Crossing. The installation was completed under the 'Instruction to proceed' process to ensure Year 2000 software compliance.

  2 Legacy telephone systems are in service at the Embassies in Ankara and Cairo. These telephone systems were installed prior to the FTN contract being signed and are still operating within their expected design life. Both systems are connected to the new network allowing embassy staff to benefit from the full range of FTN services and facilities.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Western Sahara. [105982]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 25 March 2003, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1469, extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 May 2003 and requesting that the Secretary-General report by 19 May on the situation in the territory. James Baker, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, is currently considering the parties' formal responses to his most recent proposal. Neither proposal nor responses have been made public.

PRIME MINISTER

  10 Downing street
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister how many times 10 Downing street has been used for charitable functions in the last 12 months; for which organisations; and how much money was raised in each case. [105653]

  The Prime Minister
  Since 2002, 38 charity receptions have been held at 10 Downing street, including events for Sane, Sight Savers International, Prisoners of Conscience, Saving Faces and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Fund-raising is a matter for the charities concerned.

  Assassination (Government Policy)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Prime Minister what the policy of Her Majesty's Government is on assassination of(a) civil and (b) military public figures. [105222]

  The Prime Minister
  Our policy is to act in accordance with UK and international law.

  Committee on Standards in Public Life
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the Committee on Standards in Public Life has to receive his approval before undertaking an inquiry. [105274]

  The Prime Minister
  The position remains as set out in the report of the Quinquennial Review of the Committee on Standards in Public Life published in January 2001, which is: "Both it (the Committee) and the Government have been free to propose topics, and the programme of work has been established after consultation between the Committee and the Government".

  E-envoy
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the meetings he has had with the e-Envoy since the office was created. [105631]

  The Prime Minister
  I have regular meetings with; civil servants and others on a wide range of subjects, and will continue to do so. As with previous Governments, it is not my practice to provide details of confidential discussions, under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he had regarding Gibraltar with the Prime Minister of Spain; and if he will make a statement. [106420]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 27 March 2003,Official Report, column 309W.

  IRA Murders (South Armagh)
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Prime Minister what reports he has received from the Victims Group FAIR concerning a number of IRA murders committed in South Armagh; and what progress has been made in the police investigation into each of these murders. [106065]

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, I have not received any reports from FAIR on this issue specifically. Currently, the Police Service Northern Ireland are employing a group of former detectives in a civilian capacity to review the case files of a number of unsolved murders in the South Armagh area. It is not the Government's policy to comment on this on-going review.

  Iraq
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has discussed with President Bush the return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq to assist the task of accounting for Saddam Hussein's alleged stocks of weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement. [106056]

  The Prime Minister
  I continue to discuss the full range of Iraq issues regularly with President Bush, including how to resolve outstanding disarmament issues.
  526W
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on the use of war to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. [106055]

  The Prime Minister
  The UK has never sought to use military means to enforce disarmament without first having exhausted all other avenues open to us.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on paragraphs(a) two and (b) three on the Al-Amn Al-Askari military security service in Iraq in the dossier, "Iraq—its infrastructure of concealment, deception and intimidation", published on 3 February. [105590]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 583W, and Prime Minister's Questions on 12 February 2003.

  Poland
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit Poland. [105651]

  The Prime Minister
  It will be important to work with Poland and other countries about to join the European Union. I hope to visit again in the future.

  Special Advisers
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names of his special advisers. [105652]

  The Prime Minister
  At 28 March, the following special advisers are currently in post in my office:

  Andrew Adonis

  Arnab Banerji

  Phil Bassett

  David Bradshaw

  Alastair Campbell

  Hilary Coffman

  Patrick Diamond

  Matthew Elson

  Kate Garvey

  Sarah Hunter

  Peter Hyman

  Katie Kay

  Roger Liddle

  Liz Lloyd

  Chris McShane

  Fiona Millar

  Sally Morgan

  Joanna Nadin

  Geoff Norris

  Carey Oppenheim

  Jonathan Powell

  Catherine Rimmer

  Justin Russell

  Derek Scott

  Carl Shoben

  Simon Stevens

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants have been employed by(a) his department and (b) each of its agencies and non departmental bodies in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92357]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, the hon. Member for Paisley, South on 23 January 2003,Official Report, column 333W, for HCS staff. In addition, the overall figures for the Northern Ireland Office for N ICS and HCS are collated in September of each year and are as follows:

  Total

  1994–95

  5,705

  1995–96

  4,779

  1996–97

  4,590

  1997–98

  4,446

  1998–99

  4,232

  1999–00

  3,929

  2000–2001

  3,306

  2001–02

  3,318

  2002–03

  3,361

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Northern Ireland Departments

  15,980

  8,869

  7,630

  7,230

  6,820

  6,943

  8,667

  9,102

  Sponsored agencies:

  Business Development Service

  —

  —

  259

  227

  238

  278

  268

  266

  Child Support Agency

  1,044

  968

  1,151

  1,229

  1,206

  1,424

  1,470

  1,612

  Construction Service

  —

  725

  690

  576

  557

  516

  509

  507

  Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency

  242

  253

  261

  275

  297

  320

  351

  398

  Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency

  252

  289

  312

  318

  326

  319

  348

  391

  Environment & Heritage Service

  —

  370

  353

  352

  360

  354

  372

  410

  Forest Service

  —

  —

  —

  —

  412

  395

  387

  372

  Government Purchasing Agency

  —

  58

  68

  72

  91

  100

  79

  89

  Industrial Research & Technology Unit

  149

  156

  152

  143

  141

  148

  154

  171

  Land Registers for NI

  —

  230

  220

  205

  199

  195

  194

  201

  NI Health & Social Services Estates Agency1

  —

  125

  117

  120

  117

  114

  119

  119

  NI Statistics & Research Agency

  —

  107

  125

  177

  219

  255

  290

  301

  Ordnance Survey NI

  195

  192

  179

  177

  178

  175

  176

  179

  Planning Service

  —

  422

  407

  386

  420

  452

  484

  529

  Public Record Office NI

  90

  91

  80

  62

  67

  68

  70

  69

  Rate Collection Agency

  286

  282

  252

  256

  250

  233

  238

  234

  Rivers Agency

  —

  —

  493

  460

  431

  420

  402

  408

  Roads Service

  —

  2,379

  2,269

  2,207

  2,163

  2,162

  2,175

  2,230

  Social Security Agency

  5,655

  5,699

  5,799

  5,555

  5,582

  5,526

  5,732

  6,091

  Training & Employment Agency

  1,318

  1,334

  1,200

  1,318

  1,365

  1,269

  —

  —

  Valuation and Lands Agency

  317

  313

  288

  270

  222

  267

  268

  279

  Water Service

  —

  2,384

  2,353

  2,278

  2,228

  2,216

  2,176

  2,202

  Sub Total

  9,548

  16,377

  17,028

  16,663

  17,069

  17,206

  16,262

  17,058

  1 Average figures.

  Northern Ireland Civil Service

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Northern Ireland Departments

  15,980

  8,869

  7,630

  7,230

  6,820

  6,943

  8,667

  9,102

  Sponsored Agencies:

  Non-Departmental Bodies:

  Certificate Office

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  Commission for Racial Equality

  —

  —

  —

  5

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Health & Safety Executive for NI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  68

  76

  76

  Local Enterprise & Development Unit

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental Health Commission

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  7

  7

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  5

  3

  4

  3

  1

  —

  —

  Office for the Regulation of Electricity & Gas

  14

  14

  19

  19

  23

  28

  15

  14

  528W
  NDPBs are generally supported by civil servants from their sponsor departments, and do not employ their own staff with exception of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Juvenile Justice Board. The figures for the NIO agencies and NDPBs are collated in September of each year and are as follows:

  Compensation agency

  Forensic science Northern Ireland

  NI prison service

  Probation board for Northern Ireland

  Juvenile justice board

  1994–95

  149

  126

  4,265

  2

  0

  1995–96

  132

  125

  3,515

  1

  0

  1996–97

  131

  123

  3,377

  1

  0

  1997–98

  120

  122

  3,212

  1

  0

  1998–99

  139

  125

  3,085

  1

  0

  1999–2000

  128

  123

  2,720

  1

  0

  2000–01

  138

  128

  2,123

  1

  0

  2001–02

  141

  137

  2,143

  1

  0

  2002–03

  137

  131

  2,137

  1

  2

  The following table shows the number of civil servants (permanent and temporary, non-industrial and industrial employees) in Northern Ireland Administration bodies from 1994–95 until 2001–02, with figures for each agency and non-departmental body shown separately. Only those non-departmental bodies employing civil servants have been included. Statistics for 2002–03 are not yet available.
  529W

  Northern Ireland Civil Service

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Planning/Water Appeals Commission

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13

  Sub Total

  30

  28

  34

  37

  37

  106

  98

  110

  Total NICS staff

  25,558

  25,274

  24,692

  23,930

  23,926

  24,255

  25,027

  26,270

  Note:

  The absence of a yearly figure in the table indicates that the agency/NDPB was not in existence at that time.

  Entertainment
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the total spending of his Department on all forms of entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92358]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The estimated total spend by the Northern Ireland Office (excluding its agencies and NDPBs)on all forms of entertainment in each financial year from 1994–95 to 2002–03 is set out in the table:

  £

  Year

  Total

  1994–95

  190,300

  1995–96

  195,205

  1996–97

  214,363

  1997–98

  214,473

  1998–99

  322,853

  1999–2000

  320,230

  2000–01

  246,517

  2001–02

  221,477

  2002–03

  1255,875

  1 To date (full year estimate £325,000)

  Entertainment at public expense is provided using very strict criteria. A necessary pre-condition for any entertainment or hospitality to be financed from public funds is that it will be in the direct interests of the Northern Ireland Office and/or its Agencies. The facility to offer official entertainment or hospitality is used sparingly and is carefully monitored.

  The estimated total spend by the Northern Ireland Administration on all forms of entertainment in each financial year from 1994–95 to 2002–03 is set out in the table:

  £

  Year

  Total

  1994–95

  245,377

  1995–96

  407,248

  1996–97

  466,995

  1997–98

  453,807

  1998–99

  480,317

  1999–2000

  493,729

  2000–01

  595,261

  2001–02

  534,712

  2002–03

  1479,036

  1 To date

  Further Education
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the information and communication technology strategy for further education has achieved its targets in terms of the number of full-time equivalent further education lecturers per networked PC. [103332]
  530W
  Jane Kennedy
  The information and communications technology strategy set a target of one networked PC to every three full-time equivalent FE Lecturers. While there are variances between colleges, the target has been exceeded for the sector as a whole with one networked PC to every 1.94 FE lecturers.

  Grammar Schools
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will instruct a Minister from his Department to meet representatives of the grammar school sector in Northern Ireland to discuss arrangements relating to selection and entry to those schools; and if he will make a statement. [104647]

  Jane Kennedy
  Diary pressures have restricted my meetings on the post-primary review to Northern Ireland political parties. However, in December I hosted a dinner for the main education sector interests, including the Governing Bodies Association representing the views of the voluntary grammar schools, to hear at first hand views on how best to take the review forward. In recent months my officials have met representatives of the GBA on four occasions and with representatives of grammar school principals on three occasions on this issue, most recently on Wednesday 26 March. My officials keep me fully advised of the views of the grammar school sector and I do not believe a meeting is necessary at the present time.

  Laptops
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many laptop computers were used by(a) Ministers and special advisers and (b) officials in his Department in each year since 1995; how many were (i) lost and (ii) stolen; what their cost was; and if he will make a statement. [97501]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office has purchased the following number of laptops:

  (£)

  Year

  No. Laptops purchased

  Stolen

  Cost of laptops stolen

  1996–97

  25

  1997–98

  28

  1998–99

  34

  1999–00

  55

  1

  1,500.00

  2000–01

  30

  2001–02

  18

  2002–03

  17

  1

  1,500.00

  Total:

  207

  Records show that the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was provided with a laptop in 1999–2000. The current Secretary of State's special adviser has been provided with a laptop. Neither the current Secretary of State nor Ministers have laptops

  531W
  provided by the Northern Ireland Office. In the period from 1999 to date Ministers' offices were provided with a total of seven laptops. Detailed information prior to 1999 is not available.

  No laptops have been reported as lost. Two laptops have been reported as stolen.Each cost in the region of £1,500.

  Laptops used by:

  Year

  Minister and special advisers (2 December 1999 to 11 February 2000 30 May 2000 to 14 October 2002)

  Officials

  Lost

  Stolen

  Cost of Laptops lost/stolen

  1995–96

  297

  1996–97

  314

  1

  1

  2,000

  1997–98

  367

  2

  2,675

  1998–99

  415

  1

  1,546

  1999–2000

  8

  814

  2

  1

  3,812

  2000–01

  13

  931

  8

  17

  35,494

  2001–02

  12

  1,114

  9

  10.745

  2002–03 (to 17/02/03)

  13

  1,040

  7

  1

  4,750

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the total expenditure by his Department on ministerial travel(a) in the UK and (b) abroad, in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (estimated); and if he will make a statement. [92490]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office follow Cabinet Office guidance on this matter. The guidance states, "Since 1999 this Government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government has also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.

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

  Detailed information requested in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

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

  The estimated total expenditure by the devolved Northern Ireland Administration on ministerial travel between 2 December 1999–11 February 2000 and 30 May 2000–14 October 2002 was £363,630.69.

  A breakdown of the figures for Northern Ireland Administration departments is shown in the table.

  UK

  Abroad

  DOE

  2,554.50

  1,010.17

  DFP

  281.00

  5,253.00

  DETI

  6,591.35

  102,912.19

  DRD

  2,879.00

  10,375.00

  DARD

  1,749.28

  19,445.02

  532W
  For the Northern Ireland Administration, the number of laptop computers used, lost and stolen in, each year since 1995 by Ministers, special advisers and officials are set out in the table. The information relating to Ministers and special advisers in the Northern Ireland Administration is for the periods of devolution only. In the case of one department figures are not available prior to 1998.

  UK

  Abroad

  DEL

  2,447.35

  9,031.70

  DHSSPS

  1,981.82

  1,756.87

  DE

  1,683.90

  10,683.01

  DSD

  00.00

  00.00

  DCAL

  2,920.75

  4,074.78

  Sub-Totals:

  23,088.95

  164,541.74

  OFMDFM

  2000–01

  160,000.00

  1

  2001–02

  155,000.00

  1

  2002–03

  21,000.00

  40,000.00

  Sub-Totals:

  136,000.00

  40,000.00

  1 The information is not held in the required format

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress made in 2003(a) to increase the number of multiple sclerosis sufferers commencing beta interferon treatment and (b) to provide more specialist staff for multiple sclerosis treatment. [105191]

  Mr. Browne
  There are several disease modifying medicines (three beta interferon products and glatiramer) currently available for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). To meet the needs of all MS patients, including those who have been assessed as suitable for treatment with disease modifying drugs, there is also a requirement to secure the services of professionals with specialist expertise.

  Such treatment is supplied through the regional neurology services based at the Royal Group of Hospitals (RGH). They recently advertised for MS specialist nurses and interviews are scheduled to take place in April 2003. It is anticipated that this will both sustain current services and enhance provision for MS sufferers.

  RGH has appointed two additional pharmacists to commence in April 2003 and a pharmacy technician to enhance services for patients who receive specialist medicines, including disease-modifying drugs. Beyond

  533W
  this, two additional pharmacy members of staff have been appointed to specifically enhance delivery of pharmacy services for MS patients.

  At the end of February 2003, the RGH pharmacy was supplying disease-modifying drugs to 444 patients. This figure does not include patients who are taking a break from treatment for clinical and other reasons, nor those who are being supplied drugs through third party commercial suppliers—for example, a number of additional patients in the Western Health and Social Services Board area have been offered treatment through a contract with a private sector organisation.

  Murder Investigation
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that there is a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding the murder of the son of Mr. David Wright that is fully compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. [106064]

  Jane Kennedy
  The government does not believe that there is a continuing obligation upon it to hold a new, article 2 compliant investigation into a past incident where there has already been an investigation. This position is presently being challenged in the courts, but no final judgment has been reached.

  However, the government is determined to get to the bottom of allegations of collusion once and for all. That is why, in May 2002, the British and Irish governments appointed the Canadian Judge Peter Cory to look at allegations into six high profile cases, including that of Billy Wright, with a view to advising what more needs to be done to establish the truth.

  Numbers (wte) employed in cross border bodies as at 28 February 2003

  Body

  Permanent

  Secondees

  Temporary

  Placements

  Total

  The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

  32

  1

  2

  2

  37

  Waterways Ireland

  299

  2

  15

  —

  316

  The Trade and Business Development Body

  35.6

  1

  —

  —

  36.6

  The Special EU Programmes Body

  27

  3

  —

  —

  30

  The North/South Language Body

  36

  2

  2

  —

  40

  The Food Safety Promotion Board

  20

  1

  5

  1

  27

  Grand total

  486.6

  Staff costs in 2000–02

  £

  Body

  20001

  2001

  2002

  The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

  776,772

  868,930

  864,062

  Waterways Ireland

  3,600,000

  5,600,000

  25,600,000

  The Trade and Business Development Body

  479,134

  906,028

  1,123,446

  The Special EU Programmes Body

  433,409

  587,574

  942,418

  The North/South Language Body

  1,158,516

  1,232,190

  1,325,374

  The Food Safety Promotion Board

  139,000'

  319,000

  471,000

  1 Costs relating to 2000 cover the period 3 December 1999 to 31 December 2000.

  2 Estimate.

  Online Sales/Purchases
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) products, (b) goods and (c) services were (i) bought and (ii) sold online by his Department in each of the last five years. [97445]
  534W
  If Justice Cory, an independent judge of international standing, recommends that a public inquiry needs to be established into any of those cases, then that is what the government will do.

  NHS Patients (Treatment Arrangements)
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many NHS patients from Northern Ireland have been sent outside the Province to(a) the Republic of Ireland, (b) Great Britain and (c) elsewhere over the past year; and what the total cost incurred has been as a result. [105190]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is as follows:

  (a) In the past year 199 patients from Northern Ireland have been sent to the Republic of Ireland for treatment.

  (b)In the past year 1,074 patients from Northern Ireland have been sent to Great Britain for treatment.

  (c)In the past year one patient from Northern Ireland was sent outside of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland for treatment.

  The total costs incurred is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  North/South Implementation Bodies
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff are employed in each of the North/South Implementation Bodies; and what the staff costs were in each year since the bodies were established. [100723]

  Mr. Browne
  Details of the staff employed in the North/South Implementation Bodies as at 28 February 2003 together with staff costs are provided as follows.

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The following table sets out what products, goods were bought online by the Northern Ireland Office in each of the last five years. There have been no services bought online and no online sales.
  535W

  Financial year

  Products/goods

  1998–99

  Specialist electronic components and IT equipment

  1999–2000

  Specialist electronic components and IT equipment

  2000–01

  Specialist electronic components and IT equipment

  2001–02

  Specialist electronic components and IT equipment

  2002–031

  Specialist electronic components and IT equipment

  1 To date

  In addition, the Northern Ireland Office placed electronic orders via EROS (Electronic Requisitioning and Ordering System).

  EROS is not internet based but is a method for sending electronic orders, via telephone lines to contracted suppliers.

  The types of products ordered electronically on EROS over the last five years are as follows:

  Office equipment and machinery

  PCs and printers

  Miscellaneous computer equipment

  Reprographics

  Stationery, IT consumables, paper and printed material

  Publications.

  The following table sets out what products, goods and services were bought online by the Northern Ireland Administration in each of the last five years. There have been no online sales.

  Financial year

  Products/goods

  Services

  1998–99

  IT software/hardware

  —

  1999–2000

  IT software/hardware

  —

  2000–01

  IT software/hardware Books Stationery

  Flights

  2001–02

  IT software/hardware Books Stationery

  Flights

  2002–031

  IT software/hardware

  Flights

  Books

  Hotel

  Stationery

  Accommodation

  1 To date

  In addition, the Northern Ireland Administration placed electronic orders via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

  EDI is not internet based but is a method for sending electronic orders via telephone lines to contracted suppliers.

  The types of products ordered electronically on EDI over the last five years are as follows:

  Bitumen

  Courier services

  Miscellaneous computer equipment

  Office equipment and machinery

  Office machinery maintenance

  Parcel distribution

  PCs and printers

  Postage services

  Printing services

  Publications

  Reprographics

  Road signs

  Stationery, IT consumables, paper and printed material

  536W

  Storage and distribution

  Street lighting

  Tools, equipment and building materials

  Vehicle Maintenance

  Organic Farming
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland w hat progress has been made towards the target for the area of land converted to organic farming by 2006. [104795]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan 2000–2006 included a target that, by 2006, 1,000 farmers would be managing 30,000 hectares organically. At present some 140 producers have 5,200 hectares under organic management.

  Programme for International Student Assessment
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the objective is of the Programme for International Student Assessment; when it was authorised; and by whom. [104511]

  Jane Kennedy
  The international objective of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is to measure how well young people approaching the end of compulsory schooling are prepared to meet the challenges of today's knowledge societies. Through PISA, OECD member countries are collaborating to improve comparative indicators on the performance of education systems. Research and statistics provide the basis for sound, evidence-based policy making. The specific objective of Northern Ireland's participation, over and above enabling UK figures to be produced, is to build up a time series, independent of GCSE results and capable of international comparison, of data on how well pupils in Northern Ireland are performing in reading, maths and science.

  Participation by Northern Ireland in PISA 2000 and PISA 2003 was respectively authorised by my predecessors: Tony Worthington in October 1997 and Martin McGuinness in September 2000.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which schools in Northern Ireland participated in the 2003 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA); on what basis these schools were selected; and what average length of time was taken for each school to complete the PISA. [104512]

  Jane Kennedy
  In keeping with the National Statistics Code of Practice, the identities of schools taking part in the PISA survey are confidential to the Office for National Statistics and the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

  Schools were selected at random in proportion to the number of their pupils born in 1987. The list of schools was first stratified according to the following:
  School type (secondary/grammar/independent)
  Secondary and grammar schools were grouped further according to their GCSE results.
  All the sub-groups thus produced were divided according to the five Education and Library Board areas.

  537W
  PISA assessments and pupil questionnaires take three hours to administer. Principals are also asked to spend 40 minutes on a questionnaire about the school.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost is of the 2003 Programme for International Student Assessment. [104513]

  Jane Kennedy
  The estimated financial cost to the Department of Education is £267,000.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether parents were informed of their child's participation in the Programme for International Student Assessment; and how pa rental consent was obtained. [104515]

  Jane Kennedy
  Each school that agreed to take part in the study nominated a 'School Co-ordinator' who was supplied with a 'School Co-ordinator's Manual' describing all the procedures associated with the study, from the build-up to the survey through to the administration of the test. The school co-ordinator was also provided with letters and leaflets for the parents of each child selected to take part in the survey. The letters were provided in unsealed envelopes, giving the school the option of adding a letter of their own or a reply slip. It was for the school to decide whether to send the letter and leaflet by post to the parents, or give them to the pupils to take home. The information for parents included a clear statement of what the survey was about, its voluntary nature, information for parents on how to withdraw their child from the survey, and information on what was involved and how long it would take.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many working days have been lost due to illness in his Department in(a) 2002 and (b) each of the preceding five years. [90972]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Sick absence statistics for the Northern Ireland civil servants and the home civil servants in the Northern Ireland Office are recorded separately. Figures for home civil servants within the NIO and are recorded as days absence per are not available in the required format. The information available is as follows:

  year

  Days Sick Absence

  Per staff year

  1998

  6.5

  1999

  8.0

  2000

  9.3

  2001

  10.0

  Sick absence statistics for NICS staff in the Northern Ireland Office are analysed by financial year as opposed to calendar year.

  The number of working days lost by NICS staff in the Northern Ireland Office due to illness was 16,394 during 2000–01. Comparable figures are not available for earlier years.
  538W
  The sick absence statistics for 2001–02 for HCS and NICS staff are to be available inthe near future.

  The Northern Ireland Office is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and arange of corporate and departmental initiatives have been and are being taken forwardto reduce the current levels of sickness absence.

  Sick absence statistics for the Northern Ireland Administration are analysed by financialyear as opposed to calendar year. Published statistics for Northern Ireland Departments for the financial year 2000–01 are accessible on the Department's website atwww.dfpni.gov.uk/publications.

  The number of working days lost by NI Departments due to illness was just under 320,000 during 2000/2001 with the comparable figure for 1999–2000 being just over 315,000. Comparable/accurate figures are not available for earlier years. The sick absence statistics for Northern Ireland Departments during 2001–02 are to be published in the near future and will be similarly accessible on the Department's website.

  NI Departments are committed to managing sickness absence effectively and a range of corporate and departmental initiatives have been and are being taken forward to reduce the current levels of sickness absence.

  Smoking in the Workplace
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace. [100921]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office has a well established policy on smoking in the workplace which was first introduced in 1991 and a complete ban on smoking, apart from designated smoking rooms, has been in operation in all NIO premises since 1995. The policy has been supported through participation in the annual no-smoking day campaign and various health awareness events where professional and medical advice and information has been made available to encourage staff who smoke to give it up.

  In Belfast the Department has recently organised a self help group through the local Action Cancer charity to assist staff who wish to stop smoking.

  Within the Northern Ireland Administration smoking is not permitted in any premises occupied by NIGS staff, except in designated smoking rooms. This ban includes public offices, workshops and depots and extends to all areas including single occupancy rooms, training and conference rooms, corridors, toilets, canteens, reception areas and vehicles.

  Telephone Helplines
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many telephone helplines are sponsored by his Department; and which of these helplines are charged at(a) national rate, (b) premium rate and (c) local rate. [95719]
  539W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office sponsors the following Helplines:

  Women's Aid1

  Local or national rate depending on where call is from

  Confidential Telephone

  Freephone

  1 jointly funded by NIO, DHSS and the NI Housing Executive

  The Northern Ireland administration supports 43 telephone helplines. The table provides a breakdown by charge rate.

  National Rate Calls

  DVTA Theory Test minicom service

  Flood Lines Rivers Agency

  Parents Advice Centre Helpline

  Women's Aid Helpline

  Rape Crisis NI Helpline

  Premium Rate Calls

  DVLNI Dealer Information

  Local Rate Calls

  Waterline

  Waterline Textphone

  Roads Service Traffic Watch

  Local Rate Calls continued

  Rural Stress Helpline

  Forest Service

  Rural Development Programme Helpline

  540W

  Farm Census Survey

  Veterinary Service Hotline

  Peace II Helpline

  General Departmental Helpline

  Child Support Agency NI Helpline

  Child Support Agency Eastern Business Unit Helpline

  DVTA Theory Test information/booking

  DVTA MOT2 information

  DVTA fees information

  DELNI Vehicle Registration Hotline

  Non Domestic Revaluation Helpdesk

  Housing Benefit Collection

  Land Web Direct in Land Registers

  Land Register Customer Information Line

  Freephone

  Student Careline

  Course Enquiries

  Fraud Hotline

  Departmental Programmes Helpline

  New Deal for Disabled Persons Helpline

  The learndirect Helpline

  Community Relations

  Victims

  Retirement Pension

  The Organs Enquiry line

  National Drugs Helpline

  Drinkline

  Childline

  Smoking Cessation Telephone Helpline

  National AIDS Helpline

  Child Dental Health Survey

  Housing Benefit Collection Re-assessments

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Adult Education
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adult students in further education colleges are studying for(a) a vocational and (b) an academic qualification at (i) level 1, (ii) level 2, (iii) level 3 and (iv) level 4 or above in each of the Learning and Skills Council areas. [104078]

  Margaret Hodge
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and will place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  Curriculum
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which core subjects make up the core curriculum of the National Curriculum; and if he will make a statement. [105832]

  Mr. Miliband
  The core subjects of the National Curriculum are English, mathematics and science. The non-core foundation subjects of the National Curriculum are history, geography, design and technology, modern foreign languages, information and communication technology, art and design, music, physical education and citizenship. There is also a requirement for schools to teach religious education, sex education and careers education as part of the wider school curriculum.

  Early Years Education
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many three-year-olds had free early years education places providing five or more sessions of education per week in each year since 1997, broken down by Local Education Authority. [104599]

  Maria Eagle
  [holding answer 24 March 2003]: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  The latest figures on early years provision in England were published by my Department in the Statistical Bulletin 08/02 "Provision For Children Under Five Years Of Age In England—January 2002", copies of which are available from the Library and my Department's web-site, www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.

  Financial Returns
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the average lifetime financial return of(a) a single female, (b) a married female, (c) a married man, (d) a member of an ethnic minority and (e) those who were on full maintenance support at university. [102531]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department has not made any estimates of the average lifetime financial return for the specific groups named. Higher education is a good 542W
  investment and the White Paper, "The Future of Higher Education", highlighted how those with higher education qualifications earn on average around 50 per cent. more than non-graduates. There will inevitably be some variation in individual lifetime returns because graduate earnings are influenced by a number of factors, including subject studied, institution attended, occupational choices, and other personal characteristics and demographic factors.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what research the Government has carried out to compare lifetime earnings of graduates with those who had the qualifications to go to university but chose not to; [102532]

  (2) what recent estimate he has made of the average lifetime financial return of (a) a university graduate and (b) a person with two A levels. [102539]

  Margaret Hodge
  The White Paper, "The Future of Higher Education", highlighted how those with higher education qualifications earn on average around 50 per cent. more than non-graduates. Higher education is undoubtedly a good investment. Our estimate of the average additional earnings of those who get two or more 'A' Levels but choose not to go to university is £120,000.

  However, nine out of 10 of those who obtain two or more 'A' Levels go to university. We have no analysis of how the small minority of one in 10 differ from the majority, so comparisons should be treated with caution.

  Jamia Rehmania
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what applications for financial help have been made to the Learning and Skills Council since its inception by Jamia Rehmania. [105353]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 27 March 2003]: Information about requests for funding received by the Learning Skills Council (LSC) is the responsibility of the Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will reply to the hon. Member providing the information requested, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Higher Education
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people entered higher education from(a) Doncaster, (b) Barnsley and (c) South Yorkshire in each year since 1997. [101697]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest available information is shown in the table.
  543W

  Accepted applicants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate course by area of home residence

  Year of entry

  Students from:

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Doncaster

  991

  1,000

  1,036

  1,005

  1,180

  1,070

  Barnsley

  685

  732

  751

  836

  856

  776

  South Yorkshire1

  5,168

  4,833

  4,803

  4,965

  5,321

  5,237

  1 Includes students from Doncaster, Barnsley, Sheffield and Rotherham.

  Source:

  Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research studies are available to her Department on the educational value added of higher education courses, classified by type of secondary school attended by the student and broken down into(a) independent schools, (b) state grammar schools, (c) other state selection schools and (d) comprehensive schools, and assessed for (i) individual institutions, (ii) individual years of tertiary study and (iii) completed first degree courses. [104100]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 24 March 2003]: Research that looks at the educational value added of higher education courses, classified by type of secondary school attended by the student includes:
  "Schooling Effects on Subsequent University Performance: Evidence for the UK University Population" 2002 Robin Naylor and Jeremy Smith University of Warwick Working Paper;
  Determinants of individual degree performance in UK universities: with particular reference to Economics" 1999 Robin Naylor and Jeremy Smith University of Warwick;
  "Gender Differences in Educational Attainment: The Case of University Students in England and Wales" 2002 Robert McNabb, Sarmistha Pal and Peter Sloane Economica; and
  "Interim findings on the effects of school performance on higher education achievement" HEFCE presented at UUK's Fair Enough conference January 2003. A fuller report will be published later this year.

  This research shows that, on average, individuals that attend state schools do as well at university, for example, in terms of class of degree, as individuals who do better at A-level but attend Independent schools.

  The Department is not aware of research that looks at how the educational value added of higher education by school type varies by institution or by years of tertiary education. However, some universities have conducted their own research in this field. For example, research at Bristol University found that on the whole, of all the students who entered the University of Bristol with excellent A levels, those who came from weaker schools gained better degrees than the students from stronger schools ("School Performance and the Likelihood of getting into Bristol" by Jeff Odell in 1999).

  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the levels of participation in higher education were in each education authority in(a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) 2000. [102425]

  Margaret Hodge
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Tyneside, North (Mr. Byers) on 3 February 2003,Official Report, column 95W, which contains the available data on HE participation for each LEA since 1994. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available centrally.

  Infant Classes
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average infant class size in(a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk, (c) Essex and (d) Cambridgeshire was in each year since 1977. [104797]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information on infant class size has been collected in the September Class Size Count which started in 1998. The available figures are shown in the table.

  Maintained Primary Schools: Infant class sizes taught by one teacher

  Position in September each year

  Average infant class size

  By local education authority

  19982

  19993

  20003

  20013

  20023

  Suffolk1

  24.1

  23.1

  22.9

  22.8

  22.7

  Norfolk

  26.1

  23.5

  23.0

  22.7

  22.9

  Essex1

  26.4

  24.7

  24.2

  23.9

  24.1

  Cambridgeshire

  27.7

  26.5

  25.7

  25.5

  25.1

  1 In 2000, less than 95 per cent. of expected returns were received from these local education authorities.

  2 For Essex and Cambridgeshire, before Local Government reorganisation.

  3 For Essex and Cambridgeshire, after Local Government reorganisation.

  Source:

  September Class Size Count

  Learning and Skills Council Areas
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) young people aged 19 or under and (b) adults are studying in further education colleges in each of the 47 Learning and Skills Council areas in England. [104079]

  Margaret Hodge
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and will place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  New Deal for Schools
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will list for(a) England and (b) each local education authority, the (i) number and (ii) value of fun ding bids made to his Department under the New Deal for Schools programme in each financial year since 1999–2000 for the repair of school buildings; [104598]

  (2) if he will list the total value of grants made by each local education authority in England to schools, through the New Deal for Schools, for the repair of school buildings for the latest date for which figures are available. [104596]
  545W
  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 24 March 2003]: Information available on the number of bids, their value, and the allocations made to the original bid-based New Deal for Schools (NDS 1–4) programme to 2000–01 is shown in a table which has been placed in the Library, together with formulaic allocations from 2000–01. The Department currently allocates most capital funding to schools and local education authorities (LEAs) by needs-related formulae, and it is for LEAs to assess and prioritise the capital needs of their school buildings through their asset management planning process, in consultation with local schools.

  I am also announcing today further allocations of capital funding for schools from the totals that are available over the next three years.

  There will be 15 private finance initiative (PFI) projects with a total allocation of £830 million PFI credits, in response to the invitation we made in 2002 to all LEAs to apply for this funding. I am also establishing four LEA pathfinders, to be funded through PFI credits, to help develop the Building Schools for the Future programme. In total, this represents around £1 billion of support to schools PFI projects.

  There will be Targeted Capital funding to 78 LEA projects totalling £199 million at 71 LEAs, and £146 million of support for 56 projects in voluntary aided schools at 41 LEAs, which should start in 2003–04. These projects support our educational priorities, including promoting inclusion, advancing the 14–19 agenda, and standards-led investment at schools causing concern.

  We are also allocating a new formulaic Modernisation programme of just over £1 billion in 2004–05 and £717 million in 2005–06. The new Programme brings together the existing Condition and Modernisation programmes and will include £300 million of funding in each year targeted at building needs in primary schools to encourage up to 25 per cent. more investment in that sector.

  Ofsted
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) staff and (b) staff engaged in inspection work have been employed by the Office for Standards in Education in each year since 1997. [105869]

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

  Overseas Students
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many overseas students there were at each university in(a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001 and (d) 2002; and what percentage of the student body this represented in each case. [100393]
  546W
  Margaret Hodge
  The latest available information shown in the table has been placed in the Library.

  Qualifications
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of the working population in(a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk, (c) Essex and (d) Cambridgeshire had (i) no qualification and (ii) no qualification above NVQ Level 2 in each year since 1997. [104833]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is presented in the table.

  Table 1: The Level of Highest Qualification Held by People of Working Age1 for Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire Local Education Authorities, Local Labour Force Survey 2000–01 and 2001–022

  Percentage

  Suffolk

  Norfolk

  Essex

  Cambridgeshire

  2001–02

  Level 23

  24.0

  23.6

  24.3

  20.6

  Below Level 24

  21.0

  24.3

  20.6

  21.8

  No qualifications

  16.7

  15.6

  17.8

  14.1

  No qualifications above Level 2

  61.7

  63.5

  62.8

  56.5

  2000–01

  Level 23

  22.7

  24.5

  23.8

  20.3

  Below Level 24

  22.6

  23.9

  21.4

  18.5

  No qualifications

  19.6

  14.8

  17.5

  13.8

  No qualifications above Level 2

  64.9

  63.2

  62.7

  52.7

  1 Working Age is defined as males aged 16 to 64 and females aged 16 to 59.

  2 The Local Labour Force Survey was first made available in 2000–01, and therefore, data prior to this year are not available.

  3 Vocational qualifications include those with RSA Diplomas, City and Guilds Craft/part 2, BTEC Firsts or trade apprenticeships and other professional or vocational qualifications at Level 2. Academic qualifications include those with one GCE A Level, five or more GCSE grades A*-C or equivalent or AS examinations/SCE Highers/CSYS at Level 2.

  4Vocational qualifications include those with BTEC general certificates, YT certificates, other RSA qualifications, other City and Guilds or other professional or vocational qualifications at Level 1. Academic qualifications include those with one or more GCSE grade G or equivalent (but less than five at grades A*-C).

  Source:

  Local Labour Force Survey (LLFS): 2000–01 and 2001–02.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Bradley), on 24 February,Official Report, column 346W, what percentage of students were eligible for student support in the years listed; and how many and what percentage of students were eligible for student support in each region of England. [103472]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 18 March 2003]: The percentage of students domiciled in England and Wales who were assessed as eligible for full support in academic years 1996/97 to 2000/01 is shown in the table. Data do not include students who received partial support.
  547W

  Percentage of all eligible students assessed to receive full student support in England and Wales1 Academic years 1996–97 to 2000–012

  Academic year

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–012

  Student Support Scheme Students3,4

  Dependent students5

  —

  —

  35.1

  36.9

  33.6

  Independent students6

  —

  —

  87.7

  88.3

  88.6

  Total all students

  —

  —

  44.8

  45.1

  42.2

  Mandatory Scheme Students7

  Dependent students5

  33.4

  33.0

  31.7

  31.8

  29.6

  Independent students6

  84.8

  84.8

  82.3

  83.6

  83.7

  Total all students

  44.8

  43.8

  40.9

  40.1

  37.1

  All Students

  Dependent students5

  33.4

  33.0

  32.7

  34.9

  33.0

  Independent students6

  84.8

  84.8

  84.0

  86.5

  88.1

  Total all students

  44.8

  43.8

  42.1

  43.2

  41.5

  1 Support assessed by local education authorities in England and Wales to students normally domiciled in their area and studying in the UK.

  2 Provisional

  3 Includes some students (eg PGCEs) who were assessed to make no contribution to the cost of their tuition but who may have been assessed to make a contribution to other forms of support.

  4 New students in 1998–99 received support for maintenance through income-assessed grants (comprising about a quarter of the support available) and non income-assessed student loans (comprising about three quarters of the support available). (The ratio for existing students is roughly 50 per cent. means-tested grant and 50 per cent. non means-tested student loan). In 1999–2000, students who entered higher education from 1998–99 onwards received support for maintenance entirely though loans, of which three quarters of the value was non income-assessed. Loans made under these arrangements are repayable on an income contingent basis.

  5 Dependent students are assessed for support based on the income of their parents and of the students themselves.

  6 Independent students are assessed for support based on their own income and that of their spouse/partner. A student is regarded as independent if he/she is aged 25 or over before the start of the academic year for which they are applying; have been married for at least two years before the start of the academic year for which they are applying or have support themselves for at least three years before the start of their course.

  7 Students who entered higher education up to 1997–98, and those who entered in 1998–99 to whom the mandatory scheme funding arrangements applied, received support for maintenance through income-assessed grants.

  Source:

  F503G Student Support Survey

  The number and percentage of mandatory scheme students in England, shown by Government Office Region, who were eligible for full support in academic years 1996–97 and 1997–98, are shown in the tables. Data on student support are collected for publication at

  Number of all eligible students1 assessed to receive full student support in academic years 1996–97 and 1997–98 England: Government Office Region2

  Thousands

  Dependent students3

  Independent students4

  All students

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1997–98

  England

  186.3

  188.2

  135.7

  129.1

  321.9

  317.3

  North East

  8.9

  9.0

  6.6

  6.5

  15.5

  15.4

  North West

  27.6

  28.6

  20.5

  19.4

  48.1

  48.0

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  17.9

  17.7

  12.1

  12.4

  30.1

  30.1

  East Midlands

  14.2

  14.4

  9.2

  9.1

  23.4

  23.5

  West Midlands

  22.3

  22.2

  12.1

  11.3

  34.5

  33.5

  East of England

  16.8

  17.2

  11.6

  10.9

  28.3

  28.1

  Inner London

  12.8

  13.2

  17.4

  16.0

  30.2

  29.2

  Outer London

  19.7

  20.3

  14.5

  13.5

  34.2

  33.8

  South East

  26.7

  26.2

  18.7

  17.3

  45.4

  43.5

  South West

  19.3

  19.5

  14.0

  12.8

  33.3

  32.4

  1 Student numbers rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2 Support assessed by local education authorities in England to students normally domiciled in their area and studying in the UK.

  3 Dependent students are assessed for support based on the income of their parents and of the students themselves.

  4 Independent students are assessed for support based on their own income and that of their spouse/partner. A student is regarded as independent if he/she is aged 25 or over before the start of the academic year for which they are applying; have been married for at least two years before the start of the academic year for which they are applying or have supported themselves for at least three years before the start of the academic year of their course.

  Source:

  F503G Student Support Survey
  548W
  national level; the data collection exercise from 1998/99 does not allow the production of firm figures below this level, and therefore data by Government Office Region are not available from academic years 1998–99.
  549W

  Percentage of all eligible students assessed to receive full student support in academic years 1996–97 and 1997–98 England: Government Office Region1

  Percentage

  Dependent students2

  Independent students3

  All students

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1997–98

  England

  33

  33

  85

  85

  45

  44

  North East

  33

  34

  84

  86

  45

  46

  North West

  36

  36

  87

  86

  48

  47

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  35

  34

  82

  85

  46

  45

  East Midlands

  31

  31

  85

  84

  42

  41

  West Midlands

  37

  35

  87

  85

  46

  44

  East of England

  28

  28

  82

  80

  38

  37

  Inner London

  52

  52

  90

  90

  69

  68

  Outer London

  34

  34

  86

  85

  46

  45

  South East

  26

  25

  81

  79

  36

  35

  South West

  35

  35

  87

  87

  47

  46

  1 Support assessed by local education authorities in England to students normally domiciled in their area and studying in the UK.

  2 Dependent students are assessed for support based on the income of their parents and of the students themselves.

  3 Independent students are assessed for support based on their own income and that of their spouse/partner. A student is regarded as independent if he/she is aged 25 or over before the start of the academic year for which they are applying; have been married for at least two years before the start of the academic year for which they are applying or have supported themselves for at least three years before the start of the academic year of their course.

  Source:

  F503G student support survey of local education authorities

  Student Profiles
  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in the 2002–03 intake in higher education in England and Wales are estimated to come from families with an income under(a)£10,000 and (b)£20,480 per annum. [104652]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is currently not available. I refer my hon. Friend to the response given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 6 February 2003,Official Report, column 357W.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time students in the 2002–03 higher education intake estimated to have come from households with family income of less than £10,000 are (i) under the age of 21, (ii) under the age of 25, (iii) under the age of 30 and (iv) over the age of 30. [104706]

  Table 1—Numbers leaving service by age at 31 March

  0–25

  25–30

  30–35

  35–40

  40–45

  45–50

  50–55

  55–60

  Total

  1991

  570

  4,430

  4,620

  5,730

  5,820

  3,470

  1,880

  910

  27,420

  1992

  430

  3,700

  3,650

  4,550

  4,870

  3,220

  1,540

  860

  22,830

  1993

  350

  3,290

  2,950

  3,750

  4,270

  3,000

  1,470

  770

  19,850

  1994

  280

  3,180

  3,170

  3,410

  4,450

  3,450

  1,550

  830

  20,310

  1995

  370

  3,300

  3,250

  3,160

  3,890

  3,370

  1,540

  750

  19,620

  1996

  420

  3,650

  3,410

  2,920

  3,690

  3,600

  1,550

  750

  20,000

  1997

  410

  3,570

  3,260

  2,580

  3,170

  3,230

  1,670

  720

  18,600

  1998

  470

  4,020

  3,890

  2,930

  3,650

  4,180

  2,300

  790

  22,220

  1999

  530

  4,570

  4,040

  2,980

  3,290

  4,200

  2,860

  1,090

  23,560

  2000

  510

  4,690

  4,350

  3,380

  3,500

  4,510

  3,650

  1,440

  26,020

  2001

  530

  4,570

  4,390

  3,180

  3,030

  4,170

  4,000

  1,740

  25,610

  550W
  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is currently not available. I refer my hon. Friend to the response given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 6 February 2003,Official Report, column 357W.

  Teacher Retention
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers stopped teaching in each of the last 10 years for reasons other than retirement; and what the average length of service of such teachers was in each of those years. [105540]

  Mr. Miliband
  Table 1 shows the number of teachers leaving1,2 full-time or part-time3 service in the maintained schools sector in England who did not enter retirement, by age at the end of the financial year in which they left service, for 1990–91 to 2000–01.

  Table 2 shows the average length of service of these teachers at the end of the financial year in which they left service, by age at the end of that year, for 1993–944 to 2000–01.
  551W

  Table 2—Average length of service ( years) of those leaving service by age at 31 March

  0–25

  25–30

  30–35

  35–40

  40–45

  45–50

  50–55

  55–60

  Total5

  1994

  1.2

  3.0

  5.9

  9.1

  11.5

  13.9

  15.9

  17.9

  9.8

  1995

  1.3

  3.1

  5.8

  9.1

  11.8

  14.1

  15.9

  18.6

  9.8

  1996

  1.2

  3.0

  5.7

  8.7

  11.2

  14.1

  15.9

  18.5

  9.5

  1997

  1.3

  3.0

  5.8

  8.7

  11.5

  14.5

  16.2

  20.2

  9.7

  1998

  1.2

  3.0

  5.8

  8.5

  11.7

  15.1

  16.9

  19.1

  10.0

  1999

  1.2

  3.0

  5.7

  8.4

  11.8

  15.4

  17.7

  20.7

  10.3

  2000

  1.3

  3.0

  5.7

  8.4

  11.6

  15.4

  18.2

  21.7

  10.7

  2001

  1.2

  3.1

  5.9

  8.7

  11.5

  15.8

  19.6

  22.8

  11.4

  1 Leavers are those qualified regular teachers who were in full-time or part-time service in the maintained schools sector in England at 31 March of the previous year, who were not in service in that sector and had not entered retirement at 31 March of the year shown.

  2 The information is from Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) returns. The scheme covers the maintained schools sector plus some of the independent, further education and higher education sectors. Teachers shown as leaving regular service in the maintained sector in England may have moved to: other service that is recorded on the scheme, e.g. service in some independent schools or service in Wales; service that is not recorded, for example higher education establishments that are not in the TPS, these will appear to have left teaching service. Some leavers will be taking career breaks and will return to service at a later date.

  3 Around 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of part-timers may not be included.

  4 Length of service information is not available for years 1990–91 to 1992–93.

  5 Teachers leaving service at the age of 60 or over who are not recorded as entering retirement have not been included in Table 1, since teachers who leave the scheme after the retirement age of 60 automatically qualify for retirement benefits. However, such teachers have been included in the 'Total' average length of service calculation in Table 2.

  Mr. Fabian Hamilton:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were granted early retirement on the grounds of ill health in each year since 1998. [105541]

  Mr. Miliband
  Ill health retirements from the maintained schools sector in England are shown in

  Table 44: Retirements—Retirements from the maintained schools sector1: Type of award and sex by year of award: England

  Premature2

  Age

  Ill-health3

  Total

  Financial year (1 April to 31 March)

  Men

  Women

  Men and Women

  Men

  Women

  Men and Women

  Men

  Women

  Men and Women

  Men

  Women

  Men and Women

  1989–90

  3,220

  4,840

  8,060

  960

  2,550

  3,500

  1,270

  2,310

  3,580

  5,440

  9,700

  15,140

  1990–91

  3,000

  4,740

  7,740

  890

  2,610

  3,500

  1,420

  2,860

  4,280

  5,310

  10,210

  15,520

  1991–92

  2,470

  4,070

  6,530

  810

  2,360

  3,170

  1.390

  2,640

  4,030

  4,660

  9,070

  13,730

  1992–93

  2,760

  4,400

  7,170

  750

  2,560

  3,310

  1.440

  2,610

  4,050

  4,950

  9,580

  14,530

  1993–94

  3,180

  4,860

  8,030

  850

  2,580

  3,430

  1,840

  2,990

  4,820

  5,860

  10,420

  16,290

  1994–95

  2,730

  4,390

  7,120

  780

  2,740

  3,520

  1.970

  3,310

  5,290

  5,490

  10,440

  15,930

  1995–96

  3,360

  5,240

  8,600

  760

  2,720

  3,480

  1,870

  3,290

  5,160

  5,990

  11,250

  17,240

  1996–97

  3,840

  6,370

  10,210

  700

  2,600

  3,290

  1,810

  3,170

  4,980

  6,350

  12,130

  18,480

  1997–982

  4,400

  7,090

  11,490

  770

  2,740

  3,510

  1,210

  2,090

  3,300

  6,380

  11,920

  18,300

  1998–99

  970

  1,450

  2,420

  790

  2,950

  3,740

  860

  1,460

  2,320

  2,620

  5,860

  8,480

  1999–2000

  1,150

  1,530

  2,670

  930

  3,260

  4,190

  870

  1,480

  2,350

  2,940

  6,270

  9,210

  2000–01

  1,280

  1,910

  3,190

  950

  3,200

  4,150

  1,040

  1,610

  2,650

  3,270

  6,720

  9,990

  2001–024

  1,330

  2,160

  3,490

  970

  3,140

  4,120

  910

  1,440

  2,350

  3,210

  6,750

  9,950

  1 Excludes sixth form colleges.

  2 The effect of the change in the Teachers' Pension Scheme as from 31 August 1997 was that many more teachers took early retirement in 1997 than in previous years. Premature includes Actuarially Reduced Benefit retirements from 2000–01.

  3 Changes in the statutory regulations governing ill-health retirement came into force on 1 April 1997. To qualify for ill-health retirement benefits a teacher must now be regarded as permanently unfit to teach.

  4 2001–02 data are provisional.

  Source:

  Pensioner Statistical System (PENSTATS)

  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of teachers were aged 45 or over in(a) 2002, (b) 1997, (c) 1992, (d) 1987 and (e) 1982. [105542]

  Mr. Miliband
  The table provides age breakdowns of teachers in full-time service.
  552W
  table 44 of the 2002 edition of 'Statistics of Education: School Workforce in England'. A copy of this volume has been placed in the Library. The table is also available on the statistics section of the DfES website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics/DB/VOL/v0380/456-t44.htm.

  Percentage of teachers by age1

  Year of service (March)

  Under 30

  30–44

  45 and over

  19822

  23

  46

  31

  19873

  14

  53

  32

  19924

  13

  50

  37

  19974

  17

  40

  43

  20014,5

  19

  35

  46

  553W
  1 Age as at 31 March in each year shown.

  2 Full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England and Wales. Includes teachers in sixth form colleges.

  3 Full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in England. Includes teachers in sixth form colleges.

  4 Full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in England. Excludes teachers in sixth form colleges.

  5 2001 is the most recent year for which these data are available.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded and may not appear to sum to 100 per cent.

  Tuition Fees
  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills from which universities he has received representations recommending the setting of tuition fee levels at above £3,000 per annum; and what those representations were. [104627]

  Margaret Hodge
  We have received a number of representations on a wide range of issues. In setting the cap at £3,000 per annum, we wanted to balance giving the higher education sector the freedom to raise fees with fairness to prospective students and their families.

  Universities (Participation)
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money will be allocated to widening participation in universities in each academic year to 2010–11. [102304]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England is providing £296.2 million for widening participation in higher education in 2003–04. The Learning and Skills Council is also providing £15.6 million for widening participation in higher education in 2003–04. That is a total of £311.8 million for widening participation in higher education in 2003–04.

  These figures do not include funding for targeted student support. The Councils have not set their widening participation spending for future years.

  University Research Funding
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much HEFCE funding of research will be diverted from university departments graded(a) at 4 and (b) below 4 annually to finance enhanced payments for departments graded at 5 or above. [105303]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has used extra resources provided by the Government to increase the total recurrent funding for research by £102 million in 2003–04 compared with 2002–03. HEFCE has rebalanced the funding levels between ratings to ensure better resourcing and improved quality of the best research. This did mean a reduction in funding of £21 million for departments rated 4 and a net reduction of £4.3 million for departments rated 3a and 3b. This takes into account the new capability development funding for 3a and 3b departments in subjects where there is a particular need to boost research. The Government are keen to encourage more mid-rated 554W
  departments to aspire to ratings of 5 or above and we have asked HEFCE to look at how funding for these departments can be related to potential to progress further.

HEALTH

  Delayed Discharges
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of delayed discharges to the NHS in(a) the Bury St. Edmunds constituency and (b) Suffolk in the last year for which figures are available; [104804]

  (2) how much delayed discharge of patients cost the NHS (a) nationally, (b) in Suffolk West PCT and (c) in Central Suffolk PCT in the last year for which figures are available. [104834]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information is not available in precisely the form requested. In the last year for which figures are available, up to December 2002, there was an average of 5,233 delayed transfers of care of patients of all ages, on any single day, in England. However there are only figures available at a primary care trust level for the first three quarters of 2002–03, (April to December 2002) when the average number of patients delayed on any one day was 32 in Suffolk West PCT, and 18 in Central Suffolk PCT. On the same basis the average figure for all the PCTs in Suffolk was 130 per day.

  On the basis of an average cost to the national health service of £100 per day, the broad estimate of the cost to the NHS where these patients have experienced delays in an acute hospital bed for this period is around £500,000 per day for England as a whole, £3,200 per day in Suffolk West PCT and £1,800 per day in Central Suffolk PCT. The estimate for all PCTs in Suffolk is £13,000 per day.

  GPs
  Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many potential registered patients are required to justify authority for establishing a GP practice in Edenfield, Rossendale. [104948]

  Jacqui Smith
  The decision on whether there is a need to establish a general practitioner practice is at the discretion of the primary care trust.

  Head and Brain Injury Rehabilitation
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the decision was taken to devolve commissioning responsibility for head and brain injury rehabilitation services to health authorities and primary care trusts; and what assessment he is undertaking of the impact of that devolution on service provision. [104721]

  Jacqui Smith
  In October 2002 the NHS Reform and Healthcare Professions Act provided for most of the functions of the health authorities to be conferred onto primary care trusts (PCTs) and for health service resources to be allocated directly to PCTs by the Secretary of State. PCTs are expected to establish collaborative commissioning arrangements for specialised services, of which head and brain injury
  555W
  rehabilitation services are one, and strategic health authorities are expected to oversee and performance manage these arrangements.

  Health Services (East Yorkshire)
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) direct and (b) indirect costs are for the (i) establishment and (ii) operation of the Strategic Health Authority headquarters in York. [105229]

  Jacqui Smith
  The creation of the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority (StHA) was part of the Government's 'Shifting the Balance of Power in the NHS' proposals, which were committed to delivering savings of £100 million for re-investment in services.

  The establishment of the StHA was within this national programme and included a period of 'shadow' running during 2001–02 while the three former health authorities were dissolved and responsibilities transferred to the new organisation. During this period, temporary office space was rented in the York Science Park at a cost of approximately £3,500, to facilitate the establishment of the StHA.

  The StHA was established on 1 April 2002 with a ceiling for operating costs of £4 million set by the Department. In the financial year 2002–03, expenditure is forecast to be £3.3 million. This comprises payroll costs of £.9 million and non-pay costs of £1.4 million.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) current and (b) proposed PFI projects for the Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust. [105232]

  Patients of Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)1 for North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority as at 1 October 1997–99 and 30 September 2000–01

  Numbers (headcount)

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  England Patients of UPEs

  50,904,322

  51,110,352

  50,894,064

  51,332,917

  51,249,672

  North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire StHA

  1,655,197

  1,631,540

  1,653,512

  1,648,770

  1,639,945

  East Yorkshire PCT

  —

  —

  147,325

  146,709

  145,743

  Eastern Hull PCT

  —

  —

  124,804

  123,813

  119,914

  West Hull PCT

  —

  —

  162,587

  160,276

  162,393

  1 UPEs include QMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs

  Note:

  Data has been converted to match Strategic Health Authority structures for 2002

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of nursing home beds in Suffolk. [104818]

  Jacqui Smith
  I understand that Suffolk county council has recently agreed a 5 per cent. fee increase in care home fees across the board. In 2002–03, a new investment of £92,000 enabled the council to provide 22 additional places in local council specialist provision for people with mental health needs.

  Over the next three years, the Government will increase the funding for social services by an annual average of six per cent. in real terms. Councils can use
  556W
  Jacqui Smith:
  There are three current or completed Private Finance Initiative projects for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

  The Maternity and Acute Development at Hull Royal Infirmary has a capital value of £22 million and enables the rationalisation of clinical services onto a major hospital site. The first patients are due to attend in early April 2003.

  The reprovision of out-patient, radiology and urology services at Castle Hill in Cottingham, with a capital value of £8 million, was opened in spring 2002.

  The Withernsea Community Hospital and Resource Centre, with a capital value of £3 million, opened in November 1998.

  There is one planned PFI project for the trust. The development of a new integrated oncology and clinical haematology centre at Castle Hill Hospital has a capital value of £53 million and was put out to tender in November 2002.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were registered with NHS services in each of the last five years in the area covered by the Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust. [105235]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on the number of patients registered with the national health service is not available on an NHS trust basis. The table shows the number of patients registered across the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority area for the last five years, and the number of patients registered with local primary care trusts since they were established in 1999.

  some of these extra resources to raise care home fees and thereby stimulate extra supply if that is what is required locally.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham can expect answers to his Questions Ref 96033, 96059 of 3 February, 97861, 97882 of 10 February and 100554, 100512, 100555, 100416 of 26 February. [106564]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave him on 3 March 2003,Official Report, column 882W, on 4 March 2003, Official Report, column 460–1W, and column 996W and on 18 March

  557W
  2003, Official Report, column 672W. I also refer him to the replies given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Mr. Lammy) on 6 March 2003, Official Report, columns. 1212W, 1215W, and 1217–8W. The remaining question was answered by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office (Mr. Hilary Benn) on 7 March 2003, Official Report, column 1276W.

  Waiting Times
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of patients waited less than 20 minutes for thrombolysis after arriving in hospital in(a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each NHS trust at the latest date for which statistics are available; [104411]

  (2) what percentage of patients waited less than 20 minutes for thrombolysis after arriving in hospital in (a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each NHS trust in each period for which statistics have been collected centrally. [104882]

  Ms Blears
  Statistics on the time patients wait for thrombolysis are collected through the Myocardial Infarct National Audit Project (MINAP) run by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). MINAP shows that for the last three months of 2002, 44 per cent. of clinically eligible heart attack patients in England were treated within 20 minutes of hospital arrival, an increase of 24 per cent. over the same period in 2000. The data for strategic health authorities and hospitals in England where heart attack patients are treated are available online to individual health authorities and trusts for monitoring purposes. The RCP published the data covering the first six months of 2002 on 19 November 2002 and copies of the report will be placed in the Library. The RCP plans a further publication which will include the full 2002 dataset later this year.

CABINET OFFICE

  East Timor
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to release Cabinet Office papers from 1975–76 concerning Indonesia, East Timor and the Balebo killings. [103920]

  Mr. Alexander
  All Cabinet Office records are considered for release to the Public Record Office under the 30 year rule. 1975–76 papers are, therefore, due to be released in 2006–07. The Cabinet Office archive, however, does not contain papers relating to the Balebo killings.

  Pensions
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the(a) funded and (b) unfunded public sector pension schemes for which his Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies are responsible; when the last actuarial valuation was of each scheme; what the value was of the assets at the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; what deficit is disclosed by the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; and if he will make a statement. [104918]
  558W
  Mr. Alexander
  The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is an unfunded public service pension scheme made under the Superannuation Act 1972. The last scheme valuation, disclosed in the Report of the Actuary in the Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts 2001–02 (HC355), valued scheme liabilities at 31 March 2002 as £64.2 billion.

TREASURY

  Air Taxes (Northern Ireland Economy)
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of taxation on air travel upon the Northern Ireland economy and the tourist industry; and if he will abolish air passenger duty. [106048]

  John Healey
  The Government are currently reviewing their use of economic instruments in the aviation sector. As outlined in the document "Aviation and the Environment—Using Economic Instruments", it is the Government's objective that aviation should be sustainable.

  Children at Risk
  Matthew Green
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has through the plans set out in the Children at Risk Green Paper to ensure that support services for adults are provided to their families at times of crisis through(a) the criminal justice system, (b) the health system, (c) housing departments and (d) the benefits system. [104967]

  Mr. Boateng
  While it is too early to comment in detail on the content of the Green Paper, Government recognises the importance of ensuring that services for parents are sensitive to the needs of their children.

  (a) The Home Office is currently taking forward work on children of offenders and children of drug users. Both these pieces of work will feed into the Green Paper.

  (b) The supporting people programme, which begins on 1 April, will put in place a strategic framework for the planning and funding of housing-related support services at a local level. Proposals from the Children at Risk Green Paper will complement the role of supporting people to ensure that families in crisis get the support they need to live independently in accommodation.

  (c) The Children's National Service Framework (NSF) now in progress is currently developing national standards across the National Health Service and social services for children and young people. The Children in Special Circumstances Expert Working Group to the NSF is looking at how children are affected by the needs of their parents in cases where there is domestic violence, parent with mental health problems and parents in prison.

  (d) The Government is committed to tackling child poverty. As a result of personal tax and benefit reforms introduced by the Government since 1997, by April 2003, families with children in the poorest fifth of the population will be, on average, £2,400 a year better off in real terms.

  559W
  Matthew Green
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has through the recommendations in the Green Paper on Children at Risk, to ensure that every child with complex needs, with particular reference to mental health needs, has a key worker; [104968]

  (2) what plans he has to improve mental health training for professionals working with children, as part of the plans set out in the Green Paper on Children at Risk. [104969]

  Mr. Boateng
  Positive mental health is vital for children and young people's self esteem, relationships with friends and family and ability to enjoy and achieve at school and beyond. The Green Paper on Children at Risk is focusing on children from 0–19 and particularly those with complex needs.

  The Green Paper is also looking at ways to improve common training, including in mental health issues for professionals who work with children and young people. This includes considering the possible role of key workers in ensuring more integrated service provision to those most at risk.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Green Paper Team on Children at Risk plans to introduce a transition to parenthood programme as an early preventative strategy. [104970]

  Mr. Boateng
  Government recognises that parenting and family support is a key preventative service, which is provided in order to enable parents, carers and families to use resources effectively. Local preventative strategies cover parenting support and these are ongoing at the moment.

  The Green Paper on Children at Risk will build on ongoing work across government, looking at how parents can be enabled to support their children best, from preparing for parenthood, throughout the key early years and as their children grow towards adulthood.

  Commodity Price Projections
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research was commissioned by his Department into the future of(a) oil and (b) non-oil commodity prices as outlined in paragraph A15 in the pre-Budget report, Cm 5664. [105339]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government do not publish forecasts for oil and non-oil commodity prices. projections for the public finances are based on an oil price assumption independently audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, which was deemed to be reasonable and to incorporate caution when audited at the time of the 2002 pre-Budget report.

  Company Profits
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions have been used to form the expectation in paragraph 2.44 of the pre-Budget Report 2002 that financial company profits will return to trend in the medium term. [105321]
  560W
  Ruth Kelly
  Financial company profits have been depressed by the downturn in international capital markets and global economic uncertainty. However, there is no reason to expect these shortfalls to be permanent, and profits are expected to return towards their medium-term trends as recovery in the world economy becomes more firmly established and gathers pace.

  Crown Estate
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 14 March 2003,Official Report, column 491W, on the Crown Estate, when the Government last made an assessment of the level of charges levied by the Crown Estate. [105891]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am satisfied that the Crown Estate Commissioners exercise their statutory duties under the Crown Estate Act in the light of the commercial environment faced by Crown Estate tenants and the requirements of good management. Crown Estate and Treasury officials meet periodically to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer where the four new national strike teams of Customs officers, whose priority will be meat and animal products, will be based; how many officers each team will comprise; and whether they will be responsible to(a) the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and (b) Her Majesty's Treasury. [106108]

  John Healey
  Customs will have responsibility for the detection of undeclared meat and animal products arriving from non-EU locations. Present assessments suggest that risk for this third-country traffic is currently highest in respect of air passengers.

  The new national detection teams will operate throughout the UK according to risk assessment.

  Customs' strategic approach to tackling this problem is agreed with DEFRA who retain the animal health policy lead.

  Customs detection staff tackling the smuggling of meat and animal products will be responsible to the Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise and to Treasury Ministers, as for all other assigned matters.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement about co-operation with the wine, spirit and beer sector and HM Customs and Excise in tackling revenue loss through freight smuggling and diversion fraud; [106035]

  (2) if he will promote the development of a Memorandum of Understanding between the wine, spirit and beer trade and HM Customs and Excise in order to combat illicit imports and inward diversion fraud. [106037]

  John Healey
  Customs and the industry currently work together via the Joint Spirits Fraud Task Force (JSFTF) and the Joint Alcohol and Tobacco Consultation Group (JATCG); both joint initiatives
  561W
  aim to identify practical and regulatory ways of tackling revenue loss through freight smuggling and diversion fraud.

  This has already resulted in a number of practical measures to tackle fraud, including providing testing kits to help Customs identify counterfeit products and allowing front-line officers to call up instant information about suspect consignments they have intercepted. Customs will build on this good initial progress and will continue to explore with the industry what new steps might be taken to keep pace with the changing tactics of fraudsters, and what further support the industry can provide.

  The drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding is part of the on-going work of the JSFTF. Although it concentrates on spirits fraud, many of the practical measures that it implements will apply equally to wine and beer.

  Equity Release Products
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what resources the Treasury has allocated to address the question of regulating reversionary equity release products, with particular reference to(a) taking the advice of Counsel and (b) engaging parliamentary draftsmen; [106523]

  (2) what steps the Government is taking in consulting on regulating reversionary equity release products; and whether it intends that the introduction of such regulation will coincide with the regulation of mortgage-based schemes; [106522]

  (3) what assessment the Government has made, in the absence of regulation of reversionary equity release products, of the risk to consumer confidence in the overall equity release market; [106524]

  (4) what assessment the Government has made of the extent to which partial regulation of equity release products is acting as a barrier to entry. [106525]

  Ruth Kelly
  As announced in the Government's Green Paper on Pensions, the Government is looking at the options to create a level playing field for the regulation of equity release and home reversion plans to protect consumers and make the market work better. No decisions have yet been taken and consequently no resources allocated for taking the advice of Counsel or engaging parliamentary draftsmen. I will make an announcement in due course.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government is taking to educate the population in the use of equity release products. [106526]

  Ruth Kelly
  Consumer education in relation to financial services is a matter for the Financial Services Authority.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government is taking to enable providers of equity release products adequately to hedge their exposures. [106527]

  Ruth Kelly
  Those firms that are authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) will be regulated prudentially, that is as to their solvency and risk 562W
  management. Within FSA rules, the financial management of equity release providers is a matter for the managers of such firms.

  Euro
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which Government officials are responsible for liaisons with officials from the Isle of Man in respect of the euro; [106251]

  (2) when the most recent discussion between Government officials and representatives of Guernsey was in respect of the euro; [106416]

  (3) whether the issue of the euro has been discussed during recent meetings between Government officials and representatives of Jersey. [106415]

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

  External Consultants
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to his Department was of the use of external consultants in 2002. [90505]

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much(a) his Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body spent on external consultancy in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (planned); and if he will make a statement. [92234]

  Ruth Kelly
  The costs to HM Treasury for external consultants were as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1995–961

  1,900

  1996–97

  1,032

  1997–98

  1,160

  1998–99

  1,789

  1999–2000

  1,489

  2000–01

  1,667

  2001–02

  1,160

  2002–032

  1,972

  1 These figures include expenditure incurred on professional fees in connection with the privatisation programme.

  2 To date.

  The current year's figure includes an exceptional number of projects related to cyclical investment in Treasury's IT system. For example we have upgraded our financial accounting and the Economic Forecasting Database (£304,482). In previous years, spend was dominated by large policy projects, rather than replacing IT systems.

  Fiscal Projections
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when key assumptions were used in the fiscal projections of the 2002 pre-Budget report regarding(a) trend GDP growth, (b) equity prices and (c) oil prices last audited by the National Audit Office. [105331]

  Mr. Boateng
  Box B1 of the 2002 pre-Budget report (Cm 5664) set out when the key assumptions underlying the fiscal projections were last audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General: the trend GDP
  563W
  growth assumption was last audited at the time of the Budget 2002 (see HC 760, Session 2001–02); the equity prices assumption was last audited at the time of the 2000 pre-Budget report (see HC 959, Session 1999–2000); and the oil prices assumption was last audited at the time of the 2002 pre-Budget report (see HC 109, Session 2002–03).

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed by the Inland Revenue. [105701]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue employed 71,873 staff at 1 October 2002, equivalent to 66,400 full time units.

  Insurance
  Clive Efford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 18 March,Official Report, column 677–8, on insurance, (1) how many responses he has had to the consultation on regulating insurance mediation; if he will place copies in the Library; and what representations he has received from travel agents and tour operators; [106543]

  (2) if he will carry out a cost benefit analysis of each of the three options proposed in the consultation on the adoption of the insurance mediation directive. [106542]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government has received some four hundred responses to the consultation on the adoption of the insurance mediation directive including many from travel agents and operators. A summary of the responses will be placed in the Library when decisions are announced in the second quarter of this year. In accordance with the usual procedure, a regulatory impact assessment will be published at the time the legislation is presented to Parliament.

  Iraq
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect a conflict in Iraq will have on(a) the UK and (b) the world economy. [105677]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 27 March,Official Report, column 340W.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his statement of 3 February 2003,Official Report, column 5WS, on the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, how the Government is ensuring that the transitional funding is applied across the UK on a basis fully compliant with European Union laws, with particular reference to laws governing state aids. [103632]

  John Healey
  The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme transitional arrangements for England allow continued funding, for a one year period, of waste projects that are on-going under the scheme, subject to EU state aid rules. A process has been put in place to make decisions on allocating funding to projects on the basis of the 564W
  criteria set out in the announcement of 3 February. Spending is subject to state aid rules if the resources not only benefit selected undertakings or sectors, but also have the potential to distort both competition and trade across the EU. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are responsible for ensuring that their spending programmes comply with European Union treaty obligations.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which community projects based in the Buckingham constituency have benefited from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme in(a) 2002 and (b) 2003; and how much funding was granted for each project. [105699]

  John Healey
  Details of projects funded by the scheme are available from the scheme's regulator, ENTRUST whose address is as follows:

  ENTRUST

  Acre House

  2 Town Square

  Sale

  M33 7WZ

  I have asked ENTRUST to write to the hon. Member with a response to his question.

  Net Worth
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assumptions were made in forming the expectation of a modest decline in net worth, as set out in paragraph 2.56 of the pre-Budget Report 2002; [105326]

  (2) what cautious assumptions are referred to in paragraph 2.61 of the pre-Budget Report 2002, on which projections of the cyclically-adjusted treaty deficit are based; [105327]

  (3) what the assumptions are on which the projections (a) concerning output and (b) in Table B3 of the pre-Budget Report 2002 are based; and what assumptions were made about (i) the state of the world economy and (ii) oil prices in compiling the data in Table B3; [105330]

  (4) what the assumptions are on which the projections concerning (a) fairness and prudence, (b) long-term sustainability, (c) economic impact, (d) financing and (e) European commitments in Table 2.6 of the pre-Budget Report 2002 are based; and what assumptions were made about (i) the state of the world economy and (ii) oil prices in compiling Table 2.6; [105323]

  (5) what are the cautious assumptions referred to in paragraph 2.62 of the pre-Budget Report 2002, which were used to make public finance projections; [105328]

  (6) what the assumptions are on which the projections of (a) surplus on current budget, (b) net borrowing, (c) cyclically adjusted surplus on current budget, (d) cyclically adjusted public sector net borrowing and (e) net debt in Table 2.3 of the pre-Budget Report 2000 are based; and what assumptions were made about (i) the state of the world economy and (ii) oil prices in compiling Table 2.3; [105316]

  (7) what assumptions were made about (a) the state of the world economy, (b) oil prices and (c) the size of automatic stabilisers in compiling the projections of the changes to the current budget since Budget 2002, as set out in Table 2.4 of the pre-Budget Report 2002; [105317]
  565W
  (8) what assumptions were made concerning (a) the state of the world economy, (b) export demand and (c) levels of foreign investment in the UK in the fiscal projections set out in the pre-Budget Report 2002. [105332]

  Ruth Kelly
  A full description of the assumptions on which the fiscal projections contained in the pre-Budget Report 2002 are based is given in paragraph B20, Table B3, and Box B1 of the same report. The key assumptions are audited by the National Audit Office (NAO) under the three year rolling review process to ensure they remain reasonable and cautious. Annex A of the pre-Budget Report 2002 presented a full discussion of economic developments and prospects, including the world economy, trade and the balance of payments, oil prices, and UK output growth.

  Projections for the cyclically adjusted fiscal balances and automatic stabilizers are based on the average impact of changes in the output gap on the public finances over the previous cycles, as set out in 'Fiscal policy: public finances and the cycle', HM Treasury, March 1999. Updated coefficients for estimating cyclically-adjusted fiscal balances taking into account changes in the corporation tax regime were set out in paragraph C14 of Budget 2001.

  Pensions
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) funded and (b) unfunded public sector pension schemes for which his Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies are responsible; when the last actuarial valuation was of each scheme; what the value was of the assets at the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; what deficit is disclosed by the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; and if he will make a statement. [104931]

  Mr. Boateng
  The only public body which the Treasury sponsors that has a pension scheme is the Bank of England. The Bank has a funded defined benefit scheme providing benefits based on final pensionable pay.

  The actuarial value at the valuation of February 2002, using the projected unit method, gave the Fund's assets as £1,431 million, representing 112 per cent. of the benefits that have accrued to date. There was a surplus of £150 million.

  Public Finances
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what(a) anticipated changes in asset prices and (b) other determinants of tax receipts were used in predicting changes in the output gap on the public finances, as referred to in paragraph 2.43 of the pre-Budget Report 2002; [105319]

  (2) what changes in the output gap on the public finances were anticipated in making the estimates of the changes in the size of automatic stabilisers as set out in Table 2.4 of the pre-Budget Report 2002. [105318]

  Mr. Boateng
  The relationship between the output gap and of the main components of tax receipts and public expenditure is outlined in 'Fiscal policy: public finances and the cycle', HM Treasury, March 1999,566W
  which describes the Government's methodology for producing cyclically adjusted fiscal aggregates. This methodology is based on the historical relationship between the output gap and key fiscal aggregates and therefore reflects the average impact of previous economic cycles on the public finances.

  Its application only requires estimates of the output gap.

  Stock Exchange
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the performance of the London stock exchange since January in comparison to other leading stockmarkets. [105349]

  Ruth Kelly
  Performance of UK stock market indices has been comparable with performance of US indices and better than European indices since January 2003. Between 2 January 2003 and 24 March 2003, the FTSE All-Share index declined around 7 per cent., compared with a 5 per cent. decline in the S&P 500, a 15 per cent. decline in the French CAC-40 and an 18 per cent. decline in the German DAX. Falls in UK market capitalisation since January have been smaller than in Europe but greater than in the US. Increases in the volume of shares traded on the FTSE All-Share index since January have been greater than US and German volume increases but less than French volume increases.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Hamilton South he estimates will benefit from the working families tax credit. [106577]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The numbers of recipients of Working Families' Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit in each local authority and in each constituency are shown in "Working Families' and Disabled Person's Tax Credit Statistics. Geographical Analyses", copies of which are in the Library and on the Inland Revenue web site, www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk, under "Facts and Figures".

  Travel Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of travel by train by staff in his Department in 2002. [106337]

  Ruth Kelly
  Information is not held in the form requested.

  Unpaid Tax
  David Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total amount of unpaid tax, broken down by major category, in(a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) the Yorkshire and the Humber region in each year since 1997. [105282]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue does not hold information about unpaid tax on a local or regional basis.I gave the national figures in answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 4 March 2003, Official Report, column 921W.

  Voluntary Sector
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future delivery of public services by the voluntary sector. [105687]

  Mr. Boateng
  As outlined in the cross cutting review of the role of the voluntary and community sector in service delivery (available on the Treasury website), we believe that voluntary and community organisations have a crucial role to play in the reform of public services and reinvigoration of civic life. They add value to service delivery in a way that complements, but does not substitute the responsibilities of government. The Government are committed to creating a framework in which the sector can continue to flourish, be strong and independent.

  Withholding Taxes
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the UK Government's policy is on EU policy towards withholding taxes; and which EU countries are introducing a withholding tax on savings income; [105927]

  (2) which (a) EU countries and (b) offshore investment centres under the British Crown are introducing exchange of information concerning investment income. [105922]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Government supports exchange of information as the best means of combating cross-border tax evasion on savings income.

  At ECOFIN on 21 January 2003, the EU reaffirmed its ultimate objective of exchange of information, on as wide a basis as possible, in respect of savings income. Political agreement was reached that all 15 member states would move to a system of automatic exchange of information, with a transitional period for Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg. During this transitional period, it was agreed that these three member states would operate a withholding tax, rising to 35 per cent., on non-resident savings income.

  EU member states assessed on 21 January that sufficient reassurances had been received that all the UK territories listed in the ECOFIN conclusions of 20 June 2000 at Santa Maria da Feira will implement the same measures as EU member states.

  Under the OECD's initiative on harmful tax competition, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands have all made commitments to exchange of information on request in respect of direct tax matters.

  World Economy
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the change in the level of global economic uncertainty since November 2002. [105322]

  Ruth Kelly
  Updated forecasts for UK and G7 GDP will be presented alongside the Budget statement on 9 April 2003.

  World Trade
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research was carried out to conclude in the pre-Budget report, Cm 5664, that world trade growth will increase by 5.25 per cent. in 2003 and by 8.75 per cent. in 2004. [105338]

  Ruth Kelly
  In the pre-Budget report the Government published forecasts of G7 GDP growth, world trade in goods and services and UK export market growth. Updated forecasts, based on all the latest available data, will be published alongside the Budget on 9 April.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures she is taking to ensure that magistrates receive an appropriate(a) level of training and (b) guidance as to how to handle anti-social behaviour order applications, with particular reference to the standard of proof required. [105370]

  Yvette Cooper
  The training of magistrates is the responsibility of Magistrates' Courts' Committees (MCCs). The Judicial Studies Board (JSB) advises my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor on the policy for, and content of, training for lay magistrates; and on the efficiency and effectiveness with which MCCs deliver such training.

  JSB training materials for lay magistrates on anti-social behaviour orders were revised in November 2002 as a result of the legislative changes introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002. These materials were issued to all MCCs and made available on the JSB web site. The training materials contain case studies that offer those using them an opportunity to explore the legal and practical issues arising in dealing with anti-social behaviour order applications including the standard of proof to be applied.

  Departmental Catering Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost was of(a) the in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by the Department in 2002. [104259]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Catering services to meet my Department's requirements are provided through contractual arrangements with specialist suppliers. The term "in-house canteen" is taken to mean facilities provided primarily for use by my Department's staff.

  My Department operates one staff canteen in its London headquarters where there is a concentration of staff. The facility is also used by visitors to the building.

  Income from sales is used to offset the cost to the Department. However, there is a need for a subsidy, the cost of which was £82,124 in 2002.

  My Department also provides catering services for jurors and other members of the public attending court buildings. These facilities are provided at 63 courts in England and Wales. In order to provide a service which supports effectively the business of the courts and

  569W
  maintains the segregation and security of the various parties, especially jurors, a subsidy is required. In 2002 the subsidy amounted to £1,237,456.

  Departmental Creche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what creche facilities are provided by the Lord Chancellor's Department; and at what cost. [104293]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department has 45 bought-in nursery places, and during the past year, provided 78 holiday playscheme places. These cost approximately £103,000 during the past year: £94,000 on subsidised nursery places (at a cost of £2,350 per child per annum); and £9,000 on subsidised playscheme places during school holidays (at a cost of £115 per place).

  We are currently conducting a review to establish whether other forms of childcare such as vouchers and after-school care could supplement existing provision. Departmental childcare subsidies were reduced to 25 per cent. of the cost in order to assist a greater number of employees with a more flexible childcare package.

  The development of a Playscheme Pack1 to support regional holiday playscheme initiatives is already underway.

  My Department has participated actively in an inter-departmental Working Party in collaboration with the Daycare Trust to develop a new childcare strategy for Civil Service employees. We are contributing to the development of a toolkit to assist Departments in making a business case for the provision of childcare and the establishment of a central database of information about setting up childcare initiatives.

  Departmental Events
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the(a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by her Department and which took place on non-departmental premises in the last 12 months, broken down by title, purpose, date and cost. [104285]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Invoices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the occasions on which her departmental agencies and non-departmental public bodies failed to pay valid invoices within 30 days, or after the agreed credit period in the financial year 2001–02. [104310]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  No central record is kept of late payment of individual invoices. However, overall, during the financial year 2001–02, my Department, (excluding the Legal Services Commission (LSC)) paid 94.4 per cent. of valid invoices received within 30 days. The breakdown is as follows.
  570W
  LCD—96.2 per cent.

  Court Service—95 per cent.

  Northern Ireland Court Service—91.03 per cent.

  HM Land Registry—99.1 per cent.

  Pubic Guardianship Office—100 per cent.

  Public Record Office—99.1 per cent.

  CAFCASS—88 per cent.

  Payment performance in respect of commercial invoices by the LSC is not recorded separately by them from other kinds of payment and is therefore not available without disproportionate cost.

  Pensions
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the(a) funded and (b) unfunded public sector pension schemes for which the Lord Chancellor's Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies are responsible; when the last actuarial valuation was of each scheme; what the value was of the assets at the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; what deficit is disclosed by the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; and if she will make a statement. [104933]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department is responsible for two unfunded public sector pension schemes: for Law Commissioners; and for Immigration, and Immigration Appeal, Adjudicators. The last actuarial valuation for both was in March 2002. The schemes' liabilities at that time were £2,769,000 for the Law Commissioners' scheme; and £1,163,000 for the Immigration, and Immigration Appeal, Adjudicators' scheme. As unfunded schemes, they do not have any assets and do not show deficits.

  Youth Courts
  David Davis
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many youth court cases in the East Riding of Yorkshire have had to be abandoned because the(a) accused and (b) witnesses failed to attend in each year since 1997. [105198]

  Yvette Cooper
  This information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Data on the reasons why trials fail to proceed has been collected from all Magistrates' Courts Committee (MCC) areas since 1 April 2002. In the Humberside MCC area, (which includes the East Riding of Yorkshire) 1 April and 31 December 2002, 2,043 trials were recorded. None were recorded as discontinued, but 170 had to be adjourned due to the absence of the defendant. Forty three were discontinued by the prosecution due to the absence, or withdrawal, of witnesses. A further 206 were adjourned because of the absence of prosecution witnesses. These figures include adult and youth cases and they cannot be apportioned between the two categories, without incurring disproportionate cost.

HOME

  Accreditation Awareness
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether community safety
  571W
  accreditation schemes, established under sections 40 and 43 of the Police Reform Act 2002, will be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. [105486]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Police Reform Act 2002 allows each Chief Officer of Police to set up a Community Safety Accreditation Scheme in his or her force area in order to enhance community safety. It is open to individual Chief Officers to use any appropriate outside organisation to evaluate such a scheme.

  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support his Department has given the Accreditation Awareness Campaign run by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. [105491]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  In October 2000, my right hon. Friend, then Minister of State at the Home Office (Mr. Charles Clarke), issued a statement of support for the campaign and expressed his desire to raise awareness of the value of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

  Since then UKAS has, with the Association of Chief Police Officers, undertaken work on certification of security alarm installations and accreditation of the Forensic Science Service, Secured by Design, breathalysers and DMA profiling.

  Anti-war Demonstrations
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to return truants taking part in anti-war demonstrations to school; and what the cost has been of such action. [105252]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  It is the responsibility of schools and Local Education Authorities to consider how best to prevent or deal with unauthorised absences that occur for any reason. While the police do have a power to return pupils who are truanting to school, this is exercisable only as part of a truancy sweep initiated by the Local Education Authority under section 16 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The police do not have a general power to return truants to school. Local Education Authorities and police forces are however working together to deter school children from participating in anti-war protests during school time.

  The department also provides holiday playscheme places during the 13 weeks of school holidays each year. The playschemes are run at various locations for children age between 4 and 12 years.

  Cluster areas shown by region

  Region

  Cluster

  Region

  Cluster

  East of England

  Ipswich

  Norwich

  Cambridge

  Scotland

  Edinburgh

  Great Yarmouth

  Glasgow

  Peterborough

  South West

  Bristol

  East Midlands

  Leicester

  Gloucester

  Nottingham

  Swindon

  Lincoln

  Taunton and Bridgewater

  Derby

  Exeter

  South Central and East

  Brighton and Hove

  South Gloucestershire

  Hastings and St. Leonards

  Torbay

  Southampton

  Plymouth

  Portsmouth

  North Somerset

  572W
  Provision of childcare is one of a number of policies the Home Office has in place to help staff balance their work and home life. By supporting access to childcare the Department benefits from increased recruitment and retention of staff, a more diverse workforce and makes a positive contribution to the National Childcare Strategy. Comprehensive Information about childcare provision and the flexible working policies that can help staff to better manage their childcare arrangements are available on the Home Office Intranet.

  The department is considering the recent Cabinet Office review of childcare across the Civil Service to see how the recommendations of the review can be implemented to enhance the support currently provided for staff who are parents.

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been made in the Greater London area during the last 12 months. [105269]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  From 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002 (latest available) the number of ASBOs, notified to the Home Office, as being issued within the Greater London Magistrates' Courts Association (GLMCA) area is six.

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

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 18 March,Official Report, column 697W, if he will publish the strict specification laid down by the National Asylum Advisory Service for accommodation for asylum seekers in cluster areas. [105671]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 28 March 2003]: I have placed a copy of the relevant schedule to the model contract in the Library.

  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 18 March,Official Report, column 697W, if he will publish the defined areas identified as suitable for the provision of accommodation of asylum seekers in cluster areas. [105672]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 28 March 2003]: The information requested is as follows:
  573W

  Cluster areas shown by region

  Region

  Cluster

  Region

  Cluster

  North East

  Newcastle

  Bath

  Middlesborough

  Wales

  Cardiff

  Sunderland

  Newport

  North Tyneside

  Swansea

  Gateshead

  Wrexham

  South Tyneside

  Bridgend and Portcawl

  Redcar and Cleveland

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  Hartlepool

  Coventry

  Darlington

  Wolverhampton

  Stockton on Tees

  Dudley

  Manchester (Gtr Man)

  Sandwell

  Bolton (Gtr Man)

  Solihull

  Bury (Gtr Man)

  Walsall

  Oldham (Gtr Man)

  Stoke on Trent

  Rochdale (Gtr Man)

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Sheffield

  Salford (Gtr Man)

  Bradford and Keighley

  Stockport (Gtr Man)

  Leeds

  Thameside (Gtr Man)

  Rotherham

  Trafford (Gtr Man)

  Wakefield

  Wigan (Gtr Man)

  Hull

  Burnley

  Kirklees

  Blackburn

  Doncaster

  Liverpool

  Halifax

  Nelson

  Barnsley

  Grimsby

  Northern Ireland is not a cluster area but asylum seekers making their application there can, if they request it, be provided with accommodation there.

  Cannabis
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to legalise the use of cannabis for pain relief in disease. [105827]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We will seek Parliament's agreement to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 to permit the manufacture and use of a specified cannabis-based medicine under prescription, if the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), an agency of the Department of Health, grants marketing approval later this year to the medical preparation of cannabis developed and extensively tested by GW Pharmaceuticals. The MCA's evaluation of safety, quality and effectiveness of the preparation is one which all prospective new medicines have to go through and is designed to protect public health.

  Such legislative change would not legalise the use of cannabis as such for therapeutic purposes.

  The scheduling of prescribed cannabis-based medicine under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 will shortly be considered by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which will make recommendations.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is intended that possession of prescribed cannabis medicines will be an offence contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Acts. [106109]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We will seek Parliament's agreement to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 to permit the manufacture and use of a specified cannabis-based medicine under prescription, if the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), an agency of the 574W
  Department of Health, grants marketing approval later this year to the medical preparation of cannabis developed and extensively tested by GW Pharmaceuticals. The MCA's evaluation of safety, quality and effectiveness of the preparation is one which all prospective new medicines have to go through and is designed to protect public health.

  Chief Constable (Leicestershire)
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to meet the Chief Constable of Leicestershire. [105635]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  I will be meeting the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary at regular intervals in his capacity as the Association of Chief Police Officer's (ACPO) Representative on the Lawrence Steering Group. The next meetings are scheduled for Wednesday 21 May, Tuesday 9 September and Tuesday 25 November.

  Civil Service Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grades in the Civil Service in his Department are allowed to travel by air(a) first class and (b) business class at public expense when on official duties. [104973]

  Hilary Benn
  The Home Office is committed to ensuring that staff use the most efficient and economical means of travel which meets the operational need.

  Entitlement to first and business class air travel in the Home Office is determined by the airlines' fare structure for the flight, the grade of the member of staff travelling and the duration of the flight. Entitlements are summarised as follows.
  575W

  (Senior Executive Officer) (or equivalent) and above

  Other Grades

  Structure

  Up to 2.5 hours

  Over 2.5 hours

  Up to 2.5 hours

  Over 2.5 hours

  First/Economy

  Economy

  First

  Economy

  Economy

  Business/tourist (or equivalent)

  Business

  Business

  Tourist

  Business

  First/Business/Tourist (or equivalent)

  Business (Grades 1 and 1A may travel first class)

  Business

  Tourist

  Business

  Travel in higher classes than those set out in the table may be allowed in the following circumstances:

  (a) for journeys of up to 2.5 hours flying time outside the UK, but within Europe, if it is necessary to cover the outward and return flights within one calendar day;

  (b) the next higher class (business or first as appropriate) may be allowed where strict application of the rules might not be cost effective (perhaps because of restrictions on Tourist bookings), or when a journey of four hours or more necessarily has to be made overnight;

  (c) where there is a choice on particular routes, preference should be given to flights with a Business option when members of the Senior Civil Service are travelling, since this will normally be more economical;

  (d) where members of the Senior Civil Service travel on flights of more than four hours duration and no business tier is available;

  (e) when a member of staff necessarily travels in company with another entitled to a higher class of travel in order to discuss or deal with official business;

  (f) when a member of staff necessarily travels for official reasons in company with a person who is not a United Kingdom Civil Servant, who is travelling in a higher class.

  Crime (Humberside)
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department(a) what the detection rate for burglaries was in homes and (b) how many burglaries per 1,000 households there have been in the Humberside Police Authority area in each year since 1997; and what the detection rate for burglaries in homes was. [105228]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Details of numbers of domestic burglaries per 1,000 households are not available, but rates of all burglaries per 100,000 population are provided instead.

  Humberside

  Year

  Percentage of burglaries in a dwelling detected

  Number of all burglaries per 100,000 population

  1997

  12

  4,079

  1998–991

  12

  3,862

  1999–20002

  10

  3,650

  2000–01

  11

  2,987

  2000–02

  10

  3,006

  1 Years ending March from 1998/99.

  2 Change in counting rules for detections on 1.4.99.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on crime trends within the Humberside Police Authority area. [105230]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The most recently published recorded crime figures show that in the 12 months to March 2002, overall crime levels in the Humberside Police Authority area rose by 6.5 per cent. However, taking into account the counting rule changes for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, overall recorded crime in the area in 2001/02 was 13.3 per cent. lower than in 1997/98.
  576W
  The Government is also supporting a number of initiatives specifically aimed at reducing crime in Humberside. Under the safer communities initiative and communities against drugs, the four crime and disorder reduction partnerships of the Humberside Police Authority area have been allocated £343,511 and £897,900 respectively for 2002/2003. This is being used for a number of initiatives such as CCTV schemes, projects which target public disorder, drug and drink related crime and targeted policing.

  There are also now record police numbers in Humberside. There were 2,114 police officers in Humberside in September 2002 (the most recent figures available)—an increase of 123 more police officers compared with September 2001.

  Departmental Creche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what crèche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost. [104306]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Department currently provides 180 nursery places for children under the age of five years. These places are available to Home Office staff (including the agencies) at a variety of locations. These arrangements involve a subsidy of up to 50 per cent. of the contractual running costs depending on local circumstances. The cost to the Department for providing these facilities is approximately £369,000 per year, depending on take up of the places available.

  In addition to these facilities the United Kingdom Passport Service, the Forensic Science Service and the Police Information Technology Organisation run child care voucher and allowance schemes, which provide staff with the opportunity to receive a contribution towards professional child care fees.

  Departmental Events
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by his Department and which took place on non-departmental premises in the last 12 months, broken down by title, purpose, date and cost. [104272]

  Hilary Benn
  Information is not held centrally on sponsored events run on behalf of the Department on non-departmental premises.

  A breakdown of expenditure on this basic could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Domestic Violence
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to seek new powers to combat domestic violence to bring more offenders to justice; and if he will make a statement. [103926]
  577W
  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  A consultation paper, setting out proposals to prevent domestic violence, deal with perpetrators and provide increased support to victims, will be published this year. The paper will build on the initial consultation on domestic violence in the "Justice for All" White Paper published last year. It will aim to generate a comprehensive response from the public, voluntary sector and others, to ensure the widest possible agreement on what needs to be done to prevent and deal with domestic violence.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of the need for funding to combat domestic violence against women in Surrey. [104095]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 21 March 2003]: The Government are committed to tackling domestic violence in all parts of the country. It is a serious and abhorrent crime that accounts for one quarter of all violent crime and claims the lives of two women a week. The Government will do everything they can to tackle it and ensure that victims receive support and protection.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced that £14 million will be made available over the next three years to support work to develop mainstream responses to domestic violence. We will also be providing funding for a new post at the Local Government Authority (LGA) to support this work. We have also announced a consultation paper setting out proposals to prevent domestic violence, which will be published this year. This consultation will build on the initial consultation on domestic violence in the White Paper, 'Justice for All', and the on-going work of the inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence, which is focusing on five priority areas for action. These are:
  Increasing safe accommodation choices for women and children;
  Developing early and effective health care interventions;
  Improving the interface between the criminal and civil law;
  Ensuring a consistent and appropriate response from the police and Crown Prosecution Service; and
  Promoting Education and Awareness Raising.

  Tackling the problem means more than just providing initial support for victims. We want to ensure that offenders are prosecuted, help the police to prevent repeat victimisation, and protect the lives of the vulnerable.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sources of Government funding are available for councils to combat domestic violence who do not receive money under the Violence Against Women initiative. [104097]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 21 March 2003]: Government funding may be available from a variety of sources, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has recently announced that £14 million will be made available over the next three years to support local partnerships in developing mainstream responses to domestic violence. He also announced that the Home Office will be funding a post at the Local Government Authority (LGA) to support this work.
  578W
  In addition, for example, the Children's Fund allocates money to local partnerships which commission services which have been agreed as a local priority, and which will include support for children who are living with domestic violence. During last summer there were 158 services funded by the Children Fund that explicitly targeted children suffering from domestic violence. To provide safe accommodation for those suffering domestic violence the Homelessness Directorate has announced a £7 million capital investment programme through the Housing Corporation to extend the national network of women's refuges in England. The Directorate is planning to invest similar amounts over the course of the following two years, bringing the total amount to £21 million over three years. Initial allocations for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are being agreed with the Housing Corporation for 2003–04 and it is hoped that further schemes, drawn up by RSLs in collaboration with local authorities, will be supported in the following two years.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has offered every local housing authority in England an allocation to assist them in the implementation of the Priority Need for Accommodation (England) Order 2002 and they could, if they wish, utilise this money to support domestic violence projects.

  Supporting people, which comes into effect from 1 April 2003, will provide £1.4 billion funding in its first year for local authorities to provide housing-related support. One of the key principles of Supporting People is that support should be offered regardless of the type of accommodation in which people live. So for people experiencing domestic violence, Supporting People may be used for housing-related support whether this is offered within a refuge, in temporary accommodation or in the home.

  Domestic Violence (North Yorkshire)
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Government is taking to tackle domestic violence in north Yorkshire. [102646]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government is committed to tackling domestic violence in all parts of the country. It is a serious and abhorrent crime that accounts for one quarter of all violent crime and claims the lives of two women a week. The Government will do everything it can to tackle it and ensure that victims receive support and protection.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced that £14 million will be made available over the next three years to support work to develop mainstream responses to domestic violence. We will also be providing funding for a new post at the Local government Authority (LGA) to support this work. We have also announced a consultation paper setting out proposals to prevent domestic violence, which will be published this year. This consultation will build on the initial consultation on domestic violence in the white

  579W
  paper, Justice for All, and the ongoing work of the inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence, which is focussing on five priority areas for action. These are:
  Increasing safe accommodation choices for women and children;
  Developing early and effective healthcare interventions;
  Improving the interface between the criminal and civil law;
  Ensuring a consistent and appropriate response from the police and Crown Prosecution Service; and Promoting Education and Awareness Raising.

  Tackling the problem means more than just providing initial support for victims. We want to ensure that offenders are prosecuted, help the police to prevent repeat victimisation, and protect the lives of the vulnerable.

  Firearms
  Mr. Tom Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to limit the number of shotguns owned by a person under a single licence. [105068]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We have no plans at present to introduce a limit. There is a requirement under current legislation to notify transactions thereby ensuring that the police are kept informed of the acquisition of any shotguns after a certificate has been granted.

  Mr. Tom Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to relax the existing controls on the ownership of handguns for sporting purposes. [105069]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  None.

  Gurkhas
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take into account the 15 years service in this country of Gurkha soldiers when assessing applications from such soldiers for the right to settle in the UK. [105411]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 28 March 2003]: As part of Her Majesty's forces, Gurkhas are exempt from immigration control while serving in the UK, and therefore, the 1971 Immigration Act does not apply to them. Accordingly, no leave can be conferred on a Gurkha soldier during their service here. The question of conferring indefinite leave to remain upon termination of service does not arise, as Gurkhas are discharged in Nepal in accordance with their terms and conditions of service.

  Heroin
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure the security of supplies of heroin in pharmacies which may be required to prescribe it. [105828]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Diamorphine (heroin) is already one of those controlled drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 apply. Pharmacies are covered by these Regulations, which oblige them to hold controlled drugs in such a way as to prevent any unauthorised access.
  580W
  These Regulations require that pharmacies keep controlled drugs in a locked safe, cabinet or room, as specified in the Regulations, or alternatively, in premises certified by the local chief officer of police as providing an adequate degree of security.

  Mr. Henry Olonga
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an immediate offer of political asylum to Mr. Henry Olonga. [105413]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 28 March 2003]: The duty of confidentiality does not allow me to disclose in a written answer whether an individual has applied for asylum, nor the actual or likely outcome of any claim. This is provided for in the Code of Practice on Access to government Information Part 2 (Sub Section 12).

  Police (Retirement Procedures)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake a survey of the operation by police forces of the Home Office's non-negotiable processes of applications by officers seeking retirement on the grounds of ill-health retirement; whether he will amend the process to enable a speedier conclusion; and if he will make a statement. [105301]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Police officers are a valuable resource and one of our priorities is to ensure that their skills and expertise are retained by forces as long as practicable. Under the Police Pensions Regulations it is the responsibility of the police authority for the force concerned to decide whether to retire or retain an officer who has been assessed as permanently disabled by their selected medical practitioner. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary reviewed the management of ill-health retirement of police officers in their thematic inspection report of 1997, 'Lost Time'.

  As part of the police reform process the Police Negotiating Board agreed in May 2002 ways to deliver a fair and more consistent approach towards early retirement due to ill health. Following the May Agreement the Police Negotiating Board agreed on 30 January changes to the Police Pensions Regulations to help support good practice, and joint guidance on the procedures for considering ill-health retirement. The new regulations come into force on 1 April and the joint guidance should be applied from 1 July. Under the guidance each case should be handled as expeditiously as possible consistent with a properly informed decision as to retirement or retention, with cases involving imminent death or severe disablement being given expedited treatment.

  Police Numbers
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of police officers in(a) each police force in England and Wales and (b) in total on 31 March in each year since 1992. [104843]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 25 March 2003]: The information requested is set out in the table.
  581W 582W

  Police strength in England and Wales—total police strength for ordinary duty

  March

  Police force

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Avon and Somerset

  3,081

  3,068

  3,033

  3,000

  2,981

  2,989

  Bedfordshire

  1,093

  1,188

  1,151

  1,126

  1,128

  1,094

  Cambridgeshire

  1,250

  1,265

  1,263

  1,261

  1,238

  1,302

  Cheshire

  1,874

  1,908

  1,902

  1,932

  1,998

  2,046

  Cleveland

  1,477

  1,478

  1,429

  1,438

  1,420

  1,459

  Cumbria

  1,179

  1,196

  1,174

  1,167

  1,115

  1,144

  Derbyshire

  1,706

  1,830

  1,820

  1,797

  1,763

  1,791

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,898

  2,910

  2,914

  2,877

  2,899

  2,865

  Dorset

  1,289

  1,302

  1,297

  1,288

  1,263

  1,284

  Durham

  1,389

  1,381

  1,383

  1,353

  1,401

  1,461

  Essex

  2,898

  2,936

  2,937

  2,921

  2,884

  2,961

  Gloucestershire

  1,174

  1,149

  1,159

  1,163

  1,133

  1,133

  Greater Manchester

  7,061

  7,060

  6,967

  7,037

  6,938

  6,922

  Hampshire

  3,211

  34275

  3,270

  3,256

  3,347

  3,452

  Hertfordshire

  1,695

  1,700

  1,682

  1,703

  1,712

  1,759

  Humberside

  2,026

  2,032

  2,039

  2,029

  2,041

  2,045

  Kent

  3,074

  3,146

  3,145

  3,117

  3,120

  3,260

  Lancashire

  3,198

  3,207

  3,170

  3,212

  3,171

  3,247

  Leicestershire

  1,845

  1,805

  1,825

  1,839

  1,908

  1,949

  Lincolnshire

  1,196

  1,200

  1,205

  1,199

  1,145

  1,196

  London, City of

  808

  825

  893

  885

  869

  859

  Merseyside

  4,621

  4,669

  4,693

  4,659

  4,411

  4,230

  Metropolitan

  28,154

  27,867

  27,699

  27,480

  27,343

  26,677

  Norfolk

  1,414

  1,440

  1,447

  1,395

  1,401

  1,432

  Northamptonshire

  1,158

  1,199

  1,170

  1,156

  1,153

  1,177

  Northumbria

  3,464

  3,563

  3,598

  3,606

  3,668

  3,677

  North Yorkshire

  1,398

  1,393

  1,318

  1,300

  1,324

  1,338

  Nottinghamshire

  2,331

  2,327

  2,328

  2,319

  2,318

  2,323

  South Yorkshire

  3,008

  3,032

  3,023

  3,040

  3,073

  3,159

  Staffordshire

  2,176

  2,179

  2,208

  2,231

  2,209

  2,211

  Suffolk

  1,218

  1,241

  1,208

  1,191

  1,138

  1,180

  Surrey

  1,706

  1,693

  1,669

  1,676

  1,644

  1,620

  Sussex

  2,984

  3,008

  3,009

  2,931

  3,074

  3,085

  Thames Valley

  3,772

  3,840

  3,908

  3,854

  3,674

  3,695

  Warwickshire

  990

  1,020

  1,046

  1,013

  979

  926

  West Mercia

  2,034

  2,054

  2,059

  2,046

  2,017

  2,040

  West Midlands

  6,941

  6,953

  7,014

  7,019

  7,145

  7,113

  West Yorkshire

  5,087

  5,037

  5,046

  5,050

  5,142

  5,209

  Wiltshire

  1,221

  1,265

  1,264

  1,261

  1,218

  1,154

  Dyfed Powys

  947

  967

  965

  976

  991

  1,005

  Gwent

  1,009

  1,004

  993

  997

  1,044

  1,243

  North Wales

  1,347

  1,360

  1,352

  1,366

  1,378

  1,369

  South Wales

  3,168

  3,176

  3,131

  3,014

  3,027

  2,976

  Total 43 forces

  125,570

  126,128

  125,806

  125,180

  124,844

  125,051

  Total England and Wales

  127,627

  128,290

  127,807

  127,222

  126,901

  127,158

  Police force

  1998

  1999

  March 2000

  2001

  2002

  September 2002

  Avon and Somerset

  2,976

  2,999

  2,934

  2,960

  3,096

  3,119

  Bedfordshire

  1,079

  1,041

  1,028

  1,036

  1,069

  1,086

  Cambridgeshire

  1,291

  1,274

  1,237

  1,296

  1,362

  1,398

  Cheshire

  2,042

  2,071

  2,011

  2,002

  2,059

  2,075

  Cleveland

  1,483

  1,416

  1,404

  1,407

  1,461

  1,488

  Cumbria

  1,164

  1,126

  1,084

  1,048

  1,100

  1,112

  Derbyshire

  1,772

  1,759

  1,777

  1,823

  1,848

  1,970

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,962

  2,887

  2,841

  2,934

  3,053

  3,145

  Dorset

  1,310

  1,279

  1,306

  1,354

  1,381

  1,402

  Durham

  1,515

  1,568

  1,558

  1,595

  1,614

  1,655

  Essex

  2,928

  2,891

  2,806

  2,887

  2,946

  2,988

  Gloucestershire

  1,104

  1,104

  1,114

  1,173

  1,183

  1,171

  Greater Manchester

  6,949

  6,810

  6,795

  6,909

  7,217

  7,352

  Hampshire

  3,490

  3,473

  3,419

  3,435

  3,480

  3,592

  Hertfordshire

  1,740

  1,724

  1,767

  1,922

  1,825

  1,902

  Humberside

  2,021

  1,974

  1,932

  1,917

  2,058

  2,114

  Kent

  3,251

  3,201

  3,204

  3,319

  3,355

  3,434

  Lancashire

  3,257

  3,245

  3,179

  3,255

  3,304

  3,378

  Leicestershire

  1,983

  1,993

  1,993

  2,033

  2,100

  2,086

  Lincolnshire

  1,191

  1,140

  1,115

  1,202

  1,198

  1,214

  London, City of

  825

  778

  732

  703

  764

  777

  Merseyside

  4,216

  4,211

  4,085

  4,081

  4,125

  4,118

  583W

  Police force

  1998

  1999

  March 2000

  2001

  2002

  September 2002

  Metropolitan

  26,094

  26,073

  25,485

  24,878

  26,223

  26,868

  Norfolk

  1,430

  1,381

  1,381

  1,420

  1,468

  1,481

  Northamptonshire

  1,169

  1,137

  1,117

  1,157

  1,214

  1,202

  Northumbria

  3,769

  3,840

  3,788

  3,857

  3,929

  4,006

  North Yorkshire

  1,367

  1,337

  1,283

  1,305

  1,417

  1,404

  Nottinghamshire

  2,323

  2,225

  2,204

  2,212

  2,330

  2,397

  South Yorkshire

  3,182

  3,168

  3,163

  3,197

  3,199

  3,217

  Staffordshire

  2,292

  2,238

  2,170

  2,129

  2,133

  2,169

  Suffolk

  1,186

  1,190

  1,145

  1,133

  1,203

  1,228

  Surrey

  1,608

  1,662

  1,785

  2,066

  1,992

  1,986

  Sussex

  2,996

  2,847

  2,822

  2,855

  2,893

  2,933

  Thames Valley

  3,776

  3,748

  3,740

  3,703

  3,762

  3,830

  Warwickshire

  924

  908

  900

  926

  969

  1,007

  West Mercia

  2,010

  2,025

  1,887

  1,951

  2,018

  2,048

  West Midlands

  7,156

  7,321

  7,194

  7,423

  7,618

  7,855

  West Yorkshire

  5,155

  4,982

  4,822

  4,815

  4,889

  4,999

  Wiltshire

  1,156

  1,151

  1,118

  1,120

  1,157

  1,167

  Dyfed Powys

  1,002

  1,026

  1,040

  1,055

  1,132

  1,144

  Gwent

  1,233

  1,247

  1,264

  1,274

  1,333

  1,327

  North Wales

  1,396

  1,391

  1,403

  1,444

  1,506

  1,496

  South Wales

  2,986

  2,981

  2,926

  3,100

  3,222

  3,153

  Total 43 forces

  124,756

  123,841

  121,956

  123,313

  127,267

  129,494

  Total England and Wales

  126,814

  126,096

  124,170

  126,682

  129,603

  131,548

  Note:

  Total for England and Wales includes secondments to NCS, NCIS and central services.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research his Department has undertaken on the proportion of police resources deployed for frontline use compared to other countries; and if he will make a statement. [104431]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Home Office Public Service Agreement 2 involves assessing the proportion of time spent on front line duties by forces in England and Wales.

  Work to agree a definition of duties and their measurement is being undertaken. International comparisons are not currently available.

  Police Vehicle Accidents
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been(a) killed and (b) injured by police vehicles in the Greater London area in each of the last three years. [105271]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Available information is given in the table. Figures for deaths and injuries refer to police forces not geographical areas and are available only for collisions where the police vehicle was providing an immediate response to an emergency call or in pursuit of another vehicle.

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Metropolitan Police

  Numbers of fatalities

  1

  6

  2

  Numbers of serious injuries

  39

  40

  51

  Numbers of slight injuries

  465

  628

  607

  Number of offences recorded by Kent police per 100,000 population

  19971

  1998–992

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Violence against the person

  478

  792

  825

  827

  769

  Sexual offences

  49

  59

  55

  61

  63

  Robbery

  46

  45

  53

  63

  63

  Total violent crime

  573

  897

  933

  951

  895

  584W

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  City of London Police

  Numbers of fatalities

  0

  0

  0

  Numbers of serious injuries

  0

  0

  1

  Numbers of slight injuries

  0

  2

  6

  Total

  Numbers of fatalities

  1

  6

  2

  Numbers of serious injuries

  39

  40

  52

  Numbers of slight injuries

  465

  630

  613

  Recorded Crime (Kent)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the recorded crime rate in Kent was in each year since 1997, broken down by major category of crime. [105192]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The requested information is in the table.

  There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime in 1 April 1998, which would have the tendency to increase the number of crimes counted. Crime rates before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.

  The Kent County Constabulary adopted the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard on 1 April 2000, in advance of its national implementation on 1 April 2002. This may have inflated its recorded crime figures, and so crime rates before and after this date may not be directly comparable.
  585W

  Number of offences recorded by Kent police per 100,000 population

  19971

  1998–992

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Burglary

  1,653

  1,467

  1,253

  1,209

  1,093

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  3,827

  3,660

  3,323

  3,367

  3,067

  Fraud and forgery

  188

  363

  469

  502

  371

  Criminal damage

  1,544

  1,472

  1,575

  1,761

  1,796

  Drug offences3

  —

  248

  231

  185

  191

  Other offences

  110

  152

  149

  114

  106

  1 Recorded on a calendar year basis up to 1997, and years ending March thereafter.

  2 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.

  3 Prior to 1998–99, the only drug-related offence recorded was "Trafficking in controlled drugs". This was recorded within the "Other offences" offence group.

  Street Crime
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department intends to evaluate the Street Crime Initiative in the relevant police force areas; and if he will publish the evaluation. [105313]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Street Crime Initiative is ongoing and as part of its day to day management there is regular identification and exchange of good practice across the various agencies involved. At local level a number of specific evaluations of projects or initiatives have been commissioned. These are a matter for the local partners.

  In addition, various strands of activity contributing to reducing street crime are being examined by a number of independent inspectorates, including Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary, Prisons, and Probation, and the Social Services, Crown Prosecution Service, and Magistrates Courts' Inspectorates. Findings are expected to be made available in the summer.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is evidence to show that the street crime initiative has displaced such crimes into areas not subject to the initiative. [105314]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  It is not currently possible to make an assessment of displacement effects from areas subject to the Street Crime Initiative to areas that are not part of the initiative. It should not be assumed that decreases in crime in a particular force area are at the cost of increases elsewhere.

  Criminal statistics are published on a quarterly and annual basis. The latest figures for England and Wales show that robbery fell by 10 per cent. in July to September 2002 compared to the year before.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the vulnerability of public and government buildings to attack from a helicopter; and if he will make a statement. [101147]

  Mr. Blunkett
  All flights over central London take place within controlled airspace and require clearance from air traffic control. Pilots are required to comply with air traffic control instructions at all times.
  586W
  There are a number of designated helicopter routes through the London Control Zone. For example, for safety reasons single-engined helicopters must follow a fixed route, including along the Thames, away from built up areas.

  Restrictions on helicopter movements, and security requirements at airfields, in London and elsewhere, are kept under constant review and can be expected to be varied from time to time.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women accused of being involved in terrorist activities are being held in prisons in England and Wales; and how many of those being held have appeared before a magistrates court. [104637]

  Hilary Benn
  There are currently 44 male prisoners being held in prisons in England and Wales accused of being involved in terrorist activities. There are no female prisoners currently being held in any prison accused of being involved in terrorist activities. Of these 44, 12 have not appeared before a magistrates court; these 12 prisoners are being held under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Benefits
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department have made of the number of people who opted for payment of benefits and pensions into a(a) bank or building society account and (b) post office card account by 28 February; and how many of those are (i) child benefit, (ii) veterans agency and (iii) pensions claimants. [105256]

  Malcolm Wicks
  As at 28 February 2003 1,218,916 customer invitation letters had been issued. This is made up of 1,086,301 child benefit customers, 107,651 Veterans Agency customers and 24,964 pensions customers.

  From the invitation letters issued, over 447,226 customers have responded to our letters and opted for payment into a bank or building society account: this is made up of 393,847 child benefit, 51,806 Veterans Agency and 1,573 pensions.
  587W
  Over 90,711 customers have responded with a request for a post office card account. This is made up of 49,178 child benefit customers, 35,622 Veterans Agency customers and 5,911 pensions customers. As planned we have now started to issue personal invitation documents to customers who have requested a post office card account.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many persons aged 65–70 receive disability living allowance or attendance allowance; and of these how many(a) receive a mobility payment and (b) do not do so on account of their having become disabled after the age of 65. [105273]

  Maria Eagle
  The numbers of people aged 65–70 receiving (i) disability living allowance, (ii) the mobility component of disability living allowance, and (iii) attendance allowance are shown in the table. Figures for the number of attendance allowance recipients in that age group who might satisfy the entitlement conditions for the disability living allowance mobility component are not available because the walking difficulties of attendance allowance claimants are not assessed.

  Numbers of people in Great Britain aged 65–70 on 31 August 2002 receiving (i) disability living allowance; (ii) the disability living allowance mobility component; and (iii) attendance allowance

  Benefit

  Number of recipients aged 65–70

  Disability living allowance1

  340,600

  Disability living allowance mobility component2

  314,100

  Attendance allowance3

  60,000

  1 Disability living allowance is available to people who claim help with their disability related extra costs before age 65. Once in payment, the care component or the mobility component of disability living allowance (or both) can continue to be paid after age 65 for as long as the entitlement conditions are satisfied.

  2 People receiving a mobility component may also be receiving a care component.

  3 Attendance allowance is available to people aged 65 and over when they claim help with their disability related extra costs. Attendance allowance does not have a mobility component.

  Note:

  Figures are in thousands rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample at 31 August 2002.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will estimate the number of pensioners eligible for benefits in the East Riding of Yorkshire, broken down by benefit category; [105278]

  (2) how many pensioners receive state benefits in the East Riding of Yorkshire, broken down by benefit category. [105277]

  Mr. McCartney
  Estimates of eligibility are available at national level only.

  Information about the number of pensioners receiving state benefits in the East Riding of Yorkshire is in the following table.
  588W

  Number of recipients by benefit type in the East Riding of Yorkshire local authority area

  Benefit

  As at:

  Number of claimants (thousand)

  Minimum Income Guarantee1

  November 2002

  10.3

  State Pension

  September 2002

  69.0

  Disability Living Allowance2

  August 2002

  3.8

  Attendance Allowance

  August 2002

  7.5

  Winter Fuel Payment

  2001–02

  72.3

  1 MIG claimants are defined as any live Income Support benefit unit where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 and over.

  2 DLA figure is for claimants over state pension age (age 60 + for women/age 65 + for men).

  Notes:

  1. Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG), State Pension (SP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Attendance Allowance (AA) are based on a 5 per cent. sample therefore subject to sampling variation. Winter Fuel Payment is 100 per cent. data.

  2. Local authorities are allocated using the relevant ONS postcode directory.

  3. Figures are in thousands rounded to the nearest hundred.

  4. Figures are for individual benefits and a person in receipt of more than one benefit will be included in each benefit count. Figures cannot therefore be summed to give a total number of claimants.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2002.

  2. 5 per cent. sample from the Pension Strategy Computer System, September 2002.

  3. IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample at 31 August 2002.

  4. Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuels Payment 2001–02 exercise 100 per cent. data.

  Information about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is only available at Government Office Region level and is in the following table:

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit case loads for recipients aged 60 and over—Yorkshire and the Humber—May 2001

  Number

  HB recipients

  162,000

  CTB recipients

  230,000

  Notes:

  1. The figure is based on a 1 per cent. sample and therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  2. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  3. The figures are rounded to the nearest thousand cases.

  4. Council Tax Benefit data excludes any Second Adult Rebate cases.

  5. Housing Benefit data excludes any Extended Payment cases.

  6. The figures are for benefit units where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  7. There will be an overlap in the figures as a claimant may be in receipt of both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 2001.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department and its agencies have been(a) disciplined, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for

  589W
  matters relating to benefit fraud in the current year and each of the previous three years; how much was (i) defrauded and (ii) recovered in each case, broken down by type of benefit; at what level in his Department and its agencies the decision is made on whether (A) to take no action, (B) to take internal disciplinary action or (C) to prosecute; what the policy of his Department and its agencies on the prosecution of staff suspected of benefit fraud is; and if he will make a statement. [88474]

  Staff Involvement in benefit fraud

  Case number

  Value of fraud (£)

  Outcome1

  Benefit type

  1999–2000

  1

  210,000

  Prosecution resulting in custodial sentence

  Income support

  2

  30,000

  Prosecution

  Income support

  3

  75.80

  Officer dismissed

  Income support

  4

  1,753.00

  Prosecution resulting in probation and community service

  Income support

  5

  4,462.97

  Information no longer available

  Income support/jobseekers allowance

  6

  8,820.77

  Prosecution resulting in custodial sentence

  Jobseekers allowance

  7

  144.20

  Officer resigned

  Incapacity benefit

  8

  134.41

  Officer resigned

  Incapacity benefit

  9

  4,224.28

  Officer resigned

  Incapacity benefit/disability living allowance

  10

  957.56

  Prosecution resulting in fine

  Family credit

  11

  17,880.80

  Prosecution resulting in 150 hours community service order

  Family credit

  12

  1,947.08

  Information no longer available

  Family credit

  13

  3,690.80

  Officer dismissed

  Invalid care allowance

  14

  3,255.54

  Officer dismissed

  Housing benefit

  15

  3,186.00

  Officer resigned

  Housing benefit

  Total

  290,533.21

  2000–01

  1

  3,963.00

  Disciplinary action not yet completed

  Income support

  2

  4,272.33

  Officer resigned

  Income support

  3

  218.57

  No disciplinary action taken

  Income support

  4

  887.18

  Prosecuted, conditional discharge officer resigned

  Jobseekers allowance

  5

  426.14

  Formal reprimand for five years

  Family credit

  6

  1,807.10

  Downgraded, formal reprimand and promotion bar

  Family credit

  7

  3,697.06

  Information no longer available

  Housing benefit

  8

  2,820.18

  Prosecuted by Police resulting in community service and order to repay

  Housing benefit

  9

  7,631.37

  Prosecuted resulting in probation and community service

  Housing benefit

  10

  2,140.00

  Information no longer available

  Housing benefit

  11

  9,535.84

  Prosecution resulting in community service and probation

  Incapacity benefit

  Total

  37,398.77

  2001–02

  1

  2,346.00

  Written reprimand valid for 5 years

  Income support

  2

  2,660.72

  Officer dismissed

  Housing benefit council tax benefit

  3

  5,000.00

  Officer resigned

  Income support/incapacity benefit

  4

  2,904.00

  Officer resigned

  Income support

  5

  3,005.00

  Officer dismissed

  Income support working families tax credit

  6

  180,000

  Prosecution resulting in custodial sentence

  Incapacity benefit

  Total

  195,915.72

  2002–032

  1

  1,807.00

  Formal reprimand, downgraded, promotion ban for 2 years

  Family credit

  2

  5,300.00

  Officer dismissed

  Incapacity benefit

  Total to date

  7,107.00

  1 Following prosecution, disciplinary action is taken and may lead to dismissal.

  2 There are limited details available for the current financial year, as a number of potential cases of benefit fraud involving staff have not been concluded.

  590W
  Malcolm Wicks
  Information is not available in the exact form requested. Such information that is available is shown in the tables. The tables show value of fraud, the outcome of investigation activity and the benefit subjected to the fraud. Information on amounts recovered is not routinely captured centrally. It is normal practice to recover wrongly paid sums. This can either be through the courts following prosecution or through departmental action.
  591W
  Departmental Policy on prosecution in benefit fraud cases.

  For any cases of staff suspected of benefit fraud the decision maker would be at least a Deputy District Manager (Grade 7 or SMPB2) and they would decide whether or not to take any internal disciplinary action.

  The Department's policy on prosecution in relation to benefit fraud considers various factors. However, where the person involved was in a position of trust such as a member of staff, prosecution would always be considered.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the total amount of fraud by each category of benefit in(a) the latest year available and (b) 1996–97; and if he will make a statement on the Government's strategy to reduce benefit fraud. [101515]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Our estimates of levels of fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance are published in the series of reports "Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance" which are placed in the Library.

  In April 2001 we also set up the housing benefit review which will deliver an on-going measurement of fraud and error in housing benefit. Fraud in other benefits is examined in our programme of National Benefit Reviews.

  Our current estimate is that £2 billion is lost annually through all benefit fraud. We do not break this figure into separate benefit categories nor hold figures for previous years.

  We are taking positive action to reduce fraud by making it harder to commit fraud, improving detection of fraud, and deterring those who might be thinking of committing fraud.

  We have made excellent progress in the fight against fraud and error. By March 2002 we had reduced fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance by 24 per cent., significantly outperforming our target of 10 per cent.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 9 December 2002,Official Report, column135W, how many custodial and non-custodial punishments were imposed in (a) 2001–02, and (b) each of the previous three years, broken down by type of disposal; and in how many cases in each year the offender was ordered to pay compensation. [89918]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not available. Pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member on 9 December 2002,Official Report, column 135W, corrected figures are shown in the tables.

  Targeting Fraud Website (launched May 2000)

  Period

  Investigations completed

  Successful prosecutions

  May 2000 to March 2001

  184

  0

  April 2001 to March 2002

  673

  4

  April 2002 to December 2002

  828

  14

  Source of information:

  Fraud Information By Sector system1
  592W

  National Benefit Fraud Hotline2

  Period

  Investigations completed

  Successful prosecutions

  1999–2000

  28,582

  335

  2000–01

  33,134

  492

  2001–02

  32,943

  703

  April-December 2002

  25,081

  546

  Source of information:

  National Benefit Fraud Hotline

  1 The fraud database shows completed cases commenced in the relevant period. Due to the elapsed time between commencement of an investigation and completion of a prosecution there are cases that are inserted into previously completed data for earlier periods. All totals are therefore correct at the time when quoted but subject to adjustment at a later date.

  2 Full information on the number of investigations and successful prosecutions resulting from calls to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline is available only from April 1999.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many persons have been gaoled for benefit fraud since 1997. [101551]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is in the table.

  Custodial sentences1 following investigations by Departmental Investigators

  Number

  1997–98

  551

  1998–99

  643

  1999–2000

  636

  2000–01

  653

  2001–02

  646

  1 Imprisonment, Young Offenders Institute or custodial and fine.

  Source:

  Fraud Information By Sector and data from Counter-Fraud Investigation Division (Operations)2

  2 The fraud database shows completed cases commenced in the relevant period. Due to the elapsed time between commencement of an investigation and completion of a prosecution there are cases that are inserted into previously completed data for earlier periods. All totals are therefore correct at the time when quoted but subject to adjustment at a later date.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the amount of benefit fraud in each year from 1990–91 to 2002–03 (estimated)(a) in total and (b) broken down by (i)housing benefit, (ii) council tax benefit, (iii) disability benefit, (iv) pensions and (v) jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement. [97354]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Our most recent estimate is that £2 billion is lost annually through benefit fraud in Great Britain.

  We have in place systems to provide an on-going measurement of loss in the three main income-related benefits Income support, jobseeker's allowance and housing benefit that between them account for about two-thirds of the fraud loss. The levels of fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance are published in the "Area Benefit Review and the Quality Support Team reports on Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance", copies of which are in the Library. The first publication of findings from the housing benefit review is expected in autumn 2003. Our programme of National Benefit Reviews provides snapshot estimates of the level of

  593W
  fraud in other benefits, most recently covering incapacity benefit in 2000 and has been placed in the Library.

  Employment Action Teams (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what data on working age employment rates in each ward of the Portsmouth area informed the selection of wards for employment action team status; and if he will make a statement; [104914]

  (2) where peripatetic employment action team advisers are based in the Portsmouth area; how regularly they use these locations; if he will estimate the number of users at each location; and if he will make a statement. [104941]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Action Teams for Jobs focus on the most disadvantaged jobless people in the most employment deprived areas of the country. They target the wards within these areas which have the lowest overall employment rates and the highest rate of people claiming all benefits.

  There are no Action Teams for Jobs based in the Portsmouth area. However, through Jobcentre Plus, we offer a wide range of help for jobless people in the city. For example, the New Deals have helped almost 3,000 people in Portsmouth move from welfare into work. This has played an important part in increasing employment and reducing unemployment in the city. Since 1997, the working age employment rate has risen to over 75 per cent. and remains above the national average, claimant unemployment has been cut by 60 per cent., and the number of people unemployed for 12 months or more has fallen by 90 per cent.

  Benefit Payment Methods
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in the Havant constituency have migrated from over-the-counter benefit payments to automated credit transfer in each of the last 12 months. [104577]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not available in the format requested. Information on migration from "over the counter methods of payment" to payment directly into a bank or building society account is not recorded monthly. A comparison of the limited data available at 25 January 2003 with the same records from 2 November 2002, indicates that just under 100 pensioners in the Havant constituency have migrated at least one benefit from payment at a post office to payment directly into a bank or building society account. These figures will be influenced by people moving away from or into the area during the period of the comparison.

  Benefit Statistics
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) men aged 55 to 64 and (b) women aged 55 to 59 who are not in full or part-time employment (i) receive one or more benefit and (ii) are not in receipt of any benefit. [90823]
  594W
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The available information is in the table.

  Estimated number of people not in work

  Thousand

  Total1

  Benefit recipients2

  Non-recipients2

  Men aged 55–64

  1,100

  900

  300

  Women aged 55–59

  700

  300

  400

  1 Figures are from the LFS—estimates have not been adjusted for the results of census 2001.

  2 Figures are based on the proportions of those out of work and receiving benefits from the FRS, applied to the figures from the LFS.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.

  2. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  Sources:

  Labour Force Survey (LFS) Summer 2001 to Spring 2002. Family Resources Survey (FRS) 2001–02. Benefit-receipt is assessed at the individual level and includes all benefits in payment.

  Burnt Oak Jobcentre
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the clients of Burnt Oak jobcentre live in Hendon constituency; what proportion of the total clientele of Burnt Oak jobcentre live in Hendon constituency; who was consulted about the jobcentre's proposed closure; in what way they were consulted; why the hon. Member for Hendon was not included in the consultation; when the jobcentre will close; why the hon. Member for Hendon was not informed of(a) the decision to close the jobcentre and (b) the date it was to be closed; if he will defer its closure to allow the hon. Member for Hendon to make representations; and if he will make a statement. [105037]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, Clare Dodgson. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 27 March 2003:
  As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning Burnt Oak Jobcentre and the creation of Jobcentre Plus facilities in your constituency. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency.
  As part of the rollout of Jobcentre Plus we are taking the opportunity to rationalise the estate previously occupied by the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service. Burnt Oak Jobcentre did not have a customer base of jobseekers of its own but offered job broking facilities for people claiming benefits through Mill Hill Jobcentre and Wembley Jobcentre Plus as well as people already in employment.
  As part of the roll out of the full Jobcentre Plus service in Brent, Harrow & Hillingdon District, we examined alternative means to deliver our services rather than just through Jobcentres. These include Jobseeker Direct and the Jobcentre Plus website. We are also putting Jobpoints into Burnt Oak library and an outreach service at the local Careers Library. Employers will also be able to use the employer suite in Wembley Jobcentre Plus.
  We wrote to stakeholders, including local MPs, about the closure of Burnt Oak Jobcentre on 28 June 2002 asking for comments on the service delivery plan for Brent, Harrow and

  595W
  Hillingdon District by 19 July 2002. We wrote again confirming our plans on 17 September 2002. Burnt Oak Jobcentre closed on 21 March 2003.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what has been the cost to the Exchequer of the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997. [105781]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The figures are in the table.

  £ million

  Year

  Administration costs of the Child Support Agency

  1997–98

  225.220

  1998–99

  230.534

  1999–2000

  260.333

  2000–01

  250.046

  2001–02

  285.468

  Notes:

  1. The figures are drawn from the Annual Reports and Accounts of the Child Support Agency for the years 1997–98 to 2001–02.

  2. The figures represent:

  For 1997–98 and 1998–99; the total operating costs for the year

  Loss to public funds identified by investigations

  £

  2001–02

  2000–01

  1999–2000

  1998–99

  1997–98

  Benefits Agency

  208,823

  44,309

  389,874

  430,780

  918,790

  Employment Service

  1,045,977

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Contributions Agency

  —

  —

  —

  1,824

  2,572

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  3,583

  1,500

  0

  0

  Information Technology Services Agency

  —

  —

  8,325

  10,942

  20,959

  Department of Social Security HQ

  —

  —

  8,317

  0

  0

  Child Support Agency

  4,111

  9,200

  8,950

  418

  57

  Departmental Directorates

  620

  14,019

  —

  —

  —

  Appeals Service

  203

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total Departmental Losses

  1,259,734

  71,111

  416,966

  443,964

  942,378

  (b)Theft:

  The following table, based on calendar years, is a summary of information already provided in response to earlier PQs.

  £

  2002

  2001

  2000

  1999

  1998

  1997

  Benefits Agency

  —

  24,700

  2,900

  24,400

  26,300

  39,900

  Employment Service

  —

  89,500

  55,100

  —

  —

  —

  Contributions Agency

  —

  —

  —

  7,100

  12,900

  13,100

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  160

  0

  7,000

  1,200

  —

  Information Technology Services Agency

  —

  —

  6,500

  23,400

  16,200

  4,600

  Department of Social Security HQ

  —

  —

  21,100

  60,500

  57,700

  —

  Child Support Agency

  23,400

  211,700

  71,700

  58,700

  58,000

  82,300

  Job Centre Plus

  441,700

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pensions Service

  5,100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Departmental Directorates

  79,900

  125,100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Appeals Service

  10,500

  8,800

  3,000

  —

  —

  —

  Total departmental losses

  560,600

  459,960

  160,300

  181,100

  172,300

  139,900

  Notes:

  1. Departmental Directorates were formed in 2000.

  2. Contributions Agency transferred to Inland Revenue from April 1999.

  3. Department of Social Security HQ was subsumed into Departmental Directorates in 2000.

  4. The Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA) ceased to be an executive agency in April 2000.

  5. 2001 and 2002 relate to the Department for Work and Pensions, previous years to Department of Social Security only.
  596W
  For 1999–2000 and 2001–01; the net operating costs

  For 2001–02; the net administration costs

  Costs increased by 26.8 per cent. between 1997–98 and 2001–02. By comparison, in the period from May 1997 to February 2002, the number of live cases with full maintenance assessments rose by 94.5 per cent. from 530,400 to 1,031,800.

  Departmental Fraud
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money has been lost by his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies through(a) fraud and (b) theft in each year since 1996–97. [92477]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information in the exact form requested is not available. Such information that is available is shown in the following two tables.

  (a) Fraud

  The following table is an extract from the Department for Work and Pensions Annual Fraud Return to HM Treasury. It shows losses due to confirmed internal fraud only.

  No information is available relating to internal fraud in non-departmental public bodies.

  No information is available relating to theft in non-departmental public bodies.

  Departmental Invoices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the occasions on which(a) his Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department failed to pay valid invoices within 30 days or after the agreed credit period in the financial year 2001–02. [104319]

  Mr. McCartney
  Information on the occasions where the Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies failed to pay valid invoices within 30 days or after the agreed credit period can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the percentage of bills which were paid by the Department within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice was 93 per cent. for the financial year 2001–02. The average percentage of bills paid by my Department's agencies was 94 per cent. over the same period. There were no executive non-departmental public bodies in that year.

  Departmental Phone Directory
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the most recent internal phone directory for the Department was published; how often it is updated; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [101782]

  Mr. McCartney
  The internal phone directory for the Department for Work and Pensions was last published on Wednesday 5 March 2003. It is published monthly. We are currently investigating data protection issues regarding future publication of the directory.

  Departmental Running Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the running costs in 2002 were of(a) his Ministers private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff, and (b) his Department. [105988]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Department accounts for its expenditure on the basis of a financial year ending 31 March. Figures for the financial year April 2002–March 2003 are therefore not yet available.

  Departmental Website
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost of his Department's website was in the last 12 months; and how many hits it received in the same period. [104204]

  Mr. McCartney
  The total cost of the Department for Work and Pensions website over the last 12 months is not fully available. The site is maintained by an in-house team as part of their general duties, and we would be unable to break these costs down without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Web hosting and provision of web services is provided by the Department's IT contractor. However, internet services are not accounted for separately and it is not possible to disentangle the costs from overall IT services.

  Hits to the site between March 2002 and February 2003 total 65,407,012. The number of unique visitors was 883,754. The number of page impressions was 7,841,865.

  External Consultants
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of external consultants was to his Department and its predecessors in each of the last four financial years for which figures are available, broken down by firm. [94054]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information requested cannot be provided without incurring significant disproportionate cost.

  Home Responsibilities Protection
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 24 March,Official Report, column 105W, on home responsibilities protection, in which year the special insert was placed in child benefit books. [105977]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The insert "Information for Women with Reduced Liability for National Insurance Contributions" was included in 1979.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which local authorities have yet to implement an agreement with the post office not to redirect housing benefit payments. [101384]

  Malcolm Wicks
  90 per cent. of all local authorities now use the Do Not Redirect scheme, which is helping to tackle fraudsters claiming from a false address.

  In the written answer given to the hon. Member on 2 May 2002, Official Report, column 982W, it was incorrectly stated, as a result of a clerical error, that 367 local authorities out of 408 were participating in the Do Not Redirect Scheme. The correct figure for the number of local authorities currently participating in the Do Not Redirect scheme is 366 out of 408.

  The 42 local authorities listed below currently have not entered into an agreement with Royal Mail Plc.

  Argyll and Bute

  Falkirk

  North Warwickshire

  Blaenau Gwent

  Fenland

  North West Leicester

  Bromley (LB)

  Gateshead

  Perthshire and Kinross

  Broxbourne

  Harborough

  Rugby

  Charnwood

  Inverclyde

  South Gloucester

  Dartford

  Isles of Scilly

  South Holland

  Daventry

  Kettering

  South Kesteven

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Maidstone

  Southwark (LB)

  East Dorset

  Malvern Hills

  Sutton (LB)

  East Dunbartonshire

  Mid-Devon

  Swindon

  East Hertfordshire

  Mid-Suffolk

  Wandsworth (LB)

  East Staffordshire

  Newport

  West Dunbartonshire

  Ellesmere Port

  North Norfolk

  West Somerset

  Exeter

  North Somerset

  Weymouth and Portland

  Jobcentre Plus
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many employees have been given(a) an oral warning, (b) a written warning and (c) a final warning for contravening the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees since its introduction; and if he will make a statement; [100306]
  599W
  (2) how many employees reprimanded for contravening the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus are (a) frontline employees and (b) non frontline staff; and if he will make a statement; [100307]

  (3) how many employees reprimanded for contravening the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus are (a) former Benefits Agency employees and (b) Employment Service employees; and if he will make a statement; [100308]

  (4) what legal advice he was given concerning the implications of the introduction of the new guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees; and if he will make a statement; [100309]

  (5) if he will place a copy of the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [100310]

  (6) what consultation was held when drawing up the new guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees; and if he will make a statement. [100311]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, Clare Dodgson. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Clare Dodgson to Paul Holmes, dated 31 March 2003:
  As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, I have been asked to reply to your six questions concerning our dress standard. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency.
  A copy of the Jobcentre Plus dress standard has been placed in the Library.
  Our dress standard requires all our staff to dress in a professional and business like way. It reflects our role as a gateway to the labour market for people of working age and in providing vacancy-filling services for employers. It is consistent with the approach adopted by many other service delivery organisations and is entirely appropriate for us as a highly visible public-facing service. It is also an important element in promoting a single, integrated culture within our organization—which was created from staff of the former Benefits Agency and Employment Service.
  Our records from July 2002 show that 47 staff have received oral warnings, of whom 21 went on to receive written warnings, and 10 went on to receive disciplinary penalties.
  You asked how many of these were from the former Benefits Agency and from the former Employment Service, and how many were frontline and non frontline employees. This information is not available, and to gather it would involve a disproportionate cost.
  At present there are 23 people failing to comply with the dress standard, out of the approximate 82,000 staff of Jobcentre Plus; around half of whom are claiming exemption on medical grounds.
  Consultation on the dress standard took place in the lead up to the introduction of integrated Pathfinder offices, which preceded Jobcentre Plus, and on the launch of Jobcentre Plus itself. The Public and Commercial Services Union was formally consulted and some of their comments were incorporated into the standard though, regrettably, we were unable to reach full agreement with them.
  In developing our dress standard, we took extensive legal advice which has led us to be firmly of the view that our dress policy is not discriminatory, is reasonable and does not contravene the Human Rights Act.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Lister Group
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultations he has had with the liquidators of the Lister Group regarding the level of pension to be paid to former employees of the firm. [105184]

  Mr. McCartney
  No consultations have been held with the liquidators of the Lister Group regarding the level of pensions to be paid to scheme members. But we are aware of the difficult situation faced by members of the Lister pension scheme, and I sympathise with their position.

  We are concerned about instances when the employer sponsoring a pension scheme becomes insolvent and the pension scheme winds up under-funded. We are aware of the impact this has, and we are determined to protect the long term security of pensioners and other scheme members in occupational pension schemes.

  That is why we have consulted on proposals in our Green Paper, 'Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement' (Cm5677), published on 17 December, aimed at improving protection for scheme members on wind up. This includes proposals to share out scheme assets more fairly, introduce a centralised "clearing house" or some form of insurance, remove the restrictions on the amount of compensation payable under the compensation scheme and strengthen protection for members whose solvent employer chooses to wind up its scheme.

  The Government want to ensure that when a scheme winds up, the assets are divided among scheme members as fairly as possible. Through the Green Paper we have consulted on:

  1. whether people who are approaching retirement age should be given a higher priority when scheme assets are distributed on wind-up, than at present;

  2. whether people who have been members of their pension scheme for a number of years should be given a higher priority; or

  3. whether there should be a fairer sharing of assets between those with larger and smaller pensions when a scheme winds up, possibly setting a cap on the level of pension that those with the highest pensions might receive, if there are limited assets available in the scheme.

  We are considering moving pension schemes up the order of priority for payment, possibly creating a new category of creditor, which would give pension schemes higher priority than at present.

  We have sought views on other approaches to dealing with under-funded defined benefit schemes that are wound up because their sponsoring employer becomes insolvent. Possibly:
  1. a form of insurance (perhaps a central discontinuance fund) that enables members to be more confident that, if their employer becomes insolvent with an under-funded pension scheme, they will receive the benefits promised; or

  601W
  2. a centralised arrangement or "clearing house" into which people whose employer became insolvent could pay the funds that they receive on wind-up. The "clearing house" would seek to buy the best available deferred annuity from an insurance company and should be able to negotiate better annuity rates.

  Insurance or a centralised "clearing house" might have advantages, providing better protection for scheme members where a company becomes insolvent and is forced to close its under-funded scheme. However, the costs would need to be balanced against the greater overall level of security offered.

  A compensation scheme already exists to provide compensation for losses caused by dishonesty where the employer is insolvent. Nonetheless, we are seeking views on removing the restrictions on the amount of compensation payable under the compensation scheme.

  Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based), Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit recipients by family type, May 2001

  Thousands

  Income Support/Income-based JSA

  Housing Benefit

  Council Tax Benefit

  Single (no children)

  2,932

  2,247

  2,704

  Couple (no children)

  394

  443

  733

  Single parent (one child)

  475

  413

  403

  Single parent (two children)

  324

  294

  298

  Single parent (three or more children)

  212

  183

  187

  Couple (one child)

  102

  98

  120

  Couple (two children)

  92

  101

  120

  Couple (three or more children)

  99

  96

  109

  Total benefit units with at least one person receiving benefit

  4,629

  3,874

  4,673

  Total number of adults in benefit units where at least one person is receiving benefit

  5,316

  4,611

  5,756

  Total number of children in benefit units where at least one person is receiving benefit

  2,507

  2,278

  2,393

  Notes:

  1. IS/JSA numbers are based on per cent. sample. HB/CTB numbers are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  2. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. Figures relate to benefit units and not households.

  4. A benefit unit may be a single person or a couple.

  5. Children are defined as children aged under 16 and young persons aged 16 to 18 in full-time education.

  6. HB figures exclude extended payment cases.

  7. CTB figures exclude Second Adult Rebates.

  8. The HB/CTB totals for Great Britain includes estimates for local authorities that have not responded. This estimate is based on historical and regional data. These types of estimates are standard practice in reporting totals where there have been non-respondents.

  9. There will be a significant overlap between the figures as most people receive both HB and CTB, and a significant proportion also receive IS or JSA.

  10. Single parents are defined as all claimants with dependants and without a partner.

  Sources:

  1. Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) Management Information Annual 1 per cent. sample inquiry, May 2001.

  2. Income Support (IS) Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 2001.

  3. Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 2001.

  Medical Services
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2003,Official Report, column 496W, on medical services, how many grade C medical reports were generated by random audits in each year since 1998; and how many have been judged to be fit for the purpose. [103117]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  A total of 134,144 cases have been randomly audited since 1 September 1998, of which 5,440 were found to be C grades, a proportion of 4.1 per cent.
  602W
  Also, we are seeking views on changes to the debt on the employer provisions that might result in more funds being put into a scheme when a solvent employer chooses to wind it up.

  The consultation period ran until 28 March 2003.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will update the table on the number of households claiming means-tested benefits set out on 28 February 2001,Official Report, column 697W, broken down by household type and the number of children. [95226]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Updated estimates for the number of families claiming income-related benefits are in the table.

  Random audit is carried out before reports are sent to decision makers and any audited report found not fit for purpose is corrected before being submitted to the decision maker.

  The figures for each year are:

  Number of C grades

  September 1998 to August 1999

  1,670

  September 1999 to August 2000

  1,590

  September 2000 to August 2001

  1,165

  September 2001 to August 2002

  709

  September 2002 to February 2003

  306

  603W
  The information requested in relation to the number of C grade reports judged to be fit for purpose is not available. SchlumbergerSema Medical Services do not keep records of this information.

  New Deal (Fraud)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2003,Official Report, columns 925–26W, on fraud and the New Deal, (1) if he will make a statement on the nature of the frauds committed by contractors in relation to the New Deal; and what steps his Department has taken to prevent such frauds; [105351]

  (2) if he will list, in each year in which an estimated total loss was given in his answer, the cases in which fraud was found to have occurred, and the precise level of the fraud in each case. [105352]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 27 March 2003]: Allegations made against contractors delivering New Deal programmes fall mainly into two broad categories: allegations that the claimed outcomes were fabricated or mis-stated, and allegations that the claimed training delivered was not in fact provided.

  New Deal providers are subject to thorough contractual and quality audits. These specifically consider the delivery of training against the requirements set out in the contract between Jobcentre Plus and providers. Contractual terms and conditions include appropriate clauses requiring parties to the contract to use all reasonable endeavours to safeguard Jobcentre Plus funding of the New Deal against fraud generally and, in particular fraud on the part of the provider's directors, employees or sub-contractors.

  The Department investigates all such allegations, of which some are false, some are true but caused through clerical or administrative error and others are caused by fraud.

  Where evidence of fraud is found, it is reported at the earliest opportunity to the police, who are responsible for any subsequent criminal law investigation. Some reported fraud is suspected to be corporate, but most cases are investigated as internal frauds by employees of the contractor.

  Since the Department's action following investigation is often a referral to outside bodies, such as the police, it is not possible to state the outcome of each case.

  New Deal for Young People
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Northavon, on 26 February 2003,Official Report, column 609W, what assessment he has made of why the number of people leaving the New Deal for Young People for unknown destinations is growing; and what plans the Department has for increasing the information available about leavers. [103058]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Jobcentre Plus and New Deal providers have mechanisms in place that aim to maximise information about the destinations of those leaving the programme and Jobcentre Plus is working to ensure that best practice is shared across different districts and providers.
  604W
  Later this year we are planning to conduct further research into people whose destination on leaving NDYP was unknown. Previous surveys of this kind have shown that the destinations of this group mirror that of people leaving to known destinations, with a large number of these young people entering sustained employment.

  However, individuals are not obliged to inform us of their destination on leaving the New Deal for Young People (NDYP) and following up all of these cases can be very time consuming. The priority is to provide the help and support that young people need to move into work. This may mean that less time has been spent following up and recording the destination of people after leaving NDYP.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of those on each option of the New Deal for Young People went into a sustained job in the East Riding of Yorkshire(a) since the scheme began broken down by year and (b) in the last quarter for which figures are available. [104524]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  In the latest quarter for which information is available (October to December 2002) 40 young people left the New Deal Options for unsubsidised, sustained jobs in the East Riding local authority area. This is 43 per cent. of all leavers from the Options in that period. Due to the small volumes involved, figures for individual New Deal Options for the latest quarter cannot be published because of the risk of identifying individuals.

  The information requested on the New Deal for Young People since the programme began is in the table.

  New Deal for Young people in the East Riding of Yorkshire

  Option/year1

  Number of people entering unsubsidised, sustained employment2

  Number of leavers2

  Proportion of leavers entering unsubsidised, sustained employment (percentage)3

  Employment

  1998

  10

  20

  55

  1999

  80

  130

  63

  2000

  70

  100

  67

  2001

  70

  110

  61

  2002

  50

  120

  45

  Education and Training

  1998

  10

  10

  38

  1999

  60

  160

  39

  2000

  70

  190

  37

  2001

  50

  130

  40

  2002

  40

  110

  37

  Voluntary Sector

  19984

  —

  —

  —

  1999

  30

  70

  47

  2000

  20

  80

  25

  2001

  20

  40

  49

  2002

  20

  50

  45

  Environment Task Force

  19984

  —

  —

  —

  1999

  30

  80

  41

  2000

  20

  60

  34

  2001

  30

  70

  35

  2002

  30

  60

  48

  1 Years relate to January to December (except for 1998, which is April to December).

  2 All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  605W
  3 Proportions are based on unrounded figures and hence cannot be derived from the rounded figures used in the table.

  4 Due to the small volume involved, the 1998 figures for the Voluntary Sector and the Environment Task Force Option cannot be published because of the risk of identifying individuals.

  Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements are in place to credit pension payments paid into a bank account(a) weekly and (b) in advance rather than arrears; whether changes in method of payment are made only on request; and how such a request can be made. [105378]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Pensioners who are currently paid weekly in advance will continue to be paid this way after the move to Direct Payment.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the(a) funded and (b) unfunded public sector pension schemes for which his Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies are responsible; when the last actuarial valuation was of each scheme; what the value was of the assets at the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; what deficit is disclosed by the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; and if he will make a statement. [104923]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Department is not responsible for any funded or unfunded pension schemes in respect of its staff.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will review the advice given to pensioners by the Pension Service on form BR2199(RP) in respect of hospital downrating. [105254]

  Mr. McCartney
  There are no current plans to amend the advice on form BR2199(RP).

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people of working age were not making second tier pension arrangements(a) in 1997 and (b) in the last year for which figures are available. [105825]

  Mr. McCartney
  In 1997, we estimate that 11.9 million working age people were not members of SERPS or making private pension arrangements. In 2001–02, this figure was 11.4 million. We estimate that state second pension, introduced from April 2002 will reduce the number to about 7 million. These figures have been estimated using the Family Resources Survey, 1997–98 and 2001–02.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were in approved personal pensions in each year since 1988; and what proportion of members were accruing no additional pension rights in each year. [105826]

  Mr. McCartney
  Information is not available in the format requested. However, available estimates of the number of personal pension arrangements for employees are contained in the table. The estimates are 606W
  based on administrative returns made to the Inland Revenue by personal pension providers and show the number of arrangements for employees which have received a contribution in the year.

  It is not possible to estimate how many individuals these relate to. Neither is it possible to say how many of those with only minimum contributions have made no further contributions to a private pension as, for example, an appropriate personal pension may have been used by an individual to contract out while a member of an employer's occupational scheme. Alternatively, the individual could have arrangements with other personal pension providers to which they are making contributions.

  Number of Personal Pension Arrangements for Employees

  Thousand

  Total number of arrangements

  Number where a minimum contribution only has been received

  1989–90

  5,000

  2,450

  1990–91

  6,250

  2,750

  1991–92

  7,300

  3,050

  1992–93

  8,100

  3,050

  1993–94

  8,050

  2,900

  1994–95

  8,700

  3,070

  1995–96

  8,570

  3,020

  1996–97

  8,530

  2,960

  1997–98

  9,150

  2,930

  1998–99

  9,630

  2,950

  1999–2000

  10,010

  2,980

  2000–01

  9,950

  2,890

  Due to the simplified regime introduced from April 2001 for personal and stakeholder pensions, estimates on a comparable basis are not available from 2001–02 onwards.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what circumstances pensioners who receive their pensions weekly in cash will be able to receive weekly payments if they opt to receive their pensions by automated credit transfer into a bank account. [105545]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 11 March 2003,Official Report, column 187W.

  Post Office Card Accounts
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements have been made to ensure that a Post Office card account holder who has nominated a named carer or home care worker is able to have their pension collected when the carer or home care worker changes unexpectedly. [105257]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Customers in these circumstances may find that the Post Office card account is not the most suitable account for them. However, if a customer finds themselves in this situation the customer can apply for a second card in the name of their new carer.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the exception scheme for the post office card account will be in place; and what it will cover. [105261]
  607W
  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department have always recognised that there will be a small number of people who cannot manage to access their benefit or pension via an account, including the post office card account. An alternative method of payment will be used for this group and will be in place when it is required.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) retirement pensioners and (b) recipients of child benefit will be able to arrange weekly payments to a bank or Post Office card account from next month. [105272]

  Malcolm Wicks
  There will be no change to payment frequency following the move to Direct Payment for retirement pension and child benefit recipients. This means that those customers paid weekly now will continue to be paid weekly after the move to Direct Payment.

  Strikes
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many days have been lost in strikes in his Department, including local job centres and social security offices, in London in each year since 1996. [105568]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The information requested is not available in the format requested.

  Theft/Fraud
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in 2002. [89891]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department treats very seriously any instances of theft or fraud. In instances where a member of staff is proven to have committed fraud against the Department, disciplinary penalties, including dismissal, will be considered in addition to any criminal proceedings. The Department has put a number of measures in place to deter theft and fraud including working with property managers to make buildings more secure, internal fraud investigators actively operating in each government region, security specialists assessing internal security risk within a number of business units, awareness training for staff on internal security, a Whistleblowers hotline for staff to report instances of internal fraud, a portfolio of fact sheets on fraud and securty for staff and regular bulletins to middle managers on internal fraud matters.
  608W
  The following tables show the estimated cost of theft and fraud in Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies in the period April 2001 to March 2002. Information on non—departmental public bodies is not available:

  Thefts in DWP, by Agency, April 2001 to March 2002

  The approximate cost to the DWP of theft in 2001–02

  Items

  Valued at £

  Department (Corporate Directorates and Services)

  1—

  1—

  Jobcentre Plus2

  58

  55,475

  Child Support Agency

  14

  13,037

  Appeals Service

  8

  6,675

  Health and Safety Executive

  22

  21,420

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies

  3—

  3—

  Total

  96,607

  1 None reported

  2 Including ex-BA and ex-ES

  3 Not recorded by DWP

  Internal Fraud in DWP, by Agency, April 2001 to March 2002

  The approximate cost to the DWP of Internal Fraud in 2001–02

  £

  Department (Corporate Directorates and Services)

  620.20

  Ex-Benefits Agency

  208,823.90

  Ex-Employment Service

  1,045,977.40

  Child Support Agency

  4,111.49

  Appeals Service

  203.51

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies

  1—

  Total

  1,259,736.50

  1 Not recorded by DWP

  External Benefit Fraud:

  The Department estimates that approximately £2 billion is lost through benefit fraud.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) for what reasons those who receive winter fuel payments in excess of their entitlement are not required to repay the money; [104742]

  (2) how much money has been received during 2002–03 from voluntary repayments of excess winter fuel payments; and what the sum was in 2001–02. [104743]

  Mr. McCartney
  In the vast majority of cases, the amount of winter fuel payment is determined by the information held by the Department, which is regularly updated. The winter fuel payment therefore reflects the person's circumstances as known to the Department in the qualifying week, which determines entitlement.

  There are a variety of reasons why payments are returned to the Department, including cases where entitlement is queried and change of address.

  We are currently unable to give a specific amount, which relates to voluntary excess repayments.

  Israeli Embassy Bombing 1994
  Israeli Embassy Bombing 1994
  Young People who Sexually Abuse
  Young People who Sexually Abuse
  Mr Justice Collins
  Mr Justice Collins
  Criminal Justice System: Statutory Time Limits
  Criminal Justice System: Statutory Time Limits
  UK-USA Extradition Treaty
  UK-USA Extradition Treaty
  Hull: Ethnic and Religious Breakdown
  Hull: Ethnic and Religious Breakdown
  EMU
  EMU
  Armed Forces: Recruitment and Training
  Armed Forces: Recruitment and Training
  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Defence Medical Education and Training Agency
  Defence Medical Education and Training Agency
  Broadband
  Broadband
  Tourism and Leisure: Start-up Funding
  Tourism and Leisure: Start-up Funding
  BSE
  BSE
  Disposal of Fallen Stock
  Disposal of Fallen Stock
  Game Licences
  Game Licences
  Tourism and Heritage
  Tourism and Heritage
  North West: Regional Planning Guidance
  North West: Regional Planning Guidance
  Housing
  Housing
  National Archives
  National Archives
  THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 2003–04¹
  THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 2003–04¹
  Central America: Diplomatic Representation
  Central America: Diplomatic Representation
  NHS Complaints Procedure
  NHS Complaints Procedure
  Children in Care: Education
  Children in Care: Education
  Interception of Communications Commissioner
  Interception of Communications Commissioner
  M11: Litter
  M11: Litter
  Life Satisfaction
  Life Satisfaction
  Ml, Junction 19
  Ml, Junction 19