Written Answers of 19 April 2004

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Bail Appeals
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many appeals against grants of bail were made in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03 by Cleveland Crown Prosecution Service; and how many were successful in each year. [164443]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Bail (Amendment) Act 1993 gives the prosecution a right of appeal where a magistrates court grants bail to a person who is charged with or convicted of:an offence punishable by a term of imprisonment of five years or more; or
  an offence under section 12 (taking a conveyance without authority) or 12A (aggravated vehicle taking) of the Theft Act 1968.

  Over the period 2001–03, the Crown Prosecution Service in Cleveland made applications under the Bail (Amendment) Act as follows:
  In 2001, there were three appeals of this nature and all of them succeeded.
  In 2002, there were four appeals, three of which were successful.
  In 2003, there were seven appeals, four of which were successful.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Criminal Defence Service
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Criminal Defence Service will announce the result of its consultation into the provision of funding to suspects before charge. [164335]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Government announced on 2 February that it intends to make a number of changes to the Criminal Defence Service. The changes follow a full consultation and are designed to improve value for money by targeting criminal legal aid more efficiently on more serious offences. Funding is currently available for legal advice and assistance to suspects before charge, and there are no plans to remove this.

  European Parliamentary Elections
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the electorate is for each(a) constituency and (b) area for the forthcoming European parliamentary elections; how many members are to be elected for each (i) constituency and (ii) area; and what percentage
  2W
  of the electorate voted in the previous European parliamentary elections in each (a) constituency and (b) area, and how many people. [165780]

  Mr. Leslie
  The precise electorate for the 10 June elections will not be known until the register closes on the publication of notice of election. Each European parliamentary electoral region is a single multi-member constituency. The following table shows the UK European parliamentary electoral regions, the number of MEPs to be elected for each region in June, and the local government electorates as at December 2003. The administrative unit for counting the votes in the European parliamentary elections in June is the local authority area. Electorate figures for these are available from the recent Office for National Statistics table "UK Electoral register 1 December 2003: Local government electors", which can be accessed on the ONS website at www.statistics.gov.uk. Statistics relating to the 1999 European parliamentary elections can be found in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin for 29 September 2000 (Issue 16/00, ISSN 1358-510X).

  UK European parliamentary electoral region

  Local government electors at December 2003

  Seats to be elected, June 2004

  East Midlands

  3,241,566

  6

  Eastern

  4,170,840

  7

  London

  5,143,392

  9

  North East

  1,922,446

  3

  North West

  5,188,717

  9

  South East

  6,087,103

  10

  South West

  3,845,253

  7

  West Midlands

  4,016,007

  7

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  3,730,275

  6

  Wales

  2,228,030

  4

  Scotland

  3,877,194

  7

  Northern Ireland

  1,069,136

  3

  Total

  44,519,959

  78

  High Court Judges
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the process by which High Court judges are(a) selected and (b) appointed. [165612]

  Mr. Leslie
  My noble and learned Friend the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor recommends to Her Majesty those candidates who best meet the published criteria for appointment to the High Court Bench.

  Recommendations are based on the results of the recent selection round. Advertisements in the national and legal press in July 2003 invited applications for appointment to the High Court. In addition, the senior judiciary were invited to nominate candidates. A wide consultation exercise sought evidence from senior judges and others to the extent to which all candidates met the criteria. This evidence was assessed by independent sifters and moderated by senior civil servants who then submitted advice to the Lord Chancellor and senior judiciary on the degree to which candidates met the criteria for appointment. After discussing that advice with the senior judiciary, the Lord Chancellor decided on a list of candidates considered to be appointable to the High Court.
  3W
  Individual recommendations about appointment to the High Court are made by the Lord Chancellor, after consulting the senior judiciary, from those classified as appointable and having regard to the specific needs of the High Court at the relevant time.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the Department's proposals for the selection and appointment of High Court judges. [165615]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Constitutional Reform Bill, currently before Parliament, will establish a Judicial Appointments Commission. The Commission will be responsible for selecting candidates for appointment as High Court judges, as well as other judicial appointments. The manner in which the Commission does so will be for it to determine, subject to the overriding criterion that selection must be on merit, and subject to any guidance which the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs may issue, for example, in requiring the Commission to seek to expand the pool of candidates from which a selection may be made.

  Having made its selection, the Commission will put forward one name for each post to the Secretary of State. He will normally be expected to recommend that candidate for appointment to the Queen, but he will have limited powers to ask the Commission to reconsider, once, or to reject a particular candidate, once, or to require the selection process to be rerun. The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs will have no power to recommend to Her Majesty the appointment of a candidate of his own, who has not been selected by the Commission.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the QCs who received the highest overall payments(a) from the Community Legal Service budget and (b) from the Criminal Defence Service budget in 2002–03. [141417]

  Mr. Lammy
  [pursuant to his reply, 26 January 2004]: I said in my previous answer that James Sturman was the QC who received the highest total payments from the Criminal Defence Service in 2002–03. This answer failed to take into account payments made under Very High Cost Case Contracts administered separately by the Legal Services Commission. The highest total payments were in fact made to John Rees who received in the region of £664,000. I apologise for this error.

  Care should be taken not to misinterpret these payments as an indication of annual earnings for work carried out in the year for the following reasons:

  1. Payments made during any financial year will include payments or work carried out before the start of the year, and will include payments for cases, which started and concluded over several years.

  2. Payments received during any financial year do not necessarily mean that they were paid for work carried out at the rank of QC

  3. Barristers may be paid directly by an instructing solicitor as part a solicitors disbursement.

  4. The figures quoted above are gross payments and are inclusive of VAT, and may include payments on account where applicable as well as travel and hotel expenses incurred.

  House of Lords Reform
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to propose changes to the voting rights of peers on secondary legislation. [165545]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Government decided not to proceed with its proposals for reforming the House of Lords this Session, in view of the determined opposition to the proposals in the House of Lords, and the consequent threat to the legislative programme. Instead, the Government is seeking further discussion of the ways in which the role, powers, procedures and composition of the Lords should be reformed.

  Supreme Court
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whom the Government consulted about the proposed establishment of a Supreme Court. [165610]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Government issued a consultation paper, "Constitutional Reform: a Supreme Court for the United Kingdom" on 11 July 2003. The consultation period closed on 7 November 2003 and 174 replies were received from a wide range of interested organisations and individuals. The responses can be viewed on the Department's website.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much money has been spent on planning the Supreme Court. [165611]

  Mr. Leslie
  The spend to date on planning the Supreme Court is approximately £113,000. This consists of fees of £19,000 on the search for potential sites for the Supreme Court. A further £94,000 has been committed on the analysis and evaluation of the building options, completion of the Treasury 'Green Book' style economic appraisals and, more recently, detailed work on feasibility and outline design.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the implications of the proposed Supreme Court are for the judicial appeals process. [165616]

  Mr. Leslie
  The UK Supreme Court will assume the current jurisdiction of the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords and the devolution jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Combining these jurisdictions in a new court will not affect the appeals process, but will offer improvement in the efficient management of work load through enhanced facilities and services within the court and greater flexibility for hearing cases.

  Unpaid Fines (Cleveland)
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the total number of overdue unpaid fines in the Cleveland Petty Sessional Division was on 1 April. [165338]

  Mr. Leslie
  Information regarding fines is produced on a monthly basis as at the end of each month.
  5W
  The data we have on the Cleveland Magistrates Courts Committee show that the total number of overdue unpaid fines at the end of March 2004 was 33,013.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's priorities are for the forthcoming spending review. [164686]

  Tessa Jowell
  My Department's strategic aim is to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, support the pursuit of excellence and champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries. Decisions taken in the spending round will reflect that.

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's priorities are for sport and physical activity funding in the forthcoming spending review. [164688]

  Tessa Jowell
  My Department's priorities are to build on progress made since the last spending review through continued significant investment in sport and physical activity in schools and at grass roots level as a means of improving the health and well-being of people in this country, and in giving our most talented athletes the very best chance of fulfilling their potential.

  Information Technology Projects
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list each information technology project being undertaken by her Department and its agencies including the(a) start date, (b) planned completion date, (c) current expected completion date, (d) planned cost and (e) current estimated cost; and if she will make a statement. [165010]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department is currently undertaking the following IT projects:

  Development of an information management programme to support Freedom of Information and other key business objectives, including pilot implementation of an Electronic Document and Records Management System—started September 2003—planned completion January 2005—expected completion January 2005—planned cost £1.3 million—cost to date £491,000.

  Development of an extranet to link DCMS and its sponsored bodies—started March 2004—planned completion July 2004—expected completion July 2004—planned cost £20,000—cost to date none.

  TV Licensing
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements are in place for(a) monitoring and (b) providing civil redress for unjustified actions by TV Licensing. [165593]

  Estelle Morris
  The BBC, as licensing authority, monitors the handling of complaints received by TV Licensing. Complaints are dealt with in the first instance by TV Licensing's customer relations team: there is an avenue of appeal first to the Head of Customer Relations and then to the Customer. Services Director. If 6W
  a complaint remains unresolved, the case is referred to the BBC for review. These procedures are additional to any right to seek legal redress through the courts in respect of any alleged unlawful action. The BBC considers that it adheres to all relevant UK legislation and codes of practice and requires its agent TV Licensing to do likewise.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Pension Credit
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners he estimates have failed to claim their Pension Credit in each constituency in North Wales. [164854]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, as at 29 February, there were approximately 133,000 households (approximately 162,000 individuals) in Wales receiving Pension Credit. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 15 March 2004,Official Report, columns 4–5, we have published the latest monthly Pension Credit progress report with information up to the end of February.

  The report, copies of which are available in the Library, is accompanied by tables showing the number of Pension Credit households and corresponding individuals in each constituency in Great Britain.

  Pensioners (Somerset)
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of pensioners in Somerset who will receive the £100 payment towards council tax, broken down by(a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area. [165599]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We are looking at the most effective and cost-efficient way to make the payments of £100 to eligible households. It is intended that a single one-off payment is made in 2004–05.

  The latest available data showing households in Somerset with at least one occupant aged 70 or over broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b)> local authority area are in the tables. We expect the 2004–05 figures to be similar.

  Households in Somerset with at least one occupant aged 70 or over by parliamentary constituency.

  Parliantentary Constituency

  Households

  Bath

  9,185

  Bridgwater

  10,030

  Somerton and Frome

  9,280

  Taunton

  11,095

  Wansdyke

  8,185

  Wells

  10,430

  Weston-Super-Mare

  10,155

  Woodspring

  8,570

  Yeovil

  10,190

  Total

  87,120

  7W

  Households in Somerset with at least one occupant aged 70 or over by local authority

  Local Authority

  Households

  Mendip district council

  9,530

  Sedgemoor district council

  10,745

  South Somerset district council

  15,685

  Taunton Deane borough council

  10,525

  West Somerset district council

  4,540

  Total

  51,025

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.

  2. Any residence found to have four or more occupants is not included in these figures as it is assumed to be a Residential Care Nursing Home.

  3. Local authorities and parliamentary constituencies have been allocated using the relevant ONS postcode directory.

  4. Parliamentary constituency boundaries might not match exactly with local authority boundaries.

  Source:

  IAD Information center, Winter Fuel Payments data Winter 2002–03 100 per cent. sample.

  Winter Fuel Payment
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners(a) were eligible for, (b) applied for and (c) received the Winter Fuel Payment in the constituency of Weston-super-Mare in each year since its inception. [165601]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The number of people in the Weston-super-Mare constituency who received Winter Fuel Payments each year since 1999–2000 (including provisional figures for 2003–04) is in the table. I regret that information relating to the 1997–98 and 1998–99 schemes is not available. Nor is it possible to say how many have applied each year but were not eligible. Without establishing their circumstances it is not possible to say how many others would have been entitled to payments but did not apply.

  Number of payments made

  1999–2000

  20,770

  2000–01

  22,605

  2001–02

  22,830

  2002–03

  23,230

  2003–04

  23,345

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  2. The majority of pensioners do not need to apply because they receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically.

  Source:

  IAD Information center, 100 per cent. sample.

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to send more troops to Afghanistan to bolster NATO-led operations in the coming months; and if he will make a statement. [165598]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 31 March 2004,Official Report, column 96WS.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which countries talks have taken place on the sale of UK aircraft carriers. [165392]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Agency has had no discussions with foreign nations on the disposal of the Navy's current aircraft carriers when they reach the end of their planned in-service life.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the construction of the two new aircraft carriers; what the military specifications of the aircraft carriers will be; and if he will make a statement on the contract for construction. [165614]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Future Carrier (CVF) programme is currently in its assessment phase and discussions are continuing on the contracting arrangements for the demonstration and manufacture (D&M) of the carriers. As with any new equipment project, the Department has not sought to fix the dimensions of the aircraft carriers during this phase. The design of the ships will continue to evolve as we seek to balance overall performance, time and cost as part of normal assessment phase activity. Ministers are currently considering proposals on the overall CVF programme and on when to proceed to the D&M phases.

  Army Personnel (Early Release)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many army personnel of all ranks have requested early release from their contracts in each year since 1997. [165513]

  Mr. Caplin
  The information requested on the numbers of Army personnel who have submitted applications to leave before the expected end of their contract is contained in Tri-Service Publication 5, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Bosnia-Herzegovina
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on NATO presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina once the EU has taken over the Stabilisation Force operation there; and if he will make a statement. [165595]

  Mr. MacShane
  I have been asked to reply.

  Work continues on the delineation of tasks between the EU and NATO in Bosnia once the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) withdraws. We would expect the continuing but limited NATO role in Bosnia to focus on defence outreach and some operational tasks, including in support of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, once SFOR withdraws.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's budgetary requirement over the next decade. [165548]
  9W
  Mr. Ingram
  Spending plans for 2004–05 and 2005–06 are set out in the Government's Expenditure Plans for the Ministry of Defence 2003–04 to 2005–06, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Spending plans up to 2007–08 are the subject of the 2004 Spending Review, which will conclude later this

  1997–98

  1998–49

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Commander-in-Chief Fleet

  Commander-in-Chief Fleet

  Commander-in-Chief Fleet

  Commander-in-Chief Fleet

  General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland)

  General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland)

  General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland)

  General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland)

  Commander-in-Chief Land Command

  Commander-in-Chief Land Command

  Commander-in-Chief Land Command

  Commander-in-Chief Land Command

  Air Officer Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command

  Air Officer Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command

  Air Officer Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command

  Air Officer Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command

  Chief of Fleet Support

  Chief of Fleet Support

  Chief of Joint Operations

  Chief of Joint Operations

  Quarter Master General

  Quarter Master General

  Chief of Defence Logistics

  Chief of Defence Logistics

  Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Logistics Command

  Air 0 freer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Logistics Command

  2nd Sea Lord/Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command

  2nd Sea Lord/Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command

  2nd Sea Lord/Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command

  2nd Sea Lord/Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command

  Adjutant General (Personnel and Training Command)

  Adjutant General (Personnel and Training Command)

  Adjutant General (Personnel and Training Command)

  Adjutant General (Personnel and Training Command)

  Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command

  Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command

  Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command

  Air officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command

  2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State

  2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State

  2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State

  2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State

  Chief Executive Defence Procurement Agency/Chief of Defence Procurement

  Chief Executive Defence Procurement Agency/Chief of Defence Procurement

  Vice Chief of Defence Staff Chief of Defence Procurement

  Vice Chief of Defence Staff Chief of Defence Procurement

  Civilian Staff
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many civilians are employed within the armed forces; and in what capacity; [165553]

  Total

  Operational

  Military Support

  HQ DPA and Support

  Unallocated

  Total Staff

  89440

  24,180

  34,210

  30,990

  60

  Non-Industrial Total

  63050

  15,390

  28,280

  19,310

  60

  Industrial Total

  15100

  8,790

  5,930

  380

  Trading Funds

  11290

  11,290

  Figures are full-time equivalent figures for permanent staff, including Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and excluding staff on career breaks, long term sick leave and on secondment etc. Full time equivalent is a measure of the size of the workforce that takes account of the fact that some people work part-time. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  Climate Change
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff(a) have worked and (b) are working on identifying the national security implications of climate change. [165281]

  Mr. Ingram
  The identification of the national security implications of climate exchange forms part of a wider review by MOD of the impact of climate change
  10W
  year. Plans beyond 2007–08 will be addressed in future spending reviews.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's top level budget holders in each financial year from 1997–98 to 2000–01. [165563]

  Mr. Ingram
  The top level budget holder structure for the periods requested is as follows:

  (2) how many civilians are employed by the Ministry of Defence. [165555]

  Mr. Caplin
  The number of civilians employed by the Ministry of Defence as at 1 January 2004 was as follows:

  on the Department's policies, operations and estate. Staff working on this do so as part of their wider duties and consequently it is not possible to quantify the numbers of staff involved.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether staff with responsibility for regional strategy have been asked to report on the security implications of climate change for the region for which they are responsible. [165286]

  Mr. Ingram
  In developing regional strategies, the MOD conducts an analysis of the contemporary strategic context and a wide-ranging assessment of future trends. As part of this strategic assessment, the potential security implications of climate change for particular regions are considered along with other environmental stress factors.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will write to the hon. Member as promised in his answer of 20 January 2004,Official Report, column 244W. [165487]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Defence Clothing Integrated Project Team is undertaking an audit to establish the extent of holdings of enhanced combat body armour. It is envisaged that this will conclude shortly and I will write to the hon. Member once this work is complete and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Destroyers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many destroyers were held by the Royal Navy in 1997; how many are held now; and how many are deployed on operational duty. [165386]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Navy had 12 destroyers in 1997. There are 11 now. Six are deployed on operational duty, four are available to deploy and one is in a scheduled period of maintenance.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2004,Official Report, column 853W, on the Eurofighter, what plans he has to discuss with the US Administration the potential benefits the Eurofighter could bring to the US airforce. [164969]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no plans to discuss with the United States Administration the potential benefits the Eurofighter could bring to the US airforce.

  Foodstuffs/Kit Purchases
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to increase the amount of UK-sourced(a) foodstuffs and (b) kit purchased for the armed services. [165461]

  Mr. Ingram
  Open and fair competition remains the bedrock of the Ministry of Defence's procurement policy although we are prepared to use other approaches where these offer better long-term value for money. The MOD's non-warlike acquisition requirements such as foodstuffs and equipment are subject to the EC Public Procurement Regulations that require such opportunities be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union.

  The MOD's contracted food supplier, '3663', is specifically required to source British products whenever they are competitive and when they meet the required quality standard. Indeed, of the 1,400 different products procured for the armed forces in the UK, including fresh, chilled and frozen commodities, over 1,100 are British. The remaining 300 include products that are not produced in this country, such as coffee and bananas.

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the date of each briefing he has received on 12W
  the weapons of mass destruction capabilities of Iraq since March 2002; and what the source of the briefing was in each case. [156643]

  Mr. Hoon
  I received briefings from a variety of sources and took part in various discussions that included reference to Iraqi capability, including assessed weapons of mass destruction capability, during the period in question. However, the exact dates and content are not recorded centrally.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of a rotation in Iraq for British Service men and women has been. [165556]

  Mr. Ingram
  Army personnel normally serve in Iraq for six months, and RAF personnel for four months. In some cases, individuals may serve for longer or shorter tours due to the specific demands of some posts or for career management requirements.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Territorial Army personnel have served in Iraq; [165557]

  (2) for how much longer he expects that Territorial Army personnel will be required to serve in Iraq. [165617]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at l April 2004, approximately 6,170 Territorial Army personnel have been mobilised on Operation Telic, the vast majority of whom will have served in Iraq.

  In line with the tenets of the Strategic Defence Review, Territorial Army personnel will be considered for Service in Iraq, for as long as a British military presence is deemed necessary.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) part-time military personnel and (b) Territorial Army personnel are stationed in Iraq. [165558]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no part-time military personnel stationed in Iraq. However, as at 31 March 2004 there were 989 reservists stationed in Iraq, of whom 938 were members of the Territorial Army.

  Logistics Budget
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Department's logistics budget is spent outside the Defence Logistics Organisation; and by whom. [165562]

  Mr. Ingram
  'Logistics' is a term that covers a range of activities that are integral to the capability the Ministry of Defence delivers at all levels. Accordingly, it is not possible to disaggregate a 'logistics budget' for the Department.

  Marine Patrol Aircraft
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many marine patrol aircraft were held in 1997; how many are held now; and how many are operational. [165382]

  Mr. Ingram
  In 1997 the RAF held 29 marine patrol aircraft. The RAF currently has 29 MPAs, 20 of which are operational.

  Medical Services
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical services are available to personnel at(a) AAC Dishforth, (b) RAF Leeming, (c) RAF Linton on Ouse and (d) Alanbrooke Barracks. [165093]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following medical services are available to personnel at these establishments:same-day appointments giving access to General Practice medical facilities, including on-site dispensing;
  occupational health providing routine medical assessments and additional assessments as required pre-deployment, fitness for training etc;
  physiotherapy, rehabilitation and remedial physical training including access to 'fast track' diagnostics and treatment if required;
  community mental health team referral to secondary/tertiary medical care is available as required through Ministry of Defence Hospital Units/NHS and all disciplines have out-of-hours arrangements plus accident and emergency access through the NHS;
  access to specialist services can be arranged as required.

  Combined Services Caving Association
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advance notice was provided to the Mexican authorities of the plans of the members of the Combined Services Caving Association prior to their entry into Mexico this month; and if he will set out the official response made by Her Majesty's Government to the concerns raised over the cavers' presence in Mexico by President Vicente Fox. [165160]

  Mr. Rammell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The British Embassy in Mexico City contacted the Mexican Ministry of Defence on 28 November 2003, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3 February 2004, at official level by telephone. In these contacts the Embassy informed the authorities of the nature and purpose of the Combined Services Caving Association visit and the fact that those members of the group who were members of the British armed forces would be in Mexico in their civilian capacity as cavers. The contacts were designed to establish that, as in previous years, no special clearances would be required, and to ensure the Mexicans were informed of the visit. The Embassy offered further information in writing. The Mexican authorities confirmed by phone that no special clearances were required for the visit and that no further information was needed.

  The UK responded to the Mexican Government's concern about the presence of the UK cavers in Mexico by Note Verbale on 26 March. In our reply we expressed our sincere gratitude to the Mexican Government for their co-operation and assistance to help ensure the safe rescue of the trapped cavers. We also set out the full facts about the nature of activities being undertaken by the cavers and our understanding of the immigration documentation necessary.

  Royal Air Force
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-civilians are on the payroll of the RAF. [165609]
  14W
  Mr. Caplin
  Information on RAF Regular and Full Time Reserve personnel is given in the Tri-Service Publication 3 (TSP3), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects RAF Leeming to be equipped with the Typhoon. [165089]

  Mr. Ingram
  The position remains as I set out in the Adjournment debate of 12 November 2003,Official Report, column 140WH.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many front-line aircraft were in use by the RAF in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001; and how many are in use now. [165060]

  Mr. Ingram
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to RAF fast-jet front-line aircraft. The numbers in question as at 5 March for each year are:

  1992–366

  1997–358

  2001–294

  2004–310.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF bases there were in the UK in 2002–03; what the costs were of maintaining each of them; and how many uniformed military personnel were based at each. [165306]

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

  Royal Navy
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operational status of the Royal Navy. [165546]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Navy is fully capable of meeting its current operational commitments.

  Salaries
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the armed forces budget has been spent on salaries during the last seven years for which figures are available. [165552]

  Mr. Ingram
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Science Strategy
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to enhance science in his Department since the publication of the Government's science strategy, "Investing in Innovation". [162253]

  Mr. Ingram
  Science and technology has a key role to play in the UK's transition to smaller, but technically advanced, network enabled forces and the UK's war on terror. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to ensuring science feeds into both its policy-making work on future capabilities and also into the defence equipment programme. The MOD has historically
  15W
  invested considerable sums in technological research for defence purposes and the science and technology budget has remained stable over the last three years.

  The MOD science and technology programme has been aligned with defence policy and the capability strategies that flow from it for some considerable time. The MOD is now managing its research programme by outputs to ensure science and technology is focussed on meeting policy and its high level customer needs. Major customers for science and technology in the MOD outline their requirements, which align with MOD's priorities and high level needs, and a detailed research programme is designed to deliver these strategies. This approach is designed to draw together Government, industrial and university sectors in new partnerships, such as Defence Technology centers, while at the same time maximising the opportunities for wider commercial exploitation from MOD investments.

  Service Deployments
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are(a) deployed and (b) stationed in (i) Germany, (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) Bosnia-Herzegovina, (iv) Croatia, (v) Kosovo, (vi) Albania, (vii) the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, (viii) Sierra Leone, (ix) the Gulf Region, (x) Turkey, (xi) Gibraltar, (xii) Belize, (xiii) Kenya, (xiv) Canada and (xv) The Falkland Islands. [165596]

  Mr. Ingram
  The approximate numbers of British service personnel deployed or stationed in the locations specified are shown below:

  Location

  Deployed

  Stationed

  Germany

  0

  17,900

  Northern Ireland

  0

  13,000

  Bosnia-Herzegovina

  990

  0

  Croatia

  0

  0

  Kosovo

  1,000

  0

  Albania

  0

  0

  FYR of Macedonia

  20

  0

  Sierra Leone

  20

  0

  The Gulf Region

  8,700

  0

  Turkey

  0

  0

  Gibraltar

  0

  500

  Belize

  0

  30

  Kenya (training team only)

  0

  10

  Canada (training team only)

  0

  200

  The Falkland Islands

  1,150

  50

  The above figures do not include personnel serving in loan/diplomatic posts, on temporary training or small detachments. However, significant numbers of personnel are also currently serving in the three following locations:

  Location

  Deployed

  Stationed

  Afghanistan

  480

  Nil

  Cyprus

  400

  3,000

  Brunei

  Nil

  1,100

  All figures have been rounded.

  Royal Military Police
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last independent quality audit of the 16W
  work of the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police was completed; when the next one is scheduled; what the main recommendations were: which recommendations have yet to be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [165762]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch (SIB) are subject to inspection in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. The Surveillance Commissioner undertook an inspection in 2003 and made no substantive comments. The Interception Commissioner is expected to undertake an inspection later this year. In addition, all major SIB investigations are reviewed by external civilian police forces in accordance with Home Office guidelines.

  Surplus Land
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will receive the full proceeds of the land recently agreed to be sold to Taylor Woodrow as building land surplus to that required for the renovation of the rest of the Colchester garrison site. [165697]

  Mr. Caplin
  The proceeds from the sale of surplus land at Colchester net of costs incurred) will be received by RMPA (the PFI contractor), and used to reduce the cost of the unitary payments made by the Department under the PFI contract.

  Tanks
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many main battle tanks are held by the Army; and how many are deployed in operational units. [165385]

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

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many tanks are battlefield ready in the British armed forces: [165549]

  (2) how many Challenger series (a) 1 and (b) 2 tanks are operational in the armed forces; [165551]

  (3) what the cost in 2003–04 was of maintaining the fleet of tanks. [165550]

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

  Warships
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 25 March, to the hon. Member for Mid Sussex (Mr. Soames),Official Report, column 948, on warships, what the expiry date for the reactor certificate of HMS Triumph is. [165793]

  Mr. Ingram
  The authorisation to operate HMS Triumph's reactor expired on 7 March 2004.

  Wind Farms
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) of 16 March
  17W
  2004, Official Report, column 204W, on wind farms, if he will list the reasons for objection in each case; and how many formal applications were not objected to in each year. [165781]

  Mr. Caplin
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House giving the details of the nine formal objections from my previous answer where this information is publicly available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Human Rights and Democracy Project
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 European Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy project to deliver an information campaign on the International Crime Tribunal and the ratification of the Statute of the Tribunal in(a) Kazakhstan, (b) Kyrgyzstan, (c) Uzbekistan, (d) Tajikistan, (e) Turkmenistan and (f) Mongolia; and what assessment he has made of the results of each project; [163867]

  (2) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 European Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy project on media training and reinforcing minorities in (a) Armenia, (b) Azerbaijan and (c) Georgia; and what assessment he has made of the results of each project. [163912]

  Mr. Rammell
  I have been asked to reply.

  Decisions about the individual projects funded by the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights are made by the European Commission and local EC delegations. They are also responsible for managing and evaluating the projects. The EU Committee on Human Rights and Democracy allocates EU budget resources to projects in third countries and is responsible for evaluating the impact of the fund. The UK is represented on the committee by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK permanent representation to the EU.

TREASURY

  Allergies
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths there were from allergic reactions in each of the last 10 years. [164929]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 7 April 2004:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths there were from allergic reactions in each of the last 10 years. (164929)
  18W
  The latest year from which data are available is 2002. Figures given in the attached table relate to deaths where one or more of the conditions mentioned on the death certificate was classified as allergic according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Conditions classified to ICD codes which cover both allergic and non-allergic conditions were excluded from this analysis.

  Number of deaths were the underlying or one of the contributor causes of death was classified as an allergic reaction,1 England and Wales, 1993 and 20022

  Calendar year

  Number of deaths

  1993

  40

  1994

  59

  1995

  55

  1996

  55

  1997

  39

  1998

  46

  1999

  52

  2000

  50

  20013

  46

  20023

  43

  1Causes of death were classified as allergic reactions for the years 1993 to 2000 using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes

  477.0-Allergic rhinitis due to pollen

  477.8-Allergic rhinitis due to other allergen

  477.9-Allergic rhinitis, cause unspecified

  493.0-Extrinsic asthma

  693-Dermatitis due to substances taken internally

  599.0-Anaphylactic shock

  995.3-Allergy, unspecified

  999.4-Anaphylactic shock due to serum

  and for the years 2001 and 2002 using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes

  J30.1-Allergic rhinitis due to pollen

  J30.2-Other seasonal allergic rhinitis

  J30.3-Other allergic rhinitis

  J30.4-Allergic rhinitis, unspecified

  J45.0-Predominately allergic asthma

  L.27-Dermatitis due to substances taken internally

  T78.0-Anaphylactic shock due to adverse food reaction

  T78.1-Other adverse food reactions, not elsewhere specified

  T78.2-Anaphylactic shock, unspecified

  T78.4-Allergy unspecified

  T80.5-Anaphylactic shock due to serum

  T88.6-Anaphylactic shock due to adverse effect of correct drug or medicament properly administered.

  2 Figures are based on deaths occurring in each calendar year.

  3 The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for allergic reactions may not be completely comparable with data for years before this date. The data should therefore be interpreted with causation.

  Child Tax Credit
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) how many people, broken down by income decile, would gain from and (b) the cost of a stand-alone child care tax credit that covered 90 per cent. of the costs of eligible child care from families with incomes below £13,480 and was reduced by 37 per cent. for families with incomes above that threshold. [165085]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is not possible to estimate the impact of a "stand-alone" system, due to uncertainties around the detail of such a system. Approximate estimates for the impact of increasing the maximum percentage of child care costs paid for under the working tax credit from 70 per cent. to 90 per cent. are shown in the table.
  19W

  Number of households estimated to gain, by income decile1

  1

  10,000

  2

  10,000

  3

  20,000

  4

  50,000

  5

  60,000

  6

  70,000

  7

  50,000

  8

  30,000

  9

  10,000

  10

  2—

  Total

  300,000

  Annual cost

  £0.2 billion

  1On an equivalised household income basis; figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  2Indicates impact of less than 5,000.

  Note:

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  Estimates provided are uncertain due to the need to take into account changes in other taxes and benefits when making such an assumption, and the uncertainty over future distributions of earnings.

  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many children would be lifted above 60 per cent. median income by 2004–05 by a £545 per annum increase in the per child element of the child tax credit. [165076]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Increasing the per child element of the child tax credit by £545 per year could reduce the number of children in households below 60 per cent. of equivalised median household income after housing costs by around 1 million.

  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) how many people, broken down by income decile, would gain from and (b) the annual cost of an increase of £545 per year to the per child element of the child tax credit for each child under five in a family; and how many children would be lifted above 60 per cent. median incomes by 2004–05 as a result of such an increase. [165082]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Approximate estimates for the impact of increasing the per child element of the child tax credit by £545 per year for each child under the age of five are shown in the table.

  Number of households estimated to gain, by income decile1

  1

  300,000

  2

  500,000

  3

  500,000

  4

  300,000

  5

  200,000

  6

  100,000

  7

  100,000

  8

  2—

  9

  2—

  10

  2—

  Total

  2,000,000

  Annual cost

  £0.5 billion

  Reduction in number of children (of any age) in households below 60 per cent. of median income3

  0.2 million

  1On an equivalised household income basis; figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  2Indicates figures of less than 50,000.

  3On an after housing costs, equivalised household income basis.

  Note:

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  20W
  More households are estimated to gain from these changes in the second decile than the first, because there are more households with children in the second decile.

  Estimates provided are uncertain due to the need to take into account changes in other taxes and benefits when making such an assumption, and the uncertainty over future distributions of income.

  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) how many people, broken down by income decile, would gain from and (b) the annual cost of an increase of £1,625 per year to the per child element of the child tax credit for fourth and subsequent children; and how many children would be lifted above 60 per cent. median incomes by 2004–05 as a result of such an increase. [165083]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Approximate estimates for the impact of increasing the per child element of child tax credit by £1,625 per year for fourth and subsequent children are shown in the table.

  Number of households estimated to gain, by income decile1

  1

  70,000

  2

  120,000

  3

  60,000

  4

  40,000

  5

  20,000

  6

  10,000

  7

  2—

  8

  2—

  9

  2—

  10

  2—

  Total

  320,000

  Annual cost

  £0.7 billion

  Reduction in number of children in households below 60 per cent. of median income3

  0.3 million

  1On an equivalised household income basis; figures have been rounded to the nearest 10,000.

  2Indicates impact of less than 5,000.

  3On an after housing costs, equivalised household income basis.

  Note:

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  More households are estimated to gain from these changes in the second decile than the first, because there are more households with children in the second decile.

  Estimates provided are uncertain due to the need to take into account changes in other taxes and benefits when making such an assumption, and the uncertainty over future distributions of earnings.

  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) how many people, broken down by income decile, would gain from and (b) the annual cost of an increase of (i)£260 per year and (ii) £545 per year to (A) the per child element of the child tax credit and (B) child benefit. [165084]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Approximate numbers of households estimated to gain front proposals(A) and (B) are shown in the table.
  21W

  Income decile1

  Increased per child element of child tax credit (A)

  Increased child benefit (B)

  1

  700,000

  700,000

  2

  1,000,000

  1,000,000

  3

  900,100

  900,000

  4

  600,000

  800,000

  5

  300,100

  800,000

  6

  200,000

  700,000

  7

  100,000

  600,000

  8

  100,000

  600,000

  9

  2—

  500,000

  10

  2—

  400,000

  Total

  3,900,000

  7,000,000

  1On an equivalised household income basis; figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  2Indicates impact of less than 50,000.

  Note:

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  More households are estimated to gain from these changes in the second decile than the first, because there are more households with children in the second decile.

  Approximate estimates for the cost of increasing the per child element of the child tax credit are shown in Table 4 of the publication, "Tax ready reckoner and tax reliefs", which is available on the HM Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media//AAB24/pbr03_trr_revised.pdf

  Approximate estimates for the cost of increasing all the 2004–05 child benefit rates by (i) £260 per year and (ii) £545 per year are, respectively, £3.4 billion and £7.1 billion.

  Estimates provided are uncertain due to the need to take into account changes in other taxes and benefits when making such an assumption, and the uncertainty over future distributions of earnings.

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost of a workstation is, as defined by the Lyons Report, at the Office of National Statistics in(a) London, (b) Titchfield, (c) Southport, (d) Bristol, (e) Cardiff and (f) Newport. [165050]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Mark Hoban, dated 7 April 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average cost of a workstation is, as defined by the Lyons Report at the Office of National Statistics offices in (a) London, (b) Titchfield, (c) Southport, (d) Bristol, (e) Cardiff and (f) Newport. (165050)
  The total property operating costs per annum for each workstation at existing ONS offices are:

  London—£12,001*

  Newport—£2,494

  Titchfield—£2,260

  Southport—£1,748

  *This figure relates to the ONS office accommodation at Drummond Gate, SW1 and Bessborough Street, SW1 only. The Family Records center facilities at Myddelton Street, EC1, operated jointly by ONS and the National Archives, are not included.
  22W
  The total property operating costs per annum for each workstation at Bristol and Cardiff would depend on the type of accommodation available.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average salary is of central Government employees in(a) Hampshire, (b) London, (c) Newport and (d) Bristol. [165290]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Mark Hoban, dated 7 April 2004;
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the average salary of central government employees in (a) Hampshire, (b) London, (c) Newport, and (d) Bristol. (165290)
  Estimates of the average earnings of central government employees in the areas requested (where available) are taken from the 2003 New Earnings Survey (NES) and are shown in the attached table. These are provided for full-time employees on adult rates of pay who were in the same job for the year covered by the survey. This is the standard definition used for NES tables. The NES does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work. Area figures are provided according to location of workplaces.
  Owing to the small NES samples sizes for Newport and Bristol, estimates of the average earnings of central government employees cannot be provided for these areas. We have therefore provided estimates for the two Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) regions that contain Newport and Bristol. These are South East Wales TEC region and Western TEC region respectively.
  The NES, carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in Great Britain. It is a one per cent sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes, but because of its sampling frame, it has difficulty capturing data on people with very low pay. It is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold.
  As with any statistical sample survey, estimates from the NES are subject to sampling error.

  Average gross annual earnings of central government employees in six areas, as shown: April 2003

  £

  Area

  Average annual earnings

  Hampshire

  24,065

  London

  28,130

  Newport

  1—

  City of Bristol

  1—

  South East Wales TEC

  22,892

  Western TEC

  25,037

  1Under the New Earnings Survey publication criteria, data cannot be shown owing to the small sample size.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates for South East Wales TEC and the Western TEC refer to these Training and Enterprise Council Regions. Western TEC region covers four local authorities in the Bristol area. South East Wales TEC region covers 10 local authorities in the Newport and Cardiff areas.

  2. Central government employees are employees of organizations classified to central government using the Interdepartmental Business Register (IDBR). This includes Government Departments and establishments, the NHS and various Government-financed organisations.

  Armed forces are not included in the New Earnings Survey.

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey, April 2003

  Construction Industry
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures his Department has taken to clarify the legal position on the use of Local Labour in Construction; and if he will make a statement. [164856]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The legal position on the use of local labour clauses in public contracts is covered in the European Commission's 2001 Interpretative Communication on the Community law applicable to public procurement and the possibilities for integrating social considerations into public procurement (COM(2001)566 final). That document, which takes account of relevant European Court of Justice cases, makes it clear that social and employment clauses must be compatible with Community law—particular, such clauses must not discriminate directly or indirectly against tenderers from other Member States. It is unlikely that a clause based on locality" would meet this requirement. It is for each Department to consider such issues on a cause by case basis, against the background of the Government procurement policy, based on value for money, and the EU requirements outlined above.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to update the 1996 Treasury advice to public bodies on using Local Labour in Construction to allow public bodies greater flexibility in using local labour. [164886]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Officials are unaware of any 1996 Treasury advice.

  The legal position on the use of local labour clauses in public contracts is covered in the European Commission's 2001 Interpretative Communication on the Community law applicable to public procurement and the possibilities for integrating social considerations into public procurement (COM(2001)566 final). Local Labour clauses will he covered in guidance to be prepared by the interdepartmental Sustainable Procurement Group, in light of its report, published in January 2003.

  Customs
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost, per unit, of establishing manned UK customs points at(a) EU, (b) other European and (c) other destinations from which freight transport travels to Britain. [165108]

  John Healey
  UK Customs have only one staffed customs point outside the UK at Coquelles in France dealing with Channel Tunnel traffic. Customs do not keep records of the cost of dealing with individual freight units travelling through the Tunnel.

  Departmental Policies (Sustainable Development)
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of paper for printed publications used by his Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained; [165533]

  (2) what measures he has put in place to ensure that his Department meets the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  24W
  to ensure that all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post-consumer waste; [165535]

  (3) by what date his Department expects to reach the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that (a) all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content and (b) all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post-consumer waste. [165536]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Treasury publications produced during 2002–03 were printed on paper containing 40 per cent. post-consume waste. Since January 2004, a recycled paper containing 75 per cent. post-consumer waste has been used for around half of Treasury publications. It is expected that at least 60 per cent. of Treasury publications will be printed on this paper by year end. The copying paper bought by the Treasury is 100 per cent. recycled with 100 per cent. post-consumer waste content.

  Environmental Costs
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what general mechanisms he has identified to internalise environmental costs in the economy; and if he will list those instances where he(a) has implemented such a mechanism, (b) plans to implement such a mechanism and (c) plans to investigate possible mechanisms for implementation in the medium to long term. [165271]

  John Healey
  The Government's approach to environmental taxation was set out in the statement of intent on Environmental Taxation in 1997. This was developed further in Tax and the Environment: Using economic instruments' published alongside the 2002 Pre Budget Report, which also considered the role of tax alongside other economic instruments instruments such as tradable permits. Since 1997 the Government has introduced a number of economic instruments, which seek to internalise environmental costs in the economy such as the aggregates levy and UK Emission Trading Scheme. A list of fiscal measures that the Government has introduced can he found in table 7.2 of the recent Economic and Fiscal Strategy report.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consideration is given to the cost of climate change in the determination of his economic strategy; [165272]

  (2) what consideration he has given to the cost of diffuse industrial pollution in his economic strategy. [165273]

  John Healey
  The Chancellor considers all relevant economic, social and environmental factors, including the implications for climate change and water quality, when determining the Government's economic strategy. It is one of the Treasury's objectives to protect and improve the environment by using instruments that will deliver efficient and sustainable outcomes through evidence-based policies, as set out in "Tax and the environment: using economic instruments", published alongside the 2002 Pre-Budget Report.

  Hydrofluorocarhms
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to introduce economic instruments to reduce leakage of hydrofluorocarbons. [165276]

  John Healey
  The Government currently has no such plans. Decisions on taxation are made by the Chancellor as part of the annual budget process.

  London Marathon
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out his policy on imposing VAT on sponsorship payments from those entering runners in the London Marathon. [162511]

  John Healey
  Charities and their donors in the UK will benefit from a wide range of VAT reliefs and exemptions. In accordance with the requirements of the EU directives on which UK VAT law is based, sponsorship raised by runners for organisations that have paid for a place in the London Marathon is free from VAT. However, any payment required in exchange for a place is subject to VAT; consequently, an organisation may be able to reclaim some of the VAT it incurs in providing this service.

  Office of Government Commerce
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of(a) the effectiveness of introducing a specialist buying agency in the Office of Government Commerce and (b) whether better value can be obtained from smaller suppliers. [165516]

  Dawn Primarolo
  OGC buying solutions is an Executive Agency of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and operates as a trading fund. It was formed in 2001 by the amalgamation of CCTA, TBA and PACE.

  It has ministerial targets based on the following four assessment areas:

  Value for Money improvements in Central Civil Government

  Customer satisfaction

  Return on capital employed

  Reduction in internal costs

  For the three financial years since the Agency's inception all of these targets have either been achieved or exceeded.

  In some circumstances a smaller supplier could provide better value, especially when the customer is looking for a solution that is flexible, responsive or innovative. Government is taking action to encourage public sector clients to consider the smaller supplier and to facilitate easier access for them.

  Passported Benefits
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) how many people, broken down by income decile would gain from and (b) the annual cost of raising the threshold for eligibility for all passported benefits to £14,200. [165081]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The principal passported benefits with thresholds below £14,200 are free school meals and welfare foods (free milk and vitamins) which are 26W
  available to families in receipt of child tax credit, but not eligible for working tax credit, and with incomes up to £13,230 in 2003–04. Increasing this threshold to £14,200 would have a negligible impact on the number of eligible families and hence on costs.

  Pensioners (Tynemouth)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior citizens in Tynemouth constituency qualified for the 10 per cent. rate of income tax in each year since its introduction. [165361]

  Dawn Primarolo
  All income tax payers benefit from the 10 pence starting rate. The Survey of Personal Incomes estimates there are about 6,000 and 9,000 state retirement pension age tax payers in the Tynemouth constituency in 2000–01 and 2001–02 respectively. Figures for 1999–2000 are currently not available.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total value of premium bond prizes that are unclaimed; and if he will make a statement. [165087]

  Dawn Primarolo
  At the end of January, there were 397,552 prizes unclaimed to a total value of £23.5 million.

  Savings
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the savings level for each of the last five years. [165387]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Bob Spink, dated 7 April 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on savings levels in each of the last five years.

  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Households sector gross saving, and the households saving ratio UK, 1999–2003

  Households sector1 gross saving £ billion

  Households' saving ratio2 percentage

  1999

  32.9

  5.3

  2000

  36.7

  5.5

  2001

  47.6

  6.7

  2002

  40.3

  5.5

  2003

  43.7

  5.7

  1Figures shown are for the combined household and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH) sectors. The accounts for this sector are currently combined and separate estimates are not available.

  2 This ratio represents households' saving as a percentage of total available households' resources.

  Source:

  UK National Accounts.

  Scotch Whisky (Tax Stamps)
  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of how
  27W
  many (a) producers of Scotch whisky and (b) other companies will benefit from the £3 million fund for assistance with capital investment to mitigate upfront costs of complying with his proposed tax stamps scheme for spirits bottles; [165231]

  (2) what criteria he has used to identify those firms that will benefit from the £3 million fund for assistance with capital investment to mitigate upfront costs of complying with his proposed tax stamp scheme for spirit bottles. [165233]

  John Healey
  The £3 million fund for assistance with capital investment is intended to be targeted at smaller firms, and the precise design and coverage have still to be decided. It is important that grants are distributed fairly and legally and the Government are working with the industry to consider how this might best be achieved.

  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the change in the volume of the business of warehouse keepers that will be caused by his proposed tax stamps scheme for spirits bottles; and if he plans to compensate them for any losses. [165234]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: A full Regulatory Impact Assessment will be published alongside the Finance Bill on 8 April which will identify the costs, benefits and proposed offsetting measures of the tax stamps system.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total amount of revenue lost as a result of tax avoidance has been in each financial year since 1997, broken down by(a) VAT, (b) corporate taxation and (c) personal taxation. [161857]

  John Healey
  In "Protecting Indirect Tax Revenues", published alongside the 2003 Pre-Budget report, a copy of which is available in the Library, HM Customs and Excise published a broad estimate of the scale of VAT avoidance as part of its wider historic estimates of revenue losses arising from VAT avoidance, fraud and non-compliance over the last decade. Because of the inherently more difficult exercise of estimating revenue losses from non-consumption taxes, it has not yet been possible to produce an accurate estimate of the losses arising from avoidance of corporate or personal taxation.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which companies are known to be selling or to have sold versions of the gilts scheme used to reduce income tax bills; how many individuals and companies are known to be using or to have used the scheme; and how much revenue is involved in each case. [161861]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This was a highly abusive tax avoidance scheme involving the deliberate generation of losses on the purchase and re-sale of Government gilt strips for the purpose of reducing income tax bills, which the Inland Revenue quickly identified and acted against. However, at this stage it is not possible with complete accuracy to identify all those who sold the scheme, the numbers of individuals and companies who used the scheme or the value of revenue involved.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Looked-after Children
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many looked-after children there have been in England in each year since 1994; and what proportion or children have been continuously looked after for at least 12 months. [158065]

  Margaret Hodge
  The number of children looked after at 31 March for each year since 1994, and the percentage looked after continuously for at least 12 months are shown in the table.

  Number of children looked after at 31 March, and percentage looked after continuously for at least 12 months, England1

  Year

  Number of children looked after at 31 March2

  Percentage looked after continuously for at least 12 months

  1994

  49,100

  69

  1995

  49,500

  67

  1996

  50,600

  67

  1997

  51,200

  69

  1998

  53,300

  69

  1999

  55,500

  70

  2000

  58,100

  70

  2001

  58,900

  73

  2002

  59,700

  73

  2003

  60,800

  Not available3

  1Figures in this table exclude children under an agreed series of short term placements.

  2Figures rounded to the nearest 100.

  3The percentage of children looked after continuously for at least 12 months is derived from the SSDA 903 return. Figures for the year ending March 2003 will be available on 31 March 2004.

  Source:

  CLA 100 and SSDA 903 statistical returns

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of looked-after children received an annual health assessment in each year since 1994. [158070]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information on the percentage of looked-after children who have received an annual health assessment was not collected centrally between 1994 and 1999. The percentages since 2000 are shown as follows.

  Figures for the year ending 30 September 2003 are expected to be published at national level on 29 April and, at local authority level towards the end of May 2004.

  Looked after children Mho received an annual health assessment, 12 months ending 30 September 2000 to 2002—England

  Percentage

  2000

  65

  2001

  68

  2002

  7I

  Source:

  0C2 return

  Physical Education
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children in
  29W
  England spent (a) one hour or less, (b) between one and two hours and (c) over three hours per week on physical education in 2003. [165574]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The information is not held in the format requested. "The Impact of School Sport Partnerships" (published in March 2004 by DIES and DCMS) set out the early funding of the 2003–04 PE, School Sport and Club Links survey. Overall 61 per cent. of pupils in phase 1 school sport partnership schools spend two hours in a typical week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum. A copy of the report has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The results of the full survey will be published later this month.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the level of Sure start expenditure in the Stroud constituency was in 2003–04. [164167]

  Margaret Hodge
  £2.192 million has been allocated to Gloucestershire for general Sure Start grant activities in 2003–04. Gloucestershire county council does not collect information on how this funding is allocated on a district basis.

  A further £646,000 has been allocated to the Mini Sure Start local programme and neighbourhood nursery in Stroud. The Mini Sure Start local programme (Cam and Dursley) received a revenue grant of £120,000 to support the delivery of outreach and health services, family support and adult education. This programme is linked to a 50 place neighbourhood nursery (Treetops Nursery) which opened on 26 March 2004. Sure Start has contributed £256,000 in capital funding towards the nursery's integrated education and care facilities. We are also providing start up revenue grant funds of £270,000, available over three ears to help ensure the nursery is firmly established.

  Accommodation
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what sources of public funding are available to cover the cast of accommodation while studying for a single, childless, full-time further education student, studying for a non-degree course, and living independently of parental support in local authority accommodation. [164627]

  Alan Johnson
  The focus of the public support that my Department provides for the accommodation costs of students in further education is on those whose course of study makes it necessary for them to live away from home. Bursaries are available for students attending six residential colleges and for those on specialist courses at colleges of agriculture, horticulture, art and design. A related scheme for students at other colleges who need to undertake courses at level 3 or above, or have a particular employment related learning need is at the pilot stage.

  Students who do not qualify for a bursary may be eligible for a Career Development Loan, which can cover living expenses as well as the costs of tuition if the course is full time.
  30W
  As far as those in receipt of Housing Benefit is concerned, both DIES and the Department for Work and Pensions recognise that the '16 hour rule', whereby income related benefits should only be provided for those in work, or those unable to work, can create difficulties for some people who wish to participate in full time further education. The situation is being monitored through the DWP Hardest to Help Delivery Plan, and DIES and DWP are working together to streamline the arrangements for supporting those in learning.

  Adoption and Children Act
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what preparations are being made for the implementation of section 122 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 by the end of 2004. [164114]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 23 February 2004, Official Report, column 178W.

  I wish to use this opportunity to clarify something I said to the hon. Member at the Westminster Hall debate on 23 October 2003. The Department for Constitutional Affairs will be consulting on the court rules for placement and adoption this spring. The regulations, court rules and guidance should be in place by the end of 2004. Section 122 is included in this package. After a period for preparation and training, we expect the legislation to come into force in September 2005.

  Asthma
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what percentage of schools have an asthma policy; [164812]

  (2) what advice his Department gives to schools about dealing with children who suffer from asthma. [164813]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department does not collect data on schools' asthma policies. Advice to schools on managing asthma is contained in, "Supporting pupils with medical needs: a good practice guide".

  Asylum/Immigration
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on Government policy on the support available to unaccompanied asylum seeker children in respect of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000; and what the implications of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 are for unaccompanied asylum seeker children. [159192]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 8 March 2004]: Local authorities have duties placed on them by the Children Act 1989 and the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 to continue to care for children beyond their 16th birthdays, either as 'eligible' children who remain in care or as 'relevant' children who have left care but still receive their support from the local authority. Section 55 of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 does not affect the support that is provided to these or any other children. There are no implications arising from section 55 for the continuing local authority care of any unaccompanied asylum seeker child.
  31W
  The duties of local authorities are also extended by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 to include planning for and where necessary supporting young people who are no longer children, having passed their 18th birthdays. Care leavers aged 18 or over (up to 21 or, in some circumstances, 24) are defined in the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 as "former relevant children". The access to leaving care support from responsible local authorities for "former relevant children" who were unaccompanied asylum seeking children is not affected by section 55.

  In order to provide additional support to local authorities with responsibilities for former unaccompanied asylum seeking children, I have announced an additional £17 million funding for 2004/05, to be directed towards those local authorities with the greatest responsibilities for such young people. The arrangements are set out in Local Authority Circular LAC (2004) 6 (formerly numbered (2004) 1). I have placed a copy of this circular in the House of Commons Library.

  When an unaccompanied asylum seeker child is approaching their 18th birthday the person may apply for support to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), provided they are not eligible for DWP benefits and they have an outstanding asylum claim. Each case is considered on its merits, taking account of the age and other relevant circumstances of the young person. If support was refused under section 55, the person would in most cases continue to be supported by the responsible local authority. In the small minority of cases where such support is not available, NASS will provide support if it is necessary to avoid a breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

  Chief Scientific Adviser
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether his Department has a chief scientific adviser. [162481]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department for Education and Skills does not have a designated chief scientific adviser. The Department does, however, have expertise on the role of science as a subject throughout the education system. Sir Alan Wilson, who was recently appointed Director General for Higher Education in my Department, will also be an effective point of contact for all science-related matters across the education system.

  Children in Care
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children with parents who have learning disabilities were taken into care in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [162911]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Children's Commissioner
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether children will be involved in the process for choosing a Children's Commissioner. [164194]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: Yes. The exact form that their participation will take is currently under consideration.

  Citizenship
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the citizenship curriculum includes the teaching of(a) the words of the National Anthem and (b) knowledge of the flags and patron saints of the nations of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [165334]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The flags, patron saints and the national anthem of the United Kingdom are not a separate element of the Citizenship National Curriculum. However, understanding the origins and implications of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom is an important part of the Citizenship curriculum, which became statutory for 11–16 year olds in September 2002. In this context pupils have the opportunity to explore the unique qualities that are part of the shared identities of the countries of the United Kingdom. They may consider the political, religious, social and constitutional systems that affect their lives and communities.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many advanced skills teachers for citizenship have been recruited(a) in total and (b) in St. Helens, South; [165331]

  (2) how many specialist citizenship teachers have been recruited in (a) England and (b) St. Helens, South in each of the last three years; [165336]

  (3) how much has been made available to (a) enable schools to buy resources and (b) train teachers for the teaching of citizenship in each of the last three years. [165337]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  There are currently 60 citizenship Advanced Skills Teachers. Eight of these are based in the North West Govornment Office Region, though none specifically in St. Helens, South. Around 400 individuals have completed initial teacher training for citizenship education since 2002 and this will rise to around 600 at the end of the 2003/04 academic year. The Department does not hold records on appointments of Newly Qualified Teachers.

  £15 million was made available to schools to support citizenship and personal, social and health education in 2001–02. Since 2002–03 schools have decided how much to spend from their total budgets to support citizenship. Schools are able to spend this in the way that best met their needs, including spending on teachers' professional development. Since the financial year 2000–01 the Department has spent £3 million to support the development of a range of resources and activities for citizenship education, many of which have been made available to schools free of charge.

  Departmental Officials
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which former officials of the Department have asked for permission to join(a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst and Young and (d) KPMG. [156909]

  Alan Johnson
  All civil servants are subject to the Business Appointment Rules, which set out the circumstances in which they must seek permission to accept outside appointments with al two years of leaving the service. A copy of the Rules is available in the Libraries of the House. Information about appointments taken up by the most senior staff is published in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. The next annual report will be published shortly.

  Since 2001, my Department has received two requests for permission to take up employment with the firms listed, one for PricewaterhouseCoopers and one for KPMG. Both requests received unconditional approval in 2001.

  Devon LEA
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students living in the Devon Local Education Authority area have gone into full-time higher education in each of the last seven years. [164784]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admission Services (UCAS) and covers 18-year-old applicants accepted through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses. Figures are given in the table.

  18-year-old applicants domiciled in Devon LEA1, accepted through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses

  Year of entry

  Devon LEA

  Plymouth LEA

  Torbay LEA

  1996

  2,264

  —

  —

  1997

  2,447

  —

  —

  1998

  1,617

  478

  267

  1999

  1,708

  455

  233

  2000

  1,676

  513

  264

  2001

  1,710

  537

  278

  2002

  1,738

  547

  300

  1For figures recorded for 1998 entry onwards, Devon LEA split into Devon LEA, Plymouth LEA and Torbay LEA.

  Source:

  UCAS.

  Projected first degree non-completion rates, 1996/97 to 2000/01

  Percentage

  Non-completion rate by those starting courses in:

  1996/97

  1997/98

  1998/99

  Institution

  Rate

  Benchmark

  Rate

  Benchmark

  Rate

  Benchmark

  University of Oxford

  2

  5

  1

  4

  2

  3

  University of Cambridge

  1

  6

  1

  4

  1

  3

  University of Edinburgh

  6

  10

  9

  9

  10

  9

  University of St. Andrews

  5

  15

  10

  11

  4

  10

  University of Exeter

  7

  12

  7

  11

  7

  10

  University of Durham

  3

  8

  6

  9

  5

  8

  Domestic Violence
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support is available for children who have been victims of domestic violence. [164379]

  Margaret Hodge
  Local authorities with social service responsibilities have a statutory general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area who are in need by providing a range of services appropriate to meeting those needs. The definition of such needs covers children who face the likelihood that their health or development might be impaired without such services, regardless of their cause, or whether or not they reside with their family. Children who have been the victims of domestic violence may be assessed by local authorities as being children in need.

  It is the responsibility of the local social service department to assess such children according to the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000), and to decide which needs exist and how or whether they should be addressed, including through the provision of services.

  More generally, through Section 64, Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, the Department supports the Women's Aid Federation of England, through a core grant (80,000 in 2004–05), and in relation to its helpline (£49,000 in 2004–05).

  University Drop-out Rates
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students dropped out of(a) Oxford, (b) Cambridge, (c) Edinburgh, (d) St. Andrews, (e) Exeter and (f) Durham universities in each of the last seven years. [164801]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information on drop-out rates can be found in the Higher Education Council for England (HEFCE) publication, "Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK". Copies of the publication can be found at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/learning/perfind/ 2003/ The non-completion rates cover UK domiciled full-time students starting first degree courses who are projected to neither transfer nor achieve an award from their study. A benchmark is calculated for each institution which allows for the entry qualification of the students and the subject mix at the institution. Figures are given in the tables. Prior to this, non-completion rates were calculated by the Department for the UK as a whole, but not at individual institution level.
  35W

  Percentage

  Non-completion rate by those starting courses in:

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  Institution

  Rate

  Benchmark

  Rate

  Benchmark

  University of Oxford

  2

  3

  2

  3

  University of Cambridge

  1

  4

  1

  3

  University of Edinburgh

  10

  8

  9

  8

  University of St. Andrews

  3

  9

  7

  9

  University of Exeter

  8

  10

  9

  9

  University of Durham

  7

  8

  4

  7

  Source:

  Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

  Early Years Development
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy to ensure that funds made available to(a) private and (b) local education authority nursery education and care providers are (i) ring-fenced and (ii) passed in their entirety to providers; and if he will make a statement. [163113]

  Margaret Hodge
  From April 2003, all funding for free early education places was consolidated within the general education formula spending arrangements for LEAs and schools. We have no plans to make further changes. The over under-fives sub-block is currently worth some £2.6 billion. It is for individual local authorities to determine, in the light of local consultation, what proportion of the overall resources should be delegated to schools and the rate at which private, voluntary and independent providers should be funded for delivering a free nursery education place. According to the latest available (January 2003) data some 50 per cent. of three year olds and 23 per cent. of four year olds take up their free entitlement with private, voluntary and independent providers.

  Education (Hemsworth)
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of the population of Hemsworth constituency engaged in(a) vocational education, (b) non-vocational further education and (c) higher education in 2002–03. [147453]

  Alan Johnson
  Data on the percentage of students participating in post-compulsory education are not calculated for areas smaller than LEAs because reliable estimates cannot be made. Hemsworth constituency is part of Wakefield LEA, the latest available figures for which are shown in the table.

  People from Wakefield participating in post-compulsory education

  Proportion of adults (aged 19–59) participating in:

  Vocation courses at FE colleges1

  3.4 per cent.

  Academic courses at FE colleges1

  0.2 per cent.

  Adult education courses2

  3.8 per cent.

  Undergraduate courses3

  0.8 per cent.

  1Based on the numbers of students enrolled on FE courses in autumn 2001 as recorded by the Learning and Skills Council.

  2Based on the number of students on adult education courses in autumn 2001 as recorded by Wakefield LEA.

  3Based on the number of students accepted to full-time undergraduate courses via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in autumn 2002.

  Educate on (North Tyneside)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills low many students living in North Tyneside local education authority have gone into full-time higher education in each of the last seven years. [164371]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS) and covers 18-year-old applicants accepted through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses. Figures are given in the table.

  18-year-old applicants domiciled in North Tyneside LEA, accepted through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses

  Year of entry

  Number

  1996

  367

  1997

  497

  1998

  499

  1999

  538

  2000

  474

  2001

  417

  2002

  412

  Source:

  UCAS

  Education (Stroud)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of 18 and 19year-olds in Stroud achieved university entry in each of the last seven years. [162823]

  Alan Johnson
  Figures by constituency are not available. The available information is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and covers 18-year-olc applicants from Gloucestershire LEA, accepted through UCAS, to full-time first degree and HND courses. Figures are given in the table.

  18-year-old applicants don idled in Gloucestershire LEA, accepted through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses

  Year of entry

  Number

  Percentage

  1996

  1,469

  23.3

  1997

  1,718

  24.9

  1998

  1,670

  22.8

  1999

  1,601

  22.8

  2000

  1,724

  24.8

  2001

  1,656

  23.4

  2002

  1,733

  25.0

  Source:

  UCAS

  Education Initiatives
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding has been allocated to(a) Aimhigher, (b) the Children's Fund, (c) community champions, (d) early cxcellence centers, (e) education action zones, (f) Excellence in Cities, (g) extended schools, (h) Healthy Schools Programme, (i) Local Network Fund for Children and Young People, (j) neighbourhood leaning centers, (k) neighbourhood nurseries, (l) Neighbourhood Support Fund, (m) new entrepreneur scholarships, (n) Sure Start, (o) Sure Start Plus and (p) Young Volunteer Challenge Pilot in (i) 2004–05, (ii) 2005–06 and (iii) total. [163723]
  37W
  Alan Johnson
  Funding allocations are shown in the table below. Information on additional local

  Initiative

  2004–05

  2005–06

  Total for initiative up to and including 2004–06

  Aimhigher1.2

  87

  89

  352

  Children's Fund

  160

  To be confirmed

  600

  Community Champions3

  3

  3

  17

  Early Excellence centers

  15

  13

  96

  Education Action Zones

  61

  61

  384

  Excellence in Cities

  306

  386

  1,615

  Extended Schools

  31

  To be confirmed

  56

  Healthy Schools Programme4

  8

  58

  50

  Local Network Fund for Children and Young People

  40

  40

  50

  Neighbourhood Learning centers

  30

  630

  90

  Neighbourhood nurseries

  95

  54

  253

  Neighbourhood Support Fund

  10

  10

  80

  New Entrepreneur Scholarships7

  6

  To be confirmed

  18

  Sure Start local programmes8

  463

  507

  1,722

  Sure Start Plus9

  3

  3

  17

  Young Volunteer Challenge Pilot10

  3

  0

  5

  1These figures exclude amounts for Opportunity Bursaries and contributions towards HEFCE's widening participation allocation

  2These figures relate only to the DfES contribution. From August 2004, additional contributions are being made by HEFCE and the Department of Health and, subject to confirmation, from the LSC

  3Includes £1 million per year Home 0ffice contribution from 2001–02 to 2003–04

  4These figures include funds from the Department of Health.

  5This figure is indicative

  6This figure is indicative

  7New Entrepreneur Scholarships are I ended by the Learning and Skills Council.

  8The figures for Sure Start relate to spend/allocation for Sure Start local programmes. They do not include programmes funded by the former Early Years and Childcare Unit which now come under the remit of the Sure Start Unit as a result of decisions taken in the last spending review.

  9Sure Start Plus was administered by the Department of Health until Monday 29 March 2004, when it transferred to DfES.

  10The overall budget for YVC Pilot is £4.5m up to the end of March 2005.

  Note:

  All amounts are £ millions and rounded to the nearest million

  Educational Standards
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the extent to which educational standards in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern

  Issue

  1997

  2003

  Primary

  Percentage of 11-year-olds achieving level 4 or above in English

  63

  75

  Percentage of 11-year-olds achieving level 5 or above in English

  16

  27

  Percentage of 11-year-olds achieving level 4 or above in maths

  62

  73

  Percentage of 11-year-olds achieving level 5 or above in maths

  18

  29

  KS3

  Percentage of 14-year-olds achieving level 5 or above in English

  57

  69

  Percentage of 14-year-olds achieving level 5 or above in maths

  60

  71

  Percentage of 14-year-olds achieving level 5 or above in ICT

  50

  67

  Percentage of l4-year-olds achieving level 5 or above in science

  60

  68

  GCSE

  Percentage of 16-year-olds who get qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs at grade A* to C

  45.1

  52.9

  Number of schools not achieving at least 20 per cent. of pupils who get qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs at grade A* to C

  361

  114

  This overview of improving standards across the board is confirmed by the recently published Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief' Inspector of Schools which commented that
  "over the past ten years, standards have undoubtedly risen in primary and secondary schools, as has the quality of teaching and leadership and management."
  38W
  contributions, for example from LEAs, is not held centrally.

  Ireland have changed since 1997; how he reached his conclusion; and if he will make a statement. 1164967]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  On the basis of measuring standards in schools in England against our PSA targets for the years 1997 and 2003 we can draw the following comparison:

  Furthermore my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget statement on 17 March 2004 that
  "UK education spending which was just 4.7 per cent. of GDP in 1997 will rise to 5.6 per cent. in 2007–8—from one of the lowest in the industrialised world to amongst the best."
  39W
  Further education

  As a result of the strategies we have introduced, the success rate for further education colleges has improved from 53 per cent. in 1997/98 to 65 per cent. in 2001/02.

  Devolved Administrations

  Standards in education in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not the responsibility of the Department of Education and Skills. I therefore refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for responses to parts (b), (c) and (d) of his question.

  Essay/Coursework Sales
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will conduct an urgent inquiry into the activities of companies who provide A level essays and coursework for UK students; [165313]

  (2) what plans he has to make sure that A level students who use material supplied by commercial companies are penalised through the loss of any grade achieved in the subject for which coursework has been supplied and submitted as their own work; [165314]

  (3) what plans he has to regulate companies who supply A level coursework to UK students. [165315]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: The marking and grading of examination scripts is the responsibility of the examination awarding bodies. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as Regulator, is responsible for ensuring that the awarding bodies fulfil their obligations under the examinations Code of Practice. There are well-established procedures for dealing with instances of suspected malpractice in examinations, which are published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and agreed by the awarding bodies.

  The Guidance includes procedures for investigating alleged malpractice, including the misuse of ICT, and the sanctions and penalties to be applied to those candidates who are caught cheating. Sanctions can include the issue of a warning; the loss of all marks gained in all components in a qualification or ultimately barring the candidate from entering one or more examinations for a set period of time.

  Foster Care
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has(a) to promote foster care, with particular reference to advertising campaigns, and (b) to encourage people to become foster carers. [164193]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: We will be spending £1.5m of the Choice Protects Grant in 2004–05 to develop a number of suggestions from the Green Paper to improve the status, support and training for foster carers. These include the development of a national award and a national helpline.
  40W
  We have recently produced a Fostering Publicity Pack designed to heir local authority fostering teams to run targeted local campaigns to recruit new foster carers for looked after children. We have also announced a three-year grant to support Foster Care Fortnight.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will increase payments to foster carers. [164195]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: The National Minimum Standards for fostering services clearly require that: Each foster carer receives an allowance and agreed expenses, which cover the full cost of caring for each child or young person placed with him or her. Additionally some foster carers may receive a fee payment.

  The Choice Protects Programme is supported by a £113 million grant over three years. In 2004–05 this amounts to £30 million for local authorities. This money can be used to improve payments for foster carers.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies his Department has undertaken to examine the effects of providing(a) free school lunches and (b) free school breakfasts. [165030]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department for Education and Skills has not undertaken studies to examine the effects of providing free school lunches and free school breakfasts.

  This Department, together with the Department of Health (DoH), is jointly funding a Food in Schools (FiS) programme. The DoH strand comprises eight projects which include breakfast clubs. Good practice identified through FiS will help schools promote a clear and consistent message about diet and nutrition.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children receive(a) free school lunches and (b) free school breakfasts, broken down by local education authority. [165071]

  Alan Johnson
  The available data on free school lunches have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Information relating; to free school breakfasts is not collected by the Department.

  Graduate Employment
  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills In hat action his Department takes to monitor the type of employment opportunities offered to graduates. [164468]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department commissions, collates and monitors a wide range of data on graduate employment and employability in general, including: monitoring surveys, research and analyses produced by a variety of organisations, including employer and graduate careers services groups and academic research, on graduate vacancies, employment and starting salaries; monitoring and analysing data on the graduate labour market from the annual First Destinations Survey of Higher Education leavers, which are collected
  41W
  and published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and the quarterly Labour Force Survey, collected and published by the Office for National Statistics; commissioning a survey of 1999 graduates to track earnings and employment outcomes and investigate their careers three and a half years following graduation, the results of which are expected to be published later this year; and maintaining a broad intelligence base on the graduate labour market, which is updated as new research and findings emerge.

  Headquarters Staff
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in reducing the number of headquarters staff since the Budget. [165022]

  Alan Johnson
  The reduction in the number of head office posts is due to take place over the next four years to 2008. The Department is currently planning how to take the reductions forward a part of its aim to transform the way it does its business. By the end of this April it will provide staff with more detail about these plans and the HR policies it will be putting in place to support the transition.

  Healthy Eating
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much his Department spent to promote healthy eating among children aged under 16 years in each of the last five years. [165024]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  We have allocated over £5 million a year to local education authorities to promote healthy schools including healthy eating and they are free to supplement these allocations from other budgets supported by revenue support grant.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of links between a healthy diet and(a) educational attainment and (b) behaviour in schools. [165028]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department for Education and Skills has made no assessment of the links between a healthy diet, and education attainment and behaviour, in schools. This Department works closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who provide information to the public and Government on food safety, nutrition and diet. We have a formal agreement with FSA that requires them to inform us, without delay of any information on food safety, nutrition and diet that requires us to take action.

  Percentage of 18 year olds accepted for entry to HE through UCAS

  Percentage

  Year of entry

  LEA

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Barking

  10.2

  9.8

  9.4

  10.3

  11.4

  13.6

  Barnet

  32.1

  30.5

  28.7

  30.1

  31.9

  32.3

  Bexley

  17.3

  18.8

  15.9

  18.1

  18.3

  20.3

  Brent

  26.5

  25.6

  28.4

  29.2

  30.7

  34.2

  Bromley

  27.0

  27.5

  27.4

  28.7

  31.3

  33.0

  Higher Education
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the financial impact of the proposed higher education reforms on graduates of medical courses from different socio-economic backgrounds. [165426]

  Alan Johnson
  During the first four years of their courses medical students have the same student support as any other eligible higher education students; and pay the same contributions to fees. The Government have made a number of proposals to safeguard access to higher education for those from low income families. Around three in ten students will receive means tested maintenance grants of £2,700, and over half will be eligible for full or partial grants, as well as bursaries and other support from universities under arrangements agreed by the Office of Fair Access.

  Fees for English domiciled medical students in years 5 and 6 are currently paid by the Department of Health. These students also qualify for means tested NHS bursaries in their fifth and subsequent years of study. Department of Health Ministers have indicated that they will, if necessary, take measures to ensure that any increase in the level of tuition fees will not have an adverse impact on the supply, retention, diversity or quality of students on health professional courses, including medicine.

  Under our proposals, arrangements for repayment of non means tested fee loans will, for all graduates, be heavily subsidised: graduates will repay their loans at zero real rate of interest and only when their income exceeds £15,000 per year. Repayments will then be made at a rate of 9 per cent. of income above £15,000. According to Graduate Prospects, GPs can expect to earn in excess of £46,000 a year at the start of their careers. This compares very favourably with the salaries of other newly qualified graduates.

  The Gateways to the Professions Review under Sir Alan Langlands will look at how the public sector and the professions, including medicine, can sustain and improve recruitment opportunities for graduates, especially those who do not qualify for the full £3,000 grant and bursary support. It will report by mid-2005.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of school leavers in(a) Greater London and (b) each London borough went on to higher education in each year since 1997. [162334]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information is taken from the Universities and college Admissions service (UCAS) and covers 18 year old applicants accepted through UCAS to full time first degree and HND courses. Figures are given in the table.
  43W

  Percentage of 18 year olds accepted for entry to HE through UCAS

  Percentage

  Year of entry

  LEA

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Camden

  18.8

  16.9

  18.5

  19.6

  18.6

  20.3

  City of London1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Croydon

  22.3

  22.4

  22.6

  24.8

  25.2

  24.8

  Ealing

  23.8

  23.4

  26.3

  26.5

  27.7

  29.4

  Enfield

  24.9

  24.1

  25.7

  26.8

  28.4

  30.9

  Greenwich

  13.1

  11.8

  13.0

  12.6

  14.5

  14.3

  Hackney

  11.2

  10.4

  11.3

  12.0

  14.0

  12.2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  18.0

  17.1

  18.8

  17.7

  20.4

  19.6

  Haringey

  17.6

  17.5

  18.3

  19.2

  18.0

  20.4

  Harrow

  32.4

  33.2

  34.1

  34.3

  38.2

  39.4

  Havering

  16.2

  15.0

  16.9

  17.3

  19.0

  15.5

  Hillingdon

  20.2

  22.0

  21.4

  22.1

  23.5

  27.0

  Hounslow

  22.6

  23.4

  21.5

  25.5

  25.6

  27.4

  Islington

  12.3

  13.5

  12.7

  16.1

  16.3

  16.1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  22.1

  18.8

  18.7

  18.9

  19.2

  19.9

  Kingston upon Thames

  27.8

  27.5

  26.1

  28.6

  31.5

  32.6

  Lambeth

  13.4

  13.3

  12.9

  14.7

  15.7

  17.0

  Lewisham

  16.3

  14.2

  13.7

  16.1

  15.6

  16.7

  Merton

  22.4

  22.1

  24.2

  22.9

  22.9

  26.4

  Newham

  14.8

  15.4

  16.9

  18.1

  20.1

  19.2

  Redbridge

  27.3

  27.6

  27.1

  31.0

  31.9

  34.9

  Richmond upon Thames

  31.9

  31.1

  29.5

  29.6

  32.4

  30.3

  Southwark

  12.6

  11.2

  14.1

  13.5

  14.8

  15.7

  Sutton

  25.1

  26.0

  24.6

  26.6

  27.7

  30.6

  Tower Hamlets

  9.8

  10.8

  11.5

  13.3

  14.6

  14.6

  Waltham Forest

  18.7

  17.4

  18.5

  20.1

  21.0

  21.6

  Wandsworth

  20.8

  18.8

  21.0

  21.7

  23.9

  23.6

  Westminster

  17.0

  16.7

  16.2

  14.3

  16.2

  17.0

  Total Greater London

  20.7

  20.3

  20.6

  21.8

  23.0

  23.9

  1The effect of year on year fluctuations on a small population mean this method of calculating participation rates is unreliable for the City of London.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he has undertaken a gender impact assessment of the latest pay proposals for higher education staff. [164768]

  Alan Johnson
  As independent and autonomous bodies, higher education institutions are responsible for their own academic and administrative affairs, including pay for their staff. Institutions must decide for themselves the level of evaluation they wish to undertake on the impact of the new pay proposals.

  Learning Disabled Children
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of learning disabled children aged(a) between five and 10 years, (b) between 11 and 15 years and (c) between 16 and 20 years also have a physical disability. [165539]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Information on special educational needs by type of special educational need was collected for the first time in January 2004 and provisional data will be available at the end of April.

  Literacy Strategy
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what role phonics play in the Literacy Strategy at Key Stages(a) 1 and (b) 2. [165291]
  44W
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The National Literacy Strategy puts phonics—both analytic and synthetic—at the heart of literacy teaching it Key Stages 1 and 2. It advocates a strong emphasis on word level work (particularly phonics) and guided reading in the early years, with a gradual shift to place more emphasis on sentence level work (particularly composition in writing) in Key Stage 2.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of phonics in the teaching of reading; and what guidance has issued concerning its use in primary schools. [165322]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  From a position where many schools were teaching very little phonics, the National Literacy Strategy has transformed literacy teaching in primary schools. Its approach is soundly based on international research and best practice. The teaching of phonics has contributed to primary schools' achievement in maintaining world class standards, with tens of thousands more seven and 11-year-olds now achieving the expected level in reading for their age.

  Guidance to teachers on the use of phonics is included in the strategy's framework for teaching and a supplement to the "Progression in Phonics" training material will be available for schools in the summer term.

  Millennium Volunteers
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Government's policy is on the extension to secondary school pupils of millennium volunteers under the active citizens in schools initiative; how many have been recruited; what assessment has been made of the take-up of volunteers; and if he will make a statement. [165333]

  Alan Johnson
  The Active Citizens in Schools (ACiS) pilot aims to build on aspects of the Millennium Volunteers (MV) programme and encourage 11 to 15 year olds in schools to make a commitment to volunteering in line with the citizenship curriculum, encourage them to become Millennium Volunteers when they reach the age of 16 and help to engage them in the wider democratic process. Over 4,000 young people have been involved in ACiS. The interim evaluation suggests that ACiS has to date been encouragingly successful, particularly in terms of the number of young people involved and the diversity of opportunities that have been developed. The DfES is planning to roll out the initiative through the extended schools programme from 2004.

  Music, Dance and Drama
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list each of the initiatives announced by his Department since June 1997 on(a) music, (b) dance and (c) drama, including (i) the month and year of the announcement and (ii) its cost. [165292]

  Mr. Miliband
  My Department has supported many projects in these areas since June 19S 7. In respect of schools and further education, the following programmes have been instigated:The Music Standards Fund was estahlished in 1999 to protect and expand LEA music services. Approximately £270 million will have been invested by the end of the financial year 2003–04.
  13 "Wider Opportunities" pilots in music have been undertaken; in March 2004 I announced £1.5 million investment to help LEAs develop their own pilots.
  The Music and Dance (Aided pupil) Scheme began in 1981. The Department has spent a total of £79.5 14 million on the Scheme from 1997–98 to 2003–04. A new complementary national grants scheme for exceptionally talented children will be piloted from September 2004.
  181 of the 259 designated specialist arts colleges since June 1997 have a performing arts (music, dance and drama) or music focus. Specialist schools receive a one-off capital grant of £100,000 and additional recurrent funding of £126 per pupil per year for each of the four years covered by their specialist school development plans.
  The Dance and Drama Awards, for post-16 students, have cost £55 million since they were announced in 1998, with a further £15 million allocated for 2004–05.
  Dance is one of six areas of activity within the National Curriculum programme of study for physical education. Between April 2003 and September 2006, we are investing over £459 million to transform PE and school sport.

  Overseas Students
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to apply parental income tests to students entering higher 46W
  education from EU accession countries; and what estimate he has made of the proportion who will enjoy (a) fee rebates and (b) maintenance bursaries. [164080]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 26 March 2004]: The Government is required under Article 12 of the EC Treaty to treat EU students no less favourably than UK students with regard to tuition fees. Parents of students from the EU accession countries will undergo exactly the same means-assessment as parents of students from England and Wales and existing member states.

  It is estimated that the proportion of students receiving financial support towards their tuition fees will average those of students from the current EU countries. EU students are not entitled to receive bursaries or loans for maintenance.

  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many overseas students(a) in total, (b) from Africa and (c) from each country in Africa are studying (i) non-degree, (ii) undergraduate and (iii) postgraduate courses at colleges and universities. [164151]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information covering HE study in English institutions is given in the table.

  African HE Enrolments to English HE and FE Institutions1

  All HE

  Country of Domicile

  PG

  1st Deg

  Oth. UG

  Total

  Algeria

  128

  203

  23

  354

  Angola

  22

  67

  12

  101

  Botswana

  137

  359

  38

  534

  Burundi

  3

  6

  7

  16

  Cameroon

  96

  70

  43

  209

  Central African Republic

  5

  4

  5

  14

  Chad

  1

  4

  0

  5

  Zaire

  3

  18

  3

  24

  Congo (People's Republic)

  10

  14

  10

  34

  Benin

  2

  3

  0

  5

  Ethiopia

  100

  35

  17

  152

  Reunion

  3

  13

  73

  89

  Gabon

  7

  15

  0

  22

  Gambia

  95

  123

  44

  262

  Ghana

  919

  454

  237

  1,610

  Guinea

  1

  7

  2

  10

  Ivory Coast

  23

  36

  10

  69

  Kenya

  686

  1,493

  170

  2,349

  Lesotho

  30

  5

  2

  37

  Liberia

  8

  5

  5

  18

  Libya

  711

  64

  84

  859

  Madagascar

  6

  6

  4

  16

  Malawi

  136

  90

  33

  259

  Mali

  4

  9

  0

  13

  Mauritania

  3

  6

  2

  11

  Mauritius

  302

  874

  288

  1,464

  Morocco

  71

  46

  13

  130

  Mozambique

  38

  25

  2

  65

  Niger

  6

  1

  0

  7

  Nigeria

  1,591

  1,612

  334

  3,537

  Zimbabwe

  349

  598

  1,818

  2,765

  Rwanda

  22

  13

  12

  47

  St. Helena Dependencies

  4

  7

  12

  23

  Seychelles

  28

  126

  6

  160

  Sierra Leone

  71

  39

  69

  179

  Somalia

  5

  31

  10

  46

  Djibouti

  0

  3

  I

  4

  South Africa

  619

  235

  138

  992

  Sudan

  134

  82

  20

  236

  Swaziland

  28

  14

  1

  43

  Tanzania

  268

  329

  98

  695

  Togo

  1

  5

  2

  8

  Tunisia

  29

  16

  6

  51

  Uganda

  352

  183

  89

  624

  Egypt

  446

  92

  25

  563

  Burkina

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Zambia

  169

  143

  63

  375

  Senegal

  21

  7

  1

  29

  47W

  African HE Enrolments to English HE and FE Institutions1

  All HE

  Country of Domicile

  PG

  1st Deg

  Oth. UG

  Total

  Cape Verde Islands

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Equatorial Guinea

  2

  3

  1

  6

  Namibia

  26

  12

  2

  40

  Guinea-Bissau

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Sao Tome Principe

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Comoros

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Mayotte

  1

  2

  0

  3

  Eritrea

  12

  2

  2

  16

  Total African

  7,737

  7,611

  3,839

  19,187

  Total Non-EU Overseas

  68217

  56,412

  20,696

  145,325

  Total EU Overseas

  26,757

  33,173

  13,405

  73,335

  1Figures for HE study in HE institutions are taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and are a snapshot as at 1 December, and relate to the academic year 2002/2003. Figures for HE study in FE institutions are taken from the Learning Skills Council (LSC) and are a snapshot as at 1 November, relating to the academic year 2001/2002. Comparable figures for 2002/2003 will be available later in the year.

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and the Learning Skills Council (LSC)

  Pre-schools
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assistance is available to preschools to enable them to(a) improve their premises and (b) move to a more appropriate location. [165715]

  Margaret Hodge
  Capital funding is available to support playgroups and pre-schools in extending and developing their services to provide full day care. £6 million was available for this purpose during the period 2002–04 and a further £21.45 million has been included in the General Sure Start Grant for the period 2004–06.

  Pupil Referral Units
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of pupil referral units in(a) improving children's behaviour, (b) enabling children to move back to mainstream schools and (c) raising the level of attainment of excluded children. [165472]

  Mr. Miliband
  According to OFSTED most pupil referral units (PRUs) are well run. Where this is the case they offer a curriculum that has both breadth and depth which is delivered innovatively, they make a very positive contribution to their pupils' outcomes, including improving their behaviour and attendance.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hours of education per week a child attending a pupil referral unit is required to receive; and what the average number of hours per week received is. [165474]

  Mr. Miliband
  A child attending a pupil referral unit (PRU) because he or she has been permanently excluded from school should receive a suitable full time education appropriate to their age and Key Stage. So too, where possible, should pupils subject to fixed term exclusions of 15 days or more. DfEE Circular 11/99 suggests that 20 hours or more constitute appropriate full time education. All local education authorities confirmed that all permanently excluded pupils were in receipt of suitable full time education in September 2002.
  48W
  The average hours received could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. PRUs also provide a valuable service, with other institutions, for young people. However, the time that pupils spend at the PRU each day will vary according to their needs. Such pupils might include dual registered pupils (i.e. remaining on their school roll and attending the PRU for specific educational modules e.g. additional basic skills tuition or anger management), sick children, respite for children who have been bullied and teenage mothers.

  School Meals
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of(a) maintained and (b) grammar schools in England have introduced healthy eating options into school canteens in the past 12 months. [165575]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department for Education and Skills does not collect this information.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of children in(a) maintained and (b) grammar schools bring packed lunches into school. [165576]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department for Education and Skills does not collect this information.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what land used as playing fields by schools in Cornwall have been disposed of in the last 10 years. [165713]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Section 77 of the School Standards and Frame work Act 1998 was introduced on 1 October 1998 to stop the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields that occurred in the 1980s and early to mid-1990s. Local authorities and governing bodies of all maintained schools now need the Secretary of State's consent before they n dispose of a playing field or any part of a playing field. Applications to sell school playing field are approved only where it is clear that they meet the published criteria and, in particular, that any proceeds will be used to improve school sports provision or education facilities.

  There are no central records of how many school playing fields were lost before October 1998. Since October 1998, the Government have not approved any applications affecting schools in Cornwall that would result in the loss of areas of school playing fields capable of forming at least a small sports pitch of 2,000m2.

  Schools (Key Stages)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the delivery mechanisms used by the Department to implement its strategies for each of the key stages. [165304]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department's strategic documents "Excellent e and Enjoyment" and "A New Specialist System" set out a clear framework for transforming educational achievement across the key stages in primary and secondary schools.
  49W
  They set out how the Department uses a broad range of delivery mechanisms to work with LEAs and schools to achieve this objective. These include the Specialist Schools programme, the Excellence in Cities programme, and the Primary and Key Stage 3 National Strategies.

  The Department's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) which work with schools, in particular the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the Teacher Training Agency (TTA), the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) and the National College for School Leadership (NCSL), all play a central role.

  Special Educational Needs
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children attended severe learning disability special schools in each of the last five years. [162909]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information relating to special schools with approval to make provision for severe learning difficulties is shown in the following table. Schools may be approved to make provision for more than one area of special need.

  Special schools1: Schools approved to make provision for severe learning difficulties—position as at Jan wry each year—England

  Number of schools

  Total pupils2

  1999

  347

  25,064

  2000

  350

  25,153

  2001

  449

  35,590

  2002

  445

  37,302

  2003

  496

  41,985

  1Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.

  2Includes all pupils in the school, not just those pupils with severe learning difficulties.

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children attended moderate learning difficulty special schools in each of the last five years. [163112]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information relating to special schools with formal approval to make provision for moderate learning difficulties is shown in the table. Schools may be approved to make provision for more than one area of special need.

  Special Schools1: Schools approved to make provision for moderate learning difficulties— position as at January each year—England

  Number of schools

  Total pupils2

  1999

  354

  39.071

  2000

  336

  37,592

  2001

  454

  47.832

  2002

  472

  51,036

  2003

  489

  51,273

  1Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.

  2Includes all pupils in the school, not just those pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 22 March 2004,Official Report, column 630W, on
  50W
  special educational needs, if he will make a statement on each of the four cases the Special Educational Needs and Disability Panel has reviewed, the reasons for each being reviewed and the subsequent outcomes. [164758]

  Margaret Hodge
  As stated in the previous Answer, the SEN and Disability Tribunal has identified four cases since September 2002 in which panels have reviewed decisions because they might have included obvious errors. Over the same period panels have reviewed five decisions because the interests of justice appeared to require it. In a further two cases the Tribunal reviewed decisions because there might have been an error resulting from administrative mistakes.

  The following table summarises the cases reviewed and the outcomes.

  Review date

  Reasons

  Outcome

  3 December, 2002

  Obvious error

  Decision set aside

  8 January, 2003

  Obvious error

  Decision amended

  3 February, 2003

  Interests of justice

  Decision stood

  9 April, 2003

  Interests of justice

  Decision amended

  9 May 2003

  Administrative error

  Decision stood

  19 September, 2003

  Obvious error/interests of justice

  Decision amended

  18 November, 2003

  Administrative error

  Decision stood

  24 January, 2004

  Obvious error/Interests of justice

  Decision amended

  24 February, 2004

  Interests of justice

  Decision stood

  Student Finance
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department has taken to ensure the smooth transition from the present arrangements for applications for student loans through local education authorities to the new system of Student Finance Direct; and if he will make a statement. [164633]

  Alan Johnson
  Student Finance Direct retains the role of LEAs, which receive and assess applications from students, and the Student Loans Company (SLC), which pays them. They will both now be supported by a new IT system to carry out those functions.

  My officials and the SLC, which is in the lead in developing and implementing the new system, have taken a number of steps to help LEAs with the transition. They have sought LEA views on, and involved LEA staff directly in, the design and implementation of the new system. Most importantly, following the principles recommended in the report by Ian McCartney MP, "Successful IT: Modernising Government in Action", the system was piloted in six LEAs in 2003. The lessons learned have been fed into the system that will be used nationally this year. The SLC will have appropriate contingency arrangements in place to deal with any problems.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will extend the student loan system to British students wishing to undertake their entire undergraduate degree in another EU member state. [164849]

  Alan Johnson
  We have no plans to do so. It has been longstanding policy to provide student support for maintenance to British students attending designated courses wholly provided by UK educational institutions
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  maintained or assisted by recurrent grants out of public funds or provided by such institutions in conjunction with institutions outside the UK; and courses of higher education specifically designated by the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers regarding arrangements to ensure students from England who attend higher education institutions in Scotland are not disadvantaged in terms of(a) fee liability and (b) living costs from 2006; [164891]

  (2) what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers regarding arrangements for students from Scotland to study medicine in higher education institutions in England after 2006; [164894]

  (3) what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers regarding assistance for (a) fee costs and (b) living costs for Scottish students studying in England from 2006. [164895]

  Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and I have quarterly meetings with Scottish Ministers, in which these issues are discussed.

  Sure Start (Lancashire)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Sure Start capital programmes have been completed in Lancashire. [164115]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]: There are 17 local programmes approved across Lancashire over six rounds. Four have completed some of their planned capital work—Hyndburn Church and

  £

  Name of initiative

  Date of Launch

  Cost

  National Professional Qualification for Headship

  June 97

  18,630,000

  Leadership Programme for Serving Heads

  November 98

  4,009,000

  New Opportunities Fund ICT Teacher Training

  September 99

  230,000,000

  Induction

  September 99

  170,536,000

  Best Practice Research Scholarships

  May 2000

  9,000,000

  Teachers' International Professional Development

  May 2000

  12,000,000

  Sabbaticals

  September 01

  24,612,000

  Early Professional Development Pilot

  September 01

  25,000,000

  Professional Bursaries

  April 2002

  15,000,000

  Enhancing Subject Teaching Using ICT

  January 2004

  8,000,000

  1This figure covers the period from April 2001-March 2003. Support for NQT induction was part of a larger school improvement grant for 1999–2001. Separate figures cannot be disaggregated.

TRANSPORT

  Cargo Movements
  Mr. Barry Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what quantity of consolidated cargo landing in Europe which was transported by road or rail into the United Kingdom was transported to enhanced remote transit sheds in the last year for which figures are available; and what European regulations apply to these cargo movements. [165628]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.
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  West Accrington has completed its main building which is open for service; Burnley, Danehouse and Stoneyholme, Rossendale Bacup and Stacksteads, and Burnley Duke Bar and Burnley Wood have completed some of their capital builds and are anticipated to open in April. 12 neighbourhood nurseries all involving significant building work have also opened offering 432 places to children under the age of five. In addition, One Early Excellence center opened its new building in February this year.

  Teachers
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the initiatives launched by the Department concerning the continuing professional development of teachers since June 1997, including(a) the date of their launch and (b) their cost. [165289]

  Mr. Miliband
  Most of the Department's initiatives since June 1997 have involved elements of continuing professional development for teachers. More than £1 billion has been made available in this period to support professional development through national initiatives, such as the Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, Excellence in Cities, Beacon schools and the Key Stage 3 strategy, but it is not possible to disaggregate the precise amounts that have been spent on professional development as many of the initiatives allow schools to decide how the money should be spent. There have however been a number of initiatives that have been specifically for the individual professional development of teachers. A list of these is provided in the following table. In addition, the National College for School Leadership has introduced a number of programmes to transform the quality of leadership in schools.

  Neither the Department of Transport or HM Customs and Excise hold information down to the level of detain requested.

  The European regulations which apply to these cargo movements are:
  Council Regulation (I EC) No. 2913/92 (The Community Customs Code), in particular Articles 91–97 thereof, and
  Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2454/93 (Provisions for implementation of the Community Customs Code), in particular Articles 340a 340d, 341–442a and 450a–462a.

  Road and Pavements
  Bob Spink
  To at k the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proportion of local authorities'
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  roads and pavements maintenance budget was paid out for compensation against claims in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [165056]

  (2) how many claims were received by local authorities in each of the last five y ears for (a) personal injury and (b) damage to motor vehicles in respect of roads and pavements. [165058]

  Mr. McNulty
  This informal win is not collated centrally, although we are looking at whether and how we could do so in the future.

  A27
  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the traffic flows on the A27(a) through Worthing and (b) around Arundel were (i) in 1997 and (ii) on the latest date: for which figures are available; [165699]

  (2) what representations he has received (a) for and (b) against improvements for traffic on the A27 (i) through Worthing and (ii) around Arundel. [165701]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Traffic flows on the A27(a) through Worthing and (b) around Arundel (i) in 1997 and (ii) 2002—the latest date for which figures are available—are given in the table:

  Year

  Location

  Two-way annual average daily traffic (AADT)

  1997

  Clapham, west of Worthing

  24,893

  1997

  North Lancing, east of Worthing

  Not available

  1997

  Walberton, west of Arundel

  24,633

  1997

  Poling, east of Arundel

  27,609

  2002

  Clapham, west of Worthing

  26,800

  2002

  North Lancing, east of Worthing

  52,800

  2002

  Walberton, west of Arundel

  26,700

  2002

  Poling, east of Arundel

  28,400

  Since the Secretary of State's announcement on 9 July 2003, Ministers have received five representations in support of improvements on the A27 through Worthing and 11 representations in support of improvements on the A27 through Arundel.

  No representations for or against proposed short-term, small-scale improvements for traffic on the A27 through Worthing and around Arundel have been received.

  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many lanes, such way are justified for the A27(a) through Worthing and (b) around Arundel. [165700]

  Mr. Jamieson
  In Worthing there are four lanestwo each wayfor traffic for some sections of the A27 and the remainder is one lane each way with additional lanes at junctions. There are numerous junctions with local roads and a very high proportion of local traffic uses the route.

  Following the rejection of the 3roposals of the south coast multi-modal study the Highways Agency is working closely with West Sussex county council to develop alternative strategies for managing traffic in
  54W
  Worthing, and I expect their report in the summer. The justification for the number of traffic lanes required in Worthing will therefore depend on this work.

  At Arundel, there is one lane each way along the existing inner Arundel bypass. The principal congestions points are, however, the main junctions at Arundel and at the nearby Crossbush junction. The agency has recently installed traffic signals to improve the operation of the Crossbush junction. It is envisaged that additional road capacity will be required in the Arundel area, but the exact nature of this provision is under consideration and the agency will report back in the summer.

  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to propose relief for(a) traffic on the A27 and (b) residents in (i) Worthing and (ii) Arundel. [165702]

  Mr. Jamieson
  In July 2003 we rejected the proposals for a number of road improvements for the A27 as presented in the recommendations of the south coast multi-modal study. We asked the Highways Agency to review the proposals and develop less environmentally damaging options. This work is in progress and I expect the agency to report back in the summer. I will then consider the alternatives and decide on the way forward for the Arundel and Worthing lengths of the A27.

  The agency is developing short-term measures to improve traffic flow and pedestrian crossing facilities in Worthing and has installed traffic signals to smooth traffic flow at Crossbush junction near Arundel.

  A38
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the final cost of the remedial work undertaken on the A38 Saltash tunnel; and how the work is to be funded. [165714]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The estimated cost of the refurbishment works being undertaken on the A38 Saltash tunnel is £8,250,000. The work is being funded by the Highways Agency.

  Some remedial works will need to be completed satisfactorily before the completion of the refurbishment contract; they will be undertaken at the contractor's expense.

  Air Travel Trust Fund
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the financial status of the Air Travel Trust Fund; which types of air tickets are covered by the Air Travel Trust Fund; and how many and what value of tickets were sold in each category in each year from 1997; [164645]

  (2) what the current deficit of the Air Travel Trust Fund is at present as covered by the Government guaranteed overdraft facility; and how this is projected to change over the next few years. [164646]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF) is currently £9.6 million in deficit but has overdraft facilities guaranteed by the Government. In the event of any failure passengers would not therefore lose out. It is not possible to predict how the deficit will change over
  55W
  the next few years. As soon as parliamentary time permits, we will introduce a Bill to enable the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to levy a charge on the industry to eliminate the deficit and make provision for future calls on the fund.The Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme protects air travellers against insolvency of tour organisers. In the event of a company failure, the cost of refunds and repatriations is met by the bond, and if it is insufficient then ATTF provides the remaining funds required.

  Companies holding ATOLs may sell any type of air ticket, but the CAA does not collect data on the type of ticket sold. In 2003 ATOL holders made 23 million sales of package holidays and flights on charter airlines without accommodation, and 5 million sales of flights on scheduled airlines, making a total of 28 million protected tickets.

  The following table compares the number of ATOL protected tickets with total tickets for journeys originating in the UK.

  UK originating return trips

  ATOL protected

  Total

  Million trips

  £ billion

  Million trips

  1997

  23.5

  9.5

  30.3

  1998

  25.0

  10.4

  34.3

  1999

  26.4

  11.1

  37.5

  2000

  28.0

  12.4

  41.4

  2001

  29.1

  13.0

  43.0

  2002

  27.9

  12.9

  44.0

  20031

  27.9

  12.9

  2_

  1Provisional

  2Not available

  Source:

  CAA, ONS

  Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what resources have been made available to the British Transport Police to meet their additional responsibilities under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 in(a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004. [162624]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 provides officers of the British Transport Police (BTP) with jurisdiction outside the railways in certain, specified circumstances. The number of incidents where BTP officers respond in such circumstances accounts for some 1 per cent. of their activities each year. The costs are absorbed within BTP's budget and are offset by the assistance provided to BTP by local police forces for which BTP are not charged. Between 2000–01 and 2004–05 BTP's budget has increased as follows:

  £ million

  Percentage

  2000–01

  120.5

  2001–02

  121.9

  + 1.2

  2002–03

  126.4

  +3.7

  2003–04

  136.7

  +8.2

  2004–05

  161.0

  + 18

  Birmingham Airport
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects Birmingham International Airport to announce a scheme of compensation for Solihull constituents adversely affected by the proposed second runway. [165566]

  Mr. McNulty
  I understand that Birmingham Airport are currently finalising the details of their draft compensation and mitigation scheme. They intend to consult key stakeholders after Easter and begin a full public consultation before the end of May.

  Computerised MOT Test
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2004, Official Report, column 1237W, on computerised MOT test, if he will make it his policy to set a final date for the implementation of a computerised MOT test by Siemens Business Services, failing which he will appoint a new contractor. [165796]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No, at this stage we do not see it as appropriate to set suit a date.

  Cycle Lanes
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of new cycle lanes have been provided in the Ribble Valley and Fulwood since 1997; and at what cost. [165512]

  Mr. McNulty
  Since 1997, 10.5 km of on-road cycle lanes and 4.3 km off-road cycle lanes have been constructed in the Ribble Valley and Fulwood; their exact cost is not available.

  Driving Licences
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether people from EU accession countries will be permitted to drive in the UK using their national licence after 1 May. [165052]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The UK's implementation of the second EC directive on driving licences (91/439/EEC) on 1 January 1997 brought about the mutual recognition of all Community licences. This obligation will be extended to include recognition of all licences in circulation in the new member states from their date of accession, 1 May 2004.

  Department-sponsored Bodies
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) resource budget, (b) administration coats and (c) staff numbers were for 2003 of the (i) Northern Lighthouse Board, (ii) Trinity House Lighthouse Service, (iii) Rail Passengers Committee Eastern England, (iv) Rail Passengers Committee Midlands (v) Rail Passengers Committee North Eastern England, (vi) Rail Passengers Committee North Western England, (vii) Rail Passengers Committee Scotland, (viii) Rail Passengers Committee Southern England, (ix) Rail Passengers Committee Wales, (x) Rail Passengers Committee Western England, (xi) Rail Passengers Council and (xii) Shipping Task Force. [165124]
  57W
  Mr. McNulty
  The information is as follows:

  For Financial Year 2003–04

  Resource Budget (£)

  Administration Costs (£)

  Staff Numbers

  RPC Eastern England

  274,200

  49,000

  5

  RPC Midlands

  279,000

  69,400

  5

  RPC North Eastern

  275,700

  89,400

  5

  RPC North Western

  275,500

  72,500

  5

  RPC Scotland

  302,000

  90,900

  5

  RPC Southern

  287.500

  106,000

  5

  RPC Wales

  262,500

  62,400

  5

  RPC Western

  283,200

  64,900

  5

  Rail Passengers' Council

  1,446,800

  758,300

  22

  Northern Lighthouse Board

  22,791

  4,904

  206 (does not include part time staff: such as commissioners (5) or attendants/boatmen (106)

  Trinity House Lighthouse Service

  33,434

  1,777

  409

  Shipping Task Force

  49,500

  453 (catering for meetings only)

  No staff

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact he expects the provisions of the draft Disability Discrimination Bill to have on the measures contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 regarding specifications of hackney carriages; and what the timetable is for consultation and implementation. [165456]

  Mr. McNulty
  The provisions in the draft Disability Discrimination Bill have no impact on the existing provisions of Part 5 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) that give the Secretary of State powers to make accessibility regulations for hackney carriages (taxis). I announced on 28 October last year our policy proposals fro taking forward those provisions. We are currently working on the technical requirements and we will be consulting in due course on draft regulations that will include a proposed timeframe for implementation.

  The transport provision in the draft Disability Discrimination Bill would allow us to lift the exemption for transport vehicles in Part 3 of the DDA that deals with access to goods, services and facilities. We are committed to doing so in respect of public transport services, including taxis, to ensure that in future operators of those services take reasonable steps to ensure that they do not discriminate against disabled people. We do not, however, intend to bring in the duties under Part 3 that would require physical alterations to vehicles.

  Finningley Airport
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance was given to Peel Holdings to help with the Finningley Airport development. [165711]

  Mr. McNulty
  Peel Holdings have received no assistance from the Department for Transport to help with the Finningley Airport development. Our policy on Finningley is set out in the Future of Air Transport White Paper.

  Freight Future
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of producing the Freight Future newsletter was in the last year for which figures are available. [165149]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department issued two editions of the Freight Future newsletter in 2003–04. The cost of producing them was £69,358. This includes management, design, printing of 80,000 copies of each issue and insertion into five industry publications.

  Greenhouse Gases
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's assessment is of the likely greenhouse gas emissions from transport in 2010. [165167]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Forecasts of 2010 emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the transport sector, together with information on emissions of a number of other pollutants, are published in Transport Statistics Great Britain 2003, which is available via the DfT website.

  Heavy Goods/Public Service Vehicles
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) heavy goods vehicle and (b) public service vehicle licences (i) were issued and (ii) were revoked in each of the last 10 years. [163839]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The number of licences issued in these categories can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The following table shows the total number of applications processed by DVLA for licences to drive medium and large goods vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles over the last 10 years. The figures include applications for provisional entitlement, full entitlement, renewals and replacement licences.

  Applications processed

  1993–94

  403,854

  1994–95

  167,650

  1995–96

  167,645

  1996–97

  264,446

  1997–98

  254,244

  1998–99

  244,963

  59W

  Applications processed

  1999–2000

  155,478

  2000–01

  167,966

  2001–02

  266,242

  2002–03

  306,601

  For revoked licences, the following table shows the number of medium and large goods vehicle licences and passenger carrying vehicle licences revoked over the last 10 years (where figures are available).

  Revoked by Traffic Commissioner

  Revoked by DVLA

  Total revoked

  1993–94

  1,520

  1_

  1,520

  1994–95

  555

  1_

  555

  1995–96

  510

  12,432

  12,942

  1996–97

  670

  12,613

  13,280

  1997–98

  925

  13,092

  14,017

  1998–99

  1_

  1_

  1_

  1999–2000

  131

  12,844

  12,975

  2000–01

  94

  14,500

  14,594

  2001–02

  118

  14,652

  14,770

  2002–03

  104

  14,354

  14,458

  1Figures not available

  M6
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received from the Highways Agency plans for widening the M6 motorway between junctions 11 and 20; and if he will make a statement. [165307]

  Mr. Jamieson
  In my announcement on 10 December 2002 about the outcome of a number of multi-modal studies, I asked the Highways Agency to carry out further detailed work on proposals to widen the M6 from junction 11a to junction 19. In carrying out that work it has proved necessary to undertake more detailed traffic modelling and economic evaluation work than initially expected. However, this work is nearing completion and I expect to receive a report from the Highways Agency in the next few months.

  Port Security
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what training is provided to port security officers in(a) scanning ships and containers, (b) scanning of workers and (c) testing for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials; and if he will make a statement. [165106]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code does not set any training standards for Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) and each Contracting Government is able to determine the detail of the training course to be undertaken.

  Unlike the vast majority of countries the UK requires PFSOs to complete a Government approved training course. My Department's Transport Security
  60W
  Directorate (TRANSEC) developed training standards and course criteria for PFSOs in the UK, and approves the training provider.

  The UK's implemontation of the IPSPS Code does not require ports to monitor chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) traffic. However the Home Office and customs are taking forward a programme to install radiation detection equipment at points of entry into the UK (including airports, seaports and the Channel Tunnel). Under this initiative Customs Officers, who are responsible for detecting and deterring illicit import and export of radioactive materials, have received specialist training in operating the equipment and the incident response procedures.

  PFSOs will however work in partnership with Customs Officers when necessary, and will be aware of the detection equipment at points of entry into the UK.

  As required by the ISPS code each port will detail how it is going to achieve access control to its restricted areas, and this may include subjecting vehicles (including lorries), persons and their possessions to checks and searches. In addition ports will be required to formalise pass systems to help prevent unauthorised access to these operational areas of the port. Access control and how to maintain pass systems are covered in the PFSO training courses and security instructi9ons that have been issued to industry.

  Rail Compensation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2004,Official Report, columns 513–14W, on rail compensation, what plans he has to ensure consistency among franchisees in the compensation arrangements offered to passengers. [164227]

  Mr. McNulty
  Passenger's Charters are consistent in that they must meat the minimum compensation arrangements as set out in the National Conditions of Carriage. Franchisees are free to offer at their commercial discretion compensation arrangements that give more extensive rights than those in the National Rail Conditions of Carriage but they may not give less.

  Rail Services (Kent)
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the investment required to allow Channel Tunnel Rail Link domestic service trains to use 700-seater trains from Rochester, Strood and Graveseno. [162503]

  Mr. McNulty
  The platforms at Rochester, Strood and Gravesend can oily accommodate trains up to 10 cars long. The proposed 700-seater Channel Tunnel Rail Link domestic service would be 12 car trains. The cost of extending the platforms at Rochester would be £12.4 million, Strood £1.2 million and Gravesend £8.6 million. Due to the prohibitively high cost of
  61W
  extending these platforms, the Strategic Rail Authority's Integrated Kent Franchise Consultation Document proposes a service of two Channel Tunnel Rail Link domestic trains per hour in each direction from Rochester, Strood and Graves and using 350 seater six car trains.

  Reduced Pollution Certificates
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the administrative charges are for a company applying for a reduced pollution certificate. [165181]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The current cost of a reduced pollution test carried out in conjunction with another statutory test e.g heavy goods vehicle or public service vehicle annual test or certificate of initial fitness examination of £15.50. When carried out on its own the cost if £26.00. There are supplementary fees of £5.50 payable if the test is carried out other than at one of Vehicle and Operator Service Agency's (VOSA) testing stations and £9.00 if the test is carried out outside normal working hours.

  Transport Energy Best Practice
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of transport companies used the TransportEnergy Best Practice Programme in the last year for which figures are available. [165148]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Five per cent. of all freight transport companies in England have used the TransportEnergy Best Practice programme since 2002.

  Tyres
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his assessment of the effects of energy efficient tyres on fuel consumption for(a) buses and (b) freight trucks. [165152]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Through the TransportEnergy Best Practice programme, the Department has recently published a leaflet describing trials of energy efficient tyres fitted to trucks. These trials have shown some positive results, with fuel consumption reduced by an average of 7 per cent. Trials have shown that tread wear rates for current energy efficient tyres can be inferior to those of standard tyres, so they can have larger replacement costs.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Indigenous Communities (Commercial Exploitation of Traditional Knowledge)
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the patents of medicinal plants in the last five years she estimates were based on the traditional knowledge of indigenous people. [165034]

  Ms Hewitt
  No patents covering the UK have been granted in the past five years for whole plants with medicinal properties. There are 24 granted patents relating to medicinal compounds extracted from plants. It is not possible to determine clearly how many of these are based on the traditional knowledge of indigenous people. However, it would appear that about 50 per cent. of these patents relate to extracts of plants with a recognised traditional medicinal use.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if her Department will take action to prohibit pharmaceutical companies from using traditional knowledge of indigenous communities without receiving prior informed consent before exploiting plants or crops for commercial gain. [165179]

  Ms Hewitt
  The UK Government have ratified the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) which deals among other issues with traditional knowledge and prior informed consent. The CBD also recognises the sovereign rights of states over their genetic resources and that access to them is subject to national legislation. It also requires that access to genetic resources should be subject to the prior informed consent of the providing country and to mutually agreed terms, including the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources.

  At the recent seventh Conference of Parties (COP7) in Kuala Lumpur, the UK Government helped to negotiate a mandate for an international benefit-sharing regime. This mandate covers traditional knowledge and recognises the need for both facilitating access to genetic resources and the subsequent sharing of benefits. The UK also takes an active part in discussions in the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the intellectual property aspects of these issues.

  Post Office Network
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of Post Office Limited's(a) support for the vulnerable and (b) action to maintain post offices as focal points for communities during the Network Reinvention Programme for 2003 and 2004 to date. [165339]

  Mr. Timms
  The Network Reinvention programme is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. There is a public consultation process agreed between the company and Postwatch and local communities are 64W
  consulted before final decisions are taken. The needs of the elderly, the disabled and those on lower incomes are carefully considered. At the end of the programme, over 95 per cent. of the urban population nationally will still live within one mile of a post office and the majority within half a mile.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of Post Office Network's ability to maintain convenient access for all to post offices, as indicated on page 5, chapter 1 of the Performance and Innovation Unit Report of 2000. [165340]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government regards it as most important that all communities have good access to postal and Government services and it is committed to doing all it can to ensure a viable Post Office network for the future. We have appointed a dynamic management team who are committed to turning the business around and to give effect to the vision in the PIU report of a thriving network meeting changing customer needs.

  The Government has placed a formal obligation on Post Office Ltd to maintain the rural network and prevent avoidable closures, in the first instance until 2006, and has made available £450 million over three years to support this. For the urban network, where rationalisation is a vital element of renewal, Post Office Ltd is required to ensure that at the end of their reinvention programme over 95 per cent. of the urban population nationally will still live within one mile of a post office and the majority will live within half a mile.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has held with(a) Postwatch and (b) Postcomm about the role of Postwatch. [165352]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department has a regular dialogue with Postwatch and Postcomm on a range of issues concerning the postal market and the postal market regulatory framework. As a non-departmental public body, sponsored b DTI, the Department also has regular meetings with Postwatch about its programme, performance and operations. HMT and DTI are undertaking a joint project on consumer representation in regulated industries. As part of this project they have worked closely with Postwatch.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from Postcomm about their work with key Post Office Network stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of the role that post offices should play in the longer term. [165369]

  Mr. Timms
  The Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) reports annually to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on developments in the post office network. Postcomm publishes these annual reports on its website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. We have also received advice on the longer term role of post offices in rural areas. We are considering that report, which we would expect to be published in due course.
  65W
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment she has made of each annual report from Postcomm on the urban network since 2001; and if she will place copies of her assessments in the Library; [165370]

  (2) what advice she has received from the Postal Services Commission regarding their monitoring of the size and shape of the Post Office network and its impact on local communities. [165368]

  Mr. Timms
  The Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) reports annually to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on developments in the post office network. Postcomm publishes these annual reports on its website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State makes no formal assessment of the annual reports from the regulator but they are one of many sources which inform Government policy.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about line management in Postwatch. [165371]

  Mr. Timms
  None.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support her Department has offered to Post Office Limited to ensure that benefit recipients can continue to access their entitlement in cash at post offices. [165439]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government has ensured that those people who want to do so can continue to collect their benefits in cash at the post office. The Government invested £450 million in the Horizon project, one of the UK's largest computerisation projects, which has automated every post office in the network. That IT platform has enabled the Post Office to provide its customers with access to a range of banking services at the post office counter. People can now collect their benefits in full in cash at post offices using bask bank accounts, some 20 million current accounts or the Post Office card accounts.

  Renewables
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the efficiency of wind turbines compared to other sources of renewable energy. [165517]

  Mr. Timms
  The capacity factor, sometimes referred to as the load factor, is the energy generated during a given period divided by the energy generated that would have been generated had the wind turbine been operating at maximum output.

  Figures for average capacity factor for individual wind farms are not available for reasons of commercial confidentiality. However, the most recent figures available show an average load factor for all UK windfarms as being 29.9 per cent. in 20021. Separate figures for offshore wind farms are not yet available as UK's first major offshore wind farm at North Hoyle has only 1een operational since
  66W
  November last year. However, we would expect average load factors to be greater due to the superior offshore wind resource.

  The Oxera Report2 puts the cost of onshore wind in 2004 at £31/MWh and offshore wind at £55/MWh. This is expected to fall to £25/MWh and £37/MWh respectively by 2020.

  The cost of wind compared to other forms of renewable generation can be found in table 3.7 within the report at www.dti.gov.uk.energy/renewables/policy.oxeraresults.pdf.
  1Source: DUKES 2003 available on the DTI website at www. dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_stats/renewables/index.shtml. (Data for 2003 will become available in June 2004).
  2 Oxford Economic Research Associates "Results of Renewables Marked Modelling" February 2004.

  Accountancy Fees
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the average accountancy fee for completing a company voluntary agreement as a percentage of the net value of the company in each year since 2000. [164287]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Insolvency Service, the Executive Agency of the Department for Trade and Industry that has responsibility for the policy regarding company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) does not collect statistical information regarding the fees of nominees and supervisors on a regular basis and no estimate of such fees is available. Proposals put to a company's creditors contain details of the charges of the nominee and supervisor. It is up to the creditors to decide whether to accept such proposals.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to ensure that components for machine guns exported to(a) Côte d'Ivoire, (b) Nigeria and (c) Senegal have not been exported in contravention of the Economic Council of West African States Moratorium. [163415]

  Mr. MacShane
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom has one of the strictest and most transparent arms export licensing systems in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of the circumstances prevailing at the time and other announced Government policies. Criterion 1 specifically addresses respect for the UK's international commitments and international obligations.

  The UK takes the provisions of the Economic Council of West African States Moratorium fully into account when assessing export licence applications. We would not issue an export licence if there were a clear risk that the export would be re-exported by the stated end-user in contravention of the Moratorium.

  British Coal
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Department has been given Treasury approval to retain surpluses payable to it out of
  67W
  the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme during the last five years to offset expenditure on liabilities inherited from British Coal. [164382]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 29 March 2004]: No. The Government's share of any valuation surplus from the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme is released over a 10-year period and paid directly into the Consolidated Fund as Consolidated Fund Extra Receipts.

  Business Support
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 23 February 2004,Official Report, column 56W, on Business Support, if she will list the DTI funded business support schemes that have been discontinued since January 2003. [158879]

  Ms Hewitt
  All DTI funded business support schemes are being replaced by a small set of more strategically focused products. Four of these new products (Small Firms Loan Guarantee, Grant for Research and Development, Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships) have been available since spring 2003. Further products will be made available from April this year.

  Under current plans, the legacy schemes shown in the lists will not, from April 2004, receive any new DTI financial support over and above what has already previously been committed to them. In some cases there will be a tail of activities to which the Department has made legal commitments. The first list shows legacy schemes that have closed to new customers since January 2003. The second list shows legacy schemes that currently remain open to new customers and in some cases may continue to exist with funding from other sources.

  List 1

  Aeronautics Research Programme (CARAD)

  Applications Technology Support

  Automotive College

  Biowise

  Broadcast Digital Test Bed

  Building Up Biomaterials

  Competitiveness for the Oil and Gas Supplies Sector

  CONNECT

  E-Business Chemicals Facilitator

  Enterprise Grant Scheme

  European Interest in Minerals

  Financial Advisory Services (bioscience)

  Fit for the Future

  Foresight LINK Awards

  Harnessing Genomics

  Information and Communication Technologies Carrier Scheme

  Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Skills Programme

  Inside UK Enterprise

  International Technology Service

  Manufacturing for Biotechnology

  Mosaic

  Next Wave Technologies and Markets

  Partnership Fund

  Practical Electronic Business Leadership Scheme

  68W

  Regional Selective Assistance

  S@tcom

  Service Mission Support

  Smart

  TCS

  UK Analytical Partnership

  UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme

  UK High Technology Fund

  UK Online for Business

  Work Life Balance Challenge Fund

  List 2

  Advanced Metal Technologies Initiative

  Automotive centers of Excellence

  Benchmarking Index

  British Geological Survey Project

  Chemical Industry Sites Participation (Reputation) Project

  Early Growth Funding

  E-Business Programme for the UK Chemicals Sector

  Electronics Design Programme

  Engineering and Maninery Alliance

  Envirowise

  Faraday Partnerships

  Industry Forum Adaptation Initiative

  LINK Collaborative Research Scheme

  Motorsport Development programme

  NESTA Futurelab Industry Placement Scheme

  Phoenix Fund

  Regional Venture Capital Fund Programme

  Supply Chain Groups

  Waste and Resources Action Programme.

  In addition to the schemes listed above, the Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme will close to new guarantees for support after 5 April 2005. New applications will continue to be accepted until 1 October 2004 and a further period for signature of guarantee contracts will be permitted until 5 April 2005. My Department will be in contact with stakeholders in the next few days to explain the arrangements for closure of this scheme.

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency of Ilford, North, the effect of her Department's policies on Ilford since 1997. [164883]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Parliamentary Constituency Area (PCA) of Ilford, North falls entirely within the London borough of Redbridge. DTI has no area-based initiatives targeted directly on this PCA or the borough of Redbridge.

  General economic and labour market information covering the borough of Redbridge can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/sd/bci

  Downloaded Music
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she proposes to take to combat the illegal downloading of music from the internet. [164840]

  Ms Hewitt
  The UK music industry makes a substantial contribution to our economy. The UK is the third largest market in the world for sales of music and the National Music Council estimates that the music industry generates value added in excess of £3.6 billion (2000).

  Illegal downloading of music from the internet has a serious impact on our creative industries and the artist they represent. BPI research estimates that 7.4 million people in the UK have downloaded material from illegal sites.

  UK copyright law does provide strong protections for those who own rights in music so that they are able to take action against any illegal use of their material. However, we believe that increasing the provision of legal downloads is the best approach to combating illegal downloading and welcome the positive steps recently taken by the music industry to prom ate the availability of legitimate music tracks on the internet.

  Electricity Supply
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role Ofgem has iii ensuring security of supply when regulating the electricity industry. [165166]

  Mr. Timms
  Ofgem's principal objective is to protect the interests of consumers. In carrying out its functions in a manner which it considers is best calculated to further the principal objective Ofgem must have regard to the need to secure that all reasonable demands for electricity are met.

  Hazardous Waste
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer by the Minister for the Environment of 11 March 2004,Official Report, column 1620W, on hazardous waste, how many of the (a) 100,000 special waste producers and (b) 750,000 future hazardous waste producers her Department has contacted to inform them of the requirements of the Landfill Directive relating to hazardous waste. [165323]

  Mr. Timms
  Defra lead on hazardous waste and the Landfill Directive, but the DTI is assisting in the development of a communications strategy which will raise awareness of these issues among businesses through a variety of mechanisms and media. I understand that my colleague the Minister of State at Defra will be providing the hon. Member with further details of the activities being planned over the coming months.

  Libya
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of potential business and commercial opportunities for UK firms consequent on improved relations with Libya; and if she will make a statement. [164730]
  70W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The positive developments in the bilaterial relationship have led to a significant increase in the level of interest from UK companies wishing to do business in Libya. We believe that opportunities exist for UK firms in a number of sectors, including oil and gas, airports, education and training, ports and logistics and tourism.

  Minimum Wage
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made, for each year since the introduction of the national minimum wage, of(a) the number of employers not complying with the national minimum wage provisions and (b) the level of underpayment of the national minimum wage. [165500]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The information is as follows.

  (a) Data on the number of employers not complying with the minimum wage is not available. However, from April 2003 to February 2004 the Inland Revenue have investigated nearly 5,000 cases of suspected underpayment and found nearly 2,000 cases where employers were noncompliant, identifying £2,250 million in arrears of pay.

  (b) Given that the Government does not produce estimates of the number of workers not complying with the legislation the level of underpayment cannot be estimated. However, the Office for National Statistics, do however publish the number of jobs paying below the NMW (see following table), but these are not an estimate of non-compliance because they include employees who are legitimately being paid below the NMW levels (for example, those who are receiving accredited training or where the employer provides accommodation).

  Number and proportion of jobs paying below the national minimum wage

  Amount £

  Percentage

  Spring 20001

  240,000

  1.0

  Spring 20012

  250,000

  1.0

  Spring 20023

  330,000

  1.3

  Spring 20034

  260,000

  1.0

  1Rate was £3.00 per hour (aged 18 to 21 years) or £3.60 per hour (aged 22 years and over).

  2Rate was £3.20 per hour (aged 18 to 21 years) or £3.70 per hour (aged 22 years and over).

  3Rate was £3.50 per hour (aged 18 to 21 years) or £4.10 per hour (aged 22 years and over).

  4Rate was £3.60 per hour (aged 18 to 21 years) or £4.20 per hour (aged 22 years and over).

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics central estimates of low pay.

  Nirex
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2004. Official Report, columns 965–66, on Nirex, what the last date was on which the Department discussed the budget for Nirex prior to the Nirex board meeting of 4 March with(a) BNFL and (b) British Energy; and what the Department's input was to the discussion. [165297]

  Mr. Timms
  Discussions with BNFL took place on 27 February on how best to secure value for money for the shareholders from the Nirex budget.
  71W
  No such discussions were held with British Energy.

  Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will be responsible for the long-term disposal of(a) intermediate level, (b) high level and (c) other types of nuclear waste. [165325]

  Mr. Timms
  The Energy Bill includes provisions that will enable the proposed Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to treat, store and dispose of hazardous material, including Low Level Waste (LLW), Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) and High Level Waste (HLW), at designated sites for which it is responsible and also in designated circumstances. In carrying out its functions, the NDA will be required to have particular regard for Government policy. Radioactive waste management policy is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the devolved Administrations. The Government's independent body, the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), is receiving policy options for the long-term management of higher-level radioactive wastes. CoRWM will report its recommendations to Ministers, who will decide the long-term policy and the arrangements for its implementation. The NDA could be given responsibilities in this regard. Clause 3 of the Energy Bill provides that, should Ministers so decide.

  Nuclear Safeguards
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the implementation to date of Commission Regulation 3227/76 on the application of nuclear safeguards to mixed facilities. [165155]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Commission Regulation (Euratom) 3227/76 sets out Euratom safeguards reporting requirements. Application of the Regulation at installations that handle 'both civil nuclear material and nuclear materials assigned or liable to be assigned to meet defence requirements' (so-called 'mixed facilities') is as described in its Article 35. Accountancy reports and associated information are therefore provided for all the safeguarded nuclear material at such facilities in the UK.

  Performance and Innovation Unit
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports she has made to the Prime Minister on progress against conclusions in the Performance and Innovation Unit report of 2000. [165438]

  Mr. Timms
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has been kept informed on a regular basis with progress on implementation of the PIU report.

  Post Office Network
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who are the key Post Office network stakeholders. [165440]
  72W
  Mr. Timms
  A very wide range of organisations and individuals are stakeholders in this important national network, as clients, customers or partners.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the likely impact on regional businesses of incorporation of regional development agencies into future regional assemblies. [165211]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government's plans for elected regional assemblies in the English regions and their relationship with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice". In regions which choose to have elected regional assemblies the RDA will become accountable to the assembly but will retain its present day-to-day operational independence. In appointing the RDA Board members the assembly will be required to ensure that the Chair and at least half the Board have had recent or current experience of running a business. Business will therefore continue to be at the heart of the decision-making process for regional economic development.

  As now, regional business will be able to contribute to the formation and delivery of the regional economic strategy. A key role of the elected assembly will be to improve the region's sustainable economic performance by ensuring the region's economic development strategy is integrated with policies and strategies on related issues such as skills, planning, housing and transport. This will enable business to benefit from better targeted policies.

  Moreover, business will be able to help shape the assembly's work on this and more generally through the arrangements that will be put in place for stakeholder involvement. Elected assemblies will be required actively to involve stakeholders in their work—which could include scrutiny, policy development, consultation and implementation. As a key stakeholder, regional business will therefore have a range of opportunities to influence issues which affect them.

  A draft of the Bill to establish elected regional assemblies, including their structures, powers and functions, will be published before the first referendums are held.

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 15 March 2004,Official Report, column 43W, on regulatory impact assessments, how many regulatory impact assessments were issued by the Small Business Service in each year since their inception, with particular reference to the Evaluation of Regulatory Impact Assessments Compendium Report 2003–04, March 2004, Pages 25–26. [165110]

  Nigel Griffiths
  In respect of the previous answer, I was advised that the Small Business Service had not issued any regulatory impact assessment. However, I have subsequently discovered that it has issued one assessment which related to the transposition into UK law of EC Directive 2000/35/EC on combating late payment in commercial transactions.

  Sellafield
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the near-crash of an RAF Hercules transport aircraft into the cooling towers for the Calder Hall nuclear reactors at Sellafield. [165161]

  Mr. Timms
  My officials have discussed this matter with the site operator BNFL and with the Ministry of Defence. Both have confirmed that no such incident took place.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library copies of the annual safeguards inspection reports prepared by Euratom on the B30 nuclear materials storage ponds at Sellafield. [165162]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Commission has published reports on Euratom safeguards operations for 1999–2000, 2001 and 2002 (see Department of Trade and Industry Explanatory memoranda 11669/01 COM(2001)436 final, 13397/02 COM(2002)566 final and 16077/03 COM (2003) 764 final respectively, which are available in the Libraries of the House. Commission follow-up of its inspections at individual installations is by letter to the operator concerned. Such letters are however classified by the Commission and we cannot therefore place copies in the Libraries of the House. The reports on specific inspections from which the comments in its follow-up letters are drawn are internal to the commission—and not shared with either the facility operator or Member State authorities concerned.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of plutonium are held in the B30 nuclear materials storage silo at Sellafield; and what methods are used to verify the, plutonium contents in the radioactive wastes contained. [165163]

  Nigel Griffiths
  For security reasons, we do not reveal information on the quantities of nuclear material held in specific locations (Exemption 1a), information whose disclosure would harm national security or defence (Code of Practice on Access to Government Information). Records exist to show the quantities of nuclear material in spent magnox fuel received at the B30 plant. Material leaving the plant is similarly recorded, and equipment to enable Euratom safeguards verification of fuel rods shipped from the plant was in operation between 1993 and 1995 when such shipments ceased. Information therefore exists on the quantities of waste materials now in the plant but the condition of these materials and the need to minimise radiation exposure means that the activities that can be performed at present to verify this information (including in the course of Euratom safeguards inspections) are limited. Appropriate measurement and verification of the material will however take place a material is removed during the decommissioning of B30.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent communications she has received from the European Commission in respect of the application of Euratom nuclear safeguards to the B30 nuclear waste storage plant at Sellafield; [165164]
  74W
  (2) if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter by Mr. Ian Holt, UK permanent representative to the European Union to the European Commission Director-General for Transport and Energy, dated 8 December 2003, in respect of the application of safeguards verification at the B30 plant at Sellafield. [165174]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Commission summarised its safeguards concerns relating to the B30 waste storage plant in a letter to the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union dated 13 October 2003. A response to the commission's letter was sent on 8 December 2003, but a copy cannot be placed in the Libraries of the House because the issue is now the subject of legal correspondence between the Commission and the UK. There is a confidentiality agreement between the Commission and Member States that governs the release of such correspondence.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Bosnia
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work has been done to delineate tasks between the EU and NATO in Bosnia once the European Union takes over the Stabilisation Force operation; and if he will make a statement. [165561]

  Mr. MacShane
  Work continues on the delineation of tasks between the EU and NATO in Bosnia once the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) withdraws. We would expect the continuing but limited NATO role in Bosnia to focus on defence outreach and some operational tasks, including in support of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, once SFOR withdraws.

  European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the Government's policy(a) to promote and (b) to support the accession of the European Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; and if he will make a statement. [165023]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Government believes that EU accession to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) could bring significant advantages in ensuring that the European Union institutions are externally held to account for human rights breaches, in exactly the same way as member states. But the instrument of EU accession must not detrimentally affect the position of individual EU member states under the ECHR.

  European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the 2002 European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights projects to(a) campaign against racism in Israel, (b) combat discrimination against Palestinian citizens in Israel, (c) strengthen the Bedouin community in Israel and

  75W
  (d) provide emergency legal aid for Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli military detention centers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip: and what his Department's involvement was in each project; [165206]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (a) projects to sponsor masters degrees in Human Rights and Democratisation in 2002 in (i) Palestine, (ii) Lebanon, (iii) Malta, (iv) Libya, (v) Egypt, (vi) Algeria, (vii) Tunisia, (viii) Morocco, (ix) Cyprus, (x) Jordan and (xi) Israel and (b) 2002 projects to promote women's rights in (a) Egypt, (b) Jordan, (C) Lebanon, (D) Gaza and (E) the West Bank; and what his Department's involvement was in each project. [165207]

  Mr. Rammell
  Decisions about the individual projects funded by the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights are made by the European Commission and local EC Delegations. They are also responsible for managing and evaluating the projects. The EU Committee on Human Rights and Democracy allocated EU budget resources to projects in third countries and is responsible for evaluating the impact of the fund. The UK is represented on the Committee by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK Permanent Representation to the EU.

  Palestine
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of movement restrictions in the West Bank on the effectiveness of the EU trade agreement with the territories. [161493]

  Mr. MacShane
  Restrictions on freedom of movement have made it more difficult for Palestinians to take advantage of the European Communities/Palestinian Liberation Organisation interim Agreement. This has contributed to a deep economic crisis. According to the World Bank, 60 per cent. of Palestinians live on less than the UN poverty threshold of US$2.10 a day. The Government and EU partners regularly call on both sides to implement their roadmap obligations, including the easing of restrictions on the movement of persons and goods.

  Bali
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities regarding terrorism in Bali. [165335]

  Mr. MacShane
  We are in regular contact with the Indonesian authorities on issues relating to terrorism, including in Bali. Through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund we have provided training in crisis management, aviation security and counter-terrorism legislation. We are also developing a programme of further training for the police. Richard Gozney. then our Ambassador in Jakarta, attended the Bali conference on regional approaches to counter terrorism in February 2004, at which discussions were held further to develop cooperation in counter terrorism. We will continue to work with the Indonesian government against this threat, including through capacity building.

  China
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in persuading the Chinese Government to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [165264]

  Mr. Rammell
  At the most recent round of the UK China Human Rights Dialogue in November 2003, the Chinese delegation said that the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) would be supported by a recently organised inter-ministerial task force.

  I regularly raise ICCPR ratification with Chinese interlocutors and stress that the Government attaches great importance to progress in this area.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter to him of 11 March from Mrs. Pamela Dix, Secretary of UK Families Flight 103, concerning the criminal investigation into the Lockerbie bombing. [164295]

  Mr. MacShane
  My noble Friend Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean replied on 8 April 2004.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 24 February 2004 with regard to Dr. S. Crowshaw. [164935]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied on 29 March.

  Cyprus
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2004,Official Report, columns 900–01W, on Cyprus, for what reasons it was not Government policy that the ending of Turkish occupation of Cyprus territory should be a precondition for the opening of Turkey's EU accession negotiations; and if he will make a statement. [165073]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Copenhagen European Council in 1993 set out the criteria which candidates for EU membership need to satisfy before accession. These demanded that "the candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities, the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union."

  The 2003 Accession Partnership between the EU and Turkey called on Turkey to "strongly support efforts to find a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem through the continuation of the United Nations Secretary General's mission of good offices and of negotiations on the basis of his proposals." This Government welcomes the Turkish Government's commitment to finding a settlement on the basis of the UN proposals.

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his assessment of the implications of the recent attempted coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [165458]

  Mr. Mullin
  The fighting in Kinshasa in the early hours of 28 March is a reminder of the fragility of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the need for the international community to remain engaged. We are urging all the groups that make up the transitional government to continue to work together to make the transition a success.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Falkland Islands 200 mile economic zone. [164188]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Falkland Islands do not have a 200 mile economic zone.

  Beyond the territorial sea of the Falkland Islands there is an interim fishery conservation and management zone, the limits of which are defined in a Proclamation by the Governor of 29 October 1986, and an outer fishery conservation the limits of which are defined in Proclamations of 20 December 1990 and 22 August 1994.

  The Falkland Islands Government have jurisdiction in respect of fisheries, conservation of living resources and the protection and preservation of the marine environment in these zones. The zones are referred to in the written statement which I made on 29 March 2004, Official Report, columns 81–82WS.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there have been recent violations by Argentinian vessels of the Falklands Island 200 mile economic zone. [164265]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer the hon. Member to the written statement that I made on this issue on 29 March 2004, Official Report, columns 81–82W5.

  Iraq
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of levels of(a) discrimination against, (b) rape of and (c) torture of Mandaeans in Iraq. [164028]

  Mr. Rammell
  A small community of around 500 Mandaeans live in Basra, in the UK area of responsibility. They are represented by Sheikh Raad

  UK

  (£)

  Date

  Conference

  Location

  Travel Costs

  Food and Drink

  Accommodation

  Miscellaneous

  4 March, 2003

  Enlargement seminal for parliamentarians

  Locarno suite, FCO

  0

  0

  0

  0

  30 April, 2003

  Seminar with parliamentarians on the future of the Arab world

  Lancaster House

  0

  0

  0

  0

  17 July, 2003

  Seminar on the future of Europe

  Locarno suite, FCO

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12 July, 2003

  Progressive governance conference

  Hilton, Metropole hotel, London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  25 November, 2003

  Address at the IPI'R conference

  Thistle hotel, Victoria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  78W
  Gubashi, a Mandaean member of the Interim Council. The CPA office in Basra has not received evidence of discrimination or ill-treatment against them. If any information could be provided we would be willing to investigate.

  Discrimination against any Iraqi citizen is forbidden by Article 12 of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), which was agreed by the Iraqi Governing Council on 8 March. A copy of the TAL has been placed in the Library of the House. The Coalition is working hard with the Iraqis to strengthen the Iraqi security and judiciary sectors, in order to provide security to all Iraqi citizens and safeguard the rights laid out in the TAL.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has collated on the use by the former regime of Saddam Hussein of coercion to force the medical profession to conduct amputations as a form of punishment. [165254]

  Mr. Rammell
  The practice of the former regime of forcing medical professionals to perform punitive amputations has been well-documented by a number of independent sources including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iraq and by the British Medical Journal. A recent survey of medical professionals carried out in Iraq by Physicians for Human Rights has confirmed the prevalence of such coercion. UK and other Coalition nationals working for the Coalition Provisional Authority Office of Human Rights and Transitional Justice are collecting evidence for possible criminal prosecutions of those who ordered the amputations.

  Ministerial Conferences
  Mr Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many conferences he and his Ministers attended(a) in the UK and (b) abroad in the year to 29 February 2004; and what the cost was of attending these conferences, broken down by (i) travel costs, (ii) food and drink, (iii) accommodation and (iv) miscellaneous costs. [160797]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 16 March 2004]: Since 1999 the Government has published an annual list of all visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The list includes details of my attendance at overseas conferences. The details for the financial year 2003/04 will be published as soon as possible after 31 March 2004. All ministerial travel is undertaken in line with the rules set out in the Ministerial code and Travel by Ministers. During the period 1 March 2003–29 February 2004, I attended the following conference and meetings, including those of UN, EU or NAQTO formations:
  79W

  Overseas

  Date

  Conference

  Location

  20–21 March 2003

  Europe Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  16 April, 2003

  Informal European Council and Signature of the Accession

  Athens, Greece

  17 April, 2003

  European Conference

  Athens. Greece

  2–3 May 2003

  Gymnich (informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers

  Rhodes, Greece

  19 May 2003

  General Affairs and External Relations Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  22–23 May 2003

  G8 Foreign Ministers meeting

  Paris, France

  3 June, 2003

  NATO Foreign Ministers meeting

  Madrid, Spain

  16 June, 2003

  General Affairs and External Relations Council

  Luxembourg

  19–21 June 2003

  European Council and EU/Western Balkans Summit

  Porto Caras, Greece

  21 July, 2003

  General Affairs and External Relations Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  5–6 September 2003

  Gymnich (Informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers)

  Riva del Garda, Italy

  13 September, 2003

  UN "Permanent 5" meeting

  Geneva, Switzerland

  22–25 September 2003

  UNGA (United Nations General Assembly)

  New York, USA

  4 October, 2003

  Intergovernmental conference (IGC)

  Rome, Italy

  13 October, 2003

  General Affairs and External Relations Council

  Luxembourg

  16–17 October 2003

  European Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  27 October, 2003

  ICG Meeting

  Brussels, Belgium

  17–18 November 2003

  General Affairs and External Relations Council and IGC meeting

  Brussels, Belgium

  28–29 November 2003

  Intergovernmental Conference Ministerial Conclave

  Naples, Italy

  8 December, 2003

  General and External Relations Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  12–13 December 2003

  European Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  21 January, 2004

  Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum

  Davos, Switzerland

  26 January, 2004

  General Affairs and External Relations Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  23 February, 2004

  General Affairs and External Relations Council

  Brussels, Belgium

  I have placed the list of conferences or meetings attended by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers during the period 1 March 2003—February 2004 in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Visits
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the ministerial visits from(a) his and (b) other Government Departments to (i) Israel and (ii) the Occupied Territories in each of the past 10 years. [163659]

  Mr. Rammell
  Since 2000, the year in which the second Intifada began, the following ministerial visits have taken place to Israel and the Occupied Territories (OTs):

  Ministerial visit

  2000

  29 February to 1 March

  Peter Mandelson, Minister for Northern Ireland—Israel

  28 to 30 March

  Peter Hain. FCO Minister—Israel and OTs

  24 to 26 June

  David Trimble, Northern Ireland Minister—Israel and OTs

  29 to 31 August

  Peter Hain, FCO Minister—Israel and OTs

  2001

  20 to 22 July

  Bed Bradshaw, FCO Minister—Israel and OTs

  24 September

  Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary—Israel and OTs

  1 November

  Prime Minister—Israel and OTs

  2002

  14 to 17 January

  Bed Bradshaw, FCO Minister—Israel and OTs

  13–14 February

  Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary—Israel and OTs

  3 to 4 July

  Mike O'Brien, FCO Minister—Israel and OTs

  2003

  28 to 31 July

  Hilary Benn. DFID Minister—OTs

  30 September to 1 October

  Baroness Symons, FCO Minister—Israel

  2004

  21 to 23 January

  Baroness Symons, FCO Minister—OTs

  21 to 26 February

  Stephen Twigg, DFES Minister—Israel and OTs

  80W
  Records prior to 2000 are not held centrally and drawing up a comprehensive list dating back to 1994 would incur disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Maajid Nawaz
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 23 March 2004,Official Report, column 750W, on Mr.Maajid Nawaz, what representations the Government has made to the Egyptian Government since the verdict of 25 March 2004 regarding Maajid Nawaz. [164885]

  Mr. Mullin
  Our ambassador in Cairo raised the case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 25 March. I assure the hon. Member that we will continue to make representations, where appropriate, to the Egyptian Government, about any concerns we may have about Maajid Nawaz's case.

  Nigeria
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the fairness of the Nigerian local council elections; and if he will make a statement. [165427]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local government elections took place in Nigeria on 27 March. The elections were another important step towards enhancing democratic accountability in Nigeria. They were, however, long delayed and did not take place in all 36 states. There were consistent reports of polling irregularities, intimidation and violence. We hope that steps will be taken to rectify these incidences of malpractice using the due process of law. We are ready to offer our support to the Nigerian authorities in improving the process.

  North Korea
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent
  81W
  discussions he has had with the Government of North Korea concerning its alleged export of nuclear technology; and if he will make a statement. [165476]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government, at both official and ministerial level, take every opportunity to raise proliferation issues with the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

  The most recent such discussion was during a call on the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell), by Mr Choe Thae Bok, Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, during the latter's visit to the UK in March this year.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the United Kingdom to encourage countries not signed up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to reduce their nuclear arsenal. [165745]

  Mr. MacShane
  The United Kingdom consistently calls on Israel, India and Pakistan to join the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty as non-nuclear weapon states. The complete abandonment and dismantling of any nuclear weapon programmes would be required before their accession to the Treaty.

  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the United Kingdom plans to take over the next 12 months to facilitate global compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. [165746]

  Mr. MacShane
  The United Kingdom continues to stress the utmost importance of compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We will continue to work with our European partners in the framework of the EU Common Position on universality is well as with other countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency to encourage global compliance with the Treaty and the adoption of the Additional Protocol.

  Passports
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many residents in each British Overseas Territory have applied for British passports since the new rules were introduced in May 2002; how many applicants have been successful; and if he will make a statement. [164968]

  Date

  Conference and location

  Travel costs (£)

  Food and drink (£)

  Accommodation (£)

  Miscellaneous (£)

  Michael Williams

  2003

  22–25 September

  United Nations General Assembly (New York)

  3,793.40

  170.00

  937.40

  0

  27 November

  Ditchley Park Seminar

  48.00

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  2004

  20–21 January

  World Economic Forum;Davos)

  RAF flight

  3.30

  Not yet available

  0

  Ed Owen

  19–21 June

  European Council/EU-Western Balkans Summit (Porto Caras, Greece)

  RAF flight

  80

  Not yet available

  0

  29 August

  IGC Meeting (Rome)

  RAF flight

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  82W
  Mr. Mullin
  The number of residents in each British Overseas Territory who have successfully applied for passports as British citizens since May 2002 are as follows:

  Anguilla—3,776

  British Virgin Islands—3,426

  Cayman Islands—2,460

  Falkland Islands—79 (since 2004)

  Gibraltar—2,595

  Montserrat—1,290

  St. Helena—586, and its dependency Ascension Island—435

  Turks and Caicos Islands—304

  Tristan da Cunha—164

  Bermuda—3,709

  Pitcairn—8.

  We do not hold statistics for unsuccessful applications and cannot provide details, though numbers will be low since most applicants produce passports confirming their status as British Overseas Territories citizens.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has given the Secretary of State for Home Affairs in relation to applications for asylum from Saudi members of the Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights resident in the United Kingdom. [164677]

  Mr. Rammell
  All asylum claims are judged on their individual merits. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office answers enquiries from the Home Office case by case.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on peaceful democratic reform in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [164678]

  Mr. Rammell
  We encourage peaceful reform and change in Saudi Arabia.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many special advisers to his Department attended conferences(a) in the UK and (b) abroad in the year to 29 February; and what the cost was of attending these conferences, broken down by (i) travel costs, (ii) food and drink, (iii) accommodation and (iv) miscellaneous costs. [160798]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 17 March 2004]: The two special advisers have attended the following conferences:

  Sudan
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent attempted coup in the Sudan; and what his assessment is of its implications for the future of the Popular Congress Party and its leader Dr Hassan alTurabi. [165457]

  Mr. Mullin
  We understand that the Government of Sudan has arrested a number of military officers as well as officials of the opposition Popular Congress party, including its leader, Dr Hassan al-Turabi. The Government of Sudan has announced that the individuals were planning a coup. It appears that the offices of the Popular Congress Party have been closed.

  Terrorism
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made(a) an assessment of and (b) a response to the recommendations of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference on Anti-terrorism held in Bangladesh in October 2003. [165159]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) held its annual conference in Bangladesh in October 2003. The subjects discussed included anti-terrorism legislation and the action plan developed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Committee on Terrorism, in which the UK plays an active role. Heads of Commonwealth Governments, who met in Nigeria in December 2003, endorsed this plan and recognised the important work the Commonwealth Secretariat is carrying out in assisting member countries to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1373.

  The CPA has not sought a response from my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the report of its conference. We welcome all commitments that contribute to anti-terrorism, including those made by Commonwealth governments and organisations.

  Uganda
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of(a) internally displaced persons in Teso in North East Uganda and (b) the number of internally displaced persons camps in Teso. [165515]

  Mr. Mullin
  The number of internally displaced persons in the Teso region is estimated to be 380.000. We do not have a precise figure for the number of camps as the situation is very fluid.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Israel (Bombings)
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the Government has received results obtained by Israeli scientists on samples removed from the sites of the bombings on 26 July 1994 at the Israeli Embassy and Balfour House; [160930]
  84W
  (2) what forensic reports he has received on (a) the results of tests by Israeli scientists carried out on samples removed from the sites of the bombing of the Israeli Embassy in London on 26 July 1994 and (b) police and forensic reports by scientists on the type and amount of explosive used, and the trigger mechanisms used, in the bombings. [160928]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Scientists from Israel and the Forensic Explosives Laboratory met to discuss findings following their investigations, but reports were not exchanged. The issue of forensics was subsequently covered extensively and in derail at the trial.

  In answer to the most recent previous questions about this issue I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave my hon. Friend, Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 100W, and the answer given to you on 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 431W. I arranged for my officials to place a copy of transcripts of the original trial as are available in the Library. I apologise for the delay, but this is on order and will be available in approximately eight weeks.

  Certain information was not disclosed at the trial or subsequent appeals and cannot now be divulged owing to the Public Interest Immunity certificates granted by the courts.

  "Reducing Crime: Changing Lives"
  Miss McIntosh
  T o ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which bodies his Department consulted prior to the publication of Reducing Crime Changing Lives. [163106]

  Paul Goggins
  Since the review of Correctional Services was announced in the White Paper 'Justice for all' published in July 2002 the Home Secretary has sought and continues to seek views from all stakeholders on a number of issues relating to the effective management of offenders.

  Administrative Officers
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost in salary of employing an administrative officer in his Department for one year at current pay levels was in the last year for which figures are available; and what the equivalent cost of covering an AO post with temporary agency staff was in the same period. [163576]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The average salary costs of employing an Administrative Officer for one year at current pay levels is £18,234, including employers National Insurance contributions and superannuation costs. The typical cost of covering an AO post with temporary agency staff equates to an annual cost of £14,208.

  Animal Testing
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animal experiments were conducted in connection with(a) household cleaning products and (b) ingredients used in household cleaning products in each year since 1997: and if he will make a statement. [165436]
  85W
  Caroline Flint
  (a) In the statistics which are collected and published by the Home Office it is not possible to identify household cleaning products separately from other products which are used in the household. The numbers of procedures for testing the safety of such products, in each year since 1997, are shown in table 25 of 'Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain', 2002, a copy of which is in the Library.

  For ease of reference the numbers of procedures for safety testing of substances used in the household are shown in the table.

  Scientific procedures on living animals for the purpose of safety testing products fir use ill the household, 1997–2002 Great Britain

  Number of procedures

  1997

  2,026

  1998

  1,477

  1999

  341

  2000

  1,242

  2001

  590

  2002

  1,032

  (b) It is not possible to identify procedures performed for the safety testing of ingredients used in household cleaning products since these substances are likely to have other uses and the procedures will be reported under the category which is most relevant to the likely use of, and exposure to, the substance in question.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of the LD50 test on animals for the testing of pharmaceuticals in the UK. [165449]

  Caroline Flint
  Guidance produced by the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for the registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) does not recommend LD50 tests on animals, and the Home Office does not license LD50 tests for such agents.

  Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources have been made available to the police to meet their additional responsibilities under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 in(a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004. [162623]

  Ms Blears
  This information is not available in the form requested. However the Government grant to support overall police spending will be almost £10.1 billion in 2004–05 which represents an increase of £2.3 billion or a 30 per cent. increase since 2000–01. This provides for a record number of police officers with officer numbers at 138,155 in December 2003—an increase of 5,887 since December 2002.

  Within this overall grant we have provided substantial additional funding to the Police Service in England and Wales to enable them to respond to the increased threat from international terrorism since September 2001:

  £ million

  2002–03

  63

  2003–04

  59

  2004–05

  84

  86W
  The figure for 2004–05 includes an additional £15 million of funding for Police Special Branches which was announced on 19 March.

  ASBOs
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many breaches of anti-social behaviour orders were subject to court enforcement in Langbaurgh police basic command unit in 2003; [164447]

  (2) how many people were made the subject of antisocial behaviour orders in Langbaurgh police basic command unit in 2003. [164448]

  Ms Blears
  The Home Office has not received any notification of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued, from 1 January 2003 up to 30 September 2003 (latest available), within the unitary authority area of Redcar and Cleveland, which is covered by the Langbaurgh police district.

  Breach data for 2003 will be available in the autumn. Data on breaches of ASBOs successfully prosecuted are currently available for the period 1 June 2000 up to 31 December 2002. During this period in the Cleveland Magistrates Courts Committee (MCC) area, in which the local government area of Redcar and Cleveland is located, the total number of breaches successfully prosecuted is seven.

  Aspect Court
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when since 1 January 2003 he(a) visited Aspect Court and (b) met officials from Aspect Court. [161128]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I have not visited Aspect Court since 1 January 2003. Neither have I, to the best of my knowledge, met with any officials from Aspect Court. Senior Immigration and Nationality Directorate officials do, of course, have regular meetings with staff from Aspect Court.

  I did, however, open nearby Foundry House in November 2002 and met with a number of officials on that occasion.

  Asylum Appeals
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much time is given to applicants for political asylum to prepare their appeal after the receipt of a letter of refusal from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and if he will make a statement. [164213]

  Mr. Browne
  If an applicant for asylum is refused the time limits for lodging appeals are contained in the Immigration and Asylum Appeals (Procedure) Rules 2003 and the Immigration and Asylum Appeals (Fast Track Procedure) Rules 2003. These time limits do not start to run until the decision from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) has been served in accordance with the Immigration (Notices) Regulations 2003. Under these Regulations, if notice is given to the applicant's representatives, it is taken to have been given to the applicant. A summary of these limits is set out as follows.
  87W
  If the asylum claim is certified by the Secretary of State as clearly unfounded within the meaning of section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, the applicant may not bring an appeal while still in the United Kingdom. He or she may appeal from outside the United Kingdom, and has 28 days from his or her departure from the UK to lodge their appeal.

  If the claim is not certified as clearly unfounded, the time limits to give notice of appeal are as follows:

  if the person is in the United Kingdom and is in detention under the Immigration Acts, he or she has five days to give notice of appeal;

  if the person is in the United Kingdom, but not in detention, he or she has 10 days to give notice of appeal;

  if the person is subject to the Fast Track process, he or she has two days to give notice of the appeal.

  The notice of appeal is lodged with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

  The time limits relate to lodging the notice of appeal. The time the person has to prepare for the actual appeal hearing will depend on when the Immigration Appellate Authority receives the appeal and lists it for hearing.

  The relevant procedural rules also make provision for cases where the notice of appeal is given outside the applicable time limit.

  Asylum Applications (Burmese)
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum from Burmese people were(a) received and (b) refused in 2002–03. [164451]

  Mr. Browne
  The number of Burmese nationals (excluding dependants) claiming asylum and initial decisions on asylum applications for 2002–03 are shown in the table. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period. 75 per cent. of initial decisions made in 2002–03 on applications from Burmese nationals were refusals.

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2 on applications, April 2002 to March 2003, nationals of Burma

  Burma (Myanmar)—April 2002 to March 2003

  Number

  Applications

  Total

  85

  Port

  15

  In country

  70

  Decisions

  Total decisions

  85

  Grants of asylum

  20

  Grants of ELR

  *

  Total refusals3

  65

  1Provisional figures rounded to nearest five, with * = one or two.

  2Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

  3May include some refusals under non compliance grounds.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Burmese failed asylum seekers were deported to Burma in the year 2002–03. [164452]
  88W
  Mr. Browne
  Estimates of the number of Burmese nationals who had sought asylum at some stage and who were removed from the UK in the financial year 2002–03 are shown in the table. These figures include persons departing `voluntarily' after the initiation of enforcement action against them, removals to a safe third country and persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Returns Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration.

  Removals and voluntary1 departures of principal asylum applicants (excluding dependants): April2002 to March 20032,3,4

  April2002 to March 2003

  Burma (Myanmar)

  5

  1Including persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them.

  2May include removals to a safe third country.

  3Data are estimated due to data quality issues on the IND databases.

  4Provisional figures.

  Note:

  Data are rounded to nearest five.

  Information on the destination of these removals and whether they were forcibly removed or departed voluntarily is not available, except by examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

  All asylum (and human rights) claims made by Burmese nationals are considered on their individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Should a claim be refused and am' appeal before the independent Immigration Appellate Authority be unsuccessful, it means that for that individual it is safe to return.

  In making decisions about removing failed asylum seekers, the Home Office takes full account of up to date information from a wide range of sources about the situation in the country of origin. These sources include intergovernmental organisations (such as the UN), governmental sources (including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and human rights organisations (for example Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch).

  If an individual asylum seeker establishes a need for international protection they would not be returned.

  Asylum Removals
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons applicants for asylum who were unsuccessful in 2003 were not removed. [164165]

  Mr. Browne
  There are a number of reasons to explain why some people whose asylum applications were unsuccessful in 2003 have not yet been removed. The removal of a person is complex and several factors have to be taken into account before we are able to effect removal. These factors include assessing the various factors relating to an individual's removal and overcoming various barriers to removal, such as documentation issues and a lack of co-operation from receiving countries.
  89W
  Every effort is made to remove people as quickly as possible after refusal or the exhaustion of appeal rights. And we are taking action to overcome these obstacles. We have negotiated four new returns agreements in the last seven months, and are progressively extending biometrics in visas for countries where we know there is a problem. In the Asylum and Immigration Bill We are proposing penalties of up to two years for those who destroy their documents or won't cooperate with redocumentation, simplifying the appeals process to stop people lodging multiple appeals to frustrate removal, and encouraging voluntary removal by ending benefits for those whose claims have failed.

  We are also expanding detention space available and increasing investment in the enforcement capability of the Immigration Service with sta. Ting increased from 1,677 in April 2002 to 2,463 in November 2003. We remain committed to making every effort remove and detect those people who have no right to be here.

  Asylum Seekers (Children)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the past 12 months unaccompanied child asylum seekers have been detained; and what the average length of time of detention is. [164332]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children detained over the last 12 months is not available

  Unaccompanied minors are not normally detained and would only be so in exceptional circumstances, and then only overnight, where this was considered necessary for the safety and security of the minor while alternative care arrangements were made.

  Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website on 25 May. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Bail Hostels (Peterborough)
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the nine sex offenders until recently housed at the Peterborough bail hostel next to St. George's School have been removed; and if he will give an undertaking that they will not be returned there. [165189]

  Paul Goggins
  Admissions to, and discharges from, all approved premises including at Peterborough occur on a regular basis and for a variety of reasons. I am unable to give personal details about any individual, current or past residents. Approved premises play a key role in the Government's strategy for supporting offenders after release from prison and ensuring effective public protection.

  Boarding Schools
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many boarding schools with charitable status the Charity Commissioners have inspected in each of the last six financial years; and if he will estimate the cost; [164260]
  90W
  (2) in how many boarding schools the Charity Commissioners have identified significant defects in each of the last six financial years. [164261]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  These are matters for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Chief Charity Commissioner will write to the right hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  BRACE
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the policy known as BRACE was introduced; [161130]

  (2) when Ministers authorised the treatment of work permit applications under BRACE; [161131]

  (3) to which categories of entry applicants BRACE originally applied; and when it was extended to applicants under European Community Association agreements. [161132]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 12 March 2004]: BRACE was applied to backlogs of general casework applications submitted by people who were already in the United Kingdom and who had already been pre-cleared at a visa issuing office overseas or examined by an immigration officer at port. These would have included backlogs of in-country applications under the European Community Association Agreements. BRACE did not extend to work permit applications. As regards the date of introduction and the authorisation of the guidance, I refer the right hon. Member to the note entitled "Summary of longstanding practice in Managing Longstanding Immigration Backlogs" placed in the Library on 29 March.

  Carter Review
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date Patrick Carter was commissioned to undertake the review of the correctional service. [164496]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 30 March 2004] Patrick Carter was commissioned to undertake the review of Correctional Services on 17 March 2003.

  Communications Directorate
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff the Communications Directorate of the Home Office had in each year from 1997–98 to 2005–06 (planned); what the running costs were in each year; and if he will make a statement. [156706]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The purpose of the Communication Directorate (CD) is to take a strategic overview of Home Office communication activity. This entails managing a wide range of communication roles from the strategic level to front line delivery; also included is management of the Direct Communications unit, which is responsible for answering all public and ministerial inquiries by telephone, mail and email.
  91W

  CD unit organisation and staffing at 1 March 2004

  Number

  Directors office

  2

  Direct communications

  88

  Marketing and strategic communications

  55

  Information services

  38

  Internal communications

  23

  Press office

  51

  Total

  257

  The requested breakdown of expenditure is as follows:

  Staff numbers

  Communication directorate running costs (£)

  1997–98

  88

  4,102,943

  1998–99

  92

  3,960,185

  1999–2000

  90

  5,580,806

  2000–01

  117

  7,699,620

  2001–02

  153

  9,242,712

  2002–03

  226.5

  9,086,614

  2003–04

  260

  11,682,504

  2004–05

  1260

  111,098,376

  2005–06

  1260

  111,098,376

  1Provisional figures.

  Direct Communications Unit has absorbed functions from other parts of the Home Office, including telephones, front of house, ministerial correspondence and public inquiries.

  A review of the press office in 2000 agreed an expansion to meet the growing demands of a 24 hour 365 day media. At the same time there was development of the Home Office Internet site and the internal Intranet to communicate with 18,000 staff who have access. The function of internal communications did not exist pre 1999.

  Coroners
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether coroners have the power to delay the release of bodies because no funeral arrangements have been made. [159970]

  Paul Goggins
  Coroners are not empowered to delay releasing the body of a deceased person solely because no funeral arrangements have been made. However, if the persons to whom the body should be released cannot agree on the mode of disposal or who should arrange the funeral the coroner will be entitled to retain the body pending resolution of the dispute.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Torbay on 29 August 2003 with regard to Mr. Wyman of Preston Down Road, Paignton. [164039]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 26 March 2004]: I wrote to the hon. Member on 7 April 2004.

  CPS
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with 92W
  the Attorney General about the renaming of the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement. [159299]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Home Secretary and the Attorney General have regular meetings to discuss joint policy matters.

  The idea of renaming the Crown Prosecution Service was initially put forward by the Attorney General last year.

  Criminal Record Checks
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for criminal records checks have been outstanding for more than three weeks, broken down by sector. [163336]

  Ms Blears
  As at 29 February 2004, there are 30,933 applications that are over three weeks old and are currently being processed by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This represents approximately four days' work for the Bureau. Approximately 60,000 other applications are over three weeks old and with the customer. This figure is not included in the total because the Bureau is unable to process these applications on the basis that it is awaiting further information from the applicant. In many cases, the Bureau will not receive information from the applicant and the application is suspended, pending withdrawal.

  Information is not available to provide the breakdown by sector sought by the hon Member for Winchester. Disclosure applications are processed in the order in which they are received and no sector is given priority over any other. The CRB computer system was not designed to capture information in the format requested, because there was no anticipated need to do so. Although the business sector of the Registered Body that countersigns the application is recorded on receipt, this is to enable the Bureau to undertake trend analysis. Any conclusions based on this would not be expected to provide the hon. Member for Winchester with the information he seeks, because it would not evaluate the performance of one sector against another during processing.

  Overall, the Criminal Records Bureau has been achieving and in some cases exceeding its public service standards since last June. The Agency is issuing 83.76 per cent. of all Disclosures within three weeks and 91–92 per cent. within public service standards.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions applicant details supplied by the Criminal Records Bureau to the police have led to conviction details being matched mistakenly with an applicant. [163337]

  Ms Blears
  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) does not provide applicant details to the police during the matching process and the answer to the hon. Member for Winchester's question is none. The Bureau uses an extract of the Police National Computer (PNC) to compare the personal details that have been provided by the applicant against existing PNC records. From 1 January 2003 to 29 February 2004, the CRB has matched 193 Disclosure applicants to conviction information held on PNC, which have subsequently
  93W
  been found to be incorrect. The total number of applications processed by CRB curing the same period is 2.66 million.

  In some circumstances, applicants' details are similar and sometimes identical to people who have a criminal record. There are cases where an individual has given an applicant's personal details to police following criminal activity in an effort to avoid having a police record. The Disclosure itself informs applicants of a process whereby they can challenge or "dispute" the information presented on their Disclosure. The CRB will then liaise with the police to ensure the correct details are recorded. In some circumstances, where it is impossible to dissociate a person from a conviction record, the applicant is asked to undergo fingerprinting for elimination purposes.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for(a) standard disclosures and (b) enhanced disclosures are currently unissued six weeks after the original application; and what the reasons are for delays; [163904]

  (2) what the latest performance figures are for the Criminal Records Bureau with regard to applications for (a) standard disclosures and (b) enhanced disclosures. [163905]

  Ms Blears
  As at 20 March 2004, the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has a total of 1,196 applications awaiting completion after six weeks. I am unable to provide a breakdown by Disclosure type as requested because the information is not available from the CRB systems.

  The performance figures for February 2004 are as follows:

  205,000 Disclosures have been issued during the month;

  90 per cent. of Standard Disclosures were issued within two weeks;

  90 per cent. of enhanced Disclosures were issued within four weeks;

  Over 3.4 million Disclosures have now been issued since the start of the service.

  Each application that is received by the CRB is progressed individually through the system and delays can occur at any point in the process. The CRB does not record centrally the reasons why individual applications have been delayed and to provide the hon. Member with the information as requested, would require a manual inspection of each of the 1,196 applications. However, the most common causes for an application being delayed are:

  Applications delayed due to a high volume of cases awaiting checks at Local Police Forces.

  Applications involving complex casework and checks from numerous Police Forces;

  Application forms being submitted to the CRB containing incomplete or inconsistent information;

  Applications stalling within the CR B automated systems due to technical errors.

  Deed Poll Name Changes
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to ensure that,94W
  when an individual changes his or her name by deed poll, the individual's original name is retained in criminal records data; and if he will make a statement. [146231]

  Ms Blears
  Details of convictions for recordable offences are recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC).

  Criminal records on PNC are retained under the name by which they were first entered on the system, together with information about other names which the subject of a record is known to use or to have used.

  Drug Testing
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his statement of 14 January 2004,Official Report, column 277WH, on drug testing, what plans he has to market the national workplace initiative; and what budget has been set aside for the campaign. [161180]

  Caroline Flint
  Marketing the National Workplace Initiative has been a priority for the last six months within phase 2 (September 2003 to March 2004) of the workplace initiative. Phase 2 has focused on providing key business tools to help employers develop robust drug and alcohol workplace policies based on best practice, and to raise awareness on substance misuse. The key tools have been employer guidelines, employee leaflets and providing marketing and substance misuse training to DAT nominated business trainers to enhance the way they engage with businesses. Other marketing tools include rolling out the West Sussex DAT 'E-online training tool' as a National Initiative and creating a business focused website at www.businessengagement.com. Overall these marketing initiatives will lead to greater awareness of the National Workplace Initiative and will encourage more employers to write a workplace policy. The budget set aside for marketing was £100,000 and this has covered all the printing and production costs of 15,000 employer guidelines, plus the costs of building a website and rolling out the West Sussex DAT training tool.

  Electoral Fraud
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there were for electoral fraud in each year since 1994. [165100]

  Paul Goggins
  The information collected centrally by the Home Office is limited to various fraud-related offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983 and is shown in the table. Similar offences, under other fraud and forgery provisions, cannot be separately identified.

  Persons1 proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts of various fraud related offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983, England and Wales 1994 to 2002

  Tampering with nomination and ballot papers etc., making false declarations as to election expenses, bribery, treating, undue influence and personation offences

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  1994

  1

  2

  1995

  12

  14

  1996

  —

  —

  1997

  9

  5

  95W

  Persons1 proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts of various fraud related offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983, England and Wales 1994 to 2002

  Tampering with nomination and ballot papers etc., making false declarations as to election expenses, bribery, treating, undue influence and personation offences

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  1998

  7

  6

  1999

  3

  5

  20002

  2

  1

  2001

  16

  10

  2002

  1

  1

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis.

  2Excluding any cases in Staffordshire.

  Statistics for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  European Community Action Programme
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much each body funded under the European Community Action Programme received in grants in each of the last five years; how much was received by branches of each body in the UK in each year; and on what criteria decisions on making grants are based. [161396]

  Caroline Flint
  [holding answer 17 March 2004]: This is not a question any Government Department can answer fully at this time.

  Unfortunately, the Commission will not undertake an evaluation of the programme up until the end of 2003, as this was not built into the funding until now. It was impractical to carry out an evaluation because this was Commission funding, which member states have no involvement in or oversight of and the information needed to carry out such an evaluation is unavailable.

  A list of bodies that received past funding from the programme and the amounts these bodies received are in the letter of 3 March from myself to the Chairman of European Scrutiny Committee and attached spreadsheet which has been placed in the Library.

  There will be a full evaluation of the grants starting in 2004.

  The grant process and criteria for decision making are described in the proposal for the establishment of the European Community Action Programme which has been placed in the Library.

  Focus Groups/Polls
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of total expenditure by his Department on(a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year from 1995–96 to 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [162751]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  Detailed information in the form requested is not held centrally in the finance system of the Core Home Office. It could be provided only at a disproportion cost.

  The Home Office is committed to obtaining best value for money and wants to hear what people have to say about new policies and ideas. Contracts for research through focus groups and opinions polls are let in accordance with agreed procurement procedures.
  96W
  The Home Office makes extensive use of research to inform the development, delivery and evaluation of policy.

  Girl Prisoners
  Claire Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many girls aged(a) 15 years, (b) 16 years and (c) 17 years are being held in prison.[163038]

  Paul Goggins
  On 31 January 2004 there were no girls aged 15 or 16 years and 55 girls aged 17 years being held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.

  Guilty Pleas
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring section 144 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 into force as a matter of urgency. [162984]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 23 March 2004]: Section 144, which provides for timely guilty pleas to be recognised by a reduction in sentence, re-enacts section 152 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, which was itself a re-enactment of section 48 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. No date has yet been set for section 144 to be brought into force.

  On a related subject, Sir Robin Auld recommended that there should be a clearer tariff of discounts for early guilty please, backed up by a system of advance indication of likely sentence. The tariff question is being taken forward by the Sentencing Advisory Panel, which issued a consultation paper last year, and sentence indication will be dealt with non-legislatively.

  Home Detention Curfews
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether risk of re-offending is a criterion for not granting release under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme. [165188]

  Paul Goggins
  Yes. Prisoners must not be released on Home Detention Curfew (HDC) if there is a pattern of offending which indicates a likelihood of re-offending during the HDC period.

  Howard League
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the benefits to the Prison Service are of its joint project with the Howard League. [164351]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prison Service supports the Howard League's proposal to open a printing workshop at HMP the Mount. If the plan is successful the workshop will be self-financing and employ up to 11 prisoners on the minimum wage.

  The workshop will benefit the Prison Service in helping develop the resettlement agenda; provide constructive activity for prisoners; and, provide an excellent opportunity to combine voluntary sector ideals with production workshop activity.

  Illegal Immigration
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are on duty on a full-time basis to stop and search vehicles for suspected illegal immigrants at the port of Immingham. [162824]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 23 March 2004]: There are no dedicated Immigration Service staff on full-time duty at the port of Immingham. Staff from Humberside International Airport and Hull port attend incidents at Immingham port as required.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants through the port of Immingham. [162825]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 23 March 2004]: The United Kingdom Immigration Service is working in close co-operation with both Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and Humberside Police to combat illegal immigration through Immingham docks. The Immigration Service's Mobile Freight Search Team (MFST) is regularly deployed at Immingham when intelligence analysis suggests than this is necessary.

  Such operations are undertaken by a team of four or five immigration officers from the MFST who are specialists in freight search techniques and who are assisted by one or more Humberside officers who have local intelligence and operational knowledge. MFST and Humberside immigration staff continue to work closely with Immingham carriers to improve checking systems in Belgium and Holland and so reduce the risk of the port being targeted by potential illegal immigrants. The programme to install freight screening and detection equipment overseas provides for deployment at feeder ports serving UK Channel and North Sea ports including Immingham.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted for employing illegal immigrants in each year since 1997. [163140]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the number employers in the UK who were prosecuted for employing illegal immigrants is not available and therefore information on the numbers of these employers successfully prosecuted is not available.

  However, information on persons proceeded against for employing a person subject to immigration control is shown in the table.

  Number of persons proceeded against and those found guilty of offences under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, England and Wales 1997 to 2002

  Offence description/Statute

  1Person proceeded against

  Number of offences involved

  2Persons found guilty

  Employing a person subject to immigration control/Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 section 8

  19973

  —

  —

  —

  19983

  1

  1

  1

  19993

  4

  23

  1

  20003

  10

  32

  4

  20013

  5

  65

  1

  2002

  2

  22

  1

  98W

  1Principal immigration offence basis.

  2Indicates that a substantive penalty has been imposed on a non-immigration offence dealt with at the same time.

  3Data have been revised since they were published in the command paper Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2001.

  Information on those people proceeded against under the Immigration Acts between 1997 and 2002 was published on 27 November 2003 in the command paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2002" (Cm 6053), a copy of which can be found in the Library of the House. Comparable statistics for 2003 will be published later this year in the command paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2003".

  The government is taking action to tackle the employment of illegal workers. It has increased the number of enforcement operations, enhanced powers for immigration officers and expanded opportunities for people to work legally in the UK, paying taxes and contributing.

  But business must also play its part in tackling this problem—by making rigorous checks on the documentation of potential employees, and these changes to the Section 8 regulations will make it easier for business to comply.

  Most employers want to comply with the law, but in order to deter to those who may not, we are currently considering raising the penalty that complicit employers may face.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the results from the research into data collection methods for assessing the size of the UK's illegal population will be available. [164333]

  Mr. Browne
  The research commissioned is a review of the methods used in other countries to estimate their illegally resident populations. It is not restricted to data collection methods but also encompasses a review of data sources, an explanation and appraisal of the methods of calculation of estimates, and an appraisal of the applicability of these methods for use in the UK.

  This work is still on-going. Data sources and availability are currently being investigated in the light of one of the possible methods the review is uncovering.

  It is therefore not possible at this stage to estimate when this work will be completed though we will aim to publish the results as soon as practicable.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the number of failed asylum seekers remaining in the UK. [164334]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the total number of failed asylum seekers currently in the UK is not available. Some applicants may leave the United Kingdom without informing the Immigration Service.

  The Government have commissioned research into the methods used in other countries to estimate the overall size of the illegal population including failed asylum seeker, in order to define methods appropriate for the UK.
  99W
  The work required is challenging because, by definition, illegal migrants fall outside of official statistics and are therefore difficult to measure. People illegally present in the UK are also motivated to ensure they remain hidden, which is a challenge to conducting research.

  IND Correspondence
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will re-send correspondence relating to case T27 1597 that was sent, and returned, on 5 March. [164212]

  Mr. Browne
  In relation to case T27 1597, a decision notice was sent to the applicant's last notified representatives by recorded delivery on 4 March 2004. On 12 March, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate was advised that the representatives no longer represented the applicant and they would return the notice and related documents. By 26 March, the original notice not having been returned, a further decision notice was sent recorded delivery to the applicant at her home address.

  Juveniles
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children with an open F2052SH have been placed in(a) segregation and (b) special cells in each juvenile prison in the last five years. [165401]

  Paul Goggins
  This information is not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many adjudications involving juvenile girls in Bullwood Hall prison in each month since January 2003 have found them guilty of a misdemeanour. [165402]

  Paul Goggins
  The information is set out in the table.

  Month

  Number

  2003

  January

  9

  February

  44

  March

  24

  April

  17

  May

  25

  June

  24

  July

  17

  August

  21

  September

  34

  October

  35

  November

  16

  December

  9

  2004

  January

  14

  February

  7

  March

  11

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile girls in Bullwood Hall prison have been adjudicated on for incidents of violence in each month since January 2002. [165403]

  Paul Goggins
  The information is given in the table.100W

  Number

  2002

  January

  5

  February

  4

  March

  4

  April

  0

  May

  3

  June

  7

  July

  2

  August

  0

  September

  2

  October

  7

  November

  0

  December

  1

  2003

  January

  1

  February

  2

  March

  10

  April

  0

  May

  9

  June

  8

  July

  2

  August

  6

  September

  8

  October

  1

  November

  2

  December

  1

  2004

  January

  4

  February

  4

  March

  5

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile girls and women prisoners have had their babies taken from them at birth in each of the last five years. [165405]

  Paul Goggins
  The decision on whether it is necessary to take a baby away from its mother at birth is made by Social Services in the light of their assessment of what is in the best interest of the child.

  The Prison Service does not keep statistics on these decisions.

  Kurdish Asylum Seekers
  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the treatment of Kurdish asylum seekers returned to Iran. [163131]

  Mr. Browne
  If an individual is unsuccessful in his application and in any appeal they make to the independent Immigration Appellate Authority we consider that it is safe for that individual to be removed to Iran.

  In considering claims the Home Office takes full account of up to date information from a wide range of sources about the situation in the country of origin. These sources include intergovernmental organisations (such as the UN), governmental sources (including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and human rights organisations (for example Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch).

  Life Tariffs
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in England and Wales were(a) serving a natural life tariff and (b) designated not for release in each of the last 10 years. [163280]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of prisoners in England and Wales who were serving a whole life tariff in each of the last 10 years is given as follows:

  Number of persons serving a whole life:

  1994–31

  1995–32

  1996–32

  1997–31

  1998–23

  1999–23

  2000–23

  2001–22

  2002–22

  2003–21

  2004–20

  The number of determinate cases considered by the Parole Board and the number re commended for parole is given in table 10.1 of the publication 'Prison Statistics England and Wales', a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Maxine Carr
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contacts have been allowed between Maxine Carr and representatives of the media while she is in prison. [155865]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 23 February 2004]: It is not Prison Service policy to comment publicly on individual prisoners. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Ministerial Speeches
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many speeches he made between 9 June 2003 and 1 February 2004; and where a copy of each speech can be obtained. [156146]

  Mr. Blunkett
  During the period 9 June 2003 and 1 February 2004, I made 16 keynote speeches outside Parliament and various other informal speeches. Copies of some speeches are published on the Home Office web site http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/inside/speeches/index/html and all parliamentary speeches are available in Hansard.

  In addition, speeches are occasionally published in pamphlet form such as 'Civil Renewal: A New Agenda' based on The CSV Edith Kahn Memorial Lecture, I delivered on 11 June 2003 and 'Active Citizens, Strong Communities: Progressing Civil Renewal' based on the Scarman Lecture I delivered at the Citizens' Convention on 11 December 2003.

  National Identity Register
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent so far on the development of the National Identity Register. [163329]

  Mr. Browne
  No funds have been spent so far on the development of the National Identity Register.

  National Offender Management Service
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings he and his officials have held with private sector prison operating companies regarding the new National Offender Management Service(a) prior to the publication of and (b) since the publication of "Reducing Crime—Changing Lives". [163939]

  Paul Goggins
  Home Office officials meet regularly with the operators of the contracted prisons at operational and senior management level, both individually and as a group. Progress with the Review of Correctional Services, and subsequently the Government's proposals set out in "Reducing Crime—Changing Lives", have been discussed at a number of these meetings. I met informally with senior directors from the four companies concerned on 23 March and was interested to hear their views on how they might help to deliver better outcomes for offenders and reduced re-offending.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service and his implementation team will be in a position to submit a full report regarding its funding requirements up to 2007–08 for the 2004 spending review. [163941]

  Paul Goggins
  The funding requirements for the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) up to 2007–08 will be set out as part of the Home Office Spending Review 2004 proposal. The NOMS implementation team has been closely involved in developing a full supporting analysis of those requirements.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Prison Service Pay Review Body will continue to set rates of pay for the staff currently within its remit under the National Offender Management Service. [163986]

  Paul Goggins
  There are no immediate plans to alter the position of the Prison Service Pay Review Body, but terms and conditions for National Offender Management Service staff will be considered as part of the transition process.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effect of the creation of the National Offender Management Service upon the size of the prison population over the next five years. [160898]

  Paul Goggins
  By 2009, as a result of the National Offender Management Reforms and other measures, the intention is that prison population should match
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  prison capacity and remain at a figure of less than 80,000. The population may increase in the intervening period.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received to the consultation on the setting up of the National Offender Management Service. [162817]

  Paul Goggins
  As of 26 March 2004 the Home Office has received 262 responses to the proposals in 'Reducing Crime—Changing Lives'. The National Offender Management Service Implementation Team is currently analysing the responses, which will inform the process of implementation.

  Mr. David Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with(a) the Association of Chief Police Officers, (b) the NHS, (c) local authorities and (d) the Local Government Association on the setting up of the National Offender Management Service. [162818]

  Paul Goggins
  We are working closely with a range of organisations on the implementation of the National Offender Management Service. The implementation team has already held initial discussions with the Department of Health and the Local Government Association and will continue to discuss NOMS with all key stakeholders.

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Patrick Carter received advice from accountancy firms in preparing his report on managing offenders. [162842]

  Paul Goggins
  I understand that the team based in the Cabinet Office, who conducted the independent review of correctional services led by Patrick Carter, sought expertise from a range of sources, including commissioning one piece of work from external consultants.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the business case for the introduction of the National Offender Management Service.[163023]

  Paul Goggins
  We have already published Patrick Carter's independent report "Managing Offenders—Reducing Crime", which sets out the case for a National Offender Management Service, and the Government's response "Reducing crime—Changing Lives" which accepts that case. A separate business case for the National Offender Management Service is currently being prepared.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors were taken into account when formulating the timetable for the introduction of the National Offender Management Service. [163024]

  Paul Goggins
  The formation of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is a key part of the Government's public sector reform programme. It will make a substantial contribution to reducing reoffending and overall levels of crime. We aim to achieve these benefits as quickly as possible and will 104W
  formally launch NOMS on 1 June. Full implementation will continue over several years under the direction of the NOMS Board.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there will be a Gateway Review during the development of the National Offender Management Service. [163025]

  Paul Goggins
  A Gateway Review process will be carried out during the implementation of the National Offender Management Service.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons there was no three month consultation period prior to the announcement of plans to introduce the National Offender Management Service. [163026]

  Paul Goggins
  The Government published its proposals for the reform of correctional services in its paper Reducing Crime—Changes Lives. In that paper the Home Secretary set out the initial views of the Government to Patrick Carter's Report and sought the views of stakeholders on a number of issues.

  The reform of correctional services and the creation of the National Offender Management Service is a significant undertaking. There is no suggestion that the entire reform will be carried out after a single consultation exercise. The questions for stakeholders posed in Reducing Crimes—Changing Lives represents the start of a consultation process. I have already undertaken to ensure that consultation is ongoing with staff and stakeholders over the period of up to five years that we expect the full roll out of the new service to take.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact the National Offender Management Service is likely to have on cooperation between the prison and probation services. [163028]

  Paul Goggins
  The government recognises the progress made in the development of joint working between the prison and probation services. But, as Patrick Carter's review of Correctional Services makes clear there are still gaps in the service through which offenders can fall back into crime. The creation of the National Offender Management Service, joining the two services together, will provide a seamless, more effective service with a clear remit to reduce re-offending.

  Miss McIntosh
  To Ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the creation of the National Offender Management Service en the employment status of staff; and what steps his Department has taken to inform staff of proposed changes. [163109]

  Paul Goggins
  The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) implementation team will work closely with staff and unions to get the structure of NOMS right. Assessments arc being made on changes to staff numbers, terms of sere ice and work locations. Staff are being kept updated of developments with regular newsletters and there will be full consultation on any proposed changes to the employment status of staff.

  Naturalisation Applications
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current estimated time for processing a naturalisation application is. [164271]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 29 March 2004]At the end of December 2003 the average waiting time for naturalisation applications was 5.45 months.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date those who participated in the first British citizenship naturalisation ceremony made their applications for naturalisation; and how long processing took. [164272]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 29 March 2004]: All those who participated in the first ceremony applied from various dates after 1 January 2004 and their applications were decided in for the ceremony on 26 February 2004.

  Offender Statistics/Supervision
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men aged over 65 years and (b) women aged over 60 years are in prison (i) on remand and (ii) after sentence.[165389]

  Paul Goggins
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Prison population by age and type of custody, 31 January 2004

  Remand

  Sentenced

  Men aged 65 and over

  53

  712

  Women aged 60 and over

  5

  21

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether information on those deemed high or very high risk, who are covered by multi-agency public protection panels, is routinely passed on by mental health authorities. [165185]

  Paul Goggins
  The multi-agency public protection arrangements (the MAPPA), have helped promote the sharing of information between health professionals, police and probation. To strengthen these arrangements, and to ensure that appropriate information sharing takes place, a duty to co-operate with tie MAPPA authorities has been placed on various health bodies including mental health trusts.

  Open Prisons
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the prisoners held in(a) Sudbury open prison and (b) other open prisons in (i) 2002-03 and (ii) 2003-04 were originally classified as (a) Category A, (b) Category B, (C) Category C and (D) Category D prisoners. [148876]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of prisoners in(a) Sudbury and (b) other adult male open prisons at 30 June 2002 and 2003, by their original classification on entry into the prison estate, is given in the table.
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  Population at 30 June

  Sudbury open prison

  Other adult male open prisons

  2002

  2003

  2002

  2003

  A

  12

  9

  44

  51

  B

  118

  136

  424

  482

  C

  269

  278

  1.15

  1.59

  D

  48

  33

  1.31

  1.21

  Paedophilia
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women are serving sentences for paedophilia convictions. [164044]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 26 March 2004]Child sex offenders can be included in a number of different Prison Service offence codes. The Prison Service does not have a specific offence code to cover paedophiles, and hence information on the number of persons who are serving sentences having been convicted of child sex offences is unavailable.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women of Afro-Caribbean origin are in jail for paedophilia. [164045]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 26 March 2004]: Child sex offenders can be included in a number of different Prison Service offence codes. The Prison Service does not have a specific offence code to cover paedophiles, and hence information on the number of persons who are serving sentences having been convicted of child sex offences is unavailable.

  Parental Imprisonment
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts his Department is making to reduce the impact of parental imprisonment on children aged under 16 years. [165138]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: The Prison Service recognises that the imprisonment of a parent can have a significant impact on their children. The training programme for new prison officers includes a module to raise awareness of the needs of such children. The Prison Service is also developing a pilot partnership programme with the Lankelly Foundation and the Ormiston Children and Families Trust, to offer a comprehensive package of services and support to the families of prisoners. This work will take place in prisons, as well as in the wider community, and will include work with other agencies such as education, health and social services.

  Specific projects include: development of and improvements to visitors' centers; creation of family liaison officer posts within prisons; training for local staff who come into contact with families; community support services; enhanced children's visits programmes; support for alternative contact for children who do not visit; family awareness programmes; parenting from prison courses; post-release support; information to families; and research.

  Police
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional funding is made
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  available to North Yorkshire Police for policing (a) in Menwith Hills, (b) in Fylingdales and (c) during royal visits. [163557]

  Ms Blears
  Since September 11, all police forces have been able to bid for additional funding for various counter terrorist activities, including the protection of vulnerable sites. Given the nature of the funding, publicity is not being given to the activities it covers or what has been allocated to individual forces. The hon. Member can be assured that North Yorkshire have been receiving financial assistance for the Government for security policing at RAF Fylingdales and Menwith Hill.

  In addition to this the force has been provided with special grants totalling £1.1 million between 2001 and 2004, as a contribution to the extra cost of policing protests at Menwith Hill and Fylingdales.

  Most police forces will have to police royal visits. We would therefore normally expect that they meet the extra cost from their own budget and general reserves.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers per 1,000 population there are(a) on establishment and (b) available for 24 hour duty without restriction in the Essex Constabulary. [164336]

  Ms Blears
  Information is not available in the form requested. As at 31 March 2003 the full time equivalent police officer strength per 100,000 population in the Essex Constabulary was 186 and the available for duty full time equivalent strength 183 per 100,000 population.

  "Managing Offenders—Reducing Crime"
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department received the report, "Managing Offenders—Reducing Crime". [163984]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Chief Secretary to the Treasury received the report, "Managing Offenders—Reducing Crime", from Patrick Carter on 11 December 2003.

  Prison Spaces
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional prison spaces he estimates will be needed beyond the summer of 2004; and what plans he has to build additional jails. [165187]

  Paul Goggins
  The Government expect to have around 79,500 places available by the end of 2005–06.

  The reforms outlined in Reducing Crime Changing Lives aim to improve the management of offenders and reduce re-offending. As a result of these reforms, and other measures, it is intended that the prison population should remain at a figure of less than 80,000 by 2009.

  Two new private sector prisons providing 1,290 places are currently under construction and due to open at Ashford (near Heathrow) and Peterborough on 17 June 2004 and 28 March 2005 respectively.

  We continue to investigate options for providing further increases in capacity over the coming years and as part of the Government's modernisation strategy.
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  This is based on a combination of expanding capacity in existing prisons and a programme to build new large multi-functional prisons.

  Prisoner Pay
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons pay prisoners who attend full-time education the same rates as those who work. [165399]

  Paul Goggins
  There are various forms of work available within establishments, all with different pay scales. Pay schemes and rates of pay that operate within establishments are a matter for local management, subject to certain centrally prescribed minimum rates of pay which are set out in Prison Service Order 4460. Prisoners who are employed in work, induction, education, training or offending behaviour programs will receive at least the minimum weekly rate of pay for employed prisoners.

  The Prison Service does not hold the rates of pay for prisoners centrally. Therefore it would be possible to obtain this information only at disproportionate cost.

  Prisoner Statistics
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) women and (b) men were being held in pr son on 9 March. [160978]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 12 March 2004]: On 9 March 2004 there were 4,559 females and 70,431 males being held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were released from prison in each of the last five years. [164347]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of persons discharged from determinate sentences in each of the last five years is given in the table.

  Persons discharged from determinate sentences1, 1999–2003

  Number

  1999

  89,765

  2000

  89,154

  2001

  85,290

  2002

  88,330

  2003

  86,995

  1Excludes discharges following recall after release on licence, non-criminals and fine defaulters.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners obtained employment following release in each of the last five years; and how these figures are calculated. [164348]

  Paul Goggins
  The available information is from large-scale resettlement surveys of sentenced prisoners nearing release, conducted for the Prison Service by an external survey company. In a survey conducted in November to December 2001, 24 per cent. of prisoners had a paid job arranged after release, and a further six per cent. had a training or education place arranged. In a survey conducted in March to April 2003, 25 per cent.
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  of prisoners had a paid job arranged after release, and a further five per cent. had a training or education place arranged. A further survey is currently being undertaken.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners aged 65 years and over re-offended once released from prison in each of the last three years. [157378]

  Paul Goggins
  Of the 432 prisoners aged 65 and over at time of discharge from custody in 1997, 126 were reconvicted of a standard list offence within two years. In 1998, there were 398 prisoners discharged, of which 114 were reconvicted within two years. In 1999, there were 597 prisoners discharged, of which 177 were reconvicted within two years.

  Prisons
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates since 1999 prison service officials have accompanied representations from government departments of the Republic of Ireland on visits to private prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [164302]

  Paul Goggins
  There is no record of any visit to privately managed prisons by representatives from Government Departments of they Republic of Ireland accompanied by Prison Service officials since 1999.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Treasures have been proposed by the Prison Service to integrate vocational training into prison work to give prisoners the opportunity to gain recognized qualifications. [164393]

  Paul Goggins
  Work-based learning takes place throughout prison establishments, in dedicated workshops, industries workshops, kitchens, laundries, wing cleaning, estate maintenance and physical education departments.

  Work-based training is planned as part of a cohesive strategy for learning and skills. Through the newly appointed Heads of Learning and Skills, links are made between dedicated training work; hops, work areas and the education department in order to integrate Skills for Life and key skills into practical;raining. Learners are acquiring skills and achieving nationally recognised qualifications which will improve their chances of finding employment on release.

  All establishments are set an annual key performance for work skills and between 2003 and January 2004 prisoners achieved 89,104 work-based qualifications against an annual target of 60,800.

  In addition £40 million is being invested over three years through the Youth Justice Board to provide a range of academic and vocational training opportunities for juvenile offenders. The Specification for Learning and Skills includes programmes that allow young people to attain specific vocational and employment skills.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Prison Service strategy is regarding the closure of workshops. [164395]
  110W
  Paul Goggins
  The closure of a workshop can have a significant impact on the internal market and on supplies and services available to other prisons. The Prison Service will ensure that any decisions on workshop closure are properly considered and made in a structured way, with regard to the system as a whole.

  A policy on the closure or re-designation of workshops is currently being developed. This will ensure that any plans for closure are supported by a business case. Factors that will be included in such an appraisal include:

  The reason for closure or re-designation;

  What activities are planned to take place within the building that housed the workshop;

  How the same or increased number of working hours for prisoners will be provided; and,

  What plans there are for the machinery or other capital investment already made in the workshop.

  Where a decision is proposed that might result in a reduction in prisoner industry places, adversely effect the internal supply chain, and/or increase costs to the Prison Service it is proposed that this decision would need to be endorsed by the recently created Industries Management Board—which has a brief to govern the operation of industries within the Prison Service.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors influence the location of a workshop at a particular prison establishment. [164396]

  Paul Goggins
  Prison Service industry have tended to be developed in particular establishments as a result of local initiatives. Other factors that influence the location of a workshop at a particular prison establishment include the physical space available as well as the type of prisoner held and the purpose of the establishment.

  Following the internal review on the strategic oversight and management of the public sector prison industries in England and Wales (2003) the Prison Service has a clear strategic direction for prison industries that combines the complementary aims of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of industries while also increasing the resettlement and training opportunities possible for prisoners within workshops. This strategic direction will increasingly drive decisions made about the particular type and location of industrial workshops while, at the same time, making best use of current workshops.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how prisoners are assessed for vocational training and workshop placements. [164397]

  Paul Goggins
  Prisoners are assessed for their general suitability for vocational training. Prisoners also undergo a risk assessment for health and safety reasons prior to starting their training in a workshop environment.

  All establishments provide an induction programme and initial assessment of each offender's basic skills and the results inform the creation of an individual learning plan. Initial assessments should also be shared with teachers, trainers and workshop staff.
  111W
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the recommendation in the Internal Review Report 2003 that the prison working day should be increased. [164398]

  Paul Goggins
  The internal review of the strategic oversight and management of the public sector prison industries in England and Wales (2003) was fully accepted by the Prison Service Management Board. While none of the review's 44 recommendations contained a specific recommendation that the prison working day should be increased the text did note that ideally industrial workshops should operate standard working hours of around 36 hours per week. The review also noted that operational demands and restrictions precluded this from being achieved across the prison estate.

  There are currently over 300 industry workshops which operate for an average 26 hours per week. This contributes nearly 13,000,000 hours of purposeful activity for prisoners a year.

  The Prison Service is committed, wherever possible, to extending the working day for prisoners. For example a plastics workshop at HMP Ranby operates for 96 hours per week, employing prisoners on three shifts (including a night shift). The Prison Service has to strike a balance between allowing more prisoners to access places and enabling individual prisoners to work a longer day.

  The Prison Service are exploring the possibility of developing Service Level Agreements with prisons that will stipulate the number of operating hours a workshop will open, the number of prisoners employed and the qualifications offered alongside a target for achievement. This will help both to establish a minimum period each workshop should open and improve performance.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the recommendation in the Internal Review Report 2003 that prison work should reflect the working week outside prison. [164399]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prison Service Management Board fully accepted the recommendations contained in the internal review of the strategic oversight and management of the public sector prison industries in England and Wales (2003). While none of the reviews 44 recommendations contained a specific recommendation that prison work should try and reflect the same kind of working week as outside the review did note that wherever possible the prison regime should try and reflect the same kind of working week as that found outside.

  There are several aspects to reflecting the working week on the outside including not only extending the working day where possible but also setting and maintaining reasonable production levels. In addition it is important to have part-time working to accommodate prisoner learning. In addition there are other models for bridging the gap between prisons and the community—the work with National Grid Transco is a good example of using the time prisoners spend in prison essentially for training followed by actual work in the community.
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  It is not practical, as the review acknowledged, to fix a figure on the number of hours a workshop should be open—as different categories of establishment have different operational demands. However the Prison Service is committed, wherever possible and subject to operational constraints, to extending the working day for prisoners. There are examples in the Prison Service where this has been achieved. As part of implementing the review's recommendations the Prison Service is also seeking to improve production levels where needed as well as encouraging more demanding and creative work where it is possible to do so.

  Linking work and education for the large number of unskilled prisoners with numeracy and literacy difficulties as well as with poor or non-existent work histories is a key part if enhancing the working week. In many instances key skills have been embedded into practical training courses in prisons' workshops. Using £7.36 million of the Offenders Learning and Skills Unit's recent Capital Modernisation Fund, from Learning to Earning, 77 classrooms adjacent to workshops have been constructed to support the integration of key skills into training programmes. Additionally these classrooms are increasingly able to support the wider key skills—Working with Others, Problem Solving, Improving Own Learning and Performance. All three wider key skills relate to the work ethic. The value placed on these skills by employers is evident from their inclusion in Modern Apprenticeship frame works in mainstream vocational training.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Prison Service's meeting with the Correctional Service Accreditation Panel on the Focus on Resettlement. [164403]

  Paul Goggins
  The Correctional Service Accreditation Panel encouraged the programme's further development and outlined some general comments that need to be considered in any future application for accreditation. Another meeting will be held later this year.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Prison Service is putting in place to meet the demand for new work places. [164405]

  Paul Goggins
  Since 1994–95 the prisoner population has increased by 50 per cent. and prisons are delivering an additional 30 per cent. more purposeful hours, despite pressure on workshop and classroom capacity.

  Where possible the Prison Service constructs additional workshops to meet the needs of the increasing population. A number of workshops have opened or are planned to be opened in the near future. These include workshops at HMPs Garth (an additional 180 prisoner work places), Wymott (an additional 24 prisoner work places), Whatton (an additional 200 work places) and Ranby (an additional 40 prisoners on a split-shift system). HMP Haverigg are currently planning to bring some old workshops back into operation as part of the Performance Improvement Plan process which should realise an additional 100 new prisoner work places. The plans at Haverigg include the conversion of

  113W
  a contract services workshop to an appropriate office environment providing 15 prison work places in which national industries data can be managed.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what co-operation there is between the Prison Service and the Learning and Skills Council in order to identify local labour market needs. [164406]

  Paul Goggins
  In April 2003 all local Learning and Skills Councils (LSCs) initiated strategic area reviews of post-16 LSC-funded provision. These reviews assess the extent to which the current pattern of post-16 learning in each local area meets the needs of learners, employers and the community—including the needs of offenders.

  The Offenders' Learning and;kills Unit is working with the Learning and Skills Council to develop a coherent information, advice and guidance strategy that meets the needs of all offenders both in prison and in the community.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the link between prison work and prisoners' attitudes towards work. [164407]

  Paul Goggins
  Three studies have been commissioned on this subject:Home Office Research Study 208 Women Prisoners: a Survey of their Work and Training Experiences in Custody and on Release' in 2000
  Home Office Research Study 226 'Building Bridges to Employment for Prisoners' in 2001 and
  `Prison Work and Training: an Evaluation' Simon and Corbett, Brunel University, 1994, 1997

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the Prison Service has refocused prison industry production on the internal market. [164408]

  Paul Goggins
  The aim of prison industries is to occupy prisoners in out of cell activity and wherever possible to help them gain skills, qualifications and work experience to improve their employment prospects on release.

  At the same time the Prison Service is a significant consumer of a large range of products and there are sound economic reasons for producing for internal consumption. In producing for the internal market there are significant opportunities for industrial workshops to provide both specific and generic work skills for prisoners. Additionally there are opportunities for growth within a number of the internal industries. There will be an increasing demand for items such as cell furniture, clothing items and other engineering work. As long as industries meets the standards that are required externally there will also be opportunities to manufacture and supply to other organisations items such as office furniture.

  Producing efficiently and effectively for consumption within the Prison Service does not mean an exclusive focus on the internal market and where possible prisons should build relationships with local employers to meet specific skills shortages. The Prison Service is also working with a number of partners, in both the
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  voluntary and private sectors to develop work opportunities within prisons and for prisoners after release.

  Project Funding
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) solely state-financed and (b) public-private partnership and private finance initiative projects for which his Department is responsible have been launched in each region in each of the last 10 years. [160961]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The information is as follows.

  (a) The number of major projects that are recorded as being solely state financed based on central information held since July 2002 is 24. Major projects are considered to be those projects with a whole life cost greater than £40 million or which are considered to be novel, contentious or high risk. These are considered to be national projects and not specific to regions.

  (b) I would refer my hon. Friend to the Signed PFI Projects List, which can be found on the HM Treasury website www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats. In addition, the following projects are classed as public-private partnerships:

  Project

  Region

  2000

  Airwave

  National

  2000

  Criminal Records Bureau

  North West

  Promotion
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the introduction of assessment centers for promotion to HEO and G7 grades cost his Department in each year since its introduction. [163630]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 31 March 2004]: Assessment centers were introduced in February 2002 for two key grades: Higher Executive/Chief Immigration Officer (HEO/CIO) and Grade 7. Estimated total resource costs for running the Assessment centers were as follows:

  Grade

  Numbers assessed

  Estimated resource cost (£)

  2002

  Grade 7

  288

  365,000

  HEO/CIO

  1,208

  865,000

  2003

  Grade 7

  939

  1,078,000

  HEO/CIO

  2,342

  1,159,000

  School Buses (Sex Offenders)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answers of 17 March,Official Report, columns 350–1W, on school buses (sex offenders), if he will list the instances in which

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  Criminal Records Bureau checks have been made mandatory under legislation other than the Police Act 1997. [163243]

  Ms Blears
  The principal provisions currently in force in England as regards those working with children include:the Protection of Children Act 1999 (all persons applying for a childcare position with a childcare organization—as defined);
  the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 (all providers, managers and employees);
  the Fostering Services Regulations 2002 (all providers, managers and employees); and
  the Voluntary Adoption Agencies and the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2003 (all providers, managers and employees).

  Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consolidate the obligation to register with the new scheme for accession countries by those nationals admitted to the UK to work with the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme. [164036]

  Mr. Browne
  Nationals from the eight Accession States who join the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) scheme before 1 May will not be required to register with the Worker Registration Scheme. The SAWS card will be valid as a registration certificate until 31 December 2004. If a SAWS participant wishes to take any additional work or new employment, he or she will he required to register with the Home Office.

  Sentencing (Women)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Department's plans to review sentencing for women. [165137]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: While it is for the courts to decide the appropriate sentence in individual cases, custodial sentences should be reserved for serious, dangerous and persistent offenders.

  The Home Office is taking forward the Women's Offending Reduction Programme over the next three years which seeks to address the range of factors that have an impact on women who offend. A primary focus will be on encouraging greater use of community-based interventions that are better tailored to the needs of women. The Judicial Studies Board will be invited to review training and guidance for sentencers to ensure that it includes gender specific issues; and the Sentencing Guidelines Council will consider the impact of the new Criminal Justice Act 2003 sentencing powers on female as well as male offenders.

  Sex Abuse Guidelines
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the terms are of the code of practice on unhelpful or intrusive reporting on cases of historical sex abuse; [148883]

  (2) what discussions he has held with media representatives to assess how unhelpful or intrusive reporting of historical sex abuse cases can be avoided; and what the outcome of these meetings was; [148884]
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  (3) what meetings he plans to hold with media representatives to assess how unhelpful or intrusive reporting of historical sex abuse cases can be avoided; and when these discussions will take place. [148885]

  Paul Goggins
  I have held discussions with representatives of the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) with regard to the anonymity of suspects in sexual offence cases.

  The Government believes that self regulation through the effective use of media codes is the best way to ensure pre-charge anonymity and the PCC is examining its code of conduct to see how it can be strengthened.

  Shopkeepers (Harassment)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persistent offenders of violence against and intimidation of shop workers have been convicted in each year since 1997. [163607]

  Paul Goggins
  Data are not readily available at this level of detail.

  Substance Abuse
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place under the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999: and what the resultant penalties were in each case. [165760]

  Paul Goggins
  Information collected centrally by the Home Office does not separately identify offences under the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the legislation relating to substance abuse; and what plans he has to amend the legislation. [165761]

  Caroline Flint
  Volatile Substance Abuse is controlled by the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985, which regulates the general sale of abusable products by making it an offence for any such substance to be knowingly supplied for the purpose of intoxication to someone under 18. The Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999, banned the sale of butane gas lighter refills to under 18s.

  The Government continues to be concerned about the level of misuse of volatile substances by young people. However, it thinks that at present enforcement of current provisions is sufficient and has no plans to amend the legislation.

  Sudbury Prison
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the maximum capacity of HMP Sudbury is; and how many inmates are being held at Sudbury. [163746]

  Paul Goggins
  As at 26 March 2004, the operational capacity of HMP Sudbury was 559 and the prisoner population was 554.

  Temporary Promtions
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department are on temporary promotion; and how many of these have been on temporary promotion for more than(a) 12 months and (b) two years. [163629]

  Staff on temporary promotion

  Less than 12 months

  More than 12 months (between one-two years)

  More than two years

  Total

  Forensic Science Service (FSS)

  13

  13

  2

  28

  Central Home Office (excluding Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), including Merseyside Office)

  359

  184

  155

  698

  IND

  684

  393

  210

  1,287

  Prison Service Agency (PSA)

  897

  326

  194

  1,417

  United Kingdom Passport Service (UK PS)

  95

  29

  4

  128

  Total Home Office Staff

  2,048

  945

  565

  3,558

  Contributions have been received above from the Agencies (FSS, UKPS and PSA); figures for the Central Home Office and Immigration and Nationality Directorate are provided centrally.

  Ticket Touting
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been made in each of the last three years for ticket touting(a) in person, (b) through published advertisements, (c) via internet auction sites and (d) through other means; how many were successful in each case; what the average length of custodial sentence was in each case; and if he will make a statement. [164487]

  Paul Goggins
  Defendants proceeded against and those convicted of offences of ticket touting under section 166 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in England and Wales, 2000 to 2002, are shown in the table. No information is held centrally on the circumstances of each case. The offence is not one that attracts a custodial penalty.

  Number of defendants1 proceeded against and found guilty under section 116 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (ticket touting), England and Wales 2000 to 2002

  Defendants proceeded against

  Defendants found guilty

  2000

  163

  140

  2001

  126

  94

  2002

  127

  91

  1These data are on the principle offence basis.

  Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  Transco
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the roll-out of the Transco model; and which other industries are training prisoners with a view to employing them on release; [164349]

  (2) what the benefits to the Prison Service from the roll-out of the Transco model are. [164350]
  118W
  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 31 March 2004]: Figures for (i) less than 12 months (ii) between one and two years, and (iii) more than two years are to be found in the table.

  Paul Goggins
  The training provided by National Grid Transco is linked to job vacancies in the gas industry. The project is a good example of how employers and the Prison Service are able to collaborate to meet some of the staffing needs of business, while at the same time contributing to reduced re-offending by released prisoners.

  National Grid Transco, with its main contractors, is training prisoners for employment as Gas Network Operatives. The programme is currently operating at Reading Young Offender Institution and Wymott prison. Prisoners from Rochester and Glen Parva Young Offender Institutions are being transferred to Reading to participate in the training.

  By the end of 2003, 27 prisoners had completed National Vocational Qualifications to qualify as Gas Network Operatives. All 27 were offered jobs with National Grid Transco or one of its contractors and 24 are still in employment. Three have since re-offended and have returned to prison.

  National Grid Transco is planning to expand the project to include a number of other establishments. They aim to train and assist into employment up to 250 prisoners a year from 2006. National Grid Transco is also encouraging other companies in the electricity, water, engineering and logistics sectors to adopt the same approach in working with the Prison Service.

  Other industries involved in training prisoners with a view to employing them on release include construction, catering, car mechanics, sport and leisure, and transport.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the latest situation in relation to the funding of Victim Support. [164567]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]: Since the start of the financial year 1997–98 the Home Office's funding of Victim Support has more than doubled, from £11.7 million to £30 million in 2003–04.
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  No final decision has yet been made with regard to the level of Home Office funding for Victim Support for 2004–05.

  Violence Against Women
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to commit resources to a UK national strategy as agreed in the Beijing Platform for Action to eliminate all forms of violence against women. [160913]

  Paul Goggins
  There are currently no plans to create a National Strategy on Violence Against Women and there is no requirement within the Beijing Platform for Action for us to do so. We are, however, developing a range of policies in this area: In June last year we published the consultation paper, "Safety and Justice", which set out the Government's strategy to tackle domestic violence in England and Wales. It set out proposals under three key headings: prevention; protection; and justice and support. And it included proposals for non-legislative as well as legislative measures, which now form part of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill, which was introduced into the House of Lords in December last year.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is investing £18.9 million this year in refuges in England, which will mean 273 units of new or improved accommodation over the next three years. There will be a further £7 to £9 million in each of the next two years.

  The ODPM contributed £1 million over three years, matched by £1 million from Comic Relief, towards the development of a single national 24-hour freephone helpline for victims of domestic violence and the UK `refuges online system', which provides immediate access to information on refuge accommodation and specialist services across the UK. These were launched in December last year. The Home Office is contributing £1 million towards promoting the new helpline.

  On sexual offences, the Government are concerned about the low rate of convictions for reported rape. Issues surrounding consent are central to establishing whether a sexual offence has taken place. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduces a test of reasonableness into the law on consent. It applies largely to England and Wales.

  We are also supporting the development of Sexual Assault Referral centers (SARCS) throughout England and Wales. SARCs are 'one stop' locations where victims of sexual assault can receive care and counselling while, at the same time, having the opportunity to assist the police investigation into alleged offences. SARCs will be considered as part of a wider strategy to improve services for victims of sexual offences. The Government are also considering options for the development of a national rape helpline. We are in discussion with the Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Office to consider how this will best serve victims of sexual offences nationally.

  And finally, The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, implemented on 3 March this year, reinforces existing legislation criminalising the offence and increases the maximum penalty for performing and
  120W
  procuring female genital mutilation from five to 14 years imprisonment. It applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Women Offenders
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Women Offending Reduction Programme. [164372]

  Paul Goggins
  The significant increase in the female prison population, and the wider consequences of this in terms of disruption to their families, particularly their children, supports the need to respond specifically to the needs and characteristics of women offenders.

  The Women's Offending Reduction Programme (The Programme), published on 11 March 2004, is a three-year programme of work that aims to promote a more specific and joined up response to the range of factors that have an impact on why women offend.

  In order to reduce the number of women in custody and increase the potential for diversion the Programme will focus on improving sentencers' confidence in community disposals that offer appropriate packages and interventions and are better tailored to meet the particular needs of women offenders. The Programme includes, for example, the development of women specific community-based interventions such as the `Real Women' offending behaviour programme.

  Two key target groups are women with mental health problems and women with substance misuse problems. The Programme will operate in tandem with the Department of Health's Women's Mental Health Strategy and the National Drugs Strategy so that women offenders can access appropriate treatment in the community.

  For women who do need to be held in custody, resettlement is a vital element of the Programme. More effective re-integration into the community for women prisoners on release should have a positive impact on re-offending rates. The implementation of the Women's Estate resettlement strategy will ensure that good family ties are maintained to minimise the impact on children separated from their mothers, and necessary local community links are made to meet the range of women's resettlement needs.

  The Programme's priorities contribute to the wider Home Office aims of reducing offending and re-offending and will also reflect and support the objectives of the new National Offender Management Service that will come into operation in June 2004.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets have been set for numbers of applications for work permits processed by Home Office officials in(a) 2003 and (b) 2004; and how targets are allocated among departmental offices. [161127]

  Mr. Browne
  (holding answer 12 March 2004]: There are no targets for the number of work permits issued by the Home Office, although the Sectors Based Scheme within these arrangements is subject to a quota. The work permit system is designed to be flexible and

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  responsive to the needs of employers and the economy. The overall number of work permits issued will depend on the number of applications made by employers and whether individual applications meet the criteria for the issuing of permits.

  Work Permits (UK) does make internal planning assumptions about expected volumes of applications (on a financial, not calendar, year basis), in order to allocate resources to process applications. Work Permits (UK)'s planning assumption for 2003–04 is that it will receive 175,000 work permit applications (including extension applications). The current planning assumption for 2004–05 is 183,000. These figures do not include applications under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme applications, which Work Permits (UK) also administers.

  These planning assumptions are informed by monitoring trends in volumes of applications and consultation with stakeholders, including other Government Departments on labour market conditions.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits have been granted to education workers since January 2003 broken down by(a) Government office region, (b) type of education work and (c) nationality. [163854]

  Mr. Browne
  The tables provide figures for the numbers of work permits that have been granted to education workers since January 2003.

  All work permits applications, including extensions, approved for education workers since 1 January 2003, broken down by the type of education work:

  Occupation

  Number of permits issued

  Teacher

  5,720

  Lecturer

  792

  Research Associate

  763

  Research Fellow

  705

  Research Assistant

  530

  Professor

  158

  Research Officer

  100

  Tutors

  90

  Research Technician

  19

  Others

  3,041

  Total

  11,918

  All work permits applications, including extensions, approved for education workers since 1 January 2003, broken down by nationality:

  Nationality

  Number of permits issued

  Australia

  1,549

  Canada

  676

  India

  760

  Jamaica

  481

  New Zealand

  736

  Peoples Republic of China

  948

  Russia

  261

  South Africa

  1,577

  United States of America

  1,318

  Zimbabwe

  304

  Others

  3,308

  Total

  11,918

  122W
  A breakdown of all work permits applications approved for education workers since January 2003 by Government Office region is not available.

  Workers Registration Scheme
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress made on introducing a workers' registration scheme for EU Nationals after 1 May. [164337]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 29 March 2004]: On 25 March we laid draft regulations which will establish a workers' registration scheme for nationals from eight of the states acceding to the European Union on 1 May.

  The draft regulations are laid under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972 and Section 2(6) of the European Union (Accessions) Act 2003 and will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. The draft regulations and an Explanatory Memorandum can be viewed at http://www. legislation.hmso.gov. uk/si/dsis2004.htm

  Young Offenders
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to streamline the inspection regime for secure units for juvenile offenders. [162314]

  Paul Goggins
  From 1 April 2004 the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which replaces the Social Services Inspectorate, will inspect local authority secure children's homes and secure training centers. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons will continue to inspect Young Offender Institutions holding juveniles, with support from CSCI.

  Within those arrangements, there will be greater harmonisation of the approach to education inspections through use of the same methodology and a consistent pool of inspectors.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1262W. on juvenile prisoners, if he will provide a brief description of (a) the fixtures and facilities in the unfurnished cell in each establishment, (b) its location within the prison and (c) the items of clothing and personal possessions which the prisoner is allowed to have with him. [162438]

  Paul Goggins
  Every special or unfurnished cell ("special accommodation"), when used for the temporary confinement of juveniles under Rule 51 of the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 (or Rule 48 of the Prison Rules 1999) is heated, ventilated, has a window or other natural light, and an intercom or other means of allowing the young person to communicate with an officer. There is access to toilet and sanitary facilities.

  The Prison Service does not provide other fixtures or facilities in special accommodation when used for the temporary confinement of juveniles, having regard to the fact that the young person's refractory or violent behaviour may result in damage to themselves or property; and the fact that the confinement is only temporary and must cease as soon as the refractory or violent behaviour has ended.
  123W
  Special or unfurnished cells are located in the establishment's segregation unit, which in some cases is known as the "separation and care unit" or "intensive support unit". The only exception is at HMYOI Wetherby, where the unfurnished cell is located temporarily near the administrative unit due to structural works in progress.

  When a young person is placed in special accommodation a risk assessment will be conducted. This determines whether the young person is at risk of self-injury and whether normal clothing presents a hazard to his/her health. If in exceptional circumstances it is necessary to remove normal clothing, the young person is provided with protective clothing so that he/ she can be decently dressed and their normal clothing is returned to them at the earliest opportunity.

  Personal possessions are not normally allowed in special accommodation given that the young people must only be kept there for the shortest possible time; and may often be in a volatile state, with the result that personal possessions may present the risk of self-injury or harm. However, permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis, if the risk assessment demonstrates the benefits would outweigh the risks.

  Young Offenders Institutes
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles in each young offenders' institution were injured by other inmates in each month from June 2003 to the most recent month for which figures are available. [1632161

  Paul Goggins
  In April 2003 a new measure of violence was introduced based on the number of reported serious assaults. An assault is classified as `serious' if it:is a sexual assault, or
  results in detention in outside hospital as an inpatient, Or
  requires medical treatment for concussion or internal injuries, or
  is a fracture, scald or burn, stabbing, crushing, extensive or multiple bruising, black eye, broken nose, lost or broken tooth, cuts requiring suturing, bites, temporary or permanent blindness.
  124W
  Information on juveniles seriously assaulted by other trainees in custody is given in the table:

  Number of serious assaults—Year 2003–04

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Brinsford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Brockhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bullwood Hall

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Castington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eastwood Park

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Feltham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hindley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Huntercombe

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Lancaster Farms

  2

  3

  —

  —

  New Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Onley

  7

  2

  3

  2

  Stoke Heath

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Thorn Cross

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warren Hill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Werrington

  1

  —

  3

  1

  Wetherby

  —

  —

  1

  —

  October

  November

  December

  January 2004

  February 2004

  Brinsford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Brockhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bullwood Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Castington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eastwood Park

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Feltham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hindley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Huntercombe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancaster Farms

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  New Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Onley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stoke Heath

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Thorn Cross

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warren Hill

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Werrington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wetherby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  The number of positive adjudication's for assaults on juveniles is given in the table. Most of the injuries in these incidents would be classified as minor (grazes, scratches, abrasions, minor bruises, swellings, superficial cuts) or none at all.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  GM Crops
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations she has held with businesses affected by adding GM maize to the National Seed List. [164023]

  Mr. Morley
  Under National List legislation, before any variety is added to the list any person who would be affected by the proposed decision is given the opportunity to make written representations or request a hearing on the matter.

  Details of the proposal to add the only GM variety to date, the forage maize Chardon LL to the National List were published in the Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette No. 423 (March 2000).

  227 individuals/organisations submitted written representations of which 60 also requested a hearing. Three further individuals/organisations requested a hearing only.

  The public hearing opened on 2 October 2000 and a digest of the matters raised at the hearing was published in December 2002.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what results she has received from the Chardon LL cattle feeding studies completed at the Reading University center for Dairy Research in 2002. [164956]

  Mr. Morley
  I have not seen the results of this cattle feeding study, which was privately funded research undertaken by Reading University. Publication of the results of studies carried out by the university is a matter for them and those funding the work. However, I understand that the researchers intend to submit their study and the results to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made(a) of the extent to which the 1998–99 National List Trials for Chardon LL were (i) independent and (ii) impartial and (b) of their value in determining whether to place the variety on the National Seeds Register. [164957]

  Mr. Morley
  The National List trial programme for maize in 1998–9 comprised four trial sites in each year, plus a reserve site.

  A thorough evaluation of all the data used for the assessment of Chardon LL in National List trials was conducted by the independent experts on the Herbage Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) group. The group recommended that data from one site in 1999 should be excluded because of substandard plant populations. This was done and data from the reserve site used instead.
  126W
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Chardon LL cattle feeding studies at Reading University have cost public funds. [164959]

  Mr. Morley
  There has been no cost to public funds. I understand the study carried out at Reading University was privately funded.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision she has made to ensure that Chardon LL maize will not be added to the National Seed List before arrangements have been made to restrict herbicide use to the regime used for the farmscale evaluation programme. [164960]

  Mr. Morley
  In her statement of 9 March my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs made it clear that Chardon LL would not be added to the UK National List until the Part C release consent had been amended in accordance with ACRE's advice. Officials have written to the French Competent Authority, which issued the relevant consent on behalf of all EU member states, seeking amendments to the consent for Bayer T25 GM maize (Chardon LL) to limit herbicide use with the crop in line with ACRE's advice on the FSE results.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she was informed of the recommendation of Professor David Beever that no new maize variety should be placed upon the National Seeds Register unless it achieves a whole-plant target of 32 per cent. [164961]

  Mr. Morley
  The dry matter content achieved for maize crops depends on location, climate and variety. Views on the optimum value vary and the realistic situation is that it falls within a range of around 28–32 per cent., depending on local factors. The importance of dry matter content is taken into account in the National List system, but it is only one of a number of factors which are assessed.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the involvement of Grainseed in the conduct of the National List trials for Chardon LL in 1998 and 1999 on behalf of the British Plant Breeders Society and the impact on their research findings. [164962]

  Mr. Morley
  A thorough evaluation of all the data used for the assessment of Chardon LL in National List trials was conducted by the independent experts on the Herbage Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) group. The group recommended that the 1998 Grainseed data were acceptable as part of a valid assessment of the performance of Chardon LL. However, the group recommended that the 1999 Grainseed data should he excluded because of substandard plant populations. This was done and data from a reserve site used instead.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the new Norwegian research on the safety of the CaMV promoter used in the Chardon LL transgenic insert. [164963]
  127W
  Mr. Morley
  The reported new scientific evidence from Norway on the cauliflower mosaic virus promoter has yet to be published. When the details of this research do become available, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE), which advises the Government on the risks posed by the intentional release of GMOs, will be asked to evaluate these data and advise on their implications for existing consents and future applications.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evidence she has collated, in the absence of ruminant feeding studies, that Chardon LL has added value for cultivation and use in the United Kingdom. [164964]

  Mr. Morley
  The criterion for adding a variety to the UK National List is that it should, taking its qualities as a whole, represent a clear improvement compared with other forage maize varieties already on the UK List. Chardon has been assessed on this basis and found to meet the performance standards set to indicate a clear improvement in value for cultivation and use. The evidence for this is that in National List trials, Chardon's results met the improvement standards for several important characteristics. Animal feeding studies are not required for this assessment.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken to ensure that the Reading University cattle feeding studies involving Chardon LL fodder maize will be scientifically robust and independent of(a) Government and (b) GM crop technology companies. [164965]

  Mr. Morley
  The cattle feeding study carried out by the Reading University was privately funded research. It is therefore not a matter for Government. I understand that the researchers intend to submit their study to a peer reviewed journal for publication so others will be able to assess the data when the peer review process is complete.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she was informed that(a) Liberty on its own had proved ineffective as a herbicide used with GMHT fodder maize crops in the United States and (b) to overcome this problem Bayer has been promoting the use of Liberty/atrazine mix since the spring of 2001. [164966]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given on 25 March 2004,Official Report, column 997W.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has held with scientists who oppose the commercial growing of GM crops in the United Kingdom. [165284]

  Mr. Morley
  The Secretary of State has not held any direct discussion with scientists who oppose the commercial growing of GM crops. However, scientists across the range of opinions were involved in the Science Review strand of the GM public dialogue carried out last year. The GM Science Review Panel itself consisted 128W
  of leading scientists across a range of disciplines and perspectives. Other scientists opposed to the growing of GM crops also attended the open meetings held during the review and contributed written submissions, which are published on the review website. Their views are reflected in the two reports published by the GM Science Review.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment was made during the GM Farm Scale Evaluations of the environmental impact of treating Chardon LL maize with more than six litres per hectare of glufosinate ammonium. [165374]

  Mr. Morley
  In the farm-scale evaluations the terms of the pesticide approval for the use of glufosinate ammonium on GM maize Chardon LL permitted a maximum individual (single-dose) application rate of 4 litres per hectare and the maximum total rate permitted was 8 litres per hectare.

  The results of the evaluations, including those where the total application rate was more than 6 litres per hectare, are given in the paper by G T Champion et al published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, series B, volume:358, number 1439, last autumn. Defra officials sent the hon. Member a copy of these papers on 24 October 2003 and a copy is also available in the Library.

  Sellafield
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will place in the Library copies of the letters received since 1 January 2003 from the European Commission in respect of the application of Euratom Treaty Article 35 at Sellafield; [165156]

  (2) if she will place in the Library a copy of the report of the Euratom verification visit to Sellafield on 8 to 12 March. [165157]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK's Permanent Representative to the European Union has received two letters from the European Commission since 1 January 2003 regarding the application of Article 35 Euratom at Sellafield. Copies have been placed in the Library. I shall also place in the Library the final report of the Commission on its Article 35 verification visit to Sellafield, as soon as this becomes available.

  ACRE
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she has received from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment regarding the environmental impact of growing Chardon LL maize under a bromoxynil management regime. [165373]

  Mr. Morley
  The advisory committee has not given any specific advice on the use of bromoxynil.

  Agricultural Subsidies
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount of money paid in subsidies to farmers on Exmoor was in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [161882]
  129W
  Alun Michael
  The following table represents the total amounts of subsidy money paid to farmers on Exmoor in 2001–02 and 2002–03. These are European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) financial years which run from 16 October to 15 October.

  EAGGF Year

  Value (£)

  2001–02

  3,568,470.50

  2002–03

  3,889,458.00

  Air Quality Strategy
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Aft airs what discussions she has had with the Department of Transport on the implications of the Ten Year Transport Plan for the Government's air quality strategy: and if she will make a statement. [162957]

  Margaret Beckett
  Officials in my Department and the Department for Transport are in regular contacts on the implications of a range of transport policies including the Government Ten Year Plan for Transport, on the Government air quality strategy and the two Departments' shared Air Quality Public Service Agreement.

  Animal Fodder.
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much animal fodder has been imported into(a) the UK and (b) the EU from developing countries in each of the last three years for which information is available. [164222]

  Alun Michael
  The following table shows imports into the UK and the EU of animal feeding stuffs from developing countries (as defined by the World Bank website) for 2000–02.

  There are also imports of cereals from developing countries. However, with the data available, it is impossible to say what proportion of the cereals are for human consumption or to be used as animal feeding stuffs. Imports of cereals are excluded from the table for that reason.

  UK and EU 15 imports of animal feeding stuffs from developing countries as classified by the World Bank 2000–02

  Thousand tones

  Countries

  2000

  2001

  2002

  UK

  1,778

  1,932

  1,862

  EU 15

  21,750

  24,199

  25,019

  UK data source: HM Customs and Excise

  EU 15 data: Eurostat Comext Database, CD-Rom 2/2004 and 2/2003

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to meet(a) the UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets and (b) the target adopted by EU Ministers in Gothenburg to halve biodiversity loss by 2010. [165067]
  130W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 1 Apri1 2004]: Work to meet the targets set for habitats and species as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) is being undertaken at national, regional and local levels by a wide ranging partnership including Government, statutory agencies, conservation organisations and the private sector. Lead partners for the action plans will report on progress towards the targets in 2005.

  In October 2002 the Government published "Working with the grain of nature": a biodiversity strategy for England1. The strategy aims to facilitate implementation of the UKBAP in England and to ensure that the implications for biodiversity as a whole are considered as an integral part of other key policies. It sets out a series of actions that will be undertaken by Government and their partners to make biodiversity a fundamental consideration in agriculture, water, woodlands, urban and the marine and coastal environment and in people's everyday lives.

  Action undertaken as part of the strategy and the UKBAP will contribute to achieving the target adopted by EU Ministers to halt biodiversity loss by 2010. In addition, we have put in place a range of other biodiversity and sustainable development measures including our extensive network of protected sites and the development of agri-environment schemes. We have set challenging PSA targets to bring into favourable condition by 2010 95 per cent. of all nationally important wildlife sites; and to reverse the long term decline in the number of farmland birds by 2020.

  1The Biodiversity Strategy for England can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/biostrat/index.htm.

  Biofuels Directive
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contribution her Department has made to the forthcoming Biofuels Directive consultation paper. [162958]

  Margaret Beckett
  The Department has had a number of discussions with the Department for Transport and other Departments about the consultation paper on the implementation of the Biofuels Directive.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Department for Transport on the development of a biofuels obligation for the transport sector. [162959]

  Margaret Beckett
  The Department has had a number of discussions with the Department for Transport about the development of a biofuels obligation for the transport sector. In the recent Budget Report, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer committed the Government to including this as one of the options in the consultation on the implementation of the Biofuels Directive in the UK.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what differences there are in the(a) epidemiological pattern and (b) success of control measures in respect of bovine TB in cattle between Scotland and England. [158340]
  131W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  TB incidents in Scotland occur sporadically and tend to be geographically scattered across the country. They are generally associated with the introduction of infected cattle from Ireland or parts of England and Wales where TB is endemic. In contrast, most TB incidents in England occur in a number of traditional "TB hotspots" or endemic areas, thus showing a high degree of geographical clustering. Reactor numbers per incident and the proportion of confirmed incidents in Scotland are lower than in the endemic TB areas of England. This tends to make TB incidents in Scotland quicker to resolve by testing and removal of infected animals. Recurrent and chronic TB incidents are much more common in the endemically affected areas of England.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to integrate cattle health data into the British Cattle Movement Service database to assist in tracking the TB test status of cattle. [158667]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  This is an option being considered in the development of our delivery plan for the implementation of the short term measures proposed in the consultation document published on 9 February, "Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis."

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what factors she attributes the 20 per cent. annual increase in bovine TB. [158809]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The 20 per cent. figure is the average annual increase in the number of TB reactors slaughtered for the period 1990 to 2001. The average number of herd breakdowns over the same period is 18 per cent.

  In countries where there is no significant wildlife reservoir, cattle controls based on regular tuberculin testing, culling, movement restrictions (including tracing and contiguous testing) and slaughterhouse checks have been effective in controlling the disease. In many European Union countries, TB incidents in cattle herds are at a very low level.

  In some parts of Great Britain, however, current cattle control measures are not proving effective in controlling the disease. It is not possible at present to quantify those elements of local disease spread that are due to wildlife as opposed to cattle spread, or to other factors.

  The randomised badger culling trial, together with the related road traffic accident survey of badger carcases, and spoligotyping of Mycobacterium bovis strains, will provide further data on how the disease is spread. The TB99 epidemiological questionnaire has been designed to assess factors that might predispose herds to a TB breakdown, and their relative importance. The results of analyses of data collected up to 2002 should be published later this year.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the potential value of additional trade to the farming community if the United Kingdom regained its status as a TB-free area. [159056]
  132W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  The United Kingdom has never held officially tuberculosis free (OFT) status, as defined in EU Directive 64/432/EEC, and no estimate has been made of the potential value to the farming community of additional trade if OFT status were to be achieved.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has sold beef carcases derived from animals purchased as a result of positive TB tests. [159293]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Defra will sell any beef carcases that are passed fit for human consumption. Meat Hygiene Service officials will inspect all carcases and associated offals at licensed slaughterhouses, including reactor animals.

  Carcases of TB reactors without visible lesions will be passed fit for human consumption, provided they otherwise meet the standard for post-mortem inspection.

  In cases where there are localised lesions the officials will remove any TB affected organ or part of a carcase and the rest of the carcase will normally pass as fit for human consumption, unless another problem is found which makes it unfit.

  Where TB lesions have been discovered in more than one organ or parts of the carcase, the whole carcase, offals and blood an rejected as being unfit for human consumption.

  Cattle over 30 months old are not used for food.

  Carbon Dioxide
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list carbon dioxide level; in the earth's atmosphere for each of the last 10 years. [165256]

  Mr. Morley
  The table shows atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in parts per million (ppm) from 1993 to 2002. Average annual data for 2003 are not yet available.

  The data presented are from air samples collected at the Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, which is considered one of the most favourable locations in the world for measuring representative concentrations of atmospheric CO2.

  Annual atmospheric CO2 (ppm)

  1993

  357.10

  1994

  358.86

  1995

  360.90

  1996

  362.58

  1997

  363.84

  1998

  366.58

  1999

  368.30

  2000

  369.47

  2001

  371.03

  2002

  373.07

  Climate Change
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which(a) research on climate change and (b) climate change models her Department has used in the development of policy on climate change. [165282]
  133W
  Mr. Morley
  The Department draws on a wide body of research in developing policy on climate change, including primarily the assessments of research by the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the results of research commissioned by my Department. It also draws on research undertaken by the Research Councils and commissioned by other Government departments for their own requirements. The development and use of climate prediction models by the Met Office's Hadley center forms a significant component of the Department's commissioned research programme and such models contribute to the development of policy on climate change.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of climate change on the yield of the principal crops grown in the United Kingdom over the next 50 years. [165283]

  Mr. Morley
  Over the past 15 years a considerable amount of research has beer funded, through both MAFF and Defra, on Climate Impacts on Agriculture—including effects on crop yields.

  A summary of the research was published in February 2000 entitled: "Climate Change and Agriculture in the United Kingdom" which is available online at http:// www.defra.gov.uk/environ/climate/climatechange/index.htm.

  Research in this area is or going and further information is available on both the Farming and Science pages of the Defra website.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her Answer of 10 March 2004,Official Report, column 1532W, on climate change, when she expects the process of departmental reporting on the implications of climate change to be completed; and if she yin place copies of the reports in the Library. [165288]

  Mr. Morley
  A report on the outcome of the process is expected to be published later in 2004, and copies will then be placed in both Libraries.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average length of the growing season was in(a) 1974, (b) 1984, (c) 1994 and (d) 2003 (i) in England and (ii) broken down by county. [165751]

  Alun Michael
  In responding, we are using the definition of the growing season in England to be the longest period within a year which:Starts—the first day in a period of five consecutive days during the spring when the daily average temperature was greater than 5.5°C, and
  Ends—the day before a period of five consecutive days in the autumn/winter when the daily average air temperature was less than 5.5°C.

  The 20th century warming over central England has resulted in a lengthening of whit is known as the thermal growing season by about one month.

  Most of the increase took place in two distinct phases. The first took place between 1920 and 1960, and the second between 1980 and 2000.
  134W
  The longest thermal growing season occurred in 2000 when it extended for 328 days. The thermal growing season is now longer than at any time since the start of the daily temperature series in 1772.

  Accurate data by county are not available.

  For further information please refer to the UKCIP02 Scientific Report (specifically page 10, Figure 7), available online: http://www.ukcip.org.uk/scenarios/ sci_report/sci_report.html.

  Coastal Defence
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much and what percentage of revenue received from aggregate dredging has been(a) put back into the coastal defence budget and (b) made available for coastal defence compensation in each of the last five years. [163573]

  Mr. Morley
  The Crown Estate receives revenue from dredging companies for all the marine aggregates that they extract from the seabed that the Crown Estate owns or over which it has mineral rights. All surplus revenue raised by The Crown Estate is passed directly to the Exchequer for the benefit of all UK taxpayers.

  There is no direct link between surplus revenues and the Government's budget for coastal defence. Defra does not allocate funds to be spent on coastal damage compensation.

  In addition, all producers of aggregates, both onshore and offshore are liable to the aggregates levy. A proportion of this levy is disposed to the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, which finances research to improve the sustainability of aggregate production, including a substantial programme of marine environmental studies to reduce the impacts of dredging.

  Coastal Erosion
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the effects of(a) managed retreat and (b) managed realignment in the Suffolk, Coastal constituency. [163752]

  Mr. Morley
  I have made no such estimates.

  The relevant operating authorities, the Environment Agency (EA), Suffolk Coastal District Council and Waveney District Council, produced a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) in 1998 for the coastline between Lowestoft and Harwich setting out recommended coastal defence policies. It is due to be reviewed later this year.

  There were four strategic options included in the SMP: "Do Nothing", "Hold the Existing Line", "Advance the Existing Line" and "Retreat the Existing Line".

  There are two main stretches of coastline in the Suffolk, Coastal constituency where the recommended policy is to retreat the existing line. They are:

  from Benacre to Easton Bavents, and

  from Walberswick to north of Sizewell Power Station.

  135W
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the(a) speed and (b) extent of coastal erosion in the Suffolk Coastal constituency at (i) Covehithe, (ii) Dunwich and (iii) Bawdsey. [163754]

  Mr. Morley
  I have made no such estimates. This Department has policy responsibility for flood and coastal defence but local operating authorities are responsible for monitoring the coastline and considering what measures to take. However the Department has provided grant aid to the operating authorities for studies on coastal processes which will inform the review of the Shoreline Management Plan for this frontage which will commence later this year.

  The current SMP shows the predicted coastline in the year 2073 and gives the estimated value of the total land at risk through projected erosion as £6.26 million.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs (1) what estimate she has made of the value of the land and buildings in the Suffolk Coastal constituency that will be lost in the next(a) 10, (b) 25 and (c) 50 years under current sea defence policies; [163755]

  (2) what information and advice she has given to the owners and occupiers of homes and farmland at East Lane, Bawdsey, about the protection she will afford them by way of coastal defences. [163756]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra officials have replied to correspondence about East Lane, Bawdsey, by explaining the relative responsibilities of the Department and local operating authorities, and the arrangements for funding improved defences within a national priority system.

  I understand that the Environment Agency (EA) have also corresponded with and met local residents, including landowners, Internal Drainage Board members and the Parish Council. The EA has provided advice on the short term and longer term options for the management of sea defences at East Lane, Bawdsey.

  The EA and Suffolk Coastal District Council jointly held a public meeting on 17 June 2003 when the situation at East Lane was explained to local residents.

  Residents of properties at risk in areas of flooding have been offered the opportunity to receive a direct warning of flooding from the EA.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) at what point between the sea and the village of Bawdsey she intends to protect the coastline; how much land she expects to lose before that point is reached; and what time scale she envisages for that erosion; [163757]

  (2) when she expects to define the shoreline in Bawdsey, Suffolk, that she will defend. [163758]

  Mr. Morley
  These are primarily matters for the local operating authorities.

  The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) published in 1998 showed the predicted coastline position in the year 2073 (ie 75 years from the date the plan was prepared).
  136W
  For the coastal frontage at Bawdsey the SM P recommended policy was to hold the existing line in the short term. I understand that the subsequent studies undertaken since have confirmed this policy but this will no doubt be considered again this year's review of the SMP. However consideration of Defra funding for any improved defences is dependent on those defences meeting the technical, economic and environmental criteria and achieving an appropriate priority score.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has held with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the historic importance of Martello towers. [164250]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra has had no direct discussion with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the specific issue of Martello towers. English Heritage (EH) is the Government's statutory adviser on matters concerning the conservation of England's historic built environment and is represented on Defra's Stakeholder Forum to inform the Government's new Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management. Defra consults EH as necessary and did so for example during development of guidance on environmental appraisal of flood and coastal defence projects and of the priority scoring system for flood and coastal defence projects for Defra grant aid.

  Economic justification for proposed defences should take benefits arising from protection of such assets into account as far as possible. A small specific allowance is made for protection of heritage assets in the priority scoring system.

  I understand the Environment Agency has consulted EH as part of the consultation process for the development of proposals to protect assets, including a Martello tower, at East Lane, Bawdsey in the right hon. Member's constituency.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what value she places on the presentation of the line of Martello towers from Felixstowe to Aldeburgh. [165488]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra has not found it necessary to allocate a specific value to these particular assets as part of general policy development or implementation. In the context of reducing the risk of flooding or coastal erosion to such assets, it would fall to the relevant operating authorities—Environment Agency or local authority—to decide upon appropriate measures and the extent to which the benefits to be gained from investing in defences would justify the cost.

  Proposals to use Defra grant aid for the purpose must meet the Department's economic, technical and environmental criteria and achieve the threshold priority score for the year in which the works start. Economic justification for proposed defences should take benefits arising from protection of assets into account as far as possible. The Department has recognised the need to preserve national heritage and a small specific allowance is made for protection of heritage assets in the priority scoring system.

  Conferences/Seminars
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans have been made in the last three months for conferences and seminars by agencies of her Department; what the total cost was of organising each of those events; and how many people attended in each case. [161391]

  Alun Michael
  Records of conferences and seminars held by the Defra Agencies are not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans have been made in the last three months for internal conferences and seminars to be attended by staff of her Department; what the total cost was of organising each of those events; and how many people attended in each case. [161392]

  Alun Michael
  The following conferences and seminars for internal staff for which records are held centrally are as follows:Flood management. Number attended approximately 64. Total cost £2,038, including audio and video for webcasting.
  Lessons of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Number attended, approximately 100. Total cost £2,232 including audio and video for webcasting.
  Support for rural businesses. Number attended approximately 35, cost about £500. These three are part of a programme of seminars hosted by the Permanent Secretary covering a variety of subjects of relevance to Defra policy and its change programme, to which all staff are invited.
  A conference for Defra's Senior Civil Service. Number attended, approximately 200. Cost £22,696.98 (including VAT).
  Five science seminars. Number attended ranged from 50 to 120, average 81, total cost about £200. These are part of a continuing programme of science seminars hosted by Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser, which are held once a month.
  Pre-retirement two-day seminars in London and Lowestoft. Total number attended, 49. Total cost approximately £1,770. These are part of an on-going programme of seminars to help Defra staff prepare for retirement.
  Sustainable development seminars, one held already, another two planned. There were 23 attendees at the first, cost (for food) £242.58. The second is expected to h we the same number of attendees and roughly the same cost. A third, larger seminar in May is expected to attract 54 people and to cost £585.50.
  Seminar on public procurement. Number attended, approximately 120. No costs other than staff costs.
  Two state aids seminars, to explain the Block Exemption Regulations. Number attended, approximately 90. Total cost, for refreshments, about £60.
  An agriculture, food and fisheries For ward Look EU seminar, important for Defra, UKRep and UK attaches overseas. Number attended, 80. Cost approximately £900.

  The costs above do not include staff costs.

  Departmental Officials
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which former officials of the Department have asked for permission to join(a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst & Young and (6) KPMG. [156890]
  138W
  Alun Michael
  Since Defra was created in 2001 there have been no requests made by Defra officials for permission to join(a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst & Young or (d) KPMG.

  All civil servants are subject to the Business Appointment Rules as detailed in the Civil Service Management Code, which set out the circumstances in which they must seek permission to accept outside appointments within two years of leaving the Service. A copy of the Rules is available in the Libraries of the House. Information about appointments taken up by the most senior staff are published in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. The next annual report will be published shortly.

  Ducks
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to adopt the recommendation from the Council of Europe Standing Committee for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes concerning domestic ducks. [164184]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  A revised Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Ducks, is due to go out for public consultation shortly. The draft takes account of Council of Europe recommendations on Domestic Ducks and Muscovy Ducks (1999).

  Energy Efficiency
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive about the pledge made in Building a Better Scotland: Spending Proposals 2003–06, to reduce the number of homes with poor energy efficiency standards by 20 per cent. by 2006; and if she will adopt a similar policy for English homes. [161201]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government set out their goals for improving energy efficiency in the Energy White Paper and will publish their Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan shortly. This will set out the policies and programmes for delivering energy efficiency, including in the household sector, where a key element includes the Government's target to ensure all social homes reach set standards of decency by 2010. Ministers have had no discussions with the Scottish Executive about their pledge.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what energy rating is necessary to enable a household to be removed from fuel poverty. [165279]

  Mr. Morley
  This will depend on the characteristics of an individual household. However, research has shown that bringing homes to a SAP rating of 65 is a level at which there is minimal risk of a household being in fuel poverty.

  Exmoor Deer
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions
  139W
  she has had with the Exmoor Deer Management Society about the condition of deer at the Baronsdown sanctuary. [165178]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I am not aware of any discussions between the Department and the Exmoor Deer Management Society on this matter.

  Farm Subsidies (West Derbyshire)
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount of money paid in subsidies to farmers in West Derbyshire was in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the estimated total amount paid in subsidies to farmers in West Derbyshire will be in 2012. [163747]

  Alun Michael
  The following table shows the total amount of money paid in subsidies to farmers in South and West Derbyshire in 2001–02 and 2002–03. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is unable to provide figures solely for West Derbyshire as the NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) coding structure used for regional analysis does not contain a code for West Derbyshire. The nearest regional code is for South and West Derbyshire to which the figures in the table refer.

  Due to the on-going changes resulting from the Common Agricultural Policy Mid Term Review, it is not possible for RPA to estimate a figure for subsidies that will be paid to farmers in West Derbyshire in 2012.

  The European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) financial year runs from 16 October to 15 October.

  EAGGF year

  Amount (£)

  2001–02

  2,615,536

  2002–03

  3,293,758

  Fertilisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account is taken in the procedures for assessing the risks to public health from agricultural spraying of(a) long-term exposure to pesticides in the air, excluding spraydrift, (b) exposure to pesticides via precipitation, (c) exposure to pesticides transported from outdoor applications and redistributed into an indoor air environment, (d) exposure to mixtures of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals per spraying application, (e) the effect on vulnerable groups with particular reference to (i) babies, (ii) children, (iii) pregnant women, (iv) the elderly and (v) those with pre-existing medical problems and chemical sensitivity and (f) the effect of exposure to pesticides in the (a) short and (b) long term for domestic animals situated in or near sprayed fields. [165694]

  Alun Michael
  The UK's pesticide approval system provides robust safeguards to protect the public against health risks—a view that is endorsed by independent scientists on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. Before any pesticide can be used it must first be proved that it is safe to humans, wildlife and the environment. Companies wishing to obtain approval for the 140W
  marketing and sale of pesticide products are required to submit substantial data dossiers, covering, among other things, their effects on the environment and non-target species, safety in use and any residues they may leave in food.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Minister for Rural Affairs has seen in full the video evidence and written documentation submitted by Georgina Downs to the recent departmental consultation on proposals for the introduction of no-spray buffer zones between spraying areas and residential properties in England and Wales. [165707]

  Alun Michael
  I have watched both of the videos that Georgina Downs submitted as part of her response to this consultation. I shall also consider fully the written submission provided by Ms Downs once I have received the Pesticide Safety Directorate's analysis of all of the responses to the consultation.

  Green Landlord Scheme
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department had with HM Treasury on the elements of a green landlord scheme; and if she will make a statement. [162955]

  Margaret Beckett
  Defra and HM Treasury officials have been working together closely on a consultation on the use of economic instruments to promote household energy efficiency. As part of this process, the green landlord scheme was discussed at Ministerial level prior to the Budget.

  Green Minister
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what work her Department's Greer Minister has undertaken in an official capacity in the last three months. [165654]

  Mr. Morley
  My noble Friend, the Lord Whitty, is Defra's Green Minister and, as part of this role, is a member of the Ministerial Sub-Committee of Green Ministers. I chair the Sub-Committee. However, it has been established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This practice is now formalised by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Sustainable development is the overarching aim of Defra. Therefore, the work of all Defra's Ministers, including the Green Minister, contributes to this aim. Consequently, it is not possible to separate the role of the Green Minister from Lord Whitty's other work over the last three months.

  An important piece of work within the Department over the last year has been the review of the 1999 UK Strategy on Sustainable Development. This work is culminating in a consultation on a new strategy which is to be launched at an event on 21 April 2004.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings her Department's Green Minister has attended in an official capacity in the last 12 months. [165655]
  141W
  Mr. Morley
  My noble Friend, the Lord Whitty, is Defra's Green Minister and, as part of this role, is a member of the Ministerial Sub-Committee of Green Ministers. I chair the Sub-Committee. However, it has been established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This practice is now formalised by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  With regard to other meetings attended over the last 12 months, sustainable development is the overarching aim of Defra. Meetings attended by Lord Whitty over the last 12 months, whether or in his capacity as Green Minister, contribute to this aim. Therefore, it is not possible to differentiate from meetings attended in the official capacity as Green Minister or in other roles.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the meetings at which a representative of her Department was present regarding the delivery of sustainable development across Government as co-ordinated by the Ministerial Sub-committee of Green Ministers. [165656]

  Mr. Morley
  My noble Friend, the Lord Whitty, is a member of the Ministerial Sub-committee of Green Ministers. However, it has been established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This practice is now formalised by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  There are many meetings held to take forward the business of sustainable development at which officials are present. It would take disproportionate resources to gather this information from across the Department.

  Greenhouse Gases
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the use of contraction and convergence to reduce global levels of greenhouse gas emissions; and if she will make a statement. [165270]

  Mr. Morley
  At the UN climate change negotiations in Milan last December the UK, as part of the EU, sought to open a technical dialogue on Contraction and Convergence and other approaches. The purpose was to start technical discussions on different methodologies to promote better understanding and build capacity. Unfortunately, we were not able to secure the necessary support to take this forward. In bilateral discussions, the UK continues to exchange views with other countries on how to promote further action post-2012, when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ends.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates she has made of the emissions of greenhouse gases in million tonnes of carbon equivalent from UK coal-fired power generation in the last three years for which figures are available; and what estimate she has made of emissions for the next three years. [165453]
  142W
  Mr. Morley
  Greenhouse gas emissions from UK coal fired power stations were 26.6, 29.3 and 27.4 million tonnes of carbon equivalent in 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively. These data include emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide weighted together using global warming potentials. Provisional data suggest that emissions from coal fired power stations were 30.6 million tonnes of carbon equivalent in 2003. Emissions projections are not available by individual year and are currently being revised. Initial results made available in July 2003 suggest that emissions from coal powered power stations will be about 26 million tonnes of carbon equivalent in 2005. Further results will be available soon.

  Hazardous Waste
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2004,Official Report, column 1620W, on hazardous waste, how the predicted number of 750,000 active producers of hazardous waste following the implementation of the revised European hazardous waste list was reached; and how she will alert the newly included producers to the inclusion of their waste arisings on the new list. [164078]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency commissioned work from consultants to inform work on the transition from the current Special Waste regime to the Hazardous Waste regime. The predicted number of 750,000 active producers of hazardous waste was derived from an analysis of the available data on the expected types of newly hazardous wastes correlated with an assessment of the numbers of those businesses likely to produce such waste.

  The Department is working with key stakeholders in the Hazardous Waste Forum including the Environment Agency the Department for Trade and Industry and Federation of Small Businesses to ensure that awareness of these changes will be brought to the attention of affected businesses.

  HFCs
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the effect of the voluntary policy of reducing leakage of hydrofluorocarbons. [165274]

  Mr. Morley
  The voluntary policy on reducing leakage of hydrofluorocarbons has had a positive impact in terms of raising awareness. Industry stakeholders are now much more aware of the environmental threat posed by these gases, and they are actively pursuing a strategy of emission reduction.

  A recent study commissioned by Defra, (AEAT/ ED50090/R01) calculated projected hydroflurocarbon emissions for the period 2005–25. The study estimated that the voluntary leakage reduction policy could reduce emissions of fluorinated gases, including hydrofluorocarbons, by approximately 3 millions tonnes of carbon equivalent over this period.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to reduce leakage of hydrofluorocarbons. [165275]
  143W
  Mr. Morley
  The UK is currently negotiating with other European Union Member States a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases. This Regulation is a key part of the first phase of the European Climate Change Programme. It will put in place a legislative framework to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), which are powerful greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol.

  The Regulation will introduce specific measures related to the containment, use and recovery of fluorinated gases, together with a general obligation to take all abatement measures that are technically feasible and cost-effective. In addition the Regulation will provide for restrictions on the placing on the market of some products and equipment that contain fluorinated gases, and a reporting regime for producers, importers and exporters.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the emissions of hydrofluorocarbons in each year since 1995 from mobile and vehicle air conditioning; and what the forecasts are for future years. [165452]

  Mr. Morley
  A 2003 report commissioned by Defra indicated that emissions of hydrocarbons (MFC 134a) rose steadily from 1995–2000, from approximately 140 tonnes in 1995 to approximately 600 tonnes in 2000. This rise was due to the rapid growth of MFC-based mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems in new passenger vehicles from 10 per cent. in 1990 to 50 per cent. in 2000.

  The report forecast that MFC based MAC systems would be fitted to approximately 75 per cent. of new cars by 2010, and associated emissions would continue to rise to a peak of approximately 1,270 tonnes of MFC 134a in 2010.

  The proposed new EC Regulation on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases includes provisions which would lead to a phase out from 2009 of air conditioning systems with fluorinated gases with a global warming potential higher than 150.

  The Government have made it clear that they welcome the overall aim of the draft Regulation to reduce emissions of the powerful greenhouse gases that it covers and the environmental benefits that will be delivered. These reductions in emissions will form part of the wider efforts being taken to combat climate change.

  Hunting Trophies
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what investigations are conducted to ascertain whether hunting trophies have been obtained illegally. [164401]

  Mr. Morley
  All applications for permits are referred to the UK's Authority for advice on the conservation status of the species concerned. An applicant wishing to import a hunting trophy from an endangered species would need to provide a copy of the export permit issued 144W
  by the exporting country. This is regarded as proof of legal acquisition and without this an import permit would not be authorised.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times in the last five years the import of hunted trophies has been refused where there was evidence that the animals had been taken illegally. [164402]

  Mr. Morley
  I am lot aware of any applications in the last five years to in port hunting trophies which were acquired illegally.

  Ice Caps
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what change there has been in the percentage of ice cap cover in(a) Antarctica and (b) the Arctic in each year since 1974; and what total (i) area and (ii) volume the change between 1974 and 2003 represents. [165747]

  Mr. Morley
  The following tables show:Percentage change in sea ice area for the southern and northern hemispheres from 1975 to 2003, relative to 1974.
  Change in sea ice area in million square kilometers for the southern and northern hemispheres from 1975 to 2003, relative to 1974.

  There is no significant trend in area coverage of Antarctic sea ice. Arctic sea ice shows a downward trend of approximately 2.9 per cent. per decade.

  Observations of ice thickness are not routinely available, and consequently it is not possible to construct a description of the annual volume change. From the limited data available there are indications that there is a downward trend in Arctic sea ice volume of 4 per cent. per decade.

  Graphs showing the change in sea ice area have been placed in the Library of the House. Note that reliable satellite measurements of sea ice area have been available only since 1978. The apparent rapid change in sea ice in the 1970s is partly due to the change from the previous sparse ship observations to the routine satellite measurements.

  Percentage change in sea ice area relative to 1974

  Year

  Antarctica

  Arctic

  1975

  -4.2

  -0.6

  1976

  -8.9

  1.2

  1977

  -11.2

  0.3

  1978

  -8.9

  1.1

  1979

  -8.6

  -1.9

  1980

  -12.3

  -2.2

  1981

  -10.4

  -4.6

  1982

  -8.5

  -1.1

  1983

  -11.1

  -2.5

  1984

  -9.6

  -5.8

  1985

  -8.4

  -5

  1986

  -13.7

  -3

  1987

  -10.1

  -2.6

  1988

  -9

  -3.3

  1989

  -9.8

  -4.9

  1990

  -9.4

  -7.5

  1991

  -9.5

  -6.5

  1992

  -10.6

  -3.7

  1993

  -9.9

  -6

  1994

  -6

  -4.2

  145W

  Percentage change in sea ice area relative to 1974

  Year

  Antarctica

  Arctic

  1995

  -69

  -9.9

  1996

  -74

  -6.3

  1997

  -8.5

  -5.3

  1998

  -6.9

  -4.5

  1999

  -7.9

  -4.1

  2000

  -6.7

  -6.6

  2001

  -8.9

  -5.1

  2002

  -1.6

  -6.7

  2003

  -5.9

  -6.9

  Absolute change in sea ice area (million square km) relative to 1974

  Year

  Antarctica

  Arctic

  1975

  -0.432

  -0.06

  1976

  -0.915

  0.14

  1977

  -1.154

  0.04

  1978

  -0.911

  0.13

  1979

  -0.882

  -0.21

  1980

  -1.268

  -0.26

  1981

  -1.07

  -0.53

  1982

  -0.868

  -0.13

  1983

  -1.145

  -0.29

  1984

  -0.991

  -0.66

  1985

  -0.865

  -0.57

  1986

  -1.408

  -0.35

  1987

  -1.042

  -0.3

  1988

  -0.928

  -0.37

  1989

  -1.005

  -0.57

  1990

  -0.971

  -0.86

  1991

  -0.977

  -0.74

  1992

  -1.085

  -0.43

  1993

  -1.015

  -0.68

  1994

  -0.618

  -0.48

  1995

  -0.707

  -1.14

  1996

  -0.765

  -0.72

  1997

  -0.869

  -0.61

  1998

  -0.714

  -0.51

  1999

  -0.815

  -0.47

  2000

  -0.684

  -0.75

  2001

  -0.91

  -0.58

  2002

  -1.192

  -0.76

  2003

  -0.604

  -0.79

  Ivory Sales
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the decision under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to demand that all African states ban domestic ivory sales. [165252]

  Mr. Morley
  While the CITES Secretariat did call for a ban on domestic ivory sales ii African states, the CITES Standing Committee decided that this matter required further consideration by the range states and that the final decision should be referred to the 13th Conference of CITES Parties, which is to take place in Bangkok in October.

  The fact that there are unregulated internal markets for ivory in certain parts of Africa is a matter of major concern and I await with interest the Secretariat's proposals for dealing with this matter.

  Kyoto
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in the last year towards meeting the Kyoto targets; and if she will make a statement. [163595]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK's target under the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5 per cent. below base year levels by 2008–12. (The base year is 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for fluorinated compounds.)

  UK emissions in 2002, the most recent year for which final data are available, were 15.3 per cent. below the base year level. Provisional estimates made by my Department suggest that in 2003 UK emissions were between 14 and 15 per cent. below those in the base year. The increase on the previous year was linked to greater consumption of coal relative to natural gas for electricity generation. We believe on the basis of projections, including the effects of policies under the UK Climate Change programme, that the downward trend in emissions will be resumed, and that the Kyoto target will be met.

  The European Community's target under the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 8 per cent. below the base year level. In 2001, the last year for which data is available, EC emissions had decreased by 2.3 per cent. from the base year level.

  Marine/Coastal Pollution
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents in the last year for which figures are available of(a) marine pollution and (b) coastal pollution have resulted in (i) court actions and (ii) fines; and what the nature and level of conviction and financial penalty was in each case. [162899]

  Mr. Morley
  Several Departments and Agencies are responsible for incidents of coastal and marine pollution in English and Welsh waters depending on the source of the pollution. In 2003 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency took one successful court action which resulted in a £30,000 fine. Information about marine pollution from land based sources is available from the Environment Agency.

  Nappies
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what estimate she has made of the average annual cost to a waste disposal authority of the disposal in landfill sites of disposable nappies; what discussions she has had with local authorities about ways of reducing those costs; what steps she takes to promote best practice in such matters; and if she will make a statement; [161854]

  (2) what estimate she has made of the tonnage of disposable nappies that was disposed of in landfill sites in the last five years; what percentage of that tonnage is represented by (a) faeces and urine and (b) the original weight of the nappy; and what assessment she has made of the public health implications of the disposal in landfill sites of the untreated raw sewage in disposable nappies; [161855]
  147W
  (3) what steps her Department takes to promote the uptake of reusable nappies; [161856]

  (4) what initiatives she plans to reduce the impact upon the environment of the use of disposable nappies. [161911]

  Mr. Morley
  West Sussex County Council's scheme promoting re-usable nappies was included in the Municipal Waste Management Strategies Guidance published by the then DETR in 2001. West Sussex estimated that the cost of disposing of nappies to them was between £280,000 and £430,000 per annum.

  The Strategy Unit in its report "Waste Not Want Not" estimated that in 2000–01 nappies comprised around 2 per cent. of household waste, equivalent to 350,000 tonnes.

  Medical and related scientific studies show a wide range for the production of urine and faeces from children of different ages and these figures are currently being investigated as part of the Environment Agency study on the life cycle impacts of disposable and reusable nappy systems which will report in the summer.

  Properly regulated landfill is a proven method of dealing with waste safely and can be relied on if alternative methods of dealing with waste are not provided. Our view is that good waste management practice adequately regulated can and does cope with disposable nappies.

  Following the publication of the Strategy Unit report "Waste Not Want Not" the Government accepted the recommendation that the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) should take forward (as part of an overall waste minimisation initiative) work on supporting re-usable nappies through the provision of support for new businesses and information to parents. The details of the programme are still being worked up.

  The aim of the WRAP programme is to achieve an average diversion of 225 kg/yr per participating household. WRAP'S target is to convert 155,000 households to re-usable nappies by end of fiscal year 2006. This is an ambitious target and if achieved would create a reduction in household waste of 35,000 tonnes.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the merits of including disposable nappies in the criteria for hazardous waste. [164491]

  Mr. Morley
  For a waste to be classified as "hazardous", it must normally be listed as such in the European Waste Catalogue. Nappies are not listed as hazardous. It is open to member states to determine that other wastes are hazardous where these display one or more of the hazardous properties specified in the Hazardous Waste Directive at above the thresholds the directive specifies. Waste such as nappies would be considered under property H9 (infectious). However, to be considered hazardous there would need to be a high risk that infectious substances were present in the waste at a concentration above that naturally encountered. Since the source population for household waste is healthy, the risk of infection is very low and nappies do not therefore meet the criteria necessary for a "hazardous" classification.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will increase support for farmers to grow an increased(a) range and (b) quantity of organic produce. [164225]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Aid for organic farmers was extended in May last year with the introduction of ongoing payments under the Organic Farming Scheme. It is proposed to further develop aid through the organic strand of the Entry Level Agri-Environment Scheme which will shortly be submitted for approval by the European Commission and which is expected to be launched in 2005.

  Over-thirty-month Scheme
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what response she has made to the recent Food Standards Agency proposal to end the Over-Thirty-Month Scheme. [164466]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has welcomed the recommendation by the Food Standards Agency that the Over Thirty Month (OTM) rule could be replaced with a system of testing OTM animals for the food chain. UK Rural Affairs Ministers have decided that animals born before August 1996 should not be allowed back into the food chain because of difficulties associated with tracing and culling the cohorts of cases born before this date.

  Peat
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the(a) funding and (b) resources provided for the peat replacement section of her Department. [163893]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Since April 2002 the Department has provided some £15.97 million, and over the next two years will make available a further £3.01 million to English Nature, to support the conservation of peat resources by bringing to an end commercial peat extraction which was threatening three important nature conservation sites in the north of England.

  We have also provided funding to the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to enable them to carry out work to develop markets for composted materials, which can be used as alternative growing media. The total budget for WRAP's Kerbside Collection and Organics Market Development Programme is £14.9 million spread over the financial years 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Staff resources involved in work on peat replacement issues represent a proportion of a single staff year, linked to broader biodiversity aims as set out in Working with the Grain of Nature—a Biodiversity Strategy for England. The team concerned will have some increase in administration resource in 2004–05 and we are considering how best to apply this.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the figures for progress on peat replacement for 2003 will be published. [164248]
  149W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  The latest information on monitoring of peat and alternative products for growing media and soil improvers in the UK was published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2003. My Department now has responsibility for this issue. We are considering arrangements for a further monitoring exercise later this year with a view to publishing the data in 2005.

  In the meantime we have commissioned ADAS to produce a report this summer which will provide details of the current use of peat and growing media alternatives in the commercial horticulture sector in England.

  Prittle Brook Sewerage
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will investigate the operation of the Prittle Brook sewerage system; and if she will instruct Of vat to bring forward its repair. [165381]

  Mr. Morley
  I understand that the current foul water sewerage system has on several occasions resulted in discharges to Prittle Brook. The situation has been further exacerbated by heavy rainfall and surface water infiltration.

  We are aware that Anglian Water has increased its investment in the local network and initiated a number of operational changes and studies e.g. the installation of non-return valves and the removal of tree roots, damaging the sewers.

  Each of the water and sewerage companies, including Anglian Water, will be submitting; their business plans later this month setting out their investment proposals for the period 2005–10. These plans incorporate the repair and maintenance of sewers. In the light of these plans, the Director General of Water Services, the independent economic regulator, will make his draft determinations of price limits in August and his final determinations in December 2004

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to which Minister the Radioactive Waste Policy Group is responsible and reports. [165257]

  Mr. Morley
  The Radioactive Waste Policy Group (RWPG) is chaired and managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is made up of UK Government, devolved Administration and regulatory body representatives. Its terms of reference are:"To review and make recommendations on issues which arise in relation to UK radioactive waste management policy, radioactive discharges, and corresponding regulatory processes and arrangements".

  The group meets several times a year and functions in the interim through correspondence.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the members of the Radioactive Waste Policy Group. [165258]
  150W
  Mr. Morley
  The Radioactive Waste Policy Group (RWPG) is made up of representatives from: the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Department of Health, (DH); Department for Transport (DfT); the Department for Education and Science (DfES); the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); the Ministry of Defence (MOD); the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM); Treasury, the Cabinet Office; the Scottish Executive (SE); the National Assembly for Wales (NAW); the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland (DoENI); the Health and Safety Executive (HSE); the Environment Agency (EA); the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA); the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS); and the Foods Standards Agency (FSA). Some of these representatives are full participating members. Others are corresponding members, not normally attending meetings but doing so on occasion in light of the agenda. The identities of organisational representatives change over time. I have arranged for the current list of full and corresponding RWPG members to be placed in the Library.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers she has to implement policy arising from her Department's consultation on the use of mechanically powered vehicles on rights of way. [165153]

  Alun Michael
  The proposals in the consultation paper on better enforcement of existing legislation and the regulation of vehicles on rights of way could be implemented through departmental circulars and other guidance. Primary legislation would be needed to implement the proposals on how future and historic rights might be claimed and on statutory easements.

  Rural Payments Agency
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the role of the Rural Payments Agency. [164598]

  Alun Michael
  The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is the accredited Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and for certain schemes throughout the UK. In addition, it is the UK Funding Body, and as such is responsible for the receipt and administration of moneys from the Guarantee Section of the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) for funding the CAP schemes administered by all the UK Paying Agencies.

  RPA is a major delivery arm of Defra and provides delivery experience and advice to policy divisions within Defra. It currently delivers over £2 billion of CAP payments to farmers and traders under existing

  151W
  schemes. On 1 April 2003, RPA assumed responsibility for the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) which is Defra's center of expertise and service delivery on animal health and identification. RPA is responsible, through BCMS, for the Cattle Tracing System, including issuing of cattle passports and recording of cattle movements.

  Secondments
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the secondees from outside organisations presently working in her Department, stating in each case(a) the name of the person, (b) the name of the organisation, (c) the post held and (d) the start and finish dates of the secondment, and indicating which are involved in drafting parliamentary answers. [158051]
  152W
  Alun Michael
  The following table details the secondees currently working in this Department and the other information requested.

  The term "secondee" refers to a person "borrowed" from an organisation outside the Civil Service for a period of between three months and three years (exceptionally five years), without affecting employment status. During the secondment period the secondee remains an employee of the parent organisation but is expected to abide by the Defra Staff Handbook and the Official Secrets Act. Secondees are expected to undertake the full range of duties attached to the post, including the provision of drafts for PQs if required.

  At the end of the secondment the secondee would return to the parent organisation.

  Name

  Parent organization

  Defra job title

  Involved in drafting parliamentary answers

  Secondment dates

  Nader Bahri

  Powergen

  Industrial Adviser

  Yes

  28 April 2003-28 April 2004

  Alison Barnes

  English Nature

  England Local Biodiversity Action Co-ordinator

  Yes

  16 January 2001-31 March 2006

  Fay Blair

  Global to Local

  Environment Quality Team Consultant

  No

  2 January 2003-31 March 2004

  Tony Bray

  East Sussex County Council

  Account Manager, Regional and Local Delivery

  No

  8 March 2004-7 March 2006

  Rob Cathcart

  English Nature

  Environmental Adviser

  No

  5 January 2004-25 June 2004

  Richard Chalk

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  Head of Organisation and Leadership Development

  No

  12 January 2004-31 December 2005

  David Coleman

  Countryside Agency

  Head of Rural Services

  Yes

  2 December 2002-30 November 2004 DA

  David Cooper

  Cambridgeshire County Council

  Policy Adviser

  No

  22 September 2003-22 September 2004

  Stephen Crisp

  British Telecommunications

  Business and Environment Adviser

  No

  21 October 2003-21 October 2004

  GianMarco Currado

  Environment Agency

  EU Chemical Safety Adviser

  Yes

  1 July 2003-30 March 2005

  Howard Dalton

  Warwick University

  Chief Science Adviser and Head of Science Directorate

  Yes

  4 March 2002-3 March 2007

  Alan Darcy

  Environment Agency

  Waste Policy Adviser

  No

  8 January 2004-8 July 2004

  Ged Duckworth

  Environment Agency

  Waste Permitting Review Policy Advisor

  Yes

  4 November 2002-31 July 2004

  Duncan Eggar

  British Petroleum

  Climate Adviser

  No

  1 February 2002-30 April 2004

  Joanna Enright

  Ashursts

  Policy Adviser

  Yes

  3 October 2003-8 April 2004

  John Enright

  London Remade

  Head of Local Authority Support

  No

  4 August 2003-4 August 2005

  Richard Findon

  English Nature

  Head of Sustainable Agriculture Unit

  Yes

  15 September 1999-5 September 2005

  John Galvin

  Environment Agency

  Waste Policy Adviser

  Yes

  5 February 2001-30 October 2004

  Alun James

  Environment Agency

  Sustainable Development Strategy Adviser

  Yes

  1 December 2002-30 April 2003

  Chris Lee

  Association of London Government

  Market Development Manager

  Yes

  5 January 2004-2 January 2005

  Fiona Lickerish

  Countryside Agency

  Senior Research Officer

  Yes

  11 November 2002-31 March 2005

  Esther Maughan

  Strong Language

  Sustainable Development Commission Adviser

  Yes

  14 April 2001-13 May 2005

  Ben Metz

  London Community Recycling Network

  Waste Implementation Programme Adviser

  No

  3 November 2003-31 March 2004

  John Powell

  Gloucester University

  Senior Policy Officer Commons Legislation

  No

  20 October 2003-31 May 2005

  Geoff Radley

  English Nature

  Head of Agri-Env Scheme Review Team

  Yes

  I January 2002-31 May 2005

  153W

  Name

  Parent organization

  Defra job title

  Involved in drafting parliamentary answers

  Secondment dates

  Mike Rich

  Environmental Campaigns

  Local Environment Quality Team Adviser

  No

  10 November 2003-9 November 2004

  Diane Roberts

  SW Regional Development Agency

  Regional Development Liaison Officer

  Yes

  19 May 2003-21 May 2004

  Sandy Shattock

  Countryside Agent y

  Head Rural Community Unit

  Yes

  15 January 2002-13 January 2005

  Nick Starkey

  National Farmers Union

  Secretary to the Government-Industry Forum on Non Food uses of crops

  No

  1 October 2003-30 September 2005

  Sewerage
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the population in England and Wales has access to(a) mains sewage systems, (b) unadopted sewers, (c) private sewers and (d) septic tanks, broken down by local authority. [162895]

  Mr. Morley
  Estimates of the number of properties served by various types of sewerage system vary. The W.S. Atkins research found that:

  (a) Approximately 90 per cent. of the properties in England and Wales have access to mains sewerage.

  (b) Assuming 'unadopted sewers' mean all private sewers i.e. they are not adopted by the relevant sewerage undertaker then 40 per cent. of properties connect to public sewers via unadopted sewers.

  (c) Assuming 'private sewers' means sewers which connect to a private treatment facility i.e. not part of the public system—then 10 per cent. of properties are estimated to be connected to completely private systems. This includes those connected to private treatment facilities, septic tanks and cesspools.

  (d) No data are available on the number of properties with septic tank.

  Information expressed as a proportion of the population is not available and r either is information available broken down by local authority areas.

  Sturgeon
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department made to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species with regard to the spring hunt for sturgeon in the Caspian Sea. [165251]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department did not make any direct representations on this issue when it was discussed at the 50th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, held in Geneva on 15–19 March. However, we did support the recommendation that the CITES Secretariat should continue to monitor permits issued for the export or re-export of caviar to ensure that any frauds or forgeries were identified quickly. This view was fully supported by the other EU member states and duly conveyed to the Standing Committee by Germany on their behalf.

  Thames Barrier.
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Ai fairs if she will list the 154W
  occasions on which the Thames Barrier has been closed in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate she has made of the number of occasions when it will be closed in (a) 2010, (b) 2020, (c) 2050 and (d) 2100. [165740]

  Mr. Morley
  The Thames Barrier is closed to protect London from high water levels in the River Thames resulting from tidal surge conditions in combination with high freshwater flows in the river following rainfall over the Thames catchment. The Barrier closures may be characterised as predominantly tidal-influenced (T) or predominantly rainfall/fluvial-influenced (F). Over the last 10 years the Thames Barrier has been closed to prevent flooding during the winter flood season (generally October to April) on 67 occasions as follows:

  1994–95:4 (T = 2, F = 2)

  1995–96: 4 (T = 4, F = 0)

  1996–97: 1 (T = 1, F = 0)

  1997–98: 1 (T = 1, F = 0)

  1998–99: 2 (T = 2, F = 0)

  1999–2000: 6 (T = 3, F = 3)

  2000–01: 24 (T= 16, F= 8)

  2001–02: 4 (T= 3,F = 1)

  2002–03: 20 (T = 8, F =12)

  2003–04: 1 (T = 1, F = 0)

  Forecasting the frequency of closure of the Thames Barrier in the future depends on two principal factors:

  (a) The impacts of climate change on sea and river levels—based on the climate change scenarios currently available; and

  (b) The extent to which these levels may be reduced by other flood risk management measures used within the Thames Estuary in conjunction with operation of the Thames Barrier.

  Depending on the balance of factors described above, The Environment Agency's early studies indicate estimated frequency of closures as follows:

  2010: 10–20 closures per year

  2020: 20–35 closures per year

  2050: 6*–75 closures per year

  2100: 30*–325 closures per year

  The lower figure for each year indicates the best predicted outcome based on lowest climate change scenario impacts and maximum use of flood management mitigation measures implemented from 2030 (shown by *). The higher figure for each year indicates the worst potential outcome based on

  155W
  maximum climate change predicted impacts with no additional flood management mitigation measures implemented from 2030.

  The Environment Agency is currently planning for the future of flood risk management within the Thames Estuary and has for this purpose established a project called Thames Estuary 2100 based at the Thames Barrier. The purpose of the project is to produce a flood risk management plan for the tidal part of the Thames Estuary covering the next 100 years.

  UN Environment Programme
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the outcome of the visit of the Environment Minister to the United Nations Environment Programme session in Korea. [165263]

  Mr. Morley
  The Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GMEF) met in Jeju, Republic of Korea, to discuss the action needed to factor environmental considerations more fully into the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Commitments on water, sanitation and human settlements. I represented the UK. Together with Lesotho's Minister of Natural Resources, Mr.Monyane Moleleki, I co-chaired an interactive session on how integrated water resource management (IWRM) plans can make a key contribution to the sustainable provision of water and sanitation.

  The output from this session and two following ones were summarised in the Jeju Initiative, adopted by the GMEF on 31 March. This sets out what contribution Governments and UNEP, with other multilateral institutions, can make in these areas. The Initiative will be reported to the Twelfth Meeting of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development.

  While in Korea, I also took part in a meeting of Commonwealth Environment Ministers and had useful bilateral discussions, notably with the Environment Minister of Korea, Kyul-ho Kwak, and with UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer. I also met with a number of international NGOs.

  £

  Recipient

  Project title/description long

  Award date

  Award amount

  Awards for all

  St. Swithuns Scout Group, Leonard Stanley

  Improvements to toilets and showers to improve usage and access by other groups such as the playgroup and over 50s exercise classes

  20-May-03

  4,935

  Nailsworth Youth Club

  Disabled toilets and access will be installed at this community center

  18 March, 2004

  5,000

  Whiteshill and Ruscombe Youth Club

  Purchase of utensils and recreation equipment, heating system and decoration

  11 June, 1996

  7,190

  Community fund

  1st Minchinhampton Scout Group

  Essential repairs. HQ building also used by playgroup and other community groups

  16-May-97

  2,300

  1st Stonehouse Scout Group

  Essential refurbishment work for scout group HQ building which is
  also used by a variety of community groups

  16-May-97

  3,830

  Chalford Village Hall

  Refurbishment and furnishing of the group's premises

  19 September, 1997

  3,634

  Dursley Parish center Committee

  Essential kitchen refurbishment in the parish center

  21 April, 1998

  4,945

  Ashmead Village Hall

  External renovation

  22 June, 1998

  4,208

  Amberley Parish Rooms and Playgroup Management Committee

  Refurbish and upgrade a community room beneath Amberley Parish Church

  30 October, 1998

  37,053

  Woodchester Village Community Hall

  Specialised cleaning equipment and a feasibility study to upgrade the building

  5 November, 1998

  1,906

  Chalford Village Hall

  New kitchen equipment and improve storage space

  4 March, 1999

  1,302

  Village Halls (Stroud)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those village halls in the Stroud constituency that have applied for(a) her Department's and (b) Lottery grants for refurbishment purposes; and which have been successful. [164211]

  Alun Michael
  The information that would be needed to provide a comprehensive answer on successful applications is riot held centrally, and information on unsuccessful applications is generally not collated on a geographical basis. Such information as we have is as follows:

  Defra

  Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund—in its first two years of operation (2002–04) there have been no successful applications for schemes in Stroud.

  Rural Enterprise Scheme—no applications relating to village halls have been received from the Stroud constituency.

  Countryside Agency Vital Villages programme, Community Service; Grants—two village halls have applied for, and successfully obtained, a grant for projects: Woodchester Village Community Hall—£9,750—and Oakridge Village Hall Trust-£5,404.

  Lottery

  Community Fund and other Lottery distributors the Department for Culture, Media and Sport do not collect information on either the number or value of applications for Lottery grants for village halls received by the Distributing Bodies. Information about unsuccessful applications is treated in confidence and is retained by the Distributing Bodies.

  Stroud has received 265 Lottery awards in total since 1995 worth £10.8 million. Stroud may also have received Lottery funding front umbrella schemes.

  £328,762 Lottery awards have been made to refurbishment projects to 28 village halls, parish and community centers in Stroud. This figure includes halls that have widened their use for other members of the community, e.g. scout halls and youth clubs. The information is as follows:
  157W

  £

  Recipient

  Project title/description long

  Award date

  Award amount

  Harescombe Parish Hall

  A new porch and replace two windows

  4 March, 1999

  4,730

  Uley Village Hall Management Committee

  Extensive refurbishment including new drainage and building work

  4 March, 1999

  4,935

  Pitchcombe Village Hall Committee

  Provision of a car park

  27 April, 1999

  44,654

  Miserden Village Hall

  Carry out necessary repairs

  17 June, 1999

  4,230

  Horsley Village Hall

  New furniture including a portable stage with disabled ramp

  7 October, 1999

  5,000

  Drusely and District Community Association

  Central heating and double glazing installation

  2 December, 1999

  22,725

  Coaley Village Hall Management Committee

  Replacement windows and doors

  8 December, 1999

  5,000

  Sheepscombe Village Hall

  Fees for development plan for the hall to proceed to planning

  3 February, 2000

  4,803

  Elmore Village Hall Management Committee

  Replacement windows in the hall with double glazed high security window units

  3 February, 2000

  5,000

  Box Village all Management Committee

  New toilets with disabled access, a new kitchen and an enlarged community meeting room

  5-May-00

  56,000

  St. James Parish center Dursley

  center is an ex-church school. Replacement of hall and kitchen floors and installation of fly screens

  29 June, 2000

  4,908

  Stone and District Village Hall

  Replacement of the rear porch and tarmacking to rear of the car park

  6 September, 2000

  2,411

  Nailsworth Youth Club

  Replacing of the roof and refurbishment of the kitchen

  15-May-01

  2,500

  Stone and District Village Hall

  Installation of an induction loop facility

  20 December, 2001

  1,360

  Frith Youth center Bussage

  Replacement flooring and fitting disabled toilets

  31 January, 2002

  4,943

  Frith Youth center Bussage

  Replacement roof and other improvements to the games hut

  25 November, 2002

  74,260

  New opportunities fund

  Woodchester Village Comrnunity Hall

  Provision of an IT suite and learning resource center

  31 January, 2002

  5,000

  Warm Front Scheme
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what instructions her Department issued to Warm Front scheme managers on the publication on their websites of monthly statistical data relating to works carried out under the scheme; what assessment she has made of compliance with these instructions; and what action she proposes to take to ensure future compliance. [161638]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 25 March 2004]: As part of the continuous development of Warm Front, the optimum reporting mechanisms for publishing Warm Front data were discussed between the Department and the scheme managers. Following these discussions it was agreed that data would be published annually.

  Following a recent review of the delivery of the scheme, the Department has asked the scheme managers to publish data on a quarterly basis.

  Historic annual data are also available on the scheme managers' websites.

  Waste
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what resources she has provided to the Environment Agency to(a) detect and (b) prosecute the illegal disposal of hazardous waste. [156429]

  Mr. Morley
  In 2003–04 Defra provided over £130 million grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency. Approximately £39 million of this will be used carrying out its waste duties which include the detecting and prosecuting of those responsible for the illegal disposal of hazardous waste. The agency agrees its priorities with the Department during the annual corporate planning process and allocates its funds accordingly.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations have been launched in the last five years into(a) the reuse and (b) disposal of waste plastics. [162297]
  158W
  Mr. Morley
  There have been no consultations specifically on the reuse or disposal of waste plastic. However the following consultations, launched in the last five years, had implications for the reuse and disposal of waste plastic.

  Consultation on changes to the Packaging Regulations, July 2003

  Consultation on Packaging Regulations—Raising the targets in 2002November 2001

  Consultation Paper on Recovery and Recycling Targets for Packaging Waste in 2001, August 2000

  UK Management Plan for Exports and Imports for Waste, June 2000

  A Consultation Paper on changes to the percentage activity obligation and other matters, September 1999

  Report of the Market Development Group, August 1999

  A way with waste—a draft waste strategy for England and Wales, September 1999.

  Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the anticipated funds to be generated through the retail compliance scheme under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive will be distributed in order to develop an adequate collection infrastructure across the UK. [163093]

  Mr. Morley
  No decision has yet been made about how the funds will be distributed to establish an adequate collection network. The Government are currently discussing the details of the retailer compliance scheme with the British Retail Consortium.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors underlie her decision to ring fence £5 million of the proposed retail fund for local authority collection infrastructure under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [163094]
  159W
  Mr. Morley
  Local authorities are well placed to collect waste electrical and electronic equipment at civic amenity sites as they have a well established collection infrastructure already in place. The WEEE Directive, however, does not place any obligations on local authorities, and the Government have said that any new burdens placed on local authorities as a result of the WEEE Directive should be properly financed.

  Under the proposals put forward in the most recent consultation paper on the WEEE Directive, local authorities would be able to bid into a ring-fenced retailer fund to upgrade their facilities to collect separately WEEE. The level of this funding (initially set at £5 million per annum for years 2005–10, with a review in 2008) was determined by a study carried out by consultants on behalf of Defra.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department intends to(a) encourage reuse of waste electrical and electronic equipment and (b) maintain the role of charity organisations in the collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment. [163095]

  Mr. Morley
  Reuse of whole appliances is given priority in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, and the Government have asked for views from stakeholders on how best this should be done in the most recent consultation paper on the implementation of the WEEE Directive. The UK has a good network of charitable organisations that refurbish and reuse WEEE, and the Government are keen for this to continue.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department intends to protect existing retail from take-back activities and reduce the likelihood of them being withdrawn, with particular reference to white goods, under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [163097]

  Mr. Morley
  The current proposals for a retailer compliance scheme encourage retailers to continue their existing take back schemes, and establish new schemes. Formal consultation has recently ended but discussions continue with interested parties on the best practical way forward.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department expects to provide definitive information to businesses with duties under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive on its scope across equipment categories. [163098]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government expect to issue draft guidance on the scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive in late spring this year, alongside draft implementing regulations.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the regulating authorities will ensure that the visible fee shown on consumer prices represents only the collection, treatment and disposal costs incurred by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [163099]
  160W
  Mr. Morley
  No decision has yet been taken on the question of a visible fee. The Government are currently analysing the responses to the recent consultation on the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, and considering representations from industry on this issue.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department plans to(a) enable compliance and (b) enforce the regulations in the case of internet and mail order sellers when they fall under the scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [163100]

  Mr. Morley
  The proposals set out in the most recent consultation Paper or the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive were that producers would have to register as a condition of placing products on the market. The Paper asked for views from stakeholders on how best to implement and enforce this. The Government are currently analysing the responses.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food arid Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential impact of other legislation which will interact with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment 'Directive, with specific reference to(a) the Batteries Directive and (b) the impending changes to the UK's hazardous waste classification and licensing system. [163101]

  Mr. Morley
  A draft proposal for a new batteries Directive has now bee put forward by the Commission and is currently being considered by Member States and the European Parliament, which is expected to hold a First Reading on 19 April. The Government are keen to ensure that the text of the final Batteries Directive and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive are complementary. Talks are underway internally to ensure that mutual objectives are achieved, and the Government will also work to ensure that the batteries proposals are consistent with other waste legislation.

  The interaction with the changes to the UK's hazardous waste classification system is being assessed in the ongoing review of hazardous waste legislation.

  Defra is currently reviewing the existing waste management licensing system and intends to replace it with a new permitting regime. Under this new regime, the degree of regulation will be proportionate to the risks posed by different waste recovery and disposal activities. The new regime will include the transposition of the supplementary permitting requirements of the WEEE Directive and the future Batteries Directive as well as the permitting of the recovery and disposal of hazardous wastes.

  Waste Incineration
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the monitoring and control of waste incinerators. [163610]
  161W
  Mr. Morley
  Waste incineration processes are currently in a period of transition from integrated pollution control to the pollution prevention and control requirements of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 and the Waste Incineration Directive. These impose new, tighter, requirements for the monitoring and control of emissions from waste incinerators. The new requirements for the Waste Incineration Directive must be in place by 28 December 2005. Local Authorities and the Environment Agency will be responsible for implementing and enforcing these new requirements.

  Water Services
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of climate change on the quantities of water that may be sustainably abstracted over the next 50 years. [165303]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency is the statutory body with a duty to manage water resources in England and Wales. As part of the agency's management role it has national and regional water resource strategies which set out the pressures over the next 25 years. Water companies have 25-year water resource plans which complement the agency strategies. Both the plans and strategies factor in the effects of climate change and will develop over time as the implications become clearer. The plans will also identify where there is a need for development of new resources.

  The Environment Agency's Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS are a mechanism to ensure that there is a sustainable balance, at the catchment level, between the needs of abstractors and

  Annual mean flows (cubic metres per second) between 1994 and 2003 at all Environmental Change Network freshwater river sites in England.

  Site Name

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Eden (Cumbria)

  17.4

  13.3

  8.7

  12.2

  16.9

  16.3

  20.4

  11.5

  18.3

  —

  Esk

  4.4

  4.2

  3.9

  4.0

  7.9

  6.2

  7.9

  6.2

  4.7

  —

  Coquet

  7.4

  6.9

  6.6

  6.7

  11.7

  8.2

  11.9

  10.4

  —

  —

  Exe

  22.2

  16.0

  —

  14.4

  21.5

  —

  —

  14.3

  —

  —

  Lathkill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.0

  1.7

  1.5

  2.0

  —

  Cringle

  0.4

  0.3

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  0.5

  —

  —

  Frome

  8.0

  4.9

  5.4

  4.9

  8.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bradgate Brook

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.2

  0.2

  —

  —

  Stinchar

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11.2

  12.5

  9.0

  11.1

  —

  Coln

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lambourn

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ewe

  31.6

  31.2

  21.2

  27.0

  34.3

  34.7

  31.0

  24.3

  24.0

  —

  Moor House—Upper Teesdale

  0.6

  0.5

  0.4

  0.5

  0.7

  0.6

  0.7

  —

  0.6

  —

  Wytham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.001

  0.000

  0.001

  —

  —

  0.001

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in reducing water leakage; and if she will make a statement. [165378]

  Mr. Morley
  Since the Water Summit in 1997, Ofwat has set water companies annual leakage targets. This has helped to achieve a significant reduction in leakage, from 4,505 Megalitres per day in 1996–97 to 3,623 Megalitres per day in 2002–03. Most companies are now at their economic level of leakage which is the level at
  162W
  the environment. Pressures on water resources, such as climate change, are taken into consideration in the CAMS process and the agency will be able to use its powers to rebalance water resources as necessary.

  The 2002 UK Climate Impacts Programme scenarios suggest higher winter flows and lower summer flows, with more frequent summer droughts over the next 50 years. The Environment Agency and water companies have carried out a preliminary assessment which suggests that the impact of these changes on abstraction for the public supply is mixed. Further work on this is due to start in the next few months.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on average water flow data between 1994 and 2003 at sites operated by the Environmental Change Network. [165797]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environmental Change Network (ECN) is the UK's long-term integrated monitoring network designed to aid in the detection, interpretation and forecasting of environmental changes resulting from natural and human causes. It is a multi-agency initiative which currently consists of a network of 54 terrestrial and freshwater sites making regular measurements on the main drivers of change and ecosystem responses.

  Annual water flow from ECN's 14 river sites in England is shown in the following table. The data are incomplete for the requested period because: (i) some river sites did not begin monitoring until after 1994; (ii) equipment faults sometimes resulted in too few data points to allow estimation of annual means; and (iii) some data towards the end of the period have not yet been incorporated in the ECN database.

  which it would cost more to further reduce leakage than to supply additional water from other sources. The Director General of Water Services publishes leakage data annually in the 'Security of Supply, Leakage and the Efficient Use of Water' reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The Government's approach to demand management was confirmed by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State in March 2004 in her Principal Guidance to the Director-General of Water Services.
  163W
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of households have water meters; and if she will make a statement. [165375]

  Mr. Morley
  An estimated 24 per cent. of households in England and Wales received bills based upon a meter reading in 2003–04, this is predicted to rise to 26 per cent. in 2004–05.

  There are no figures available for the number of households where a meter is present but is not used as the basis for charging.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring of water quality is being undertaken by the National Rivers Authority. [164204]

  Mr. Morley
  Since 1996, responsibility for monitoring water quality has been with the Environment Agency. The Agency routinely monitors over 7000 sites in the aquatic environment. The Agency's programmes cover all monitoring required by EU Directives, national and international commitments, national and regional operational needs, responses to pollution incidents and regulation of authorised discharges to water. The programmes cover a wide range of chemical parameters plus routine biological monitoring for the purposes of both assessing compliance with standards and general assessments of environmental quality. The Agency's programmes cover both freshwaters i.e. rivers, lakes and groundwaters and the estuarine and marine environment.

  Zebra Fish
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to prohibit the sale of genetically modified(a) zebra fish and (b) other species in the UK; [165035]

  (2) what assessment her Department has made of the possible future market for genetically modified pets. [165036]

  Mr. Morley
  Sales of genetically modified fish and other GM animals are already prohibited within the European Union unless specifically authorised under Directive 2001/18 on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms or kept in secure containment under the terms of Directive 90/219 (as amended by Directive 98/81/EC) on the contained use of Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms. To date no applications have been received in the EU to release either GM fish or GM pets. The Department has not undertaken any assessment of the future market for genetically modified pets.

HEALTH

  Heroin Addicts
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered heroin addicts there were in(a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each of the last five years. [162339]
  164W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This information is not available because there is no longer a register of heroin addicts. The Home Office register of heroin addicts ceased in 1997 as resistance to register by heroin users meant the data were so inaccurate they were unusable.

  Adverse Drug Reactions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of inpatients had their hospital stay prolonged by adverse drug reactions in the last 12 months; [163488]

  (2) what his latest estimate is of the proportion of hospital admissions caused by adverse drug reactions; and if he will make a statement. [163497]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health collects information on all hospital admissions (Hospital Episode Statistics data). These data contain primary and secondary reasons for hospital admissions, which includes data on `external causes' such as adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

  In the year 2002–03 about 0.5 per cent. of admissions were identified as caused by ADRs. However, this proportion is likely to be an under-estimate because only admissions specifically identified as caused by ADRs will have been included.

  United Kingdom wide data are not available to allow estimation of the proportion of in-patients who had their hospital stay prolonged by adverse drug reactions in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the(a) Committee on Safety of Medicines' policy on the disclosure of information about adverse drug reactions and (b) Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's policy on disclosure of information. [163490]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A copy of the publication scheme of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines (CSM) has been placed in the Library. The CSM does not routinely publish information about suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) currently responds on behalf of the CSM to individual requests for ADR data under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Anonymised ADR data are released on this basis.

  An independent review of access to data from the yellow card scheme is currently considering whether, and if so under what conditions and for what purposes, data collected on suspected ADRs should be made more widely available. The review is expected to be published later this year.

  The MHRA is committed to making available as much information as is compatible with the provisions of the current Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. A copy of the MHRA's approved publication scheme has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the 10 types of drug most commonly involved in adverse drug reactions reported to the yellow card scheme. [163491]
  165W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The following table lists the 10 drugs most commonly associated with suspected adverse drug reactions reported to the yellow card scheme in 2003. The figures provided relate to the number of reports received. Some reports may contain more than one reaction.

  Drug1

  Number of reports

  Clozapine

  1,075

  Rofecoxib

  367

  Venlafaxine

  359

  Bupropion

  348

  Celecoxib

  341

  Paroxetine

  294

  Risperidone

  290

  Aspirin

  275

  Infliximab

  265

  Etoricoxib

  239

  1Stated as drug substance

  Total number of reports received in 2003: 18,060.

  The total number of reports received for a particular drug does not reflect the effects of factors such as an individual's medical history, concomitant medication and age, nor do they reflect the total usage of a drug (aspirin has a very high usage), whether a particular drug has a monitoring scheme (clozapine) or is being intensively monitored due to it being a new drug on the market (infliximab, bupropion, etoricoxib). These factors may result in an increased number of reports submitted via the yellow card scheme.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his Department's estimate is of the percentage of adverse drug reactions which are reported by(a) general practitioners, (b) hospital doctors, (c) nurses and (b) pharmacist; via the yellow card system; and if he will make a statement; [163492]

  (2) what the nurse reporting figures for adverse drug reactions were for each month since the scheme started, broken down by those under the (a) e-yellow card and (b) paper based yellow card scheme; [163494]

  (3) how many calls NHS Direct has received from callers reporting adverse drug reactions since 1 January 2003. [163496]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  In the United Kingdom, the yellow card scheme allows health professionals to report suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) on a voluntary basis to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM). Alongside doctors, pharmacists, dentists and coroners, the scheme was extended to allow nurses health visitors and midwives to report suspected ADRs on 31 October 2002. An electronic version of the yellow card was launched on the same date.

  To date, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) hay received 2,992 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions from nurses, from both paper and electronic versions of the yellow card. The following table provides a breakdown of reports received from nurses, for both paper and electronic yellow cards (table 1).
  166W
  In 2003, the MHRA received a total of 18,060 yellow card reports from health professionals broken down as in table 2.

  A pilot scheme enabling patients to contribute to the yellow card scheme via NHS Direct was launched in a single NHS Direct area on 25 April 2003. NHS Direct nurses and health information advisors submit reports of suspected adverse drug reactions via an electronic yellow card. All calls from patients reporting suspected ADRs at the Beckenham call center have been reported to the MHRA and, to date, we have received 39 reports from patients via NHS Direct.

  Table 1: Breakdown of reports from nurses since 31 October 2002

  Received date(month/year)

  Number of reports (paper)

  Number of reports (electronic)

  Total number of reports

  October 2002

  8

  0

  8

  November 2002

  253

  3

  256

  December 2002

  85

  I

  86

  January 2003

  60

  2

  62

  February 2003

  295

  0

  295

  March 2003

  239

  10

  249

  April 2003

  146

  6

  152

  May 2003

  129

  13

  142

  June 2003

  167

  9

  175

  July 2003

  211

  II

  222

  August 2003

  154

  4

  158

  September 2003

  126

  7

  133

  October 2003

  202

  8

  210

  November 2003

  218

  2

  220

  December 2003

  173

  4

  177

  January 2004

  171

  3

  174

  February 2004

  158

  4

  162

  March 2004

  106

  4

  110

  Total number of reports received to date: 2,992.

  Table 2: Breakdown of report source and number of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports received by the MHRA in 2003 from the Adverse Drug Reactions On-line Tracking (ADROIT) database

  Report source

  Number of reports

  Percentage1

  General Practitioner

  5,564

  31

  Hospital Doctor

  4,388

  24

  Nurse

  2,196

  12

  Pharmacist

  3,434

  19

  Other

  2,477

  14

  1Percentage of total number of reports received in 2003.

  Total number of reports received in 2003 was 18,060.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation has been made of the(a) impact and (b) quality of information received on electronic yellow cards. [163495]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) launched a new electronic yellow card on 31 October 2002, to provide a rapid and convenient way to report suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for healthcare professionals. To date, the MIIRA has received 386 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) via the Internet.

  A working group of the CSM and its Subcommittee on Pharmacovigilance (SCOP) was formed to advise on

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  strategies for electronic reporting and the criteria for evaluation of its contribution to pharmacovigilance. The working group proposed a questionnaire for electronic reporters to obtain their opinions on the usefulness of the electronic yellow card. A one-year evaluation has been carried out to assess the impact of, and the nature and quality of, information received on electronic yellow cards in comparison with the paper counterparts.

  Electronic reports were comparable with paper reports with respect to the proportion of serious ADRs reported and reports associated with new, intensively monitored drugs. In general, there was little difference in the quality of core information (patient, reporter, suspect drug and reaction details) provided via electronic and paper yellow cards. A significant proportion (93 per cent.) of electronic reporters intend to continue reporting via the Internet. The working group and the MHRA are currently assessing method's to promote and increase the awareness and usability of the electronic yellow card amongst health professionals.

  A new website providing rapid and direct access to the electronic yellow card is at www.yellowcard.gov.uk. This was launched on 19 February 2004 and the working group MHRA are in the process of linking this with other health-related websites. The findings from the evaluation will be presented to CSM for consideration and to inform future enhancements to the electronic yellow card.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people, broken down by age, suffered from adverse drug reactions, in(a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority in each year since 1997; and how many of those reactions were fatal; [163498]

  (2) how many children suffered from adverse drug reactions, in (a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority in each year since 1997; and how many of those reactions were fatal. [163499]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the yellow card scheme. Approximately 20,000 reports of ADRs are reported to the MHRA/CSM through this scheme each year, of which approximately 3 per cent. report a suspected ADR with a fatal outcome.

  There are five regional monitoring centers (RMCs) that act locally on behalf of the CSM to collect reports of ADRs and to stimulate ADR reporting through local initiatives. These are Mersey, Wales, Northern, West Midlands and Scotland, which was established in 2002.

  The attached tables contain the total number of suspected ADR reports and ADR reports with a fatal outcome received via the yellow card scheme from 1997 to 2003 inclusive. The figures are broken down by age groups: 16 years and under, 17 to 59 years and 60 years and above. Included in the tables are the numbers of suspected ADR reports and reports with a fatal
  168W
  outcome received from the five RMCs. A breakdown of ADR data by health authority is not available, as this information is not collected as part of the yellow card scheme. Data from the yellow card scheme cannot be used to measure the frequency of an ADR in a particular region or health authority, as spontaneous ADR reporting is associated with an unknown and variable degree of under-reporting.

  It is important to note that the submission of a suspected ADR repot does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug. Many factors have to be taken into account in assessing causal relationships including temporal association, the possible contribution of concomitant medication and the underlying disease. Additionally, the use of medicines may vary between different age groups. Use of medicines in the elderly, for example, is higher than in other age groups and elderly patients are more likely to be using combinations of medicines.

  Table 1Total number of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports and reports with a fatal outcome, broken down by age group, from 1997 to 2003 received by the Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) from the Adverse Drug Reactions On-line Tracking (ADROIT) database. Figures include reports received from the regional monitoring centers (RMCs).

  Medicines and Healthcare (products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

  Age group 16 years and under

  17 to 59 years

  60 years and above

  Total1

  1997

  Total

  1,360

  8,706

  5,536

  16,627

  Fatal

  22

  168

  227

  446

  1998

  Total

  1,395

  9,358

  6,024

  18,054

  Fatal

  11

  212

  246

  521

  1999

  Total

  2,387

  8,734

  5,943

  18,483

  Fatal

  26

  225

  249

  563

  2000

  Total

  11,986

  11,491

  7,304

  33,151

  Fatal

  36

  252

  283

  629

  2001

  Total

  1,629

  11,556

  6,669

  21,466

  Fatal

  35

  261

  295

  643

  2002

  Total

  1,477

  8,289

  5,875

  17,174

  Fatal

  31

  274

  295

  657

  2003

  Total

  2,169

  8,161

  6,077

  18,060

  Fatal

  25

  289

  323

  722

  1 Includes reports where the patient age has not been specified (10,889 reports in total since 1997 inclusive).

  Table 2: Total number of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports and reports with a fatal outcome, broken down by age group, from 1997 to 2003 received by the five regional monitoring centers (RMCs) from the Adverse Drug Reactions On-line Tracking (ADROIT) database.
  169W

  Total number of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports

  Northern

  Mersey

  West Midlands

  Age range

  16 years and under

  17 to 39 years

  60 years and over

  16 years and under

  17 to 59 years

  60 years and over

  16 years and under

  17 to 59 years

  60 years and over

  1997

  Total

  67

  435

  297

  59

  297

  217

  88

  573

  419

  Fatal

  1—

  7

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  7

  10

  1998

  Total

  40

  458

  349

  41

  302

  225

  70

  620

  481

  Fatal

  0

  9

  15

  0

  6

  6

  0

  10

  13

  1999

  Total

  71

  373

  344

  81

  270

  224

  106

  534

  460

  Fatal

  1—

  7

  10

  0

  1

  10

  1—

  1—

  12

  2000

  Total

  345

  402

  316

  147

  298

  244

  1091

  706

  479

  Fatal

  1—

  7

  16

  0

  1—

  8

  1—

  1—

  17

  2001

  Total

  67

  638

  424

  40

  318

  258

  89

  681

  439

  Fatal

  0

  1—

  6

  0

  1—

  6

  1—

  10

  24

  2002

  Total

  47

  372

  423

  57

  298

  629

  87

  399

  330

  Fatal

  0

  1—

  20

  1—

  1—

  29

  1—

  1—

  17

  2003

  Total

  111

  444

  452

  112

  353

  740

  176

  433

  415

  Fatal

  0

  9

  15

  0

  7

  17

  1—

  6

  15

  Wales

  Scotland2

  Age range

  16 years and under

  17 to 59 years

  60 years and over

  16 years and under

  17 to 59 years

  60 years and over

  1997

  Total

  57

  366

  318

  —

  —

  —

  Fatal

  1—

  7

  17

  —

  —

  —

  1998

  Total

  71

  429

  351

  —

  —

  —

  Fatal

  0

  14

  9

  —

  —

  —

  1999

  Total

  136

  406

  319

  —

  —

  —

  Fatal

  0

  6

  9

  —

  —

  —

  2000

  Total

  781

  790

  567

  —

  —

  —

  Fatal

  1—

  1—

  13

  —

  —

  —

  2001

  Total

  67

  722

  456

  —

  —

  —

  Fatal

  0

  7

  12

  —

  —

  —

  2002

  Total

  92

  431

  403

  6

  79

  66

  Fatal

  0

  9

  113

  0

  1—

  1—

  2003

  Total

  122

  361

  334

  89

  406

  365

  Fatal

  0

  1—

  6

  0

  6

  17

  1Small number of cases. Data withheld to protect patient confidentiality.

  2CSM Scotland began to receive yellow cards on 10 October 2002.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 599W, on older people, how many
  170W
  adverse drug reactions occurred in individuals aged (a) 60–79 years, (b) 70–79 years, (c) 80–89 years and (d) over 90 years in each year since 1997. [164256]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are colledted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the Yellow Card scheme. Approaching 20,000 reports of ADRs are reported to the MHRA/CSM through this scheme each year.

  The table shows the total number of suspected ADR reports received via the yellow card scheme from 1997 to 2003 inclusive. The figures are broken down by age group: 60–69 years, 70–79 years, 80–89 years and 90 years and above.

  Age group

  Year

  60–69

  70–79

  80–89

  More than 90

  1Total number reports

  1997

  2,627

  2,050

  776

  83

  16,627

  1998

  2,754

  2,348

  833

  89

  18,054

  1999

  2,781

  2,271

  815

  76

  18,483

  2000

  3,473

  2,706

  1,012

  113

  33,151

  2001

  3,071

  2,440

  1,023

  135

  21,466

  2002

  2,339

  2,214

  1,133

  189

  17,174

  2003

  2,401

  2,239

  1,241

  196

  18,060

  1 Total number of reports received for all ages through the yellow card scheme (includes reports where the patient age has not been specified 1

  It is important to note that a report of an adverse reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug. Many factors have to be taken into account in assessing causal relationships including temporal

  171W
  association, the possible contribution of concomitant medication and the underlying disease. Additionally, the use of medicines may vary between different age groups. Use of medicines in the elderly, for example, is higher than in other age groups and elderly patients are more likely to be using combinations of medicines.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's review of the Yellow Card scheme for reporting adverse drug reactions. [164611]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  On 21 July 2003, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health announced an independent review into the access to and use of data collected by the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The review is being led by Dr. Jeremy Matters, CB. The primary purpose of the review is to consider whether, and if so under what conditions and for what purposes, the data should be made more widely available.

  A 12 week public consultation exercise ended on 9 January 2004. The report of the Review is expected to be published later in the year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of adverse reactions relating to herbal medicines were reported to the yellow card scheme in each year since 1997. [164681]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the yellow card scheme. By 30 March 2004, the CSM and MHRA had received 527 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with herbal medicines since 1997. A breakdown of the number of reports received per year is shown in the table.

  Year

  Number of ADR reports associated with herbal medicines

  1997

  46

  1998

  41

  1999

  65

  2000

  142

  2001

  79

  2002

  69

  2003

  66

  2004 (part)1

  19

  Total

  527

  1 Figures to date

  It is important to note that the submission of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug. Many factors have to be taken into account in assessing causal relationships, including temporal association, the possible contribution of concomitant medication and the underlying disease.

  The number of reports received via the yellow card scheme does not directly equate to the number of people who suffer adverse reactions to drugs for a number of reasons, as this scheme is associated with an unknown and variable level of under-reporting. Reporting through the yellow card scheme has been low for products used in self-medication as health professionals
  172W
  may not be aware of their use. ADR reporting rates may be influenced by the seriousness of reactions, their ease of recognition, extent of use of a particular drug and promotion and publicity about a drug. Data from the yellow card scheme cannot be used as a basis for determining the incidence of an ADR as neither the total number of reactions occurring, nor the number of patients using the drug is known.

  Agency Nurses (CRO Checks)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what risk assessment has been made of agency nurses working in care home settings without the need for a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure; [164811]

  (2) what risk assessment he has made of allowing care assistants to work unsupervised for a domiciliary care agency before their Criminal Records Bureau checks are complete. [164818]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In view of current recruitment difficulties within the care home and domiciliary care sectors, the Department is consulting on amendments to the Care Homes Regulations 2001, the Domiciliary Care Agencies Regulations 2002 and the Nurses Agencies Regulations 2002 to allow staff to start work prior to the satisfactory completion of a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

  The consultation enc s on 16 April and I will carefully consider all responses. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Allergic Reactions (Latex)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to require primary care trusts to establish a policy to reduce allergic reactions to latex in(a) staff and (b) patients. [165568]

  Mr. Hutton
  Actions to be taken in relation to natural rubber latex (NRL) are covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act, Etc. 1974 which places a general duty on all National Health Service employers to keep staff and patients healthy and safe at work. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 places duties on employers to systematically assess all workplace risks and to take all reasonably practicable action to minimise those risks—this includes exposure to NRL. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), also apply in requiring employers to undertake an assessment of any substances used at work that are hazardous to health. All of this legislation applies to primary care trusts.

  The Department of Health, working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and other interested parties, has developed a latex toolkit covering the issues surrounding latex allergy such as what employers and employees should be doing in the workplace, areas affected and general information.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of NHS staff adversely affected by an allergic reaction to latex; and(a) how many days work have been lost and (b) how many staff have left the service as a result of latex allergy in each of the last five years. [165571]
  173W
  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not collect this information centrally, as it would duplicate data collection undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to the control of substances hazardous to health.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the ambulance response times for(a) England and (b) each ambulance trust for (i) category a, (ii) category b and (iii) category c calls in each year since 1997; [163506]

  (2) what percentage of urgent patient journey calls were more than 15 minutes late in (a) England and (b) each ambulance trust in each year since 1997. [163507]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not available in the form requested. The available data are published in the statistical bulletin "Ambulance services, England: 2002–03", a copy of which is in the Library. It is also available at www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm. This shows available performance data for England and by ambulance trust.

  Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the franchise plan for the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust. [165064]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: I refer to hon. Member to the reply I gave on 12 June 2002 at column 1320W.

  Biometric Data
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to introduce a black box style system to retain key biometric data for major operations; and if he will make a statement. [162639]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The operating theatre black box system has been invented by a scientist in Britain and can be used to record the actions of surgical teams and clinical information about a patient during an operation. It is one method to support learning and improve patient safety.

  The Government recognise the need to understand more about the nature and causes of errors in surgery and as part of the Department's patient safety research programme has funded research into the safety of surgical care. The research team will make recommendations to inform surgical team training in error management in the future. The national Patient Safety Agency is also undertaking work to reduce patient safety incidents associated with surgery.

  Further information is available on the patient safety research programme w3bsite at: http://www.publichealth,bham.ac.uk/psrp and on the National Patient Safety Agency website at: http://www.npsa.nhs.uk.

  Cancer Treatment
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report, column 200W, on the National Institute for
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  Clinical Excellence, when the findings of the investigation into the implementation of guidance on the use of cancer treatments produced by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will be published; [164239]

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (2) when the National Cancer Director expects to have completed his review of postcode prescribing in the case of cancer treatment. [R] [164683]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Professor Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, is continuing his investigation into the causes of the apparent variation in the uptake of cancer drugs approved by the National Institue for Clinical Excellence.

  Professor Richards is currently considering evidence provided by the 34 cancer networks in England and data supplied by the pharmaceutical industry.

  Findings are expected to be available in Spring 2004.

  Care Homes
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new arrangements are in place for patient forums to inspect care homes. [162921]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Patients' forums have statutory powers to enter and inspect care homes for the purposes of carrying out their functions, such as monitoring and reviewing the services provided in them, where the services are provided under partnership arrangements between the national health service and a local authority under Section 31 of the Health Act 1999 and where the services provided relate to the exercise of the local authority's health related functions.

  In addition patients' forums can enter and inspect NHS care homes and NHS services provided in private care homes. Patients' forums only have the powers to enter and inspect the care homes that have been mentioned for the purposes of their functions.

  From 1 April 2004, the Commission for Social Care Inspection will be responsible for regulation and inspection of care homes and will have a duty to cooperate with the Commission for Health Care Audit and Inspection. The Government expect these bodies to work closely with patients' forums as they carry out their statutory functions.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid on average per day by local authorities to independent care homes for the provision of(a) food, (b) care and (c) accommodation in the latest year for which figures are available. [163601]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Government do not collect data on payments by local councils to independent care homes. According to the most recent National Care Standards Commission report (March 2004), fees for care homes for older people fall most often into the £200 to £400 per week range with very few above £700 per week. In the case of younger adults, fees charged fall in the range of £300 to £1,200 although overall they range from under £100 to over £2,000 per week.

  The figures are not broken into the component costs.

  CFISSA
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) budget and (b) outturn figures for the Centrally Funded Initiatives and Services Special Allocation (CFISSA) were for each of the last three years; if he will publish the total list of allocations from CFISSA for the current financial year; and if he will list the virements from the CFISSA. [151797]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]: Tables have been placed in the Library showing:

  (a) for the years 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03 the initial and final budget levels and outturn for each of the main areas within the Centrally Funded Initiatives and Services and Special Allocations budget.

  (b) the total allocations made to NHS organisations to date in 2003–04.

  The latest information on virement from capital to revenue in 2003–04 are shown in the following table. There were no net virements from the CFISSA programme into capital in 2003–04:

  2003–04 Capital to revenue virements for the CFISSA programme

  Budget

  £000

  National IT Programme: Corporate Services

  3,605

  National IT Programme: Procurement, commercial and legal services

  22,000

  National Knowledge Service

  1,000

  Surveillance and Disease Registers

  2,500

  National IT Programme: Local Initiatives

  88,895

  118,000

  Local NHS capital to revenue transfers

  200,000

  Total capital to revenue virement

  318,000

  SHA

  Org ID

  Total

  General and Acute

  Acute

  Geriatric

  Mental illness

  Learning disability

  Maternity

  2002–03

  SE Oxfordshire PCT

  Q16

  5DX

  Available

  48

  48

  48

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Occupied

  44

  44

  44

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Percentage occupancy

  91.2

  91.2

  91.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SW Oxfordshire PCT

  Q16

  5DY

  Available

  151

  151

  151

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Occupied

  143

  143

  143

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Percentage occupancy

  95.2

  95.2

  95.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Department of Health form KHO3

  Status:

  Published 11 September 2003 (latest data available)

  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the minimum number of beds required to ensure the(a) clinical and (b) financial viability of community hospitals in Oxfordshire is. [164105]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested is not held by the Department.

  Our policy on "Shifting the Balance of Power" means that funding decisions rest with primary care trusts (PCTs). PCTs, in conjunction with strategic health

  Clinical Trials
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the full results of clinical trials submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency are required to be published. [163849]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The full results of clinical trials submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are not required to be published. Sponsors of clinical trials conducted in the United Kingdom have an obligation to provide end of study data in a report. For marketed drugs, the marketing authorisation holder has an obligation to inform the MHRA of any information relevant to the evaluation of the risks and benefits of the product and provide periodic safety update reports to the MHRA. However, the MHRA has made information available about clinical trials in the specific circumstances where it has been in the public interest to do so.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the bed occupancy rate is in the community hospitals of(a) Townlands, (b) Wallingford, (c) Abingdon, (d) Wantage, (e) Watlington and (f) Didcot. [164102]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Bed data are not centrally collected by hospital site. Data are collected annually on a provider basis from National Health Service trusts. The two trusts involved are the South East Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the South West Oxfordshire PCT. The average daily number of available, and occupied beds in wards open overnight for the two trust invoked, are shown in the table. The bed occupancy rate is also included in the table.

  Information for each NHS trust is published annually on the Department's website at: http://www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/.

  authorities (SHAs), have responsibility for planning and developing services according to the needs of local people and they have the local knowledge to assess the health care needs of their residents and to identify strategies and plans to meet those needs.

  I understand that the South East and South West Oxfordshire PCTs are carrying out a consultation "South Locality Plan", which they hope will shape a long-term strategy for improving care and services

  177W
  delivered by the local health economy. The hon. Member may therefore wish to approach the Thames Valley SHA on this matter.

  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the circumstances leading to the closure of the community hospital in Burford. [164106]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I understand that Burford Hospital was closed in 2000. The decision to close the hospital was made following a full public consultation on Oxfordshire community services in 1998. All patients who were receiving their care at Burford were relocated to other community hospitals following its closure.

  Conflicts of Interest
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations are in place governing conflicts of interest on medical advisory committees, including the(a) Committee on Safety of Medicines and (b) Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation; and if he will make a statement. [162426]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  All members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines are required to follow a code of practice relating to declarations of interests in the pharmaceutical industry. The code is comprehensive and is followed at each meeting to ensure the integrity of the advice given to Ministers by the committee. This code, and a register of member's interests, is published in the Annual Report of the Medicines Advisory Bodies. The report for 2002 is in the Library. It is also available at www.mhra.gov.uk

  Members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are also required to follow a code of practice relating to declarations of industry interests which is followed at each meeting. A register of JCVI members' interests is available on the JCVI pages of the Department of Health's website at www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk

  Consultants Appointments
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the specific requirements of the NHS (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1982 are on the appointment procedure for NHS consultants; what(a) qualifications and (b) experience a surgeon is required to have to be appointed as an NHS consultant; what (i) experience and (ii) qualifications a surgeon is required to have to work for an independent sector treatment center; arid what criteria the appointment procedure must satisfy. [164602]

  Mr. Hutton
  Current requirements are those set out in the National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996. To become a consultant in the NHS a doctor must be included on the specialist register held by the General Medical Council (GMC)178W
  and successfully compete for a consultant post in open competition. In the United Kingdom the postgraduate specialist medical qualification, leading to automatic inclusion on the specialist register, is a certificate of completion of specialist training. Individual employers may also specify any particular requirements for a post in a job description and person specification.

  Procedures for the appointment of staff in independent sector treatment centers are a matter for the relevant independent healthcare providers. In order to operate independently in an independent sector treatment center a doctor must be a registered medical practitioner included on the specialist register held by the GMC.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appointments have been made to the New Consultant Entry Scheme; and how many appointments are expected to be made in(a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006. [156292]

  Mr. Hutton
  The New Consultant Entry Scheme (NCES) became fully operational in January. To date, five specialist registrars have been appointed to psychiatric, paediatric intensive care, histopathology, rehabilitation medicine and ophthalmology consultant posts on the scheme. Expressions of interest in the scheme continue to grow and we expect to match additional specialist registrars to vacant consultant posts in the coming months.

  The scheme is managed by NHS Professionals for Doctors but not centrally funded, allowing strategic health authorities to make local arrangements to place doctors on the scheme. Local reports suggest a further 60 doctors had been appointed on the scheme.

  The scheme is voluntary but potentially there are 12,485 specialist registrars in 2004, 2,399 specialist registrars in 2005 and 2,167 specialist registrars in 2006 who are expected to obtain their certificate of completion of specialist training and would be eligible to apply to the scheme.1

  Non-consultant career grade doctors who have a certificate of completion of specialist training or are on the specialist register, are also eligible for the scheme. Latest available figures from the September 2001 medical workforce census suggest that there are 448 doctors on the specialist register working in non-consultant career grade posts who would be eligible for the scheme.

  1Specialist registrar figures based on calendar year 2004, 2005 and 2006.

  Source:

  Department of Health Planning Extract.

  Continuing Care Entitlement
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of reimbursing people who had not received NHS continuing care to which
  179W
  they were entitled following the Health Service Ombudsman's report; and if he will estimate what impact the review of eligibility criteria will have on the cost of free personal care. [164872]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Funding was made available to strategic health authorities to cover the estimated costs of recompense claims for patients inappropriately denied fully funded National Health Service continuing care. The Department does not routinely publish details of estimated costs of a specific service. Any variation in future costs of free personal care remains within the range of estimates previously made by the Department.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many people have not received NHS continuing care because of strict eligibility criteria who will now receive such care after the review of eligibility criteria following the Health Service Ombudsman's report. [164873]

  Dr. Ladyman
  It is not possible to make an assessment of the number of people affected by changes in fully funded National Health Service continuing care criteria. It is expected that strategic health authorities will provide continuing care based on assessed needs, in accordance with their local eligibility criteria, following review of those criteria.

  Cost of Accountants
  Mr. Paul Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to the NHS in 2003–04 of employing accountants to handle the administration of claims for VAT exemption; and if he will make a statement. [164874]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not centrally collect the information on which such an estimate could be made.

  Cots
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of cots for(a) pre-term babies and (b) severely premature babies in the South East of England. [163619]

  Capital Expenditure on Renovation and Maintenance Projects

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Total

  Leasehold

  Skipton House

  24,143

  0

  0

  28,449

  0

  52,592

  Hannibal House

  0

  0

  174,991

  76,047

  48,097

  299,135

  Eileen House

  0

  0

  183,480

  3,370

  0

  186,850

  Market Towers

  27,257

  0

  0

  0

  0

  27,257

  Freehold

  Wellington House

  1,029,676

  144,078

  390,224

  1,096,688

  97,628

  2,758,294

  Richmond House

  425,120

  375,333

  144,973

  807,000

  332,887

  2,085,313

  Premier Buildings, Nelson

  500

  10,300

  6,000

  10,609

  10,927

  38,336

  Pensions Agency, Blackpool

  45,870

  2,000

  6,319

  172,555

  570,000

  796,744

  Totals

  1,552,566

  531,711

  905,987

  2,194,718

  1,059,539

  6,244,521

  180W
  Dr. Ladyman
  We are investing an additional £70 million in neonatal intensive care services to provide, over the next two years, up to 75 new cots nationally. This provision will include cots and services for pre-term and severely premature babies in the South East of England.

  Deaf People
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how measures included in the initiative on choice in the NHS will benefit deaf people. [163057]

  Dr. Ladyman
  "Building on the Best: Choice, Responsiveness and Equity in the NHS" draws out the main themes that emerged from the recent consultation on what changes would do the most to improve the experience of health care for patients, users and cares. The Department is planning to produce an accessible summary of the document for deaf people. "Building on the Best" emphasised that there must be flexible arrangements for people to access services that respond to their needs in the round rather than a response that isolates their health needs and that communications barriers must be dismantled.

  Dentists
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2004,Official Report, column 134, on dentists, what information the hon. Member for Doncaster, Central used to obtain the dentist training numbers for this year and for 1997. [159700]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The estimates were based on information from dental schools in England of the number of students accepted for the 1997–98 and 2003–04 academic years.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) renovation and (b) maintenance projects on buildings (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department were undertaken in each of the last five years; and what the associated costs were of each. [163946]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Renovation and maintenance projects to the value of £6.24 million were carried out at the buildings owned and rented by the Department in the period 1999–2004 and shown in the table.

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of his Department's policies on the services for users of(a) King George Hospital, Ilford and (b) Whipps Cross University Hospital since 1997. [164876]

  Mr. Hutton
  Detailed information on the impact of Departmental policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans" is available in the Library and on the Department's website.

  King George Hospital is one of four main hospitals within the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Developments and improvements at King George Hospital since 1997 include:
  A cardiac angiography suite opened to patients in November 2003, (partially funded by the New Opportunities Fund) to provide facilities for local residents to receive cardiac investigations closer to home.
  The Cedars center cancer unit, redeveloped and extended cancer treatment facilities recently opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, developed in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Relief.
  A primary care walk-in center will open in April 2004 within the King George Hospital accident and emergency department. A capital redevelopment of the accident and emergency area is planned to accommodate a full walk-in center in due course.

  In April 2001, following a major reconfiguration of all healthcare services within north-east London, Whipps Cross Hospital NHS Trust was established as an acute trust within the North East London Strategic Health Authority. Developments and improvements at Whipps Cross University Hospital since 1997 include:

  Investment
  The approval of the outline business case for the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital at a total cost of £331 million.
  The opening of a satellite renal unit £1.35 million in partnership with Barts and The London NHS Trust.
  The opening of the new Acorn children's unit—£1.2 million.
  The opening of the Gillian Revell rehabilitation center—a rehabilitation unit for older people.

  Information Management Technology
  A trust-wide programme to upgrade information management technology investment in both hardware and software.

  Access: Accident and Emergency
  Major upgrading of the accident and emergency department.
  £2.5 million emergency medicine center opened in June 2003.
  In March 2002, there were 382 patients waiting more than 12 months for inpatient treatment and 874 waiting 9 to 11 months. Latest figures show 344 waiting mere than 9 to 11 months.
  In March 2002, there were 2,310 patients waiting more than 13 weeks for outpatient treatment. Latest figures show 1,366 patients waiting more than 13 weeks.
  83.6 per cent. of patients spend less than four hours in the accident and emergency Department. In September 2002, the figure was 49.1 per cent.
  99.8 per cent. of urgent referrals for suspected cancer are seen by a specialist within two weeks.
  182W
  Coronary Heart Disease Services
  The opening of rapid access chest pain clinic on Byron ward. Extra funding allocated for heart disease services has resulted in a cut in waiting times from over 26 weeks to 13 weeks.
  The opening of an integrated cardiology unit on Byron ward.
  The opening of a cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what improvements to users of primary care services in the London borough of Redbridge have been funded by his Department since 1990. [164877]

  Mr. Hutton
  Detailed information on the impact of departmental policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans", is available in the Library and on the Department's website.

  The London borough of Redbridge is coterminous with Redbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT).

  Information is not held centrally for the period 1990 to 2002. in April 2003 Redbridge PCT was merged with part of the disaggregated Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford PCT. Figures are therefore only available from June 2003 for Redbridge PCT. This information is shown in the tables.

  Number of people waiting for in-patient treatment (including day cases) in Redbridge PCT

  Month end

  June 2003

  January 2004

  Total waiting list

  5,209

  4,811

  Patients waiting 9–11 months

  384

  368

  Patients waiting over 12 months

  0

  0

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH07.

  In June 2003 71.9 per cent. of patients (of practices which have an appointments system) were offered an appointment to see a primary care professional within one working day. Latest figures show that this has risen to 82.8 per cent. (December 2003).

  Number of people waiting for out-patient treatment in Redbridge PCT

  Month end

  June 2003

  September 2003

  13+ weeks

  1.710

  1,982

  17–20 weeks

  457

  481

  21 + weeks

  0

  0

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH07.

  The NHS Plan commitment by March 2003 was that no one would wait more than 21 weeks. As figures show, the PCT is meeting this target.

  Redbridge PCT allocations

  £million

  2003–04

  160.65

  2004–05

  175.54

  During 2003–04 Redbridge PCT invested significant monies in Primary Care Service development. These include:

  183W

  Scheme

  £000

  Enhanced Intermediate Care Team

  120

  Paediatric Diabetes Nurse Specialist

  25

  Provision of community based services by GPwSI

  60

  Extension of GP Co-operative

  30

  Investment at Whipps Cross Hospital MRI Waits and GP referrals

  50

  Mental Health Treatments

  18

  Exceptional treatment

  50

  Integrated equipment store

  15

  Setting up and providing a GP appraisal system for all RPCT practicing GPs

  115

  Child protection improvements—nurse consultant

  50

  Diabetes retinal screening

  100

  Free Nursing Care

  70

  Breast screening extension to 65–70 year olds

  79

  Fund GP counselling service

  173

  IT support for CHD and Diabetes registers: 2 IT facilitators

  45

  Total

  1,000

  The PCT has also funded increased activity and service developments for specialist services, which it commissions through consortium arrangements within North East London strategic health authority and pan London consortia.

  The PCT has also been working in partnership with non-NHS organisations to the benefit of Redbridge residents, during 2003–04 £400,000 was spent on schemes including community volunteers, mental health concern, dementia, local action for health, regeneration and health improvement and user involvement.

  Eligibility Criteria
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2004,Official

  Average number of patients waiting for elective admission, selected NHS trusts, 1996–97 to 2003–04

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  Southport and Formby Hospitals Services NHS Trust

  West Lancashire NHS Trust

  Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust

  Ordinary in-patient

  Day case

  Ordinary in-patient

  Day case

  Ordinary in-patient

  Day case

  Ordinary in-patient

  Day case

  Average number waiting

  1996–97

  4,953

  5,109

  1,340

  2,678

  937

  1,309

  —

  —

  1997–98

  4,163

  5,287

  1,466

  2,745

  1,046

  1,363

  —

  —

  1998–99

  3,790

  4,610

  1,270

  2,557

  1,199

  1,423

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  3,514

  4,948

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,446

  3,595

  2000–01

  3,485

  4,515

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,389

  3,320

  2001–02

  3,118

  3,922

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,415

  3,064

  2002–03

  2,770

  3,613

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,229

  2,812

  2003–04 (three quarters data)

  2,236

  3,846

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,956

  2,883

  Percentage change

  1996–97

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1997–98

  -16

  3

  9

  2

  12

  4

  —

  —

  1998–99

  -9

  -13

  -13

  -7

  15

  4

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  -7

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2000–01

  -1

  -9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -2

  -8

  2001–02

  -11

  -13

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  -8

  2002–03

  -11

  -8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -8

  -8

  2003–04 (three quarters data)

  -19

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -12

  3

  Notes:

  1. Southport and Formby Hospitals Services NHS Trust and West Lancashire NHS Trust merged to form Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust.

  2. Waiting times data are collected quarterly. The average number waiting has been calculated by adding the totals for each quarter and dividing by four.

  3. Only three quarters data are available for 2003–04.

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH07.

  184W
  Report, column 916W, on eligibility criteria, what information will be available centrally on the number of individual cases granted recompense. [165301]

  Dr. Ladyman
  After the end of March 2004, the number of individual cases granted recompense up to that time will be held centrally.

  Foundation Hospitals
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members each foundation trust applicant has recruited. [157759]

  Mr. Hutton
  The independent regulator has authorised the first 10 National Health Service foundation trusts. When doing so, the chairman of the independent regulator announced there are 50,000 members of the 10 NHS foundation trusts. More detailed information about membership numbers at each of the NHS foundation trusts is available from the constitutions, and the register of members. Both documents are held by the NHS foundation trusts themselves.

  Health Services (Crosby)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of patients on(a) inpatient and (b) day case waiting lists was in Crosby in each year since 1997; and what the percentage change was in each year. [164308]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not collected on a constituency basis but at national health service trust level. This information is shown in the table.
  185W
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting for cataract surgery in Crosby for more than(a) three, (b) six and (c) nine months in each year since 1997: and what the percentage change was in each case in each year. [164309]

  In-patient elective waiting list for ophthalmology from 1996–97 to 2003–04

  Patients waiting for admission by months waiting

  Percentage change

  Year/Name

  Three months and over

  Six months and over

  Nine months and over

  Three months and over

  Six months and over

  Nine months and over

  1996–97

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  586

  291

  64

  —

  —

  —

  Southport and Formby NHS Trust

  908

  527

  270

  —

  —

  —

  1997–98

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  572

  217

  46

  -2

  -25

  -28

  Southport and Formby NHS Trust

  919

  659

  430

  1

  25

  59

  1998–99

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  608

  359

  177

  6

  65

  285

  Southport and Formby NHS Trust

  637

  345

  111

  -31

  -48

  -74

  1999–2000

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  792

  436

  156

  30

  21

  -12

  Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust

  627

  360

  147

  -2

  4

  32

  2000–01

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  555

  274

  56

  -30

  -37

  -64

  Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust

  695

  322

  137

  11

  -11

  -7

  2001–02

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  350

  162

  25

  -37

  -41

  -55

  Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust

  630

  358

  135

  -9

  11

  -1

  2002–03

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  262

  71

  8

  -25

  -56

  -68

  Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust

  615

  328

  76

  -2

  -8

  -44

  2003–04

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  140

  27

  0

  -47

  -62

  -100

  Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust

  199

  24

  0

  -68

  -93

  -100

  Notes:

  1. Southport and Formby NHS Trust (REQ) and West Lancashire NHS Trust (RJV) merged to form Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust (RVY).

  2. West Lancashire NHS Trust had no reported data for ophthalmology.

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH07.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the performance of health authorities in Crosby in meeting out-patient access targets since 1997. [164310]

  Waiting times for first out-patient appointment, March 1997 to December 2003 GP written referral requests not yet seen, who have been waiting (weeks)

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust (REM)

  Southport and Formby Hospitals Services NHS Trust (REQ)

  West Lancashire NHS Trust (RJV)

  Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (RVY)

  Quarter

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  March 1997

  1,266

  49

  840

  0

  426

  222

  —

  —

  June 1997

  1,162

  53

  1,736

  4

  404

  180

  —

  —

  September 1997

  1,151

  102

  976

  0

  558

  215

  —

  —

  December 1997

  1,499

  124

  1,248

  1

  656

  201

  —

  —

  March 1998

  1,607

  173

  1,215

  39

  577

  288

  —

  —

  June 1998

  1,554

  198

  1,137

  303

  835

  275

  —

  —

  September 1998

  2,062

  118

  1,303

  378

  1,030

  312

  —

  —

  December 1998

  2,330

  238

  1,178

  392

  1,035

  350

  —

  —

  March 1999

  2,237

  557

  805

  434

  662

  417

  —

  —

  June 1999

  2,151

  1,183

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,465

  848

  September 1999

  2,062

  1,340

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,712

  435

  December 1999

  2,146

  1,421

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,757

  481

  March 2000

  1,450

  1,346

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,088

  24

  June 2000

  2,352

  1,413

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,459

  82

  186W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not collected on a constituency basis but at national health service trust level. This information is shown in the table.

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not collected on a constituency basis but as National Health Service trust level. This information is shown in the table.
  187W

  Waiting times for first out-patient appointment, March 1997 to December 2003 GP written referral requests not yet seen, who have been waiting (weeks)

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust (REM)

  Southport and Formby Hospitals Services NHS Trust (REQ)

  West Lancashire NHS Trust (RJV)

  Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (RVY)

  Quarter

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  13 to < 26

  26 >

  September 2000

  2,167

  1,257

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,887

  21

  December 2000

  1,101

  1,059

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,671

  36

  March 2001

  971

  977

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,198

  310

  June 2001

  920

  833

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,948

  611

  September 2001

  1,056

  355

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,867

  318

  December 2001

  1,022

  245

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,326

  112

  March 2002

  966

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  822

  0

  13 to < 17

  17 to < 21

  21 to < 26

  26 >

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust (REM)

  June 2002

  459

  218

  14

  0

  September 2002

  628

  96

  26

  0

  December 2002

  468

  34

  1

  0

  March 2003

  326

  111

  0

  0

  June 2003

  567

  213

  0

  0

  September 2003

  646

  165

  0

  0

  December 2003

  344

  0

  0

  0

  Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (RVY)

  June 2002

  808

  280

  51

  0

  September 2002

  701

  248

  59

  0

  December 2002

  604

  119

  2

  0

  March 2003

  416

  109

  0

  0

  June 2003

  627

  68

  0

  0

  September 2003

  636

  103

  0

  0

  December 2003

  431

  0

  0

  0

  Note:

  Southport and Formby Hospitals Services NHS Trust and West Lancashire NHS Trust merged to form Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust.

  < less than and > more than QM08 return revised to give smaller timebands

  Source:

  Department of Health form QM08.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in Crosby(a) were admitted, treated and discharged within four hours of arrival in accident and emergency departments and (b) had four to 12 hour trolley waits, in each year since 1997. [164357]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Information is not collected on a constituency basis but at national health service trust level. This information is shown in the following table.

  Total time spent in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge, Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust (REM)

  Major A&E (Type 1 only)

  All A&E/MIU/WIC Type 1, 2, 3)

  Quarter

  Total attendances

  Percentage of patients who spent less than 4 hours in A&E

  Total attendances

  Percentage of patients who spent less than 4 hours in A&E

  2002–03

  2

  19,630

  52

  —

  —

  2002–03

  3

  18,931

  59

  —

  —

  2002–03

  4

  18,360

  75.4

  —

  —

  2003–04

  1

  20,106

  77.4

  20,106

  77.4

  2003–04

  2

  21,348

  90.8

  21,348

  90.8

  2003–04

  3

  19,016

  85.0

  19,016

  85.0

  Source:

  Department of Health dataset QMAE

  188W
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) cancelled urgent operations and (b) last minute cancelled operations there were in Crosby in each year since 1997. [164358]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Data are not collected on the number of cancelled urgent operations. However, quarterly data are collected on the number of operations cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons.

  Cancelled operations data are collected nationally and by National Health Service Trust and strategic health authority level. This information is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of(a) ambulance emergency responses were within eight minutes and (b) urgent ambulance responses to general practitioners requests were within 15 minutes in Crosby in each year since 1997. [164359]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Data are collected for ambulance trusts from 1998 when each ambulance service introduced call prioritisation. The information requested is available in the Library and can be found on the Department's website at www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm.

  Health Services (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of(a) doctors and (b) nurses were agency staff in (i) Preston and (ii) Chorley hospitals in each of the last three years. [147858]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not held centrally.

  Hip Replacement (Qualifying Criteria)
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the qualifying criteria for the patient choice scheme are for orthopaedic patients on the Royal London Hospital waiting for hip replacement. [163988]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Royal London Hospital is part of the London patient choice project. This pan-London scheme is at present for London patients who are registered with a London general practitioner.

  The London patient choice project offers choice of treatment in an alternative hospital to clinically appropriate patients waiting longer than six months for surgery, including orthopaedic surgery.
  189W
  From 1 April 2004 the London patient choice scheme will be open to all clinically appropriate patients, including those resident outside of London, who are on a London Hospital waiting list. However the scheme is not enacted until the patient has been on the waiting list for six months.

  HIV/AIDS
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is provided to nationals of sub-Saharan African countries working within the NHS in treating HIV/AIDS. [164760]

  Mr. Hutton
  The training and education that a member of the national health service workforce receives will depend upon the demands of the specific role within the NHS. An individual's training needs are identified through the development of individual career plans and appraisal mechanisms. There are no specific training programmes for nationals of sub-Saharan Africa working in the NHS, but if specific needs are identified, these are addressed on an individual basis.

  Hospital Infections
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of Ebiox handrub and handwash products as part of a programme of infection control in hospitals; and what advice he has issued concerning their use. [163149]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  As part of Winning Ways we are developing a rapid review process to assess new procedures and products for which claims of effectiveness are made for their ability to prevent or control healthcare associated infection. This will help the national health service assess new products such as the Ebiox's products which are still under development.

  Existing guidance already provides advice on hand hygiene products1.

  1The epic project: Developing National Evidence-based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections. Phase 1 guidelines for preventing hospital acquired infections (available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/73/68/04077368.PDF).

  Hospital Shower Curtains
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has made of hospital shower curtains as a source of micro-organisms. [163760]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department has not commissioned any research into hospital shower curtains as a source of pathogenic micro-organisms. There is no evidence of disease linked to micro-organisms found on shower curtains within the United Kingdom.

  Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) current and (b) proposed private finance initiative projects for the Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust. [165040]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are two Private Finance Initiative hospital schemes for the Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust: new maternity facilities at Hull Royal Infirmary (which became operational in March 2003)190W
  and the development of a new integrated oncology and clinical haematology unit at Castle Hill Hospital, which is currently in procurement and scheduled to reach financial close in winter 2004–05.

  Illegal Meat Imports
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risks to human health from illegal imports of meat. [165202]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that it has developed a risk profile of the microbiological risks to public health from illegally imported meat.

  On the basis of the risk profile, the FSA does not believe there is currently the evidence to suggest the need for a formal risk assessment. However, the FSA will continue to monitor the available data and review the risk profile.

  The United Kingdom public health bodies involved in the investigation of outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease have not traced any outbreaks of human disease in the UK to illegally imported meat.

  The FSA's advice to UK consumers is that illegally imported meat should not be eaten because it will not have been subject to proper controls at the point of production and will have evaded export controls in the country of origin and import controls at the port of entry to the EU. These controls are designed to verify compliance with food safety standards, and such illegal imports cannot legally be sold in the UK.

  The FSA has advised local authorities, which are responsible for enforcement of imported food and food safety legislation, that all illegally imported food products, including meat, should be removed from the human food chain. The FSA is also working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and HM Customs and Excise to assist in the targeting of enforcement work to detect and seize illegal meat imports.

  In-patient Treatment (Greater London)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting for in-patient hospital treatment in Greater London, broken down by hospital trust, in each month since June 2002. [163732]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in a table which has been placed in the Library.

  Infection Control (Care Homes)
  Mr. Paul Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths in care homes were attributed to notifiable infectious diseases in each year since 1997, broken down by disease. [165240]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  191W
  Letter from Len Cook to Paul Burstow, dated 7 April 2004:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths in care homes were attributed to notifiable infectious diseases in each year since 1997, broken down by disease. (165240)

  The latest year for which data are available is 2002. The figures in the table below relate to deaths occurring in care homes from diseases which are notifiable under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988. Only those diseases for which there]

  Number of deaths

  Tuberculosis and late effects of tuberculosis

  Other

  Total

  1997

  31

  16

  47

  1998

  30

  10

  40

  1999

  33

  9

  42

  2000

  21

  12

  33

  20011

  20

  21

  41

  20021

  19

  21

  40

  1The introduction of the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for coding case of death in 2001 means that data for 2001 onwards may not be completely comparable with data for years before this date. Analysis of data for tuberculosis suggests that figures for ICD-9 and ICD-10 are broadly comparable, but detailed analyses of other notifiable diseases has not been undertaken. The data should therefore be interpreted with caution.

  Notes:

  1. Care homes were defined as NHS and non-NHS nursing homes, local authority residential homes and private residential homes

  2. Figures are based on deaths occurring in each calendar year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of hospitals had implemented a ward housekeeping service in England at the latest date for which figures are available. [165244]

  Mr. Hutton
  The most recent data collected at the end of September 2004 by NHS Estates from national health service trusts show 40 per cent. of all hospitals have introduced housekeepers. 53 per cent. of larger hospitals (those having 100 beds or more, and accounting for 86 per cent. of all beds), have already implemented the service.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that general practitioner practices will be granted at least three choices of information technology suppliers under the new General Medical Services contract. [163348]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) has awarded a number of contracts to local service providers (LSPs) who act as prime contractors to deliver the elements of the NPfIT in a geographical area. It is the primary responsibility of the LSPs to work with a range of other suppliers to deliver the solutions that the national health service needs. This will include working with clinical professionals and primary care system providers to ensure that the systems in use across the NHS conform to the national standards required and can be upgraded to integrate with new national applications as they come on line.
  192W
  The new general medical services contract guaranteed a choice of systems for general practitioners. We will ensure that they do have a choice of systems that comply with agreed national standards. It is not appropriate to specify a particular number of choices.

  IT (Dentists)
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2004,Official Report, column 388W, on IT (Dentists), (1) what pilot schemes have been undertaken to facilitate integration of NHS dentistry within the national programme for IT; [163906]

  (2) what assessment has been made of (a) the success of and (b) areas for improvement within pilot schemes to facilitate integration of NHS dentistry within the national programme for IT. [163907]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Forty seven dental practices in England are involved in 23 pilot schemes set up by the Modernisation Agency as part of the modernising dentistry programme, which was created following the publication of Options for Change in August 2002. The aim of the modernising dentistry programme is to facilitate new ways of working in the delivery of National Health Service primary care dental services. Allied to this are streams of work to support modernisation in dental hospitals and secondary care.

  The focus is on supporting and improving any area of patient care through the better use of Information Technology (IT) and the National Programme for IT (NpfIT) is developing services that are intended to be used by all NHS clinicians. This includes dentists, and we will be testing new ways of working and contributing to the new dental service which will be rolled out from 2005 onwards. Although these pilots were initiated prior to dentistry being brought into the NPfIT, the outcomes of these pilots will feed directly into the future requirements for dental IT systems.

  Khat
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on health of the use of Khat. [164090]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In the publication "Dangerousness of Drugs (2003)", copies of which are available in the Library, the Department published guidance on the health impact of Khat. This summary was commissioned from the National Addiction center based on expert review of the evidence.

  Limited Registration (Doctors)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 February 2004,Official Report, column 1540W, on doctors, what he means by a period of limited registration. [162236]

  Mr. Hutton
  All doctors who wish to practice medicine in the United Kingdom must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). There are four main types of registration: provisional, limited, full and specialist. Limited registration is granted to doctors whose primary medical qualification is obtained outside the United Kingdom and who have provided evidence
  193W
  of linguistic abilities, capability to practise in the UK and secured an offer of employment. Doctors with limited registration may only work under the supervision of fully registered medical practitioner and the type of posts in which they can work is also restricted.

  A doctor who has been granted limited registration can apply to move to full registration if they meet the GMC's requirements. By law the total maximum period for which limited registration can be granted is five years. Further details on registration can be obtained directly from the GMC, as the independent statutory body responsible for licensing medical practitioners.

  Liver Disease
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate his Department has made of the incidence of undetected cases of hepatitis C in England; and if he will make a statement; [162068]

  (2) if he will estimate the incidence of (a) hepatitis C and (b) all liver disease in England in each year since 1990; [162071]

  Finished admissions into National Health Service hospitals in England for liver disease 1995–96 to 2002–03

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  16,293

  16,790

  18,729

  19,301

  19,990

  20,595

  20,640

  21,956

  Note: Data in table refer to admissions where there has been a primary diagnosis of liver disease (i.e. ICD-10 K70-K77, Q44.6, B66.1, B66.3). Data are only available from 1995/96 because of changes in the way diagnoses are coded.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health

  The future incidence of hepatitis C and the associated burden of liver disease are not known. The Department is funding the Health Protection Agency, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council's Biostatistics Unit at Cambridge, to provide estimates in this area.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the level of need for liver transplantation in England in the next decade. [162072]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The growing success of liver transplantation means that more people are now being offered a transplant. It is estimated that the demand, particularly for alcoholic liver disease and hepatitis C, will continue to grow slowly at a rate of 10–15 per cent. over the next five years.

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his strategy for cutting inpatient and outpatient waiting times for access to magnetic resonance imaging scanners in England. [1653451

  Mr. Hutton
  Data on waiting times for diagnostic tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are not collected centrally; however, data may be collected locally by some strategic health authorities.
  194W
  (3) what estimate his Department has made of the incidence of (a) hepatitis C, (b) liver cancer and (c) all liver disease in England in the next decade. [162073]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Laboratory reports of antibody to hepatitis C in England, between 1992 (when national surveillance began) and 2003 are available on the Health protection Agency's website at http:// www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics/ az/hepatitis c/data lab region.htm The majority of cases of acute hepatitis C infection do not result in symptoms and therefore new infections are not usually identified. These laboratory reports do not distinguish between new (incident) and past infections and represent newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis C.

  Studies suggest that about 0.5 per cent. of the general population in England (250,000 people) has been infected with hepatitis C. The number of cumulative laboratory reports is lower than the estimate for the overall population prevalence and suggests that the majority of hepatitis C infections have not been diagnosed.

  Finished admissions into National Health Service hospitals in England for liver disease from 1995–96 to 2002–03 are shown in the table.

  As recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, work is under way to eradicate waits for MRI through national procurement of a mobile MRI service. This will deliver an approximate 10 per cent. increase in the capacity already available to the national health service. In practical terms, approximately 80,000 extra MRI scans will be available to patients by July 2004.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the(a) recruitment and (b) training of radiographers to reduce waiting times for access to magnetic resonance imaging scanners in England. [165347]

  Mr. Hutton
  There has been significant progress in increasing both the numbers of radiographers employed in the national health service and the number of radiographers entering training each year. Between 1997 and 2003, the number of NHS radiographers increased by 1,573 or 13 per cent. and between 1996–97 and 2002–03, the number of training places for radiographers has increased by 634 to 107 per cent.

  Information is not collected centrally on waiting times for access to magnetic resonance imaging scanners.

  Medical Devices Agency
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) fatal accidents and (b) adverse incident

  195W
  reports to the Medical Devices Agency there were in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the most common causes of these incidents. [163505]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information on total numbers of reported medical device related adverse incidents and reported incidents involving a fatality is shown in table 1.

  Table 1: Reported medical device related adverse incidents 1997–2003

  Total number of reported incidents

  Reported incidents involving a fatality

  1997

  5,383

  47

  1998

  6,298

  79

  1999

  6,610

  87

  2000

  7,249

  92

  2001

  7,896

  141

  2002

  8,756

  175

  2003

  8,795

  166

  For summary information and reported purposes, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency groups the causes of medical device related adverse incidents into four categories:

  1. Before delivery—issues relating to design, manufacture, quality control and/or packaging.

  2. After delivery—relating to performance and/or maintenance failures and device degradation.

  3. User error—where the device had not been used in accordance with the instructions for use.

  4. No established link to device—where (a) the device was found subsequently to work as intended (possibly due to an intermittent fault. tampering, or user error) or (b) it was not available for inspection, or (c) because the report was made on precautionary basis.

  The percentage of incidents falling into each of these categories in 2003 is shown in Table 2.

  Table 2: Reported medical device related adverse incidents 2003

  Percentage

  cause of incident

  All incident reports (number = 8,795)

  Reported incidents involving a fatality (number = 166)

  1. Before delivery

  37

  12

  2. After delivery

  30

  11

  3. User error

  18

  36

  4. No established links to device

  44

  62

  >Note:

  Figures total more than 100 per cent. as multiple causes have been identified in some reports.

  Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether any members of the expert working group of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have an interest in GlaxoSmithKline; [162486]

  (2) what the reasons were for four separate reviews of Seroxat (paroxetine) by the expert working group of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; [162487]
  196W
  (3) who sits on the expert working group of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; [162488]

  (4) when the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency was informed about the recently issued guidance on the recommended prescription doses of Seroxat (paroxetine); [162557]

  (5) what plans he has to withdraw (paroxetine) from new prescriptions.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Since paroxetine (Seroxat) was authorised in 1990, its safety has been closely monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Government's independent expert advisory committee, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM). The CSM has considered the safety of Seroxat on a number of occasions in response to the receipt of new data in relation to the issues of suicidal behaviour and withdrawal reactions.

  The CSM's expert working group on the safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) was established in May 2003 to review the current available evidence relating to the safety of SSRIs, including paroxetine. The CSM's expert working group comprises the following members whose areas of expertise include psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, epidemiology, statistics and general practice:

  Professor Ian V. D. Weller

  Professor Deborah Ashby

  Mr. Richard Brook (resigned in March 2004)

  Professor Mary G. A. Chambers

  Dr. Jonathan D. Chick

  Professor Colin Drummond

  Professor David J. Gunnell

  Professor Klaus Ebmeier

  Dr. Elizabeta Mukaetova-Ladinska

  Mr. Eamonn O'Tierney

  Dr. Ross J. Taylor

  Dr. Ann York

  Dr. Morris Zwi

  Members of the Medicines Act advisory committees such as the CSM and its working groups are required to follow a code of practice relating to declarations of interests in the pharmaceutical industry. The code is rigorously followed at each meeting to ensure the integrity of the advice given to the Licensing Authority by those committees. None of the members of the CSM's expert working group have a personal interest in GlaxoSmithKline or any of the other companies which hold marketing authorisations for SSRIs.

  To date the expert group has met nine times and has completed the most comprehensive review yet undertaken of the safety of SSRIs in paediatric use. An interim report, which provides information on the key evidence considered by the group up to July 2003 and the action that has been taken as a result of the group's advice, was published on the MHRA/CSM website in September 2003. The expert group is now focused on completing its task of reviewing all the data related to the use of paroxetine and the related drugs in adults, specifically focusing on suicidal behaviour, withdrawal reactions and the dosage recommendations.
  197W
  As part of the ongoing in-depth review, the expert group has recently re-evaluated the original dose finding studies carried out for the licensing of paroxetine. The expert group initially reviewed one of the dose finding studies for paroxetine in October 2003. On the advice of the expert group, the manufacturer was then asked to provide data to justify the current dosing recommendations for all indications as part of the European review of the risks and benefits of paroxetine. The expert group reviewed the completed data set at their meeting on 27 February 2004.

  This review confirmed that, as stated in the product information provided to prescribers, the recommended daily dose is 20mg, with the exception of obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder, for which the recommended daily dose is 40gm.

  On 10 March 2004, the CSM confirmed the advice of its expert group and advised that public communication was necessary on the basis of the re-evaluation of clinical trial data and the evidence of prescribing outside of the recommendations in the summary of product characteristics. Ministers accepted the CSM's advice and a communication underlining the recommended daily doses for paroxetine was issued to health professionals on 11 March 2004.

  The CSM's current advise is that the balance of risks and benefits of this medicine in the licensed indications is favourable and, on this basis. there are no plans to restrict its use in new patients.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on a negative impact of the four-hour target for total time in accident and emergency on the care of patients with mental health difficulties who present to accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement. [159736]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Patients with mental health difficulties benefit along with other patients from the reduction in delay in assessment and treatment the four-hour target requires. Concerns were expressed last year by clinicians about the minority of patients who clinically need more than four hours in accident and emergency (A&E). In response to this the final December 2004 target was adjusted at the end of 2003 to a minimum operating standard of 98 per cent. This gives all trusts up to 2 per cent. headroom to manage clinical exceptions and other patients still in A&E after four hours. The number of patients with mental health difficulties who clinically need more than four hours in A&E is very small.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were resident in mental hospitals or mental institutions in each of the last five years. [163014]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information on the numbers of patients resident in national health service hospitals in England under the care of a mental illness or learning disabilities consultant from 31 March 1998 to 2002 is shown in the table.
  198W

  Mental illness

  Learning disabilities

  1998

  31,734

  8,413

  1999

  30,801

  7,102

  2000

  29,891

  6,030

  2001

  31,560

  6,507

  2002

  31,344

  5,362

  Source:

  NHS Facilities

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were outpatients affiliated to a mental hospital or mental institution in each of the last five years. [163015]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Between 2001 and 2002 there was an increase of over 50,000 in numbers of patients seen by community mental health teams and increases of 1,000 and nearly 3,000 inpatients seen by crisis resolution and assertive outreach teams.

  The number of attendances at consultant led outpatient National Health Service clinics for Mental Illness sector is provided in table 1. Taken alone, these figures do not reflect accurately the volume of provision as mental health services are provided in a number of alternative ways as well as through traditional outpatient appointments. Table 2 provides the currently available information on the number of people receiving services from assertive outreach, crisis resolution, and early intervention teams, which provide mental health services to people with mental health problems in the community.

  Table 1

  Consultant outpatient attendances: Mental Illness sector, England

  Year

  Quarter

  Sector

  First attendances seen

  Subsequent attendances seen

  Total attendances seen

  1998–99

  1—

  287,411

  1,813,011

  2,100,422

  1999–2000

  1—

  281,578

  1,790,408

  2.071,986

  2000–01

  1—

  284,884

  1,760,399

  2,045,283

  2001–02

  1—

  272,599

  1,684,879

  1,957,478

  2002–03

  1—

  276,442

  1,736,263

  2,012,705

  2003–04

  1

  1—

  61,924

  381,459

  443,383

  2003–04

  2

  1—

  66,997

  397,497

  464,494

  2003–04

  3

  1—

  64,975

  416,155

  481,130

  1Mental illness

  Source:

  Department of Health dataset KHO9 (Annual Data)

  Department of Health dataset QMOP (Quarterly Data)

  Table 2

  Number of people receiving services from functionalised community teams, England

  Snapshot at Q3 2003–04

  Q1–Q3 2003–04

  Assertive outreach

  11,493

  Crisis resolution

  —

  30,650

  Early intervention

  1,226

  —

  Source:

  Local Delivery Plan Returns

  199W
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health trusts have fully established women-only day care facilities. [163044]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested is not centrally available.

  "Following Shifting the Balance of Power", strategic health authorities (SHAs) carry responsibility for the development of local delivery plans that show how proposals for mental health modernisation will be taken forward.

  Information to guide local services on applicable service models is available in guidance published by the Department of Health. Women's mental health: into the mainstream was made available to services in September 2002. A copy is available in the Library.

  In addition, a programme of work led by the National Institute for Mental Health in England focuses on the development of services for women, including day care provision.

  SHAs carry responsibility for the direct management of trust performance, taking account of national guidance and local population needs and resources. Our annual national assessment of local services' self-assessment of development shows that progress is being made but information is not captured centrally on a trust by trust basis.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many episodes of mental health treatment for minors took place in each of the last five years. [163058]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  A survey of the mental health of children and adolescents in Great Britain, carried out in 1999 by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of the Department of Health, Scottish National Executive and National Assembly for Wales, showed that about 10 per cent. of children aged five to 15 in Great Britain had a mental disorder in that year, of whom half had seen someone from the educational services, about a quarter had used the specialist health care services and a fifth had contact with the social services.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) consultant psychiatrists, (b) mental health nurses and (c) primary care mental health workers (i) were recruited by and (ii) left the NHS in (a) 2003–04 and (b) in each of the previous five years. [163684]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department's workforce census, which takes place each September, does not collect the number of joiners and leavers in the national health service.

  The number of consultants in the psychiatry group and the number of all specified mental health nurses in post since 1998 is shown in the table. Separate information is not collected on the number of primary care mental health workers employed in the NHS.
  200W

  Consultants within the psychiatry group specialty and all specified mental health nurses as at 30 September each specified year

  Headcount

  consultants in the psychiatry group

  All specified mental health nurses1

  1998

  2,627

  48,877

  1999

  2,808

  48,922

  2000

  2,904

  49026

  2001

  2,959

  51,315

  2002

  2,979

  52,204

  2003

  3,229

  53,678

  1Includes nurses employed in learning disabilities, community learning disabilities, psychiatry and community psychiatry areas of work.

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  Department of Health non-medical workforce census

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) consultant psychiatrists, (b) mental health nurses and (c) primary care mental health workers are employed by the NHS; and how many of these work (i) part-time and (ii) full-time. [163685]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of consultants in the psychiatry group and qualified nurses working in the mental health areas of work is shown in the tables. Separate information is not collected on the number of primary care mental health workers employed in the national health service.

  Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS) staff in England by contract group as at 30 September 2003

  Headcount

  Consultants in the psychiatry group

  Total

  3,229

  Whole-time

  2,321

  Maximum part-time

  66

  Part-time

  643

  Honorary

  199

  NHS hospital and community health services: qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff by specified area of work and nature of contract, in England as at 30 September 2003

  Headcount

  All specified mental health nurses1

  Total

  53,678

  Full-time

  39,497

  Part-time

  8,889

  Unknown

  5,292

  1Includes nurses employed in learning disabilities, community learning disabilities, psychiatry and community psychiatry areas of work.

  Source:

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce census

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce census

  Ministerial Accommodation Costs
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's allowance is for the cost of a night's accommodation in a hotel for a Minister. [163602]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Accommodation arrangements for Department of Health Ministers when travelling on official business are in line with the Ministerial Code, paragraph 84 and are borne by the Department.
  201W

  Nanotechnology
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation his Department has made of the safety of injectable quantum dots. [165026]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Quantum dots are understood to be another manifestation within the field of nanotechnology and the Department and its agencies are monitoring developments in this field closely. As the technology develops we expect it will be used in healthcare to produce new products and to improve the way that existing products work Products developed using this technology may be classified either as medicines or as medical devices, according to the standard definitions and assessed to ensure the safety of any product.

  Nappies
  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to promote awareness of the benefits of reusable nappies. [164113]

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to promote the use of real nappies once mothers and babies are discharged from hospital. [165321]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 29 March 2004]The Government firmly believes that women and their families should be given information on the use of both reusable nappies to make an informed choice. The Pregnancy Book and Birth to Five are two comprehensive information book lets produced by the Department which are given free to all first time mothers.

  Both publications give detailed information on both reusable and disposable nappies including information about nappy laundering services.

  It is for individual units and trusts to decide on the practicalities of promoting the use of terry nappies in their own maternity units.

  National Programme for Information Technology
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2004,Official Report, column 922W, on the national programme for information technology (NPfIT), what the total projected cost was for the NPfIT when it was announced in June 2002 (a) up to March 2006 and (b) up to and beyond March 2006. [165302]

  Mr. Hutton
  When the national programme for information technology in the national health service (NPfIT) was announced in June 2002 the costs were still being assessed and work was ongoing as part of the Spending Review (SR) 2002. The first projected cost for the NPfIT announced in January 2003 as part of SR2002 was £2.3 billion to cover the period April 2004 to March 2006.

  We are not considering budgetary requirements as part of SR2004 and the key indicator of the projected cost for the NPfIT following award of the eight contracts is £6.2 billion to cover the period from April
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  2004 to beyond March 2006. The initial £2.3 billion was allocated as follows: £370 million for 2003–04, £730 million for 2004–05 and £1.2 billion for 2005–06.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much has been spent by(a) primary care trusts and (b) NHS trusts on the National Programme for IT since 2001; and what spending is projected for the next three years; [159140]

  (2) what assessment has been made of the cost to each (a) primary care trust and (b) NHS trust for training users of the new IT systems under the National Programme for IT; and what allocation of funding has been made to each for that purpose. [159142]

  Mr. Hutton
  There was no spending on the National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) in 2001 nor 2002. The three year expenditure programme started in April 2003 but there has been no local expenditure on the National Programme by primary care trusts and national health service trusts in the last year. The expenditure projection over the three years from April 2003 is shown in the following table and is centrally funded.

  In addition to this central funding, the NHS spends its own resources on information technology, mainly for existing IT systems. In 2003–04, it is estimated that the NHS will spend around £880 million. About 70 per cent. of this amount will be spent by NHS trusts with the remainder spent by primary care trusts and strategic health authorities.

  As the NPfIT is implemented over the years ahead, an increasing proportion of the existing NHS IT spend will become available to be spent on additional services under the national programme contracts as trusts make local choices. However, it is too soon to accurately predict the proportion.

  £million

  Current estimate

  2003–04

  330

  2004–05

  956

  2005–06

  1,352

  Total

  2,638

  Training requirements for users are being developed as part of the detailed plans for each geographical cluster. This will enable the programme to consider the most appropriate ways of providing training and development and produce firmer costs.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the EMIS IT system is one of the accredited systems for the National Programme for IT. [160663]

  Mr. Hutton
  EMIS systems have been accredited for use in national health service primary care under the terms of the former "Requirements for Accreditation" process and the new General Medical Services contract.

  The National Programme for Information Technology has awarded a number of contracts to local service providers (LSPs) who act as prime contractors to deliver the elements of the NPfIT in a geographical area. It is the primary responsibility of the LSPs to work with a range of other suppliers to deliver the solutions that

  203W
  the NHS needs. This will include working with EMIS and other primary care system providers to ensure that the systems in use across the NHS conform to the national standards required and can be upgraded to integrate with new national applications as they come on line.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report , column 201W, on NHS contracts, what (a) total value and (b) duration was originally set for the contract; and what the total expected (i) value and (ii) duration is. [156351]

  Mr. Hutton
  The value and duration set for the contracts awarded by national programme for information technology in the national health service are as shown in the table.

  Contracts awarded by national programme for information technology

  Company

  Value £ million

  Expiry

  Purpose

  BT

  620

  2013

  National data spine

  BT

  530

  2011

  National NHS network

  SchlumbergerSema

  64.5

  12008

  National e-booking service

  Accenture

  1,099

  2013

  North East local service provider (LSP)

  Accenture

  934

  2013

  Eastern LSP

  BT

  996

  2013

  London LSP

  CSC

  973

  2013

  North West and West Midlands LSP

  Fujitsu

  986

  2013

  Southern LSP

  1With an option for renewal.

  National Service Framework (Older People)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates his Department has made of the costs of implementing Standard 1 of the National Service Framework for Older People. [164765]

  Dr. Ladyman
  There is little research or firm evidence available to allow us to quantify the extent of age discrimination and therefore the cost associated with eliminating it. Eliminating age discrimination, promoting person-centerd care, ensuring evidence-based practice and access to specialist care and treatment are inter-linked aspects of the national service framework for older people that are centerd around giving older people fair access to the national health service based on priority of clinical need.

  New NHS Hospitals
  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the new NHS hospitals built under the Private Finance Initiative have incurred penalty charges by exceeding the level of bed occupancy stipulated in the NHS trusts' contracts with the private consortia providing the service. [165235]

  Mr. Hutton
  Hospitals are not penalised or fined for having higher bed occupancy rates. All Private Finance Initiative contracts include additional payments for higher levels of services needed when there are more patients in the hospital. Bed occupancy rates are used to measure these increases.
  204W

  NHS Ancillary Staff
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nursing assistants, (b) nursery nurses, (c) healthcare assistants, (d) clerical and administrative staff, (e) maintenance and works staff, (f) medical secretaries, (g) medical records officers and (h) porters are employed by the NHS. [165086]

  Mr. Hutton
  Separate information is not collected on the number of medical secretaries, medical records officers and porters employed in the national health service. Medical secretaries and medical records officers are included among clerical and administrative staff in clinical support and porters are in the support to doctors and nurses staff group. The available information, including a table of explanatory notes for each staff group, has been placed in the Library.

  NHS Beds
  Andy Burnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds there were in the NHS on(a) 1 May 1997 and (b) 1 March 2004. [158688]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 4 March 2004]: Information on beds is not collected at individual census dates in the year. The average daily number of available beds in 1997–98 and 2002–03 is shown in the table.

  Average daily number of available beds, by sector, England, 1997–98 and 2002–03

  1997–98

  2002–03

  All Specialties (excluding day only)

  193,625

  183,826

  General and Acute

  138,047

  136,679

  Acute

  107,807

  108,706

  Geriatric

  30,240

  27,973

  Mental illness

  36,601

  32,753

  Learning disability

  8,197

  5,038

  Maternity

  10,781

  9,356

  Day only

  7,125

  8,544

  Source:

  Department of Health fonn KH03.

  The decrease in the number of national health service beds in some sectors reflects service improvements away from in-patient stays. We are aiming to deliver as many services as possible in the most low tech and local environment with more support in peoples' homes and the community. More procedures are taking place in out-patients and community settings which used to require hospital admission. At the same time, more consultations and treatments are taking place outside hospitals in the community and being delivered by different groups of staff. General practitioners are starting to offer treatments and consultations, which were once only done by hospital consultants. Similarly, there is an increase in the range of work undertaken by nurses. Many of the changes in the way services are delivered have been supported by the Modernisation Agency and through collaboration and learning between different parts of the NHS. This redesign of services has allowed the NHS to treat more patients and offer more convenient services.

  The NHS Plan did, however, recognise a need for more general and acute beds and set a target of 2,100 extra by 2004. The latest available statistics for 2002–03 showed that general and acute beds increased by 1,600

  205W
  to 136,679 over the previous three years. This represents over three quarters of the target set out in the NHS Plan. This is the first time general and acute bed numbers have increased in three consecutive years since records began in 1960.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he plans to take to improve access to(a) NHS dentistry and (b) NHS orthodontic treatment in the Southampton Primary Care Trust area; [164118]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the availability of NHS orthodontic treatment to patients in the Southampton Primary Care Trust area; [164119]

  (3) what assessment he has mad, of the availability of NHS dentistry to patients in the Southampton Primary Care Trust area. [164120]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answers 31 March 2004]: Southampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT) has made arrangements to ensure that any patients requiring urgent dental treatment can usually be offered an appointment on the same day. For patients wishing to register with a National Health Service dentist for routine dental care there were, on 30 March 2004, four dental practices in the city accepting new NHS patients. There were also three dental practices accepting NHS orthodontic patients, although there are waiting times for these appointments. The PCT has also put in place arrangements to ensure that the more complex orthodontic cases are treated at Southampton General Hospital. which has 1.5 whole time equivalent orthodontic consultants. Southampton also has one personal dental service site in operation—the Southampton and South West Hampshire Dental Access center—which sees an average of 815 patients each month.

  We have provided new investment totalling £90 million to NHS dentistry over the last year. £59 million will support access, and strategic health authorities (SHAs) have been advised of their shares and are working with their PCTs to address access issues. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight SHA has been allocated £1.64 million, and Southampton City PCT will receive a share of this to support its action plan to improve access to NHS dentistry in Southampton. Additionally, the PCT funds a local dental helpline, which provides information on where NHS dentistry, including orthodontics, is available locally, either for urgent or routine treatment.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have left the NHS, in whole or in part, to work in the private sector in each year since 1997 in(a) total, (b) NHS Trust areas covering Portsmouth and (c) NHS Trust areas covering Hampshire. [160769]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information on the total number of dentists leaving the general dental service (GDS) or personal dental service (PDS) is shown in the table. Information is not available on the reason for leaving.

  Dentists can leave the National Health Service for a variety of reasons. These include retirements, short term
  206W
  absence, leaving for other employment as well as dentists leaving the NHS dental services to practise wholly privately.

  Few dentists leave the NHS altogether to practise privately. There are approximately 1,000, or 5 per cent. of dentists who practise wholly privately. This number includes specialists.

  Number of leavers from the GDS or PDS

  12 months ending September

  England and Wales

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight

  Portsmouth city Primary Care Trust

  1998

  1,000

  48

  5

  1999

  1,065

  63

  14

  2000

  1,228

  67

  13

  2001

  1,256

  74

  12

  2002

  1,370

  77

  14

  2003

  1,248

  67

  8

  Information is not available on the number of dentists who have partially left the NHS. Dentists on the GDS and PDS are mainly self-employed and are free to vary the amount of NHS work they do.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of nurses NHS Direct will employ in England by 2006; and if he will make a statement. [160340]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The forecast from the latest NHS Direct capacity improvement plan estimates that NHS Direct will employ 1,550 nurses by April 2006.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of calls to NHS Direct resulted in the caller being advised to attend(a) accident and emergency, (b) an NHS walk-in center and (c) a primary care surgery appointment in the last year for which figures are available. [162056]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The proportion of calls to NHS Direct that resulted in the caller being advised to attend accident and emergency, a NHS walk-in center, and a primary care surgery appointment in the last year for which figures are available are set out in the table.

  Disposition

  Percentage of total calls

  Accident and emergency

  7.5

  NHS walk-in center

  0.3

  Primary care surgery appointment

  9.9

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target time is in which to answer calls to NHS Direct; and what the target will be after 1 April. [162262]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  NHS Direct's performance is measured on a daily basis against eight service delivery targets. The service delivery target set for NHS Direct to answer calls, is 90 per cent. of calls to be answered within 30 seconds. The service delivery targets are consistent with the out-of-hours standards and they will therefore be adjusted in line with any changes to the out-of-hours accreditation standards.
  207W
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target for the percentage of calls to NHS Direct to be answered is; and what the target will be after 1 April. [162263]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  NHS Direct's performance is measured on a daily basis against eight service delivery targets. The service delivery target for the percentage of calls to NHS Direct that should be answered is that less than 5 per cent. of callers will hang up before the call is answered. The service delivery targets are consistent with the out-of-hours standards and they will, therefore, be adjusted in line with any changes to the out-of-hours accreditation standards.

  NHS Hospitals (Deficits)
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals built with private sector funds have deficits in this financial year. [163484]

  Mr. Hutton
  Audited information on the financial position of national health service trusts for year 2003–04 will be published in their individual annual accounts. This data will be available centrally in the autumn. We have no plans to publish unaudited information.

  NHS Modernisation Agency
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time-equivalent nurses he estimates will be performing non-clinical duties with the NHS Modernisation Agency. [163462]

  Mr. Hutton
  At 1 March 2004 the NHS Modernisation Agency employed 143 whole time equivalent staff who are qualified as nurses. 139 whole time equivalent of these staff work either directly with clinical teams to improve services for patients or their role involves them actively encouraging and promoting service modernisation out in the National Health Service.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual budget of the NHS Modernisation Agency was in the last three years for which figures are available. [163463]

  Mr. Hutton
  The NHS Modernisation Agency was established on 1 April 2001. Annual budgets for 2001–02 and 2002–03 were as follows.

  £million

  Budget

  2001–02

  54

  2002–03

  132

  For the current financial year 2003–04, the annual budget stands at £232 million.

  The arm's length body review is reviewing bodies like the Modernisation Agency. It is clear that the Agency will be re-shaped with more of its staff transferred to
  208W
  modernisation within local settings but retaining a national capacity, smaller than now, to preserve a strong focus on modernisation and innovation in the national health service.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been appointed to the NHS Modernisation Agency; and at what remuneration level. [163464]

  Mr. Hutton
  As at 1 March 2004, the NHS Modernisation Agency had 767 employed or seconded whole time equivalent staff in post.

  Of the total staffing profile of the agency, 17 per cent. are senior managers or clinician level, 49 per cent. are programme manages level and 34 per cent. are support staff.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the head of the NHS Modernisation Agency. [163465]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Secretary of State for Health has regular meetings with the Head of the Modernisation Agency including at the National Modernisation Board. Other Ministers also meet the Head of the Modernisation Agency.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often The NHS Modernisation Agency meets; and when the last meeting took place. [163466]

  Mr. Hutton
  The NHS Modernisation Agency is a directorate of the Department of Health. Its Director, David Fillingham, is a member of the Department's Delivery Board, which meets monthly. The Modernisation Agency's management team meets every month.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) clinical and (b) non-clinical staff are employed by the NHS Modernisation Agency; and what the figures were for the last five years. [163467]

  Mr. Hutton
  The NHS Modernisation Agency was created in April 2001.

  At 30 December 2002, there were 670 staff employed by the NHS Modernisation Agency, of which 216 had professional clinical qualifications.

  As at the 1 March 2004, there were 767 whole time equivalent staff employed by or seconded to the NHS Modernisation Agency. Of these, 213 WTE have professional clinical qualifications.

  NHS Professionals
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS Professionals is covered by the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [160594]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 11 March 2004.]: The NHS Professionals Special Health Authority is covered by the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations.
  209W
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received on the(a) training and (b) criminal records checks undergone by nurses used by NHS Professionals; and if he will make a statement; [1635001

  (2) what representations he has received on the adequacy of the (a) facilities and (b) IT systems to support NHS Professionals; and if he will make a statement. [163502]

  Mr. Hutton
  No such representations have been received.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS acute trusts have signed up to use NHS Professionals; and what proportion of acute trusts this represents. [163501]

  Mr. Hutton
  55 acute trusts art currently signed up with NHS Professionals. This represents 24 per cent. of all acute trusts in England.

  NHS hospital and community health services: Support to clinical staff by area and by grade in England as at 30 September each year

  Headcount

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Total support to clinical staff

  283,871

  289,363

  296,619

  307,225

  325,890

  344,524

  360,666

  Support to doctors and nursing staff1.2

  240,040

  243,960

  249,216

  257,136

  271,978

  287,098

  398,752

  Unqualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff

  116.434

  116,580

  119,678

  123,847

  128,043

  133,876

  137,242

  Clerical and administrative—clinical support

  63,971

  66,145

  68,425

  72,406

  77,861

  83,312

  90,057

  Maintenance and works—clinical support

  189

  151

  170

  175

  154

  184

  104

  Health care assistants—nursing

  19,227

  21,693

  22,429

  24.040

  29,014

  32,657

  35,330

  Other support staff—nursing

  25,197

  25,140

  24,862

  23,422

  24,660

  24,760

  24,253

  Health care assistants—central functions

  102

  156

  147

  159

  172

  216

  270

  Other support staff—central functions

  12,579

  11,952

  11.560

  11,046

  9,885

  9,733

  8,909

  Nursing, midwifery and health visiting learners

  2,341

  2,143

  1,945

  2,041

  2,189

  2,360

  2,587

  Support to scientific, therapeutic and technical staff1.3

  38,074

  39,162

  40,465

  41,800

  44,602

  48,030

  52,230

  Unqualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff of which:

  23,818

  24,180

  25,667

  26,562

  28,806

  30,942

  33,969

  Student/trainee

  2,419

  2,328

  2,658

  2,808

  3,508

  3,923

  4,755

  Helper/assistant

  21,399

  21,852

  23,009

  23,754

  25,298

  27,019

  29,214

  Clerical and administrative—STT support

  12,584

  12,703

  12,726

  12,986

  13,374

  14,666

  15,891

  Maintenance and works—STT support

  57

  110

  78

  68

  86

  68

  94

  Healthcare assistants—STT support

  420

  703

  677

  735

  750

  783

  880

  Other support staff—STT support

  1,195

  1,466

  1,317

  1,449

  1,586

  1,571

  1,396

  Support to ambulance staff1,4

  5,757

  6,241

  6,938

  8,289

  9,310

  9,396

  9,684

  Ambulance trainees

  816

  812

  1,127

  1,657

  2,069

  2,103

  2,137

  Clerical and administrative—ambulance support

  2,495

  2,569

  2,674

  2,986

  3,039

  2,933

  3,059

  Maintenance and works—ambulance support

  137

  118

  151

  120

  195

  260

  274

  Health care assistants—ambulance support

  1,461

  1,769

  1,832

  2,130

  2,599

  2,712

  2,964

  Other support staff—ambulance support

  848

  973

  1,154

  1,396

  1,408

  1,388

  1,250

  1 NHS staff by staff groups, September 2003.

  2 Nursing assistants/auxiliaries, nursery nurses, healthcare assistants and support staff in nursing areas. Also includes clerical and administrative staff and maintenance and works staff working specifically in clinical areas, for example medical secretaries and medical records officers. They also include all support workers and healthcare assistants in central functions, as these are mainly general porters involved in moving patients around the hospital.

  3 ST&T trainees and helper/assistants. healthcare assistants, support workers, clerical and administrative staff and maintenance and works staff specifically identified as supporting ST&T staff.

  4 Trainee ambulance personnel as well as healthcare assistants, support workers, clerical and administrative staff and maintenance and works staff specifically identified as supporting the ambulance service.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  210W
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget for NHS professionals is for each of the next three years. [163510]

  Mr. Hutton
  The budget for 2004–05 will be agreed very shortly. Budgets for the subsequent two years will be agreed at a later stage.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many support staff there were for scientific and technical staff in the NHS broken down by(a) trainees, (b) assistants, (c) healthcare assistants, (d) clerical and administrative staff and (e) maintenance and works staff in each of the last seven years; [1 65327]

  (2) how many support staff there were for NHS ambulance staff, broken down by (a) trainee ambulance personnel, (b) healthcare assistants, (c) support workers, (d) clerical and administrative staff and (e) maintenance and works staff in each of the last seven years. [165398]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  211W

  NHS Staff (Foreign Nationals)
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nationals of sub-Saharan African countries are employed by the NHS(a) directly and (b) through private agencies. [164420]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Health care professionals who work in the United Kingdom have to be registered with the relevant body. East body produces a statistical breakdown of their register.

  Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS) consultants, NHS Plan group GPs, all NHS qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff including practice nurses employed by unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)1 and NHS hospital and community health service midwives—England

  Number (headcount)

  Change

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Consultants

  850

  997

  1,080

  1,381

  1,288

  I,680

  NHS Plan GPs2

  205

  216

  126

  209

  400

  1,156

  Nurses3

  4,601

  6,180

  6,495

  14,429

  17,139

  18,839

  Midwives

  456

  -42

  -227

  503

  174

  692

  1 UPEs include GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.

  2 NHS Plan GPs includes GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors, PMS other and flexible career schemes.

  3 Practice nurse headcount figures are estimated for 1998 and 1999.

  Note:

  All data as at 30 September 1997–2002 and 30 June 2003 except GP and practice nurse data 1997–99.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Nurses (Recruitment)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health with which countries other than the Philippines, Spain, India and Indonesia his Department is holding discussions to develop bilateral agreements on international nurse recruitment. [164289]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have no plans to enter further bilateral agreements on International Recruitment.

  Officials from the Department recently met with representatives from the Chinese Embassy to discuss issues of mutual interest and the scope for co-operation without the need for formal agreements.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses have(a) applied for posts and (b) been recruited through the bilateral agreement with Indonesia. [164290]

  Mr. Hutton
  We do not hold the information centrally as to how many nurses applied for posts through the Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia. Sixty seven nurses were interviewed and 19 were offered employment.

  Four Indonesian nurses have been recruited into the National Health Service through the bilateral agreement.

  NHS Staff Numbers
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net change in the number of(a) general practitioners, as defined in the NHS Plan (Cm 4818), (b) nurses, (c) consultants and (d) midwives was for each year since 1997 [160658]

  Mr. Hutton
  The net change in the number of general practitioners (GPs) (excluding GP retainers and GP registrars) nurses, consultants and midwives for each year since 1997 is shown in the table.

  Between 2002 and 2003 there was the largest increase recorded in the number of nurses, GPs and consultants—bringing the total workforce in the national health service to its highest level yet.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses and midwives and (b) medical consultants have been recruited through bilateral agreements, broken down by country. [164291]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippine Government last year. To date the National Health Service has recruited 186 nurses through the agreement.

  The Department has a bilateral agreement with the Ministry of Health in Spain. To date the NHS has recruited 892 nurses/midwives and 18 medical consultants as a result of this agreement.

  The Department has an agreement with the Ministry of Health in India. To date the NHS has recruited 431 nurses/midwives and 136 medical consultants as a result of this agreement.

  The Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Government in 2002. To date the NHS has recruited four nurses through the agreement.

  We have recent signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Africa to offer South African and English healthcare professionals the chance to go on time-limited placements to the other country.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses recruited through bilateral agreements are working in the NHS. [164292]
  213W
  Mr. Hutton
  1,513 nurses currently working in the national health service have been recruited through bilateral agreements.

  431 nurses have been recruited from India, four from Indonesia, 186 from the Philippines and 892 from Spain.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to monitor the number of nurses not trained in the UK working in the NHS. [164293]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Nursing and Midwifery Council holds information on the number of nurses and midwives from overseas entering the register each year. This information can be found at www.nmc-uk.org.

  Operations
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled but rescheduled within 24 hours, in the NHS in(a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority in each year since 1996. [156298]

  Mr. Hutton
  Quarterly data are collected on the number of operations cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons 'at the last minute' (that is on the day patients are due to arrive, or after arrival in hospital, or on the day of their operation).

  Cancelled operations data at England level and by National Health Service trust and Strategic Health Authority level are available in the Library and on the Department's website at http://performance.doh.gov. uk/hospitality

  Data on the number of operations postponed by hospitals for periods of less than 24 hours are not collected centrally by the Department.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which operations are being purchased from the private sector. [164693]

  Mr. Hutton
  During recent year s the national health service has purchased a range of operations from the private sector under the 'Concordat' arrangement. These have largely been less complex procedures, mainly in ophthalmology, general surgery and orthopaedics. Information is not held centrally on which operations have been commissioned under the Concordat this year, but is available for 2002–03. An analysis has been placed in the Library.

  To ensure that waiting time tat gets are met, patient choice increased and value for money improved, the NHS will be making much greater, but more structured use of the independent sector from next year. This will be done under the aegis of the independent treatment center programme. The procedures purchased will be diagnostic and less complex surgical procedures (such as cataract treatment, hernia repairs, primary hip and knee replacement, arthroscopies, endoscopies), mainly in general surgery, ophthalmology and orthopaedics.

  When fully operational, we expect the independent sector treatment center programme to treat 250,000 patients per annum across a range of simple and day care procedures.
  214W
  In addition to this main programme, the Department is also currently negotiating a supplementary procurement (announced in July 2003) of an extra 125,000 operations for the NHS over the next five years, principally for additional orthopaedic operations. Two services are already working: a treatment center at Daventry (cataracts) and the mobile cataract treatment service provided by Netcare.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the price paid was for each class of operation purchased from the private sector; and what the equivalent NHS cost of those operations is. [164822]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information relating to the number of operations purchased from the private sector is not available.

  Details of the finished consultant episode (FCE) activity that the national health service sub-contracted to, or directly commissioned from non-NHS providers during the financial year 2002–03, can be found in Appendix SRC5 of the Payment by Results: Core Tools 2004 publication, available on the Department's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/ OrganisationPolicy/FinanceAndPlanning/NHSReferenceCosts/f s/en.

  This activity includes both operative and non-operative procedures and treatments, for elective and emergency admissions to hospital. Comparable details of the cost of such activity incurred by NHS trusts can be found in Appendix SRC1 of the publication.

  The information is also available on the CD, "Payment by Results: Core Tools 2004". The CD contains unit cost information for each NHS provider in 2002–03 for designated procedures, diagnoses and treatments.

  Opticians
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2004,Official Report, column 926W, on opticians, how many optical premises were registered as accepting national health service optical vouchers in (a) each region and (b) each primary care trust for each year since 1997. [165298]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  All optical premises registered on a primary care trust (PCT) list to provide general ophthalmic services can accept national health service optical vouchers. There is no requirement for optical practices to register to accept optical vouchers alone. The Department is not aware of any difficulty in the availability of practices willing to accept NHS optical vouchers.

  Information on the number of ophthalmic premises holding a contract with health authorities and latterly PCTs to provide general ophthalmic services has been placed in the Library.

  Out-of-Hours Services
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to inform the public of the changes to out-of-hours services when the new general practitioner contract comes into effect on 1 April. [162260]
  215W
  Mr. Hutton
  From 1 April 2004, general practitioner practices will be able to opt-out of responsibility for out-of-hours services, with the approval of their local primary care trust (PCT). From 1 January 2005, they will have a right to opt-out in all but exceptional circumstances.

  Where practices opt-out, it will be for PCTs to put in place alternative service for patients. It will therefore be for PCTs and practices to inform patients of changes as and when they occur. The Department is providing materials to help PCTs do that and has also briefed a number of national organisations representing patients.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to questions tabled by the honourable Member for Sutton and Cheam, reference(a) 152306, (b) 151700, (c) 144757 and (d) 144782. [158719]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Replies were sent to the hon. Member on:Friday 5 March 2004,Official Report, columns 1169–70W
  Thursday 18 March 2004,Official Report, columns 444–45W
  Wednesday 24 March 2004,Official Report, column 910W.

  Session

  Number of Named Day PQs received

  Percentage of Named Day PQs given a holding answer

  Number given a substantive answer within 5 calendar days

  Number given a substantive answer 6 to 10 calendar days

  Number given a substantive answer within 11 to 20 calendar days

  Number given a substantive answer after 20 calendar days

  Number not yet answered

  Average number of calendar days taken to answer a Named Day PQ after a Holding Reply was issued

  2003–041

  378

  69.5

  130

  59

  48

  19

  7

  13.6

  2002–03

  1,469

  68.6

  480

  245

  140

  144

  —

  15

  2001–02(a)

  283

  70.3

  101

  54

  21

  13

  —

  12.3

  2001–02(b)

  4,205

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2000–01

  929

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  1,763

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998–99

  1,175

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  To end February.

  Note:

  The information for the 2001–02 session has been divided into two parts, as during this session a new Parliamentary Questions database was introduced to the Department. The information for 2001–02 (a) has been provided by this new database; the information for 2001–02 (b) has been taken from the old database.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the Question tabled by the hon. Member for Wells on 12 February, ref: 155796. [162500]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 22 March 2004]: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 26 March.

  Patient Experience Definition
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of the research to develop the Patient Experience Definition. [162425]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The total cost of the project to explore the overall experience of patients using national health service services, was £39,722.60. One element of the project was the production of a Patient Experience Definition.
  216W
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of written questions for answer by his Department on a named day received a holding answer in the period between State Opening in(a) November 1998, (b) November 1999, (c) December 2000, (d) November 2002 and (e) November 2003 and the last day of February in the following year; and of those questions, what proportion received a substantive answer (i) within five parliamentary sitting days, (ii) within six to 10 parliamentary sitting days, (iii) within 11 to 20 parliamentary sitting days and (iv) after more than 20 parliamentary sitting days. [159997]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 10 March 2004]: Significant changes have been made to the parliamentary section and procedures for answering right hon. and hon. Members' questions within the Department since March 2002. A new data base was introduced in October 2002 to help improve the process.

  The available information is shown in the table.

  Prior to October 2002 information from the previous database does not readily provide the further analysis sought, which could be obtained only by a manual count which would incur a disproportionate cost.

  The Patient Experience Definition articulates the entirety of the desired experience from a patient perspective when wing NHS services. Traditionally service delivery has focused on the physical aspects of patient care and has given much less emphasis to patients' emotional needs. The research has clearly identified that for patients a good emotional experience is critical to their overall satisfaction with the NHS. The definition enables both the Department and the NHS to have a more complete understanding of the patient experience when developing and delivering patient-centerd services in the future.

  Patients Choice Scheme
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients he estimates will receive treatment under the Patients Choice Scheme in its first year; and if he will make a statement; [164695]
  217W
  (2) if he will make it his policy to allow patients to opt into the Patients Choice Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [164696]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is committed to giving patients greater choice over the hospital they attend.

  All strategic health authorities have completed robust plans for the implementation of choice for patients waiting more than six months for elective surgery which will be rolled out between April and August 2004. The plans anticipate that during the period April 2004 and December 2004 some 85,000 patients who have waited over six months will accept the choice of moving to another hospital for faster treatment. By December 2004 there will be no patients waiting longer than six months for inpatient treatment.

  All patients waiting more than six months for elective surgery will be eligible to be considered for the scheme unless there is an overriding clinical reason why it would not be in the patient's best interest.

  Under the current choice pilot schemes, almost 20,000 patients have already chosen to move to another hospital for faster treatment.

  From December 2005 choice of hospital will be offered at the point of general practitioner referral, benefiting 10 million patients each year.

  Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients received percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in each year since 2001; and for what types of impairment. [163703]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information for 2001–02 and 2002–03 on the numbers of episodes, listed by primary diagnosis, in which percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was the main procedure has been placed it t the Library.

  Pest Infestations
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 March 2004,Official Report , column 1610W, on pest infestations, what central monitoring will occur of action area three in Winning Ways. [163564]

  Mr. Hutton
  Strategic health authorities will monitor overall progress in achieving the measures set out in action area three of Winning Ways—on reducing reservoirs of infection.

  Additional information on specific actions will be provided by the hospital cleanliness key target, standards of cleanliness scores, the performance indicator Winning Ways—processes and procedures and the controls assurance standards.

  Plasma
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the projected timeline is for providing fresh frozen plasma sourced outside the UK for(a) children born in March, (b) older children born since 1996 and (c) high-risk groups. [163481]
  218W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government announced on 15 August 2002 that fresh frozen plasma (FFP) will be obtained from the United States for new-born babies and children born after 1 January 1996 as an added precaution against the theoretical risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease transmission. The National Blood Service will begin issuing imported FFP for all neonatal patients from the week commencing 29 March 2004. This will be extended to older children born on or after 1 January 1996 as soon as practicable. A commercially produced FFP product, sourced from the United States, is also available for the national health service to purchase.

  The expert Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation is considering whether to extend the provision of non-United Kingdom sourced FFP to high risk groups. There is no defined time scale at present.

  Prescriptions
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2004,Official Report, column 393W, on prescriptions, if he will list the sources and types of risks and threats, including fraud, identified by the security analysis evaluation made by the University of Newcastle into electronic transmission of prescriptions; and what countermeasures have been put in place. [163842]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information was presented in a report to the Department by the Sowerby center for Health Informatics at the University of Newcastle entitled "Report on Security Assessment of the ETP pilots", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  The lessons learned on fraud prevention from the earlier pilots are being taken into account in the design of the national model for the electronic transmissions of prescriptions and as part of the overall security architecture of the NHS Care Records Service.

  Primary Care Trusts
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of primary care trusts that plan to use NHS Direct to handle their out-of-hours calls from 1 April. [162098]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  No estimate has been made of the number of primary care trusts that plan to use NHS Direct to handle out-of-hours calls from 1 April 2004.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support will be given by his Department to primary care trusts who have had to sign early contracts with foundation trusts to manage risks involved with signing contracts before negotiations on activity levels have been completed. [165245]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health has put in place a package of support for primary care trusts (PCTs) that will be contracting with national health service foundation trusts, including:
  219W
  Model 'template' contract documents to be adapted locally; Bespoke training on 'Contracting with and by NHS Foundation Trusts'. Currently 253 NHS staff have attended the training course including 122 representatives from 78 PCTs; and
  Access to specialist legal advice.

  Prisons (Medical Access)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on ambulance and paramedic access to prisons; and if he will make a statement. [164612]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Ministers have received no representations on this issue. The Prison Service and the Department jointly issued a letter to prison governors and chief executives of National Health Service ambulance trusts on 22 March 2004 stating that agreed local protocols must be drawn up for rapid access to emergency paramedical services. Officials from the Department and the Prison Service are working together to look at providing central advice to high security prisons.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what analysis he has made of the effect of the Private Finance Initiative in the NHS, with particular regard to the cost of(a) services and (b) increasing capacity. [165136]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: The Department reviews the business cases for all major private finance initiative (PFI) projects in accordance with the Department's capital investment manual. To be approved, a business case must demonstrate that in PFI option is affordable and value for money when compared with the publicly funded alternative. National Health Service trusts are also required to monitor performance throughout the lifetime of the PFI contract.

  NHS capital expenditure

  PFI/PPP investment

  Publicly procured hospital schemes

  Treatment centers

  PFI hospital schemes

  Treatment centers

  NHS lift

  Financial year1,2

  No.

  Total capital value (£)

  No.

  Total capital value (£)

  No.

  Total capital value (£)

  No.

  Total capital value (£)

  No.

  Total capital value (£)

  1993–94

  5

  194

  1994–95

  3

  116

  1995–96

  3

  85

  1996–97

  2

  95

  1997–98

  5

  425

  1998–99

  3

  98

  7

  551

  1999–2000

  6

  439

  2000–01

  3

  486

  1

  18

  2001–02

  2

  167

  2002–033

  423

  4250

  2

  376

  1

  60

  2003–04

  9

  1052

  1

  23

  6

  124

  1Expenditure pre 1999–2000 is on a cash basis.

  2 Expenditure figures from 1990–2000 to 2002–03 are on a Stage 1 Resource Budgeting basis (and consistent with figures in table 3.3a of Departmental Report 2003.

  3 Estimated outturn.

  4Made up of wholly publicly procured and as part of an existing PFI scheme. The Treatment center programme is spread over 2 years.

  220W
  Since 1997, 21 major new PFI hospitals have opened and another 10 are under construction, representing capital investment in the NHS of nearly £3.5 billion.

  All PFI schemes announced since the NHS Plan was published in July 2000 have resulted in increases in capacity. The 29 major schemes announced in February 2001, many of which are now in procurement, were the first to be planned from the start after July 2000 and are intended to increase NHS beds by approximately 2,900. These increases are in both acute and intermediate care beds, contributing to the targets in the NHS Plan.

  Project Funding
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many(a) solely state-financed and (b) public-private partnership and private finance initiative projects for which his Department is responsible have been launched in each region in each of the last 10 years; [160969]

  (2) how much was spent by (a) the Government on solely state-financed projects and (b) the (i) Government and (ii) private sector on public-private and private finance initiative projects for which his Department is responsible, in each of the last 10 years, broken down by region. [160970]

  Mr. Hutton
  The table provides information on projects which have reached financial close. In the case of the hospital build programme only schemes with a capital value of £25 million and over are included. Further information on private finance initiative projects can be found on the Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/publicprivatepartnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm

  It is not possible to break these numbers down into regions as projects such as the national health service local improvement finance trust and treatment centers programmes cross administrative boundaries. Also, regional health authorities, NHS regional offices and directorates of health and social care have now been replaced with 28 strategic health authorities.
  221W
  Records are not held centrally for all contracts entered into with private sector companies. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Bodies (Health Services)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the(a) budget, (b) administration budget, including payroll, (c) number of staff and (d) capital assets of the (i) Access Task Force, (ii) Adoption and Permanence Task Force, (iii) Cancer Task Force, (iv) Children Task Force, (v) Coronary Heart Disease Task Force, (vi) Cross Task Force Prevention Group, (vii) Herbal Medicines Statutory Regulation Working Group, (viii) Making a Difference, Reducing Burdens in Hospitals Task Force, (ix) Making a Difference, Reducing Burdens On GPs Task Force and (x) Mental Health Task Force; [163515]

  (2) if he will list the (a) budget, (b) administration budget, including payroll, (c) number of staff and (d) capital assets of the (i) NHS IT Task Force, (ii) Older People Task Force, (iii) Patient Environment Steering Group, (iv) Practice Learning Task Force, (v) Quality Task Force, (vi) External Project for Reform of Social Work Education and Training, (vii) Reform of Social Work Education and Training, (viii) Practice Learning Project Group for Reform of Social Work, Education and Training, (ix) Qualification Development Project Group for Reform of Social Work, Education and Training and (x) Registration Post-Qualifying, Continuous Professional Development Project Group for Reform of Social Work, Education and Training; [163517]

  (3) if he will list the (a) budget, (b) administration budget, including payroll, (c) number of staff and (d) capital assets of the interdepartmental group on the (i) Health Impact Assessment, (ii) Management of Medicines Renal NSF Groups, (iii) NHS Modernisation Board, (iv) NHS FT External Reference Groups for Governance, (v) Nursing and Midwifery Modernisation Board, (vi) SCOTH/ACMD Working Group on Cannabis and Tobacco Smoking, (vii) National Users Panel of the Community Equipment Services External Reference Group, (viii) Interagency Working Group to Develop a Memorandum of Understanding between his Department and the Police and the HSE and (ix) Primary Care Workforce Review External Reference Group; [163516]

  (4) if he will list the (a) budget, (b) administration budget, including payroll, (c) number of staff and (d) capital assets of the (i) Strategic Commissioning Group, (ii) Workforce Task Force, (iii) Advisory Committee for Topic Selection, (iv) Advisory Group for Genetics Research, (v) Agenda for Change Central Negotiating Group, (vi) Children's National Service Framework Strategy Group, (vii) Expert Group on Blocked Anaesthetic Tubing, (viii) Expert Group on Mental Health in Prisons, (ix) Forensic Psychiatrists Working Group, (x) Generic Medicines Management Steering Group for Diabetes, Renal and Long-Term Conditions National Service Frameworks and (xi) Implementation Board for Modernising NHS Hospital Medicines Manufacturing. [163518]
  222W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information on the Department's task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews is given in the annual publication "Public Bodies". This publication explains that such groups have a short-term focus and when their work comes to an end they are disbanded. These groups are usually created to give expert advice to the Government on a specific issue and are usually expected to remain in operation for less than two years. They are not separate statutory bodies. As such, they have no capacity to employ staff or hold assets in their own right, and rely on secretariat and other support from the Department and sometimes other interested bodies. They will not normally have any formal separate budget allocated to them, and accountability for expenditure will remain with the body to whom any funding is allocated. A number of those listed have completed their work and no longer exist.

  Radiographers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of radiographers in England; and if he will make a statement. [164329]

  Mr. Hutton
  Considerable progress has been made in increasing the number of radiographers employed in the National Health Service. There are 13 per cent. more NHS radiographers than in 1997 and the number of training places has increased by 107 per cent. over the same period. The additional training places are now starting to make an impact on numbers in the workforce. However, there is more to do. National vacancy rates are 6.1 per cent. for diagnostic radiographers and 10.7 per cent. for therapeutic radiographers.

  The Department recently launched a national radiography recruitment and retention strategy to build on the progress already made. For the next two years, this will focus on increasing the workforce, encouraging returns and developing an attractive career pathway for all radiography staff.

  Register of Interests
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements there are on officials in his Department to declare current interests; and what register of interests is kept for his departmental officials. [164691]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Civil Service Management Code sets out the requirements for civil servants declaring any conflict of interest. The Department of Health staff are required to follow the code and declare any relevant interests; and, in addition, to record such interests in a register.

  Seroxat
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate has been made under the yellow card system of the number of people who have suffered side effects from Seroxat in each of the last five years; [162560]

  (2) how many people prescribed Seroxat are known to (a) suffer and (b) have suffered from side effects worthy of note. [162561]
  223W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Committee on Safety of Medicines receive reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) submitted by doctors, dentists, pharmacists and coroners via the yellow card scheme, and there is a legal requirement for companies to report suspected ADRs to their drugs.

  The number of reports received via the yellow card scheme does not directly equate to the number of people who suffer adverse reactions to drugs for a number of reasons including an unknown level of under-reporting. It is important to note that the reporting of a suspected reaction does not necessarily mean it was caused by the drug and may relate to other factors such as the patient's underlying illness or other medicines taken concurrently.

  A total of 8,958 reports of suspected ADRs have been received through this scheme in association with paroxetine (Seroxat) since 1990, of which 4,826 were serious (i.e. considered serious by the reporter, were fatal, life-threatening, resulted in hospitalisation or disability, or were medically significant).

  The following table provides a breakdown of the total number of reports received in association with paroxetine (Seroxat) annually for the past five years.

  Number of reports for paroxetine (Seroxat)

  1999

  481

  2000

  433

  2001

  341

  2002

  359

  2003

  241

  Comprehensive warnings about the possible side effects of Seroxat, including those which may occur upon withdrawal from treatment, are included in the product information for prescribers and the patient information leaflet.

  Shared Services Scheme
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 23 March 2004, Official Report, column 718W, on administration, if he will set out the projected estimated savings if the shared services schemes were rolled out nationally; and what the timetable is for rolling out these schemes. [165296]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is anticipated that using the existing capacity of the centers in Leeds and Bristol, and allowing for the safe and proper migration of data, take up of the shared service centers will be slightly over 60 per cent. of national health service organisations by number by 2009–10.

  It is anticipated total savings will be £95 million to £105 million per annum by then.

  Skin Cancer
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of children have developed skin cancer in each of the last seven years. [165579]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.
  224W
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Tim Loughton, dated 7 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what percentage of children have developed skin cancer in each of the last seven years. [165579].

  The latest year for which figures are available is 2000. The proportion' of all children aged 0–14 years registered with a newly diagnosed case of melanoma of the skin2 for each of the seven years 1994–2000 in England, are given in the table below.

  Number of children aged 0–14 years that developed skin1 cancer, and rate of occurrence, England, 1994–2000

  Number of cases

  Rate per million children1

  1994

  15

  2

  1995

  7

  1

  1996

  10

  1

  1997

  8

  1

  1998

  9

  1

  1999

  6

  1

  2000

  5

  1

  1 Proportions are presented as rates per million population aged 0–14 in each year. The populations used are interim revised midyear population estimates for England, released in November 2003.

  2 For the year 1994, International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision Code (ICD-9) Code C172 For the years 1995 to 2000, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C43.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  Speech Therapy
  Angela Watkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many speech therapists posts were vacant in each of the primary care trusts in Greater London in each year since 1997. [164174]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number and rate of vacancies lasting three months or more for speech and language therapists for all organisations in the London area in each year since 1999, the first year vacancy information was collected, has been placed in the Library.

  Substance Misuse (Advertising Campaigns)
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government have spent on advertising campaigns highlighting the dangers associated with(a) alcohol misuse, (b) illegal drugs and (c) tobacco smoking in each year since 1997. [161067]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There has been no expenditure by the Department on advertising the dangers of alcohol during this period. The Department has funded health promotion work in this area from a centrally held budget, including campaign literature, helpline and website advice. However, local national health service agencies are responsible for local health promotion work. The funds they spend on this work forms part of their general budget and no breakdown of these funds is centrally available.

  Prior to 1999–2000, the Health Education Authority ran the campaign highlighting the dangers of illegal drugs.
  225W
  The figures in the table show the Department's expenditure from 1999–2000 on advertising the dangers of illegal drugs.

  £ million

  Expenditure

  1999–2000

  0.53

  2000–01

  0.5

  2002–03

  1.5

  2003–04

  1.51

  1Contribution to joint Home Office/Department of Health/ Department for Education and Skills campaign on the dangers of illegal drugs.

  Prior to 1999–2000 the Health Education Authority ran the public education campaign on the dangers of smoking. The Department of Health took over this work in 1999–2000.

  The figures in the following table show the Department's expenditure from 1999–2000 to date.

  £ million

  Expenditure

  1999–2000

  6.18

  2000–01

  8.97

  2001–02

  7.79

  2002–03

  7.881

  2003–04

  117.76

  1Total spend to date.

  Suicide Bereavement
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of models of suicide bereavement support in other countries as part of its study into adopting such models in England. [164857]

  (2) what role suicide bereavement support plays in the national suicide prevention strategy. [164858]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The national suicide prevention strategy for England is committed to providing appropriate support to people bereaved by suicide. The National Institute for Mental Health in England has established a small group comprising of organisations which provide support to people bereaved by suicide to consider what further support and information can be provided to this vulnerable group. No formal assessment of models of suicide bereavement support in other countries has been undertaken by the Department, but the bereavement group has considered some as part of its work. The Department has commissioned the York center for Reviews and Dissemination to undertake a review of evidence regarding interventions to help people bereaved by suicide. Its findings will inform the work of the bereavement group.

  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many suicide bereavement support organisations receive financial of other support from his Department. 11648591

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department currently funds two organisations which provide support to people bereaved by suicide; CRUSE Bereavement Care and the Samaritans.

  Teenage Cancer
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many teenage and young adult cancer patients entered into clinical trials in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [163891]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) does not collect data on the ages of cancer patients entered into clinical trials. Therefore the information requested is not available. The Department of Health, which funds NCRN. is providing specific support for a specialised research network on paediatric oncology. The network is led by the United Kingdom children's cancer study group (UKCCSG). At the suggestion of the UKCCSG, this funding includes provision for a trial co-ordinator development post for teenage and young adult cancers. This investment reflects the importance the Department places on the development of clinical trials for teenage and young adult cancer patients.

  Therapist Consultants
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2004,Official Report, column 1828W, on therapist consultants, how many allied health professions consultants there were in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004. [164242]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health non-medical workforce census records that there were 20 allied health professions consultants on 30 September 2003. Corresponding figures for 2004 are not yet available.

  Timber Purchases
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how(a) the Department for Health, (b) health authorities, (c) the Meat Hygiene Service, (d) the Medicines and Healthcare Products and Regulatory Agency, (e) the NHS Estates, (f) the NHS Pensions Agency and (g) the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency monitor and audit purchases of timber and timber products to ensure that they meet the Department's stated commitment to being obtained from legal and sustainable sources. [164675]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information is as follows:Department of Health: The Department is committed to ensuring that all its purchases of timber and timber products meet the requirements of the United Kingdom Government timber procurement policy. Following publication of revised guidance to Departments on sustainable timber procurement in January 2004, the Department has revised its standard Invitation to Tender to ensure that all tenderers are aware of and comply with the policy. In addition, the Department's facilities management team monitors all purchases of timber and timber products to ensure that they meet the requirements of the policy.

  Health Authorities: The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHSPASA) is actively implementing a timber compliance strategy within the National Health Service (NHS). For example, NHSPASA is working with all the suppliers on the national NHS contract for furniture to implement the Government's timber procurement policy within the NHS.
  227W
  This will ensure that the source of timber can be audited and monitored to make sure that it is from a sustainable and legal supply. Suppliers' progress is monitored on an ongoing basis, and updated information is available to the NHS on the NHSPAPSA's website.

  Meat Hygiene Service (MHS): The MHS is an executive agency of the Food Standards Agency and as such is not covered by the Department's sustainable development policy. However, the MHS procurement strategy states that:
  "the MHS will ensure that sound environmental policies are incorporated into its procurement process so that costs and benefits associated with 'green' procurement are always considered".
  Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA): The policies of the central Department also apply to, and have been adopted by MHRA.

  NHS Estates: The policies of the central Department have been adopted by NHS Estates. Any purchase of furniture would require the supplier to give undertakings as to the source of materials used. Any purchase of new furniture would require the supplier to give undertakings as to the source of the material used.

  NHS Pensions Agency: Purchases of timber are made via the Agency's facilities management contractor, who endeavours to ensure that the products are purchased from legitimate timber merchants. Actual purchases are monitored and reported within the framework for sustainable development on the Government Estate.

  NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency: NHSPASA buys timber products only from suppliers that have implemented chain-of-custody systems that have been independently audited. This is a requirement of NHSPASA's IS014001 environmental management system.

  Training
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) district nurses and (b) health visitors were in training in each year since 1997. [164865]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of district nurses and health visitors in training in each year since 1997 is shown in the table.

  Number of district nurses and health visitors in training

  Health visitors

  District nurses

  1997–98

  627

  603

  1998–99

  580

  541

  1999–2000

  598

  573

  2000–01

  695

  560

  2001–02

  580

  521

  2002–031

  664

  569

  1 Forecast

  There has been significant growth in the number of community service nurses other than health visitors and district nurses. Since 1997 there has been an increase of 11,974(61.9 per cent.) in such nurses.

  These figures reflect that changing nature of the nursing workforce and the increasing skill mix in community nursing teams. Health visiting teams are also increasing their skill mix through initiatives that are
  228W
  promoting integrated children's services where health visitors work as part of Sure Start and other community children's teams.

  It is the responsibility of primary care trusts to determine how they use the extra growth money allocated, to deliver on both national and local priorities.

  Mr. Burstow
  To a k the Secretary of State for Health how much he estimates it costs to train(a) 250 district nurses and (b) 250 health visitors. [164868]

  Mr. Hutton
  The contract for training community nurses does not differentiate between different branches of nursing, such as district nurses and health visitors.

  Based on the average cost of the contract it would cost £5.9 million to train 250 district nurses and 250 health visitors.

  Treatment centers
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria organisations had to satisfy to be invited to bid for independent sector treatment center contracts; what stages the evaluation process consisted of; who evaluated the competing providers; and what qualifications each had to enable them to carry out the evaluation. [164604]

  Mr. Hutton
  All independent sector providers that expressed an interest in response to advertisements in the Official Journal of the European Communities were asked to complete and return a pre-qualification questionnaire. Detailed analysis of the information in the questionnaire enabled the selection of a group of short-listed bidders based on their financial standing and ability to deliver high quality clinical services. This group was invited to submit bids for the contracts to manage and run the proposed new treatment centers. The subsequent selection of the preferred bidders followed careful evaluation of the submitted bids. The evaluation criteria included clinical quality, infrastructure, information management and technology, human resources, legal, financial, speed of mobilisation and delivery, and value for money. There was a structured scoring mechanism against each of these criteria and total scores assessed between bidders.

  The national implementation team co-ordinated the evaluation of submitted bids. Bids were evaluated and ranked by specialist teams consisting of members of the national implementation team, their advisers and local national health service sponsors and experts. The national implementation team is part of the new commercial directorate of the Department of Health and brings together staff with a range of the clinical, commercial and legal skills relevant to the procurement of clinical services.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations have been invited to bid for independent sector treatment center contracts; and what specific experience each organisation has in running surgical facilities providing orthopaedic procedures and major joint replacement programmes. (1646051

  Mr. Hutton
  Announced preferred bidders for the independent sector treatment center programme are: Netcare UK, Mercury Healthcare Ltd., Care UK
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  Afrox, Anglo Canadian Clinics, Nations Healthcare, Birkdale Clinic, New York Presbyterian, Capio UK and Interhealth Care Services (UK) Ltd. All likely preferred bidders are subject to final cool Tact negotiation and agreement and schemes will only proceed if they provide the required level of value for money for national health service commissioners.

  Contractual closure has also been reached on four of the schemes. One, a fixed site treatment center at Daventry, managed and run by the Birkdale Clinic; the second, a mobile cataract theatre run and managed by Netcare UK; the third a fixed site treatment center at Trent, managed and run by Care UK Afrox; and the fourth a fixed site treatment center at Bradford, managed by Nations Healthcare.

  The selection of the preferred bidders followed careful evaluation of the submitted bids. This evaluation included a clinical assessment and preferred bidders have demonstrated that they are competent to provide the services for which they have bid.

  Tuberculosis
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mortality rate for TB was in each year since 2000. [161100]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The mortality rate for tuberculosis in each year from 2000 is shown in the table.

  Male

  Female

  2000

  –0.69

  0.41

  2001

  –0.69

  0.41

  2002

  –0.80

  0.40

  Note.

  Rates per 100,000 for England and Wales, directly age-standardised to the European Standard Population.

  Source:

  ONS

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of TB there were in England in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by(a) age, (b) sex, (c) ethnicity and (d) patient's country of origin. [161140]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 March 2004]: The information requested is shown in the tables.

  The following data are taken from the 2001 Enhanced tuberculosis surveillance.

  Number of TB cases by aet group and sex

  Sex not

  Age group

  Male

  Female

  reported

  Total

  Age not reported

  2

  3

  0

  5

  0–4

  79

  68

  0

  147

  5–9

  59

  59

  0

  118

  10–14

  83

  95

  0

  178

  15–19

  167

  187

  1

  355

  20–24

  330

  276

  2

  608

  25–29

  445

  351

  2

  798

  30–34

  400

  297

  2

  699

  35–39

  306

  231

  1

  538

  40–44

  266

  181

  0

  447

  45–49

  233

  176

  1

  410

  50–54

  186

  153

  0

  339

  230W

  Number of TB cases by age group and sex

  Sex not

  Age group

  Male

  Female

  reported

  Total

  55–59

  139

  133

  0

  272

  60–64

  190

  140

  0

  330

  65–69

  146

  147

  0

  293

  70–74

  169

  126

  1

  296

  75–79

  142

  126

  0

  268

  80–84

  100

  89

  0

  189

  85–89

  44

  44

  0

  88

  90 +

  14

  22

  0

  36

  Total

  3,500

  2,904

  10

  6,414

  Number of TB cases by place of birth

  TB cases

  Percentage

  Born in the UK

  1963

  30.60

  Born abroad

  3490

  54.40

  Place of birth not reported

  961

  15.00

  Number of TB cases by ethnic group

  Ethnicity

  TB cases

  Percentage

  White

  1,804

  28.10

  Black Caribbean

  186

  2.90

  Black African

  1,003

  15.60

  Black other

  32

  0.50

  Indian

  1,060

  16.50

  Pakistani

  1,019

  15.90

  Bangladeshi

  169

  2.60

  Chinese

  82

  1.30

  Other (including mixed ethnic group)

  486

  7.60

  Ethnic group not reported

  573

  8.90

  Urine-based Therapies
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the possibility of urine-based drug therapies providing a route for human-to-human transmission of(a) CJD and (b) other diseases. [162496]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The possibility of urine based drug therapies providing a route for human-to-human transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and other diseases has been considered by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and at a European level by the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP). There is no evidence of human-to-human infection of CJD caused by urine based drug therapy and epidemiological evidence does not suggest a risk for urine-derived medicinal products from patients with sporadic CJD. However, as a precautionary measure, the CSM has advised that urine from a country with one or more cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (vCJD) should not be used as a source of human urine to produce medicinal products for the United Kingdom.

  All UK medicinal products are manufactured in accordance with European regulatory guidelines and it is a requirement that all urinary derived products use validated manufacturing process which are capable of

  231W
  providing assurance that the risk of viral infectivity is minimised. These requirements are assessed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority for all urinary derived products. Bacterial infection should not be an issue, as these products are for injection and are therefore required to be sterile.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the waiting time statistics for(a) inpatient, (b) outpatient, (c) community and (d) treatment center dental treatment in (i) England and (ii) each region in each of the last six years; and if he will make a statement. [156327]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Information is not collected centrally on waiting times in the community and for treatment center dental treatment.

  Weston Area Health Trust
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for(a) district nurses, (b) health visitors and (c) midwives there were in the Weston Area Health Trust in each year since 1997. [165602]

  NHS hospital community health services: district nurses, health visitors and midwives employed within Weston Area Health NHS Trust as at 30 September each year

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Whole—time equivalent

  District nurses

  26

  27

  6

  29

  28

  0

  0

  Health visitors

  23

  23

  0

  22

  22

  2

  3

  Midwives

  8

  7

  3

  8

  8

  9

  12

  Headcount

  District nurses

  31

  36

  7

  35

  33

  0

  0

  Health visitors

  29

  30

  0

  29

  29

  4

  6

  Midwives

  10

  8

  4

  9

  10

  14

  25

  Note:

  The change in staff numbers from 2001 to 2002 is because in April 2002 community staff (inclu Jing district nurses and health visitors) transferred from Weston Area Health NHS Trust to North Somerset PCT.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds there were in the Weston Area Health Trust in each year since 1997. [165605]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested is only available centrally from 1999 and is shown in the table.

  Available adult critical care beds on the census day, Weston Area National Health Service Trust

  Date

  Open and staffed adult critical care beds

  March 1999

  3

  September 1999

  3

  January 2000

  3

  July 2000

  3

  January 2001

  4

  July 2001

  4

  January 2002

  5

  July 2002

  5

  232W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Figures for three-month vacancies for district nurses, health visitors and midwives in Weston Area Health National Health Service Trust as at 31 March each year have been collected since 1999 and are shown in the table.

  NHS hospital community health services: three—month vacancies for district nurses. heath visitors and midwives in the Weston Area Health NHS Trust as at 31 March each year

  whole—time equivalent

  District nurses

  Health visitors

  Midwives

  1999

  0

  0

  0

  2000

  0

  0

  0

  2001

  0

  0

  0

  2002

  I

  0

  0

  2003

  0

  0

  Note:

  Three—month vacancies ire vacancies which trusts are actively trying to fill which had Listed for three months or more (whole-time equivalents)

  Source:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) district nurses, (b) health visitors and (c) midwives there were in the Weston Area Health Trust in each year since 1997 broken down by (i) headcount and (ii) whole-time equivalent. [165603]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Available adult critical care beds on the census day, Weston Area National Health Service Trust

  Date

  Open and staffed adult critical care beds

  January 2003

  5

  July 2003

  5

  January 2004

  5

  Source:

  Department of Health form KHO3a.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 17 March,Official Report, column 396W, on the Working Time Directive, if he will list the problems raised with him caused by the decisions of the European Court of Justice on the SIMAP/Jaeger cases; and if he will set out his Department's response to those representations. [164901]
  233W
  Mr. Hutton
  The two European Court of Justice decisions have raised particular problems for the National Health Service by ruling that residential on-call work, even if the doctor is rest trig or sleeping, has to be counted as work and also by stipulating that compensatory rest has to be taken immediately. This has 234W
  made compliance with the Working Time Directive for doctors in training from August 2004 more difficult given the substantial reliance on resident on-call rotas to provide round the clock cover in acute services. These difficulties are most apparent in small isolated hospitals and some specialities.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Weddings (Non-Anglican Communicants)
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what plans the Commissioners have to increase the number of(a) church and (b) church-owned premises that are available for wedding ceremonies for those who have not been baptised in the Anglican communion. [166160]

  Sir Stuart Bell
  The legal rules on where Church of England weddings may take place are not a matter for the Church Commissioners.

  However. I can tell my hon. Friend that, subject to a limited number of statutory exceptions, parishioners in England have a right to be married by the Church of England in their own parish church. This applies irrespective of whether the bride and groom have been baptised.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the honourable Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what proposals the Electoral Commission has to encourage electoral returning officers to canvass local residents in order to update electoral registration. [166168]

  Mr. Viggers
  The Commission published a report last year on the electoral registration process, which made a number of recommendations for changes to the law and identified good practice in the management of the electoral registration process. The Commission also intends to issue practice guidance to electoral registration officers on what is possible and desirable within the current statutory framework to improve the accuracy of the register.

  Voting Age
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission when the Electoral Commission's report on the age of voting and candidacy will he published. [166767]

  Mr. Viggers
  The Electoral Commission's report on the age of voting and candidacy is being published today. The Commission has sent copies to all Members of Parliament and has placed copies in the Library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Electricity Consumption
  Norman Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the total electricity consumption for the House has been for each year from 1997 to date; and what percentage in each year was derived from renewable sources. [165925]
  236W
  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The total electricity consumed each year on the parliamentary estate has been:

  Million kWh

  1997–98

  16.1

  1998–99

  17.1

  1999–2000

  17.2

  2000–01

  19.8

  2001–02

  21.1

  2002–03

  23.4

  During this period the Parliamentary Estate has grown with the occupation of additional premises, so the figures are not directly comparable.

  Since 2002 some 11 per cent. of our electricity has come from renewable sources.

  Recycling
  Norman Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission (1) what steps the Commission takes to facilitate the recycling of(a) glass and (lb) cans within the House; [165923]

  (2) what volume of paper collected from the House of Commons in 2003 wt s sent for recycling; [165926]

  (3) what steps he takes to ensure that paper placed in containers for recycling is recycled. [165927]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  Glass for recycling is collected and crushed in the waste center off Peers Court. 154 tonnes were recycled in the 11 month period from April 2003 to February 2004. Metal cans for recycling are separated from general waste at our waste contractor's works.

  In the 11 month period from April 2003 to February 2004, 347 tonnes of waste paper were sent for recycling.

  Recycling bins are available for all offices on the parliamentary estate. Cleaners and waste center attendants have been instructed accordingly. Members of the Waste Recycling Steering Group work within their respective parts of the estate to encourage maximum recycling.

  Telephone Costs
  Norman Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwick shire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the total telephone bill for the House was in the last year for which figures are available. [165687]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The cost of telephone calls and rental in 2002–03 was approximately £1.6 million.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Licensing Act (Circuses)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she last met representatives of the circus industry to discuss the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. [166149]
  237W
  Mr. Caborn
  Meetings with the circus industry about the Licensing Act 2003 have been it official rather than ministerial level. Officials from my Department last met circus industry representatives on 5 March and have also discussed these issues with the Arts Council and with Equity.

  Motor Sport
  10. Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and sport, what efforts she is making to promote motor sport in the UK. [166150]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government fully support the promotion of motor sport in this country including world-class motor sport events Officials from my Department, together with those from the Department of Trade and Industry and four Regional Development Agencies are supporting the work of the Motorsport Development Board (MDB). This industry-led body has the remit to promote and develop motor sport in the UK. Financial support of up to £16 million for the work of the MDB was announced by my right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 11 July 2003.

  Tourism (Seaside Resorts)
  Shona Mclsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote tourism in English seaside resorts. [166151]

  Estelle Morris
  VisitBritain receives a grant of £12.9 million to promote holidays to the domestic market. Seaside resorts feature in the current and future campaigns. Next year they will benefit substantially from the "SeaBritain" campaign in which VisitBritain will be a partner of the National Maritime Museum.

  Gift Aid (Museums)
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on gift aid in relation to museums. [166153]

  Estelle Morris
  Officials from my Department, representatives from the museums sector and Inland Revenue officials met in February to discuss gift aid in relation to Museums. The results of the consultation will be announced around the time of the outcome of the 2004 Spending Review.

  Gambling
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on reform of gambling laws. [166154]

  Mr. Caborn
  We plan to introduce a Gambling Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows. The Bill will modernise the law and provide stronger safeguards. We are considering the report of the Joint Scrutiny Committee that looked at our draft Bill. It made 139 recommendations and we will consider each carefully.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Medial and Sport how many playing fields were sold in each financial year since 2001–02. [166156]

  Mr. Caborn
  The available data relate to planning applications. In 2001–02, 91 per cent. and in 2002–03, 90 per cent. of all approved planning applications relating to playing fields improved sporting provision or kept it at the same level.

  National Lottery
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proportion of lottery good causes money that will go to the New Opportunities Fund. [166158]

  Estelle Morris
  The New Opportunities Fund (NOF) gets 33.33 per cent. of operator-related income to the National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDF), and a share of earnings from the investment of the NLDF balance. NOF's share of investment earnings is related to its proportion of the total NLDF balance. It changes frequently as that proportion changes.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total amount of unclaimed lottery prizes is; and what the largest single unclaimed amount is. [166157]

  Estelle Morris
  Total unclaimed prizes up to the week ending 20 March 2004 were £614.4 million. The largest unclaimed prize to date is £3,011,065.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on Lottery funding for sports facilities for local football clubs. [166531]

  Mr. Caborn
  Lottery funding will continue to be made available for the provision of new sports facilities—including facilities for local football clubs.

  Local football clubs can benefit from a wide range of publicly funded programmes and initiatives: for example, the New Opportunities Fund for PE and Sport; Active England; Community Club Development Fund; and Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities.

  Funding is also available through the Football Foundation to support capital projects, such as the £60,000 recently awarded to Poppleton Junior Football Club for the re-development of pitches on their Millfield Ground.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the(a) nature and (b) value was of all contracts, consultancies or other services placed with the accountancy firms (i) Deloitte & Touche, (ii) Ernst & Young, (iii) KPMG and (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2000–01 by the Department and its agencies. [166095]

  Mr. Caborn
  The following contracts are those awarded over the stated time period:

  (i) Deloitte & Touche—Nil return.

  (ii) Ernst & Young—Nil return.

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  (iii) KPMGNil—return.

  (iv) PriceWaterhouseCoopers:

  Commonwealth Games Review July 2001—£96,000 E-Commerce Impact Study on Tourism July 2002—£43,750

  Costs and Benefit Assessment—London Olympic Bid 2012 January 2003—£38,000.

  The return includes Royal Parks Agency.

  BBC
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last met the acting Director General of the BBC; and what was discussed. [166093]

  Tessa Jowell
  I met Mark Byford, the acting Director General of the BBC, on 4 February. This was an informal meeting and we discussed a range of topical issues relating to the BBC.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the BBC on future funding of the Corporation. [166140]

  Tessa Jowell
  The arrangements for future funding of the BBC will be considered as part of the Charter review process. I have had several meetings with the BBC to discuss the review process but have not specifically discussed funding with the Corporation.

  Departmental Computers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in her Department. [166372]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be updating a number of its desktop PCs as part of regular system upgrade plans. The Department also plans to update its e-mail, finance and HR systems.

  Digital Television
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on public broadcasting provision to remote rural locations following conversion to full digital television broadcasting. [166155]

  Tessa Jowell
  The Government's policy for digital switchover is that everyone, including those in rural areas, who can currently get the public service broadcasting channels in analogue form, must continue to receive them on digital systems when analogue is switched off.

  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of accessibility to digital television in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [165677]

  Funds spent on library premises

  £

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Funds spent on library premises

  Inner London

  5,290,670

  6,297,018

  6,430,335

  6,134,076

  6,993,679

  Outer London

  9,703,422

  8,750,414

  8,806,541

  8,882,198

  9,666,024

  Greater London

  16,459,173

  16,229,149

  16,347,315

  16,173,594

  17,821,923

  240W
  Estelle Morris
  I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on plans to upgrade transmitters in Dumfries and Galloway to receive digital television services. [165970]

  Estelle Morris
  Until analogue signals are switched off there will be no frequencies available to broadcast digital television services from transmitters in Dumfries and Galloway without causing interference to viewers' existing analogue signals. The Digital TV Action plan provides the route map to achieve digital switchover, which could be completed between 2006 and 2010 and we are working closely with stakeholders on the detailed plans.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the population of Dumfries and Galloway are able to receive Freeview digital television services. [165971]

  Estelle Morris
  According to the BBC's coverage prediction database, around 20,000, or 31 per cent. of households in Dumfries and Galloway have access to Freeview at this time

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the meetings at which her Department has been represented regarding the delivery of sustainable development across Government as co-ordinated by the Ministerial Subcommittee of Green Ministers. [165956]

  Estelle Morris
  It is established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This practice is now formalised by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Libraries (Greater London)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money was spent on library(a) buildings and (b) books in Greater London in each year since 1997, broken down by borough. [165840]

  Estelle Morris
  The information in the following tables shows the fun is spent on library premises and books in(a) Inner London (b) Outer London and (c) Greater London.

  Information relating to individual London library authorities can he found within the Annual Public Library Statistics published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and available in the Library of the House.
  241W

  Funds spent on library premises

  £

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Funds spent on books

  Inner London

  5,173,792

  5,287,380

  4,949,176

  4,668,713

  4,553,556

  Outer London

  8,796,050

  8,531,187

  8,132,739

  8,307,775

  8,163,558

  Greater London

  14,500.596

  14,281,363

  13,557,198

  13,466,932

  13,217,627

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) public libraries and (13) mobile library units there were within each Greater London borough in each year since 1997. [165841]

  Estelle Morris
  The following information shows the number of service points open for 10 or more hours each week as well as the number of mobile libraries in(a) Inner London (b) Outer London and (c) Greater London.

  Information relating to individual London library authorities can be found within the Annual Public Library Statistics published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and available in the Library of the House.

  Number of library service points in London

  Libraries

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Inner London

  Static

  136

  135

  134

  132

  133

  Mobile

  14

  12

  12

  12

  11

  Outer London

  Static

  234

  236

  235

  232

  232

  Mobile

  22

  22

  21

  21

  21

  Greater London

  Static

  370

  371

  369

  364

  365

  Mobile

  36

  34

  33

  33

  32

  Library Digitisation (Birkenhead)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been spent on the digitisation of content in libraries in Birkenhead since 1997. [166506]

  Estelle Morris
  The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a partner in the Merseyside Gateway Project which received £370,000 from the New Opportunities Fund to create a website depicting the history and growth of the Port of Liverpool and its environs. 710 (out of 20,000 overall) images from Wirral Archives and Birkenhead Reference Library have been selected for the site—these include a number of Birkenhead related documents including several photographs and other documents from the Cammell Laird archive. The council's contribution to the project was over £1,000.

  New Opportunities Fund 3
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations have been made in relation to the administrative bum en associated with the New Opportunities Fund 3 programme; and if she will make a statement. [166467]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received correspondence from the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Stephen Twigg) on behalf of his 242W
  constituent, Mr. M. Lazarus, of Hadley Wood. My right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has also received correspondence from Bedfordshire County Council on this matter.

  The New Opportunities Fund for PE and Sport (NOPES) programme is administered by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF). NOF has worked closely with local authorities throughout the bidding process to ensure that levels of bureaucracy are kept to the minimum necessary to protect the distribution of public funds.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the start date was of the New Opportunities Fund 3 project; what the projected expenditure on this programme was over its period; what the actual expenditure on this programme has been during that time; and if she will make a statement. [166468]

  Mr. Caborn
  The New Opportunities Fund for PE and Sport (NOPES) was officially launched in England in November 2001 with available funding of £581.25 million.

  NOPES is a long-term project, reflecting the fact that such an investment takes considerable time and planning to ensure that money is spent both efficiently and effectively. Actual expenditure to date is £10.4 million.

  It is anticipated that the majority of NOPES funding will be committed by the end of 2004, well ahead of schedule, with the great majority of new facilities in use by spring 2006, in line with the original timetable.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement about the progress of the New Opportunities Fund 3 initiative to improve sports facilities in schools. [166469]

  Mr. Caborn
  The New Opportunities Fund for PE and Sport (NOPES) was officially launched in England in November 2001 with available funding of £581.25 million.

  NOPES is a long-term project, reflecting the fact that such an investment takes considerable time and planning to ensure that money is spent both efficiently and effectively. Actual expenditure to date is £10.4 million.

  It is anticipated that the majority of NOPES funding will be committed by the end of 2004, well ahead of schedule, with the great majority of new facilities in use by Spring 2006, in line with the original timetable.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list those to whom a grant under the New Opportunities Fund 3 programme has been awarded where the award has been transferred from the Department to the school in recognition of works taking place. [166471]
  243W
  Mr. Caborn
  New Opportunities Fund grants for PE and Sport are allocated and paid to local authorities and not direct to schools. Details of grants paid to local authorities, based on invoices submitted, are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the awards made under the New Opportunities Fund 3 programme, broken down by(a) county and (b) amount. [166470]

  Mr. Caborn
  New Opportunities Fund awards for PE and Sport are made to local authorities and not to counties. Details of local authority allocations for England, grouped by region, are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Birkenhead in each year since 1997. [166505]

  Estelle Morris
  The New Opportunities Fund made its first grant to the Birkenhead area in 1999. Since then, in each calendar year, it has allocated:

  £

  Award amount

  1999

  5,687,368

  2000

  1,249,862

  2001

  1,909,933

  2002

  420,305

  2003

  383,372

  These numbers are derived from the Department's database of lottery awards, which is based on information supplied by New Opportunities Fund (and the other distributing bodies).

  Recycling
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of(a) copying paper and (b) paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste each amount contained. [165950]

  Mr. Caborn
  DCMS procures only 100 per cent. recycled copying paper, which meets the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs target of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content. Paper for printed publications sometimes needs to be of higher quality but in excess of 60 per cent. of all such paper is 100 per cent. recycled; the post-consumer waste content is not known.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she has put in place to ensure that her Department meets the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content. [165951]

  Mr. Caborn
  DCMS has purchased only recycled copier paper for at least the last five years. The paper of choice meets the stated content targets.
  244W
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and S port when her Department expects to implement in full the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that(a) ell copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content and (b) all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post-consumer waste. [165953]

  Mr. Caborn
  DCMS already specifies all papers to meet the stated quick win targets. The current market is such that the specified paper cannot always be supplied in respect of printed publications.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the Department's main suppliers of(a) copier paper, (b) stationery, (c) envelopes and (d) paper for reports, in each case stating (i) the name of each paper used and (ii) the (a) recycled and (b) post-consumer recycled content of each paper. [165954]

  Mr. Caborn
  Currently all copier paper, stationery and envelopes are supplied by Corporate Express. Copier paper is Evolve and is 100 per cent. recycled with at least 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content. Paper stationery items are from numerous manufacturers and content is not always published but at all times recycled products are specified. Paper for reports is supplied by the successful print tender but again recycled paper and high post-consumer waste content is specified by the Department.

  SportScotland
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to review the maximum support available through SportScotland. [165974]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have no such plans. This is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote the delivery of sustainable development within Government. 1165957]

  Estelle Morris
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, covers a range of issues which contribute to people's quality of life. We intend that in achieving our strategic priorities we also fulfil sustainable development aims. The departmental strategy for sustainable development, published in February refers to the three broad headings of our objectives in this area: sustainable policies, sustainable estate management and communicating sustainable development. The Department is currently working to promote sustainable development within Government especially with the Department for Education and Skills and with the Department for Environment, Food end Rural Affairs. We are also disseminating awareness-raising videos and training courses for our own staff and will be offering to provide these to other Departments.
  245W
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on her Department's Sustainable Development Strategy. [1659581

  Estelle Morris
  The Department's Sustainable Development Strategy was published in February. Copies of the strategy are available from the Library of the House. We intend to review progress against the actions points listed early next year.

  Tourism (Birkenhead)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the work of regional development agencies in developing tourism in Birkenhead. [166507]

  Mr. Caborn
  The North West Development Agency (NWDA) is working closely with The Mersey Partnership (TMP), the nominated Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Merseyside.

  During 2003–04 TMP received £320,000 from the Agency's Marketing Image Bud get for tourism and investment campaigns to promote Merseyside. £419,000 was also provided from the NWI)A's Tourism budget for a variety of projects which will benefit Birkenhead.
  The Mersey Waterfront Regional Park, which covers an area from Southport to Wirral, including Birkenhead.
  £65,000 for new restrooms for the Birkenhead Historic Warships which include disabled access and enhanced visitor facilities. This will enable promotion to a wider audience including older and disabled visitors especially as D Day celebrations are planned for June 2004.
  £90,000 towards the Landmark Monument feasibility study—the possibility of creating a signature type structure in the Mersey, which may be accessible to the public, a similar concept to the Statue of Liberty.
  £400,000 for Hoylake/West Kirby Resort Improvements.

  Birkenhead will also benefit in the longer term from the Festival of Light Study, which aims to provide world class permanent lighting across the Waterfront area to culminate in the year 2008 Capital of Culture. The Hotel Study will provide a review of expected demand and a forward plan for the development of hotels on the Waterfront and outer areas of Merseyside. The Woodside master plan is a blue print for future development at this key site. The restoration of the Wirral Way from West Kirby to Thurstaston will incorporate new cycle ways totalling £358,000.

  The NWDA is also investigating the possibility of the Golf Open being held at the Royal Liverpool at Hoylake in the next few years.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Plastic Bags
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee if he will discontinue the use in food outlets in the House of plastic bags for carrying take-away products and replace these with paper-based carriers. [165924]
  246W
  Mr. Dennis Turner
  The Refreshment Department will revert to the use of paper carrier bags for take-away food and drinks, except in the Debate restaurant in Portcullis House, where the use of clear plastic bags helps to reduce queues by allowing cashiers to see the contents without the need for carrier bags to be unpacked at the tills.

PRIME MINISTER

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Prime Minister what the(a) nature and (b) value was of all contracts, consultancies or other services placed with the accountancy firms (i) Deloitte and Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iii) KPMG and (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2000–01 by his Office. [166099]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Civil Servants
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list for each civil service grade within his Office the total number of staff employed, broken down by(a) gender, (b) ethnic group and (c) age group; and how many are registered disabled. [166386]

  The Prime Minister
  For these purposes, my office is part of the Cabinet Office.

  The information requested is published in "Civil Service Statistics", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House and at www.civil-service.gov.uk/ statistics

  Departmental Computers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Office. [166377]

  The Prime Minister
  Computer hardware and software packages are regularly reviewed and updated when necessary.

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what reports he has received from(a) the United States Administration and (b) the Iraq Survey Group in respect of the whereabouts in Iraq of military equipment and technology capable of being used in weapons of mass destruction that were exported from the United Kingdom to Iraq prior to May 1997. [165175]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government has not received any reports from either the US Administration or the Iraq Survey Group in respect of the whereabouts in Iraq of military equipment and technology capable of being used in weapons of mass destruction that were exported from the United Kingdom to Iraq prior to May 1997.

  My hon. Friend will be aware of the findings of the Scott inquiry into the supply of goods to Iraq during the 1990s.

  Libya
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister whether, during his meeting with Colonel Gaddafi, he asked Libya to provide him with details of arms and other support supplied to the IRA; and if he will make a statement. [166643]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Antrim (Mr. Burnside) on 1 April 2004.Official Report , column 1569W.

  Lords Lieutenant
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on the future of Lords-Lieutenants. [166229]

  The Prime Minister
  Lord-Lieutenants are The Queen's representatives in their respective counties or areas. They carry out a range of duties which are widely appreciated, in particular in their role as a link with the Royal Family and in their support for a wide variety of local voluntary and community work. I welcome the continuing contribution which they make.

HEALTH

  "No Secrets"
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implementation of the guidance in "No Secrets". [164770]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department commissioned the center for Policy on Ageing in 2002 to analyse implementation of the Department's "No Secrets" guidance, which provides the basis for local multi agency codes of practice to prevent and tackle the abuse of vulnerable adults. The analysis indicates that local councils have met the requirements required by "No Secrets" and that considerable progress has been made towards improving co-ordination between agencies when dealing with adult abuse cases.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) nature and (b) value was of all contracts, consultancies or other services placed with the accountancy firms (i) Deloitte & Touche, (ii) Ernst & Young, (iii) KPMG and (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2000–01 by the Department and its agencies. [166096]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department does not hold centrally a record of individual contracts, nor does it have similar details for its agencies. To secure such details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Adverse Drug Reactions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of adverse drug reactions he estimates are reported; and if he will make a statement. [163493]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  In the United Kingdom, the yellow card scheme allows health professionals to report suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) on a248W
  voluntary basis to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM). There is a legal requirement for companies to report suspected ADRs to their drugs.

  All voluntary reporting systems suffer from under-reporting. The proportion of suspected adverse drug reactions, which are reported, is very variable. Under reporting is thought to occur less frequently with newly identified, serious and unlabelled reactions (those reactions which are not yet included in the product information).

  Studies in UK hospitals (Smith et al 1996) and general practice settings (Martin et al 1998, Heeley et al 2001) have estimated that around five to ten per cent. of all suspected adverse drug reactions experienced by patients are reported to CSM and MHRA through the yellow card scheme. The study in general practice carried out by Heeley et al (2001) combined serious and non-serious ADRs in this estimate of under reporting of ADRs. This study also provided a breakdown of the estimates of under-reporting of reactions classified as serious or non-serious and labelled or unlabelled, and estimated that general practitioners report between 30 and 50 per cent. of serious unlabelled adverse reactions to CSM and MHRA via the yellow card scheme.

  Under-reporting does not necessarily detract from the ability of drug safety monitoring systems to identify new and important drug safety hazards. The MHRA and CSM are continually working to increase the quality and quantity of reports received via the Yellow Card Scheme in order to increase the potential for rapid identification of new drug safety hazards.

  References:

  Heeley E, Riley J, Layton D, Wilton RV and Shakir S (2001) Prescription event monitoring and reporting of adverse drug reactions' Lancet 358: 1872–1873

  Martin RM, Kapoor K V, Wilton LV and Mann RD (1998) 'Underreporting of suspected adverse drug reactions to newly marketed ("black triangle") drugs in general practice: observational study' BM 1 317:119–120

  Smith CC, Bennett PM, Pearce HM, Harrison PI, Reynolds DJ M, Aronson JK, Grahame-Smith DG (1996) 'Adverse drug reactions in a hospital general medical unit meriting notification to the Committee on Safety of Medicines' British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 42 (4): 423–429

  Agency Nurses (Weston Area)
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) resource budget, (b) administration costs and (c) staff numbers were for 2003 of the (i) Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health and (ii) Wider Health Working Group. [165121]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  For the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH):The budget allocation for 2003–04 was £35.4 million. This figure included £8 million for extension of community health councils from 1 April to 1 December 2003 and £3.2 million for the provision of the independent complaints advocacy service.
  Administrative costs amount to £5.7 million. Administrative costs have been defined as those incurred by the headquarters. All other resources contribute directly to the delivery of the patient and public involvement forums as supported by the forum support organisations and the regional office network.

  249W
  As 2003–04 has been the Commission's first full year of operation the staffing complement has grown steadily over this period. At 1 April 2003, the CPPIH employed three permanent staff and 19 temporary members of stair. By 31 March 2004, the position was that 136 permanent members of staff and 24 temporary staff had been recruited against a total staffing compliment of 198.

  For the wider health working group the answer to all points for 2003–04 is nil.

  Alcohol Treatment Services
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  To ask the secretary of State for Health how many alcohol treatment centers there are in the North West. [165503]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Allergies
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on trends in the occurrence of allergies in the UK; and what the Government's policy is on the alleviation of allergies. [165061]

  Dr. Ladyman
  We recognise that the numbers of people with allergies are increasing. It is not yet known why this is, but various factory are thought to be involved including a rise in dust mites due to a greater use of carpets, air pollution, and people being introduced to more allergens such as new plant species.

  The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) published its report, "Allergy—the unmet need: a blueprint for better patient care", on 25 June 2003. We welcome the RCP report and believe it is a useful contribution to the debate on how to improve national health service allergy services.

  The Food Standards Agency funds research on food allergy and intolerance, with particular emphasis on severe allergies; how they occur and what causes them. A large programme of research on food intolerance and allergy, costing around £1 million a year, is ongoing. King's College London is leading a £2.1 million European Commission-funded prospective study of the incidence and prognosis of allergy, allergic disease and low lung function in adults living in Europe. Also, The University of Manchester is leading a £1.2 million EC-funded investigation of the prevalence, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of sun allergy across Europe. Sun-provoked skin reactions are one of the commonest forms of allergy.

  It is the role of primary care trusts, in partnership with local stakeholders, to decide what services to provide for their populations, including those with allergies. They are best placed to understand local health care needs and commission services to meet them.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many allergy sufferers he estimates there are. [164930]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not held centrally. Last year, in the report. "Allergy—the unmet need: a blueprint for better patient care", the Royal College of Physicians estimated that around one in six of the population is affected by allergy.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of insurance cover for ambulance personnel in the event of death in a terrorist attack. [166408]

  Mr. Hutton
  Normal cover arrangements under the liabilities to third parties scheme, run by the NHS Litigation Authority, would apply to attendance at any major incident, including the site of a terrorist attack. Cross-Government discussions are also taking place with insurance industry representatives to clarify the general position in respect of personal insurance policies if staff are exposed to risks as a consequence of terrorist action in the course of their duties.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken to prepare ambulance personnel for dealing with a terrorist attack. [166409]

  Mr. Hutton
  All ambulance services have plans in place for responding to and dealing with a range of major incidents, including possible terrorist attacks. National guidance requires that those plans are regularly reviewed and practised.

  All ambulance services have been issued with standard personal protective equipment and decontamination units and have access to spare equipment and drug countermeasure supplies. Standard operating procedures have been developed and implemented in conjunction with the Ambulance Service Association and each service has instructors and teams of staff specifically trained to operate and perform safely in a contaminated environment.

  All ambulance staff are also receiving recognition and awareness training and additional investment has been made available to develop and maintain their capacity and capability. The Department is currently purchasing instruments to give early warning of radiation for all front line ambulance staff.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many exercises simulating a major incident involving ambulance personnel took place in(a) England and (b) each region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [166410]

  Mr. Hutton
  National guidance to National Health Service organisations requires that all major incident plans be reviewed and tested on a regular basis. Ambulance services have been conducting such exercises for many years, often in conjunction with local emergency partners. This includes testing their response arrangements to scenarios involving chemical, biological or radiological and nuclear materials. Such exercises are an integral part of testing local arrangements, identifying gaps and making continuous improvement. As such exercises are arranged and conducted at a local level, comprehensive information regarding numbers is not collected by the Department.

  Asthma
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the prevalence of asthma among children under 16, broken down by health authority. [164815]
  251W
  Dr. Ladyman
  We do not collect the information requested on the prevalence of asthma centrally. Asthma is estimated to affect around 4 to 6 per cent. of children and 4 per cent. of adults sufficiently severely to require medical supervision. We do, however, have some data on the number of hospital admissions as set out in the following table.

  Primary diagnosis (1CD-10 J45, J46) Asthma age on admission 0–15 years. Count of finished admission episodes by Strategic Health Authority (SHA) of Treatment NHS hospitals, England 2002–03

  Strategic HA of Treatment

  Finished Admission Episodes

  Norfolk. Suffolk and Cambridgeshire HA

  1,049

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire HA

  754

  Essex HA

  455

  North West London HA

  732

  North Central London HA

  625

  North East London HA

  853

  South East London HA

  879

  South West London HA

  661

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear HA

  708

  County Durham and Tees Valley HA

  800

  North and East Yorkshire And Northern Lincolnshire HA

  882

  West Yorkshire HA

  1,306

  Cumbria and Lancashire HA

  1.098

  Greater Manchester HA

  1,980

  Cheshire and Merseyside HA

  1,598

  Thames Valley HA

  717

  Hampshire And Isle of Wight HA

  662

  Kent and Medway HA

  638

  Surrey and Sussex HA

  961

  Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire HA

  868

  South West Peninsula HA

  615

  Dorset and Somerset HA

  562

  South Yorkshire HA

  625

  Trent HA

  881

  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland HA

  678

  Shropshire and Staffordshire HA

  676

  Birmingham and The Black Country HA

  1,755

  Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire HA

  687

  England

  24,705

  A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/ invalid clinical data, except for 2001–02 and 2002–03, which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the treatment of asthma cost the NHS in each of the last five years. [164816]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not held centrally. However we estimate that the net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed in the community for the treatment of asthma in England for the last five years is set out in the following table:252W

  Net ingredient cost of all asthma drugs dispensed in the community in England, 1998 to 2002

  £ Million

  BNF Section

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Net ingredient cost of all asthma drugs dispensed in the community in England, 1998 to 2002

  £ Million

  BNF Section

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  BNF 3.1

  220.0

  230.9

  230.3

  238.5

  239.6

  BNF 3.2

  266.9

  274.5

  283.2

  308.7

  338.1

  BNF 3.3

  11.1

  14.4

  14.9

  15.9

  17.2

  BNF 21.1.2

  2.1

  2.0

  2.3

  2.7

  3.0

  BNF 21.1.10

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  BNF 21.12

  1.7

  1.5

  1.5

  1.4

  1.5

  Total

  501.9

  523.4

  532.2

  567.3

  599.5

  Source:

  Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data from the Prescription Pricing Authority.

  Asthma drugs are included in British National Formulary (BNF) Sections 3.1 (Bronchodilators), 3.2 (Corticbsteroids), and 3.3 (Cromoglicate, related therapy and leukotriene receptor antagonists). Appliances used in the treatment of asthma are contained within the Prescription Pricing Authority pseudo British National Formulary sections 21.1.2, 21.1.10 and 21.12.

  The prescription information is from the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system from the Prescription Pricing Authority, and shows data for all prescriptions items that are dispensed in the community in England. As well as prescriptions prescribed in GP practices, prescriptions prescribed in hospitals that have been dispensed in the community are included. Private prescriptions, and prescriptions dispensed in hospitals are not included.

  The net ingredient cost refers to the cost (which the dispenser is reimbursed) of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees. It does not include any adjustment for income obtained where a prescription charge is paid at the time the prescription is dispensed, or where the patient has purchased a prepayment certificate.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has conducted into the reasons for increases in asthma rates in the last 25 years. [165259]

  Dr. Ladyman
  A range of research projects on the epidemiology of allergies have recently been completed or are ongoing. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was formed in 1991. Phase one measured the prevalence of childhood asthma, hayfever and atopic eczema for international comparisons. Phase two began in 1998 and involves more intensive studies in a smaller number of countries. The Department funded the United Kingdom contribution to phase two.

  King's College London has led a £2.1 million European Commission-funded prospective study of the incidence and prognosis of allergy, allergic disease and low lung function in adults living in Europe. King's College is also participating in the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, launched on 12 February 2004.
  253W
  This European and international research activity will contribute to evidence on the possible causes of the increase in asthma rates in the UK and other European countries.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has e examined concerning asthma and a remodelling of the body's airways. [165406]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In April 2002, the National Asthma Campaign published its consultation document, "Where next in basic asthma research?" A copy of the report was sent to the Department. The charity identified seven key areas of basic asthma research, including airway remodelling, in people with asthma.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the minimum standard of care in a care home setting is; and if he will make a statement. [164275]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 31 March 2004]: The minimum standard of care for case homes is set out in the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People and the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Adults (18–65).

  These standards are taken into account by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, which is responsible for ensuring homes meet the requirements set down in the Care Homes Regulations 2001.

  A copy of the Standards and the Regulations is available in the Library.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of exempting people suffering from particular illnesses from the requirement to recover the costs of personal care provided within care homes. [165468]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In our response to the Royal Commission on long-term care in the NHS Plan, we made it clear that we did not believe that making personal care free is the best use of limited resources. Instead, we have significantly increased investment in other aspects of older people's sere ices. We believe that investing in services will secure greater benefits for older people than would have been achieved by providing free personal care.

  Having made this decision, it would be inequitable to single out particular conditions or different settings for special treatment as far as personal care is concerned.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received concerning the definition of personal care provided within care homes; and if he will make a statement. [164107]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Since January 2004, I have not received any representations which specifically ask about the definition of personal care provided in care homes.
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  The Department published statutory guidance, 'Supported Housing and Care Homes—Guidance on Regulation' in August 2002, about eligibility for care home registration.

  Competent Authorities (EU Accession States)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 March, Official Report, column 934, on training (EU accession states), what assessment his Department has made of the likely numbers of(a) midwives and (b) other healthcare professionals who will come to the UK following the enlargement of the EU; and what actions his Department has taken to ensure that NHS employers have sufficient mechanisms in place to offer appropriate induction programmes to all such professionals requiring them. [R] [166452]

  Mr. Hutton
  No estimate has been made. The regulatory bodies will in due course have statistics about the numbers of practitioners from the acceding countries who join their registers. Guidance to the national health service on the implications of enlargement for the recognition of professional qualifications has been issued and is available on the Department's website at http://www.dlitgov.uk/ PolicyAndGuidance/HumanResourcesAndTraining/ ModernisingProfessionalRegulation/FitnessToPractice/ FitnessToPracticeArticle/fs/en?CONTENT ID = 407828 l&chk = ku6xxC.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 24 February with regard to Mrs. E. D. Murphy; [164933]

  (2) when he will reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 24 February, with regard to Mrs. E. O. Murphy. [166347]

  Dr. John Reid
  A reply was sent to my right hon. Friend on 2 April 2004.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists per head of population there were in(a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) England in each year since 1997. [162925]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The number of general dental service (GOS) dentists per 10,000 population for South Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT), Tyne and Wear, the North East and for England for 1997 to 2003 is shown in the table. Jarrow constituency is covered by South Tyneside PCT.

  These figures are on a headcount rather than a whole time equivalent basis (wte) basis and therefore take no account of part-time working. This may affect comparisons between different areas. The figures include dentists working in the GDS or in the personal dental service (PDS). They exclude dentists working in

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  other National Health Service dental services; community dental services and hospital dental services. Dentists working wholly privately are not covered.

  Number of dentists per 10,000 population at 30 September each year

  1South Tyneside

  1Tyne and Wear

  3North East

  England

  1997

  3.44

  3.27

  3.07

  3.45

  1998

  3.60

  3.39

  3.25

  3.54

  1999

  3.65

  3.49

  3.35

  3.65

  2000

  3.67

  3.57

  3.37

  3.72

  2001

  3.62

  3.61

  3.43

  3.84

  2002

  3.73

  3.75

  3.54

  3.89

  2003

  3.73

  3.86

  3.57

  3.95

  Notes:

  1For 1997 to 2001, figures cover Gateshead and South Tyneside Health Authority (HA) area. From 2002, the figures cover South Tyneside PCT.

  2 Between 1997 and 2002, figures for Tyne and Wear include the following HAs: Gateshead and South Tyneside, Newcastle and North Tyneside and Sunderland. From 2002, figures represent the following PCTs: Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland Teaching.

  3 Between 1997 and 2002 the North East includes the following HAs: County Durham and Darlington, Gateshead and South Tyneside, Newcastle and North Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland and Tees. From 2002, it includes Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and County Durham and Tees Valley SHA.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of providing free dental checks for(a) children every six months and (b) adults every year. 1164861]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Children are entitled to free dental treatment under the National Health Service, including free dental examinations every six months.

  About a quarter of all adults are exempt from charges or pay reduced charges for NHS dental treatment. Under current arrangements, adults may have dental examinations at six monthly intervals if they wish.

  If annual dental examinations were made free to all adults in England, patient charge revenue would be reduced by around £65 million per annum. Under the present dental payment system for general dental services, the total cost would be increased if the change stimulated demand for more dental examinations and these also led to some additional NHS dental treatment.

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has recently produced draft guidance for consultation, which proposes that the interval between dental examinations for patients should be tailored to meet their needs on the basis of an assessment of disease levels and risk of dental disease. If accepted, we would expect the new contractual arrangements for dentists which are currently under discussion with the profession to reflect this approach which is aimed towards care tailored to the clinical needs of patients. Under the new contract proposals, the link between treatments and payments will be abolished. Instead, dentists will be paid a guaranteed annual income for an agreed level of NHS commitment and will be free to decide treatments for their patients on the basis of clinical need, including the frequency of dental examinations.
  256W
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a list of NHS dentists serving North Derbyshire; what the addresses of each such clinic is; and what the extent of private dental work undertaken by each one is. [166378]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collated centrally. However, addresses and contact numbers for dentists serving in North Derbyshire can be obtained from NHS Direct (tel: 0845 4647), or from the national health service website at www.nhs.uk (tel: 020 7210 4850) which connects to local NHS services.

  There is no information available on private work as this is a matter for individual contractors.

  Departmental Computers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Department. [166367]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department ensures the currency of its information technology infrastructure through a regular programme of renewals. It is currently engaged in a major modernisation of its IT infrastructure and computers, installing Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office XP on its desktop and laptop computers.

  With regard to hardware, including desktop equipment, the Department has a replacement cycle of at least four years, with live to seven years or longer for central servers, and other network components.

  Software is replaced or upgraded, as needed, and to keep it in line with suppliers' support arrangements, and where necessary, to meet enhanced business requirements. The Department will consider open source software in it future upgrade path.

  Departmental Officials
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what secondments(a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst & Young and (d) KPMG have made to his Department since 2001; for what (i) periods and (ii) tasks the secondments were made; whether secondments of staff from his Department have been made to those firms; and for what (a) periods and (b) tasks. [1569221

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There have been four secondments from PricewaterhouseCooper, three secondments from KPMG, one secondment from Ernst & Young and two secondments from Deloitte & Touche into the Department since 2001.

  The four secondments from PricewaterhouseCooper are:

  From January 2002–continues. The secondment involves providing advice of issues relating to policy and implementation of foundation trusts and the NHS Bank on issues pertaining to corporate finance, private finance and public—private partnerships.

  From July 2002–continues . July 2002–February 2003, worked full time on the development of the National Health Service foundation trust financial regime. March 2003–July 2003, worked 50 per cent. of the time on the

  257W
  NHS foundation trust financial regime and 50 per cent. on various projects in the strategy unit. August 2003–continuing, works full time in the strategy unit and makes occasional contributions to the NHS foundation trust financial regime.

  From June 2003–September 20113. The secondment involved producing a guidance manual to best practice methods for successful contracting.

  From September 2003–March 2004. The secondment involves working with the independent regulator for NHS foundation trusts transitional team and then the permanent team, to help develop an audit code setting out standards, procedures and techniques for the independent regulator as set out in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003.

  The three secondments from KPMG are:

  From January 2001–January 2002. The secondment involved advising NHS trusts on financial aspects of private finance initiative contracts.

  From December 2002–October 2003. The secondment involved working with franchising policy development. From July 2003–continuing. The secondment involves establishing performance and finance measurement reporting, developing business plans and commercial evaluation of projects.

  The one secondment from Ernst & Young is:

  From October 2000–October 2001. The secondment involved advising NHS Trusts on financial aspects of private finance initiative contracts.

  The two secondments from Deloitte & Touche are:

  From November 2001–May 2003. The secondment involved advising NHS trusts on financial aspects of private finance initiative contracts.

  From December 2001–November 2002. The secondment involved advising NHS trusts on financial aspects of private finance initiative contracts.

  There was one secondment by a member of staff to Deloitte & Touche. The secondment was from November 2001 to November 2002, the secondment involved learning about private sector systems and procedures for evaluating private finance initiative schemes.

  Further information on secondments into and out of the Department, from all sectors, has been placed in the Library.

  Domiciliary Care
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned on the provision of domiciliary care in Oxfordshire. [164103]

  Dr. Ladyman
  No research has been commissioned on the provision of domiciliary c ire in Oxfordshire. However, the Department collects a range of data from councils with social services responsibilities and from the national health service through a series of statistical returns. These data inform policy development and inspection preparations nationally and are published to aid local planning and comparison. In addition, all councils submit a delivery and improvement statement twice annually and this contains information on performance for 2003–04.
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  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2004,Official Report, column 598W, on older people, how the National Minimum Standards for Domiciliary Care Agencies are monitored; and what information is held centrally on compliance with the standard. [164257]

  Dr. Ladyman
  From 1 April 2004, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) took over the regulatory responsibilities of the National Care Standards Commission. CSCI monitors National Minimum Standards (NMS) for domiciliary care agencies in the same way as it monitors NMS for all other services it regulates—through its registration and inspection actions.

  Currently, the domiciliary care sector is being registered and only services assessed against the Regulations as fit are registered. At present, no information is held centrally on compliance with the NMS as the inspection programme has not yet begun. This will start later in 2004 and early in 2005. Results of inspections, including details of compliance with the NMS, will be held centrally on CSCI's registration and inspection database.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2004, Official Report, column 598W, on older people, if he will place a copy of the standard on medication for domiciliary care agencies in the Library. [164258]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Domiciliary Care Agencies Regulations and National Minimum Standards for Domiciliary Care were published in January 2003. The regulations came into force on 1 April 2003. Regulation 14(6)(b) and standard 10 of the National Minimum Standards set out requirements and a standard in relation to procedures for assisting with medication and health related tasks. The Regulations and National Minimum Standards are both available in the Library.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will break down by region the domiciliary care agencies which have applied for registration. [164766]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Domiciliary care agencies which have applied for registration. Position at 29 March 2004

  Region

  Registered Services

  Applications outstanding

  North East

  126

  97

  East Midlands

  62

  236

  South West

  339

  175

  West Midlands

  93

  346

  North West

  241

  413

  London

  200

  319

  South East

  333

  432

  Eastern

  104

  408

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  148

  187

  Total

  1,646

  2,613

  259W
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health of the domiciliary care agencies which have been registered with action plans, how many are(a) in the public sector and (b) privately owned. [164767]

  Dr. Ladyman
  As at 29 March 2004, 855 domiciliary care agencies had been registered with conditions: 144 in the public sector, comprising three National Health Service agencies and 141 local authority agencies; and 711 independent agencies, comprising 613 private agencies, 79 voluntary agencies and 19 other agencies.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health of the domiciliary care agencies which have been fully registered, how many are(a) in the public sector and (b) privately run. [164771]

  Dr. Ladyman
  As at 29 March 2004, there were 1,646 domiciliary care agencies registered. Of these, 296 were in the public sector, comprising 292 local authority services and four National Health Service services and 1,315 services were in the independent sector, comprising 1,156 private agencies and 159 voluntary agencies. In addition 35 other agencies were registered.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many domiciliary care agencies have been refused registration. [164772]

  Dr. Ladyman
  As at 29 March 2004, six domiciliary care agencies have been refused registration, 2,613 applications are awaiting registration and the total number of agencies registered is 1646.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many domiciliary care agencies have been registered; and how many have been registered with action plans. [164773]

  Dr. Ladyman
  As at 29 March, a total of 1,646 domiciliary care agencies had been registered, of which 855 had been registered with conditions.

  Elderly (Abuse)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of incidents of abuse of the elderly in residential and domiciliary care settings; and if he will make a statement. [164820]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department keeps no statistics centrally on the incidence of abuse in residential and domiciliary care settings. However, Ministers have agreed funding to enable Action on Elder Abuse to take stock of the information that is currently being collected locally under the "No Secrets" guidance. It is hoped to have preliminary results in six months time and fuller results towards the end of 2005. In due course, the Department plans to introduce national data collections and to identify performance measures, relating to adult abuse.

  Eye Surgery
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are in place on the quality of private laser eye surgery. [165789]
  260W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Private establishments where Class 4 laser treatment (the type used in laser eye surgery) is provided are required to be registered as independent hospitals, under the Care Standards Act 2000. As such they are required to meet national minimum standards among which is the requirement to ensure that all staff using lasers and intense pulsed light sources use them only for treatments for which they have been trained and, where appropriate, hold qualifications, and that they receive regular training.

  Responsibility for the registration and inspection of independent hospitals passed from the National Care Standards Commission to the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection on 1 April 2004. Independent hospitals are inspected against the national minimum standards at least once every 12 months under the terms of the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Regulations 2004.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects of allowing general practices to sell goodwill as part of the new General Medical Services contracts. [165795]

  Mr. Hutton
  The sale of goodwill will cover less than 10 per cent. of primery medical services.

  The long-standing prohibition on the purchase and sale of goodwill by medical practices providing essential services to a list of registered patients continues. Extending the ban to providers of other services is not necessary, nor is there any justification for depriving certain other providers of their existing rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average general practitioner list size was in(a) Birmingham and (b) the Black Country in each of the last 10 years. [165804]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  Table 1 shows the average general practice list size for the area covered by Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic Health Authority for the years 1993 to 2003.

  Table 2 shows the average list size for the primary care trusts within Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic Health Authority since 2001.

  Table 1: Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents1 (UPEs) average list size for Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic Health Authority, 1993–20032

  Average list size

  1993

  1,993

  1994

  1,972

  1995

  1,955

  1996

  1,945

  1997

  1,941

  1998

  1,930

  1999

  1,967

  2000

  1,927

  2001

  1.943

  2002

  1,928

  2003

  1,929

  261W

  Table 2: Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents1 (UPEs) average list size for Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic Health Authority, by Primary Cme Trust, 2001–033

  2001

  2002

  2003

  (a) Birmingham

  South Birmingham PCT

  1,716

  1,659

  1,684

  North Birmingham PCT

  1,886

  1,942

  1,939

  Heart of Birmingham PCT

  2,203

  2,299

  2,315

  East Birmingham PCT

  1,991

  2,024

  2,082

  (b) Black Country

  Dudley South PCT

  1,927

  1,855

  1,857

  Dudley Beacon and Castle PCT

  2,075

  2,082

  2,003

  Walsall PCT

  2,063

  2,002

  1,899

  Oldbury and Smethwick PCT

  1,884

  1,867

  1,880

  Rowley, Regis and Tipton PCT

  2,022

  2,041

  1,914

  Wednesbury and West Bromwich PCT

  2,063

  1,960

  1,994

  Wolverhampton City PCT

  1,959

  1,930

  1,925

  (c) Other

  Solihull PCT

  1,786

  1,795

  1,853

  1UPEs includes GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.

  2 Data as at 1 October for the years 1993–99, 30 September for the years 2000–03.

  3 All data as at 30 September.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many developments by general practitioner practices have been halted as a result of the Department's requirement that contracts needed to be signed by 30 September 2003; and how many of these have subsequently proceeded with the support of their primary care trust. [165873]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is unaware of any general practitioner scheme that h is been cancelled as a result of the change to single cast limited budget. The 30 September 2003 date was used as a means for identifying base line premise allocations. These have since been supplemented by a further premise growth allocation in March 2004 to lead primary care trusts in each strategic health authority area.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his latest estimate is of the average general practitioner practice case load within Camden and Islington; how many general practitioner groups are expected to retire in the next 12 months; and how many new general practitioners he expect is to be appointed in Camden and Islington in the next 12 months. [166350]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not collect centrally the information requested. However, there has been an increase of 256 general practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars, in London since 1999. London primary care trusts are planning to recruit over 200 additional GPs between July 2003 and March 2006.

  Health Checks (Over-65s)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what health checks are routinely performed on the NHS on people over 65. [164763]
  262W
  Dr. Ladyman
  General practitioners are required to provide a health check to all patients aged 75 or over who request it and have not had a consultation within the last 12 months. For people aged 65 or over, in receipt of health or community care, local National Health Service bodies and councils with social services responsibilities should routinely assess their needs and review services at least annually.

  Health Services (Birkenhead)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the number of extra midwives which will be required in the NHS in the next 10 years and (b) the adequacy of the number of training places available to meet that demand. [166235]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are committed to increasing the number of midwives working in the national health service. Speaking at the Royal College of Midwives in 2001, my right hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) said that there would be an extra 2,000 midwives working in the NHS within the next five years. As at September 2003, there were 1,369 more midwives employed in the NHS than in 2000.

  It is for the NHS to determine locally the number and type of training places it purchases for students to train as midwives. Increased investment has seen a rise of 28 per cent. between 1996–97 and 2002–03 in the number of students starting midwifery training and further growth is expected this year to support further growth in midwifery numbers.

  Incontinence Pads
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has given to primary care trusts about the quantity of incontinence pads to be supplied to individuals in residential homes; [166053]

  (2) what consultation he has had with independent nursing homes about the supply of incontinence pads. [166054]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Since the introduction of national health service-funded nursing care in October 2001, residents in care homes providing nursing care should not have to pay for the continence supplies they need. The NHS will ensure that the care home either receives continence products free of charge, or will make a payment to the care home for continence provision. Guidance issued to primary care trusts in September 2001 and March 2003 was consulted upon with a wide range of stakeholders, including care homes providing nursing care. The guidance stresses the importance of the NHS consulting local providers about continence provision to ensure that, as far as possible, the arrangements meet their needs concerning delivery and storage.

  Infection Control
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to improve standards of hygiene within the NHS. [165045]

  Dr. Ladyman
  We are working to improve both infection control and cleanliness. Key to achieving this is implementation of "Winning Ways—Working
  263W
  together to reduce Healthcare Associated Infection in England". This will reduce infection rates and improve patient care.

  In addition, to help the national health service comply with "Standards of Cleanliness for the NHS", a healthcare cleaning manual will be issued shortly to all NHS trusts. The National Patient Safety Agency is piloting a new approach to hand hygiene in acute hospitals and this will start to be implemented during 2004.

  Insulin
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assurances he has sought from(a) Novo Nordisk and (b) CP Pharmaceuticals about the long-term provision of animal insulin; [166020]

  (2) what steps he has taken to ensure the long-term supply of (a) human insulin and (b) animal insulin. [166021]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department is in regular contact with Novo Nordisk and CP Pharmaceuticals and both these companies have confirmed that they will continue to supply animal insulin and human insulin for the foreseeable future.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of(a) human insulin and (b) animal insulin for people with diabetes. [166022]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  All authorised insulins, whether human insulin or animal insulin, have been demonstrated to be efficacious in people with diabetes mellitus. As part of the licensing approval process for any medicinal product, including insulins, the applicant has to provide evidence that the product meets appropriate standards of quality, safety and efficacy. This will include clinical trial data in patients with diabetes. Findings from the Cochrane review, which compared the effects of synthetic human insulin and natural animal insulin in diabetic patients from 1996 to 2002 and was subsequently updated in 2003, indicate that both human and animal insulins are equally effective. The decision to use one or other of the insulin rests with the physician in consultation with the patient.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of people with diabetes who are(a) unwilling and (b) unable to use human insulin to manage their condition; and what proportion of people with diabetes using insulin to manage their condition these represent. [166023]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  This information is not collected centrally. However, both human and animal insulins remain available.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department(a) has made available in each year since 1996–97 and (b) will make available in each year from 2004–05 to 2007–08 to tackle anomalies of the old funding system for long-term care. [164615]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The NHS Plan announced additional resources, rising to £360 million a year by 2003–04, to tackle anomalies in the system of funding for long term 264W
  care. This was disseminated via the Preserved Rights Grant, the Residential Allowance Grant, the Deferred Payments Grant and new funding for National Health Service-funded nursing care. There has also been and continues to be extra investment in new services such as intermediate care and extra care housing.

  Funding was made available in 2003 to strategic health authorities o cover the estimated costs of recompense claims for patients inappropriately denied fully funded NHS continuing care since 1996. The Department does not routinely publish details of estimated costs of a specific service.

  Mental Health
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the number of mentally disordered offenders who are deaf. [165834]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There are two specialist mental health facilities for deaf mentally disordered offenders. These are at Rampton Hospital, a high secure hospital, which accommodates up to 10 individuals and Mayflower Hospital, an independent medium secure hospital, which has places for up to 40.

  There will also be some deaf people in prison. The exact number is not known because no statistics are collected. The best available estimate is that 0.1 per cent. of the prison population will have some degree of hearing loss and that there may be between 50 and 100 who are profoundly deaf. Of these, up to a third may have mental health problems. These figures are, however, estimates and should be treated with caution.

  Musculoskeletal Disease
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to include the management and treatment of musculoskeletal disease within the terms of reference of the National Service Framework for Older People. [166208]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Although the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People did not specifically focus on the management and treatment of musculoskeletal disease, the underlying principle, set out in the NSF, of fair access to high quality, joined-up care, based on need and not age, applies to all older people. We have no plans to add to the NSF for older people, which was published in March 2001.

  NHS Usage Statistics
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS acute service users in the last period for which figures are available were above retirement age. [165879]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In 2002–03, 36 per cent., of all admissions to national health service hospitals in England in acute specialties were by people who were above retirement age on the day of admission. Further detail is shown in the following table.
  265W

  Main Consultant Specialty Acute (Codes: 100–421,450–460, 620, 800–901). Age on Admission in years 65+ (males), 60+ (females) and count for all ages. Count of Finished Admissions Episodes. NHS Hospitals, England 2002–03

  Age Grouping

  Finished admission episodes

  Percentage acute admissions

  65 + (males and 60 + (females)

  3,578,853

  36.1

  All ages

  9,908,693

  100.0

  Notes:

  A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  Figures have hot been adjusted for shell falls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

  Nursing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action has been taken by his Department to implement the recommendations of the Audit Commission report, "Brief Encounters", on temporary nurses.[166404]

  Mr. Hutton
  The recommendations contained in "Brief Encounters" will be taken into account by the newly established NHS Professionals special health authority in its management of the national health service temporary labour market, in partnership with local NHS trusts and primary care trusts.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandatory entry requirements are for nursing training(a) diplomas and (b) degrees. [166442]

  Mr. Hutton
  Currently, in line with Nursing and Midwifery Council standards, entry to nurse training programmes, either for pre-registration diplomas or pre-registration degrees, requires a statutory minimum of five GCSEs at grade A, B or C (or the equivalent). Midwifery programmes require the same statutory minimum. However, one qualification must be in a science subject.

  These standards are due to change soon and the new arrangements will be in place for September, when specific education entry requirements will cease to apply. Applicants will be required to meet general education entry requirements that show their competence in literacy and numeracy, as well as providing evidence of good health and character.

  Higher education institutions are expected to set their own additional entry requirements for degrees and diplomas.

  Older People
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what(a) initiatives, (b) campaigns and (c) advisory bodies relating to older people his Department (i) is responsible and (ii) has provided funding since 2001; and what the cost in each year was for each one. [166238]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The national sere ice framework (NSF) for older people, published in March 2001, forms the basis for the Department's programme to improve 266W
  health and social care services for older people. Since its launch, the Department has supported a number of initiatives, campaigns and advisory bodies, as part of the implementation of the NSF. However, it is not possible to identify these separately.

  Organ Transplants
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what authority controls the matching of donated organs with potential transplant recipients in the(a) NHS and (b) private sector.[164863]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  It is the responsibility of UK Transplant, a special health authority based in Bristol, to match and allocate organs from deceased donors to suitable patients on the national transplant list, whether national health service or private, according to allocation rules agreed by national organ advisory committees.

  It is the responsibility of local transplant centers or clinicians working in private practice to assess the suitability of a potential live organ donor and obtain approval from the Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority if required.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what protocols govern the selection of recipients of donated organs for transplant in the(a) NHS and (b) private sector. [164870]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The rules for allocating organs are publicly available on the UK Transplant website at www.uktransplant.co.uk. They are regularly reviewed by the medical profession in consultation with other health professionals, the Department and advisory groups. The system of allocation differs according to the type of organ; whether it is a heart, lung, kidney, liver or cornea, but there are some overall guiding principles which ensure as far as possible proper matching of organs to patients and equality of access to the organ available. All eligible patients, whether national health service or private, have to be registered on the relevant national transplant list and will be allocated a suitable organ when one becomes available.

  Oxygen Cylinders
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the tender document to contractors for the supply of oxygen cylinders to cluster headache patients informs potential contractors of the number of cylinders that they will be required to supply each week to cluster headache patients. [166451]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Healthcare professionals are responsible for assessing and prescribing oxygen therapy for patients, including those suffering from cluster headaches. The new contract, being developed to support introduction of a modernised, integrated, oxygen service during 2005, will require service contractors to supply oxygen in a way that best meets the needs of the patient, as set out in the patient's prescription.

  Pain Management
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department guarantees that the quality
  267W
  of local pain management services provided by NHS trusts and primary care trust commissioners is effectively monitored by strategic health authorities; and what steps it takes to ensure that best practice in pain management is shared between NHS trusts and primary care trusts from different strategic health authority regions. [165349]

  Mr. Hutton
  The process for commissioning health services involves the establishment of service level agreements between primary care trust commissioners and providers for various specialties. These set the framework for the monitoring of all services, including pain. Strategic health authorities would not normally become involved in this process except in cases of serious difficulty.

  The commissioning process ensures that quality services are provided and it is for providers to ensure that they take account of developments in pain services, such as the recommendations in the Clinical Standards Advisory Group report on pain or the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Pain Society booklet, "Pain Management Services—Good Practice".

  Residential Care
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered beds there were in(a) residential care homes and (b) nursing homes in Leicestershire for each year since 1995–96. [166121]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The table shows the number of care home places in Leicestershire at 31 March for the years 1996 to 2001.

  Figures for later years have been collected by the National Care Standards Commission, but comparable details broken down by local authority are not available.

  Number of care home places in Leicestershire1 at 31 March 1996–2001

  Rounded numbers

  At 31 March

  Residential2

  Nursing3

  Total

  1996

  5,220

  2,325

  7,545

  1997

  5,960

  2,320

  8,280

  1998

  5,840

  2,150

  7,990

  1999

  6,065

  2,190

  8,255

  2000

  6,330

  1,710

  8,040

  2001

  6,640

  1,625

  8,265

  1 For 1996 and 1997, residential figures are for Leicestershire Council with Social Services Responsibilities (CSSR). For 1998 onwards, residential figures are for Leicestershire CSSR, Leicester CSSR and Rutland CSSR. Nursing figures are for Leicestershire Health Authority for all years.

  2 Includes places in local authority staffed, voluntary, private, small and dual registered homes.

  3 Includes places in general nursing homes, mental nursing homes and private hospitals and clinics.

  Source:

  Department of Health forms RAC5, RA, RH(N) and K036.

  Shared Service centers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 23 March 2004,Official Report, column 718W, on administration, what savings
  268W
  he estimates can be gained from the expansion of shared service centers for (a) financial services and (b) human resources. [164899]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is not possible to estimate precisely the level of savings from expanding either financial services or human resources t HR) as these depend on a number of factors. The level of savings at each trust will depend on the age of their existing information technology systems, their cost base and number and type of staff they employ, how their services are delivered at the moment and the volume of transactions that are undertaken. The speed of any roll-out will also dictate the level of savings and is equally dependent on similar local circumstances.

  However, it is estimated that by 2009–10, total savings from the use of shared service centers in the national health service will be about £35 million per annum on HR and £60-£75 million on financial services.

  Skin Disease
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proportion of general practitioner time spent dealing with skin disease. [164903]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Social Services (Destitute British Nationals)
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibilities social services departments have to support destitute British nationals. [165494]

  Dr. Ladyman
  If an adult British citizen approaches a council with social services responsibilities for help, the council should determine whether the person is ordinarily resident in its area or in urgent need. If so, the council should carry out a community care assessment if it believes that the individual adult's needs are such that s/he may be provided with community care services. If, on the basis of a community care assessment, the individual is deemed eligible for community care services, the council should provide those services and, thereafter, review both needs and services at frequent intervals. This process applies to all adult British citizens whether they are destitute or not. In some situations, a council may have to provide substantial help, including residential accommodation, if a destitute British citizen is returning to, or arriving in, the United Kingdom and cannot access benefit; and housing immediately.

  Temporary Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the employment agencies which his Department has used to supply temporary staff in each financial year since 1996–97 to the most recent date for which figures are available. [163820]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department of Health allows managers to access temporary staff, when necessary, through apropriate employment agencies at their own discretion, where the appropriate funding is authorised.
  269W
  According to departmental records, a number of agencies were used by managers in the Department to supply temporary staff. The agencies used by the Department during 2002–03 and 2003 to date are shown in the list. The supplied information may not be complete due to limitations in the current departmental finance system.

  Year 2002–03

  Badenoch and Clark

  Blue Arrow Ltd.

  Brook Street UK Ltd.

  Capita Business Services Ltd.

  Capita SHG Resourcing

  Computer People Ltd.

  Contract Human Resource Service

  Carlisle Staffing plc

  First Choice Recruitment

  Hays Accountancy Services

  Hays DX

  Hays IT Services Ltd.

  Hays Montrose

  Headway Recruitment

  HR Interim's Ltd.

  Interaction Recruitment plc

  Katie Bard Executive Secretariat

  Kelly Services (UK)

  Lifeline Personnel Ltd.

  Manpower plc

  Office Angels

  Parity Resources Ltd.

  Parity Solutions Ltd.

  Pertemps Group of Companies

  Protemp and Profile Recruitment

  Reed Agency Services Ltd.

  Reed Solutions Ltd.

  Reed Staffing Services Ltd.

  Robert Half International

  Select Appointments plc

  StopGap Ltd.

  Sue Bates Key Personnel

  Sue Hill Recruitment and Services

  TFPL Ltd.

  TMF Worldwide

  TMF Worldwide Ltd. (ADCOMMS)

  Year 2003-to date

  Accent Employment Services Ltd.

  Ambitions Personnel Ltd.

  Angel Human Resources

  Badenoch and Clark

  Brook Street UK Ltd.

  Capita SHG Resourcing

  Computer People Ltd.

  Contract Human Resource Service

  Carlisle Staffing plc

  First Choice Recruitment

  First Recruitment Services

  Forrest Recruitment

  Hays Accountancy Services

  Hays IT Services Ltd.

  270W

  Headway Recruitment

  TMP/Hudson Global Resources Ltd.

  Interaction Recruitment plc

  Katie Bard Executive Secretariat

  Kelly Services (UK)

  Lifeline Personnel Ltd.

  Manpower plc

  Office Angels

  Parity Resources Ltd.

  Parity Solutions Ltd.

  Pertemps Group of Companies

  Reed Solutions Ltd.

  Reed Staffing Services Ltd.

  Robert Half International

  Select Appointments Ltd.

  Spring Personnel Ltd.

  StopGap Ltd.

  Sue Bates Key Personnel

  Sue Hill Recruitment and Services

  TFPL Ltd.

  TMF Worldwide Ltd. (ADCOMMS)

  Data for the years from 1996–2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Treatment centers
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations have been consulted on the Trent Region Access and Choice programme; how long the consultation period was; and whether copies of the responses were made publicly available. [164603]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Responsibility for effective involvement activity rests with the Trent Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and the relevant primary care trusts (PCTs).

  The SHA is responsible for communicating high level strategic issues relating to the programme and it is the responsibility of PCTs to communicate operational impact and seek views on how best to meet the needs of local people through the delivery of the new service.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what submissions he has received regarding the location of the independent sector treatment center in Trent as part of the Trent Region Access and Choice programme; what assessment the Department has made of(a) the length of journey and (b) the time taken to reach (i) Derby, (ii) Nottingham and (iii) Sheffield hospitals; and what assessment has been made of the potential impact on patient safety if complications occur after surgery. [164600]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Barlborough independent sector treatment center (IS-TC) is being set up to provide much needed additional clinical capacity in the Trent region, to help reduce waiting times and introduce choice for national health service patients. The location of the ISTC in the Trent Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area was determined by the service provider, Care UK Afrox Healthcare (CUAH), working closely with Trent SHA, so that health requirements of the regional and local populations could be best served.
  271W
  Information on travel times to the hospitals mentioned is not available, but the service provider will be providing NHS patients with transport to and from the IS-TC. All IS-TCs will be staffed by fully trained and experienced clinical teams. Surgeons operating in ISTCs must be registered with the General Medical Council on its specialist register. IS-TCs will have facilities and trained staff to resuscitate and stabilise any patient who suffers such complications.

  Patients needing transport to a NHS trust in the event of a clinical emergency will be transported using normal ambulance services to either Chesterfield Royal Infirmary or, should they require an intensive care bed, to one of the hospital trusts in the North Trent critical care network. This is the same arrangement that would be followed for patients in any district general hospital in south Yorkshire.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether independent sector treatment centers will be subject to the same national audit framework as NHS hospitals. [164601]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The services provided by independent sector treatment centers for NHS bodies are subject to scrutiny by the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) on the same basis as other National Health Service services.

  In addition, under the Care Standards Act 2000, CHAI is responsible for registering and inspecting independent treatment centers against the National Minimum Standards and Regulations issued by the Secretary of State.

  Vulnerable Adults
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the protection of vulnerable adults list will be implemented in healthcare settings. [164819]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department remains fully committed to implementing the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) scheme for healthcare. The POVA scheme is being commenced in social care first as there is strong evidence that most abuse of vulnerable adults occurs either in people's own homes or in care homes. There remain problems with implementing POVA in healthcare settings. It is hoped to resolve these problems as soon as possible, with a view to fully implementing POVA during 2005.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring will be undertaken by his Department on the impact of the European working time directive on emergency medical transfers at night between hospitals. [166405]

  Mr. Hutton
  Performance management of the implementation of the working time directive is the responsibility of strategic health authorities, as part of mainstream national health service performance management.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  BACS
  Brian White
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress his Department has made to manage the changeover from the Bank Automated Clearing System to the new BACSTEL-iP system for electronic payments. [164319]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department's outsourced banking function (Liberata) have obtained costs for the new hardware and software required for the upgrade and made plans for the migration to BACSTEL-iP. The migration timetable is driven by our sponsoring bank, the Bank of England which is in the process of drawing up a timetable for implementation by December 2005.

  Immigration Control (Lawyers)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many lawyers have been(a) prosecuted, (b) convicted and (c) struck off for offences related to the evasion of immigration control by their clients in each year since 1997. [165462]

  Mr. Lammy
  The complaints handling arm of the Law Society, the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, have provided numbers of cases which resulted in solicitors being subject to disciplinary action, in relation to the provision of immigration advice since 1997.

  1997

  No cases

  1998

  1—subject to a section 43 Order (preventing a legal executive or a legal clerk from working in a firm of solicitors)

  1–struck off

  1999

  1—fined

  1—reprimanded

  2000

  1—struck off 3

  fined

  2001

  1—struck off

  1—subject to a section 43 Order

  1—fined and suspended

  1—suspended

  2—fined

  2002

  No cases

  2003

  1—struck off

  1—indefinite suspension

  1—fined

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people(a) applied for and (b) received legal aid in England and Wales since 2000; and how many people had an application rejected. [165844]
  273W
  Mr. Lammy
  The Legal Services Commission is unable to provide figures for criminal and civil Legal Help because decisions about whether to take on a case are made by the supplier and not referred to the Commission on a case-by-case basis.

  The Commission can however provide figures for civil representation on the basis of the number of applications for funding certificates received, granted and rejected; the figures are not necessarily reflective of the number of individuals involved.

  The figures for civil representation from 2000–01 are in table A. The number of applications received and dealt with by the Crown Courts are in table B. The number of applications received and dealt with by the magistrates' courts are in table C.

  The number of applications rejected does not equate to the difference between the number of applications received and the number of applications granted because other outcomes are possible including abandonment or withdrawal of an application, or an offer of contributory funding that the applicant decides not to progress.

  Table A-Civil applications

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Funding applications received

  226,104

  205,821

  211,723

  643,648

  Funding applications granted

  174,017

  161,988

  164,096

  500,101

  Funding applications rejected

  24,353

  20,347

  22,904

  67,604

  Table B—Crown court applications1

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Total

  Funding applications received

  13,494

  12,073

  11,080

  36,647

  Funding applications granted

  13,279

  11,909

  10,890

  36,078

  Funding applications rejected

  264

  204

  190

  672

  1Information is available by calendar year only.

  Table C-Magistrates' court applications

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Funding applications received

  477,307

  627,215

  662,847

  1,767,369

  Funding applications granted

  449,632

  598,422

  632,057

  1,680,111

  Funding applications rejected

  23,566

  27,797

  29,886

  81,249

  Legal Services
  Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to review the financial eligibility limits for publicly funded legal help. [165408]

  Mr. Lammy
  No decision has yet been taken on the eligibility uprating. We will inform the House as soon as a decision has been taken.
  274W
  Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps he is taking to improve access to community legal services. [165409]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Community Legal Service (CLS) aims to improve access to quality legal and advice services for all. Regional Legal Service Committees and CLS Partnerships are responsible for co-ordinating the delivery of legal and advice services in their area and through an analysis of local legal needs. can ensure that resources are more effectively targeted to those most in need. A number of initiatives have been put in place to improve access to advice, including the Just Ask! website. A national telephone advice service will be available nationally from summer 2004 following a successful pilot. CLS leaflets provide information on legal rights and details of local service providers can be found in the CLS Directory. available at a number of public locations and online. The Constitutional Affairs Select Committee's current inquiry into the adequacy of civil legal aid provision is considering access to civil legal and advice services. An independent review is also evaluating the effectiveness of the CLS and is due to report in late April 2004.

  Legal Services Commission
  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) how many new solicitors firms have undertaken contracts with the Legal Services Commission in England and Wales since 2000; [1658421

  (2) how many solicitors firms, in England and Wales have withdrawn from a Legal Services Commission contract in each year since 2000. [165843]

  Mr. Lammy
  I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many press officers were employed in the Department in each year from 1990–91 to 2003–04; what the total cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [162858]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) was created in June 2003. Since its inception the DCA, which includes its agencies—the Court Service and the Public Guardianship Office (PGO) has employed:

  2003–04

  Number

  Paybill (£)

  Press Officers

  14

  384,661

  Support Staff

  6

  140,963

  The Directors of Communications of the DCA and PGO, the DCA Deputy Director of Communications, and the DCA Head of News also deal with the media within their wider responsibilities.

  Special Immigration Appeals Commission
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Special Immigration Appeals Commission is a court; and if he will make a statement. [1653901

  Mr. Lammy
  The Special Immigration Appeals Commission is a superior court of record pursuant to Section 1(3) of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission Act 1997 as amended by Section 35 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. The amendment to the status of the commission took effect from 13 December 2001.

  Whistleblowers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what provisions are made across departments of Government to reward whistleblowers for providing information leading to successful detection of fraud or other crime; and how many and what sizes of rewards have been made in the past five years. [145211]

  Mr. Lammy
  My Department is not responsible for whistleblowing provisions across Government Departments.

  However, we do have a whistleblowing policy that provides a confidential reporting procedure for employees to voice concerns about any aspect of work within the Department.

  There is no policy of rewarding whistleblowers, and in the past year no rewards have been made.

  Location

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Dual carriageway between Ballymena and Glarryford

  13,940

  15,230

  —

  15,170

  —

  —

  15,170

  —

  16,910

  17,880

  A44 Ballycastle junction to Ballymoney Bypass

  9,640

  10,260

  10,760

  11,410

  11,040

  11,860

  11,740

  12,630

  12,860

  —

  Ballymoney Bypass

  11,300

  13,990

  13,150

  11,990

  13,370

  14,100

  13,440

  14,560

  14,940

  15,660

  Between Ballymoney and Coleraine

  11,750

  12,170

  12,050

  13,170

  13,870

  14,630

  14,610

  15,060

  14,920

  15,670

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many attendance allowance claims have been subject to appeal in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the percentage rate of success was. [165995]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of attendance allowance appeals heard during the last five financial years and the percentage success rate was:

  Total

  Success rate (percentage)

  1999–2000

  57

  26.3

  2000–01

  43

  25.6

  2001–02

  118

  20.3

  2002–03

  143

  27.3

  2003–04

  108

  21.3

  Car Ownership
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Ulster-Scots
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people who completed the 2001 Census in Northern Ireland entered Ulster-Scots in response to the question on language. [166481]

  Mr. Pearson
  None. The question on language asked in the 2001 Census related specifically to Irish and allowed only tick:-box responses.

  A26
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average volume per day of vehicles using the A26 between Ballymena and Coleraine was in each of the last 10 years. [165732]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.

  Letter from Dr Malcolm McKibbin to Mr Gregory Campbell dated 5 April 2004:

  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding the average volume per day of vehicles using the A26 between Ballymena and Coleraine was in the last 10 years. I have been asked to reply as the issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.

  Roads Service collects traffic data from 4 locations along the A26 between Ballymena and Coleraine. The counters occasionally mal-function and/or require maintenance resulting in periods where traffic flow information is not available. The available data on the average volume of vehicles per day recorded in each of the last 10 years is shown in the attached table.

  I hope you find this information helpful.

  change in the numbers of those owning cars in Northern Ireland over the past 10 years. [165998]

  Mr. Pearson
  Information on the numbers of people owning cars in Northern Ireland is not readily available. However, the 1991 Census of Population showed that residents of 64.5 per cent. of households had access to at least one car or van, rising to 73.7 per cent. of households in the 2001 Census of Population.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many travel warrants were issued to civil servants employed by his Department for travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain via(a) Belfast City Airport and (b) Belfast International Airport in each of the last three years. [165774]

  Mr. Pearson
  The number of travel warrants issued to civil servants employed by the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Northern Ireland Office for travel between Northern Ireland and Great
  277W
  Britain via (a) Belfast City Airport, and (b) Belfast International Airport, in each of the last three years is set out in the table.

  Belfast City

  Belfast International

  2001–02

  11,947

  4,568

  2002–03

  17,890

  1,687

  2003–04

  16,981

  2,507

  These figures relate only to flight s booked through the NICS and NIO contracted travel agency services and do not include any journeys undertaken and which were booked through other channels, as to obtain this information would be at disproportionate cost to Departments.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of air travel for civil servants employed by his Department travelling between Northern Ireland and each of Great Britain's airports via(a) Belfast City Airport and (b) Belfast International Airport was in each of the last three years. [165775]

  Mr. Pearson
  The cost of air travel for civil servants employed by the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Northern Ireland Office travelling between Northern Ireland and each of Great Britain's airports for each of the List three years is set out in the table.

  Belfast City

  Belfast International

  2001–02

  2,418,932

  990,101

  2002–03

  3,983,798

  239,348

  2003–04

  3,154,379

  210,216

  These figures relate only to flights booked through the NICS and NIO contracted travel agency services and do not include any journeys undertaken and which were hooked through other channels, as to obtain this information would be at disproportionate cost to Departments.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants flew from Belfast City Airport to(a) London Luton and (b) London Gatwick in each of the last three years; and what the average return fare was. [165777]

  Mr. Pearson
  The number of civil servants who flew from Belfast International Airport to(a) London Luton, (b) London Stansted and (c) London Gatwick in each of the last three years is set out below along with the average return fare in each case.

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  (a)

  London Luton

  7

  92

  309

  Air fair (return)

  £59.92

  £77.94

  £105.53

  (b)

  London Stansted

  23

  19

  359

  Air fair (return)

  £66.78

  £95.75

  £104.23

  278W

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  c

  London Gatwick

  640

  12

  206

  Air fair (return)

  £159.48

  £88.27

  £76.08

  These figures relate only to flights booked through the NICS and NIO contracted travel agency services and do not include any journeys undertaken and which were booked through other channels, as to obtain this information would be at disproportionate cost to Departments.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants flew from Belfast International Airport to(a) London Luton, (b) London Stansted and (c) London Gatwick in each of the last three years; and what the average return fare was. [165776]

  Mr. Pearson
  The number of civil servants who flew from Belfast City Airport to(a) London Heathrow and (b) London Gatwick in each of the last three years is set out below along with the average return fare in each case.

  Flights from Belfast City Airport

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  (a)

  London Heathrow

  2,776

  7,771

  9,898

  Air fare return

  £139.75

  £183.03

  £183.88

  (b)

  London Gatwick

  2,333

  2,619

  1,456

  Air fare return

  £227.77

  £160.90

  £175.58

  These figures relate only to flights booked through the NICS and NIO contracted travel agency services and do not include any journeys undertaken and which were booked through other channels as to obtain this information would be at disproportionate cost to Departments.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each civil service grade within his Department, the total number of staff employed, broken down by(a) gender, (b) ethnic group, (c) registered disabled and (d)age group.[166402]

  Mr. Pearson
  At 1 January 2004 the total number of staff in the Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office was 31,439. The following tables show the breakdown, for each grade level, by(a) gender, (b) ethnic origin, (c) those who have declared a disability, and (d) age group:

  (a)Permanent staff by grade level and gender

  Gender

  Grade level

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Grade 5 and above

  56

  229

  285

  Grade 6/7

  409

  1,020

  1,429

  Deputy Principal

  838

  1,700

  2,538

  Staff Officer

  1,099

  1,887

  2,986

  Executive Officer 1/II

  4,528

  4,511

  9,039

  Administrative Officer

  6,735

  2,506

  9,241

  Administrative Assistant

  1,968

  1,214

  3,182

  Industrial

  67

  2,672

  2,739

  Total

  15,700

  15,739

  31,439

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  (b) Permanent staff by grade level and ethnic origin

  Ethnic origin

  Grade level

  White

  Black African

  Black Caribbean

  Bangladeshi

  Chinese

  Indian

  Pakistani

  Other

  Total

  Grade 5 and above

  263

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  266

  Grade 6/7

  1,295

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  2

  1,301

  Deputy Principal

  2,309

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1

  1

  3

  2,317

  Staff Officer

  2.675

  2

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  0

  2,683

  Executive Officer I/II

  7,699

  3

  3

  0

  0

  3

  2

  6

  7,716

  Administrative Officer

  7,863

  4

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  7,875

  Administrative Assistant

  2,855

  6

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  2

  2,866

  Industrial

  1,555

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1,555

  Total

  26,514

  17

  7

  1

  5

  13

  5

  17

  26,579

  Note:

  For 4,860 of the 31,439 staff (15.5 per cent.) no ethnic origin information has been provided.

  (c) Permanent staff by grade level and declared disability

  Grade level

  Declared disabled

  Grade 5 and above

  8

  Grade 6/7

  44

  Deputy Principal

  102

  Staff Officer

  107

  Executive Officer I/II

  385

  Administrative Officer

  362

  Administrative Assistant

  164

  Industrial

  106

  Total

  1,278

  Note:

  For 4,540 of the 31,439 staff (14.4 per cent.) no disability information has been provided.

  (d) Permanent staff by grade level and age group

  Age

  Grade level

  16 to 19 years

  20 to 29 years

  30 to 39 years

  40 to 49 years

  50 to 59 years

  60 plus years

  Total

  Grade 5 and above

  0

  0

  17

  93

  167

  8

  285

  Grade 6/7

  0

  11

  195

  589

  607

  27

  1,429

  Deputy Principal

  0

  107

  654

  978

  768

  31

  2,538

  Staff Officer

  0

  360

  751

  1,147

  702

  26

  2,986

  Executive Officer 1/11

  1

  1,053

  3,374

  3,306

  1,237

  68

  9,039

  Administrative Officer

  86

  2,951

  2,806

  2,406

  856

  136

  9,241

  Administrative Assistant

  184

  1,423

  619

  528

  330

  98

  3,182

  Industrial

  7

  183

  643

  941

  745

  220

  2,739

  Total

  278

  6,088

  9,059

  9,988

  5,412

  614

  31,439

  Civil Service Pay Offer
  Mr. Kevin McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the 5.57 per cent. civil service pay offer made to the trade union NIPSA for 2003 had Treasury approval. [164943]

  Mr. Pearson
  It is not the Government's practice to discuss the internal processes that underlie the handling of pay negotiations. All concerned within Government are working together to take forward the Government's firm and fair approach to civil service pay, which is that pay should not jeopardise the imperative of improving services, but should take account of the need to retain, recruit and motivate staff within the spending and delivery plans set in the Northern Ireland Budget.

  Complementary Medicine
  r. Gregory Campbell
  MTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the budget for complementary medicine in the National Health Service in Northern Ireland was in 2003. [165997]

  Angela Smith
  The Department did not make any specific resources available for Complementary Medicine in 2003.

  It is a matter for HPSS clinicians or healthcare professionals with lead clinical responsibility for the individual patient to decide whether an individual patient could benefit from the use of a particular therapy.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) renovation and (b) maintenance projects

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  on buildings (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department were undertaken in each of the last live years; and what the associated costs were of each.[163947]

  Mr. Pearson
  Due to the number of buildings involved and the differing methods of recording by the various Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration and the Northern Ireland Office, disaggregation of the figure-work by project and between owned and rented buildings in line with the question would involve disproportionate cost. The table below gives the information for renovation and maintenance expenditure on both owned and rented buildings for each year.

  £

  Year

  Value of internal renovation/alteration refurbishment undertaken

  Value of maintenance work carried out

  1999–2000

  412,790.22

  7,985,123.65

  2000–2001

  737,131.85

  7,721,766.60

  2001–2002

  1,067,010.50

  6,411,959.63

  2002–2003

  1,412,010.30

  8,016,377.12

  2003–2004

  1,661,491.60

  9,890,600.50

  Departmental Com puters
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Department. [166368]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Northern Ireland Civil Service makes extensive use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in carrying out its day-to-day business.

  The 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration have an ongoing programme for updating their computer hardware and software. In the case of PCs and associated office automation software the average period between updates is three to four years; for application servers it is currently five to seven years.

  A separate programme is under way to provide a common operating system platform for the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.

  The Northern Ireland Office is modernising its office IT system (covering hardware and software) through a programme called Flax.

  Departmental Efficiency Savings
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to pursue efficiency savings in each of the Northern Ireland Departments similar to those proposed in the Efficiency Reviews outlined in the recent Budget. [165949]

  Mr. Pearson
  A similar focus on promoting efficiency within the public sector will be applied in Northern Ireland, with the aim of releasing resources for reallocation to front line services. This will be a central theme to the Northern Ireland Priorities and Budget process, running throughout 2004.

  Drug Rehabilitation
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been undertaken to ascertain the level of(a) need and (b) demand for a dedicated drug rehabilitation service in Northern Ireland. [164539]

  Angela Smith
  There has been no research undertaken to establish the level of need or demand for a dedicated drug rehabilitation service in Northern Ireland.

  The need for such research was identified as one of a number of research priorities within the Regional Drug and Alcohol Action Plan and the intention was to provide a report to the Department by October 2003. However, a previously commissioned Audit of Statutory Addiction Services which would inform the needs assessment proposal took longer than anticipated and the final report was not received in the Department until early March 2004. At its next meeting in May 2004, the Treatment Working Group will consider their priorities for the coming year, including the needs assessment for a rehabilitation service, and will make decisions about such priorities within available resources.

  I will write to the hon. Lady after this meeting to inform her of the outcome.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) males over 65 years and (b) females over 60 years are in full-time employment in Northern Ireland. [165778]

  Mr. Gardiner
  It is not possible to provide separate estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for(a) males over 65 years and (b) females over 60 years of age in full-time employment only, because the estimates at Autumn 2003 do not reach the minimum threshold level required for a sufficiently reliable estimate to be quoted. However, the LFS does provide sufficiently reliable estimates of the total number of males over 65 years and females over 60 years of age in employment (full-time and part-time) of which there were 16,000 at Autumn 2003. The estimated number of females over 60 years of age in employment (full-time and part-time) at this time was 10,000.

  Energy Costs
  Mr. I idington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has secured European Commission approval for his proposal to commit public expenditure to reduce the costs of energy to business. [166015]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is working, in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry, on the preparation of an application to the European Commission for the required State Aid clearance of the proposed financial intervention.

  Falls
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people over 60 years were admitted to long-term care following a fall in each of the last three years, broken down by health trust area. [165768]
  283W
  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Fishing Industry
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 18 December 2003,Official Report, column 1078W, on the fishing industry, if he will set out a timescale for the (a) recommencement and (b) completion of a Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Fishing Industry. [165945]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Taskforce for South Down and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit have both reported on the strategic context for Northern Ireland's fishing industry. These exercises have both entailed considerable consultation, research and analysis. I have decided not to undertake another review but rather to focus on implementing the recommendations of the South Down Taskforce and to move ahead, in consultation with local interests, to address the implications for Northern Ireland of the Strategy Unit's Report, "Net Benefits".

  Health Board Funding
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to attempt to redress the imbalance of funding through the Eastern Health Board's Capitation Formula. [166047]

  Angela Smith
  Equity in resource allocation within a Board area is a matter for the Board concerned. The Eastern Board is working with all of its HSS Trusts to ensure that, within the resources available, the issue of equity is addressed throughout all its local populations.

  A review of the Capitation Formula, currently used to allocate the available resources to HSS Boards, is due to be published for consultation in May 2004. This may alter the equity position to some extent within the Eastern Board localities.

  The Department will continue to work closely with the Eastern Board on this matter.

  Health Services
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to provide a specialist paediatric epilepsy nurse in the Province; [164913]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the provision of paediatric nurse specialists for the NHS. [164923]

  Angela Smith
  The Department has invested over a number of years in the provision of paediatric nursing in the community. The aim of community paediatric nursing service is to provide a range of professional skills to meet the needs of children, e.g. asthma/ respiratory care, diabetes, behaviour management, epilepsy, pain management, nutrition and constipation and palliative care. The service is aimed at those children with disability, chronic and life limiting illness.

  Traditionally, access to a specialist epilepsy nurse was through a regional service, but the increasing prevalence of this condition has required Boards to commission a
  284W
  more locally based service from within the community paediatric service. The development of this service means that only in exceptional circumstances should a child have to attend the regional service, thereby not interrupting school and normal activities of living.

  Boards are continuing to review and invest in paediatric community services.

  Housing
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Housing Executive single homes in Northern Ireland have been adapted for disability use in each of the last five years. [165735]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Housing Executive carries out both major and minor adaptations for its tenants. Information relating to dwellings occupied by single persons, which have been adapted for disability use, is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However the following tables show the numbers of completed adaptations in individual properties for each of the five years from 1998–99 to 2002–03 and the year 2003–04, to the end of February 2004.

  Major works

  Minor works

  1998–99

  2,006

  8,243

  1999–2000

  2,297

  8,060

  2000–01

  2,548

  6,855

  2001–02

  3,981

  8,543

  2002–03

  4,053

  8,049

  2003–04

  3,174

  7,527

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the percentage unemployment level is in(a) Coleraine, (b) Derry (city), (c) Strabane, (d) Omagh, (e) Dungannon, (f) Cookstown, (g) Eniskillen, (h) Armagh (city), (i) Portadown, (j) Newry and (k) Lisburn. [165344]

  Mr. Gardiner
  Claimant Count unemployment rates are not available at a town or city level, but can be provided at District Council Area level. The Claimant Count rates at February 2004 for the District Council Areas which contain the specified towns and cities are provided in the table below.

  Claimant count unemployment rate by District Council Area at February 2004

  District Council Area

  Percentage Rate

  Coleraine

  3.4

  Derry

  5.7

  Strabane

  5.5

  Omagh

  3.3

  Dungannon

  2.1

  Cookstown

  1.9

  Fermanagh

  4.0

  Armagh

  2.4

  Craigavon

  2.8

  Newry and Mourne

  3.2

  Lisburn

  2.2

  Northern Ireland

  3.2

  Landfill
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of industrial and commercial waste was sent to landfill in 2003, expressed as a percentage of the 1998 level. [165948]

  Angela Smith
  The most recent survey figures available relate to the 2002 Survey "Industrial and Commercial Waste Production in Northern Ireland" commissioned by the Department of the Environment's Environment and Heritage Service. This survey reported that approximately 635,000 tonnes of industrial and commercial waste were generated, of which 40 per cent. (252,000 tonnes) went to landfill.

  The 1998 survey "Development of a Waste Arisings Database for Northern Ireland—Pilot Survey and Database Design" initiated by EHS showed 700,000 tonnes of industrial and commercial waste were generated, of which 57 per cent. (399,000 tonnes) went to landfill.

  The amount of such waste sent to landfill in 2003 was, therefore, 63 per cent. of the 199 figure, which equates to a reduction of some 37 per cent.

  Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library.

  MRI Scanners
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time for an MRI scan is in each of the hospitals providing such treatment in Northern Ireland.[165734]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many National Health Service dentists have been working in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [165992]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is as follows General Dental Practitioner headcount by year.

  year1

  Headcount

  2004

  720

  2003

  696

  2002

  689

  2001

  673

  2000

  661

  Nursing
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many student nurses(a) commenced and (b) completed training in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [165791]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is provided in the following tables.
  286W

  Numbers who commenced training in each of the last 10 years

  Year 1 April-31 March

  Number commencing training

  1994–95

  663

  1995–96

  733

  1996–97

  711

  1997–98

  749

  1998/99

  617

  1999–2000

  562

  2000–01

  614

  2001–02

  856

  2002–03

  770

  2003–04

  864

  Note:

  2004 figure includes 30 Open University students.

  Number of students who became eligible for First Level Registration

  Year 1 April–31 March

  Number

  1994–95

  779

  1995–96

  827

  1996–97

  626

  1997–98

  716

  1998–99

  599

  1999–2000

  612

  2000–01

  508

  2001–02

  454

  2002–03

  449

  2003–04

  490

  Ofcom
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with OFCOM on unsolicited telephone calls for commercial purposes. [166049]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The level of complaints in Northern Ireland concerning unsolicited calls has been small and as such I have not intervened directly in this matter.

  The use of telephones for unsolicited commercial, particularly direct marketing, reasons is covered by Directive 2002/58/EC on privacy and electronic communications. The Regulations came into force on 11 December 2003 and are enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office, rather than OFCOM. The regulations work on the principle of opt-out rules on unsolicited direct marketing by phone; it is a breach of the regulations to make an unsolicited direct marketing call to any subscriber who has either told that caller not to ring, or who has been registered on the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) for at least 28 days. Currently only individual subscribers have the right to register on the TPS but in response to a Government consultation undertaken last year this will be opened to corporate subscribers also as of 25 June 2004.

  Parenting Initiatives
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been made available to education and library boards in Northern Ireland specifically for parenting initiatives in each of the past five years; what plans he has to increase the current level of funding for parenting initiatives; and if he will make a statement. [165726]
  287W
  Mr. Gardiner
  The Department of Education recognises the importance of engaging parents in their children's learning. Over the last five years the allocations to Education and Library Boards specifically for parenting initiatives were as follows:

  £000

  Amount

  1999–2000

  1131

  2000–01

  207

  2001–02

  212

  2002–03

  217

  2003–04

  238

  1part year

  There are no plans to increase the current level of earmarked funding which the Department of Education makes available to Education and Library Boards for this purpose. However, Boards are free to supplement this funding by allocating further resources from within their overall block grant.

  Personal Debt
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to address the dangers of increasing personal debt in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [165779]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The Consumer Strategy for Northern Ireland was published in March 2002. As a result, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment commissioned research into the provision of a suitable framework for the delivery of effective debt/money advice in Northern Ireland. This is now being taken forward within the context of the Department for Social Development's proposed new Information and Advice Strategy which is scheduled to be published for consultation in May 2004.

  The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister is currently representing Northern Ireland on a UK cross-departmental officials' group on over-indebtedness. The findings of this group may also impact on the money advice initiative in Northern Ireland.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what the cost to the public purse of free prescriptions issued in Northern Ireland has been in each of the last five years; [166002]

  (2) how many (a) paid-for and (b) free prescriptions were issued in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [166003]

  Angela Smith
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  The total number of prescription items, and the number for which the full prescription charge was paid, in each of the last five calendar years is given below. Based upon sample analyses, it is estimated that 5 per cent. of prescription items are partly paid-for by prepayment certificates (PPCs), which allow the patient to obtain as many prescription items as necessary during the four or 12 month validity of the certificate for a set
  288W
  fee. Consequently, about 89 per cent. of Health Service prescription items are dispensed free of charge to patients. Estimated figures for the latter two categories are calculated as follows:

  £million

  Total Items

  ChargePaid

  Est. 5 per cent PPCs

  Est. 89 per PPCs cent. Free

  1999

  23,247,901

  1,341,795

  1,162,395

  20,743,711

  2000

  23,663,632

  1,409,347

  1,183,182

  21,071,103

  2001

  24,551,125

  1,472,666

  1,227,556

  21,850,903

  2002

  25,419,957

  1,545,007

  1,270,998

  22,603,952

  2003

  26,399,01(

  1,552,296

  1.319,951

  23,526,769

  The total cost of Health Service prescription items in Northern Ireland in each of the last five calendar years (most recent figures available) and the estimated costs of those items dispensed free, are as follows:

  (£000)

  Year

  Total Gross Cost

  89 per cent. (Cost of Free Items)

  1999

  262,822

  233,912

  2000

  273,977

  243,840

  2001

  295,607

  263,090

  2002

  323,651

  288,049

  2003

  354,339

  315,362

  Property Demolition
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in relation to proposed action to be taken against those allegedly responsible for the demolition of properties for which no planning permission was sought. [165999]

  Angela Smith
  Consent is required for the demolition of listed buildings and for the demolition of unlisted buildings within a Conservation Area.

  If a building is demolished without the necessary consent being obtained, enforcement action will be taken. Prosecution action will also be pursued if appropriate, as is currently happening in relation to the demolition of two listed buildings in the hon. Gentleman's constituency last summer.

  Public Sector Housing
  Mr. McCrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the breakdown by community background in numbers and percentages is of those waiting for public sector housing in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) the Belfast areas in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001, (iii) 2002 and (iv) 2003. [166044]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, under its Section 75 Equality duties, is developing a comprehensive approach to record keeping and monitoring in relation to religious affiliation. The information requested is only available for the last two financial years in respect of those waiting to be allocated properties by either the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or a registered housing association and is a snapshot of the waiting list at 31 March in each of the years.
  289W

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Northern Ireland

  Protestant

  12,268

  47

  12,237

  47

  Catholic

  10,180

  39

  10,512

  40

  Undisclosed/ Unavailable

  2,350

  9

  2,103

  8

  Other

  1,305

  5

  1,394

  5

  Total

  26,103

  26,246

  Belfast

  Catholic

  3,728

  43

  3,187

  44

  Protestant

  3,029

  39

  3,125

  43

  Undisclosed/ Unavailable

  648

  8

  567

  8

  Other

  345

  4

  387

  5

  Total

  7,750

  7,266

  The breakdown is based on answers, as stated on the General Housing Application Form, to a question about the religion of the respondent and the raw data are still subject to testing for reliability and validity. The question was answered by over 91 per cent. of applicants.

  Mr. McCrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the breakdown by community background in numbers and percentages is of those allocated public sector housing in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) the Belfast areas in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001, (iii) 2002 and (iv) 2003. [166045]

  Mr. Spellar
  Housing is allocated on the basis of need and not religious affiliation. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, under its Section 75 Equality duties, is developing a comprehensive approach to record keeping and monitoring in relation to religious affiliation. The information requested is only available for one financial year 1 April 2002–31 March 2003 and the cumulative total for the year in respect of those allocated Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties is as follows:

  Number

  Percentage

  Northern Ireland

  Protestant

  4,959

  54

  Catholic

  3,258

  35

  Undisclosed/ Unavailable

  530

  6

  Other

  471

  5

  Total

  9,218

  Belfast

  Protestant

  1,331

  64

  Catholic

  579

  28

  Undisclosed/ Unavailable

  104

  5

  Other

  73

  3

  Total

  2,087

  The breakdown is based on answers, as stated on the General Housing Application Form, to a question about the religion of the respondent. The question was answered by over 91 per cent of applicants. The proportionately lower level of allocations to Catholic applicants in Belfast reflects the lower stock turnover in Catholic areas.

  Pulmonary Hypertension
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on provision in Northern Ireland for sufferers of pulmonary hypertension. [165934]

  Angela Smith
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave on 30 March 2004(Official Report, column 1332W).

  Redundancies (Foyle)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many redundancies there were in the Foyle constituency in the past 36 months. [165395].

  Mr. Gardiner
  In the past 36 months, to 29 February 2004, there were 1,436 redundancies in the Foyle Constituency confirmed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the education and retraining specifically tailored for textile workers who have been made redundant. [165396]

  Mr. Gardiner
  Staff from the Department for Employment and Learning, supported by colleagues from the Social Security Agency, Inland Revenue and local training and Further Education providers, have delivered Redundancy Counselling for those textile workers affected by the recent closures. An important aspect of this service is to promote available education and training opportunities.

  In the North West the Further Education sector has been particularly proactive and offers a full range of provision including training in new skills and assistance in the start-up of businesses. In addition, a joint application has been made by the Department for Employment and Learning and FAS, the training authority in the Republic of Ireland, for funding to the European Structural Fund's Interreg Programme, to address the reskilling of redundant workers.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new jobs were created in the Foyle constituency in the past 36 months; and how many of those new jobs are still in existence. [165397]

  Mr. Gardiner
  There were 2,624 job gains by Invest NI clients within Foyle Parliamentary Constituency Area over the three-year period to March 2003. However, there were also 3,991 job losses by clients during this period resulting in a net loss in employment of 1,367. In addition to this, 322 offers of assistance were made through the 'Start a Business' Programme and the estimate of job creation resulting from these is 531. It is not possible to state specifically which of the new jobs created remain in existence.

  Information on the total number of jobs created is not available. Total employee jobs data at Parliamentary Constituency level are only available from the biennial Census of Employment and the most recent figures relate to September 2001. At September 2001, the Census of Employment showed that there were 39,063 employee jobs in Foyle Parliamentary Constituency Area. This represented an increase of 515 (1.3 per cent.) from the previous Census figure (September 1999).

  Rolling Stock
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the new rolling stock being tested by Translink will he used on the whole rail network. [166001]

  Mr. Spellar
  The first of the 23 new trains is due to be delivered this month. After a period of commissioning and testing it is expected that the first train will be in passenger service by the late autumn of this year, with the remainder coming into service progressively through 2004 and 2005.

  Translink is currently considering how the trains can best be deployed on the Northern Ireland railway network and will announce its decision when this is complete.

  Royal Mail
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons Royal Mail has been denied permission to erect a post box at Lansdowne Road, Newtownards. [165865]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.

  Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 6 April 2004:
  You tabled a Parliamentary Question asking for what reasons Royal Mail has been denied permission to erect a post box at Lansdowne Road, Newtownards. As the issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
  I understand that Royal Mail submitted a written request on 7 January 2004 seeking permission to locate a post box at Lansdowne Road, Newtownards. The proposed location of the box was shown to be 5 metres from the junction of Lansdowne Road and Ten Acre (a side road leading to houses occupied mainly by elderly people).
  Following discussions with the Traffic Police, our local Section Engineer replied to Royal Mail on 16 January 2004 indicating that the proposed location was not suitable due to concerns that vehicles stopping so close to the junction to post mail would have compromised traffic safety. However, it was suggested that if the box could be located a minimum of 15 metres from the junction, at the back of the footway, this would be acceptable. This distance ties in with the minimum length of waiting restriction commonly marked on the ground at road junctions to reinforce current law (i.e. it is an offence to park a vehicle within 15 metres of a junction regardless of whether the road is marked with double yellow lines).
  It would appear that Royal Mail has somehow misinterpreted the content of our reply, which clearly indicates that Roads Service would grant approval for an alternative location close to that initially proposed. I have asked our Section Engineer to contact the Royal Mail to clarify the position so that the post-box can be provided as soon as possible.

  School Bags
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many complaints have been received in the last five years by the Department of Education from parents concerned at the excessive weights children carry in school bags; and if he will make a statement; [165782]
  292W
  (2) what plans he has to introduce, as standard practice, personal lockers for children in schools in the Province in order to limit the amount of books carried in school bags; [165783]

  (3) what guidelines he has issued on limits to the amount of weight a child should carry to and from school; and if he will make a statement; [165786]

  (4) what assessment has been made of the medical risks associated with children carrying excessive weights in school bags. [165787]

  Mr. Gardiner
  One parent has complained to the Department of Education about the weight of schoolbags. The Department has not issued guidelines or carried out a medical assessment on this matter. There are no plans to introduce, as standard practice, the provision of personal lockers for school children. The Department's School Building Handbook provides for either cloakroom space or moveable lockers in schools. It is, however, a matter for school authorities to decide what provision should be made at a particular school. Also, parents have a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of their children by ensuring that only essential materials are carried in schoolbags. Similarly, pupils are also responsible for making decisions as to the books and learning materials they need to carry to and from school each day.

  St. Mary's Primary School
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to develop a strategy and action plan to phase out racially segregated primary education of Traveller children at St. Mary's Primary School, Belfast. [165855]

  Mr. Gardiner
  St. Mary's Primary School is not a designated "Traveller school" and there are no such schools in Northern Ireland. St. Mary's is a Catholic Maintained school which, as is the case with all grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland, is open to all children.

  The Department of Education is required by law to have regard to the general principle that pupils shall be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents. It is the case that many parents of Traveller children wish to have them educated in St. Mary's. While it is the Department's policy to encourage the integration in school of Traveller children with other children, there are no plans to phase out provision at St. Mary's for so long as there is a demand for places in the school from the parents of Traveller children.

  Suicide
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suicides there were in each of the last 20 years; and if ho will make a statement. [164917]

  Mr. Pearson
  The following table gives the number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland per annum from 1984 to 2003 caused by "suicide and self-inflicted injury"1 and the number of registered deaths due to "undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted"2
  293W
  The Promoting Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan published last year includes a specific section on preventing suicide. Preventative action includes promoting coping skills in the general population, suicide awareness programmes and targeted work with vulnerable groups. In addition action is also being taken under the Drug and Alcohol Strategies to support and counsel those affected by addiction problems.

  1International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes X60–X84, Y87.0 for years 2001–03 and Ninth Revision codes E950–E959 for years 1983–2000.
  2International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes Y10–Y34, Y87.2 for years 2001–03 and Ninth Revision codes E980–E989 for years 1983–2000.

  Table: Number of registered deaths by year in Northern Ireland resulting from by suicide and self-inflicted injury or undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted

  Registration year

  Suicide and self-inflicted injury

  Undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted

  Total deaths

  1984

  109

  14

  123

  1985

  117

  40

  157

  1986

  145

  29

  174

  1987

  86

  36

  122

  1988

  153

  30

  183

  1989

  116

  18

  134

  1990

  158

  10

  168

  1991

  129

  19

  148

  1992

  107

  21

  128

  1993

  129

  22

  151

  1994

  138

  13

  151

  1995

  122

  24

  146

  1996

  124

  19

  143

  1997

  120

  18

  138

  1998

  126

  24

  150

  1999

  121

  33

  154

  2000

  163

  22

  185

  2001

  141

  17

  158

  2002

  162

  21

  183

  2003

  (Provisional)

  132

  12

  144

  Sunbeds
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to ensure that sunbed users in Northern Ireland are made aware of the health risks arising from sunbed use; and if he will make a statement. [164660]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain has published guidance for operators and customers of solaria. Included in that advice is that people under 16 years old should not use sunbeds and that a limit of 20 sessions per year should be observed. This advice was developed after consultation with leading experts, is equally applicable to the Northern Ireland situation and is referred to by Health and Safety Inspectors here as illustrating good practice. The guidance "Controlling Health Risks from the use of UV Tanning Equipment" can be accessed via HSENF's website.

  In addition, UK Health Departments (including DHSSPSNI) are currently funding a SunSmart Campaign run by Cancer Research UK. Campaign leaflets and posters were sent to all GP surgeries, secondary schools and health promotion departments.

  Tax Discs
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tax discs were issued for vehicles in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [165730]

  Angela Smith
  The information is as follows.

  Number

  1993–94

  833,142

  1994–95

  838,952

  1995–96

  864,706

  1996–97

  900,397

  1997–98

  993,066

  1998–99

  984,502

  1999–2000

  1,007,788

  2000–01

  950,598

  2001–02

  1,051,654

  2002–03

  1,045,538

  2003–04

  11,176,000

  1 Provisional outturn

  TK-ECC Plant
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to bid to retain the vacant TK-ECC factory premises at Dundonald to encourage reinvestment into the area. [165910]

  Mr. Gardiner
  TK-ECC purchased the factory, freehold, from IDB in 1995 as part of a major disposal programme of fully developed estates. Invest NI has no plans to buy the factory back should it come onto the market.

  The land is zoned as "existing employment/industry" and Invest NI will oppose any attempt to change that zoning and will seek to work with the private sector to obtain new tenants and encourage reinvestment in the area.

  Travellers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure Travellers have equal access to training as education and youth workers. [165856]

  Mr. Gardiner
  Access to courses of training for education or youth workers is open to all students who meet the requirements for entry to the respective courses. The arrangements for remission of tuition fees apply equally to students from the Traveller community as they do to students from other low income families. Students in higher education who satisfy residency requirements and whose family incomes are less than £20,970 do not pay anything towards their tuition fees. Likewise, Traveller students have the same access to student loans as other students. Where family income is under £20,000, they are eligible to receive non-refundable bursaries of up to £2,000 thereby reducing the amount of student loan they need to borrow. Supplementary grants such as Disabled Students' Allowance and childcare grants are also available.

  Windfarm (Tunes Plateau)
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of
  295W
  the responses to the application for the establishment of a windfarm at the Tunes Plateau off the coast of Northern Ireland. [165736]

  Mr. Gardiner
  Pending completion of various technical and feasibility studies the development consortium has not yet made an application for the establishment of a wind farm at the Tunes Plateau.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Council Tax Benefit
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are(a) eligible to receive and (b) receiving council tax benefit in (i) the constituency of Weston-super-Mare and (ii) the north Somerset unitary authority. [165681]

  Mr. Pond
  Information about the number of people who are eligible to receive Council Tax Benefit is not available below national level. At August 2003, there were 9,000 Council Tax Benefit recipients in north Somerset.

  Notes:

  1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person, couple or family.

  2. The figure is rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Council Tax Benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

  4. Information about the number of people receiving Council Tax Benefit is not

  available at constituency level.

  Source: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System

  Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in(a) Scotland and (b) Dumfries and Galloway are in receipt of council tax benefits. [165979]

  Mr. Pond
  The information is in the following table.

  Council Tax Benefit recipients in Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway:

  Thousand

  Scotland

  523.9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  12.2

  Notes:

  1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person, couple or family.

  2. The figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Council Tax Benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in August 2003.

  Departmental Industrial Action
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of the two days' industrial action taken in February by staff in his Department; and what the cost was of moving priority work to other locations. [165825]
  296W
  Mr. Pond
  It is not possible to estimate the financial cost without incurring disproportionate costs. Any costs incurred for example in extra overtime payments to staff, would be offset by the savings made on staff salaries. The Department's businesses routinely move work around locations in order to optimise their services. Our information technology enables this to be done without incurring extra costs. There was no significant movement of work during the strike action. Our contingency arrangements allowed us to minimise the disruption to services to the most vulnerable members of society for whom the Department's services exist.

  Departmental Policies (Sustainable Development)
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what target is set by his Department for the(a) completion and (b) publication of Health and Safety Executive reports into leaks at the UK chemical plants; and if he will make a statement. [165666]

  Jane Kennedy
  DWP does not set targets for the completion and publication of HSE reports into incidents at chemical plants. The length of time for publication of reports is dependent on the nature and complexity of the incident and the action that was taken.

  Employment (Birkenhead)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the levels of long-term(a) adult and (b) youth employment in Birkenhead over the last seven years. [166510]

  Jane Kennedy
  The UK has one of the strongest labour markets in the world. We have the highest employment and the lowest unemployment of the major industrialised countries. Employment is high across the UK: every region and country has an employment rate above the EU average. Claimant long term (one year plus) unemployment has been virtually eradicated for young people and has fallen by three-quarters for adults.

  Specific information for Birkenhead is in the following table.

  Birkenhead

  February 1997

  February 2004

  Change

  Total claimant unemployment

  5,227

  2,540

  -51%

  Unemployment as a proportion of the working age population

  11.4%

  5.6%

  -5.8 points

  Aged 18–24 unemployed for more than 1 year1

  392

  18

  -95%

  Aged 25 and over unemployed for more than 1 year

  1,682

  371

  -78%

  Free TV Licences
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  TO ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many people resident in Dumfries and Galloway are in receipt of a free television licence; [165980]

  (2) how many residents of Dumfries and Galloway he estimates are over 75 years old. [165981]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the format requested.
  297W
  The number of households with at least one resident aged 75 or over in the Dumfries and Galloway local authority is 9,665. These households would therefore be eligible to receive a free TV licence.

  We cannot accurately estimate how many residents of Dumfries and Galloway are over 75 year old. However, since the number of people in Dumfries and Galloway local authority aged 75 or over who received a winter fuel payment for winter 2002–2003 was 12,175, this is an indication of the number of such people.

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.

  2. Any residence found to have 4 or more occupants is not included in these figures as it is assumed to be Residential Care Nursing Home.

  Source:

  IAD Information center, Winter Fuel Payment data Winter 2002–2003, 100 per cent. sample.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many workers in Birkenhead have benefited from the national minimum wage. [166512]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of workers in Birkenhead who have benefited from the national minimum wage (NMW). (166512)

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) calculates estimates of the number of jobs paid less than NMW rates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions. A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles and data can be found on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?v1nk=5837&Pos=1& Co Rank=1&Rank=272

  Estimates for Parliamentary Constituencies are not available.

  New Performance and Development System
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons the new performance and development system for his Department does not allow staff a grievance hearing and the right to be accompanied by a trades union representative when challenging a decision on their designated performance level; whether the system is comparable to that in other Government departments; and what best practice models were used as the basis for the system. [165847]

  Mr. Pond
  The Department has set out clear arrangements within the Performance and Development System guidance for allowing staff to raise issues about their appraisal and about their performance mark. This guidance also makes clear that individuals do have the right to be accompanied by a colleague, or Trade Union representative, where a member of staff raises a disagreement. PDS was developed using the best features from previous systems, in line with Cabinet Office recommendations and with the input of managers, staff and Trade Unions. It is similar to that used by some other Government 298W
  Departments, including Treasury and Cabinet Office and by outside organisations. We were supported in the research by consultants specialising in appraisal systems.

  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what evidence has been gathered by his Department to show that the new Performance and Development System will improve staff(a) performance and (b) motivation. [165899]

  Mr. Pond
  The Performance and Development system was developed with input from staff, managers and Trade Unions, and in line with Cabinet Office recommendations. It was supported by independent consultants who researched and advised on best practice in both public and private sectors. The system provides a fair and objective assessment of performance against that of people at the same level doing similar work, a stronger focus on personal development, and more regular feedback, all of which is intended to improve motivation and performance.

  This is only the end of the first year of the system, it is therefore too early to have tangible evidence of the results on motivation and performance. But experience in other organisations shows that the steps outlined above, coupled with planned work in the summer on continuous improvement, provide a sound basis for the future.

  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the administrative and implementation costs are for the Performance and Development System for his Department, broken down by the costs of(a) compulsory interim reviews, (b) compulsory self reviews, (c) compulsory personal development plans, (d) preparation and (e) training of the new staff. [165900]

  Mr. Pond
  The Performance and Development System (PDS) replaced seven legacy systems. Most of the features of PDS are not new, and existed in previous legacy arrangements. These have not been costed previously, all good employers have appraisal arrangements in line with Investors in People standards. While there have been additional costs this year, as there would be in any organisation introducing a new policy these have not been excessive, around 2–3 hours for each member of staff. We expect this investment in performance management and training (mostly using e-learning) to result in improved performance.

  Norwich Pension center
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications are waiting to be processed at the Norwich Pension center. [166381]

  Malcolm Wicks
  As at 2 April, there were 6,228 applications for Pension Credit waiting to be processed at Norwich Pension. center, of which 3,142 were awaiting further information or evidence from the customer. This represents a normal head of work.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many letters and e-mails from customers were awaiting a response at the Norwich Pension center on 1 April. [166382]
  299W
  Malcolm Wicks
  Norwich Pension center is the largest center in the country, having a Pension Credit case load alone of 184,000.

  The center currently receives on average 11,490 written customer communications per week, consisting chiefly of notifications of changes of individual circumstances, but including customer complaints. While not all of these communications necessitate a reply to the customer, most will require an intervention to the computer records in order to assess any action that may be required.

  Norwich Pension center currently has 22,082 of these notifications outstanding, which for this particular Pension center, represents a normal two weeks head of work.

  Over-70s
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the total number of pensioner households with one or more householders over the age of 70 years, within the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East, who will benefit from the Chancellor's recently announced council tax allowance. [165867]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The latest available data shows 7,870 households in the parliamentary constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East with at least one resident aged 70 or over. We expect the 2004–05 figures to be similar.

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.

  2. Any residence found to have 4 or more occupants is not included in these figures as it is assumed to be a Residential Care Nursing Home.

  Source:

  IAD Information center, winter fuel payments data winter 2002–03 100 per cent. sample.

  Over-80s
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioner households with one or more householders over the age of 80 years, within the constituency of Middlesbrough. South and Cleveland, East, have received the £300 winter fuel allowance. [165866]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not yet available. However 3,385 people aged 80 or over in the parliamentary constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East so far have received a winter fuel payment this winter 2003–04.

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest five.

  2. Please note that these figures for 2003–04 refer only to the main payment run ie they do not include the late payment run figures. We estimate that there are approximately 100,000 people in Great Britain paid via late payment runs (0.8 per cent. of all payments). However, since late payment runs are mainly in respect of non-system cases whose claims had not been received by the Qualifying Week, they are heavily skewed towards men aged 60.

  Source:

  IAD Information center, 100 per cent. sample.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. David Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost is of the recent "Pick it Up, It's Yours" Pension Credit advertising campaign, broken down by(a) television, (b) radio, (c) newspaper, (d) poster and (e) other forms of advertising. [166475]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The total cost of publicity for the "Pick It Up, It's Yours" campaign was £15,580,000 for the 2003–2004 financial year. This included the following advertising media costs:

  TV

  3,570,864

  National and regional press

  6,086,146

  Radio

  123,168

  The campaign also included other communications media. Commercial poster sites have not been used for this campaign. However, local publicity posters, e.g for display in community premises have been produced. The costs for these cannot be disaggregated.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average cost was for a full page pension credit advertisement in each publication used during the "Pick it Up, It's Yours", advertising campaign. [166540]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The advertising media for the "Pick It Up, It's Yours" campaign was procured using the Government's publicity agency COI Communications. This achieves maximum value for money by exploiting economies of scale across Government departments to negotiate the most favourable rates.

  The average cost for a full page advertisement is therefore commercially confidential and is not disclosed in line with Part 2, Paragraph 13 of the Code of Practice on access to Government information.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which advertising agency was used for the recent "Pick It Up, It's Yours" pension credit advertising campaign; and how much they received in payment for their services. [166541]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The advertising agency used for this campaign is Delaney Lund Knox Warren (DLKW). They received an estimated £815,171.06 (ex VAT) for their services. This figure, however, is based upon aggregate spending across all advertising managed by COI Communications, the Government's publicity agency. It will not be finalised until an overall agency reconciliation is completed at the end of May 2004.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask time Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2004,Official Report, column 1081W, on pension credit, how much of the estimated expenditure for 2004–05 represents back-dated entitlement for 2003–04; and what assumptions are made about the basis on which the savings credit threshold will be uprated in 2005. [166648]

  Malcolm Wicks
  It is estimated that in 2004–05, £190 million will be spent on backdated Pension Credit relating to 2003–04 entitlement.
  301W
  For the purposes of expenditure planning it has been assumed the Savings Credit Threshold will be increased in line with the Retail Prices Index. The actual uprating of Pension Credit will be determined in the annual uprating order.

  Pension Forecasts
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many automatic state pension forecasts his Department has issued to the self-employed since May 2003. [166236]

  Malcolm Wicks
  To date 864,901 automatic state pension forecasts have been issued to the self-employed since the exercise began in May 2003.

  Pensions
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on encouraging people already receiving benefit to apply for their retirement pension. [166477]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We write to people already receiving benefit around four months before they reach State Pension age to invite them to claim State Pension. However, the responsibility for claiming State Pension lies with the person concerned.

  The benefit already in payment may be affected when the person reaches State Pension age. It may be replaced by State Pension once claimed, or be adjusted to take account of the State Pension.

  If the claim for State Pension is not made in time then a claim can be made subsequently and entitlement backdated for up to three months.

  Sure Start Maternity Grant
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many mothers in Birkenhead have made use of the Sure Start maternity grant. [166514]

  Mr. Pond
  The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is in the following table.

  Sure Start Maternity Grants for Wirral Social Fund District/ Jobcenter Plus District

  Applications

  Awards

  2000–01

  1,445

  1,240

  2001–02

  1,704

  1,388

  2002–03

  1,956

  1,597

  2003–04

  1,945

  1,568

  Notes:

  1. Data is not available by Parliamentary Constituency. Birkenhead Parliamentary Constituency is part of Wirral Jobcenter Plus District, which was previously Wirral Social Fund District.

  2. Sure Start Maternity Grants were introduced on 27 March 2000. The very small number of cases for 1999–2000 has been excluded for data protection reasons.

  3. Data is given for all applications and awards, irrespective of whether the application was made by rho mother or her partner.

  Source:

  DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many senior citizens in Birkenhead have benefited from the winter fuel allowance since 1997. [166509]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The number of people who have benefited from a Winter Fuel Payment in the Birkenhead constituency is in the following table. Figures for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are not available.

  Payments made

  1999–2000

  12,610

  2000–01

  13,845

  2001–02

  13,960

  2002–03

  14,240

  2003–04

  14,375

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.

  2. Please note that these figures for 2003–04 refer only to the main payment run i.e. they do not include the late payment run figures. We estimate that there are approximately 100,000 people in Great Britain paid via late payment runs (0.8 per cent. of all payments). However, since late payment runs are mainly in respect of non-system cases whose claim had not been received by Qualifying Week, they are heavily skewed towards men aged 60.

  3. Figures are not held for the first two years of the scheme as payments were only made to those on certain benefits. Figures have been kept since it was known the scheme would be extended to all those aged 60 or over.

  Source:

  IAD Information center, 100 per cent. sample.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many established civil servants were appointed in March. [165505]

  Mr. Alexander
  Data on civil servants recruited during a specific month is not collected centrally.

  Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service is collected from Departments and Agencies twice yearly, in april and October.

  Public Service Employers Forum
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the(a) resource budget, (b) administration costs and (c) staff numbers were for 2003 of the Public Service Employers Forum. [165123]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Public Service Employers' Forum brings together around 15 senior employers from across the public sector to share good practice on pay and workforce reform in order to improve the delivery of public services. It meets quarterly and is supported by 0.3 Full time equivalent member of staff provided by the Office of Public Services Reform. Additional administration and resource costs in 2003 were minimal as meetings were generally held within the Cabinet Office and those attending did so on a voluntary basis.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Capital Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money was allocated to Birkenhead from the capital modernisation fund. [166324]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department for Education and Skills does not hold this information centrally. Capital Modernisation Fund is allocated by project and not by area.

  School Closures
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many rural schools have closed in each year since 1997. [165588]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department does not have reliable data on the number of rural school closures in England for individual years before 1998. The number of rural small schools approved for closure from 1998, when the presumption against closure of rural schools was introduced in England, is as follows:

  Year

  No.

  1998

  5

  1999

  2

  2000

  2

  2001

  3

  2002

  5

  2003

  12

  2004

  6

  In 2003 a new, wider, definition of rural was introduced with the result that the proportion of schools in England classified as rural has increased.

  The Secretary of State's guidance makes clear that there should be a presumption against the closure of rural schools. This does not mean that no rural school should ever close, but the case for closure should be strong and the proposals clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area.

  School Computers
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding has been spent on computers for schools in Birkenhead in each of the last seven years. [166321]

  Alan Johnson
  My department does not collect information on school spend on computers at constituency level. However Birkenhead is in Wirral LEA and since 1998–99, schools in Wirral have benefited from the following funding through the Standards Fund grant for ICT (including match funding from the LEA):

  Year

  Allocation to Wirral LEA

  1998–1999

  671,532

  1999–2000

  468,826

  2000–2001

  1,077,224

  2001–2002

  1,529,393

  2002–2003

  2,117,961

  2003–04

  2,197,120

  304W
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding has been spent on computers for schools in Wirral, South in each of the last seven years. [166622]

  Alan Johnson
  My department does not collect information on school spend on computers at constituency level. However Wirral, South is in Wirral LEA and since 1998–99, schools in Wirral have benefited from the following funding through the Standards Fund grant for ICT (including match funding from the LEA):

  Year

  Allocation to Wirral LEA

  1998–1999

  671,532

  1999–2000

  468,826

  2000–2001

  1,077,224

  2001–2002

  1,529,393

  2002–2003

  2,117,961

  2003–04

  2,197,120

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in each local education authority had special educational needs in the latest year for which information is available, broken down by(a) statemented special educational needs and (b) non-statemented special educational needs. [165585]

  Margaret Hodge
  The data requested are shown in the following table.

  All schools1: number of pupils with special educational needs— January 2003—by local education authority area

  Number of pupils with a statement of SEN

  Percentage pupils with a statement of SEN a

  Number of pupils with SEN without a statement

  Percentage pupils with SEN without a statement

  England

  250,545

  3.0

  1,169,780

  14.0

  North East

  13,933

  3.2

  61,807

  14.2

  Darlington

  527

  3.1

  2,248

  13.2

  Durham

  3,103

  3.8

  12,593

  15.5

  Gateshead

  819

  2.6

  3,885

  12.3

  Hartlepool

  431

  2.6

  2,612

  15.6

  Middlesbrough

  950

  3.8

  4,428

  17.8

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,044

  2.3

  6,094

  13.7

  North Tyneside

  1,131

  3.4

  4,333

  13.2

  Northumberland

  1,713

  3.3

  5,182

  9.9

  Redcar and Cleveland

  656

  2.6

  4,389

  17.5

  South Tyneside

  803

  3.2

  3,388

  13.4

  Stockton-on-Tees

  1,078

  3.2

  4,284

  12.7

  Sunderland

  1,678

  3.4

  8,371

  17.0

  North West

  38,164

  3.2

  159,160

  13.5

  Blackburn with Darwen

  919

  3.2

  4,486

  15.5

  Blackpool

  745

  3.3

  4,005

  17.7

  Bolton

  1,572

  3.1

  6,939

  13.9

  Bury

  991

  3.1

  4,045

  12.7

  Cheshire

  3.614

  3.1

  11,525

  10.0

  Cumbria

  2,701

  3.3

  10,707

  13.2

  Halton

  937

  4.6

  2,846

  14.1

  Knowsley

  1,101

  3.9

  5,868

  20.9

  Lancashire

  7,248

  3.9

  23,566

  12.6

  Liverpool

  2,229

  2.8

  14,744

  18.5

  Manchester

  2,199

  3.0

  11,194

  15.1

  Oldham

  752

  1.8

  5,116

  12.0

  Rochdale

  1,172

  3.2

  4,838

  13.1

  Salford

  925

  2.5

  5,150

  13.8

  Sefton

  1,283

  2.5

  6,773

  13.4

  St. Helens

  1,199

  4.0

  3,843

  12.7

  Stockport

  1,384

  2.9

  6,632

  13.7

  305W

  All schools1: number of pupils with special educational needs— January 2003—by local education authority area

  Number of pupils with a statement of SEN

  percentage pupils with a statement of SEN

  Number of pupils with SEN without a statement

  percentage pupils with SEN without a statement

  Tameside

  1,095

  2.9

  4,790

  12.5

  Trafford

  863

  2.2

  4,494

  11.6

  Warrington

  1,060

  3.2

  3,971

  12.1

  Wigan

  2,041

  4.1

  7,181

  14.3

  Wirral

  2,134

  3.7

  6,447

  11.3

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  26,253

  3.0

  112,944

  13.1

  Barnsley

  1,084

  3.1

  5,125

  14.4

  Bradford

  2,620

  2.8

  14,266

  15.5

  Calderdale

  1,136

  3.1

  3,556

  9.7

  Doncaster

  1,914

  3.7

  5,584

  10.7

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  1,425

  2.7

  5.038

  9.5

  Kingston upon Hull, City of

  1,035

  2.4

  5.954

  13.9

  Kirklees

  2,540

  3.8

  8,820

  13.2

  Leeds

  3,800

  3.2

  14,644

  12.2

  North East Lincolnshire

  1,034

  3.7

  5,640

  20.0

  North Lincolnshire

  969

  3.8

  4,524

  17.6

  North Yorkshire

  2,541

  2.6

  10,575

  11.0

  Rotherham

  1,948

  4.2

  7,074

  15.1

  Sheffield

  2.058

  2.6

  12,827

  15.9

  Wakefield

  1,450

  2.5

  6,039

  10.4

  York

  699

  2.6

  3,278

  12.1

  East Midlands

  19,412

  2.7

  98,678

  13.7

  Derby

  1,448

  3.5

  5,291

  12.9

  Derbyshire

  4,163

  3.4

  12,841

  10.5

  Leicester

  1,874

  3.7

  9,179

  17.9

  Leicestershire

  3,088

  3.0

  10.702

  10.4

  Lincolnshire

  3,452

  3.2

  15,499

  14.4

  Northamptonshire

  3,350

  2.9

  20,615

  18.0

  Nottingham

  582

  1.3

  7,938

  17.6

  Nottinghamshire

  1,278

  1.0

  15,928

  12.6

  Rutland

  177

  2.5

  685

  9.7

  West Midlands

  29,853

  3.2

  127,594

  13.7

  Birmingham

  6,120

  3.3

  26,426

  14.1

  Coventry

  1,564

  2.9

  8,702

  16.3

  Dudley

  1,269

  2.5

  7,104

  13.8

  Herefordshire

  918

  3.5

  4.027

  15.2

  Sandwell

  1,456

  2.8

  9.238

  17.8

  Shropshire

  1,471

  3.2

  6,129

  13.4

  Solihull

  858

  2.1

  4,764

  11.7

  Staffordshire

  5,741

  4.2

  14,504

  10.6

  Stoke-on-Trent

  1,424

  3.7

  5,539

  14.5

  Telford and Wrekin

  1.278

  4.4

  4,334

  14.8

  Walsall

  1,391

  2.7

  6,579

  12.9

  Warwickshire

  2,577

  3.1

  13,984

  16.6

  Wolverhampton

  1,214

  2.7

  4,785

  10.8

  Worcestershire

  2,572

  2.8

  11,479

  12.7

  East of England

  24,498

  2.7

  120,301

  13.1

  Bedfordshire

  2,360

  3.3

  8,872

  12.5

  Cambridgeshire

  2,918

  3.4

  10,761

  12.4

  Essex

  4,663

  2.2

  25,280

  11.8

  Hertfordshire

  4,249

  2.1

  23,855

  11.9

  Luton

  789

  2.4

  5,071

  15.4

  Norfolk

  3,661

  3.0

  19,899

  16.5

  Peterborough

  1,021

  3.5

  5.299

  18.0

  Southend-on-Sea

  824

  2.9

  3.508

  12.2

  Suffolk

  3,421

  3.1

  13,779

  12.4

  Thurrock

  592

  2.6

  3,977

  17.4

  London

  34,601

  2.9

  186.697

  15.5

  Inner London

  12,962

  3.0

  74,111

  17.1

  Camden

  882

  3.1

  4,329

  15.0

  City of London

  3

  0.2

  87

  4.4

  Hackney

  929

  2.9

  6,613

  20.5

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  833

  3.6

  3,901

  17.1

  Haringey

  1,006

  2.8

  7,010

  19.2

  Islington

  741

  3.0

  5,015

  20.5

  Kensington and Chelsea

  309

  1.4

  2,050

  9.5

  Lambeth

  1,068

  3.4

  6,054

  19.5

  Lewisham

  1,252

  3.3

  7,042

  18.3

  306W

  Newham

  1,112

  2.2

  8.115

  15.9

  Southwark

  1,394

  3.3

  7,649

  18.2

  Tower Hamlets

  1,490

  3.9

  5,813

  15.2

  Wandsworth

  1,310

  3.4

  6,742

  17.7

  Westminster

  633

  2.4

  3,691

  13.9

  Outer London

  21,639

  2.8

  112,586

  14.6

  Barking and Dagenham

  877

  2.9

  4,207

  13.7

  Barnet

  1,443

  2.7

  9,251

  17.0

  Bexley

  1,227

  3.0

  5,934

  14.4

  Brent

  1,131

  2.7

  7,330

  17.5

  Bromley

  1,720

  3.3

  6,545

  12.5

  Croydon

  1,193

  2.0

  8,030

  13.4

  Ealing

  1,259

  2.6

  7,780

  16.0

  Enfield

  1,282

  2.5

  8,279

  16.4

  Greenwich

  1,402

  3.7

  7,906

  20.8

  910

  2.7

  5,045

  15.0

  Harrow

  910

  2.7

  5,045

  15.0

  Havering

  987

  2.6

  3,437

  9.0

  Hillingdon

  1,503

  3.2

  5,379

  11.6

  Hounslow

  1,247

  3.4

  6,738

  18.2

  Kingston upon Thames

  544

  2.2

  2.949

  11.9

  Merton

  891

  3.3

  4,120

  15.3

  Redbridge

  1,092

  2.3

  5,526

  11.5

  Richmond upon Thames

  626

  2.2

  2,544

  9.0

  Sutton

  975

  3.0

  3,655

  11.1

  Waltham Forest

  1,330

  3.5

  7,931

  21.0

  South East

  40,074

  3.0

  197,052

  14.9

  Bracknell Forest

  479

  2.7

  2,266

  12.7

  Brighton and Hove

  1,360

  3.8

  5,425

  15.0

  Buckinghamshire

  2,420

  2.9

  9,813

  11.6

  East Sussex

  2,462

  3.3

  11,078

  14.7

  Hampshire

  4,663

  2.4

  28,494

  14.8

  Isle of Wight

  785

  3.8

  2,978

  14.5

  Kent

  7,956

  3.4

  42,742

  18.3

  Medway

  1,480

  3.2

  9,645

  20.7

  Milton Keynes

  1,200

  3.2

  5,175

  14.0

  Oxfordshire

  2,526

  2.5

  11,789

  11.7

  Portsmouth

  738

  2.5

  5,092

  17.5

  Reading

  613

  3.0

  2,710

  13.3

  Slough

  617

  3.0

  3,350

  16.1

  Southampton

  590

  1.8

  7,163

  22.5

  Surrey

  5,579

  3.1

  24,073

  13.4

  West Berkshire

  1,144

  4.1

  3,296

  11.8

  West Sussex

  3,940

  3.3

  15,853

  13.4

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  657

  2.6

  3,395

  13.5

  Wokingham

  865

  3.2

  2,715

  10.0

  South West

  23,757

  3.0

  105,547

  13.3

  Bath and North East Somerset

  860

  2.9

  3,249

  10.9

  Bournemouth

  377

  1.7

  3,301

  14.4

  Bristol, City of

  1,897

  3.2

  8,210

  14.0

  Cornwall

  3,139

  4.1

  11,837

  15.4

  Devon

  3,280

  3.0

  12,127

  11.3

  Dorset

  1,937

  3.1

  10,077

  16.3

  Gloucestershire

  2,730

  2.9

  13,253

  13.9

  Isles of Scilly

  5

  1.8

  23

  8.5

  North Somerset

  883

  3.0

  3,708

  12.7

  Plymouth

  1,581

  3.8

  5,732

  13.7

  Poole

  572

  2.7

  3,083

  14.8

  Somerset

  1,808

  2.2

  9,607

  11.8

  South Gloucestershire

  1,217

  2.9

  4,951

  11.7

  Swindon

  876

  3.0

  4,339

  14.7

  Torbay

  843

  4.1

  2,911

  14.1

  Wiltshire

  1,752

  2.4

  9,139

  12.5

  1Includes maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, pupil referral units, independent schools, City Technology Colleges, City Academies and non-maintained special schools.

TRANSPORT

  Airport Capacity (South-East)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the first new runway to be available to serve the south-east of England. [166543]

  Mr. Darling
  "The Future Development of Air Transport" White Paper explains that the Government support the development as soon as possible (we expect around 2011–12) of a wide-spaced second runway at Stansted, as the first new runway in the south-east. It will be for airport operators to decide how to take forward plans for airport expansion in the light of the framework set out in the White Paper.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether comprehensive simulation of the airspace management implications of possible runway development options for the south-east of England was undertaken prior to the publication of the Aviation White Paper on 16 December 2003; and what plans(a) National Air Traffic Services and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority have to undertake such a simulation. [166544]

  Mr. Darling
  Yes. CAA/DAP and NATS undertook as part of the SERAS Study preliminary high-level airspace modelling, simulating potential airport development packages. The broad conclusion reached from the modelling work was that for all scenarios considered the additional ATMs could be accommodated with changes envisaged to the structure and management of airspace within the London Terminal Control Area (LTMA).

  Office of the Traffic Commissioner (Eastbourne)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases have been investigated by the Office of the Traffic Commissioner in Eastbourne following anonymous tip-offs in(a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [164478]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Investigations are carried out on behalf of the Traffic Commissioner in Eastbourne by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency's (VOSA).

  In 2003 VOSA received 22 anonymous tip-offs. All such information received is investigated by VOSA's Intelligence Officers and appropriate action taken. This may involve reference to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for further action. VOSA does not hold information on the number of anonymous tip-offs for 2001 and 2002.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects to announce his decision on the Crossrail project; and if he will make a statement; [166455]

  (2) when he will publish the Montague Report into the Crossrail project; and if he will make a statement. [166456]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 March 2004,Official Report, column 404W, to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Rosindell).
  308W

  Cycle Lanes
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of new cycle lanes have been provided using public funds in Wirral, South since 1997. [166633]

  Mr. McNulty
  8.34 miles of new cycle lanes have been constructed in Wirral, South since 1997.

  Departmental Computers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Department. [166365]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department reviews its software and hardware assets regularly to ensure they meet the organisation's business needs.

  Office Automation and Desktop Software:

  The Department is currently undertaking a project to upgrade our Microsoft Windows NT and Office 97 software to the XP versions. Licences to use the software have already been purchased under the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC's) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft.

  Electronic Document and Record Management (EDRM):

  We are negotiating a site licence for the Oracle relational database software to support the DfT system. We intend to use the OGC MOU with Oracle for this purchase. This will licence the use of the standard Oracle software for all DfT users.

  Other software:

  The SAP Finance system, the Peoplesoft HR system and our Group Wise e-mail system are all covered by support agreements that include software upgrades and helpdesk support.

  Hardware:

  It is expected that the move to Windows XP will not require any fundamental change to PC hardware, which will continue to be replaced on an "as needs" basis, with desktop hardware replaced when it has reached the end of its useful life.

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will lay before the House regulations requiring approved driving instructors to pass a hazard perception test. [166763]

  Mr. Jamieson
  As announced in the Adjournment debate on 14 January 2004,Official Report, columns 936–40, we plan to lay regulations before the House towards the end of the year to introduce the computer-based assessment for approved driving instructors.

  East London Line
  Jim Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to give final approval for the construction of the East London Line extensions. [166483]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Linton) on 29 March 2004,Official Report, column 1159W.

  Highways Budgets (Compensation Payments)
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much local authorities with highway responsibilities paid in claims for personal injury or liability, as a proportion of their total highways budgets, in 2002–03. [165895]

  Mr. McNulty
  This information is not collated centrally from local authorities, although we are looking at whether and how we could do so in the future.

  However, the Department for Transport carried out a survey last year. This found that at present local authorities do not collect information on compensation paid on a consistent basis. The best estimate from the survey was that between £50 million and £75 million was paid by local authorities in respect of compensation claims related to highway maintenance in 2002–03. This represents between 2 per cent. to 3 per cent. of the total capital and revenue funding of £2.53 billion made available for local highway maintenance in 2002–03 (not including PFI credits).

  Light Rail Schemes
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 26 January 2004,Official Report, column 36W, on light rail schemes, if he will list the light rail schemes that he expects will be under construction by 2010, with their expected (a) cost, (b) construction start dates and (c) completion dates; and what the stages of (i) appraisal, (ii) assessment and (iii) procurement will be. [166005]

  Mr. McNulty
  Five schemes are currently under development. Of these two have received provisional approval from my Department. They are:Midland Metro extension—Birmingham to Five Ways and Wednesbury to Brierley Hill (estimated total cost £227 million; expected construction start 2005 and expected completion 2008); and
  Merseytram Line 1 (estimated total cost £225 million; expected construction start 2005 and expected completion 2007).

  Three schemes have received approval but the estimated cost subsequently increased. The value for money of the schemes therefore needs to be reappraised. They are:
  Manchester Metrolink Phase 3;
  South Hampshire Rapid Transit System; and
  Leeds Supertram.

  Bids have also been received for Merseytram Line 2 and extensions to the Nottingham Express Transit. The Department is also in discussions with promoters about further extensions to the Midland Metro, Sheffield Supertram, Tyne and Wear Metro, Merseytram, Manchester Metrolink.

  Currently the Department's approach to the assessment of appraisals of light rail schemes includes:
  Promoters of major local transport schemes submit their bids for central funds as part of their Local Transport Plan (LTP).
  The business case supporting the bid should be written in accordance with the Department's New Approach to Appraisal (NATA), details of which can be found on the Department's appraisal website: www.webtag.org.uk. NATA involves assessing the impact of the proposal against the Government's five objectives for transport: economy, safety, integration,
  310W
  accessibility, and the environment. The NATA approach includes the analysis of both monetised and non-monetised costs and benefits.
  The Department's officials examine the case presented for funding, including the benefits, costs, risks, affordability and public acceptability. This usually requires a period of dialogue with the promoters in addition to the information submitted through the written business case.
  The Department issues guidance to promoters of schemes to help them prepare a business case that meets the Department's requirements.
  A pre-procurement business case is needed to secure Provision View for funding, which is dependent on the necessary statutory powers being obtained, and the scheme design or costs not changing substantially as a result of further work to obtain powers and the procurement process.
  Once statutory powers have been obtained and tender received from bidders an updated business case is needed if details of the scheme have changed to secure Full Approval for scheme funding.

  The Department leaves the choice of procurement method to the promoter of a scheme, although on larger schemes it will usually consult with the promoter on the approach being taken from an early stage. Promoters may present a case for PFI or capital funding via the same business case process. Capital funding for public transport schemes is usually split between section 56 grant and borrowing approvals.

  Maidenhead/Twyford Stations
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers use(a) Maidenhead and (b) Twyford stations at (i) morning peak, (ii) evening peak and (iii) off-peak hours. [165858]

  Mr. Darling
  The latest data collected for the 2001 London Area Transport Survey are as follows:

  Number of passengers boarding trains at each station

  Maidenhead

  Twyford

  Morning peak (06:00–10:00)

  2,171

  1,017

  Evening peak (17:00–20:00)

  1,034

  172

  Off-peak

  2,172

  353

  Total

  5,377

  1,542

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the reasons for the resignation of the Chief Executive of National Air Traffic Services; and how much time was left to run on the former Chief Executive's contract of employment; [166527]

  (2) what payments have been made to the former Chief Executive of National Air Traffic Services on his early departure; [166528]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the relevant experience of the new Chief Executive of National Air Traffic Services, with particular reference to (a) the air transport industry and (b) air traffic control services. [166529]

  Mr. Darling
  The current contract of the Chief Executive of National Air Traffic Services Ltd ends in June. He will leave the company then and be replaced by
  311W
  Paul Barron. Decisions on necessary skills, qualifications and disbursements are matters for the NATS Board.

  Navigational Aids
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was contributed by the General Lighthouse Fund to navigational aids in the territorial waters of the Republic of Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and what the future estimate is of contributions over the next three years. [166056]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The contribution from the General Lighthouse Fund to the provision of navigational aids in the Republic of Ireland is as follows:

  GBP £ million

  1994–05

  4.8

  1995–06

  4.7

  1996–07

  4.3

  1997–08

  4.0

  1998–09

  4.3

  1999–2000

  4.9

  2000–01

  4.4

  2001–02

  5.5

  2002–03

  5.8

  2003–04

  5.9

  Average

  4.8

  The contribution is expected to be in the region of £6 million to £7 million per annum over the next three years dependent on exchange rates and decisions on capital investment.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with negotiations with the Irish Government on the cessation of payments from the UK General Lighthouse Fund for the provision of navigational aids in Irish territorial waters. [166057]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We accept that the Republic of Ireland should meet the full costs of provision of their aids to navigation. We remain committed to renegotiating the current agreement to achieve this and are arranging to meet the Irish Government in May to take the matter forward.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will allow safety camera partnerships in Suffolk to release funding raised from speed cameras for local road safety projects that do not involve speed camera installations; and if he will make a statement. [165583]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have no plans to change the current policy that receipts from conditional offer fixed penalty speeding fines may be used only for the installation and operation of approved safety cameras. Other investment in road safety measures is funded within local authorities' and national road programmes.
  312W
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries there were in road traffic accidents in Suffolk in each year since 1997. [165584]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The following table shows numbers of deaths and serious injuries in road accidents in Suffolk in each year from 1997 to 2002. Figures for 2003 are not yet available.

  Killed

  Seriously injured

  2002

  43

  360

  2001

  53

  415

  2000

  56

  468

  1999

  48

  432

  1998

  23

  364

  1997

  43

  440

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2004,Official Report, column 408W, what percentage of the money raised from speed cameras within Suffolk since April 2003 were (a) used for the installation and operation of approved safety camera installations and (b) passed to the Consolidated Fund. [165689]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Safety camera partnership accounts are audited annually This information will be available when the audited accounts for the Suffolk partnership are completed later this year.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents have occurred on the A4 between Maidenhead and Reading in each year since 1995; how many resulted in(a) personal injuries and (b) death; how many involved drunk driving; how many resulted in prosecution and how many of the casualties were pedestrians. [165859]

  Mr. Darling
  The following table shows the number of accidents on the A4 between Maidenhead and Reading which resulted in either personal injury or death; the number of accidents where at least one driver was found to be over the drink drive limit on taking a roadside breath test; and the number of pedestrian casualties in accidents on this stretch of the A4, in each year from 1995 to 2002.

  We cannot identify how many of the drivers over the drink drive limit were prosecuted as the Home Office does not provide prosecution data for individual roads.

  All accidents

  Drink/drive accidents

  Fatal

  Involving personal injury but not death

  Fatal

  Involving personal injury but not death

  Pedestrian casualties

  1995

  0

  33

  0

  3

  1

  1996

  0

  25

  0

  2

  0

  1997

  1

  18

  0

  1

  1

  1998

  0

  27

  0

  0

  0

  1999

  0

  22

  0

  0

  2

  2000

  0

  27

  0

  0

  1

  2001

  1

  13

  0

  0

  1

  2002

  1

  15

  0

  0

  0

  All

  3

  180

  0

  6

  6

  313W
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many injuries have been experienced by pedestrians as a result of accidents with cyclists in the last three years. [165961]

  Dr. Howells
  The following table shows the number of pedestrian casualties who were struck by cyclists in road accidents for the last three years for which figures are available. These figures are published each year in Table 23 of "Road Casualties Great Britain: the Annual Report".

  Number of pedestrian casualties who were hit by pedal cycles: 2000–02

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Killed

  3

  0

  4

  Seriously injured

  66

  60

  47

  Slight

  225

  198

  158

  Total

  294

  258

  209

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries of pedestrians have been caused by accidents with buses in the last three years. [165962]

  Dr. Howells
  The following table shows the number of pedestrians who were killed or seriously injured when struck by a bus or a coach in a road accident in each of the last three years for which figures are available. These figures are published each year in Table 23 of "Road Casualties Great Britain: the Annual Report".

  Pedestrian casualties by severity in accidents with buses: 2000–02

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Killed

  60

  79

  55

  Seriously Injured

  356

  351

  384

  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2004,Official Report, column 408W, on safety camera partnerships, if he will amend the rules of the safety camera partnerships so that funding can be released to fund local road safety projects, including Bikesafe; and if he will make a statement. [166034]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Investment in road safety projects is funded within local authorities' and national road programmes. I have no plans to amend rules for the safety camera cost recover scheme in order to broaden the scope of what can be funded from the fine receipts.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 22 January 2004, Official Report, column 1377W, on the road network, what the(a) date and (b) location of the most recent Government funded trial of anti-glare devices undertaken in the UK was. [166102]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The most recent Government funded trial of anti-glare devices in the UK on trunk roads and motorways was undertaken 314W

  (a) between 1 February 1974 and 31 January 1977

  (b) on the M6 between junctions 1 and 4.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sites there are on the UK motorway and trunk road network of chevron markings, designed to ensure motorists keep their distance from the car in front; and what their locations are. [166317]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are chevron markings at six sites, namely:M5 J22–21 Northbound carriageway between Somerset/North Somerset border south of Weston super Mare.
  M62 Westbound between J23–22.
  M6 J18–19 Northbound and Southbound carriageways.
  M56 J12–14 Northbound and Southbound carriageways.
  M6 J32–33 Southbound carriageway only.
  M1 J16–17 Southbound carriageway only.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has commissioned into the effectiveness of chevrons designed to encourage motorists to keep their distance from one another. [166318]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department of Transport commissioned TRL in the early 1990s to undertake two trials to investigate the effectiveness of using 'Chevron' guidance markings on the road surface to encourage motorists to maintain a safe distance from one another. The research showed that they were effective in reducing vehicles following too closely. The chevron markings and their associated signs are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002.

  Network Rail
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his future plans for Network Rail. [R] [166532]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 19 January 2004. He will publish his proposals in the summer.

  Speed Cameras
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue has been raised in fines imposed as a result of speed cameras in(a) Greater London and (b) each London borough since 1997. [162332]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Information is not available on the amount of fines paid following speed offences detected by camera, the following table shows the number of fixed penalties and court fines ordered to be paid for the offence of 'speeding detected by camera' in the calendar years 1997 to 2001, for the Metropolitan and City of London police forces combined. It is not possible from the data collected centrally to identify each London borough. Not all fines and fixed penalties will have been paid.
  315W

  Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected bycameras1,2 within Greater London3, 1997–2001

  Fixed Penalties

  Court Proceedings4

  Number of tickets5

  Estimated fines6(£)

  Number of fines

  Total amount of fine (£)

  Average fines5

  1997

  15,300

  612,900

  2,500

  259,600

  102

  1998

  14,200

  566,200

  2,900

  356,800

  125

  1999

  13,000

  521,900

  2,600

  288,400

  111

  2000

  44,100

  1,910,700

  2,200

  256,700

  115

  2001

  52,100

  3,128,600

  4,500

  513,700

  114

  1 Automatic cameras until 1998, all camera types from 1999.

  2 Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.

  3 The Metropolitan and City of London police combined.

  4 Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.

  5 Paid i.e. no further action.

  6 Estimate based on £40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000 the penalty was raised to £60.

  Home Office information for 2002 will be available in late spring 2004.

  Station Improvements
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 26 January 2004,Official Report, column 41W, on station improvements, what plans the Government have for delivering improvements to the stations not addressed by the Modern Facilities at Stations scheme and which were identified as being in need of improvement in the Strategic Rail Authority's original target to improve 1,000 stations by 2004. [166006]

  Mr. McNulty
  Any extension of the Modern Facilities at Stations Scheme (MFAS) beyond the 68 stations referred to in my previous answer is a matter for the SRA, which would consider such an extension along with their other priorities.

  Transport Services (Birkenhead)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on the roads of Birkenhead has been since 1997. [166496]

  Dr. Howells
  The available information relates to local authority areas. For Wirral metropolitan district, which includes the constituency of Birkenhead, the number of deaths in road accidents rose by 20 per cent. from 10 in 1997 to 12 in 2002, the latest year for which information is available; and the number of serious injuries fell by 3 per cent., from 178 in 1997 to 173 in 2002. Estimates on the basis of parliamentary constituencies will become available in the summer. I shall write to my right hon. Friend with figures for Birkenhead and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rural bus services in Birkenhead are supported by rural bus grants. [166498]

  Dr. Howells
  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG) is paid to local transport authorities, in the case of Birkenhead this is the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (PTE). It is for the authority to decide which services should be supported with the grant. We understand from the PTE that no rural bus services in Birkenhead are provided by RBSG.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect of investment in railway improvements over the next 10 years upon residents of Birkenhead. [166500]
  316W
  Dr. Howells
  Merseytravel Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) is responsible for improving services and facilities for passengers on the Merseyrail network. Network Rail is responsible for maintaining and renewing the infrastructure.

  The PTE has plans for a number of improvements over the next 10 years. These include refurbishment of Hamilton Square station and enhancement of bus/rail interchange facilities; major rebuild of Bidston, making the station fully accessible and developing a strategic park and ride site served by the station; electrification of the line between Bidston and Woodchurch including upgrade of Upton Station and introduction of associated park and ride facilities; and investigation into making Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Park, Rock Ferry and Green Lane stations fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  A new waiting room and Customer Information Services at Birkenhead Central, together with new Customer Information Services at Green Lane, are being provided through the Strategic Rail Authority's Modern Facilities at Stations Programme. In addition, Merseyrail rolling stock will be fully refurbished by the end of 2004. The refurbishment includes the provision of CCTV, dedicated wheelchair spaces and cycle racks.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  Co ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses he has received to his consultation on the implementation of the Working Time Directive for mobile workers in the transport sector. [165972]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department has received 105 responses to the consultation exercise, from both sides of industry and other interested stakeholders.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  British Coal Corporation
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, following the dissolution of the British Coal Corporation on 26 March, all the corporation's liabilities will be fully met by her Department. [164949]
  317W
  Mr. Timms
  I can confirm that upon the dissolution of the British Coal Corporation on 27 March all its remaining liabilities were transferred to the Department of Industry, which will now have direct responsibility for their timely discharge.

  Broadband
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the implications for energy demand of the rolling out of the broadband communications programme. [166227]

  Mr. Timms
  Under the Market Transformation Programme (MTP), which managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Government has issued a Briefing Note to provide a basic analysis and projections for the energy consumption of Broadband technologies in the UK market.

  The Briefing Note (BNBROAD1: Energy requirement implications of broadband communication technology 2003–2010) is published on the MPT website: http://www:mtprog.com/approvedbriefingnotes/EnergyRequire mentImplicationsofBroadbandCornmunicationTechnologv20032010.aspx?kintUniquelD = 254.

  Departmental Computers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in her Department. [166371]

  Ms Hewitt
  Updating the computer hardware and standard software packages in my Department is the responsibility of our ICT Service Provider. My Department has outsourced the provision of ICT services under a PFI contract. This provides for the updating of computer hardware to an agreed schedule, and the updating of standard computer software packages to keep them to a level that is supported by software suppliers.

  Energy Supplies
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of(a) gas and (b) oil reserves in the North Sea. [165079]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: The Department carries out an annual exercise to assess the likely levels of remaining North Sea oil and gas reserves. The results of this exercise are published on DTI's Oil and Gas website at www.og.dti.gov.uk.

  The latest estimates are as at the end of 2002 and total remaining reserves (including the undiscovered) are estimated to lie in the range of some 934–2984 billion cubic metres of gas and 951–3606 million tonnes of oil.

  Updated estimates, of remaining reserves as at end 2003. are due to be published on the website this summer.

  Export Assistance
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how her Department assists North West businesses to export. [154338]
  318W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Government assistance is provided by UK Trade amp; Investment, a joint DTI and FCO organisation with its own Chief Executive. I have Ministerial responsibility, reporting to the Secretaries of State for both Departments.

  UK Trade amp; Investment delivers through Business Links in the English Regions. Companies which would benefit from export support can access a full range of services from market research to grants to exhibit at trade fairs and exhibitions overseas via their local Business Link International Trade Team. In doing so they gain access to UK Trade amp; Investment's Global Network of over 200 offices in 137 countries.

  A key programme. "Passport to Export", aimed at new to export companies, has proved particularly successful. It provides a framework that guides businesses through a structured series of activities including a diagnostic or business healthcheck, bespoke export training, initial market research and a first market visit. Currently around 500 North West companies are on this programme.

  Manufacturing
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people were employed in the manufacturing sector in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year since 1999. [165048]

  Jacqui Smith
  Latest published data for employment in the manufacturing sector in the East Riding of Yorkshire for years since 1999 is as follows:

  Year

  Manufacturing Employment

  1999

  21,181

  2000

  20.536

  2001

  18,314

  2002

  17,717

  Source:

  Annual Business Inquiry

  Data for 2003 will be published in December 2004.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many workers in Birkenhead have benefited from the national minimum wage. [166494]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  It is not possible to provide estimates specifically for Birkenhead. However, based on the Office for National Statistics' Low Pay data released in 2003, the DTI estimates that around 140,000 people in the North West stood to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in April 1999.

  The DTI estimates that between 210,000 and 240,000 people in the North West stand to benefit from the October 2004 uprating of the National Minimum Wage.

  Nuclear Decommissioning
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of the cost of nuclear decommissioning over the next 10 years on the price of energy to consumers. [165501]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 March 2004,Official Report, column 1180W.

  Nuclear Materials (Security)
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the Office of Civil Nuclear Security in respect of the adequacy of security arrangements(a) at nuclear installations and (b) for nuclear materials in transit. [166037]

  Mr. Timms
  My officials are in frequent contact with the Office for Civil Nuclear Security about security arrangements at civil nuclear sites and in respect of nuclear materials in transit.

  It is not Government policy to disclose the substance of those discussions since such information may be of potential use to terrorists. However, the Director of Civil Nuclear Security publishes an annual report on the state of security in the civil nuclear industry and the effectiveness of security regulation, and meets me to discuss this. His next report is due this summer.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the verification of the nuclear safeguard arrangements required under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. [165803]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The DTI provides the UK Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and through membership of the IAEA Board of Governors the UK takes a full part in considering the implementation and development of IAEA safeguards. Since weaknesses in the then existing system of safeguards were exposed in the early 1990s, I am advised the IAEA has developed new and powerful safeguards measures, in particular to strengthen its ability to detect undeclared nuclear activities in non-nuclear weapon states. Such measures include those specified in the Model Additional Protocol to safeguards agreements, approved by the Board of Governors in May 1997. The UK has fully supported the work of the IAEA in this regard and our assessment continues to be that its safeguards verification activities are the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and that a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement in combination with an additional protocol thereto, should be considered the new verification standard for non-nuclear weapon states under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

  Tribunals
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will issue guidance to tribunals on the test of reasonableness in relation to the award of costs between parties; [165695]

  (2) what plans she has to review the guidance she gives to tribunals on costs where an employee wins the case but is left with costs higher than the compensation awarded; and if she will make a statement. [165696]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Costs are not awarded at employment tribunals, except in cases where a party or a party's representative has, in conducting the proceedings, acted vexatiously, abusively, disruptively or otherwise unreasonably, or where the bringing or conducting of the case has been misconceived. The awarding of costs is a matter for the employment tribunals themselves, acting in 320W
  their capacity as independent judicial bodies and in accordance with then regulations and rules of procedure. It is not for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to issue guidance on the level of costs that should be awarded in specific cases.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Derelict Land
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the number of sites designated as derelict land, broken down by region; and what the area of each such site is. [165738]

  Keith Hill
  I have been asked to reply.

  The table shows the number of derelict land sites reported by local authorities to the 2002 National Land Use Database of Previously Developed Land. It also shows estimated areas of derelict land, after making an allowance for incomplete returns. Because of this allowance average site sizes cannot be calculated by dividing the estimated areas by the numbers of sites reported.

  Derelict land and buildings: numbers of sites and area, England 2002

  Region

  Number of Sites reported

  Estimated total area (hectares)

  North East

  560

  1,630

  North West

  1,970

  5,610

  Yorkshire amp; the Humber

  900

  3,270

  East Midlands

  770

  2,470

  West Midlands

  870

  1,710

  East of England

  630

  1,740

  London

  490

  460

  South East

  610

  1,430

  South West

  680

  1,630

  England

  7,470

  19,960

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Animal Welfare
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a ban on animal testing in connection with(a) household cleaning products and (b) ingredients used in household cleaning products; and if he will make a statement. [165437]

  Caroline Flint
  The Government currently have no plans to introduce a ban on the use of animals in assessing the safety of household cleaning products and their ingredients.

  National and international regularly bodies require that the chemical ingredients used in a range of household products should be tested to assess the risk they might pose to man (both the workforce and consumers) and the environment. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 such testing using animals can only be licensed when the information to be obtained is considered essential to the required risk

  321W
  assessment, and when it cannot be obtained by non-animal methods. Unfortunately there are in some cases still no reliable alternatives to this kind of animal testing if the necessary safety data is to be generated.

  Credit Card Fraud
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much he estimates businesses have lost through credit card fraud committed(a) in general transactions, (b) over the internet and (c) over the telephone in each year since 1990; [164842]

  (2) what police help is offered to businesses who are victims of fraud of less than £500 000; and whether the police are obliged to take action in the case of fraud involving less than £500,000; [164843]

  (3) what action his Department is taking to combat and prevent credit card fraud committed over the internet; [164844]

  (4) if he will introduce a national initiative on internet and credit card fraud to increase awareness amongst the police and the general public about combating fraud; [164845]

  (5) what support his Department is offering to businesses who are repeatedly targeted by fraudulent use of credit cards over the internet. [164846]

  Ms Blears
  The Government do not collect figures on the cost of credit card fraud The Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) has estimated the total cost of losses due to credit card fraud (as reported by card issuers) over the last 10 years as:

  £ million

  1994

  96.8

  1995

  83.3

  1996

  97.1

  1997

  122.0

  1998

  135.0

  1999

  188.4

  2000

  317

  2001

  411.5

  2002

  424.6

  2003

  402.4

  (Specific figures for costs to businesses are not available)

  The decision on whether and how to investigate alleged criminal offences is an operational matter for the relevant chief officer of police. The decision will take account of national and local policing priorities as well as the resources available.

  We have recently boosted the resources available to police to tackle fraud. In the recent Green Paper on "Policing, Building Safer Communities Together", we signalled our intention that some forces should develop expertise in certain specialist types of investigation and play a lead role in those areas. The City of London Police will become the first such lead force tackling fraud. The Home Office and the Corporation of London have each agreed to contribute £1 million per year towards the cost of an expanded City of London Police fraud squad. The Home Office will also meet capital start-up costs of the new unit.
  322W
  This arrangement will allow the City of London Police to significantly expand its fraud squad enabling it to take a lead role in the investigation of fraud in London and the south east. We will need to assess the additional achievements that result from providing these new arrangements before considering any further additional funding.

  In October 2003 the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU), APACS (the Association for Payment Clearing Services) and the BBA (British Bankers' Association) issued a checklist for UK consumers to help protect themselves against the Internet fraudster. The Home Office has also recently launched a website to combat internet fraud. The 'e-tailing mini site' forms part of the Crime Reduction website and provides information to help both businesses and consumers protect themselves when using the internet.

  The Home Office is also represented on an APACS led Steering Group which aims to tackle 'Card Not Present' (CNP) fraud. This includes fraud over the internet. We support practical measures being introduced by the industry to increase levels of security for internet transactions. These include Address Verification Services (AVS), Card Security Code (CSC), Mastercard Secure Code and Verified by Visa. There is also a manual ("Spot amp; Stop Card Fraud Retailer Pack") resulting from the CNP Steering Group's Work which aims to educate merchants on the dangers of CNP fraud and the steps which can be taken to prevent it.

  We are about to publish, jointly with APACS, a leaflet for members of the public to raise awareness about safe credit card use. The leaflet will include a section on using cards safely over the internet. Supplies of the leaflet are being sent to all police forces in England and Wales.

  The Home Office does not operate any specific support schemes for repeat victims of credit card fraud, however the schemes outlined above to tackle CNP fraud are already making a significant impact in preventing this type of fraud.

  Crime (Humberside)
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on crime trends within the Humberside police authority area. [165037]

  Ms Blears
  There were 132,734 offences recorded in the Humberside police force area in 2002–03 which was an increase over the previous year. However, figures were affected by the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) which Humberside adopted in April 2002. For total crime in this force, the Home Office estimated the NCRS had a 9 per cent. impact for 2002–03.

  NCRS was introduced across England and Wales in April 2002. Broadly, the NCRS had the effect of increasing the number of crimes recorded by the police. Therefore, following the introduction of the Standard, numbers of recorded crimes are not directly comparable with previous years.
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  The table gives a quarterly breakdown of the most recently published statistics. It is an extract from the new Home Office website: www.crimestatistics.org.uk

  Recorded offences in the Humberside police force area 2002–03

  Month

  Total number of offences

  Offences per 1,000 population

  April to June 2002

  31,284

  36.0

  July to September 2002

  29,854

  34.4

  October to December 2002

  33,567

  38.6

  January to March 2003

  38,029

  43.8

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries per 1,000 households there have been in the Humberside police authority area in each year since 1999; and what the detection rate for burglaries in homes was. [165046]

  Ms Blears
  The available information is given in the table.

  Burglary in a dwelling in the Humberside police force area

  Number of burglaries in a dwelling per 1,000 households

  Detection rate for burglary in a dwelling (percentage)

  1999–2000

  n/a

  10

  2000–01

  n/a

  11

  2001–02

  32

  10

  2002–031

  33

  11

  n/a = Not available.

  Forensic Science Service
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the savings that would result from the privatisation of the Forensic Science Service in England and Wales in(a) 2004–05, (b) 2005–06 and (c) 2006–07. [165521]

  Ms Blears
  It is not intended to privatise the Forensic Science Service, but to develop it as a public private partnership (PPP).

  Work is under way to prepare an outline business case that will include a financial analysis of the impact of the proposed change in status.

  General Government grants 1 (£ million)

  Annual percentage change in general Government grants

  Specific grants and capital provision2 (£ million)

  Total (£ million)

  Annual percentage change in all Government grants

  1997–98

  146.9

  —

  2.2

  149.1

  —

  1998–99

  153.6

  4.6

  2.4

  156.0

  4.6

  1999–2000

  155.9

  1.5

  2.2

  158.1

  1.3

  2000–01

  162.2

  4.0

  6.6

  168.8

  6.8

  2001–02

  168.1

  3.6

  18.2

  186.3

  10.4

  2001–023

  164.0

  —

  18.2

  182.2

  —

  2002–03

  168.7

  2.9

  15.1

  183.8

  09

  2003–04

  177.1

  4.9

  15.4

  192.5

  47

  2004–05

  182.9

  3.3

  15.8

  198.7

  32

  1 General Government grants comprise Home Office Police grant, ODPM Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates.

  2 Includes funding from the Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, Street Crime Initiative, Community Support Officer funding, Special Priority Payments, the DNA Expansion Programme, capital grant, Airwave and the Premises Improvement Fund. Total for specific grants in 2004–05 are an estimate.

  1 Figures for 2001–02 are not directly comparable with 2002–03 due to the change in funding arrangements of NCS/NCIS. Adjusted figures for 2001–02 are therefore included.

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  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Forensic Science Service in respect of the applications by(a) Turkey and (b) Croatia to join the European Network of Forensic Science Services. [165522]

  Ms Blears
  Turkey and Croatia are already members of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes. No discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Forensic Science Service regarding the applications by Turkey and Croatia to join the European Network of Forensic Scientists

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the European Network of Forensic Science services in connection with the possible privatisation of forensic science services in England and Wales. [165523]

  Ms Blears
  It is not intended to privatise the Forensic Science Service (FSS), but to develop it as a public private partnership (PPP).

  Informational discussions between Home Office officials and the chair designate and secretariat of the European Network of Forensic Sciences Institutes (ENFSI) about the future status of the FSS took place in November 2003.

  Gurkhas
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department further to the answer of 15 January 2004,Official Report, columns 886–7W, on Gurkhas, what progress has been made on the review of immigration laws as applied to Gurkhas. [164339]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 29 March 2004]: Officials in the Home Office, Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office have continued their work to find a satisfactory and sustainable way forward. A further meeting took place on 30 March and officials will report to Ministers shortly.

  Lancashire Police Authority
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much in(a) percentage and (b) cash terms Lancashire police grant has increased in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the financial position of Lancashire Police Authority. [156129]

  Ms Blears
  The information is set out in the table.
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  Lancashire Police Authority have set a final budget of £229.5 million for 2004–05, and increase of £ 12.7 million or 5.9 per cent. over this year.

  Parliamentary Ombudsman
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons he rejected the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman in his report, ref.C.923/03 relating to the complaint of a constituent, ref.R333021/2. [164679]

  Mr. Browne
  We have not rejected the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The Ombudsman made only one formal recommendation in this case that if Mr. Colman's constituent made an application for British Citizenship it should be considered promptly. The Ombudsman has been informed that such an application will be considered in accordance with the rules and in the light of individual circumstances. So far, no application has been received.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Parliamentary Questions have been tabled to his Department since 1 January 2003, broken down by(a) Ordinary Written and (b) Named Day; what percentage in respect of (a) were answered within 10 working days; and what percentage in respect of (b) were answered by the specified date. [157741]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Home Office does not maintain records in such a way that provides the information in the format requested without incurring disproportionate cost. The last published performance figures for the Home Office showed that 39 per cent. of all Parliamentary Questions (PQs) were answered within parliamentary deadlines.

  Every effort is made to reply to PQs within the parliamentary deadlines wherever possible. Consequently the Home Office is currently in the process of introducing a new PQ system, the electronic Parliamentary Questions system (ePQS) to better monitor and manage the Department's performance.

  The ePQS monitoring system has identified the bottlenecks in the PQ process and remedial action is being taken. As is usual with the introduction of any new IT system, performance has shown an initial decline. The benefits of ePQS are now being realised across the Department and performance is improving.

  Police Pensions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what age police officers are able to retire on a full pension; and if he will make a statement. [165478]

  Ms Blears
  Under the current Police Pension Scheme officers may build up a maximum pension after 30 years' service. This means that an officer who joined the police service at age 18½—the earliest age at which it is possible to start as a police officer—could be entitled to retire at age 48½ with a full pension.
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  The Government are considering options for the modernisation of police pensions to make them more flexible and affordable for future entrants. We have concluded a UK-wide consultation exercise on proposals for a new police pension scheme, to be introduced by April 2006, and are considering the responses. Key features of the proposed scheme for new entrants are a maximum pension after 35 years and a minimum pension age of 55.

  Prisons
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours on average adult prisoners spent on(a) education, broken down by (i) literacy, (ii) numeracy and (iii) other education-related activities, (b) exercise, (c) vocational work and (d) community work in the last year for which figures are available. [161789]

  Paul Goggins
  The average number of hours for each activity is as follows:

  Hours

  Number

  (a)

  Education

  3.4

  (b)

  Exercise

  2.0

  (c)

  Vocational work

  1.6

  (d)

  Voluntary work

  0.2

  (e)

  Time spent in work/workshops

  12.1

  In spite of the considerable population pressures the average time spent on purposeful activity is 23.1 hours per week.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of the movement of all prisoners from the two prisons that have been re-roled. [166424]

  Paul Goggins
  No final date has yet been fixed for the re-role of Edmunds Hill prison and so no women prisoners have been moved.

  The cost of moving prisoners from Winchester prison totalled £5,550.00.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the prisoners who were moved from the two prisons that have been re-roled were informed they were being moved; and whether notification was given to their families. [166425]

  Paul Goggins
  The re-role of Her Majesty's Prison Winchester West Hill has taken place. Prisoners were informed on 11 March that they would be moving to other establishments. All prisoners were able to inform their families that they would be moving. The moves took place between 15 and 25 March.

  The re-role of Her Majesty's Prison Edmunds Hill has not yet taken place. It is anticipated that prisoners will transfer out from June 2004. Prisoners there know of the

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  re-role, and, in the case of those prisoners who will still be in custody in June 2004, discussions about future destinations have begun.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women prisoners have been transferred from the two prisons that have been re-roled; what the length of the sentences they had left to serve were on the date of transfer; and to which prisons they were transferred. [166346]

  Paul Goggins
  Her Majesty's Prison Edmund's Hill has not yet been re-roled, and no final date has been set. Three of the female prisoners held at the West Hill Wing of Her Majesty's Prison Winchester were released before the transfers took place, as they had reached the end of their custodial sentences.

  Table 1 shows the destinations of the remaining prisoners.

  Table I: destinations of female prisoners transferred from Her Majesty's Prison Winchester

  Destination establishment

  Number transferred

  Her Majesty's Prison Eastwood Park

  19

  Her Majesty's Prison Foston Hall

  1

  Her Majesty's Prison Downview

  11

  Her Majesty's Prison Send

  40

  Her Majesty's Prison Askham Grange

  1

  Table 2 shows the length of time these prisoners had remaining on their transfer date.

  Table 2: remaining sentences

  Length of sentence remaining

  Number of prisoners

  Convicted but unsentenced

  1

  Less than 12 months

  32

  One to four years

  29

  Four years or more

  10

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in recording allegations and incidents of threatening and intimidating behaviour of staff towards prisoners at HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs; how the incidents are broken down for statistical analysis; and what the figures are for incidents in the last three years for which figures are available. [155658]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 2 March 2004]: The Investigation Support Section of the Prison Service Professional Standards Unit monitors all incidents in the prison service that result in formal investigations being commissioned. The main categories of investigations that record unprofessional behaviour of staff towards prisoners are racist abuse, inappropriate treatment of prisoners and assault on prisoners.

  Monthly reports are prepared for Governors and Area Managers that include, for each prison; numbers of investigations carried out, categories of investigations, overdue investigations and emerging themes.
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  Wormwood Scrubs operates systems to ensure that any complaints of mistreatment from prisoners are referred to the Deputy Governor, who decides whether to commission a full investigation under the Prison Service Code of Discipline or conduct a simple inquiry for more minor issues. The Race Relations co-ordinator also reviews data from a wide range of sources to establish if any ethnic minority group is disproportionately represented. For the last three years, the number of complaints from prisoners within the above categories that resulted in investigations being commissioned at Wormwood Scrubs were:

  Number of complaints from prisoners that resulted in investigations being commissioned at Wormwood Scrubs

  Simple inquiries

  Disciplinary investigations

  2001–02

  49

  30

  2002–03

  44

  32

  2003–041

  27

  21

  1 As at 11 February 2004.

  Additionally, annual reviews are conducted by staff from the London Area Office to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of monitoring arrangements concerning treatment of prisoners by staff in each London prison. These reviews also seek assurance that local arrangements for acting on any allegations of mistreatment by prisoners, from any source, are consistent with prison service policy and that any subsequent investigations are conducted in a timely and consistent manner.

  Probation Areas (Budgets)
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which probation areas will be financially penalised during the next financial year as a consequence of failing to meet 2003–04 targets; and what size the penalty will be in each case. [160468]

  Paul Goggins
  £15 million of the probation areas' budget for 2004–05 has been retained by the Home Office to be distributed to areas as performance bonuses. On the basis of information for the first three-quarters of 2003–04, it is expected that about £12 million will be distributed to areas. It is not yet possible to provide a list of areas and the size of the amount in each case as this will not be known until all the performance data for 2003–04 has been collected and analysed.

  Current information indicates that 17 probation areas will receive their full performance bonuses that will result in them having greater than 100 per cent. of their expected budget for 2004–05. A further 11 will receive performance bonuses that result in them receiving at least 99.5 per cent. of their expected budget. The remaining 14 areas will receive at least 97.5 per cent. of their expected budget.

  Programme Funding
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding has been allocated to(a) building safer communities, (b) drug action teams, (c) Frameworks for Regional Employment and Skills Action, (d) Positive Futures and (e) the Youth Inclusion Programme in (i) 2004–05, (ii) 2005–06 and (iii) total. [163719]
  329W
  Ms Blears
  Funding in 2004–05 for the initiatives named is shown in the table:

  2004–05

  Building Safer Communities

  £74 million

  Drug Action Teams

  £386,600

  Positive Futures

  £5 million Home Office

  £1 million Football Foundation

  Youth Inclusion Programme (Total YIP funding 1999–06 £39.24million)

  £7 million

  There is no direct Government Funding for Frameworks for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESAs). FRESAs are the way in which key regional partners led by the RDA develop and deliver an agreed plan to address skills and employment needs of employers and individuals within the region. The resources which partners bring to the table in respect of agreed priorities in the FRESA will vary from region to region.

  Funding allocations for 2005–06 are still being discussed and levels of funding will be made known as soon as they are agreed.

  Sex Offenders
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has a strategy for targeting the re-allocation of sex offenders to a limited number of bail hostels. [166476]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 19 April 2004]: No. Such a strategy would not be conducive to public protection, nor would it be in the best interest of victims of serious crime.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Diamond/Uranium Mining (Africa)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policies are on(a) the upholding of human rights and (b) minimising the environmental impact in the course of diamond and uranium mining in African countries. [166490]

  Mr. MacShane
  Extractives industries (including diamonds and uranium) should br the engines of growth and development in countries endowed with significant mineral resources, but too often the sector is associated with conflicts and corruption that derail progress towards sustainable development and poverty reduction. We believe that companies are responsible for not acting in a way that impairs the human rights of their employees or of those on whom their activities have an impact, and should act in a way that promotes their enjoyment of human rights. We also believe companies should act in a way which contributes to environmental progress with a view to achieving sustainable development. For that reason, we are actively engaged in initiatives to improve governance, including environmental and social management of the 330W
  sector, while recognising that regulation of these industries is the responsibility of the host governments concerned.

  For example, the Government is a founding participant in the process to develop and promote the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights in the extractives sector. The Voluntary Principles are designed to provide practical guidance that will strengthen human rights safeguards in company security arrangements. The Government also actively promote the UN Global Compact and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, both of which promote principles of business behaviour designed to ensure respect for human rights and protection of the environment.

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the next report of the Iraq Survey Group on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. [165154]

  Mr. Rammell
  We received a copy of the latest Iraq Survey Group Interim Report on 30 March. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which British members of UNSCOM were transferred to work in the Iraq survey group. [165567]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  No British members of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) have transferred directly to the Iraq Survey Group. UNSCOM was withdrawn from Iraq in December 1998. Thirteen British servicemen and civil servants who served with UNSCOM between 1991 and 1998 have subsequently served with the Iraq Survey Group since June 2003.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2004,Official Report, column 1031W, on Afghanistan (1) if he will list the (a) names and (b) locations of voter registration offices (i) already open in Afghanistan and (ii) due to open in Afghanistan before the September 2004 elections, broken down by province;[166123]

  (2) how many people (a) have been registered to vote in the Afghan September 2004 elections since 1 December 2003 and (b) the voter registration offices will aim to register by the Afghan September 2004 elections; [166124]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the (a) effects of the change in date of the Afghan presidency and parliamentary elections from June 2004 to September 2004 and (b) the reasons for the change. [166125]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since the start of the registration process the UN has opened 232 registration sites in 8 regional centers (Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat, Konduz, Jalalbad, Mazer, Bamiyan). Many of these have now closed, having registered voters in their
  331W
  particular area. Voters are currently registering at 83 offices in these 8 regional centers. The UN hopes to have used a total of 5040 registration centers across the country by August. No breakdown by province is currently available.

  Up to 14 April, 1,812,815 people have been registered since December 2003. The UN hopes to register 10 million voters by September 2004.

  The Afghan presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in September 2004 in order to allow sufficient time for voter registration and other electoral preparations in a country whose infrastructure and human capital have been decimated by three decades of conflict. I remember attending voter registration for the Loya Jirga elections last year at the football stadium in Mazar-e-Sharif and 1 was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the many people who were queuing to register—they wanted to vote.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice to travellers to Cyprus was being issued on the Foreign Office website on 24 September 2002. [166431]

  Mr. MacShane
  On 24 September 2002 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for Cyprus read as follows:

  "Most visits to Cyprus are trouble-free.

  Safety and security

  Crimes against tourists are rare. Visitors should, however, safeguard passports, money and other valuables by using hotel safety deposit boxes.

  Be aware of strong seas and undertows. Always heed warning signs and swim only from approved beaches.

  Travellers are not generally at risk in Cyprus.

  Terrorism

  There have been a number of car bombs in the Limassol area and Nicosia over the past few years. Although the perpetrators have not been identified, these activities are restricted for the most part to infighting amongst the criminal fraternity.

  Local laws and customs

  Cyprus has a strict zero tolerance policy towards drugs. Being caught in possession of any type of narcotic will usually lead to a prison sentence or a hefty fine.

  Driving standards in Cyprus are poor. Seat belts and crash helmets must be worn. You could be fined up to C£500 if you are caught not wearing a seat belt.

  It is illegal to work in Cyprus without a work permit. Obtaining such a permit is the responsibility of the prospective employer. People caught working without a valid permit have received custodial sentences and large fines. Carefully check any suggested contract.

  When hiring a car, moped, boat, jet ski or other vehicle, you should check that it is road or sea worthy and that there is appropriate insurance cover, and safety equipment. Observe safety rules.
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  Do not try to make fraudulent claims on your insurance policy. The police investigate such claims and prosecute tourists for this offence. Prison sentences and heavy fines have been imposed.

  Entry requirements

  A British passport holder does not need a visa prior to travelling to Cyprus. A tourist will be permitted to enter for a maximum period of three months.

  Health

  Cyprus and the UK do not have reciprocal health agreements and therefore all health care has to be paid for. As Cyprus is not a member of the European Union, the form E111 is not recognised. Adequate health insurance should he taken out prior to travelling to Cyprus, as hospital foes can be expensive. You will not normally be allowed to leave Cyprus if you have not settled your medical bill.

  Visits to North Cyprus

  The British Government does not recognise the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". Visitors arriving in the north should not attempt to cross into the south. If they do. they are liable to arrest and possible imprisonment.

  It is possible to travel to the north of Cyprus from the south by crossing at the United Nations-controlled Ledra Palace checkpoint in Nicosia. But tourists may only cross between 0800–1300 and must return by 1700 the same day. You may not take a hire car through the checkpoint, although it is possible to hire one once you have crossed into the north. Goods bought in the north may be confiscated at the checkpoint on return to the south.

  Buying property

  The non-recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and the possibility of a future political settlement in Cyprus could have implications for those considering buying property in the north. Before purchasing a property you are advised to apprise yourself fully of the situation and to seek legal advice.

  General

  Time-share operatives tout for business in Cyprus, especially in the Paphos area. Before signing a contract, you should read the small print very carefully. Under Cyprus law, you are entitled to a 15-day cooling off period, during which, if you change your mind, you should receive a full refund.

  We strongly recommend that all travellers abroad take out adequate comprehensive insurance.

  Contact details

  British High Commission, Alexander Pallis Street, (PO Box 21978), 1587 Nicosia, (tel: +357 2 861 100 (working hours); +357 2 861 277 (outside working hours); 0997 7677 (consular hotline in Nicosia); 228 3862 (from the north): e-mail: ukconsul@cylink.com.cyinfobhc@cylink.com.cy"

  European Constitution
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which member states of the European Union are committed to holding a referendum on the proposed European Constitution. [166119]

  Mr. MacShane
  A new EU treaty would need to be ratified according to the individual constitutional traditions and requirements of each of the member states. All 25 member states would have to ratify before a Constitutional Treaty would come into effect. Only a few member states have made a formal announcement on whether they intend to hold a referendum on the outcome of the Intergovernmental Conference. Of these, three have declared they will hold a referendum: Ireland. Denmark and Luxembourg. Most countries have yet to make a decision.

  Georgia
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Georgian Ambassador concerning the current dispute between the Ajara region and the Government. of Georgia; and if he will make a statement. [165017]

  Mr. Rammell
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have raised with the new Georgian Ambassador the dispute between the central authorities in Tbilisi and the regional Ajaran leader Aslan Abashidze, which came to a head after President Saakashvili was denied access to Ajara on 14 March. Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have yet met the Ambassador, who presented his credentials to HM The Queen on 23 March.

  EU Heads of Mission in Tbilisi, including the UK Chargé d'Affaires raised Ajara with the Georgian Foreign Minister on 25 March They stressed their strong support for Georgia's territorial integrity; expressed their concern at the recent increase in tensions between Tbilisi and Batumi and urged both sides to refrain from actions likely to increase tensions further; and to engage in dialogue with a view to a peaceful resolution of the differences. Similar messages were given to Asian Abashidze when Heikke Talvitie, the EU Special Representative, met him on 31 March accompanied by representatives of the local EU Troika (including the UK).

  We welcome the agreements reached between President Saakashvili and Asian Abashidze when they met in Batumi on 18 March. It is important for Georgia's stability and prosperity that the Ajaran region contributes to central budgetary funds.

  We welcome the fact that Georgian parliamentary elections held on 28 March passed off peacefully in the Ajaran region.

  Israel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he has given to Israel to help defend itself against terrorist attacks from the West Bank and Gaza. [165391]
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  Mr. Rammell
  The UK supports all Israel's efforts to defend itself against terrorism which are consistent with international law.

  The UK has taken action against numerous terrorist groups, including those involved in attacks in Israel. In 2001, we proscribed Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the military wing of Hamas. In September last year, the EU took action to freeze the assets of the whole of Hamas and, on 24 March this year, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a freeze on the UK assets of five leading members of Hamas.

  We have publicly condemned the terrorist atrocities committed against Israeli civilians and urged the Palestinian Authority to take immediate steps to stop violence and improve security. We are supporting the Palestinians in their efforts through provision of advice and non-lethal equipment and we have assisted the Israeli authorities' investigations into terrorist attacks against Israel by UK nationals.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the steps Israel can legitimately take to defend herself against terrorist attacks from the West Bank and Gaza; and if he will make a statement. [165393]

  Mr. Rammell
  Israel can take all steps open to governments to defend themselves against terrorism which are consistent with their international obligations.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the basis is for his view that those sections of the Israeli security fence that have been constructed in the Occupied Territories are illegal. [165683]

  Mr. Rammell
  The construction of the barrier in the Occupied Territories is in violation of the Hague Regulation of 1907 and Article 53 of the 41 Geneva Convention, because the confiscation of Palestinian land and destruction of agriculture and buildings is not militarily necessary. The barrier could and should be built on or within the Green Line.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the NATO Secretary General's message to the Prime Minister of Kosovo on the responsibility of the Kosovar Albanian leaders for the upsurge of violence in Kosovo. [166029]

  Mr. MacShane
  The NATO Secretary General condemned the inter-ethnic violence in Kosovo in his statement of 17 March and urged all ethnic communities to act responsibly to avoid further escalation. He also saluted the courage and professionalism of the Kosovo Force soldiers on the ground, operating at great personal risk, to stop the violence and uphold law and order.

  I endorse the Secretary General's call for all regional political leaders to encourage tolerance and condemn acts of violence. As 1 stated in the House on 30 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1408–11, we need to encourage a new dialogue between responsible politicians both in Belgrade and Pristina. That

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  relationship must be formed on the basis of common European values, the rule of law and democracy, and above all respect for minorities. I will reinforce this message during my visit to the region this week.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the recent upsurge in violence in Kosovo. [166030]

  Mr. MacShane
  The international community will not tolerate inter-ethnic violence in Kosovo nor tolerate attacks on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo Force. The United Kingdom is committed to a peaceful, stable, democratic European future for the Balkans.

  I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer 1 gave in the House to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 30 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1408–11. There have been no further developments.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he has received a copy of the report of the UNESCO Director-General's expert mission to Kosovo in 2003 to evaluate the state of monuments there and propose a plan of action to safeguard them; and if he will make that report available to hon. Members; [166031]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the enforcement of the Hague Convention of 1954 on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and other pertinent international normative instruments in the case of Kosovo; [166032]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the UK's financial contribution to the urgent operations recommended by the UNESCO Director-General's expert mission to Kosovo to safeguard cultural and religious monuments. [166033]

  Mr. MacShane
  The report of UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Director-General's expert mission to Kosovo is not yet available but I have been assured that it will be made public in the near future. The UK has not been asked for any extra-budgetary funds following this mission. The UK already contributes over £11 million a year to UNESCO's regular budget, making us the fourth largest contributor.

  Within Kosovo, the UN mission in Kosovo is responsible for applying those provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property applicable outside of recognised armed conflict. Recent events in Kosovo give this responsibility even greater pertinence. I will visit Kosovo this week and I will make the point that that part of Europe's history deserves our special attention and protection. The UK's continued commitment to the Convention was made clear at the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in December 2003, where we co-signed a pledge supporting the 1954 Hague Convention with the Government of Serbia and Montenegro.

  Middle East
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with EU member states on the road map for a peaceful solution between Israel and Palestine. [165716]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the prospects for progress on the Middle East Peace Process with EU Foreign Ministers at the European Council on 25 March. The EU expressed its concern at the deepening conflict but confirmed its conviction that the roadmap remains the basis for reaching a peaceful settlement and that current initiatives which are consistent with the road map can help advance the peace process.

  Nepal
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Nepal; and if he will make a statement. [166197]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (David Rendel) on 9 March 2004,Official Report, column 1436W.

  We are closely monitoring the political and security situation in Nepal. The increased violence evident in recent weeks is of great concern. We continue, in our contacts with all parties, to urge an end to the conflict in order that Nepal can achieve a lasting peace and a return to democracy.

  Overseas Representation
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which countries the Department is represented, including those with regional consulates; how many staff are employed in each location, broken down by(a) UK nationals and (b) locally employed; what the annual cost of maintaining representation in each of the countries was in 2003–04; and what the total expenditure by his Department on overseas representation was in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003. [166211]

  Mr. Straw
  I have placed copies of the table showing countries in which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is represented together with the location of both UK based and locally employed staff in the Library of the House. The annual cost of maintaining representation in each of these countries for 2003–04 has not yet been ascertained. The total expenditure by the FCO on overseas representation for previous years was as follows; 2001–02, £747 million 2002–03, £797 million.

  UK/Caribbean Forum
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what organisations and individuals are entitled to attend the forthcoming UK/Caribbean Forum meeting in May. [165678]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UK/Caribbean Forum is a meeting of Foreign Ministers set up as a means of strengthening and institutionalising the close relationship that exists between the UK and Caribbean countries. Ministers
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  from other Government Departments will also attend. In addition, a wide range of organisations with an interest in the Caribbean, both UK-based and from the region, have been invited to participate in some or all of the Forum.

  Uzbekistan
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Allairs what assessment he has made of the statement by the authorities in Uzbekistan that terrorist attacks in late March were linked to Hizb-ut-Tahrir; and if he will make a statement. [165691]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Uzbek authorities have yet to conclude their investigations into the terrorist attacks in late March. Their preliminary findings appear to suggest that the perpetrators received training in camps outside Uzbekistan, and may have been influenced by the radical Islamist propaganda of Hizb ut-Tahrir. However, while we believe that this is certainly a possibility, we have yet to see convincing evidence that Hizb ut-Tahrir as an organisation advocates violence or terrorism. Nor are we aware of any co-operation between it and A1 Qaeda.

  We strongly believe that a proportionate response is necessary in combating terrorism in order to avoid alienating wider sections of the population, and that permitting free expression of religious belief is the best means of combating the attractiveness to some of the more radical and extremist ideologies.

  In a press release issued on 30 March, 1 stated that "We condemn these appalling acts of violence and send our condolences to the families of those innocent victims. Terrorism is a menace which we face in common with countries around the world, and must combat in common. At the same time it is necessary to ensure that our responses are measured and proportionate, so that the disease is isolated and eliminated rather than faced with conditions where it is possible to spread further."We remain willing to receive additional information from the Uzbek authorities as their investigations continue, particularly concerning the alleged role of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

DEFENCE

  Atomic Co-ordinating Offices
  Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role and function of the Atomic Co-ordinating Offices in London and Washington. [166582]

  Mr. Ingram
  The role of the Atomic Control Office, London and the Atomic Co-ordinating Office, Washington is to facilitate the conduct of bilateral business with the United States under the provisions of the 1958 US/UK Mutual Defence Agreement.

  Defence Medical center (Birmingham)
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the new Defence Medical center at Birmingham will be operational. [166111]
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  Mr. Caplin
  The center for Defence Medicine was formally opened and became operational on 2 April 2001. It was renamed the Royal center for Defence Medicine in April 2002.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the defence medical facilities that will be replaced by the new Defence Medical center at Birmingham. [166112]

  Mr. Caplin
  The center for Defence Medicine, now the Royal center for Defence Medicine (RCDM), was formally opened and became operational on 2 April 2001. It replaced the Royal Defence Medical College that was located in Gosport and was formally closed at the end of March 2002. The Operational Health Research Division, the academic focus for defence medicine created in April 2004 embraces professional and academic staff based in Birmingham who were part of the Royal Defence Medical College. The Defence Post Graduate Medical Deanery, which was located in Portsmouth, is also based in Birmingham, but does not form part of RCDM. In addition 110 military medical personnel are working within the MOD Hospital Unit at the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust (UHBT), delivering health services to military and civilian patients.

  UHBT is also the focus for the MOD's aeromedical evacuation capability. Transfer of other functions from Portsmouth, which are under the control of RCDM, such as radiology and telemedicine, are being considered as part of the option to move all medical training to Birmingham.

  Since September 2001, military nurse training has also been progressively transferred from Portsmouth to the Defence School of Healthcare Studies, located at the University of Central England in Birmingham. We expect to deliver all our nurse training at the University of Central England by academic year 2006–07.

  On current plans around 900 military medical personnel will be based in Birmingham by 2006.

  Iraq
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he was first informed that Dr. Brian Jones of the Defence Intelligence Staff had submitted reservations about the Government's dossier, Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction. [165685]

  Mr. Hoon
  I became aware in July 2003, in preparation for my evidence session with the ISC, that Dr. Brian Jones had, in September 2002, expressed concern to his immediate line manager about the precise wording of some parts of the Government's dossier on Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction prior to its publication.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2004,Official Report, column 1773W, when he expects the Royal Military Police's Special Investigations Branch to complete its investigation into the deaths of the six Royal Military police officers from the Colchester garrison who were killed in Iraq; when he expects the report to be presented to him; when he will publish the

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  report; whether the report to be published in full; whether families will be given (a) a full and (b) an edited version; and if he will make a statement. [166070]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25 March 2004,Official Report, column 945W, by my right hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram). The families of the six dead soldiers will be given a further update on the findings of the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) investigation once they have completed their work. Although extensive inquiries have been undertaken, the investigation is still under way. It is not normal practice to make public the findings of SIB investigations.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the total volume of depleted uranium shells used in Iraq since March 2003. [166417]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 4 June 2003,Official Report, column 445W. I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer of 12 June 2003, Official Report, column WA 62, given by my noble Friend the Lord Bach to Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer.

  Members of Parliament (Military Visits)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether hon. Members are required to obtain permission from his Department to visit military bases in their constituencies; and if he will make a statement. [166383]

  Mr. Caplin
  Yes.

  Nuclear Contingent Liability Arrangements
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what developments have taken place in respect of the proposals made on 11 March to alter the contingent liability arrangements covering the submarine reactor fuel core factory and Neptune test reactor; and if he will place in the Library the new documentation produced on this matter. [166038]

  Mr. Ingram
  No objections were raised against the contingent liability arising from non-insurance that was proposed in the Departmental Minute dated 11 March 2004.

  The Rolls-Royce Core Factory and Neptune facility continue to be fully covered by commercial third party nuclear insurance. When the commercial insurance ends in 2005, the facilities should then be indemnified by the Crown by means of clauses within procurement contracts for submarine reactor fuel and related services. The contracts include details of sensitive nuclear materials and industrial processes and I am withholding them in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (which relates to defence, security and international relations).

  Private Military Companies
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how many army officers have requested early leave from their contracts to work for private military companies. [166135]
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  Mr. Caplin
  Army officers apply for early release through the Army Retirements Board. In the last six months the total number of officers requesting Premature Voluntary Retirement has been 346. There is no requirement to specify future employment intentions but we are aware that at least three of the 346 have applied to leave with the intention of joining private military companies ether than the United Kingdom defence industry.

  Reservists
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons mobilised reservists are not receiving timely pay statements; how many reservists are affected; and what steps he is taking to ensure that all reservists receive timely pay statements. [165140]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: We accept that some reservists' pay statements did not get delivered on time during Op Telic. This meant that some reservists did not know they were being paid or how much they were being paid. Late or non-delivery of pay statements was attributable to delays in the administrative process of taking the reservist on strength at the Theatre unit.

  This issue was identified during the Op Telic lessons identified process and action is in hand to improve the administrative systems in use. We have witnessed a significant improvement in the administrative process of taking the reservist on strength as units move into permanent infrastructure and improved communication links. In the main members of the TA called out for Op Telic 4 are now joining their respective units in their peacetime locations and administrative procedures are now being completed prior to deployment which minimises the shortcomings experienced with IT in Theatre.

  While there is no central record of the number of individuals who did not receive pay slips or who experienced delays in their delivery, I understand that the extent of the problem was limited and that the vast majority of reservists did receive pay slips on time.

  Tain Air Weapons Range
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours the Tain Air Weapons Range was in use for training operations in 2003 and in each of the preceding four years. [166068]

  Mr. Caplin
  The following table shows the number of hours aircraft operated over Tain Air Weapons Range in the requested years.

  Hours in use

  1999

  946

  2000

  833

  2001

  616

  2002

  788

  2003

  770

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were undertaken using the Tam Air Weapons Range in 2003 and each of the
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  preceding four years, indicating (a) those flown by RAF aircraft and (b) those flown by non-RAF aircraft. [166069]

  Mr. Caplin
  The following table shows the total number of passes made by aircraft at Tain Air Weapons Range, broken down by RAF and non-RAF aircraft, in the requested years. The number of sorties undertaken, each of which could involve one or more passes, is not recorded.

  Number of RAF aircraft passes

  Number of non-RAF aircraft passes

  1999

  23,479

  213

  2000

  20,709

  484

  2001

  13,651

  1,026

  2002

  21,743

  755

  2003

  22,875

  1,302

  War Pensioners
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he is having with the Royal British Legion on the subject of the proposed Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for war pensioners. [166459]

  Mr. Caplin
  Ministers and officials have maintained a regular dialogue with the Royal British Legion during the development of the new Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. As detailed scheme rules are developed, this dialogue will continue. The MOD recognises the value of the experience and expertise offered by ex-Service organisations such as the Royal British Legion.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Allotments
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department provides to councils regarding budget allocations for allotments. [166055]

  Keith Hill
  It is for each allotment authority to decide for itself how much of its resources to devote to allotments. Revenue Support Grant is an unhypothecated block grant and this means that authorities may use it for any purposes. In most cases, rent will be the only income from an allotment site and the level of these is a matter for the relevant allotment authority to determine, taking into account the cost of managing the site, local needs, any special circumstances and the requirements of the Allotments Act 1950.

  The publications "Growing in the community: a good practice guide for the management of allotments", and "Allotments: a plot holders' guide", provide comprehensive advice and good practice, including that concerning rents, for local authorities and allotment plot holders and were distributed to a wide audience.

  Asbestos
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of buildings occupied by(a) staff of the Department and (b) staff of the Department's
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  executive agencies have been surveyed for the purpose of identifying the presence of asbestos prior to implementation of the control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. [159372]

  Yvette Cooper
  The proportion of buildings of the Deputy Prime Minister surveyed for the purpose of identifying the presence of asbestos are:

  (a) Seven of the 11 buildings occupied by ODPM staff

  (b) 77 of the 96 buildings occupied by staff of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's executive agencies and Government offices.

  Although the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has overall responsibility for the buildings occupied by Government Offices, they carry out functions on behalf of 10 Departments.

  Not all buildings are required to be surveyed as the use of asbestos in buildings has been prohibited since 1992. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 do not require surveys in such cases.

  Some of the surveys noted above are not yet complete in that the final reports are still awaited. However all asbestos surveys in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister occupancies required by the Regulations will have been completed by 21 May 2004.

  BACS
  Brian White
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress his Department has made to manage the changeover from the Bank Automated Clearing System to the new BACSTEL-IP system for electronic payments. [164321]

  Yvette Cooper
  Discussions are under way, with our current supplier, regarding a number of options for managing the changeover from the Bank Automated Clearing System (BACS) to the new BACSTEL-IP system for electronic payments.

  Charity Shops
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations his Department has received regarding the concessionary rate reduction allowed for charity shops. [165355]

  Phil Hope
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister receives on an intermittent basis correspondence both in favour and against the rate relief granted to charity shops. We have at present no proposal to change the rules governing rate relief for charities. However, as stated in the White Paper Strong Local leadership—Quality Public Services (2001), we will monitor closely the various rate relief schemes.

  Coastal Marinas
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning applications for coastal marinas in England have been(a) submitted, (b) granted and (c) refused in each of the last five years. [165928]

  Keith Hill
  This information is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Community Cohesion and Regeneration
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what resources his Department has put into community cohesion and regeneration through sport and physical activity based programmes in the last five years. [164685]

  Yvette Cooper
  Most Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (NRU) programmes and funding streams are allocated at local level. Therefore the exact amount of, for example, the Community Empowerment Fund or Neighbourhood Renewal Fund that have been spent on sports related interventions cannot be calculated.

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of sports and physical activity-based interventions in community cohesion and regeneration. [164687]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not made an independent assessment but relies on the monitoring and evaluation carried out by lead Departments.

  Health

  The Department of Health guidance is that adults participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five times a week. Reaching this outcome will contribute to reducing health inequalities.

  Community Safety

  The Youth Justice Board has analysed the lives of young offenders in the communities where they live. They recommend an increase in interventions that 'demand healthy standards and the use of social and reasoning skills, provide opportunities for involvement, due praise and recognition'. The Neighbourhood Renewal Unit supports sports projects that meet these conditions.

  Community Cohesion

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has worked with the Home Office Community Cohesion Cultural Practitioners Panel to understand the skills and competencies needed for sports workers who need to promote cohesion as part of their job.

  Computer Misuse
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases of computer misuse there were in(a) the predecessors to his Department in each year between 1997 and 2000 and (b) his Department in 2003, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action. [163197]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on the number of cases in predecessor Departments could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  No cases have been raised since the introduction on the new policy (on 29 May 2002).

  Council Housing (East Yorkshire)
  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the total of unpaid council house rents in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year since 1997. [165041]
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  Keith Hill
  The total of unpaid council rents in the East Riding of Yorkshire for each financial year from 1997/8 to 2002/3 is tabled below. Also shown is the total of unpaid rents expressed as a percentage of total collectable rent.

  Financial Year

  1Collectable Rent (£000)

  2 Unpaid rents for the year (£000)

  Unpaid rents as a percentage of total collectable rents

  1997–1998

  22,644,000

  310,000

  1.4

  1998–1999

  22,993,000

  182,000

  0.8

  1999–2000

  23,727,000

  285,000

  1.2

  2000–2001

  24,709,000

  427,000

  1.7

  2001–2002

  25,690,000

  940,000

  3.7

  2002–2003

  26,701,000

  656,000

  2.5

  1 The maximum that the authority could expect to have collected during each year i.e. the total value of rent roll less rent deductions and refunds and rent loses on vacant/void dwellings.

  2 The arrears of rent that fell due during the year and remained outstanding at the end of the year. In other words, the rent that should have been received during the year but wasn't.

  Note:

  The figures supplied by the East riding of Yorkshire have, for presentation purposes, been rounded to the nearest £1,000. They are not necessarily audited

  Source:

  Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Local Authority Housing Division Housing Revenue Account: Second Subsidy Claim Form

  Demotion Orders
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response his Department received from Merseyside's local authorities regarding demotion orders. [165918]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Neither the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which leads on demotion policy nor the Home Office, which leads on anti-social behaviour policy more generally, are aware of any correspondence with Merseyside's local authorities relating to the subject of demotions orders. Should the hon. Member wish to bring any issue relating to demotion to my attention, I should be happy to bring it to the attention of the appropriate Minister.

  Department Branding
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department and its predecessors spent on branding the Department between 1997–98 and 2003–04, broken down by(a) consultancy fees, (b) design and orders for new stationery, (c) website design and (d) other material featuring new logos. [154065]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. From this point ODPM used the Royal Coat of Arms and the words Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as the main part of its corporate identity and incurred no 'design' costs as such. A nominal amount was been spent on originating artwork for print and electronic publishing.

  Cost breakdown is as follows:

  (a) logo—£525 + vat

  (b) stationery—£7, 400 including value of existing stock

  (c) signage—£3,600 + vat

  (d) website—£3,145.

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  The figure of £3,145 for the website represents half the cost of dividing one site into two sites. The other half of the cost is attributable to the Department for Transport. On the development of a revised visual identity for the ODPM in 2003 and its implementation in 2004, a sum of £27,110 has been spent on branding, broken down as follows:

  (a)consultancy fees: £17,152;

  (b)design and orders for new stationery: £4,400—there are minimal stationery write off costs as the revised identity introduction has been phased and new letterheads are created from centralised staff PC templates;

  (c)website design: £325; and

  (d)other material: office signage featuring new logos between 2003–04—£5233.

  Contractors carried out the work under our normal framework agreements for design and print of paper and electronic publications.

  Departmental Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many staff are employed in the Department to work in the communications field, broken down by(a) Government Information Ind Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others; [158154]

  (2) what the total expenditure on communications for the Department has been in 2003–04, broken down by expenditure on (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others. [158191]

  Yvette Cooper
  As at 1 March 2004 there were 51 GICS staff and 21 administrative staff employed in the Directorate of Communications for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Of these, 23 are press officers and 49 provide a range of communications and administrative support functions. From 1 April 2003 to 29 February 2004 the pay cost of these staff was £2.5 million, of which £0.96 million was for press officers.

  There are four GICS staff employed within line divisions of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister who perform a range of communication functions, as well as a small number of non-GICS staff whose role may encompass a proportion of communications related work. Detailed information on the latter is not maintained centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  The Special Advisers' Code of Conduct sets out the sort of work a special adviser may undertake on behalf of their Minister. This includes communications activity. Details of the costs of Special Advisers are given on an annual basis. Information for the financial year 2003–04 will be published in due course.

  Disabled Facilities Grants
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make changes to the eligibility for disability facilities grants, with particular reference to means-testing; and if he will make a statement. [165506]
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  Keith Hill
  The Government has increased the funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) from £57 million in 1997 to £101.5 million in 2004–05. In spite of this there is still a high demand for the grant and the means test is in place to ensure that resources go to those in greatest need. Any relaxation of it would have budgetary implications or would lead to longer waiting lists.

  The Government has also announced a review of the DFG programme.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, jointly with the Department of Health, will be reviewing the disabled facilities grant programme, including the operation of the means test, in the context of the Spending Review 2004. We will announce our conclusions later this year. The position in Wales is, of course, a matter for the Welsh Assembly, but we are led to believe that it will also be undertaking a review of this important issue this year.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what the total specified capital grant awarded in disabled facilities grants is for(a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05 in each region of England; [165011]

  (2) what courses of action are available to local authorities to make up any differences between required expenditure and disabled facilities grants to comply with Government directives; [165012]

  (3) what discussions his Department has had with local authorities to ascertain their expenditure plans to adapt people's homes before the awarding of disabled facilities grants; [165013]

  (4) on what basis his Department calculated the disabled facilities grant in each region of England; [165014]

  (5) what assessment his Department made of (a) local authorities' housing strategies and (b) house condition surveys prior to calculating disabled facilities grants. [165015]

  Keith Hill
  The allocation of specified capital grant (SCG) for disabled facilities grant (DFG) to each region of England for the years 2003–04 and 2004–05 are tabled as follows:

  £000

  Region

  2003–04

  2004–05

  London

  15,399

  15,282

  East of England

  10,182

  9,978

  North East

  4,454

  4,365

  North West

  15,738

  17,360

  West Midlands

  11,778

  11,542

  South West

  8,558

  8,387

  South East

  15,690

  17,211

  Yorkshire/Humber

  10,747

  10,707

  East Midlands

  6,454

  6,325

  The SCO for DFGs is paid to local authorities to contribute towards 60 per cent. of local authority expenditure incurred on mandatory DFGs up to the limit of the allocation made to each local authority at the beginning of the financial year. Local authorities must find, from their own capital resources, funding for the remaining 40 per cent. of total DFG expenditure,

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  100 per cent. of any excess expenditure on mandatory DFGs above the allocation limit and any discretionary expenditure incurred by them in carrying out housing adaptations for disabled people. As DFG is a mandatory grant for eligible applicants, local authorities must make adequate financial provision within their budgets to meet these expenditure demands.

  Local authorities are asked to submit to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister every year, in the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix to their Housing Investment Programme, their planned expenditure on mandatory DFG.

  The allocation of the national budget of SCG for DFGs to each region is made on the basis of a formula. This formula comprises indices constructed according to the number of people in each region in receipt of disability living allowance and attendance allowance and also an adjustment for the regional differences in building costs. These indices are updated annually. The allocation according to the formula is limited to the total amount that the authorities in each region have said they need to cover 60 per cent. of their planned expenditure on DFGs. If the formula allocates more than this amount the residual sum is reallocated to other regions in proportion to their need. For the 2004–05 allocations, a further damping mechanism was used to ensure that no region had a cut of more than 2 per cent. in its allocation compared with the previous year.

  Once the regional allocation of SCG has been established the allocation to individual local authorities is made by the Government Offices in each Region. 80 per cent. of the regional total is allocated using the same indices of need as for the regional allocation. The remaining 20 per cent. is allocated entirely at the discretion of the Government Office who can take into account any relevant local evidence of need and policy performance including an assessment of an authority's housing strategy and the role played by housing adaptations.

  Environmental Health Officers
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what change in the number of environmental health officers the Government estimates will be needed in England and Wales as a result of the provisions contained within the Housing Bill; in what time frame the Government estimates that additional environmental health officers required as a result of the provisions contained within the Housing Bill will be recruited and trained; how much he estimates such recruitment will cost; how such costs will be met; and what money central Government will provide. [166295]

  Keith Hill
  The Government does not expect the provisions of Part 1 of the Housing Bill to require the employment of additional environment health officers. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister indicated during the Committee Stage of the Bill that the Government would meet local authorities' start-up costs associated with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, and that these costs were estimated at £4–5 million.

  Implementation of the licensing provisions in Parts 2 and 3 need not in itself require the recruitment of staff as specialist environmental health officers. The number of
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  staff required and the time frame within which they are recruited and trained will be a matter for local authorities to determine. The Government is in discussions with the Local Government Association on these matters and although licensing should be self financing it is proposed to set aside £13 million to meet local authorities' start-up costs.

  Fire Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister at what age firefighters are able to retire on a full pension; and if he will make a statement. [165465]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The maximum pension is payable after 30 years' service from age 50.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if the Government will en sure that firemen have adequate insurance cover for(a) themselves and (b) their families against the risk of being injured or killed as a result of responding to a terrorist attack. [163119]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are provisions within the conditions of service and the fire fighters pensions scheme for awards for injury and death benefit. However, the office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made aware that some insurance companies have been attempting to limit the amount of personal cover available to the fire fighters who may be required to respond to emergencies as a result of terrorist attack. The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that fire responders, including the fire and rescue service, are able to respond with confidence to a full range of emergency situations. That is why the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office is currently working with the relevant Departments to establish the extent of the problem and to examine the implications for the emergency services.

  Foothill Stadium, Falmer
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the further representations he intends to take into account in respect of the planning application for a football stadium at Falmer, East Sussex, will be limited to(a) those commenting on the report by his planning inspector on the draft Brighton and Hove Local Plan and (b) those who had already made formal representations at or before the public inquiry into the football stadium application. [165688]

  Keith Hill
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will take into account all representations made to him, as far as they are relevant, in making his decision on the applications for a football stadium at Falmer, East Sussex.

  It will be clear from the decision letter when issued what matters have been taken into account and the weight that has been attached to any particular matter.

  Government Offices for the Regions
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people were employed in each of the Government offices for the regions in(a) 2003–04 and (b) each of the last three years; and how many are budgeted for the next year. [164808]
  349W
  Yvette Cooper
  The number of staff working in Government offices has increased as more Departments have devolved more work to be carried out in the regions. The figures for February 2004 and in each of the last three years are as follows:

  Staff Employed in the Government Offices for the Regions

  GO Region

  February 2004

  March 2003

  March 2002

  March 2001

  GO South East

  327

  277

  274

  239

  GO South West

  344

  309

  294

  248

  GO London

  321

  282

  258

  280

  GO North West

  356

  351

  340

  377

  GO North East

  325

  296

  267

  258

  GO East Midlands

  281

  277

  253

  221

  GO West Midlands

  318

  301

  286

  289

  GO East

  268

  235

  190

  172

  GO Yorkshire and the Humber

  310

  283

  267

  255

  Total

  2,850

  2,611

  2,429

  2,339

  The figures for 2001–04 include all permanent, casual and fixed term appointments who were in post in the Government offices, but exclude those on secondment, career break, maternity leave or special leave without pay. The figure given in my answer of 26 January for staff then in post in the Government office for north-east should have been 322. Staffing in the Government offices for 2004–05 has been budgeted to cover the same number of staff as are currently employed.

  Green Belt
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to allow planning applications for replacement on a one-for-one basis in the green belt where the previous buildings have been removed for safety reasons; and if he will make a statement. [165376]

  Keith Hill
  National policy on development in green belts is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 2. This states that save for a few specific exceptions the construction of new buildings inside the green belt is inappropriate development. One exception is made for the replacement of an existing dwelling, which need not be inappropriate, providing the new dwelling is not materially larger than the dwelling it replaces.

  In other cases where a new building. including a replacement building, is proposed, and the building is not covered by one of the exceptions in PPG2, the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate that very special circumstances exist to justify inappropriate development. It will have to be shown that these clearly outweigh the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, that the development will cause to the green belt.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his written statement of 29 March 2004,Official Report, column 73WS, on green belt statistics, when he decided to proceed with the designation of the New Forest as a national park. [165898]

  Keith Hill
  No decision has be en made. I am advised that the Inquiry Inspector's report is currently with Defra Ministers who alone mast decide whether to confirm, modify, or reject the Designation Order that the Countryside Agency made in 2002.

  Gypsies/Travellers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities have taken(a) legal action and (b) eviction proceedings against Gypsies and Travellers in the last year for which figures are available. [164095]

  Yvette Cooper
  This information is not being held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Housing
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1227W, on HMOs, if he will place copies of the responses to Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation in England, A Consultation Paper in the Library. [165708]

  Keith Hill
  Further to the commitment I gave on 9 February in response to a question from the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton to make copies of the responses to the 1999 consultation on Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation in England in the Library, I can confirm that on 19 March 2004 these were made available in the Library of the Houses.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reason his analysis of responses to the consultation paper on licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in England and Wales did not include an analysis of the responses to the proposal to introduce a duty of care on the owners and managers of HMOs to ensure the health and safety of their tenants; and if he will publish an analysis of these responses. [166199]

  Phil Hope
  The analysis of the responses to the consultation paper on licensing of houses in multiple occupation, which was made available in the Library on 19 March 2004, was a summary analysis. A full analysis of the responses has now been made available in the Library, including that on the proposal to introduce a duty of care on owners and managers of HMOs to ensure the health and safety of their tenants.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many respondents to the consultation paper on licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)(a) supported, (b) opposed and (c) did not express an opinion about the proposal to introduce a duty of care on the owners and managers of all HMOs to ensure the health and safety of their tenants. [166200]

  Phil Hope
  A total of 579 responses were received to the 1999 consultation paper on Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation in England.

  A majority of the respondents—363 did not express any views on the proposal to introduce a duty of care on the owners and managers of HMOs. Five respondents were opposed to the proposal, 211 were in favour.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research has been undertaken to assess bad management practices within houses of multiple occupation in areas of(a) high and (b) low demand since 2001; and what the results have been. [166283]

  Keith Hill
  The Government has not undertaken any specific research into management practices within houses in multiple occupation since 2001.
  351W
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government estimates will be the cost of an adequate monitoring scheme of licensing of houses of multiple occupation. [166286]

  Phil Hope
  The Government has undertaken to review the scope and operation of licensing of houses in multiple occupation within three years of its implementation. It will consult the Local Government Association and stakeholders (including landlord representative organisations) as to what tools for monitoring need to be in place, and the costs involved, to assist in carrying out the review.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultations he has had with landlords and landlords' representatives regarding licensing of houses of multiple occupation; and what the outcomes were. [166294]

  Phil Hope
  Landlords and their representatives were consulted on the draft Housing Bill and were subsequently invited to present evidence to the Select Committee that scrutinised the Bill. Ministers and officials have had a number of meetings with landlords' representatives on the provisions of the Bill and its implementation. The views of landlords and their representatives (including the evidence given to the Select Committee) have been taken into consideration in developing the scheme for licensing of houses in multiple occupation in the Housing Bill. The Government is committed to continue consultation with stakeholders (including landlords) on the implementation of the licensing provisions in the Bill and it hopes to meet landlords' representatives as soon as possible to discuss this further.

  A list of all individual consultations that have been carried out cannot be provided other than at disproportionate cost.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on affordable homes in the Vale of York. [166534]

  Keith Hill
  My right hon. Friend has received three letters about affordable housing in the Vale of York from the hon. Member since November 2002. In addition, affordable housing features in discussions that the Government Office has with local authorities in the area, and appeared in their comments on the draft regional housing strategy last year. Local partnerships in the Vale of York are currently discussing three affordable housing proposals for Regional Housing Board funding in 2005–06 with the Board.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the(a) number and (b) proportion of houses in multiple occupation with three or more storeys which have four or fewer occupants. [162718]

  Keith Hill
  According to the English House Condition Survey 1996, there are 622,000 buildings in England which can commonly be described as houses in multiple occupation and which are occupied by four or fewer persons. The Government have made no estimate as to the number of those HMOs that are three storeys or more.
  352W
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how(a) the Starter Homes Initiative and (b) the Abandoned Homes Initiative have benefited the residents of Birkenhead. [166281]

  Phil Hope
  Since September 2001, the Starter Home Initiative (SHI) has been helping key workers into home ownership in areas where the high cost of housing serves to undermine recruitment and retention of skilled staff in our key public services. It has not been available to key workers in the North West. The SHI was superseded from 1 April by a new key worker housing programme—Key Worker Living. This is also not available in the North West.

  I am not aware of an Abandoned Homes Initiative. However, our Market Renewal Pathfinders are a comprehensive programme to tackle low demand and abandonment in nine areas of England. The area of the Merseyside Pathfinder includes parts of, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, including part of Birkenhead. The Pathfinder has been allocated a total £90 million of the Market Renewal Fund for the period up until March 2006. This includes £4 million for "early actions" announced on 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 65 Written Statements, and a further £86 million which was announced on 2 February in my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's publication 'Making it happen: The Northern Way', Official Report, column 26WS. It is for the Pathfinder to make decisions about how it spends this allocation in line with our aim to tackle low demand and abandonment.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the environmental sustainability requirements are for(a) new build housing and (b) major renovation of housing. [165266]

  Phil Hope
  The environmental requirements for both new and renovated housing are currently limited to the conservation of energy and water. Significant improvements in the energy performance of all building were made with the revision of Part L of the Building Regulations in 2002. Part L is now being reviewed to address the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy White Paper. Water conservation is currently being evaluated to see how it can be incorporated in the Building Regulations.

  In addition all new developments that are publicly funded through the Housing Corporation must comply with the Corporation's published Scheme Development Standards (April 2003).

  From April 2003 all new homes funded by the Housing Corporation are required to achieve a BRE EcoHomes environmental assessment rating of "pass" as a minimum essential condition of grant. Registered Social Landlords are encouraged to aim for the higher 'good' rating and receive an increase of 1–2 per cent. in their Total Cost Indicator (TCI) where such certification is obtained in conjunction with 'Secured by Design' certification. From April 2005 "good" will be the minimum requirement, with "very good" becoming a recommended item.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his latest estimate is of the number of new housing units that will become available in the London Borough of Islington in(a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06, broken

  353W
  down by (i) council, (ii) housing association and (iii) co-operatives; and what his estimate is of the number of private dwellings for sale that are likely to become available in the same period. [166358]

  Keith Hill
  Provisional information from the Housing Corporation states that the number of housing association dwellings to be provided in Islington in the two years 2004–06 is 1229. There will be no council houses built and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. does not have information on cooperatives.

  As regards new private housing for sale, the Office of the Deputy Minister does not have precise estimates. The London Plan target for Islington is 900 new "homes" Annually, or 1800 over two years, including supply from all sources. New private housing for sale will be a major component, but the figure includes the housing association dwellings the Office of the Deputy Minister has just referred to, reduction in vacancies and additional non-self contained accommodation.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures are in place to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the Housing Act 1996; and what their findings are. [166336]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister considers any relevant provisions of the Act as part of different aspects of housing policy, and has amended these where appropriate. Changes include:

  new provisions for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the current Housing Bill,

  which also amends Part 5 of the 1996 Act to allow introductory tenancies to be extended.

  Part 2 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 amended provisions made by the 1996 Act about service charges and leasehold enfranchisement.

  Part 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 has replaced the 1996 Act provisions about anti-social behaviour injunctions and made new provision (demoted tenancies) designed to control anti-social behaviour by tenants of social landlords.

  the Homelessness Act 2002 made substantial amendments to Parts 6 and 7 of the 1996 Bill.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures are in place to assess the impact of the Housing Act 1996 on the housing market; and what their findings have been. [166337]

  Phil Hope
  The Housing Act 1996 made a range of provisions concerning the social rented sector (including the role of the Housing Corporation and tackling antisocial behaviour). It also covered the private rented sector (including the registration of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), and the creation of a system whereby Assured Shorthold Tenancies became the standard form of letting in the Private Rented Sector), leasehold reform and homelessness. No comprehensive assessment of the impact of the Act has been carried out. However its effects can be assessed from data provided by the Survey of English Housing. For example this has shown the proportion of households renting privately remaining static at around 10 per cent. of the housing market.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures are in place to assess the effectiveness of the registration schemes provided by the Housing Act 1996; and what their findings have been. [166338]
  354W
  Keith Hill
  When the Housing Act 1996 was enacted, the previous administration did not put in place any measures to assess the effectiveness of its provisions for registration schemes for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). These provisions fell short of the present Government's commitment to introduce the mandatory licensing of HMOs and the repeal of the provisions of the 1996 Act. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to reviewing the effectiveness and scope of licensing within three years of implementation.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the capacity of the labour market in the nine housing market renewal pathfinder areas to provide the skilled tradespeople needed to deliver the programmes. [165464]

  Keith Hill
  Each of the pathfinders, as part of their strategy for turning around areas of low demand, is looking at the skills and capacity requirements necessary to deliver their programmes.

  More widely, the Government is firmly committed to supporting initiatives to improve recruitment and training and is:

  Funding the new Sector Skills Council, Construction Skills. This is the lead agency delivering recruitment and also addressing management issues.

  Funding the Ambition Construction programme aimed at training young people in the various construction trades.

  Working with the Strategic Forum and industry to encourage innovation to foster improvement and increased productivity, and supporting Constructing Excellence to encourage best practice in training and in engagement of supply chains by main contractors.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether registration schemes provided under the Housing Act 1996 will retain their legal status under the provisions of the Housing Bill. [166282]

  Keith Hill
  The provisions in the Housing Act 1996 for registration schemes for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) will be repealed by the Housing Bill. Under the transitional arrangements for which the Bill provides, however, registered HMOs that meet the requirements of the new licensing arrangements will become licensed for the remaining term of their existing registration.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what average annual real terms increase in the 2004–05 management and maintenance allowance would be required for the average allowance in England to reach, by the Decent Homes target year 2010–11, the real terms level of management and maintenance expenditure needed as set out in the Estimate of the Need to Spend on Maintenance and Management in Local Authority Housing published in June 2003. [166615]

  Keith Hill
  Based on the stock of English local authority housing at April 2003, an annual real increase of around 8.9 per cent. in management and maintenance allowances would be required for the six years 2005–06 to 2010–11 for allowances to reach the estimate of need.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by how(a) many percentage points and (b) much the average 2001–02 management and maintenance allowance would have had to increase to reach the level of the need to spend on management and maintenance indicated by

  355W
  the findings in "Estimate of the Need to Spend on Maintenance and Management in Local Authority Housing", published in June 2003. [166636]

  Keith Hill
  The average management and maintenance allowance per dwelling of English local authorities was £1,030.64 in 2001–02 (in 2001–02 prices) and is £1,316.35 for 2004–05 (in 2004–05 prices). The need to spend is estimated at £2,193.92 in 2004–05 prices. Hence the 2004–05 level of allowances would have to increase by about 67 per cent. in real terms to reach the estimated level of need.

  Land Use
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total area designated for urban land use in(a) 1974, (b) 1984, (c) 1994 and (d) 2003 was in England. [165753]

  Keith Hill
  The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The information available for designated urban land areas with populations of 1,000 or more in census years:

  Million hectares

  1981

  1.035

  1991

  1.087

  2001

  1.159

  These figures are for built-up areas, irrespective of administrative boundaries.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the(a) Band D council tax and (b) average council tax paid in (i) Plymouth, (ii) Torbay, (iii) Torridge, (iv) West Devon, (v) South Hams, (vi) Exeter, (vii) Teignbridge, (viii) Mid Devon, (ix) East Devon and (x) North Devon were in financial year 2004–05, including all precepts. [165194]

  Phil Hope
  The figures are available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at www.locaLodpm.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ctax045 htm.

  Council tax receipts collected by local authorities1: 1996–97 to 2002–03

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–200

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Cambridgeshire

  Cambridge

  18,519

  19,607

  20,614

  22,253

  24,985

  27,199

  29,929

  East Cambridgeshire

  10,786

  11,813

  13,811

  15,261

  16,879

  18,405

  22,345

  Fenland

  11,914

  13,069

  14,516

  16,488

  17,789

  19,688

  22.869

  Huntingdonshire

  24,753

  27,067

  31,686

  35,909

  39,958

  43,414

  48,650

  Peterborough

  21,347

  22,541

  27,826

  31,097

  34,579

  36.909

  40,978

  South Cambridgeshire

  23,850

  25,976

  28,537

  34,169

  37,745

  40,766

  46,754

  Essex

  Basildon

  30,337

  32,897

  37,088

  40,287

  44.713

  48,163

  52,304

  Braintree

  22,820

  25,301

  29,700

  32,410

  35.693

  38,993

  43,439

  Brentwood

  16,390

  17,827

  20,537

  21,436

  23,950

  25,898

  28,232

  Castle Point

  16,590

  17,676

  20,226

  21,705

  23,781

  25,987

  28,663

  Chelmsford

  31,969

  34,352

  39,304

  42,469

  46,379

  50,374

  55,369

  Colchester

  27,293

  29,209

  33,585

  36,401

  39,672

  42,344

  48,006

  Epping Forest

  26,835

  29,252

  33,855

  36,516

  39,123

  42,798

  47,398

  Harlow

  13,976

  14,890

  17,991

  19,607

  20,871

  67,748

  24,413

  Maldon

  10,993

  12,252

  14,413

  15,964

  17,575

  19,230

  21,597

  356W
  On the website, figures for own Band D council tax and average area council tax can be found, for all authorities, in Table—2004–05 Council taxes (average per dwelling and Band D for two adults): individual local authorities.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the percentage council tax change has been in(a) Plymouth, (b) Devon and (c) Torbay in each of the past three years. [165195]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The increase in average area council tax for Plymouth, Devon and Torbay in each of the last three years is tabled as follows:

  Percentage

  Plymouth UA

  Torbay UA

  Devon

  2002–03

  13,4

  16.8

  7.1

  2003–04

  11.6

  12.0

  10.1

  2004–05

  10.1

  18.3

  6.0

  Devon has been taken to comprise the area of Devon's eight district councils but exclude the areas of Plymouth and Torbay unitary authorities.

  David Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) new advice he has given to and (b) new requirements he has imposed on billing authorities in relation to the council tax payment dates for 2004–05. [165326]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/613 as amended) set out the statutory position as to the administration of council tax. Regulation 21 in particular deals with council tax payments. No new advice or requirements have been given to or imposed on billing authorities in relation to payments dates for council tax for 2004–05.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the level of council tax receipts collected by local authorities was irrespective of the financial year to which they relate in(a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk, (c) Essex and (d) Cambridgeshire in each year from 1996–97 to 2002–03; and what the population of each authority was in each year. [165582]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is tabled as follows.
  357W

  Council tax receipts collected by local authorities1: 1996–97 to 2002–03

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–200

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Rochford

  15,278

  17,154

  20,029

  21,771

  23,467

  25,425

  27,954

  Southend-on-Sea

  27,114

  30,184

  32,066

  33,733

  36,304

  38,883

  41,640

  Tendring

  24,015

  25,956

  29,717

  31,216

  34,503

  36,805

  41.452

  Thurrock

  21,826

  23,940

  24,425

  26,629

  28,806

  31,478

  35,136

  Uttlesford

  15,419

  17,037

  19,724

  21,523

  22,855

  25,030

  29,564

  Norfolk

  Breckland

  18,389

  19,208

  21,630

  24,299

  26,305

  29,636

  33,139

  Broadland

  20,820

  22,404

  26,455

  29,796

  32,225

  35,286

  39,413

  Great Yarmouth

  13,099

  14,153

  16,340

  17,648

  19,308

  21,069

  23,424

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  22,456

  24,348

  28,129

  30,870

  33,188

  35,909

  40,753

  North Norfolk

  18,804

  20,423

  23,805

  26,081

  28,142

  29,969

  33,767

  Norwich

  18,090

  19,459

  21,420

  24,121

  25,919

  27,815

  30,928

  South Norfolk

  20,317

  22,126

  25,542

  28,649

  31,036

  33,544

  37,810

  Suffolk

  Babergh

  15,701

  17,637

  19,489

  21,144

  22,523

  24,351

  27,731

  Forest Heath

  7,339

  8,142

  9,026

  9,838

  10,636

  11,717

  13,360

  Ipswich

  19,449

  21,329

  24,588

  25,118

  26,985

  29,130

  33,004

  Mid Suffolk

  16,412

  18,177

  20,118

  22,117

  23,473

  25,129

  29,093

  St. Edmundsbury

  17,326

  19,007

  21,212

  23,456

  25,102

  27,325

  31,361

  Suffolk Coastal

  23,075

  25.019

  27,766

  30,469

  32,154

  34,877

  40,063

  Waveney

  17,183

  18,343

  20,718

  22,533

  23,865

  26,192

  29,821

  1 Irrespective of the finance years to which they relate.

  Source:

  QRC4 returns to ODPM

  Mid-year population estimates 1996–2002

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Cambridgeshire

  Cambridge

  107,989

  107,853

  108,828

  109,272

  109,107

  110,091

  110,656

  East Cambridgeshire

  66,408

  68,572

  70,709

  71,343

  72,751

  73,411

  74,419

  Fenland

  79,337

  80,480

  81,715

  82,630

  83,084

  83,687

  84,335

  Huntingdonshire

  151,923

  154,818

  154,308

  155,796

  157,353

  157,189

  157,899

  Peterborough

  157,978

  156,206

  156,380

  156,033

  155,936

  157,587

  157,962

  South Cambridgeshire

  125,727

  128,040

  129,196

  128,995

  128,901

  130,476

  131,014

  Essex

  Basildon

  162,100

  162,968

  164,107

  164,673

  165,203

  165,895

  166,397

  Braintree

  124,210

  125,398

  127,453

  129,160

  131,306

  132,482

  134,488

  Brentwood

  69,919

  69,541

  69,204

  68,770

  68,646

  68.483

  68,592

  Castle Point

  85,623

  85,401

  85,784

  86,041

  86,418

  86,673

  87,186

  Chelmsford

  156,723

  155,737

  155,603

  155,664

  156,228

  157,269

  157,527

  Colchester

  151,904

  153,031

  152,112

  154,123

  154,822

  156,016

  155,427

  Epping Forest

  119,235

  119,379

  119,944

  120,576

  120,754

  120,972

  121,338

  Harlow

  74,182

  75,385

  76,596

  77,732

  78,530

  78,799

  78,538

  Maldon

  74,702

  55,309

  56,270

  57,488

  58,715

  59,589

  60,399

  Rochford

  75,864

  76,067

  76,557

  77,391

  78,240

  78,650

  79,265

  Southend-on-Sea

  163,415

  165,089

  164,101

  163,108

  161,743

  160,362

  158,760

  Tendring

  131,718

  132,700

  134,917

  135,771

  137,486

  138,802

  139,995

  Thurrock

  135,041

  135,675

  137,766

  139,895

  141,735

  143,297

  145,235

  Uttlesford

  67,549

  67,630

  67,733

  68,323

  68,708

  68,969

  69,256

  Norfolk

  Breckland

  112,642

  114,847

  116,758

  118,736

  120,543

  121,585

  122,153

  Broadland

  112,166

  113,866

  115,440

  116,937

  117,878

  118,814

  119,048

  Great Yarmouth

  89,428

  89,218

  89,805

  90,157

  90,600

  90,945

  91,549

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  131,362

  132,008

  133,164

  133,660

  134,961

  135,565

  137,409

  North Norfolk

  95,071

  96,147

  97,482

  97,820

  98,297

  98,495

  98,847

  Norwich

  123,753

  122,644

  121,305

  120,749

  121,054

  122,465

  121,643

  South Norfolk

  105,397

  106,246

  107,476

  108,788

  110,187

  110,848

  112,117

  Suffolk

  Babergh

  80,138

  80,488

  81,444

  82,097

  82,980

  83,538

  84,669

  Forest Heath

  63,627

  64,626

  61,872

  62,212

  62,060

  56,223

  55,505

  Ipswich

  115,165

  114,848

  116,134

  116,594

  116,758

  117,156

  117,298

  Mid Suffolk

  81,177

  82,209

  84,069

  85,008

  85,953

  87,015

  87,647

  St. Edmundsbury

  93,578

  93,925

  96,338

  96,795

  97,875

  98,323

  98,459

  Suffolk Coastal

  114,204

  116,061

  115,114

  114,858

  115,629

  115,239

  114,983

  Waveney

  108,481

  108,633

  109,981

  110,560

  111,645

  112,497

  113,370

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  358W 359W
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of council tax was collected within the North Somerset unitary authority in each year since 1997; and what the total cost of administering council tax payments was in each year. [165680]

  Phil Hope
  The information requested is tabled as follows.

  North Somerset Council

  £million

  Percentage of council tax collected in-year 1

  Council tax collection costs

  1997–98

  96.9

  0.755

  1998–992

  96.7

  ℄

  1999–2000

  96.6

  1.071

  2000–01

  96.7

  1.139

  2001–02

  97.0

  1.198

  2002–03

  97.1

  1.811

  2003–043

  —

  1.674

  1Amount of council tax for the year received by the end of the financial year as a percentage of the net collectable debit for the year.

  2 The collection costs figure was reported as zero: the costs are assumed to have been recorded elsewhere on the RO 6 return.

  3 The collection rate figure is not yet available, and the collection cost figure is a budget figure that includes business rate collection costs (in excess of the allowance) and the costs of rate and community charge collection

  In-year council tax collection rate1

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Cornwall

  95.8

  96.9

  96.2

  96.6

  97.0

  97.2

  97.5

  Caradon

  96.1

  96.8

  92.8

  95.1

  96.4

  97.9

  98.1

  Carrick

  95.6

  97.3

  96.9

  96.3

  97.3

  97.8

  97.7

  Kerrier

  92.9

  95.1

  95.3

  96.1

  96.6

  95.3

  96.7

  North

  Cornwall

  96.2

  97.1

  97.5

  98.1

  97.2

  97.5

  97.3

  Penwith

  98.5

  98.8

  97.7

  96.8

  97.4

  97.4

  98.1

  Restormel

  96.4

  96.9

  97.1

  97.2

  97.1

  97.3

  97.5

  Devon

  95.0

  94.5

  95.0

  95.7

  95.1

  95.2

  96.1

  East Devon

  97.0

  98.3

  98.6

  98.5

  98.4

  98.4

  98.5

  Exeter

  96.9

  95.2

  95.0

  93.7

  94.9

  95.2

  95.9

  Mid Devon

  97.0

  97.1

  97.4

  97.8

  98.3

  98.3

  98.7

  North Devon

  95.7

  96.2

  96.8

  97.0

  97.0

  97.5

  97.3

  Plymouth

  89.1

  89.9

  90.6

  90.0

  90.1

  90.5

  92.0

  South Hams

  98.1

  98.3

  98.0

  98.3

  98.3

  98.8

  98.9

  Teignbridge

  94.2

  95.5

  95.9

  96.2

  97.2

  97.7

  97.9

  Torbay

  96.8

  96.9

  96.3

  95.2

  95.9

  96.3

  96.6

  Torridge

  97.0

  95.3

  96.5

  97.3

  95.8

  92.1

  97.1

  West Devon

  96.9

  97.3

  97.7

  98.0

  98.1

  98.3

  98.6

  Percentage of housing rent collected2

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–013

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Cornwall districts

  Caradon

  99.5

  99.6

  98.3

  97.6

  96.9

  97.1

  98.8

  Carrick

  100.0

  100.7

  97.6

  97.2

  497.8

  498.33

  98.6

  Kerrier

  98.5

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  North Cornwall

  98.7

  99.6

  99.1

  98.8

  98.1

  98.2

  97.70

  Penwith

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Restormel

  98.8

  99.1

  92.8

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Devon districts

  East Devon

  99.5

  99.8

  99.4

  99.0

  597.6

  597.2

  597.8

  Exeter

  100.2

  99.2

  98.7

  96.2

  594.2

  596.1

  98.4

  North Devon

  98.6

  99.1

  96.6

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  360W
  Sources:

  Council tax collection rates—ORC4 returns to ODPM

  Council tax collection costs—R06 returns to ODPM for 1997–98 to 2002–03; RA return to ODPM for 2003–04.

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average household council tax level was in the North Somerset unitary authority in each year since 1997. [165682]

  Phil Hope
  The average area council tax per dwelling for North Somerset in each year since 1997–98 is tabled as follows:

  Average council tax per dwelling (£)

  1997–98

  551

  1998–99

  600

  1999–2000

  655

  2000–01

  689

  2001–02

  721

  2002–03

  816

  2003–04

  969

  2004–05

  1.049

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of(a) council tax and (b) council house rents was collected in (i) Devon and (ii) Cornwall in each of the last seven years. [164790]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is tabled as follows.
  361W

  Percentage of housing rent collected2

  1906–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–013

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Plymouth

  98.4

  99.1

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  South Hams

  99.3

  99.2

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Teignbridge

  98.2

  98.4

  99.9

  100.6

  599.2

  499.9

  99.6

  Mid Devon

  99.8

  99.1

  99.3

  99.0

  98.1

  98.6

  98.7

  Torbay

  90.8

  96.3

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  Torridge

  98.2

  98.2

  98.9

  99.2

  97.7

  96.6

  96.7

  West Devon

  103.0

  99.6

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Plymouth UA

  6—

  6—

  98.7

  97.4

  95.4

  94.0

  95.9

  Torbay UA

  6—

  6—

  97.3

  94.7

  7—

  —

  —

  1 As reported on QRC4 forms. Council tax collection continues after the end of the financial year to which amounts relate and so the final percentage collected is higher than the figures shown, which exclude amounts for earlier years.

  2 Data collected by the Audit Commission as Audit Commission or Best Value Performance Indicators. Figures for the whole of Cornwall and Devon are not readily available.

  3 The definition of rent collected changed in 2000–01 (from indicator B7 to indicator BV66a) and so figures are not comparable.

  4 These figures may not be reliable.

  5 Large scale stock transfer has taken place.

  6 Not applicable: data are not comparable before and after Plymouth and Torbay because unitary authorities as a result of local government reorganisation.

  7 Data not collected.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out the procedures of the appeals process for applications for mobile telephone transmitting masts. [165559]

  Keith Hill
  Section 78 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 sets out an applicant's right to appeal against planning decisions made by a local planning authority (including those for mobile telephone transmitting masts) and the failure of the local planning authority to take such decisions. There are three methods of appeal—written representation, hearing, and inquiry—and the procedures to be followed are contained with DETR Circular 05/2000. The time limit for making an appeal is three months for those applications registered by the local planning authority on or after 5 September 2003, and six months for those registered prior to that date.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many applications for telephone masts he has(a) rejected and (b) approved during the last 12 months. [165560]

  Keith Hill
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Therefore, the following information relates to appeal decisions about telecommunications development generally.

  1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004

  Received

  608

  Withdrawn

  31

  Allowed

  211

  Dismissed

  163

  Total decided

  374

  In hand

  203

  Note:

  All figures relate to the period in which the appeal was received, not necessarily the period in which it was decided.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (Crosby)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been allocated to Crosby from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. [164414]
  362W
  Yvette Cooper
  Crosby is situated in the Sefton district. Overall Sefton has been allocated £12.6 million (2001–02: £2.8million, 2002–03: £4.2 million and 2003–04: £5.6 million) of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF). Sefton is due to receive a further £5.6 million in 2004–05 and £5.6 million in 2005–06.

  It is for each local authority to work with their fellow local strategic partnership members to agree exactly how to use NRF in support of the priorities in their local area.

  North Bow
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust in the regeneration of North Bow. [166130]

  Keith Hill
  The Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust (HAT) has completed its work on budget (including £123 million of Government assistance) and one year ahead of its original completion target of March 2005. It has exceeded its original objectives for the building of new homes or the improvement of existing ones to the highest standards; ensuring effective, sensitive and responsive maintenance and management of homes; promoting diversity of tenure within the HAT's estates; and improving the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area, including improved jobs opportunities, youth and community facilities.

  Nearly 1,000 new homes have been built. Only one tower block, and one sheltered housing scheme, are to remain—both of which will have been extensively refurbished by the end of the HAT programme.

  The high level of resident involvement has remained core to the HAT's ethos throughout its life. This included tenant involvement in the actual design of

  363W
  homes. The recent Quality of Life Survey showed that 60 per cent. of residents feel that levels of crime have gone down and community spirit and neighbourliness have risen.

  The HAT has also delivered, in partnership with the Bow People's Trust (BPT) and Old Ford Housing Association—and many other local agencies—a range of community and economic development initiatives to tackle the problems of social exclusion in the area. These initiatives include the Tower Hamlets Credit Union in Roman Road; the regeneration of the Roman Road Market; Growing Concerns—a community gardening project; a Construction Training Initiative for ethnic communities; a range of services for the elderly and support to local schools. A large area of open space is also being provided in the HAT area and a new Youth center will soon be built.

  The HAT has encouraged its successor organisations to continue its vision and ensure that the gains made locally in neighbourhood renewal are sustainable and beneficial to the whole community for the long term. To this end, the HAT has awarded an endowment of some £3 million which will be used exclusively in the local area through the "Action for Bow" Trust Fund.

  Public Lavatories
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total amount raised by the uniform business rate levied on public lavatories was in 2003–04. [165938]

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

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to revise the uniform business rate in order to exclude the rating of publicly owned public lavatories. [165935]

  Mr. Raynsford
  None.

  Programme

  Source

  Date

  Funding (£million)

  Match funding (£million)

  Ilford Town center Redevelopment-ODPM allocation from Sustainable Communities Funding

  ODPM

  2003–06

  0.6

  0.53

  The Health Ladder to Social Inclusion

  SRB Allocation administered through LDA

  1999–2006

  18.0

  11.6

  From offending to Employment in North East London

  SRB Allocation administered through LDA

  1997–2003

  21.5

  2.36

  Bridging the Gap

  SRB Allocation administered through LDA

  1997–2002

  3.0

  6.0

  South Ilford Business Development

  LDA 2 Programme

  2003–06

  0.64

  0.47

  Barnabas Workshop—Job Shop South Ilford Business Partnership

  LDA 2 Programme

  2003–06

  0.31

  1 Programme covering Redbridge and Waltham Forest is delivered by the North East London Health Authority and benefits residents in both boroughs.

  2 Programme led by the Probation Service and benefiting offenders and young people at risk of offending in five North East London boroughs including Redbridge.

  364W
  Local authority property—whether offices, schools, libraries, sporting facilities, car parks or lavatories—is rateable.

  Recruitment
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost of recruitment of civil servants for the Department was in each financial year since 1996–97, broken down by(a) delegated or contracted out recruitment procedures and (b) recruitment procedures carried out by the Department. [158193]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002.

  (a) The total cost of recruitment of civil servants, using contracted out recruitment procedures from June 2002 to March 2003 is £457,000.

  (b) The provision of a breakdown of costs for internal or Whitehall-wide recruitment carried out by the Office could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  All permanent recruitment into the Office is carried out through fair and open competition and in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code.

  Regeneration Funding (Ilford, North)
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much funding has been allocated for regeneration in Ilford, North since 1997. [164881]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on the allocation of resources broken down to constituency level is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The London borough of Redbridge and the London Development Agency have advised the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that the amount of funding which has been allocated to regeneration projects in the borough since 1997 is tabled as follows:
  365W
  In addition to these allocations there have been further allocations to the borough from the European Social Fund for training schemes.

  The match funding details includes Local Authority, Health Authority, Learning and Skills Councils and private sector resources and is specifically related to the regeneration programmes listed.

  Regional Assemblies
  Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated costs are of setting up elected regional assemblies in(a) the North West, (b) the North East and (c) Yorkshire. [165460]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Essex on 18 March 2004,Official Report, 451W.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the effect of the proposed regional assemblies on the operation of(a) town, (b) county, (c) borough and (d) city councils in the regions in which assemblies are set up. [165607]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Elected regional assemblies will be required to actively involve stakeholders in the region in their work. We would expect that local authorities (including town and parish councils) in any region that has an elected assembly will work in partnership with the assembly to deliver their vision for the region.

  In regions that choose to have elected assemblies, two-tier local authorities (county and shire district councils) will be restructured into a single tier.

  Regional assemblies will generally not take responsibilities from local authorities. Local government will remain the community champion with responsibility for local service delivery, while regional government will lead in the development and implementation of the strategic vision for the region.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to paragraph 5.5 of Cm 5511, what level of additional funding will be made available for rewarding elected regional assemblies which achieve or exceed the targets set by central Government. [165728]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No decisions have been taken on the likely level of performance reward grant for elected regional assemblies. Targets will be agreed between elected assemblies and central Government, not set by central Government.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) officials and (b) press officers are involved in the information campaign on elected regional assemblies, "Your Say". [162422]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No members of staff are working full-time on the information campaign or elected regional assemblies.

  However, there are four administrators, three publicity officers and three press officers in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister involved in the campaign as part of their wider communications responsibilities. There are also 14 members of staff across three Government Offices involved in the campaign as part of their wider responsibilities.
  366W
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to encourage voter turnout for the regional assembly referendums. [165606]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced that we intend to hold the referendums as all-postal ballots. In addition, we are running the "Your Say" campaign about the proposed powers of assemblies. As part of this information campaign, there will be a leaflet to every household.

  The Electoral Commission also have a power under the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act to do anything they think necessary or expedient to encourage voting at these referendums.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library copies of the responses to the Consultation Papers on(a) regional referendums spending limits and (b) the conduct of the referendums. [166516]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Copies of the responses to the following consultation papers are available in the Library:

  (a) Registration and spending limits for those wishing to campaign;

  (b) Combining regional and local referendums and local referendum rules; and

  (c) Fees and charges for counting officers.

  In addition, a summary of the responses is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total budget for the "Your Say" information campaign is; and how much he has budgeted for(a) leaflets, (b) posters, (c) broadcasting, (d) ministerial visits, (e) exhibition stands, (f) design costs, (g) press information and (h) other associated costs. [165727]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects the "Your Say" information campaign to cost up to £5 million in total. Likely costs are not broken down in the way requested. However current estimates of the main components are:

  £

  (a) Production and distribution of leaflets

  1,700,000

  (b) Posters

  650,000

  (c) Broadcast media

  1,120,000

  (d) Newspapers

  475,000

  (e) Events

  420,000

  (f) Other

  635,000

  Regional Devolution
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress with plans for regional devolution in areas which express an interest. [165608]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government are continuing to prepare for referendums to be held in each of the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber about whether people want an elected assembly for their region.
  367W
  This includes undertaking our information campaign "Your Say", which is aimed at ensuring people in the three northern regions are aware of the issues before they cast their vote in a referendum.

  If there is a "yes" vote, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will then bring forward legislation whenever parliamentary time allows to enable elected regional assemblies to be established. We aim to publish a draft of that Bill before the first referendums are held.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the process for establishing regional devolution in areas that vote in favour of the proposal. [165618]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will lay orders for various aspects of the referendums in the summer.

  Before we hold referendums in regions that may want to establish elected assemblies, we aim to publish a draft Bill, which will set out the process of establishing the assemblies and the powers they will have. The earliest that elections could he held is in 2006.

  Room Sizes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will re-introduce minimum standards for the size of rooms in new dwellings. [165463]

  Phil Hope
  The Government has no plans at present to introduce minimum room size standards for new dwellings into the building regulations.

  Science Strategy
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken to enhance science in his Department since the publication of the Government's science strategy Investing in Innovation. [162245]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a Science and Innovation Strategy for my Department in July 2003 which sets out: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's commitment to maintaining the use of science and research for policy making and delivery; how The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's evidence base is being developed to support it's objectives; how The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is engaging with our research stakeholders; and how The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is developing it's research base and building capacity, both internally and in the wider research community. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is implementing the recommendations of the Cross-Cutting Review of Science and Research in co-operation with OST and we will look for opportunities to use our research to promote innovation.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the granting by parish councils of(a) honoraria and (b) ex-gratia payments to special constables serving their area. [165467]

  Phil Hope
  Parish Councils are responsible for their actions and decisions to their electorate and to the auditor. Special constables may be paid allowances by a368W
  police authority only as determined by the special constables regulations. Any proposals to offer honoraria or ex-gratia payments to special constables would require approval by the Home Secretary under The Special Constables (Amendment) Regulations 2002.

  Public Expenditure (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much public funding was spent on(a) regeneration and regional development, (b) housing and (c) planning in the constituency of Sittingbourne and Sheppey between (i) 1992 and 1997, (ii) 1997 and 2001 and (iii) 2001 and 2004. [159488]

  Yvette Cooper
  The readily available information on the funding (£ million) provided by central Government to Swale District Council for these activities is tabled as follows. Spend, particularly on homelessness, strategic housing work and planning, is also funded from general Revenue Support Grant and the authority's own resources.

  1992–93 to 1996–97 (five years)

  1997–98 to 2000–01 (four years)

  2001–02 to 2003–04 (three years)

  (a) Regeneration and regional development

  Single Regeneration

  Not

  Budget1

  available

  4.1

  3.4

  Mid-Kent Leader Plus2

  —

  —

  0.3

  (b) Housing

  Local authority housing programme3

  14.9

  7.2

  4.4

  Local Authority Social Housing Grant

  47.9

  9.3

  4.7

  Approved Development Programme

  411.4

  4.5

  6.0

  Homelessness

  —

  —

  0.1

  (c) Planning5

  —

  —

  0.2

  1 The funding for two currant SRB schemes.

  2 Estimated figure for Swale's of a cross-authority scheme.

  3 Includes an element assumed to be funded from the authority's capital receipts.

  4 1994–95 to 1996–97 only.

  5 Planning delivery grant introduced in 2003–04.

  Tenancy Deposit Scheme
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the policy statement being used to inform the Law Commission's indicative clauses for a statutory tenancy deposit scheme. [166129]

  Phil Hope
  The reference to the Law Commission is for them to consider indicative clauses on tenancy deposit protection to accompany the publication of their draft legislation Bill on tenure reform. These will illustrate how a compulsory requirement for tenancy deposit protection and adjudication over tenancy deposit disputes would be implemented using the mechanisms set out in their report in November on Renting Homes.

  This reference does not require the Law Commission to consider the desirability or otherwise of regulating tenancy deposits. Neither does it represent a

  369W
  commitment by the Government to legislating on the basis of Law Commission's draft legislation or the draft clauses on tenancy deposit protection and adjudication.

  When it is published we will need to consider the Law Commission's draft legislation very carefully. The Government will publish its approach to tenancy deposit protection shortly afterwards.

  Thames Gateway
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government estimates that there is sufficient urban capacity in the London part alone of the Thames Gateway Development area to accommodate up to 120,000 new homes. [166288]

  Phil Hope
  The Government announced in July 2003 its commitment to support development of at least 120,000 new homes in Thames Gateway overall, by 2016. This assumed development of at least 60,000 within the London part of the Gateway by 2016. It did not preclude further growth, and since then work by the 370W
  Greater London authority (GLA) suggests that there could be substantially more capacity in the London gateway over the longer term.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the 120,000 new homes envisaged for Thames Gateway development the Government foresees will be built on previously developed land. [166289]

  Phil Hope
  The presence of a substantial reservoir of previously developed land is one of the key features of the Thames gateway. It is estimated to contain some 2 per cent. of the land area of the south-east but over 17 per cent. of its currently available supply of previously developed land. In the period 1997–2000 an estimated 80 per cent. of new dwellings in the gateway were built on previously developed land, which is above the national target of 60 per cent. and the gateway strategy aims to at least maintain this trend. Detailed allocation of land for new development will be undertaken through the statutory plan-making process by local planning authorities.

TREASURY

  Teenage Pregnancy Rates
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the teenage pregnancy rates were for each of the last three years, broken down by constituency. [165824]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the teenage pregnancy rates were for each of the last three years, broken down by constituency. (165824)

  The most recent year for which figures on teenage conceptions are available is 2001. For information on teenage conceptions by parliamentary constituency, I would refer you to the answer given in the Official Report, volume no 21, column no 586W (16 December 2002). As population estimates for 2000 for parliamentary constituencies (as constituted in that year) are not available, rates cannot be supplied based on these figures. Teenage conception figures by parliamentary constituencies are not readily available for any other years. Figures for 1998 and 1999 are available by ward, local authority and health authority areas. Figures for 2001 are provisional and are only available for local and health authorities. For the purposes of this answer, 'teenage' refers to those aged under 18, in line with the target set by the Government strategy on Teenage Pregnancy.

  National Statistics
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial and operational criteria will have to be met before the proposed relocation of the Office of National Statistics office in Titchfield receives approval. [165051]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mark Hoban, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what financial and operational criteria will have to be met before the proposed relocation of the Office of National Statistics office in Titchfield receives approval. (165051)

  An initial assessment of these issues was discussed with the Lyons Review team. A fuller assessment will be considered as part of the Spending Review, to inform Government decisions on the allocation of resources. We will be able to present this when those criteria are fully settled.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the Office for National Statistics quantification of the impact of aligning its employees' pay with market conditions outside London as it applies to those employees currently based in(a) London and (b) Titchfield (i) at present and (ii) once the relocation proposals are implemented. [164724]
  372W
  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mark Hoban, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning publication of the Office for National Statistics quantification or the impact of aligning its employees' pay with market conditions outside London as it applies to those employees currently based in (a) London and (b) Titchfield (i) at present and (ii) once the relocation proposals are implemented. (164724).

  This information was provided to the Lyons review team on a confidential basis and will not be published.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) who owns the Office for National Statistics offices in Titchfield; [164732]

  (2) how much has been spent on the (a) maintenance and (b) refurbishment of the Office for National Statistics office at Titchfield in each of the last five years. [164738]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mark Hoban, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions concerning the Office for National Statistics (ONS) site at Titchfield. (164738, 164732)

  The Titchfield site is a Crown freehold held by ONS under the name of the First Secretary of State.

  The amount of money spent on the office at Titchfield for maintenance and refurbishment in each of the last five financial years is given below.

  £000

  Maintenance

  Refurbishment

  Total

  1998–99

  219

  238

  457

  1999–2000

  247

  354

  601

  2000–01

  186

  233

  419

  2001–02

  299

  412

  710

  2002–03

  307

  783

  1,089

  Total

  1,258

  2,018

  3,276

  Significant work was undertaken to refurbish the Titchfield accommodation occupied by the Neighbourhood Statistics and reprographics teams during 2003/04. The total forecast expenditure on these two projects during the year is £1.6 million, although final accounts for 2003/04 are not yet available.

  Administration Costs
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in lowering administration costs as a proportion of total spending since his Budget statement. [165021]
  373W
  Mr. Boateng
  The Budget announced that the administration costs of all departments will be capped at or below the 2005–06 nominal level for the remainder of the 2004 Spending Review period. This will reduce administration costs to a planned 3.7 per cent. of total spending by 2008.

  Child Benefit
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to pay benefits for each child rather than per pregnancy in the case of multiple births; and if he will make a statement. [166231]

  Dawn Primarolo
  By 2004–05, financial support for children through tax credits, child benefit and other benefits will have increased by £10.4 billion in real terms from its 1997 level, a rise of 72 per cent. The 2003 pre-Budget report announced a significant increase in the child element of child tax credit—up £180 to £1,625 a year from April 2004. Both the child element of child tax credit and child benefit are already paid in respect of each child in a household, according to income. The baby addition to the family element of child tax credit is intended to recognise the costs on the family of responsibility for a baby and as such is payable per family rather than per child. This and other structural design features of child tax credit will be kept under review, particularly in the light of the Government's commitment of halving child poverty by 2010.

  Child Tax Credit
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Tynemouth constituency receive child tax credit. [165359]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Mrs. Dean) on 15 March 2004,Official Report, column 98W.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Wirral south have received child tax credit. [166627]

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Birkenhead have received child tax credit. [166310]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates of the number of families receiving the child or working tax credit in each constituency appear in Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics Geographical analyses January 2004. This can be found on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/ menu.htm. The estimates are based on a sample of cases, and are subject to sampling uncertainty.

  Children (Overseas Holidays)
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of children in England took holidays overseas in each of the last seven years. [165580]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  374W
  Letter from Len Cook to Tim Loughton, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the proportion of children in England that took holidays overseas in each of the last seven years.

  The information requested is not available. However, the Office for National Statistics conducts the International Passenger Survey (IPS) which interviews people as they enter or leave the country. The IPS counts visits, and people who make more than one visit in a year can be counted more than once. From that source ONS can estimate the number of visits abroad made by UK residents aged under 16. The number of these visits, and the number of visits per 1,000 UK residents aged under 16. are shown in the table below for each of the last 7 years (1997–2003).

  Number of visits made by under 16s (thousands)

  Number of visits made per thousand under 16s1

  1997

  4010

  334

  1998

  4124

  343

  1999

  4710

  392

  2000

  4821

  403

  2001

  5083

  429

  2002

  5144

  437

  2003

  5141

  2—

  Notes:

  1 A single child may make several visits abroad in one year.

  2 2003 population estimates are not yet available.

  Capital Allowances
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in Birkenhead have benefited from the 100 per cent. tax exemption for computer and internet equipment. [166311]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We regret that the information is not available to estimate the number of businesses in Birkenhead which have benefited from the 100 per cent. first year capital allowances for the purchase of information and communication equipment.

  Council House Tenancies
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer after how many years council house tenancies will be notifiable under stamp duty land tax regulations.[166284]

  Ruth Kelly
  Under the usual terms of council house tenancies it is unlikely that any will be notifiable under Stamp Duty Land Tax.

  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of council tenancies which will be notifiable under stamp duty land tax regulations by 2014. [166285]

  Ruth Kelly
  None.

  Departmental Computers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Department. [166361]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and HM Treasury all aim to ensure that their standard computer software and hardware is maintained at versions which reflect business needs, and which are consistent with industry norms. All three
  375W
  departments have a policy of replacing older mainstream hardware as part of ongoing refreshment programmes.

  Departmental Policies (Sustainable Development)
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what work his Department's Green Minister has undertaken in that capacity; [165527]

  (2) what meetings his Department's Green Minister has attended in that capacity in the last 12 months; [165528]

  (3) if he will list the meetings attended by a representative of his Department on the delivery of sustainable development across Government as coordinated by the Ministerial Sub-committee of Green Ministers; [165529]

  (4) what steps he is taking to assist in the delivery of sustainable development within Government; [165530]

  (5) what progress has been made on his Department's Sustainable Development Strategy. [165531]

  John Healey
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 26 January 2004,Official Report, column 110W. Since then, the development of the next steps of environmental measures contributing to the Government's sustainable development strategy announced in Budget 2004 has been my responsibility. These included:
  new eligibility criteria for climate change agreements;a package of measures to promote household energy efficiency including a reduced rate of VAT for ground source heat pumps, and possibly for micro-combined heat and power units from 2005, and incentives for the private rented sector to invest in energy efficiency;duty rates for sulphur-free fuels raised in line with inflation from September 2004 and, to encourage the use of this clearer fuel, the duty for ultra-low-sulphur fuels set at 0.5 pence per litre above this level from the same date;an increase in rebated fuel rates, and three-year certainty for duty differentials on biofuels and road fuel gases;reforms to the tax treatment of company vans and emergency vehicles:publication of the third progress report on the lorry road-user scheme;reform of the aggregrates levy relief scheme in Northern Ireland to ensure that the levy achieves its environmental aims there.

  In addition to this work on economic instruments to tackle environmental threats, consideration of sustainable development is incorporated directly into policy areas across the Treasury. For example, work on international poverty reduction and public spending, including this year's spending review, contribute directly to the Government's sustainable development goals.

  Departmental Policy
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend constituency, the effects on Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend of his Department's policies and actions since 1997. [166876]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government has put in place a radical programme of both macroeconomic and microeconomic reform since 1997 to improve the economic performance of all parts of the UK. There is 376W
  significant evidence that these policies have already yielded considerable benefits for the Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend constituency.

  For example, since May 1997, claimant unemployment has almost halved, long-term unemployment has fallen by almost three quarters and long-term youth unemployment has fallen by almost 90 per cent.

  The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the(a) change and (b) percentage change was in full-time permanent jobs in Birkenhead from 1997 to 31 December 2003; [166305]

  (2) how many new jobs have been created in Birkenhead since 1997. [166306]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about full time jobs, and jobs created in Birkenhead. (166305, 166306)

  While statistics on the number of new jobs created are not available explicitly, statistics from surveys enable comparisons to be made of net changes in the total number of jobs, from year to year.

  The following table shows the information requested, relating to all jobs and full-time jobs, for 1997 and 2002, the latest year for which figures are available. No information is available about whether the jobs were permanent.

  Number of full-time employees and total number of employees1 in Birkenhead Parliamentary Constituency: 1997 and 2002

  Number, per cent

  Full-Time

  Total

  Number of employees

  1997

  22,000

  33,900

  2002

  22,400

  35,100

  Change from 1997 to 2002

  Absolute

  400

  1,200

  Percentage

  2.0

  3.7

  1 Employee jobs only, not self-employed jobs

  Source:

  1997; Annual Employment Survey, rescaled 2002; Annual Business Inquiry (ABI)

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in tourism-related jobs in Birkenhead on the latest date for which figures are available. [166307]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  377W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about tourism-related jobs in Birkenhead. (166307)

  The latest available data, from the 2002 Annual Business Inquiry, shows that the total number of jobs in tourism related industries in Birkenhead was 2,100. This total is obtained by combining figures for those working in the following industries, as identified by the Standard Industrial Classification 2003:

  hotels

  restaurants

  bars

  activities of travel agencies

  library, archives museums etc

  sporting activities

  other recreational activities.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many job vacancies there were in Birkenhead in(a) 1997 and (b) 2003. [166308]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr Frank Field, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning job vacancies in Birkenhead. (166308)

  According to Jobcenter Plus administrative records, the number of unfilled vacancies in Birkenhead was 898 on average during 1997. This represents only a proportion of all the vacancies available, as not all vacancies are notified to Jobcenters.

  Jobcenter vacancy statistics were withdrawn from National Statistics in September 2001 as a result of distortions to the data which occurred following the introduction of new administrative procedures by Jobcenter Plus. Comparable figures for vacancies in 2003 are therefore unavailable.

  The ONS Vacancy Survey was introduced from April 2001, but does not provide information below national level.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many job vacancies there were in(a) 1997 and (b) 2003. [166638]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Ben Chapman, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning job vacancies. (166638)

  There were 600,800 job vacancies in the UK on average during 2003 according to results of the ONS Vacancy Survey. As the survey started in April 2001, there are no comparable statistics for 1997. Since the series shows seasonal fluctuations, the longest available like-for-like comparison with the past, using the latest provisional estimate of 632,400 vacancies for February 2004, is with the estimate of 622,000 for February 2002, an increase of 10,400 vacancies over the two- year period.

  Previous vacancy statistics from Jobcenter Plus administrative records were withdrawn from National Statistics in September 2001 as a result of distortions to the data following the introduction of new administrative procedures by Jobcenter Plus.
  378W
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of unemployment in Birkenhead was in each year since 1997. [166312]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Frank Field dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment.

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation definitions. However, the LFS sample size is too small to give reliable estimates of unemployment in the Birkenhead Parliamentary Constituency.

  ONS also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas including parliamentary constituencies.

  The table below gives the annual average number of JSA claimants for the Birkenhead constituency for each year since 1997.

  Year

  Average number of claimants

  1997

  4,730

  1998

  4,025

  1999

  3,829

  2000

  3,418

  2001

  3,026

  2002

  2,744

  2003

  2,540

  Family Statistics
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of(a) families with dependent children are headed by (i) married couples, (ii) cohabiting couples and (iii) a lone (A) female and (B) male parent and (b) dependent children live in families which are headed by (1) a married couple, (2) a cohabiting couple, (3) a parent who has never married, (4) a widowed parent, (5) a divorced parent and (6) a separated parent. [165864]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Edward Leigh, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what percentage of (a) families with dependent children are headed by (i) married couples, (ii) cohabiting couples and (iii) a lone (A) female and (B) male parent and (b) dependent children live in families which are headed by (1) a married couple, (2) a cohabiting couple, (3) a parent who has never married, (4) a widowed parent. (5) a divorced parent and (6) a separated parent. (165864) Figures from the 2001 Census indicate that there were 6,376,140 couple or lone parent families in England and Wales. The percentage of those families which were headed by (i) a married couple, (ii) a cohabiting couple, (iii) a male lone parent or (iv) a female lone parent are shown in the table below. All information has been taken from table S006 in the Census 2001 National report for England and Wales., which is available in the House of Commons Library.
  379W

  Families with dependent children, by family type England and Wales, 2001 Census

  Family type

  Percentage of families

  Married or re-married couple

  63.03

  Cohabiting couple

  11.64

  Lone male parent

  2.55

  Lone female parent

  22.78

  Source:

  Table S006 Census 2001 National report for England and Wales.

  Figures from the 2001 Census indicate that there were 11,539,432 dependent children living in families in England and Wales. The percentage of those families which were headed by (i) a married couple, (ii) a cohabiting couple, (iii) a lone parent are shown in the table below. All information has been taken from table T01 in the Census 2001 National report for England and Wales, which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Dependent children in families, by family type England and Wales, 2001 Census

  Family type

  Percentage of Children

  Married or re-married couple

  65.77

  Cohabiting couple

  11.08

  Lone parent

  23.15

  Source:

  Table T01 Census 2001 National report for England and Wales.

  Analysis of the Census figures has been undertaken in the latest edition of Population Trends 115 (pages 65–69). The published volume is available in the House of Commons Library and also on the National Statistics website at:http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/themejpopulation/PT115.pdfInformation on how many dependent children live with (1) a parent who has never married, (2) a widowed parent, (3) a divorced parent or (4) a separated parent is not currently available from the 2001 Census for England and Wales. However, an analysis, based on results from the General Household Survey for Great Britain in 2000, estimated that, of all dependent children living in families: 9.1 per cent. were living with a never-married lone mother; 0.7 per cent. with a widowed lone mother; 7.1 per cent. with a divorced lone mother; and 5.1 per cent. with a separated lone mother. Corresponding estimates were not made for the proportions of all dependent children living in families who were living in lone father families, because of small sample numbers. Overall, 2.6 per cent. of all dependent children living in families were living in lone father families. These estimates are not comparable with those from the 2001 Census, since they relate to a different time, and cover the whole of Great Britain rather than England and Wales. The full results, published in an article in Population Trends 109, are available in the House of Commons Library and may also be seen on the National Statistics website at:http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/PT109.pdf

  Global Recovery
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how may copies of the Treasury summary leaflet, "Pre-Budget Report: the Strength to take long-term decisions for: Seizing the opportunities for global recovery", were distributed; to whom they were distributed; and what the cost was of(a) printing and (b) distribution. [166429]

  Total annual gross disposable household income1 (GDHI) per head of resident population. UK regions, 1995–1999

  Area

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  United Kingdom2

  12,842

  13,522

  14,264

  15,059

  15,619

  North East

  11,059

  11,601

  12,301

  12,723

  13,215

  North West

  11,676

  12,328

  13,009

  13,579

  14,200

  Yorkshire and Humber

  11,525

  12,301

  12,842

  13,633

  13,872

  East Midlands

  11,988

  12,723

  13,247

  13,853

  14,430

  West Midlands

  12,010

  12,546

  13,056

  13,828

  14,538

  East

  13,841

  14,579

  15,336

  16,181

  16,740

  London

  15,636

  16,519

  17,713

  19,057

  19,641

  380W
  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave on 8 January 2004.Official Report, column 425W. Approximately 1.25 million copies of the 2003 Pre-Budget Report summary leaflet were distributed to individuals and to public organisations such as libraries, post offices, GP's surgeries, schools and universities.

  Government Accounting Systems
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many accounting systems are in use in central Government; and what plans he has to reduce the number of accounting systems across central Government. [165514]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is the responsibility of each body in central Government to maintain appropriate accounting systems. No central record is kept, but it is likely that most of these bodies will operate different systems.

  The Office of Government Commerce are currently leading a project to produce a standard specification for accounting systems for central civil Government that will include the requirement for future systems to be usable by more than one organisation. More widely, the Efficiency Review is working with departments to develop proposals for consideration in the Spending Review to simplify and standardise back office functions and the systems that support them.

  Household Income
  John Thurso
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average(a) household debt per annum and (b) household monthly income in each year since 1997, broken down by region. [166071]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to John Thurso, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on average household debt per annum and monthly household income by region since 1997. (166071)

  ONS does not compile regional estimates of household debt, or regional average monthly household income.

  However, ONS does publish estimates annual regional gross disposable household income (GDHI) at current prices, per head of resident population as part of regional household accounts. GDHI is described under the European System of Accounts 1995 (ESA95). These estimates were last published on 26 March 2002 and are presented in the attached table. This data set runs from 1995 to 1999. The estimates are available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCE article.asp?ID = 128&Pos = 2&ColRank = 1&Rank = 224

  ONS hope to publish regional household accounts up to 2002 by the end of 2004, subject to resolving issues of data availability at regional level.
  381W

  Total annual gross disposable household income1 (GDHI) per head of resident population: UK regions, 1995–1999

  Area

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  South East

  14,562

  15,425

  16,431

  17,395

  17,844

  South West

  12,759

  13,335

  14,093

  14,879

  15,323

  Wales

  11,160

  11,633

  12,029

  12,474

  12,913

  Scotland

  12,395

  12,876

  13,434

  14,064

  14,910

  Northern Ireland

  10,743

  11,009

  11,671

  12,174

  12,792

  1 Consistent with the 2001 National Accounts "Blue Book"

  2 Excludes GDHI from the "extra regio" category which covers the contribution to GDHI from UK embassy staff and forces personnel stationed overseas.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Landfill Tax
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for business of the changes in the Budget to landfill tax. [R] [166530]

  John Healey
  This April's £1 per tonne rise increase in the standard rate of landfill tax is part of the landfill tax escalator announced in Budget 1999. The tax is designed to be revenue neutral for businesses. Its introduction was accompanied by a 0.2 per cent. cut in employers' national insurance contributions. In addition, in Budget 2003 the Government said that incremental increases in landfill tax from 2005 would he revenue neutral to business. A number of options are now being examined, and consultation with stakeholders is continuing.

  Nannies (Disabled Children)
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend the tax relief on the employment of nannies to parents with disabled offspring. [166115]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government announced in Budget 2004, a new voluntary scheme that will enable a range of providers of good quality childcare to get approval allowing more working parents access to financial support. This will help working parents to meet their child care costs, including those who employ nannies to look after disabled children, by extending the range of childcare that is eligible for the child care element of working tax credit. Child care approved under the new scheme will also be eligible for the new tax and national insurance exemption on £50 a week of employer-contracted child care or employer-provided child care vouchers announced in the 2003 pre-Budget report.

  The Department for Education and Skills will consult on proposals for the scheme in summer 2004 for implementation in April 2005.

  National Tax Agency
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what role is envisaged for(a) drug enforcement and (b) drugs policy in the new National Tax Agency. [166108]

  John Healey
  Customs border detection staff will become part of the new combined Customs and Inland Revenue department and will continue to enforce as now the full range of import/export prohibitions and restrictions at the frontier including in respect of drugs.
  382W
  The policy work in respect of the full range of controls, it exercises at the frontier will also remain with the new department.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the objectives are of the modernisation plan being implemented by the Office for National Statistics: what the expected date of completion of implementation is; if he will make a statement on progress; and what the estimated cost is. [164747]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mark Hoban, dated 19 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the objectives are of the modernisation plan being implemented by the Office for National Statistics; what the expected date of completion of implementation is; and what the estimated cost is. (164747)

  The ONS was created in 1995 from the merger of three smaller organisations. The new organisation inherited:

  Different computer systems that are not fully compatible with each other and which are gradually becoming out-of-date and difficult to support.

  Different statistical tools requiring a large quantity of software licenses and support.

  Different methodologies and practices.

  The objective of the Modernisation Programme is to relocate these disparate systems into a robust, shared and enduring technical environment, supported by an agreed set of common statistical tools and methods. Where necessary, this process will involve the redesign of statistical systems to ensure that the quality, accessibility and efficiency benefits are optimised. This will increase the value of ONS's statistics and also improve the service it can offer to customers.

  >In the Spending Review 2002, Her Majesty's Treasury allocated £75 million over the period 2003–04 to 2005–06. Completion of the work package associated with this funding is therefore expected in 2006, although it is likely that further modernisation activity will take place in later years. The £75million allocation included £5million for 2003–04 to begin work, and undertake detailed planning and preparation, which has been done.

  Older People
  Steve Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what(a) initiatives. (b) campaigns and (c) advisory bodies relating to older people his Department (i) is responsible and (ii) has provided funding since 2001; and what the cost in each year was for each one. [166244]

  Mr. Boateng
  With the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Treasury has promoted a range of measures and initiatives aimed at improving the
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  incomes of older people, particularly those over state pension age, including increasing the basic state pension by more than inflation in 2001 –2003, guaranteeing future annual rises by the higher of 2.5 per cent. or RPI and launching the Pension Credit to reward those with modest savings for the first time.

  This year the Government will pay an extra £100 to over-70 households

  to help with council tax bills. This is on top of winter fuel payments, free TV licences and other measures.

  Public Lavatories
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the rateable value for the purpose of the uniform business rate of a public lavatory is the same in highly rateable and more lowly rated areas; [165937]

  (2) what the criteria are by which a valuation officer evaluates a public lavatory for the purpose of the uniform business rate; [165939]

  (3) what the (a) highest and (b) lowest rated public lavatory in England is for the purpose of the uniform business rate. [165940]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Details of the method and basis of valuation of Public Lavatories for non-domestic rating is set out in the Valuation Office Agency's Rating Manual. This can be found on its website at: www.voa.gov.uk/ instructions/chapters/rating-manual/ vol5/sect625.

  There are variations in the level of assessments that reflect the different levels of build costs across the country. In practice, a part of the calculation is a 'location factor' applied to the build costs. In the 2000 rating lists in England and Wales the highest location factor is 31.8 per cent. greater than the lowest. An addition of 5 per cent. is made to public conveniences in urban areas; this does not apply to rural public conveniences.

  The highest assessment for a public lavatory in England and Wales is £30,000 rateable value. This is a public lavatory at Tower Place, Tower Hill, London, EC4 6DS. There are a number of public lavatories assessed at £1 rateable value following the Lands Tribunal decision (Hodkinson (VO) v Strathclyde Regional Council Superannuation Fund 1996 RA 131).

  Senior Citizens (Birkenhead)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior citizens in Birkenhead qualified for the 10 pence rate of income tax in each year since its introduction. [166309]

  Dawn Primarolo
  All income taxpayers benefit from the 10p pence starting rate. The Survey of Personal Incomes estimates there are about 4,000 state retirement pension age taxpayers in the Birkenhead constituency in 2000–01 and 2001–02. Figures for 1999–2000 are currently not available.

  Serious Organised Crime Agency
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) drug enforcement and (b) drugs policy functions are being transferred from HM Customs and Excise to the Serious Organised Crime Agency. [166107]
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  Mr. Boateng
  The investigation and intelligence responsibilities of HM Customs and Excise in tackling serious drug trafficking and recovering related criminal assets will be transferred to the Serious Organised Crime Agency. The policy functions related to these activities will also transfer.

  Student Loans
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was received by the Inland Revenue in student loan repayment in each month in financial years(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; and when the payments were transferred to the Student Loan Company. [166117]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Latest information on the recovery of student loans through the tax system and payments to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) of loans recovered is shown in Note 5 to the Trust Statement in Appendix 1 of the Inland Revenue Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2003. An estimate of loans recovered, and payment to DfES, for 2003–04 will be published in the 2004 report.

  Monthly figures for receipts are not available as student loan deductions made by employers are reported to the Inland Revenue after the end of the tax year.

  Tax Credits
  Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit overpayments have arisen as a result of official errors in the last 12 months. [165412]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) on 9 March 2004,Official Report, column 1482W.

  Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether claimants of tax credits receive a copy of the Code of Practice on overpayments when it becomes evident that they may have been overpaid. [165413]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Anniesland (John Robertson) on 21 January 2004,Official Report, column 1259W, and the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) on 27 February 2004, Official Report, column 570–571W.

  Tax Stamps
  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2004, reference 164497, on tax stamps, what the responses were of the two EU or accession countries not named in the answer; and if he will place copies of these responses in the Library. [165880]

  John Healey
  The Government has now received and reviewed responses from both Hungary and Lithuania. Neither country plans to discontinue its tax stamp scheme. The Government will consider publishing these responses if the countries concerned give their permission to do so.

  Taxation
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the information provided in his answer to
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  the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on taxation of 23 January 2003, Official Report, column 430W; and if he will make a statement. [166127]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Comprehensive information on income tax has been placed in the Library of the House in October 2003. This information will be updated shortly after the Easter recess.

  The full-year capital gains tax yields in 2004–05 from introducing a rate of tax of 49 per cent. on (a) taxable and (b) gross incomes exceeding £100,000 per annum are both estimated to be £120 million.

  The income tax information is based upon the Survey of Personal Incomes and excludes any estimate of behavioural response to the tax change.

  Capital gains tax estimates take into account the likely effect on yield of changes in the volume of disposals in a full year caused by taxpayer's behaviour.

  Wayleaves
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose legislation to prohibit the Crown Estate from charging local authorities for wayleaves for public projects. [164774]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]The Crown Estate has a statutory duty to obtain an appropriate return from its assets under section 1 (3) of The Crown Estate Act 1961. The Crown Estate is no different from any other landowner in the way it seeks payment for wayleaves or the way in which they are valued.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the Crown Estate is entitled to charge a wayleave for a new bridge over the River South

  Amount (£)

  Authority

  Works

  Date

  2003–04

  0

  —

  —

  —

  2002–03

  0

  —

  —

  —

  2001–02

  0

  —

  —

  —

  2000–01

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  500

  Western Isles Council

  Wayleave for bridge span, Sound of Scalpay

  11 August 1999

  550

  Shetland Islands Council

  Wayleave for bridge span, Muckle Roe

  9 April 1999

  1998–99

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1997–98

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1995–96

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1994–95

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  100

  Western Isles Council

  Wayleave for bridge span, River Miavaig

  21 June 1993

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what process is used to determine the value of a wayleave charged by the Crown Estate to local authorities in respect of public works projects. [164779]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]The value of a wayleave is determined on a case-by-case basis through negotiation in accordance with professional valuation practice, with the respective local authority or its representative.

  As is laid down in the The Crown Estate Act 1961, no account is taken of monopoly value when valuing any Crown Estate asset.
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  Esk at Montrose when a wayleave exists for the current bridge. [164776]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]No new charge is being made for a wayleave over the River South Esk at Montrose. The wayleave for the existing bridge covers both the temporary and the new bridges.

  The charges that are being made are for the lease for land for the temporary bridge, and the sale of land for the new bridge.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the Crown Estate is able to charge substantial sums of money from Angus council for the construction of a temporary bridge over the River South Esk at Montrose while a new bridge is being built. [164777]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]The Crown Estate Act 1961, s.1(3) places a statutory duty on The Crown Estate Commissioners to maintain and enhance the value of The Crown Estate and the return obtained from it, but with due regard to the requirements of good management.

  A rental charge is being made for the lease of land for the temporary bridge because it is on Crown Estate foreshore and seabed (tidal riverbed is defined as seabed). The rental value was agreed between agents acting on behalf of The Crown Estate and on behalf of Angus council.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Crown Estate has received from local authorities in Scotland in each of the last 10 years as wayleaves for bridges and other public works projects. [164778]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 30 March 2004]The information is as follows:

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Agricultural Land
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes there have been in total land area used for agricultural purposes over the last 10 years, broken down by(a) country and (b) agricultural land use categories, as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. [165749]

  Hilary Benn
  The latest available figures from the Food and Agriculture Organisation indicate an overall 14.7 per cent. increase worldwide in land used for
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  agricultural purposes during the period 1991–2001. However, the increase is not spread across all continents. While Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean have all increased, North and Central America and Oceania have decreased by varying amounts. This information is provided in the following two tables.

  a) Total land area used for agricultural purposes by: country

  Land use-agricultural area (1000ha)

  1991

  2001

  Africa

  1,098,071

  1,108,071

  Asia

  1,306,609

  1,679,915

  Europe

  218,665

  487,771

  Latin America and Caribbean

  754,025

  784,205

  North and Central America

  639,787

  628,196

  Oceania

  482,826

  475,132

  Total

  4,499,983

  5,163,290

  b) Total land area used for agricultural land use category

  World land use

  1991

  2001

  Africa (1000ha)

  1,098,071

  1,108,333

  Arable land

  168,209

  182,294

  Permanent crops

  23,106

  26,326

  Permanent pasture

  906,756

  899,713

  Asia

  1,306,609

  1,679,915

  Arable land

  457,324

  508,595

  Permanent crops

  49.878

  61,361

  Permanent pasture

  799,407

  1,109,959

  Europe

  218,665

  487,771

  Arable land

  123,695

  288,132

  Permanent crops

  13,822

  16,947

  Permanent pasture

  81,148

  182,882

  Latin America and Caribbean

  754,025

  784,205

  Arable land

  135,839

  149,309

  Permanent crops

  18,625

  20,321

  Permanent pasture

  599,561

  614,575

  North and Central America

  639,787

  628,196

  Arable land

  266,299

  257,512

  Permanent crops

  7,661

  8,500

  Permanent pasture

  365,827

  362,184

  Oceania

  482,826

  475,132

  Arable land

  48,759

  52,384

  Permanent crops

  2,590

  3,278

  Permanent pasture

  431,477

  419,470

  Total

  4,499,983

  5,163,552

  Deforestation
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what net percentage of forest cover worldwide has been lost since 1990; and what acreage this represents(a) in total and (b) broken down by country. [165810]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The net percentage of forest cover change worldwide between 1990 and 2000 was 2.4 per cent. This represents the change in forest cover over the 10-year period to 2000 and is the most up-to-date global assessment of forest resources.

  (a) In terms of acreage this represents a total worldwide loss during the 1990s in forest cover of 232,214,811 acres (93,974,000 hectares).

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  (b) Forest cover data for individual countries may be found in the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 Main Report. This is published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and is available online via the following web link: http://www fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/forestry2/ index.jsp?siteld = 101&sitetreld = 8334&langld = 1&geold = 0

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of land area in(a) Africa, (b) Asia, (c) South America, (d) Europe and (e) North America he estimates was covered in forest in (i) 1975, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1995 and (iv) 2002. [165811]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Reliable and comparative global forest cover data are not available for the years requested. They are available for the years 2000 and 1990 and I have provided these as follows.

  This information is drawn from the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000, published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, which is the most comprehensive and technologically advanced assessment in FAO's 50-year history. The Global Forest Resources Assessment of 1990, although not as advanced, brings together comparable information on the world's forest resources for the period 1980–90.

  The percentage of land area covered in forest in 1990 and 2000 in each of the regions of the world is as follows:

  (a) Africa: (i) 23.6 per cent. in 1990; (ii) 21.8 per cent. in 2000

  (b) Asia: (i) 17.9 per cent. in 1990; (ii) 17.8 per cent. in 2000

  (c) South America: (i) 52.6 per cent. in 1990; (ii) 50.5 per cent. in 2000

  (d) Europe: (i) 45.6 per cent. in 1990: (ii) 46 per cent. in 2000

  (e) North and Central America: (i) 26 per cent. in 1990; (ii) 25.7 per cent. in 2000.

  Land Degradation
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of land area in(a) Africa, (b) Asia, (c) South America. (d) Europe and (e) North America he estimates was suffering land degradation in (i) 1975, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1995 and (iv) 2002. [165812]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Comparative global land degradation data are not available for the years requested. They are available for 1992 when the most recent global assessment of land degradation was made, and I have provided these as follows.

  Land degradation takes a number of forms, including depletion of soil nutrients, salinisation, soil erosion, vegetative degradation, and deforestation. All of these types of degradation cause a decline in the productivity of the land, reducing potential yields and posing a potential threat to the rural livelihoods of poor people in developing countries.

  Existing estimates of the current global extent and severity of the problem of land degradation should be considered indicative at best: land degradation is something that cannot be easily monitored and measured. Responding to the need for a global overview of land degradation, the Global Assessment of Human-induced Soil Degradation (GLASOD), published in 1992, became the first comprehensive soil degradation

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  overview on a world scale. Soil degradation is considered to be a good indicator for measuring land degradation.

  GLASOD is limited, however, and the need for more objective, qualitative approaches, using nationally-based data rather than global or regional figures, is widely recognised. New international initiatives are underway to develop national data acquisition on land degradation, using GIS (Geographic Information Systems), remote sensing and local assessments.

  Based on the results of the 1992 Global Assessment, the percentage of land area pet region affected by human-induced soil degradation is as follows:

  (a) Africa: 16.6 per cent. of total land surface

  (b) Asia: 17.6 per cent. of total land surface

  (c) South America: 13.7 per cent. of total land surface

  (d) Europe: 23 per cent. of total land surface

  (e) North America: 5 per cent. of total land surface.

  Afghanistan
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many refugees have returned to Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime. [164852]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, over 2.9 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime. This is in addition to some 500,000 people who were displaced within Afghanistan who have returned home.

  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees on support and return of displaced persons following transfer of responsibility for implementation of Annex VII of the General Framework Agreement for Peace from the Office of the High Representative to the Bosnia and Herzegovina

  DFID staff by ethnic origin

  Grade

  Asian

  Black

  Chinese

  Mixed

  Other Ethnic Minority

  White

  Undeclared Ethnic Origin

  Total

  Senior Civil Service

  3

  0

  0

  1

  2

  51

  14

  71

  A1 (Level 6)

  3

  0

  0

  10

  0

  121

  44

  178

  A2 (Level 7)

  7

  1

  0

  5

  3

  238

  114

  368

  A3 (Senior Executive Officer)

  3

  4

  0

  1

  1

  88

  42

  139

  B1 (Higher Executive Officer)

  17

  11

  0

  5

  3

  189

  72

  297

  B2 (Executive Officer)

  9

  15

  2

  5

  8

  219

  37

  295

  C1 (Administrative Officer)

  11

  19

  0

  7

  4

  214

  51

  306

  C2 (Administrative Assistant)

  5

  2

  0

  0

  0

  54

  29

  90

  Totals

  58

  52

  2

  34

  21

  1,174

  403

  1,744

  DFID staff by disability status

  Grade

  Disabled

  Non-Disabled

  Total

  Senior Civil Service

  1

  70

  71

  A1 (Level 6)

  2

  176

  178

  A2 (Level 7)

  2

  366

  368

  A3 (Senior Executive Officer)

  0

  139

  139

  B1 (Higher Executive Officer)

  4

  293

  297

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  authorities on 1 January; and if he will make a statement. [166413]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The British Government are in regular contact with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees. The most recent discussions took place on 29 March 2004. The British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with the Swedish Ambassador and Head of the Swedish Development Agency, met the Minister for Human Rights and Refugees to discuss how Bosnia and Herzegovina could make full use of its newly-acquired membership of the Council of Europe Development Bank. The bank provides low cost loans to its members, mainly to support reconstruction and facilitate the return of displaced persons.

  Civil Servants
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list for each civil service grade within his(a) Department and (b) Department's executive agencies, the total number of staff employed, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) ethnic group and (iii) age group; and how many are registered disabled. [166399]

  Hilary Benn
  Details of DFID Home Civil Service staff numbers (there are no executive agencies), by Civil Service grade, and broken down by (i) gender; (ii) ethnic group (iii) disability status and (iv) age group, are contained in the following tables:

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Senior Civil Service

  54

  17

  71

  A1 (Level 6)

  131

  47

  178

  A2 (Level 7)

  211

  157

  368

  A3 (Senior Executive Officer)

  67

  72

  139

  B1 (Higher Executive Officer)

  166

  131

  297

  B2 (Executive Officer)

  132

  163

  295

  C1 (Administrative Officer)

  99

  207

  306

  C2 (Administrative Assistant)

  39

  51

  90

  Totals

  899

  845

  1,744

  DFID staff by disability status

  Grade

  Disabled

  Non-Disabled

  Total

  B2 (Executive Officer)

  4

  291

  295

  C1 (Administrative Officer)

  13

  293

  306

  C2 (Administrative Assistant)

  3

  87

  90

  Totals

  29

  1,715

  1,744

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  DFID staff by age group

  Grade

  Under 25

  25 to 34

  35 to 44

  45 to 54

  55 to 64

  65 +

  Total

  Senior Civil Service

  0

  0

  19

  37

  15

  0

  71

  A1 (Level 6)

  0

  7

  56

  81

  34

  0

  178

  A2 (Level 7)

  0

  107

  163

  74

  24

  0

  368

  A3 (Senior Executive Officer)

  0

  30

  56

  46

  7

  0

  139

  B1 (Higher Executive Officer)

  10

  107

  92

  74

  14

  0

  297

  B2 (Executive Officer)

  6

  92

  114

  67

  15

  1

  295

  C1 (Administrative Officer)

  18

  71

  114

  65

  36

  2

  306

  C2 (Administrative Assistant)

  11

  14

  15

  26

  24

  0

  90

  Totals

  45

  428

  629

  470

  169

  3

  1,744

  These details form part of our bi-annual staffing level returns to the Cabinet Office. Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service is collected by the Cabinet Office and published in "Civil Service Statistics". A copy of "Civil Service Statistics 2002" is available in the Library of the House, and at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. The 2003 edition setting out these latest figures will be published in summer 2004.

  Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the published objectives were of the Common, Foreign and Security Policy activity reported in the financial tables of the 2003 Commission report on EU Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance in 2002; what his Department's involvement in the activity was; what results it achieved; and what assessment he has made of its value for money. [165182]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Detailed descriptions of the objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as described under chapter 8 in the financial tables of the EC Annual Report, are given as part of the "Final adoption of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2002". This was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 31 of January 2002 (volume 45 L29, pp.1345). A copy of this is available in the parliamentary Library or via the Commission website at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/ archive/2002/1_02920020131en.html.

  In 2002 DFID contributed approximately £50,000 towards land mine clearance in Croatia managed under chapter 8. However overall responsibility for chapter 8 lies with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  The activities under the CFSP budget are subject to a regular prioritisation debate against political objectives by the Political and Security Committee in which the UK takes a full part. Issues relating to value for money may be discussed as part of this review process.

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the expansion of industrial logging in the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not compromise the rights and livelihoods of the people dependent on the forest for their survival. [165480]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government of the DRC recognises that there should be better management of natural resources, including forests, so as better to contribute to 392W
  national development and poverty reduction. DFID plans to support the strengthening of natural resource governance in the DRC, including forestry. As a first step we are currently supporting an analysis of the governance framework for natural resource extraction and options for improvements. In the meantime the Government is receiving assistance in the forestry sector from the World Bank, and DFID officials have been in dialogue with the Bank about this work. There is a possibility that DFID will provide assistance in this area to support the Bank's programme.

  Commercial logging, needs to bring real benefits to the population of the DRC, and the interests of the large number of forest-dependent poor people in DRC should not be prejudiced by logging activities. With World Bank encouragement the Government of the DRC has put a moratorium on new forestry concessions until appropriate regulations are in place to govern the process. The World Bank is also supporting a review of previously allocated concessions, to ensure they meet the new forest code which includes provisions to ensure the rights of local communities.

  DFID is also supporting the involvement of civil society in Central African countries to follow up on the Africa Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Conference that took place last year. In addition, the EU aims to develop partnership agreements with individual countries under its Action Plan to strengthen forest governance in the Central African region.

  Departmental Computers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Department. [166376]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Computer hardware and software updates are determined and agreed as part of DFID's e-business, ICT and Knowledge Sharing strategic studies.

  Hardware refresh cycles are subject to a rolling programme based upon the expected life span of the equipment involved—usually every 4–5 years. Details of the current hardware upgrade plans are at Table 1.

  The timing of software updates tends to be driven by the need to deliver additional functionality, to comply with legislative changes (e.g. payroll) and to remain within support matrices for the products. Details of the current software update plans are at Table 2.
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  Table 1: Hardware upgrades

  Hardware type

  Date purchased

  Life (years)

  Upgrade due

  HP4 L2000 Mini computer

  2000

  4–5

  2004–05

  HP AutoRAID Mini computer

  2001

  4–5

  2005–06

  HP5 L2000 Mini computer

  2001

  4–5

  2005–06

  HP6 L2000 Mini computer

  2002

  4–5

  2006–07

  Compaq Storage Area Networks (3)

  2001–03

  3–4

  2004–07

  NT Web Servers (45)

  2000–02

  4–5

  2004–07

  Table 2: Software Upgrades

  Software description

  Installed

  Upgrade path

  Upgrade due

  HP Unix Operating System v11

  2001

  HPUXv12

  2005?

  Windows 2000 (network os)

  2001

  Windows 2003

  2004

  Oracle v8i (corporate database)

  2001

  Oracle v9i or 1 0g

  2004

  CODA v7 (Financial)

  2001

  1n/k

  n/k

  Rebus v3.4 (HR)

  2003

  Rebus v 3.6

  2004

  Citrix XP (Thin client Access)

  2003

  Citrix (newer version)

  2006?

  Novell NetWare v 5.1 (network os)

  2002

  Windows 2003

  2005–06

  Win98 desktop os (UK)

  2002

  WinXP

  2005–06

  Win2000 desktop os (overseas)

  2002–04

  WinXP

  2005–06

  Novel GroupWise v5.5 (e-mail)

  2002

  Microsoft Exchange

  2005–06

  Microsoft Office 2000

  2002

  MS Office XP

  2005–06

  1Will be reviewed as part of the Aries project and may be replaced.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if he will make a statement on(a) the nature of the health and education projects in (i) Russia, (ii) Mongolia, (iii) Ukraine, (iv) Georgia, (v) Armenia and (vi) Azerbaijan that were financed by EU development assistance in 2002, (b) the effectiveness of the projects and (c) his Department's involvement in the projects; [165172]

  (2) if he will make a statement on (a) the nature of the 24 million euro environment project in Russia that was financed by EU development assistance in 2002, (b) the effectiveness of the project and (c) his Department's involvement in the project. [165203]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  EU development assistance in these countries is provided through the Tacis programme. The Department is involved in projects implemented under Tacis by contributing the UK's share of the European Commission budget allocated to Tacis and by participating in the Management Committee established to define strategy and oversee the programme. Implementation of specific projects (including procurement, which is governed by EC procurement rules) is the responsibility of the Commission.

  When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely impact, cost-effectiveness and value for money. Many of the 2002 projects are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the projects will only be possible once they have been completed. The EC, through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the(a) Good Governance and Improvement of the Law project, (b) 2002 Middle East Peace project and
  394W

  Table 1: Hardware upgrades

  Hardware type

  Date purchased

  Life (years)

  Upgrade due

  Network servers

  2001

  4–5

  2005–06

  Desktop pcs

  2002

  4–5

  2006–07

  Laptop pcs

  2003–04

  2–3

  2005–07

  Printers

  2003

  3–4

  2006–07

  PDAs

  2003–04

  n/k

  n/k

  Copiers

  2002

  4–5

  2006–08

  (c) 2002 project on technical assistance, ref B7–410 MEDA; and if he will describe his Department's contribution to each project. [165208]

  Hilary Benn
  All these projects are being implemented by the European Commission under their MEDA ("Mesures d'Accompagnement") programme, which is the principal financial instrument of the European Union for providing technical and financial support to accompany the reform of economic and social structures in Mediterranean partner countries. DFID is involved through having attributed to our budget the UK's contribution to MEDA, (which in 2002 amounted to around 19 per cent. of the total), and through our being consulted by the EC as it develops its individual country strategies and spending proposals. Implementation of individual projects (including procurement) is the responsibility of the Commission.

  When considering Commission funding proposals, the Department takes a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely impact, cost-effectiveness and value for money. Many of the 2002 projects are still in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the projects, and production of final spending figures, will only be possible once they have been completed.

  Drought
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what land area in total was affected by drought as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in each of the last 10 years, broken down by(a) country and (b) length of drought period. [165748]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID does not hold data on land area affected by drought and information in this format is not available from the FAO. To provide the data as requested would incur disproportionate cost.

  EC/EU Development Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the published objectives were of the expenditure on other external charters of community policy referred to in the financial tables of the Commission Report 2003 on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance in 2002; what his Department's involvement in future charters was; what results they achieved; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [165101]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The entry for "other external policy chapters" in the financial tables of the EC annual report includes budget lines for the promotion of community inward investment in the developing countries of Latin America (B7–872) and the Commission's contribution to international environmental activities (B7–811) for which DFID is financially responsible.

  Detailed descriptions of the objectives of these individual chapters are given as part of the "Final adoption of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2002". This was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on the 31 January 2002 (volume 45 L29, pps 1343 and 1325 respectively). A copy of this is available in the parliamentary Library or via the Commission website at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/ archive/2002/102920020131en.html.

  DFID's comment on future budget proposals from the Commission, through the annual budget negotiation process led by HM Treasury takes a number of factors into consideration including cost effectiveness. The new financial regulation requires that all future community funded activities be based on Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time hound (SMART) objectives, and accompanied by appropriate criteria for performance measurement and evaluation.

  The UK Government have been a leading advocate for activity-based budgeting which was adopted by the Commission in 2003, this will increase the transparency and efficiency of budgetary decision-making in the future and help deliver a more effective EC budget.

  The EC is best placed to carry out value for money assessments for individual budget lines through its own performance monitoring mechanisms.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the published objectives were of the other specific actions listed as items B7–66 in the financial tables of the 2003 European Commission Report on EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance in 2002; what his Department's involvement in these actions was; what results they achieved; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [165127]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Items listed under B7–66 "Other specific actions" in the financial tables of the Commission report include financing for the "European Training Foundation" (B7–664), "Co-operation with Industrialised non member countries" (B7–665), and "Cooperation with third countries on Migration" (B7–667).
  396W
  Responsibility for these budget lines lies with the Department for Education and Skills, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office respectively.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the commitment of EU development assistance to provide support to national co-ordination units in 2002. [163861]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  In 2002, €5 million was committed under the Tacis (Technical Assistance to the CIS) programme to provide support to National Coordinating Units. Each partner state in the Tacis region has a national co-ordinator, who is usually a senior member of that country's administration, supported by a National Co-ordinating Unit (NCU). The NCU is an institution of the partner country Government, and is headed by a local executive director and staffed by a team of national officials and experts, with necessary logistical and secretarial support.

  The primary objective of EU support for NCUs is to improve and strengthen the planning and co-ordinating capacity of partner Governments in activities such as: providing information on their priorities; organising consultations with stakeholders; advising on drafts of programmes and project proposals; and providing functions related to Tacis where a national body is required.

  The allocation is used to fund EU and local expertise, training, and office and equipment costs.

  EU Information and Communication Projects
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the(a) objectives and (b) results of the (i) Mediterranean and (ii) Middle East projects on information and communication that were financed by EU development assistance in 2002; and what his Department's involvement in the projects was. [165204]

  Hilary Benn
  These projects are being implemented by the European Commission under their MEDA ("Mésures d'Accompagnement") programme, which is the principal financial instrument of the European Union for providing technical and financial support to accompany the reform of economic and social structures in Mediterranean partner countries. DFID is involved through having attributed to our budget the UK's contribution to MEDA, (which in 2002 amounted to around 19 per cent. of the total), and through our being consulted by the EC as it develops its individual country strategies and spending proposals. Implementation of individual projects (including procurement) is the responsibility of the Commission.

  When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID takes a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely impact, cost-effectiveness and value for money. Many of the 2002 projects are still in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the projects, and production of final spending figures, will only be possible once they have been completed.

  Fair Trade Movement
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with the Fair Trade Movement on their work with developing countries. [164939]

  Hilary Benn
  I met with Harriet Lamb, the Director of Fairtrade Foundation, on 1 March 2004 and spoke at the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight. DFID has a continuing dialogue with the Fairtrade Foundation on their work with producers in developing countries.

  Ghana
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department has made available for improvements to the water supply in(a) Accra and (b) Kumasi; and what conditions regarding the involvement of the private sector apply to such funding. [166359]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID made a grant of £13.95 million to the Ghana Water Sector Improvement Project in 1998 with £7.735 million earmarked for capital expenditure. To date over £4.5 million has been used for technical assistance projects. DFID have now agreed with the Government of Ghana that the capital funds may be used in any urban area. The conditions which reflect an established Government of Ghana policy under successive administrations for the use of the capital funds are:Tariff increases should have reached a level whereby average tariffs are at economically viable levels, or a plan is announced to reach viable tariff levels within a satisfactory time frame.
  Bids should have been received showing private sector interest in operating urban schemes.
  There is evidence of the Government of Ghana's commitment to a tariff structure which balances commercial needs with poor people's ability to pay.

  Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the UK Government will contribute to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in(a) 2004 and (b) 2005. [164928]

  Gareth Thomas
  For the financial year 2004–5, DFID's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) will be £30 million. This will be paid in May. In 2004–6 DFID has pledged £33 million.

  The GFATM is one of a number of instruments used to tackle these terrible diseases of poverty. Most of DFID's HIV/AIDS spending, of which the UKU is the second biggest bilateral donor, goes direct to developing countries through Government, NGOs or the private sector. Last year DFID invested over £270 million on HIV/AIDS related bilateral work and have contributed £48 million to Roll Back Malaria and invested £2 million to the Stop TB Partnership, DFID has committed over £1.5 billion since 1997 to support the strength of health systems to help deal with these diseases in developing countries.

  Good Governance (West Africa)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his 398W
  Department has made of the link between good governance and its relation to economic productivity in developing countries with particular reference to (a) Guinea and (b) Senegal. [166590]

  Hilary Benn
  Good governance and economic growth are crucial requirements for poverty reduction in Africa. Our experience and research shows that broad based economic growth and poverty reduction can only be sustained where there is effective government. Investment is vital for growth and businesses will only invest if they feel confident that they will benefit from successful investment and perceive the risks of expropriation to be low. The priorities for improving the business environment will depend on country context.

  DFID has not made any country specific assessment of the relationship between good governance and economic productivity in either Guinea or Senegal. Our assistance to both these countries is mainly through multilateral channels such as the EC and World Bank. In Senegal our assistance through these channels amounted to £13 million in 2001. In Guinea we are closely in touch with the EC who are starting negotiations with Guinea on necessary governance reforms, as a condition of resumption of EC assistance. There is a clear connection between such reforms and economic development.

  HIV/AIDS
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department has given to military forces in sub-Saharan Africa to establish programmes to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS by their soldiers. [164762]

  Hilary Benn
  I have been asked to reply.

  DFID recognises the high incidence of HIV prevalence among African military personnel and the problems of tackling HIV-infection in conflict areas and among African peacekeeping troops. This issue is also addressed within the interdepartmental (DFID, FCO and MOD) Africa Conflict Prevention Pool.

  DFID has been working with UNAIDS to incorporate HIV/AIDS policies into the design of UN led peacekeeping operations, many of which are operational in Africa and involve African troop contributing countries. A separate piece of work has just begun to develop similar guidelines and approaches with the African Union.

  Regional training centers, such as the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training center (supported by the UK Government through the interdepartmental Africa Conflict Prevention Pool) also provide a range of training courses for African peacekeepers, some of which touch on HIV/AIDS.

  Ultimately addressing the causes of conflict is key to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS among military personnel and between military personnel and civilians. African conflict prevention therefore remains a key focus for DFID and for wider HMG programmes of support.

  Humanitarian Crises
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department takes to verify the accuracy of claims by charitable organisations concerning humanitarian crises. [166479]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has the capacity to undertake continuous global surveillance to identify and monitor disasters and emergencies. In the event of a humanitarian crisis, DFID officials gather information from a number of sources in order to establish the real nature and scale of humanitarian needs. This process involves detailed investigation through the internet, media, the United Nations, DFID overseas offices, UK Diplomatic Missions, Governors offices in the UK Overseas Territories and the Red Cross/Red Crescent family. If required, DFID officials are deployed to the specific affected country to assess the situation for themselves.

  Charitable organisations are required to submit an audit report within nine months of the end of the recipient's financial year which clarifies use of DFID's funds separately.

  Iraq
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what independent financial auditing is undertaken on the contracts issued by the Coalition Provisional Authority for the reconstruction of Iraq. [166606]

  Hilary Benn
  The use of all Iraqi assets by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) is subject to independent auditing oversight by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB), which was set up under UNSCR 1483.

  In order to ensure its independence, IAMB'S membership comprises representatives of the United Nations, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. IAMB has recently appointed a private sector audit firm to undertake its audit functions. IAMB'S website is www.iamb.info

  The use by the CPA of United States Government resources is subject to the audit procedures of the US authorities.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of(a) the extent to which non-governmental organisations will exit Iraq following the scheduled handover of sovereignty to Iraqis on 30 June and (b) the impact this will have on the humanitarian situation in the country. [165428]

  Hilary Benn
  The number of international NGOs present in much of Iraq has been low for some months because of security concerns. However, some continue to operate using Iraqi or Arabic staff, and there are a large number of emerging Iraqi NGOs and more international NGOs are present in Kurdish areas. After the handover of sovereignty, and with the return of the UN, it is possible that international NGOs might increase their presence, but this will mainly depend on the security situation.
  400W
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations have been made to him by UK-based non-governmental organisations on the security of their aid workers in Iraq following the scheduled handover of sovereignty to Iraqis on 30 June. [165429]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID maintains close and regular contact with UK-based non-governmental organisations. The security environment remains one of our central concerns. However, no specific representations have been made on the security of aid workers following the scheduled handover of sovereignty on 30 June.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps will be taken to ensure the security of aid workers in Iraq following the scheduled handover of sovereignty to Iraqis on 30 June. [165430]

  Hilary Benn
  Following the transfer to Iraqi sovereignty on 30 June the UK will continue its contribution to the multinational force, which is mandated with contributing to security and stability in Iraq. DFID already provides some security-related assistance to the UN and will offer support to help the UN re-establish itself in Iraq. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be responsible for their own security, but DFID will continue to maintain regular dialogue with them on security issues.

  Extensive measures are taken to protect DFID staff and contractors, for example through the provision of safety and communications equipment, security training, briefing and armed protection. These security arrangements will be kept under constant review before and after the transition to Iraqi sovereignty.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether training projects or preparations for Iraq proposed by(a) the Emergency Response Team and (b) the Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department of his Department were (i) cancelled and (ii) postponed in the year to 1 May 2003. [165985]

  Hilary Benn
  There were no training projects or preparations for Iraq DFID's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department, including its Operational Team, cancelled or postponed in the year to 1 May 2003.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what occasions the head of the Emergency Response Team visited(a) Iraq and (b) the Gulf region in the year to 1 May 2003. [165986]

  Hilary Benn
  The Director of the Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department's Operations Team made visits to Kuwait on 4–7 February 2003 and Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait and Iraq 13–17 April 2003. These visits were for operational planning and management purposes. He also visited Cyprus on 26–27 March 2003 for discussions with United Nations agencies.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether any training in personal health and safety for(a) the Emergency Response Team and (b) the Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department of his Department was (i) cancelled and (ii) postponed in the year to 1 May 2003. [165987]
  401W
  Hilary Benn
  There was no cancellation or postponement of training in personal health and safety for DFID's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department, including its Operational Team, in the year to 1 May 2003. 29 staff from the Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department, including part-time consultants of the Operational Team, attended health and safety courses in this period.

  Training in personal health and safety for staff is identified following training needs assessments and arranged to suit course and individual Availability and the priority of the requirement. Apart from internal briefings, the Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department does not run its own health and safety training. It sends staff to appropriate external courses. These courses are reviewed annually reflecting changing priorities. In addition DFID provides its staff with regular advice on health and safety issues.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance has been given to trade union bodies in Iraq; what programmes such assistance was given under, and whether those programmes are still open for further assistance. [166137]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has not yet provided any funding for trade unions in Iraq. Trade unions under Saddam Hussein were part of the Ba'ath Party machinery and had very little independence. Effectively they no longer exist. It will take time to establish more appropriate structures for industrial relations in Iraq.

  DFID is committed to supporting the emergence of a vibrant civil society in Iraq, including through trade union organisations as they begin to emerge. DFID is putting in place, programmes for providing support to civil society groups. Proposals from nascent trade union groups will be eligible to be considered for funding.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's total expenditure in Iraq has been since May 2003; if he will list the major projects funded; and under which budget heads each project was funded. [166414]

  Hilary Benn
  In the 2003–04 financial year, DFID disbursed £209 million from its Iraq programme budget, and £1.1 million from its running costs budget on expenditure related to managing the Iraq programme.

  Updated lists of projects are regularly deposited in the Library of the House. Since March 2003, DFID has approved funding for projects worth £278.6 million under the Iraq programme. The main areas for support are as follows:

  £13 million to United Nations agencies for pre-conflict preparedness:
  World Food Programme (£8 million);
  UNICEF (£2 million);
  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (£1.75 million);
  World Health Organisation (£1 million);
  Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (£150,000);
  Office of the United Nations Security Co-ordinator (£100,000).
  402W
  £71.8 million to United Nations agencies in response the UN Consolidated Appeals for Iraq:
  World Food Programme (WFP), for food aid and logistical support (£25 million);
  United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for emergency assistance to the electricity sector (£12.2 million), rehabilitation work on Umm Qasr Port (£3.1 million), rapid employment generation (£0.9 million);
  UNICEF, for water and sanitation projects, child immunisation, and mine risk awareness (£13.8 million);
  World Health Organisation, for health system support (£5 million);
  UN Mine Action Service, for mine clearance activities (£4.4 million);
  Office of the UN Security Co-ordinator (UNSECOORD), to support enhanced UN security in Iraq (3.5 million);
  Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), for recovery of agriculture in southern Iraq (£1.5 million);
  Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), for information coordination and technology (£0.75 million);
  UN Environment Programme (UNEP), for post conflict environmental assessment (£0.7 million);
  UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), for promoting women's rights (£0.5 million);
  Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, for promoting human rights in Iraq (£4 million).

  £70 million to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI), of which £40 million was allocated to the World Bank Trust Fund, and £30 million to the United Nations Trust Fund.

  £32 million to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, for emergency humanitarian provision.

  £7.3 million to non-governmental organisations for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.

  £84.5 million for specific projects, of which:
  £25.9 million to meet the costs of secondments and consultants in the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA);
  £26.7 million for infrastructure rehabilitation projects in southern Iraq;
  £8.5 million to the International Finance Corporation's facility for support to small and medium businesses;
  £6.5 million to the BBC World Service Trust for the re-establishment of broadcasting capacity;
  £5 million to set up a Political Participation Fund to increase opportunities for political representation by all Iraqi citizens;
  £3.15 million to support CPA Governorate teams in southern Iraq;
  £3.15 million to the IMF for economic governance and financial management support;
  £3 million for strengthening the capacity of public administration;
  £2.1 million for support to the justice system, including training for judges and lawyers in human rights law;
  £0.5 million for training Iraqi journalists.

  Kenya
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources his Department will make available to the Kenyan Government in 2004–05; and if he will make representations to the Kenyan authorities on problems in North-West Kenya regarding(a) the roads infrastucture and (b) a clean water distribution system. [165063]
  403W
  Hilary Benn
  In 2002 DFID provided £36.25 million in direct assistance to Kenya in support of the Government's Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS). I expect to at least to maintain this level of resources in 2004–05.

  DFID supports development work in North-West Kenya through partners such as Oxfam. This work includes humanitarian assistance, drought mitigation, pastoral development, access to water, peace building and conflict management and strategic studies and operational inputs. It is carried out in close collaboration with the Kenyan authorities, and involves strengthening local organisations in their discussions with the Government about the provision of basic services, including roads and water. DFID's staff in Nairobi also maintain a close dialogue with the Kenyan Government on these issues. DFID has welcomed the emphasis that the Kenyan Government has placed on reducing poverty in the arid parts of Kenya, and will continue to monitor its implementation closely.

  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what amount of overseas aid has been allocated to assisting Kenya in each of the last 10 years. [165801]

  Hilary Benn
  Levels of official development assistance allocated to Kenya in each of the last 10 years are shown in the following table. All figures are in million.

  £ million

  Amount of UK bilateral assistance

  UK imputed share of EC assistance

  1993

  26.30

  5.2

  1994

  28.94

  3.5

  1995

  22.04

  6.3

  1996

  28.04

  3.8

  1997

  28.45

  3.7

  1998

  32.64

  4.6

  1999

  34.01

  1.2

  2000

  48.30

  2.3

  2001

  38.27

  8.4

  2002

  36.25

  14.13

  1UK share of EC aid in 2002 estimated as official calculation exercise still to be carried out.

  Land Classification
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information he has collated on(a) the average area of land classified as wetlands, (b) the (i) maximum and (ii) minimum area of mountain snow cover and (c) the total area of sea level intrusion in each of the last ten years, broken down by country. [165809]

  Hilary Benn
  The Department for International Development (DFID) does not collect this information.

  Mine Clearance
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department will spend on(a) humanitarian mine clearance, (b) commercial mine clearance, (c) military initiatives in mine clearance, (d) mine awareness, (e) mine victim assistance and (f) research and development for mine clearance in 2004. [165849]
  404W
  Hilary Benn
  Until the work of the current DFID review of mine action is complete I am unable to precisely indicate the detail of our mine action budget for 2004–05. However I anticipate that DFID's total allocation in this sector will remain at current levels.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on(a) humanitarian mine clearance, (b) commercial mine clearance, (c) military initiatives in mine clearance, (d) mine awareness, (e) mine victim assistance and (f) research and development for mine clearance in 2003. [165850]

  Hilary Benn
  Disbursements in the Financial Year 2003–04 were as follows:

  (£)

  Humanitarian Mine Clearance

  19,717,650

  Mine Risk Education (Awareness) Grant to UNICEF

  650,000

  Research & Development inc knowledge provision

  1,498,443

  1DFID has not directly funded commercial mine clearance or military mine clearance initiatives in 2003. However commercial companies will benefit from contracts that use DFID funds provided to the United Nations for mine action programmes. The above programmes also include integrated demining activities that include mine risk education programmes. DFID is not able to disaggregate either of these figures.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the recent review his Department made of its mine action funding policy. [165851]

  Hilary Benn
  The review of DFID's Mine Action Funding Strategy is still continuing. As soon as a final decision has been reached I will inform interested organisations.

  Bushmeat
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the action being undertaken by his Department to combat the international trade in bushmeat. [163512]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID's primary concern is poverty reduction and helping to bring about sustainable development for more than one billion people who are trying to live on less than one dollar a day. While bushmeat is an important source of food and livelihoods for many poor people, particularly those living in or close to forests, the bulk of bushmeat harvesting is not traded across national boundaries and less than 1 per cent. oft he harvest is thought to comprise endangered species. DFID is concerned that the steady decline in the supply of bushmeat is having a negative impact on the livelihoods of poor people.

  The Government has set up an Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on International Biodiversity to ensure that our response to biodiversity issues, including bushmeat, is as effective as possible.

  Palestine
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the situation in Gaza, with particular reference to the movement of food into the area. [165823]
  405W
  Hilary Benin
  The Government and our EU partners are seriously concerned about the new restrictions placed on the entry of humanitarian goods and services to Gaza, and have made strong representations to the Israeli Government to ease the situation. While DFID respects Israel's legitimate security needs, it is essential that these are addressed in a manner which minimises interference with the work of international organisations, humanitarian bodies and diplomats. 600,000 Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip are dependent on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's food aid programme. This programme has been suspended as a consequence of current Israeli restrictions. Until the situation is resolved it will cause further suffering for communities struggling to cope with prolonged economic hardship.

  Policy Objectives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the published objectives were of the(a) democracy and human rights, (b) international fishing agreements and (c) bananas ACP projects that were financed on the general Commission budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in them was; what results they achieved; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [165171]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Detailed descriptions of the objectives of individual projects are given as part of the "Final adoption of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2002", published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 31 January 2002 (volume 45 L29). A copy of this is available in the parliamentary library or via the Commission website at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/ archive/2002/1_02920020131en.html. Chapters relevant to the question can be found on the following pages: Human Rights pp. 1309; fishing agreements pp. 1314; Assistance to ACP banana producers pp. 1340. Funding for projects financed in 2002 may have been allocated in earlier years.

  DFID comments on the Commission's future budget proposals for the Democracy and Human Rights and Assistance to ACP banana producers budget lines, through the annual budget negotiation process led by HM Treasury. Matters relating to international fishing agreements are the concern of the Department for Rural Affairs. In considering proposals from the Commission a number of factors are taken into account including cost effectiveness.

  The EC Human Rights and Democracy initiative resulted in funding contributions for 33 specific projects in 2002. Details of these can be found on the Commission's website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/proiects/ eidhr/projects_2002_targeted en.htm#701.

  In addition further funding was provided from this budget line for specific projects carried out by non-governmental organisations working in the field of democracy and human rights.

  Expenditure on Assistance to ACP Banana producers resulted in continued financial support to 12 traditional ACP suppliers under the special framework of assistance established in 1999. Projects included support
  406W
  for improving competitiveness and encouragement for diversification in countries where banana production is no longer considered profitable.

  An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC is best placed to carry out value for money assessments for individual budget lines through its own performance monitoring mechanisms.

  Rapid Reaction Mechanism
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the published objectives were of the rapid reaction mechanism financed on the General Commission Budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in the mechanism was; what results it achieved; and what assessment he has made of its value for money. [165180]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Detailed descriptions of the objectives for the EC Rapid Reaction Mechanism (RRM) are outlined in the Commission's Annual Report 2003 on the European Community's Development policy and the implementation of external assistance in 2002 (p 70–73) and in the Official Journal of the European Communities published on 31 January 2002 (volume 45 L29, pps 1306). A copy of this is available in the parliamentary Library or via the Commission website at http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/en/ archive/2002/1_02920020131en.html.

  These include, preventative action during emerging crises, acute crisis management, post conflict reconciliation and post-crisis reconstruction.

  As with other parts of the Commission budget DFID engaged in discussion around funding for the RRM through the annual budget negotiation process led by HM Treasury.

  In 2002 the rapid reaction mechanism resulted in funding contributions towards, among other things, the stabilisation of Afghanistan, Peace-building in the horn of Africa, reconstruction in the Palestinian territories, conflict mitigation in Nepal and Peace-building in Sri Lanka.

  The EC is best placed to carry out value for money assessments for individual budget lines through it's own performance monitoring mechanisms.

  St. Helena
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on progress in developing an airport on St. Helena. [165507]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement that I have laid before the House today.

  Sustainable Development
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if he will list the meetings at which his Department has been represented on the delivery of sustainable development across Government as co-ordinated by the Ministerial Sub-committee of Green Ministers; [165433]
  407W
  (2) what meetings his Department's Green Minister has attended in the last 12 months in that role. [165434]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  I am a Member of the Ministerial Sub-committee of Green Ministers (ENV(G)), but it has been established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This practice is now formalised by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Uganda
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reason food aid to Teso in north-east Uganda was distributed through the World Food Programme. [165519]

  Hilary Benn
  Over the last 12 months DFID has provided £6.4 million specifically for food relief in the north and east of Uganda. This support is channelled through the World Food Programme, which works with NGO partners to distribute food at a local level.

  Over 1.5 million people are now displaced in northern and eastern Uganda, requiring a huge and ongoing humanitarian response. DFID channels support for food relief through WFP because it is the UN agency mandated to provide food aid in such a large-scale emergency. It is the only agency in Uganda equipped with the necessary staff, resources and experience required to respond adequately to the situation.

  Vitamins and Minerals
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people's health his Department estimates has been damaged as a result of lacking essential vitamins and minerals. [165255]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The Department for International Development (DFID) does not conduct its own global health estimates, but uses those produced by the international bodies mandated to do this such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). FAO 408W
  estimate that more than 2 billion peoples health in the world is affected by a lack of essential vitamins and minerals.

  DFID is working to tackle malnutrition through a wide range of health, education and food security policies. DFID's position paper on food insecurity, "Eliminating Hunger" sets out a strategy for helping poor people access an adequate variety and quantity of safe, good-quality food. Since 2001 DFID has also provided core funding of over £440 million to WHO and UNICEF whose activities include directly providing essential vitamins and minerals to the most needy, particularly children who are at risk.

  DFID is also funding research into improving the nutritional content of crops, including vitamins and minerals.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what value for money guarantees he is seeking regarding EU aid spending in Zimbabwe. [165544]

  Hilary Benn
  All spending by the European Community is subject to rigorous review, evaluation and audit procedures. The European Court of Auditors is responsible for appropriate audit of EC programmes, including programmes in Zimbabwe.

  Concerns about the exchange rate used by the European Commission were raised in a report of the European Court of Auditors. DFID's understanding is that those concerns were limited to part of the spending of the European Development Fund (EOF) that was converted into Zimbabwe dollars during 2002. Humanitarian aid, which is largely funded from the EU budget rather than the EOF, was therefore not affected. Humanitarian aid is in any case very largely used to procure food and other goods outside Zimbabwe and would not be convened into Zimbabwe dollars. The European Commission's view is that use of any other exchange rate would have contravened either Zimbabwean law or the EC's international obligations.

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  National Lottery
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