Written Answers of 1 May 2003

TREASURY

  Child Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many couples that have applied for the child tax credit have opted for payment to(a) the mother and (b) the father. [110938]

  Ruth Kelly
  Statistics on the Child and Working Tax Credit will be published quarterly, beginning in August 2003. The first set of statistics will cover awards at early July 2003

  Earnings
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 16 December 2002,Official Report, columns 606–7W, on average earnings, what assessment he has made of what population base provides reliable New Earnings Survey data for use by the ODPM to calculate area cost adjustment. [109365]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  The area cost adjustment is calculated using New Earnings Survey (NES) data. This data contain no information on the size of an areas resident population. Office for National Statistics uses national insurance numbers to select those who participate in the survey.

  The NES does contain information on the area in which the survey respondent lives and in which they work. Information on the area in which the survey respondent works is used in the calculation of the area cost adjustment.

  The area cost adjustment (ACA) has been calculated for each 1991 county in line with the recommendations of the independent Elliott review of the area cost adjustment. The exception to this rule is that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has further refined the ACA geography around London, by acknowledging fringe and non fringe areas in the counties which surround London, and by separating Greater London into four ACA areas.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister calculates the ACA for county areas because we wish to produce robust ACA factors that are stable over time. For individual authorities the NES sample size can be small and small samples can lead to volatility. In reforming the ACA the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has had to strike a balance between more finely reflecting local labour market pressures, by calculating the ACA for smaller areas, and providing stable and robust ACA factors each year.

  Families With Children
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families with children there are in the UK. [110836]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to David Willets, dated 1 April 2003:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning families with children. (110836)
  The number of families with dependent children in the United Kingdom in November 2002 is estimated at 7.2 million.

  Iraq
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 19 March,Official Report, column 761W, on Iraq, what plans he has to make new funding available to the Department for International Development for humanitarian relief efforts during the conflict. [105253]

  Mr. Boateng
  In the Budget Statement of 9 April, the Chancellor announced the provision of $100 million to support the UN and the work of reconstruction and development in Iraq. This is in addition to the £240 million the Government has already set aside for humanitarian relief. The Government will consider further action as needed, in the context of future developments.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost will be to public funds in 2003–04 of the rise in national insurance contributions on the salary bill of his Department. [107896]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. this year.

  National Minimum Wage
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, for a couple with one child under 16 and one adult in work for 35 hours a week receiving the National Minimum Wage of £4.50 an hour from April, by how much she estimates the 30p a week increase in the National Minimum Wage will be eroded by(a) the resulting increase in national insurance contributions, (b) the resulting reduction in housing and council tax benefits, (c) the average increase in council tax on band D in London, (d) the average increase in social housing rents by local authorities and (e) the average increase in social housing rents by housing associations in London. [106591]

  Mr. Boateng
  As a result of the increase in the National Minimum Wage to £4.50 and the introduction of the Working and Child Tax credits a couple with one earner working full time on the National Minimum Wage will be £6.93 per week better off in real terms from
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  October 2003 than they were over 2002–03. This includes the impact of the rise in National Insurance Contributions.

  Even after average increases (across England) in rents and Council Tax this family will be £2.39 better off per week. Only some households in these circumstances will be eligible for Housing or Council Tax Benefit.

  Regional Pay
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce regional pay for public services following his announcement that he intended to introduce a regional retail price increase table for all regions. [109362]

  Mr. Boateng
  Remits for pay review bodies and for public sector workers, including the civil service, will in future include a stronger local and regional dimension.

  Further details will be announced in the coming months.

TRANSPORT

  Air Transport (Consultation)
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about the effect of planning blight on domestic properties as a result of the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK. [110362]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Prior to the publication of the airports' consultation documents last year, we consulted a number of departments, including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. We will continue a dialogue within Government in the run-up to the Air Transport White Paper.

  Car Clubs
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the Government will establish a challenge fund for local authorities for car clubs; [110934]

  (2) what plans the Department has for undertaking further research into the effectiveness of car clubs; [110932]

  (3) what encouragement the Department is giving to local authorities within its guidance for developing local transport plans for the support of car clubs; and what (a) financial and (b) other support the Department is giving to local authorities for (i) promotion and (ii) development of car clubs. [110933]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport announced the Government's response to the Motorist's Forum's Report on car sharing and car clubs on 3 December 2002,Official Report, column 72WS. The response outlined the work and further support it will give in this field.

  The response was placed in the Libraries of the House and is also available on DfT's website at http://www local-transport.dft.gov.uk/travelplans/mforum/index.htm.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact upon CO2 emissions in 2010 of his revised forecast that car fuel costs will drop by 30 per cent.over the present decade, rather than the 20 per cent. assumption in the original 10 year transport plan. [110074]

  Mr. Jamieson
  In our revised forecasts, fuel costs in 2010 (measured in pence per km driven) are forecast to be only 1 per cent lower than assumed for 2010 in the original 10 Year Plan. This is estimated to increase CO2 by approximately 0.1 MtC in 2010.

  It should be noted that the forecast drop in car fuel costs between 2000 and 2010 of 30 per cent., compared with 20 per cent. forecast in the original 10 year Transport Plan has arisen from two main factors. The first is that the actual base year (2000) fuel price was higher than that originally estimated (although this has no direct impact on 2010 costs) and secondly, that the forecast for fuel duty, which takes into account changes since 2000, will be lower. The underlying forecast for car fuel efficiency improvements remains unchanged.

  Civil Service (People with Disabilities)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in meeting targets for the proportion of people with disabilities in senior posts in the Department. [110529]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department for Transport currently has 0.1 per cent. of senior civil servants (SCS) with a disability. Following last year's machinery of government changes, we are yet to revise the former DTLR diversity targets for DfT. However, we are reviewing this, and are working with two other departments on work they are doing on modelling for setting targets for under-represented groups in the senior civil service and below. It is expected that a model will be in place by the summer. In addition to this, we propose to undertake a disability resurvey of all our staff later in the year.

  We are engaged in a number of measures and initiatives to help increase the representation of disabled people in more senior posts. The Department advertises open competition vacancies in media targeted at disabled people eg Disability Now, and Ready, Willing and Able as well as other medium. We also operate a guaranteed interview scheme (commonly known as "Two Ticks") whereby all disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for advertised posts are guaranteed an interview.

  The Department is a corporate sponsor of the Employers Forum on Disability, and has a contract with disability consultants to advise on disability issues including ways in which we might increase the representation of disabled people within the Department.

  We are continuing to support the Cabinet Office Disability Bursary Scheme, and are providing central funding for two successful applicants on the 2003 scheme. We also ran a short career development workshop for disabled staff in 2000 and 2001. We are offering work placements to disabled graduates in the summer to undertake specific high level projects, and

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  will continue to monitor the progress of these measures, and consider additional initiatives to help bring about an increase in the proportion of disabled staff at senior levels.

  District Line
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what investments have been made in the District Line in each of the last six years. [110459]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground. London Underground, however, advise that the following has been invested in the District Line:

  £ million

  1997–98

  49.5

  1998–99

  64.4

  1999–2000

  61.5

  2000–01

  77.5

  2001–02

  101.2

  2002–03

  84.9

  Ministerial Transport
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of(a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for his Department was in 2002. [101538]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The cost of ministerial cars and drivers for the Department will be addressed in a letter from Mr. Nick Matheson, the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to the hon. Member.

  Taxis may be used for a variety of reasons, including disability, personal safety or when it is more cost effective to do so. The cost of taxis to my Department during 2002 was 55079.70. This figure is for the period 1 April to 31 December 2002 and is inclusive of all types of taxi services. My Department does not hold information on the cost of the different types, e.g black cabs or minicabs. The period 1 January to 31 March 2002 was for the predecessor Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions and the cost of taxis was not kept separately from other travel costs.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated cost is in 2003–04 to her Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible of the increase in the national minimum wage from £4.20 per hour to £4.50 per hour. [110445]

  Dr. Howells
  There would be no increase in paybill costs in DCMS and the Royal Parks Agency because all staff are paid at a higher hourly rate than the £4.50 per hour national minimum wage.
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  DCMS does not hold central paybill records for non-departmental public bodies. To provide this information could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

  Pill Boxes
  Jim Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the pill boxes which are being reviewed as part of English Heritage's Monuments Protection programme. [1088791

  Dr. Howells
  English Heritage is carrying out a review of World War II anti-invasion structures, including pill boxes. This review is at an early stage, and there is no definitive list yet of the pill boxes which will be recommended for scheduling as part of the Monuments Protection programme.

  Public Service Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what grades of officials are responsible for the monitoring of progress towards the public service agreement targets of her Department. [109475]

  Dr. Howells
  Monitoring progress towards the Department's PSA targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in her Department were on long-term sick leave in each of the last five years. [109246]

  Dr. Howells
  Assuming long-term sick leave is defined as 90 days and over, the numbers of DCMS staff on long-term sick leave in each of the last five calendar years was:

  Number

  1998

  6

  1999

  3

  2000

  5

  2001

  5

  2002

  7

  DCMS is committed to managing sickness absence effectively, and in meeting the 2003 target for reduced sickness absence, as set out in the Service Delivery Agreement.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the salary bill was for special advisers in her Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108501]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 24 April 2003,Official Report, column 45W, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

DEFENCE

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to address the issue of age discrimination. [109442]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence employs some 90,000 Civil Servants, and it is departmental policy that individuals should not be discriminated against on any grounds, including age. We will be keeping our policy under review against the background of any changes in the law relating to age that may result from the implementation of the EC Employment Directive. The armed forces have an exemption from the age (and disability) provisions of the Article 13 Directive.

  Armed Forces Accommodation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlie the decisions about how MOD houses are graded; if he will make a statement on the differences between the four grades; and which grades are suitable to house service personnel. [110467]

  Dr. Moonie
  All Service Families Accommodation (SFA) is Graded in accordance with the Ministry of Defence's 4-Tier Grading system. The Grading system takes into account the size and condition of the SFA plus environmental factors such as aircraft noise and distance from amenities. All Grades of SFA are used to house Service personnel.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MoD houses are empty; how many have been empty for more than six months; and if he will make a statement. [110468]

  All services

  1 April 1997

  1 April 1998

  1 April 1999

  1 April 2000

  1 Apri1 2001

  1 April 2002

  1 March 2003

  Surplus/Deficit

  -8,320

  -8,190

  -8,100

  -7,740

  -9,440

  -9,030

  -6,570

  Naval service

  Surplus/Deficit

  -1,230

  -1,460

  -1,620

  -990

  -1,360

  -1,690

  -920

  Army

  Surplus/Deficit

  -4,840

  -4,890

  -5,370

  -6,060

  -6,600

  -6,560

  -5,110

  Royal Air Force

  Surplus/Deficit

  -2,250

  -1,850

  -1,120

  -690

  -1,490

  -790

  -550

  Note:

  All Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, totals may not equal the sum of the parts

  These figures exclude:

  Trained Personnel in the Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service, full and part time), Army Reservists mobilised for service, RAF Reservists mobilised for service, Gibraltar Permanent Cadre and Naval Activated Reservists.

  These figures include:

  Trained UK Regular Forces, Full Time Reserve Service Personnel (FTRS) and Trained Gurkhas.

  Benefits (Service Families)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are in place to provide spouses of army personnel with(a) maternity benefit, (b) jobseeker's allowance, (c) disability allowance and (d) advice on how to seek these benefits, when they are living or have been living abroad; and if he will make a statement. [110389]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) issue pamphlet GL26, which gives specific advice on benefits and allowances for Service families moving overseas. Claims are dealt with through the
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  Dr. Moonie
  It is assumed that this question relates to Service family housing in mainland United Kingdom, which is managed by the Defence Housing Executive (DHE). At the end of March 2003, there were 8,161 empty properties, including about 2,000 which the Services have requested DHE hold back from disposal, depending on resolution of Service deployment uncertainties.

  Of the total vacant, some 2,880 had been empty for six months or more, of which 937 were in the course of disposal, and 1,399 were awaiting planned deployments or refurbishment. The remainder are subject to a rolling review of their long-term retention.

  Armed Forces Recruitment
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the Department's recruitment campaign for the armed services; and what the shortfall in manpower was in each year since 1997. [110029]

  Dr. Moonie
  Overall armed forces recruitment is holding up well. After 11 months of the current Financial Year, the number of new recruits had reached 24,290 representing 96 per cent. of the overall recruiting target. This compares with 95 per cent. in FY 2001–02 and 90 per cent. in FY 2000–01. However, we are not complacent; we recognise that the overall achievement masks recruiting shortfalls in some critical employment groups.

  The following table provides details of shortfalls in trained strength by individual Service as at 1 April for years 1997 to 2002 along with the current shortfall (as at 1 March 2003).

  DWP Newcastle office which has a help line; and the availability of the help line is published to Service families. There are also advice leaflets available through British Forces Post Offices overseas. Service welfare organisations will also provide advice to families.

  The procedures for claiming benefits are set by the Department of Work and Pensions, and will depend upon the benefit being claimed and the circumstances of the individual. The ability to claim benefits overseas will also depend upon the country being visited. There are specific rules for European Economic Area (EEA) countries and there are also a number of two way social security agreements with other countries.
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  In the case of maternity allowance, if the individual is going to an EEA country and is a United Kingdom or EEA national and is already in receipt of maternity allowance, they can continue to receive it while abroad. If going to a non-EEA country, they may be able to get maternity allowance if a two-way social security agreement exists covering maternity benefit. In other cases, the Ministry of Defence will make an ex-gratia payment equivalent to maternity allowance for accompanying Servicemen's wives when all the relevant qualifying criteria are met.

  Jobseeker's allowance can be claimed when moving to an EEA country if all the criteria are met. However, it is not payable in countries outside the EEA. In some cases, it is possible to use UK national insurance contributions to claim an unemployment benefit in countries that have two-way social security agreements with the UK.

  Disability living allowance is normally payable for as long as the applicant can be treated as 'ordinarily resident" in Great Britain. It is not payable where the family has severed links with Great Britain and has no plans to return, or where a severely disabled child born abroad has not established ordinary residence in Great Britain. In practice, members of most Service families stationed overseas would be treated as ordinarily resident in Great Britain.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what standards have been set for the rapid resolution of benefit claims by Service families; and whether there are complaints procedures available for cases that have resulted in the undue delay of such benefits. [110391]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has a target to process claims for jobseeker's allowance within 12 days. This applies to all claims, including those made by Service families. If there are delays, DWP will consider complaints and claims for compensation which should, in the first instance, be made to the local DWP office. Complaints can also be made by e-mailing Jobcentre Plus via the website at: jobcentreplus.gov.uk or using the "How Do I Complain?" leaflet available at any Jobcentre Plus Office. Service authorities will provide assistance to Service families as necessary in cases where there is dispute over entitlement to a benefit.

  Civil Contingencies
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research work is conducted into(a) civil contingency planning and (b) anti-terrorist measures; which Department is responsible; what funds are allocated; who sets the research priorities; and if he will make a statement. [110544]

  Mr. Ingram
  Lead responsibility for counter-terrorism and civil contingency planning in the United Kingdom rests with the Home Office. Along with many other Government Departments and Agencies, the Ministry of Defence provides support to that planning, drawing upon a wide range of relevant scientific and military expertise. Scientific research funded from the Defence budget supports the development of a number of military capabilities applicable to counter-terrorism,448W
  as described in "The Strategic Defence Review: A New Chapter" (Command 5566) presented to Parliament on 18 July 2002.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the 2002 annual report of the Department will be published. [107868]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence's annual report is published each autumn and covers the previous financial year. The annual report for 2001–02 was published on 22 November 2002. We plan to publish the report for 2002–03 in October of this year. A summary of the Department's performance against its Public Service Agreement at the mid-year point will be included in the Government's defence expenditure plans for 2003–04 to 2005–06 to be published by 16 May in common with all other spring departmental reports.

  European Amphibious Initiative
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what developments have been made regarding the European Amphibious Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [109082]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since the inception of the European Amphibious Initiative (EAI) at the end of December 2000, progress has been made in determining doctrine, concepts, and procedures—although opportunities to conduct a dedicated EAI exercise have been limited.

  Work to date has centred on a structured series of Steering and Working Group meetings between the Naval staffs of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. Additionally there is a more tactical level annual EAI Seminar, followed by an Amphibious Force Commanders' conference.

  It was planned to use Exercise Destined Glory 02, a NATO amphibious exercise in the Mediterranean, to test the practical implementation of evolving concepts and other work, but the commitment of the Royal Marines to operations in Afghanistan meant that UK participation was greatly reduced. Since then continuing high operational tempo has made it impossible to plan a further exercise.

  At the most recent Steering Group Meeting, member nations resolved to take the initiative forward, and the aim, operational commitments permitting, is to hold an EAI exercise in 2004.

  European Security and Defence Identity
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy objectives for a European security and defence identity. [110795]

  Mr. Hoon
  The European Security and Defence Identity was initiated within NATO to enable European Allies to make a more coherent and effective contribution to the missions and activities of the Alliance and to respond to European requirements. In addition to its objective to improve European military capabilities, it recognised the European Union's resolve, supported by the United Kingdom Government, to
  449W
  have a capacity for autonomous action so that it could take decisions and approve military action when the Alliance as whole was not engaged. Our policy is for NATO and the EU to be strategic partners in crisis management and the development of military capabilities. This partnership is underpinned by the recent implementation of the 'Berlin Plus' arrangements through which the EU has assured access to NATO planning capabilities and a presumption of availability of NATO common assets and capabilities. This will ensure that the EU's European Security and Defence Policy continues to develop in a manner that is supportive of, and supported by, NATO.

  Iraq
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the provenance of the missile which hit the al-Nassar market in the Shula area of Baghdad. [108013]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no evidence to suggest that allied weapons caused the damage in the al-Nassar market in the Shula area of Baghdad. The crater in the market place is inconsistent with that normally created by an air-to-ground missile. Moreover the nearest target attacked by coalition aircraft at the time of the explosion was some 8 km away from the market.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment the Government have made of the likely time scale for the administering and governance of Iraq to be put into the hands of the Iraqi people and the total withdrawal of coalition forces. [110348]

  Mr. Hoon
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear at the Hillsborough summit, our aim is for Iraqis to take charge of the administration and Government of Iraq as soon as possible. The process of establishing a transitional Government, representing all Iraq's ethnic groups, regions and diaspora, began with the National Dialogue Conference on 15 April 2003. It is impossible to know with certainty precisely how long this process will take. We anticipate that coalition forces will remain in Iraq as long as their presence is necessary to help the Iraqi people in the political and economic reconstruction of their country.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have for the total withdrawal of British forces from Iraq. [110350]

  Mr. Hoon
  Our Military Campaign Objectives contain a commitment to withdrawal of British military forces from Iraq as soon as is practicable. It is too early at this stage to predict when the appropriate circumstance will arise to allow a full withdrawal. We will maintain an appropriate military presence in Iraq as long as is necessary to enable the conditions within which the Iraqis can get their country running effectively, politically and economically.

  We have kept the House fully informed of deployments to the middle east and of subsequent withdrawals of forces from the region. We will continue to keep deployments to the region under review and will keep the House informed of future withdrawals.

  Military Training
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment his Department has made of environmental damage to(a) Woodbury Common, (b) Dartmoor and (c) Salisbury plain training areas caused by military exercises. [109637]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has always been committed to minimising any environmental damage caused by our training activities, an approach which has now been formalised through the Defence Estate Strategy and taken forward through the implementation of ISO 14001, the Environmental Management System.

  A wide variety of military training activity is undertaken on Woodbury Common, Dartmoor and Salisbury Plain Training Areas and specific surveys of the environmental impacts of this military training are carried out as part of Departmental management plans. As part of existing management plans, recent surveys have been undertaken to ensure environmental impacts are managed within agreed limits in consultation with statutory bodies.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanisms are in place for monitoring the payment of national insurance by families of soldiers when living abroad; and if he will make a statement. [110390]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are no mechanisms in place to monitor the payment of national insurance by families of soldiers or other Service families when living abroad. The continued payment of United Kingdom national insurance when living overseas will depend upon an individual's employment circumstances and the country they have moved to.

  NATO
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the objectives of Her Majesty's Government's policy towards NATO reform. [110797]

  Mr. Hoon
  The United Kingdom's principal objective towards NATO reform is to ensure the continued effectiveness and relevance of an enlarged Alliance.

  The NATO summit in Prague, which took place during November last year, focused on transformation, and Alliance leaders agreed a comprehensive package of measures aimed at ensuring NATO has the flexibility and capabilities to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. These measures include: enlargement; a streamlined Command Structure; the creation of a NATO Response Force; a new capabilities initiative; and the modernisation of NATO's internal structures and processes.

  Nordic Brigade
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what developments the UK has made in respect of the Nordic Brigade; and if he will make a statement. [109083]
  451W
  Mr. Hoon
  Last year, at the Nordic Defence Ministers' meeting in Alesund, I signed a Letter of Intent that provides the basis for the United Kingdom's co-operation with NORDCAPS (the Nordic Coordinated Arrangement for Military Peace Support). NORDCAPS provides the formal planning and cooperation framework for a possible Nordic Brigade for Peace Support Operations.

  NORDCAPS builds on the co-operative arrangements that we have enjoyed with our Nordic partners in the Balkans. Our involvement does not commit the United Kingdom to a military contribution to NORDCAPS. We support this initiative in addition to our existing bilateral links with the Nordic countries.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the part-time Workers Directive on staff in his Department. [109265]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence is committed to the work/life balance of its civilian staff. A range of flexible working patterns including part-time working, flexible working hours, home working and job share is available to civilian staff by agreement with their management.

  The number of civilian staff employed part-time has increased steadily during the last five years from 4,055 in April 1998 (4.5 per cent. of total work force excluding trading funds) to 5,323 in March 2003 (7 per cent. of total work force excluding trading funds). There has, however, been no attempt to assess the specific impact of the Part-time Workers Directive on this increase as MOD's policies to ensure equal treatment of part-time workers were largely in place well before the European Directive came into force.

  Reservists Standard Awards
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether increases to maximum levels for Reservists Standard Awards will continue to be fixed to(a) inflation levels and (b) an earnings index; [110466]

  (2) whether reservists serving in the Gulf will be able to backdate any increase in the Reservists Standard Award that is agreed on in the next year to include the time spent in the Gulf at any point in 2003; [110465]

  (3) when his Department will be implementing increases to the Reservists Standard Award under SI 1997/309. [110464]

  Dr. Moonie
  The current regulations covering Reservist Standard Awards, as set out in SI 1997/309 (The Reserve Forces (Call-out and Recall)(Financial Assistance) Regulations), do not contain a provision to increase the maximum levels of the banded rates. A consultation paper with proposals for revising the financial assistance available to reservists under SI 309/97 when called out into permanent service will be issued shortly. Such a consultation is required under the Reserve Forces Act 1996, prior to any changes being implemented.

  Royal Irish Regiment
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future use of the three home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment. [110791]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Royal Irish Regiment comprises three Home Service battalions, the General Service battalion which has been serving in Iraq, and a TA battalion.

  Until there is agreement on Security Normalisation in Northern Ireland, it would be premature to come to any conclusions on the final composition of the Northern Ireland garrison. Current planning is addressing the implications of security normalisation for the Home Service battalions. The role of the Home Service element is Military Aid to the Civil Power; as the security environment improves we expect the need for this role will decline.

  Service Personnel (Gulf)
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been put in place to provide support to families of armed forces personnel who have been killed or injured serving in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement. [110418]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Service authorities take very seriously the need to ensure adequate welfare support for personnel and their families and have well-established procedures in place to cater for instances of injury or death.

  Where Service personnel are, for whatever reason, classified as very seriously ill or seriously ill, up to two family members will be eligible to visit them at public expense for up to seven days, extendable to 10 days on medical advice. Unit Welfare Officers will assist families as the need to do so arises.

  Following a death, be it through natural causes, as a direct result of peacetime Service, e.g. an accident, or on the battlefield, the Services have detailed guidelines for Commanding Officers on the procedures to be implemented. In the first instance, the next of kin or other nominated person will be advised of the death through a visit by an officer from the deceased's unit. Following initial notification, an officer is appointed to assist the family in the ensuing days and months and will do so through emotional or administrative support, including matters relating to housing and finance. This support will continue for as long as necessary according to individual circumstance and needs.

  Where families are housed in Service Family Accommodation (SFA), bereaved families can retain their SFA for as long as they feel they need in order to assess their longer term housing requirements.

  Financial support is provided in accordance with the terms of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and the War Pension Scheme, as detailed in my answer of 3 April 2003, Official Report, columns 781–82W to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley). I also explained that, where a Service person dies as a result of Service related to conflict, ex-gratia payments equivalent to benefits paid to a

  453W
  surviving spouse under the AFPS may be awarded to their unmarried partner where there is a substantial relationship.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. [109245]

  Dr. Moonie
  The number of non industrial staff in the Ministry of Defence who were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years are as follows:

  Year

  Number of staff

  1998

  —

  1999

  3,304

  2000

  3,411

  2001

  —

  2002

  3,993

  Long term sickness is defined as staff who have been on sick leave for a spell of 30 calendar days or more. Due to data inaccuracies, the figures for 1998 and 2001 cannot be given. Figures are not currently available for industrial staff.

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

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Domestic Violence
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Minister for Women if she will make a statement on the Government's plans to tackle domestic violence. [110646]

  Ms Hewitt
  As a Government, we are consulting with a view to bringing forward legislation to tackle the issue of domestic violence, we are putting funding into refuges, and establishing a new helpline for women fleeing violence. My own Department is developing initiatives to raise awareness, and my right hon. Friend the Solicitor-General is working with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to change the way the police and prosecution services work on domestic violence.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for Women what action she is taking to promote the appointment of women to the boards of Regional Development Agencies. [110649]

  Ms Hewitt
  Nearly one in three of RDA board members are women. This includes the first woman chair of an RDA whom I appointed in December 2002.

  I am committed to increasing the diversity of the boards of all public bodies sponsored by my Department. I have spoken at events to encourage
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  women to apply for public appointments and specifically mentioned the RDA appointments. My officials run awareness raising events and distribute leaflets to women's groups and other interested bodies in the regions. The material for these posts stresses that appointments are made on merit and that applications from women, ethnic minorities and the disabled are particularly welcome.

  Corporate Social Responsibility
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Minister for Women how her work on Corporate Social Responsibility has affected women. [110650]

  Ms Hewitt
  Our approach to Corporate Social Responsibility is to encourage companies to make environmentally and socially responsible practices an integral part of their business operations, to the benefit of both society and business.

  Where companies do so, women will benefit as employees, customers and citizens. Women, especially in developing countries, are disproportionately affected by bad working conditions and environmental damage. The Government's policies to tackle these issues will directly benefit women both in the UK and overseas.

  Business Start-ups
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister for Women what measures she is taking to help women to set up their own businesses. [110651]

  Ms Hewitt
  I will shortly launch a national strategic framework for women's enterprise, which has been developed by the Small Business Service, in conjunction with Prowess (Promoting Women's Enterprise Support) and a cross-Government policy group. This framework will provide a cohesive, co-ordinated and long-term approach to the development of women's enterprise across the UK.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Manufacturing Industry
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to improve productivity growth rates in manufacturing industry. [110642]

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

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to increase productivity in UK manufacturing business. [110625]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's Manufacturing Strategy, published in May last year, identified seven key areas of activity for Government and industry that are crucial for manufacturing success. We are taking
  455W
  action in all of those areas—for example, with the setting up of the Manufacturing Advisory Service—to help UK manufacturers improve productivity in very difficult global conditions.

  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans her Department has to increase the UK's productivity levels in manufacturing industry; and if she will make a statement. [110629]

  Ms Hewitt
  We are taking action to help manufacturers facing difficult conditions through the Government's Manufacturing Strategy, developed in partnership with industry. The supporting measures we have established, such as the Manufacturing Advisory Service, will help UK manufacturers to improve their productivity.

  Broadband
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the take-up of broadband internet access in the UK. [110643]

  Mr. Timms
  According to Oftel's Internet and Broadband Brief for March 2003, take-up of broadband continues to increase substantially. Total broadband subscribers are over 1.77 million.

  Export Control
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department invited submissions from the Metropolitan Police to the DTI's consultation on the secondary legislation for the Export Control Act 2002. [109657]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The fully public consultation on the DTIs Export Control Act 2002 invites views from all organisations with an interest in strategic export controls. The draft secondary legislation to be made under the Export Control Act was drawn up in consultation with all relevant Government Departments, including the Home Office. We will be working with all relevant enforcement authorities to ensure them new controls operate efficiently and effectively.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what mechanisms are in place for independent assessment of the Government's exemptions to its export control policy. [110396]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development, and Trade & Industry Committees, appointed by the House of Commons under Standing Order No. 152, can independtley examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Ministry of Defence, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development, and the Department of Trade & Industry, and any associated public bodies.

  Exports (Syria)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the export licences granted in respect of exports to Syria since 1997; and if she will make a statement on exports to Syria with a possible military application. [110224]
  456W
  Nigel Griffiths
  The details of all export licences granted in respect of exports to Syria since 2 May 1997 are published in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. Copies of the Annual Reports are available in the Libraries of the House. Between 1 January 2003 and 7 April 2003, no Standard Individual Export Licences or Open Individual Export Licences were issued, where the end users were in Syria.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value has been of UK chemical exports to Syria in each year since 1997. [110225]

  Nigel Griffiths
  According to information published by HM Customs and Excise, the value of UK exports of chemicals to Syria, in each of the years since 1997, was as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1997

  16.5

  1998

  21.0

  1999

  20.7

  2000

  18.9

  2001

  15.3

  2002

  19.0

  Chemicals are defined by Section 5 of the Standard International Trade Classification, revision 3 and include a list which comes to 40 pages.

  Inward Investment (North-West)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote inward investment in the North-West. [110631]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Securing new foreign investment is a key element of the North West Development Agency's Regional Economic Strategy (RES). This aims to strengthen key sectors and encourage the commercial exploitation of the region's science and technology base. In so doing the North West Development Agency will support and complement the work of Invest UK.

  Paternity Leave
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of recent changes to paternity leave on small businesses. [110630]

  Nigel Griffiths
  None. A new right to two weeks' paid paternity leave was only introduced on 6 April.

  Retail Sector
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the prospects for the retail sector. [110640]

  Mr. Timms
  Although the Department has not specifically estimated the future prospects for the retail sector, we fully recognise the importance of the industry and are working closely with it, through the formation of a Retail Strategy Group, to identify and address the key issues affecting its productivity and competitiveness.

  Trading Standards Professionals
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Trading Standards Professionals were employed by local authorities in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002 and how many are budgeted to be employed by local authorities in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004. [110359]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The total number of Trading Standards Professionals employed by local authorities in England and Wales for 2000–01 and 2001–02 was 3732.1 and 3586.9 respectively.

  The total number of staff in Trading Standards Authorities in Scotland for 2000–01 and 2001–02 was 534.5 and 511.6 respectively.

  The data for the budgeted total numbers of Trading Standards professionals to be employed by local authorities in 2003–04 are not yet available. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance is currently collecting this data in an annual return.

  Universal Service Obligation
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent representations she has received on the Royal Mail's universal service obligation; [109197]

  (2) what recent discussions she has had with Royal Mail on the universal service obligation to rural and remote areas of Scotland. [109196]

  Mr. Timms
  DTI Ministers and officials regularly hold discussions with Royal Mail on strategic postal issues. The Government considers the maintenance of a universal postal service to be of the highest importance. Under the terms of the Postal Services Act 2000, universal service is a matter for the postal regulator (Postcomm), which has the primary statutory duty to ensure the provision of a universal postal service at an affordable uniform tariff, and for Royal Mail as the licence holder with the universal service obligation. Following a wide-ranging consultation. Postcomm has established its policy on when exceptions might be permitted, and identified where exceptions exist. This document is available on their website at http://www.psc.uov.uk/docuinents/licensiiiR. Under this policy, exceptions to the universal service daily delivery can only be allowed in very specific and restricted circumstances.

  On 10 April, Postcomm launched a further three-month consultation to find out what users expect from the universal postal service currently provided by Royal Mail. All postal users are invited to comment on the universal service, to say what matters to them, and how they expect the service to develop. Again the information on this consultation can be obtained from Postcomm's website.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Antibiotics
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the most recent annual report into the sale of antibiotics for use in animals in the UK has been published. [110086]
  458W
  Mr. Morley
  The Report of the Sales of Antimicrobial Products authorised for use as veterinary medicines, growth promoters, coccidiostats and antiprotozoals, in the UK in 2001, was published on 10 April 2003 on the VMD website. I have placed a copy in the Library.

  Agricultural Sludge
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the consultation on Proposals to Amend the Statutory Controls for the use of Agricultural Sludge was carried out in accordance with the Government's code of practice on written consultation. [109993]

  Mr. Morley
  I can confirm that the consultation on the proposals to amend the statutory controls for the agricultural use of sludge was carried out in accordance with the code of practice for written consultation including allowance for a 13 week consultation period.

  Agricultural Trade Barriers
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of agricultural trade barriers on legal and illegal migration to the EU. [108815]

  Mr. Morley
  My Department has not made any such assessment. There are many factors which might contribute to legal or illegal migration to the EU. The impact of agricultural trade barriers would be difficult to gauge but it is considered unlikely that it would represent a significant factor.

  Agricultural Workers
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of workers in Shrewsbury and Atcham were working in agriculture in each year since 1997. [109678]

  Mr. Morley
  Figures from the 2001 Population Census show that, of the 46,100 people in employment in the district of Shrewsbury and Atcham, three per cent were working in agriculture. The Population Census is the only source of information on the percentage in employment in agriculture for which sufficiently precise figures for Shrewsbury and Atcham are available, but it is only conducted decennially.

  Fallen Stock
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department has made available to farms in Worcestershire on dealing with fallen stock. [109101]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department will be writing to all livestock farmers in England about the new rules on disposal of fallen stock before Easter. In addition there is information on the Defra website and advice may be obtained from the Worcester Animal Health Office.
  459W
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the European Commission on the subject of the regulation banning on farm burial of fallen stock from 1 May in respect of(a) the challenges posed to farmers who have long distances to the nearest rendering plant and (b) the need for sufficient time for the Government to consult the industry on how it proposes to address the consequences of the ban. [108758]

  Mr. Morley
  The consequences of the ban on burial of livestock have been animal by-products regulation was proposed.

  The Government has been discussing the possibility of establishing a national scheme for the collection of fallen stock with representatives of the farming industry since April 2002, but progress was hindered by the industry's initial reluctance to accept anything less than 100 per cent. Government funding. The industry were forewarned of the proposed ban even before these discussions and have had considerable time to prepare for the impending legislation.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what opportunities her Department has to secure derogations to the on farm burial ban of fallen stock equivalent to those secured by the Scottish Executive. [108759]

  Mr. Morley
  Member States may derogate from the ban on the burial of animal carcases, for fallen stock in respect of remote areas, and in certain circumstances during disease outbreaks.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department has given to cooperative groups of neighbouring farmers assessing the prospect of purchasing jointly a biodigestor or incinerator to deal with fallen stock in respect of(a) siting and (b) the transport of dead stock from one member's farm to the farm on which the facility is sited. [108774]

  Mr. Morley
  Guidance on on-farm incinerators, including shared incinerators, was included in a letter sent to all livestock farmers in England on 17 April. A copy of this letter is on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/default.htm. Further guidance will be made available shortly.

  Biodigesters are not a permitted means of disposing of fallen stock under the EU Animal By-Products Regulation.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the geographical spread of rendering facilities in the UK and its effect on collection of fallen stock; [108964]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the implementation of the EU fallen stock regulations in Scotland; [108956]

  (3) what additional resources will be required by trading standards departments in respect of new fallen stock regulations. [108963]
  460W
  Mr. Morley
  Rendering or incineration facilities are available throughout the UK to deal with disposal of fallen stock. The collection and disposal industry have stated that there is sufficient capacity to deal with the expected increase in the volume of material when the EU Animal By-Products Regulation comes into effect from 1 May.

  Responsibility for implementing the EU Animal By-Products Regulation in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

  Allocation of resources for enforcement of the new rules on disposal of fallen stock is a matter for local authorities.

  Animal By-products Order
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will nominate a representative to take forward discussions with bio-dynamic agriculture on the subject of the animal by-products order; and how many cases of BSE have been identified on bio-dynamic holdings. [110159]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra has a number of officials negotiating the Animal By-Products Regulation, who have been taking account of all comments made in the course of our consultations, including those relating to bio-dynamic agriculture. The statistics requested are not available, as BSE statistics do not identify biodynamic holdings separately.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what exemptions are allowable under the animal by-products order, where agriculture involves a closed cycle of animal rearing. [110160]

  Mr. Morley
  The new EU Animal By-Products Regulation permits member states to exercise a number of derogations. None of these provides for derogations simply because there is a closed cycle of animal rearing.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with representatives of bio-dynamic agriculture on the implications of the animal by-products order. [110157]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has undertaken extensive consultation on the new regulation. Comments made by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association are being considered, as are all others.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the EU on the introduction of the animal by-products order, with specific reference to obtaining exemptions for bio-dynamic agriculture. [110158]

  Mr. Morley
  The practice of using animal by-products in the production of fertiliser was discussed at a working group meeting in Brussels on 17 March. It was noted that the European Commission intends to lay down further rules on fertilisers, and the TSE Regulation (999/2001) already prohibits the use of Specified Risk Material in the production of fertiliser.

  Benzone
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her Answer to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) of 27 March 2003,Official Report, column 311W, on benzone, if she will make a statement on the chemical composition of benzone. [108764]

  Mr. Morley
  Benzoic acid (or its sodium, potassium or calcium salt) is permitted by the Miscellaneous Food Additives Regulations 1995 to be used with cooked prawns.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the prevalence of bovine TB in Buckinghamshire. [110450]

  Mr. Morley
  The prevalence of bovine TB in Buckinghamshire is relatively low.

  Of the 862 herds registered in Buckinghamshire, and the area covered by the Milton Keynes Unitary Authority, only one herd is under bovine TB movement restrictions.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the prevalence of bovine TB in Worcestershire. [109100]

  Mr. Morley
  Of the 1,266 herds registered in Worcestershire, 73 (or 5.8 per cent. of herds) are currently under TB restrictions.

  Last year there were 93 new TB incidents in the county, 55 of which were confirmed and 29 unconfirmed, and nine with laboratory results outstanding. Provisional figures for 2003 show there have been four new herd breakdowns in January and seven in February all of which were confirmed.

  The State Veterinary Service has worked hard over the last year to reduce the number of overdue TB herd tests. At the end of February there were 782 TB tests overdue in Worcester region.

  CAP (Transitional Arrangements)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the transitional arrangements are for the Common Agricultural Policy in relation to the forthcoming EU enlargement. [108814]

  Mr. Morley
  In becoming members of the European Union, the new member states have agreed to take over and apply EU rules, subject to certain transitional measures, limited in both time and scope. For agriculture, the most significant include the gradual phasing in of direct payments, enhanced rural development measures, and certain veterinary and phytosanitary provisions. In the public health sector a number of time limited and tightly controlled transition measures have been agreed for individually named food production premises to correct certain structural 462W
  defects. Crucially, products from such premises cannot enter the single market. No transitional arrangements relate to the food hygiene acquis.

  Further details can be found on the European Commission's website: europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/negotiations/chapters/negotiationsguide.pdf and in the Government's forthcoming Explanatory Memorandum on the Accession Treaty.

  Carcase Disposal
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the impact of proposed new legislation on animal carcass disposal on pest control, with respect to the tracking of injured pests. [108132]

  Mr. Morley
  The carcases, or parts of carcases, of wild animals will be exempt from the scope of the Animal By-Products Regulation unless they are thought to be diseased or are used to produce game trophies. Although the Regulation places them under no legal obligation, owners of property on which there are dead wild animals are advised to contact their local authority for advice on appropriate disposal methods.

  Injured pests should, where practical, be tracked and humanely killed.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the United Kingdom has the right to withdraw from the EU Common Fisheries Policy, without withdrawing from the EU itself. [109693]

  Mr. Morley
  A change to the Treaty of Rome would be required for the UK to withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy without withdrawing from the EU.

  Darwin Mounds
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to establish a no-fishing zone over the Darwin Mounds; [109620]

  (2) what steps the Government is taking to protect the Darwin Mounds off the coast of Scotland prior to its formal designation as a Special Area of Conservation. [109618]

  Mr. Morley
  We have identified the Darwin Mounds area as a likely candidate for designation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive. However, legislation to apply the Habitats Directive in the offshore area which would enable the UK to designate offshore SACs and to take measures to protect them is not yet in place. Consultation on the necessary legislation will take place in the near future.

  In the absence of such legislation, I wrote in October 2002 to Margot Wallstrom, the Commissioner for the Environment, and Franz Fischler, the Commissioner for Fisheries, seeking assistance in protecting the Mounds. We have since been exploring with the Commission the most effective means for putting in place measures to protect the area from the impact of

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  fishing, including whether it would be appropriate to use emergency powers available under the new Common Fisheries Policy framework regulation, (EC) No. 2371/02.

  Deer Sanctuary Report
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 9 April,Official Report, column 272W, if she will place in the Library the vets' report on the League Against Cruel Sports Deer Sanctuary at Baronsdown. [110063]

  Mr. Morley
  A copy of the welfare report cannot be placed in the Library as the results of welfare checks conducted by the State Veterinary Service are confidential between the State Veterinary Service and the keeper/owner of the animals concerned. The report cannot be divulged to a third party.

  Energy Efficiency
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 27 March 2003,Official Report, column 311W, when final decisions will be made on the level of expenditure in support of energy efficiency in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004. [110423]

  Mr. Morley
  Final decisions have now been taken. In 2003–04 the total spending available from Defra to support energy efficiency will be £268,042,000.

  This includes £33,500,000 for The Carbon Trust, £22,487,000 for the Energy Saving Trust and £22,055,000 for the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. In spite of heavy pressures on Defra's overall spending, these budgets remain broadly unchanged from last year reflecting the importance we attach to energy efficiency following the Energy White Paper. In addition, over £34,000,000 of capital grants and development support are available under the Community Energy. The budget for fuel poverty will be £156,000,000. No decisions have yet been taken about spending levels in future years.

  Environment Agency Fees
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will provide a breakdown of the Environment Agency's fee of £108 per hour for chargeable pre-application advice on Operator Performance and Risks Appraisal to show the amounts calculated by the agency to consist of(a) salaries of the account manager, (b) employers' costs, (c) admin support, (d) management and specialist expertise, (e) accommodation, (f) IT, (g) other support services, (h) corporate costs and (i) depreciation and rate of return. [110221]

  Mr. Meacher
  The level of application charge for Pollution Prevention and Control permits assumes that a maximum of 15 hours of direct staff time will be spent on pre-application discussions. The costs of any additional pre-application advice are recovered at the rate of £108 per hour of adviser's time. In some circumstances, the Environment Agency may waive this fee: if, for example, a pre-application discussion breaks new ground that would benefit applicants more 464W
  widely. The breakdown, calculated in accordance with the HM Treasury Fees and Charges Guide, is as follows:

  £

  Direct costs

  Salary of account manager (adviser)

  32

  Employer's contributions (national insurance and pensions)

  6

  Direct administrative support

  2

  Management and specialist supporting expertise

  19

  Infrastructure and policy costs

  Accommodation

  5

  IT

  9

  Other support services

  17

  Policy development

  5

  Other corporate costs

  10

  Depreciation and rate of return

  3

  Total

  108

  Fisheries
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions her Department had with the Scottish Executive prior to the decision of the European Commission to extend the area of fisheries restrictions to(a) Klondyke Bank, (b) North East Rough and (c) Coral Bank; [109142]

  (2) what (a) discussions she had with and (b) representations she made to the European Commission prior to the extension of fisheries restrictions to the (i) Klondyke Bank, (ii) North East Rough and (iii) Coral Bank; [109190]

  (3) what fishermen's organisations in Scotland were consulted by her Department prior to the decision by the European Commission to extend the area of fishing restrictions to (a) Klondyke Bank, (b) North East Rough and (c) Coral Bank. [109191]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 14 April 2003]: The Commission proposed the amendment to the derogated area in ICES areas IV and IIIa to ensure that the boundary of the area subject to the EU days at sea scheme was consistent with that of the closed area operating in the zone during 2001.

  The Commission also proposed a series of other amendments, designed to clarify their original intentions and provide additional flexibility in operation and enforcement of the scheme. We and colleagues in the Scottish Executive considered the package on offer to be of considerable value to the UK and were keen that the new arrangements should apply as soon as possible. We were not therefore prepared to see implementation of the package delayed and thus voted in favour of it at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 8 April. The UK industry were consulted on the text, before the decision to agree it was taken.

  GM Crop Trials
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) the consent reference number, (b) the six figure grid reference, (c) the size, (d) the date of planting and (e) expected period of harvest are for the GM crop trials in the UK which have been notified for the 2002–03 growing season but which are not part of the farm scale evaluations or the National Seed Listing Trials. [110543]

  Consent number

  Six-fig grid

  Size (maximum)

  Date of planting (expected)

  Date of harvest (expected)

  GM crop

  02/R4/12

  TF 074009

  1000 m2

  March 2003

  November 2003

  Potato

  01/R9/4

  TF 124 136

  100 m2

  Spring 2003

  Autumn 2003

  Wheat

  01/R29/3

  TG 179 077

  30 m2

  February 2003

  September 2003

  Barley

  03/R29/4

  TG 180 070

  4 m2

  May 2003

  October 2003

  Pea

  02/R36/01

  TL 124 136

  100 m2

  Spring 2003

  Autumn 2003

  Wheat

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether the timing of the public consultancy over GM crops will allow the public to express views on the result of the GM field trials; [110374]

  (2) when she expects to release the results of the GM field trials. [110375]

  Mr. Meacher
  A series of scientific papers describing the outcome of the farm-scale evaluations for the three spring-sown crops (maize, beet and spring oil seed rape) has been submitted by the research consortium to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. The acceptance of the papers for publication, and the specific timing of publication, is entirely at the discretion of the journal. I understand that the papers are unlikely to be published before September. The main phase of the GM public debate will be conducted in June and July, and the Public Debate Steering Board is due to submit its report to Government in September. The results of the field trials are therefore unlikely to be available to the public taking part in the debate. However, once published, the results will be in the public domain and available for comment in the usual way.

  Horticulture
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of the Horticultural Development Council. [109179]

  Mr. Morley
  The Horticultural Development Council was established under the provisions of the Industrial Organisation and Development Act 1947, and is therefore subject to statutory review at five yearly intervals. The last review was completed in July 1999 when Agriculture Ministers agreed that the Council should continue for a further term. The next statutory review is due to be completed by July 2004 when a decision will be made on the continuence of the Council and any changes proposed to its covering legislation. As required by the Act, bodies representative of persons carrying out business in the horticultural industry, and organisations representing persons employed in the industry, will be consulted as part of the review.
  466W
  Mr. Meacher
  There were no GM crop trials carried out in the winter of 2002–03 other than those in the farm scale evaluation programme and for the purpose of national seed listing trials.

  The following GM crop trials will be carried out in the UK during the 2003 growing season, these releases are for the purpose of small scale research and development trials (they are not part of the farm scale evaluations or for the purpose of national seed listing trials).

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what analysis her Department has undertaken to assess the impact on the UK horticulture industry of the EU proposals for decoupled agricultural support payments. [110012]

  Mr. Morley
  Our published economic analysis of the Commission's proposals for reform of the CAP indicates an overall economic benefit to the UK of about £500 million. We are in discussion with industry representatives about the impact on individual horticulture producers of the proposed new system.

  Inspection Staff
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) staff and (b) staff engaged in inspection work have been employed by (i) the Environment Agency and (ii) the Countryside Agency in each year since 1997. [105870]

  Mr. Meacher
  The number of staff employed by the Environment and Countryside Agencies is as follows:

  (i) Environment Agency

  Year

  Total full time equivalents

  Engaged in inspection work

  1997

  9,123

  2,926

  1998

  9,073

  2,927

  1999

  9,707

  2,953

  2000

  10,296

  3,081

  2001

  10,476

  3,031

  2002

  10,824

  2,962

  2003

  11,087

  2,979

  (ii) Countryside Agency

  Year

  Total full time equivalents

  1997

  1245

  1998

  1241

  1999

  1243

  2000

  436

  2001

  435

  2002

  520

  2003

  587

  1Staff employed by the Countryside Commission, the main predecessor body of the Countryside Agency. The Countryside Agency was established on 1 April 1999.

  467W
  The Countryside Agency's has no staff engaged in inspection work, its statutory powers do not include inspection, or the appointment of inspectors.

  Landfill
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish guidance(a) defining corrosive materials in a landfill environment and (b) defining the waste treatment requirements of article 6a of the Council Directive 1999/31/EC. [110219]

  Mr. Meacher
  Corrosive materials were banned from landfill with effect from 16 July 2002. The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, that implement the Landfill Directive (Council Directive 1999/31/EC) in England and Wales, define waste as corrosive"if it consists of substances and preparations which destroy living tissue on contact".
  Those Regulations define treatment, as referred to in Article 6a of the Directive, as meaning
  "physical, thermal, chemical or biological processes (including sorting) that change the characteristics of waste in order to reduce its volume or hazardous nature, facilitate its handling or enhance recovery".

  Extensive guidance on all aspects of the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 is available on the Environment Agency website.

  Offshore Natural Features
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the protection of offshore natural features. [109619]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government is committed to a range of initiatives aimed at protecting the marine environment as outlined in our first Marine Stewardship Report "Safeguarding Our Seas: A Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of our Marine Environment". This includes extending the protection afforded by the Habitats and Birds Directives to offshore areas to protect important natural habitats and species. We aim to consult on draft regulations this summer. We are also looking at ways to improve the

  Title

  Funding Body

  Contractor contact

  Contractor

  Remarks

  Start date

  End date

  Status

  Genetic variation in susceptibility to chronic effects of organophosphate exposure

  HSE

  Dr. Nicola Cherry

  Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester

  Letter published in Lancet (2002 March, v159). Available at VMD website at http://www.vmd.gov.uk/via > Research & Development > Current Projects Final report imminent

  January 1999

  March 2002

  Completed

  Survey of health complaints among sheep–dippers

  Defra Science Directorate

  Dr. Tony Fletcher

  London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine

  January 2001

  December 2002

  Completed

  Dose effect profiles for OP sheep dip on brain electrical activity and cognitive performance

  Defra Science Directorate

  Dr. Leah Scott

  DSTL, Porton Down

  Available at VMD website at http://www.vmd.gov.uk/via > Research & Development > Current Projects

  April 1998

  December 2002

  Completed—final report awaited

  Prospective cohort study of sheep dip exposure and dipper's flu

  HSE

  Dr. Andrew Povey

  Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester

  Commencement of project negotiations delayed by FMD, then contractual reconciliation within contractor consortium

  January 2003

  July 2005

  Work imminently starting

  468W
  protection available to marine species and habitats, including in the offshore area, through our Review of Marine Nature Conservation. We expect the Review to publish its recommendations early next year.

  Organic Farmers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many organic farmers have been registered in Buckinghamshire in each year since 1997. [110415]

  Mr. Meacher
  According to our latest records there are currently 14 organic farms registered in Buckinghamshire. Information for earlier years, broken down by county, is not available.

  The Department is developing the collection, collation and publication of information on organic food production as one of the commitments under the Action Plan to Develop Organic Food and Farming in England published on 29 July 2002.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the most recent independent research commissioned by the Government into the toxic effects on humans of the use of organophosphate chemicals was; what response the Government made to its conclusions; and if she will make a statement. [109809]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 29 April 2003]: As part of the Government's Four Point Plan on OPs a research requirements document was published on 20 July 2000.

  The current state of play on each of the successful bids is set out in the table. The table also details two Government sponsored OP research projects that were already underway before the announcement of the Government Four Point Plan:

  A University of Manchester study into genetic variation in susceptibility to Ops; and A Porton Down study into the effects of OP exposure on brawn activity.

  In addition, Defra is funding a survey on health complaints amongst sheep dippers by Dr. Tony Fletcher (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine). The first results for this survey are expected shortly.
  469W

  Title

  Funding Body

  Contractor contact

  Contractor

  Remarks

  Start date

  End date

  Status

  Disabling neuropsychiatric disease in farmers exposed to organophosphates.

  Defra Science Directorate/DH

  Dr. Andrew Povey

  Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester

  Available at VMD website at http://www.vmd.gov.uk/via > Research & Development > Current Projects Identification of, and access to worker records has delayed survey

  January 2002

  December 2006

  Work in progress

  Characterisation of non-acetylcholinesterase actions of organophosphates by identification of novel protein targets

  Defra Science Directorate

  Dr. David Ray

  Neurotoxicology Section, MRC Applied Neuroscience Group, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.

  Available at VMD website at http://www.vmd.gov.uk/via > Research & Development,lb/> > Current Projects

  June 2001

  June 2003

  Work in progress

  Investigation of possible autoimmune responses induced by organophosphate exposure

  Defra Science Directorate

  Dr. Howard Mason

  Health and Safety Laboratory, Sheffield

  Available at VMD website at http://www.vmd.gov.uk/via > Research & Development > Current Projects

  April 2001

  September 2003

  Work in progress

  A review of the effects of low level exposure to organophosphate pesticides on foetal and childhood health

  DH

  Dr. Leonard Levy

  MRC Institute for Environment and Health, University of Leicester

  Final Report available on IEH website, http://www.le.ac.uk/ieh/via > reports & publications > human exposure & risk assessment > W11

  April 2001

  May-2002

  Completed

  A case-controlled study of neuropsychological and psychiatric functioning in sheep farmers exposed to organophosphate pesticides

  Defra Science Directorate

  Dr. Sarah Mackenzie-Ross

  University College London

  Start imminent (3 years expected duration)

  Assessment of pattern and extent of autonomic abnormalities in a group of sheep farmers and dippers

  Defra Science Directorate

  Dr. Goran Jamal

  Imperial College

  Proposal under peer review by Royal Society

  Proposal

  The findings of all Government sponsored research into this issue are routinely referred for advice to the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC), the Government's independent advisory committee established to advise Ministers on the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines. The VPC's latest advice on OP research was on a research letter published in the Lancet on 2 March 2002 describing findings from the Health and Safety Executive funded research project into ill health in sheep dip farmers and polymorphism of paraoxonase (PON 1). The research letter concluded that these results "support the hypothesis that organophosphates contribute to the reported ill health of people who dip sheep".

  Although the full results of this study are still awaited. The VPC, under guidance from its Medical and Scientific Panel (MSP), has advised that the differences reported from the study were not large and were not, in themselves, sufficient to support the hypothesis that organophosphates contribute to the reported ill health of people who dip sheep. However, the VPC considered that the hypothesis postulated by this study could merit a more robust and better designed study. The VPC considered that once the full findings had been published the authors of the study should be invited to present them to the MSP.

  The VPC also considered that the evidence in the research letter did not justify any additional regulatory action on the current authorisations for organophosphate sheep dips.
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  A further report on the findings of this research was published in the February 2003 edition of "Pharmacogenetics" and this is being studied by the MSP.

  Pesticide Residues
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 28 March.,Official Report, column 476–7W, on pesticide residues, how many tests were carried out on (a) British foods and (b) imported foods; what proportion of samples were found to have residues of banned substances; and what proportion of samples were found to have excessive residues of (i) pesticides, (ii) fertilisers, (iii) fungicides and (iv) other synthetic crop enhancers. [108927]

  Mr. Morley
  During the seven year period in question (1995–2002) the total number of samples analysed for pesticide residues totalled around 24,000, of which around 14,000 were of UK origin and 10,000 were imported. Only 26 residues were found of the withdrawn substances listed in the reply of 11 March. 8 samples were of UK origin and 18 were imported. The proportion of samples containing residues of withdrawn substances were therefore 0.06 per cent. UK and 0.18 per cent. imported.

  Over this period the proportion of samples with pesticide residues exceeding the maximum residue level averaged 1 per cent. The most recently published data

  471W
  for 2001 indicate that this was based on 1 per cent. of imported samples and 0.5 per cent. of UK origin samples exceeding these levels. These figures relate to all pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and plant growth regulators. Detailed analysis of these figures by pesticide type and by year could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Residues of nitrates and other fertilisers, which may leave residues in crops, areissues for the (FSA) Food Standards Agency.

  Pollution
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will attend the Environment for Europe ministerial meeting in Kiev in May; and if the UK will sign the UNECE Protocol or Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (Aarhus Convention) at that meeting. [110379]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will represent the UK at the Kiev Environment for Europe conference between 21 and 23 May 2003. The Government is considering its position in relation to all three protocols which will be opened for signature at Kiev including the Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers. I will write confirming the Government's position once this has been finalised.

  Ruddy Duck
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates have been made of the cost to her Department of the strategy to cull ruddy ducks. [110336]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member. for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 17 March 2003,Official Report, column 505W.

  Snares
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the ability of a snare to discriminate between species. [110425]

  Mr. Morley
  No recent assessment has been conducted on the discernment of snares for species. However, free-running snares are designed to be a restraining device that is intended to slacken, not continually tighten, thus not causing bodily injury. They are not considered an indiscriminate means of either capture or killing provided they are set correctly and are checked every 24 hours.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made as to the compatibility of the use of snares and the terms of the Bern Convention. [110426]

  Mr. Morley
  The Bern Convention is implemented in England through the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Free running snares are permissible under Section 11 of the 1981 Act provided that the snare is not placed in such a way to allow injury to any animal listed on
  472W
  Schedule 6 of the 1981 Act, which includes badgers. Section 11(3) makes it an offence to set in position, or knowingly cause or permit to set in position, any snare which is of such a nature and so placed as to be calculated to cause bodily injury to any wild animal. The snare must also be inspected at least once every 24 hours, so as to avoid any animal held in the snare suffering unnecessarily through starvation or dehydration. All non-target species must be released from the snare.

  Free-running snares are not considered an indiscriminate means of either capture or killing provided they are set correctly and are checked every 24 hours. They are designed to be a restraining device that is intended to slacken, not continually tighten, thus not causing bodily injury.

  The purpose of Section 11 is to expressly prohibit the use of indiscriminate means of capture and killing, in accordance with our international obligations, under the Bern Convention. Penalties for offences under Section 11, including not checking snares and not releasing non-target species, include fines of up to £5,000 and/or a custodial sentence of up to six months for each offence.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 27 March 2003,Official Report, column 310W, how and when her Department is considering ways in which to improve the correct use and effectiveness of snares; and whether this will include a public consultation. [110427]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department is currently undertaking discussions with various organisations on an informal basis. Once these discussions have been concluded we will be examining how to take this matter forward.

  Sustainable Energy Partnership
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the progress of Cornwall's Sustainable Energy Partnership's Home Health programme operating in the districts of Kerrier and Penwith, with the support of regeneration funding, in respect of(a) the adequacy of the partnership of local organisations, (b) the method of securing new clients to the programme, (c) its success in geographical targeting and (d) its efforts to reassure clients of their domestic security. [109314]

  Mr. Morley
  We are aware of this project which receives funding through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Community Action for Energy Programme of the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes. An interim evaluation of the Home Health programme has just been completed on behalf of the Partnership and the findings will be considered by my Department.

  TB Reactors
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) steps have been taken and (b) outcomes achieved to reduce the time taken to remove cattle which have had a bovine

  473W
  TB reactor from farms in (i) England, (ii) South-west region, (iii) Cornwall, (iv) Devon, (v) Gloucestershire and (vi) Staffordshire. [108797]

  Mr. Morley
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The following steps have been taken by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) to reduce the time taken to remove TB reactors from farms:

  Reminders have been issued to Veterinary Inspectors to submit TB test charts to the SVS without delay after TB tests have been carried out.

  Additional staff have been employed in Animal Health Offices to help process TB tests charts.

  The SVS has asked the National Audit Office, Internal Audit and consultant valuers to look at ways to reduce delays caused by the valuation process.

  The SVS has opened up discussions with representatives of the slaughter industry to see if the current arrangements can be improved by better coordination of transport with the slots available at slaughterhouses.

  (b) The SVS are currently undertaking a review of all their business processes. This review is still underway, and discussions such as those mentioned above are still taking place. It is too soon therefore to measure performance improvements.

  A snapshot of the situation for the last quarter of 2002 is given in the table. Data are not available by county, but by Animal Health Divisional Office(AHDO). Figures for 2003 are not yet available.

  Number of reactors disclosed

  Number of reactors removed from farm within 10 working days

  Percentage of reactors removed from farm within 10 working days

  England

  5,373

  1,235

  23

  SW Region1

  4,592

  829

  12

  Cornwall AHDO

  811

  31

  4

  Devon AHDO

  1,062

  369

  35

  Gloucester AHDO

  1,265

  150

  12

  Stafford AHDO2

  600

  265

  44

  1The figures for SW region cover Exeter AHDO (Devon) Gloucester AHDO (Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Avon). Taunton AHDO (Somerset and Dorset), Truro AHDO (Cornwall) and Worcester AHDO (Hereford and Worcester).

  2Stafford AHDO covers Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire

  T3327
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the wild animal poison known as T3327 is species specific; and what assessment(a) she and (b) the Central Science Laboratory has made of the impact of it being consumed by (i) other wild mammals, (ii) escaped domestic mammals and (iii) wild birds. [108140]

  Mr. Morley
  T3327 is a shorthand code name for a carbamate and as such is not species specific, but is toxic to all animals. The trial site was carefully chosen and fully licensed under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended) and by other relevant bodies (note see replies to PQs 1608 and 1609). The Advisory Committee on Pesticides, made an assessment of the potential impact of the poison. The Central Science Laboratory, as the holder of the Experimental Permit and data owner, has agreed to copies of the environmental assessments being placed in the 474W
  Westminster parliamentary Library. During the field trial in 2002 there was no effect on other wild mammals (other than badgers), domestic mammals or wild birds. The baits are buried to reduce the chances of being found by domestic livestock and wild birds. A full report of the trial will be published in due course.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ask the Environment Agency to examine the operation of Crabbe Yard, Wadborough, Worcestershire, for compliance with regulations relating to the disposal of waste. [109856]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been assured that the Environment Agency has visited the site on several occasions this year and is working in cooperation with other organisations to regulate this site and the company operating from it. At present, there is no evidence to suggest that any waste activities are being carried out on the site that would require a waste management licence from the Agency, although the site has registered an exemption from waste management licensing for the storage of road planings. The Agency will continue to monitor the site to ascertain whether activities being carried out come within the scope of Waste Management Licensing.

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of household waste was recycled in(a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 1997. [102356]

  Mr. Meacher
  Household waste recycling figures are not collected for individual constituencies. The following figures show household recycling rates (including composting) from 1997 onwards for South Tyneside, the North East and England. This is a devolved matter, so figures are shown for England only. The data are available on the Defra website.

  Percentage

  Area

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  South Tyneside

  n/a

  4

  4

  6

  The north east

  4.4

  3.7

  3.6

  4.1

  England

  8.2

  9.0

  10.3

  11.2

  Water Industry
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about the Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Group) (Amendment) Regulations. [109959]

  Mr. Morley
  None. The Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Group) (Amendment) Regulations, which came into force on 31 March 2003, were technical amendments to reflect changes to the benefits and tax credits system.
  475W
  The consultation paper, "Reductions for Vulnerable Groups", issued by my Department on 25 February 2003 explained these changes and invited comments on proposed extensions of the regulations. The consultation period will end on 9 May after which we shall publish a response to consultation including a list of all those organisations and individuals who responded.

  Wild Mammal Trials
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what trials the Department is engaged in with the Central Science Laboratory; and whether such trials relating to wild mammals involve the use of(a) repellants, (b) electric fencing and (c) condition taste aversion. [108141]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has commissioned the Central Science Laboratory to carry out a range of studies of wild mammals and birds with the aim of developing effective, humane and environmentally sensitive approaches to wildlife management. Ongoing work with wild mammals includes the potential use of repellents and conditioned taste aversion as non-lethal means of resolving conflicts between wildlife and other interests. There are no current trials on electric fencing although previous studies have developed effective methods to manage some problems posed by rabbits, foxes and badgers. Advisory leaflets on these methods are available from the National Wildlife Management Team of Defra's Rural Development Service www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/leaflets.htm.

  Wildlife Rescue Services
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support her Department has given to wildlife rescue services in each of the past 10 years; and what recent representations she has received about the funding of such services. [109725]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department welcomes the activities of groups who seek to rehabilitate wildlife. We do not give financial assistance to these organisations. We are not aware of specific representations made concerning the funding of such services.

  While the Government cannot see a case for extending the use of public money to directly fund their work, it has policies in place to increase the value of these gifts by generous tax concessions, thereby supporting the work of all charities without compromising their independence.

  As part of the Government's policy to encourage more people to give to charity, the tax incentives for charitable giving were improved from 6 April 2000. There are now no limits on the amounts that individuals can give through the Gift Aid and Payroll Giving Schemes. In addition, for the first time, there is a new income tax relief for gifts to charity of listed shares and securities. Businesses can also get tax relief when they donate money, stock or equipment to charities in general.

WALES

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109492]

  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 March 2003,Official Report, column 249W.

  Aerospace Industry (North Wales)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the aerospace industry in North Wales. [97547]

  Peter Hain
  I remain positive about the prospects for this sector in North Wales, which, happily, provides employment opportunities for the hon. Gentleman's constituents. I continue to support extensions to services across Wales, which of course benefit local support industries.

  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales recently visited Airbus Industries in Broughton. He has also met Aerospace Wales, who have a clear and ambitious vision, representing an exciting future for the industry throughout Wales.

  Building Supplies
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of UK(a) aluminium, (b) tinplate, (c) steel and (d) timber supply originated in Wales in the last three years. [107513]

  Peter Hain
  (a) There are no output figures available for Welsh aluminium supply. However, in both 1999 and 2000 the number of employees in aluminium production at Welsh based firms was 22 per cent. and in 2001 19 per cent. as a proportion of GB figures.

  Source:
  Annual Business Inquiry. Office for National Statistics.

  (b) There are no employees in tin manufacturing in Wales, as recorded on the Annual Business Inquiry.

  (c) In 1999, Wales accounted for 42 per cent. of UK crude steel production, 45 per cent. in 2000 and 34 per cent. in 2001.

  Source:
  Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau.

  (d) Annual timber production in Wales over the last three years has been around 1.35 million tones. It is not possible to say what this represents in terms of a proportion of UK timber supply needs.

  Employment Relations Act
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in his Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999. [108346]

  Peter Hain
  My Department does not keep records of staff who take time off work under the Employment Relations Act 1999. Staff are granted 5 days paid special
  477W
  leave to deal with short-term domestic incidents and special leave without pay may be granted for longer periods according to circumstances.

  Grants
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what scale of funding was offered to LG Electronics in seeking to attract the firm as an inward investor for their operations in Newport, South Wales; [105607]

  (2) if he will list each grant given to (a) LG Electronics and (b) LG Semiconductors from public funds for their operations in Newport, South Wales, and the dates on which they were given. [105608]

  Peter Hain
  In 1997, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Hague) co-ordinated offers to LG Electronics Wales Ltd. and LG Semicon Wales Ltd., public sector funding packages of £129.5 million and £117.5 million respectively. The combined package of £247 million comprised:Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) of £69.5 million;
  £10 million infrastructure work funded by the WDA;
  WDA property grants of £118.9 million;
  Site development support of £17 million;
  Land to the value of £14.2 million;
  Training support of up to £17.6 million;

  This related to anticipated investment of over £1.6 billion and the creation of 6,100 jobs.

  With regard to payments made, companies dealing with the Welsh Assembly Government expect such details to be handled confidentially.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much funding was (2) how much funding was(a) offered and (b) provided to LG Semiconductors following the offer aimed at attracting the firm as an inward investor for their operations in Newport, South Wales. [105609]

  Peter Hain
  In 1997, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Hague) co-ordinated offers to LG Electronics Wales Ltd. and LG Semicon Wales Ltd., public sector funding packages of £129.5 million and £117.5 million respectively.

  With regard to payments made, companies dealing with the Welsh Assembly Government expect such details to be handled confidentially.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on grant aid given to LG for their operations in Newport, South Wales. [105610]

  Peter Hain
  Following the announcement of the Welsh Office's intentions by the then Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Hague), a package of support to LG Semicon Wales Ltd. and LG Electronics Wales Ltd. was approved by the European Commission in 1997. However, responsibility for administrating RSA in Wales has now passed to the Welsh Assembly Government. Since then, I understand that considerable private sector investment has gone into the Newport site in terms of infrastructure, buildings and equipment with assistance from the public sector. A significant number of jobs were created by LG Electronics Wales Ltd. and subsequently the joint 478W
  venture LG Philips Displays, but the volatility of the semiconductor sector and issues in the Korean economy, meant that the semiconductor plant has not proceeded into production.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on manufacturing industry in Wales. [109965]

  Peter Hain
  The Government recognise that manufacturing in the UK, including Wales, has had a tough time and is still enduring the effects of the general global economic slowdown.

  Manufacturing represents 30 per cent. of GDP in Wales and still has a fundamental role as a generator in the Welsh economy. While some traditional manufacturers are moving to Asia and the Far East, many new jobs are being created in Wales in hi-tech sectors.

  The Chancellor's recent Budget announced a number of measures to support manufacturing which will help companies in making the transition from high volume/low worth to low volume/high worth production. These include a further ex tension of volume based Research and Development tax credit to all companies, the continuing process of establishing regional centres of manufacturing excellence, and an independent review aimed at ensuring a strong supply of highly skilled scientists and engineers.

  In the past, when the world economy did badly, Wales did much worse—always first into the recession and last back out. Today, with the global economy again contracting, Wales is doing far better.

  Parental Leave
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in his Department have used their leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive since it came into force. [108418]

  Peter Hain
  None

  Public Service Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales(a) how many and (b) what grades of officials are responsible for the monitoring of progress towards the public service agreement targets of his Department. [1094701

  Peter Hain
  My Department does not have a Public Service Agreement.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants have been seconded from his Department to(a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, broken down by (i) grade of civil servants seconded, (ii) location and (iii) dates of secondments, in each year since 1999–2000. [108088]
  479W
  Peter Hain
  The permanent civil servants in my Department are all on loan or secondment from other organisations. As such their home departments are responsible for forward secondments and loans to elsewhere. There have been two such secondments, one to the Home Office and the other to Buckingham Palace.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate General what the total cost to her Department was for accountancy services in 2002. [101858]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Agricultural Holdings Bill
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Advocate General if she will publish her decision on the compatibility of the Agricultural Holdings Bill and the Scotland Act 1998. [108955]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  Under section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998 I have the power, within four weeks of the passing of a Bill, to refer the question of whether a Bill or any provision of a Bill would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. With regard to the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill I decided not to refer the Bill or any provision of it to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

  Industrial Action
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General how many working days were lost owing to industrial action by staff in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies in 2002. [101957]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  None.

  Ministerial Transport
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate General what her estimate is of the cost of(a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for her Department in 2002. [101852]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

SCOTLAND

  Shotgun Licences
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for a shotgun licence have been received during the last year for which figures are available from residents of(a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) Scotland; and how many of these were refused. [108957]
  480W
  Mrs. Liddell
  The most recent available information on applications for shotgun certificates in Scotland is for 2001.

  In that year, in the Dumfries and Galloway police area, there were 1,495 applications—new and renewals—for shotgun certificates. Of these, six were refused.

  For Scotland as a whole, in 2001, there were 16,632 applications for shotgun certificates, of which 61 were refused.

  Full details are published in the Scottish Executive's statistical bulletin CrJ/2002/4, Firearm Certificates Statistics, Scotland, 2001.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost to her Department was for accountancy services in 2002. [101857]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Accountancy services to my Department are provided, when required, by the Scottish Executive and separate costs are not available. The Scotland Office has not used other external accountancy services.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost to her Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109495]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to his earlier question of 7 March 2003, number 101857.

  Civil Service Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grades in the Civil Service in her Department are allowed to travel by air(a) first class and (b) business class at public expense when on official duties. [104966]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office follows the conditions set out in the Civil Service Management Code which requires departments and agencies to ensure that staff use the most efficient and economical means of travel in the circumstances, taking into account any management benefit or the needs of staff with disabilities.

  The Department meets the cost of business air tickets for staff flying on official business; no distinction is made by grade. Senior civil service staff may travel first class in exceptional circumstances at official expense only with prior approval of theHead of Department.

  Commercial Confidentiality
  Rob Marris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [105482]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No guidance has been issued by my Department. Such issues would normally arise only where there is a question of whether or not the information should be disclosed to a third party. In such cases, the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, and the related guidance, would help
  481W
  officials determine whether information should be disclosed or withheld in response to an individual request.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what her estimate is of total spending on Ministers'(a) private offices, (b) entertainment, (c) UK travel, (d) international travel, (e) pay and (f) other costs for each year from 1996–97 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [90444]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. From that date, the information requested is as follows:

  (a) In the period 1 July 1999 to 31 March 2000 the costs of Ministers' private offices were not recorded separately. The costs of ministerial private offices after March 2000 were:

  £

  2000–01

  522,721

  2001–02

  614,146

  2002–03 (est)

  594,486

  The figures do not take account of accommodation costs and other overheads.

  (b) Expenditure on hospitality and entertainment was:

  £

  1999–2000

  10,638

  2000–01

  41,275

  2001–02

  25,789

  2002–03 (est)

  38,789

  All such expenditure is made in accordance with published guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

  (c) In the period 1 July 1999 to 31 March 2000 the cost of ministerial travel was not recorded separately. From 1 April 2000, the cost of ministerial travel within the UK was:

  £

  2000–01

  39,585

  2001–02

  34,915

  2002–03 (est)

  22,756

  (d) Since 1999, the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers covering £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002 were published on 24 July 2002. The cost of Ministers' visits overseas for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.
  482W
  (e) Ministers' pay costs were as follows:

  £

  1999–2000

  152,102

  2000–01

  155,328

  2001–02

  175,843

  2002–03 (est)

  185,307

  (f) Other non-pay costs are not separately identifiable.

  Departmental Website
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost of her Department's website was in the last 12 months; and how many hits it received in the same period. [104193]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The cost of maintaining my Department's website in 2002–03 is estimated at £300. The number of page impressions recorded to February 2003 was 454,482.

  Entertainment
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the estimate is of the total spending of her Department in all forms of entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [92407]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since that date the Department has spent the following on hospitality and entertainment:

  £

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–031

  10,638

  41,275

  25,789

  38,789

  1Estimated

  All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

  External Reports
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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 in each year since 1997. [103723]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.

  In October 2000, my Department published a report by Colin Buchanan and Partners on "Comparison of Motor Taxation Costs Across Europe". The cost of the report was £5,465.

  Ministerial Transport
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what her estimate is of the cost of(a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for her Department in 2002. [101851]
  483W
  Mrs. Liddell
  The cost of ministerial cars and drivers will be addressed in a letter from Mr Nick Matheson, the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency, to the hon. Member.

  The cost of taxis for my Department in 2002–03 was £12,595.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many overseas visits have been made by Scottish Office Ministers in the last 12 months; to where and at what cost; and if she will make a statement. [90445]

  Mrs. Liddell
  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 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible. All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are also available in the Libraries of the House.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the impact of the Part-time Workers Directive on staff in her Department. [109270]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office supports the removal of discrimination against part-time workers and is committed to ensuring that all of its staff achieve a satisfactory work-life balance. Part-time working is only one of several ways in which Scotland Office staff can enjoy additional flexibility in their working patterns.

  PFI Schemes
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the expected saving to future funds from the private finance initiative schemes due to become operational in 2003. [105768]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My Department has no private finance initiative schemes planned for 2003.

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much(a) her Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body sponsored by her Department spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (estimated); and if she will make a statement. [92241]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since that date the Department has spent the following on publicity and advertising:484W

  £

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–031

  26,861

  270,494

  186,564

  10,390

  1Estimated

  Most of the expenditure related to electoral registration matters.

  Working Hours
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what policy on(a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by her Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible. [107610]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The opportunity to work flexible working hours is available to the majority of staff in the Scotland Office. Core hours are currently 10.00 am to 11.30 am and 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm. The flexible working hours policy is currently under review. The Boundary Commission is the Office's only non-Departmental public body and makes its own arrangements with regard to working hours.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Able Pupils
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the steps he is taking to meet the learning needs of the most able pupils. [110322]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Government's policy on gifted and talented education is summarised in the 2001 White Paper, "Schools Achieving Success"(Cm 5320, pages 20–22). We aim to provide support through all our key teaching and learning strategies, and through a discrete programme that operates at three levels: intensive school-based activity in areas of disadvantage, provided through Excellence in Cities and related programmes; regional support across Greater London through GATE A, the gifted and talented education arm of the London Challenge; and nationally available resources, including the Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth and a national summer schools programme. We are exploring what further support we can offer to local authorities that do not benefit from Excellence in Cities or the London Challenge.

  Advanced Education Award
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on progress with the Advanced Education Award. [110925]

  Mr. Miliband
  Advanced Extension Awards (AEAs) were examined in summer 2002 for the first time. The uptake was higher than expected; the 6,841 entries for AEAs in 2002 was an increase of some 70 per cent. over the entries for the predecessor Special Papers in 2001. The range of subjects in which AEAs are available will be extended from 2005.

  Boarding Schools
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the reason for the recent increase in the charges for the welfare inspection of boarding schools; whether notice of the increase was given to the organisations which represent schools with boarders; and what representations have been received relating to the new inspection service from boarding schools. [1103551

  Jacqui Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  It has always been the Government's policy that the recurrent regulatory costs of the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) should be borne by providers and purchasers of care. The Government consulted on the framework for fees during the summer of 2001. The consultation document, which was sent to all schools associations, set out how the NCSC was to regulate health and social care, the cost of this, its funding and fees. The costs of registration and inspection and the policy of full cost recovery (and the consequences for later years) were fully set out, as was the need for yearly fee increases.

  Since the NCSC came into operation, representations from boarding schools have related to the publication of inspection reports and the clarification of the status of a school for inspection purposes. There have been no comments on the NCSC inspection service.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2003,Official Report, column 297W, on private/public boarding schools, what discussions he has had with (a) the Department of Health, (b) local authorities and (c) the Independent Schools Council regarding placing looked after children in boarding schools. [110941]

  Mr. Miliband
  My right hon. Friend recently met the Independent Schools Council to discuss a range of issues, including the placement of looked after children in boarding schools. This issue has not arisen to date during his regular discussions with either my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health or local authority representatives.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what expenditure has been incurred by his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental bodies in 2002 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; and if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each. [106260]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The information is as follows:

  The Department commissions tightly focused market research to help inform the strategic development of, and evaluate, publicity campaigns. The spend in 2002 was £2,684,967.
  486W
  Information is not held in a form that would allow the projects to be differentiated into the categories requested; some would involve a combination of methodologies. Some campaigns where strategic communications research, creative development research or evaluation research have been commissioned in 2002 include the child care recruitment campaign, AimHigher, Modern Apprenticeships, Adult Basic Skills and development of online portals for parents, employers, schools governors and adult learners.

  The Department also conducts research to help us understand the education, skills and communication needs of our customers. It has sampled and consulted on the views of teachers, parents and other groups affected by the Department's policies on specific issues. For example, the project "A longitudinal study of factors contributing to variations in teacher effectiveness" will investigate the factors which contribute to the effectiveness of teachers at different stages in their career, working in a range of schools in different contexts, and how this changes over time. Part of this study is to track 300 teachers over three years measuring their effectiveness by pupil outcome measures and other qualitative techniques. "Sixth annual survey of parents of three and four year old children and their use of early years services" is part of a programme of annual surveys of parents of three and four-year-old children which has been undertaken to measure patterns of participation in early years education and child care. These surveys provide valuable information on changes in participation over time as early years policy is being implemented and they also provide information on parental perceptions of the quality, range and type of provision offered and used year by year. The Department plans to replace the annual survey of parents of three and four-year-old children with a new survey of parents which combines both
  the survey of parents of three and four-years-olds and
  the parents' demand for child care survey.

  This new survey will provide a comprehensive data source on parents use and perception of both child care and early years services and enable us to continue to measure changes in participation and parental perceptions over time. Again, information is not held in a form which would allow research projects to be differentiated into the categories requested; some would involve a combination of methodologies.

  Information about opinion polls, focus groups and other forms of research commissioned by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally.

  Education Funding (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding has been made available to Wandsworth Education Authority in each of the last eight years. [110461]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following table shows the Department's total Education Standard Spending Assessment, recurrent and capital grant allocated to Wandsworth Local Education Authority for the financial years 1997–98 to 2002–03. Complete figures for 2003–04 are not yet available.
  487W

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  SSA

  89.1

  93.7

  98.2

  101.9

  105.2

  102.9

  Recurrent Grant

  3.1

  1.1

  3.1

  8.8

  14.2

  22.2

  Capital Grant

  0.9

  1.6

  3.2

  7.4

  7.0

  12.3

  Total

  93.1

  96.4

  104.5

  118.1

  126.4

  137.4

  School Standards Fund
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his policy that schools will integrate activities funded by the Standards Fund into their base cost. [110068]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Government are not requiring that schools continue in the same way those activities previously supported through the Standards Fund. The purpose of reducing the proportion of funding provided through ring-fenced grants is to give schools greater control of their resources. It will be for schools to decide how best take forward action in areas previously supported through these grants, taking account of local priorities.

  This year's increased funding far education of over £2.6 billion, 11.6 per cent. extra, is more than £250 million greater than the pressures due to pay, pensions, inflation and ending specific grants in order to reduce the proportion of ring-fenced funding, giving schools greater control of their resources.

  Teachers' Pay Costs
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made of the change in cost to maintained schools in(a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) England resulting from (i) changes in pension funds, (ii) national insurance contribution increases and (iii) the shortening of the teachers' pay spine; and what financial provision will be made to compensate for shortfall. [108287]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department does not collect information on the distribution of teaching salaries by local education authority or school. It is therefore not possible for us to calculate the additional cost of the national insurance contribution or the shortening of the teachers' pay spine for each local education authority. It will not be possible to calculate the additional cost of the increase in employers' contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme for each local education authority for 2003–04 until we have analysed the contributions data for March and April 2003.

  In 2003–04, the national increase in funding is sufficient to cover all the pressures that authorities face. The increase in Education Formula Spending (EPS)—the base funding for schools and LEAs that forms a part of local government funding system—and School Standards Grant—additional base funding that goes directly to every school—is a 11.6 per cent. cash increase over 2002–03. This includes a baseline adjustment to the Education Formula Spending total of £586 million to cover the pre-16 costs of the 4.75 per cent. increase in employers' contribution that arises from the inclusion of pensions increase on the scheme. Further transfers have
  488W
  been made of £20 million, to meet the additional costs of Threshold grant payments, and £44 million to the Learning and Skills Council in respect of sixth forms.

  Local education authorities will need to use their increase to cover the contributions to the Teachers' Pensions scheme; teachers' pay award for 2003–04; pay rises for non-teaching staff; inflation; and the national insurance increase.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Civil Service (People with Disabilities)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in meeting targets for the proportion of people with disabilities in senior posts in the Department. [110521]

  Clare Short
  DFID's target for 2002–03 in respect of the proportion of people with disabilities in the Senior Civil Service was 1.7 per cent. That target has been met. Our target for 2004–05 is 3.3 per cent. We are increasingly advertising senior posts outside the Department and we use the disability media where possible. Adverts carry a statement encouraging applications from under-represented groups, including people with disabilities. We also provide financial support for a bursary scheme for Civil Servants run by the Cabinet Office, that aims to improve the representation of people with disabilities in the Senior Civil Service

  Global Health Fund
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department will come to a conclusion upon financing the next round of funding to the Global Health Fund; on what criteria this judgment will be based; and if the details of this judgment will be made publicly available. [110364]

  Clare Short
  DFID have committed $200 million (£124 million) over the five-year period to 2006 and have already disbursed $80 million.

  Wherever possible the fund should be providing support behind the strategies that help deliver sustainable improvements in health care. We will work with the Global Fund on developing methods for assessing its contribution to this agenda as future DFID funding to the fund will depend on its effectiveness. Monitoring systems are being put in place to measure the impact of its investments—the results of which will be made available by the fund.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman), 13 March 2003,Official Report, column 355W, what other instruments designed to improve basic health care

  489W
  in poor countries her Department plans to use; and if she will make a statement on her conclusion that performance of the Global Health Fund has been mixed. [110424]

  Clare Short
  In addition to our commitment to the Global Fund, we have also committed £1.5 billion to support the development of health systems in developing countries. There are a variety of aid instruments available to deliver this support. We will work with governments of recipient countries to decide which is appropriate according to national priorities and plans. Our goal is to support their effort to lift themselves out of poverty.

  We believe that wherever possible the fund should be providing support behind national strategies that help deliver sustainable improvements in health care. The fund is at a very early stage of development; it is putting in place systems to monitor its performance both as an organisation, and in terms of its impact at country and global level. We will use these measures of effectiveness to assess our future contributions.

  Kenya
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of Kenya's progress towards meeting World bank and IMF targets for reform and policy changes on corruption, reform of the judicial and legal system and macro-economic framework; and what time-frame she expects for increases in financial assistance through(a) the IMF, (b) the World bank and (c) her Department. [110733]

  Clare Short
  The new Kenyan Government have made a good start in developing their policies to tackle corruption, reform the legal sector, stimulate economic growth and improve basic services. Tough decisions are needed to implement them. Provided these are taken, I would expect to see increased financial assistance from both the IMF and World bank within the next few months. My Department has already responded to the new opportunities for poverty reduction in Kenya by providing an additional £10 million to support the implementation of universal primary education. This brought total DFID spending in Kenya to over £40 million in 2002–03.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fishing Vessels
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) UK based fishing vessels, (b) Northern Ireland based fishing vessels and (c) foreign based fishing vessels were boarded by UK based enforcement officers in the last year for which figures are available. [109691]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  1,209 UK fishing vessels and 861 foreign fishing vessels were inspected at sea by British Sea Fisheries Officers during 2002, some more than once. It is not possible to readily distinguish between Great Britain and Northern Ireland vessels within the UK figure.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Contact Orders
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what alternatives there are to the court system for dealing with contact order disputes. [110369]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government encourages family mediation in suitable cases. It provides an opportunity for parties to reach a workable solution, with the assistance of an impartial third party. Evidence suggests that agreed solutions are more likely to last. Publicly funded mediation has been available throughout England and Wales since March 1997.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the annual report of the Department will be published. [107875]

  Yvette Cooper
  The spring 2003 departmental reports will be published by 16 May 2003.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by how much he intends to change his Department's staffing level(a) across the UK and (b) in Gloucestershire, in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [109714]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Staffing levels in the Department of Work and Pensions are expected to reduce by around 15 per cent. from the numbers at the end of December 2002 to around 112,000 by March 2006. Detailed information is not available by year and individual location.

  The Department has undertaken a programme of modernisation, designed to improve the service we provide to our customers. The Department is investing in new offices and new ways of working through greater use of telephony and the internet. This investment will enable us to deliver our services with fewer staff and the reductions in staffing will enable this investment to be funded. Our aim will be to deliver the changes without the need for any compulsory redundancies.

  Means-tested Benefits (Pensioners)
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the take-up rates are for(a) male and (b) female pensioners for means tested benefits in the Redcar and Cleveland council area. [110854]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not available. The latest estimates of take-up of income related benefits are for Great Britain only and can be found in the DWP report, "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up 2000–01". A copy of the report is available in the-Library.

  As at November 2002, there were 2,000 men and 3,000 women claiming the minimum income guarantee in the local authority area of Redcar and Cleveland.
  491W
  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2002.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the take-up rates for means tested benefits by pensioners in the Easington area were in 2002–03. [111202]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not available. The latest estimates of take-up of income related benefits are for Great Britain only and can be found in the DWP report, "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up 2000–01". A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  As at November 2002, there were 3,000 people claiming the minimum income guarantee in the local authority area of Easington.

  Source:
  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2002.

  Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his Answer of 31 March 2003,Official Report, column 605W, if he will break down the number of people who will remain without second-tier pension arrangements by (a) the self-employed, (b) those earning less than the lower earnings limit, (c) the unemployed and (d) other non-contributors. [109648]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Following the introduction of State Second Pension (S2P) in April 2002, we estimate that based upon evidence from the Family Resources Survey 2001–02 around 7 million people will not be accruing S2P rights nor making private pension provision.

  These 7 million consist of:

  (a) 1.4 million self-employed

  (b) 1.2 million employees earning less than the lower earnings limit

  (c) 1.0 million unemployed

  (d) 3.3 million other non-contributors

  These figures have been estimated using the Family Resources Survey, 2001/02. Figures do not sum to 7 million due to rounding.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what proportion of the over-70 population in Devon the state pension is their sole source of income. [109639]

  Malcolm Wicks
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 31 March 2003,Official Report, column 605W, if he will break down the different groups of workers who will account for the increase in those that will gain second-tier pension coverage. [109647]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We estimate that following the introduction of the State Second Pension (S2P) in April 2002, the number of people not accruing rights to S2P or making private pension arrangements will be reduced by about 4.5 million. This 4.5 million consists of 2.5 million disabled people and 2 million carers.

  These figures have been estimated using the Family Resources Survey, 2001–02.
  492W
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many advance applications have been received for the pension credit, and how many minimum income guarantee customers will automatically receive their pension credit entitlement from October. [110242]

  Maria Eagle
  The pension credit application line has been in operation since 7 April and up to 15 April had handled over 8,000 calls. Details of how many applications result from this ongoing activity will be provided on a regular basis.

  By 6 October, all minimum income guarantee customers (c.1.8 million) will have been converted to pension credit.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of pensioners who will benefit from changes to pension payments for long term hospital patients in 2003. [109930]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  Over 20,000 pensioners are affected at any one time by reductions in their State Pension as a result of a stay in hospital of between 6 and 52 weeks. All of these pensioners will therefore benefit from the recent announcement which will change the rules so that hospital deductions are made after a stay of 52 weeks in hospital.

  Notes:

  (1) Estimate is based on September 2002 Retirement Pension administrative data.

  (2) The above estimate represents the number of pensioners who will benefit at any given time from changes on hospital deductions. It is not possible to estimate reliably the total number of pensioners who will benefit from the recent rule changes over the course of a year.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what criteria are used to assess the relative living costs of single pensioners and pensioner couples when setting the rates for the basic state pension; [110850]

  (2) by what means home-related costs are estimated when assessing the rates for the basic state pension for (a) single people and (b) married couples; [110851]

  (3) what plans he has to review the relative levels of the basic state pension for couples and for single people. [110852]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The amount of the basic state pension paid to married women based on their husband's national insurance contributions is 60 per cent. of the amount of the husband's basic state pension.

  The figure of 60 per cent. is expected to reflect the fact that some expenditure is the same for two people as for one, such as heating, lighting, rent and other shared facilities. The rate was set at the start of the National Insurance scheme and we are satisfied that this ratio is still right.

  The level of the basic state pension is increased each year to ensure that, as a minimum, it retains its value in relation to prices. Since April 2001, we have uprated basic state pension by more than the annual retail price

  493W
  increase (RPI), and for the future lifetime of this Parliament we are committed to increasing basic state pension by the higher of 2.5 per cent. and RPI.

  Public Service Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions(a) how many and (b) what grades of officials are responsible for the monitoring of progress towards the public service agreement targets of his Department. [109478]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Monitoring progress towards the department's PSA targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

  Social Security Regulations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received about the Social Security (Earnings Factor) Amendment Regulations. [110509]

  Malcolm Wicks
  No representations have been received.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Local Development Orders
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures will be implemented to encourage local authorities to use local development orders in enterprise areas, as referred to in paragraph 3.62 of the budget 2003, HC 500. [110171]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Government will encourage local authorities to make use of Local Development Orders to relax planning controls in Enterprise Areas. Guidance for Local Authorities on the use of planning tools in Enterprise Areas will be covered in the forthcoming draft Planning Policy Statement, PPS4 "Planning for Economic Development" which should be issued for consultation by the end of this year.

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons he did not separate metropolitan areas in West Midlands when calculating area cost adjustment. [109361]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The area cost adjustment is calculated using New Earnings Survey (NES) data. The data contain no information on the size of an area's resident population. Office for National Statistics uses national insurance numbers to select those who participate in the survey.

  The NES does contain information on the area in which the survey respondent lives and in which they work. Information on the area in which the survey respondent works is used in the calculation of the area cost adjustment.

  The area cost adjustment (ACA) has been calculated for each 1991 county in line with the recommendations of the independent Elliott review of the area cost adjustment. The exception to this rule is that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has further refined the
  494W
  ACA geography around London, by acknowledging fringe and non-fringe areas in the counties which surround London, and by separating Greater London into four ACA areas.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister calculates the ACA for county areas because we wish to produce robust ACA factors that are stable over time. For individual authorities the NES sample size can be small and small samples can lead to volatility. In reforming the ACA the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has had to strike a balance between more finely reflecting local labour market pressures, by calculating the ACA for smaller areas, and providing stable and robust ACA factors each year.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many employees of(a) the Social Exclusion Unit, (b) the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and (c) the Homelessness Directorate there were in each year since their creation. [103064]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Social Exclusion Unit was created in 1997. The figures for staff in the Social Exclusion Unit are:

  1997—12

  1998—21

  1999—35

  2000—43

  2001—47

  2002—57

  2003—57.

  The Neighbourhood Renewal Unit was created in 2001. The figures for staff in the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit are:

  2001—63

  2002—133

  2003—159.

  The Homelessness Directorate was created in 2002. The figures for staff in the Homelessness Directorate are:

  2002–34

  2003–35.

  The 2003 figures are the latest available. All figures include staff on loan and secondment.

  Regions White Paper
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made towards the goal set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice", of(a) ensuring that regional awareness and devolution feature strongly in civil service training and development, (b) increasing the mobility of civil servants between headquarters offices, regional offices, and the Government Offices and (c) encouraging interchange between the civil service and organisations in the regions. [108586]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my hen. Friend the member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander) on 14 April 2003,Official Report, column 602W.
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  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently undertaking a skills audit as part of the regular review of its development and training needs and ambitions. Regional awareness and devolution will feature in this. Two seminars have been held on aspects of devolution and a leaflet on good working relationships circulated to all staff. Material on regional governance issues is available on the Office's internal electronic briefing system.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister encourages movement between different offices where that enhances Departmental effectiveness and individual career prospects. Improving mobility of staff between HQ policy sections and regionally based delivery units is a strategic priority. In the past year 26 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister HQ staff moved to Government offices.

  There are currently 103 secondees working in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister drawn from non-government organisations in the regions. In addition there are currently 18 members of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister who are working in non-government organisations in the regions. The target for the Interchange Programme for 2003–04 is to increase inward secondments by 10 and outward secondments to 50.

  Supporting People
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implementation of Supporting People; and which responsible authorities failed to fully implement Supporting People at the date of its commencement. [108752]

  Mr. McNulty
  All of the 150 principal authorities have accepted their responsibilities for the funding and strategic planning of housing related support services in their areas under the Supporting People programme. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently in discussion with several local authorities with regard to contractual arrangements between the authority and provider, and other matters.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had with local authority chief executives regarding the removal of billboard tobacco advertising; and what funding has been given to local authority trading standards teams to help in the removal of billboard tobacco advertising. [106571]

  Ms Blears
  I have been asked to reply.

  No specific discussions have taken place with local authority chief executives and no specific additional funding has been provided to local authority trading standards departments regarding the removal of billboard tobacco advertising. The Department of Health published its consultation document on the regulations to the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 with provisions concerning the removal of billboard advertising and a risk impact assessment. The consultation exercise ran from 22 August 2002 to 15 November 2002, which included local authority chief executives. A copy of the consultation document is available in the Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Afghanistan
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to provide financial help for training of Afghans who wish to prepare for democratic elections. [110340]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK is working with the Afghan Transitional Administration, the UN and international partners to secure the full implementation of the 2001 Bonn Agreement, the framework within which elections in 2004 will take place.

  We support the efforts of the Transitional Administration to rebuild the mechanisms of government. We contributed £1 million to the office of the UN Special Representative to assist in developing a political framework. We have also contributed £1 million to the Judicial Reform Commission for the development of an independent judicial system, and £500,000 to help fund a process of public consultation in advance of the Constitutional Loya Jirga, which will adopt a new Constitution for Afghanistan later this year.

  In order to enable more women to participate in both the constitutional and the electoral process the FCO is funding a WOMANKIND Worldwide project in Afghanistan, which will include advocacy and human rights awareness training for women in advance of the Constitutional Loya Jirga and the elections. We hope that the Transitional Administration will, in the near future, establish the Afghan Election Commission. The Election Commission will work with the UN on preparations for the elections, including providing training for election officials. Once the Commission has been established, we will consider what further assistance we can provide.

  Egypt
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with(a) President Mubarak of Egypt and (b) Mr. Adek Ek Gazaar, the ambassador for Egypt regarding (i) human rights in Egypt and (ii) the imprisonment of Shaiboub William Arsal. [110830]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Officials maintain a dialogue with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on human rights issues, although there have been no discussions in recent weeks with either President Mubarak or the Egyptian ambassador. Ministers and officials make our views known to the Egyptian authorities when we have significant concerns about human rights violations.

  We raised the case of Mr. Arsal during his original trial. His appeal is due to be heard later this year.

  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from NGOs regarding(a) human rights in Egypt and (b) the imprisonment of Shaiboub William Arsal in Egypt. [110831]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We regularly receive reports from NGOs on human rights cases in Egypt. I have recently received letters from a number of hon. members expressing constituents' concerns at the imprisonment
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  of Shaiboub William Arsal, and at allegations of persecution of Christians in Egypt. These letters are often inspired by NGO reports.

  EU Constitutional Treaty
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the Government has tabled an amendment to replace children's rights with human rights in the draft of the EU Constitutional Treaty. [110258]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government is keen to ensure that children's rights and interests are effectively protected.

  The first draft of the EU Constitutional Treaty issued by the Convention on the Future of Europe's Praesidium contained a reference to children's rights in a section dealing with the Union's broad external objectives. The section contained no reference to human rights more generally.

  The Government did not consider it appropriate to single out children's rights alone (important as they are) as distinct from human rights more generally, in this part of the Treaty. It was considered more appropriate to maintain provisions similar to the broader reference to human rights found in Article 11(1) of the Treaty on European Union.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends to take to ensure that the rights of children are recognised in the EU Constitutional Treaty. [110259]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government will continue to promote and protect children's rights both domestically and internationally and supports effective initiatives at European level to this end. For instance, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights has specific provisions dealing with children's issues and interests. In the context of the Convention on the Future of Europe the Government is considering, whether, and if so how, the Charter should be incorporated into the Treaties.

  Iraq
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the Executive Council of Baghdad working with the coalition; and which of the Executive Council's members are women. [110342]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I understand that the coalition Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance did not appoint the Executive Council of Baghdad. The Council have not provided details of their composition.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he received, from whom and when, between 1 January and 20 April, regarding the threat of looting of antiquities in Iraq; what his response was; and if he will make a statement. [110612]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We continue to receive a large number of representations on a wide range of issues concerning Iraq. The Coalition consulted widely before 498W
  the commencement of the military campaign on the risks to ancient historical and archaeological sites. We have stressed our commitment to protecting such sites. We want to protect resources for all Iraqis and will take what measures are necessary to do this.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he is taking to ensure the identification and return of antiquities and cultural artefacts looted from Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [110616]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are taking a number of steps to ensure the identification of antiquities and cultural artefacts looted from. Iraq, including contacting main trade bodies in the art market, sending Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) staff to Iraq, and providing funding, part of which will go to help with cultural heritage issues in Iraq.

  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received from the Committee for the Release of Hostages and Detainees in Iraq. [110802]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Representatives of the Committee have recently told officials of their concerns about people they fear to be still held in Iraqi prisons.

  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal structures will be created to gather evidence from former political hostages and detainees of criminality on the part of the previous Iraqi regime. [110803]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Our forces are already being tasked to secure and protect evidence of criminal activity by members of the Saddam Hussein regime. We are in the process of assessing, with the US, what help the Iraqis may need in investigating such crimes.

  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of political detainees in Iraq still incarcerated in prisons and detention centres; and what steps his Department is taking to secure their release. [110804]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Human Rights Watch estimate that nearly 300,000 Iraqis have "disappeared" since the late 1970s. We have no way of knowing how many of these were still alive or still in detention at the start of military action.

  Many prisons were emptied by the Iraqis themselves as Coalition forces advanced. In prisons where detainees have been found, UK forces are seeking to improve humanitarian conditions and to make an accurate assessment of whether the detainees were imprisoned for political or criminal reasons.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Iraqi women's organisations were invited to participate in the Baghdad Conference held in April to prepare the way for an Interim Iraqi Authority; and how many of the delegates were women. [110805]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The US led Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance issued invitations to individual Iraqis, not organisations, to participate in the meeting in Baghdad on 28 April.
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  12 Iraqi women were invited, six are reported to have attended. The afternoon session discussed the formation of the IIA. This discussion was led by a woman academic who also replied to it. Another woman contributed to the debate. The Government are committed to promoting the inclusion of women in all phases and at all levels of the reconstruction of Iraq inline with UN Resolution 1325 (October 2000).

  Middle East
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department has taken following the shooting of a British subject carrying out humanitarian work in the Occupied Territories in Palestine on 10 April 2003; and if he will make a statement. [109825]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I raised Mr Hurndall's case with the Israeli Ambassador on 19 April 2003. The Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office also raised it with his Israeli counterpart on 24 April 2003. Our embassy in Tel Aviv is in frequent contact with the Israeli authorities over this case. We are doing all we can to help the Hurndall family.

  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Israeli Government over the shooting of Mr.Tom Hurndall by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. [110045]

  Secondments from the FCO to private sector: March 1997-April 2003

  FCO grade

  Secondment location

  Start

  End

  D6

  RTZ

  October 1996

  March 1997

  C4

  China Britain Trade Group

  June 1996

  August 1997

  D6

  Rolls Royce

  March 1997

  November 1997

  D6

  British Aerospace

  February 1997

  November 1997

  Legal Adviser

  International Committee Red Cross

  January 1996

  January 1999

  SMS

  Unilever

  August 1997

  March 1998

  SMS

  Unilever

  November 1997

  April 1998

  D6

  Shell

  January 1997

  June 1998

  SMS

  Unilever (Shanghai)

  September 1998

  February 1999

  SMS

  Unilever

  November 1998

  February 1999

  SMS

  Standard Chartered Bank

  March 1997

  August 1998

  B3

  Glencree Centre

  December 1997

  November 1998

  SMS

  New Millennium Experience Co

  September 1998

  December 1998

  D6

  British Aerospace

  January 1998

  January 1999

  B3

  London Chamber of Commerce

  April 1997

  April 1999

  SMS

  BOC

  September 1998

  February 1999

  D6

  Price Waterhouse

  September 1997

  May 1999

  D6

  BP

  November 1997

  May 1999

  D6

  British Invisibles

  January 1999

  May 1999

  C4

  Institute of Export

  March 1998

  June 1999

  SMS

  British Aerospace

  May 1999

  November 1999

  SMS

  Prince's Trust

  October 1996

  December 1999

  B3

  China Britain Trade Group

  October 1997

  January 1999

  B3

  China Britain Business Council

  February 1999

  December 1999

  Economist

  BP

  October 1997

  December 1999

  C4

  AMEC

  November 1999

  February 2000

  SMS

  BP

  October 1999

  February 2000

  D6

  CBI

  May 1999

  March 2000

  SMS

  Smithkline Beecham International (Nairobi)

  January 2000

  March 2000

  D6

  Standard Chartered Bank

  November 1998

  March 2000

  C4

  Open Broadcast Network

  June 1998

  April 2000

  D6

  Reading University

  December 1999

  June 2000

  500W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I spoke to the Israeli Ambassador on 19 April 2003 to raise our concerns about the shooting of Mr Hurndall. I asked for a full explanation of this incident following the outcome of the Israeli investigation and detailed the Hurndall family's concerns. The Permanent-Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonnwealth Office raised it with his Israeli counterpart on 24 April 2003. We are also making representations to the Israeli authorities through our embassy in Tel Aviv.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants have been seconded from his Department to(a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, broken down by (i) grade of civil servants seconded, (ii) location and (iii) dates of secondments in each year since 1997–98. [108105]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under Cabinet Office interchange procedures, the term secondment relates solely to movement of staff to and from the private sector and other non-civil service organisations.

  British Trade International (the joint DTI/FCO organisation leading on trade development and investment) has provided the information requested on FCO secondments to the private sector as set out in the table.

  The second table shows FCO secondments to other non-civil service organisations. The FCO does not hold comprehensive records for the year 1997, so the information begins from 1998.
  501W

  Secondments from the FCO to private sector: March 1997-April 2003

  FCO grade

  Secondment location

  Start

  End

  SMS

  Andersen Consulting

  August 1999

  May 2000

  D7

  London First Centre

  April 1998

  June 2000

  D7

  British Invisibles

  June 1998

  June 2000

  D6

  Fidelity

  June 1999

  July 2000

  C5

  ICL

  November 1998

  July 2000

  C4

  Totectors Ltd.

  May 2000

  August 2000

  SMS

  Andersen Consulting

  January 1998

  September 2000

  C4

  Fire Industry Confederation

  May 2000

  October 2000

  D6

  Standard Chartered Bank

  September 2000

  November 2000

  SMS

  Standard Chartered Bank

  October 2000

  November 2000

  C4

  Institute of Waste Management

  August 2000

  November 2000

  SMS

  New Millennium Experience Co

  April 1999

  December 2000

  C4

  Institute of Export

  August 1999

  February 2001

  SMS

  BP

  February 2001

  May 2001

  SMS

  BP Amoco Cape Town (South Africa)

  November 2000

  April 2001

  B3

  London Chamber of Commerce

  May 1999

  April 2001

  D6

  CBI

  February 2001

  June 2001

  SMS

  Standard Chartered Bank

  October 2001

  February 2002

  SMS

  Lehman Bros

  March 2000

  March 2002

  C4

  Asia House

  May 2001

  May 2002

  C4

  Halcrow (Singapore)

  February 1999

  July 2002

  C5

  Partnership Sourcing Ltd.

  April 2001

  August 2002

  D6

  BAE Systems Tokyo

  October 2001

  September 2002

  SMS

  Shell International

  May 2002

  November 200

  B3

  Bacon and Woodrow

  February 2001

  November 2002

  TP/C5

  BCB Worldwide

  August 2000

  December 2002

  SMS

  International Financial Services (formally British Invisibles)

  September 2000

  January 2003

  SMS

  Unilever

  September 2001

  March 2003

  C4

  B. Link Manchester (formerly Oldham Chamber)

  October 1998

  September 2003

  C4

  United Response

  August 2002

  August 2003

  C4

  Petrofac Chemicals

  May 2000

  July 2003

  B3

  London Chamber of Commerce

  June 2001

  June 2003

  D6

  Technical Assistance and Development Services (TADS) Ltd.

  April 2002

  April 2004

  TC/5

  Partnership Sourcing Ltd.

  October 2002

  October 2003

  TC/5

  CBI

  October 2002

  May 2003

  C4

  Business Link West

  November 2002

  November 2003

  B3

  Greater Merseyside Enterprise

  January 2003

  January 2004

  C4

  North West Development Agency

  January 2003

  January 2004

  SMS

  International Financial Services (formally British Invisibles)

  January 2003

  January 2005

  T/D6

  BCCB

  January 2003

  January 2005

  C4

  South Yorkshire International Trade Council

  March 2003

  March 2004

  B4

  BL Notts

  March 2003

  August 2003

  Non private sector

  FCO grade

  Secondment location

  Start

  End

  SMS

  EU Commission

  01/01/1998

  01/06/1999

  D6

  Turks and Caicos

  01/03/1998

  01/12/1999

  D6

  House of Lords

  01/04/1998

  19/04/2002

  D6

  Council of European Union

  08/07/1998

  01/08/2001

  SMS

  SHAPE

  01/08/1998

  01/09/2002

  SMS

  Career Dev Attachment (CDA) Harvard

  01/08/1998

  01/06/1999

  SMS

  Ditchley Foundation

  01/08/1998

  01/08/2001

  SMS

  UN

  01/08/1998

  01/01/2000

  SMS

  EU Commission

  01/09/1998

  01/09/2000

  C5

  EnergyCharter Secretariat, Brussels

  15/10/1998

  15/10/2001

  C4

  CDA Ecole National d'Admin (ENA)

  01/11/1998

  01/07/1999

  SMS

  Buckingham Palace

  01/01/1999

  15/09/2002

  SMS

  CDA Sussex University

  01/01/1999

  01/12/1999

  D6

  Imperial College

  01/01/1999

  09/04/2000

  D6

  UN

  30/01/1999

  07/12/2001

  SMS

  Office of High Rep Sarajevo

  01/02/1999

  01/02/2000

  D6

  IMF

  01/02/1999

  25/02/2002

  D6

  International Org for Migration Geneva

  19/04/1999

  09/04/2002

  SMS

  CDA Harvard

  01/07/1999

  01/04/2000

  B3

  Football Association

  01/07/1999

  31/08/2000

  D6

  London Business School

  26/08/1999

  26/08/2001

  SMS

  EU Commission

  01/09/1999

  01/09/2004

  D6

  EU Commission

  01/09/1999

  01/09/2002

  C4

  NGO Article 19

  01/09/1999

  01/12/1999

  502W 503W

  Non private sector

  FCO grade

  Secondment location

  Start

  End

  D6

  CDA ENA

  01/09/1999

  01/03/2001

  D6

  Office of Special Coord, Brussels

  01/09/1999

  13/08/2001

  D6

  Academic Study Masters

  01/10/1999

  01/10/2001

  SMS

  CDA St. Anthony's College

  01/10/1999

  01/06/2000

  SMS

  EU Commission

  01/10/1999

  01/10/2004

  D6

  EU Commission

  01/12/1999

  15/07/2002

  D6

  EU Commission

  01/12/1999

  01/11/2000

  D6

  CDA NATO Defence College, Rome

  01/02/2000

  01/07/2000

  D6

  CU Commission

  01/02/2000

  28/01/2002

  D6

  States of Jersey: St. Helier

  01/04/2000

  01/09/2003

  SMS

  Career Development Attachment

  01/05/2000

  01/12/2000

  SMS

  New Zealand MFA

  01/05/2000

  01/12/2000

  D6

  St. James's Palace

  01/06/2000

  26/06/2003

  D6

  Population Council HGO, Hanoi

  01/07/2000

  01/07/2001

  SMS

  CDA Harvard

  01/07/2000

  01/07/2001

  D6

  Oxfam

  04/09/2000

  13/07/2001

  D6

  DFA Dublin CDA

  01/10/2000

  01/04/2001

  D6

  NGO Interights

  23/10/2000

  31/12/2000

  SMS

  Romanian MFA

  01/12/2000

  01/12/2001

  SMS

  German MFA

  08/01/2001

  08/08/2001

  SMS

  Mostar Deputy High Rep/Sarajevo

  14/01/2001

  14/01/2003

  D6

  EU Comm

  01/02/2001

  01/07/2003

  SMS

  OSCE Belgrade

  21/02/2001

  28/02/2003

  D6

  Buckingham Palace

  12/06/2001

  01/06/2004

  SMS

  CDA St. Anthony's College

  01/10/2001

  13/07/2002

  D6

  German MFA

  04/10/2001

  15/06/2002

  SMS

  SHAPE

  01/11/2001

  15/03/2003

  SMS

  RCDS

  01/12/2001

  01/12/2003

  D6

  Office of Czech President's Office

  02/01/2002

  31/03/2002

  D6

  Czech MFA

  01/04/2002

  15/01/2003

  SMS

  EU Council Secretariat

  01/05/2002

  15/05/2007

  SMS

  OHR Sarajevo

  15/05/2002

  15/05/2004

  D6

  CDAENA

  01/01/2003

  01/09/2003

  SMS

  St. James's Palace

  14/04/2003

  14/04/2006

  Notes:

  The FCO grading system equates as follows:

  SMS = Senior Civil Service

  D7 = Home Civil Service 6

  D6 = Home Civil Service 7

  C5 = Senior Executive Officer

  C4 = Higher Executive Officer

  B3 = Executive Officer

  US Forces (Indian Ocean)
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long US military forces will be stationed on British territory in the Indian Ocean. [109642]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  HMG in 1966 and subsequently has entered into a series of bilateral agreements with the United States on the use of the British Indian Ocean Territory under which the whole territory is to remain available for the defence needs of the two countries for an initial period of 50 years from 1966, and thereafter for a further period of 20 years unless either party has given prior notice to terminate it.

HEALTH

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on accident and 504W
  emergency services at (a) Harold Wood Hospital in the London Borough of Havering and (b) Oldchurch Hospital Romford. [108663]

  Mr. Hutton
  Improving patients' experience of emergency care is essential. In light of this, Reforming Emergency Care was launched in October 2001 supported by £118 million investment. It sets a long-term programme of reform supported by extra investment and new capacity to address one of the public's key concerns about the national health service—waiting in accident and emergency.

  Harold Wood hospital does not have an A&E service but a minor injuries unit.

  Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust have invested £102,000 in the following initiatives at Oldchurch hospital:
  Improvement of the medical assessment unit and an additional emergency physician at Oldchurch hospital to increase throughput in A&E.
  Improving primary care working at Oldchurch with the aim of re-directing primary care presentations in A&E.
  A sector wide project manager based at the Oldchurch site.
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  The NHS Plan set the target to reduce by 2004, the maximum time any patient spends in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge to four hours. In 2003 Barking, Havering and Redbridge achieved the interim target of 90 per cent., of patients spending no more than four hours in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.

  Asthma
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment has been made of numbers of people suffering from asthma in each year since 1997; what the average age of diagnosis was; and if he will make a statement; [110030]

  (2) what assessment has been made of the causes of asthma; and what proposals he has to address them and raise awareness; [110031]

  (3) what measures are in place to ensure that asthma sufferers have access to a local health professional with specific asthma training; [110032]

  (4) what specialist services are available for those suffering from severe asthma; and what charges are placed on medication and treatment; [110034]

  (5) what proposals he has to (a) speed up diagnosis and treatment of asthma and (b) have an asthma plan in place. [110033]

  Jacqui Smith
  Patients with asthma are able to access the full range of National Health Service support services in both primary and secondary care settings. Inhalers contain drugs to relieve the symptoms, though people who suffer particularly severe attacks may also use 'preventers' to reduce reactions in advance.

  People including those suffering from asthma are entitled to free prescriptions if they are aged under 16, or under 19 and in full time education, or aged 60 or over, or they (or their partner) are receiving income support, income based jobseeker's allowance or are named on a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate. They may also claim help under the NHS low income scheme.

  Information is not centrally available concerning numbers of asthma sufferers since 1997, however hospital episode statistics data shows that there were the following admissions to hospital between 1997–2002.

  Year

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Admissions

  71,434

  69,824

  66,054

  60,376

  60,134

  People with asthma will benefit from the emerging expert patients programme which will via the NHS—provide training in self-management skills for people with long term chronic conditions. We have now commenced on a fourth wave pilot phase for the remaining selected primary care trusts (PCTs), with activity taking place on a generic basis. The previous pilots have been well received by the course participants. It is the role of health authorities, in partnership with PCTs, to decide what services to provide for their populations including those with asthma. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.
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  We have welcomed guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) on inhalers for children under five in September 2000 and for older children, aged five to 15, on April 11 2002. The NICE recommendations provide clear evidence based on guidance on the most suitable inhalers for children.

  The Government considers the provision of first class health services for asthma sufferers as very important and is involved in a broad spectrum of research and development work into the disease. The principal body providing Government funding in the scientific area is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Trade and Industry and it spends around 2 million a year on asthma research. In addition to this, a major joint initiative is being funded by the Department of Health, the Department for the Environment, Transport and Regions and the MRC into air pollution and respiratory disease.

  A new general medical services contract agreement was launched on Friday 21 February 2003, which, if accepted by the profession, will lead to an unprecedented level of new investment in general practice to deliver a wider range of high quality services with better clinical outcomes for all patients.

  The Department of Health and the Royal College of General Practitioners, under the supervision of a national development group of key stakeholders, have produced a framework for implementing a scheme for GPs with special interests and clinical guidelines for GPs with special interests in specific specialities, including respiratory medicine. Whilst this document focuses on GPs with special interests, it is recognised that specialist nurses already play a major role in the management of respiratory conditions, and much of the GP role could equally apply to an appropriately qualified specialist nurse. It is likely that the core activities of a GP with special interests will vary according to local need and resources, but are likely to focus on asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease.

  The national service framework (NSF) for children is being developed to set standards for the care of children and young people to ensure all children and young people have access to good quality care. Whilst it is not the intention to look at specific conditions in the NSF, it has been agreed that asthma, as one of the most common childhood conditions, should be used as one of the exemplars which will accompany the main NSF report. These will illustrate how the standards should be applied to ensure that services delivered to children are effective and meet their needs.

  The NSF for older people has made a commitment to develop a service model on respiratory diseases in older people within the ten-year framework. The development of this service model under the NSF for older people will apply for all those who need these services, regardless of their age, much as the current NSF service models on stroke and dementia.

  Cardiovascular Disease
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of how much money would be saved by the NHS through earlier detection of cardiovascular disease if all men with erectile dysfunction sought treatment from their GP; [108163]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the number of men estimated to have been deterred from seeking medical help for erectile dysfunction by the restrictions on GPs' ability to prescribe treatments; and if he will make a statement; [108165]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the number of new cases of cardiovascular disease he would expect to be detected if the current restrictions on GPs' ability to prescribe treatments for erectile dysfunction were removed; [108164]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the number of men estimated to have erectile dysfunction but unable to obtain treatments from GPs on the NHS because of the restrictions on GPs' ability to prescribe those treatments; [108167]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the cost to the NHS of removing current restrictions on GPs' ability to prescribe treatments on the NHS to men with erectile dysfunction; [108168]

  (6) what assessment he has made of the number of men with cardiovascular disease who are unable to obtain NHS treatments from GPs because of the restrictions on the GPs' ability to prescribe relevant treatments; and if he will make a statement. [108166]

  Ms Blears
  We have made no such assessments, but the decision was taken to restrict the availability of treatments for erectile dysfunction on the national health service because of the high potential costs of providing these treatments and the consequent risk that resources might be diverted from other services such as cancer. Following a public consultation exercise undertaken in 2001 we estimated that the cost of removing the restrictions might be in the order of an additional £100 million a year.

  Chiropody Services (Buckinghamshire)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of chiropody services in Buckinghamshire. [109430]

  Ms Blears
  Primary care trusts now have the responsibility of improving the health of the community, securing the provision of high quality services and integrating health and social care locally. They have the resources to commission services and to identify the number of professional staff that they need to deliver those services. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community, including the provision of chiropody services.

  Cholesterol Drugs
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make drugs that substantially lower cholesterol available over the counter. [109088]
  508W
  Ms Blears
  The NHS Plan set out the Government's commitment to make more medicines available over the counter (OTC). The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been proactively encouraging the pharmaceutical industry to consider which medicines might be suitable to make more widely available as part of the MHRA's work to fulfil this commitment.

  Any application to change the legal status of a particular medicine for lowering blood cholesterol will be carefully considered against the criteria for prescription-only status set out in European and United Kingdom legislation and would be subject to public consultation. Patient safety is the prime consideration and any application would be required to demonstrate its safety in use and that relevant patient and professional education issues have been adequately addressed.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funding he has provided to local authorities in Buckinghamshire to take on responsibilities held by community health councils. [110414]

  Ms Blears
  Funding to support local authority scrutiny of the national health service is currently being considered within the Department and an announcement will be made shortly. We are, therefore, unable to give specific funding details for Buckinghamshire.

  The £23.5 million previously made available to fund Community Health Councils (CHCs) is contributing to the much wider programme of Government initiatives to support and strengthen patient and public involvement nationally.

  The functions of CHCs are being picked up by a range of mechanisms, which include patient advice and liaison services, independent complaints advocacy services (ICAS), patient's forums, the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) and the scrutiny of health services by local authority overview and scrutiny committees. Overall, the funding has increased greatly from the £23.5 million previously spent on CHCs. The funds being made available to the CPPIH to cover patient's forums and ICAS is £35.5 million alone.

  Desumo Information and Healthcare Ltd.
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the decision of the National Care Standards Commission to de-register Desumo Information and Healthcare Ltd.; and what implications this has for its provision of single vaccine cover for measles, mumps and rubella in the South-West. [109030]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 14 April 2003]: The National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) registered Desumo on 22 April 2003. It had not de-registered Desumo prior to that. The NCSC processed Desumo's application as soon as it had obtained from the organisation sufficient information to enable it to be registered. In the meantime, the clinic had arranged for

  509W
  some vaccines to be administered by a national health service doctor, who was not required to be registered with the NCSC.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage research into curing and treating diabetes. [110834]

  Mr. Lammy
  The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. The MRC spent an estimated £8.9 million on research into diabetes in 2001–02.

  The Department and the MRC worked together with Diabetes UK and the Wellcome Trust on the Review of Current and Future Research on Diabetes, published in October 2002. The review was intended to inform the development of future research into diabetes sponsored by the Department and the MRC, and to be of use to other agencies funding research. A Department led task group with participation from the MRC, Diabetes UK and others has been established to determine how best to take forward the proposals in the review. A copy of the review is available in the Library.

  The Department also funds some direct costs of diabetes research through a variety of programmes. It also provides, through the Concordat with the MRC and equivalent arrangements with the medical charities, the considerable service support costs for all clinical research taking place within the National Health Service. The amount of such service support funding for diabetes research is being established and will be reported on at a later date. The scale of this funding, however, can be judged from the NHS national research register which gives details of over 1,600 diabetes research studies undertaken in NHS hospital trusts which receive service support.

  Doctors
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors have been recruited from post-graduate courses by NHS hospitals in each of the past five years. [110949]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department's work force census does not collect data on numbers of doctors recruited by National Health Service hospitals from post-graduate courses.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the(a) British Medical Association and (b) University Deans of Medicine on meeting the target of 25,000 doctors by 2008. [109736]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has regular meetings with the British Medical Association and other representative bodies of the medical profession to discuss a range of issues.

  Department officials are in regular contact with the Council of Heads of Medical Schools, whose membership normally includes the Head or Dean of
  510W
  each university medical school in the United Kingdom and Colleges of the University of London with a medical school.

  EU Advisory Committees (Dental Practitioner and Nursing Training)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list(a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Advisory Committee on the Training of Dental Practitioners, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House; [110286]

  (2) if he will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Advisory Committee on Training in Nursing, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House. [110287]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Advisory Committees on Nursing and Dental Training were set up to advise the European Commission and member states on matters relating to the training of nurses responsible for general care and dentists under European Union directives guaranteeing free movement and automatic recognition of qualifications.

  Each advisory committee has three members from each member state—one each from the practising profession, the education establishments and the competent authority. Three alternates are appointed on the same basis. No Government officials sit on the Committees.

  The Advisory Committees have not met, had any items on their agenda, or made any decisions since January 2002. The terms of office of members have expired and the Commission has not sought further nominations.

  Food Advertising
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2003,Official Report, column 510W, on the advertising of food, when he expects the review of research to be completed. [107722]

  Ms Blears
  The Food Standards Agency is expecting the report of this review to be completed and published by September 2003.

  Foundation Hospitals
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Department of Health funding for foundation hospitals will vary according to the revenue a foundation hospital receives from other sources. [108319]

  Mr. Hutton
  All national health service foundation trusts will be free to generate NHS income through their legally binding contracts with primary care trusts. All NHS foundation trusts will have to observe their terms
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  of authorisation, including any provisions limiting the amount of income they generate from private patient work.

  General Dentistry Service
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have used the facilities of the General Dentistry Service in Gloucestershire in each year since its inception. [109404]

  Ms Blears
  The information available is for the number of adult courses of treatment carried out by the general dental service in Gloucestershire Family Health Service Authority and Gloucestershire Health Authority for the years ending March 1992 to 2002. This data is shown in the table.

  General Dental Service: Number of adult courses of treatment, year ending March 1992–2002—Gloucestershire Family Health Service Authority/Health Authority

  Thousands

  Year ending March

  Number of claims

  1992

  358

  1993

  350

  1994

  261

  1995

  244

  1996

  234

  1997

  222

  1998

  215

  1999

  219

  2000

  219

  2001

  210

  2002

  203

  Note:

  A course of treatment may involve one or more visits to the dentist. A patient may have several courses in a single year. This information is not available for previous years. Figures for children are not given because courses pf treatment for children exclude courses where a payment claim is not required.

  National Health Service dental services are also provided by the community dental service and the personal dental services.

  Hospital Building Programme
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the amount of expenditure on the hospital building programme in each of the last five available years, excluding PFI contracts. [110796]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not separately identify expenditure on the hospital building programme. The Department does collect information on total capital expenditure in the National Health Service. This is shown in the table below.

  Financial Year

  Total (£000)

  1997–1998

  1,153,298

  1998–1999

  1,114,241

  1999–2000

  1,635,032

  2000–2001

  1,744,304

  2001–2002

  1,969,080

  Total:

  7,615,955

  Source:

  NHS Trust summarisation schedules 1997–98 to 2001–02—net book value of additional purchased capital acquisitions by NHS Trusts.

  Hospital Gardens
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital trusts contract out(a) partly and (b) completely gardening work on their estates. [109893]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 28 April 2003]: This information is not collected centrally. The provision of gardening services is a matter for individual National Health Service trusts.

  Inventures Disposals
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Southlands Hospital land in Shoreham has been included in the bulk sale of properties in the Inventures disposals; what(a) price and (b) terms will be secured by its sale; and whether it will be sold with planning permission. [109894]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 28 April 2003]: The surplus parts of the hospital have been included in the portfolios of properties that will form the basis of the proposed real estate partnership with the private sector. Miller/Bank of Scotland have been chosen as preferred partner. The price and other terms of the sale are commercially confidential.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of the inventures disposals which will be sold without planning permission; and if he will make a statement on his policy on the sale of NHS property without planning permission. [109895]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 28 Apri1 2003]: Details of which properties will be the subject of the proposed real estate partnership with Miller/Bank of Scotland are still being finalised.

  In selling National Health Service property, the principles of Government Accounting and the Department of Health's own guidance, Estatecode, are followed.

  Looked After Children
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with(a) local authorities and (b) the Independent Schools Council regarding placing looked after children in boarding schools. [110935]

  Jacqui Smith
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills recently met the Independent Schools Council to discuss a range of issues, including the placement of looked after children in boarding schools. This issue has not arisen to date during my regular discussions with him or in discussions with local authority representatives.

  Meningitis C Vaccine
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the take-up of the meningitis C vaccine by targeted groups. [105900]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 1 Apri1 2003]: Information on uptake of routine childhood vaccines are collected through the COVER (define) programme. These

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  data are published on a quarterly basis in the "Communicable Disease Report (CDR) Weekly" and are available at www.phls.org.uk/publications/cdr/index.html

  The most recent quarterly uptake figures—October to December 2002—for the meningitis C conjugate vaccine for England at one and two years of age were 90 per cent. and 92 per cent. respectively.

  Vaccine coverage in the catch-up campaign by age and school year

  Age

  Birth cohort

  Approximate date of vaccination

  Total eligible

  Coverage (percentage)

  <12 months

  11 January 1999 to 28 July 1999

  January 2000

  283,198

  80.4

  1- < 2 years

  11 January 1998 to 10 January 1999

  January 2000

  526,802

  83.8

  2–5 years

  1 September 1994 to 10 January 1998

  March 2000

  1,810,884

  75.6

  School year (age inferred)

  1 (5–6)

  1 September 1993 to 31 August 1994

  September 2000

  517,088

  86.3

  2 (6–7)

  1 September 1992 to 31 August 1993

  September 2000

  525,151

  86.7

  3 (7–8)

  I September 1991 to 31 August 1992

  September 2000

  545,352

  87.4

  4 (8–9)

  1 September 1990 to 31 August 1991

  September 2000

  552,993

  87.6

  5 (9–10)

  1 September 1989 to 31 August 1990

  May 2000

  549,518

  89.0

  6 (10–11)

  1 September 1988 to 31 August 1989

  May 2000

  542,557

  88.0

  7 (11–12)

  1 September 1987 to 31 August 1988

  March 2000

  556,661

  87.9

  8 (12–13)

  1 September 1986 to 31 August 1987

  March 2000

  540,878

  87.2

  9 (13–14)

  1 September 1985 to 31 August 1986

  March 2000

  530,547

  85.5

  10 (14–15)

  1 September 1984 to 31 August 1985

  March 2000

  519,446

  83.0

  11 (15–16)

  1 September 1983 to 31 August 1984

  November 1999

  484,751

  83.7

  12 (16–17)

  1 September 1982 to 31 August 1983

  November 1999

  300,429

  70.3

  13 (17–18)

  1 September 1981 to 31 August 1982

  November 1999

  265,423

  60.3

  All school years

  —

  —

  6,532,229

  84.6

  1—

  —

  —

  767,431

  43.0

  115–17 y/o not in education. Only 32/155 trusts were able to provide vaccine coverage outside of school. It was assumed that this was representative and the number of 15 to 17-year-olds not in education was equal to the ONS population estimate for this age group minus denominator data supplied by health trusts.

  Mental Health Accommodation
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all mental health hospital accommodation in Hampshire meets the criteria for the targets set in February 1998 regarding the safety, privacy and dignity of patients; and if he will make a statement. [110338]

  Ms Blears
  All mental health hospital accommodation in Hampshire is fully compliant with the criteria set to protect the safety, privacy and dignity of patients.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were registered with NHS dentists in each of the last 10 years in the area covered by the Cotswold and Vale PCT. [109403]

  Ms Blears
  At 30 September 2002, 70,000 patients were registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist in Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust. For the period of the last 10 years, registration data is available for the Gloucestershire Health Authority and Family Health Service Authority areas. The information shown in the table is for 30 September for the years 1993 to 2001 and for 31 August 2002.
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  Information on the uptake rate of the meningitis C conjugate vaccine in children and adults during the meningitis C campaign was published last year in "Communicable Disease and Public Health"—September 2002, vol 5 (3): 177–264. The percentage of children and adults immunised through this programme is shown in the table. There is no information on uptake in adults aged over 18 years of age.

  A copy of this paper is available in the Library.

  General Dental Service: Number of persons registered with a dentist, 1993 to 2002—Gloucestershire Family Health Service Authority/Health Authority

  Thousand

  At 30 September

  Number of persons registered

  1993

  310

  1994

  287

  1995

  257

  1996

  247

  1997

  245

  19981

  214

  19991

  216

  20001

  212

  20011

  203

  20021

  199

  1 Registration data for these years in not comparable with earlier years due to the change in the registration period. 2002 data is for 31 August.

  Registrations lapse if patients do not return to their dentists within 15 months and so the registration figures exclude patients who haven't been to their GDS dentist within the past 15 months. Also excluded from the figures are patients who receive dental treatment from other National Health Service dental services, including dental access centres.
  515W
  The number of patients registered with a dentist prior to November 1997 cannot be compared to those of later years due to the change in the registration period for new registration from September 1996.

  Some of the reduction in recorded registration numbers is due to improvements in the methods of removing duplicate registration records, which were first employed by the Dental Practice Board in 1993.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints each primary care trust in Gloucestershire has received in the last year from people who cannot get access to NHS dentists. [109405]

  Ms Blears
  The information is not collected centrally.

  NHS Funding
  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was not able to be used by the NHS by the end of the financial year 2002–03, has been handed back to the Treasury. [109413]

  Mr. Hutton
  None. Any under spends will be available for spending by the National Health Service in 2003–04 under Her Majesty's Treasury's end year flexibility arrangements.

  NHS Litigation Costs
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the NHS litigation costs for 2002 as estimated by the National Audit Office is related to maternity cases. [109386]

  Mr. Lammy
  Information on the National Health Service litigation costs of maternity cases is not collected centrally.

  Oldchurch Hospital, Havering
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on staffing levels for Ward C5 at Oldchurch Hospital in the London Borough of Havering; and what discussions he has had with(a) managers of the hospital and (b) Havering Primary Care Trust about the ward. [109503]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the staffing levels of individual wards is not held centrally.

  I have had no discussions with Barking, Havering and Redbridge National Health Service Trust or Havering Primary Care Trust (PCT) about the ward.

  However, the North East London Strategic Health Authority Directors, who now performance manage Barking, Havering & Redbridge NHS Trust and Havering PCT, regularly meet with trust management.

  Overseas Nurse Advice Line
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls the overseas nurse advice line has received in the last month. [110152]

  Mr. Hutton
  The national health service international nurses advice line received 11 completed calls during March 2003.

  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, references: 100537 and 100499 of 26 February 2003. [109112]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 29 April and to the reply I gave him on 14 April 2003,Official Report, column 612W.

  Patient Referrals
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients have been referred to(a) private hospitals and (b) hospitals in European countries for treatment in each year since 1997: and what the cost was to the NHS of these referrals. [105949]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not hold information centrally on the total number of national health service patients referred to private hospitals. No patients were referred for treatment abroad under the direct referral system before 2002. In 2002, 228 patients were treated abroad. To date, a further 204 patients have been treated abroad in 2003.

  190 patients were referred abroad as part of a pilot project between January and April 2002. The project was funded centrally, and the overall cost was £1.1 million. Following on from the pilot, a further £2.1 million of central money has been spent to fund treatment abroad in five different health authority areas. The amount spent by NHS commissioners on purchasing treatment from private sector providers is not separately recorded.

  Prison Nurses
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses there are with experience of professionally working in prisons in each primary care trust. [109696]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not collect information on the number of nurses employed by primary care trusts working professionally in prisons.

  Private Hospitals (Buckinghamshire)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were carried out in private hospitals in Buckinghamshire at NHS expense broken down by(a) hospital and (b) PCT area in the past year. [110332]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested about the number of operations carried out in private hospitals in Buckinghamshire is not collected centrally.

  Radiographers
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many additional training places for radiographers have been created in each of the last six years; [110382]

  (2) how many radiographers have completed training in each of the last six years. [110381]
  517W
  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of training places for radiographers in the last six years is shown in the table.

  Radiographer training commissions

  Year

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Revised

  Source

  BS

  A/R

  A/R

  QMR Q4

  QMR Q4

  QMR Q4

  All radiographers

  593

  582

  646

  685

  761

  948

  Diagnostic

  452

  447

  507

  541

  597

  730

  Therapeutic

  141

  135

  139

  141

  164

  218

  BS = Balance sheet

  A/R = NMET Accountability Report

  QMR = NMET Quarerly Monitoring Reports

  Information on the number of radiographers completing training is not collected centrally. The Health Professions Council holds information on the numbers of radiographers on its register, a prerequisite for employment in the United Kingdom. This information can be obtained through Claire Harkin at clair.harkin@pc.uk.org.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant NHS posts for therapeutic and diagnostic radiographers there were in March in(a) England, (b) each NHS region and (c) each NHS trust. [110383]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of therapeutic and diagnostic radiographer posts that have been vacant for three months or more is collected in the National Health Service workforce vacancy survey. The information available for March 2002 has been placed in the Library.

  Sheep (Spongiform Encephalopathies)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Food Standards Agency's policy on testing sheep for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies using the test developed by Professor Prusiner of the University of California. [109850]

  Ms Blears
  Testing of sheep for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the rural affairs Departments of the Devolved Administrations. I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that its policy is that such testing should be carried out using the most appropriate European Union approved test.

  Sustainable Policies (NHS)
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advances have been made in producing a sustainable transport policy for the NHS. [108682]

  Mr. Hutton
  "NHS Environmental Strategy for the NHS", issued in April 2002 by NHS Estates, an Executive Agency of the Department of Health, requires the national health service to produce sustainable transport policies including healthy transport plans.
  518W
  Between 1996–97 and 2001–02, the number of training places for radiographers has increased by 355 or 60 per cent., with a further increase of around 260 planned for the current financial year.

  NHS Estates, the Department of Health and Sustrans have given recently a series of seminars around England for the NHS on the benefits of, and how to produce such plans.

  The NHS will also be required to produce transport plans as part of local authority planning approval process for any new capital development scheme.

  Teenage Cancer
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many teenagers with cancer have been treated in adult wards in the last year at(a) Worthing Hospital and (b) Sussex County Hospital, Brighton; [109924]

  (2) what steps are being taken by the Adur, Arun and Worthing Primary Care Trust to improve diagnosis of teenage cancers; [109925]

  (3) what plans he has to introduce a teenager cancer trust unit in the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency. [109923]

  Ms Blears
  Information at ward level is not centrally collected. Hospital episode statistics only holds data for admitted patient care at the level of national health service hospitals trusts.

  There are no current plans to introduce a teenage cancer trust unit in the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency. However, the Adur, Arun and Worthing Primary Care Trust is committed to working with other members of the Sussex Cancer Network to strengthen and further develop local services for teenage patients.

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is in the process of updating the Department of Health's Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, to help general practitioners identify those patients who are most likely to have cancer and therefore require urgent assessment by a specialist. NICE is also producing Improving Outcomes guidance for child and adolescent cancers to ensure services for these patients are capable of achieving consistently good outcomes.

  In addition, we are providing funding through the national cancer research network to enable more teenage cancer patients to enter trials of the latest treatments.

  Thoracic Medicine
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients waited up to(a) four weeks, (b) 13 weeks and (c) 26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment following GP referral; and how many patients were waiting for over 13 weeks at quarter end, for thoracic medicine, in (i) England and (ii) each NHS region in each quarter since Q1 1997. [101583]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested for Q1 1997–98 to Q3 2002–03 has been placed in the Library. Over this period the number of people waiting over 26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment in thoracic medicine fell from 121 at end June 1997 to none at end December 2002.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the marketing materials not covered by the ban on tobacco advertising. [109202]

  Ms Blears
  When fully in force, the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 will provide a comprehensive ban on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products with certain limited exceptions. The Act does not list marketing materials but does define "tobacco advertisement' and 'tobacco product'.

  In the Act, 'tobacco advertisement' means an advertisement:
  whose purpose is to promote a tobacco product, or
  whose effect is to do so and
  `tobacco product' means a product consisting wholly or partly of tobacco and intended to be smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed.

  Section 4 of the Act identifies exclusions. These relate to:
  tobacco trade communications aimed at specified trade contacts;
  communications made in reply to a particular request by an individual for information about a tobacco product;
  publications (other than an in-flight magazine) whose principal market is not the United Kingdom (or any part of it), or if it is contained in any internet version of such a publication.

  Section 4 also provides for the appropriate Minister to provide in regulations that no offence is committed if a tobacco advertisement:
  is in a place or on a website where tobacco products are offered for sale; and
  complies with requirements specified in the regulations.

  Section 5 provides defences.

  Section 6 of the Act provides an exemption if the tobacco advertisement:
  was in or fixed to the outside of the premises of a specialist tobacconist;
  was not for cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco; and
  complied with any requirements specified by the appropriate Minister in regulations in relation to tobacco advertisements on the premises of specialist tobacconists.

  Section 9 permits the giving away of products or coupons that are aimed at specified tobacco trade contacts.
  520W
  Section 11 provides for the Secretary of State to make regulations governing brandsharing. It is intended that the regulations will set out limited circumstances in which brandsharing will be permissible.

  Section 20 provides for transitional provisions to be made in regulations covering tobacco sponsorship agreements. The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Sponsorship) Regulations 2003 were made under that section and came into force on 14 February 2003.

  Draft regulations governing point of sale advertising and brandsharing have been consulted on and will, when in final form, be notified to the European Commission under the Technical Standards Directive 98/48/EC. Until the regulations are made, temporary provision is included in the Orders bringing the Act into force. In particular, the Orders permit the promotion of tobacco products in a place or on a website where tobacco products are offered for sale and provide exceptions for brandshared goods from various offences created by the Act.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for an out-patient appointment(a) in Greater London and (b) in England was in (i) the latest period for which figures are available and (ii) May 1997. [101313]

  Mr. Hutton
  The table shows the estimated median waiting time, in weeks, for first outpatient appointments in London (defined by the five London strategic health authorities), and England at the end of March 1997 and December 2002, the latest position. Over this period the number of people in London waiting over 26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment fell from 15,200 at end March 1997 to five at end December 2002. The equivalent figures for England are 70,700 to less than 700.

  Estimated median waiting time1 for first outpatient appointment following written GP referral

  London

  England

  March 1997

  6.06

  6.05

  December 2002 (latest published quarterly data)

  7.53

  7.55

  1The medians in the table are based on aggregate data, categorised into waiting time bands, and do not reflect shifts in the waiting time profiles within these bands, only between bands. Progress on delivering maximum waiting times may not necessarily translate into a reduction in the median waiting time, because of shifts in low time bands.

  Source:

  Estimated using data from Department of Health form QM08

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Off-road Vehicles
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals for additional powers for police to confiscate vehicles used illegally off-road. [108613]
  521W
  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We have provided new powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 to supplement the offences in the Road Traffic Act 1988. As from January 2003, where a vehicle committing one of the Road Traffic Act offences is being driven in such a way that it is causing or is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public, a constable in uniform is empowered to stop and seize it. He will be able to enter premises other than a private dwelling to effect the seizure. The owner will be able to retrieve the vehicle on payment of removal and storage charges. Detailed arrangements have been made by regulation to ensure that the owner is not required to pay when the vehicle was used without his consent.

  The new powers will enable the police to deal with vehicles being used illegally off road more effectively by putting an immediate stop to such anti-social behaviour. Their use is currently being developed by the police and will be monitored to ensure it is effective.

  In addition there is an existing power in statute for magistrates to remove driving licences for summary offences. We intend to notify the courts that exercise of this power may be an appropriate response for particular offences, including the illegal and anti-social use of a vehicle off-road.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109482]

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

  Antisocial Behaviour
  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on combating anti-social behaviour in Wales. [110403]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  All of the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill is applicable to Wales, although it will be for the National Assembly for Wales to take forward the devolved measures. Officials in the Home Office have been working with their colleagues at the National Assembly for Wales on the development of the White Paper CM5778 and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 7 April 2003,Official Report, column 35W, on command paper 5778, which groups of charities were consulted; and if he will list the meetings that were held. [108992]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Director and staff of the antisocial behaviour unit met with various individuals and organisations during the preparation of the White Paper.

  This included the following charities: Age Concern, National Children's Bureau, Parentline and National Family and Parenting Institute.

  Asylum Seekers
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he intends to make to his Department's procedures for determining applications for NASS support by asylum seekers who have been refused as a result of not having applied for asylum as soon as is reasonably practicable. [109569]

  Beverley Hughes
  Following the judgment of Mr. Justice Collins of 19 February on the application of Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, we anticipated all of the main points of the Court of Appeal judgment of 18 March. Changes to the procedure have been made. For example:The interviewer and decision-maker are now one and the same person;
  The purpose of the interview is clearly spelled out to the applicant at the outset;
  The account given by the applicant about the circumstances in which entry to the UK was achieved is thoroughly probed and warnings are given when the story is not believed; and
  Article 3 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) issues are considered in all cases to ensure that a negative section 55 decision would not result in a breach of Convention rights.

  The Government's appeals against the Collins judgement in the six test cases were dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 18 March 2003. However, the judgment found in favour of the Secretary of State on all key points of law, including that section 55 is not incompatible with the ECHR in any respect. The judgment therefore gave renewed legal backing for the Government's policy.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied asylum seeking children were deported in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002. [109574]

  Beverley Hughes
  The information requested is not available. Although statistics on the removal of failed asylum seekers include unaccompanied minors; they are not separately identified. The information would therefore only be available by examination of individual case-files; this would be at disproportionate cost.

  However, under current policy, unaccompanied children are not removed under Immigration Act powers unless we are satisfied that suitable arrangements have been made for their reception and care in the destination country.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children of asylum-seeking families are detained. [110066]

  Beverley Hughes
  Dungavel, Harmondsworth, Oakington and Tinsley House are the only Immigration Service Removal Centres (IRCs) that deal with family cases. A one-off exercise was carried out on 2 April 2003 to assess the number of children under the age of 18 detained in these IRCs, the results of which are contained in the table.
  523W

  Immigration Service Removal Centre

  Children under 18 years of age in detention at 2 April 2003

  Dungavel

  21

  Harmondsworth

  18

  Oakington

  14

  Tinsley

  3

  Total

  56

  Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, while alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight.

  More detailed information on those in detention at 29 March 2003 is due to be published on 30 May on the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to keep track of the whereabouts of failed asylum seekers who cannot be deported and who no longer receive support from NASS. [110484]

  Beverley Hughes
  As part of the initial screening process asylum-seekers are required to provide proof of residence at a particular address. The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) maintains databases containing the information supplied, which is also recorded in the individual Home Office file. All applicants, and their representatives, are told of their obligation to notify the Home Office of any subsequent change of address. For those subject to a reporting regime, their place of residence is verified during the reporting event.

  The Immigration Service has eight designated reporting centres to assist in managing reporting regimes and, in addition, a person may be required to report to a police station near their address. Alongside these measures systems are in place to track and monitor all failed asylum seekers.

  Community Punishment Orders
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is available for community punishment orders in each probation service area; and if he will make a statement. [109593]

  Hilary Benn
  The budget for each probation area for 2003–04 is set out in the table.

  The budget given to each area is a general grant and is not hypothecated for community punishment orders nor any other activity.

  The National Probation Service (NPS) has been piloting an enhanced community punishment scheme. Plans are in place for this to be rolled out to all probation areas in 2003–04. The national budget settlement for 2003–04 included an additional £9 million to support the implementation of Enhanced Community Punishment (ECP).
  524W

  Probation areas showing main service budgets for 2003–04

  £000

  Avon and Somerset

  13,613

  Bedfordshire

  5,440

  Cambridgeshire

  5,760

  Cheshire

  10,393

  Cumbria

  5,290

  Derbyshire

  9,120

  Devon and Cornwall

  13,670

  Dorset

  5,620

  Durham

  7,460

  Essex

  13,381

  Gloucestershire

  5,080

  Hampshire

  15,560

  Hertfordshire

  7,797

  Humberside

  10,620

  Kent

  14,620

  Lancashire

  16,410

  Leicestershire

  9,350

  Lincolnshire

  6,200

  Norfolk

  7,139

  Northamptonshire

  5,820

  North Yorkshire

  6,603

  Nottinghamshire

  12,120

  Staffordshire

  9,610

  Suffolk

  6,031

  Surrey

  6,910

  Sussex

  11,546

  Teeside

  8,420

  Thames Valley

  16,915

  Warwickshire

  4,220

  West Mercia

  9,880

  Wiltshire

  5,293

  Greater Manchester

  33,980

  Merseyside

  20,250

  Northumbria

  19,969

  South Yorkshire

  16,956

  West Midlands

  35,050

  West Yorkshire

  27,280

  Greater London

  96,690

  Dyfed-Powys

  5,572

  Gwent

  7,723

  North Wales

  7,666

  South Wales

  16,990

  Total

  574,017

  DNA Profiles
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be affected each year by his policy to permit the retention of DNA information from people who are arrested arid then released without charge. [108555]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  It is currently estimated that in the region of 300,000 arrestees will be affected by this change in sampling policy. However, fewer than this will require DNA sampling, as some people will already have profiles on the database, and prolific offenders are likely to be arrested more than once in a year.

  Drugs
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many items of drug equipment were found in prisons in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available. [109575]

  Hilary Benn
  There were 438 reported finds of drug implements in the financial year 2001–02. The provisional figure for 2002–03 is 360 finds.

  Firearms Certificates
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people hold(a) a firearms certificate, (b) a shotgun certificate and (c) both of the above together; and if he will make a statement. [110037]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Information in the form requested is not kept centrally. However, available statistics show that on 31 December 2001, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 119,560 firearm certificates on issue covering 301,000 firearms and 577,171 shot gun certificates covering 1,307,576 shot guns.

  This represents a decrease of five per cent. for firearm certificates and four per cent. for shot gun certificates compared with 31 December 2000.

  There is no record of how many people hold both firearm and shot gun certificates but many will do so.

  Hemsworth Crime
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of(a) violent crime, (b) burglary and (c) vandalism in the Hemsworth constituency were reported to the police in 2001–02; and how many investigations resulted in a conviction. [109904]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The requested details are not collected centrally. Details of some offences recorded by the police have been collected by police Basic Command Unit (BCU) since 1 April 1999. The table gives details of numbers of offences and detections for the Wakefield BCU. Details of criminal damage offences are not available at BCU level.

  Numbers of offences and detections—Wakefield BCU 2001–02

  Violent crime1:

  Offences

  3,029

  Offences detected

  2,235

  Burglary in a dwelling:

  Offences

  3,454

  Offences detected

  526

  1 Violent crime is comprised of the violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery offence groups.

  Details of convictions specifically relating to offences in the Wakefield BCU are not available.

  Immigration
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated from the study to estimate the size and characteristics of the population of people with irregular immigration status. [110483]

  Beverley Hughes
  Estimating the numbers entering Britain illegally is difficult because illegal migrants, by definition, put themselves outside of official statistics. Illegal migrants are motivated to ensure they remain hidden, and this is a challenge to conducting research.

  At present there is no defined method for estimating the size of the illegally resident population in the UK and therefore no official estimate is available.
  526W
  The Home Office has commissioned a review of methods used in other countries to estimate the size of their illegal populations. The research was commissioned in order to help define methods appropriate for the UK. On the basis of this information and the likely sources of UK information we will actively consider our next steps.

  The research is currently being finalised and the Home Office anticipate publishing the results, assuming the research is deemed to be of sufficient quality. Hard copies of research publications are placed in the Library. However, the research may be published as an online report, in which case it will be accessible and downloadable from the Home Office, Research Development and Statistics website.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated on the number of people with irregular immigration status who have children born in the UK, and the status of those children. [110485]

  Beverley Hughes
  There is no information available on the numbers or status of children of irregular migrants in the UK.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the backlog of correspondence from hon. Members is at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [109608]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate receive approximately 15,000 letters from Members of Parliament each year. Over 1,600 letters were cleared in a recent exercise to reduce correspondence backlogs. Of those still outstanding there are only a very small number with a target date before 1 April 2003.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees have(a) committed suicide and (b) been self-injured in each immigration removal centre in the UK in each of the last five years. [109509]

  Beverley Hughes
  There have been two apparent self-inflicted deaths in immigration removal centres in the last five years. Records of incidents of self-harm are not kept centrally and the requested information is not therefore available.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those who are detained under immigration rules have been held in more than one removal centre. [109511]

  Beverley Hughes
  The latest available information on those in detention shows that at 28 December 2002, 1,145 people were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. The number of these who had been detained in more than one removal centre is not available and could be obtained only by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.

  Information on Immigration Act detainees as at 29 March 2003 is due to be published at the end of May 2003 on the Ho me Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov uk/rds/immigration1.html

  Penal System
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has commissioned an inquiry into the operation and cost effectiveness of the prison and correctional system; and if he will make a statement. [109524]

  Hilary Benn
  A Review of Correctional Services was announced in July 2002 in the white paper "Justice for All".

  The first phase of the review has concentrated on the short term demands on the correctional services and was carried out by the Home Office. The second phase of the review is being led by Patrick Carter and will consider a strategy for correctional services over the Spending Review (SR) 2004 period to meet the Government's objectives of protecting the public, reducing crime and sustaining public confidence, in ways which are cost effective and financially sustainable.

  Police
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane), 17 March 2003,Official Report, column 591W, on police, what estimate he has made of net pensions expenditure as a proportion of police net expenditure in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06. [109598]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Provision for net expenditure and for net pension expenditure is determined by police authorities. Estimates for future years are not available.

  Within the police funding formula a component for police pension costs currently amounts to 14.5 per cent. of the total provision. Allocation of the provision between police authorities is made on advice from the Government Actuary's Department.

  Prisons
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of purposeful activity prisoners engaged in at(a) HMP Altcourse, (b) HMP Rye Hill and (c) HMP Wolds in 2001–02. [109522]

  Hilary Benn
  The average hours per week spent by prisoners in purposeful activity for each of the requested prisons in 2001–02, is shown in the following table.

  Establishment

  Average purposeful hours per prisoner per week

  Altcourse

  34.3

  Rye Hill

  29.4

  Wolds

  28.3

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2003,Official Report, column 585W, on drugs in prisons, how many prisoners underwent detoxification in the last year; what medication is used to aid detoxification; what guidance is made available to local prisons in relation to the detoxification of prisoners; and if he will place a copy of the guidance in the Library. [109578]
  528W
  Hilary Benn
  Prison Service establishments reported that 41,916 drug and alcohol detoxifications were carried out between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002.

  Prison Service Order 3550, issued on 20 December 2000, introduced a new Prison Service Standard for Clinical Services for Substance Misusers. This concerns the effective clinical management of the substance misuse treatment service provided by staff working in prisons. It is designed to ensure that good quality clinical substance misuse services are available in all local prisons and remand centres to a level that is at least comparable with those in the community.

  The standard requires, among other things, all prisons which receive prisoners from court to have detoxification guidelines in place for at least one of Methadone, Lofexidine, and Dihydrocodeine. It also stipulates that, as new evidence becomes available on the chemical management of detoxification or abstinence, establishments should develop further treatment guidelines which are in line with those available in the national health service (NHS).

  My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Jacqui Smith) has already agreed to place a copy of the standard in the Library in response to a request from the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Marsden).

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) convicted and (b) unconvicted immigration detainees are being held in prisons. [109587]

  Beverley Hughes
  The latest available data on the number of persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers relate to 28 December 2002. As at that date 215 people were recorded as being detained in Prison Service establishments.

  The routine use of Prison Service accommodation for immigration detainees ended at the beginning of 2002, but it remains necessary to hold small numbers of detainees in prison for reasons of control and security. The figure of 215 may include individuals who are held pending deportation after completion of custodial sentences.

  Information on Immigration Act detainees as at 29 March 2003 is due to be published at the end of May on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate web-site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent teachers are employed in prisons in England and Wales. [109590]

  Hilary Benn
  There are 691 full-time teachers employed by education contractors to work in prisons. Learning opportunities for prisoners are also provided by a range of other staff including part-time teachers employed by the contractor, Instructional Officers, Prison Officer Instructors and other prison staff.
  529W
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which prisons in England and Wales in the last two years additional accommodation has been built in response to the rising prison population; and what proportion of the additional places were in ready to use units. [109595]

  Additional accommodation places opened in Prison Service establishments between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2003

  Houseblocks

  Ready to use units (RTUs)

  Modular temporary units (MTUs)

  Establishment

  Number of houseblocks

  Number of places

  Number of RTUs

  Number of places

  Number of MTUs

  Number of places

  Lindholme

  1

  120

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hull

  2

  358

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Risley

  1

  180

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ashwell

  —

  —

  1

  40

  —

  —

  Blundeston

  —

  —

  1

  40

  —

  —

  Deerbolt

  —

  —

  1

  40

  —

  —

  Erlestoke

  —

  —

  1

  40

  —

  —

  Guys Marsh

  —

  —

  1

  40

  —

  —

  Highpoint (North)

  —

  —

  2

  80

  —

  —

  Morton Hall

  —

  —

  4

  160

  —

  —

  Ranby

  —

  —

  2

  80

  —

  —

  Whatton

  —

  —

  1

  40

  —

  —

  Highpoint (South)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  80

  Hollesley Bay

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  80

  Leyhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  80

  Moorland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  80

  North Sea Camp

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  80

  Prescoed

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  40

  Spring Hill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  40

  Standford Hill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  80

  Wayland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  40

  Wealstun

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  80

  Whatton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  40

  Total

  4

  658

  14

  560

  18

  720

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those prisons constructed under the private finance initiatives and their public sector comparators. [109597]

  Hilary Benn
  The prisons designed, constructed, managed and financed under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) are: Altcourse, Ashfield, Dovegate, Forest Bank, Lowdham Grange, Parc and Rye Hill. In addition, the contracts for two new PFI prisons at Ashford, Middlesex and at Peterborough have been signed and construction work is under way.

  In all cases, there was no up-to-date publicly procured prison and the public service comparator was therefore estimated, being derived from past experience in terms of public sector capital expenditure in constructing and refurbishing a prison and to cover the cost of operating prison. Estimates took account of the different requirements of each prison. The public sector comparators are shown in the following table.

  £ million

  Prison

  Public sector comparator

  Altcourse

  249.5

  Ashfield

  141

  Ashford

  259

  Dovegate

  292

  Forest Bank

  234.5

  Lowdham Grange

  157

  530W
  Hilary Benn
  The following table shows the number of additional accommodation places opened at Prison Service establishments in England and Wales between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2003. Of the 1,938 places opened, 29 per cent. or 560 places) were in ready to use units.

  Prison

  Public sector comparator

  Parc

  319

  Peterborough

  335

  Rye Hill

  209

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons do not have visitor centres; how many do; and, of these, how many are staffed by volunteers. [110082]

  Hilary Benn
  Of the 138 Prison Service establishments, it is estimated that 90 have visitors' centres, of which around 85 per cent. are staffed by a mix of paid employees and volunteers. A further four centres are in planning.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison visitor centres are financed by(a) the prison from its own funds and (b) the Prison Service. [110083]

  Hilary Benn
  Responsibility for the provision of grants to support prison visitors' centres was devolved to prison Governors on 1 April 1994. It is a matter for individual Governors to decide the level of funding to be allocated to their visitors' centre, as they are best placed to assess the facilities required locally. Information on funding to centres by individual prisons is not collated centrally.
  531W
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the prison visitor centre to all prison establishments; and if he will provide additional funding. [110084]

  Hilary Benn
  There are a growing number of visitors' centres. We acknowledge their potential in assisting the delivery of our aims and aim to provide such a centre at each prison. However, the considerable financial and other resources needed to run visitors' centres effectively, and the many competing priorities within the Prison Service, have prevented some establishments from making as much progress a s we would like. All newly-built and contracted-out establishments are required to have a visitors' centre under the terms of their contract.

  We continue to work closely with the voluntary/community sector in enhancing and developing visitors' centres and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their efforts.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to put in place a national strategy for elderly prisoners. [110344]

  Hilary Benn
  There are no plans to put in place a separate national strategy for elderly prisoners that specifies regime requirements. The Prison Service aims to assess individual prisoner's needs through sentence planning. This takes account of the requirement for appropriate, accommodation, health care, regimes and resettlement support for all prisoners.

  Public Service Agreement
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the process of negotiation is between his Department and local police forces in the setting of local policing targets in relation to Home Office Public Service Agreement 1. [109589]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Police Reform Act 2002 requires all police authorities to prepare and publish three-year strategic plans which are consistent with the national policing plan in force at that time. All police authorities have now submitted their strategic plans (exceptionally covering only two years, 2003–05, to bring them into line with crime and disorder reduction partnership strategies). Evaluation of these plans for consistency with the national policing plan is underway and particular attention is being given to the Public Service Agreement 1 (PSA) targets.

  Scott Veach and Darren Franey
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the letter to him from the Liverpool coroner about the death of Scott Veach and Darren Franey. [109385]

  Hilary Benn
  Andre J. A. Rebello, Her Majesty's Coroner for the City of Liverpool, sent a letter to the Home Secretary on 25 March pursuant to Rule 43 of the Coroners' Rules, 1984.
  532W
  I have written to Dr. Rebello informing him that I share his concerns that the arrangements for policing the Mersey Tunnels should be safe and effective.

  The Home Office has asked for the views of Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and the Chief Executive of Mersey Travel on the issues raised in this investigation and how the policing of Mersey Tunnel should be carried out in future. Home Office and Department for Transport officials will then be taking forward work with the responsible organisations to address the issues.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his oral answer of 28 April 2003,Official Report, column 10, on terrorism, for what reasons his Department's Press Office told journalists in April that Lord Falconer had not taken over from the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) the responsibility for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear co-ordination within his Department. [110798]

  Mr. Blunkett
  There is no record of my Department's Press Office telling any journalist that my noble Friend Lord Falconer had not taken over from my right hon. Friend for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) the responsibility for CBRN co-ordination within the Home Office.

  Had the Home Office Press Office been asked the question posed by the hon. Member on Monday, they would have replied that I have oversight of all issues related to terrorism and security, including CBRN, and that Lord Falconer has responsibility for CBRN coordination working directly to me.

  Travellers
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has asked the Association of Chief Police Officers to revise its guidance to forces on managing travellers. [109193]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government published a Consultation Paper on Managing Unauthorised Camping Operational Guidance on 27 March. Once the consultation process has been completed and final guidance published, I understand from Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) that they will revise their operational guidance to forces.

  Visa Applications
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it is taking the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to process(a) straightforward and (b) non-straightforward further leave to remain visa applications at the latest date for which figures are available. [109506]

  Beverley Hughes
  We normally aim to screen all postal applications within three weeks and decide those that are straightforward at that point. Because of the high number of applications in the latter part of 2002,
  533W
  this increased to 10 weeks on average at the end of last year and the earlier part of this one. As a result of measures to improve this situation, the processing time for straightforward applications has reduced to six weeks on average and continued progress is being
  534W
  made towards our three-week target. Some non-straightforward cases are currently taking up to 12 months to decide. Measures are also being taken to reduce the turnaround time for applications of this sort.

  Waterways Ireland
  Waterways Ireland
  Northern Ireland Departments: Spending
  Northern Ireland Departments: Spending
  Self-Contained Air Cartridge System Air Guns
  Self-Contained Air Cartridge System Air Guns
  Immigration Control: Algerian Nationals
  Immigration Control: Algerian Nationals
  Passports
  Passports
  Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Her Majesty's Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2003
  Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Her Majesty's Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2003
  European Convention on Human Rights: Breaches
  European Convention on Human Rights: Breaches
  e-government
  e-government
  Board of Transport Accident Investigators
  Board of Transport Accident Investigators
  Nuclear Decommissioning Agency and Nuclear Liabilities Fund
  Nuclear Decommissioning Agency and Nuclear Liabilities Fund
  Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury
  Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury
  Plasma Transfusions
  Plasma Transfusions
  Pharmacies
  Pharmacies
  Animal By-Products Regulation
  Animal By-Products Regulation
  Endangered Species
  Endangered Species
  Regional Assemblies: Functions
  Regional Assemblies: Functions