Written Answers of 3 February 2004

DEFENCE

  Civil Service (Disabled People)
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the number of employees in his department who have a disability, broken down by disability type. [148989]

  Mr. Caplin
  The number of employees within the department as at 1 October 2003 who have a disability by disability type is:

  Description

  Number

  Hearing impairment

  1,040

  Visual impairment

  310

  Speech impairment

  60

  Mobility impairment

  810

  Physical coordination difficulties

  140

  Reduced physical capacity

  1,010

  Severe disfigurement

  90

  Learning difficulties

  140

  Mental illness

  110

  Multiple impairment

  20

  Unknown disability

  20

  Disability total

  3,700

  Not disabled

  49,150

  Status unknown

  35,200

  Overall total

  88,100

  Notes:

  1. Permanent staff excluding Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and those not currently paid by the department (e.g. maternity leave, secondment).

  2. Values are rounded separately and may not add to totals.

  Iraq
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date in October 2002 the military decision was taken to supply all troops in Iraq with enhanced body armour. [151435]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]In line with normal practice, an Urgent Statement of User Requirement, generated by Land Command on 21 October, was endorsed by the Permanent Joint Headquarters on 5 November 2002. This recommended that all ground forces deploying on Operation Telic should be equipped with Enhanced Combat Body Armour.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether permission was obtained from the Prime Minister's office before the orders for extra sets of enhanced body armour were placed; [151438]

  (2) which Ministers gave approval for the placing of orders for extra sets of enhanced body armour within (a) his Department and (b) other departments; [151437]
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  (3) for what reason political approval for the placing of orders for extra sets of enhanced body armour was not given until 25 November 2002; [151436]

  (4) what (a) instruction and (b) guidance was given by (i) the Prime Minister's office and (ii) other Ministers that orders for equipment required for possible military action should not be placed while diplomatic efforts for a solution in Iraq were still underway. [151359]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]The overall process to be followed for meeting the urgent equipment and stock requirements for Operation Telic was approved by Defence Ministers. The basis on which preparatory work was undertaken took appropriate account of the continuing diplomatic process. As the Ministry of Defence's publication "Operations in Iraq—Lessons For the Future" states, operational security and the requirement not to prejudice the UN process limited early planning and engagement with industry until the Urgent Operational Requirement process was announced on 25 November 2002. Neither the approval of Defence Ministers, nor the approval of the Prime Minister or of other Ministers outside the MOD, was required or given for the placement of individual orders, including for Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA).

  Ministry of Defence Police
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) manpower strength and (b) manpower strength requirement is of the Ministry of Defence Police. [152237]

  Mr. Caplin
  As at 1 December 2003, the total authorised complement of Ministry of Defence Police officers was 3,433 and the strength, 3,290.

  Timber
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether contracts which involve the supply and consumption of timber include the Defence Contract Condition (DEFCON) 691. [152190]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 January 2004,Official Report, columns 1250–51W. The Ministry of Defence does not keep central records of the number of contracts, which contain DEFCON 691.

  Unfair Dismissal Procedures
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures exist for soldiers who consider themselves to have been unfairly dismissed from the Army but failed to submit a redress within three months of discharge to appeal against their dismissal; and if he will make a statement. [152748]

  Mr. Caplin
  The three-month time limit within which a complaint must be submitted begins from the day on which the soldier is formally notified that they are to be dismissed or discharged. Complaints submitted outside this period will normally be rejected as 'out of time' unless the officer to whom the complaint is first presented judges that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to have been submitted earlier.

SCOTLAND

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the proposed construction and finance costs were of the two alternative bids to construct the Skye Bridge brought forward in 1990 by the construction firms Morrison and Trafalgar House. [147132]

  Mrs. McGuire
  Following devolution, responsibility and documentation relating to the construction and financing of the Skye Bridge are now a matter for the Scottish Executive. The right hon. Member may wish to write to Nicol Stephen, the Scottish Minister with responsibility for this matter.

  The Scotland Office has no continuing responsibility and does not hold information about the Skye Bridge.

  Whisky Industry
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish whisky industry; and what plans he has to do so in the future. [150394]

  Mrs. McGuire
  My right hon. Friend will shortly be meeting representatives from Diageo and the Scotch Whisky Association to discuss issues affecting the whisky industry in Scotland.

PRIME MINISTER

  Child Access
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Prime Minister what conclusions he has reached following his investigations into the treatment of child access by the courts announced by him on LBC Radio on 14 January. [149941]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government believes that children benefit from a continuing relationship with both parents following parental separation, where it is in the best interests of the child. The Children Act 1989 requires the court to make the welfare of the child concerned its paramount consideration when considering cases where parents are unable to agree on access arrangements for their children.

  Courts can enforce contact for non-resident parents with deliberate refusal by resident parents leading to fines of up to £2,500 or imprisonment of up to 2 years. However, such penalties may not be appropriate due to the effect this may have on the child at the centre of the dispute.

  The Government published its initial response into "Making Contact Work". a report by the Children Act Sub-Committee (CASC), on the issue of facilitation and enforcement of contact orders in August 2002.

  In light of this report, we established a stakeholder group comprising representatives from the judiciary, legal professionals, Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, other government departments and the voluntary sector to examine the issue of facilitation and enforcement. The
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  Government's full response to the CASC report, which will be published shortly, will address the issue of effective enforcement of court-ordered contact.

  Dalai Lama
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he intends to meet the Dalai Lama during his forthcoming visit to the United Kingdom. [150785]

  The Prime Minister
  I regret that because of diary commitments I will be unable to meet the Dalai Lama during his forthcoming visit to the UK.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Prime Minister if he plans to visit Gibraltar in the Tercentenary; if he plans to attend St. Clement Daines tercentenary service; and if he will make a statement on Gibraltar and its tercentenary. [151271]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministerial visits to Gibraltar in 2004 and attendance at the St. Clement Daines Tercentenary Service are currently under consideration and details have not been finalised.

  The Government intends to play a full part in celebrating the Tercentenary. I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Hoon), during the debate on the Gracious Speech on 27 November 2003, Official Report, columns 224–25.

  Hutton Inquiry/Report
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish his witness statement to the Hutton Inquiry. [152312]

  The Prime Minister
  Lord Hutton set out the process for his Inquiry with which we agreed.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister who in his Office saw the embargoed version of Lord Hutton's report. [152599]

  The Prime Minister
  Lord Hutton set out the process for those to receive embargoed copies of his report. The number of advance copies and the associated undertakings of confidentiality were agreed between each of the parties and Lord Hutton. We have nothing further to add.

  Iraq
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report on "Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction—Intelligence and Assessments, of September 2003". [152964]

  The Prime Minister
  I am today laying before the House the Government's Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's September 2003 Report "Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction Intelligence and Assessments".

  Public Bodies
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister who the members of the(a) Museums and Galleries Commission, (b) National Heritage Memorial Fund, (c) Security

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  Vetting Appeals Panel and (d) Committee on Standards in Public Life were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and what their remuneration is. [151456]

  The Prime Minister
  The Museums and Galleries Commission has been replaced by Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries. The members and their term of office are as follows:

  Mr. Mark Wood BA MA (Chair)

  Appointed June 2003 for a four-year term

  Mr. David Barrie

  Appointed July 2000 for a four-year term

  Ms Lynne Brindley BA MA FRSA

  Appointed January 2003 for a four-year term

  Mr. Ajay Chowdhury

  Reappointed April 2003 for a four-year term

  Dr. Maurna Crozier

  Reappointed April 2003 for a one-year term

  Mr. Loyd Grossman

  Reappointed January 2004 for a four-year term

  Mr. Mark Jones

  Reappointed April 2003 for a four-year term

  Mr. Neil MacGregor

  Reappointed April 2003 for a four-year term

  Mr. Bill Macnaught

  Appointed February 2003 for a four-year term

  Dr. Robert McKee

  Appointed January 2003 for a four-year term

  Ms Jane Ryder

  Reappointed June 2003 for a three-year term

  Mr. Michael Stevenson

  Reappointed on April 2003 for a four-year term

  Mr. Alan Watkin

  Reappointed June 2003 for a four-year term

  Mr David Henshaw, Sir Geoffrey Holland, Mr. Nicholas Kingsley and Ms Virginia Tandy all appointed January 2003 for four-year terms.

  The Chair is paid £32,000 per annum. Other board members do not receive remuneration although they are reimbursed for actual expenses incurred.

  The members of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and their term of office are as follows:

  Ms Liz Forgan OBE (Chair)

  Appointed April 2001 for a three-year term

  Ms Madhu Anjali

  Appointed July 2002 for a three-year term

  Professor Chris Baines

  Reappointed July 2001 for a three-year term

  The Earl of Dalkeith

  Reappointed June 2003 for a three-year term

  Mr. Nicholas Dodd

  Reappointed September 2003 for a three-year term

  Ms Catherine Graham-Harrison

  Appointed August 2002 for a three-year term

  Sir Angus Grossart (Deputy Chair and Chair of the Committee for Scotland)

  Reappointed March 2002 for a three-year term

  Dr. Derek Langslow

  Appointed February 2002 for a three-year term

  Ms Susan Palmer

  Reappointed January 2001 for a three-year term

  Dr. Mike Phillips

  Appointed January 2002 for a three-year term

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  Professor Tom Pritchard (Deputy Chair and Chair of the Committee for Wales

  Reappointed April 2002 for a three-year term

  Mr. Giles Waterfield

  Reappointed September 2003 for a three-year term

  Ms Primrose Wilson (Deputy Chair and Chair of the Committee for Northern Ireland)

  Reappointed April 2003 for a three-year term

  Mr. James Wright

  Reappointed November 2003 for a three-year term

  Mr. Mike Emmerich

  Appointed July 2003 for a three-year term.

  The Chair is entitled to claim £39,025 per annum, the Deputy Chairs are entitled to claim £17,590 per annum, and the Trustees may claim £5,832 per annum.

  The members of the Security Vetting Appeals Panel and their term of office are as follows:

  Right Hon. Dame Janet Smith (Chair)

  Reappointed October 2003 for a three-year term

  Sir Stephen Mitchell (Deputy Chair)

  Appointed June 2001 for a three-year term

  Sir John Blelloch KCB

  Reappointed July 2003 for a two-year term

  Sir Peter Woodhead KCB

  Reappointed July 2003 for a four-year term

  Mr. Peter Jones

  Reappointed July 2003 for a two-year term

  Dr. George Gray CBE

  Reappointed July 2003 for a four-year term.

  The Chair and Deputy Chair are unpaid. Other members are paid a daily rate of £203 when the Panel is sitting.

  The members of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and their term of office are as follows:

  Sir Nigel Wicks (Chair)

  Appointed March 2001 for a three-year term

  Ms Rita Donaghy QBE

  Reappointed March 2001 for a three-year term

  Professor Hazel Genn CBE

  Appointed October 2003 for a three-year term

  Sir Alastair Graham

  Appointed October 2003 for a three-year term

  Dame Patricia Hodgson DBE

  Appointed January 2004 for a three-year term

  Baroness Maddock

  Appointed November 2003 for a three-year term

  Rabbi Dame Julia Neuberger DBE

  Reappointed March 2001 for a three-year term

  Right Hon. Gillian Shephard DL MP

  Appointed November 2003 for a three-year term

  Right Hon. Chris Smith MP

  Appointed October 2001 for a three-year term

  Dr. Brian Woods-Scawen DL

  Appointed January 2004 for a three-year term.

  Those Committee members who do not already receive a salary from public funds may claim £180 for each day they work on Committee business. The Chair may claim £380 for each day spent on Committee business.

  Secret Intelligence Service
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since May 1997 he has called for specific briefing from the Secret Intelligence Service; and if he will list the countries involved. [152319]

  The Prime Minister
  It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Cambridgeshire Schools
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason the time limit given to Cambridgeshire county council for an appeal against the Government's grant settlement is 27 January. [150134]

  Mr. Miliband
  The deadline for Cambridgeshire county council to give notice of any objection to the Secretary of State's notice dated 13 January 2004 determining a minimum schools budget for the Council for the financial year 2004–05 was actually 26 January because section 45C(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 provides that any such objection must be made within 14 days beginning with the date of the notice determining a minimum schools budget. The Council did give notice of objection on 26 January.

  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reasons his Department rejected a request on 2 December 2003 from the leader of Cambridgeshire county council to discuss Cambridgeshire school's budgetary problems. [150835]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Leader of Cambridgeshire county council wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister on 2 December with a copy to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills requesting a meeting with local government and education Ministers to discuss the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2004–05 and the implications for school funding. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Phil Hope), replied declining a meeting in line with the Government's clear position of not holding face-to-face meetings with local authorities during consultation on the provisional settlement. The Government believe that it would not be equitable to meet some authorities and not others. I recently met the Leader of the Council to hear the authority's position on the level of its schools budget for next year.

  Chorley School Transport
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Chorley received free school transport to(a) secondary, (b) primary and (c) special schools in each year since 1996. [151273]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Although we collect data on home to school transport expenditure, we do not usually collect data on the number of children receiving free transport. However, in response to a recent survey,762W
  Lancashire said that it provides free home to school transport to about 17,000 pupils. Its expenditure on this was £16 million in 2001/02.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on further education colleges of the recent increase in fees set by the Criminal Records Bureau; and if he will make a statement. [151859]

  Alan Johnson
  The effect on further education colleges of the recent increase in fees set by the Criminal Records Bureau will vary from institution to institution depending on staff turnover and the number of students for which criminal records checks are required. The Department does not collect data relating to staff turnover as this is a matter purely for the institutions, neither can it predict the likely rate of staff turnover in future years.

  It is the Government's policy to provide colleges with core funding levels which enable them to raise standards while meeting necessary cost pressures, rather than to compensate colleges separately for individual cost increases. Under the spending review 2002 proposals funding per student will rise by 7 per cent. on average in real terms between 2002–03 and 2005–06.

  Funding rates are kept under review and adjusted to reflect changes in costs incurred by colleges.

  Food Advertisements (Schools)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans his Department has to ban fast food advertising from vending machines in schools in England; and if he will make a statement. [152518]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department for Education and Skills has no plans to ban fast food advertising from vending machines in schools. The Headteacher and governing body of a school decide whether or not to install vending machines in schools, and where they are installed, the products that are sold.

  Higher Education Funding
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of tuition fees on women medical students. [149761]

  Alan Johnson
  Under our proposals for the introduction of variable fees from 2006, women medical students who commence their undergraduate course in 2006 or later, will be liable to pay variable fees of up to £3,000 per year, if the institution they attend decides to charge them.

  The Government have made a number of proposals to safeguard access to higher education for those from low income families. Such students will continue, as now, to have the cost of the standard tuition fee (£1,125 in 2003/04) met by the Government. Around three in 10 students will also receive means tested Higher Education Grants of £1,000, to be raised to £1,500 for new students from 2006. In addition, many students

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  from lower income families will be eligible for partial grant as well as bursaries and other support from universities under arrangements agreed by the Office of Fair Access.

  Fees for English domiciled medical students in years five and six are currently paid by the Department of Health. These students also qualify for means tested NHS bursaries in their fifth and subsequent years of study. Department of Health Ministers have indicated that they will, if necessary, take measures to ensure that any increase in the level of tuition fees will not have an adverse impact on the supply, retention, diversity or quality of students on health professional courses, including medicine. Arrangements for repayment of fee loans will, for all graduates, be heavily subsidised: graduates will repay their loans at zero real rate of interest and only when their income exceeds £15,000 per year. Repayments will then be made at a rate of 9 per cent. of income above £15,000. Loans will be written off after 25 years: that could particularly benefit female doctors who opt to take a career break.

  Figures collected in March 2003 show that 73 per cent. of newly qualified medical graduates in hospital posts earn £34,533 per annum. This compares very favourably with the salaries of other newly qualified graduates. According to Graduate Prospects, the average starting salary for graduate-level jobs was £18,000 in 2002/03.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his policy that trainee teachers will be exempt from university top-up fees; and if he will make a statement. [151238]

  Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend announced on 27 January that he will commission a report next year to examine gateways into the professions and the recruitment of graduates to the public services under the new student finance system. The findings of the report will inform the next comprehensive spending review.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether after the introduction of higher student fees he intends to maintain the universities block grant in real terms. [151966]

  Alan Johnson
  Future levels of funding for higher education will be subject to the outcomes of the current and subsequent spending reviews. I am, however, committed to safeguarding the level of funding for universities already set out to 2005–06 and expect to be able to deliver increases in future years.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to transfer powers and responsibilities held by Learning and Skills Councils to elected regional assemblies where they are introduced. [152100]

  Alan Johnson
  None. However, elected Regional Assemblies, where introduced, will have an important economic role. In our White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" we set out proposals for each Assembly to 764W
  appoint two members to the Board of each local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in its region, and for the national LSC to consult Assemblies on its guidance to the local LSCs. We also propose that focal LSCs will be required to have regard to Assembly strategies, including in drawing up their spending plans; and to consult the relevant Assembly about their local plans.

  School Funding
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the implications of the grant settlement for 2004–05 on local education authorities' ability to provide centrally funded services. [152135]

  Mr. Miliband
  The increase in Formula Grant for local education authorities for 2004–05 is 6.1 per cent. The increase for Schools Formula Spending is 5.7 per cent., which includes funding for centrally provided education services. The increase in the LEA sub-block is 3.4 per cent. which is higher than the rate of inflation. It is for authorities to balance their overall resources and spending pressures in drawing up their budgets.

  School Meals
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 26 January 2004,Official Report, column 145W, on school meals, who has statutory responsibility for the provision of school meals if the governing body of a school resigns. [152219]

  Mr. Miliband
  School meal provision is the responsibility of the governing body of a school if the school's delegated budget share included funding for meals. If the members of the governing body of such a school all resigned, the governing body would still exist as a corporate entity and would retain the statutory responsibility for meals provision. Although the head teacher would be able to exercise decision-taking powers in accordance with any formal delegation previously agreed by the governing body, it would be for the local education authority to make arrangements as soon as possible for the reconstitution of the governing body membership.

  School and College Performance (Value Added Measures)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how value added measures will be used to determine action to be taken in(a) individual schools and (b) local education authorities. [152307]

  Mr. Miliband
  Value added information on individual schools is published within the DIES School and College Performance Tables. The data may be used by schools and local authorities, alongside other information, to evaluate their performance in relation to pupils' progress. Local education authorities may augment the published information by providing schools with additional value added data, for example in relation to the performance of individual departments.
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  The Government are keen to promote intelligent accountability of performance by individual schools as a key step in self-evaluation, and in order to identify areas where improvements may be needed. Value added data may also identify strong areas of the curriculum, and therefore examples of best practice, where expertise may be shared within schools, and with other schools. The Pupil Achievement Tracker, supplied by the DfES, enables schools to benchmark their value added performance against other schools with similar characteristics.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what value added score(a) a school and (b) a local education authority will need to achieve to be judged as satisfactory. [152335]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]Independent judgments about both schools and LEAs are principally a matter for Ofsted, through the inspection system. While an Ofsted judgment is likely to take into account value added criteria, the overall decision will be made on the basis of a wide range of inspection evidence.

  The Government have not set any upper or lower benchmarks in relation to published value added scores, but it is recognised that schools with scores at the lower end of the distribution for schools with similar levels of prior attainment are likely to be underperforming.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the Government's response to the proposed Common Agricultural Policy reform. [151958]

  Alun Michael
  The Government will announce in a matter of weeks their decision on the method of payment for the CAP reform agreed last June.

  The Government are also engaged in the EU negotiations on proposals for further reform of the cotton, hops, olive oil, sugar and tobacco regimes.

  Countryside and Rights of Way Act
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when a national grant scheme will be set up to assist local authorities with their new powers under Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and when the details of the scheme will be made available to local authorities. [151627]

  Alun Michael
  I am very keen to ensure that the new right of access is implemented as smoothly as possible on the ground and I met the Countryside Agency recently to consider its proposals for a National Grant Scheme to help local authorities, land managers and communities manage open access in their areas proactively. If this scheme is approved, the Agency will announce further details and guidance including the percentage grant-aid available and when it will accept applications.
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  I hope to make a decision soon, but if we are able to help this will be a bonus for everyone. It is at least as important that local authorities start to gear up now for the introduction of the right of access under the Act, recognising the benefits and opportunities for them and those who live in their area.

  Crematoria
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will quantify the financial impact on crematoria of introducing gas cleaning systems to all crematoria; and whether the principle of polluter pays will be adhered to. [151304]

  Alun Michael
  In reply to the point on financial impact, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer of 17 November 2003,Official Report, column 623W, by the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw).

  In line with the Polluter Pays Principle there are no funding packages linked to the Local Authority Pollution Control regime.

  Large Combustion Plant Directive
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the implications for United Kingdom industry of the National Emissions Reduction Plan in relation to the Large Combustion Plant Directive. [150228]

  Alun Michael
  Defra commissioned analysis from independent consultants which examined the costs and benefits of the two implementation approaches. This analysis carried out prior to the 2003 consultation on the Directive, suggested that for the 2008–2024 period the national plan approach would cost UK industry as a whole around £650 million whereas the alternative approach—the emission limit values approach—would cost around £900 million.

  We have received a range of comments on the analysis in the consultation, and are continuing to assess the potential economic impact on UK industry of the introduction of the Directive using both internal analyses and independent research. We are also in detailed dialogue with industry to help us to understand their views as expressed in response to consultation.

  Farming Subsidies
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the schemes under which payments are made to farmers in England; and what the total amounts paid under each scheme to(a) limited companies and (b) individuals were in the most recent year for which figures are available. [144458]

  Alun Michael
  Providing this information in the form requested has involved considerable work to interrogate the computer records in order to produce the required figures for England. In order to do so it has been
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  necessary to include all businesses that do not incorporate the term "limited" in their title in the trading name under the heading "individuals".

  The following figures represent payments made in the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund Year 2003—16 October 2002 to 15 October 2003—and do not include Common Agricultural Policy market support schemes.

  £

  Scheme

  Limited companies value

  Individuals value

  Arable Area Payments

  186,582,223.13

  682,615,833.19

  Arable Agrimonetary Aid

  105,596.05

  69,870.01

  Beef Agrimonetary Aid

  29,533.43

  473,716.88

  Beef National Envelope

  991,509.93

  13,630,439.57

  Beef Special Premium

  7,348,365.73

  109,024,177.25

  Extensification

  3,338,151.33

  51,927,956.37

  Hill Farming Allowance

  947,164.39

  38,212,678.88

  Milk

  —

  263,043.48

  Sheep Annual Premium

  4,437,189.52

  100,437,173.61

  Suckler Cow Premium

  5,236,163.74

  71,972,974.84

  Sheep Agrimonetary Aid

  89.70

  7,809.36

  Slaughter Premium

  5,375,867.10

  61,472,846.45

  Rural Development Service Operated Schemes

  Arable Stewardship

  4,047,399.33

  1,313,793.43

  Countryside Access

  2,417,329.19

  16,643,660.50

  Countryside Stewardship

  —

  31,451,770.61

  Energy Crops

  75,096.40

  66,693.60

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas

  4,430,669.21

  57,170,574.76

  Farm Woodland Premium

  1,518,910.06

  6,809,501.96

  Habitat

  223,389.40

  1,622,720.89

  Moorland

  —

  25,350.00

  Nitrate Sensitive Areas

  333,897.80

  1,304,479.48

  Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

  55,680.09

  396,565.20

  Organic Farming

  1,855,784.37

  7,833,778.95

  Processing and Marketing Grant

  5,558,457.51

  1,664,423.52

  Rural Enterprise

  3,285,539.56

  14,709,634.85

  Vocational Training

  601,553.90

  1,296,838.65

  Structural Funds

  13,474,107.46

  8,505,521.90

  Total

  252,269,668.33

  1,280,923,828.19

  Information Technology
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the(a) number and (b) location of Information Technology staff in her Department employed directly or on contract at each location outside Guildford. [150614]

  Alun Michael
  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has made a strategic decision to outsource the majority of its IT service delivery and functions under the e-nabling Defra Programme.

  The following table outlines the number of people involved in IT-related work based at each location, outside Guildford (based on our records as at December 2003):

  Location

  Number of people undertaking IT related work1

  9 Millbank, London

  1

  Alnwick

  1

  Ashdown House, London

  26

  Bristol

  2

  Bury St Edmunds

  2

  Caernarfon

  1

  768W

  Location

  Number of people undertaking Location IT related work1

  Cambridge

  4

  Cardiff

  2

  Carlisle

  1

  Chelmsford

  1

  Crewe

  9

  Cromwell House, London

  2

  Dorchester

  1

  Eastbury House, London

  1

  Ergon House, London

  8

  Foss House, York

  9

  Gloucester

  1

  Harrogate

  1

  Heathrow

  1

  Kings House, Reading

  21

  Launceston

  21

  Leeds

  6

  Leicester

  1

  Lincoln

  1

  Newcastle

  2

  Nobel House, London

  219

  Northallerton

  1

  Norwich

  2

  Nottingham

  5

  Oxford

  1

  Page Street, London

  4

  Penrith

  1

  Preston

  2

  Shrewsbury

  1

  Stafford

  1

  Reading

  1

  Reigate

  1

  Taunton

  1

  Temple Quay House, Bristol

  3

  Trowbridge

  1

  Truro

  1

  Whitehall Place, London

  4

  Woburn Place, London

  6

  Wolverhampton

  1

  Worcester

  5

  Workington

  10

  Wye

  1

  Total

  158

  1 Some of these people are undertaking a very minimal amount of IT work.

  2 One of these posts is filled by a contractor.

  Water Pollution
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research has been conducted on measures to deal with diffuse water pollution; and when she expects to bring forward proposals for legislation. [150964]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]The Government have funded programmes of research on the sources, transport and control of diffuse water pollution from agriculture over the last decade. The programmes cover nitrate, phosphorous, sediment/soil erosion, pathogens and the potential implications of control measures for different pollutants. The total annual budget (in 2003–04) is £3 million. The results of this research are available on the Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk/ science). The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has also published related work in its report "The impacts of agricultural environmental management: case studies from theory to practice", which is available on the SEPA website (www.sepa.org.uk/publications/index.htm).
  769W
  This year we intend to publish for consultation detailed proposals for new powers to prevent and control diffuse pollution in England, as part of the action to implement the Water Framework Directive referred to in the "Third Consultation Paper on the Implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)", published in August 2003. The extent to which such new powers might need to be used in the future will depend on how far diffuse pollution can be controlled through other potential policy instruments, including voluntary action and economic instruments.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Gender Pay Gap
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for Women what steps she has taken to reduce the pay gap; and what evaluation she has made of the success of those steps. [152066]

  Ms Hewitt
  The pay gap is a complex issue and the Government have limited direct levers to reduce it. However, the Government have taken a number of steps to address the underlying causes including promoting pay reviews by providing business with the tools to undertake them, leading the way through Civil Service pay reviews, introducing the Equal Pay Questionnaire and increasing support for child care, flexible working and work-life balance.

  It is extremely difficult to measure the impact of Government policy on the gender pay gap. Latest figures show that the gender pay gap closed by 1 percentage point to 18 per cent. on the mean measure, and stands at 12.9 per cent. on the median measure.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for Women what assessment she has made of the implications of the gender pay gap for levels of female employment. [152067]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have not made any specific assessment of the implications of the gender pay gap for levels of female employment. The employment rate for women in the UK currently stands at 70 per cent., well above the EU average and above the Lisbon target for the female employment rate of 60 per cent.

  What research has shown is that higher levels of female employment tend to be associated with larger gender pay gaps. For example Eurostat figures show that the EU country with the lowest gender pay gap, Italy, also has one of the lowest female employment rates in the EU at just 42 per cent., nearly 30 percentage points below the UK's.

  Informed Choice/ Extending Working Lives Programme
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Minister for Women if she will make a statement on the work of the(a) Informed Choice programme and the (b) Extending Working Lives programme. [150146]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement issued today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, at column 33WS.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Agricultural Research
  Mr. Mates
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how, following the grant to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research in December 2003, he will ensure that there is parallel continuity for the bilateral centrally-funded research programmes upon which developing countries have been relying for capacity building and poverty-eradicating applied research; and whether he is providing bilateral funds for such strategic activity. [152719]

  Hilary Benn
  I was pleased to announce in December 2003 an additional £30 million over the next three years for the work of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. The UK is an active member of the Group and will continue to play a full part in its efforts to mobilise agricultural science to reduce poverty. This funding is additional to the bilateral research programme. I expect to maintain a strong bilateral programme into the future with a clear focus on the millennium development goals.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department have been(a) investigated, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for involvement in benefit fraud in each of the last six years; and what the amounts involved were in each of the cases listed. [152424]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID does not hold a central record of the information requested. I can confirm, however, that the Department is not aware of any of its staff having been involved in benefit fraud in any way within the last six years.

  Direct Budget Support
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department will take in relation to budget support to identify trends in where the Department's money is being spent. [152084]

  Hilary Benn
  By its nature general budget support cannot be explicitly tracked once it reaches the recipient country budget. Sector budget support can be clearly classified at the broad level, although how this is subsequently distributed between sub sectors is not always known. For example, we may not be able to say how much of our support to the education sector in a particular country is spent on basic education.

  However to inform our understanding of where DFID aid flows are being directed, we are developing a method whereby budget support will be notionally classified by extrapolation from the recipient country's own budget plans. So, for example, if the Government were planning to spend 30 per cent. of its budget1 on education, then 30 per cent. of our budget support to that country would be classified as expenditure on education. All reporting will state clearly that figures are based on notional allocations derived from budget plans and are therefore only indicative. Some data are already available along these lines.
  771W
  In the longer term we will seek to agree a standard methodology with other donor agencies facing similar problems.
  1The extrapolation would only reflect that part of the budget which was for developmental purposes.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of direct budget support in Uganda. [152086]

  Hilary Benn
  The UK's current budget support arrangement in Uganda began in 2000. Its purpose is to support continued growth and economic stability, to reduce inequality, and to improve the impact of public spending in sectors that are key to poverty reduction and growth.

  An internal Project Completion Report (PCR) of the arrangement was completed in September 2003. It concluded that our support had significantly achieved its purpose. The flexibility and predictability of our budget support, together with the role we play in policy dialogue and in providing technical assistance, were identified as important to this success. The strength of our partnerships with Government and also with other donors have also been crucial. Most macroeconomic targets have been met, and the share of Government spending on poverty programmes has increased significantly. The impact of this expenditure has been shown, for example, in growing primary education enrolment, and in important health indicators such as attendance at primary health care clinics. A recent `stocktaking' review of the World Bank's Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC), to which DFID's budget support is linked, has also reported positively on the PRSC budget support instrument.

  DFID commissioned an independent evaluation study of direct budget support in 2002. The first phase of this study (December 2002) developed a framework for evaluation that could be applied widely, using Uganda as a particular example. It concluded that budget support had led to improvements in the efficiency of budget allocations, the effectiveness of state institutions, and the degree of public accountability. This work is being used as the basis of a more comprehensive joint donor evaluation of budget support that is now getting under way.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received from the National Audit Office on financial controls on direct budget support. [152087]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID works closely with the National Audit Office (NAO) to improve the value for money of the work we do. DFID worked with the NAO to develop and implement our corporate fiduciary risk policy. This is central to the appraisal and management of the risks associated with providing direct budget support.

  The NAO recently undertook a review of the safeguards we have in place to prevent misappropriation and diversion of UK aid. This was an important opportunity to take a joint look at the full range of our
  772W
  financial controls, including how we manage the fiduciary risk of budget support. The review concluded that:
  "DFID's work is well-regarded by its partners who acknowledge the leading and proactive role that DFID plays in tackling corruption issues."

  It made a number of detailed recommendations which we have taken forward.

  We will continue to work with the NAO in this area to ensure that we are able to maximise the developmental benefits associated with budget support.

  North Korea
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the nature was of the £800,000 in bilateral aid from the UK to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea in 2001; and what the nature is of current UK bilateral aid to North Korea. [152404]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The £800,000 was humanitarian assistance that was channelled through the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to support the health care system through the distribution of drugs and basic medical equipment. Also in 2001–02, we provided £1,200,000 to support UNICEF's primary health care programme and £75,000 to the IFRC for emergency assistance to flood victims. In 2002–03, we provided £200,000 to the IFRC for its flood prevention work.

  We have recently approved a grant of £1,023,000 to support UNICEF's work, in 2004, in primary health care, including improvements to the water and sanitation systems as well as essential medical supplies such as vaccinations.

  Renewables
  Mr. Mates
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to maintain the UK's role in European Union research networks for renewable natural resources which are geared to helping developing countries to attain the Millennium Development Goals. [152539]

  Hilary Benn
  The principal network is the European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development which aims to improve the relevance and effectiveness of European investments in agricultural research to reduce poverty in developing countries. The initiative is recognised by the European Parliament and Council and implemented by a coordinating group of members of the European Commission, the member states of the European Union, Norway and Switzerland. The UK is an active participant in the initiative and in the co-ordinating group. An official from my Department is currently seconded to the initiative as its executive secretary.

  University Links
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many university links have been established by the higher education Link Scheme funded by his Department; and how the scheme is promoted in UK universities. [152082]
  773W
  Hilary Benn
  It is estimated that some 3,200 Links between higher education institutions in the UK and in 45 developing countries have been supported by the scheme since its establishment in 1981. The British Council manages and promotes the scheme. Higher education institutions in developing countries submit applications for Links funding to the Council (which will help identify suitable UK partners if the applicant requests this).

  The current Links Scheme is due to end in March 2006 and no new applications for funding can be accepted. However DFID is currently considering the report of a review of the scheme and possible future options for higher education partnerships. A decision on the outcome of that review is expected shortly.

  Zimbabwe
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which non-governmental organisations active in Zimbabwe are receiving funding from his Department. [152514]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID directly funds a large number of international and Zimbabwean NGOs as part of its humanitarian support for food aid, agricultural recovery and HIV/AIDS. We support numerous NGOs indirectly through the funds we provide to UN agencies operating in Zimbabwe, such as World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Through our membership of the European Union (EU), the UK is also a significant contributor to NGO programmes through the EU's ECHO and Euronaid humanitarian programmes in Zimbabwe.

  DFID's main international NGO partners for relief and recovery in Zimbabwe are CAFOD, Christian Aid, Save the Children (UK), Oxfam, John Snow International, HELP (Germany), CARE international and Catholic Relief Service. Our major Zimbabwean NGO partners are FOSENET (a consortia of Zimbabwean NGOs), Farm Community Trust Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Red Cross.

  Our HIV/AIDS programme in Zimbabwe includes support for HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives implemented by local faith-based organisations, through Population Services International, and home-based care groups through John Snow International (UK).

WALES

  Dee Cockle Regulation Order
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to hasten the implementation of the Dee Cockle Regulation Order. [150041]

  Mr. Touhig
  I understand that both the Welsh Assembly and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have responded swiftly and positively to requests for assistance in this matter from the Environment Agency Wales and stand ready to do so again if required.
  774W
  When the Environment Agency Wales submit a formal application for a Regulation Order, the Government will act as quickly as possible.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the visits he has made to armed forces' bases in Wales since October 2002. [151739]

  Mr. Hain
  I recently met Brigadier Iain Cholerton, Commander 160 (Wales) Brigade and will shortly be visiting a Territorial Army training operation at Maindy Barracks in Cardiff.

  National Assembly Powers
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the First Minister of the National Assembly to discuss(a) the Richard Commission in general, (b) the Labour Party's evidence to the Commission and (c) any differences between the Labour Party's Assembly Group's evidence and the evidence given by some Welsh Labour hon. Members. [150056]

  Mr. Hain
  I meet the First Minister on a weekly basis and we discuss a wide range of issues including the Richard Commission. The Labour Party's position vis-à-vis the Commission is a matter for the party.

  Wales Office
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the transfer of money for 2003–04 to the Department for Constitutional Affairs in respect of the Wales Office. [152245]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 November 2003,Official Report, columns 1–2WS, and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury's written statement on 11 November 2003, Official Report, column 17WS.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Agency Workers
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the provisions relating to statutory sick pay, contained in the Fixed Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002 apply to agency workers. [151838]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Fixed Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002 repealed a provision that prevented workers with contracts of three months or less from being entitled to SSP. Therefore all workers including agency workers may be entitled to SSP from day one, if they are treated as employees for National Insurance Contribution purposes.

  Agricultural Labour
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many successful prosecutions have been brought under the Employment Agencies
  775W
  Act 1973 against (a) employment agencies and (b) gangmasters supplying labour to the UK's agricultural industry. [152098]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The total number of successful prosecutions undertaken by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 is as follows:

  Prosecutions

  1977

  1

  1978

  12

  1979

  15

  1980

  8

  1981

  7

  1982

  5

  1983

  5

  1984

  0

  1985

  2

  1986

  3

  1987

  1

  1988

  0

  1989

  0

  1990

  0

  1991

  0

  1992 (to 31March 1992)

  0

  1992–93

  3

  1993–94

  7

  1994–95

  3

  1995–96

  3

  1996–97

  11

  1997–98

  14

  1998–99

  3

  1999–2000

  3

  2000–01

  2

  2001–02

  8

  2002–03

  8

  Data broken down by sector of the private recruitment industry are not available. However, a gangmaster was prosecuted in 1994–95.

  Computers (Tax Exemption)
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action has been taken and how much has been spent by the Government on promoting the annual tax exemption on loaned computers since it was introduced in 1999. [152064]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  The exemption was set out in Budget and other published material when it was introduced in 1999, and it now features in publicly available Inland Revenue guidance on employment expenses and benefits.

  The exemption has recently received a major promotional boost with the launch, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 19 January, of guidelines on Home Computing Initiatives. The Government have spent £370,000 on the production, promotion and distribution of these guidelines. Industry partners have also pledged significant funds and resources to promote the guidelines and HCI schemes more broadly.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the(a) resource and (b) capital budget for her Department for each year between 1997 and 2007. [151800]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]These are listed on pages 190 and 194 of "Central Government Supply Estimates 2003–04 Supplementary Budgetary Information" (Cm 5797, May 2003), where a breakdown is available. Figures are shown from 1998–99 (the first year for which resource information was produced) to 2005–06 (the final year of the current Spending Review period). The summary figures are:

  £000

  Resource budget

  Capital budget

  1998–99

  3,107,878

  18,303

  1999–2000

  4,547,569

  -8,205

  2000–01

  6,579,561

  37,860

  2001–02

  6,595,438

  88,840

  2002–03

  7,652,813

  376,308

  2003–04

  4,918,551

  1,196,194

  2004–05

  5,260,042

  164,000

  2005–06

  5,738,519

  101,000

  Employment Rights (Information)
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether her Department has made an analysis of the impact of withdrawing paper copies of its leaflets on employment rights on the availability of free-of-charge, printed information at public libraries; [149488]

  (2) whether her Department has made an analysis of the impact of withdrawing paper copies of its leaflets on employment rights on voluntary sector organisations providing free advice to the public in this area. [149489]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Yes. Last year the Department consulted leading customers to find out how our information on employment rights could be better focussed on users' needs. As part of this review, an assessment was made of the impact of withdrawing employment rights booklets, using information provided by the Department's distribution service. Public libraries did not appear as regular customers of the distribution service.

  The review concluded that Acas and other organisations who provide advice to employers and employees are generally better able to provide user-focussed advice, based on factual advice supplied by the Department. Acas recently produced a series of booklets summarising individual rights. These can be obtained free-of-charge from the Acas distribution centre on 08702 429090.

  Although voluntary sector organisations have been major users of the Department's employment rights booklets, I consider that Acas is generally better able to provide advice which meets the needs of these organisations.
  777W
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the impact of withdrawing paper copies of its leaflets on employment rights on sections of the public who have difficulties either accessing or using the internet. [149561]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question No. 149488, at column 776W.

  The Department has put in place special arrangements to supply our employment rights booklets on request where individuals are unable to access or use the internet.

  Fisheries (Compensation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she intends to publish the list of additional middle water vessels to be added to the list of vessels eligible for Icelandic fishermen's compensation claims; what period will be allowed for appeals; and when she plans to begin processing claims. [151978]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]I expect to publish a list of additional vessels on 2 February 2004. There will then be a period of three weeks for trawlermen or their representatives to appeal in respect of vessels not accepted on the list. Work on processing claims will begin immediately—there is no need for claimants to submit new applications.

  Flexible Working
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what surveys between employers and employees were carried out before the legislation on flexible working was implemented; and what comparative surveys have been carried out since the legislation has been implemented. [151830]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Between December 2002 and April 2003, fieldwork was carried out for two DTI Work-Life Balance studies. Data were collected from employers and employees to provide a baseline for future evaluation of the availability and take-up of flexible working. Details of the results can be found at: www.dti.gov.uk/er/emar To provide a direct comparison over time, it is planned that both surveys will be repeated in 2006.

  The Department has subsequently commissioned questions on flexible working for an Office for National Statistics Omnibus survey. Results will become available in spring 2004.

  The Department is also working with key intermediaries, such as Working Families and Maternity Alliance, to gather qualitative evidence through member/supporter surveys. Additionally, in September
  778W
  2003, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and Lovells conducted a survey of employers on the use of the flexible working law in the first six months after its implementation.

  Data collected will form the evidence base for a review of the legislation which the Government have said will commence in 2006.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) children and (b) elderly people are living in fuel poor households in (i) the East Midlands and (b) West Derbyshire. [150922]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Fuel poverty defined as occurring when a household needs to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income (including housing benefit and income support for mortgage interest) on all fuels in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime.

  The available information from the English House Condition Survey indicates that in 2001 there were 160,000 fuel poor households in the East Midlands Government Office region. (The current published official estimates of fuel poverty are extrapolated from a sample survey of 17,500 dwellings).

  More detailed breakdowns within the East Midlands Government Office region are not available from this survey as the sample size is not large enough to enable reliable detailed estimates of fuel poverty at a more local level to be produced.

  In England in 2001 under this definition there were 1.7 million households in fuel poverty. Of these, 210,000 contained children. 904,000 contained one or more persons aged 60 or more. The Government's estimates are available at:www.dti.gov.uk/energy/consumers/ fuel_poverty/index.shtml

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to maintain the nuclear skills base. [152042]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government have been assisting in the establishment of a Sector Skills Council to represent the needs of the nuclear industry. Cogent Sector Skills Council is expected to be licensed shortly and will take a strategic view of the nuclear sector to ensure that the education and training base can meet nuclear employer's current and future needs.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will conduct a public consultation on nuclear power. [152043]

  Ms Hewitt
  No. The Government consulted fully on energy policy, including nuclear, for the Energy White Paper published in February 2003. The White Paper clearly states that before any decision to proceed with the building of new nuclear power stations, there would need to be the fullest public consultation and the publication of a white paper setting out the Government's proposals.

  Post Office
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions she has had with Postcomm about the access charges to be charged by Royal Mail to private mail companies using parts of their network; [146125]

  (2) what estimate she has made of the (a) revenue and (b) profit that will be generated by the access charges to be charged by Royal Mail to private mail companies using parts of their network. [146126]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department has a regular dialogue with Postcomm on a wide range of postal issues concerning the postal market. However, decisions on access pricing are a matter for the companies concerned and for the regulator.

  Estimating the revenue and profit generated by Royal Mail through access charges charged to private mail companies using part of their network is a commercial matter for the Board of the company.

  Research and Development Tax Credits
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what mechanisms are in place to assess the development of new products, services and processes which arise as a result of research and development tax credits; and what assessment has been made using these mechanisms. [152061]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 19 January 2004, Official Report, column 1044W.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of completed projects failed to meet their required performance targets in each of the regional development agencies in each of the last five years. [152062]

  Jacqui Smith
  Each RDA is involved in a huge number of projects at any one time and many as a co-funder with local and regional partners. Output targets are set for each project but this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Smart Award
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the take-up rates have been for the New Elements of the Smart scheme in each quarter since their inception in 1999. [152057]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The figures in the following tables show the number of applications received and offers made under the Smart scheme from 1 March 1999. The new elements introduced under Smart in 1999 were Micro Projects, Technology Reviews and Technology Studies. Micro projects were launched in August 1999 and Reviews and Studies in October 1999.

  The Feasibility, Development and Micro elements of Smart closed to applications on 31 August 2003. The Reviews and Studies element closed to applications on 31 May 2003.
  780W

  1999–2000

  Q1 April to June

  Q2 July to September

  Q3 October to December

  Q4 January to March

  Total

  Feasibility

  Application

  61

  81

  75

  57

  274

  Offer

  33

  58

  97

  63

  251

  Development

  Application

  41

  37

  41

  43

  162

  Offer

  18

  49

  39

  26

  132

  Micro

  Application

  0

  0

  9

  26

  35

  Offer

  0

  0

  2

  11

  13

  Reviews

  Application

  0

  0

  2

  4

  6

  Offer

  0

  0

  0

  6

  6

  Studies

  Application

  0

  0

  3

  1

  4

  Offer

  0

  0

  0

  4

  4

  2000–01

  Q1 April to June

  Q2 July to September

  Q3 October to December

  Q4 January to March

  Total

  Feasibility

  Application

  64

  78

  87

  111

  340

  Offer

  61

  43

  66

  67

  237

  Development

  Application

  63

  52

  43

  65

  223

  Offer

  43

  32

  46

  31

  152

  Micro

  Application

  40

  53

  40

  50

  183

  Offer

  23

  24

  39

  19

  105

  Reviews

  Application

  5

  16

  12

  31

  64

  Offer

  4

  13

  11

  27

  55

  Studies

  Application

  3

  6

  12

  12

  33

  Offer

  4

  13

  11

  27

  55

  Studies

  Application

  3

  6

  12

  12

  33

  Offer

  3

  5

  10

  11

  29

  2001–02

  Q1 April to June

  Q2 July to September

  Q3 October to December

  Q4 January to March

  Total

  Feasibility

  Application

  95

  102

  118

  118

  433

  Offer

  66

  83

  81

  82

  312

  Development

  Application

  45

  51

  55

  64

  215

  Offer

  36

  38

  30

  41

  145

  Micro

  Application

  50

  50

  49

  53

  202

  Offer

  21

  21

  26

  38

  106

  Reviews

  Application

  38

  44

  72

  62

  216

  Offer

  35

  35

  62

  46

  178

  Studies

  Application

  12

  12

  20

  24

  68

  Offer

  7

  9

  8

  12

  36

  2002–03

  Q1 April to June

  Q2 July to September

  Q3 October to December

  Q4 January to March

  Total

  Feasibility

  Application

  132

  219

  198

  180

  729

  Offer

  107

  102

  139

  150

  498

  Development

  Application

  71

  101

  90

  69

  331

  Offer

  51

  59

  67

  60

  237

  Micro

  Application

  28

  56

  63

  48

  195

  Offer

  18

  36

  40

  40

  134

  781W

  2002–03

  Q1 April to June

  Q2 July to September

  Q3.October to December

  Q4 January to March

  Total

  Reviews

  Application

  73

  74

  53

  43

  243

  Offer

  56

  65

  52

  44

  217

  Studies

  Application

  16

  22

  9

  12

  58

  Offer

  13

  20

  10

  13

  56

  2003–04

  Q1 April to June

  Q2 July to September

  Q3 October to December

  Total

  Feasibility

  Application

  192

  166

  0

  358

  Offer

  158

  115

  73

  346

  Development

  Application

  79

  29

  0

  108

  Offer

  50

  34

  29

  113

  Micro

  Application

  43

  19

  0

  62

  Offer

  24

  17

  9

  50

  Reviews

  Application

  106

  0

  0

  106

  Offer

  93

  0

  0

  93

  Studies

  Application

  17

  0

  0

  17

  Offer

  16

  0

  0

  16

  Wage Levels (Catering, Tourism and Leisure industries)
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of low pay levels in the(a) catering, (b) tourism and (c) leisure sectors; and if she will make a statement. [150976]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  According to the April 2003 grossed New Earnings Survey the bottom decile hourly earnings of employees in(a) the catering sector (SIC code 55.5) was £4.23 (b) tourism related industries (SIC codes 55.1, 55.2, 55.3, 55.4, 63.3., 92.5, 92.6, 92.7) was £4.20 and for (c) sports and leisure assistants (SOC 2000 code 6211) was £4.20. This compares to the bottom decile hourly earnings of £4.67 for all employees in the UK. The adult and youth rates of the National Minimum Wage at the time were £4.20 and £3.60 respectively.

  The vast majority of employers in the UK are complying with the National Minimum Wage but we will continue to take enforcement action where necessary to tackle the minority of bad employers.

  Trade Barriers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is her objective to achieve a total elimination of all tariff barriers by all World Trade Organisation members. [149146]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The chances of a total elimination of all Tariff barriers by all members of the World Trade Organisation are remote. Our aim is to reduce barriers as much as reasonably possible. A number of studies have concluded that the elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers would bring major benefits. In recent years, studies by Michigan University and the World 782W
  Bank suggest that the elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers in industry and agriculture could boost global incomes by between ․450 billion and ․830 billion per annum over the longer term. From time-to-time for short periods tariffs or safeguards may have merit but our broad approach is to press for the elimination of as many tariffs as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the greater use of interim orders for anti-social behaviour; and what discussions he has had with the(a) police and (b) Crown Prosecution Service on this issue. [151779]

  Ms Blears
  Interim Anti-Social Behaviour Orders were introduced in December 2002 under the Police Reform Act 2002 to prohibit anti-social behaviour at the start of the court process pending the outcome of the full application. Relevant authorities, that is, the police, local authorities, registered social landlords and housing action trusts can apply for interim orders in the civil magistrates and county courts. Feedback from these agencies is that they find interim orders to be a quick and effective tool in protecting people from anti social behaviour.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the details held on an asylum seeker include the region of the country from which they arise. [148021]

  Beverley Hughes
  Information about the region of the country from which an asylum seeker has arrived or originated may be obtained as part of the asylum screening process or during the investigation into their claim. Any such information will normally be recorded on an individual asylum seeker's Home Office case file.

  McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance will be given to failed asylum-seeking families who cannot be returned to their country of origin because there are no removal agreements or removal arrangements have been suspended. [151444]

  Beverley Hughes
  Support will not be withdrawn from failed asylum-seeking families if they are taking reasonable steps to leave the United Kingdom voluntarily or placing themselves in a position in which they are able to leave voluntarily. Instances where there are no removal agreements or that removal agreements have been suspended, this factor will be taken into account but will not necessarily be the determining factor.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department have been(a) investigated, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for involvement in

  783W
  benefit fraud in each of the last six years; and what the amounts involved were in each of the cases listed. [151649]

  Cases of benefit fraud

  Department

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Home Office

  Investigated

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  1—

  n/a

  Suspended

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  n/a

  1—

  Dismissed

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  1—

  Prosecuted

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Convicted

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  1—

  Amount housing benefit (£)

  —

  —

  —

  n/a

  n/a

  19,000

  Amount council tax benefit (£)

  —

  —

  —

  n/a

  n/a

  2,000

  UK Passport Agency

  Investigated

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  Suspended

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  Dismissed

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Prosecuted

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  —

  n/a

  Convicted

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Amount housing benefit (£)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,947.89

  Amount council tax benefit (£)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  482.18

  n/a—indicates that no comprehensive figures available.

  1The process from investigation to conviction does not necessarily span only one year. E.g. suspended 2001, convicted 2002 and dismissed 2003.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to encourage(a) clubs and (b) pubs to ensure that their bouncers undergo professional training. 151983]

  Ms Blears
  From 1 March this year, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) will roll out a mandatory national licensing scheme for door supervisors ('bouncers'). Licensing will commence in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and then roll out on a geographical basis across England and Wales. On current plans, door supervisors in the Midlands must obtain an SIA licence by 18 October 2004.

  To qualify for a door supervisor licence, applicants will be required to pass three checks. The first will be an identity check, the second a criminal record check, and the third a check on professional competence to do the job. Professional competence will be demonstrated by successfully completing a training course provided by a training provider accredited by an SIA approved awarding body. Details of the licensing criteria for door supervisors will shortly be posted on the SIA's website www.the-sia.org.uk.

  Burglaries
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries were committed in the last 12 months for which figures are available, broken down by police force area; and in how many of those cases convictions were obtained for(a) custodial and (b) non-custodial sentence, broken down by police force area. [150723]

  Ms Blears
  Information on recorded burglaries in 2002–03, and sentencing statistics for 2002, are given in the tables.

  Total recorded burglary comprises the offences of burglary in a dwelling, and burglary in a building other than a dwelling.
  784W
  Fiona Mactaggart
  The figures so far as information is. available in the form requested are as follows.

  Number of persons sentenced for burglary1 at all courts and those sentenced to a custodial and non-custodial sentence, by police force area—England and Wales 2002

  Sentence breakdown

  Police force area

  Total sentenced

  Sentenced to a custodial sentence2

  Sentenced to a non custodial sentence

  Cleveland

  677

  377

  300

  Durham

  432

  217

  215

  Northumbria

  927

  389

  538

  North East Region

  2.036

  983

  1,053

  Cheshire

  500

  288

  212

  Cumbria

  253

  120

  133

  Greater Manchester

  1,614

  816

  798

  Lancashire

  1,223

  610

  613

  Merseyside

  650

  358

  292

  North West Region

  4,240

  2,192

  2,048

  Humberside

  579

  318

  261

  North Yorkshire

  300

  162

  138

  South Yorkshire

  937

  523

  414

  West Yorkshire

  1,598

  873

  725

  Yorkshire and the Humber Region

  3,414

  1,876

  1,538

  Derbyshire

  533

  290

  243

  Leicestershire

  458

  212

  246

  Lincolnshire

  323

  137

  186

  Northamptonshire

  237

  122

  115

  Nottinghamshire

  747

  356

  391

  East Midlands Region

  2,298

  1,117

  1,181

  Staffordshire

  534

  301

  233

  Warwickshire

  187

  95

  92

  West Mercia

  494

  246

  248

  West Midlands

  1,862

  1,039

  823

  West Midlands Region

  3,077

  1,681

  1,396

  Bedfordshire

  224

  131

  93

  Cambridgeshire

  335

  174

  161

  Essex

  434

  230

  204

  Hertfordshire

  314

  145

  169

  Norfolk

  261

  109

  152

  Suffolk

  235

  89

  146

  East of England Region

  1,803

  878

  925

  London. City of

  27

  14

  13

  Metropolitan police

  3,234

  1,776

  1,458

  London Region

  3,261

  1,790

  1,471

  785W

  Number of persons sentenced for burglar at all courts and those sentenced to a custodial and non-custodial sentence, by police force area—England and Wales 2002

  Sentence breakdown

  Police force area

  Total sentenced

  Sentenced to a custodial sentence2

  Sentenced to a non custodial sentence

  Hampshire

  776

  310

  466

  Kent

  489

  220

  269

  Surrey

  191

  88

  103

  Sussex

  402

  214

  188

  Thames Valley

  744

  360

  384

  South-East Region

  2,602

  1,192

  1,410

  Avon and Somerset

  695

  379

  316

  Devon and Cornwall

  526

  188

  338

  Dorset

  244

  131

  113

  Gloucestershire

  247

  93

  154

  Wiltshire

  233

  92

  141

  South-West Region

  1,945

  883

  1,062

  Dyfed Powys

  214

  77

  137

  Gwent

  384

  146

  238

  North Wales

  317

  147

  170

  South Wales

  785

  388

  397

  Wales

  1,700

  758

  942

  England and Wales

  26,376

  13,350

  13,026

  1These data are on the principal offence basis.

  2Detention and training order, detention in a young offender institution, detention under secs 91/92 of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 and unsuspended imprisonment.

  Source:

  Offending and Criminal Justice Group.

  Recorded offences of burglary by police force area and region 2002

  Police force area

  All burglary offences recorded

  Cleveland

  14,856

  Durham

  7,656

  Northumbria

  22,704

  North East Region

  45,216

  Cheshire

  14,194

  Cumbria

  4,898

  Greater Manchester

  75,367

  Lancashire

  20,487

  Merseyside

  25,956

  North West Region

  140,902

  Humberside

  27,127

  North Yorkshire

  11,595

  South Yorkshire

  34,468

  West Yorkshire

  69,807

  Yorkshire and the Humber Region

  142,997

  Derbyshire

  18,465

  Leicestershire

  12,832

  Lincolnshire

  10,831

  Northamptonshire

  11,381

  Nottinghamshire

  33,190

  East Midlands Region

  86,699

  Staffordshire

  15,172

  Warwickshire

  7,437

  West Mercia

  16,375

  West Midlands

  56,531

  West Midlands Region

  95,515

  Bedfordshire

  8,336

  Cambridgeshire

  12,775

  Essex

  16,909

  Hertfordshire

  11,713

  786W

  Recorded offences of burglary by police force area and region 2002—03

  Police force area

  All burglary offences recorded

  Norfolk

  9,681

  Suffolk

  6,248

  East of England Region

  65,662

  London, City of

  444

  Metropolitan police

  113,427

  London Region

  113,871

  Hampshire

  18,217

  Kent

  18,371

  Surrey

  9,727

  Sussex

  17,321

  Thames Valley

  29,432

  South East Region

  93,068

  Avon and Somerset

  30,182

  Devon and Cornwall

  15,700

  Dorset

  7,355

  Gloucestershire

  8,694

  Wiltshire

  6,242

  South West Region

  68,173

  Dyfed Powys

  2,104

  Gwent

  7,586

  North Wales

  8,543

  South Wales

  18,615

  Wales

  36,848

  England and Wales

  888,951

  Notes:

  1. All burglary comprises burglary in a dwelling, and burglary in a building other than a dwelling.

  2. Total numbers of recorded crimes will be affected by changes in recording as a result of the implementation of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) across England and Wales on 1 April 2002. This impact will vary for different types of offences, with the impact for domestic burglary being an increase of 3 per cent. in the number of crimes recorded due to the NCRS.

  Community Support Officers
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers are employed by each police authority. [151866]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]The table gives a breakdown of the number of Community Support Officers (CSOS) employed by each police authority.

  CSOs recruited to the end of January 2004

  Authority5

  Total CSOs recruited

  Avon and Somerset

  46

  Bedfordshire

  8

  Cambridgeshire

  59

  Cheshire

  33

  Cleveland

  80

  Devon and Cornwall

  55

  Dorset

  7

  Durham

  27

  Dyfed-Powys

  5

  Essex

  77

  Gloucestershire

  60

  Greater Manchester

  160

  Gwent

  50

  787W

  CSOs recruited to the end of January 2004

  Authority

  Total CSOs recruited

  Hertfordshire

  30

  Kent

  58

  Lancashire

  111

  Leicestershire

  44

  Lincolnshire

  44

  Merseyside

  78

  Metropolitan Police

  1,372

  Norfolk

  34

  Northamptonshire

  12

  North Wales

  8

  North Yorkshire

  37

  Northumbria

  45

  Nottinghamshire

  43

  South Wales

  63

  South Yorkshire

  42

  Staffordshire

  5

  Suffolk

  12

  Surrey

  64

  Sussex

  72

  Thames Valley

  6

  Warwickshire

  28

  West Mercia

  55

  West Midlands

  59

  West Yorkshire

  206

  Wiltshire

  24

  Total

  3,219

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Citizenship and Immigration will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne of 10 November 2003, about a constituent, Mr. J. A. Hernandez. [149030]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 January 2004]I wrote to the hon. Member on 29 January 2004.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 8 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr. Louis Sterling; [149550]

  (2) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 8 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr. Louis Sterling. [151232]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 28 January 2004.

  Corruption Offences (Legal Assistance)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for mutual legal assistance his Department has received for corruption offences since November 1997; from which countries these requests came; when they were received; and how long it took for his Department to process each request. [151316]

  Caroline Flint
  The United Kingdom is committed to assist its international partners in the fight against corruption and has recently signed the UN Convention 788W
  Against Corruption. The UK Central Authority (UKCA) in the Home Office has processed a number of such cases during the period in question. However, the more detailed statistics sought by the hon. Member are not available as UKCA does not currently collate them in a manner that can produce data according to offence type.

  Crime Statistics
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect on total recorded crime of changes in recording practice since 1997—98. [150185]

  Ms Blears
  There have been two major changes to recording practices which have affected total recorded crime since 1997-98. In April 1998, the Home Office Counting Rules were substantially revised and in April 2002 the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) was adopted nationally in England and Wales. These changes were introduced to promote greater consistency between police forces in the recording of crime, to take a more victim-oriented approach to crime recording and to improve the overall quality of statistics on recorded crime.

  It is estimated that the changes to the Home Office Counting Rules introduced in April 1998 had the effect of increasing total recorded crime by 14 per cent. and the introduction of the NCRS is estimated to have increased total recorded crime by 10 per cent. in 2002—03.

  Further details on these changes to recording practices and their effects on recorded crime statistics can be found in "Recorded Crime Statistics England and Wales, April 1998 to March 1999" and "Crime in England and Wales 2002—03". copies of which are available in the Library. A more detailed account of the impact of NCRS is given in "National Crime Recording Standards (NCRS): An Analysis of the Impact on Recorded Crime. Companion Volume to Crime in England and Wales 2002—03", which is available on the Home Office website.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects measures introduced by the Department to result in a reduction of recorded crime. [150186]

  Ms Blears
  The latest published data, covering the period July to September 2003, show that total recorded crime is stable compared to the same period 12 months previously. This includes falls in robbery (2 per cent.), domestic burglary (3 per cent.), other burglary (8 per cent.), and thefts of and from vehicles (8 per cent.).

  Recorded crime is not the best indicator of long-term trends in crime because it is sensitive to changes in police recording practices and public reporting to the police. However, the British Crime Survey, which is not affected by these factors and which covers unreported

  789W
  and unrecorded crime as well as crimes reported to the police, shows that crime has fallen by 25 per cent. since 1997, with a further I per cent. fall in the 12 months to September 2003 compared to the year ending September 2002.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why statistics on crime in Wales are not separated from statistics for England. [150463]

  Ms Blears
  Statistics on crime in Wales are published separately in a number of publications. For example, the "Digest of Welsh Statistics 2003", published by the National Assembly for Wales, contains a chapter on crime and justice statistics. This can be found on the Welsh Assembly website at http: //www.wales.gov.uk/ keypubstatisticsforwales/content/publication.htm. A range of other statistics are available through the Welsh Assembly website at http: //www.wales.gov.uk/ keypubstatisticsforwales/topicindex/topics.htm under "Crime".

  The Home Office Statistical Bulletin 7/03, "Crime in England and Wales 2002/2003" includes breakdowns of statistics for Wales, and for police forces within Wales, along with equivalent figures for English regions. These statistics include the number of recorded offences broken down by offence group, with offences per 1,000 population given for these figures. Victimisation rates are also given, as well as overall detection rates over time for Wales, methods of detection in 2002—03, and rates of detection for each main offence group in 2002—03. There are also breakdowns of violent crime offences, burglary and vehicle crime offences by police force area. In the internet publication, a separate chapter contains a summary for Wales of the main findings from crime statistics and British Crime Survey and this is available at http: //www.homeoffice.gov.ukirds/pdfs2/wales.pdf.

  Supplementary Volume 2 to "Crime in England and Wales 2002/2003", which deals with public attitudes to crime, disorder and the criminal justice system, was published on 22 January. It includes figures for Wales, as well as English regions, concerning confidence in the criminal justice system, confidence in the police, perceptions of crime, and worry about crime.

  Police Service (Essex)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time police officers were employed in Southend in each of the last 10 years. [152201]

  Ms Blears
  The deployment of officers to basic command units and to other specialist units in Essex police is an operational matter for the Chief Constable (Mr. David Stevens QPM).

  Information on police officer numbers for each Basic Command Units is only available for March 2002 and 2003 and is set out in the table.
  790W

  Southend basic command unit

  Basic command unit strength

  31 March 2002 1267

  1267

  31 March 2003 2273

  2273

  Source:

  1.HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Annual Statistical Return for March 200

  2.Research, Development and Statistical Directorate (RDS).Details for BCU strength in Essex police can be found on the RDS pages of the Home Office website.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to increase the establishment of the Essex Constabulary.[152154]

  Ms Blears
  It is for the Chief Constable (Mr. David Stevens QPM), in consultation with the Essex Police Authority, to determine police officer numbers subject to the budget set by his authority.

  At the end of August 2003 Essex Police had record strength of 3,063, which is 102 more officers than in March 1997. I understand that Essex Police expect strength to he 3,081 by March this year. In addition Essex Police plan to have 55 Community Support Officers by 31 March 2004.

  We have supported increases in police strength through the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF). Essex Police was allocated 197 CFF recruits over the three years to March 2003 fully funded by the Home Office. Continuation funding will continue for these posts. In addition Essex was allocated a further 10 CFF posts for 2003–04 funded at the rate of 75 per cent. For 2004–05 it is proposed that funding for these posts will be at the rate of 60 per cent.

  Police staff make an important contribution to policing of Essex as many have been used to free police officers for operational duties. Between March 1997 and March 2003 police staff strength in Essex increased by 483 to 1,682.

  Criminal Records Checks
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what unplanned expenditure has been incurred in each financial year by(a) his Department and (b) the Criminal Records Bureau since the commencement of the Criminal Records Project. [141822]

  Ms Blears
  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is an executive agency of the Home Office. The CRB's Corporate and Business Plans for 2000–07 projected planned expenditure of £167.7 million up to 30 September 2003. Actual expenditure for the period was £123.9 million. In addition. £1.26 million was spent in the first financial year of the project, financial year 1999-2000. Planned and actual expenditure can be broken down by financial year as follows.
  791W

  £million

  Financial year

  Gross spend

  Planned Fee income

  Operating deficit

  Gross spend

  Actual Fee income

  Operating deficit

  1999–2000

  1.20

  0.00

  (1.20)

  1.26

  0.00

  (0.06)

  2000–01

  5.30

  0.00

  (5.30)

  4.60

  0.00

  (4.60)

  Percentage

  36.80

  3.30

  (33.50)

  27.60

  1.50

  (26.10)

  2002–03

  83.30

  63.20

  (20.10)

  57.90

  18.30

  (39.60)

  ¾(to 30 September 2003)

  42.30

  38.60

  (3.70)

  33.80

  17.10

  (16.70)

  Total

  168.90

  105.10

  (63.80)

  125.16

  36.90

  (87.06)

  The Home Office and other departments have contributed towards meeting deficits.

  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the Criminal Records Bureau is meeting its targets for processing applications for taxi driver licences; [148481]

  (2) what percentage of applications for taxi driver licences were processed by the Criminal Records Bureau within target times in the latest month for which figures are available; [148482]

  (3) how many applications for taxi driver licences are (a) awaiting processing and (b) being processed by the Criminal Records Bureau. [148483]

  Ms Blears
  I am unable to answer my hon. Friend's question about the percentage of applications for taxi-driver licences processed by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) within target times because the CRB does not hold information in that format. However, overall, the CRB has been consistently meeting its targets for processing Disclosure applications since June 2003. The following table illustrates the current position.

  Service performance

  December

  Year to date

  90 per cent, of Standard Disclosures issued within two weeks

  Exceeded

  93 per cent.

  90 per cent, of Enhanced Disclosures issued within four weeks

  Exceeded

  92.9 per cent.

  90 per cent, of calls answered within 20 seconds

  Exceeded

  89.6 per cent.

  5 per cent, of applications over six weeks old

  Exceeded

  n/a

  To the CRB, applications awaiting processing are those where an applicant has asked for a form to be sent out and the form has not been returned to the CRB. Applications being processed are those that have been fully and correctly completed by the customer and returned to the CRB. No disclosure applications for taxi drivers or anyone else are withheld from going on to the CRB computer system; all are immediately processed upon receipt.

  European Arrest Warrant
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU member states have adopted the recent proposals for a European Arrest Warrant; and how many have indicated that they will adopt it in due course. [150661]

  Caroline Flint
  Eight EU member states are now operating the European Arrest Warrant (EAW). They are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Portugal, Spain. Sweden and the United Kingdom.
  792W
  The remaining member states are in the process of implementing the EAW into their domestic legislation.

  Extraditions
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what records are kept on extraditions to EU countries from the UK. [150791]

  Caroline Flint
  Since the commencement of the Extradition Act 2003 on 1 January 2004, the National Criminal Intelligence Service has maintained an electronic record of extradition requests to the UK from those EU countries which have implemented the European Arrest Warrant, while the Home Office has maintained an electronic record of extradition requests from other EU countries. Prior to 1 January this year, the Home Office maintained an electronic record of such requests from all EU countries going back to 1997; and there are earlier paper records.

  Home Office Challenge Fund
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local initiatives have benefited from the Home Office Challenge Fund; and how much each local initiative has received. [150191]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  In 2003–04 almost £2 million will have been allocated to 43 projects, both new recipients and existing ones, throughout the United Kingdom. These projects cover a range of innovative local schemes to help refugees play a full and active role in their new communities, for example through assisting access to the job market, acquisition of employable skills, English language tuition, and supporting families through education and training.

  More information on all the selected projects is available on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate Home Office website.

  List of organisations awarded grants from the 2003–04 challenge fund

  £

  East of England

  Employability Forum

  28,650

  East of England Consortium

  47,300

  London

  East London Somali Association

  43,585

  Evelyn Oldfield Unit

  31,500

  Refugees Into Jobs

  93,297

  Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund

  40,000

  Common Purpose

  32,000

  Ethiopian Community Centre in the UK

  27,917

  South London Tamil Welfare Group

  25,750

  Praxis

  71,496

  793W

  List of organisations awarded grants from the 2003–challenge fund

  £

  Hackney Playbus

  13,390

  RETAS

  73,812

  The Presswise Trust

  90,640

  FOREF (Friends of Refugees Forum)

  12,950

  Sierra Leone Refugee

  Welfare Association

  21,750

  Holy Cross Centre Trust

  31,500

  Council for Assisting Refugee

  Academics

  30,000

  North East

  Newcastle City Council

  31,800

  Mental Health Matters

  62,000

  Stockton District Advice and Information Service

  12,588

  North West

  North West Consortium

  63,189

  Toxteth Community College

  44,954

  Liverpool Family Service Unit

  64,714

  North West Consortium

  14,041

  British Red Cross (running two projects)

  88,000

  Scotland

  Scottish Refugee Council

  19,489

  Prince's Trust

  44,800

  Glasgow ESOL Forum

  35,506

  South East

  Care co-operatives

  19,570

  Thanet Early Years Project

  14,404

  Kent Refugee Action Network

  39,140

  Community Self Build Agency

  33,000

  South West

  Women's Business Development Agency

  50,000

  Wales

  Cardiff City Council

  51,272

  SOVA

  78,093

  West Midlands

  Roselodge—CIP

  116,000

  Wolverhampton Refugee Settlement and Integration

  67,364

  Midland Refugee Council

  56,650

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Refugee Lifeline

  40,000

  Yemeni Economic and Training

  50,000

  CALTEC

  41,541

  Yorkshire and Humberside Consortium

  46,014

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Home Office Challenge Fund will continue indefinitely; what funding will be made available in each of the next five years; and what criteria are used in allocating funding from the Challenge Fund. [150192]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Challenge Fund was introduced in 2001 to support local projects helping those who have fled persecution and been granted asylum in the UK to integrate into their new communities. Initially a three-year scheme, the Home Office announced in December 2003 that it planned to continue the Challenge Fund for the foreseeable future.

  The availability and amount of funding over the next five years is dependent on future Spending Reviews and on evidence of how beneficial the funding stream has
  794W
  been to support the integration of refugees. It is currently expected that £3 million will be made available for both 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  When allocating funding, consideration is given to the relevance of the project to the Home Office integration strategy, outlined in "Full and Equal Citizens", to its cost-effectiveness, and to the expertise and reliability of the applicant and any partner, organisations; applications must, of course, be focused on refugees and those granted Humanitarian or Discretionary Leave. Projects are subjected to a programme of monitoring and evaluation in order to identify those projects that are most effective in helping to integrate refugees.

  Illegal Entrants (London Airports)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal entrants have been detected at(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted, (d) Luton and (e) City airport in each of the last six years. [148439]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 January 2004]The number of people against whom illegal entry action was initiated in each of the last six years for which information is available is shown in the table. Information on the ports at which these persons were detected is unavailable and would be available by examination of individual case-files only at disproportionate cost.

  Persons against whom illegal entry action was initiated 1997 to 2002

  Number of persons

  1997

  14,390

  1998

  16,500

  1999

  21,165

  2000

  47,325

  2001

  69,875

  20021

  48,050

  1Provisional figures.

  Illegal entry action is initiated against those people who are detected entering the country clandestinely or by means of deception, either verbal or documentary.

  This information and other statistics on the immigration and asylum system are published annually in the Command publication "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom" a copy of which is in the House Library and can be found on the Home Office website: http: //www.homeoffice.gov.u1c/rds/immigrationl.html

  information Technology
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what audit mechanisms are in place to determine whether information technology(a) hardware and (b) software products are being used properly in his Department. [150932]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Home Office (core directorates including the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)) has outsourced support for most of its IT infrastructures, including desktop computers, to three companies:Sirius (Fujitsu Services with IBM and Global Crossing) covering the core office and some IND locations (the 'POISE' infrastructure);

  795W
  Siemens covering caseworking for IND; and
  Steria covering the Probation Service areas.

  Home Office contracts provide for the audit of supplier service provision including licence provision. Asset registers are maintained for the major infrastructures. The Home Office allows its staff and people working on behalf of the Department reasonable personal use of its IT equipment. Usage is monitored in accordance with the Information Commissioner's Code of Practice: Monitoring at Work. The Department's notices: 'Non-official use of Home Office telephones and computer facilities', 'Use of POISE and the Internet including non-official purposes' and 'Warning to Staff: Misuse and Abuse of IT' set out Departmental policy to staff. Misuse of hardware and/or software assets may lead to disciplinary measures including dismissal.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what cost savings have been made in his Department since the introduction of the Information Technology Procurement Centre of Excellence; and how these were calculated. [151048]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  A Centre of Excellence was established within the Home Office in June 2003 to integrate the essential functions which underpin the successful delivery of all types of acquisition based programmes and projects. As cost benefits will not accrue until improvements start to take effect, it is too early to measure cost savings. All centres of excellence are currently developing future plans and as part of this process measurement of savings will be defined.

  Knives
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward proposals to differentiate between kitchen knives and combat knives in legislation. [150954]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]None. Current legislation recognises that all knives have potential to cause injury and, in general, does not

  Number of constables abstracted for Counter Terrorism (Ceremonial, Royal visits and security Events) from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  Barking and Dagenham

  2

  32

  154

  361

  194

  166

  109

  Barnet

  4

  94

  205

  457

  221

  290

  126

  Belgravia

  0

  90

  144

  260

  145

  122

  76

  Bexley

  0

  53

  128

  361

  129

  167

  86

  Brent

  1

  176

  55

  339

  265

  283

  148

  Bromley

  0

  86

  185

  544

  210

  247

  100

  Camden

  4

  159

  243

  534

  423

  339

  103

  Charing Cross

  8

  123

  124

  198

  128

  102

  116

  Croydon

  0

  108

  185

  553

  316

  360

  89

  Ealing

  0

  218

  184

  456

  166

  323

  103

  Enfield

  2

  82

  201

  472

  168

  257

  43

  Greenwich

  0

  80

  223

  567

  404

  340

  198

  Hackney

  0

  89

  109

  326

  307

  332

  53

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0

  111

  41

  230

  56

  81

  73

  Haringey

  2

  89

  69

  241

  249

  346

  76

  Harrow

  0

  95

  121

  276

  62

  153

  86

  Havering

  2

  35

  164

  377

  235

  205

  70

  Hillingdon

  0

  255

  190

  500

  237

  257

  25

  Hounslow

  0

  232

  156

  503

  90

  255

  108

  Islington

  6

  108

  184

  404

  201

  310

  110

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  141

  186

  415

  313

  284

  104

  Kingston

  0

  71

  105

  239

  214

  130

  23

  Lambeth

  13

  280

  188

  780

  504

  372

  186

  796W
  distinguish between kitchen knives and combat knives. Under the Knives Act 1997, it is an offence to market a knife which indicates that it is suitable for combat or is likely to encourage violent behaviour.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts are being made to ensure that children under the age of 16 do not(a) buy and (b) carry knives. [150956]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]Section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes it an offence to sell a knife or other article with blade or point to persons under 16 years of age. Under Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 it is an offence of having an article with a blade or point in a public place without good reason or lawful excuse. An exemption applies to folding pocket knives with a blade of less than three inches. The Government supports operations by the Police and Trading Standards Officers to enforce this legislation.

  Metropolitan Police
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the rate of Metropolitan police officer abstractions was from each London borough for(a) counter-terrorism, (b) special operations and (c) public order event policing work in each of the last 12 months; what the average was for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [151075]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]The numbers of Metropolitan police officer abstractions from each London borough for counter-terrorism, public order and other event policing work during the last 12 months and average abstractions for each borough for the last three years are shown in the following tables. These statistics are taken from data stored within the Public Order Strategic Management Information System held by the Metropolitan Police.

  Information on abstraction by borough prior to 2001 is not available.
  797W

  Number of constables abstracted for Counter Terrorism (Ceremonial, Royal visits and security Events) from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  Lewisham

  0

  88

  182

  436

  191

  302

  83

  Marylebone

  0

  89

  101

  240

  65

  140

  104

  Merton

  0

  77

  119

  259

  99

  47

  33

  Newham

  8

  60

  473

  921

  154

  178

  140

  Paddington

  0

  83

  107

  187

  70

  51

  79

  Redbridge

  6

  76

  68

  288

  153

  183

  98

  Richmond

  1

  109

  118

  242

  88

  130

  71

  Southwark

  0

  247

  143

  654

  442

  371

  145

  Sutton and Epsom

  0

  97

  105

  323

  225

  103

  86

  Tower Hamlets

  4

  78

  370

  583

  319

  371

  123

  Waltham Forest

  0

  84

  209

  438

  257

  231

  62

  Wandsworth

  0

  192

  189

  427

  268

  232

  59

  West End Central

  0

  110

  162

  185

  284

  173

  82

  Total

  63

  4,197

  5,890

  14,576

  7,852

  8,233

  3,375

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Barking and Dagenham

  1

  231

  18

  150

  22

  1,440

  Barnet

  14

  273

  35

  333

  45

  2,097

  Belgravia

  14

  196

  62

  209

  25

  1,343

  Bexley

  0

  151

  1

  169

  12

  1,257

  Brent

  37

  338

  19

  335

  51

  2,047

  Bromley

  2

  209

  6

  273

  21

  1,883

  Camden

  12

  234

  55

  587

  49

  2,742

  Charing Cross

  84

  432

  42

  328

  47

  1,732

  Croydon

  14

  187

  6

  299

  3

  2,120

  Ealing

  30

  274

  19

  350

  26

  2,149

  Enfield

  8

  290

  100

  292

  18

  1,933

  Greenwich

  1

  373

  7

  289

  14

  2,496

  Hackney

  17

  400

  25

  456

  66

  2,179

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  7

  370

  3

  306

  2

  1,280

  Haringey

  7

  427

  46

  337

  19

  1,908

  Harrow

  15

  167

  12

  149

  8

  1,144

  Havering

  0

  216

  25

  189

  12

  1,530

  Hillingdon

  65

  192

  0

  210

  43

  1,974

  Hounslow

  42

  159

  5

  266

  25

  1,841

  Islington

  0

  346

  19

  401

  58

  2,147

  Kensington and Chelsea

  36

  385

  12

  424

  7

  2,307

  Kingston

  35

  71

  2

  146

  1

  1,037

  Lambeth

  48

  416

  57

  547

  45

  3,436

  Lewisham

  15

  387

  8

  405

  9

  2,106

  Marylebone

  14

  188

  15

  262

  37

  1,255

  Merton

  7

  83

  6

  169

  3

  902

  Newham

  39

  468

  23

  361

  23

  2,848

  Paddington

  13

  271

  23

  321

  64

  1,269

  Redbridge

  15

  267

  38

  245

  20

  1,457

  Richmond

  22

  136

  2

  162

  0

  1,081

  Southwark

  50

  484

  21

  527

  36

  3,120

  Sutton and Epsom

  14

  80

  4

  141

  2

  1,180

  Tower Hamlets

  28

  437

  61

  475

  65

  2,914

  Waltham Forest

  21

  273

  38

  269

  22

  1,904

  Wandsworth

  21

  293

  5

  344

  25

  2,055

  West End Central

  7

  254

  47

  290

  43

  1,637

  Total

  755

  9,958

  867

  11,016

  968

  67,750

  Number of constables abstracted for Public Order (includes Public Order, Football and other sporting events) from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  Barking and Dagenham

  189

  102

  189

  105

  99

  85

  61

  Barnet

  190

  149

  261

  129

  172

  64

  221

  Belgravia

  82

  31

  97

  96

  47

  75

  53

  Bexley

  94

  64

  158

  99

  47

  46

  35

  Brent

  129

  78

  226

  382

  310

  122

  198

  Bromley

  132

  88

  171

  150

  80

  57

  95

  Camden

  197

  140

  322

  225

  295

  156

  162

  Charing Cross

  162

  198

  155

  138

  115

  96

  89

  Croydon

  123

  158

  353

  316

  135

  67

  113

  Ealing

  221

  133

  '44

  205

  187

  166

  131

  Enfield

  217

  116

  165

  148

  89

  59

  341

  798W 799W

  Number of constables abstracted for Public Order (includes Public Order, Football and other sporting events) from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  Greenwich

  267

  127

  243

  261

  174

  89

  140

  Hackney

  285

  88

  248

  425

  152

  340

  144

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  243

  289

  352

  478

  163

  129

  156

  Haringey

  182

  151

  200

  481

  137

  269

  319

  Harrow

  142

  81

  163

  114

  142

  55

  66

  Havering

  92

  87

  200

  118

  147

  36

  43

  Hillingdon

  131

  75

  235

  111

  116

  36

  105

  Hounslow

  165

  110

  325

  212

  120

  74

  84

  Islington

  303

  168

  343

  217

  307

  122

  168

  Kensington and Chelsea

  127

  92

  121

  172

  77

  110

  161

  Kingston

  58

  71

  139

  78

  76

  81

  104

  Lambeth

  258

  212

  423

  546

  222

  230

  131

  Lewisham

  201

  169

  298

  203

  121

  96

  173

  Marylebone

  94

  43

  176

  117

  205

  112

  132

  Merton

  106

  76

  140

  113

  109

  286

  231

  Newham

  273

  283

  248

  263

  180

  78

  127

  Paddington

  54

  32

  108

  76

  54

  90

  66

  Redbridge

  194

  91

  185

  156

  120

  116

  157

  Richmond

  78

  117

  168

  124

  133

  66

  38

  Southwark

  221

  142

  311

  471

  191

  173

  153

  Sutton and Epsom

  76

  33

  141

  90

  56

  101

  49

  Tower Hamlets

  255

  370

  204

  134

  142

  29

  126

  Waltham Forest

  241

  166

  219

  189

  207

  196

  44

  Wandsworth

  148

  117

  257

  184

  108

  142

  160

  West End Central

  123

  73

  172

  111

  45

  70

  107

  Total

  6,053

  4,520

  7,960

  7,437

  5,080

  4,119

  4,683

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Barking and Dagenham

  178

  33

  118

  56

  139

  1,354

  Barnet

  262

  103

  143

  91

  179

  1,964

  Belgravia

  156

  37

  62

  29

  28

  793

  Bexley

  129

  46

  82

  45

  118

  963

  Brent

  409

  248

  106

  174

  311

  2,693

  Bromley

  206

  78

  111

  50

  127

  1,345

  Camden

  476

  361

  181

  89

  365

  2,969

  Charing Cross

  164

  92

  75

  2

  137

  1,423

  Croydon

  419

  136

  171

  76

  253

  2,320

  Ealing

  406

  99

  106

  292

  164

  2,354

  Enfield

  343

  130

  68

  68

  285

  2,029

  Greenwich

  279

  83

  70

  85

  82

  1,900

  Hackney

  360

  174

  54

  77

  489

  2,836

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  389

  196

  236

  242

  292

  3,165

  Haringey

  463

  253

  266

  162

  448

  3,331

  Harrow

  93

  106

  91

  87

  179

  1,319

  Havering

  210

  35

  63

  73

  166

  1,270

  Hillingdon

  251

  69

  79

  93

  196

  1,497

  Hounslow

  239

  103

  140

  108

  191

  1,871

  Islington

  406

  237

  169

  182

  357

  2,979

  Kensington and Chelsea

  384

  71

  174

  44

  141

  1,674

  Kingston

  144

  69

  68

  34

  123

  1,045

  Lambeth

  481

  321

  221

  135

  264

  3,444

  Lewisham

  496

  190

  220

  124

  261

  2,552

  Marylebone

  323

  32

  40

  54

  83

  1,411

  Merton

  252

  36

  61

  34

  109

  1,553

  Newham

  510

  176

  176

  141

  228

  2,683

  Paddington

  235

  53

  94

  64

  112

  1,038

  Redbridge

  390

  86

  78

  147

  136

  1,856

  Richmond

  103

  101

  50

  29

  133

  1,140

  Southwark

  428

  201

  199

  77

  243

  2,810

  Sutton and Epsom

  131

  33

  74

  20

  72

  876

  Tower Hamlets

  301

  154

  60

  94

  226

  2,095

  Waltham Forest

  318

  105

  88

  95

  216

  2,084

  Wandsworth

  314

  77

  161

  70

  218

  1,956

  West End Central

  170

  52

  96

  70

  86

  1,175

  Total

  10,818

  4,376

  4,251

  3,313

  7,157

  69,767

  800W 801W

  Number of constables abstracted for 'Other' events (other than Football, Sport, Public Order, Ceremonial, Royal Visit or Security) from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  Barking and Dagenham

  34

  48

  21

  27

  22

  24

  182

  Barnet

  26

  39

  16

  46

  22

  28

  82

  Belgravia

  12

  6

  1

  17

  11

  24

  43

  Bexley

  28

  25

  21

  20

  10

  11

  42

  Brent

  54

  38

  25

  43

  34

  43

  49

  Bromley

  40

  10

  21

  13

  54

  63

  122

  Camden

  43

  22

  4

  6

  19

  10

  144

  Charing Cross

  65

  20

  11

  20

  22

  11

  17

  Croydon

  27

  20

  23

  20

  37

  25

  79

  Ealing

  40

  171

  97

  157

  55

  49

  84

  Enfield

  42

  36

  21

  21

  23

  23

  90

  Greenwich

  82

  24

  28

  41

  30

  12

  80

  Hackney

  56

  40

  25

  21

  64

  42

  138

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  25

  7

  2

  0

  18

  9

  9

  Haringey

  71

  31

  57

  19

  60

  60

  95

  Harrow

  36

  21

  16

  37

  3

  23

  4

  Havering

  39

  36

  10

  26

  9

  44

  90

  Hillingdon

  47

  31

  26

  28

  4

  7

  43

  Hounslow

  26

  44

  33

  20

  24

  28

  83

  Islington

  16

  9

  1

  18

  4

  21

  96

  Kensington and Chelsea

  20

  27

  8

  20

  66

  30

  73

  Kingston

  10

  1

  30

  8

  25

  6

  28

  Lambeth

  62

  26

  21

  29

  62

  61

  254

  Lewisham

  87

  31

  21

  20

  35

  24

  187

  Marylebone

  3

  27

  1

  0

  3

  1

  34

  Merton

  26

  8

  21

  17

  3

  8

  43

  Newham

  36

  49

  40

  89

  40

  26

  86'

  Paddington

  18

  10

  16

  21

  2

  24

  34

  Redbridge

  24

  33

  32

  29

  14

  37

  85

  Richmond

  10

  10

  70

  10

  21

  39

  21

  Southwark

  42

  30

  21

  20

  107

  48

  204

  Sutton and Epsom

  18

  23

  23

  20

  23

  18

  45

  Tower Hamlets

  48

  491

  126

  29

  42

  71

  202

  Waltham Forest

  122

  35

  28

  28

  21

  45

  106

  Wandsworth

  28

  26

  49

  20

  24

  28

  65

  West End Central

  5

  7

  16

  0

  10

  24

  79

  Total

  1,368

  1,512

  982

  960

  1,023

  1,047

  3,118

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Barking and Dagenham

  46

  19

  9

  22

  17

  471

  Barnet

  67

  30

  52

  63

  32

  503

  Belgravia

  22

  28

  38

  86

  31

  319

  Bexley

  28

  38

  89

  121

  71

  504

  Brent

  56

  46

  196

  48

  22

  654

  Bromley

  31

  38

  108

  129

  88

  717

  Camden

  54

  26

  23

  76

  30

  457

  Charing Cross

  23

  54

  185

  138

  62

  628

  Croydon

  28

  45

  90

  124

  84

  602

  Ealing

  108

  54

  108

  51

  33

  1,007

  Enfield

  55

  43

  32

  50

  25

  461

  Greenwich

  183

  37

  119

  99

  84

  819

  Hackney

  121

  40

  40

  139

  43

  769

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  17

  21

  34

  77

  27

  246

  Haringey

  46

  30

  32

  92

  15

  608

  Harrow

  70

  17

  17

  23

  36

  303

  Havering

  66

  32

  13

  18

  7

  390

  Hillingdon

  14

  11

  29

  4

  12

  256

  Hounslow

  55

  27

  39

  71

  28

  478

  Islington

  48

  17

  226

  55

  34

  545

  Kensington and Chelsea

  36

  56

  65

  257

  172

  830

  Kingston

  18

  20

  15

  26

  23

  210

  Lambeth

  97

  71

  99

  238

  155

  1,175

  Lewisham

  69

  55

  117

  229

  98

  973

  Marylebone

  13

  49

  68

  112

  31

  342

  Merton

  25

  18

  107

  153

  84

  513

  Newham

  123

  50

  116

  153

  101

  909

  Paddington

  26

  25

  33

  58

  1

  268

  Redbridge

  61

  34

  33

  30

  13

  425

  Richmond

  55

  14

  22

  43

  22

  337

  802W 803W

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Southwark

  176

  53

  118

  240

  117

  1,176

  Sutton and Epsom

  21

  25

  65

  94

  67

  442

  Tower Hamlets

  82

  45

  120

  163

  97

  1,516

  Waltham Forest

  91

  51

  39

  57

  31

  654

  Wandsworth

  44

  60

  105

  179

  85

  713

  West End Central

  38

  50

  75

  106

  62

  472

  Total

  2,113

  1,329

  2,676

  3,624

  1,940

  21,692

  Average monthly number of constables abstracted by borough

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Counter Terrorism

  Public Order

  Other

  Counter Terrorism

  Public Order

  Other

  Counter Terrorism

  Public Order

  Other

  Barking and Dagenham

  65

  50

  149

  30

  77

  35

  120

  113

  39

  Barnet

  81

  120

  165

  58

  109

  75

  175

  164

  42

  Belgravia

  103

  66

  42

  45

  52

  22

  112

  66

  27

  Bexley

  51

  69

  154

  35

  63

  68

  105

  80

  42

  Brent

  124

  144

  59

  82

  153

  84

  171

  224

  54

  Bromley

  76

  82

  171

  50

  92

  59

  157

  112

  60

  Camden

  138

  173

  118

  88

  184

  62

  228

  247

  38

  Charing Cross

  108

  105

  79

  64

  98

  38

  144

  119

  52

  Croydon

  89

  145

  169

  67

  208

  62

  177

  193

  50

  Baling

  103

  157

  160

  61

  185

  69

  179

  196

  84

  Enfield

  132

  135

  80

  45

  158

  60

  161

  169

  38

  Greenwich

  14

  147

  123

  66

  150

  68

  208

  158

  68

  Hackney

  130

  142

  208

  76

  180

  92

  182

  236

  64

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  65

  244

  103

  42

  293

  29

  107

  264

  20

  Haringey

  99

  194

  85

  47

  230

  80

  159

  278

  51

  Harrow

  84

  87

  66

  28

  63

  28

  95

  110

  25

  Havering

  91

  80

  69

  35

  77

  41

  127

  106

  32

  Hillingdon

  86

  95

  94

  48

  120

  41

  164

  125

  21

  Hounslow

  70

  123

  108

  43

  137

  41

  153

  156

  40

  Islington

  106

  212

  79

  62

  232

  44

  179

  248

  45

  Kensington and Chelsea

  129

  145

  85

  55

  170

  55

  192

  139

  69

  Kingston

  65

  68

  67

  29

  70

  32

  86

  87

  17

  Lambeth

  166

  215

  197

  94

  268

  84

  286

  287

  98

  Lewisham

  104

  184

  170

  75

  189

  67

  175

  213

  81

  Marylebone

  105

  88

  56

  34

  74

  15

  105

  118

  28

  Merton

  47

  84

  142

  25

  87

  26

  75

  129

  43

  Newham

  153

  134

  184

  70

  164

  92

  237

  224

  76

  Paddington

  76

  85

  54

  76

  74

  11

  106

  86

  22

  Redbridge

  91

  93

  110

  41

  107

  50

  121

  155

  35

  Richmond

  63

  66

  69

  28

  79

  21

  90

  95

  28

  Southwark

  151

  168

  192

  102

  204

  70

  260

  234

  98

  Sutton and Epsom

  38

  50

  140

  29

  53

  21

  98

  73

  37

  Tower Hamlets

  95

  126

  129

  75

  167

  81

  243

  175

  126

  Waltham Forest

  123

  128

  78

  44

  128

  63

  159

  174

  54

  Wandsworth

  74

  133

  192

  52

  155

  82

  171

  163

  59

  West End Central

  102

  92

  39

  47

  71

  14

  136

  98

  39

  Source:

  P.O.S.M.I.S.

  National Criminal Intelligence Service
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegations of corruption received by the National Criminal Intelligence Service have resulted in NCIS reporting these allegations to authorities in a foreign jurisdiction. [151381]

  Caroline Flint
  There are currently nine entries on the Register of reported allegations. On one occasion National Criminal Intelligence Service has, on behalf of a UK police force, made an enquiry in a foreign jurisdiction relating to one of these allegations.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the National Criminal Intelligence Service(a) has provided and (b) is intending to produce a problem profile of the offence of bribery of a foreign public official. [151382]
  804W
  Caroline Flint
  The National Criminal Intelligence Service has not provided a problem profile on the specific subject of bribery of foreign public officials, although the issue of corruption is discussed in a number of the wider assessments. There are no current plans for a specific assessment on this topic.

  Police (North Wales)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last received a report on policing in North Wales from the Chief Constable of North Wales police. [150468]

  Ms Blears
  The Chief Constable of North Wales incorporated his annual report for 2002–03 into the North Wales police "Policing Our Communities 2003–2004" publication which was sent to my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary in July 2003. This document can be found at www.north-wales.police.uk.
  805W

  Police (Cumbria)
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Cumbria Police's local policing teams initiative. [151876]

  Ms Blears
  In February 2003, the Chief Constable of Cumbria, Michael Baxter, introduced, with the agreement of the police authority, a four-year programme to establish local policing teams in response to demand from the local community. Early signs are encouraging. Those community constables already in place are providing reassurance to the public and helping to develop longer-term strategies to improve people's quality of life in Cumbria.

  Police (Early Retirement)
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of police officers in each police force has been given early retirement in each of the last four years. [151601]

  Ms Blears
  Figures relating to the number of police ill-health retirements in forces between 1999–2000 and 2002–03 are given in the table. For greater consistency police ill-health retirements are now measured in terms of the number of retirements per 1,000 force strength.

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Force

  Police Medical retirements

  Medical retirements per 1,000 officers

  Police Medical retirements

  Medical retirements per 1,000 officers

  Avon and Somerset

  40

  13.6

  42

  14.0

  Bedfordshire

  18

  17.5

  18

  17.4

  Cambridgeshire

  10

  8.1

  11

  8.5

  Cheshire

  17

  8.5

  22

  10.9

  City of London

  11

  14.9

  9

  12.6

  Cleveland

  15

  10.6

  9

  6.3

  Cumbria

  20

  18.5

  24

  22.9

  Derbyshire

  12

  6.8

  12

  6.6

  Devon and Cornwall

  20

  7.0

  15

  5.0

  Dorset

  10

  10

  7.7

  12

  8.9

  Durham

  8

  5.1

  8

  5.0

  Dyfed-Powys

  12

  11.5

  14

  13.2

  Essex

  51

  18.2

  34

  11.6

  Gloucestershire

  8

  7.2

  7

  6.0

  Greater Manchester

  132

  19.4

  110

  16.0

  Gwent

  25

  19.8

  16

  12.6

  Hampshire

  20

  5.8

  17

  4.9

  Hertfordshire

  10

  5.7

  13

  6.8

  Humberside

  11

  5.9

  20

  10.5

  Kent

  18

  5.6

  29

  8.7

  Lancashire

  17

  5.3

  30

  9.2

  Leicestershire

  22

  11.0

  28

  13.6

  Lincolnshire

  10

  9.0

  4

  3.3

  Merseyside

  45

  11.0

  47

  11.5

  Metropolitan Police

  289

  11.4

  225

  9.0

  Norfolk

  12

  8.7

  10

  7.0

  Northamptonshire

  5

  4.5

  8

  6.9

  Northumbria

  43

  11.4

  28

  7.3

  North Wales

  15

  10.8

  31

  21.5

  North Yorkshire

  25

  19.5

  37

  28.2

  Nottinghamshire

  21

  9.4

  16

  7.0

  South Wales

  52

  17.6

  76

  24.4

  South Yorkshire

  24

  7.6

  30

  9.4

  Staffordshire

  3

  1.4

  9

  4.2

  Suffolk

  15

  13.1

  14

  12.4

  Surrey

  14

  7.8

  18

  8.7

  Sussex

  16

  5.7

  16

  5.6

  Thames Valley

  19

  5.1

  20

  5.4

  Warwickshire

  9

  10.0

  15

  16.2

  West Mercia

  27

  14.3

  28

  14.4

  West Midlands

  28

  3.9

  29

  3.9

  West Yorkshire

  45

  9.3

  44

  9.1

  Wiltshire

  8

  7.2

  5

  4.5

  Total

  1,232

  10.1

  1,209

  9.8

  806W

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Force

  Police medical retirements

  Medical retirements per 1,000 officers

  Police medical retirements

  Medical retirements per 1,000 officers

  Avon and Somerset

  42

  13.6

  34

  10.8

  Bedfordshire

  8

  7.5

  7

  6.3

  Cambridgeshire

  10

  7.0

  8

  5.8

  Cheshire

  22

  10.7

  25

  11.9

  City of London

  8

  10.0

  4

  4.9

  Cleveland

  21

  14.4

  11

  7.6

  Cumbria

  7

  6.4

  7

  6.1

  Derbyshire

  9

  4.9

  12

  6.0

  Devon and Cornwall

  19

  6.1

  9

  2.9

  Dorset

  10

  7.0

  3

  2.1

  Durham

  15

  9.2

  11

  6.9

  Dyfed-Powys

  13

  11.5

  11

  9.5

  Essex

  32

  10.8

  21

  7.1

  Gloucestershire

  10

  8.5

  13

  10.5

  Greater Manchester

  57

  7.8

  33

  4.5

  Gwent

  24

  18.0

  22

  16.3

  Hampshire

  19

  5.3

  11

  3.0

  Hertfordshire

  8

  4.1

  7

  3.4

  Humberside

  11

  5.4

  10

  4.7

  Kent

  38

  11.3

  21

  6.0

  Lancashire

  39

  11.8

  22

  6.4

  Leicestershire

  7

  3.4

  9

  4.2

  Lincolnshire

  3

  2.5

  10

  8.1

  Merseyside

  58

  14.1

  51

  12.4

  Metropolitan Police

  219

  8.4

  150

  5.3

  Norfolk

  16

  10.9

  13

  8.6

  Northamptonshire

  6

  4.9

  3

  2.5

  Northumbria

  33

  8.4

  21

  5.2

  North Wales

  20

  13.3

  14

  9.0

  North Yorkshire

  16

  11.4

  9

  6.2

  Nottinghamshire

  14

  6.0

  16

  6.3

  South Wales

  50

  15.8

  33

  10.1

  South Yorkshire

  30

  9.4

  17

  5.3

  Staffordshire

  24

  11.3

  22

  9.7

  Suffolk

  13

  10.8

  12

  9.8

  Surrey

  24

  11.9

  12

  6.2

  Sussex

  16

  5.5

  9

  3.0

  Thames Valley

  17

  4.4

  29

  7.4

  Warwickshire

  7

  7.2

  8

  8.0

  West Mercia

  28

  13.9

  20

  8.8

  West Midlands

  30

  4.0

  21

  2.7

  West Yorkshire

  61

  12.5

  23

  4.0

  Wiltshire

  3

  2.6

  15

  12.8

  Total

  1,114

  8.8

  821

  62

  Police Patrols
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued in relation to(a) police officers and (b) community support officers patrolling in groups of two or more; and if he will place copies in the Library. [151415]

  Ms Blears
  Issues relating to patrol, whether carried out by officers or Community Support Officers are operational matters and as such the responsibility of Chief Officers.

  I understand that the Assistant Chief Police Officers are considering the issue of advice to Chief Officers on risk assessment in relation to patrol.

  Police Pensions
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former police officers are receiving pensions from each police force; and what the annual cost will be in 2003–04. [151602]

  Ms Blears
  Specific information relating to each police force about the number of former police officers with pensions is not held centrally. The total number of
  807W
  police pensions in payment (including ill-health retirees and dependants) at 1 April 2003 was 106,739. The most recent estimate is that about three-quarters of these pensions in payment will be to former officers. The estimated total number of police pensions in payment at 31 March 2004 is 109,502.

  The annual cost of police pensions in 2003–04 has not yet been determined. However, in total, forces in England and Wales estimate that their police pension bill for 2003–04 will be £1,234,675,000. As stated in the National Policing Plan 2002, we are exploring the options for a revised system of funding which would bring greater clarity about pensions obligations on individual police authorities.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on each phase of the "Could You?" police recruitment campaign to date; and how many officers have been recruited as a direct result. [151417]

  Ms Blears
  The first phase of the Police "Could You?" recruitment campaign ran for three years from 2000 to March 2003 and cost just under £16 million. This was the first national police recruitment campaign and it was launched against a background of police numbers which had been steadily falling for years. The campaign was executed on TV, cinema, press, radio and on-line. We cannot say how many police officers were recruited as a direct result of the campaign. While advertising is an important factor in encouraging potential applicants to apply, it is not the only factor. However, we know that interest in the police service rose during and after the campaign and the numbers of police recruits went up after a prolonged period of decline. Three years later we now have record numbers of police officers.

  The current recruitment campaign will run from November 2003 to March 2004. The campaign is targeted at women and minority ethnic people who are currently under-represented in the police service. It is also aimed at increasing the number of Special Constables. The campaign will cost just under £5.8 million in total. It includes TV, radio and press advertising and on-line advertising. It also includes production of a recruitment brochure and a recruitment video, PR support for four pilot forces, enhancement of the police recruitment website, and call handling facilities.

  It will not be possible to say how many people were recruited as a direct result of the campaign. However, we will be tracking the level of interest in the police service generated by the campaign through the website and call centre. We will also be tracking the visibility of our advertisements, public perception of them, and attitudes towards the attractiveness of a police career through regular surveys.

  Police Reform
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the results of the consultation exercise on police reform launched on 4 November 2003 will be available. [150184]
  808W
  Ms Blears
  The results of the initial consultation exercise on police reform will be made available as soon as possible after the end of the consultation period on 27 January 2004. However, consultation on police reform will be an on-going process and will continue beyond this date. The responses received will be used to develop the reform agenda and we will consult on more detailed options for reform later in 2004.

  Rural Policing
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what areas in Lancashire meet the requirement for the Rural Policing Fund. [151268]

  Ms Blears
  The Rural Policing Fund is allocated to police authorities on the basis of population and a measure of sparsity of population. The sparsity measure is calculated at Census enumeration district level, aggregated for the whole authority area. The police authority area as a whole rather than particular parts, qualifies for allocation from the Fund.

  Sexual Offences
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have dedicated anti-paedophile units; and how many officers are working in those units. [151420]

  Paul Goggins
  Every chief officer of police has dedicated staff and resources to tackling sexual offending against children and child pornography. Separate anti-paedophile units are one way for police forces to organise operations against those who sexually abuse children. However, in some forces officers work within different structures, such as child protection teams, intelligence units or public protection units. Information on the approach adopted by each police force is not held centrally.

  In all cases, forces will be supported by the specialised teams working on this issue in the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad. There is no central record held of the numbers of officers currently engaged in work on the specific issue of child sexual abuse.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources have been made available to police forces to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of offenders under section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. [151421]

  Paul Goggins
  The investigation and prosecution of offenders under section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act will be undertaken within existing resources. Whilst the offence is designed to allow earlier intervention than is possible under the current law, that is, before a child is sexually abused, the investigation of grooming of children for sexual motives is not a new area of responsibility for the police.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people employed in his Department have claimed statutory sick pay for(a) less

  809W
  than one week, (b) one to three weeks, (c) four to six weeks, (d) seven to 12 weeks, (e) 13 to 20 weeks and (f) 21 to 28 weeks in each year since 1997. [148623]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  Please see the figures given in the following table, which relate to staff in central Home Office plus Immigration and Nationality Directorate

  Staff total for 1 April at end of financial year1

  Tax year

  Less than 5 days

  5 to 15 days

  16 to 30 days

  31 to 60 days

  61 to 100 days

  More than 101 days

  Total cases

  Staff totals

  Cases of sickness divided by staff levels

  1997 to 1998

  1,101

  639

  235

  172

  75

  71

  2,293

  8,070

  3.52

  1998 to 1999

  1,199

  772

  259

  199

  82

  71

  2,582

  7,710

  2.99

  1999 to 2000

  1,380

  858

  299

  177

  96

  112

  2,922

  9,270

  3.17

  2000 to 2001

  1,643

  1,069

  365

  220

  110

  159

  3,566

  13,020

  3.65

  2001 to 2002

  1,763

  1,147

  416

  295

  143

  196

  3,960

  13,550

  3.42

  2002 to 2003

  2,063

  1,310

  501

  376

  198

  211

  4,659

  16,157

  3.47

  2003 to January 2004

  1,827

  1,094

  379

  325

  185

  147

  3,957

  17,968

  —

  1FTE of permanent staff, core Home Office including IND but not Prison Service or agencies.

  Source:

  Civil Service statistics for staff totals up to year 2002; after that, provisional figures taken from Home Office PIMMS staff database.

  Victim Support (Data Protection)
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has issued to chief constables in England regarding the disclosure of names and contact details of victims of crime to victim support charities following recent data protection legislation. [150997]

  Ms Blears
  Guidance regarding the arrangements for referring the contact details of victims of crime to Victim Support by police forces was issued in Home Office Circular 44/2001 of 3 October 2001. This guidance was developed following extensive consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers, Victim Support and the Information Commissioner. It takes into account the requirements of the data protection legislation.

  Violent Crime (West Mercia)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes against people were committed in each year since 1997 in West Mercia. [151360]

  Ms Blears
  The available information is given in the following table.

  Numbers of violent crimes1 recorded by West Mercia police

  Offences recorded

  19972

  4,213

  1998–993

  7,964

  1999–2000

  9,157

  2000–01

  8,765

  2001–024

  18,440

  2002–03

  21,499

  1 In accordance with Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded crime, violent crime comprises offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

  2 Crimes were recorded on a calendar year basis until 1997, and on a financial year basis thereafter.

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

  4 West Mercia Police implemented the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) on 1 April 2001, which was a year earlier than the official introduction across England and

  810W
  and cover approximately 20,000 staff. The details have been broken down by tax year (6 April to 5 April) with the exception of the current tax year, for which data has been supplied up to 31 January 2004. The Home Office pays Statutory Sick Pay over five days, Monday to Friday. A week has therefore been classed as five days.

  Wales on 1 April 2002. Broadly, the NCRS had the effect of increasing the number of crimes recorded by the police, with violent crime in particular being affected. Therefore, following the introduction of the Standard, numbers of recorded crimes are not comparable with previous years.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  BBC Charter
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the budget is for implementing the young people's version of the BBC Charter Review consultation; and if she will make a statement. [152396]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]There is no separate budget for consultation of children and young people. The current consultation stage is expected to cost around £325,000 (not including staff costs) and part of this will provide for events, currently being planned, for children and young people.

  The consultation was translated by the Children's Rights Alliance for England at no cost to the Department. Graphic design of the accompanying leaflet and an initial print run of 5,000 copies cost a total of £2,454.

  We are publicising this consultation via existing relationships, as well as with around 150 organisations with an interest in increasing young people's participation in decision-making. The consultation will also be publicised in the DIES publication, Spectrum, which is distributed to schools.

  Licensing
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) whether her Department encourages staged closing times for(a) pubs and (b) clubs in England and Wales; [151984]

  (2) what discussions her Department has had with the Home Office regarding the public order implications of a standard closing time for pubs in city centres in England and Wales. [151985]
  811W
  Mr. Caborn
  Current closing times are matters of legislation and extensions of these hours are matters for consideration by licensing justices under that legislation, on a case by case basis.

  The Licensing Act 2003 will, when it is brought into force, allow applicants for premises licences or club premises certificates to state in their application, to the relevant licensing authority, what hours they wish to be authorized to carry out licensable activities and to stay open to the public (these times may be different). Where there are representations, relating to the licensing objectives, from interested parties or responsible authorities about opening hours the licensing authority will, in most cases, have to hold a hearing in order to decide what the opening hours should be. These decisions will be taken on a case by case basis. The 2003 Act does not require and the Guidance, to be issued by the Secretary of State under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (which will be subject to parliamentary approval), will not promote staged closing times. The Licensing Act 2003 was not designed to replace the peaks of disorder and anti-social behaviour, which currently occur at fixed closing times, with a series of smaller peaks. On the contrary, our aim is to promote, in areas where it is appropriate, generally later (but not standard) closing times for pubs and clubs, which will allow customers to disperse gradually over a longer period. We consider, for these reasons, that the 2003 Act will reduce the concentrations of people leaving premises at the same time and queuing for public transport and fast food, which can lead to disorder under the present system.

  The policy underpinning the Licensing Act 2003 was originally developed in the Home Office and, since the policy responsibility was transferred to my Department in June 2001, we have continued to work closely with the Home Office on all aspects of the prevention of crime and disorder that arise in the context of licensing law.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money her Department has received from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in each year since 1998; and how much her Department estimates it will receive from the ERDF in each year until 2006, broken down by(a) capital and (b) resource income. [151951]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department does not receive money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) directly. However, projects in the English regions that fall within DCMS' policy responsibility have received the following amount of ERDF funds in each year since 19981

  ERDF (£)

  1998

  62,057,761

  1999

  47,558,076

  2000

  37,245,008

  2001

  41,453,979

  2002

  41,988,937

  2003

  52,965,361

  812W
  We expect that ERDF expenditure on cultural-related projects will remain at broadly this level until 2006.

  1The Department has been unable to break down the figures by (a) capital and (b) resource income as the necessary codings have changed year-on-year.

  Food/Drink Advertisements
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress her Department has made in reviewing the code of conduct relating to food and drinks advertisements in order to encourage the promotion of healthy eating. [152521]

  Estelle Morris
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a responsibility only in relation to broadcast advertising. It is currently participating in the consultation being undertaken by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on food promotion to children, and the Department of Health's Food and Health Action Plan group, both of which are exploring ways to promote healthy eating. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has also written to Ofcom asking them to examine the adequacy of their codes regulating the content of broadcast advertising of food, in light of the conclusions of the work undertaken by the FSA, the Department of Health and the Health Select Committee's inquiry into obesity. It is principally the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure that there is an appropriate code for the regulation of broadcast advertising and the Secretary of State looks forward to the outcome of their work.

  Honours
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 19 January 2004,Official Report, column 1001W, on honours, if she will name the three individuals who have received an honour since 1999. [151802]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]Alexander Murphy was awarded the OBE in the new year 1999 honours list for his contribution to rugby league football. Both Jason Robinson and Phil Larder were awarded the MBE in the new year 2004 honours list for their achievements in rugby union, but also in recognition of their previous involvement in rugby league at the highest level.

  Public Service Agreement
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her Department's progress against its Public Service Agreement to raise significantly, year on year, the average time spent on sport and physical activity by those aged 5 to 16 years. [151926]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]This target was replaced following the 2002 Spending Review with the PSA target that I share with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to increase the percentage of school children who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high-quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum. Detailed data are now being collected for the first time-for publication in April—on progress against the new target.
  813W

  Regional Sports and Arts Boards
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many members there are on each(a) regional sports board and (b) regional arts board; and how many of each are local government councillors. [151950]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is not responsible for appointing the members of the nine regional sports boards and the nine regional arts boards. Sport England (SE) and Arts Council England (ACE) will be able to provide the requested information. The Chair of each regional arts board has a place on the main ACE board, as do three of the SE Regional Sports Board Chairs at any one time on a rotational basis. The Secretary of State has a role in these appointments and a list of current Regional Chairs follows, one of whom is a local government councillor.

  Chairs

  Regional arts council chairs

  East

  Professor Stuart Timperley

  East Midlands

  Stephen Lowe

  London

  Lady Hollick

  North East

  Paul Collard

  North West

  Tom Bloxham MBE

  South East

  Deborah Grubb

  South West

  Professor Alan Livingston

  West Midlands

  Dorothy Wilson

  Yorkshire

  Sir Norman Adsetts QBE

  Regional sports board chairs

  East

  Robin Miller

  East Midlands

  Len Jackson1

  London

  VACANT

  North East

  Tim Cantle-Jones

  North West

  Andy Worthington

  South East

  Mary Me Anally

  South West

  Ged Roddy1

  West Midlands

  Vacant

  Yorkshire

  Peter Price1,2

  1Currently on the national board of Sport England

  2 Member of Sheffield City Council

  S4C
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport if she will list the sums committed b: her Department to S4C in each year since 1997; am what the projected sums are for each of the next three years. [151995]

  National Museums Liverpool

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Chair

  David McDonnell

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2005

  No

  Trustee

  Alan Waterworth

  1 April 1999

  31 March 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Margaret MacKeith

  1 February 2000

  31 January 2005

  No

  Trustee

  Sarah Palmer

  1 February 2000

  31 January 2005

  No

  Trustee

  Eva Wisemark

  21 January 2002

  20 January 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Professor Gordon McGregor Reid

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Christopher Green

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Dr. Janet Kear

  1 April 2002

  31 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Gillian Reynolds

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Graham Barrie Marsh

  1 April 2002

  31 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Professor John Tarn

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  The Earl of Derby DL

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Viscountess Mersey

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2006

  No

  814W
  Estelle Morris
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's for S4C for each financial year from 1997–98 to 2005–06 are:

  £millions

  Departmental allocation

  1997–981

  18.4

  1998–99

  75.1

  1999–2000

  75.1

  2000–01

  75.1

  2001–02

  76.8

  2002–03

  80.2

  2003–04

  85.2

  2004–05

  92.2

  2005–06

  92.2

  1 From January 1998, under the new funding formula introduced by the Broadcasting Act 1996,S4C's annual grant ceased to be paid in full in January each year and became payable in instalments. The budget allocation for 1997–98 therefore covered the period January to March 1998 only.

  Departmental allocations for 2006–07 have yet to be determined.

  S4Cs statutory grant entitlement is calculated on a calendar year basis and may therefore differ from the Department's allocation for the corresponding financial year.

  Scottish Gaelic
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the expenditure by her Department on reserved functions relating to Scottish Gaelic since 1999. [151996]

  Estelle Morris
  The Department has not incurred any expenditure on reserved functions relating to Scottish Gaelic. Responsibility for the Gaelic Broadcasting Fund (GBF) was devolved to Scottish Ministers in June 1999.

  Public Bodies
  Keitch Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for culture, Media and Sport who the members of the(a) National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, (b) public Lending Right Advisory Committee, (c) Radio authority,(d)Reviewing Committees on the Export of works of Art and (e) Royal National Theatre were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151816]

  Mr Caborn
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.
  815W

  National Museums Liverpool

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Trustee

  Councillor Frank Doran

  20 April 2002

  19 April 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Sir Neil Cossons

  14 May 2002

  13 May 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Loyd Grossman OBE

  21 July 2003

  20 July 2007

  No

  Trustee

  Alexis Redmond

  24 July 2003

  23 July 2007

  No

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Chair

  Simon Brett

  7 August 2003

  6 August 2007

  No

  Member

  Gill Coleridge

  29 October 2001

  28 October 2005

  No

  Member

  Theresa Breslin

  18 March 2002

  17 March 2006

  No

  Member

  Miranda McKearney

  16 May 2002

  15 May 2006

  No

  Member

  Dr. James Parker MA PhD

  1 August 2001

  31 July 2006

  No

  Member

  Robert Froud

  20 January 2003

  19 January 2007

  No

  Member

  Dr. Maggie Gee

  6 August 2003

  5 August 2007

  No

  Radio Authority

  Position

  Chair

  Name

  David Witherow

  Start date

  29 December 2003

  End date

  28 December 20081

  Remuneration

  No

  1Or until wound up, if earlier.

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Chair

  Lord Richard Inglewood

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2007

  No

  Member

  Pamela Robertson

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2007

  No

  Member

  Martin Levy

  1 March 2003

  28 February 2005

  No

  Member

  Timothy Knox

  14 March 2002

  13 March 2006

  No

  Member

  Dr. David Ekserdjian

  14 November 2002

  13 November 2006

  No

  Member

  Johnny Van Haeften

  28 June 2001

  27 June 2004

  No

  Member

  Amanda Arrowsmith

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2006

  No

  Member

  Catherine Johns

  19 February 2003

  18 February 2007

  No

  The National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside has changed its name to National Museums Liverpool. The Radio Authority was subsumed into the Office of Communications (Ofcom) on 29 December 2003 and the Chair alone remains to oversee residual work. The Secretary of State is not responsible for the membership of the Royal National Theatre, which makes its own appointments and can provide details.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who the members of the

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Independent Television Commission

  Chair

  Sir Robin A. Biggam

  29 December 2003

  31 December 20081

  Yes

  National Museum of Science and Industry

  Chair

  Right Hon. Lord Waldegrave of North Hill

  1 July 2002

  30 June 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Martin Smith

  25 August 1999

  24 August 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Professor Ann Dowling

  25 August 1999

  24 August 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Gregory Dyke

  3 October 2000

  2 October 2005

  No

  Trustee

  David Rayner

  28 January 2002

  27 January 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Dr. Anne Grocock

  8 March 2001

  7 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Professor Roderick Smith

  23 April 2002

  22 April 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Richard Haythornthwaite

  6 June 2002

  5 June 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Sir Ronald Cooke

  6 June 2002

  5 June 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Dr. Simon Singh MBE

  12 July 2002

  11 July 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE

  12 September 2001

  11 September 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Sir William Wells

  6 June 2003

  5 June 2007

  No

  Trustee

  Professor Sir Martin Rees

  6 June 2003

  5 June 2007

  No

  Trustee

  Douglas Gurr

  6 June 2003

  5 June 2007

  No

  816W
  (a) Independent Television Commission, (b) Library and Information Commission, (c) Museum of Science and Industry, (d) National Film and Television School and (e)National Lottery Charities Board were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151817]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.
  817W

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Trustee

  Professor Kathy Sykes

  10 October 2003

  9 October 2007

  No

  Trustee

  Dr. Maggie Semple OBE

  10 October 2003

  9 October 2007

  No

  National Lottery Commission

  Chair

  Moira Black CBE

  16 October 2003

  15 October 2004

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Timothy Hornsby

  26 March 2001

  25 March 2004

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Brian Pomeroy

  16 October 2003

  25 March 2004

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Harriet Spicer

  1 April 2003

  31 March 2005

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Josephine Valentine

  17 September 2002

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  The Community Fund

  Chair

  Lady Diana Brittan CBE

  10 May 2002

  9 May 2005

  Yes

  Deputy Chairman

  Dame Valerie Strachan

  26 July 2003

  25 July 2004

  Yes

  Member England

  Steven Burkeman

  1 January 2004

  31 July 2004

  Yes

  Member England

  Elaine Appelbee

  2 August 2001

  1 August 2004

  Yes

  Member England

  Richard Martineau

  1 November 2001

  2 November 2004

  Yes

  Member N. Ireland

  James Kearney

  25 July 2003

  24 July 2004

  Yes

  Member N. Ireland

  Sheila Jane Malley

  1 January 2004

  31 July 2004

  Yes

  Member N. Ireland

  Paul Cavanagh

  5 September 2001

  4 September 2004

  Yes

  Member Scotland

  Douglas Graham

  26 July 2003

  25 July 2004

  Yes

  Member Scotland

  Kay Hampton

  1 January 2001

  31 December 2004

  Yes

  Member UK

  Benjamin Whitaker CBE

  28 July 2003

  27 July 2004

  Yes

  Member UK

  Carole Tongue

  1 September 2002

  31 August 2005

  Yes

  Member Wales

  Elisabeth Watkins

  1 January 2004

  31 July 2004

  Yes

  Member Wales

  Jeff Carroll

  5 September 2001

  6 September 2004

  Yes

  Member Wales

  Taha Idris

  1 April 2003

  31 March 2006

  Yes

  1Or until wound up, if earlier.

  The Independent Television Commission was subsumed into the Office of Communications (OFCOM) on 29 December 2003; the Chair alone remains to deal with residual work. The Library and Information Commission has been replaced by Resource. The Secretary of State is not responsible for the membership of the National Film and Television School, which makes its own appointments and can provide details. The National Lottery Charities Board became the Community Fund in April 2001.

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  VisitBritain

  Chair

  Sir Michael Lickiss

  1 April 2003

  31 March 2005

  Yes

  Trustee

  Kumar Muthalagappan

  1 April 2003

  28 February 2006

  Yes

  Trustee

  Martin George

  1 November 2003

  31 October 2007

  Yes

  Trustee

  Digby Jones

  1 April 2003

  31 March 2006

  Yes

  Trustee

  Alan Parker

  1 April 2003

  31 March 2006

  Yes

  Trustee

  Lady Cobham

  7 April 2003

  6 April 2006

  Yes

  English Heritage

  Chair

  Sir Neil Cossons OBE

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2005

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Gillian Drummond

  1 April 2002

  31 March2006

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Michael Jolly CBE

  I October 2002

  30 September 2006

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Prof. David Cannadine

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Piers Gough CBE

  17 May 2003

  16 May 2007

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Manish Chande

  1 September 2003

  31 August 2007

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Bill Bryson

  1 September 2003

  31 August 2007

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Elizabeth Williamson

  1 September 2003

  31 August 2007

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Jane Grenville

  14 May 2001

  13 May 2004

  Yes

  Commissioner

  The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Leicester

  21 January 2002

  20 January 2006

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Leslie Peter Sparks

  14 May 2001

  13 May 2004

  Yes

  Deputy Chairman

  Andrew W. Fane

  9 June 2001

  8 June 2004

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Richard Morris

  16 July 2002

  15 July 2005

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Joyce Bridges

  1 September 2003

  31 August 2007

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Maria Adebowale

  1 September 2003

  31 August 2007

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Marquess of Douro

  1 September 2003

  31 August 2007

  Yes

  Commissioner

  Michael Cairns

  20 September 2003

  19 September 2007

  Yes

  England Marketing Advisory Board

  Chair

  Hugh Taylor

  1 April 2003

  31 March2005

  Yes

  Trustee

  Brian Summers

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Trustee

  John Govett

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  818W
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who the members of the(a) British Tourist Authority, (b) Crafts Council, (c) English Heritage, (d) English Tourist Board and (e) Horniman Museum were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151818]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information requested is shown in the following table.
  819W

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Trustee

  Suzanne Bond

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Trustee

  Tim Cantle-Jones

  1 August 2003

  31 July 2006

  Yes

  Trustee

  Nicholas Cust

  1 September 2003

  31 August 2006

  Yes

  Horniman—Public Museum and Public Park Trust

  Chair

  Donald Kirkham CBE

  23 September 1999

  31 March2004

  No

  Trustee

  Susan Minter

  1 February 2000

  31 January 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Timothy Hornsby

  18 July 2003

  1 April 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Michael Wheeler

  18 September 2000

  17 September 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Prof. Kenneth J. Gregory

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2005

  No

  Trustee

  John Mack

  21 September 2002

  20 September 2006

  No

  Trustee

  Dame Jocelyn Barrow DBE

  22 September 2003

  21 September 2007

  No

  Trustee

  Genie Turton

  23 September 2003

  22 September 2007

  No

  The British Tourist Authority became VisitBritain on 1 April 2003. The Secretary of State is not responsible for the membership of the Crafts Council, which makes its own appointments and can provide details. The English Tourism Council is now known as the England Marketing Advisory Board.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who the members of the(a) Advisory

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  Chair

  Julia Somerville

  3 September 2003

  2 September 2007

  No

  Member

  Margot Heller

  3 August 2003

  2 August 2007

  No

  Member

  Dr. Richard Dorment

  1 January 2003

  31 December 2006

  No

  Member

  Penelope Curtis

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2007

  No

  Member

  Sarah Shalgosky

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2007

  No

  Ex-officio

  Penny Johnson

  1 June 1997

  No

  Ex-officio

  Charles Saumarez-Smith

  6 April 1999

  No

  Ex-officio

  Sir Nicholas Serota

  6 April 1999

  No

  Ex-officio

  Alan Davey

  1 September 2003

  No

  Ex-officio

  Sandy Nairne

  30 March 1999

  No

  Advisory Council on Libraries

  Chair

  William MacNaught

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2007

  No

  Member

  Catherine Blanshard

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2005

  No

  Member

  Martin Molloy

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2005

  No

  Member

  Pamela Usher

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2005

  No

  Member

  Keith Webster

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2005

  No

  Member

  Jane Hall

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2005

  No

  Member

  Patsy Heap

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2005

  No

  Member

  Peter Marchant

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2005

  No

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Chair

  Jane Sharman CBE

  10 October 2002

  9 October 2007

  No

  Member Scotland

  George McNeill

  1 January 2003

  31 December 2007

  No

  Member Wales

  John Pavitt

  I October 2003

  30 September 2008

  No

  Trustee

  Nicholas Baring

  6 April 1999

  31 March 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Malcolm Crowder

  6 April 1999

  31 March 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Merlin Waterson

  8 November 1999

  7 November 2004

  No

  Trustee

  Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2005

  No

  Trustee

  Roger Wools

  1 April 2002

  31 March 2005

  No

  Trustee

  Roy Dantzic

  29 June 2001

  31 March 2006

  No

  Trustee

  William Cadell

  9 October 2002

  8 October 2007

  No

  Trustee

  Robert Boas

  26 March 2003

  31 March 2008

  No

  Trustee

  Colin Amery

  30 April 2003

  29 April 2008

  No

  Arts Council England

  Chair

  Gerry Robinson

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  No

  Member and Chair North West

  Tom Bloxham

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2006

  Yes

  Member and Chair Northern

  Paul Collard

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2006

  Yes

  Member and Chair East Midlands

  Stephen Lowe

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2004

  Yes

  820W
  Committee on the Government Art Collection, (b) Advisory
  Council on Libraries, (c) Architectural Heritage Fund, (d) Arts Council of England and (e) British Film Institute were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151819]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.
  821W

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Member and Chair West Midlands

  Dorothy Wilson

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2005

  Yes

  Member and Chair Eastern England

  Stuart Timperley

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2004

  Yes

  Member and Chair London

  Sue Hollick

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2006

  Yes

  Member and Chair South/South East

  Deborah Grubb

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2005

  Yes

  Member and Chair South West

  Alan Livingston

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2006

  Yes

  Member and Chair Yorkshire

  Norman Adsetts

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2004

  Yes

  Member

  Deborah Bull CBE

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2005

  No

  Member

  William Sieghart

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2006

  No

  Member

  Elsie Owusu

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2005

  No

  Member

  Brian McMaster

  1 June 2002

  31 May 2005

  No

  Member of the British Film Institute are appointed by the UK Film Council which can provide details of its membership.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who the members of(a) S4C and

  S4C

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Chair

  Elan Closs Stephens CBE

  1 April 2002

  31 March 2006

  Yes

  Members

  Carys Howell

  1 January 2003

  31 June 2006

  Yes

  Member

  Cefin Campbell

  1 May 2002

  30 April 2004

  Yes

  Member

  Christopher Llewellyn

  1 November 2001

  31 October 2005

  Yes

  Member

  Eira Davies

  1 November 2001

  31 October 2005

  Yes

  Member

  Nic Parry

  1 May 2002

  30 April 2004

  Yes

  Member

  Enid Rowlands

  1 April 2003

  31 March 2007

  Yes

  Member

  Dafydd Wigley

  24 November 2003

  23 November 2007

  Yes

  Member

  Roger Jones

  24 November 2003

  23 November 2007

  Yes

  The Treasure Valuation Committee

  Position

  Name

  Start date

  End date

  Remuneration

  Chair

  Prof. Norman Palmer

  3 May 2001

  2 May 2006

  No

  Member

  Thomas Curtis

  3 May 2001

  2 May 2005

  No

  Member

  Mary Sinclair

  3 May 2001

  2 May 2004

  No

  Member

  Trevor Austin

  19 December 2003

  18 December 2007

  No

  Member

  Dr. Arthur MacGregor

  3 September 2001

  2 September 2006

  No

  Member

  Dr. Jack Ogden

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2006

  No

CABINET OFFICE

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the guidance issued to civil servants responsible for drafting parliamentary answers. [152268]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Cabinet Office "Guidance to Officials on Drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions" sets out the principles that civil servants should follow when preparing draft answers for parliamentary questions. The guidance was revised in September 2002 and re-issued to Departments.

HEALTH

  Hospital-acquired Infections
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Communicable Disease
  822W
  (b) the Treasure Valuation Committee were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151820]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.

  Surveillance Centre of the Health Protection Agency has in place a mechanism for collecting the number of deaths associated with (a) bloodstream infections and (b) MRSA. [145041]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Health Protection Agency operates the national mandatory surveillance system for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections and this does not include information on deaths. Collecting data on deaths is not practical for routine reporting as aggregated data rather than individual patient data are collected. Currently mortality information can only be provided by enhanced surveillance or special studies.

  Death certificates are designed to identify the underlying cause of death rather than track healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). The new action plan to reduce healthcare associated infections, Winning Ways, includes a commitment to set up a national audit of deaths from HCAIs.

  Health Screening (Overseas Visitors)
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the review of policy regarding health screening for foreigners before they enter or are permitted to stay in this country. [152269]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Cabinet Office is continuing to co-ordinate work between relevant Government Departments, including the Department of Health, to review imported infections and immigration. The review aims to establish the facts about the impact of immigration on public health and national health service expenditure, consider all relevant issues including health screening and propose solutions should action be required. It is on-going and no decisions have been taken yet.

  Monoclonal Antibody Drugs
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why the monoclonal antibody drugs(a) Cetuximab and (b) Bevacizumab are not available through the NHS. [152011]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]Cetuximab and Bevacizumab are not currently on the United Kingdom market as they are not yet licensed as medicinal products in the UK or European Union.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the impact of settlement in the UK of citizens of EU accession states on demand for NHS services in(a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06 financial years. [150076]

  Mr. Hutton
  The impact on demand for national health service services will ultimately depend on the numbers of people who might migrate to the United Kingdom from the new member states. Research for the Home Office does not suggest that the numbers will be significant. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Citizenship and Immigration on 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 705W.

  Stroke(Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether the stroke units in the NHS in Gloucestershire are large enough to accommodate all stroke victims in Gloucestershire needing hospitalization; and if he will make a statement. [149466]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have made no assessment because in line with our Shifting the Balance of power policy it is now for primary care trusts in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernizing services, based on the specialized knowledge they have of the local community.
  824W
  I am assured by Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA that the national health service in Gloucestershire has developed the two specialist stroke units in line with national service framework guidance.

  The stroke service links with other services to enable appropriate lengths of stay within the unit to be supported. Patients have access to other support services including intermediate care to enable rehabilitation of people in their own homes or in community hospitals. As a result of service reconfiguration, the numbers of people accessing specialist stroke services have increased in the last year.

  Higher Education Funding
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether courses attracting payment of tuition fees by the NHS will attract payment of top-up fees. [145029]

  Mr. Hutton
  Existing contracts between strategic health authorities and higher education institutions for nursing, midwifery and allied health professional training, cover the full cost of that training, including tuition. The consultation document "Funding Learning and Development for the Healthcare Workforce" sets out our proposal for a national model contract. It is intended that this contract for national health service funded pre-registration courses, to be introduced from 1 April 2004, will specifically prohibit the charging of variable fees to students.

  In the case of medical and dental training, the NHS currently meets students' liability for a contribution to tuition fees for the later years of the course. There is as yet no clear indication from the higher education sector of the scope or scale of any increases that they may intend to make to these fees. The Department of Health will continue to monitor demand for, and take up of, places on courses in medicine and dentistry after the introduction of variable fees in 2006–07. It will consider, in consultation with the Department for Education and Skills, any measures it deems necessary to safeguard the supply, retention, diversity or quality of students on medical and dental training programmes, once the full implications of the introduction of variable tuition fees can be assessed.

TRANSPORT

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on changes to the rules governing advanced driving instructors. [152286]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The periodic re-assessment of car driving instructors is already provided for in their registration scheme. We are going to use modern computer-based assessment to check that instructors have kept up to date with the modern syllabus for learning to drive and can demonstrate high levels of hazard perception skills.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research his Department has commissioned into the benefits of requiring driving instructors to be reassessed after 15 years; [151986]
  825W
  (2) what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the implications for driving instructors of a requirement to be reassessed after 15 years. [151987]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The periodic re-assessment of driving instructors is already provided for in their registration scheme. The frequency of assessments varies according to the standard of the instructor. The higher the standard, the greater the interval until a further re-assessment takes place. Every instructor should have at least one assessment during their four-year period of registration. A research report published in 2000, recommended that the current method of periodic reassessments should be retained. The report made no recommendation that instructors should be reassessed at 15 year intervals. In the circumstances, we see no need to hold discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Roads
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage change he predicts for road traffic volumes by 2010. [152288]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Road traffic is forecast to grow by between 20 per cent. and 25 per cent. in England between 2000 and 2010.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the factors other than speed which contribute to road traffic accidents. [152289]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Contributory factors are assessed in a wide range of research projects including in-depth studies of particular accident types, on-the-spot accident investigation, and driver behaviour has been shown to be the key factor. A pilot scheme for assessment of contributory factors in road accidents has been used by some police forces alongside the national road casualty statistics reporting system since 1999.

  Buses
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress with improving bus transport in urban areas. [152290]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Government are working to improve bus services in urban areas in a number of ways. This includes the recent award of £19.6 million from the Urban Bus Challenge, full or provisional funding of £250 million for major bus schemes under the local transport settlement for 2004–05 and £20 million towards implementing real-time passenger information.

  A21
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a further announcement in respect of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge. [151297]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]This is a particularly sensitive section of the A21 and it is important to find a solution to the traffic problems, which minimises any damage to the environment and to local communities. My officials now need to discuss the 826W
  way forward with DEFRA colleagues to identify the right solution. I expect to make an announcement on the way forward when the discussions are completed.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the implications of re-testing drivers after(a) 10 and (b) 15 years; [151638]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of requiring drivers to pass a refresher test to retain their driving licence after (a) 10 and (b) 15 years. [151639]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]We do not consider that the regular retesting of drivers would be a proportionate measure to deliver road safety benefits. We have made no estimate of the cost to public funds, but requiring all driving licence holders to undergo a periodic retest would be an onerous and expensive obligation, particularly since there is no evidence to suggest that road safety would be improved as a result. Most road accidents are caused by careless or inconsiderate driving, rather than a lack of skill.

  Courts already have powers to require those drivers who offend to undergo a driving test. Where a driver is guilty of a serious motoring offence, this involves an extended length driving test.

  Regional Assemblies
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of his powers will be transferred to elected regional assemblies where they are introduced; and which body holds each of those powers. [152104]

  Mr. McNulty
  The transport powers of elected regional assemblies were set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions" (Cm5511).

  Elected regional assemblies will be given powers to make Rail Passenger Partnership grants, which is currently the responsibility of the Strategic Rail Authority. They will also be responsible for advising government on funding allocations for local transport, taking over functions currently exercised by regional government offices. In addition, elected regional assemblies will be responsible for a regional transport strategy, which is currently prepared by regional planning bodies and issued by the Secretary of State for planning as part of regional planning guidance.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was raised in fines from speed cameras in the last year for which records are available in(a) Essex and (b) the West Chelmsford constituency. [151354]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 28 January 2004]In 2001–02 £3,524,120 in conditional offer fixed penalties was collected by the Essex Safety Camera Partnership which includes West Chelmsford, for which separate figures are not available.
  827W
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money raised in fines from speed cameras during the last year for which records are available, was spent in(a) Essex and (b) the West Chelmsford constituency. [151355]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 28 January 2004]In 2001–02 £3,003,763 from conditional offer fixed penalties was passed to the Essex Safety Camera Partnership for the operation and administration of their safety cameras. The Essex Partnership includes West Chelmsford, for which separate figures are not available.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  European Convention on Contact
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Government intend to become a signatory to the European Convention on Contact. [152229]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Government are at present considering the results of their expert consultation on the Council of Europe Convention on Contact. Public consultation will take place in due course. A decision on signature will be made in the light of the consultation responses.

  Family Law Act
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Government will implement section 11(4) of the Family Law Act 1996. [152228]

  Mr. Leslie
  On 16 January 2001 the Government announced that they had decided not to implement the provisions of Part II of the Family Law Act 1996, including section 11(4), and that the provisions would be repealed when a suitable legislative opportunity arose.

  Land Registration
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the conclusion of the Law Commission's report, "Land Registration for the Twenty-First Century: A Conveyancing Revolution", concerning the remnants of feudalism in England and Wales. [152344]

  Mr. Lammy
  The joint Law Commission and Land Registry report, "Land Registration for the Twenty-First Century: A Conveyancing Revolution", concluded that there was a strong case for creating a clear and comprehensive legislative framework for the holding of land by the Crown and the Royal Duchies, and in relation to their role when land is ownerless. The report also stated that the Commission and Land Registry could not see any good reason for the retention of the remaining aspects of feudalism in England and Wales.

  The Law Commission are now considering whether a proposed review of the remnants of feudalism in land law in England and Wales should form part of the Commission's 9th programme of law reform. The programme is expected to be published later this year.

  Under Sheriffs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what the implications of the Courts Act 2003 are for the remuneration of Under Sheriffs; [151133]

  (2) what steps he has taken to make up shortfalls in Under Sheriffs' remuneration arising from changes introduced in the Courts Act 2003. [151134]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Courts Act 2003 removes the link between responsibility for High Court Enforcement work and the ceremonial functions of the Shrievalty. The latter attracts no remuneration. The arrangements for remuneration for High Court Enforcement work are unchanged. Where Under Sheriffs do not seek or receive authorisation as High Court Enforcement Officers, they will no longer be obliged to undertake High Court Enforcement work, so the issues of remuneration, or any shortfall in remuneration do not arise.

TREASURY

  Respiratory Diseases (Children)
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children between five and 15 years died of respiratory-related diseases in each year since 2000. [152555]

  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. Tim Loughton, dated 3 February 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many children aged between 5 and 15 years died of respiratory-related diseases in each year since 2000. (152555)
  The latest available data are for 2002. Figures for children aged 5 to 15 in England and Wales in the three years 2000 to 2002 are given in the table below.

  Deaths from diseases of the respiratory system, 1England and Wales, 2000 to 20022

  Children aged between 5 and 15 years of age

  2000

  62

  20013

  53

  20023

  67

  1 Selected using codes 460 to 519 from the International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision for 2000 and codes J00-J99 from the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision for 2001 and 2002.

  2 Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.

  3 The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for respiratory diseases from this year onwards are not completely comparable with data for earlier years. The data should therefore be interpreted with caution. For respiratory diseases the effect of the change in classification in 2001 is described in a report published in May 2002.*

  * Office for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 75–83.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the overpayment of tax credits, in particular to claimants who have overpayments being recovered from their awards at high rates. [149720]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue's Code of Practice 26, "What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?", sets out the rules that the Inland Revenue follows when adjusting an award to recover an overpayment.

  Teenage Pregnancies
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many teenage pregnancies there were in each year since 2000. [152516]

  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. Tim Loughton, dated 3 February 2004:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on how many teenage pregnancies there were in each year since 2000. (152516)
  The numbers of teenage pregnancies in England and Wales, in 2000 and 2001 (the latest year for which figures are available), are shown below. Figures shown are for conceptions to women aged under 18, because the target set by the Government Strategy on Teenage Pregnancy is for this age-group.

  Year

  Number1

  Rate2

  2000

  41,349

  44.1

  2001

  40,964

  42.7

  12001 figure provisional.

  2Rate per 1,000 women aged 15–17 based on population estimates as at September 2003.

  Provisional figures for the most recently available year were first published in Health Statistics Quarterly, the latest edition of which also shows provisional estimates for March quarter 2002. This publication is available in the libraries of both Houses. Provisional estimates for the calendar year 2002 will be published in Health Statistics Quarterly later this month.

  Birth Rates
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many live births there were in each year since 2000. [152515]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Tim Loughton dated 3 February 2004:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the number of live births in each year since 2000.I am replying in his absence. (152515)
  A table showing data for live births occurring in England and Wales and in the United Kingdom in 2000, 2001 and 2002 is provided in the following table. Figures for 2003 are not yet available.
  830W

  Live births occurring in England and Wales, and the United Kingdom, 2000–2002

  2000

  2001

  2002

  England and Wales

  604,441

  594,634

  596,122

  United Kingdom

  679,029

  669,123

  668,777

  Annual figures for live births are routinely published in Births Statistics Series FM1 for England and Wales and in Annual Abstract of Statistics for the United Kingdom; provisional figures for the most recently available year are first published in Population Trends, the latest edition of which also shows figures for March and June quarters 2003. All three publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Cancer/Coronary Death Rates
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest figures for the death rate from(a) cancer and (b) coronary heart disease are in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) Tyne and Wear, (iv) the North East and (v) the UK; and what they were in 1997. [152108]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Stephen Hepburn dated 3 February 2004:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the latest figures for the death rate from (a) cancer and (b) coronary heart disease in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) Tyne and Wear, (iv) the North East and (v) the UK; and what they were in 1997. I am replying in his absence. (152108)
  Figures for the Jarrow constituency are not available, as annual mid-year population estimates for Parliamentary Constituencies are not produced by the Office for National Statistics. Figures for the other areas are included in the following table.

  Death rates1 from cancer and coronary heart disease2 in South Tyneside metropolitan district, Tyne and Wear metropolitan county, North East Government Office Region and the United Kingdom3 1997 and 20024

  Death rates per 100,000 population

  1997

  2002

  Cancer

  South Tyneside

  225

  226

  Tyne and Wear

  245

  229

  North East

  235

  216

  United Kingdom

  203

  189

  Coronary Heart Disease

  South Tyneside

  210

  138

  Tyne and Wear

  191

  146

  North East 197 149

  197

  149

  United Kingdom

  163

  128

  1Rates per 100,000 population standardised to the European Standard Population.

  2 The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for 1997, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for 2002. The codes used are listed as follows:

  Cancer (malignant neoplasms)—ICD-9 140–208; 1CD-10 COO-C97;

  Coronary Heart Disease—ICD-9 410–414; ICD-10 120–125.

  3 Usual residents of these areas.

  4 Deaths occurring in each calendar year in England and Wales, and deaths registered in each calendar year in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Climate Change Levy
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue has been raised by the Climate Change Levy in each year since its introduction. [152072]

  John Healey
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton South (Mr. Tynan) on 29 January 2004(Official Report), column 375. Revenue receipts from the Climate Change Levy are published monthly in Table 2.1D of ONS "Financial Statistics" and annually in Customs and Excise's Annual Report and Accounts. Both are available in the Library of the House.

  Annual and monthly figures are also available online at Customs' trade and statistics website: www.uktradeinfo.com in the Statistical Bulletins and Factsheets section.

  Customs and Excise (Correspondence)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 19 October 2003 concerning Mr. C. Silvester, PO Reference 5.09712/2003). [152111]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]I have replied to a letter dated 19 November 2003 from the hon. Member concerning Mr. Silvester with this reference number.

  Financial Services
  John Mann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government has to remove stamp duty on the financial services sector. [152386]

  Ruth Kelly
  All aspects of the tax system are kept under review as part of the annual budget process.

  John Mann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives are in place to assist the financial services industry to ensure probity and transparency in dealings with the public. [152388]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has statutory responsibility to promote public understanding of the financial system and to secure the right degree of protection for consumers. The FSA carries out Conduct of Business regulation of all firms doing investment business to ensure, for example, that the information firms provide to investors is clear, fair and not misleading.

  Infant Mortality
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the infant mortality rate was in 2003. [152560]

  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. Tim Loughton, dated 3 February 2004:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the infant mortality rate was in 2003. (152560)
  832W
  The most recent complete year for which infant mortality data is available is 2002, when the rate for England and Wales was 5.2 per 1,000 live births. This covers deaths to babies aged less than one year and excludes still-births.
  Annual figures for infant mortality in England and Wales are routinely published in the DH3 series 'Mortality Statistics: Childhood, infant and perinatal'. Provisional figures for the first two quarters of 2003 were first published in Health Statistics Quarterly number 20, Winter 2003 edition (Table 2.1). These publications are available in the libraries of both Houses.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reform Stamp Duty Land Tax on leases. [152607]

  Ruth Kelly
  All tax rates and thresholds are kept under review by the Chancellor and any changes are announced in the Budget.

  Following consultation last year, substantial changes were made to the Stamp Duty Land Tax charge on the rental element of new leases which will help all tenants and will be of special benefit to small and medium sized businesses.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Civil Servants (Disabilities)
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made in meeting targets for the proportion of people with disabilities in senior posts in his Department. [146001]

  Maria Eagle
  Statistical information about senior civil servants with disabilities is available on the civil service statistics website at http: //www.civil-service, gov. uk/statistics/documents/pdf/disability-oct03.pdf.

  This information is also available in the Library. The latest statistics show that at 1 April 2003, there were 12 disabled senior civil servants in the Department, 5.4 per cent. of the total.

  Construction Site Accidents
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many serious accidents have been recorded on construction sites in the last 10 years. [148147]

  Mr. Browne
  The information in the table shows fatal and major injuries in construction reported to HSE under the RIDDOR Regulations during the period 1993–04 to 2002–03.

  Workers

  Member of the public

  Fatal

  1993–94

  91

  6

  1994–95

  83

  5

  1995–96

  79

  3

  1996–97

  90

  3

  1997–98

  80

  6

  1998–99

  65

  3

  1999–2000

  81

  6

  2000–01

  105

  8

  2001–02

  80

  5

  2002–031

  71

  5

  833W

  Workers

  Member of the public

  Major/non-fatal injury

  1993–94

  2,574

  116

  1994–95

  2,627

  121

  1995–96

  2,477

  117

  1996–97

  4,054

  405

  1997–98

  4,326

  339

  1998–99

  4,656

  378

  1999–2000

  4,749

  403

  2000–01

  4,708

  316

  2001–02

  4,595

  381

  2002–031

  4,780

  259

  1 The definition of a non-fatal injury to members of the public is different to that of workers.

  Notes:

  1. Non-fatal injury statistics from 1996–97 cannot be compared directly with earlier years due to the introduction of revised injury reporting requirements (RIDDOR95) in1996.

  2. The information available under RIDDOR 95 includes three categories of severity, fatal, defined major injuries and other injuries leading to more than three days absence (over-3-day). RIDDOR specifies serious injuries as (i) a list of major injury conditions for employees and self-employed people (ii) non-fatal injuries for members of the public, which cause a person to be taken from the site of the accident to hospital.

  3. Incidents reported are defined under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1985 and1995.

  4. Injury statistics are those reported to all enforcing authorities.

  5. Construction has been identified using Standard Industrial Classification 1992 division 45.

  6. The annual basis is the planning year from 1 April to 31 March.

  These and additional figures are available on the internet at http: //www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/table13.pdf.

  Disability and Carers Executive Agency
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to consult Scottish-based groups representing disabled people in setting-up the new Disability and Carers Executive Agency. [152523]

  Maria Eagle
  Plans for consulting with disability organisations about the agency proposals are in hand. The organisations already contacted by officials include UK disability organisations, some of whom, like the DRC, have a key presence in Scotland. As part of this process, officials have also written to Citizen's Advice Scotland.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claimed Incapacity Benefit for financial years(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03 in (i) the Perth constituency, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK. [152524]

  Maria Eagle
  The available information is in the following tables.

  New claims for IB/SDA in the periods shown

  Scotland newclaims IB/SDA

  Great Britain newclaims IB/SDA

  April 2001 to March 2002

  101,400

  835,570

  April 2002 to March 2003

  101,440

  812,065

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five

  834W

  2. Incapacity benefit figures include national insurance credits only cases.

  3. Figures for Great Britain will include a small number of claimants resident overseas.

  4. Figures for Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland Office and are not given here.

  Source:

  DWP Information Center, 5 per cent. Samples.

  Live IB/SDA claims in February 2002 and 2003

  Perth IB/SDA

  Scotland IB/SDA

  Great Britain IB/SDA

  February 2002

  3,500

  327,300

  2,695,600

  February 2003

  3,600

  326,500

  2,710,200

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Incapacity benefit figures include national insurance credits only cases.

  3. Figures for Great Britain will include a small number of claimants resident overseas.

  4. Figures for Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland Office and are not given here.

  Source:

  CDU 100 per cent. counts.

  Northern Ireland Troubles
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the funding of victims work in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain will be continued after the end of the current funding in 2004. [142721]

  Angela Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since 1998, Government have committed more than£20 million for victim's initiatives. I am currently consulting on what will be the next phase of victim's policy and funding will be a consideration in that context.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many calls were made to the Pension Credit Helpline in each month since April, broken down by(a) calls classed as engaged, (b) calls answered within periods of 20 seconds and (c) length of calls in periods of 10 minutes. [146041]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Calls to pension credit application line—April to December 2003

  Calls received by application line

  Calls receiving engaged tone or recorded message

  Calls answered within 30 seconds

  Average call duration(minutes: seconds)

  2003

  April

  20,810

  0

  17,680

  12:15

  May

  32,750

  10

  32,730

  12:03

  June

  60,240

  1,790

  57,730

  14:05

  July

  118,220

  3,050

  112,010

  13:09

  August

  181,860

  7,250

  177,340

  15:19

  September

  427,900

  18,540

  352,280

  11:27

  October

  482,780

  2,850

  429,950

  09:35

  November

  318,280

  990

  302,400

  08:56

  December

  193,900

  30

  183,650

  08:28

  Notes:

  1. Numbers of calls are rounded to the nearest 10.
  835W
  2.The number of calls receiving the engaged tone or a recorded message was unusually high in September due to technical problems with the telephony at one particular site. The number of calls affected by these problems cannot be separated out.

  3.The number of calls received is a measure of the total number of calls from customers made to the application line number 0800 99 1234. The number of calls answered within 30 seconds is a measure of all calls answered in application line sites and excludes any calls abandoned by the customer.

  Pension Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what(a) research and (b) evaluation his Department has commissioned into customer service in the Pension Service since the relocation of pension work from local offices in the South East region to pension centres elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [151533]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Pension Service commissioned BMRB Social Research to conduct research on customers' experience of, attitudes towards and satisfaction with our service in its first year. The survey is an important demonstration of our commitment to understanding and responding to customer requirements and will assist in future service development.

  The survey findings are based on approximately 4,300 face-to-face interviews with a random sample of current pensioners, their representatives and future pensioners who had contact with The Pension Service during the first half of 2003. The findings are the first nationally representative assessment of how The Pension Service is delivering to its customers. The report will be published shortly.

  In addition, the Department has recently commissioned research to examine service delivery to older people with special needs and customers who represent older people.

  The Pension Service will introduce a national mystery shopping programme from April 2004. This will provide an independent, robust, and real time measure of our customer service delivery. It will drive improvement activity in areas of high importance to our customers.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the impact on his Department's budget of contracting the self-employed with immediate effect into the state second pension, in each of the next 20 years. [150454]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The following table shows the projected increase in expenditure on state second pension to pensioners, if all self-employed people with profits greater than the small earnings exception (and hence who are assumed to pay Class 2 contributions) accrue flat-rate state second pension, based on earnings at the lower earnings threshold, from April 2007 onwards. Costs are shown in £ billion, in 2003–04 prices terms, for the first 20 years in which there would be increased expenditure.
  836W

  Projected increase in expenditure on state second pension, if all self-employed with profits above the small earnings exception accrue flat-rate S2P from 2007–08 to 2003–04 price terms

  Cost (£ billion)

  2008–09

  0.0

  2009–10

  0.0

  2010–11

  0.0

  2011–12

  0.0

  2012–13

  0.1

  2013–14

  0.1

  2014–15

  0.1

  2015–16

  0.1

  2016–17

  0.2

  2017–18

  0.2

  2018–19

  0.3

  2019–20

  0.3

  2020–21

  0.4

  2021–22

  0.5

  2022–23

  0.6

  2023–24

  0.7

  2024–25

  0.8

  2025–26

  0.9

  2026–27

  1.0

  2027–28

  1.1

  Notes:

  1. The projected increase in S2P expenditure to pensioners shown in the table does not allow for (a) offsetting savings in income-related benefits, or (b) increased expenditure on S2P paid alongside bereavement benefits to those below state pension age.

  2. The projected expenditure has been calculated on a consistent basis to that used for the projections in the Quinquennial Review of the National Insurance Fund as at April 2000 (Cm 6008), assuming real earnings growth of 2 per cent. a year. No allowance has been made for the effects of the most recent (2002-based) population projections, or any other information which has become available since the results underlying the Quinquennial Review were prepared.

  3. The projected expenditure relates to the GB National Insurance Fund (Northern Ireland has a separate Fund).

  4. It has been assumed that the self-employed would not be able to contract out of S2P.

  Retirement Pension
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets exist for backdated awards of retirement pension; and how many such backdated pension awards there were in each month of the 12 months before the most recently available monthly figures. [149642]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Entitlement to the state pension is dependent on a claim being made for it and the amount is determined in accordance with the legislation. To aid the claim's process the Department sends out a claim pack to those approaching state pension age inviting them to make their claim. It is for the individual to decide whether or not to claim their state pension at state pension age. Some may choose to defer claiming for a variety of reasons, in which case they could get a higher amount of state pension when they do make their claim. It is therefore not appropriate for the Department to set a target.

  However, where a person chooses to make a claim after state pension age, his or her state pension can be awarded for up to three months prior to the date of claim subject to the entitlement conditions.

  The Department publicises the time limits for claiming state pension and the effects of not doing so on time.
  837W

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people employed in his Department have claimed statutory sick pay for(a) less than one week, (b) one to three weeks, (c) four to six weeks, (d) seven to 12 weeks, (e) 13 to 20 weeks and (f) 21 to 28 weeks in each year since 1997. [148628]

  Maria Eagle
  Information for DSS and ES prior to April 2001 is not available.

  The information from April 2001 is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table. Further information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Number of staff claimed SSP

  2001–02

  32,855

  2002–03

  35,936

  2003–04

  29,384

  Notes:

  1. Figures refer to individual members of staff, some of whom will have claimed SSP on more than one occasion.

  2. Figures for 2003–04 are for the year to 31 December 2003.

  Winter Fuel Payment
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to extend the Winter Fuel Payment Scheme to people with severe disabilities. [151295]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Help is already available through disability benefits and the disability premium in Income Support in recognition of the extra costs, including heating, which disabled people may have. There are no plans to extend the Winter Fuel Payment Scheme to disabled people under age 60.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Bribery
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reports of concerns of bribery registered by UK companies about foreign competitors have been made by his Department to foreign governments; and to which governments. [151518]

  Mr. MacShane
  To provide the information requested would involve a manual search of files that would incur disproportionate costs.

  Burundi
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking, with reference to recent reports concerning those responsible, to assist the Burundian authorities to bring to justice the perpetrators of the crime against humanity in which Charlotte Wilson was murdered; and if he will make a statement. [151766]

  Mr. Mullin
  We continue to press the Burundi Government for a full investigation into Miss Wilson's murder and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.838W
  We have offered assistance to the Burundi authorities from the Metropolitan Police and have raised the case at every suitable opportunity.

  The current security situation and the functioning of the judicial system, as well as the current political climate, make investigations in Burundi very difficult. We are working hard with our international partners and those in the region to bring peace to Burundi. This will help create the conditions in which a thorough investigation can be made.

  We have offered Miss Wilson's family all the consular assistance we properly can and shall continue to do so.

  Chechnya
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the meetings, their dates and the officials involved at which the issue of human rights abuses in Chechnya were raised by his Government with Russia(a) prior to 11 September 2001, and (b) since 11 September 2001; and if he will make a statement. [151678]

  Mr. Straw
  The breadth of UK-Russia bilateral relations are such that to provide detailed information on all meetings before and after September 2001 would involve disproportionate cost and in many cases would not be possible.

  The issue of Chechnya has been raised with the Russians at Prime Ministerial, ministerial and official level since September 2001. High-level bilateral meetings over last year included during Putin's State Visit in June, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (Mr. Rammell) meeting with the Russian ambassador in October, and during the Russian ambassador's separate meeting with the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser in October. We have also supported the numerous EU statements since September 2001 on the human rights situation there. As the right hon. Gentlemen would expect, Chechnya also featured in our annual Human Rights talks with the Russians in 2001, 2002, 2003 and will no doubt be raised in this year's talks.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 15 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A. Faqi;. [1495451]

  (2) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 15 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A. Faqi. [151230]

  Mr. Mullin
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied on 27 January. I apologise for the delay.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter to him dated 15 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to M. Din. [151231]
  839W
  Mr. Mullin
  The response to my right hon. Friend's letter of 15 December 2003 was delayed pending checks with the high commission in Islamabad. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied on 27 January.

  Council of Europe
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom and other member states were consulted by the Council of Europe over its decision to produce a hip-hop version of the European anthem; and what the(a) purpose and (b) cost of this production was. [151796]

  Mr. MacShane
  [holding answer 2 December 2003]According to the Council of Europe, the purpose of this project was to provide music for different European events and ceremonies and as background music for radio and television programmes with a European theme.

  United Kingdom Government was not consulted. I have been informed that the cost of producing the CD was €7,000. If I had been consulted, I would have said that it was a waste of money.

  General Affairs and External Relations Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 26–27 January; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including their voting record; and if he will make a statement. [151974]

  Mr. MacShane
  The information is as follows:

  Outcome of the 26 January 2004 General Affairs and External Relations Council

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 26 January 2004. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for International Development represented the UK for the Orientation debate.

  Conclusions were agreed on the Orientation debate; Western Balkans; Georgia; Middle East Peace Process; Afghanistan; Colombia; European Security Strategy; and conflict prevention in Africa.

  General Affairs Session

  Debate on operational programme of Council activities for 2004

  The Council held a public debate on the annual operational programme, which the Irish and Dutch presidencies presented at the December GAERC. The programme aims to build on the work of the Greek and Italian presidencies from 2003. It covers the economic reform agenda, justice and home affairs, and external relations. The debate concentrated on implementation of the European Security Strategy and on conflict prevention in Africa.

  Progress of work in other Council configurations

  The presidency gave a standard progress report on work in other Councils. The report highlighted the results of the Transport, Telecommunications and
  840W
  Energy Council; the Agriculture and Fisheries Council; the Environment Council; and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council. There was no discussion.

  MEPs Statutes

  The Council examined a draft Decision of the European Parliament on the Statute for Members of the European Parliament. In June 2003, the Council had indicated that it could not give its approval to an earlier draft of the Statute. In December the European Parliament proposed a number of amendments. The Council failed to reach the necessary qualified majority to agree the Statute. The presidency concluded that he would report this decision back to the EP.

  External Relations Session

  Orientation debate

  The Under-Secretary of State for International Development represented the UK for the annual discussion on the effectiveness of EU external action programmes. This year's discussion was structured around three headings (i) EU leadership in progressing development issues multilaterally, (ii) maximising effectiveness of EU external assistance, and (iii) meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Conclusions were agreed on a number of steps to improve the effectiveness of EU aid; including the introduction of more transparent resource allocation.

  Iran

  High Representative, Javier Solana, reported on his visit to Iran on 12-13 January. Ministers welcomed steps taken by Iran, in the nuclear area (particularly the signature and implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Non-proliferation Treaty) but underlined the need for Iran to comply fully with the IAEA Board of Governors' November Resolution. The Council agreed to return to the issue after the next report on Iran's nuclear programme by Mohammed El Baradei, the IAEA Director-General. There was also discussion on the current political situation.

  China

  In line with the mandate of the 12–13 European Council, the GAERC discussed the embargo on the sale of arms to China. It invited the Permanent Representatives Committee and the Political and Security Committee to look into the matter, with a view to returning to the issue later in the year.

  Georgia

  The presidency reported on the 25 January inauguration of President Saakashvili. High Representative Solana also gave a read out of his 14–15 January visit to Georgia. Conclusions were agreed which: provided for targeted assistance to Georgia, pressed for progress on economic reform and tackling corruption; and mandated the Commission to bring forward a recommendation on the relationship of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the European Neighbourhood Initiative before the end of the Irish presidency.

  Middle East Peace Process

  The presidency reported on its recent talks in Israel and Egypt. There was discussion on possible ways forward to overcome the current deadlock. Short Conclusions were adopted on the recent Israel-Hizbollah agreement to exchange prisoners. The

  841W
  Council expressed the hope that this exchange would clear the way for the resolution of all remaining issues between Israel and Lebanon concerning prisoners.

  Western Balkans

  The Council adopted Conclusions on the 28 December Serbian parliamentary elections calling for the democratic parties to work together to ensure the early formation of a government committed to the reform agenda and to further progress towards EU membership. Conclusions also welcomed the successful launch of the EU police mission—PROXIMA—in Macedonia and the appointment of new EU Special Representative, Jesen-Peterson.

  The High Representative also notified Ministers of the death of Commissioner Sven Frederiksen, the head of EU Police Mission in Bosnia.

  Afghanistan

  High Representative Solana debriefed on his 14 January visit to Kabul. Conclusions were adopted welcoming the new constitution and calling for increased efforts to restore security ahead of the elections in the summer.

  A0B: Colombia

  Commissioner Patten gave a report of his recent visit to Colombia.

  Immigration
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people entered the UK from(a) Venezuela, (b) Suriname and (c) Bolivia in the latest year for which figures are available. [150805]

  Beverley Hughes
  I have been asked to reply.

  The latest available information shows that a total of 27,900 Venezuelan nationals were admitted to the United Kingdom during 2002.

  I regret that is not possible to identify nationals of Suriname and Bolivia separately in our admission statistics.

  Data on passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom are published in the Command Paper `Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2002'(Cm6053), obtainable from the House Library, The Stationery Office and via the Home Office website http: //www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hobpubs1.html

  Intelligence Services
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate a review of the operation of the secret intelligence services. [152314]

  Mr. Straw
  I am satisfied that the work carried out by the Intelligence Services continues to be an essential tool in protecting the nation's security, for instance, in countering the risks posed by terrorists, international criminals and drug dealers, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

  Their work is underpinned by legislation, and subject to oversight by the Intelligence and Security Committee and by the Commissioners appointed under the
  842W
  Intelligence Services Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. These mechanisms serve to keep their work under continuing review.

  Iraq
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria were used to select British companies to carry out reconstruction work in Iraq. [150604]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are several different organisations involved in Iraq's reconstruction. British companies have won contracts from a number of these, including the Department for International Development, the Development Fund for Iraq, the US Government and the United Nations. Each organisation has its own criteria for selecting companies. All have used competitive bidding or existing contracts for reconstruction work in Iraq.

  I will write to my hon. Friend with further details.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place a transcript of his interview on the Today Programme on 26 January on Iraq in the Library. [151851]

  Mr. Straw
  Yes.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Special Intelligence Service has interviewed Iraqis who had worked in Saddam Hussein's programmes of weapons of mass destruction-related activities(a) prior to March 2003 and (b) since May 2003. [151852]

  Mr. Straw
  It is not the Government's policy to comment on the operations of the Intelligence Services. The Security and Intelligence Agencies are not within the scope of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Paragraph 6, Part 1).

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether evidence of nuclear weapons of mass destruction programme-related activities have been discovered in Iraq by the Iraq Survey Group since the statement to the United Nations Security Council on 27th January 2003 by Dr. Mohamed El-Baradei on the status of nuclear inspections in Iraq. [151968]

  Mr. MacShane
  In his interim report of 2 October 2003, Dr. David Kay reported that the Iraq Survey Group (ISG) had uncovered evidence that a senior scientist at the Iraq Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Sa'id, had started work on several small and relatively unsophisticated research initiatives in 2000 that could be applied to nuclear weapons development, and which could have been useful in developing a weapons-relevant science base for the long-term.

  Dr. Kay also referred to uncovering evidence of a number of other steps taken by Iraq to preserve some technological capability from its earlier nuclear weapons programme. Iraqi scientists and senior government officials have told the ISG that Saddam Hussein remained firmly committed to acquiring nuclear weapons.

  The text of Dr.Kay's interim report can be found on the CIA internet website at www.cia.gov.
  843W
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific steps have been taken by the Iraq Survey Group to follow up the unresolved disarmament issues in respect of(a) VX nerve agent, (b) thiodiglycol mustard gas precursor,(c)anthrax, (d)AI Samoud 2 rockets and (e) AI Fatah rockets presented to the United Nations Security Council by Dr. Hans Blix on 27 January 2003. [151969]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Iraq Survey Group is continuing to search for any evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and programmes for their production. The Iraq Survey Group produced an interim report on its findings in October 2003.

  NATO
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the military preparations for joining NATO of(a) Bulgaria, (b) Estonia, (c) Latvia, (d)Lithuania, (e) Romania, (f)Slovakia and (g) Slovenia; and if he will make a statement. [151673]

  Mr. Straw
  In making the decision to invite the seven countries to join the alliance, NATO evaluated their progress against the areas for reform set out under NATO's Membership Action Plan (MAP).

  All of the invitees have been in an intensive dialogue with NATO to establish what reforms were necessary in the political and economic, defence and intelligence, resource, security and legal fields. Agreed reform objectives set out in Annual National Plans (ANP) have been reviewed annually with NATO International Staff and Allies.

  The UK has provided considerable bilateral assistance to all of the countries and will continue to provide support once they have joined the alliance. This assistance will help to ensure that the invitee countries to NATO can continue their reform programmes and make an effective contribution to the alliance's military and political structures.

  Nigeria
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Nigeria about(a) increases in Muslim fundamentalism in that country and (b) the potential for terrorism; and if he will make a statement. [151948]

  Mr. Mullin
  We hold regular discussions with the Nigerian authorities at Federal and State level and with others in Nigeria, including religious leaders and NGOs on these issues. We keep developments under careful review.

  British Council Board: List of Members as of 1 January 2004

  Appointed

  Retires

  Remuneration(£)

  Baroness Helena Kennedy QC Chair

  Augest 1998

  31 July 2004

  135,000 pa

  Gerard Lemos CMG Deputy Chair

  February 1999 D/Chair 1 December 2003

  December 2006

  —

  Zeinab Badawi

  1 December 2003

  1 December 2006

  —

  Catherine Eva

  April 2001

  September 2004

  —

  Charles Grant

  October 2002

  October 2005

  —

  Richard Haythornthwaite

  May 2002

  May 2005

  —

  Sir Michael Jay KCMG

  January 2002

  ex-officio

  —

  Jude Kelly QBE

  October 2002

  October 2005

  —

  Overseas Bribery and Corruption
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reports of bribery and corruption overseas were received from diplomatic posts between November 1997 and February 2002. [151385]

  Mr. MacShane
  To provide the information requested would involve a manual search of files which would incur disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many allegations of overseas bribery involving UK companies his Department has received from the US Administration since February 1999; on what dates; and what action his Department took on each allegation. [151390]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for City of York (Hugh Bayley) on 10 December 2003, Official Report, column 512W. We cannot comment on individual reports received in order not to prejudice criminal investigations.

  Payments
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the payments in each financial year since 1999–2000 to(a) Uzbekistan, (b) Turkmenistan, (c) Kazakhstan, (d) Kyrgyzstan, (e) Pakistan, (f) Georgia and (g) Azerbaijan; what the purpose was of each payment; and if he will make a statement. [151671]

  Mr. Straw
  Thousands of payments have been made by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Posts and Departments to suppliers in these countries from the financial year 1999–2000 to date. To list all of these payments could be done only at a disproportionate cost.

  Public Bodies
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the members of the(a) British Council, (b) Commonwealth Institute and (c) Westminster Foundation for Democracy were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and what their remuneration is. [151869]

  Mr. Mullin
  Both the British Council and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy are non-departmental public bodies for which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has responsibilities. The Commonwealth Institute is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. As an independent body, we do not have access to the terms of office of its Board members.
  845W

  British Council Board: List of Members as of 1 January 2004

  Appointed

  Retires

  Remuneration (£)

  Professor Lord May of Oxford OM AC Kt PRS

  December 2001

  December 2006

  —

  professor Tim O'Shea BSc. PhD

  September 2003

  September 2006

  —

  Heather Rabbatts CBE

  February 1998

  February 2004

  —

  Sir Robert Smith MP

  April 2002

  April 2005

  —

  1This payment will be discontinued after 31 July 2004. The new Chair, yet to be appointed will not be remunerated.

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy: List of members as of 1 January 2004

  Appointed

  Retires1

  Remuneration

  Michael Aaronson

  19 October 2001

  October 2004

  Reimbursed expenses

  James Arbuthnot MP

  23 January 2004

  January 2007

  Reimbursed expenses

  Georgina Ashworth

  22 May 1998

  August 2004

  Reimbursed expenses

  James Bewsher

  19 November 2003

  November 2006

  Reimbursed expenses

  Frances D'Souza

  8 July 2000

  July 2006

  Reimbursed expenses

  Michael Gapes MP, Chair

  20 August 2002

  August 2005

  Reimbursed expenses

  Nik Gowing

  25 June 1996

  May 2005

  Reimbursed expenses

  Mary Kaldor

  7 July 1997

  June 2006

  Reimbursed expenses

  Elfyn Llwyd MP

  24 August 2001

  August 2004

  Reimbursed expenses

  Michael Moore MP

  31 January 2002

  January 2005

  Reimbursed expenses

  Patrick Smith

  19 October 2001

  October 2004

  Reimbursed expenses

  Richard Spring MP

  14 June 2000

  June 06

  Reimbursed expenses

  Gisela Stuart MP

  5 December 2001

  December 2004

  Reimbursed expenses

  Michael Trend MP

  30 June 1999

  August 2005

  Reimbursed expenses

  1WFD Governors are permitted to serve a maximum of 3 x 3 year terms. Date shown is end of current term.

  Commonwealth Institute

  List of members of the Board of Trustees as of 1 January 2004

  Ms Judith Hanratty, Chair The Lord Fellowes, Vice Chair

  The right hon. Donald McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General

  Mr. Algy Cluff

  Mrs. Helen Robinson

  The High Commissioners to the United Kingdom of Nigeria, Malta, Tanzania and New Zealand

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the six-month pilot scheme under which visa applicants in Sri Lanka were required to provide fingerprints; and if he will publish the findings of the research. [151413]

  Mr. Mullin
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Citizenship, Immigration and Counter-Terrorism at the Home Office (Beverly Hughes) will be writing to Members of the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation about the six-month trial in Colombo and will be placing a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Sudan
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation around Juba, Sudan; and what discussions he has had with the Sudanese Government about the situation. [152397]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have no particular concerns about the security situation around Juba. Juba has not come up in our recent discussions with the Sudanese Government of the security situation in Sudan.
  846W
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the advice he is offering to British companies which are either involved or intend to become involved in the oil industry in the Sudan. [152398]

  Mr. Mullin
  The British embassy in Khartoum receives inquiries from British companies in many sectors, including oil, who are interested in becoming involved in business in Sudan. In response to their requests the embassy has provided briefing on the commercial, political and security situation. In addition to briefings it has on occasion provided security advice to companies interested in operating outside Khartoum.

  UN Corruption Convention
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what measures the Government are taking to ensure that the UK will be able to meet its commitments under the UN Convention on Corruption; [151510]

  (2) when the UK Government will ratify the UN Convention on Corruption. [151516]

  Mr. MacShane
  Government officials from, in particular, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and the Department for International Development are working to ensure that the UK is in a position to meet its obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption. Once we have ensured that UK legislation and administrative arrangements satisfy these obligations, the UK Government will seek to ratify the Convention at the earliest opportunity.

  UN General Assembly Resolutions
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy considerations dictated the UK's vote against UN General Assembly resolution 58/51, Towards a Nuclear Weapon-Free World; and if he will make a statement. [151674]
  847W
  Mr. Straw
  Government policy on nuclear weapons remains as set out in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review and the 2003 Defence White Paper. We are committed to working towards a safer world in which there is no requirement for nuclear weapons and continue to play a full role in international efforts to strengthen arms control and prevent the proliferation of nuclear—as well as chemical and biological—weapons.

  Resolution 58/51, Towards a Nuclear Weapon-Free World, has been tabled over several years and contains many important elements that we support. However, as we explained in our Explanation of Vote, the text presented to UNGA 58 contained several elements that were inconsistent with the consensus reached at the 2000 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. The UK remains committed to the NPT, which we regard as the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK is taking in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 58/36, on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space; and if he will make a statement. [151675]

  Mr. Straw
  The UK traditionally votes in favour of an annual UN 1st Committee Resolution on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS).

  We have signed and ratified the Outer Space Treaty that places important constraints on the basing of weapons in space, including a prohibition on the deployment of weapons of mass destruction. However, we derive considerable military and security benefits from the use of space, and would not like to see a general prohibition on the military use of space.

  In addition, we support agreement of a programme of work at the Conference of Disarmament (CD) in Geneva, which includes issues relating to PAROS. We also participated in a recent informal seminar on PAROS at the CD.

  Visa Applicants (Fingerprinting)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the estimated cost is of extending the fingerprinting of visa applicants announced on 21 January. [151414]

  Mr. Mullin
  The cost of introducing fingerprinting in our visa sections in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda is estimated at £325,000 for the current financial year and £410,000 for the 2004–05 financial year. Costs are being met from the budget allocated to the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate. The costs will include initial

  £ million

  Region

  Coalfields1

  Community chests1

  European Regional Development Fund Areas

  Housing market Renewal Pathfinders1

  Liveability2

  2002–03

  North East

  2.6

  2.17

  20.34

  2.64

  0.0

  North West

  1.1

  3.85

  57.31

  10.56

  0.0

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5.3

  1.95

  40.68

  5.28

  0.0

  East Midlands

  4.2

  1.06

  11.09

  0.0

  0.0

  West Midlands

  1.6

  1.66

  24.04

  5.28

  0.0

  East of England

  0.0

  0.22

  5.55

  0.0

  0.0

  848W
  start-up expenses such as procurement and deployment of equipment, IT development, additional staff and accommodation changes. Running costs thereafter are estimated at £117,000 per year.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Affordable Housing
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many units of affordable housing for(a) rent and (b) sale were built with funding generated by recycled capital grant in (i) 2001–02 and (ii) 2002–03, broken down by Government Office Region. [152024]

  Keith Hill
  The total number of affordable housing dwellings built with recycled capital grant in England for 2001–02 and 2002–03 are as follows:

  Rent

  Sale

  2001–02

  555

  234

  2002–031

  365

  418

  1Subject to validation

  information on the split of these dwellings by region is being collated. I will write to the hon. Member and make a copy available in the Library of the House.

  In addition, Registered Social Landlords built affordable housing dwellings by combining recycled grant with new social housing grant from local authorities or the Housing Corporation. Dwellings produced in this way are not counted in the table and appear in the record of dwellings produced through the Approved Development Programme or the former local authorities' social housing grant programmes.

  As well as building additional affordable housing, registered social landlords recycled grant into major repair and improvement of their older, existing housing.

  Area-based Initiative Budget
  Mr. Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget was for each area-based initiative for(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04, broken down by English region; and what the total budget was for each region in each year. [151878]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The allocations issued to area-based initiatives totalled by region for the years sought are tabled as follows.
  849W

  £ million

  Region

  Coalfields1

  Community chests1

  European Regional Development Fund Areas

  Housing market Renewal Pathfinders1

  Liveability2

  London

  0.0

  3.20

  7.40

  0.0

  0.0

  South East

  0.2

  0.40

  1.85

  0.0

  0.0

  South West

  0.0

  0.47

  16.64

  0.0

  0.0

  Total

  15.0

  14.98

  184.90

  23.76

  0.0

  Neighbourhood Management1

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

  Neighbourhood Wardens/Street Wardens1

  New Deal for Communities

  Total allocation

  North East

  1.9

  39.73

  1.2

  25.27

  95.85

  North West

  2.3

  81.18

  3.5

  26.60

  186.40

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1.5

  45.48

  2.05

  23.67

  125.91

  East Midlands

  1.3

  19.51

  1.2

  14.86

  53.22

  West Midlands

  0.9

  40.51

  0

  18.27

  92.26

  East of England

  0.4

  2.64

  1.3

  15.05

  25.16

  London

  1.03

  61.60

  4.6

  9.18

  87.01

  South East

  0.60

  3.24

  1.9

  11.17

  19.36

  South West

  1.07

  6.11

  1.5

  41.93

  67.72

  Total

  11.00

  300.00

  17.25

  186.00

  1For some programmes not all of the budget has yet been allocated to individual initiatives.

  2Figures for 2003–04 are for the provisional allocations as agreements have not you been completed.

  £ million

  Region

  Coalfields1

  Community chests2

  European Regional Development Fund Areas

  Housing market Renewal Pathfinders1

  Liveability2

  2003–

  North East

  2.8

  3.55

  24.5

  4.0

  0.7

  North West

  1.4

  6.49

  71.7

  28.0

  0.8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  6.0

  3.36

  52.0

  4.0

  0.8

  East Midlands

  4.8

  1.79

  14.5

  0.0

  0.8

  West Midlands

  1.8

  2.89

  29.9

  8.0

  0.8

  East of England

  0.0

  0.34

  6.0

  0.0

  0.7

  London

  0.0

  5.3

  9.6

  0.0

  0.8

  South East

  0.2

  0.58

  1.5

  0.0

  0.8

  South West

  0.0

  0.73

  19.2

  0.0

  0.8

  Total

  17.0

  25.03

  228.9

  44.0

  7.0

  Neighbourhood Management1

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

  Neighbourhood Wardens/ Street Wardens1

  New Deal for Communities

  Total allocation

  North East

  2.57

  52.97

  1.25

  31.21

  123.55

  North West

  1.71

  108.20

  2.76

  52.50

  273.56

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2.52

  60.63

  1.84

  30.06

  161.21

  East Midlands

  1.73

  26.00

  0.52

  24.22

  74.36

  West Midlands

  1.61

  53.98

  1.38

  30.53

  130.89

  East of England

  1.15

  3.50

  0.91

  9.60

  22.20

  London

  0.85

  82.04

  2.88

  62.79

  164.26

  South East

  0.88

  4.56

  1.26

  13.27

  23.05

  South West

  0.73

  8.12

  0.92

  10.82

  41.32

  Total

  13.75

  400.00

  13.72

  265.00

  1 For some programmes not all of the budget has yet been allocated to individual initiatives.

  2 Figures for 2003–04 are for the provisional allocations as agreements have not yet been completed.

  Single Regeneration Budget

  In 2001, the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) was subsumed into the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) Single Programme (`Single Pot') from which RDAs will continue to fund existing SRB commitments. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's contribution to the RDAs Single Pot is £4,679 million for 2003–06 and £1,523.7 million for 2003–04.

  Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs)

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not directly fund URCs as funding is channelled through non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and other delivery agents.

  Brownfield Land
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's commitment to develop brownfield land. [152467]

  Keith Hill
  The Government want to make the best use of disused brownfield land in and around our towns and cities. This will help to ease pressures on the countryside and avoid urban sprawl. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister wants to create more welcoming and attractive places in which people can take pride. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working closely with English Partnerships to develop a national strategy
  851W
  for brownfield land. English Partnerships has published the results of the first stage of work on the strategy, which provides a better understanding of what land is available. Through English Partnerships and the Regional Development Agencies we are remediating brownfield land at a rate of over 1,400 hectares a year.

  Council Tax
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many applications have been made under section 76 of the Local Government Act 2003 for reductions or variations in the level of council tax payable, broken down by local authority. [152808]

  Mr. Raynsford
  None. Local authorities do not need to make applications to the Government in order to use the power in section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as inserted by section 76 of the Local Government Act 2003. It is up to local billing authorities to decide whether to use this new provision and to assure themselves that what they are proposing is within their powers.

  Cumbria County Council
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government grant for Cumbria county council was in(a) 1996–97, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [152338]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Formula Grant comprises Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates. Allocations to Cumbria county council were:

  (a) £229.1 million

  (b) £269.5 million

  (c) £293.7 million

  The amounts are not strictly comparable because of changes in council functions between years.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage increase in grant would be necessary to bring Cambridgeshire county council up to the full Formula Spending Share for 2004–05. [152328]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Formula Spending Shares (FSS) and Formula Grant are not strictly comparable as FSS includes an element of assumed council tax and the grant distribution system uses floors and ceilings on grant changes as well as FSS. However, Cambridgeshire would have received 3.87 per cent. more grant in 2004–05 had floors and ceilings not applied.

  Market Renewal Pathfinder Budget
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget was for each market renewal pathfinder scheme for(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04, broken down by (i) English region and (ii) pathfinder area. [151880]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Over the financial year 2002–03 and 2003–04, there has been a budget of £2.66 million for each pathfinder for preparation of a strategic scheme and where considered appropriate by them some early action projects.
  852W
  For 2003–04 to 2005–06, a market renewal fund of £500 million has been created for the nine pathfinders. So far for 2003–04, Birmingham Sandwell, East Lancashire, Oldham and Rochdale, Merseyside, NewcastleGateshead, North Staffordshire and South Yorkshire have been allocated £4 million to begin action on the ground ahead of scheme agreement.

  Manchester Salford is the first pathfinder to complete and agree their strategic scheme. They have been awarded £125 million over the next two-and-a-half years to implement their scheme. Merseyside has recently been awarded £86 million and NewcastleGateshead £69 million. Three other pathfinders have submitted their scheme to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister—East Lancashire, Oldham Rochdale and South Yorkshire—these are currently being assessed and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to announce allocations later this year.

  The table summarises funding allocations thus far for 2002–03 and 2003–04 by pathfinder and English region. The figures for Manchester Salford, NewcastleGateshead and Merseyside show funding up until March 2006.

  £ million

  Region/pathfinder

  Total funding for pathfinder

  Total funding for region

  North West

  Manchester Salford

  127.66

  233.64

  Merseyside East Lancashire

  92.66

  East Lancashire

  6.66

  Oldham Rochdale

  6.66

  North East

  NewcastleGateshead

  75.66

  75.66

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  South Yorkshire

  6.66

  9.32

  Hull and East Riding

  2.66

  West Midlands

  Birmingham Sandwell

  6.66

  13.32

  North Staffordshire

  6.66

  Rural Land Use
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the concept of temporary development which applies to minerals and landfill operations with a restoration condition will remain unchanged by the Draft Planning Policy Statement Number 7—Sustainable Development in Rural Areas. [152465]

  Keith Hill
  In September 2003 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a public consultation draft of a new Planning Policy Statement (PPS7), Sustainable Development in Rural Areas. The draft sets out proposed national planning policies to deliver sustainable rural communities by focussing most new development on towns and villages, and through strict control over new development in the open countryside. PPS7 does not propose any changes to the established definition of previously-developed land which excludes land used for mineral extraction and waste disposal where provision for restoration has been made through development control procedures.
  853W
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether land and buildings within the rural land use classification are prima facie protected from development. [152466]

  Keith Hill
  National planning policies for rural areas are principally set out in Planning Policy Guidance 7 (PPG7), "The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development". This guidance is not based on a rural land use classification. PPG7 advises that building in the open countryside, away from existing settlements or areas allocated for development, should be strictly controlled. Further restrictions on development in Green Belts are set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2.

  It is for the local planning authority in the first instance to determine planning applications for the development of land and buildings in accordance with policies in an adopted development plan for the area, and with regard to national and regional planning guidance.

  In September 2003 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a public consultation draft of a new Planning Policy Statement (PPS7), "Sustainable Development in Rural Areas". The draft sets out proposed national planning policies to deliver sustainable rural communities by focussing most new development on towns and villages, and through strict control over new development in the open countryside.

  Social Housing
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 22 January 2004,Official Report, column 1464W, which column of the table includes units built or acquired by registered social landlords with recycled capital grant. [152188]

  Keith Hill
  Dwellings built or acquired by registered social landlords using recycled capital grant funding are included in column A of the table produced on the 22 January 2004,Official Report, column 1464W.

  Thames Gateway
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have for the adoption of standards for access to(a) schools, (b) healthcare facilities, (c) leisure facilities, (d) open spaces, (e) shops and (f) new jobs in the communities that are planned in the Thames Gateway, Essex area. [152431]

  Keith Hill
  For the Thames Gateway Essex area and elsewhere, Government planning policy (in particular Planning Policy Guidance 13) is to promote accessibility to jobs, shopping, leisure facilities and services by public transport, walking and cycling.

  In addition, the Social Exclusion Unit's "Making the Connections" report, published in February 2003, sets out a strategy to help people on low incomes access work, food shops and key public services, notably education and healthcare. This includes the approach of accessibility planning in those areas that produce a Local Transport Plan, where local transport planners and others work together to examine accessibility needs
  854W
  and how to overcome barriers. Accessibility planning is currently being piloted and various accessibility indicators are under consideration.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how he will ensure that new housing development in the Thames Gateway, Essex area will meet(a) flood resistance standards sufficient for the Association of British Insurers and (b) high standards of design. [152432]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises the importance of ensuring that new housing development in the Thames Gateway meets flood resistance standards. All new housing is subject to compliance with Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 on `Development and Flood Risk'. Furthermore, projects that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is funding in the Thames Gateway are required to undertake an appropriate Flood Risk Assessment and consult with the Environment Agency where there is a potential risk of flooding. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are also meeting with the Association of British Insurers to discuss flood management issues.

  To ensure that new housing development meets high standards of design, Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 on 'General Policy and Principles' requires that "good design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process and should be encouraged everywhere". This policy is supported by our good practice guidance 'By Design'. Projects that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is funding in the Thames Gateway have been selected against thematic objectives, one of which is "to implement a consistent policy of quality design". The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also increased funding for the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), who are launching the Growth Areas Housing Quality Forum in March 2004 to disseminate best practice. Furthermore, the Building for Life award has been developed by CABE, the House Builders Federation and the Civic Trust to reward development that incorporates high standards of design.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whether the Thames Gateway area of Canvey Island will receive additional road access before the new housing development planned by the Thames Gateway initiative is completed; [152433]

  (2) if he will instruct the Thames Gateway initiative to carry out a feasibility study on the provision of a new terminus station for Canvey Island. [152434]

  Keith Hill
  The East of England Local Government Conference, the regional planning body that has jurisdiction for the Borough of Castle Point, is currently preparing a new Regional Planning Guidance for the East of England (RPG14). This will cover growth proposals for the local authority areas in South Essex with respect to housing and jobs. It will also provide commentary on the sub-region's transport infrastructure.

  It is therefore open to partners to make representations for improved access to Canvey Island through the Regional Planning process, alongside the identification of locations where development should be supported within the region.
  855W
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what investigations the Thames Gateway Initiative has carried out into the(a) numbers of vehicle movements (i) on to and (ii) off Canvey Island and (b) road capacity for access to the Island; [152435]

  (2) what investigations the Thames Gateway Initiative has carried out into the (a) number of rail passengers originating from Canvey Island and (b) the capacity of the rail infrastructure. [152436]

  Keith Hill
  The Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership that 1 chair has not undertaken any investigation of the number of vehicle movements to and from Canvey Island, nor the capacity of roads that provide access to and from the Island.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has contributed to the London to Southend Movement Study, commissioned in 2003 by the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership. The outcome of this study has yet to be published.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning applications for(a) housing and (b) mixed use development in the Thames Gateway, Essex area have been refused since March 2000 on the grounds of poor design. [152437]

  Keith Hill
  Information relating to the number of planning applications refused in the Thames Gateway since March 2000 on grounds of poor design is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All Local Planning Authorities within the Thames Gateway and elsewhere, are statutorily obliged to keep information relating to the status of individual planning applications within their area of operation.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average residential density was of housing developments given planning permission since March 2000 in areas of south Essex which fall within the Thames Gateway. [152439]

  Keith Hill
  Information relating to the average residential density of housing developments given planning permission in the south Essex Thames Gateway area since March 2000 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All Local Planning Authorities within the Thames Gateway and elsewhere, are obliged to keep information relating to the determination of planning applications within their area of operation.

  Authority Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

  CPA score weak

  Council' Improvement Priorities

  Title of focus of proposed Audit or Inspection activity

  Outline scope of proposed Audit or Inspection activity

  Proposed timetable for audit, inspection and other activity (if Known)

  Output of proposed Audit or Inspection activity

  Organisation(s) undertaking the audit and/or the inspection activity

  From

  To

  Strengthening Corporate and strategic planning

  Corporate Service and Financial Planning

  To assess development of corporate service and financial planning as part of Best Value Performance Plan audit

  July 2003

  November 2003

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Strengthening Corporate and strategic planning

  Corporate Service and Financial Planning

  To assess development of medium term financial strategy

  January 2004

  April 2004

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Thistle Hill Development
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what infrastructure plan has been agreed between Government agencies in relation to additional homes on the Thistle Hill development agreed by the Planning Inspector. [152110]

  Keith Hill
  The Thistle Hill housing scheme, which is expected to yield approximately 1,000 dwellings, already had planning permission, granted by Swale borough council, but was limited to 340 houses before the new Swale Bridge was opened. The appeal decision made by the inspector on 15 January allows a further 85 houses per year to be built before the bridge opens, up to a maximum of 540.

  The contract for the new bridge is expected to be awarded shortly and it should be completed by summer of 2006. The consent for the Thistle Hill scheme requires the applicant to provide contributions for education, including a site for a new school, and various transport improvements including improvements to the nearby Cowstead Corner Roundabout.

  The Isle of Sheppey is an important part of the Thames Gateway growth area and the MISC 22 cabinet committee are looking at the broader implications of infrastructure provision across the whole Thames Gateway area. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is aware of the existing infrastructure problems on the island, particularly in education and primary health care, and these are being addressed by the relevant agencies.

  Trafford Council
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2004,Official Report, column 1097W, which specific (a) areas and (b) departments of Trafford council were identified as being in need of improvement during the improvement planning process orchestrated by the Audit Commission; and if he will provide details of the programme of follow-up inspections. [152426]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Details of the improvement priorities for Trafford metropolitan borough council and the programme of follow-up inspections established as a result of the improvement planning process are tabled as follows. The Audit Commission's website lists this information for all single tier and county councils (http: //www. audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/performance_planning/ImprovementPlanninglsifData.asp). Further details are included in Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council's Best Value Performance Plan.
  857W

  Authority Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

  CPA score weak

  Council' Improvement Priorities

  Title of focus of proposed Audit or Inspection activity

  Outline scope of proposed Audit or Inspection activity

  Proposed timetable for audit, inspection and other activity (if Known)

  Output of proposed Audit or Inspection activity

  Organisation(s) undertaking the audit and/or the inspection activity

  From

  To

  Strengthening corporate performance improvement and management

  Performance Management

  Assess improvement in Performance Indicator collection and development of performance monitoring systems

  July 2003

  November 2003

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Strengthening Human Resources and finance support to the Organisation

  Development of Financial Management

  Assessment of the effectiveness of the integrated business units including financial management schemes of delegation, human resources management and E-

  To be agreed

  To be agreed

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Strengthening financial and performance improvement monitoring systems

  Information Technology and E-government arrangements

  Assurance review of new information systems implementation

  Ongoing

  Ongoing

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Strengthening financial and performance improvement monitoring systems

  Information Technology and E-government arrangements

  Inspection of Information Technology and E-government Best Value Review

  May 2003

  July 2003

  Inspection Report

  Audit Commission

  Improving the effectiveness of partnership working

  Effectiveness of partnership working

  Assessment of partnership working and delivery of outcomes focussing on Local Strategic Partnership

  September 2003

  December 2003

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Improving the effectiveness of partnership working

  Effectiveness of partnership working

  Assurance review of post contract arrangement for: Leisure Trust, Learning disabilities partnership

  To be agreed

  To be agreed

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Improving the effectiveness of partnership working

  Effectiveness of partnership working

  Continuing assessment of development of Children and Young People's company

  Ongoing

  Ongoing

  Audit Report, Guidance

  Social Services Inspectorate. Ofsted and Audit Commission

  Transforming the way we support and work with young people and children

  Focus on various aspects of support for children and young people

  Performance audit to monitor the implementation of change in social services provision for children in care from: residential to home care and responsive to preventative services

  June 2003

  October 2003

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Transforming the way we support and work with young people and children

  Focus on various aspects of support for children and young people

  Performance audit to review the statement program for children

  May 2003

  August 2003

  Internal Report

  Audit Commission

  Transforming the way we support and work with older people

  Inspection of Older People's Services

  Social Services Inspectorate inspection of older people services including Best Value Review

  October 2003

  November 2003

  Inspection Report

  Social Services Inspectorate

  Transforming the way we support and work with older people

  Focus on various aspects of support for older people

  Performance audit of delayed discharge arrangements including associated health bodies

  June 2003

  August 2003

  Audit Report

  Audit Commission

  Transforming the way we care for and manage places where people live and the way we work through area planning

  Focus on care of the environment

  Upstream inspection work on-waste Best Value Review including links to street scene Best Value Review

  May 2003

  July 2003

  Internal Report

  Audit Commission

  Transforming the way we care for and manage the places where people live and the way we work through area planning

  Focus on care of the environment

  Upstream inspection work on—area regeneration Best Value Review

  July 2003

  September 2003

  Internal Report

  Audit Commission Inspection

  858W

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Broadband
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his latest estimate is of the level of broadband coverage in(a) North Down and (b) Northern Ireland. [151323]

  Mr. Pearson
  Based on analysis of information obtained from the public domain, industry sources and service providers, it can be estimated that broadband services aimed at small and medium enterprises and residential users are available to approximately 70 per cent. of households and business sites across Northern Ireland. Figures for North Down are not available. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is actively pursuing the availability of equitable broadband services to 100 per cent. of businesses and households by the end of 2005.

  Car Documentation
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his latest assessment is of the number of car owners driving in Northern Ireland without valid(a) car tax, (b) insurance, (c) MOT certification and (d) driving licence; and what steps he is taking to reduce these figures. [151326]

  Angela Smith
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The most recent detailed survey on vehicle excise duty evasion, undertaken in mid-2002, indicated that there were 74,700 unlicensed vehicles in the private and light goods (cars and vans) tax categories.

  (b) No detailed information is held on the number of car drivers without valid insurance, but a report produced by the PSNI concerning 107 unlicensed vehicles, under operation Nemesis, in October 2002 indicated that 80 per cent. were also evading insurance requirements. The Association of British Insurers, 51 Gresham Street, London, EC2B 7HQ may have more detailed information on uninsured drivers.

  NICS staff by department and grade at January 19971

  Grade 5 and above

  Senior Principal/ Principal Officer

  Deputy Principal

  Staff Officer

  Executive Officer I/ Executive Officer II

  Department of Health and Social Security

  45

  156

  194

  353

  2,121

  Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland

  24

  273

  385

  299

  989

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  18

  80

  38

  62

  157

  Department of Environment

  43

  251

  505

  793

  2,085

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  43

  128

  174

  218

  304

  Department of Economic Development

  37

  137

  210

  315

  897

  Northern Ireland Office1

  46

  116

  134

  154

  373

  Total

  256

  1,141

  1,640

  2,194

  6,926

  Administrative Officer

  Administrative Assistant

  Industrial grades

  Total

  Department of Health and Social Security

  3,125

  1,059

  2

  7,055

  Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland

  368

  390

  729

  3,457

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  167

  61

  2

  585

  Department of Environment

  1,338

  653

  2192

  7,860

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  408

  159

  1

  1,435

  860W
  (c) An analysis of data collected in 2002 estimated that 28 per cent. of vehicles of MOT age did not have valid MOT certificates at the date of sighting. This would equate to approximately 150,000 vehicles.

  (d) No information is held on the number of car owners driving without a valid driving licence.

  A range of measures are in place to reduce vehicle excise duty evasion and indirectly insurance and MOT evasion as valid insurance and MOT documents have to be produced at re-licensing. These include on-going detection by the PSNI and traffic wardens, wheel-clamping, detection by Automated Number Plate Reading cameras, Statutory Off Road Notification, and from 1 January 2004, the introduction of Continuous Registration, which allows detection from the vehicle record. There are also special joint exercises involving the PSNI, HM Customs and Excise, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) and Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.

  Specific measures to tackle MOT evasion include the introduction of an MOT disc for display at present voluntarily, but which will be made mandatory in 2004–05, on vehicle windscreens, and the intention to issue MOT reminders starting in March 2004.

  The detection of those driving without a valid driving licence is a matter for the PSNI and tackled through their on-going programme of enforcement against traffic offences. Reminders are issued by DVLNI to all driving licence holders prior to the expiry of their licence.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants, broken down by grade, there are in the Department and the agencies for which the Department is responsible; and what the figures were in January 1997. [150257]

  Mr. Pearson
  The following tables list the number of Northern Ireland civil service staff at 1 January 1997 and 1 September 2003:
  861W

  Administrative Officer

  Administrative Assistant

  Industrial grades

  Total

  Department of Economic Development

  558

  276

  61

  2,491

  Northern Ireland Office1

  356

  257

  8

  1,444

  Total

  6,320

  2,855

  2,995

  24,327

  1 Includes 187 home civil servants working in the NIO. Figures also include NICS staff working in the NI Prison Service.

  Figures include both permanent and casual NICS staff (industrial and non-industrial). Staff on career break are excluded.

  NI Prison Service staff (non-NICS) by grade at January 1997

  Governor

  67

  Principal officer

  167

  Senior officer

  244

  Officer

  2,404

  NICS staff by department and grade at September 20031

  Grade 5 and above

  Senior Principal/Principal Officer

  Deputy Principal

  Stuff Officer

  Executive Officer I/Executive Officer II

  Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

  23

  290

  504

  337

  1,205

  Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

  7

  27

  45

  58

  189

  Department of Education

  13

  84

  56

  59

  159

  Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

  12

  52

  102

  97

  205

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  38

  194

  374

  436

  668

  Department of Employment and Learning

  10

  39

  102

  163

  675

  Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

  35

  119

  154

  166

  242

  Department of Environment

  17

  99

  222

  326

  731

  Department of Regional Development

  20

  136

  321

  492

  1,306

  Department of Social Development

  18

  74

  180

  353

  2,681

  Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

  28

  49

  74

  53

  62

  Northern Ireland Office1

  52

  176

  193

  245

  465

  Total

  273

  1,339

  2,327

  2785

  8,588

  Administrative Officer

  Administrative Assistant

  Industrial grades

  Total

  Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

  476

  524

  661

  4,020

  Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

  69

  58

  16

  469

  Department of Education

  173

  87

  1

  632

  Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

  163

  95

  2

  728

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  821

  377

  31

  2,939

  Department of Employment and Learning

  553

  173

  1

  1,716

  Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

  165

  145

  0

  1,026

  Department of Environment

  533

  319

  137

  2,384

  Department of Regional Development

  603

  281

  1,771

  4,930

  Department of Social Development

  3,730

  1,481

  0

  8,517

  Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

  96

  34

  0

  396

  Northern Ireland Office1

  391

  275

  6

  1,803

  Total

  7,773

  3,849

  2,626

  29,560

  1 Includes 226 Home Civil servants working in the NIO. Figures also include NICS staff working in the NI Prison Service. (industrial and non-industrial), staff on career break are excluded.

  Figures include both permanent and casual NICS staff

  NI Prison Service staff (non-NICS) by grade at September 2003

  Governor

  39

  Principal officer

  66

  Senior officer

  178

  Officer

  1,332

  Auxiliary

  1

  Night patrol officer

  align="right">6

  Prison civilian

  72

  Total

  1,694

  862W

  NI Prison Service staff (non-NICS) by grade at January 1997

  Auxiliary

  68

  Night patrol officer

  3

  Prison civilian

  41

  Total

  2,994

  Civil Service
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to decrease sick leave in the Northern Ireland civil service; and if he will make a statement. [150757]

  Mr. Pearson
  The 11 departments of the Northern Ireland administration have in place a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at reducing the level of sickness absence, and further work is planned. These are
  863W
  broadly similar in the Northern Ireland Office. The actions being taken include: the collection of robust statistical information on the extent and causes of absences to inform actions by departments and enable the setting of departmental-specific targets; on-going reviews of policies and procedures to both strengthen the arrangements for ensuring prompt action by management and to assist staff in rehabilitation and return to work; comprehensive guidance for managers and GPs, communicated though a variety of media; mandatory training for line-managers; a strengthened occupational health support; and promotion of health improvement through a number of initiatives.

  Coroners (Foyle)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time equivalent coroners practise in the Foyle constituency; what the average coroner to population ratio is in(a) Foyle and (b) Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to increase the number of coroners available in the Foyle constituency. [151574]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is responsible for the Coroners Service in Northern Ireland. The Foyle constituency is located within the coroner's district of Londonderry, which comprises the local government districts of Derry, Limavady and Strabane. A part-time coroner and a part- time deputy coroner are currently appointed to this district. Coroners' caseload is based on deaths reported and not on population. In 2002 there were 206 deaths reported in the coroner's district of Londonderry. The average number of deaths reported in the six coroners' districts excluding Greater Belfast was 189. Each of these districts has one part-time and one deputy part-time coroner appointed. The Northern Ireland Court Service will shortly be publishing proposals for improvements to the coroners' service in Northern Ireland, including creating a single, national coroner's jurisdiction in Northern Ireland.

  Doctors
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the implications of experienced senior house officers from Northern Ireland who complete their general practitioner registrar training in the United Kingdom outside Northern Ireland remaining in practices in England, Scotland or Wales. [152351]

  Angela Smith
  The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has carried out a review of the medical workforce, which confirms that there is no shortage of general practitioners in Northern Ireland and that the number in training is sufficient to meet current demand. In determining the requirement for general practitioners, allowance is made for the movement of doctors into and out of the service locally.

  The position will be kept under review through the Department's workforce planning process.

  Employers' Liability Insurance
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to tackle the problem of 864W
  small and medium-sized businesses which are unable to obtain renewal of employers' liability insurance in Northern Ireland. [152211]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) takes the lead on insurance, as it is a reserved matter. DWP recently published an agenda for action in its second stage report on employers' liability insurance. This includes actions such as longer renewal periods by insurers and brokers, and a scheme called 'Making the Market Work' to help trade associations and others access the insurance market more easily.

  These actions are being taken forward in parallel in Northern Ireland. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is already pursuing a range of initiatives aimed at improving the insurability of small and medium sized businesses and strengthening the insurance market in Northern Ireland.

  In addition, DETI officials are meeting with the British Insurance Association to explore other possible actions which the industry might take. It is also planned to have discussions with the FSB to identify what further actions their members might take to improve their prospects of securing employers' liability insurance at competitive rates.

  Estate Wardens
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many estate wardens have been appointed by the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland to date; and for which areas. [152595]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are 21 staff in post, including one agency worker and there are two vacant posts distributed as follows:

  Area

  Number

  Antrim

  1

  Armagh

  12

  Banbridge

  1

  Ballymena

  3

  Carrickfergus

  1

  Coleraine

  1

  Dungannon

  2

  Enniskillen (Fermanagh District Office)

  1

  Larne

  1

  Lurgan/Brownlow

  11

  Newry

  1

  Newtownabbey Office 1 and 2

  4

  Portadown

  2

  1Plus one vacancy

  Film Making
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) financial and (b) other assistance has been provided towards film making in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [151184]

  Angela Smith
  The information is as follows:

  (a) In the years in question the following financial assistance was provided towards film making in Northern Ireland.
  865W

  £

  DCAL

  DETI

  1998–99

  965,850

  412,384

  1999–2000

  1,006,335

  571,106

  2000–01

  816,081

  491,855

  2001–02

  739,911

  363,000

  2002–03

  1,097,324

  300,000

  2003–04

  1,038,459

  —

  TOTAL

  5,663,960

  2,138,345

  (b) In terms of other assistance, the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, which comes under the remit of DCAL, promotes awareness of Northern Ireland locations, crews and facilities to producers nationally and internationally, and promotes films produced in Northern Ireland. It also supports the development and production of films in Northern Ireland and encourages private sector investment in the industry. The Commission provides free advice to film-makers on all aspects of the business, including locations, casting, crews, facilities, safety, finance and trainees.

  No other non-financial assistance has been provided to the industry from DETI or Invest NI.

  Fly-tipping
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what studies have been conducted into the extent of fly-tipping in Northern Ireland. [151187]

  Angela Smith
  Environmental Campaigns Limited (ENCAMS) produced a Fly-Tipping Study in 2003 to establish the extent of fly-tipping in the UK during 200–02. This study gave details of trends from 1994 to 2002 including Northern Ireland. ENCAMS (an environmental charity, which runs the "Keep Britain Tidy" campaign and has a regional office in Belfast) has also produced a guide for the public entitled "Fly-Tipping and the Law". Beth publications are available on their website www.encams.org/publications and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.

  The Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment and District Councils are working together to design a code of practice for dealing with the issue of fly-tipping.

  Government Solicitors
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether solicitors have been retained to draft legislation in respect of water charging. [152213]

  Mr. Spellar
  No. Assembly Bills introduced by the Northern Ireland Executive during devolution and Orders in Council made under the Northern Ireland Act 2000 while the Assembly is suspended are drafted by the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

  However, the Department for Regional Development has appointed legal advisers to provide specialist expertise on the water industry regulatory, consumer protection and environmental issues to be addressed in the legislation which will be necessary to give effect to the wide-ranging Water Reform agenda.
  866W
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was paid to solicitors employed by the Government in the drafting of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02 and (d) 2002–03, broken down by firm. [152214]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 was drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Costs were therefore met within existing Government resources. No payment was made to any private firm of solicitors.

  Higher Education
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of school leavers in Northern Ireland went on into higher education in each year since 1997; what steps he is taking to increase these figures; and if he will make a statement. [150675]

  Jane Kennedy
  Information for the 2002–03 school year is not yet available. The percentages of school leavers entering institutions of higher education are as follows:

  Percentage

  1997–98

  28.6

  1998–99

  30.0

  1999–2000

  30.5

  2000–01

  32.9

  2001–02

  35.0

  I have no policy to increase, overall, the number of school leavers progressing into higher education. I am, however, keen to increase the number of students progressing from those groups that are currently underrepresented in HE. In particular students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with learning difficulties and disabilities.

  Widening participation in HE by students from these groups is one of the Department for Employment and Learning's key strategic goals. The Department is addressing the issue of widening access to higher education through a number of broad policy directions and through a range of specific actions.

  These include an increase in domestic HE provision between 1999–2000 and 2004–05; the introduction of Foundation Degrees; the introduction of a package of student support measures to assist students from low income families; widening participation premia for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with learning difficulties and disabilities and special initiative funding to develop partnerships between the universities and schools with traditionally low levels of participation in HE.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of school leavers in each of the past five years went on to attend a university in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [150679]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information is not available in the requested format.
  867W
  (a)–(c) The percentages of school leavers who went on to attend institutions of higher education in Great Britain are as follows:

  Percentage

  1997–98

  9.3

  1998–99

  8.6

  1999–2000

  7.7

  2000–01

  8.5

  2001–02

  9.0

  (d) The percentages of school leavers who went on to attend institutions of higher education in Northern Ireland are as follows:

  Percentage

  1997–98

  18.4

  1998–99

  20.6

  1999–2000

  22.0

  2000–01

  23.5

  2001–02

  25.0

  The following table provides information on the number of 18 and 19-year-olds who enter university for a full-time undergraduate course. Not all of these students will have progressed direct from school to university. Some, for example, will have left school at an earlier age and qualified for university entry through further education.

  Northern Ireland domiciled first year full-time undergraduate students aged 18 and 19 entering HE institutions in the UK by country of study 1997–98 to 2001–02

  Percentage

  Total number of students

  2001–02

  Northern Irish Institution

  73

  English Institution

  15

  Scottish Institution

  12

  Welsh Institution

  1

  Total

  100

  9,311

  2000–01

  Northern Irish Institution

  72

  English Institution

  16

  Scottish Institution

  12

  Welsh Institution

  1

  Total

  100

  8,933

  1999–2000

  Northern Irish Institution

  69

  English Institution

  17

  Scottish Institution

  14

  Welsh Institution

  1

  Total

  100

  8,643

  1998–99

  Northern Irish Institution

  65

  English Institution

  18

  Scottish Institution

  16

  Welsh Institution

  1

  Total

  100

  8,577

  1997–98

  Northern Irish Institution

  64

  English Institution

  19

  Scottish Institution

  16

  Welsh Institution

  1

  Total

  100

  8,592

  868W
  Notes:

  1. Source of data-Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

  2. The latest year of information on enrolments is 2001–02

  3. Entrants to HE are based on students on their first year of a course

  4. Age as at 31 August

  5. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding

  6. Information from HESA does not enable the identification of school leavers. For example, some of these students may have progressed to HE via the FE route.

  Waiting Lists/Times
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been waiting for(a) inpatient admission and (b) initial outpatient assessment for orthopaedic surgery for more than (i) one year, (ii) two years and (iii) three years. [152367]

  Angela Smith
  Waiting list statistics are submitted to the Department at specialty level. The information in this answer relates to people waiting in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty at 30 September 2003 (the most recent information available). Waiting list statistics are collected in three-month time bands for all patients waiting up to 24 months. Patients waiting 24 months or more are grouped together within one category therefore patients waiting three years or more cannot be separately identified.

  One year

  Two years

  Three years

  Number awaiting inpatient admission

  1,725

  604

  n/a

  Number awaiting initial outpatient assessment

  6,998

  3,352

  n/a

  Source:

  CH1 and CH3

  Industrial De-rating
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what research the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment based its assessment that industrial de-rating will not result in widespread job losses. [146310]

  Mr. Pearson
  Evidence to assist our thinking on the way forward on this issue came from a variety of different sources: for example, studies conducted by DTZ Pieda, Invest NI and CBI as well as submissions made during the public consultation exercise in 2002 by the DETI and DFP Assembly Committees and local economists. The policy paper published in April last year also included a Regulatory Impact Assessment. All this evidence was analysed and considered objectively and the various options were discussed openly with representatives of the business community before a final decision was taken.

  Invest Northern Ireland
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many businesses based(a) in Northern Ireland, (b) in the rest of the United Kingdom and (c) outside the United Kingdom have received assistance from Invest Northern Ireland in each year since its formation. [151333]
  869W
  Mr. Pearson
  Information on Invest NI offers of Selective Financial Assistance (SFA) to businesses is as follows:

  Location

  Number of businesses

  Northern Ireland

  1,284

  Rest of the United Kingdom

  10

  Outside the United Kingdom

  22

  Total

  1,316

  Information on businesses assisted by Invest NI through programmes other than SFA is not available for the above locations.

  Late Flights
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many flights at Northern Ireland's airports were delayed(a) arriving from and (b) departing for London in the last month for which figures are available as a result of air traffic control restrictions in London. [151335]

  Mr. McNulty
  I have been asked to reply.

  For December 2003, of the 3,346 arrivals at Belfast City, Belfast International and Londonderry/Eglinton airports, 139 flights were delayed by air traffic control regulations imposed within the London Flight Information Region (FIR). Of the 3,348 departures from those airports, the corresponding figure was 145 flights.

  Maternity Services
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the cost incurred as a result of women from outside Northern Ireland giving birth in local hospitals in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [152362]

  Angela Smith
  Using an estimate based on average expenditure, the cost to the HPSS of such births was £211,445, excluding private patients, for the financial year 2002–03.

  National Stadium
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with(a) sports bodies, (b) local councils and (c) local representatives on the creation of a national stadium in Northern Ireland. [152585]

  Angela Smith
  The issue of a National Stadium has involved discussions with sports bodies and other relevant interests for some time. You may be aware that I have recently invited the Strategic Investment Board to commission a study to establish if a National Stadium in Northern Ireland is a viable option. It will be part of the brief for the consultants appointed for this work to have discussions with sports bodies and other appropriate interest groups.

  Paramilitary Activities
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the 870W
  financial cost of paramilitary beatings which resulted in long-term NHS treatment of victims in 2003. [152352]

  Angela Smith
  This information is not available.

  Peace II Programme
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the funds from the Peace II programme were distributed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in each of the last six months; and how much of these funds was distributed to(a) Greenmount Agricultural College and (b) Enniskillen Agricultural College. [152216]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Greenmount and Enniskillen Campuses are now part of the single DARD College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

  The following table details expenditure under PEACE II measures for which the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible and identifies how much of this expenditure was distributed to CAFRE.

  Expenditure DARD PEACE II Measures

  CAFRE Expenditure

  July 2003

  51,429

  August 2003

  831,856

  September 2003

  7,689

  October 2003

  947,301

  November 2003

  9,299,114

  8,652,472

  December 2003

  364,878

  Pension Inquiry Line
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average time taken to respond to telephone inquiries made to the Social Security Agency Northern Ireland's pension service inquiry line was in each of the last 12 months. [152092]

  Mr. Spellar
  Unfortunately, information on the time taken to clear telephone inquiries is not available.

  Post-primary Education
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost of setting up and implementing the proposed new Northern Ireland post-primary education system. [152090]

  Jane Kennedy
  Until specific proposals for new arrangements begin to emerge at local level, it will not be possible to make reliable estimates of costs. I will be looking at the available options and discussing with my ministerial colleagues ways to ensure the necessary resources to enable the new arrangements to be implemented, taking account of the opportunities offered by the Strategic Investment Programme.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of how the proposed new post-primary education system will affect funding for(a) schools and (b) Further Education colleges. [152091]
  871W
  Jane Kennedy
  The arrangements for funding schools and Further Education colleges will require further consideration in light of the new arrangements. The Government's decisions announced on 26 January provide the context for further work on this issue to be carried out, in consultation with our education partners.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when research will be completed on(a) the post-primary pupil profiles and (b) new admissions criteria for the proposed new post-primary education system; and whether the research process will be open to full public consultation. [152125]

  Jane Kennedy
  CCEA is developing and piloting the pupil profile which will apply to both primary and post primary schools. The aim is to have it in place as soon as possible in order to improve the information available to parents.

  Research on new admissions criteria, which will produce a list of potential criteria for consideration, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. There will be full consultation on this proposed list.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of how the implementation of the proposed new post-primary education system will affect staff employment levels in(a) post-primary schools and (b) further education colleges. [152126]

  Jane Kennedy
  Until specific proposals emerge at a local level it will not be possible to determine the affect on staff employment levels in post-primary schools or in further education colleges. Proposals for new post-primary arrangements will be developed at local level by schools and further education colleges working together to ensure that all pupils have access to the "Entitlement Framework".

  Potato Ring Rot
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the costs are of equipment purchased to deal with potato ring rot in the last 12 months. [152217]

  Mr. Pearson
  I am aware that the recent finding of potato ring rot in Wales posed a significant threat to the potato industry, though no infected stocks of seed or ware potatoes have been identified in Northern Ireland.

  Stringent preventative measures to minimise the risk of further spread are already in place. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has however increased its existing preventative actions, including:
  Checking and sampling of crops produced from GB seed potatoes in 2003;
  Further targeted sampling of GB seed potatoes due to be planted in Northern Ireland in 2004;
  Increased monitoring by inspectors at the ports of Belfast, Lame and Warrenpoint of all seed and ware potato imports;
  Increased inspections at premises of importers and processors, including inspections of stocks and checks on sources and reliability; and
  Meetings with stakeholder representatives and key industry individuals to provide scientific information on the disease and advice on new preventative measures.
  872W
  The majority of costs associated with these additional measures are DARD staffs' time.

  There is little need for equipment to deal with potato ring rot. DARD Science Service secured £6,500 in 2003 from budget to specifically address its laboratory diagnostic capacity following enhanced sampling by the Inspection Service and to accommodate any necessary emergency response to potato ring rot. This has enabled the provision of enhanced diagnostic capability within DARD for both classical and EU prescribed molecular diagnostic protocols in anticipation of an increased sampling regime for potatoes.

  Prescription Fraud
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what he estimates the cost was of prescription fraud in Northern Ireland in 2003; and if he will make a statement. [152414]

  Angela Smith
  It is estimated that the cost of prescription fraud in 2002–03 was £8.3 million. Estimates for 2003–04 will be available by the end of May 2004.

  Tackling fraud remains a key priority for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, which has introduced a range of measures to combat exemption fraud. These include setting up a dedicated Counter Fraud Unit, the introduction of fixed penalty charges for patients who misclaim and the creation of the specific criminal offence of evading health services charges.

  Rating
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to bring forward proposals in relation to rates in the domestic sector. [152209]

  Mr. Pearson
  I have already announced that I propose to replace the current rental based domestic rating with a system based on market values and I plan to bring forward detailed proposals on the reform of the domestic rating system before Easter this year.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the level of domestic rates in the next financial year in Northern Ireland of the phasing out of industrial de-rating. [152210]

  Mr. Pearson
  The phasing out of industrial de-rating is scheduled to commence in April 2005 so there is no impact on the level of domestic rates in the next (2004–05) financial year.

  Schizophrenia
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the financial cost of schizophrenia in Northern Ireland in the last five years. [152356]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not available.

  South Eastern Education and Library Board
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action has been taken by the
  873W
  South Eastern Education and Library Board to complete the asbestos survey of its estate; when he expects the survey to be completed; and when its findings will be published. [149780]

  Jane Kennedy
  I understand from the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board that 62 per cent. of asbestos surveys have been completed to date, 18 per cent. of surveys are currently on-going and all surveys will be completed by May 2004. Information on the survey results for individual schools will be available on a phased basis from February 2004 onwards on request to the Chief Executive SEELB.

  Timber
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means the policy for purchasing timber and timber products of(a) the Northern Ireland Office, (b) the Compensation
  874W
  Agency, (c) the Forensic Science Northern Ireland and (d) the Northern Ireland Prison Service ensures that they are obtained from legal and sustainable sources. [141338]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Timber purchased by the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies is obtained via contracts established by the Central Procurement Directorate.

  The directorate uses the National Building Specification (issued by NBS Services) as its standard technical specification for major construction projects and this has an optional timber procurement clause which is in line with central government policy. The directorate is in the process of adopting this clause for major works and will be introducing similar requirements for other specifications.

  Recent contracts for the purchase of wooden furniture have complied with the current Green Housekeeping guidance.

  Northern Ireland: Ageism in the Workplace
  Northern Ireland: Ageism in the Workplace
  Northern Ireland Civil Service: Smoking
  Northern Ireland Civil Service: Smoking
  Northern Ireland: Racist Incidents
  Northern Ireland: Racist Incidents
  Northern Ireland: Armagh City Shooting, 11 January 2004
  Northern Ireland: Armagh City Shooting, 11 January 2004
  Northern Ireland: District Councillors' Expenses
  Northern Ireland: District Councillors' Expenses
  Prison Service: Treatment of Juvenile Offenders
  Prison Service: Treatment of Juvenile Offenders
  Prisons: Self-inflicted Deaths and Self-harm
  Prisons: Self-inflicted Deaths and Self-harm
  Local Government Funding: Council Tax
  Local Government Funding: Council Tax
  Planning Reform: Disabled People
  Planning Reform: Disabled People
  Sustainable Development: Social Inclusion
  Sustainable Development: Social Inclusion
  All-postal Ballots: Local Council By-elections
  All-postal Ballots: Local Council By-elections
  Company Directors: Diversity
  Company Directors: Diversity
  Correspondence from MPs and Peers: Government's Performance Standards
  Correspondence from MPs and Peers: Government's Performance Standards
  Public Bodies
  Public Bodies
  West Coast Main Line
  West Coast Main Line
  Judicial Evidence: Still Photographs taken by Coloscopy
  Judicial Evidence: Still Photographs taken by Coloscopy