Written Answers of 29 April 2004

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

  Members' Salaries
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Leader of the House how much was paid in salaries and allowances to hon. Members(a) including and (b) excluding payments to Ministers in each year since 1996–97. [169457]

  Mr. Woolas
  The cost of salaries and allowances, excluding ministerial payments are as follows:

  £000

  MP salaries and related costs1

  Allowances2

  Cash basis

  1996–97

  28,883

  45,894

  1997–98

  39,060

  49,368

  1998–99

  32,436

  47,237

  1999–2000

  34,167

  47,647

  2000–01

  35,117

  49,066

  Resource basis

  2001–02

  40,856

  66,745

  2002–03

  39,801

  75,412

  1This includes: Members' salaries; salaries of the Chairman of Ways and Means and deputies; social security costs; and the London supplement.

  2 Allowances include: office costs allowance; incidental expenses provision; Members' staffing budget; additional costs allowance; travel (including to EU institutions); winding-up allowance.

  Information is not yet available for 2003–04. Following the introduction of resource accounting, figures for 2001–02 and 2002–03 are not directly comparable with those for 2000–01 and earlier years.

  Ministerial salaries are paid directly by their respective Government Department. Records of ministerial pay are not held centrally and do not distinguish between Lords and Commons Ministers. The information requested could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  A43
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will close the A43 between Brackley and Towcester on Friday 9 July. [169643]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We are examining carefully the arguments that have been made both for and against closure of the A43 trunk road oil the pre-race day of Friday 9 July to facilitate access in and out of the Silverstone circuit.
  1170W
  The Inter Agency Working Group that is looking at all the issues involved is due to meet again on the 4 May and the Chairman of that group has been asked to give specific attention to the traffic management, travel and cost implications of a Friday closure.

  A decision will be announced once I have received the report of that meeting and am in a position to make a decision.

  Mobile Phone Use
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of compliance of motor vehicle drivers with the legislation forbidding the use of a mobile telephone when driving; and what further steps he will take to improve compliance. [168867]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department has been undertaking regular surveys of the use of mobile phones while driving. The last survey carried out in October 2003 before the new offence was introduced showed that 1.9 per cent. of drivers were using a hand-held phone, and 0.5 per cent. a hands-free phone. The results from the most recent survey this month are not yet available.

  The Department will continue to publicise the dangers of using mobile phones when driving. Radio advertising is planned for May, July, August and November and cinema advertising in September and January 2005. The message will be reinforced through the Department's sports sponsorship programme. The police are responsible for enforcing the law.

  Road Deaths/Injuries (Manchester)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on the roads of Manchester, Gorton has been since 1997. [167306]

  Mr. Darling
  The available information relates to local authority areas. For the Manchester metropolitan district (which includes the constituency of Manchester, Gorton) the number of deaths in road accidents fell by 53 per cent. from 32 in 1997 to 15 in 2002, the latest year for which information is available. The number of serious injuries rose by 3 per cent., from 244 in 1997 to 252 in 2002. Estimates on the basis of parliamentary constituencies will become available in the summer and I shall write to my right hon. Friend with figures for Manchester, Gorton and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Road Schemes (South-West)
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been committed to date by the Government Office for the south west for the Bristol/Bath to South Coast Roads Study. [168829]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Up to 5 April 2004, the amount committed on the Bristol/Bath to South Coast Study was £247,682.77.

  Transport Infrastructure (Manchester)
  Mr. Kaufman
  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 Manchester, Gorton. [167309]

  Mr. Darling
  Residents of Manchester will benefit from the new TransPennine Express franchise, which commenced in February. The franchise secures investment of around £260 million which will include the introduction of a new fleet of 100 mph diesel trains leading to increased capacity, improved service quality and performance across the region. A new northern franchise, which will include local and regional services through Manchester, is out for tender. Work continues on the west coast main line upgrade, which will see a reduction in journey times on services to/from Manchester and an increase in service frequency.

  US Air Travel
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold urgent talks with the US Administration on the exchange of private details, with particular reference to credit card numbers, for British passengers travelling to the USA by air. [168258]

  Mr. Darling
  The European Commission is leading the negotiations on the processing and transfer of airline Passenger Name Record data. We are in close discussions with our EU partners to consider how to proceed following referral of the proposed EU-US agreement to the European Court of Justice. I have also raised this with the US Secretary for Transportation at a meeting with him in March.

TREASURY

  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 the 2004 Budget Statement. [168600]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 April 2004 in answer to his question 165021 showing that administration costs are to fall to a planned 3.7 per cent. of total spending by 2008.

  Central Lobby Consultants
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the work he has commissioned from Central Lobby Consultants since 1 June 2001. [163973]

  Ruth Kelly
  There is no payment to Central Lobby Consultants in HM Treasury records for this period.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to the(a) World Bank, (b) IMF and (c) Paris Club creditors on increasing the debt cancellation available to the world's poorest countries, with particular reference to Iraq, through the heavily indebted poor countries process. [168609]
  1172W
  John Healey
  The spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank were held on 24–25 April 2004. All Paris Club creditors were represented at the meetings.

  At the meetings, the UK stressed the importance of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in helping to provide a robust exit from unsustainable debt for the world's poorest countries. As part of this, the UK called for full topping up to be provided when countries face exogenous shocks, in order to bring their debt ratios back to the agreed HIPC thresholds. The UK also supported consideration of extension of the Initiative so that countries yet to enter the Initiative are able to benefit from HIPC debt relief. A number of countries—many of which are in the process of trying to exit conflict—have yet to reach Decision Point and benefit from HIPC relief. This could deliver an extra $30 billion in debt relief. Iraq is not eligible for the HIPC Initiative, and so will have relief for its external debt considered under the auspices of the Paris Club's Evian Approach. However, the Government's view is that Iraq's debt position is unsustainable and that a substantial reduction will be needed to restore them to sustainability. That is likely to require writing off the vast majority of Iraq's debts.

  Public Expenditure/Taxation
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much(a) public expenditure there was and (b) tax revenue was raised per head of population in each of the last seven years. [168430]

  Mr. Boateng
  Data on tax revenue and public expenditure over the past seven years are available in the public finances databank on the HM Treasury website. (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and_tools/pubfinance_data_pubfinance_databank.cfm).

  Population estimates are contained in the ONS publication, Population Trends 115, available on the ONS website (www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/PT115.pdf).

  Treasury Building (Union Flag)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the Union Flag was not flown above the Treasury on the Queen's Birthday on 21 April. [168801]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Union Flag was raised above the Treasury on the Queen's Birthday on 21 April.

  UK Covered Bonds
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to draft legislation which would enable UK covered bonds to be put on an approved list that is compliant with the European Directive on Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities; and if he will make a statement. [168892]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Financial Services Authority is considering the best way to enable covered bonds issued in the UK to be compliant with the UCITS Directive.

DEFENCE

  Droitwich Spa Army Medal Office
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Droitwich Spa Army Medal Office in the issuing of the Jubilee medal. [168919]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Army Medal Office (AMO) at Droitwich issues the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal to those serving and discharged Army personnel who meet the qualifying criteria. The AMO assess eligibility and determine entitlement to the Jubilee Medal and, to date, it has issued 95,332 medals. The majority of those entitled to receive the medal have now received it.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the medals being issued by the Droitwich Spa Army Medal Office. [168921]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Army Medal Office at Droitwich is currently responsible for the issue or replacement of some 332 medals or awards. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Medals
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Iraq and (b) GSM Canal Zone medals have been issued; and how many are expected to be issued during 2004. [168923]

  Mr. Caplin
  The information is as follows.

  (a) Six.

  (b) 6,30 land 777 clasps.

  Note:

  All figures as at 23 April.

  It is difficult to estimate how many Iraq or Suez medals will be awarded in the coming months as it depends on applications. However, I can assure the hon. Member that medal offices will deal with applications as speedily and efficiently as possible.

  MOD Sites (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make available information regarding contamination of land(a) owned and (b) formerly owned by his Department in the City of Portsmouth to Portsmouth City Council; [169409]

  (2) what records his Department holds regarding contamination under the sites of former Ministry of Defence houses in Portsmouth. [169404]

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

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 31 March 2004,Official Report, column 1480W, on public perceptions, when he will write to the hon. Member for North Norfolk. [169731]
  1174W
  Mr. Caplin
  I will write to the hon. Member within the next week.

  Service Detainees (Far East)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-servicemen who were detained by the Japanese have received ex-gratia payments under the terms of the 1951 San Francisco Peace Agreement; how many have not received ex-gratia payments; and if he will make a statement. [168051]

  Mr. Caplin
  The payment scheme under the 1951 Peace Treaty remains open, and claims in respect of eligible individuals who have not yet applied may still be made. Some 51,000 British Service personnel were detained by the Japanese during WW2. The payment records are held individually, and it would incur disproportionate cost to analyse them to provide the information requested.

  As a result of the Ex Gratia Payment Scheme which this Government established in November 2000, 8,430 payments have been made to British Servicemen detained by the Japanese during the Second World War and 12,973 payments have been made to the widows or widowers of former servicemen or former civilian internees who qualify for the scheme.

  Wind Farms
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of interference with Ministry of Defence navigational instruments from wind farms placed in UK territorial waters. [168234]

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

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the risk to defence interests from the placement of wind farms around the UK coast. [168235]

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

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has been asked to fund navigational aids to prevent his Department's vessels colliding with windmills. [168238]

  Mr. Caplin
  There has been no formal requirement placed on the Ministry of Defence to fund navigational aids to prevent Royal Navy vessels and other MOD owned or operated vessels colliding with offshore wind farms. The cost of correctly marking these structures by navigational buoys and lights is the responsibility of the owner and, as such, must comply with standards defined by the Maritime Coastguard Agency in conjunction with the General Lighthouse Authorities (Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights).

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  North West Food
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee whether the House plans to source
  1175W
  more food from North West food producers following the North West Food and Drink promotion in the House on 22 April. [168709]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  In conjunction with North West Fine Foods, the Refreshment Department launched the two week North West Regional Food and Drink Promotion on 20 April. This is the second in a series of planned regional promotions.

  I recognise the strong interest in the provenance of food and drink sold in the House. Regional promotions give small businesses a chance to raise awareness of their produce with wholesalers supplying the House, and other potential customers. I hope that some of the products that prove popular during the course of the promotion will, in future, be available for regular supply to the House.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the total expenditure incurred by the Commission was in each year since 1996–97. [169458]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The total expenditure for each year as set out in the House's published annual accounts was:

  £000

  Net cash expenditure

  Resource outturn

  1996–97

  130,192

  n/a

  1997–98

  145,228

  n/a

  1998–99

  173,550

  n/a

  1999–2000

  165,905

  n/a

  2000–01

  162,538

  n/a

  2001–02

  132,508

  165,426

  2002–03

  138,328

  180,006

  Full information is not yet available for 2003–04. Prior to 2001–02 all reporting was on a cash basis only.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Recycling
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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 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. [166662]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  All contracts issued in respect of DFID stipulate that the copying paper provided is to be 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content.
  1176W
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of copying paper used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained. [166663]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  100 per cent. of the copying paper used in DFID came from recycled sources. It is not possible to say how much post-consumer waste this contained. Our current recycled paper is made up from at least 75 per cent. post-consumer waste.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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 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. [166664]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The Department for International Development (DFID) routinely requires that the designers and printers under contract to produce DFID publications source paper that has a minimum of 75 per cent. recycled content.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002-03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained. [166665]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The Department for International Development does not hold this information centrally, and due to disproportionate cost we cannot supply this information.

  However, DFID routinely requires that the designers and printers under contract to produce DFID publications source paper that has a minimum of 75 per cent. recycled content.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when his Department expects to implement in full 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. [166666]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID has already met the quick win targets set by DEFRA in that all of our copying paper is 100 per cent. recycled with at least 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content.

  DFID routinely requires that the designers and printers under Contract to produce DFID publications source paper that has a minimum of 75 per cent. recycled content. We are in the process of amending design and print contracts, and are investigating joining the Department for Transport framework agreement for purchasing recycled paper, ensuring that we meet the quick win target for paper in printed publications.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the Department's
  1177W
  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 post-consumer recycled content of each paper. [166667]

  Type

  Supplier

  Commmment

  Copier Paper (DFID London)

  David John Papers Ltd. Unit A Middlegreen Trading Estate Middlegreen Road Langley Slough Berks SL3 7BL

  Diplomat Recycled Paper. A4 80gsm 100 per cent. recycled of 100 per cent. post-consumer waste.

  Copier Paper (DFID. Scotland)

  Glenmore Dunfermline Business Park Rosyth Fife KY 2RN

  Evolve Business Paper. 100 per cent. recycled. Minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste.

  Stationery

  Banner Business Supplies PO Box 560St. Crispins Duke Street Norwich NR3 ISQ

  No paper products supplied, only stationery.

  Guilbert Guilbert House 68–72 St John's Road Corstorphine Edinburgh EH12 SAT

  No paper products supplied, only stationery

  Envelopes

  Banner Business Supplies Ltd. PO Box 560 St Crispins Duke Street Norwich NR3 ISQ

  Banner Envelopes. 60–85 per cent. post consumer waste.

  Paper for Reports (AH)

  Glenmore Dunfermline Business Park Rosyth FIFE KY11 2RN

  Evolve Business Paper. 100 per cent. recycled. Minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste.

  Paper for Reports (PS)

  David John Papers Ltd. Unit 1A Middlegreen Trading Estate Middlegreen Road Langley Slough Berks SL3 7BL

  Diplomat Recycled Paper. A4 80gsm. 100 per cent. recycled of 100 per cent. post-consumer waste

  Paper for reports

  The Department for International Development does not procure paper for its reports directly from paper merchants. However we routinely require the designers and printers of DFID publications to source paper that has a minimum of 75 per cent. recycled content.

  St. Helena
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether a new constitution for St. Helena has been agreed. [165508]

  Mr. Rammell
  I have been asked to reply.

  A new constitution for St. Helena has not yet been agreed. Discussions are ongoing between Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and St. Helena Councillors with a view to having a new constitution in place in time for the next dissolution of the Legislative Council in July 2005.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Libraries (Digitisation)
  Mr. Kaufman
  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 Manchester, Gorton since 1997. [167345]

  Mr. Pike
  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 Burnley since 1997. [167902]
  1178W
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The information in the following table shows the details of the main suppliers to my Department for paper (separate suppliers for the two headquarter locations), stationery and envelopes.

  Estelle Morris
  This information is not held centrally.

  The New Opportunities Fund £50 million Digitisation of Learning Materials Programme has delivered 150 projects across the UK to enable resources which support learning of all kinds held in libraries as well as museums, archives and other public-sector institutions, to be made available online through the People's Network and the National Grid for Learning. This initiative has created a body of material containing over 2 million images, tens of thousands of sound and video clips and documents and over 1,000 learning packages. All projects can be accessed via the EnrichUK portal at http://www.enrichuk.net.

  Information on grants awarded to individual local authorities and their expenditure can be obtained from the relevant authority.

  New Opportunities Fund (Wigan)
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Wigan in each year since 1997. [169308]
  1179W
  Estelle Morris
  The New Opportunities Fund began making grants in 1999. The awards to Wigan are shown in the table.

  Financial year

  Amount (£)

  1999–2000

  1,363,608

  2000–01

  602,721

  2001–02

  2,204,979

  2002–03

  1,510,710

  2003–04

  1,345,981

  The information is freely available from the Department's searchable Lottery award database at www.lottery.culture.gsi.gov.uk, which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [167625]

  Estelle Morris
  DCMS has no plans at present to contribute financially to the establishment of this DEFRA initiative, but DCMS and its NDPBs are active in sustainable development and the matter will be kept under review.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Animal Welfare
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to limit the maximum number of hours during which a live animal may be transported to eight hours; and what plans there are for EU regulations on this. [164580]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 31 March 2004]: The European Commission brought forward proposals in July 2003 for a regulation to replace the current EU rules on animal welfare during transport. In discussing those proposals the Government have sought reductions in overall journey times as part of a range of measures to improve the welfare of animals.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with other EU ministers about transportation times for animals being exported for slaughter or fattening; and if she will make a statement. [168059]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 23 April 2004]: The European Commission's proposals (published in July 2003) for a new regulation to replace the current directive were discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in December 2003 and February 2004. I have also taken the opportunity to discuss this important issue with other EU ministers outside of Council meetings. The Commission's proposals were discussed again at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 26 April 2004.
  1180W
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the new Animal Welfare Bill will be published. [166753]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I anticipate publication of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill within the next two to three months.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to strengthen animal welfare codes of conduct. [165896]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  DEFRA is currently reviewing and updating the Codes of Recommendation for the Welfare of Livestock, where necessary. Codes which have recently been updated include the pig code and the cattle code, issued on 11 March and 23 April 2003 respectively.

  Under the proposed Animal Welfare Bill there are also plans to introduce codes for non-farmed animals. The codes, which will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny, will be used to support a statutory duty on the owners and keepers of animals to promote good welfare standards. Production of the codes will involve the industry, welfare organisations, veterinarians and officials working in partnership.

  Badgers
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the evidence to support the hypothesis that there has been an explosion of the badger population in the UK. [165450]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  English Nature advises that there are likely to be in the region of 300,000 to 400,000 badgers in Great Britain. This figure is derived from the most recent National Badger Survey which took place in the mid-1990s1. The survey also reported that there had been a 77 per cent. increase in badger numbers between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s.
  1"Changes in the British badger population, 1988 to 1997" by G. Wilson, S. Harris and G. McLaren (1997), published by the People's Trust for Endangered Species (ISBN1 855800187)

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the interim results of the proactive badger strategy. [166881]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) undertakes interim analyses of data collected from the proactive treatment areas of the RBCT at six-monthly intervals. The ISG advise that analyses of such data collected so far has not yielded a statistically significant result. Any significant interim findings will be reported to Ministers without delay.

  On 6 April, DEFRA announced the publication of a report from an independent scientific panel chaired by Professor Charles Godfray FRS reviewing the progress of the RBCT and associated DEFRA research, as part of a wider review of DEFRA's science. The report recommended that DEFRA policymakers should have access to the the interim results from the RBCT. The recommendation did not encompass full publication. Even so, it was challenged by the ISG and the matter is still under consideration.
  1181W
  We have been advised by the ISG that a full set of trial data from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) should have been gathered by the end of 2006. A full report will follow, with publication as soon as possible thereafter.

  Baronsdown Sanctuary
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Baronsdown Sanctuary area is a recognised reservoir of TB infection. [165489]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We are aware that TB is present in wild deer in parts of Exmoor. This was a factor (together with the disease history of cattle and other wildlife) in the decision to test cattle herds for TB annually over most of Exmoor.

  Bass
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the volume of sea bass landings in the United Kingdom was in each of the last five years, broken down by(a) market and (b) port. [167131]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The following table shows details of sea bass landings into the UK by UK and foreign vessels for the years 1999–2003, broken down by port of landing. Fisheries Departments in the U K do not record details of landings by market.

  Landings of Sea Bass into the UK 1999–2003

  Quantity (tonnes live weight)

  Country of landing/ Port of landing

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  England

  North Shields

  0.04

  0 00

  0.04

  0.02

  0.04

  Holy Island

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.01

  Seahouses

  —

  —

  0.00

  0.00

  —

  Amble

  0.01

  0.00

  0.01

  0.02

  0.01

  Newbiggin

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.01

  Blyth

  0.00

  —

  0.00

  0.01

  0.03

  Sunderland

  —

  0.01

  0.00

  0.01

  0.01

  Hartlepool

  0.01

  0.01

  0.06

  0.04

  0.06

  Whitby

  0.16

  0.07

  0.43

  0.31

  0.52

  Scarborough

  0.12

  0.04

  0.60

  1.49

  2.80

  Filey

  —

  0.05

  0.05

  0.04

  0.03

  Flam borough

  —

  0.08

  —

  —

  —

  Bridlington

  0.55

  0.09

  0.09

  0.12

  0.18

  Grimsby

  0.12

  0.26

  0.31

  0.09

  0.59

  Boston

  0.02

  0.00

  —

  —

  —

  Lowestoft

  0.85

  1.72

  2.94

  4.50

  8.20

  Brancaster Staithe

  —

  0.02

  —

  0.11

  —

  Sheringham

  —

  —

  —

  0.05

  0.01

  Cromer

  —

  —

  —

  0.12

  0.05

  Great Yarmouth

  0.05

  1.32

  0.51

  0.37

  0.17

  Southwold

  0.86

  1.28

  0.52

  0.71

  1.02

  Dunwich

  —

  0.00

  0.03

  —

  0.01

  Sizewell Beach

  —

  —

  —

  0.94

  Aldeburgh

  0.35

  0.03

  0.11

  0.43

  0.88

  Orford

  1.77

  1.44

  1.12

  0.61

  1.26

  Ipswich

  1.11

  6.13

  2.31

  1.73

  —

  Felixstowe

  0.03

  0.01

  0.05

  8.63

  1.51

  Harwich

  0.25

  0.15

  0.19

  0.64

  0.10

  Walton-on-Naze

  1.54

  0.57

  0.95

  1.56

  2.38

  Clacton

  0.02

  —

  0.09

  0.15

  0.00

  Wivenhoe

  0.81

  0.31

  0.59

  0.79

  0.58

  Brightlingsea

  0.31

  0.03

  —

  0.01

  0.01

  West Mersea

  16.24

  0.25

  0.66

  1.33

  0.87

  Maldon

  0.02

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bradwell

  —

  —

  —

  0.25

  0.22

  Burnham-On-Crouch

  0.06

  0.08

  —

  0.02

  0.01

  1182W

  Great Wakering

  0.10

  0.00

  0.01

  0.23

  0.31

  Canvey Island

  0.02

  0.01

  0.01

  0.05

  0.12

  Southend-On-Sea

  —

  —

  —

  0.01

  —

  Leigh-On-Sea

  1.33

  2.06

  0.76

  0.83

  1.74

  Faversham

  0.51

  1.03

  1.54

  2.17

  1.92

  Gravesend

  0.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rochester

  0.10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Queenborough

  0.33

  1.09

  0.50

  0.40

  1.99

  Whitstable

  8.47

  7.01

  6.23

  12.10

  18.59

  Hastings

  3.00

  3.77

  2.05

  3.34

  6.39

  Poole

  64.44

  9.33

  9.91

  0.60

  5.33

  Margate

  4.57

  3.69

  1.80

  2.60

  1.91

  Broadstairs

  0.29

  0.56

  0.01

  0.13

  0.07

  Ramsgate

  27.12

  17.29

  13.41

  26.21

  30.60

  Dover

  2.60

  0.95

  6.63

  2.79

  —

  Folkestone

  6.99

  6.66

  9.71

  7.87

  6.93

  Hythe

  0.93

  1.84

  0.96

  0.46

  2.11

  Dungeness

  2.25

  1.48

  0.50

  2.34

  0.51

  Rye

  4.01

  2.32

  2.97

  3.70

  3.40

  Eastbourne

  16.24

  17.75

  12.06

  17.98

  20.41

  Newhaven

  45.20

  27.31

  25.02

  23.36

  11.57

  Brighton

  2.81

  1.85

  1.23

  4.50

  1.87

  Shoreham

  33.85

  18.69

  29.23

  30.37

  42.73

  Worthing

  5.87

  1.35

  4.93

  2.05

  2.75

  Littlehampton

  2.69

  5.28

  2.89

  3.14

  5.94

  Bognor Regis

  0.05

  —

  0.02

  0.01

  —

  Selsey

  11.37

  11.17

  2.98

  20.77

  12.04

  Langstone Harbour

  4.54

  4.61

  3.85

  2.86

  3.36

  Itchenor/East Wittering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.07

  Emsworth

  0.02

  0.95

  —

  —

  0.00

  Hamble

  0.01

  1.73

  0.42

  0.12

  0.80

  Hayling Island

  —

  —

  0.00

  0.02

  —

  Portsmouth

  31.03

  36.61

  36.45

  44.07

  44.17

  Southampton

  16.25

  0.16

  0.97

  0.00

  0.56

  Christchurch

  7.68

  2.95

  1.47

  —

  1.94

  Cowes

  —

  —

  0.08

  —

  —

  Isle of Wight

  —

  6.66

  5.21

  1.49

  5.44

  Lymington

  2.93

  5.13

  6.04

  0.85

  2.18

  Keyhaven

  —

  0.00

  —

  —

  0.00

  Swanage

  1.00

  0.02

  0.01

  —

  —

  Kimmeridge

  0.05

  0.02

  0.00

  —

  0.05

  Lulworth Cove

  —

  0.17

  0.39

  0.70

  —

  Weymouth

  44.26

  14.28

  3.08

  1.08

  6.76

  Portland

  1.12

  0.27

  0.02

  0.12

  0.07

  Ferrybridge

  —

  0.00

  —

  —

  —

  West Bay

  0.14

  1.06

  0.05

  —

  —

  Lyme Regis

  2.92

  1.56

  1.28

  0.96

  4.00

  Plymouth

  161.78

  59.73

  108.54

  122.77

  140.69

  Newlyn

  4.46

  8.26

  21.34

  98.81

  12.90

  Beer

  0.69

  0.83

  1.04

  0.70

  0.42

  Exmouth

  3.09

  10.24

  10.57

  8.66

  9.16

  Teignmouth

  —

  0.19

  0.01

  0.08

  0.35

  Torquay

  0.61

  0.33

  0.20

  0.34

  0.51

  Brixham

  65.23

  33.26

  20.49

  27.27

  27.51

  Dartmouth

  0.50

  0.51

  0.39

  0.33

  0.37

  River Dart

  0.15

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kingswear

  0.29

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Salcombe

  0.05

  0.07

  0.06

  0.14

  0.04

  Hope Cove

  —

  —

  0.00

  —

  —

  Looe

  3.08

  8.67

  9.30

  32.34

  15.02

  Polperro

  2.08

  1.48

  2.11

  4.43

  12.35

  River Fowey

  0.55

  0.08

  0.17

  0.05

  0.37

  Mevagissey

  3.50

  1.39

  1.91

  3.51

  11.95

  River Fal—Falmouth

  0.56

  0.16

  0.47

  0.35

  0.51

  Helford River

  0.02

  0.14

  0.14

  0.31

  0.22

  Porthoustock

  —

  —

  —

  0.02

  —

  Coverack

  0.03

  0.10

  0.01

  0.01

  —

  Cadgwith

  0.04

  0.00

  0.01

  0.01

  —

  Penzance

  0.02

  0.10

  0.00

  0.08

  0.02

  Penberth

  —

  —

  1.95

  0.07

  —

  St. Ives

  —

  0.00

  0.00

  0.08

  —

  Hayle

  0.01

  0.24

  0.02

  0.51

  0.02

  Newquay

  0.29

  —

  0.21

  0.38

  0.03

  Padstow

  1.29

  0.62

  2.04

  3.22

  1.67

  Port Isaac

  0.05

  0.30

  0.07

  0.89

  0.30

  1183W

  Landings of Sea Bass into the UK 1999–2003

  Quantity (tonnes live weight)

  Country of landing/ Port of landing

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Bude

  —

  0.01

  —

  0.04

  —

  Clovelly

  0.10

  0.03

  —

  —

  —

  Appledore

  6.18

  6.72

  18.23

  20.29

  19.42

  Bideford

  2.22

  3.19

  0.11

  1.35

  0.15

  Ilfracombe

  0.79

  2.19

  0.10

  11.31

  17.56

  Fleetwood

  0.27

  0.24

  0.58

  0.12

  0.37

  Hoylake

  0.02

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mersey Estuary

  —

  —

  —

  0.02

  0.01

  Liverpool

  0.01

  0.04

  0.05

  0.01

  0.34

  Morecambe

  0.10

  0.10

  0.30

  —

  3.60

  Barrow

  0.25

  0.54

  1.72

  0.01

  0.12

  Whitehaven

  0.01

  0.00

  0.07

  0.08

  0.57

  Maryport

  —

  —

  0.00

  0.00

  0.04

  Wales

  Milford Haven

  31.55

  19.63

  23.01

  20.08

  9.45

  Conwy

  0.01

  0.03

  3.21

  0.26

  —

  Swansea

  1.18

  1.70

  4.30

  2.68

  1.80

  Porthcawl

  —

  0.17

  0.19

  0.16

  2.21

  Tenby

  0.21

  0.04

  6.12

  10.03

  2.91

  Saundersfoot

  1.79

  1.86

  2.02

  1.83

  2.80

  Llanelli

  2.14

  9.04

  6.25

  6.73

  3.76

  Three Rivers Area

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.11

  New Quay

  —

  —

  0.06

  —

  —

  Pwllheli

  —

  —

  —

  0.45

  —

  Aberdaran

  —

  —

  0.35

  —

  —

  Caernarvon

  —

  0.04

  4.11

  0.04

  0.00

  Holyhead

  0.11

  0.06

  0.03

  0.07

  0.34

  Cemaes Bay

  —

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  —

  Bangor

  —

  0.19

  1.02

  —

  —

  Rhyl-Connah's Quay

  —

  3.27

  2.75

  3.13

  0.16

  Scotland

  Eyemouth

  0.02

  0.00

  0.01

  5.99

  2.59

  Dunbar

  —

  —

  —

  0.00

  0.00

  Pittenweem

  —

  —

  0.01

  —

  —

  Aberdeen

  0.01

  —

  0.05

  0.01

  0.00

  Peterhead

  0.13

  —

  —

  —

  0.02

  Fraserburgh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.00

  Mallaig

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.23

  Saltcoats

  —

  0.03

  —

  —

  —

  Girvan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.00

  Portpatrick

  0.06

  0.02

  —

  —

  0.11

  Isle of Whithorn

  0.07

  —

  —

  —

  0.00

  Northern Ireland

  Kilkeel

  —

  —

  1.34

  1.13

  8.52

  Portavogie

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.01

  Bangor (Co. Down)

  —

  —

  —

  0.01

  —

  Co. Antrim

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.03

  Total UK landings

  677.97

  408.45

  463.41

  635.62

  582.79

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value of sea bass landings within the United Kingdom was for each of the last five years, broken down by market. [167132]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Fisheries departments in the UK do not record details of sales by market. The following table shows details of the value of sea bass landings into the UK by UK and foreign vessels for the years 1999 to 2003, broken down by port of landing.

  Landings of sea bass into the UK, 1999 to 2003

  Value (£000)

  Port of landing

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  England1

  North Shields

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Holy Island

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Seahouses

  3—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  3—

  1184W

  Amble

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Newbiggin

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Blyth

  2—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Sunderland

  3—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Hartlepool

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Whitby

  1

  2—

  2

  1

  2

  Scarborough

  1

  2—

  3

  6

  11

  Filey

  3—

  1

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Flamborough

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Bridlington

  3

  2—

  3—

  1

  1

  Grimsby

  1

  1

  2

  2—

  2

  Boston

  2—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Lowestoft

  5

  11

  15

  22

  40

  Brancaster Staithe

  3—

  2—

  3—

  1

  3—

  Sheringham

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  Cromer

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1

  3—

  Great Yarmouth

  2—

  9

  4

  2

  1

  Southwold

  5

  9

  3

  4

  7

  Dunwich

  3—

  2—

  2—

  3—

  2—

  Sizewell Beach

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  4

  Aldeburgh

  2

  2—

  1

  3

  8

  Orford

  10

  9

  7

  3

  5

  Ipswich

  6

  35

  13

  10

  3—

  Felixstowe

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1

  7

  Harwich

  1

  1

  1

  4

  1

  Walton-on-the-Naze

  9

  3

  6

  9

  14

  Clacton

  2—

  3—

  1

  1

  2—

  Wivenhoe

  5

  2

  3

  5

  3

  Brightlingsea

  2

  2—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  West Mersea

  94

  1

  4

  8

  5

  Maldon

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Bradwell

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1

  1

  Burnham-on-Crouch

  2—

  2—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  Great Wakering

  1

  2—

  2—

  1

  2

  Canvey Island

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1

  Southend-on-Sea

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  Leigh-on-Sea

  8

  11

  4

  5

  10

  Faversham

  3

  5

  8

  12

  10

  Gravesend

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Rochester

  1

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Queenborough

  2

  6

  3

  2

  10

  Whitstable

  43

  42

  28

  58

  94

  Hastings

  21

  24

  13

  21

  41

  Poole

  325

  48

  54

  2

  23

  Margate

  23

  19

  9

  13

  10

  Broadstairs

  1

  3

  2—

  1

  2—

  Ramsgate

  138

  89

  68

  135

  153

  Dover

  13

  5

  34

  14

  3—

  Folkestone

  46

  40

  48

  50

  37

  Hythe

  6

  11

  6

  3

  11

  Dungeness

  15

  10

  3

  13

  3

  Rye

  27

  15

  18

  23

  22

  Eastbourne

  96

  110

  69

  109

  132

  Newhaven

  226

  134

  120

  112

  56

  Brighton

  14

  10

  7

  24

  10

  Shoreham

  169

  101

  156

  156

  191

  Worthing

  39

  9

  14

  10

  14

  Littlehampton

  18

  35

  15

  14

  30

  Bognor Regis

  2—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  3—

  Selsey

  63

  48

  11

  70

  44

  Langstone Harbour

  33

  24

  18

  13

  17

  Itchenor/East Wittering

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Emsworth

  2—

  6

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Ramble

  2—

  7

  2

  1

  4

  Hayling Island

  3—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  3—

  Portsmouth

  206

  178

  176

  182

  213

  Southampton

  85

  1

  4

  2—

  3

  Christchurch

  39

  15

  8

  3—

  8

  Cowes

  3—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  Isle of Wight

  3—

  32

  23

  7

  25

  Lymington

  15

  25

  35

  4

  9

  Keyhaven

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Swanage

  5

  2—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  Kimmeridge

  2—

  2—

  2—

  3—

  2—

  Lulworth Cove

  3—

  1

  2

  2

  3—

  Weymouth

  286

  73

  16

  6

  32

  1185W

  Landings of sea bass into the UK, 1999 to 2003

  Value (£000)

  Port of landing

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Portland

  6

  1

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Ferrybridge

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  West Bay

  1

  9

  2—

  3—

  3—

  Lyme Regis

  22

  10

  7

  6

  18

  Plymouth

  1,208

  357

  662

  787

  808

  Newlyn

  31

  59

  123

  562

  73

  Beer

  5

  7

  9

  5

  3

  Exmouth

  23

  76

  72

  63

  67

  Teignmouth

  3—

  2

  2—

  1

  3

  Torquay

  5

  3

  2

  3

  4

  Brixham

  386

  277

  174

  223

  206

  Dartmouth

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  River Dart

  1

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Kingswear

  2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Salcombe

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1

  2—

  Hope Cove

  3—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  Looe

  23

  45

  58

  181

  87

  Polperro

  15

  8

  12

  23

  69

  River Fowey

  4

  1

  1

  2—

  2

  Mevagissey

  25

  9

  13

  23

  73

  River Fal—Falmouth

  4

  1

  3

  3

  2

  Helford River

  2—

  1

  1

  2

  1

  Porthoustock

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  Coverack

  2—

  1

  2—

  2—

  3—

  Cadgwith

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  3—

  Penzance

  2—

  1

  2—

  1

  2—

  Penberth

  3—

  3—

  12

  1

  3—

  St. Ives

  3—

  2—

  2—

  1

  3—

  Hayle

  2—

  2

  2—

  4

  2—

  Newquay

  2

  3—

  1

  2

  2—

  Padstow

  8

  5

  13

  18

  9

  Port Isaac

  2—

  2

  2—

  7

  1

  Bude

  3—

  2—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  Clovelly

  1

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Appledore

  41

  45

  123

  138

  115

  Bideford

  16

  21

  1

  9

  1

  Ilfracombe

  6

  15

  1

  79

  104

  Fleetwood

  2

  1

  3

  1

  2

  Hoylake

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Mersey Estuary

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  Liverpool

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1

  Morecambe

  2—

  2—

  1

  3—

  17

  Barrow

  1

  2

  8

  2—

  2—

  Whitehaven

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2

  Maryport

  3—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Wales1

  Milford Haven

  187

  96

  116

  105

  48

  Conwy

  2—

  2—

  10

  1

  3—

  Swansea

  8

  11

  26

  15

  9

  Porthcawl

  3—

  2—

  1

  1

  10

  Tenby

  1

  2—

  30

  55

  16

  Saundersfoot

  9

  8

  10

  9

  16

  Llanelli

  13

  41

  31

  34

  18

  Three Rivers Area

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1

  New Quay

  3—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  Pwllheli

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2

  3—

  Aberdaran

  3—

  3—

  2

  3—

  3—

  Caernarvon

  3—

  2—

  22

  2—

  2—

  Holyhead

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1

  Cemaes Bay

  3—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  3—

  Bangor

  3—

  1

  5

  3—

  3—

  Rhyl-Connah's Quay

  3—

  9

  7

  15

  1

  Scotland1

  Eyemouth

  2—

  2—

  2—

  25

  13

  Dunbar

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  Pittenweem

  3—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  Aberdeen

  2—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Peterhead

  1

  3—

  3—

  2—

  2—

  Fraserburgh

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Mallaig

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Saltcoats

  3—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Girvan

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Portpatrick

  2—

  2—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Isle of Whithorn

  2—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  1186W

  Northern Ireland1

  Kilkeel

  3—

  3—

  7

  6

  32

  Portavogie

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Bangor (County Down)

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  3—

  County Antrim

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2—

  Total

  4,173

  2,352

  2,608

  3,558

  3,165

  1Country of landing.

  2Less than half the last digit shown.

  3Nil.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment is made of the sea bass catch in relation to(a) size, (b) maturity and (c) reproductive state; and whether this information influences decisions by the Department on closure of fisheries. [167133]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  DEFRA funds a programme that collects data on the size (length and weight) and age (from scales) of representative samples of sea bass caught annually in England and Wales. Research carried out by the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has established the age and size at which male and female bass become mature in UK waters, and reproductive state by area and season. This information is updated as necessary. It is used to provide scientific advice on the conservation status of bass stocks, and informs any decisions taken by this Department on the management of fisheries taking sea bass.

  Bio-refinery Technologies
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the use of(a) household and municipal, (b) industrial and (c) agricultural waste streams as potential sources for bio-fuels through bio-refinery technologies; and if she will make a statement. [166906]

  Alun Michael
  A study by E4tech for the Department of Trade and Industry made the following estimates for the proportion of the UK's electricity demand that could be met by 2020 from various types of waste biomass: 2.2 per cent. from the combustion, gasification and anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste; 0.5 per cent. from the gasification and anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge; 1.9 per cent. from the combustion and gasification of straw; and less than 0.2 per cent. each from food waste, wood processing waste, farm waste and forestry residues.

  The Waste Implementation Programme was established last year to provide support to local authorities in assessing and establishing alternative new technologies with particular reference to achieving the landfill diversion targets for biodegradable municipal waste. The New Technologies sub-programme aims to establish up to five demonstrator plants by 2005 end with at least five additional plants initiated by 2006.

  Tallow derived from rendering animal by-products can be burnt to produce energy. 280,000 tonnes of tallow from animals slaughtered under the over-30-months (slaughter) scheme have already been sold to renderers to power their boilers. The Rural Payments

  1187W
  Agency recently signed a contract to sell 110,000 tonnes of stockpiled tallow to a commercial company for energy production.

  Around 120 million litres of waste vegetable oil are produced in the UK each year, which could produce about 115 million litres of biodiesel. 1 million litres of biodiesel from waste vegetable oil are currently sold each month in the UK and it is likely that this will increase once the ban on used cooking oil in animal feed comes into effect in November 2004. Recent advances in biotechnology are opening up opportunities to produce bioethanol from ligno-cellulosic feedstocks such as wood, straw and organic waste, using gasification and hydrolysis, although large-scale commercialisation is unlikely for some years.

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ensure sustainable funding for national survey and monitoring schemes in order to(a) mobilise and (b) support the voluntary effort to gather the data on the state of Britain's biodiversity. [165069]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: The work of volunteers is crucial to gathering data on the current state of our biodiversity. Volunteers have collected around 70 per cent. of all the data about species. This includes existing survey and monitoring schemes, including the Biological Records Centre:

  breeding and wintering birds;

  bats, otters and other mammals;

  butterflies and moths; and

  threatened plants.

  An organisation called the National Biodiversity Network Trust is currently co-ordinating actions by a range of interested parties to bring together the efforts of volunteers. The work of the NBN Trust is supported by the Government agencies responsible for biodiversity and the Government support this work through the grant-in-aid to these agencies.

  DEFRA has provided a direct contribution of £0.25 million per year to support technical elements of this work that were not being funded. Part of this work has been an exploration of how improved access to biodiversity data can improve the cost-effectiveness of delivering our agri-environmental schemes. This has demonstrated the huge importance of securing access to current information as a way of saving costs overall, and improving the outcomes. DEFRA is currently considering how to secure these benefits through increased support for the NBN process.

  The work of volunteers is often focused on their local area and the NBN encourages local storage and quality assurance of these data. However, there are many national societies with networks of volunteers throughout the United Kingdom.

  In some circumstances it is more effective to bring this information together in national data centres. The NBN provides a mechanism for both local and national data centres to provide access to their data. In May the latest version of this web-based mechanism, called the NBN Gateway, will be launched. Also, English Nature,
  1188W
  supported by Treasury Capital Modernisation Funds, has created a public website that links with the NBN gateway to provide information to the public.

  In addition to the work on the NBN, the Government will be considering this year how best to improve the coordination of the current monitoring and surveillance activities. This will ensure that the UK's state of nature is sufficiently monitored and that we make the best use of the voluntary sector and ensure that the sector receives the full support it needs to be fully effective.

  While DEFRA is supporting the NBN process, and considering where further assistance may be needed, a major block to progress is the patchy support for local centres by local authorities. Information is critical to better development planning decisions through both local and regional processes.

  DEFRA is seeking co-operation from other Departments over how to ensure that the information sources, underpinned by volunteer effort, are funded in a sustainable way.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the Thornbury trial. [158598]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The answer can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the optimum area in which to conduct a badger culling operation is based on the basis of experience from the Krebs trials. [158669]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  It is not possible to use the results from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial to describe an optimum area in which to conduct a badger culling operation, as this will depend on the local circumstances and the specific effect the operation is intended to achieve.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average duration of a TB2 restriction notice was in(a) 1997 and (b) 2003. [159062]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Data for TB2 duration for 1997 are available only at disproportionate cost.

  In 2003, the average duration of TB2 restriction notices was 901 days. This includes TB2 restriction notices served on herds where the routine herd test was overdue, as well as notices served on herds with a TB breakdown. Herds with overdue tests were not placed under restrictions in 1997.
  1Provisional data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on 17 March 2004. This is subject to change, as more data become available.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2003,Official Report, column 539W on badgers, what assessment she has made of the change in size of the total badger population in the Krebs areas since the commencement of the culling of badgers. [159275]
  1189W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  DEFRA assessments are based, principally, on surveys of badger activity carried out before and sometime after culling. Analyses of data from the first three triplets to go live indicate that badger activity levels in trial areas have changed consistent with the treatments applied; levels appearing approximately unchanged in survey only areas, somewhat reduced in reactive cull areas and substantially reduced in proactive cull areas. Such data on field signs, however, give only an approximate index of badger numbers, and Defra is funding two projects looking at ways to enable the estimation of badger populations with greater accuracy.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2003,Official Report, column 212W, on bovine tuberculosis, what the lowest estimate is of culling efficiency using traps, experienced in the Krebs trial areas. [159282]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Subjective estimates on the efficiency of culling, based on post-cull surveys, have indicated that in the poorest conditions, particularly relating to inclement weather and the season of the year, culling efficiency may be as low as 30 per cent.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answers of 20 November 2003,Official Report, column 1204W, on bovine tuberculosis and 8 December 2003, Official Report, column 212W. what the basis is of her estimate for the efficiency of trapping as a means of badger culling; whether that estimate has been scientifically validated; and what the current estimate is of the efficiency of the culling conducted in the Krebs trial areas. [159284]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  There is no sure way to estimate badger populations accurately. Post cull surveys provide a subjective indication of the level of badger activity and abundance based on held signs and are carried out by ecologists from the Central Science Laboratory. Evidence from post cull surveys suggests that trapping efficiency can vary between 30 per cent. and 80 per cent., dependent on conditions, season and taking into account a proportion of trap shy animals. Comparisons of initial and two-year surveys show changes in badger activity consistent with the treatments applied. DEFRA is funding research into novel and innovative methods of estimating badger numbers.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the European Commission on the incidence of TB in cattle in the United Kingdom. [159053]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The European Commission has made no representations about the incidence of TB in cattle in Great Britain. The United Kingdom provide detailed information on bovine tuberculosis(Mycobacterium bovis) to the Commission as part of the annual report on trends and sources of Zoonoses and zoonotic agents in animals, feedingstuffs, food and man, under the requirements of EU Directive 92/117.

  The Northern Ireland tuberculosis eradication programme has qualified for a financial contribution from the EU. As part of a series of missions to member
  1190W
  states with co-financed bovine tuberculosis eradication programmes, a team of EU Field and Veterinary Office (FVO) inspectors visited Northern Ireland during November 2003. Publication of the FVO report of this inspection is awaited.

  Breckland Farmland SSSI
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the size of the stone curlew population within the Breckland Farmland Site of Special Scientific Interest(a) at present, (b) five years ago, (c) 10 years ago and (d) 15 years ago. [165145]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 19 April 2004]: From the counts of stone curlews within the Breckland Farmland SSSI undertaken by the work of the Breckland Stone Curlew Recovery Project I am able to provide the following information:

  (a) The number of pairs proved breeding in the 2003 breeding season was 110 (this does not include parts of the SSSI where access for survey and monitoring was denied);

  The Breckland Farmland SSSI was not notified until 2001, so the following figures are for the population nesting on arable and other land within the whole of the Breckland area. This excludes the heathland sites which are the main breeding areas outside the current Breckland Farmland SSSI. These records were used in the assessment of the Breckland Farmland SSSI boundary for breeding stone curlew. The number of pairs proved breeding on arable and other areas within Breckland in the years requested is as follows:

  Pairs

  (b) 1998

  86

  (c) 1993

  49

  (d)1988

  55

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Breckland Farmland Site of Special Scientific Interest takes to encourage appropriate habitat management practice. [165146]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 19 April 2004]: The conservation of stone curlew in Breckland is encouraged by the work of the Breckland Stone Curlew Recovery Project, jointly funded mainly by English Nature and the RSPB. Project staff locate and monitor breeding sites and advise farmers on appropriate management actions to ensure breeding success. English Nature's funding for the project is from its SSSI management budget. The success of the stone curlew recovery project is due largely to the combined efforts of the project officers and farmers, working together to achieve nest protection, improved habitat management and habitat creation (provision of nest-plots on set-aside land).

  English Nature also runs a Wildlife Enhancement Scheme for Breckland Farmland SSSI to assist land managers with their work. Through this scheme English Nature can offer a Management Agreement to provide payment for additional positive management to benefit nesting stone curlews. The scheme provides options for

  1191W
  management designed to improve breeding success and to encourage birds out of crops and on to specially created nest plots.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) process and (b) timescale are for the implementation of the Breckland Special Protection Area. [165147]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 19 April 2004]: English Nature has undertaken scientific consultations on the case made for the site. Objections were received and one has resulted in a legal challenge. English Nature expects to submit its recommendations once that has been concluded. Once those recommendations are received Ministers will consider any outstanding issues before taking a decision whether the site merits classification as a Special Protection Area.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the(a) boundaries of the Breckland Farmland Site of Special Scientific Interest and (b) proposed boundaries of the Breckland Special Protection Area have been decided. [165129]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The information is as follows.

  (a) The boundary of the Breckland Farmland Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) was drawn up by English Nature on the basis of the nest records collected under the Stone Curlew Recovery Project, financed jointly by the RSPB and English Nature, for the years 1995 to 1999 inclusive. Areas regularly containing two or more nest sites over this period were included, conservatively using a foraging range of up to 2 km from each nest site. Other features were also taken into account, in particular the need to have boundaries corresponding to physical features such as roads, drains, ditches, field edges or the boundaries of land holdings.

  (b) All or parts of 28 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) have been recommended as Breckland potential Special Protection Area (pSPA) because together they support breeding bird populations of three species of European importance.

  Breckland SPA qualifies under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) as it is used regularly by 1 per cent. or more of the Great Britain population of three species of birds listed in Annex 1 of the Directive. They are stone curlew, nightjar and woodlark.

  The pSPA boundary was delineated on the basis of records covering stone curlew nests, male woodlarks in forest blocks and in non-forest locations and breeding nightjars. The data spans the period 1992–98, with account taken of 1999 data where available.

  Brucellosis
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the(a) cause and (b) source of the recent brucellosis outbreak in South East Cornwall. [166444]

  Mr Bradshaw
  [holding answer 19 April 2004]: A specialist epidemiological team has been set up to look into the source of the outbreak. The team, led by
  1192W
  veterinary epidemiologist Professor John Wilesmith, includes specialists in surveillance and epidemiology from both the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and DEFRA.

  The group is liaising closely with the State Veterinary Service and looking at the brucellosis testing history of the infected herd, the relationship between cows, bulls and youngstock, cattle movements on and off over the past two years, any known unrecorded cattle movements, the herd's breeding programme, any unusual mixing of livestock and imports into Devon and Cornwall over the past three years.

  Field investigations and epidemiological analyses of available data are concentrated on two main hypotheses:
  (i) the introduction of infection via an imported animal from a known infected country, or an as yet unknown infected country; or
  (ii) the recrudescence of infection either from animals in the infected herd or from other GB herds.

  Epidemiological investigations are progressing well; however the cause and source of the infection remain unknown at this stage.

  BSE
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the US Department of Agriculture decision to use antibody-based tests for the prion protein that causes BSE; and if she will make a statement. [165253]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The testing approvals in the USA are currently consistent with those in the EU where all currently approved and potential new surveillance tests are antibody based. It is understandable that the USDA might want to use similar testing to the EU in order to assess BSE prevalence in their cattle population. No specific evaluation of the US approval process is considered necessary.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the BSE tests she has been conducting at High Mowbray in Yorkshire. [166441]

  Mr Bradshaw
  [holding answer 19 April 2004]: I assume that the h on. Member is referring to BSE research that was conducted between 1989 and 2001 at High Mowthorpe Centre in North Yorkshire as no BSE tests or research have been conducted at High Mowbray. Embryos were derived elsewhere from BSE-infected cattle and transported to High Mowthorpe, where they were transferred to recipient BSE-free dams from New Zealand. A total of 266 live born calves were produced from 347 recipient females and all 613 animals were monitored for seven years. None developed BSE and no sign of BSE, was observed when brains were subjected to post-mortem examination. These findings led to the lifting of the import/export ban on cattle embryos in 2002.

  Butterflies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will add butterflies to the list of quality of life indicators. [165068]
  1193W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: The UK Government in partnership with tilt Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Administration have begun developing new strategy to produce a step change in the delivery of sustainable development in the UK. The public consultation document and process for developing new strategy will be launched later this month. As part of the consultation we will consider the use and scope of indicators for monitoring our progress.

  We cannot at this stage pre-empt the outcome of the consultation and the associated review of indicators to comment which indicators may or may not be included in a new set.

  Annual information on butterfly populations at monitored sites is available and an indicator covering 1976 to 2002 could be compiled. However, the majority of the sites covered by the monitoring schemes are nature reserves and the index is therefore unlikely to be representative of the country as a whole. This weakness is being addressed in a research project, which the Department is currently putting out to tender.

  Carbon Dioxide Reduction Target
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further steps the Government intend to take to reach the target of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, relative to 1990 levels, by 2010; and if she will make a statement. [167757]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government remain committed to the domestic goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. The Department of Trade and Industry intends to publish shortly its updated energy and emissions projections, which will inform the planned review of the UK Climate Change Programme later this year. The review provides an opportunity to introduce new policies and measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, or to strengthen existing ones., if the conclusion is that more needs to be done to achieve the domestic goal.

  Cervine TB
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will specify the locations at which the deer in the vicinity of the Baronsdown deer sanctuary tested positive for TB; how many of the carcases were sent to the Veterinary Investigation Laboratories, and when; and how many laboratory tests are pending. [165176]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Since the beginning of January 1998, there have been nine bacteriologically confirmed cases of bovine tuberculosis(Mycobacterium bovis) in the Parish of Dulverton in West Somerset (eight red deer, one roe deer). Other deer submissions were bacteriologically negative.

  In 2003, six (from seven) deer submissions from Exmoor proved positive for M. bovis.

  In February 2004, eight red deer culled near Dulverton, Somerset as part of a routine annual random cull were submitted to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) at Langford. After examination by a
  1194W
  Veterinary Investigation Officer, tissues from four animals with suspect lesions have been submitted for Mycobacterium culture. The results are awaited.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she takes against(a) farms and (b) others who fail to notify her Department of TB in deer. [165177]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Tuberculosis (Deer) Order 1989 provides for the compulsory notification of tuberculosis in deer and deer carcasses. Contravention or failure to comply with the provisions of the Order constitute an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981. Prosecution would be carried out by the local authority.

  Cockling
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to compensate cockle fishermen affected by the closure of cockle beds. [164286]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department has no plans to provide financial compensation to cockle fishermen affected by the closure of cockle beds.

  Dolphins/Porpoises
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to press for the early implementation of the EU proposals to reduce accidental deaths of dolphins and porpoises from UK fishing activity. [164851]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The UK has been seeking Community action for some time to address the accidental deaths of dolphins and porpoises from fishing activity. I am pleased therefore that agreement was reached on a new Council regulation to address this problem at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers Meeting on 22/23 March. The regulation will make the use of acoustic deterrent devices mandatory in certain fixed gear fisheries in the North Sea from 1 June 2005, in the Celtic Sea from 1 January 2006, and in the eastern Channel from 1 January 2007. The regulation also requires member states to implement schemes to monitor bycatch across a range of fisheries from 1 January 2005. This regulation is an important first step in the protection of dolphins and porpoises from the impact of fishing.

  Environmental Support
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with(a) the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) Regional Development Agencies on successor organisations and programme to Vital Villages. [167972]

  Alun Michael
  The Vital Villages programme was a three year pilot programme which was intended to explore what would best enable village communities to determine their own future. Some commentators have wrongly referred to the scheme as being "cut" when a further £14 million is being invested this year in maintaining the scheme, despite the fact that it is closed to new applicants. With a variety of partners including
  1195W
  the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister we are considering how best to promote the lessons of the programme in seeking to target support for rural communities that need help through mainstream Government programmes such as local authority community planning, Neighbourhood Renewal and other regeneration programmes. We will also consider whether an independent successor arrangement to the Vital Villages scheme is necessary.

  Erosion
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what land area in total was affected by problems of soil erosion in each of the last 10 years, broken down by county; and what area of agricultural land in total has become unusable in each case. [165752]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  All soils that are not sealed, e.g. built on, are potentially at risk of erosion. Whether erosion occurs depends on various factors, especially land management, soil type and weather conditions.

  Over the last 10 years very little agricultural land has become unusable due to soil erosion, although a number of watercourses have suffered damage from siltation and/or eutrophication due to soil-borne nutrients.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the volume of soil erosion, as measured in tonnes per hectare per annum was, broken down by country in(a) 1975, (b) 1985, (c) 1995 and (d) 2002. [165814]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Latest estimates taken between 1996 and 1998 suggest that total erosion from arable land in England and Wales is estimated at 2.9 million tonnes per annum. These losses are concentrated in small and limited areas within catchments where particular land management practices, soil types and weather conditions present the highest risk to erosion. In such risky areas losses range between 0.01 to 12 tonnes per hectare per annum, with a median value of 0.1 tonnes per hectare per annum. We do not have comparable figures broken down by year and country.

  EU Environmental Liability Directive
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the status of(a) the EU and (b) the UK regarding the European Environmental Liability Directive. [168085]

  Alun Michael
  Following the Council common position in September and the European Parliament's second reading in December, the Council and the Parliament reached agreement on an amended draft. The Council and the Parliament have since adopted the Directive, as amended, at their respective third readings. The Government supported the common position and the agreement reached with the Parliament, both of which delivered our key objectives. When it comes into force, member states will have three years to implement the Directive which will be published in the Official Journal shortly, when it will come in to force.

  The Government have begun consideration of the implementation of the Directive.

  Fauna Distribution
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average number of species in(a) grassland and (b) woodland was (i) on the latest date for which figures are available and (ii) 10 years ago, broken down by region. [165739]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Grassland:

  Semi-natural grasslands are divided into six main Biodiversity Action Plan priority types. The figures in the table give an indication of the average number of plant species expected in a 4m2 quadrat, assuming ideal management. But large variation in species number can occur depending on the different sub-types of grassland within the broad categories.

  BAP priority grassland type

  Average number species per 4m2 quadrat

  Lowland calcareous grassland

  23

  Upland calcareous grassland

  29

  Lowland meadows

  26

  Upland meadows

  26

  Purple moor grass and rush pastures

  25

  Lowland acid grassland

  18

  The Countryside Surveys were established to monitor changes in land cover, landscape and biodiversity in Great Britain. Data has to date been collected for 1984, 1990 and 1998. This shows a change in mean number of species between 1990 and 1998. In the case of neutral grassland; calcareous and acid grassland in the west lowlands, a small decline in mean number of plant species/plot was recorded. But these changes were not statistically significant. A statistically significant increase in mean number species/plot was recorded for acid grassland in the uplands.

  The random sampling approach means that for some rarer habitats, such as calcareous grasslands, the sample sizes were small decreasing the precision of the results.

  (b) Woodland:

  Woodlands are structurally diverse, and habitat for a vast number of species, including vascular plants, birds, mammals, invertebrates, lichens, fungi and soil microbes. No comprehensive study has been undertaken.

  Woodlands can be categorised by broad Biodiversity Action Plan type; whether they are recognised as ancient or recent; semi-natural or plantation. Generally there is higher vascular plant species on ancient, semi-natural woodland. The survey data available over this time span includes all broadleaved woodland.

  Average species richness for different woodland types, using 4x4m or 10x10m quadrants. Adapted from Rodwell 1991

  Priority BAP Habitat type

  Average number of species per plot

  Wet woodland

  25

  Upland ash

  36

  Upland oak

  29

  Beech

  15

  Yew

  5

  The Countryside Survey also covers woodland habitat, and can be used to show relative change over

  1197W
  the same time period. The methodology used did not distinguish between different woodland types shown above, nor did it specify ancient woodland, so figures may be lower than expected.

  The following table below shows the mean species richness for a random sample of woods in England and Wales, between 1990 and 1998, using 200m2 quadrants. From Haines-Young et al (2003).

  Zone

  Number of samples

  Mean species richness 1990

  Mean species richness 1998

  1

  57

  13.79

  11.26

  2

  43

  16.93

  15.93

  3

  18

  18.89

  16.89

  Zones:

  1= Easterly and southerly lowlands

  2= West lowlands

  3= Uplands

  Fertilisers
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment has been made of the possible link between the use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture and the health of the wild freshwater fish population in the UK. [165570]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  No specific study has been undertaken recently of possible links between the use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture and the status of the wild freshwater fish populations in the UK. However, various studies have been undertaken on the effects of increased nutrient loads in rivers and lakes. In addition, water quality, including the effects of contaminants such as chemical fertilisers, is one the factors routinely considered when assessing the state of fish stocks. Water quality is assessed when developing Salmon Action Plans aimed at the conservation and enhancement of salmon in rivers in England and Wales.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish the outcome of the review of fisheries and environmental enforcement; and if she will make a statement. [165197]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I am considering the report of the Review and expect to publish it shortly.

  Food Promotion
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to encourage the local sourcing of food and other products. [167865]

  Alun Michael
  The Government recognises the benefits of local food and is keen to encourage a flourishing local food sector. Money is available under the England Rural Development Programme for supporting activities such as the establishment of Farmers' Markets, the development of regional and local branding of foodstuffs and the formation of collaborative groups to market quality products. For example, within the last year we awarded £100, 256 to 1198W
  the National Association of Farmers' Markets to raise the profile of farmers' markets across England and to increase public awareness of them.

  DEFRA has also helped finance a number of local sourcing workshops organised by the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) designed to bring together supermarkets and small local producers to explore how barriers to local sourcing can be overcome. Following on from this, we helped fund the Business in The Community (BiTC) and IGD guide for small businesses looking to work with large food retailers and food service companies —"Local Sourcing—Opening the Door for Small Business". In addition to this, our Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative is designed to encourage public sector bodies to procure their food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and to encourage more small and local businesses to compete to supply them with food.

  This work will be complemented at a regional level through the regional plans that each Regional Development Agency (RDA) is drawing up to help deliver the Government Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. Although the nature of this support will be determined according to regional priorities, issues to be addressed will include the production and supply of locally sourced food by encouraging food hubs and shared facilities and the linking of local producers with local retailers and tourist businesses.

  Greyhounds
  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the minimum standards for kennels at greyhound tracks are. [165486]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Government do not currently set minimum standards for kennelling at greyhound tracks but under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to a domestic or captive animal. This offence covers welfare at racetracks. It is proposed to consolidate and modernise the legislation relating to domestic and captive animals and a draft Bill is currently being prepared.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what minimum standards breeders of greyhounds must meet. [166752]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Commercial greyhound breeding is covered by the Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991, and the Breeding and Sale of Dogs Welfare Act 1999. There is also protection under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, under which it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to a domestic or captive animal. It is proposed to consolidate and modernise this legislation and a draft Bill is currently being prepared.

  Harmful Chemicals
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects on UK citizens of exposure to harmful chemicals, with particular reference to those found in everyday products. [168564]
  1199W
  Alun Michael
  The Department carries out and/or evaluates research on a wide range of industrial chemicals through three main routes. In each case, the work focuses on particular chemicals or groups of chemicals of interest irrespective of exposure route (environmental, consumer, etc.). These chemicals have many uses and are present in many everyday products.

  Through our commitments to the European Union's risk assessment programme under the Existing Substances Regulation (EEC) 793/93. Details of the programme can be found on the European Chemicals Bureau website at: http://ecb.jrc.it/existing-chemicals/. The programme aims to identify potentially harmful chemicals based on four priority lists of substances drawn up by the European Commission in consultation with member states. The UK has been the sole rapporteur for 21 and joint with other member states on a further five of the 141 substances this programme has identified.

  At a national level, through bodies like the Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances (ACHS) (see http://www. defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/achs/ index.htm) and the Chemicals Stakeholder Forum (CSF) (see http://www. defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/csf/index.htm). These bodies investigate the effects of chemicals on the environment and society as well as providing advice and guidance on dealing with hazardous chemicals. Defra also commissions and evaluates research, often in close co-operation with the Environment Agency, on the hazards and risks of specific chemicals or groups of chemicals of concern such as perfluorooctanyl sulphonate (PFOS), endocrine disrupters, chlorinated and brominated flame retardants and dioxins and dioxin-like substances.

  Through the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Chemicals Programme. Defra provides funding to this organisation where risk to human health and the environment posed by chemicals is determined by chemical-specific hazard properties and the amount of exposure to chemicals. The organisation assists member countries in developing and harmonising methods for assessing such risk.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to recommend that the proposed European Chemicals Regulation (REACH) incorporate a legal framework for the substitution of harmful man—made chemicals where safer alternatives exist; and if she will make a statement. [168565]

  Alun Michael
  The authorisation process under REACH is designed to ensure proper control of substances of high concern and their eventual replacement by suitable substances or technologies. There are practical difficulties in making substitution an absolute legal requirement under REACH. The Government is currently considering the provisions relating to substitution to see whether they are likely to achieve the desired effect of acting as a sufficiently strong incentive—along with other incentives such as market pressure for industry to develop new and safer substitutes.
  1200W
  In order to make an informed decision, the Government is consulting on proposals for addressing substitution as part of its consultation paper on the New EU Chemicals strategy issued on 30 March 2004 and all contributions are welcome. The closing date for responses is 25 June 2004.

  Information is available on DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/reach/index.htm.

  Hunting Ban
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans are in place to prevent the destruction of hunting dogs in the event of a hunting ban being introduced. [167758]

  Alun Michael
  The owners are responsible for the welfare of their animals. The Government would expect organisations such as the Kennel Club and the RSPCA to give advice and help on the best course of action to owners of dogs affected by any legislation such as the proposals on hunting, with dogs.

  Evidence to the Burns Inquiry suggests that hunts keep some 20,000 dogs for hunting. Several thousand dogs are put down every year after some six or seven years' hunting, when they are considered to have reached the end of their working lives. Some dogs presently involved in hunting are capable of being domesticated or are domestic animals and capable of rehoming. It may be the case that some dogs are pack animals which would not settle and could not be rehomed.

  Illegal Meat Imports
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risks to biosecurity as a result of illegal imports of meat; and what representations she has received about the threat to biosecurity as a result of such imports. [165200]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  In March 2003, DEFRA published the Veterinary Laboratories Agency "Risk Assessment for the Import of Meat and Meat Products Contaminated with foot and Mouth Disease Virus into Great Britain and the Subsequent Exposure of GB Livestock".

  This estimated that FMD infection of GB livestock due to contaminated illegally imported meat would occur with a mean of one infection in 130 years, with a 90 per cent. certainty interval ranging from one infection in 41 years to one infection in 1,100 years.

  A further report updating this risk assessment, incorporating additional data, will be published in the next few months. This report will also include similar risk assessments on three pig diseases—Classical Swine Fever, African Swine Fever and Swine Vesicular Disease.

  All seizures of illegal imports are disposed as if they were category 1 material under the Animal By-Products Regulations (2003) and are sent for incineration without undue delay.
  1201W
  We have received many representations from stakeholders on these issues both in meetings and via correspondence and we take account of their views in developing our strategy.

  We continue to work with interested groups on projects, such as with countryside user groups to raise awareness of all inland biosecurity issues, and with the Bushmeat Campaign and others in taking forward the message through publicity campaigns aimed at ethnic minority communities.

  Insects
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the likely effects of climate change on the UK's biodiversity in respect of insects, including butterflies; and what measures she proposes to take to counter such effects. [165308]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department, along with the Devolved Administrations, statutory nature conservation agencies and non-governmental organisations, is contributing to an on-going research programme on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the UK. Results suggest that as climate changes, the distribution of species and the composition of habitats will change. With warmer temperatures, some northern species are likely to retreat, while southern species may he able to expand their ranges. At the same time, coastal habitats will be affected by rising sea levels. On land, movement of some species may be impeded by our fragmented landscapes, possibly leading to local extinctions. However, there is already evidence that some butterfly species have expanded their ranges northward in recent years.

  The Government's existing policies for nature conservation provide the basis to mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity, by protecting and restoring wildlife habitats and concerted action to reverse the decline of threatened species. New evidence from research and monitoring is taken into account in developing these policies and management strategies. However, there remains considerable scientific uncertainty about the implications for individual species.

  The Government are fully committed to the Kyoto Protocol and to reducing the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. Through the Climate Change Programme we have put in place a strong programme of policies and measures to ensure that the UK meets its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and moves towards its domestic goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. on 1990 levels by 2010. Longer term, the UK aims to strengthen its action further by putting itself on a path to a 60 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to(a) survey and (b) monitor the UK's future biodiversity in respect of insects. [165309]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  An organisation called the National Biodiversity Network Trust is currently co-ordinating actions by a range of interested parties to bring together the biological recording efforts of volunteers and agencies. The work of the NBN Trust is supported by 1202W
  the Government agencies responsible for biodiversity and the Government support this work through the grant-in-aid to these agencies.

  In addition, DEFRA has provided financial support for specific surveys such as the Millennium Butterfly Atlas and monitoring work on butterflies on land subject to agri-environment schemes. Species of particular concern are subject to individual specific action under the Biodiversity Action Plan and Government support this process through their conservation agencies in England, Wales and Scotland and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland. Volunteers, through their relevant national schemes or societies, carry out much of the survey and monitoring work on priority species.

  The vast majority of information on the distribution, status and trends of species comes from the activities of volunteers. These are individuals with a special interest in insects who give freely of their spare time. A key part of the work of the NBN Trust is about supporting these people and encouraging the next generation of biological recorders. Replacing the effort of volunteers with contracted survey would be extremely costly and need continued funding. The Government support the work of the NBN Trust as the primary mechanism to secure the continued supply of information from volunteers through capacity building of support networks at national and local scale.

  We believe that the short life spans and diverse needs of insects make some of them good indicators of environmental change. Information on the status and trends in insects, and other plants and animals, would be extremely helpful in both detecting adverse change and identifying sustainable practices. We recognise that some groups of insects do not have the resources necessary to provide a comprehensive baseline of information and more resources are needed. DEFRA is currently exploring options for improving surveillance and monitoring of species, including insects, and will consider future funding in the light of discussions with the conservation agencies and representatives of voluntary conservation organisations.

  Land Distribution
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many hectares were classified as(a) grassland, (b) land for crop growing, (c) woodland, (d) urban, (e) suburban and (f) semi-natural vegetation in each year since 1974 in the UK, broken down by (i) region and (ii) county. [165805]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Estimates of the area of farmland in England which is classified as grassland, crops and bare fallow, and other agricultural land is available from the Agricultural Census for the years 1990, 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Estimates of the area of woodland in England in 1995–99 is available from the Forestry Commission, while information on the extent of urban areas (including suburban land) in England in 1981, 1991 and 2001 is available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. No separate information is available on the extent of semi-natural land in England. A copy of the available information will be made available in the
  1203W
  Library of the House. Information about the area of land in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland falls under the jurisdiction of the devolved authorities.

  Market and Coastal Towns Initiative
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress by each Regional Development Agency on the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative; and what the budget for each RDA was for each year of the initiative. [167859]

  Alun Michael
  When the announcement of the funding was made, it was envisaged that 100 towns would benefit but I am pleased to report that, through the innovative methods used in each of the regions, 227 towns are currently receiving support.

  The Rural White Paper offered funding of £37 million to enable the Regional Development Agencies and the Countryside Agency to support market town regeneration in the regions over a period of three years (2000–01 to 2003–04).

  £32 million was allocated to the Regional Development Agencies and £5 million to the Countryside Agency. The funding for the Regional Development Agencies was incorporated in the DEFRA contribution to their Single Programme, to enable regional partnerships to target towns in their region according to selection criteria agreed regionally. The initiative was not established as a national funding programme with an annual budget for each agency.

  The start of the initiative was delayed in many of the regions due to the foot and mouth crisis, with some regions not launching their own initiatives or incurring spend until last year. For this reason data from the Regional Development Agencies on their expenditure is unlikely to be available until the initiative is evaluated, which DEFRA is currently discussing with the Regional Development Agencies.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she intends to take to ensure that questions tabled for a named day response are answered on the specified day. [167789]

  Alun Michael
  I have explained to officials at DEFRA the importance attached by parliamentarians to receiving a full and prompt reply to formal questions. I have asked for further steps to be taken to make sure that this is fully understood in every part of the Department. It must be understood that there is a cost to providing answers, both in financial terms and in the time of officials that has to be diverted to providing answers or to meeting a deadline in the case of "named day" questions and that some information is simply not available in the form requested. I and my Ministerial colleagues are always willing to discuss the needs of Members.

  Salmon
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what systems are in place to regulate the operational activities of commercial salmon farmers in the UK. [165565]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  All fish farms are subject to EU and national legislative controls to prevent the introduction and spread of serious fish disease. Under these arrangements all farms must be registered or licensed as required by the appropriate Fisheries Department and keep a record of the movement of fish for disease control purposes. Controls also apply to the import and export of farmed fish.

  All salmon farms require a Crown Estate lease and development consent, and are subject to conservation and environmental measures. The use of medicines on fish farms and welfare of farmed fish are also subject to control.

  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment has been made of the health of the wild salmon population in the UK. [165569]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Assessments of the current state of wild salmon stocks in UK have been compiled in the last month in Scotland (by Fisheries Research Services), in England and Wales (by CEFAS and the Environment Agency) and in Northern Ireland (by DARDNI). These reports have been submitted to the North Atlantic Salmon Working Group of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), which is meeting currently, and will be used to provide an overall assessment of the status of salmon stocks throughout the North Atlantic for submission to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO). The report for England and Wales has been published and may be obtained from the Environment Agency. The annual statistical bulletin, Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Catches, 2003, is scheduled for publication in late summer.

  Severely Disadvantaged Areas
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms are currently classed as containing both severely disadvantaged area and non-severely disadvantaged area land. [168032]

  Alun Michael
  We currently do not classify farm businesses in the way requested. However, in 2003, 8,261 farmers claimed Hill Farm Allowance on both severely disadvantaged and disadvantaged (i.e. non-severely-disadvantaged) land. Holdings of less than 10 hectares are excluded from HFA, and so are not included in this figure. Neither would it include farm businesses with severely disadvantaged land and land ineligible for HFA, but no disadvantaged land.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what resources her Department makes available to local authorities for Sites of Special Scientific Interest; and how much was made available in 2003–04. [164971]
  1205W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  The overall funding requirements of local authorities is a matter for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Department does not provide direct funding to local authorities specifically for the management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). SSSI landowners and managers, such as local authorities, are able to access, subject to conditions, a variety of funding streams which can benefit SSSIs, including from English Nature, agri-environment schemes and from lottery or EU sources. English Nature estimate that overall local authorities own or manage about 4.7 per cent. of England's SSSI land.

  St. George's Day
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Country Land and Business Association about St. George's Day breakfasts. [167863]

  Alun Michael
  The Government recognises the benefits of local food and welcomes initiatives like the Country Land and Business Association's (CLA) initiative that aim to encourage people to buy more locally sourced foods. Money is available under the England Rural Development Programme to support activities such as the establishment of Farmers' Markets, the development of regional and local branding of food and the formation of co-operative groups to market quality products. DEFRA has also worked with the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) to produce best practice guides designed to show how supermarkets and food service companies can work with small local producers and explore how barriers to local sourcing can be overcome. In addition to this, our Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative is designed to encourage public sector bodies to procure their food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and to encourage more small and local businesses to compete to supply them with food.

  The CLA initiative also complements the Government's three-year programme of support for the quality regional food sector which is being delivered by Food From Britain. This £3 million programme aims to promote the quality regional food sector and consists of a range of activities focussing on trade development, increasing competitiveness and raising consumer awareness.

  Stone Curlews
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the boundaries of the Breckland Farmland Site of Special Scientific Interest to reflect changes in the stone curlew population. [165128]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Secretary of State has no role in the determination of the boundaries of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), this is a matter for English Nature.

  I understand however, that English Nature has no plans at this time to recommend changes to the boundary of the Breckland Farmland SSSI. Survey and monitoring of the number and distribution of stone curlews is carried out annually throughout Breckland. This data is regularly reviewed to assess any significant changes in the population and its distribution.
  1206W
  If, in the future, there is evidence that parts of the SSSI no longer support the special interest (breeding stone curlew) or that areas beyond the existing SSSI boundary become important, the legislation provides that English Nature has the discretion to de-notify parts of the site or extend the SSSI boundary to incorporate any new areas that may qualify.

  Trees
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the percentage tree cover in each EU member state was(a) on the latest date for which figures are available, (b) 10 years ago and (c) 20 years ago. [165798]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Based on information collected by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation forest as a percentage of land area is given in the table as follows.

  Country

  20001

  19901

  19802

  Austria

  47

  46

  45

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  22

  23

  23

  Denmark

  11

  10

  11

  Finland

  72

  72

  76

  France

  28

  27

  28

  Germany

  31

  31

  29

  Greece

  28

  26

  45

  Ireland

  10

  7

  6

  Italy

  34

  33

  27

  Netherlands

  11

  11

  10

  Portugal

  40

  34

  35

  Spain

  29

  27

  25

  Sweden

  66

  66

  68

  United Kingdom

  12

  11

  9

  Notes:

  1FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000. Definitions of forest can vary between countries and over time.

  2 FAO The Forest Resources of the ECE Region, published 1985. The years covered vary between countries, although most are around 1980. Definitions of forest can vary between countries.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps(a) have been taken and (b) are planned to improve tree health. [165800]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The need to maintain, and improve where necessary, the health and vitality of trees is integral to the government's approach to sustainable forest management. We have set this out in the UK Forestry Standard and its supporting literature, which contain many specific measures for protecting woodland and improving tree health. All woodland management by the Forestry Commission is consistent with this standard and we expect private woodland owners that receive grant aid from the Forestry Commission to also meet the standard. The government has encouraged the development of the voluntary UK Woodland Assurance Standard that provides an independent verification of compliance with good practice and measures to ensure the continuing good health of woodland. We shall continue to ensure compliance with the UK Forest Standard in those woods managed by the Forestry Commission and encourage it in the private sector. We will improve, through research, our knowledge of factors affecting
  1207W
  tree health and we shall maintain a vigilant guard against the establishment of non-native pests and diseases.

  Upland Farms (Environmental Management)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she intends to take to ensure that farms in uplands are rewarded for improved environmental management of their land. [168948]

  Alun Michael
  A significant proportion of farmers in the uplands are already participating in our Environmentally Sensitive Area or Countryside Stewardship Schemes.

  Next year we plan to roll out our new agri-environment scheme called Environmental Stewardship. The Entry Level of that scheme will be available to all upland farmers and we hope that many more of them will decide to join it.

  Woodlands
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total(a) area and (b) production in cubic metres of (i) broadleaf and (ii) coniferous woodland was in each year since 1980 (A) in England and (B) broken down by region. [165799]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  A national woodland survey is carried out by the Forestry Commission at intervals of between 15 and 20 years. Comparative areas of woodland1 in 1980 and 1998 were published in the latest National Inventory of Woodland and Trees, Regional Inventory reports. The figures are given in the following table.

  Thousand hectares

  19802

  19983

  Region

  Broadleaves

  Conifers

  Broadleaves

  Conifers

  North-East

  16.2

  73.3

  24.5

  69.2

  North-West

  33.0

  39.4

  46.7

  39.8

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  39.0

  37.4

  46.1

  35.4

  East Midlands

  37.8

  21.6

  52.9

  17.9

  West Midlands

  44.1

  28.3

  63.1

  25.7

  East of England

  59.4

  40.7

  90.2

  37.5

  London

  5.4

  0.3

  5.5

  0.2

  South East

  138.2

  59.1

  173.6

  52.4

  South West

  95.7

  63.8

  137.4

  60.8

  Total England

  468.8

  363.9

  640.0

  338.9

  1Excluding open space, coppice and felled areas awaiting replanting.

  21980 Census of Woodland.

  3National Inventory of Woodland and Trees—Regional Inventory Reports. Reference dates varied by region 1995 to 1999.

  4Differences in sampling methodology between 1980 and 1998 may account for some of the differences.

  5In the 1980 Census the area assigned to broadleaves and conifers included any associated open space such as roads and rides. In the 1998 Inventory open spaces are separately identified and to obtain meaningful comparison between the two datasets the 1980 Census data has been reduced by the percentage of open space identified in the 1998 Inventory (nationally 6.5 per cent.).

  Timber production is not recorded by region and the estimate for total England production is given in the following table.
  1208W

  1Removals in million cubic metres overbark standing

  Hardwoods (from broadleafed trees)

  Softwood (from conifer trees)

  1980

  1.2

  1.3

  1981

  1.2

  1.3

  1982

  1.0

  1.4

  1983

  0.8

  1.4

  1984

  0.8

  1.5

  1985

  0.9

  1.5

  1986

  0.9

  1.7

  1987

  0.8

  1.9

  1988

  1.1

  2.3

  1989

  1.2

  2.5

  1990

  1.1

  2.5

  1991

  1.1

  2.5

  1992

  0.8

  2.6

  1993

  0.7

  2.3

  1994

  0.8

  2.6

  1995

  0.9

  2.5

  1996

  0.8

  2.4

  1997

  0.8

  2.2

  1998

  0.7

  2.1

  1999

  0.7

  2.2

  2000

  0.6

  2.1

  2001

  0.6

  2.0

  2002

  0.6

  1.8

  1Based on figures put fished in Forestry Facts and Figures for 1980–94, adjusted to consistent definition. Later figures for private sector removals estimated from a GB survey for 2000–02 and interpolated.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Prisoners (Thailand)
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last made representations to obtain pardons for British prisoners incarcerated in Thai prisons; and if he will make a statement. [168719]

  Mr. Mullin
  On 1 April 2004, the Government agreed to make representations to the Thai authorities in support of a clemency petition submitted by a British prisoner in Thailand.

  China
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning(a) the repatriation of the North Korean refugee Mr. Park Yong-chol (alias Jo Yong-su) from China to North Korea and (b) the mistreatment of the Chinese house church leader Pastor Gong Shengliang while in prison in Hongshan Prison, Wuhan City, Hubei Province. [168799]

  Mr. Rammell
  We regularly raise the issue of North Korean border crossers at the biannual UK-China Human Rights Dialogue and on other high level occasions. We are aware of the case of Mr. Park. The European Commission has recently suggested that the EU should raise the matter urgently with the Chinese authorities; this is now under consideration by the EU presidency.

  We have raised Pastor Gong Shengliang's case with the Chinese authorities on several occasions. We supported an EU demarche in Beijing in July last year on this case.

  Climate Change
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made by his Department of the implications for national security of climate change. [168840]

  Mr. Caplin
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Ministry of Defence is reviewing the implications of climate change for national security as part of its wider assessment of strategic trends that might impact on the United Kingdom's interests.

  Correspondence
  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 26 January 2004 with regard to Mosamuat Meherun Nessa Begum. [168926]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer my right hon. Friend to my answer of 8 March 2004,Official Report, column 1316W.

  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 1 March 2004 with regard to Mr. Hachemi Nessai. [168927]

  Mr. Mullin
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied on 25 March 2004. However, he will write again shortly.

  Departmental Employment Policy
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's employment termination policy for locally-engaged members of staff. [166919]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In Foreign and Commonwealth Office posts overseas the rights of all locally engaged employees are protected by local law.

  Every post is required to set out the termination procedure in the Terms and Conditions of Service given to each employee on appointment.

  Procedures for terminating employment therefore vary across posts.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employment termination cases of locally-engaged members of staff have been(a) disputed and (b) taken to arbitration; and in how many instances the findings have been in favour of the member of staff. [166921]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Locally engaged employees have the right to take their case to a local court if they have a dispute over the termination of their employment. To obtain details from each overseas post would incur disproportionate costs.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much severance pay has been awarded to his Department's locally-engaged members of staff in each year since 1997, broken down by country. [166922]
  1210W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Severance pay for locally engaged employees of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is governed according to local law and practice in the country the employee is working. To obtain figures from each overseas post would incur disproportionate costs.

  Departmental Expenditure (Entertainment)
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of the amount spent by his Department on official entertainment in each year from 1996–97 to 2004–05. [169007]

  Mr. Rammell
  Comparable information is available only for the years 2000–01 to 2004–05. The following figures show the actual spend on entertainment within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the first three years, with a forecast for 2003–04 and 2004–05 based upon expenditure to date.

  £

  2000–01

  8,337,306

  2001–02

  8,708,262

  2002–03

  8,612,247

  2003–04

  18.135,315

  2001—

  17,687,873

  1Estimated.

  All expenditure on entertainment within the Department is carefully monitored to ensure that it is made in accordance with departmental guidance that is based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".

  Fingerprinting (USA Entry)
  Mr. Henry Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received from the travel industry regarding the fingerprinting of British citizens wishing to travel to the United States; and if she will make a statement. [168918]

  Mr. Mullin
  There have been no formal representations by the travel industry, although the finger-scanning of British citizens on arrival in the United States has been discussed in our regular meetings with the industry.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department is making to the reconciliation process in Sulawesi. [168575]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK's Global Conflict Prevention Pool is used in Indonesia to facilitate inter-faith dialogue. DFID has also committed over £4 million to help establish the United Nations Development Programme Conflict Prevention and Recovery Unit in Jakarta. The unit will help build up capacity in conflict reduction and recovery in provinces torn apart by religious conflict, such as Sulawesi and Maluku.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the
  1211W
  Government are giving to the tribunal and its staff investigating crimes by Saddam Hussein; and if he will make a statement. [168934]

  Mr. Rammell
  Our secondees in the Coalition Provisional Authority Office of Human Rights and Transitional Justice have provided assistance with the drafting of the Statute, Rules of Procedure and Elements of Crime for the Iraq Special Tribunal (IST). They have also developed the investigations strategy and mass grave action plan for the IST. We have agreed to Iraqi requests to provide further assistance, possibilities for which include: forensic expertise; judicial training; judicial advisers; and public education and outreach. And we have agreed to provide the IST Administration Department with a list of international investigators and analysts to support Iraqi capacity. We are also encouraging other EU partners to consider favourably requests for assistance from the Iraqis.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what period of production is represented by the $7,855,209,215.35 received from oil proceeds by the Development Fund for Iraq up to 16 April 2004; and if he will make a statement. [169157]

  Mr. Straw
  The $7,855,209,215.35 received from oil proceeds by the Development Fund for Iraq up to 16 April represents the period of production from 28 May 2003 to mid-March 2004.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future role of the International Advisory Monitoring Board in monitoring and auditing the Development Fund for Iraq after 30 June 2004. [169158]

  Mr. Straw
  The International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB), as specified in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 and the IAMB Terms of Reference, wall cease to be responsible for the auditing of the Development Fund for Iraq once a fully sovereign Iraqi Government has been established. The UK Government would like to see arrangements put in place acceptable to the Iraqi interim administration for the independent and credible audit of Iraqi's oil revenues following the transfer of sovereignty. We are currently in discussion with the Iraqi authorities, the UN international financial institutions, and other countries on how this objective might be best achieved.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed appointment of voting Iraqi members to the Board of the International Advisory Monitoring Board. [169159]

  Mr. Straw
  We are not aware of voting Iraqi members being appointed to the Board of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB). The IAMB comprises voting members from the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development and the World Bank.

  The IAMB, after consulting with the Coalition Provisional Authority administrator, may appoint up to five observers to IAMB meetings, including Iraqi nationals nominated by the Governing Council of Iraq.
  1212W
  The IAMB in its press statement of 24 April 2004 welcomed Iraqi Governing Council observer Professor Mandi Hadi Al-Kafari, and Mr Ihsan Ghanim representing the Iraqi Board of Supreme Audit, to the IAMB. Other Iraqi observers have been invited to IAMB meetings in the past. IAMB observers are not members of the IAMB and have no voting rights.

  Small Grants Scheme
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much is available this year for distribution under the small grants scheme by the UK Ambassador or High Commissioner in each country in which the scheme operates; and how nitwit was distributed in each country in each of the last three years. [168813]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not operated a Small Grants Scheme (SGS) in the past three years. However, an SGS is run and managed by the Department for International Development (DFID). A proportion of DFID's SGS is disbursed through FCO Posts but is not charged to the FCO budget.

  South Africa
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) South Africa's Defence Minister, Mosiuoa Lekota, and (b) other members of the Government of South Africa concerning the proposed creation of a South African standby force by 2005; and if he will make a statement. [168557]

  Mr. Mullin
  The African Union aims to establish an African Standby Force (ASF) for peace support operations on the continent. The ASF will be set up in two phases. Phase one is due to be completed by 2005 and phase two by 2010. It will be based on five regional brigades, including one from southern Africa.

  We regularly discuss this initiative with the South African authorities, who are playing a key role. The UK is providing practical assistance, including through training by the British Peace Support Team in Pretoria.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence met South African Defence Minister, Lekota, on 8 March. They discussed a range of subjects, including the African Union.

  United Arab Emirates
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what joint activity the UK undertakes with the United Arab Emirates on counter-terrorism. [168572]

  Mr. MacShane
  We have a close and high-level counter-terrorism dialogue with the UAE authorities. The Government currently supplies training and advice on money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as extensive customs training. We are also developing a range of capacity building initiatives in the counter terrorism area.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  "Oil Crises and Climate Challenges"
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish her response to the International Energy Agency's publication, "Oil Crises and Climate Challenges". [168636]

  Mr. Timms
  The IEA carries out detailed analytical work on a wide range of energy policy issues and produces a considerable number of publications each year. As other IEA members, the UK is able to contribute to the nature and content of individual IEA publications when they are still in the draft stage. The Department, therefore, does not generally view it as necessary to make official responses to IEA publications. It has not made an official response to this publication and does not intend to do so.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [166086]

  Jacqui Smith
  Central records indicate the following values for the three financial years since 2000–01:

  Supplier/financial year

  Spend (£)

  Deloitte & Touche

  2001–02

  6,504,084

  2002–03

  10,784,757

  2003–04

  12,105,274

  Ernst & Young

  2001–02

  1,289,628

  2002–03

  1,625,512

  2003–04

  2,615,137

  KPMG

  2001–02

  94,347

  2002–03

  236,976

  2003–04

  2,121,207

  PricewaterhouseCooper

  2001–02

  3,507,357

  2002–03

  9,297,179

  2003–04

  5,776,612

  The nature of these contracts included research, IT services and consultancy, market research, financial consultancy, legal services and consultancy, training and project management. Details of individual contracts can be obtained only at disproportion are cost.

  I have asked the Department's Executive Agencies to reply direct to the hon. Member. Small Business Service's figures are included in the. table.

  Letter from Ron Marchant to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 29 April 2004:

  I am replying to this parliamentary question, tabled on 1 April 2004, concerning the nature and value of all contracts, consultancies or other services placed wit h the accountancy firms (i) Deloitte & Touche, (ii) Ernst & Young, (iii) KPMG and (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2000–01.

  The Patent Office has not let contracts, consultancies or other services with the aforementioned accountancy firms during the above period.
  1214W
  Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 29 April 2004:

  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to you directly on behalf of The Insolvency Service in respect of your question (2003/2390) asking what the (a) nature and (b) value was all contracts, consultancies and 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 agencies.

  I can confirm that The Insolvency Service has had no contracts, consultancies or other services with any of the above-named firms since 2000–01.

  Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 29 April 2004:

  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question about the nature and value of all contracts, consultancies and other services placed with Deloitte and Touche, Ernst and Young, KPMG and PriceWaterhouseCoopers since 2000–2001.

  Since 2000–01 NWML has not placed any work with the accountancy firms listed.

  Letter from Claire Clancy to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 29 April 2004:

  I am responding to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on behalf of Companies House, which is an Executive Agency of the DTL.

  Since 2000/01 we have had one contract with Ernst and Young for an HR review in 2003 with a total value of £27,095.94.

  We have not had any contracts with Deloitte and Touche, KPMG or PricewaterhouseCoopers.

  Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 29 April 2004:

  You asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service.

  The Employment Tribunals Service used Deloitte and Touche in 2001 to undertake a Pay and Grading Review. The cost of the review was £50,000. The project was completed in May 2001.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of electricity has been generated from renewable sources in each of the last seven years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [168056]

  Mr. Timms
  The percentages of electricity derived from renewable sources in the each of the seven years from 1997 to 2003 are as follows:

  Percentage

  Overall

  Sources eligible for Renewable Obligation

  1997

  2.12

  0.78

  1998

  2.55

  0.95

  1999

  2.76

  1.18

  2000

  2.75

  1.32

  2001

  2.62

  1.52

  2002

  2.96

  1.74

  2003 (Provisional)

  2.9

  2.0

  Source:

  Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2003 and Digests for earlier years.

  1215W
  This overall renewables percentage includes both biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes and large scale hydro. The amount of electricity produced using hydro sources varies from year to year depending on the rainfall. Low precipitation during the winters of 2000–01 and 2002–03 resulted in low hydro output during 2001 and 2003 hence the fall in generation from renewables in those years.

  Source eligible for the Renewables Obligation are biofuels (including the co-firing of biomass with fossil fuel), onshore and offshore wind, all new hydro, refurbished hydro up to 20 MW (commissioned before 1990), solar photovoltaics and wave and tidal technologies. As more and more onshore and offshore wind projects are commissioned, we can expect to see substantial growth in the amount of renewables electricity output over the coming years.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates she has made of the expected generation costs per MWh for(a) wind and (b) nuclear technologies in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2020. [169776]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department has published estimates of the cost of electricity generation from a variety of technologies. These are contained in a report published in February 2002 available at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/greenhousegas/index.shtml.

  The Performance and Innovation Unit at the Cabinet Office also published similar estimates in its 2001 Energy Review. These are available at: www.number-10.gov.uk/su/energy/1.html.

  Work undertaken for the Renewables Innovation Review covering wind generation costs is also available at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/policy/oxeraresults.pdf.

  EU Emissions Trading Scheme
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what range of prices for carbon is being included in her Department's forward energy projections from 2005 onwards, with reference to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [167765]

  Mr. Timms
  We have considered a range for the price of a carbon emission allowance from €5 per tonne to €25 per tonne of carbon dioxide (tCO2) for our forward energy projections and other work related to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). We expect the carbon price to be towards the lower end of the range. EU ETS carbon allowances are currently trading at about €7 per tonne of CO2, albeit on low sales volumes.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the average age is of an employee in the manufacturing industry in(a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK; and what it has been in each year since 1997; [166768]

  (2) how many people employed in the (a) manufacturing industry and (b) service sector have been over 50 years old in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997; [166769]
  1216W
  (3) how many (a) men and (b) women have been employed in the service sector in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997; [166770]

  (4) how many (a) women and (b) people have been employed in the manufacturing industry in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997; [166771]

  (5) what the average age has been of an employee in the service sector in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 1997. [166772]

  Ruth Kelly
  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. Stephen Hepburn, dated 29 April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about employment in Jarrow constituency and at regional and national level. (166768, 166769, 166770, 166771, 166772)

  The attached tables give the information requested for

  Jarrow Parliamentary Constituency.

  South Tyneside Local Authority,

  the North East, and

  the UK

  for the twelve month periods ending February each year from 2000 to 2002.

  Information is not currently available for earlier or later periods, although the data for the twelve month period ending in February 2003 is to be published by ONS on 28 April 2004. Estimates are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As with any statistical sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to sampling variability.

  Table 1: Number of employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas (not seasonally adjusted) by gender, 12 month periods ending February 2000, 2001 and 2002

  Thousand

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Manufacturing sector1

  All employees

  Jarrow Constituency

  10

  7

  8

  South Tyneside

  12

  11

  12

  North East

  194

  187

  188

  United Kingdom

  4,420

  4,271

  4,188

  Male

  Jarrow Constituency

  7

  6

  6

  South Tyneside

  10

  9

  10

  North East

  147

  146

  141

  United Kingdom

  3,226

  3,141

  3,069

  Female

  Jarrow Constituency

  2—

  2—

  2—

  South Tyneside

  2—

  2

  3

  North East

  47

  41

  46

  United Kingdom

  1,193

  1,130

  1,119

  Service sector1

  All employees

  Jarrow Constituency

  22

  23

  22

  South Tyneside

  35

  38

  38

  North East

  654

  689

  697

  United Kingdom

  17,280

  17,626

  17,941

  1217W

  Table 1: Number of employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas (not seasonally adjusted) by gender, 12 month periods ending February 2000, 2001 and 2002

  Thousand

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Male

  Jarrow Constituency

  9

  9

  9

  South Tyneside

  12

  15

  15

  North East

  256

  278

  279

  United Kingdom

  7,437

  7,583

  7,732

  Female

  Jarrow Constituency

  14

  13

  14

  South Tyneside

  23

  23

  23

  North East

  398

  411

  418

  United Kingdom

  9,843

  10,043

  10,209

  1Manufacturing and service sectors ate based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.

  2Sample size too small for reliable estimate.

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey.

  Table 2: Number of employees in manufacturing and service sectors aged over 501 (not seasonally adjusted) 12 month periods ending February 2000, 2001 and 2002

  Thousand

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Manufacturing sector2 All employees

  Jarrow Constituency

  3—

  3—

  3—

  South Tyneside

  3—

  2

  2

  North East

  31

  36

  36

  United Kingdom

  947

  920

  922

  Service sector2

  Jarrow Constituency

  3—

  4

  4

  South Tyneside

  6

  7

  7

  North East

  126

  129

  136

  United Kingdom

  3,378

  3,520

  3,676

  1Includes employees aged 50 to 99.

  2Manufacturing and service sectors are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.

  3 Sample size too small for reliable estimate.

  1Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey.

  Table 3: Average age of employees in manufacturing and service sectors (not seasonally adjusted) 12 month periods ending February 2000, 2001 and 2002

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Manufacturing sector1

  Jarrow Constituency

  37

  37

  38

  South Tyneside

  37

  38

  39

  North East

  37

  39

  39

  United Kingdom

  39

  39

  40

  Service sector1

  Jarrow Constituency

  38

  39

  39

  South Tyneside

  38

  38

  38

  North East

  38

  38

  38

  United Kingdom

  38

  38

  38

  1Manufacturing and service sectors are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey.

  Miners' Compensation
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average payment made to 1218W
  solicitors was in (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful cases for (i) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (ii) vibration white finger claims. [168475]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 26 April 2004]: The solicitors' costs are paid on a tariff basis, under the terms of the Claims Handling Agreements (CHA). Costs are only payable for successful claims, there are no costs payable for unsuccessful claims.

  Under the CHA the basic costs are:

  Costs (£)1

  COPD

  Settled expedited offers

  955

  Settled full and final offers

  1,856

  Settled chronic bronchitis only

  531

  VWF2

  General damages claims in Group 1 occupations3

  652

  General damages claims in Group 2 occupations4

  760

  1Plus VAT plus disbursements.

  2 Costs for handling services claims are not yet agreed.

  3 Group 1 occupations incorporates the occupations where generally in the coal mining industry the use of hand held vibratory or percussive tools was recognised as a substantial part of the occupation.

  4Group 2 occupations incorporates the occupations where in the coal mining industry the use of hand held vibratory or percussive tools was not necessarily a substantial part of the job, however use by individuals within the group, may well have been significant.

  Note:

  In addition solicitors receive additional payments for handling Grant of Probates, disputes procedures and posthumous claims.

  National Allocation Plan
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what energy assumptions have influenced her Department's policy on the appropriate carbon dioxide reduction target relative to 1990 levels within the National Allocation Plan to implement the EU Emissions Trading Directive. [167755]

  Mr. Timms
  The draft National Allocation Plan (NAP) indicated that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) would be responsible for delivering the remaining savings of 1.5 million tonnes of Carbon (MtC) (equivalent to 5.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide) from 1990 levels by 2010 envisaged under the UK Climate Change Programme from emissions trading for which there are no policies currently in place. With the exception of the power generation sector, allowances to installations have been allocated on the basis of their projected emissions for the first phase of the scheme, which runs from 2005–07. These projections take account of updated estimates of the impacts and policy measures set out in the Climate Change Programme which have already been implemented or for which there are firm plans. Allowances to the power generation sector have been allocated on the basis that this sector will be responsible for the emissions trading savings of 1.5 MtC to be delivered by the EU ETS. This reflects the fact that the power generation sector faces limited international competition and has relatively good low-cost abatement opportunities.
  1219W
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the carbon dioxide emissions reduction targets in(a) the draft National Allocation Plan and (b) the climate change programme. [167762]

  Mr. Timms
  The UK Climate Change Programme envisaged that emissions trading would deliver carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions of 2 million tonnes of Carbon (MtC) (equivalent to 7.3 million tonnes of CO2) by 2010. As the UK Emissions Trading Scheme is expected to lead to CO2 reductions of about 0.5 MtC (1.8 MtCO2), the draft National Allocation Plan (NAP) indicated that the Government had decided that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) would be used to achieve the remaining savings of 1.5 MtC (5.5 MtCO2) by 2010.

  The draft NAP confirmed that the UK is firmly committed to its domestic goal set out in the 2000 Climate Change Programme of moving towards a 20 per cent. reduction in CO2 emissions below 1990 levels by 2010. Subject to a review of the effectiveness of the EU ETS as a vehicle for delivering cost effective emissions reductions, it is intended that the total quantity of allowances to be issued for the second phase of the Scheme running from 2008 to 2012 will be set to ensure that installations covered by the Scheme make an appropriate contribution to that goal. This will be taken into account in the review of the Climate Change Programme which will take place later this year.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the requirements of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive with regard to energy efficiency have been taken into account in future energy projections for the UK. [167763]

  Mr. Timms
  In practice, the impact of this Directive is likely to vary according to the installation considered and there is a good deal of uncertainty about how the Directive will impact in overall terms. In general, the DTI energy model does not make projections for installations to this level of detail. In modelling the power station sector, a modest improvement in energy efficiency has been assumed to take place at existing coal fired power stations.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will reconcile her revised growth projections for the UK iron and steel industry with the increases set out in the draft National Allocation Plan. [167764]

  Mr. Timms
  Following publication for consultation of the draft National Allocation Plan for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) in January, work to refine our energy and emissions projections has continued. We will be publishing a working paper on overall emissions projections in May and a final set of emissions projections for the iron and steel and other sectors covered by the EU ETS in June or soon after. These projections will be used in determining the revised sectoral allocations to be included in the National Allocation Plan.

  Post Office Closures
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have been closed in Scotland as part of the urban reinvention programme. [170051]

  Mr. Timms
  Post Office Ltd. produces statistics on post office closures on a quarterly basis. The latest data on net closures by region currently available is to the end of December 2003. Data for the quarter to end March 2004 is expected shortly.

  There have been 35 post office closures in Scotland under the urban reinvention programme to end of December 2003.

  Renewable Energy
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the effects of recent trends in investment in renewable energy and upon the residents of Heywood and Middleton. [168434]

  Mr. Timms
  Recent trends in renewable energy investment have been highly encouraging. More new capacity has been constructed in the last few years than in the previous decade, and a significant amount is currently in the pipeline. This covers a wide range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and biomass.

  While this investment has not translated into capacity within Heywood and Middleton itself, Renewables Northwest, a join: venture between the Regional Development Agency. and United Utilities, has been working with local businesses on identifying opportunities in the renewable energy area.

  Solar Heating
  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote greater use of solar heating panels in the UK. [169368]

  Mr. Timms
  The Clear Skies initiative was launched in January 2003 in order to promote the uptake of a number of renewable technologies including solar heating panels. Grants are available to both individual householders and community groups in order to install solar heating panels. The initiative also has a list of registered installers and has developed a mentoring scheme in order to train future installers and increase the amount of companies able to install these technologies.

  Further details of the initiative, including grant levels, can be found on the website at www.clear-skies.org.

  The Scottish Executive has its own parallel scheme, The Scottish Community and Household Renewables Initiative, which also offers grants for the installation of solar heating panels. Further details can be found on the website www.est.co.uk/schri.

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many households in the UK she estimates use solar heating panels; and what her estimate is of use in five years' time. [169369]
  1221W
  Mr. Timms
  The DTI does not keep a record of solar heating installations but according to figures from the Building Research Establishment it is estimated that there are approximately 60,000 solar heating systems installed in the UK.

  At current installation rates of approximately 5,000 per year, there could potentially be a further 25,000 installations in five years time, assuming none of the current installations are removed.

  Telephone Billing
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many disputes regarding telephone billing costs between customer and service providers were referred to Ofcom and its predecessors in each of the last five years; and how many of these were upheld in favour of(a) the customer and (b) the service provider. [169375]

  Mr. Timms
  The matter raised is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

HEALTH

  Asperger's Syndrome
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will set up an inquiry into the number of(a) adolescents and (b) adults with an Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis; and if he will make a statement. [168602]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department has no plans to set up an inquiry of this type. The Medical Research Council (MRC) published a comprehensive review of autism research in December 2001, which provides an authoritative overview of the current state of knowledge on the prevalence, incidence and causes of autism and Asperger's syndrome. The report was commissioned by the Department. It is available on the MRC website at http://www.mrc.ac.uk/pdf-autism-report.pdf

  The MRC report notes that according to recent reviews, there appears fairly consistent agreement that autism spectrum disorders affect approximately 60, and more narrowly defined autism 10–30, per 10,000 children under eight years old. The prevalence of autism and Asperger's syndrome among adult and adolescent populations is not known.

  The Department allocated a further £2.5 million in February 2002 to the MRC to help take forward the recommendations of their report.

  The MRC held a series of four seminars to encourage the development of good quality applications for autism research funding between December 2002 and July 2003. On 11 July 2003, the MRC held the first of its annual forums for autism research, "Breaking barriers, building bridges", in conjunction with the National Autistic Society, to bring together ideas stimulated by the four seminars, one of which had addressed "Autism in Populations".
  1222W
  The MRC will be taking decisions on the allocation of research project funding for further autism studies in May 2004.

  Competent Authorities (EU Accession States)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the European Commission has provided a list of competent authorities operating in the accession states in respect of the health and social care profession to his Department. [165902]

  Mr. Hutton
  No. The European Commission hopes to provide this information shortly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne of 4 February, PO 1043915, regarding continuing care criteria. [165065]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 27 April 2004.

  European Health Training Standards
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) whether his Department has asked the European Commission to introduce transitional arrangements for health professionals from the new member states who do not meet the minimum training standards specified in the European Community directives on medicine, nursing, midwifery and dentistry by 1 May; [165222]

  (2) when the European Commission will make a statement on the readiness of the 10 new member states to meet the minimum training standards specified in the European Community directives on medicine, nursing, midwifery and dentistry by 1 May; [165223]

  (3) what powers the UK health regulators will have in relation to the assessment of individuals whose training may not meet minimum EU training requirements as specified in the European Community directives on medicine, nursing, midwifery and dentistry; [165224]

  (4) what action the European Commission will take against those accession states that do not meet the minimum training standards specified in the European Community directives on medicine, nursing, midwifery and dentistry by 1 May; [165225]

  (5) what efforts his Department has made to secure information from the European Commission as to which of the 10 new member states will have met the minimum training standards specified in the European Community directives on medicine, nursing, midwifery and dentistry by 1 May; and what work his Department has done in co-operation with other member states to secure that information. [165226]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 1 April 2004]: We are in regular contact with the European Commission and the other member states on this issue. The Commission's assessment is that training in all the acceding countries will meet minimum requirements after 1 May. It is for the Commission to determine what action to take in relation to any acceding countries that do not meet these requirements. Where the qualifications awarded by the acceding countries do not meet minimum requirements,

  1223W
  the regulatory bodies are entitled to require proof of recent and substantial practice experience as a condition of recognition. Where such proof is not available, they are entitles to assess applicants on a case-by-case basis.

  Green Ministers
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings his Department's Green Minister has attended in the last 12 months in that role. [165443]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department's Green Minister is a member of the ENV(G) Cabinet sub-committee and of the sustainable development taskforce. 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.

  The Green Minister met representatives of the Sustainable Development Commission in October 2003.

  Professional Registration (EU Nationals)
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether health care staff from other EU countries are able to work in the United Kingdom prior to the completion of registration with UK professional bodies; and if he will make a statement. [164915]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is for employers to ensure that all staff are suitably qualified and experienced for the work to be done, regardless of their country of origin. Staff may not be employed in any capacity requiring registration without being registered. The status of individuals undertaking training or experience with a view to registration must be clearly distinguished from that of registered practitioners.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Treason
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Solicitor-General what her policy is on the prosecution of United Kingdom nationals for treason. [169200]

  The Solicitor-General
  Any offence of treason would be dealt with in the same way as other prosecutions. Namely that the police investigate and the Crown Prosecution Service consider whether there is enough evidence and whether a prosecution is in the public interest.

  Nottingham Criminal Justice Board
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the work of the Crown Prosecution Service with the Nottingham Criminal Justice Board. [169201]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Nottingham Criminal Justice Board is one of the 42 local Criminal Justice Boards where the police, courts, prosecutors and prison service work together to ensure a fair and affective criminal justice system. Kate Carty, the local Chief Crown Prosecutor, is a member of the board which is chaired by the Chief Constable.

  Cannings Case Judgment
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the progress she is making in identifying prosecutions that may be affected by the Appeal Court's judgment in the appeal against the conviction of Angela Cannings. [169202]

  The Solicitor-General
  The process of identifying prosecutions which may be affected by the Appeal Court's judgment in the appeal against conviction of Angela Cannings has been completed. Since the Appeal Court's judgment on 19 January the 300 relevant cases have been identified, of which 86 involve defendants in custody. There are three stages to the review process. To date, 167 cases haw been reviewed and I will be in a position to tell the House the outcome of those reviews very shortly.

  Of the 16 ongoing prosecutions which may have been affected by the Cannings judgment, all have been reviewed and two have been discontinued. A Hampshire case was discontinued before trial and a Coventry case was discontinued before a retrial.

  Fraud
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Solicitor-General what recent representations she has received regarding Government measures to eradicate fraudulent schemes targeted at small businesses. [169203]

  The Solicitor-General
  I have not received any representations regarding these measures.

  Wildlife Crime
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General what guidance she gives to Crown Prosecution Service offices to ensure the consistent prosecution of wildlife crime. [169196]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service is aware of the need to make sure that effective measures are taken to ensure consistency in the prosecution of wildlife crime. It is a member of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime.

PRIME MINISTER

  EU Enlargement
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what events he will be attending in order to show his support for the enlargement of the EU. [169885]

  The Prime Minister
  I hosted a reception at the Foreign and Common wealth Office on 28 April for 400 guests connected with the EU enlargement process and with the accession countries, including former Ministers and others from across the political spectrum. I will also attend the Irish EU Presidency's event to mark accession on 1 May in Dublin.

  Immigration Status
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those who have attended his immigration summits. [169884]
  1225W
  The Prime Minister
  A number of Ministers together with officials attended the immigration summits.

  Internal discussion and advice is exempt from disclosure in line with exemption 2b of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  India
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit India. [169886]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no current plans to do so.

  Iraq
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make representations to the United Nations Secretary General calling for an immediate and independent high level UN inquiry into the Iraq Oil for Food Programme arising from the evidence given to the United States Congress. [169242]

  The Prime Minister
  On 21 April 2004, the United Nations Secretary-General appointed an independent high-level inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption in the management and administration of the UN's Iraq Oil For Food Programme. Her Majesty's Government fully support the UN inquiry, which was endorsed by the Security Council t h rough its unanimous adoption of resolution 1538 (21 April 2004).

  Ministerial Gifts
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date he intends to publish the list of gifts received by Ministers in 2003–04. [169851]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are committed to publishing an annual list of gifts received by Ministers in an official capacity valued at more than £140. Details of gifts received during 2001–04 valued at more than £140 are currently being assembled and will be published before the summer recess.

  President Mubarak
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to receive a state visit from President Mubarak. [169928]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no current plans to do so.

  Tibet
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will urge Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to undertake to commute the death sentence against Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche pending a fair and free retrial in the presence of international observers; and if he will make a statement. [169581]

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to discuss a wide range of issues with Premier Wen Jiabao

  We and our EU partners have raised concerns about the transparency and conduct of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche's trial with the Chinese authorities on several occasions and have asked them to confirm that Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche's death sentence will be commuted to life imprisonment.
  1226W
  We will continue to monitor this case and make representations to the Chinese authorities where appropriate.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will seek from Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao an undertaking to drop all pre-conditions to negotiating a settlement on Tibet with representatives of the Dalai Lama; and if he will make a statement; [169584]

  (2) if he will make a statement in public on the situation in Tibet during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. [169585]

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to discuss a wide range of issues with Premier Wen Jiabao during his visit to the UK. The Government have an ongoing dialogue with China over human rights issues and Tibet at both ministerial level and the biannual UK/China Human Rights Dialogue. We welcome the continuing contact between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama.

  Tom Kelly
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlay his decision to appoint Mr. Tom Kelly as his chief spokesman; and what qualities Mr. Kelly will bring to his post. [167784]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) at Prime Minister's questions on 28 April 2004,Official Report, column 884–85.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  All-postal Elections
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he received(a) the summary report and (b) the full report on the voting and the integrity of the all-postal elections in Merrow, Guildford in May 2003 produced by the Electoral Commission. [169647]

  Phil Hope
  The Government received on 31 July 2003 the Electoral Commission's statutory evaluation report on the all-postal pilot election scheme at the elections held in Guildford on 1 May 2003.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the full report on the voting and the integrity of the all postal election in Merrow, Guildford in May 2003 by the Electoral Commission will be published; and in what form it will be published. [169653]

  Phil Hope
  The Electoral Commission published on 31 July 2003 its evaluation report on the all-postal pilot election scheme held in Guildford on 1 May 2003. This was also sent to the local authority on the same date and was placed on the Commission's website.

  Coverage Care
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answers of 15 March 2004,Official Report, columns 59–60W, on Coverage Care, what the current arrangements with Coverage Care (Gloucestershire) Ltd. are to which the answer refers; what the various circumstances referred to in the answer

  1227W
  were in this case, regarding the provision of financial assistance from local authorities; what discussions have taken place between his Department and Gloucestershire county council over this matter; what rent arrears Gloucestershire county council has accrued in relation to Coverage Care (Gloucestershire) Ltd.; and whether the Government has asked the District Auditor to investigate the matter. [163886]

  Yvette Cooper
  The circumstances are set out in detail in the general consents. Of particular relevance are "The General Consent under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1988 for Small Amounts of Assistance 1999" and "The General Consent under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1988 for Disposal of Residential Care Homes 1999".

  In preparing for the possibility of a specific consent being sought from the First Secretary of State, the county council has explained the nature of possible proposals to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. However, information about the current arrangements with Coverage Care (Gloucestershire) Ltd.; details of proposals; and rent arrears accrued by Gloucestershire county council has resolved that information relating to the business affairs of the company should remain confidential. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not asked the District Auditor to investigate the matter.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will upgrade the existing decent homes standard for all social sector housing to address fuel poverty. [167770]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not intend to change the standard. To meet the decent homes standard, a home must have efficient heating as well as effective insulation. We are confident that the decent homes target will deliver significant improvements to the energy efficiency of the social housing stock taking many households out of fuel poverty.

  Delivery of the decent homes target will improve the heating and/or insulation of 1.3 million homes owned by local authorities and housing associations.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list, for each housing authority, for the years(a) 1997, (b) 2000 and (c) 2003 the number of (i) adult homeless people, (ii) child homeless and (iii) residents in bed and breakfast accommodation. [166896]

  Yvette Cooper
  Available information, as reported by local authorities in England, has been made available in the Library of the House. Data collected on homelessness is in respect of households, rather than persons, although broad estimates of the number of dependent children within households accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in "priority need" can be derived from the information supplied by local authorities. Snapshot information about numbers of households in various forms of temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfast style accommodation, represents the position on the last day of each quarter.
  1228W
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless families there were, broken down by region, for(a) the last quarter of 2003 and (b) the first quarter of 2004. [169732]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on homelessness collected by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is in respect of households, rather than families. The number of households accepted as eligible, unintentionally homeless where the main category of priority need was the presence of dependent children, or an expectant mother, is however available. The following table shows the number of homeless household acceptances by local authorities, by region, along with information on those with dependent children or an expectant mother, for the fourth quarter of 2003. Estimates for the first quarter of 2004 will be published on 16 June.

  Homeless house holds accepted by local authorities Fourth quarter October—December 2003

  of which main priority need category reported as:

  Total households accepted1

  Dependent Children

  Expectant Mother

  North East

  2,050

  970

  190

  North West

  4,240

  2,220

  320

  Yorkshire and The Humber

  3,800

  1,670

  300

  East Midlands

  2,330

  1,220

  250

  West Midlands

  3,540

  1,960

  370

  East of England

  2,660

  1,230

  330

  London

  7,250

  3,700

  880

  South East

  3,610

  1,720

  470

  South West

  2,630

  1,190

  320

  England

  32,100

  15,880

  3,410

  Notes:

  1Applicants accepted as eligible, unintentionally homeless and in priority need.

  2 Household containing an expectant mother, but with no dependent children

  Source:

  ODPM quarterly PIE homelessness returns.

  Housing
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on how the Starter Homes Initiative has affected the residents of Preston. [169660]

  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the Starter Homes Initiative has benefited the residents of Wigan. [169268]

  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on how the Starter Homes Initiative has affected the residents of Bootle. [170077]

  Keith Hill
  Between September 2001 and 31 March 2004, the Starter Home Initiative helped key workers into home ownership in London, the south east, eastern and south west regions. A small scheme also operated in Warwickshire. The programme did not operate outside these areas.

  Isle of Wight Projects
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list, for each of the financial years ending in March(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002, each project on the Isle of Wight funded by the (i) South East England Development Agency and (ii) the single

  1229W
  Regeneration Budget showing the (A) funding for each project, (B) intended outcomes of each project and (C) actual outcomes of each project. [169729]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer the hon. Member to the letter sent by my right. hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich, on 27 April 2004. A copy of this letter has been made available in the library of the House.

  I will write to the hon. Member with regards to the information requested on the intended outcomes for each project as soon as the information is collated. A copy of the letter will also be made available in the library of the House.

  New Deal for Communities
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the administration budget was for each New Deal for Communities partnership for each financial year since 1999–2000; and what the estimated administration budget for each such partnership is for financial years (i) 2004–2005 and (ii) 2005–06. [160342]

  Yvette Cooper
  [pursuant to my reply, 11 March 2004, Official Report, c. 638–39W]: My earlier answer gave a figure of £9.655 million management and administration expenditure for Rochdale NDC. This figure includes all

  Management and Administration Budget

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–051

  2005–061

  Partnership

  Newham

  332,786

  490,000

  515,000

  480,000

  635,200

  600,000

  650,000

  Shoreditch

  400,000

  340,000

  340,000

  340,000

  590,000

  540,000

  540,000

  Aylesbury

  400,000

  168,750

  304,800

  383,212

  688,370

  679,800

  497,100

  Ocean

  400,000

  599,000

  680,000

  680,000

  670,000

  620,000

  620,000

  South Kilburn

  0

  240,000

  335,000

  496,000

  496,000

  696,000

  696,000

  North Fulham

  0

  299,500

  380,000

  520,000

  500,000

  528,472

  520,000

  EC1 Islington

  0

  400,000

  450,000

  670,000

  500,000

  500,000

  518,000

  Clapham Park

  0

  400,000

  450,000

  584,000

  563,800

  563,154

  639,000

  New Cross

  0

  427,670

  227,670

  482,119

  632,000

  500,000

  501,497

  Seven Sisters

  0

  208,000

  612,000

  635,000

  553,000

  550,000

  550,000

  Brighton

  330,350

  628,075

  770,925

  652,059

  437,451

  543,991

  572,532

  Southampton

  10,000

  387,000

  362,000

  385,850

  450,000

  600,000

  480,000

  Plymouth

  10,000

  40,000

  225,610

  461,957

  424,000

  380,000

  Not yet agreed

  Bristol

  320,000

  450,000

  500,000

  518,000

  533,000

  590,000

  540,000

  Luton

  0

  0

  375,000

  600,000

  500,900

  440,000

  Not yet agreed

  Norwich

  0

  395,900

  425,900

  425,900

  450,000

  475,000

  450,000

  Leicester

  198,000

  542,000

  985,000

  800,000

  692,000

  620,000

  600,000

  Nottingham

  200,000

  299,000

  360,000

  482,000

  520,000

  500,000

  500,000

  Derby

  10,000

  302,000

  299,310

  428,200

  500,000

  531,050

  880,540

  Sandwell

  400,000

  546,968

  599,437

  500,000

  500,000

  500,000

  500,000

  Walsall

  0

  223,000

  250,000

  465,000

  450,000

  455,000

  260,000

  Coventry

  0

  260,000

  385,002

  519,021

  555,000

  555,000

  550,000

  Wolverhampton

  0

  255,000

  173,844

  435,526

  577,076

  594,000

  612,000

  Kings Norton

  300,000

  262,452

  301,692

  237,189

  526,941

  735,428

  507,582

  Aston

  0

  235,000

  116,500

  520,000

  520,000

  535,000

  550,000

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  344,478

  453,344

  426,352

  440,000

  450,000

  Sheffield

  0

  0

  680,000

  680,000

  506,587

  506,587

  506,587

  Bradford

  0

  314,000

  460,600

  514,700

  502,200

  500,000

  500,000

  Hull

  0

  731,000

  791,360

  577,190

  500,000

  500,000

  450,000

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  306,969

  524,627

  504,820

  780,611

  1,168,580

  Kensington1

  0

  479,619

  574,097

  619,000

  650,000

  670,306

  800,000

  Manchester

  204,153

  605,878

  622,366

  642,568

  650,000

  600,000

  500,000

  Oldham

  0

  0

  151,324

  254,196

  360,700

  405,000

  409,000

  Salford

  0

  0

  204,571

  289,997

  740,000

  740,000

  740,000

  Rochdale

  0

  0

  280,000

  393,000

  540,000

  600,000

  600,000

  Hartlepool

  0

  339,965

  258,000

  461,355

  690,000

  690,040

  691,880

  Newcastle

  350,000

  200,000

  388,000

  650,000

  670,000

  600,000

  575,000

  Middlesbrough

  350,000

  251,400

  420,830

  300,000

  477,000

  588,000

  543,000

  Sunderland

  0

  300,000

  305,000

  397,000

  839,000

  400,000

  500,000

  Total

  4,215,289

  11,621,177

  16,211,655

  19,458,010

  21,521,397

  21,792,439

  21,168,298

  1Please note that figures given for 2004–05 and 2005–06 are estimates and some are not yet agreed

  1230W
  revenue expenditure. The correct figure is £2.413 million. The attached table includes the corrected figure and much smaller corrections for Newham, New Cross, Brighton and Derby NDCs. Figures for other NDCs remain the same. The New Deal for Communities Programme has 39 NDC Partnerships and £2 billion has been committed to them over the 10 years of the NDC Programme. The 17 Round 1 Partnerships entered their delivery phase in 2000–01 and the 22 Round 2 Partnerships entered their delivery phase in 2000–02.

  The NDC Partnerships went through two phases before they entered their delivery phase. Phase 1 involved building up a partnership, phase 2 involved developing a delivery plan for the 10 years of the programme and, where possible, developing "quick win" projects. During Phase 1 and Phase 2 we would expect Management and Administration to be high as the partnerships were in the initial stages of setting up and building a partnerships.

  Overall, partnerships may only spend up to 10 per cent. of their 10-year budget total on Management and Administration during the year life of their programme. Profiles vary, and some partnerships have spent more that 10 per cent. per annum on Management and Administration so far. However, we do not expect management and administration to exceed 10 per cent. of total spend by the time each partnership reaches its final year.

  Parish Councils
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much the Standards Board for England has spent on investigations with regard to parish councils; and how much money was involved in the complaints and issues that led to such investigations. [168664]

  Phil Hope
  The Standards Board for England does not record this information.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department directs the Standards Board for England to consider the benefit to the public interest when(a) determining whether to pursue investigations against parish councillors and (b) pursuing those investigations. [168720]

  Phil Hope
  When considering allegations of misconduct, the Standards Board for England operates within the statutory framework of the Local Government Act 2000 and related Regulations. In considering whether to refer an allegation for investigation, the Board considers whether the allegation is serious enough to justify a referral for investigation, and if a national or local investigation would be justified. The purpose of an investigation, carried out by an ethical standards officer, appointed by the Standards Board, is to make a finding as to whether or not the code of conduct for members has been breached and what further action if any needs to be taken. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not have powers to intervene in particular cases and does not do so.

  Recycling
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of copying paper used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained. [165643]

  Phil Hope
  The UK Sustainable Development in Government Second Annual report shows that in the year ended 31 March 2003 recycled paper accounted for 87 per cent. of desk top paper purchased by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The post-consumer waste element of that recycled paper was 80 per cent. or more.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained. [165644]

  Phil Hope
  The UK Sustainable Development in Government Second Annual report shows that in the year ended 31 March 2003 recycled paper accounted for 99 per cent. of paper for printed publications purchased by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The post-consumer waste element of that recycled paper was 75 per cent. or more.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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 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. [165645]
  1232W
  Phil Hope
  Procurement units in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have been made aware of the quick win target for the purchase of copying paper. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister monitors its performance for the purpose of reporting progress in the annual Sustainable Development in Government report.

  In addition the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has recently introduced an electronic ordering tool and this is to be configured to prevent the ordering of non-recycled paper by withdrawing non-compliant paper from the contracted suppliers' catalogues available to local purchasing officers.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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 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. [165646]

  Phil Hope
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Greening Operation Policy statement requires the use of compliant recycled paper and procurement units in the Office have been made aware of the quick win target for the purchase of paper for printed publications. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister monitors its performance for the purpose of reporting progress in the annual Sustainable Development in Government report.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [165647]

  Phil Hope
  The Sustainable Development in Government Report shows that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister met the quick win target for(a) copying paper and (b) for printed publications purchased in 2002–03. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects that all of its copying paper and virtually 100 per cent. its printed pap(r procurement will be "Quick Win" compliant by end of 2005–06.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will strive to attain 100 per cent., but at present some printing processes presently preclude the use of Quick Win specification paper. Should this situation change, "Quick Win" compliant paper will be used.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the Department's main suppliers of(a) copier paper, (b) stationery, (c) envelopes and (d) paper for reports; what the name is of the paper used in each case; and what the (i) recycled and (ii) post-consumer recycle content of the paper is in each case. [165648]
  1233W
  Phil Hope
  The details requested are as follows:

  (a) Copier Paper—Evolve Business, supplied by Banner, contains 100 per cent. post-consumer waste.

  (b) Stationery—Repeat Offset, supplied by the James McNaughton Paper Group, contains 100 per cent. post-consumer waste.

  (c) Envelopes—Conservation and Croxley Heritage, supplied through the Government's Stationery Contract (Taurus Print & Design), contains 100 per cent. post-consumer waste.

  (d) Paper for Reports—Revive, Revert and Evolution ranges, containing 75 per cent. post-consumer waste and 25 per cent. Elemental Chlorine Free pulp, Greencoat range, containing 80 per cent. post-consumer waste and 20 per cent. Totally Chlorine Free pulp, and Evolve Business, containing 100 per cent. post-consumer waste, all supplied by Robert Home Paper Company, Premier Paper Ltd., Howard Smith Paper and James McNaughton Paper Group through the Government's Paper Framework Contract.

  Vacant/Derelict Land
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much previously developed land was(a) vacant and (b) derelict in England in each year since 1997. [169493]

  Keith Hill
  The available estimates are from the National Land Use Database of Previously Developed Land surveys of 1998, 2001 and 2002:

  Previously developed land in England

  Vacant

  Derelict hectares

  1998

  19,170

  19,340

  2001

  19,720

  21,410

  2002

  20,750

  19,960

  Results for 2003 will be published in the summer.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Autism
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on provision for those with autism in Northern Ireland. [168826]

  Angela Smith
  Provision for people with autism is the responsibility of a number of Government Departments and statutory bodies and a wide range of provision is available to help and support sufferers and their families.

  The Department of Education has taken a proactive stance in supporting positive interventions for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and has allocated funding for ASD training for people in the range of pre-school settings and for the establishment of an Interboard ASD Training Group, which will develop training needs and support measures in this area. It is also planning the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in the education of children with ASD on an all Ireland basis. Complementary parent and teacher videos and CD-ROMs, along with guidance material on autism have been produced and an "ASD Guide to Classroom Practice" has been issued to all schools as an aid to teachers and classroom assistants.
  1234W
  Health and Social Services Boards provide a range of mainstream and specialist healthcare services for children and adults with autism, including diagnostic and assessment services, family support services, respite services, day care services, befriending schemes, mental health services, learning disability services, training for parents and staff and collaboration with specialist voluntary organisations such as PAPA (Parents and Professionals and Autism) and PEAT (Parents' Education as Autism Therapists). The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Priorities for Action 2004–05 includes action to enhance diagnostic, assessment and early intervention services for children with autism. An additional £0.5 million has been allocated for this purpose.

  Other assistance is available through the Disablement Advisory Service and Jobskills programme of the Department of Employment and Learning and through Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance provided by the Social Security Agency.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were diagnosed as autistic in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [168827]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not available.

  Core Gateway Costs
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much Core Gateway costs are for a two-week course at the East Antrim Institute in Northern Ireland. [168623]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The Core Gateway cost for a two-week course at East Antrim Institute in Northern Ireland is £400 per participant. This is in line with payments made to all Providers of Core Gateway based on a rate of £40 per day for full attendance.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs were created(a) by inward investment projects and (b) through business associated with agreed inward investment projects, for each year from 1998 and expressed as a percentage of the figure for the UK as a whole. [168213]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Table 1 details the number of jobs created by inward investment projects assisted during the five year period commencing 1995–96. While the question asks for each year from 1998, it should be recognised that since assisted projects take some time to reach maturity, it has not been practice to produce job creation figures until four years subsequent to the offers of assistance being made. Therefore, this answer covers only two of the years requested but has been expanded to include the previous three years.

  Table 1: Job Creation by Inward Investors

  Financial Year

  Job creation up to March 2003

  1999–2000

  5,284

  1998–99

  2,856

  1997–98

  4,187

  1235W

  Table 1: Job Creation by Inward Investors

  Financial Year

  Job creation up to March 2003

  1996–97

  4,426

  1998–99

  2,856

  1995–96

  2,979

  Total

  19,732

  To provide a more up to date picture of inward investment activity Table 2 presents the number of jobs promoted by inward investment projects during the five year period from 1998–99.

  Table 2: Job Creation by Inward Investors

  Financial Year

  Table 2: Jobs Promoted By Inward Investors

  2002–03

  1,033

  2001–02

  2,526

  2000–01

  5,506

  1999–2000

  6,584

  1998–99

  4,162

  Grand Total

  19,811

  Previous evidence provided by the Industrial Development Board (IDE) to the Northern Ireland Audit Office showed that approximately 70 per cent. of jobs promoted were created and a similar proportion of grant offered was actually paid.

  Legal advice and assistance (LAA) Claims

  Advice by way of representation (ABWOR) Applications

  Children Order Applications

  Civil Applications

  Criminal Applications

  1998–99

  Received

  57,969

  5,633

  5,506

  15,813

  19,729

  Granted

  5,121

  4,600

  6,713

  19,190

  Refused

  79

  71

  2,358

  539

  1999–2000

  Received

  45,292

  5,798

  5,198

  14,109

  20,063

  Granted

  5,285

  4,950

  12,586

  19,394

  Refused

  408

  244

  4,439

  669

  2000–01

  Received

  46,656

  5,622

  5,133

  14,097

  19,344

  Granted

  5,157

  4,824

  11,480

  18,681

  Refused

  177

  123

  2,847

  663

  2001–02

  Received

  41,949

  5,797

  5,708

  14,997

  17,820

  Granted

  5,440

  5,403

  9,011

  17,303

  Refused

  235

  181

  2038

  517

  2002–03

  Received

  55,292

  5,745

  5,999

  13,569

  21,732

  Granted

  5,351

  5,656

  11,102

  20,941

  Refused

  316

  252

  3,167

  791

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost of legal aid was in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [168196]

  Mr. Lammy
  I have been asked to reply.

  The following table sets out the total cost of legal aid in Northern Ireland from 1998–99 to 2002–03:
  1236W
  (b) No estimates are available concerning the secondary impacts associated with inward investment projects.

  At present Invest NI has no statistically robust method of producing comparative figures regarding job promotion/creation figures achieved by the UK as a whole. Invest NI intends over the coming year to engage with UK Trade and Investment to develop an approach which will enable such comparisons to be made on a consistent basis. Nevertheless, Invest NI, and previously the IDB has indicative evidence to suggest that Northern Ireland's share of new contestable UK Foreign Direct Investment from the manufacturing and international tradeable service industry sectors is in the region of 10 per cent.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people(a) applied for and (b) received legal aid in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and how many people had an application rejected. [168195]

  Mr. Lammy
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Legal Services Commission records the number of applications for assistance rather than the number of clients assisted. The following table sets out details of legal aid application for the period 1998–99 to 2002–03.

  £ million

  Criminal

  Civil

  Sub total

  Administration

  Total

  1998–99

  15.93

  14.16

  30.09

  2.58

  32.67

  1999–2000

  23.25

  11.40

  34.65

  2.69

  37.34

  2000–01

  21.88

  15.82

  37.70

  2.87

  40.57

  2001–02

  24.57

  16.96

  41.53

  3.26

  44.79

  2002–03

  26.77

  18.21

  44.98

  3.58

  48.56

  Sexually Transmitted Infections
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the change in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections was in each year since 2000 in each of the health and social services board areas in Northern Ireland, broken down by(a) age and (b) sex. [168622]

  Angela Smith
  Information is not available on incidence of sexually transmitted infections in Northern Ireland, as not all persons with such infections are in contact with the health service. Information is, however, available on the number of initial contacts with Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics each year, in respect of persons with various sexually transmitted infections. This information which is shown for the financial years ending March 2000, March 2001, March 2002 and March 2003, together with the percentage change between each year, has been placed in the Library.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  BT Business Rates
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library correspondence between his Department and the European Commission regarding the European Commission's preliminary investigations into the alleged undeserved subsidisation of BT's business rates by the Valuation Office Agency, including his Department's response. [167269]

  Jacqui Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  This correspondence contains commercially confidential material which it would be inappropriate for the Government to make public. This is covered by exemption 13 Third Party Commercial Confidences of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects a resolution to Child Support Agency computer problems deriving from running two concurrent systems. [167134]

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

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. John Taylor, dated 29 April 2004:

  In replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

  You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects a resolution to Child Support Agency computer problems deriving from running two concurrent systems.

  I have been working closely with EDS to resolve the issues on the new computer system. We are currently working on a remediation plan, which has yet to be validated and agreed. The old scheme cases will be converted to the new scheme when Ministers are confident that it is working well. I will continue to monitor this carefully and make regular reports to the Secretary of State on
  1238W
  progress. As you are aware, reports have been made available in the House of Commons library on 16 July, 18 November 2003, 12 February and 21 April 2004.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate, based on his Department's policy simulation model for 2004–05, for(a) all households, (b) all pensioner households, (c) all households headed by a pensioner over 70 and (d) all households headed by a pensioner aged 70 or above, the average level of (i) gross council tax and (ii) council tax net of rebates expressed as a percentage of household income. [169644]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is in the table. Estimates are modelled using the DWP Policy Simulation Model for 2004–05. This model is based on 2001–02 Family Resources Survey data, uprated to 2004–05 prices, benefit rates and earnings levels. It is then grossed up to forecast population totals for that year. The following table shows the information requested.

  Percentage

  Average gross council tax as a percentage of household income

  Average council tax net of rebates as a percentage of household income

  All households

  4

  3

  All pensioner households

  5

  3

  All households headed by a pensioner aged over 70

  6

  3

  All households headed by a pensioner aged 70 or over

  6

  3

  Notes:

  1. Gross council tax figures are net of any discounts.

  2. Household income is net of income tax and national insurance contributions, and is unequivalised.

  3. Estimates assume 100 per cent. take up of council tax benefit.

  Disabled Workers
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the measures introduced to improve the working conditions of disabled workers in Wigan over the last seven years. [169311]

  Maria Eagle
  We have a number of measures in place nationally to help improve conditions for disabled people at work, as well as measures to improve their access to services generally. None of these are specific to Wigan, but all are available to disabled people who live and work there.

  From 1996, the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act required most employers of 20 or more staff not to discriminate against, and to make reasonable adjustments for, disabled job applicants or employees; in December 1998, we reduced this threshold to 15 employees. From October this year, the small employer exemption will be removed and most currently excluded occupations, such as police officers, firefighters, and partners in business partnerships will be brought within the scope of the Disability Discrimination Act employment provisions.
  1239W
  Jobcentre Plus runs a number of specialist programmes providing help for disabled people, including New Deal for Disabled People, Workstep, Access to Work, the Job Introduction Scheme, and Work Preparation. All these programmes provide practical advice and support to disabled people and their employers to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from disability. Since 1997–98 there have been year on year increases in both numbers helped and programme spend.

  To help people access appropriate help, Jobcentre Plus has established a network of Disability Service Teams. The teams are made up of Disability Employment Advisors, Access to Work Advisers and Occupational Psychologists; their services are accessed through local Jobcentres.

  Since April 2003, disabled people in work have been receiving financial support through the working tax credit. This is available if a person is working an average of at least 16 hours per week (self-employed or for an employer); and have a disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job. 70,000 families (including over 32,000 adults without children) are benefiting from the disability element within the working tax credit, compared to 38,000 who benefited from the old disabled person's tax credit.

  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the measures introduced to improve the working conditions of disabled workers in Preston over the last seven years. [169662]

  Maria Eagle
  We have a number of measures in place nationally to help improve conditions for disabled people at work, as well as measures to improve their access to services generally. None of these are specific to Preston, but all are available to disabled people who live and work there.

  From 1996, the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act required most employers of 20 or more staff not to discriminate against, and to make reasonable adjustments for, disabled job applicants or employees; in December 1998, we reduced this threshold to 15 employees. From October this year, the small employer exemption will be removed and most currently excluded occupations, such as police officers, firefighters, and partners in business partnerships will be brought within the scope of the Disability Discrimination Act employment provisions.Jobcentre Plus runs a number of specialist programmes providing help for disabled people, including New Deal for Disabled People, Workstep, Access to Work, the Job Introduction Scheme, and Work Preparation. All these programmes provide practical advice and support to disabled people and their employers to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from disability. Since 1997–98 there have been year on year increases in both numbers helped and programme spend.

  To help people access appropriate help, Jobcentre Plus has established a network of Disability Service Teams. The teams are made up of Disability Employment Advisors, Access to Work Advisers and Occupational Psychologists; their services are accessed through local Jobcentres.
  1240W
  Since April 2003. disabled people in work have been receiving financial support through the working tax credit. This is available if a person is working an average of at least 16 hours per week (self-employed or for an employer); and have a disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job. 70,000 families (including over 32,000 adults without children) are benefiting from the disability element within the working tax credit, compared to 38,000 who benefited from the old disabled person's tax credit.

  Failed Pension Schemes
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2004,Official Report, column 293, how many people whose pension schemes have been wound up have found that the money that they invested yielded nothing. [169646]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information is not available on the number of people whose pension schemes have wound up with no, or insufficient, funds to meet their expected pensions. We are currently exploring with pension scheme trustees and other industry representatives the basis on which we can establish firm estimates of the extent of the problem of defined benefit schemes winding-up under funded, the numbers affected and the potential scale of losses

  New Deal
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Burnley have benefited from the(a) New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) New Deal for Partners since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [167886]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help individuals improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. From 12 April we enhanced the New Deal for Partners in order to offer partners taking part in that programme the same level of help and support as our successful New Deal for Lone Parents programme. Also from this April we have started to roll out Work Focused Interviews for Partners, offering greater support to partners of benefit recipients.

  870 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in Burnley since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 550 have gained a job. Information on the number of women who have benefited from the New Deal for Partners is not available at constituency level.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Vale of Clwyd constituency have benefited from(a) New Deal for Young People, (b) New Deal for 25-plus and (c) New Deal for Lone Parents in each ward in the Vale of Clwyd. [166683]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested is not available at ward level. The available information for the Vale of Clwyd constituency is in the table.
  1241W

  Number of individuals who have benefited from New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25-plus and New Deal for Lone Parents to the end of December 2003

  Programme

  Individuals starts

  Individuals into work

  New Deal for Young People

  1,110

  690

  New Deal 25-plus

  270

  80

  New Deal for Lone Parents

  1,130

  560

  Note:

  Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source:

  New Deal Evaluation Database.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary or State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Burnley have gained work through the New Deal programme. [168321]

  Jane Kennedy
  590 lone parents in Burnley have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998.

  Information on the number of women who have gained work through the other New Deal programmes is not available at constituency level.

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Heywood and Middleton have gained work through the New Deal programme. [168540]

  Jane Kennedy
  730 lone parents in Heywood and Middleton have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998.

  Information on the number of women who have gained work through the other New Deal programmes are not available at constituency level.

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Heywood and Middleton have benefited from(a) the New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) the New Deal for Partners since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [168544]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help individuals improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. From 12 April we enhanced the New Deal for Partners in order to offer partners taking part in that programme the same level of help and support as our successful New Deal for Lone Parents programme. Also from this April we have started to roll out Work Focused Interviews for Partners, offering greater support to partners of benefit recipients.

  1,080 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in Heywood and Middleton since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 690 have gained a job. Information on the number of women who have benefited from the New Deal for Partners is not available at constituency level.

  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents have gained work through the New Deal programme [168741]
  1242W
  Jane Kennedy
  247,310 lone parents have gained work though the New Deal for Lone Parents since the introduction of the programme in October 1998. Lone parents may have gained work through other New Deal programmes but cannot be identified separately.

  Information on the number of women who have gained work through the other New Deal programmes are not available at constituency level.

  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Wigan have gained work through the New Deal programme. [169310]

  Jane Kennedy
  460 lone parents in Wigan have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998.

  Information on the number of women who have gained work through the other New Deal programmes is not available at constituency level.

  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Wigan have benefited from(a) the New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) the New Deal for Partners since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [169312]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help individuals improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. From 12 April we enhanced the New Deal for Partners in order to offer partners taking part in that programme the same level of help and support as our successful New Deal for Lone Parents programme. Also from this April we have started to roll out Work Focused Interviews for Partners, offering greater support to partners of benefit recipients.

  710 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in Wigan since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 430 have gained a job. Information on the number of women who have benefited from the New Deal for Partners is not available at constituency level.

  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Preston have benefited from(a) the New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) the New Deal for Partners since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [169661]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help individuals improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. From 12 April we enhanced the New Deal for Partners in order to offer partners taking part in that programme the same level of help and support as our successful New Deal for Lone Parents programme. Also from this April we have started to roll out Work Focused Interviews for Partners, offering greater support to partners of benefit recipients.

  890 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in Preston since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 500 have gained a job.

  1243W
  Information on the number of women who have benefited from the New Deal for Partners is not available at constituency level.

  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents have gained work through the New Deal programme [169663]

  Jane Kennedy
  530 lone parents in Preston have gained work though the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998.

  Information on the number of women who have gained work through the other New Deal programmes is not available at constituency level.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Manchester, Gorton have benefited from the(a) New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) the New Deal for Partners since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [167342]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help individuals improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. From 12 April we enhanced the New Deal for Partners in order to offer partners taking part in that programme the same level of help and support as our successful New Deal for Lone Parents programme. Also from this April we have started to roll out Work Focused Interviews for Partners, offering greater support to partners of benefit recipients.

  930 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in Manchester, Gorton since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 450 have gained a job. Information on the number of women who have benefited from the New Deal for Partners is not available at constituency level.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Manchester, Gorton have gained work through the New Deal programme. [167348]

  Jane Kennedy
  480 lone parents in Manchester, Gorton have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998.

  Information on the number of women who have gained work through the other New Deal programmes is not available at constituency level.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of pension credit are receiving(a) less than 10p per week, (b) 10p to 19p per week, (c) 20p to 29p per week, (d) 30p to 39p per week, (e) 40p to 49p per week, (f) 50p to 59p per week, (g) 60p to 69p per week, (h) 70p to 79p per week, (i) 80p to 89p per week and (j) 90p to 99p per week. [169396]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is given in the table. An award of pension credit of less than 10p per week is not payable unless the person is receiving another benefit payable with pension credit.
  1244W

  Pension credit awards of less than £1 as at 31 March 2004

  Amount

  Number of awards

  Less than 10p

  1,360

  10p to 19p

  1,107

  20p to 29p

  1,156

  20p to 39p

  1,152

  40p to 49p

  1,241

  50p to 59p

  1,271

  60p to 69p

  1,355

  70p to 79p

  1,302

  80p to 89p

  1,419

  90p to 99p

  1,428

  Total

  12,791

  State Second Pension
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate(a) the gross cost, (b) the saving in expenditure on the state second pension, (c) the saving in expenditure on pension credit, (d) the saving in expenditure on other means-tested benefits, (e) the additional revenue from income tax and (f) the net cost to the Exchequer, of paying a full basic state pension to all individuals aged 65 or over from April 2006 onwards at the rate of the guarantee credit, regardless of contribution record, and subsequently indexed to average earnings, combined with the abolition from that date of all new accruals to the state second pension and the abolition of all payments of savings credit, including those to existing recipients for each of the 10 financial years from 2006–07. [167320]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 22 April 2004]: The information is not available in the format requested. However, such information as is available is in the following table:

  £ billion

  (a) Gross Cost

  (b) S2P Saving

  (c) PC Saving

  (d) IRB Saving

  (f) Net Cost

  2006–07

  19.4

  0

  3.1

  1.6

  14.8

  2007–08

  20.7

  0

  3.3

  1.7

  15.8

  2008–09

  22.1

  0.1

  3.5

  1.8

  16.7

  2009–10

  23.5

  0.1

  3.7

  1.9

  17.8

  2010–11

  25.0

  0.2

  3.9

  2.0

  18.8

  2011–12

  26.6

  0.3

  4.1

  2.1

  20.1

  2012–13

  28.6

  0.4

  4.3

  2.3

  21.6

  2013–14

  30.5

  0.6

  4.6

  2.4

  23.0

  2014–15

  32.4

  0.7

  4.8

  2.6

  24.3

  2015–16

  34.2

  0.9

  5.0

  2.7

  25.6

  Notes:

  1. Figures are for Great Britain in 2004–05 price terms using the GDP deflator index rounded to the nearest £100 million.

  2. Gross costs are estimated by the Government Actuary's Department and are consistent with Budget 2004 assumptions and use 2002 based population projections. Gross costs refer to the additional costs after allowing for National Insurance Fund benefits and non-means tested vote benefits.

  3. The net cost includes all savings except for additional income tax revenue, see note 4.

  4. Additional income tax revenue is estimated by the Inland Revenue using 2006 tax rates. We are unable to publish any income tax forecast estimates for years beyond that which is published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (currently 2006–07). The income tax estimate for 2006–07 is based on the 2001–02 Survey of Personal Incomes and is projected in line

  1245W

  with March 2004 Budget assumptions. The income tax revenue in 2006–07 is £5.4 billion, resulting in a total net cost of £9.4 billion. For illustrative purposes, Inland Revenue assumed income tax revenue to be a fixed percentage of the gross cost for this option in 2007–08 and 2008–09. Therefore, the total net cost in 2007–08 is £10 billion and in 2008–09 is £10.5 billion. Estimates for later years would be subject to a greater degree of uncertainty.

  5. The savings from abolishing future accruals to the state second pension are also calculated by the Government Actuary's Department, they include state pension, additional pension and widows benefit additional pension and are consistent with the long term Public Expenditure Survey forecasts. As earnings in the year of reaching state pension age do not count towards an individual's S2P, the first savings occur in 2007–08. No allowance has been made for changes to contracting out rules.

  6. The savings credit is assumed to be abolished from April 2006 with no payments to existing pensioners and no new recipients after 2006. Figures are based on the illustrative long-term projections of benefit expenditure underlying Annex A of the Budget report.

  7. The savings from other income related benefits (housing benefit and council tax benefit) are calculated using the Department's policy simulation model and April 2004 benefit rates. Consistent with previous answers the offset for the first year is held constant for subsequent years. In addition the increase in housing benefit and council tax benefit personal allowance for people aged 65 and over by the maximum savings credit amount, introduced alongside savings credit and included in forecast expenditure, has been accounted for, with the costing including the effect of removing this increase.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Legal Aid
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many solicitors provided legal aid in each legal aid area(a) in 1997 and (b) at the latest time for which figures are available. [168619]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Legal Services Commission can provide figures for 1997–98 on the number of solicitors' offices paid for legal aid work in Family, Non-family and Crime but cannot provide any further breakdown by category. Some offices practiced more than one area of legal aid, therefore the total offices paid does not equal the sum of the breakdown. These figures are in the following table A.

  In January 2000 the Legal Services Commission introduced a system of contracting. A breakdown of the number of solicitors' offices with contracts as at April 2004 is provided in the following table B. Some offices hold a contract in more than one category of law, therefore, the total offices with civil contracts does not equal the sum of the breakdown.

  Table A

  Category of law

  Solicitors' offices paid in 1997–98

  Family

  9,082

  Non-family

  9,497

  Crime

  7,304

  Total solicitors' offices paid

  10,601

  1246W

  Table B

  Category of law

  Solicitors' offices with contracts as at April 2004

  Actions against the police

  75

  Clinical negligence

  288

  Community care

  57

  Consumer

  45

  Debt

  158

  Education

  47

  Employment

  163

  Family

  3,072

  Housing

  450

  Immigration: asylum

  380

  Immigration: non-asylum

  376

  Mental health

  297

  Personal injury

  1,079

  Public law

  40

  Tolerance

  2,098

  Welfare benefits

  186

  Solicitors' offices with Controlled Work Contracts

  3,701

  Additional Licence Only Contracts

  213

  Total solicitors' offices with General Civil Contracts

  3,914

  The number of solicitors' offices with criminal contracts as at 31 March 2004

  2,750

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what proportion of the legal aid budget was spent on asylum and immigration cases in each of the last five years. [167074]

  Mr. Lammy
  The proportion of the legal aid budget spent on immigration and asylum in each of the last five years was as follows:

  Percentage

  Proportion

  1998–99

  3.2

  1999–2000

  3.9

  2000–01

  4.8

  2001––02

  7.4

  2002–03

  9.2

  Figures for 2003–04 are not yet available.

  Social Security Commissioners
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what the average waiting time from application to hearing for cases before the Social Security Commissioners was in the last three years in(a) Wales and (b) England; [167983]

  (2) what the average waiting time from application to hearing for cases before the Social Security Commissioners was in each of the last three years for cases heard (a) wholly or partly in Welsh and (b) in English. [167986]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Social Security Commissioners receive applications from the claimant, which are then considered by the Commissioners, and a ruling issued. The Commissioners will either grant or refuse leave to appeal. If leave to appeal is granted the appeal then proceeds to hearing. No cases before the Social Security Commissioners have been heard either wholly or partly in Welsh during the last three years. The Office of the Social Security Commissioners does not hold separate
  1247W
  statistical information relating to waiting times for cases in either Wales or England. The average waiting times for an application for leave to appeal, and for appeals granted leave to proceed to hearing, over the last three years, are as follows:

  Weeks

  Period

  Average waiting time for application decision

  Average waiting time from decision to hearing1

  2001–02

  16

  34

  2002–03

  10

  21

  2003–04

  8

  20

  1Please note that waiting time figures have been rounded up or down where appropriate.

  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what written and other information material is provided(a) in Welsh and (b) bilingually to people taking cases to the Social Security Commissioners. [167984]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Office for the Social Security Commissioners has an internet site which is accessible in Welsh or English which provides a range of information in relation to the procedures of the Commissioners. Work is currently ongoing in translating the Social Security Commissioners appeal form, and an information leaflet, into the Welsh language.

  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many cases from Wales were heard in each of the last three years by the Social Security Commissioners; and how many of these were heard partly or wholly through the medium of Welsh. [167985]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Office of the Social Security Commissioners does not hold statistical information relating to the volume of cases received principally from Wales. However, over the last three years there have been 73 cases heard orally in Cardiff for which proceedings were conducted in English.

  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what provision is available for cases before the Social Security Commissioners to be heard either wholly or partly in Welsh in respect of(a) cases heard in Wales and (b) cases from Wales heard in England. [167987]

  Mr. Lammy
  A standard direction applies to cases received from Wales. This states that "A notice that it is intended to use Welsh must(a) identify those parts of the case or hearing in which Welsh will be used and (b) be given to the commissioner as soon as possible and in any event at least 21 days before any oral hearing. If notice is given that Welsh will be used the Commissioner will make any further directions that are necessary or expedient". This direction covers all cases received from Wales irrespective of whether they are heard in Wales or England.

  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many cases from Wales were heard by the Social Security Commissioners in England in each of the last three years. [168018]
  1248W
  Mr. Lammy
  The Office of the Social Security Commissioners does not hold statistical information relating to the number of cases received from Wales and subsequently heard in England.

  British Irish Council
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what work is being under taken by the British Irish Council in the field of languages; what the objectives of this work are; which Government Departments are involved; what contribution non-governmental organisations in the minority languages sector are making to this work; and how the work will contribute to the delivery of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. [168010]

  Mr. Lammy
  The work of the British-Irish Council (BIC) in the area of Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-Used Languages is subject to agreement between all member administrations and is led by the Welsh Assembly Government.

  The BIC at its meeting in Cardiff in November 2003, which was attended by the Prime Minister, agreed that Members should:
  Jointly consider outcomes of research into intergenerational language transmission;
  Carry out an assessment of structures supporting indigenous language learning in adult education in each of the BIC administrations;
  Work together to identify priorities for their respective indigenous languages in relation to Information and Communication Technology development;
  Consider together the potential benefits of co-operating on the development of language use surveys;
  Share information on their experiences of the relationship between planning policy and linguistic considerations.

  The language covered by the BIC in its work in this field to date include:

  Cymraeg/the Welsh language

  Gaelic in Scotland

  Gaelg/the Manx language

  An Ghaeilge/the Irish language

  Guernesiais/Guernsey-French

  Jerriais/the Jersey language

  Ulster Scots

  The members of i he Council are the British and Irish Governments; the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales; the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man. (Since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Northern Ireland interest within the British-Irish Council have been represented by Northern Ireland Office Ministers as part of the UK delegation).

  Each of the BIC member administrations is responsible for determining the nature of the involvement of its own administration.

  The Welsh Assembly Government lead the work in the languages sector and it is open to any member administration to suggest a contribution from a non-governmental organisation. Work in this field will

  1249W
  include input from various language boards, adult education providers and community-based language groups such as the Welsh Mentrau Iaith.

  Delivery of the European Charter on Regional and Minority Languages is a matter for each of the Charter's ratified signatories including the UK Government. The work of the BIC in this area will complement current UK initiatives in respect of the Charter.

  Correspondence
  David Winnick
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall North will receive a reply to his letter of 11 March ref.147849. [168885]

  Mr. Lammy
  I wrote on 29 April to my hon. Friend, the Member for Walsall North in response to his letter of 11 March. I apologies for the delay.

  Immigration
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the costs to the Legal Aid Fund on immigration matters were in each financial year since 1996–97. [167180]

  Mr. Lammy
  In the time available, it is not possible to identify separately the cost of immigration from asylum cases. The costs to the Legal Aid Fund on immigration and asylum matters in England and Wales for each financial year since 1996–97 are as follows:

  £ million (net)1

  1996–97

  26.1

  1997–98

  35.2

  1998–99

  53.3

  1999–2000

  61.4

  2000–01

  81.1

  2001–02

  129.4

  2002–03

  176.2

  2003–04

  2204

  1Approximately 10 per cent. of the total cast of immigration and asylum matters relates to immigration and nationality cases.

  2 Provisional figure, subject to end-of-year adjustments.

  Small Claims
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 31 March 2004,Official Report, column 1417W, on small claims, what research projects the Department has conducted. [168621]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department's Research Unit has commissioned and published two reports by Professor John Baldwin on small claims. They are:No. 1/97 Monitoring the rise of the small claims limit: litigants' experiences of different forms of adjudication
  No 8/02 Lav and judicial perspectives on the expansion of the small claims regime

  A report by Professor Joanna Shapland, Angela Sorsby and Jeremy Hibbert: A Civil Justice Audit was published by the Department in 2000. This looked at the value, nature and progress of cases through the County Court in Sheffield and included data on small claims.
  1250W
  The DCA Research Unit has recently begun a study of a scheme to mediate small claims in Exeter County Court. The DCA's Consumer Strategy Review has also looked at small claims as part of its project on debt.

  Welsh Medium Service
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the Welsh medium service provided by the Social Security Commissioners. [167683]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Chief Commissioner has asked for the Social Security Commissioners' electronic database to be amended to have the functionality to identify cases received from Wales. There is a Welsh page available on the website available at http://www.osscsc.gov.uk/pages/cymru.htm giving information on the procedures of the Social Security Commissioners. The website is currently undergoing substantial revision. The relevant appeal form, and an information leaflet are being redeveloped for the Welsh medium.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Sure Start (Chatham)
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the Sure Start programme in Chatham. [169214]

  Margaret Hodge
  Sure Start Chatham is starting to make a difference to the children and families in the area. The programme has launched a highly successful programme where mothers encourage other mothers to breast-feed; breast-feeding rates are now up by about 20 per cent. And the uptake rate for hearing tests which was about 33 per cent. before the programme began, now stands at 97 per cent.

  Nationally we are undertaking a major and comprehensive evaluation of the Sure Start Programme. Results will become available over the next 12 months. But to give just one example of the impact, we know that in Sure Start local programme areas, there has been a 6 per cent. reduction in percentage of mothers who smoke during pregnancy; and we know that that will make a real difference to the health and well being of a child.

  Educational Attainment (East Midlands)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will rank the local education authorities for the East Midlands by their level of educational attainment. [169215]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Performance tables for each local education authority are published each year showing the level of educational attainment at Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, GCSE/GNVQ and A/AS level. I am today placing details of the nine East Midlands authorities in Library.

  Civic Awareness
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to promote civic awareness through educational activities for students aged 14 to 19 years. [169216]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The National Curriculum provides citizenship learning for students up to age 16. We have also been investigating the scope for introducing an entitlement to active citizenship in the post-compulsory phase; development work continues. Mike Tomlinson's Working Group sees young people's active contribution to the community within the core of 14–19 learning; The Group's final report is due out in the autumn.

  Mathematics Teaching
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will respond to the proposals made in the report by Professor Smith on post-14 mathematics teaching. [169218]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As I have said before, I very much welcome Professor Smith's report. It provides a sound framework for determining the way ahead.

  I have already accepted the broad thrust of his recommendations. I am able to report that work is in hand to advertise the appointment of a chief adviser of mathematics and Anita Straker, of the Centre of British Teachers, has been appointed on an interim basis. I affirm that I am still committed to the idea of a National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching that is separate from the science centre.

  I am discussing implementation of the report in detail with Professor Smith and others and will announce my decisions on individual elements in due course.

  Children of Military Personnel (Schools Funding)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will announce additional funding for schools with a large proportion of children of military personnel under the terms of the turbulence factor. [169219]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Local education authorities have discretion to make extra funding available to schools with high pupil turnover as a result of armed forces redeployments, and some do so, including Essex. We are aware that schools with a high proportion of service family children among their pupils have a range of concerns about funding and other issues; and a series of regional meetings is taking place in May with a new national body including representative head teachers of such schools, as well as Government officials. We shall be considering the results in due course, with a view to meeting the needs of these schools.

  School Selection (Hertfordshire)
  Claire Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received regarding the independent adjudicator's decision on school selection in Hertfordshire. [169220]
  1252W
  Mr. Miliband
  We have received representations from a small number of parents, either complaining that they disagree with the decision, or that it has taken too long for this issue to be resolved. However, adjudicators are independent of the Secretary of State and their decisions can only be challenged through the courts.

  Disruptive Pupils
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support he will give to schools to enable them to deal with disruptive pupils. [169221]

  Margaret Hodge
  We are the first Government to adopt a comprehensive strategy to improve behaviour in schools. We are providing all secondary schools with high-quality training materials and expert consultancy, developing similar materials for primary schools and focusing intensive support such as multi-agency teams on schools facing the greatest challenges. This is in addition to the learning support units and learning mentors already provided through our Excellence in Cities programme.

  Schools (Drinks Dispensers)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and S kills what proportion of(a) primary and (b) secondary schools have (i) soft drinks machines and (ii) free water dispensers for pupils. [169222]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The information requested is not collected centrally but the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 require schools to have a wholesome supply of drinking water.

  Centres of Vocational Excellence
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of Centres of Vocational Excellence upon standards in further education colleges. [169223]

  Alan Johnson
  Centres of Vocational Excellence are already making a significant contribution to our drive to raise standards in further education colleges, particularly in engaging employers and responding to their needs. 82 per cent. of employers rate CoVE training as excellent or good.

  We expect the contribution of CoVEs to improving standards to increase significantly when we reach our target of 400 and each centre is fully developed. And we are already two-thirds of the way to achieving this target.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent in Liverpool on(a) adult literacy and (b) adult numeracy in each year between 1997 and 2003. [166956]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The estimated total spend on "Skills For Life" (the Government's strategy for literacy, language and numeracy needs of all post-16 learners from pre-entry level up to and including level 2) and on Key Skills (essential skills of communication, application of number and information technology),
  1253W
  from April 2001 to July 2003, in the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council (LSC) area is set out in the table.

  £

  Basic skills

  Key skills s

  April 2001 to July 20011

  8,925

  2,598

  August 2001 to July 2002

  15,369

  3,586

  August 2002 to July 2003

  27,258

  4,210

  1The figures for April to July 2001 include costs incurred from August 2000 on learning aims continuing into April 2001.

  From the information available to the LSC it has not been feasible to obtain estimates at constituency level or separate figures by subject without incurring disproportionate cost. Likewise it has not been feasible to obtain comparable figures for periods before April 2001 when the Skills for Life strategy was launched and the LSC was formed, but information shows it was considerably less than at present.

  Broadband
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of schools have access to broadband-enabled internet, broken down by those in(a) urban, (b) rural and (c) deprived areas. [168668]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  By the end of March 2004, 60 per cent. of schools had access to broadband connectivity and we are on track to connect all schools by 2006. My Department does not hold information on the percentage of schools in deprived areas with access to broadband, or regularly collect such information for rural schools. The most recent position for which data on rural schools is available is August 2003, at which point 42 per cent. of all schools and 33 per cent. of rural schools were connected to broadband.

  Capital Modernisation Fund (Wigan)
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money was allocated to Wigan from the Capital Modernisation Fund. [169292]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department for Education and Skills does not hold this information centrally. Capital Modernisation Fund is allocated by projects and not by area.

  Careers Advisers
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many careers advisers there were in each year since 1997. [167990]

  Margaret Hodge
  My Departmemt does not collect data on the number of careers advisers or the specialist qualifications held by Connexions Personal Advisers. Although Connexions Partnerships report the numbers of Personal Advisers in post, they are not yet required to provide data on those with a careers guidance specialism. This information will be available in the annual survey of all Connexions staff due to take place at the beginning of May.

  Child Care (Preston)
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many child care places have been created in Preston since 1997; [168114]

  (2) how many children in Preston have gained from the National Childcare Strategy. [168131]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Preston. However, from April 1999 to December 2003 Lancashire local authority created 20,860 new child care places helping some 36,821 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 9,046 helping some 16,274 children.

  Child Guardians
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects the President of the Family Law Division to issue her latest practice note regarding the appointment of child guardians in private law proceedings. [167633]

  Margaret Hodge
  The President of the Family Division issued a Practice Direction on 5 April 2004. Copies of this Practice Direction and the CAFCASS Practice Note, which explains it, have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the closing date was for applications for new board members for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service; [169022]

  (2) what criteria his Department used in determining appointments to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service board; [169023]

  (3) how many people applied for positions on the board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service; [169024]

  (4) whether applications for the board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service were considered which had been received after the official closing date. [169025]

  Margaret Hodge
  The published closing date for applications to the new board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) was 28 January 2004. After 28 January the exercise was extended, to widen the range of skills and experience offered by candidates, and four further applications were considered. A total of 336 applications for the positions were received. The published criteria for new board members were as follows:"Successful candidates will have demonstrated skills and experience in one or more of the following:
  Experience of working at a senior level in, or close to, the family justice system or social services for children.
  National level experience of children's charities or responsible organisations representing families and parents or mediation services.
  A background in research relevant to CAFCASS customers and the operation of family law.

  1255W
  Experience of a top level executive position in a large organisation, public or private sector, delivering high quality services to the public.
  Experience of being a non-executive board member or director in an NDPB, company or charity.
  Senior experience in financial management, not necessarily as a professionally qualified person, with expertise in budgeting, resource management and audit.
  Board expertise in information technology.
  In addition, candidates will demonstrate commitment to customer care and valuing diversity. They will have integrity and be able to work well as a member of a team."

  Children's Centres
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children's centres have been set up; and if he will make a statement. [167875]

  Margaret Hodge
  There are 67 children's centres in England all of which are based in disadvantaged areas. We have now begun to receive children's centres implementation plans from local authorities and are considering these on an individual basis. We will be in a position to announce more centres by the middle of June 2004. Further announcements will be made at regular intervals as we work towards our goal of 1,700 children's centres by March 2008 and our aspiration for one in every community in the longer term.

  Computers Within Reach (Wigan)
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) teachers and (b) families in Wigan have benefited from the Computers within Reach programme. [169291]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Computers Within Reach (CWR) scheme closed on 31 October 2001 having delivered over 24,000 recycled computers to people in 22 pilot areas, at a cost of £7.1 million over two years. Those eligible were in receipt of certain working age benefits or a State Pension with minimum income guarantee.

  At the same time as funding was made available for the Computers within Reach scheme, funding was also provided for the Computers for Teachers programme. For teachers who met certain criteria, this programme subsidised the cost of a computer. It was subsequently replaced by the current Laptops for Teachers scheme which dispensed with subsidies, and through which sufficient funding will be provided to enable two thirds of teachers to receive a laptop by March 2006.

  Wigan was not one of the pilot areas for the CWR scheme.

  Connexions Service
  Mr. Simmonds
  : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of students who have visited a Connexions branch since the launch of the service. [167991]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information on the number of students who have visited Connexions branches since the launch of the service has not been collected centrally.
  1256W
  A departmental survey in 2003 found that, on average, young people made 40,000 visits to Connexions one-stop-shops and community based access points each week. This equates to over two million visits per year.

  East of England Centre for Playwork Education and Training
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the(a) total set up and (b) latest annual operating costs were for the East of England Centre for Playwork Education and Training; and what the sources of those funds are; [168779]

  (2) what the aims and objectives are for the East of England Centre for Playwork Education and Training; and how many staff are involved in this organisation. [168795]

  Margaret Hodge
  The East of England Centre is one of nine regional centres for Playwork Education and Training operated by the Playwork Unit of Skillsactive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning. The Government, through the SureStart Unit and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, contributes to the funding of the Playwork Unit. In 2003–04, £50,000 of this contribution went to the East of England Centre and a similar amount will again go to the Centre in 2004–05.

  The aims and objectives of the Playwork Unit and its regional centres are to: raise the level of understanding about the importance of children's play; improve the access to good quality play provision throughout England; and improve children's lives by setting standards of excellence in education, training and qualifications and developing opportunities for playworkers to access education, training and qualifications.

  The total set up costs, annual operating costs and staff numbers of the East of England Centre are the responsibility of the Playwork Unit of Skillsactive, which is a charitable organisation.

  Education (Bootle)
  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) free nursery and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) three and (ii) four-year-olds in Bootle in each of the last seven years. [169080]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Figures on the number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-olds in Sefton local education authority area are shown in the table.

  The latest figures on provision for three and four-year-olds in England were published in a Statistical Bulletin "Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2003" which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

  Since the beginning of April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all three-year-olds in England whose parents warn one, are eligible for a free, part-time early education place.
  1257W

  Number of free nursery education places1,2 taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers—Sefton local education authority area: 1997–2003

  Position in January each year

  3-year-olds

  4-year-olds

  1997

  2,100

  3,200

  1998

  2,000

  3,300

  1999

  2,100

  3,200

  2000

  2,400

  3,100

  2001

  2,900

  3,200

  2002

  2,700

  3.200

  2003

  2,700

  3,000

  1Part-time equivalent number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four-year-old children.

  2A free nursery education place comprises five two and a half hour sessions of early years education per week, for 33 weeks of the year, usually three terms of 11 weeks.

  Education (East Worthing and Shoreham)
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new nurseries have been set up in East Worthing and Shoreham since 1997. [169033]

  Margaret Hodge
  West Sussex local authority is responsible for determining the local need for nurseries in West Sussex and holding information on current provision. West Sussex local authority reported that between April 1999 and December 2003, 37 new nurseries have been established in the constituency of East Worthing and Shoreham. Thirteen of these are offering full daycare and 24 are offering sessional daycare, creating 1,301 additional places. West Sussex Local authority plan to create a Children's Centre in Worthing providing Children's Centre services for around 250 children and their families. The nursery attached to the Worthing Children's Centre (which has benefited from resources from the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative) is set to open iii October 2004 and will deliver 30 new full daycare places.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Sectretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) free nursery and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) three-year-olds and (ii) four-year-olds in East Worthing and Shoreham in each of the last seven years. [169035]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Figures on the number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-olds in West Sussex local education authority area are shown in the table.

  The latest figures on provision for 3 and 4-year-olds in England were published in a statistical bulletin "Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2003' which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

  Since the beginning of April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all three-year-olds in England whose parents want one, will be eligible for a free, part-time early education place.
  1258W

  Number of free nursery education places1,2 taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers—West Sussex local education authority area: 1997–2003

  Position in January each year

  3-year-olds

  4-year-olds

  1997

  600

  7,600

  1998

  800

  7,900

  1999

  900

  8,400

  2000

  800

  8,700

  2001

  1,300

  8,200

  2002

  2,600

  8,100

  2003

  4,900

  8,400

  1Part-time equivalent number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four-year-old children.

  2A free nursery education place comprises five two and a half hour sessions of early years education per week, for 33 weeks of the year, usually three terms of 11 weeks.

  Education (Heywood and Middleton)
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many children have benefited from the National Childcare Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [168496]

  (2) how many child care places have been created in Heywood and Middleton since 1997. [168513]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is unable to provide details of childcare places for Heywood and Middleton. However, from April 1999 to December 2003 Manchester local authority created 6,086 new child care places helping some 11,101 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 3,629 helping some 6,772 children.

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding was spent on computers for schools in Heywood and Middleton in each of the last seven years. [168506]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My department does not collect information on school spend on computers at constituency level. However Heywood and Middleton is in Rochdale LEA and since 1998–99 schools in Rochdale have benefited from the following funding through the Standards Fund Grant for ICT (including match funding from the LEA):

  Allocation to Rochdale LEA (£)

  1998–99

  442,813

  1999–2000

  354,000

  2000–01

  728,370

  2001–02

  1,076,549

  2002–03

  1,304,709

  2003–04

  1,613,999

  2004–05

  1,826,570

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in school sports in Heywood and Middleton. [168576]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The information is not held in the format requested.
  1259W
  Within the context of the statutory National Curriculum, where Physical Education (PE) is compulsory for pupils aged 5–16, it is for individual schools to use their budgets as they judge appropriate.

  The Government are investing more than £1 billion in England to transform PE, school sport and club links. The funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to increase the percentage of 5–16 year olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006.

  The Department is providing just over £330,128–00 to support the Siddal Moor School Sport Partnership in the Rochdale LEA area. The partnership includes five secondary schools (including the sports college hub) and 20 primary/special schools and provides enhanced sports opportunities for all young people to ensure that their pupils spend a minimum of two hours a week on high quality PE and School Sport.

  The New Opportunities Fund has provided schools in the Rochdale LEA area with over £2.873 million specifically to enhance PE and school sport facilities.

  Latest research, published by the Departments on 4 March shows that 68 per cent. of pupils in schools that have been in a Partnership for three years, are taking up the two hour entitlement, rising to 90 per cent. at Key Stage 3. Data has been collected from remaining Partnerships and will be published in April.

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) free nursery and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) three and (ii) four year olds in Heywood and Middleton in each of the last seven years. [168581]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Figures on the number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four year olds in Rochdale local education authority area are shown in the table.

  The latest figures on provision for three and four year olds in England were published in a Statistical Bulletin Provision for children under five years of age in England-January 2003' which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

  Since the beginning of April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all three year olds in England whose parents want one, are eligible for a free, part-time early education place.

  Number of free nursery education places1,2 taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers—Rochdale local education authority area—1997–2003

  Position in January each year

  3-year-olds

  4-year-olds

  1997

  1,400

  2,800

  1998

  1,500

  2,800

  1999

  1,400

  2,800

  2000

  2,300

  2,700

  2001

  2,300

  2,700

  2002

  2,500

  2,700

  2003

  2,300

  2,700

  1260W

  1Part-time equivalent number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four year old children.

  2A free nursery education place comprises five, two and a half hour sessions of early years education per week, for thirty-three weeks of the year, usually three terms of eleven weeks.

  Education (Match Funding)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies he has made of the difficulties further education colleges have faced in deriving sources of funding to match funds from the learning and skills council. [168362]

  Alan Johnson
  We have not commissioned studies into the factors affecting further education college abilities to match funds from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Colleges are generally required to provide match funding for capital projects.

  Colleges are tic t required to match funding for learning provision.

  Education (Stalybridge and Hyde)
  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many childcare places have been created in Stalybridge and Hyde since 1997; [168750]

  (2) how many children in Stalybridge and Hyde have gained from the National Childcare Strategy. [168757]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is unable to provide details of childcare places for Stalybridge and Hyde. However, from April 1999 to December 2003 Manchester Local Authority created 6,086 new child care places helping some 11,101 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 3,629 helping some 6,772 children.

  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding has been spent on computers for schools in Stalybridge and Hyde in each of the last seven years. [168751]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My Department does not collect information on school spend on computers at constituency level. However Stalybridge and Hyde is in Tameside LEA and since 1998–99 schools in Tameside have benefited from the following funding through the Standards Fund grant for ICT (including match funding from the LEA):

  Allocation to Tameside LEA

  £

  1998–99

  400,000

  1999–2000

  300,000

  2000–01

  982,825

  2001–02

  1,105,494

  2002–03

  1,562,674

  2003–04

  1,584,573

  2004–05

  2,015,558

  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) free nursery places and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) 3 and (ii) 4-year-olds in Stalybridge and Hyde in each of the last seven years. [168758]
  1261W
  Margaret Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested. Figures on the number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-olds in Tameside local education authority area are shown in the table.

  The latest figures on provision for 3 and 4-year-olds in England were published in a Statistical Bulletin 'Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2003' which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

  Since the beginning of April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all 3-year-olds in England whose parents want one, will be eligible for a free, part-time early education place.

  Number of free nursery education places1,2 taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers—Tameside local education authority area: 1997–2003

  Position in January each year

  3-year-olds

  4-year-olds

  1997

  1,700

  2,900

  1998

  1,600

  2,900

  1999

  1,600

  2,800

  2000

  2,100

  2,700

  2001

  2,200

  2,800

  2002

  2,200

  2,600

  2003

  2,200

  2,600

  1Part-time equivalent number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children.

  2A free nursery education place comprises five two and a half hour sessions of early years education per week, for 33 weeks of the year, usually three terms of 11 weeks.

  Education (Warrington, South)
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) free nursery and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) 3 and (ii) 4-year-olds in Warrington South in each of the last seven years. [168702]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Figures on the number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-olds in Warrington local education authority area are shown in the table.

  The latest figures on provision for 3 and 4-year-olds in England were published in a Statistical Bulletin 'Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2003' which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgatewav/.

  Since the beginning of April 2004 six months ahead of our original target, all 3-year-olds in England whose parents want one, are eligible for a free, part-time early education place.

  Number of free nursery education places 1,2 taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers—Warrington local education authority area

  Position in January each year

  3-year-olds

  4-year-olds

  1997

  800

  2,300

  1998

  800

  2,500

  1999

  900

  2,300

  2000

  1000

  2,400

  1262W

  2001

  2,000

  2,400

  2002

  2,100

  2,300

  2003

  2,100

  2,300

  1Part-time equivalent number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children.

  2A free nursery education place comprises five ½ hour sessions of early years education per week, for 33 weeks of the year, usually three terms of 11 weeks.

  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding has been spent on(a) computer equipment and (b) computer facilities for schools in Warrington South in each year since 1997. [168703]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My Department does not collect information on school spend on computers at constituency level. However Warrington South is in Warrington LEA and since 1998–99 schools in Warrington have benefited from the following funding through the Standards Fund grant for ICT (including match funding from the LEA):

  Allocation to Warrington LEA

  £

  1998–99

  401,364

  1999–2000

  465,000

  2000–01

  854,534

  2001–02

  947,807

  2002–03

  1,369,561

  2003–04

  1,402,145

  2004–05

  1,732,009

  Education Funding (Birkenhead)
  Mr. Frank Field
  : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated to schools in Birkenhead for information and communications technologies since 2001. [166333]

  Alan Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his question on 19 April 2004 for the funding spent on computers for schools in Birkenhead in each of the last seven years.

  Football Clubs (Study Centres)
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many study centres have been built in conjunction with leading football clubs since 1997. [167582]

  Mr. Miliband
  Since 1997, 58 study support centres have been built, or existing premises refurbished, in conjunction with football clubs as part of the Department's Playing for Success initiative. The clubs involved are from the FA Premier, Nationwide and Conference Leagues. The Department's contribution to the costs has been matched by the LEAs and clubs involved.

  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 2004 Budget Statement. [168599]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 41W.

  Healthy Eating
  Simon Hughes
  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 seven years in each local education authority in Greater London. [168883]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 27 April 2004]: The Department does not hold information on the total amount spent on the promotion of healthy eating among pupils aged 16 or the expenditure by each local education authority.

  Over the last five years a total of over £5 million a year has been allocated to local education authorities to promote healthy eating. This includes funding of £2 million per year since 1999 to the National Healthy Schools Standard (NHSS). LEAs are free to supplement these allocations from other budgets supported by un-hypothecated revenue support grant.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of(a) maintained and (b) grammar schools in (i) Greater London and (ii) each London borough have introduced healthy eating options into school canteens in the past 12 months. [168884]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 27 April 2004]: The Department for Education and Skills does not collect this information.

  Higher Education (Specialist Courses)
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist textile and clothing education courses are available in universities and colleges; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of such courses. [167590]

  Alan Johnson
  This Department does not collect data on the number and type of courses available at universities and colleges. However, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) lists available courses by subject. There are around 450 higher education courses associated with textiles including 340 in fashion and 27 in clothing. I have made no assessment of adequacy of provision. As independent organisations, higher education institutions themselves determine what programmes and courses they offer.

  Information and Communications Technology
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated to schools in Burnley for information and communications technologies since 2001. [167937]
  1264W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer my hon. friend to my answer to his question on 22 April, for the funding spent on computers for schools in Burnley in each of the last seven years.

  Interactive Computer Displays
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the cost to(a) Government and (b) individual schools of installing interactive computer display whiteboards. [168669]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A total of £50 million has been announced for the provision of interactive whiteboards to primary and secondary schools. This funding has been split equally between the financial years 2003–04 and 2004–05 and has been allocated to LEAs. All LEAs in England will receive funding and we would expect over 18,000 classrooms to benefit.

  The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) have created an interactive whiteboards framework contract which delivers significant savings in price and considerably reduces the time and effort that would be needed to procure them. Details are available at www.whiteboards.becta.org.uk. LEAs and schools are also able make purchases via this contract with funds not associated with the central initiative.

  Jobs (Burnley)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the(a) change and (b) percentage change was in full-time permanent jobs in Burnley from 1997 to 31 December 2003; [167909]

  (2) how many new jobs have been created in Burnley since 1997. [167910]

  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. Peter Pike, dated April 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about full-time jobs and jobs created in Burnley. (167909,167910)

  While statistics of new jobs created are not available explicitly, statistics from surveys enable comparisons to be made of net changes, in numbers of jobs, from year to year.

  The attached table shows the information requested, relating to all jobs and full-time jobs, in Burnley, for 1997 and the latest year available, 2002. No information is available about whether the jobs were permanent.

  Number of full-time employees and total number of employees] in Burnley parliamentary constituency: 1997 and 2002

  Number, per cent.

  Full-time

  Total

  Number of employees

  1997

  25,700

  35,000

  2002

  24,200

  35,800

  Change from 1997 to 2002

  Absolute

  1,500

  900

  Percentage

  5.9

  2.5

  1Employee jobs only, not self-employed jobs

  Source:

  1997; Annual Employment Survey, rescaled 2002: Annual Business Inquiry (ABI)

  Millennium Volunteers
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Government's policy is on the recruitment of 16 to 24-year-old millennium volunteers; and how many have been recruited(a) in total and (b) in St. Helens South. [165332]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Department's Spending Review settlement provided funding for the MV programme at national level of £15 million a year for the period to March 2006. The Millennium Volunteers (MV) programme, which forms part of the Connexions Service portfolio of services for young people, provides volunteering opportunities for young people aged between 16 and 24 to engage with their local communities. To date over 136,000 young people have participated in the programme in England, with nearly 67,000 completing 100 hours or more of volunteering. We do not hold the information on the number of volunteers in St. Helens South.

  National Childcare Strategy
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many children in Burnley have been affected by the National Childcare Strategy; [167921]

  (2) how many child care places have been created in Burnley since 1997. [167938]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Burnley. However, from April 1999 to December 2003 Lancashire local authority created 20,860 new child care places helping some 36,821 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 9,046 helping some 16,274 children.

  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Bootle have benefited from the National Childcare Strategy. [169084]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Bootle. However, from April 1999 to December 2003 Sefton local authority created 3,417 new child care places helping

  Year/School

  Project

  Package

  Funding (£)

  NSI 1997/98

  Burnley Rosehill Junior School

  Schemes submitted by District Liaison Committees

  LEA wide grant

  2,006,000

  Burnley Healey Wood Infant School

  Rewires

  Project including 18 schools

  1,007,100

  NDS3 1999/2000

  Burnley Lowerhouse Junior School

  Rewires

  Project including 18 schools

  1,007,100

  Burnley Barden Junior School

  Rewires

  Project including 18 schools

  1,007,100

  Burnley Barden Junior School

  Window Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 14 schools

  516,000

  Burnley Wood Top Church of England Infant School

  Window Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 14 schools

  516,000

  Burnley St. Stephen's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 25 schools

  300,000

  Burnley Barden High School

  Boilers/Heating

  Project including 17 schools

  601,900

  St. Theodore's Roman Catholic High School, Burnley

  Rewires

  Project including 18 schools

  1,007,100

  NDS4 2000/2001

  Burnley Ivy Bank High School

  Planned maintenance work, internal alterations and partial refurbishment of science accommodation

  —

  197,880

  Burnley Habergham High School

  Replacement of temporary classrooms

  —

  102,265

  Padiham Primary School

  Consolidation on infant site to enable amalgamation of KS1 accommodation

  —

  527,976

  Burnley Ightenhill Primary School

  Replacement of HORSA Kitchen and dining fascilities

  —

  330,623

  1266W
  some 6,128 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 1,859 helping some 3,400 children.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many children in East Worthing and Shoreham have benefited from the National Childcare Strategy; [169034]

  (2) how many child care places have been created in East Worthing and Shoreham since 1997. [169036]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for East Worthing and Shoreham. However, from April 1999 to December 2003 West Sussex local authority created 12,005 new child care places helping some 21,702 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 7,334 helping some 13,837 children.

  New Deal for Schools
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how much funding each school in Burnley has received from the New Deal for Schools; [167924]

  (2) how much public funding money has been spent on repairing schools in Burnley in each year since 1997. [167922]

  Mr. Miliband
  Table A shows the schools in the Burnley constituency that benefited from investment through the New Deal for Schools (NDS) programme, which ran between 1997–98 and 2000–01.

  Since 2001, the majority of capital support has been allocated to schools and local education authorities by formula, and they decide how to invest it in line with their asset management plans. The Department does not, therefore, have complete information about capital investment at constituency level; this should be held at local authority level. Table B sets out the capital support made by the Department to Lancashire local education authority and its schools since 1997–98, in total and by programme (including all allocations through NDS mentioned in table A)
  1267W

  Year/School

  Project

  Package

  Funding (£)

  Padiham Gawthorpe High School

  Provision of second indoor sports facility (to supplement existing gym) and re-roofing of main teaching block

  —

  257,965

  Ightenhill Nursery School

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Burnley Rosehill Junior School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  Burnley Rosehill Junior School

  Roof Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 11 schools

  548,460

  Burnley Rosehill Community Infant school

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Burnley Rosehill Community Infant school

  Roof Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 11 schools

  548,460

  Burnley Barden Community Infant school

  Rewires of electrical systems

  Project including 17 schools

  951,650

  Burnley Barden Junior School

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  l'roject including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Burnley Ightenhill Primary School

  Replacement Windows

  Project including 13 schools

  566,350

  Burnley Ightenhill Primary School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  Todmorden Road Primary School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  Burnley Holy Trinity Church of England Primary Scholl

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  Christ The King Roman Catholic Primary School, Burnley

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  Padiham Gawthorpe High School

  Refurbishment of CDT

  Project including 6 schools

  1,502,992

  St. Theodore's Roman Catholic High School, Burnley

  Rewires of electrical systems

  Project including 17 schools

  951,650

  St. Theodore's Roman Catholic High Scholl, Burnley

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Burnley Calder View Community Special School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  Notes:

  1. For NDS 1 grant was allocated for Lancashire local education authority (LEA) wide projects, part of which was used for building maintenance work and improved security at each of two schools in the Burnley constituency. The LEA will be able to say how much was allocated to each school.

  2. Where the project includes a package for a number of schools, each school received a share of the funding.

  Table B: Capital allocations: Lancashire local education auhority

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Additional NDS Grant (615)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,510

  —

  —

  Assistance with Asset Management Plans

  —

  —

  189

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Voluntary Aided formulaic allocations

  —

  —

  —

  —

  378

  2,167

  2,813

  Basic Need

  5,388

  5,519

  4,766

  6,543

  2,931

  4,597

  9,312

  Class Size initiative

  —

  1,238

  3,711

  2,190

  347

  89

  —

  Condition

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7,923

  12,228

  16,043

  Devolved Formula

  —

  —

  —

  9,115

  7,517

  11,489

  17,518

  Energy

  —

  353

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Modernisation

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,551

  8,750

  NDS 1

  2,006

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NDS 2

  —

  3,468

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NDS 3

  —

  —

  7,538

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NDS 4

  —

  —

  —

  13,376

  —

  —

  —

  Outside Toilets

  —

  275

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Private Finance Initiative

  —

  —

  13,400

  —

  —

  —

  —

  School Labs

  —

  —

  —

  591

  591

  —

  —

  School Security

  373

  408

  429

  429

  301

  258

  —

  Schools Access Initiative

  75

  211

  400

  620

  980

  1,634

  2,138

  Schools Renewal Challenge Fund

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Secondary Learning Support Units

  —

  —

  —

  290

  314

  389

  —

  Seed Challenge

  —

  —

  —

  604

  703

  1,288

  1,282

  Specialist Schools

  —

  —

  —

  100

  100

  500

  —

  Staff Workspace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  220

  526

  Supplementary Credit Approvals

  2,021

  454

  1,149

  365

  454

  —

  —

  Supplementary NDS for VA Schools

  —

  —

  —

  63

  3

  —

  —

  Targeted Capital Funding

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,093

  2,689

  —

  Targeted Capital Funding—VA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,225

  Voluntary Aided School Grant

  3,425

  5,031

  3,597

  3,735

  3,633

  4,371

  —

  Total

  13,288

  16,957

  35,179

  38,021

  29,778

  46,470

  62,607

  To date we have allocated £53.8 million capital funding for 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how much funding each 1268W
  school in Preston has received from the New Deal for Schools; [168128]

  (2) how much public funding money has been spent on repairing schools in Preston in each year since 1997. [168130]
  1269W
  Mr. Miliband
  Table A shows the schools in the Preston constituency that benefited from investment through the New Deal for Schools (NDS) programme, which ran between 1997–98 and 2000–01.

  Since 2001, the majority of capital support has been allocated to schools and local education authorities by formula, and they decide how to invest it in line with their asset management plans. The Department does

  Table 4—NDS allocations to schools in the Preston constituency

  School

  Project

  Package

  Funding (£)

  NDSI—1997–1998

  Woodlands School

  Improve science block

  LEA wide grant

  1,170,000

  Preston Tutorial Centre

  Schemes submitted by District Liaison Committees

  LEA wide grant

  2,006,000

  NDS3–1999–2000

  Brookfield Community Primary School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 25 schools

  300,000

  Frenchwood Community Primary School

  Roof Works

  Project including 13 schools

  549,700

  Preston Grange Primary School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 25 schools

  300,000

  Preston Greenlands Community Primary School

  Window Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 14 schools

  516,000

  Ribbleton Avenue Infant School

  Boilers/Heating

  Project including 17 schools

  601,900

  Preston Fishwick Primary School

  Window Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 14 schools

  516,000

  Bamber Bridge St Saviour's Church of England Primary School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 25 schools

  300,000

  Christ The King Catholic High School, Preston

  Boilers/Heating

  Project including 17 schools

  601,900

  NDS4–2000–2001

  Moorfield School

  Raising Standards

  532,119

  Walton-le-Dale High School

  Extension of Design Technology/ Science Building and boiler replacement

  697,323

  Brookfield Community Primary School

  Replacement Windows

  Project including 13 schools

  566,350

  Brookfield Community Primary School

  Rewires of electrical systems

  Project including 17 schools

  951,650

  Deepdale Junior School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  align="right"

  Deepdale Junior School

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Frenchwood Community Primary School

  Replacement Windows

  Project including 13 schools

  566,350

  Frenchwood Community Primary School

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Frenchwood Community Primary School

  Playground Repairs

  Project including 29 schools

  270,090

  Frenchwood Community Primary School

  Roof Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 11 schools

  548,460

  Holme Slack Community Primary School

  Replacement Windows

  Project including 13 schools

  566,350

  Holme Slack Community Primary School

  Roof Repairs/Replacement

  Project including 11 schools

  548,460

  English Martyrs Catholic Primary

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36

  1,143,110

  St Mary and St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School, Bamber Bridge

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Sherburn School

  Replacement of Boilers/Heating Systems

  Project including 36 schools

  1,143,110

  Notes:

  1. For NDS 1 grant was allocated for Lancashire local education authority (LEA) wide projects, part of which was used for building maintainance work and improved security at each of two schools in the Preston constituency. The LEA will be able to say how much was allocated to each school.

  2. Where the project includes a package for a number of schools, each school received a share of the funding.

  Table B—Capital allocations: Lancashire local education authority

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Additional NDS Grant (615)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1510

  —

  —

  Assistance with Asset Management Plans

  —

  —

  189

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Voluntary Aided formulaic allocations

  —

  —

  —

  —

  378

  2167

  2813

  Basic Need

  5388

  5519

  4766

  6543

  2931

  4597

  9312

  Class Size initiative

  —

  1238

  3711

  2190

  347

  89

  —

  Condition

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7923

  12228

  16043

  Devolved Formula

  —

  —

  —

  9115

  7517

  11489

  17518

  Energy

  —

  353

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Modernisation

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4551

  8750

  NDS1

  2006

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1270W
  not, therefore, have complete information about capital investment at constituency level, this should be held at local authority level.

  Table B sets out the capital support made by the Department to Lancashire local education authority and its schools since 1997–98, in total and by programme (including all allocations through NDS mentioned in table A).
  1271W

  Table B—Capital allocations: Lancashire local education authority

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  NDS2

  —

  3468

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NDS3

  —

  —

  7538

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NDS 4

  —

  —

  —

  13376

  —

  —

  —

  Outside Toilets

  —

  275

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Private Finance Initiative

  —

  —

  13400

  —

  —

  —

  —

  School Labs

  —

  —

  —

  591

  591

  —

  —

  SchoolSecurity

  373

  408

  429

  429

  301

  258

  —

  Schools Access Initiative

  75

  211

  400

  620

  980

  1634

  2138

  Schools Renewal Challenge Fund

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Secondary Learning Support Units

  —

  —

  —

  290

  314

  389

  —

  Seed Challenge

  —

  —

  —

  604

  703

  1288

  1282

  Specialist Schools

  —

  —

  —

  100

  100

  500

  —

  staff Workspace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  220

  526

  Supplementary Credit Approvals

  2021

  454

  1149

  365

  454

  —

  —

  Supplementary NDS for VA Schools

  —

  —

  —

  63

  3

  —

  —

  Targeted Capital Funding

  —

  —

  —

  —-

  2093

  2689

  —

  Targeted Capital Funding—VA

  —

  —

  —

  —-

  —

  —

  4225

  Voluntary Aided School Grant

  3425

  5031

  3597

  3735

  3633

  3633

  4371

  Total

  13288

  16957

  35179

  38021

  29778

  46470

  62607

  Note:

  To date we have allocated £53.8 million capital funding for 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Performance Tables
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the merits of adjusting performance tables to take account of schools' performance in a wider range of vocational qualifications; and if he will make a statement. [169452]

  Mr. Miliband
  We have piloted, with 244 schools, the reporting of achievements in a wider range of qualifications. That pilot study was published on 1 April, along with a statement of our intentions to include this wider change in this year's secondary school performance tables. Of the 244 schools that participated in the pilot study, 199 achieved a higher capped point score as a result of the inclusion of this wider range of qualifications.

  Primary Schools (Administrative Staff)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many administrative staff were employed in primary schools in(a) England and (b) Wales in each year since 1997. [167978]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following table shows the full-time equivalent number of administrative staff employed in maintained primary schools in England who are helping to free teachers to teach and supporting the efficient running of their schools in each year from 1997 to 2003, the latest information available.

  Number

  1997

  19,210

  1998

  19,560

  1999

  19,980

  2000

  21,180

  2001

  22,260

  2002

  23,060

  2003

  23,330

  Source:

  Annual Schools Census.

  1272W
  Information regarding the number of administrative staff employed in Welsh schools is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Register of Interests
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the requirements are on officials in his Department to declare current interests; and what register of interests is kept for his departmental officials. [164701]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Civil Service Management Code sets out the requirement for civil servants to declare a conflict of interest.

  In my Department, individuals are required to declare to management it writing, any personal financial activities or official dealings with individuals or groups who share private or business interests.

  Where a conflict (or potential conflict), of interest arises, management will decide whether to transfer the work which gives rise to the conflict, to another person to avoid any potential embarrassment to the Department.

  School Closures
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many primary school closures there were in(a) England and (b) Wales in each year since 1997. [167977]

  Mr. Miliband
  The numbers of primary schools in England that closed during the calendar years 1997 to 2003 are as follows:

  Number of primary schools closed

  1997

  171

  1998

  174

  1999

  197

  2000

  188

  1273W

  Number of primary schools closed

  2001

  227

  2002

  223

  2003

  207

  Source:

  DfES.

  The figures include schools that closed as a result of the amalgamation or merger of two or more schools; schools that have closed but re-opened as voluntary schools with a religious character; and schools that have closed in local education authorities that have moved from a three-tier to a two-tier system.

  The National Assembly for Wales is responsible for schools in Wales and can supply this information on request.

  Schools Funding (Norfolk)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations he has received regarding funding of schools in Norfolk. [169217]

  Mr. Miliband
  We have received few recent representations on the funding of schools in Norfolk.

  School Standards (Liverpool and Berkshire)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Liverpool, Walton have(a) been deemed to be failing since 1997 and (b) subsequently achieved satisfactory standards. [166960]

  Mr. Miliband
  Three schools in Liverpool, Walton, have been deemed to be failing sine 1997, one primary school, one special school and one secondary school. Two of these schools have subsequently closed. The secondary school was judged by Ofsted in 2003 to have made satisfactory progress since the inspection which removed it from special measures in 2001.

  Solvent Abuse
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what research his Department has commissioned into the extent of solvent abuse by children; [169059]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of children in care who engage in solvent abuse. [169061]

  Margaret Hodge
  Although there is no centrally collected data on the extent of solvent abuse by looked after children, information on the use of volatile substances among young people aged 11–15 years is collected in an annual national survey of secondary school children commissioned by the Department of Health. Latest information is given in the statistical release "Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2003: headline figures" which was published on 31 March 2004. Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2003 http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sddsurvey2003.pdf.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils with special 1274W
  educational needs live more than three miles away from the (a) primary school, (b) secondary school and (c) special school that they attend; and if he will make a statement. [166866]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Numbers of pupils living more than three miles1 from the maintained primary, secondary and special schools2 that they attend, as at January 2003

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  Number of pupils travelling more than three miles

  155,187

  583,446

  48,447

  Percentage of pupils travelling more than three miles3

  3.7

  17.8

  52.1

  Number of pupils with SEN travelling more than three miles

  28,720

  72,548

  47,966

  Percentage of pupils with SEN travelling more than three miles4

  3.8

  14.3

  52.3

  1Distances calculated are straight line.

  2Includes middle schools as deemed.

  Source:

  Pupil Level Annual Schools' Census.

  Sports Facilities
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of secondary schools offer their sports facilities for wider community use outside school hours. [169074]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 27 April 2004]: The Department does not collect information on the number of schools that offer their sports facilities to the wider community. But, many LEA's and schools have arrangements with the local community that provide for this and the development of extended schools will encourage and promote this trend.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to increase sports facilities within existing schools. [169127]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Government are investing significant funding to enhance school sports facilities across England. The New Opportunities for PE and Sport Programme is providing £581.25 million in England (£25 million of which has gone towards the Space for Sport and the Arts programme) and schools from all local education authority areas are benefiting. The Space for Sport and the Arts Programme is providing £130 million to support projects at primary schools in 65 target areas. The schools benefiting from these schemes are required to open up and share their new facilities with other schools and their local community. In addition, the Sporting Playgrounds Programme is providing £10 million to enhance primary school playgrounds to increase physical activity and sport in 27 target areas.

  This funding is on top of the Department for Education and Skills capital investment in school buildings and facilities, which has grown from under £700 million in 1996–97 to £3.8 billion in 2003–04, and will rise to £5.1 billion in 2005–06. The bulk of this investment is allocated to schools and local authorities on a formulaic basis, and is available for improving school sports facilities where these are prioritised in local asset management plans.
  1275W
  From 2005–06, the Government are also introducing Building Schools for the Future, which aims to rebuild and renew all secondary schools, (including their sports facilities) within 10 to 15 years, subject to future spending decisions.

  Sure Start
  Claire Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he plans to extend the Sure Start scheme to Watford constituency. [162907]

  Margaret Hodge
  There are a range of Sure Start services in Watford, including a children's centre, attached to Westfield School. Holywell is providing Sure Start services for around 590 children and their families. Since 1998, we have guaranteed free early education for all 4-year-olds and this guarantee has been extended to all 3-year-olds from April 2004. In Hertfordshire this represents an additional funding of over £60 million for 2004–05.

  Since 1999, Hertfordshire have also been given over £6.1 million of funding to provide additional child care places and figures received from the authority shows that by March 2003 additional 11,067 childcare places were created.

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there were in Bootle on the latest date for which figures are available; and what steps he is taking to reduce them. [169179]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information on teacher vacancies is not available by constituency as it is collected at local education authority level. In January 2003, the latest information available, there were 10 full-time teacher vacancies in Sefton local education authority.

  Like other areas, since 1997 Sefton has benefited from the initiatives that the Government have put in place to recruit and retain teachers and to increase the number of staff supporting them in schools. Since 1997, the number of full-time equivalent regular teachers in maintained schools in Sefton LEA has risen by 120, from 2,540 to 2,660 in 2003. Over the same period, the number of full-time equivalent school support staff in the area has grown by 540 from 780 to 1,320 in 2003.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there were in each subject in(a) primary, (b) secondary, (c) special and (d) all schools in each year since 1997, broken down by local education authority; and if he will express these figures as percentages of all teachers. [167569]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Teaching Assistants
  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching assistants there were in schools in Bootle in(a) each of the last seven years and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [169180]
  1276W
  Mr. Miliband
  The following table gives the numbers of full-time equivalent teaching assistants in maintained schools in Bootle constituency for each year between 1997 and 2003, the latest year for which data are available.

  Number

  1997

  130

  1998

  130

  1999

  150

  2000

  160

  2001

  200

  2002

  160

  2003

  220

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census.

  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching assistants there were in schools in Wigan(a) in each of the last seven years and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [169278]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following table gives the numbers of full-time equivalent teaching assistants in maintained schools in Wigan constituency for each year between 1997 and 2003, the latest year for which data are available.

  Number

  1997

  100

  1998

  110

  1999

  110

  2000

  110

  2001

  160

  2002

  130

  2003

  190

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census.

  University Students (London)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students studying at a London university in the last academic year for which figures are available originated from(a) the UK and (b) overseas. [167979]

  Alan Johnson
  Th latest available figures are given in the following table.

  Enrolments1 to UK HE institutions in London 2002–03

  Domicile

  Number

  UK

  259,630

  EU

  21,105

  Other Overseas

  40,648

  Total

  321,383

  Note:

  1Snapshot as at 1 December.

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency.

  Vulnerable Children
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local authorities are participating in piloting data sharing schemes for vulnerable children; and when each is due to report. [169037]
  1277W
  Margaret Hodge
  The Government have provided up to £1 million each to 10 Trailblazers, involving 15 local authorities, to test new ways of information sharing and multi-agency working. They ate: Bolton; Camden; Kensington and Chelsea; Knowsley; Lewisham; Sheffield; Gateshead and Newcastle; Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland; Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire and west Sussex and east Sussex.

  An evaluation underway by Royal Holloway, University of London is due to report in autumn 2004.

  An interim report, Developing Identification and referral tracking systems: An evaluation of the processes undertaken by trailblazer authorities, was published in March 2004. I will arrange for a copy to be sent to the hon. Member and one has already been placed in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Antisocial Behaviour
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) anti-social behaviour orders, (b) parenting orders and (c) curfew orders have been issued by Leeds City Council since 12 February 2003. [168605]

  Ms Blears
  Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)—The number of ASBOs issued within the Leeds local government authority area, as notified to the Home Office, from 12 February 2003 up to 31 December 2003 (latest available) is 50. The local authority was the main complainant for 47 of these orders. Three orders were issued, following conviction, at the court's discretion.

  Parenting Orders—Youth Justice Board figures indicate that two parenting orders were made by courts in the Leeds Youth Offending Team (YOT) area following conviction of juveniles between January 2003 and December 2003 (latest available figures).

  Curfew Orders—Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the Autumn.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders were issued in(a) the first quarter of 2003, (b) the second quarter of 2003, (c) the third quarter of 2003, (d) the fourth quarter of 2003 and (e) the first quarter of 2004. [169733]

  Ms Blears
  The number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), as notified to the Home Office, issued within England and Wales in 2003 is given, by quarter, in the table. Latest available data are up to December 2003.

  The number of anti-social behaviour orders, as notified to the Home Office, issued within England and Wales, by court and by quarter

  January to December 2003 (latest available)

  First

  Second

  Quarter Third

  Fourth

  Total

  County court on application

  —

  —

  2

  3

  5

  Magistrates court on application

  112

  143

  150

  158

  563

  On conviction

  53

  76

  112

  146

  387

  Crown court on conviction

  4

  4

  15

  42

  65

  Total

  169

  223

  279

  349

  1,020

  Asylum Seekers/Immigration
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum in the UK have been made from claimants not residing in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [165613]

  Mr. Browne
  There is no provision in the Immigration Rules to seek asylum in the UK from abroad. A person usually has to travel to the UK in order to claim asylum here, although an asylum seeker is not usually "resident" in the UK. Exceptionally, some cases are referred to the Home Office from overseas diplomatic posts. If entry clearance is granted exceptionally, and the applicant subsequently travels to the UK and applies for asylum, the application would be included in the figures in the same way as other applications. Limited information is available on applications that are processed abroad. No overseas applications are recorded as having been lodged since 1992.

  Information on asylum applications made in the UK is published quarterly. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2004 will be available on 25 May 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government has to provide alternative accommodation for asylum seekers currently detained at Maghaberry Prison. [164609]

  Mr. Browne
  We have no plans to provide alternative accommodation in Northern Ireland for those immigration detainees who are currently held at HMP Maghaberry.

  However, an individual detainee who initially elected to remain at HMP Maghaberry rather than be transferred to an Immigration Service removal centre in Great Britain may at any time request to be transferred to such a removal centre.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which countries his Department judges that asylum seekers cannot be returned for(a) human rights and (b) other reasons. [163331]

  Mr. Browne
  All asylum and human rights claims 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 any appeal before the independent Immigration Appellate Authority be unsuccessful, it means that for that individual it is safe to return.

  The only country to which, as a matter of policy, we do not at present generally enforce the return of failed asylum seekers is Zimbabwe. This policy is based not on asylum or human rights reasons but on our view that in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe, it would be inappropriate forcibly to return failed asylum seekers applicable at this time.

  However, it is open to Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers to return voluntarily. Zimbabweans may apply for the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration

  1279W
  Programme (VAARP) operated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Home Office.

  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men, (b) women and (c) children have been granted humanitarian protection in the United Kingdom in each month since April 2003. [166473]

  Mr. Browne
  The table shows initial decisions resulting in grants of humanitarian protection (HP) to asylum seeker principal applicants and dependants by month from April to December 2003, the latest published figures that are available.

  Principal applicants1,2 not recognised as refugees but granted humanitarian protection, excluding dependants, by sex, April to December 2003

  Male

  Female

  Total grants of HP

  Total initial decisions

  April 2003

  5

  10

  15

  4,290

  May-03

  5

  10

  15

  5,130

  June 2003

  10

  5

  15

  5,230

  July 2003

  5

  5

  15

  4,940

  August 2003

  5

  5

  15

  4,200

  September 2003

  5

  5

  15

  5,070

  October 2003

  5

  10

  20

  5,605

  November 2003

  5

  5

  15

  5,060

  December 2003

  10

  10

  15

  4,310

  Total

  65

  70

  135

  43,840

  1Provisional figures rounded to the nearest five.

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

  Dependants of principal applicants1,2 not recognised as refugees but granted humanitarian protection, by sex, April to December 2003

  Male

  Female

  Total

  April 2003

  —

  *

  *

  May 2003

  *

  —

  *

  June 2003

  5

  5

  10

  July 2003

  *

  5

  5

  August 2003

  —

  *

  *

  September 2003

  —

  *

  *

  October 2003

  5

  5

  10

  November 2003

  *

  5

  5

  December 2003

  *

  5

  5

  Total

  15

  25

  40

  1Provisional figures rounded to the nearest five with * = 1 or 2.

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

  16 per cent. of these 135 principal applicants and 88 per cent. of the 40 dependants were aged under 18 at time of decision, based on the date of birth information supplied by applicants. 10 of the principal applicants were identified as unaccompanied asylum seeking children, 83 per cent. of these were under 18 at the time of initial decision.

  Cases granted HP are actively reviewed at the end of the HP period, which may subsequently result in refusal and removal.

  Data on non-asylum grants of HP are not available.
  1280W
  Information on asylum decisions, by sex, is published annually. The next publication covering 2003 will be available at the end of August 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many National Asylum Support Service-supported asylum seekers in the City of Newcastle have had support and accommodation withdrawn on the grounds of the failure of their case, broken down by(a) gender and (b) the number of dependants involved. [168692]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on numbers of cases who have had support terminated broken down by reason for cessation, by area of the UK, or by gender is unavailable and could be produced only at a disproportionate cost. A total of 45,185 cases had support terminated in 2002 (the latest year for which data is available) compared with 14,195 in 2001. Support may be terminated for a variety of reasons, including failure of in asylum application or changes in the circumstances of the applicant affecting their eligibility for support.

  As at the end of December 2003 the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in Newcastle in the National Asylum Support Service, (NASS) accommodation was 1,510, and 55 were in receipt of subsistence only support. Figures are rounded to the nearest five and cases which have had their support terminated are excluded from this figure.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by MASS is published quarterly, and information on the number of cases with support ceased is published annually in the annual Home Office Statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases involving asylum seekers and dependants from EU accession countries remain to be determined. [168694]

  Mr. Browne
  The requested information is unavailable and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

  Information on the number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next publication will be available from 25 May 2004 and will cover the first quarter of 2004 (January to March).

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether asylum seekers from EU accession countries will be required to have an approved work permit under the Special Work Registration scheme before starting work on 1 May; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued to(a) employers and (b) jobcentres. [168696]

  Mr. Browne
  From 1 May asylum seekers from the eight EU Accession countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) will be able to take up employment in the UK
  1281W
  providing they apply to register under the new Worker Registration Scheme. They will not need a work permit. These arrangements apply equally to accession nationals who are already in the UK (including as asylum seekers) and to those who arrive in the UK on or after 1 May.

  Workers who are required to register should apply as soon as they start a new job—not before—and within one month of taking up employment at the latest. Further information about the Worker Registration Scheme is available on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) website: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk.

  Guidance issued to employers is also available on the IND website at http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?pageid=17 and available in hard copy from the Employer's Helpline on 08450106677.

  An Awareness Pack and guidance material has been prepared by Jobcentre Plus for use by its staff. This will be placed in the Library once the Regulations are laid before the House on 30 April.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the Oakington Reception Centre, for the second quarter of 2002, how many(a) appeals were received following refusals, (b) appellants remain in custody, (c) appellants are at addresses known to his Department, (d) appeals have been determined and (e) failed appellants have been removed. [140573]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 1 December 2003]: There were 2,160 appeals received for claims decided at the Oakington Reception Centre out of 2,270 refused asylum applications in the second quarter of 2002. Appellants are not routinely detained at Oakington pending their appeal, although some may be in detention at Immigration Service Removal Centres, at Immigration Short Term Holding Facilities, and at prison establishments. Information on the number of appellants in detention and information on the current address of an appellant is not readily available and could only be verified at disproportionate cost. The number of appeals determined on the 2,160 received in the second quarter of 2002 was 1,995. The number of failed applicants who have been removed could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.

  Information on Oakington and other asylum statistics is published quarterly. The most recent publication covering the third quarter of 2003 is now available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of applications for asylum in England and Wales were accepted in each year since 1997. [168015]

  Mr. Browne
  The requested infon nation is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Asylum applications, initial decisions, and appeals data relate to applications for asylum in the UK are not available at regional level.
  1282W
  It is estimated that around four in 10 (42 per cent.) of applications for asylum in the UK in 2002 resulted in the granting at initial decision of asylum (10 per cent.) or of exceptional leave to remain (23 per cent.), or in appeals which were allowed by the IAA adjudicators (a further 10 per cent.). This compares with 42 per cent. for applications made in 2001, and 31 per cent. for applications made in 2000. Comparable information for previous years is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.

  The proportion granted asylum or other status either at initial decision or appeal varies over time reflecting the mix of nationalities, the situations in countries of origin, and the merits of each individual case.

  Further detail including information on the basis of the estimation is provided in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2002 (pages 11–12), copies of which are available from the Library of the House and at the RDS website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  It is planned that corresponding information for applications made in 2003 will be published in Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2003 at the end of August 2004.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum cases which went to appeal during each of the last seven years were(a) granted and (b) refused leave to remain in the country; and what the total number of cases which went to appeal was in each year. [165619]

  Mr. Browne
  Data on the number asylum cases that went onto appeal are given in the following tables. The tables show the outcomes of appeals determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA), further appeals to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal (IAT) and applications for Judicial Review for the latest seven years for which data are available. IAA Appeal determinations may relate to initial decisions made in previous years; IAT appeal determinations may relate to IAA determinations in earlier years. Outcomes of appeals relate to whether an asylum appeal is allowed, dismissed or withdrawn. Allowed appeals do not necessarily result in grants of leave to remain. Some appeals to the IAT are brought by the Secretary of State.

  A record 81,725 appeals were determined by IAA adjudicators in 2003, a quarter (27 per cent.) higher than in 2002 (64,405). The proportion of appeals dismissed rose to 78 per cent. in 2003 (76 per cent. in 2002), while the proportion of appeals allowed fell to 20 per cent. (22 per cent. in 2002).

  As at 31 December 2003, there were an estimated 12,000 appeals lodged with the Home Office which had not been sent to the Immigration Appellate Authority, compared with 30,000 at the end of December 2002; a proportion of appeals lodged do not result in appeal bundles being sent to the IAA.
  1283W

  Appeals1 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, 1997 to 2003

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals received by the Home Office2

  Appeals received by the IAA

  Total determined3

  1997

  20,950

  22,385

  21,090

  1998

  14,320

  15,440

  25,320

  1999

  6,615

  7,775

  19,460

  2000

  46,190

  28,935

  19,395

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  As % of total determined4

  Total

  As % of total determined4

  Total

  As % of total determined4

  1997

  1,180

  (6)

  18,145

  (86)

  1,720

  (8)

  1998

  2,355

  (9)

  21,195

  (84)

  1,770

  (7)

  1999

  5,280

  (27)

  11,135

  (57)

  3,050

  (16)

  2000

  3,340

  (17)

  15,580

  (80)

  475

  (2)

  2001

  8,155

  (19)

  34,440

  (79)

  825

  (2)

  20025

  13,875

  (22)

  48,845

  (76)

  1,685

  (3)

  20035

  16,070

  (20)

  63,810

  (78)

  1,845

  (2)

  1Figures (other than percentages) rounded to the nearest 5. Numbers might not add up due to rounding.

  2Figures for 1997 to 2000 are based on manual counts of data received in Appeals Support Section of the Home Office. Some cases are received elsewhere in the Home Office before being forwarded to ASS and so may be counted in a later month than when they arrived in the Home Office. Figures for 2001+ are based on electronic sources.

  3Based on information supplied by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Determinations do not necessarily relate to appeals received in the same period.

  4Percentages based on total determined excluding without foundation appeals referred to Secretary of State for further consideration. Based on data supplied by the Presenting Officers Unit within the Home Office (October 1999 December 2002).

  55 Provisional figures,

  6Estimate. Figures rounded to the nearest hundred, and subject to later revision.

  Further appeals to the Tribunal, decisions, and the outcome of Tribunal Hearings, excluding dependants. 1996 to 20021

  Number of principal appellants

  Applications for leave to appeal to the Tribunal2

  Appeals to the Tribunal

  Outcome of Tribunal Hearings3

  Applications

  Decisions

  Received

  Determined

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Remitted to adjudicators for further consideration

  1996

  5,620

  5,345

  1,010

  900

  55

  285

  10

  550

  1997

  58,915

  58,130

  2,185

  51,375

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1998

  510,910

  510,315

  1,775

  51,090

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1999

  8,635

  9,575

  2,135

  1,790

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  2000

  6,020

  5,490

  1,615

  2,635

  815

  1,385

  220

  215

  2001

  15,540

  13,540

  3,860

  3,190

  475

  1,140

  150

  1,430

  20024

  25,600

  22,825

  6,920

  5,565

  620

  2,015

  225

  2,700

  Outcome of Tribunal Hearings3

  Allowed

  Appellant Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Allowed

  Secretary of State Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  1996

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1997

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1998

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1999

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  2000

  650

  1,225

  185

  170

  165

  35

  2001

  315

  1,020

  125

  160

  120

  25

  20024

  410

  1,880

  210

  215

  130

  15

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 5. Numbers might not add up due to rounding.

  2Figures based on data supplied by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Decisions and determinations do not necessarily correspond to applications and appeals received in any given year.

  3Figures supplied by the Presenting Officers Unit. Figures for October-December 1999 are based on data for November-December.

  4Provisional figures.

  5Revised figures.

  1284W

  Appeals1 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, 1997 to 2003

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals received by the Home office2

  Appeals received by the the IAA

  Total determined3

  2001

  74,365

  47,905

  43,415

  20025

  51,695

  64,125

  64,405

  20035

  645,600

  70,575

  81,725

  1285W

  Applications for Judicial Review, and outcomes, excluding dependants, 1996 to 2)02

  Applications for leave to move for Judicial Review1

  Applications

  Decisions.2

  of which: granted leave to move

  Percentage of applicants granted leave to move3

  1996

  1,225

  915

  190

  (21)

  1997

  1,350

  1,250

  320

  (26)

  1998

  1,890

  1,220

  300

  (25)

  1999 Q1, Q2, and Q46

  1,790

  1,125

  395

  (35)

  20007

  1,920

  2,095

  555

  (26)

  20017

  2,210

  2,300

  290

  (13)

  20028

  3,075

  2,980

  260

  (9)

  The outcome of judicial review hearings1

  Allowed4

  Dismissed5

  Withdrawn

  Total

  As%of total determinied

  Total

  As%of total determinied

  Total

  As%of total determinied

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999 Q1, Q2, & Q46

  135

  (57)

  25

  (11)

  75

  (32)

  20007

  365

  (48)

  300

  (40)

  95

  (12)

  20017

  260

  (68)

  60

  (16)

  60

  (16)

  20028

  25

  (30)

  60

  (67)

  5

  (3)

  1 Figures based on Administrative Court data. Figures (other than percentages) rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2.

  2Decisions do not relate to applications in any given period.

  3The number of which granted leave to move as a percentage of decisions.

  4The decision of the respondent (in this case, the Home Office or the Department for Constitutional Affairs) was quashed. These figures include consent orders where the JR was conceded by the respondent.

  5The decision of the respondent was upheld.

  6Estimated figures.

  7Figures exclude judicial reviews brought in cases relating to asylum support (NASS).

  8Provisional figures.

  Statistics on the number of asylum appeals heard by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority are published quarterly; data covering the Immigration Appeal Tribunal and Judicial Review are published annually. Copies of the most recent publications are available from the Library of the House or on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been placed in(a) Huddersfield, (b) Kirklees and (c) Yorkshire and Humber in each year since 1990. [164902]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is not available in the precise format requested. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) assumed responsibility for the support of asylum seekers on 3 April 2000.

  NASS disperses asylum seekers to Government Office Regions and local authority areas. Statistics by parliamentary constituencies became available at the end of December 2003. The table shows the available data for the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported by NASS in Yorkshire and Humberside region, which includes Kirklees local
  1286W
  authority area and Huddersfield constituency, as at the end of each year since December 2000. Earlier figures are not available.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly. The next publication covering; the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.h1ml.

  Asylum seekers (including dependants)supported by NASS

  Government Office Region/local authority area/parliamentary constituency and type of support

  December

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Yorkshire and Humber

  Accommodation

  3,550

  8,470

  10,215

  9,920

  Subsistence only

  90

  285

  800

  855

  Kirklees

  Accommodation

  n/a

  n/a

  935

  1,095

  Subsistence only

  n/a

  n/a

  45

  45

  Huddersfield

  Accommodation

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  750

  Subsistence only

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  25

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  2. n/a not available

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the countries to which the Home Office does not currently return failed asylum seekers. [165828]

  Mr. Browne
  We seek to remove all failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants wherever possible. All asylum and human rights claims 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 any appeal before the independent Immigration Appellate Authority be unsuccessful, it means that for that individual it is safe to return.

  The only country to which, as a matter of policy, we do not at present generally enforce the return of failed asylum seekers is Zimbabwe. This policy is based not on asylum or human rights reasons but on our view that in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe, it would be inappropriate forcibly to return failed asylum seekers applicable at this time.

  However, it is open to Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers to return voluntarily. Zimbabweans may apply for the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VAARP) operated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Home Office.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Department is required to record mistaken removals of asylum seekers; and what steps have been taken to develop an appropriate database for this function. [165933]

  Mr. Browne
  There is no statutory requirement for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) to keep records of any mistaken removals of asylum seekers
  1287W
  from the UK. By mistaken removals, we are referring to the removal of any individuals while there are any unresolved issues pending on a case, outstanding appeals or judicial challenges.

  Following a recommendation made by the Home Affairs Select Committee in April 2003 that measures be put in place to record and publicise such cases, IND is currently looking into the feasibility of setting up a central database to record all mistaken removals. We do not have any present plans to publicise such information but no final decision will be made on this without prior consultation with the Immigration Research and Statistical Service (IRSS).

  Dr. Ian Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what medical assessments are conducted on asylum seekers prior to dispersal within the UK, and if he will make a statement; [166427]

  (2) what provision is made for continuing HIV treatment for existing HIV patients in the immigrant population following dispersal; [166609]

  (3) what plans he has to assess the system of dispersal for asylum seekers suffering from HIV. [166426]

  Mr. Browne
  In assessing suitability for dispersal the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) takes account of all known facts. Some health needs are identified when the application for NASS support is being completed. In addition, those asylum seekers who go through Induction Centres are given the opportunity to have a health assessment. This does not automatically include screening for HIV/AIDS but an asylum seeker who believes he may be at risk may opt to have tests conducted.

  Asylum seekers known to be HIV positive are dispersed to areas where relevant treatment is available. In line with standard practice for all MASS dispersals, MASS informs the relevant Primary Care Trust of the asylum seeker's arrival in their area. MASS outreach staff visit asylum seekers shortly after their arrival to ensure that they have access to all services, including health services. Accommodation providers and voluntary sector "one-stop" services can also assist newly dispersed asylum seekers to access services including registering with a GP. Asylum seekers who have undergone a health assessment prior to dispersal are in possession of hand held medical records which they can pass to their GP.

  These policies and practices are being considered as part of a short external review which is expected to report to Ministers in the Summer.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were dispersed in the UK for the latest year for which figures are available. [166610]

  Mr. Browne
  Numbers of asylum seekers placed in the National Asylum Support Service, (NASS) accommodation under the dispersal policy, and numbers who are in receipt of subsistence only support from NASS, are available on a quarterly and annual basis. The total for the United Kingdom as at end December 2003 was 49,760.
  1288W
  The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are housed in Liverpool, Walton under the dispersal programme. [166981]

  Mr. Browne
  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) disperses asylum seekers to Government office regions and local authority areas. The number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NA SS accommodation in the constituency of Liverpool, Walton as at the end of December 2003 was 230.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly. The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available o n 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken to deal with an asylum application is. [166982]

  Mr. Browne
  The latest published statistics show that the speed of processing asylum applications continues to improve. 80 per cent. of applications (excluding withdrawals and third country cases1) received in the period April to September 2003 had initial decisions reached and served within two months. 74 per cent. of applications received in 2002–03, and 61 per cent. of applications received in 2001–02, had initial decisions reached and served within two months. This exceeded the Government's targets of 65 per cent. for 2002–03 and 60 per cent. for 2001–02, and we are on track to meet the target of 75 per cent. for 2003–04.

  The average time between application and initial decision was 10 months for initial decisions made in 2003, compared with 20 months for April 1997. This has been calculated using all cases for which data are available, including older cases decided as part of the reduction of the number of outstanding cases, as well as new cases decided as part of normal work in progress. The number of cases awaiting initial decision fell to 24,500 at the end of December 2003, the lowest level for more than a decade (and 41 per cent. lower than a year earlier), and continues to fall.

  Information on the timeliness of initial decisions is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html
  1Cases which may be the responsibility of other EU member states under the Dublin Convention.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were registered in each year between 1997 and 2003. [166984]

  Mr. Browne
  The tables show asylum applications received in each year between 1997 and 2003 for the UK and for the EU as a whole. The figures show the rise in the UK and across E trope in the late 1990s followed by the fall in 2003 as a result of a series of measures
  1289W
  including those in the National Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. In 2003 applications to the UK fell by 41 per cent. compared with a fall of 10 per cent. for the rest of the EU (excluding Italy).

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants. 1997–2003

  Total applications

  1997

  32,500

  1998

  46,015

  19992

  71,160

  20002

  80,315

  20013

  71,025

  20024

  84,130

  20034

  49,370

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  2May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January 1999 and March 2000

  3Provisional figures

  4Revised figure

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom and European Union, including dependants, 1997–2003

  Total Applications in UK

  Total applications in EU

  1997

  41,500

  255,800

  1998

  58,500

  312,300

  19992

  91,200

  396,700

  20002

  98,900

  401,900

  20014

  91,600

  397,600

  20025

  103,100

  386,100

  20035

  61,100

  3308,400

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 100

  2May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January 1999 and March 2000

  3Excludes Italy data

  4Provisional figures

  5Revised figure

  Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been registered with the London Borough of Hillingdon in each of the last five years. [168071]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is not available in the form requested. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) assumed responsibility for the support of asylum seekers on 3 April 2000.

  NASS disperses asylum seekers to Government Office regions and local authority areas. The following table shows the available data for the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported by NASS in the Hillingdon Local Authority area, as at the end of each quarter since December 2002. Information in respect of the number of persons dispersed to an area during a given year is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly. The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the
  1290W
  Home Office Research development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov/uk/rds/immigration1.html

  As at end:

  In receipt of subsistence only support

  Supported in NASS accommodation

  December 2002

  625

  20

  March 2003

  585

  10

  June 2003

  595

  15

  September 2003

  530

  15

  December 2003

  490

  15

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum seekers are estimated to have entered the country illegally in each of the last five years. [168915]

  Mr. Browne
  The number of asylum applications received in each of the last five years for which data are available are given in the table. There is no official estimate of the proportion of these who entered the country illegally.

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants: 1999 to 2003—Number of principal applicants

  2Applications received

  1999

  71,160

  2000

  80,315

  20014

  71,025

  20023

  84,130

  20033

  49,370

  1Figures rounded to nearest five

  2May exclude some cases lodged at local enforcement offices between January 1999 and December 2000

  3Provisional figures

  4Revised figures

  Official estimates of the size of the illegally resident population in the United Kingdom do not exist. The Government has commissioned research into the methods used in other countries to estimate the size of the illegal population in order to define methods appropriate for the UK.

  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.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last year immigration detainees were held overnight in police cells. [160556]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the number of immigration detainees who were held overnight in police cells is not held centrally. However, I can give an assurance that detention in police cells for immigration purposes is kept to the minimum.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from the EU accession states have(a) been granted and (b) been

  1291W
  refused leave to remain in the UK under the European Communities Association Agreement (i) in 2001–02, (ii) in 2002–03 and (iii) to date in 2003–04. [160937]

  Mr. Browne
  Detailed figures are not available for 2001–02. However, on the basis of internal management information, we estimate that around 8,000 applications were made during this period.

  In 2002–03, we estimate that just under 15,000 ECAA applications were granted, and some 1,400 were refused or fell for other reasons. In 2003–04 (to end February 2004), these figures were around 35,000 and 1,200 respectively.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has passed to the Immigration Appellate Authority the relevant papers in the case of Mr. S. M., husband of Mrs. S. K. of Aylesbury (decision maker's reference 643686; Gerrys/Fedex case reference 9003389; appeal reference 900863159; UK Visas reference GV 100/86120); and if he will make a statement. [167247]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 22 April 2004]: This appeal was forwarded to the Immigration Appellate Authority on 13 April 2004.

  Bogus Colleges
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department has taken to close down bogus colleges for migration purposes; and how many colleges have been closed down in each year since 1997. [166555]

  Mr. Browne
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to a statement made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 22 April.

  Charities Bill
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Charities Bill. [167048]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The draft Charities Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, is expected to be published in mid-May. It will be considered by a joint Committee of both Houses which will be asked to report by 30 September.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Counter Terrorism expects to reply to the hon. Member for Southend, West's letters of(a) 10 December 2003 and (b) 12 January. [165196]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is as follows.

  (a) I apologise for the delay in replying to the hon. Member. On 5 April the letter was accepted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who will reply shortly.

  (b) My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Fiona Mactaggart) wrote to the hon. Member on 23 February.
  1292W
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 8 March with regard to Mohammed Riaz. [168924]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I responded to my right hon. Friend on 26 April 2004.

  Crime
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in(a) overall recorded crime, (b) recorded violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts in Burnley has been since 1997. [168315]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Burnley is a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level have been published only from 1999–2000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website: http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in(a) overall recorded crime, (b) recorded crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts in Heywood and Middleton has been since 1997. [168535]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Heywood and Middleton comes within the Rochdale Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level has only been published from 1999–2000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website: http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in(a) overall recorded crime, (b) recorded violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts in Manchester Gorton has been since 1997. [167467]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Gorton comes within the Manchester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level has only been published from 1999–2000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk.

  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homophobic incidents were recorded in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04 by each of the (i) police divisions in west Yorkshire and (ii) police forces in England and Wales. [167049]

  Ms Blears
  Recorded crime figures submitted to the Home Office by police forces do not separately identify crimes motivated by homophobia. This is because homophobic crime is not a distinct offence in law, and is instead included within the figures for other offences according to the nature of the action.
  1293W
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary 01 State for the Home Department how many racially aggravated incidents were recorded in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04 by each of the (i) police divisions in West Yorkshire and (ii) police forces in England and Wales. [167050]

  Ms Blears
  The available information relates to racially or religiously aggravated offences by police force area. The latest figures relate to 2002–03 and are given in the table. This information is not published at police force division level.

  Information for 2003–04 is not yet available.

  Racially or religiously aggravated offences recorded by the police in 2002–031

  Police force area

  Number

  Avon and Somerset

  900

  Bedfordshire

  169

  Cambridgeshire

  410

  Cheshire

  376

  Cleveland

  145

  Cumbria

  69

  Derbyshire

  560

  Devon and Cornwall

  496

  Dorset

  177

  Durham

  371

  Essex

  558

  Gloucestershire

  210

  Greater Manchester

  2,353

  Hampshire

  317

  Hertfordshire

  343

  Humberside

  302

  Kent

  547

  Lancashire

  860

  Leicestershire

  809

  Lincolnshire

  136

  London, City of

  71

  Merseyside

  734

  Metropolitan Police

  9,853

  Norfolk

  203

  Northamptonshire

  303

  Northumbria

  934

  North Yorkshire

  3,457

  Nottinghamshire

  635

  South Yorkshire

  242

  Staffordshire

  466

  Suffolk

  246

  Surrey

  407

  Sussex

  443

  Thames Valley

  948

  Warwickshire

  159

  West Mercia

  527

  West Midlands

  2,422

  West Yorkshire

  707

  Wiltshire

  232

  Dyfed-Powys

  96

  Gwent

  193

  North Wales

  288

  South Wales

  737

  Total

  34,411

  1Offences of racially or religiously aggravated other wounding, harassment, common assault and criminal damage

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes there have been to the levels of recorded crime, broken down by offence, within Weston-super-Mare in each year since 1997. [167531]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available centrally.
  1294W
  Weston-super-Mare comes within the North Somerset Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level has only been published from 1999–2000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk.

  Criminal Justice
  Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time from arrest to court was for(a) persistent young offenders and (b) all offenders in the Wrekin in each year from 1997. [166721]

  Paul Goggins
  The information is as follows.

  Days

  West Mercia— Persistent Young Offenders arrest to sentence

  West Mercia Time Interval Survey—charge to first listing

  National figures— Persistent Young Offenders arrest to sentence

  1997

  155

  n/a

  141

  1998

  123

  n/a

  125

  1999

  109

  30

  108

  2000

  96

  32

  93

  2001

  79

  28

  76

  2002

  63

  25

  68

  2003

  57

  24

  66

  Notes:

  1. We cannot provide "arrest to court" data for Persistent Young Offenders—only arrest to sentence.

  2. We cannot provide "arrest to court" for all offenders.

  3. The figures for "charge to first listing" come from the Time Interval Surveys. Comparable data for 1997 and 1998 are not available.

  4. We cannot provide data for the Wrekin, but we can provide data for West Mercia in which this constituency is situated.

  Criminal Justice Database
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 February, how many matches are contained wholly within the criminal justice section of the database. [165827]

  Ms Blears
  The National DNA Database is a criminal intelligence database and its use is restricted by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended, to purposes related to the prevention or detection of crime, the investigation of an offence or the conduct of a prosecution. All of the matches referred to in the 17 February answer, either suspect-to-scene or scene-to-scene were made in the course of police investigations.

  Detained Families
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate official appointed to oversee all detained family cases. [164330]

  Mr. Browne
  Oversight of family cases involving children as part of the family is maintained by the Management of Detained Cases Unit within Immigration and Nationality Directorate. Their role includes reviewing the appropriateness of detention and ensuring that where detention is maintained that the cases are progressed expeditiously.
  1295W
  Any cases involving concern are referred at an early stage to the Immigration Service Director designated to oversee these cases. This Director also receives any information about welfare issues from those responsible for managing the Removal Centre Estate.

  In particular, the Director reviews weekly, all cases involving the detention of families with children where detention might reach 28 days, before the period of detention reaches 28 days, together with reports on all cases already subject to ministerial authorisation. The Director decides whether it is appropriate to seek ministerial authority to maintain such detention.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last 12 months asylum seeker families with children have been detained for over 28 days. [164331]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the number of occasions that families with children were detained under Immigration Act powers is not available.

  Management information indicates that on 26 January 2004, 35 children were in detention who were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. Three-quarters of those had been in detention for 14 days or less and the remainder had been detained for less than four months. These individuals were all detained as part of families whose detention as a group was considered necessary.

  Detention of all children beyond 28 days is now subject to ministerial authorisation.

  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 (www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html) on 25 May.

  Detention and Removal Centres
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is responsible for dealing with complaints made by immigration and asylum detainees about incidents occurring while they are under escort or transit outside detention or removal centres. [157446]

  Mr. Browne
  All allegations of assault are taken very seriously and all complaints are investigated. If a complaint is made about an alleged assault or inappropriate use of force by either the in-country or overseas escorting contractor the Immigration Service contract monitor will refer this allegation to the police. If such a complaint is made in respect of a local escort, for example to hospital, the detainee, or his/her representative, is always advised in the first instance to go to the police.

  In both cases it is a matter for the police whether a criminal investigation follows. If it is decided not to undertake a criminal investigation, and the escort was a local journey the Immigration Service contract monitor at the removal centre will carry out an investigation of the alleged incident. If the complaint was against the in-country or overseas escorting contractor, the internal investigation will be undertaken by the appropriate contract monitor.

  DNA/Fingerprint Data
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many DNA samples taken by the police have been destroyed in each of the last five years; and under whose authority in each case. [167728]

  Ms Blears
  DNA samples are destroyed and the record of the profile derived from them is removed from the National DNA Database under the authorisation of the police force which submitted the DNA sample for analysis.

  Prior to May 2001, DNA samples obtained from persons who were charged or prosecuted and who were subsequently acquitted or against whom charges were dropped had to be destroyed. An amendment to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 by the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 removed this requirement in respect of England and Wales but not Scotland. Samples may therefore have been destroyed and the profiles removed from the Database for one or more of the following reasons:

  they are duplicate records from the same individual,

  the individual has been acquitted or charges not proceeded with,

  the samples were taken error, or

  the death of the individual.

  The police also instruct the laboratory which carried out the DNA analysis to destroy all of the residual retained sample. Records of samples destroyed are not held centrally.

  The number of subject profile records removed from the National DNA Database over the past five years was as follows:

  Number of records removed

  2003–04

  22,976

  2002–03

  21,229

  2001–02

  25,830

  2000–01

  77,336

  1999–2000

  59,957

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that the collecting of DNA and fingerprint data from individuals arrested but not charged with an offence does not lead to(a) a disproportionately high number of samples of black and ethnic minority citizens and (b) a disproportionately low sample of other races being kept. [167256]

  Ms Blears
  With effect from 5 April 2004 the police have the power under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended, to take and retain the fingerprints and a non-intimate sample from all persons arrested for a recordable offence and detained in a police station.

  The police are given guidance in Codes of Practice as to how to exercise their powers and if they act unlawfully there are existing remedies available to anyone who feels he or she has not been treated fairly or in accordance with the law. Revised Codes of Practice giving guidance on these new powers come into force on 1 May and in the meantime the police have been given advice on these powers in the Home Office Circular 20/2004.
  1297W
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics and categories of information will be kept in respect of DNA and fingerprint data on individuals who are not charged with an offence at the time the record is taken or subsequently in connection with the reason the police decided to take the sample; whether the information will be kept in a form which enables statistics on the race or ethnic origin of individuals' samples kept to be accounted for; and if he will make a statement. [166942]

  Ms Blears
  Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended, the police have the power to take fingerprints and non-intimate DNA samples, with or without consent, from all persons arrested for a recordable offence and detained in a police station.

  Limited demographic information relating to the person arrested will be kept on the National Automated Fingerprint Identification Service and National DNA Databases and fuller information, analogous to the information relating to charged persons, will be kept on the Police National Computer. This will include the name, date of birth, sex, colour (white/non-white/unknown), and ethnic appearance (white European, dark European, Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Oriental, Arab and unknown). The type of offence (or offences) for which the person was arrested will also be recorded and the circumstances which led to the arrest will be kept locally.

  Eaves Housing for Women
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the evaluation of the Eaves Housing for Women project will be(a) begun and (b) completed; what funding was committed to the Eaves Housing project for the years 2002–03 and 2003–04; what funds are committed for 2004–05; what plans he has to extend the project nationality; and if he will make a statement. [166474]

  Mr. Browne
  The evaluation of the POPPY Scheme, run by Eaves Housing for Women, began when the project started in March 2003 and will conclude in August. We expect to receive the findings in the late summer of 2004, with publication of the report following shortly thereafter. Funding allocated for the project in 2002–03 and 2003–04 was £33,000 and £620,000 respectively, including the costs of publicity and evaluation. Funding for 2004–05 has yet to be finalised but is expected to be at a similar level to 2003–04. Decisions about future provision and funding for victims of trafficking—including extension to other areas—will be based on evidence of need and will be taken in light of the evaluation findings.

  Entry Visas
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of the Scottish Executive in determining Government policy on issuing entry visas. [165978]

  Mr. Browne
  The Scottish Executive has no role in determining Government policy on issuing entry visas as immigration is a reserved matter and dealt with nationally, but we do work closely with the Scottish Executive on visa policy.

  EU Enlargement
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take to ensure control of Britain's frontiers following enlargement of the EU in May. [163550]

  Mr. Browne
  The Immigration Service is implementing a series of measures at air and seaports to maintain robust border controls post 1 May and to discharge our obligations to ensure that bona fide EU travellers are processed without delay. Measures include: raising awareness of the risks of document abuse by non EU nationals; re-deploying front-line staff when necessary and trialling these arrangements in advance of 1 May.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the likely number of people coming into the UK from countries acceding to the EU in each of the next seven years. [150803]

  Mr. Browne
  Research conducted by University College London for the Home Office, published in June last year ("The impact of EU enlargement on migration flows", Home Office On-Line Report 25/03), estimates that the numbers of people expected to migrate to the UK from the new member states in the years following enlargement will not be significant. The research corroborates a number of other independent studies, which have been summarised in reports by the European Commission in 2000 and the former Department for Education and Employment in 1999. The estimates for those expected to migrate cover those coming to the UK for at least a year. As my right hon. friend the Home Secretary said, these are independent estimates and not Home Office figures.

  We will monitor the situation and the UK has the right to reintroduce restrictions on workers in the event of an unexpected impact on the standard of living or level of employment in a particular region or occupation.

  Gurkhas
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the outcome of the review of immigration rules and procedures applicable to dependent members of serving Gurkha soldiers. [166515]

  Mr. Browne
  There is no review into immigration rules and procedures applicable to dependent members of serving Gurkha soldiers. Officials are currently reviewing immigration policy in respect of Gurkhas serving in the British Army and will be reporting to Ministers shortly.

  Harold Shipman
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether authority has been given for Dr. Harold Shipman's body to be disposed of. [167254]

  Paul Goggins
  Yes. This authorisation has been given.

  Identity Card
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public services for which the Draft Identity Cards Bill requires the production of an ID card as a condition of receiving the service. [169447]

  Mr. Browne
  There is no automatic requirement to produce an ID card for particular services in the draft Bill published by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 26 April. Parliament or the relevant devolved administration would have to approve regulations for each service on a case by case basis. In addition Clause 15(2) prohibits the ID card or a check of the National Identity Register being the mandatory way to access social security benefits or free public services prior to there being a compulsory requirement to register for an ID card.

  Clause 15(5) of the draft Identity Cards Bill defines provision of a public service as:
  (a) the provision of any service to an individual by a public authority;
  (b) the exercise or performance in relation to an individual of any power or duty of a Minister of the Crown, the Treasury or a Northern Ireland department;
  (c) the doing by any other person of anything in relation to an individual which that person is authorised or required to do for purposes connected with the carrying out of any function conferred on him by or under an enactment; or
  (d) treating an individual as having complied with a requirement imposed on him by or under any enactment.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purpose the Draft Identity Cards Bill enables an individual's national insurance number to be recorded in the National Identity Register. [169449]

  Mr. Browne
  Schedule 1 of the draft Identity Cards Bill published by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 26 April (CM 6178) sets out the information which may be recorded in the National Identity Register. Final decisions on what will be recorded in the Register will depend on further feasibility studies and what legislation Parliament finally agrees.

  Recording the National Insurance number on the Register would link the more secure identity established when the ID card is issued with the National Insurance number which is a less securely issued number. This could help prevent abuse by people using other people's National Insurance numbers and be more convenient for employers using an ID card to confirm eligibility to work.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he plans to make available to the police in the event that an individual refuses to verify his or her identity following introduction of identity cards. [169702]

  Mr. Browne
  The draft Identity Cards Bill that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary published on 26 April makes clear that it will not be a requirement for individuals to carry an identity card or to produce a card to a police officer on demand.
  1300W
  As set out in "Legislation on Identity Cards: a consultation (CM 6178)" there will be no new power for the police to stop someone and demand to see their card. Existing police powers to require drivers to produce their driving licence (which could be designated as an ID card) on demand or within seven days at a police station will remain. Added to this, if someone has been arrested for a recordable offence, existing powers will allow the police to take reasonable steps to identify them. This currently includes powers to check biometric information. There are also classes of criminal offences which are non-arrestable and are enforced by sending a summons. In these situations, the police have to be certain of a person's name and address. If a person refuses to identify themselves in these circumstances or the police are not satisfied with the information given, they have a power of arrest after which biometric checks can be made. If it were not possible to identify an arrested person otherwise, for example checking police records, a check could then be made on the person's biometric against the National Identity Register.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants from China could not be deported in each year since 1997 because the Chinese authorities refused to take them; and if he will make a statement. [163198]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the number of Chinese nationals who could not be returned to China due to the Chinese authorities refusing to accept them is not available.

  Deportations are a specific subset of removals alongside persons subject to administrative removal, removal due to illegal entry action or those refused entry at port and subsequently removed. Information on the nationality of those people removed as a result of deportation action is not available.

  Our ability to effect removals to the country of origin is crucial in tackling illegal immigration, and we expect the co-operation of source countries in this regard. The Chinese Government have very strict conditions for re-documenting their citizens and will only accept their return once they have verified their exact identity. This causes problems for many countries that wish to repatriate Chinese illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers, as those who do not wish to return are careful to conceal their true identity. Chinese officials seconded to the Immigration Service have recently provided assistance in identifying Chinese nationals to enable their return. We are now working on an arrangement to make this assistance permanent.

  We have made it clear to the Chinese Government that we urgently need to find a solution to the problem of re-documenting those who continue to conceal their identity in order to frustrate return, and are working together to find a way forward to enable us to significantly increase returns to China.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what measures are in place to stop businesses employing illegal immigrants; [155283]

  (2) what measures are in place to deter employers from employing illegal migrants. [159605]
  1301W
  Mr. Browne
  The current principal control on employers to prevent the use of illegal labour is section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. Section 8 makes it an offence to employ someone over the age of 16 who is subject to immigration control unless that person has current and valid permission to be in the United Kingdom and that permission does not prevent him or her from taking the job in question; or that person comes into a category where such employment is otherwise allowed. At present, an employer can be fined up to £5,000 per illegal employee on summary conviction for an offence under section 8.

  On 16 March we announced changes, via secondary legislation, to strengthen the security of the document checks employers must carry out on prospective employees under section 8 to establish a statutory defence from prosecution.

  The changes will make it easier for compliant employers to ensure that their work force can work in the UK, and for the Immigration Service to identify and prosecute the small minority of non-compliant employers who knowingly or negligently employ illegal workers.

  The Government recognises the widespread concern, especially in the wake of the recent Morecambe Bay tragedy, about the use of illegal labour and is also supporting the Private Members Bill introduced by my hon. friend, the member for Renfrewshire West (Jim Sheridan) on the licensing of gangmasters. More generally, we are increasing illegal working enforcement activity.

  Between April and June 2003 the Immigration Service reported carrying out 79 illegal working operations of which 27 were aimed at detecting five or more illegal workers. Between October and November last year the number of reported operations increased by over 75 per cent. on the second quarter to 141, while the operations aimed at detecting five or more illegal workers rose by over 175 per cent. to 75.

  In the four month period fro in the beginning of November 2003 to the end of February 2004 UKIS reported carrying out 18 enforcement operations at farms and packhouses where labour providers were involved. These operations led to the removal of over a hundred immigration offenders. A further 11 operations involving labour providers are also scheduled or being planned.

  Earlier this month, two major investigations involving the police supported by UKIS resulted in the conviction of gangmasters for very serious criminal offences. In March, six labour providers with the company Ultimate Source were convicted at Kings Lynn Crown Court of various offences in connection with the supply of illegal workers. On 16 March, the labour provider and his son were found guilty of charges including conspiracy to defraud and facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants into the UK. Both have been sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

  Where the Immigration Service encounters illegal workers, it seeks to remove them from the United Kingdom.

  Merseyside Police
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions individuals have been excluded from a specific area for up to 24 hours by Merseyside Police and Community Support since the inception of this power. [165920]

  Ms Blears
  Merseyside police tell me that they have dispersed more than 100 individuals and given them directions excluding them from three specific areas for up to 24 hours since these powers came into force.

  NASS
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been allocated to the National Asylum Support Service in each financial year since its inception. [163628]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 29 March 2004]: The National Asylum Support Service was established as a separate directorate within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in 2000–01.

  Total Resource Expenditure incurred by the National Asylum Support Service is listed in the table.

  £ million

  Administration cost

  Asylum support cost

  Total cost

  2000–01

  36

  747

  783

  2001–02

  36

  1,046

  1,082

  2002–03

  54

  1,070

  1,124

  National Offender Management Service
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish an organogram for the structures of the National Probation Directorate, HM Prison Service and the National Offender Management Service; and what its likely effects will be on personnel and staffing. [168184]

  Paul Goggins
  The Government will make available details of the structure and organisation of the National Offender Management Service when this is finalised. It is hoped that the proposed structure will be completed soon and can be discussed with trade unions and other key stakeholders.

  Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission an independent review of the implementation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. [162633]

  Mr. Browne
  The Government do not consider that an independent review of the working of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 is necessary or desirable.

  The operation and impact of section 55 has been closely monitored since implementation on 8 January 2003, and initial problems are being resolved. From 17 December 2003, asylum applicants who can give a credible account that their asylum claim was made within three days of arrival would normally be accepted

  1303W
  as having applied as soon as reasonably practicable. This has resulted in a greater proportion of applications being granted under section 55.

  These section 55 arrangements provide a balanced but firm policy that discourages economic migration, while continuing to offer refuge to those seeking asylum, and providing support to those who qualify or are vulnerable. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) will continue to maintain an open dialogue on section 55 with the voluntary sector agencies, local government and other stakeholders.

  Naturalisation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement the report of the Advisory Group on Living in the UK about education for naturalisation applicants. [166122]

  Mr. Browne
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my right hon. and noble friend Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 February 2004,Official Report, column WS13, and to the related papers deposited in the Library, which set out the steps we are taking with regard to the recommendations of the report.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Treasury about financing the proposals of the Advisory Group on Living in the UK for education of naturalisation applicants. [166126]

  (a) Government grant funding1 per head of population2

  £

  Force

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Avon and Somerset

  94.52

  96.85

  97.60

  101.29

  112.31

  110.15

  117.18

  Bedfordshire

  95.82

  96.93

  95.42

  99.91

  108.29

  115.56

  118.92

  Cambridgeshire

  84.24

  87.30

  89.35

  92.80

  103.72

  100.53

  111.62

  Cheshire

  88.91

  91.34

  95.57

  100.23

  106.51

  108.84

  120.16

  Cleveland

  122.58

  132.06

  134.19

  140.03

  149.03

  157.88

  166.99

  Cumbria

  105.43

  106.94

  108.60

  113.77

  123.88

  125.25

  130.76

  Derbyshire

  88.59

  91.52

  94.26

  95.21

  106.24

  105.08

  112.59

  Devon and Cornwall

  88.03

  94.04

  96.17

  100.10

  109.74

  109.35

  113.03

  Dorset

  81.70

  85.94

  88.70

  87.33

  94.50

  93.57

  98.29

  Durham

  108.52

  117.57

  123.08

  129.27

  137.27

  138.75

  149.73

  Dyfed-Powys

  89.53

  91.34

  91.32

  96.95

  110.74

  111.64

  115.44

  Essex

  90.59

  88.26

  90.52

  92.21

  98.79

  102.63

  107.04

  Gloucestershire

  93.57

  94.74

  94.35

  97.93

  107.57

  107.25

  113.44

  Greater Manchester

  125.21

  129.03

  132.87

  137.74

  153.33

  151.72

  168.58

  Gwent

  102.95

  106.10

  111.61

  115.73

  126.18

  129.40

  137.76

  Hampshire

  87.91

  92.20

  94.15

  97.52

  104.68

  107.94

  118.02

  Hertfordshire

  90.49

  91.73

  97.52

  94.07

  102.02

  102.00

  107.18

  Humberside

  108.87

  114.29

  114.32

  120.40

  129.41

  128.70

  139.33

  Kent

  96.07

  99.44

  100.23

  105.36

  115.33

  116.75

  128.40

  Lancashire

  104.63

  109.53

  110.95

  118.32

  130.73

  127.55

  135.86

  Leicestershire

  92.34

  93.20

  97.15

  100.26

  110.95

  108.92

  116.95

  Lincolnshire

  88.35

  84.49

  88.14

  94.19

  97.01

  103.72

  102.31

  Merseyside

  150.14

  152.59

  154.54

  160.78

  170.52

  180.40

  194.66

  Metropolitan

  211.79

  212.42

  213.96

  229.34

  246.12

  262.69

  286.02

  Norfolk

  91.37

  91.84

  90.65

  95.41

  103.19

  106.25

  115.26

  Northamptonshire

  87.97

  90.37

  91.62

  96.41

  102.33

  102.67

  112.99

  Northumbria

  126.11

  134.98

  138.05

  140.95

  155.45

  153.22

  166.88

  North Wales

  95.01

  96.33

  98.35

  102.77

  112.54

  119.44

  124.00

  North Yorkshire

  85.44

  90.25

  89.77

  90.97

  101.44

  98.66

  103.84

  Nottinghamshire

  106.07

  108.74

  114.03

  116.53

  120.55

  127.25

  133.70

  South Wales

  115.87

  117.36

  119.86

  123.00

  132.89

  135.82

  145.63

  South Yorkshire

  111.96

  115.56

  120.09

  124.8.4

  131.32

  136.86

  151.49

  1304W
  Mr. Browne
  Negotiations on the Home Office's Spending Review settlement must remain confidential.

  Offender Management
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the National Offender Management Service will contribute towards a reduction in the use of custody. [168391]

  Paul Goggins
  This will be achieved through more effective management of offenders under the National Offender Management Service as well as better targeting and co-ordination of custodial and community sentences.

  Omar Bakri Mohammed
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the immigration status of Omar Bakri Mohammed, with a view to removing his indefinite leave to remain. [166042]

  Mr. Browne
  [holaing answer 19 April 2004]: It is not our policy to make public details of a person's immigration status.

  Police
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding per head of population has been received in each year since 1997 from(a) Government grant and (b) the police precept by each police force in England and Wales. [162359]
  1305W

  (a) Government grant funding1 per head of population2

  £

  Force

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Staffordshire

  95.05

  94.50

  94.51

  96.45

  102.10

  104.48

  114.45

  Suffolk

  81.66

  84.42

  89.14

  91.93

  102.94

  100.07

  107.25

  Surrey

  101.66

  89.09

  98.45

  89.29

  87.53

  86.54

  93.50

  Sussex

  90.44

  93.48

  95.87

  96.93

  103.40

  107.94

  114.11

  Thames Valley

  85.97

  89.94

  90.48

  93.06

  104.08

  104.96

  110.48

  Warwickshire

  86.87

  86.31

  87.33

  96.42

  115.96

  100.96

  110.31

  West Mercia

  82.23

  82.82

  86.62

  91.42

  108.57

  97.85

  101.55

  West Midlands

  122.96

  129.04

  132.80

  138.23

  146.43

  151.75

  171.37

  West Yorkshire

  115.77

  119.90

  122.66

  129.50

  136.76

  142.66

  152.24

  Wiltshire

  90.79

  91.08

  91.08

  95.26

  103.05

  102.78

  106.37

  1Government funding includes general grant (Home Office police grant, ODPM/Welsh Assembly Government Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates). It also includes specific grants: Crime Fighting Fund. Rural Policing Fund, Airwave, DNA Expansion Programme, Community Support Officer funding, London and South East Allowances, Free Travel (City of London and MPS only), Basic Command Unit funding, Street Crime Initiative, Special Priority Payments, Counter Terrorism funding (MPS only) and capital grants.

  2Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, as used in the calculation of the police funding settlements.

  (b) Precept1 per head of population2

  £

  Force

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Avon and Somerset

  20.68

  23.12

  24.93

  28.73

  39.52

  17.41

  18.64

  20.54

  22.46

  23.64

  26.58

  31.84

  Cambridgeshire

  16.87

  15.96

  17.27

  20.72

  22.73

  31.63

  39.48

  Cheshire

  17.51

  18.68

  19.71

  21.55

  23.04

  26.32

  31.84

  Cleveland

  15.37

  13.66

  17.73

  18.68

  20.09

  27.90

  36.11

  Cumbria

  18.82

  23.61

  25.61

  27.79

  30.29

  33.87

  44.77

  Derbyshire

  15.76

  17.68

  20.46

  22.24

  23.81

  29.12

  36.46

  Devon and Cornwall

  17.06

  16.73

  18.61

  20.64

  21.76

  25.97

  36.89

  Dorset

  24.47

  27.35

  30.07

  32.87

  35.98

  40.25

  48.75

  Durham

  14.62

  13.68

  14.26

  15.02

  16.24

  18.75

  23.90

  Dyfed-Powys

  17.33

  21.43

  26.45

  31.18

  33.41

  36.22

  45.88

  Essex

  19.44

  22.55

  23.72

  25.03

  26.26

  28.53

  34.96

  Gloucestershire

  18.18

  20.54

  24.72

  28.27

  29.89

  34.38

  51.92

  Greater Manchester

  15.58

  16.32

  17.50

  18.26

  18.97

  20.21

  28.10

  Gwent

  15.58

  17.41

  19.30

  24.52

  27.75

  31.71

  40.58

  Hampshire

  18.23

  17.72

  19.09

  19.60

  21.05

  26.97

  35.31

  Hertfordshire

  20.48

  23.44

  25.26

  27.16

  28.92

  32.29

  39.96

  Humberside

  15.11

  15.34

  16.14

  17.95

  25.79

  28.90

  35.28

  Kent

  18.50

  17.47

  19.03

  20.27

  21.92

  26.80

  35.35

  Lancashire

  16.03

  16.23

  17.67

  19.31

  21.17

  23.18

  27.95

  Leicestershire

  15.71

  18.47

  19.44

  20.91

  23.38

  29.71

  33.55

  Lincolnshire

  21.90

  25.18

  26.33

  28.08

  29.70

  31.43

  34.46

  Merseyside

  18.94

  20.47

  22.22

  23.53

  25.17

  28.02

  31.03

  Metropolitan

  24.26

  29.38

  31.69

  34.56

  44.59

  49.04

  61.80

  Norfolk

  17.10

  18.04

  21.73

  24.42

  28.38

  34.14

  42.23

  Northamptonshire

  22.40

  22.20

  24.69

  25.99

  27.42

  35.22

  43.99

  Northumbria

  14.77

  13.49

  14.21

  14.88

  16.12

  17.02

  19.20

  North Wales

  17.11

  20.75

  23.96

  28.59

  30.47

  35.78

  47.19

  North Yorkshire

  17.78

  17.47

  18.99

  20.80

  22.97

  32.58

  57.99

  Nottinghamshire

  14.46

  16.32

  18.13

  19.36

  20.97

  25.71

  33.83

  South Wales

  15.88

  18.17

  21.17

  26.24

  28.02

  29.49

  35.66

  South Yorkshire

  14.47

  14.79

  15.96

  16.23

  17.37

  20.65

  27.15

  Staffordshire

  16.77

  22.34

  24.36

  25.92

  29.83

  32.08

  41.11

  Suffolk

  17.20

  17.63

  18.94

  20.71

  23.18

  28.05

  38.35

  Surrey

  19.40

  28.94

  32.78

  34.81

  36.09

  42.05

  60.17

  Sussex

  19.87

  19.69

  20.58

  21.51

  22.83

  27.00

  38.71

  Thames Valley

  19.84

  19.13

  21.31

  22.81

  24.41

  27.81

  41.15

  Warwickshire

  18.39

  22.00

  25.38

  27.71

  30.88

  37.22

  43.60

  West Mercia

  17.64

  18.83

  20.79

  26.21

  28.09

  37.48

  42.85

  West Midlands

  15.00

  13.87

  14.62

  15.71

  16.49

  18.01

  21.35

  West Yorkshire

  15.12

  15.09

  15.86

  17.13

  17.90

  22.53

  26.96

  Wiltshire

  19.94

  22.85

  25.11

  27.80

  30.65

  33.79

  41.04

  1Source for precept information: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Welsh Assembly Government.

  2Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, as used in the calculation of the police funding settlements.

  1306W 1307W
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police cyclists there are per head of population for each police force. [168004]

  Ms Blears
  The requested information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in Burnley has been since 1997. [168314]

  Ms Blears
  Information on strength at Basic Command Unit (BCU) level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is available only from 2002.

  Burnley is part of the Pennine Basic Command Unit (BCU). Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the Pennine BCU increased by 0.7 per cent. (from 526 to 530). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Paul Stephenson) and within the Pennine BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

  (a) Government grant Funding1 per head of population2

  £

  Force

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Avon and Somerset

  94.52

  96.85

  97.60

  101.29

  112.31

  110.15

  117.18

  Bedfordshire

  95.82

  96.93

  95.42

  99.91

  108.29

  115.56

  118.92

  Cambridgeshire

  84.24

  87.30

  89.35

  92.80

  103.72

  100.53

  111.62

  Cheshire

  88.91

  91.34

  95.57

  100.23

  106.51

  108.84

  120.16

  Cleveland

  122.58

  132.06

  134.19

  140.03

  149.03

  157.88

  166.99

  Cumbria

  105.43

  106.94

  108.60

  113.77

  123.88

  125.25

  130.76

  Derbyshire

  88.59

  91.52

  94.26

  95.21

  106.24

  105.08

  112.59

  Devon and Cornwall

  88.03

  94.04

  96.17

  100.10

  109.74

  109.35

  113.03

  Dorset

  81.70

  85.94

  88.70

  87.33

  94.50

  93.57

  98.29

  Durham

  108.52

  117.57

  123.08

  129.27

  137.27

  138.75

  149.73

  Dyfed-Powys

  89.53

  91.34

  91.32

  96.95

  110.74

  111.64

  115.44

  Essex

  90.59

  88.26

  90.52

  92.21

  98.79

  102.63

  107.04

  Gloucestershire

  93.57

  94.74

  94.35

  97.93

  107.57

  107.25

  113.44

  Greater Manchester

  125.21

  129.03

  132.87

  137.74

  153.33

  151.72

  168.58

  Gwent

  102.95

  106.10

  111.61

  115.73

  126.18

  129.40

  137.76

  Hampshire

  87.91

  92.20

  94.15

  97.52

  104.68

  107.94

  118.02

  Hertfordshire

  90.49

  91.73

  97.52

  94.07

  102.02

  102.00

  107.18

  Humberside

  108.87

  114.29

  114.32

  120.40

  129.41

  128.70

  139.33

  Kent

  96.07

  99.44

  100.23

  105.36

  115.33

  116.75

  128.40

  Lancashire

  104.63

  109.53

  110.95

  118.32

  130.73

  127.55

  135.86

  Leicestershire

  92.34

  93.20

  97.15

  100.26

  110.95

  108.92

  116.95

  Lincolnshire

  88.35

  84.49

  88.14

  94.19

  97.01

  103.72

  102.31

  Merseyside

  150.14

  152.59

  154.54

  160.78

  170.52

  180.40

  194.66

  Metropolitan

  211.79

  212.42

  213.96

  229.34

  246.12

  262.69

  286.02

  Norfolk

  91.37

  91.84

  90.65

  95.41

  103.19

  106.25

  115.26

  Northamptonshire

  87.97

  90.37

  91.62

  96.41

  102.33

  102.67

  112.99

  Northumbria

  126.11

  134.98

  138.05

  140.95

  155.45

  153.22

  166.88

  North Wales

  95.01

  96.33

  98.35

  102.77

  112.54

  119.44

  124.00

  North Yorkshire

  85.44

  90.25

  89.77

  90.97

  101.44

  98.66

  103.84

  Nottinghamshire

  106.07

  108.74

  114.03

  116.53

  120.55

  127.25

  133.70

  South Wales

  115.87

  117.36

  119.86

  123.00

  132.89

  135.82

  145.63

  South Yorkshire

  111.96

  115.56

  120.09

  124.84

  131.32

  136.86

  151.49

  Staffordshire

  95.05

  94.50

  94.51

  96.45

  102.10

  104.48

  114.45

  Suffolk

  81.66

  84.42

  89.14

  91.93

  102.94

  100.07

  107.25

  Surrey

  101.66

  89.09

  98.45

  89.29

  87.53

  86.54

  93.50

  Sussex

  90.44

  93.48

  95.87

  96.93

  103.40

  107.94

  114.11

  Thames Valley

  85.97

  89.94

  90.48

  93.06

  104.08

  104.96

  110.48

  Warwickshire

  86.87

  86.31

  87.33

  96.42

  115.96

  100.96

  110.31

  West Mercia

  82.23

  82.82

  86.62

  91.42

  108.57

  97.85

  101.55

  West Midlands

  122.96

  129.04

  132.80

  138.23

  146.43

  151.75

  171.37

  West Yorkshire

  115.77

  119.90

  122.66

  129.50

  136.76

  142.66

  152.24

  Wiltshire

  90.79

  91.08

  91.08

  95.26

  103.05

  102.78

  106.37

  1308W
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average police-to-population ratio was in(a) England and (b) the Avon and Somerset Police Authority in each year since 1997. [167505]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Police strength per 100,000 population

  31 March

  Avon and Somerset

  England

  1997

  204.2

  242.2

  1998

  202.8

  240.7

  1999

  202.9

  237.8

  2000

  197.1

  233.0

  2001

  199.4

  234.3

  2002

  204.8

  240.2

  2003

  213.0

  254.5

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding per head of population has been received from(a) Government grant and (b) the police precept by each police force in England and Wales in each year since 1997. [154678]

  Ms Blears
  The in formation is set out in the tables.
  1309W
  1Government funding includes general grant (Home Office police grant, ODPM/Welsh Assembly Government Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates). It also includes specific grants: Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing Fund, Airwave, DNA Expansion Programme, Community Support Officer funding, London and South East Allowances, Free Travel (City of London and MPS only), Basic Command Unit funding, Street Crime Initiative, Special Priority Payments, Counter Terrorism funding (MPS only) and capital grants.

  2Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, as used in the calculation of the police funding settlements.

  (b) Precept1 per head of population2

  £

  Force

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Avon and Somerset

  17.47

  18.56

  20.68

  23.12

  24.93

  28.73

  39.52

  Bedfordshire

  17.41

  18.64

  20.54

  22.46

  23.64

  26.58

  31.84

  Cambridgeshire

  16.87

  15.96

  17.27

  20.72

  22.73

  31.63

  39.48

  Cheshire

  17.51

  18.68

  19.71

  21.55

  23.04

  26.32

  31.84

  Cleveland

  15.37

  13.66

  17.73

  18.68

  20.09

  27.90

  36.11

  Cumbria

  18.82

  23.61

  25.61

  27.79

  30.29

  33.87

  44.77

  Derbyshire

  15.76

  17.68

  20.46

  22.24

  23.81

  29.12

  36.46

  Devon and Cornwall

  17.06

  16.73

  18.61

  20.64

  21.76

  25.97

  36.89

  Dorset

  24.47

  27.35

  30.07

  32.87

  35.98

  40.25

  48.75

  Durham

  14.62

  13.68

  14.26

  15.02

  16.24

  18.75

  23.90

  Dyfed-Powys

  17.33

  21.43

  26.45

  31.18

  33.41

  36.22

  45.88

  Essex

  19.44

  22.55

  23.72

  25.03

  26.26

  28.53

  34.96

  Gloucestershire

  18.18

  20.54

  24.72

  28.27

  29.89

  34.38

  51.92

  Greater Manchester

  15.58

  16.32

  17.50

  18.26

  18.97

  20.21

  28.10

  Gwent

  15.58

  17.41

  19.30

  24.52

  27.75

  31.71

  40.58

  Hampshire

  18.23

  17.72

  19.09

  19.60

  21.05

  26.97

  35.31

  Hertfordshire

  20.48

  23.44

  25.26

  27.16

  28.92

  32.29

  39.96

  Humberside

  15.11

  15.34

  16.14

  17.95

  25.79

  28.90

  35.28

  Kent

  18.50

  17.47

  19.03

  20.27

  21.92

  26.80

  35.35

  Lancashire

  16.03

  16.23

  17.67

  19.31

  21.17

  23.18

  27.95

  Leicestershire

  13.71

  18.47

  19.44

  20.91

  23.38

  29.71

  33.55

  Lincolnshire

  21.90

  25.18

  26.33

  28.08

  29.70

  31.43

  34.46

  Merseyside

  18.94

  20.47

  22.22

  23.53

  25.17

  28.02

  31.03

  Metropolitan

  24.26

  29.38

  31.69

  34.56

  44.59

  49.04

  61.80

  Norfolk

  17.10

  18.04

  21.73

  24.42

  28.38

  34.14

  42.23

  Northamptonshire

  22.40

  22.20

  24.69

  25.99

  27.42

  35.22

  43.99

  Northumbria

  14.77

  13.49

  14.21

  14.88

  16.12

  17.02

  19.20

  North Wales

  17.11

  20.75

  23.96

  28.59

  30.47

  35.78

  47.19

  North Yorkshire

  17.78

  17.47

  18.99

  20.80

  22.97

  32.58

  57.99

  Nottinghamshire

  14.46

  16.32

  18.13

  19.36

  20.97

  25.71

  33.83

  South Wales

  15.88

  18.17

  21.17

  26.24

  28.02

  29.49

  35.66

  South Yorkshire

  14.47

  14.79

  15.96

  16.23

  17.37

  20.65

  27.15

  Staffordshire

  16.77

  22.34

  24.36

  25.92

  29.83

  32.08

  41.11

  Suffolk

  17.20

  17.63

  18.94

  20.71

  23.18

  28.05

  38.35

  Surrey

  19.40

  28.94

  32.78

  34.81

  36.09

  42.05

  60.17

  Sussex

  19.87

  19.69

  20.58

  21.51

  22.83

  27.00

  38.71

  Thames Valley

  19.84

  19.13

  21.31

  22.81

  24.41

  27.81

  41.15

  Warwickshire

  18.39

  22.00

  25.38

  27.71

  30.88

  37.22

  43.60

  West Mercia

  17.64

  18.83

  20.79

  26.21

  28.09

  37.48

  42.85

  West Midlands

  I f.00

  13.87

  14.62

  15.71

  16.49

  18.01

  21.35

  West Yorkshire

  lf,.12

  15.09

  15.86

  17.13

  17.90

  22.53

  26.96

  Wiltshire

  19.94

  22.85

  25.11

  27.80

  30.65

  33.79

  41.04

  1Source for precept information: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Welsh Assembly Government.

  2Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, as used in the calculation of the police funding settlements.

  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in Stalybridge and Hyde has been since 1997. [168737]

  Ms Blears
  Information on strength at Basic Command Unit (BCU) level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available front 2002.

  Stalybridge and Hyde is part of the Tameside Metropolitan Borough Basic Command Unit (BCU). Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the Tameside BCU increased by 6.7 per cent. (from 389 to 415). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a
  1310W
  matter for the Chief Constable (Michael Todd) and within the Tameside BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in the number of full-time police officers in Heywood and Middleton has been since 1997. [168534]

  Ms Blears
  Information on strength at Basic Command Unit (BCU) level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.

  Heywood & Middleton is part of the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Basic Command Unit (BCU). Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength

  1311W
  for the Rochdale BCU increased by 4.2 per cent. (from 409 to 426). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Michael Todd) and within the Rochdale BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent from central Government funds per capita on policing in(a) the East Riding of Yorkshire, (b) Humberside and (c) the UK for each of the last five years. [155330]

  Ms Blears
  The Home Office is responsible for the funding of the Police Service in England and Wales. The available information for all forces in England and Wales, including Humberside, is set out in the table. The distribution of resources within a force area is a matter for the Chief Constable and the Police Authority.

  Funding for the Police Service in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office respectively.

  Grant funding1 per head of population2

  £

  Force

  1990–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Avon and Somerset

  97.60

  101.29

  112.31

  110.15

  117.18

  Bedfordshire

  95.42

  99.91

  108.29

  115.56

  118.92

  Cambridgeshire

  89.35

  92.80

  103.72

  100.53

  111.62

  Cheshire

  95.57

  100.23

  106.51

  108.84

  120.16

  Cleveland

  134.19

  140.03

  149.03

  157.88

  166.99

  Cumbria

  108.60

  113.77

  123.88

  125.25

  130.76

  Derbyshire

  94.26

  95.21

  106.24

  105.08

  112.59

  Devon and Cornwall

  96.17

  100.10

  109.74

  109.35

  113.03

  Dorset

  88.70

  87.33

  94.50

  93.57

  98.29

  Durham

  123.08

  129.27

  137.27

  138.75

  149.73

  Dyfed-Powys

  91.32

  96.95

  110.74

  111.64

  115.44

  Essex

  90.52

  92.21

  98.79

  102.63

  107.04

  Gloucestershire

  94.35

  97.93

  107.57

  107.25

  113.44

  Greater Manchester

  132.87

  137.74

  153.33

  151.72

  168.58

  Gwent

  111.61

  115.73

  126.18

  129.40

  137.76

  Hampshire

  94.15

  97.52

  104.68

  107.94

  118.02

  Hertfordshire

  97.52

  94.07

  102.02

  102.00

  107.18

  Humberside

  114.32

  120.40

  129.41

  128.70

  139.33

  Kent

  100.23

  105.36

  115.33

  116.75

  128.40

  Lancashire

  110.95

  118.32

  130.73

  127.55

  135.86

  Leicestershire

  97.15

  100.26

  110.95

  108.92

  116.95

  Lincolnshire

  88.14

  94.19

  97.01

  103.72

  102.31

  Merseyside

  154.54

  160.78

  170.52

  180.40

  194.66

  Metropolitan

  213.96

  229.34

  246.12

  262.69

  286.02

  Norfolk

  90.65

  95.41

  103.19

  106.25

  115.26

  Northamptonshire

  91.62

  96.41

  102.33

  102.67

  112.99

  Northumbria

  138.05

  140.95

  155.45

  153.22

  166.88

  North Wales

  98.35

  102.77

  112.54

  119.44

  124.00

  North Yorkshire

  89.77

  90.97

  101.44

  98.66

  103.84

  Nottinghamshire

  114.03

  116.53

  120.55

  127.25

  133.70

  South Wales

  119.86

  123.00

  132.89

  135.82

  145.63

  South Yorkshire

  120.09

  124.84

  131.32

  136.86

  151.49

  Staffordshire

  94.51

  96.45

  102.10

  104.48

  114.45

  Suffolk

  89.14

  91.93

  102.94

  100.07

  107.25

  Surrey

  98.45

  89.29

  87.53

  86.54

  93.50

  Sussex

  95.87

  96.93

  103.40

  107.94

  114.11

  Thames Valley

  90.48

  93.06

  104.08

  104.96

  110.48

  Warwickshire

  87.33

  96.42

  115.96

  100.96

  110.31

  West Mercia

  86.62

  91.42

  108.57

  97.85

  101.55

  West Midlands

  132.80

  138.23

  146.43

  151.75

  171.37

  West Yorkshire

  122.66

  129.50

  136.76

  142.66

  152.24

  Wiltshire

  91.08

  95.26

  103.05

  102.78

  106.37

  1Government funding includes general grant (Home Office police grant, ODPM/Welsh Assembly Government Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domesticate Rates). It also includes specific grants: Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing Fund, Airwave, DMA Expansion Programme, Community Support Officer funding, London and South East Allowances, Free Travel (City of London and MPS only), Basic Command Unit funding, Street Crime Initiative, Special Priority Payments, Counter Terrorism funding (MPS only) and capital grants.

  2Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as used for police funding settlements.

  Prison Drug Treatments
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons are using(a) naltraxone, (b) methadone and (c) subutex as part of their drug treatment. [168208]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prison Service does not routinely collect the information requested. However, it is estimated that naltrexone, an abstinence-based treatment, is currently available in around 50 establishments for men and one for women. Methadone maintenance is available in the majority of establishments for women but is not yet widely used in men's prisons.

  Subutex (buprenorphine) is included in the treatment protocols developed in conjunction with NHS services at eight establishments for men. Every establishment for women has the capacity to prescribe subutex but few do so at present because methadone is considered to meet most prisoners' needs. Subutex would, however, be made available to any woman already being prescribed it when received into custody.

  Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many students were admitted to the UK under the seasonal agricultural workers scheme from(a) Romania and (b) Bulgaria in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003. [168377]

  Mr. Browne
  The latest available information is for 2001 to 2003, and is given in the table. Participants under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme must be students in full-time education and aged 18 or over.

  Passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom as seasonal agricultural workers, by nationality, 2001 to 2003

  Number of journeys

  2001

  2002

  20031

  Romania

  125

  330

  545

  Bulgaria

  1,110

  1,730

  1,965

  1Provisional and subject to change.

  Note:

  The figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  Sentence Costs
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost of administering a(a) community rehabilitation order, (b) community punishment order, (c) community punishment and rehabilitation order, (d) curfew order, (e) drug treatment and testing order and (f) attendance centre order for (i) an adult and (ii) a juvenile was in the latest year for which figures are available. [167366]

  Paul Goggins
  The average costs of administering adult community punishment orders in the National Probation Service and the average estimated unit costs of the juvenile orders administered by the Youth Justice Board are as follows:
  1313W

  £

  Adult1

  Juvenile

  Community Rehabilitation Order

  3,080

  2,218

  Community Punishment Order

  2,055

  2,218

  Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order

  3,000

  2,218

  Curfew Order

  1,730

  1,739

  Drug Treatment and Testing Order

  24,080

  1,916

  Attendance Centre Order

  196

  167

  1Forecast costs for 2003–04; include local and central overheads and training of Probation Officers

  2Corrections' costs only; Health costs approx £3,300.

  The Youth Justice Board have commissioned PA Consulting to conduct activity sampling work on Youth Offending Teams which should provide further research data on the unit costs of juvenile orders and interventions. The activity analysis report is due to be completed later this year.

  Spanish Identity Cards
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Spanish Government on proposals to introduce electronic identity cards in Spain. [166843]

  Mr. Browne
  Identity card schemes have existed in all EU countries for many years, with the exception of Denmark and Ireland.

  Home Office officials have had detailed discussions with colleagues involved in the operation of identity card schemes in Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany and lessons learned have informed the development of policy where appropriate. Before the outrages in Madrid, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary discussed with the then Spanish Minister of the Interior his plans to upgrade identity cards in Spain. Comprehensive information has been supplied by each of the EU member states on the operation of their card schemes. The results of this work comprise Annex 3 of "Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud: A Consultation" (CM 5557) published in July 2002.

  Home Office officials will continue to work closely with colleagues in ED member stales to share experience on the design and implementation of identity card schemes.

  Stowaways
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was levied by the UK authorities in fines on(a) drivers and (b) freight companies found carrying stowaways in goods vehicles in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [160375]

  Mr. Browne
  When the civil penalty regime was introduced by the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act, fixed penalties of £2,000 per clandestine entrant were imposed on hauliers for which both companies and their drivers were jointly and severally liable. There were no separate penalties for freight companies and drivers.

  The total amount of the penalties imposed under the old regime during 2001 was £8,888,000. The total amount of penalties imposed during 2002 up until the end of old regime on 7 December 2002 was £3,792,000.
  1314W
  The regime was amended by the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. This came into effect on 8 December 2002 and introduced flexible penalties that were separately imposed on companies and drivers.

  The total penalties imposed from the start of the new regime on 8 December 2002 up to 31 December 2003 was £1,365,878; of this £809,913 was imposed on freight companies and £555,965 on drivers.

  The reduction in the monetary value of penalties imposed under the new regime is because:
  The effectiveness of the civil penalty regime and improved control via the increasing use of new detection technology for freight searching has provided an incentive to hauliers to improve their security and lead to a marked a reduction in the number of incidents where clandestine entrants are discovered; and
  The flexible penalty which takes mitigating factors into account has lead to lower average penalties per clandestine entrant.

  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles were checked for stowaways at UK border checkpoints in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [160380]

  Mr. Browne
  Detailed records are not kept nationally on the number of vehicles checked for clandestines at UK border checkpoints.

  However, locally collated provisional information for 2003 indicates that at Dover and Coquelles the numbers checked by the Immigration Service were:

  January 2003 to December 2003

  Number

  Dover

  138,030

  Coquelles

  158,130

  Additionally, since 31 December 2003 there has been 100 per cent. checking capability through a range of technologies at Calais.

  Student Visas
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the scheme of student visas in Scotland will apply to other parts of the United Kingdom. [166039]

  Mr. Browne
  The Scottish Graduate Scheme, whereby non European Economic Area nationals who have graduated from Scottish Universities can apply to stay in Scotland for two years and look for work, is a pilot for a more regional approach to managed migration. The scheme, which is planned for introduction from Summer 2005, could be extended to other parts of the UK in due course, if it proves successful.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that those issued with student visas through the scheme announced by the Scottish Executive remain in Scotland. [166040]

  Mr. Browne
  Only overseas graduates from Scottish Universities will be able to apply for extended leave to remain under the proposed scheme. Such graduates will already have a four year history of residence in Scotland
  1315W
  and strong ties to the local community. In addition, the Scottish Executive will be in regular contact with those participating in this scheme through its new Relocation Advisory Service.

  Study Visas
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people(a) in total, (b) from Africa and (c) from each country in Africa are in possession of a visa to study in the UK. [164153]

  Mr. Browne
  The information requested is not available.

  The tables show the available statistics for students given leave to enter the United Kingdom or granted an extension of leave to remain, 1998 to 2002. These will include students who have subsequently left the country.

  Data on passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom and persons granted an extension of leave to remain in previous years are published in the Command Papers "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom" obtainable from the House Library, the Stationery Office and via the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hobpubs1.html.

  Table 1: Passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom as students1, excluding EEA nationals, 1998 to 2002—United Kingdom

  Number of journeys

  Geographical region and nationality

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Africa2

  Algeria

  530

  410

  520

  930

  670

  Angola

  250

  250

  190

  270

  355

  Congo (Dem. Rep.)3

  50

  50

  40

  30

  20

  Egypt

  1,190

  1,050

  1,100

  1,210

  920

  Ethiopia

  190

  190

  180

  240

  155

  Ghana

  970

  1,320

  1,800

  2,460

  2,890

  Kenya

  1,580

  1,590

  1,670

  1,920

  1,980

  Libya

  1,080

  1,140

  1,730

  2,670

  3,130

  Mauritius

  690

  820

  950

  1,180

  1,210

  Morocco

  650

  700

  660

  530

  535

  Nigeria

  1,660

  2,070

  2,430

  3,220

  4,320

  Sierra Leone

  100

  130

  190

  280

  355

  Somalia

  20

  40

  30

  95

  40

  South Africa

  860

  1,050

  1,180

  1,300

  1,380

  Sudan

  330

  320

  390

  310

  455

  Tanzania

  1,070

  940

  950

  910

  905

  Tunisia

  610

  970

  840

  980

  910

  Uganda

  580

  670

  800

  990

  1,290

  Zambia

  500

  560

  580

  700

  680

  Zimbabwe

  690

  770

  1,070

  1,700

  1,780

  Other Africa

  2,790

  2,880

  3,000

  3,250

  3,640

  Africa

  16,400

  17,900

  20,300

  25,200

  27,600

  All nationalities2 (excluding EEA)

  266.000

  272,000

  313,000

  339,000

  369,000

  1The data are of the number of journeys made; a person who makes more than one journey is counted on each occasion if given fresh leave

  2Includes visa and non-visa nationals.

  3The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire.

  Note:

  Data rounded to three significant digits.

  1316W

  Table 2: Grants of extensions of leave to remain in the United Kingdom as students1,2 excluding EEA nationals, 1998 to 2002 United Kingdom

  Number of decisions

  Geographical region and nationality

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Africa3

  Algeria

  130

  120

  140

  250

  245

  Angola

  70

  90

  100

  80

  155

  Congo (Dem. Rep.)4

  20

  20

  20

  30

  30

  Egypt

  120

  150

  270

  265

  295

  Ethiopia

  50

  60

  60

  50

  80

  Ghana

  680

  950

  1,420

  1,965

  3,130

  Kenya

  950

  1,030

  1,080

  1,010

  1,315

  Libya

  720

  340

  690

  855

  1,260

  Mauritius

  740

  780

  860

  890

  1,280

  Morocco

  100

  90

  120

  150

  150

  Nigeria

  1,680

  1,780

  2,080

  2,170

  2,840

  Sierra Leone

  270

  240

  260

  210

  275

  Somalia

  5—

  5—

  10

  10

  5

  South Africa

  340

  590

  1,250

  1,715

  2,250

  Sudan

  150

  170

  170

  165

  200

  Tanzania

  570

  780

  920

  815

  1,170

  Tunisia

  20

  30

  30

  30

  40

  Uganda

  280

  380

  570

  680

  930

  Zambia

  520

  670

  830

  695

  640

  Zimbabwe

  1,350

  3,320

  5,070

  5,810

  9,075

  Other Africa

  1,270

  1,570

  2,010

  2,200

  3,135

  Africa

  10,050

  13,150

  17,970

  20,045

  28,495

  All nationalities3 (excluding EEA)

  45,100

  51,190

  70,620

  83,180

  121.655

  1The data are of the number of decisions; includes extensions granted to persons admitted or previously granted an extension of leave to remain

  2Excludes dependants of principal applicants and the outcome of appeals.

  3Includes visa and non-visa nationals.

  4The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire.

  5One or two.

  Note:

  Data rounded to the nearest five.

  Sutton Inquiry
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the terms of reference of the inquiry by Ken Sutton into the operation of the European Communities Association Agreements scheme. [166556]

  Mr. Browne
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's statement of 30 March.

  US Visitor Deportations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many US visitors have been deported from the UK for incorrect information on their visa applications in the last 12 months. [168252]

  Mr. Browne
  US nationals who are coming to the UK as visitors/tourists do not require a visa.

  In 2002 (the latest period for which data are available) 1,030 US nationals who had been refused leave to enter the UK were removed from the country.

  Deportations are a specific subset of removals alongside persons subject to administrative removal, removal due to illegal entry action or those refused entry

  1317W
  at port and subsequently removed. Information on the nationality of those people removed as a result of deportation action is not available.

  Work Permits
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks are undertaken by Work Permits (UK) to ensure that people whose work permits have expired leave the country. [166552]

  Mr. Browne
  Work Permits (UK) conducts post-issue checks, including visits to employers' premises in order to ensure that work permit holders are employed for the purpose for which the permit was issues on an intelligence led basis. Where it comes to light that a work permit holder has worked or stayed beyond the expiry of their work permit it is able to take enforcement action, including removal. Work Permits (UK) also operates an Intelligence Team who are responsible for investigating alleged work permit offences alongside enforcement officers in the Immigration Service and the National Crime Squad.

  Wheel Clamping
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to regulate the(a) status, (b) prevalence and (c) activities of private security firms which wheel clamp licensed road vehicles on (i) public and (ii) private land; [167296]

  (2) what timetable he has set to bring forward regulations in respect of private companies which wheel clamp licensed vehicles for enforcement purposes under the provisions of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. [167297]

  Ms Blears
  On current plans the Security Industry Authority (SIA) propose to commence the licensing of wheel dampers at the end of 2004. Details of the licensing criteria are currently being finalised and are likely to include an identity check, a criminal records check for relevant previous convictions, and a check on the applicant's professional competence to do the job.
  1318W
  The Private Security Industry Act 2001 also provides for the establishment of an approved contractor scheme by the SIA. The timetable for the introduction of the scheme is under consideration by the Authority.

  The 2001 Act does not regulate wheel-clamping on public roads. Under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1991, local authorities may clamp vehicles that infringe parking regulations on public roads or in local authority off-street car parks. Only a parking attendant, as defined in section 63A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, may authorise such vehicle clamping, although a private contractor may be used to place the clamp on the vehicle. Under sections 71 and 72 of the 1991 Act the owner of a vehicle may make representations to the relevant local authority and subsequently appeal to an independent parking adjudicator about the clamping of the vehicle.

  Yarl's Wood Detention Centre
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the report by Stephen Shaw into the allegations made by the Daily Mirror in relation to the Yarl's Wood Detention Centre; and if he will make a statement. [169227]

  Mr. Browne
  The report will be published on 30 April.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received from Mr. Stephen Shaw his report into the fire at Yarl;s Wood Detention Centre in February 2002; when he intends to publish this report; and if he will make a statement. [169228]

  Mr. Browne
  The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Mr. Stephen Shaw, is continuing his inquiry into the fire that occurred at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre in February 2002. It is expected that Mr. Shaw will submit his report this summer.

  Yvonne Shitto
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what stage the work visa application number S1145670 in the name of Yvonne Shitto is at; and if he will make a statement. [165913]

  Mr. Browne
  The work visa application for Yvonne Shitto, reference number: S1145670, was refused on the 8 April 2004.

  Olympic Games 2012: London Bid
  Olympic Games 2012: London Bid
  Regulations: Cost to Business
  Regulations: Cost to Business
  Gas Oil Bowsers
  Gas Oil Bowsers
  Single Railway Track: South-west
  Single Railway Track: South-west
  Mentally Incapacitated Patients: Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
  Mentally Incapacitated Patients: Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
  Foot and Mouth: Fraud Offences
  Foot and Mouth: Fraud Offences
  Apples: UK Production
  Apples: UK Production
  Rural Delivery Review
  Rural Delivery Review
  Animal Welfare Bill
  Animal Welfare Bill
  Local Environments: "Spring Cleans"
  Local Environments: "Spring Cleans"