Written Answers of 4 February 2004

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq Survey Group
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Prime Minister, whether(a) he and (b) his Ministers have visited the members of the Iraq Survey Group in Basra; and what assessment he has made of their personal safety as they carry out their task. [152508]

  The Prime Minister
  Neither I, nor my Ministers have visited the Iraq Survey Group in Basra. I and my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence have visited the headquarters of the United Kingdom Brigade in Basra.

  The assessment of the personal safety of Iraq Survey Group personnel must be made by the local commander who can judge the security situation on the ground. The safety of personnel is the over-riding concern during the planning of Iraq Survey Group activities. If necessary, added Force Protection can be provided to the Iraq Survey Group while they conduct missions within the UK Area of Operations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Minimum Wage
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people(a) in the UK and (b) in Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East have benefited from the minimum wage; and what measures are in place to ensure that employers are paying the statutory hourly minimum wage. [148401]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Based on the Office for National Statistics' low pay data released in 2003, the DTI estimates that around 1.2 million people in the UK should have benefited from the introduction of the minimum wage in April 1999. We also estimate that between one million and 1.2 million people in the UK should have benefited from the increase in the minimum wage rates in October 2003.

  It is not possible to provide estimates specifically for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East. However, the DTI estimates that around 80,000 people in the North East should have benefited from the introduction of the minimum wage in April 1999 and that between 80,000 and 90,000 people in the North East should have benefited from the increase in the minimum wage rates in October 2003.

  The Inland Revenue enforce the minimum wage on behalf on the DTI. If a worker believes they are not
  876W
  receiving the minimum wage they should contact the minimum wage helpline (0845 6000678). All complaints about underpayment, including those from third parties, will be investigated. The Revenue also make use of their own data, including tax credits information, to make proactive visits to employers whom they suspect may not be paying the minimum wage. In 2002–03 the Revenue completed over 6,200 investigations and identified £3.6 million of minimum wage arrears.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the request from the hon. Member for Leicester, East for a meeting on the way the Insolvency Service has dealt with BCCI. [149267]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 13 January 2004.

  Bribery
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what written guidelines her Department has produced for staff(a) in her Department and (b) in Trade Partners on how they should respond to allegations of overseas bribery and corruption; on what date these guidelines were published; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [151513]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Guidance on these issues issued in January 2002, February 2002 and March 2003 to relevant staff in both the DTI and what is now UK Trade and Investment, as well as other relevant government departments. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Background guidance including an information leaflet on bribery and corruption (a copy of which was deposited in the Libraries of the House on 15 October 2003,Official Report, column 265W) is also included on the UKTI website www.uktradejnvest.gov.uk. The guidance complements that provided to all Crown Servants in the "Giving Evidence or Information about Suspected Crimes—A guide for Crown Servants". This report was placed in the Libraries of the House on 20 March 1997 under reference dep/3/4876. It can also be accessed at website http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/../..central/2001/crownser.pdf.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many allegations of overseas bribery and corruption her Department has received since 1997; on what dates the allegations were received; and what action her Department took. [151517]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To provide the information requested would involve a manual search of files which would incur disproportionate costs. Furthermore, we cannot comment on individual reports received in order not to prejudice possible criminal investigations.

  Business Start-ups
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the change in the number of successful high growth business start-ups in each year since 1997. [152054]
  877W
  Nigel Griffiths
  The estimated number was as follows:

  Number

  1997

  12,200

  1998

  12,200

  1999 (provisional)

  12,900

  These estimates are based on the following definition of HGSU:
  High growth firms are defined as those with 10 or more employees and/or £1 million or more turnover by the further year of trading. There is an inherent four-year lag in the measurement of this target. Further information on progress can be found in the 2003 DTI Autumn Performance Report.

  Community Interest Companies
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the likely level of demand for community interest companies over the next five years. [151714]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: The Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Bill, published by the Department in December 2003, used a working assumption that initially between 100 and 300 new community interest companies might register each year.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 22 January 2004,Official Report, column 1446W, when she will write to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North. [152390]

  Nigel Griffiths
  A response was sent to my hon. Friend on 27 January.

  Departmental Recruitment
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent on recruitment advertisements in the press, broken down by publication, by(a) her Department, (b) quangos under the Department and (c) non-departmental Government bodies under the Department (i) in the last year and (ii) since 1997. [145807]

  Ms Hewitt
  When running recruitment campaigns, my Department uses the most appropriate advertising media, be it national, regional, local, trade magazine or website, depending on the nature of the post to be filled. We use the service of advertising agencies to place our advertisements and to seek appropriate media advice.

  Individual management units generally meet recruitment costs from their own delegated budgets and there are no centrally held records of the breakdown of advertising costs.

  Fisheries (Compensation)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications there have been for compensation from former Icelandic waters trawlermen which(a) have been successful, (b) have
  878W
  been unsuccessful, (c) have been put on hold and (d) which are pending a decision, broken down by region of the UK. [152393]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Up to January this year 4,750 trawlermen had been paid a total of £40.7million. A total of 2,973 claims had been assessed as not qualifying for compensation. There are no claims on hold. Following is a breakdown of the numbers of payments and compensation by current area of residence:

  £

  Location

  Number of payments'

  Amount paid

  Hull

  1766

  18.4 million

  Grimsby

  821

  5.5 million

  Fleetwood

  363

  3.1 million

  Blackpool

  54

  404 thousand

  Cleethorpes

  226

  1.6 million

  Newcastle

  370

  3.6 million

  West Yorkshire

  237

  2 million

  Aberdeen

  290

  1.5 million

  Others

  623

  4.5 million

  I regret that there is no breakdown of claims not qualifying for compensation. I have today announced my proposals to extend the scheme list by 21 vessels. Claims from trawlermen who worked on these vessels will be re-examined with additional compensation for those who qualify.

  Miners' Pensions
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce the minimum payment under the Miners' Pension Fund; and if she will make a statement. [149796]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The level of pension payments by the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme is a matter for the Scheme's Trustees. In September last year they announced an increase in pensions in line with RPI.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been spent investigating companies suspected of having broken the rules on the minimum wage in each year since its introduction. [148173]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Inland Revenue enforce the minimum wage on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry(DTI). The following table gives details of the funding the DTI has provided the Revenue in each year since the introduction of the minimum wage in April 1999.

  £ million

  1999–2000

  3.5 plus 1.9 start-up costs

  2000–01

  3.5

  2001–02

  4.7

  2002–03

  5.85

  2003–04 (forecast)

  5.7

  Funding in the first two years did not cover overheads, including accommodation costs. Three new

  879W
  compliance teams were established in 2002–03, as were a number of local enforcement pilot projects to help improve compliance with the minimum wage.

  National Power Provision
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to ensure the integrity of the national power grid. [151260]

  Jacqui Smith
  Responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the national transmission system rests with the National Grid Company (NGC). NGC have a number of important statutory and licence duties relating to the development and maintenance of their system. The duty for enforcing these licence and statutory obligations rests with Ofgem.

  Officials in my Engineering Inspectorate monitor power failures attributed to the national grid on an ongoing basis and they liaise with staff in the transmission companies to ensure adequate remedial measures are put in place. At my request, Inspectors recently completed a formal investigation of the major interruptions on 28 August and 5 September 2003 and the conclusions and recommendations have been shared with the companies. Inspectors will be liaising with the companies over the coming months to ensure the recommendations are implemented.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to explore the licensing of new nuclear technologies in the United Kingdom. [152041]

  Ms Hewitt
  No steps are being taken by Government. It is for industry to bring forward any applications for a licence under the provisions of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.

  Online CD/DVD Sales
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is on companies selling online competitively-priced CDs and DVDs to residents of the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [152416]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Provided companies are acting legally, online sales of CDs and DVDs will increase competition, providing consumers in the UK with more choice.

  Pornographic Messages
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the use of telephone transferred charge calls to propogate unwanted pornographic messages; and if she will make a statement. [152541]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  None. However the law relating to pornography applies online as it does offline. Unsolicited emails and reverse SMS messages advertising pornographic services are prohibited by the regulations implementing a recent EC Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications, and which are enforced by the Information Commissioner's office. The 880W
  mobile operators are drawing up a code of practice to cover new forms of content including pornography. Premium rate services continue to be regulated by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS).

  Post Office Banking Services
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of discussions with major high street banks on the provision of banking services at post offices; and if she will make a statement. [151989]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  As a result of constructive discussions with the major financial institutions, all the high street banks and the Nationwide Building Society are making a very positive contribution to universal banking services, providing customers with free access to basic bank accounts at post offices, and making significant financial contribution (£180 million) to the cost of running the Post Office card account.

  Post Office Closures
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure that there is adequate consultation with relevant hon. Members and other interested parties when an urban post office is nominated for closure. [150616]

  Jacqui Smith
  Proposals for closures of sub-post offices under the urban network reinvention programme are put out to public consultation, including relevant Members of Parliament, in accordance with the code of practice agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch. In preparing closure proposals, Post Office Ltd. collect a range of information relevant to the provision of post office services in an area. This includes local authority plans, environmental and transport information, local shopping habits and other local developments and features. With the move to area plans, the public consultation period has been extended from four to six weeks during which comments and representations, including new or additional information, can be submitted for consideration by Post Office Ltd. before they reach a final decision. Recent experience of the programme has shown that there is a clear need for Post Office Ltd. to respond promptly to issues raised during the consultation and to explain its decisions more fully. The Government has impressed on the company the urgent need to improve its performance on this aspect of the programme.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the Urban Reinvention Programme's consultation process for closure proposals. [150816]

  Jacqui Smith
  Recent experience of the programme has shown that there is a clear need for Post Office Ltd. to respond promptly to issues raised during the consultation and to explain its decisions more fully. The Government has impressed on the company the urgent need to improve its performance on this aspect of the programme. There is also an escalation procedure agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch for
  881W
  handling disputed proposals which can be applied in the small number of cases where Postwatch opposes the closure proposal.

  Public Bodies (Membership)
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who the members of the(a) North West Industrial Development Board, (b) South West Industrial Development Board and (c) Eastern Region Industrial Development Board were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and what their remuneration is. [151300]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information is as follows:

  (a) North West Industrial Development Board consists of the following members.

  Members

  Period of appointment

  John Alcock

  1 January 2001 to 31 May 2004

  Mrs. Lorraine Clinton—Chair

  1 May 2001 to 30 March 2004

  Duncan McLellan

  1 December 2002 to 30 November 2005

  Raymond Charles McManus

  1 August 2003 to 31 July 2006

  William Joseph Mullarkey

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  Kirit Pathak

  1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004

  Ruth Isabel Port

  1 August 2003 to 31 July 2006

  George Verghese

  1 December 2002 to 30 November 2005

  Mrs. Eva Wisemark

  1 September 2003 to 31 August 2006

  Marcus Wood

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  (b) South West Industrial Development Board consists of the following members:

  Members

  Period of Appointment

  Sue Astbury

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Ruth Bagley

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  Peter Alan Courts

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  John Crownshaw

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  Ian Robert Douglas

  1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004

  Neville Gibson

  1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004

  Alan Neil Hayman

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004

  Denise Major

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Richard Morgan

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Rama Warren Nand-Lal

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  Victoria Picketing

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  Nigel Randall

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Brian Sherwin

  1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004

  Terence Alan Slater—Chair

  1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004

  Barbara Speirs

  1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004

  (c) Eastern Region Industrial Development Board consists of the following members:

  Members

  Period of appointment

  David Richard Baggott

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Alan Davies

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  Robert Downing

  1 July 2003 to 3 June 2006

  Martin James Gould

  1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004

  Keith Hamilton

  1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006

  Terence Ralph Hill

  1 July 2003 to 30 June 2006

  Fiona Hoskins

  1 August 2003 to 31 July 2005

  Shaz Khan

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Hugh Lawson

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Elaine Oddie—Chair

  1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004

  Laurence John Russen

  1 July 2003 to 30 June 2006

  Mike Smith

  1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005

  Members of the Industrial Development Boards are not remunerated.

  Research and Development (Tax Credits)
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the claims for research and development tax credits that have been received by the Government have led to the development of a new product, service or process. [152060]

  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 progress has been made towards the achievement of(a) targets and (b) delivery of the (i) regional economic strategy and (ii) corporate plan of each of the regional development agencies. [152063]

  Jacqui Smith
  England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), working with their regional and local partners and stakeholders, have produced Regional Economic Strategies (RESs) which set out the medium to long term vision for the economic development of their regions. They are designed to be implemented by the RDA and by regional partners and stakeholders. Each RDA monitors and reports to its region on delivery of the RES differently but the Annual Report and Accounts, which the eight RDAs outside London are required to produce, outline the achievements and progress made by each RDA. They are laid in Parliament and copies are available in the Libraries of the House. I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 17 July 2003 about the Annual Reports and Accounts for 2002–03. The London Development Agency also produces an annual report and accounts, outlining achievements and progress, which is available on its website.

  The Government has agreed a common framework of targets for the RDAs to achieve. (The framework can be viewed on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/rda/in.fo/index.htm.) Target levels are set through the Corporate Planning process and current targets were agreed by Ministers (and, in London, by the Mayor) and published in RDA's Corporate Plans for 2003–2006. The RDA details the activities and initiatives it will undertake in order to help implement the RES, and to contribute to the achievement of the targets set, within its Corporate Plan. Progress on achievement of the Tier 3 output targets is published six monthly and I refer the hon. Member to the statements I made on 7 July 2003 and today.

  The Corporate Plans, RESs, and Annual Reports and Accounts are available on each RDA's website.

  Seminars
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many seminars the Government has organised for the UK business community since 1997 on(a) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and

  883W
  Development Convention and Combating Bribery and (b) Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; on which dates and in which locations; and (i) how many and (ii) which companies attended each seminar. [151588]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since 2002 officials have run seminars or given presentations covering both(a) and (b) in several locations including those listed as follows. However, accurate numbers and details of those who attended events since 2002, and any information for the period between 1997 and 2002 would involve a search of records and company research which would Incur disproportionate costs.

  Location

  January 2002

  London, UK

  October 2002

  Moscow, Russia

  January 2003

  Birmingham, UK

  March 2003

  Panama City, Panama

  March 2003

  Mexico City, Mecico

  June 2003

  Bogota, Colombia

  December 2003

  Tehran, Iran

  December 2003

  Kuwait City, Kuwait

  UN Technology Summit
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the oral answer of 6 January to the hon. Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart),Official Report, column 156, what action she has taken to ensure that, as a result of the UN Technology Summit in Geneva, the benefits of information and communication flow to all in society. [152270]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was held in Geneva on 10–12 December 2003. It focused on increasing the opportunities and allow the benefits of information and communication technologies (ICT) to flow to all.

  The WSIS Action Plan formally asked that the Secretary General of the United Nations set up a task force to review the adequacy of all existing financial mechanisms to meet the challenges of ICT for development, by 2005. The Secretary General was also mandated to set up a working group on internet governance to investigate and make proposals for action on the governance of the internet, also by 2005, to coincide with the second phase of the Summit.

  Preparations for the second phase will start officially with a meeting in the Autumn of 2004, but there will be a series of related workshops and meetings held from this Spring.

  From the beginning, the UK encouraged the Summit to create a framework for initiatives to meet local peoples' needs, particularly "enabling partnerships" supported by governments, private sector partners, civil society and local "champions". The UK is already
  884W
  engaged in this partnership approach to reduce poverty and meet our Millennium Development Goals. We will continue to promote this up to the second phase of the Summit in Tunis in November 2005.

  Wind Farms
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the contribution of the(a) concrete content of foundations, (b) losses in transmission and (c) the construction of necessary supports infrastructure to the (i) energy and (ii) carbon costs of wind farms. [152448]

  Jacqui Smith
  Research has shown that a modern wind turbine will recover all of the energy expended in its manufacture, operation and decommissioning within approximately three months. This figure is similar for onshore and offshore wind turbines. Exact figures for energy costs vary depending on the type of turbine, location, etc. However, a reasonable estimate in the construction of an onshore turbine is that(a) foundation energy costs account for up to 5 per cent. of the total and (b) support infrastructure accounts for less than 20 per cent. The rest is primarily accounted for in the manufacture of the turbine itself.

  Over an operating lifetime of 20 years, an onshore turbine is expected to recover over 80 times the input energy required. This figure also includes maintenance energy requirements and transmission losses of 6 to 9 per cent. Carbon savings are dependent on the emissions from electricity that would otherwise have been produced from conventional power stations, but it is reasonable to assume that the lifetime savings will be of a similar multiple. The energy recovery for an offshore turbine is expected to be higher due to higher energy outputs over a longer lifetime.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the additional cost of reinforcing the transmission grid to cope with the addition of wind farm-generated electricity. [152451]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Transmission Issues Working Group reported in June 2003 that the overall cost to connect an additional 12 GW of renewable energy generation to the GB network would cost £2.1 billion. National Grid Transco, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy are currently revising these costs.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Service
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to regionalise the administration and management of the Civil Service. [152103]

  Mr. Alexander
  The administration and management of the Civil Service, other than for Senior Civil Service, is delegated to Departments. Sir Michael Lyons is conducting a review of the scope for relocating Civil Service jobs/functions out of London and the South East.

DEFENCE

  Bird Strikes
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the cost of bird scarers and (b) their efficacy in preventing RAF bird-strikes. [152459]

  Mr. Ingram
  In 2003 approximately £1.5 million was spent on bird control at RAF stations.

  The use of bird scarers reduces the number of bird-strikes when aircraft are close to the airfield. However the majority of bird-strikes occur when the aircraft is in flight; Bird Control Units can do nothing to prevent these.

  Catterick (Trainees' Boots)
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pairs of correctly fitting boots each trainee receives at Infantry Training Centre, Catterick. [152377]

  Mr. Ingram
  New recruits to the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick are all issued with one pair of correctly fitting boots when they first commence training. These boots are exchangeable as necessary for reasons of fair wear and tear, accidental damage, etc. during the course of training. On completion of training, each successful recruit is issued with one further pair of boots.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much space, expressed in square metres, the Department occupies for the offices of civil servants in(a) central London and (b) Greater London. [150289]

  Mr. Caplin
  MOD headquarters activity is currently carried out in six buildings in central London. Both military and civilian personnel occupy office space. The net usable area of these buildings, not including circulation, columns and walls, to the nearest square metre, is laid out in the following table.

  Building

  Net usable area (m2)

  Metropole Building

  15,528

  Northumberland Avenue

  10,285

  Old War Office

  25,396

  St. Georges Court

  20,835

  Great Scotland Yard

  14,631

  Total

  97,165

  1Includes circulation.

  The Main Building redevelopment project completes in 2004. Following reoccupation the MOD will dispose of four of the buildings listed in the table. Headquarters activities will be concentrated in two Whitehall sites, with one further building in central London, as part of an overall reduction in staff in central London from over 12,500 in 1990 to less than 5,200 by the time the project completes. The net usable area for these buildings, to the nearest square metre, is as follows.
  886W

  Building

  Net usable area (m2)

  Redeveloped Main Building

  49,634

  Old War Office

  25,396

  St. Georges Court

  20,835

  Total

  95,865

  In addition the Department occupies parts of three other buildings in central London, including the Met Office London Weather Centre, totalling some 4,355 square metres.

  A relatively small number of civil servants are based at operational and other military establishments throughout Greater London. Information on the proportion of these establishments used for office space is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of staff employed within his Department are over 55 years of age; and what(a) number and (b) percentage of staff recruited over the last 12 months are over 55 years of age. [145770]

  Mr. Caplin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 20 January 2004,Official Report, columns 1130–34W, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  Driver Training
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the resources available for driver training in the armed forces. [152303]

  Mr. Ingram
  No specific representations have been received regarding the resources available for driver training in the armed forces. However, in common with all other aspects of individual training, the resources available are under constant review.

  European Armaments Agency
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the appointment of the Head of the European Armaments Agency. [150784]

  Mr. Hoon
  The European Union's General Affairs and External Relations Council decided on 17 November last that a new European Agency should be created in the fields of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments.

  The Head of the Agency will be the EU High Representative for European Foreign and Security Affairs, Javier Solana.

  It was announced on 29 January that a Ministry of Defence official, Mr. Nick Witney, currently Director General International Security Policy, has been appointed to lead the Agency Establishment Team.

  The Government welcome these developments and look forward to the Agency contributing to the strengthening of defence capabilities of the European Security and Defence Policy and Europe's contribution to NATO.

  Forces Bases (Wales)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are based in Wales. [152246]

  Mr. Caplin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 November 2003,Official Report, columns 324–25W, to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd).

  Iraq
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what protection from radioactive fallout is offered to UK forces in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [148294]

  Mr. Ingram
  In accordance with NATO agreed definitions the Ministry of Defence defines fallout as the return to lower atmospheric layers and to earth of radioactive substances projected to high altitude, and contaminated particulate matter and debris absorbed into the cloud of a nuclear burst. Fallout will result from the detonation of a nuclear weapon. Radiological contamination can occur from the use of a radiation dispersion device. The likelihood of either occurring in Iraq is currently assessed as low.

  MOD has safety instructions on the measures to protect personnel from radioactive fallout, radiological contamination and Environmental Industrial Hazards. The measures the military adopt follow UK best practice for nuclear protection.

  Mr. Lyons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are deployed in Iraq. [150149]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]: As at 27 January 2004, there were around 10,000 United Kingdom personnel in Iraq.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of(a) tanks, (b) armoured personnel carriers and (c) other equipment used by troops from Welsh battalions stationed in Iraq were fully upgraded for use in desert conditions; and what the cost was of these upgrades. [151745]

  Mr. Ingram
  The only Welsh battalion to have deployed on Operation Telic to date is 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Wales (RRW), which does not operate Main Battle Tanks. 1RRW operates Warrior and FV 430 armoured personnel carriers and these were considered fit for use in desert conditions and were not modified for this purpose prior to or during operations. The unit also operates Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) [CVR(T)]. These vehicles were also considered fit for use in desert conditions and were not modified for this purpose prior to or during Operation Telic.

  Units will also utilise other Combat Support Vehicles in theatre. These include Battlefield Ambulances of which all those deployed on Operation Telic were modified for use in desert conditions under an Urgent Operational Requirement at a cost of £8,000 per vehicle.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2004,Official Report, column 1247W, about the Iraq Survey
  888W
  Group, if he will break down the figure (a) by nationalities and (b) by speciality; and what the figures were for January 2003. [151538]

  Mr. Hoon
  The figure of 1,272 personnel in the Iraq Survey Group is broken down as follows:

  Number

  United States

  1,210

  United Kingdom

  52

  Australia

  10

  United Kingdom contribution consists of 31 Service personnel (Army 20, Royal Air Force 7, Royal Navy 4) serving as Headquarters staff, Signals staff, EOD staff, Collection Team Commanders and interviewers/ interpreters; and 21 civilians who are scientific and technical specialists. The breakdown by specialism of other coalition members' contributions is a matter for their Governments.

  There are no comparable figures for January 2003 as the Iraq Survey Group was not established until June 2003.

  Ministry of Defence Police
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the budget of the Ministry of Defence Police has been in each of the past five years in current prices; and what the planned budget is for the next three years. [152238]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Department now reports in Resource Accounting Terms. Budgetary figures from 2002–03 onwards are therefore not entirely comparable with those recorded for earlier years. Budgets from 2002–03 are broken down into Resource Defence Expenditure Limit (DEL), Capital DEL and Annual Managed Expenditure (AME). The Ministry of Defence Police budget figures, at then outturn prices, were as follows:

  £ million

  1999–2000

  134.237

  2000–01

  139.145

  2001–02

  132.732

  2002–03

  Resource DEL

  141.932

  Capital DEL

  1.160

  AME

  4.767

  2003–04

  Resource DEL

  151.716

  Capital DEL

  1.795

  AME

  7.183

  Budgets for future years are set at the appropriate time.

  Night Vision Goggles
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the overall allocation is of night-vision goggles to the(a) Royal Navy and Royal Marines, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force. [149878]
  889W
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 22 January 2004]: NVGs used by aircrew are not allocated on a Service basis. NVGs are issued to Front Line Commands according to operational requirements and as such, the numbers vary on a day to day basis. As at 31 December 2003, 307 aircrew NVGs were held by CINFLEET, 882 by Joint Helicopter Command (which operates both Army and RAF helicopters) and 865 by RAF Strike Command. A further 287 aircrew NVGs were undergoing repair or maintenance at designated regional repair facilities. NVGs can be operated only in helicopters that have been specifically modified for this role and are fitted to allow operation with NVGs according to their tactical role in operations.

  In addition to aircrew NVGs the following quantities of night vision weapon sights and goggles are held:

  Royal Navy: 455, of which 178 are Weapon sights and 277 are head mounted goggles.

  Royal Marines: 1,553, of which 855 are Weapon sights and 698 are head mounted goggles.

  Army: 18,541, of which 13,000 are Weapon sights and 5,541 are head mounted goggles.

  Royal Air Force: 1,630, of which 1,232 are Weapon sights and 398 are head mounted goggles.

  Personal Radio Systems
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether individual soldiers are permitted to buy components for their army-issued personal radio systems. [152378]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. There are well-established procedures in place for units to address shortages of equipment through the Ministry of Defence supply system.

  Project ISOLUS
  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list sites owned by his Department that are being considered for storing radioactive waste as part of project ISOLUS. [152380]

  Mr. Ingram
  117 Ministry of Defence owned coastal sites are being considered for suitability to store radioactive material from nuclear-powered submarines under Project ISOLUS. Many have been dismissed and I will make an announcement once it has been established which of the remaining sites, or others that may yet be identified, warrant further consideration.

  I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 6 January 2004, Official Report, column 68WH, that further public consultation will be carried out on any new options that have merit.

  RAF Flying Posts
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF flying posts there are this year; and how many are planned for each of the next three years. [152222]

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

  RAF Halton
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report of the Defence Aviation Safety Centre into the possible impact on public safety of the relocation of glider squadrons to RAF Halton. [147968]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Defence Aviation Safety Centre conducted a risk management survey on both RAF Henlow and RAF Halton in late 2003. Copies of the section of the report relating to RAF Halton and specifically the measures to ensure that the Station operates safely have been placed in the Library of the House today. It is expected that the recommendations proposed for RAF Halton will be fully adopted to ensure that the Station continues to operate safely.

  RAF Leeming (Security)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether there were breaches of security at RAF Leeming during the evening of 29 November and early morning of 30 November 2003; and whether an unauthorised person was able to approach within about 50 m of the vehicles of the Nuclear Weapons Convoy while parked at RAF Leeming; [147075]

  (2)how his Department keeps under review the protection and security arrangements at RAF Leeming; if he will make available the outcome and recommendations of such reviews; and if he will make a statement; [147076]

  (3)whether the convoy of road vehicles used in the transportation of nuclear warheads to and from RNAD Coulport and the Atomic Weapons Establishments in Berkshire stopped overnight at RAF Leeming on the night of 29 and 30 November 2003; and whether it was carrying nuclear warheads; [147077]

  (4)whether for the transport and storage of fissile materials the United Kingdom adopts the security and protection standards prescribed by IAEA INFCIRC/225 Rev 4; [147078]

  (5)whether, in addition to IAEA INFCIRC/225, his Department applies further safeguards during transit and storage of nuclear warheads that are equivalent to the United States Department of Energy's stored weapons standard; [147079]

  (6)if he will make a statement on security at RAF stations. [151684]

  Mr. Ingram
  I can confirm that an unauthorised person gained entry to RAF Leeming while a convoy of military vehicles stopped overnight on 29 November 2003 at the base. The person was subsequently escorted off the premises by the Ministry of Defence Police. In accordance with Government policy, I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any particular place or time. Security at MOD establishments, including RAF Leeming, is kept under constant review. It would not be appropriate to disclose details of security reviews or their recommendations and I am therefore withholding the information requested under Exemption la of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
  891W
  However, stringent security and protection standards are applied by the MOD whenever United Kingdom Defence Nuclear Materials are used, stored and transported. These security standards are compatible with IAEA INFCIR/225, and the MOD applies further safeguards during transit and storage of nuclear warheads, which are equivalent to the standards applied by the United States Department of Energy to their nuclear warheads.

  RAF Stations
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF stations there were in the UK in(a) 2003 and (b) 1993; and how many accommodated flying operations in each year. [151629]

  Mr. Ingram
  In 1993, there were 83 RAF stations in the UK; in 2003, there were 47. In 1993, 36 stations had active runways or helicopter landing pads; in 2003, 28.

  Reservists
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) exercises and (b) training course places involving reservists have been (i) cancelled and (ii) withdrawn in each of the three armed services in the last two years. [149305]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]: The information requested is not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Royal Gibraltar Regiment
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for changes in(a) manning levels and (b) overall structure of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment; and if he will make a statement. [151188]

  Mr. Ingram
  The staff of Headquarter British Forces Gibraltar are currently reviewing the military and ceremonial tasks of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment to identify the appropriate levels of readiness; to re-validate structures and manpower levels of the Regiment; and to develop the training requirements.

  Royal Navy
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on lean manned ships for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [152244]

  Mr. Ingram
  In the Naval Service, the Type 23 frigates are commonly known as Lean Manned ships. The increased use of automation enabled a smaller ship's complement, with an emphasis on skilled maintainers and operators. A consequent reduction in the proportion of junior personnel available for manual tasks has been alleviated by providing additional civilian manpower to undertake cleaning, painting and dining hall support when the ships are in harbour.

  Sea Harrier
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Sea Harrier will be withdrawn from service. [152604]
  892W
  Mr. Ingram
  The first of three Sea Harrier Squadrons will be withdrawn from service on 31 March 2004. It is planned to retire the second Squadron in March 2005 and the final Squadron in March 2006.

  Survey Vessels
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total value was of the contract awarded to Vosper Thorneycroft to design and construct HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise. [149617]>

  Mr. Ingram
  The contract for design, construction and 25 years' support for HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise was awarded in July 2000 at a value of £130 million. The breakdown of this figure into individual elements is commercially sensitive and I am withholding it in accordance with Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to effective management and operations of the public service.

  Training Exercises
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries have cancelled training exercises involving HM forces in the past two years; and for what reasons. [152220]

  Mr. Ingram
  Of the 350 exercises listed annually in the United Kingdom Defence Exercise Programme, 69 were cancelled in 2002, and 151 in 2003. Of those exercises cancelled in the last year, some 10 per cent. were cancelled by nations other than the UK hosting exercises in their own country or sponsoring exercises elsewhere. While specific reasons for cancellation are not available in many cases, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost, many nations' exercise programmes (like the UK's) have been affected in recent years by competing operational priorities.

  Type 45 Destroyer
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the first Type 45 destroyer will be delivered to the Royal Navy; and whether this is the date originally specified. [150869]

  Mr. Ingram
  The currently approved in service date for the First of Class, HMS Daring, is November 2007. This date has not changed since the Type 45 was approved at Main Gate in July 2000, although it is currently under review.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  British Universities Overseas
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what independent audit is carried out of the quality of education offered by British universities operating overseas. [152205]

  Alan Johnson
  The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) carries out audits which cover the means by which an awarding institution secures the standards of its awards and the effectiveness of its quality management arrangements for partnership links, including those overseas. In addition, as part of the 'Institutional Audit'
  893W
  process for HEIs in England, the QAA also examines the management of any collaborative links an institution may have.

  Children's Fund
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills by how much he expected the Children's Fund partnerships to underspend their 2003–04 budget profiles; on what basis the expectation of an underspend on Children's Fund partnerships was reached; and what alternative uses have been made of funds clawed back from his expectations of an underspend by Children's Fund partnerships. [151428]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]: The 2003–04 mid year review of expenditure in the Children's Fund programme was carried out to assess actual expenditure against partnerships' own projections. This identified approximately £12.5 million underspend from the first half of the year. Underspend from partnerships is being used to fund other commitments in the Children's Fund programme.

  School Transport
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Essex received free school transport to(a) secondary schools, (b) primary and infant schools and (c) special schools in each year from 1990 to 2003. [150907]

  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, Essex said that it provides free home to school transport to about 21,000 pupils at a cost of around £20 million in 2000/01.

  Higher Education Funding
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27 January in respect of the commitment to more funding for higher education. [152531]

  Alan Johnson
  In line with Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, confidential communications between departments are not made public.

  Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money deriving from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme has been spent on promoting environmental education in schools in each of the last three years; and what assessment he has made of the impact of changes to the scheme on the funding of environmental education from this source. [151431]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The amount of Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) funds spent on environmental education within schools under categories c and cc can be summarised as follows.
  894W

  Calendar year

  Expenditure (£)

  2001

  725,780

  2002

  234,700

  2003

  71,300

  Note:

  The figure for 2003 is as reported to date and may increase given that Environmental Bodies may report on expenditure for this specific year until April 2004.

  The reform of the LTCS was announced in the pre-Budget report in 2002. As a result, waste projects, previously funded under categories c and cc, are no longer eligible for funding. However, certain types of environmental educational projects are eligible for funding under the current scheme, for example in the biodiversity category.

  A sustainable waste management delivery public spending programme, administered by Defra, has been established following the reform of the LTCS, to ensure that sustainable alternatives to landfill disposal are widely available. Under the public expenditure programme the Waste and Resources Action Programme are responsible for taking forward work on waste awareness.

  School Buses
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received about safety on school buses; and if he will make a statement. [151863]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: The Department for Education and Skills has received representations from the National Association of Head Teachers on behalf of their members following their conference resolution on safety on school buses. We have received similar representations from one individual. I met with the NAHT to discuss safety on school buses on 19 January.

  Bus safety legislation falls within the remit of Department for Transport. Local Authorities are required to secure "Best Value" when negotiating home to school transport contracts, and can include a requirement that additional safety measures be included in tenders. When asked to do so we advise authorities to take the safety benefits of seat-belts and other measures into account when considering the suitability of transport for particular journeys.

  University of Humberside
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he was informed that the fraud squad of the Israeli police were investigating the unlawful sale of University of Humberside degrees; and what measures he has taken as a result. [152195]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]: My Department was alerted by recent press articles to the investigation by Israeli police. The Higher Education Funding Council for England wrote to the University of Lincoln (formerly the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside) on 26 January 2004 formally requesting details of the University's position.
  895W
  Mr McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) false and (b) genuine degree certificates have been issued through each branch of University of Humberside franchised operations in Israel since they were established. [152196]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]: The University has informed me that 4,965 students in Israel were awarded degrees and that these are genuine. I have no information on the number of false degree certificates.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Albatrosses
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report, column 90W, on albatrosses and petrels, if the United Kingdom will ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels before the first meeting of the parties on 2004. [147162]

  Mr. Morley
  We are keen to ratify this Agreement as soon as possible and very much hope that we will be able to do so before the first meeting of the parties.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report, column 90W, on albatrosses and petrels, what legal and other assistance the Government are giving to the UK overseas territories of (a) South Georgia/South Sandwich Islands, (b) Falkland Islands and (c) Tristan/Gough to enable them to submit their ratifications of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels on time for the first meeting of the parties in 2004. [147179]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK continues to provide assistance to, and work closely with, all the Overseas Territories referred to by the hon. Member. We are keen to ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels as soon as possible and we are giving priority to those Overseas Territories that have the necessary legislation in place or have formally requested that ratification be extended to them.

  Biodegradable Waste
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of municipal waste going to landfill was biodegradable waste in the last year for which figures are available; and what estimate she has made of the likely change in the next five years. [151640]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: In 2001–02, 28.8 million tonnes of municipal waste were collected, of which 22.3 million tonnes (77 per cent.) were disposed of to landfill. 70 per cent. of the waste land filled was estimated to be biodegradable using various assumptions. Surveys of biodegradable content of municipal waste are not made routinely, but the Environment Agency plan to carry out a survey to determine the biodegradable proportion of municipal waste arising.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount paid under the Common Agricultural Policy was in the United Kingdom to(a) limited companies and (b) to individuals in the most recent year for which figures are available. [144457]

  Alun Michael
  The figures represent the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund year 2003–16 October 2002 to 15 October 2003.

  The figures include CAP market support and structural funds for the above reporting year.

  These figures represent payments to English farmers Information for other countries within the UK is a matter for their respective devolved assemblies.

  £

  Limited Companies

  574,273,502.02

  Individuals

  1,464,032,029.02

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will recommend to the Leader of the House that a debate should be held on Common Agricultural Policy reform prior to decisions being made on the methodology to be employed in implementing the single farm payment. [R][151159]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]: I am aware that a number of Members would welcome such a debate. However, I am always conscious that there are very heavy pressures on parliamentary time. The timing of such a debate is a matter for the Business Managers.

  Deposit Systems
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent studies her Department has undertaken in respect of deposit systems used in other European countries; and if she will make a statement. [152697]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: No studies have recently been undertaken. However, a study of deposits systems is currently under way, which will take into account international practices. We expect the first part of this study to report at the end of March.

  Environmental Protection
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial and practical assistance her Department has given environmental health officers since the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regime came into force; and if she will make a statement. [150626]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has provided local authorities with a range of resources to help them carry out their functions under the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Regulations 2000.
  897W
  Financial

  Local authorities recover costs from fees and charges at levels set by the Department. These levels are revised in consultation with all stakeholders annually. As 2003 was the first year of the new PPC regime no figures are available for total costs recovered by local authorities for their PPC function, but total local authorities income for all industrial air pollution functions in 2002–03 was 8.3 million.

  Guidance

  In March 2003 the Department published a guidance manual, specifically for local authorities, which sets out the policy and procedures necessary to determine an application for a PPC permit. Additional guidance notes have been developed on particular issues as a response to requests for further information by local authorities. The Department has issued technical guidance tailored to individual sectors covered by PPC and regulated by local authorities. Six such notes have been issued to date with a further two to follow. These sector guidance notes provide local authorities with a basis upon which to determine what would constitute the "Best Available Techniques" (BAT) for an installation in that sector. Production of further advice and guidance will be guided by the results of research commissioned recently by the Department into local authority functions with respect to industrial pollution control.

  Support

  Four regional training workshops were held in early 2003 before the start of the local authority IPPC regime, these events catered for over 300 local authorities across England and Wales. Local authorities are encouraged to call upon on-going support from officials within the Department, for advice on policy matters, and the Environment Agency's Local Authority Unit on technical matters. The Department has promoted a network of local authorities, each experienced regulators of a particular industrial sector, to act as "centres of expertise" in order to provide additional advice to local authorities.

  European Definitions (Fruit and Vegetables)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the scale of penalties which will be incurred by retailers for selling(a) peaches which are less than 5.6 cm in diameter, (b) bananas which are less than 13.97 cm long and (c) carrots which are less than 1.9 cm at the thick end, following the Law Lords' decision on the case against Asda initiated by her Department. [146720]

  Alun Michael
  In November 2000 an inspector from the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate found that some of the fruit and vegetables on display in the Asda store at Fareham in Hampshire contravened EC marketing standards. Asda's representatives argued that the court had no jurisdiction to deal with the alleged offences and the case eventually reached the House of Lords who on 18 December 2003 found in Defra's favour and returned the case to the magistrates court for trial. The full extent of the House of Lords decision can be found on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk.
  898W
  This decision confirms the view that the European Community's Marketing Standards for fresh fruit and vegetables and for bananas assist trade and protect consumers from the sale of substandard products can be upheld by prosecuting offenders in the magistrates court. It should be noted that contraventions in the Asda case involved inadequate labelling in relation to fruits such as lemons, apples, oranges and plums as well as the standard of Iceberg lettuces and aubergines. Unlike standards for other fresh fruits and vegetables, which do apply at retail level, the standard for bananas applies only to unripened green bananas. These are inspected only at the port of entry into the UK.

  While the figures given in the question are based on some misapprehension, produce of less than the minimum sizes prescribed in the standards is generally regarded as of unmarketable quality. The penalty for selling produce in breach of the EU Marketing Standards is a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000) or imprisonment for up to three months, or both. These are unaffected by the decision of the Law Lords. However, prosecution is a last resort. When inspections show that produce does not comply with the standards, inspectors seek first to secure action to bring it into compliance. Prosecution is considered only where traders have failed to respond to repeated warnings.

  Flooding Insurance
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to offer a Government home insurance scheme to owners of homes built on flood plains who cannot obtain commercial insurance cover; and if she will make a statement. [152336]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]: The Government have no plans to introduce such a scheme.

  According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), it is the intention of the insurance industry, that flood insurance should continue to be available to the vast majority of existing properties. As set out in the ABI's Statement of Principles1, of the 1.9 million properties on the floodplain, flood insurance will continue to be available for all those properties defended to a minimum standard of 1 in 75, or for those properties where such defences are planned by 2007.

  For other properties (currently estimated at 200,000), insurers cannot guarantee to maintain cover, but will examine the risks on a case-by-case basis, and will use their best efforts to continue to provide cover. ABI believes that nearly all homes are insurable to a degree, provided appropriate local action is taken to protect the property, e.g., use of flood resilient design, accredited protection products, and temporary defences. However, the insurance industry has signalled that inappropriate new developments in the floodplain are unlikely to be able to secure insurance cover.
  1 www.abi.org.uk/Display/File/78/Statement_of_ Principles.doc

  Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the change in greenhouse gas emissions has been in(a) the UK, (b) Spain and (c) Portugal since 1990. [151489]
  899W
  Mr. Morley
  Under the provisions of the Monitoring Mechanism Decision (Council Decision 93/389/EEC as amended by Decision 99/296/EC), member states are required to report annually to the European Commission on their anthropogenic emissions of the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol. The fourth progress report, published by the Commission in November 2003, shows data for member states' greenhouse gas emissions in 2001.

  The base year uses 1990 data for emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. For the fluorinated gases, most member states have chosen 1995 as the base year, as allowed under the Protocol.

  Under the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol, the EU and its member states have agreed to meet their commitments jointly under a burden-sharing arrangement. The EU target, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8 per cent. below base year levels, has been redistributed between member states to reflect their national circumstances, requirements for economic growth, and the scope for further emission reductions. Under the burden sharing agreement Spain and Portugal have agreed to targets that allow for an increase in their greenhouse gas emissions. Spain has a target to increase its emissions of greenhouse gases by 15 per cent. above base year levels by 2008–12, while Portugal has a target to increase emissions of greenhouse gases by 27 per cent. above base year levels by 2008–12.

  The UK's target is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. below base year levels by 2008–12. In 2001, UK emissions were 12.3 per cent. below base year levels; Spanish emissions were 32.1 per cent. above base year levels and; Portuguese emissions were 36.4 per cent. above the base year levels. Provisional figures for 2002, for the UK only, indicates emissions were about 15 per cent. below the base year.

  Gulf Stream
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has assessed on the impact of global warming on the Gulf Stream; and if she will make a statement. [152251]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]: The responses of the Gulf Stream and other component: of the North Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation are being investigated in a major joint research programme by CEFAS and by the RAPID programme of the Natural Environment Research Council, working with Dutch, Norwegian and US Research Councils. This issue is also being investigated by the Hadley Centre, funded by Department, in collaboration with the RAPID programme.

  Under future climate change scenarios due to increased levels of greenhouse gases the Gulf Stream is predicted to weaken. Climate models do not, however, predict that the Gulf Stream will shut down. Consequently the UK and Western Europe are still predicted to warm by several degrees over the next century.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which landfill 900W
  sites have been chosen to continue receiving hazardous waste following the implementation of the Hazardous Waste Directive. [151194]

  Mr. Morley
  I have placed in the Library of the House the information requested, as at the end of 2003. The choice of whether any sites under the ownership or control are classified as hazardous is a matter for the landfill operator. From July 2004, the Landfill Directive permits stable non-reactive hazardous waste to be disposed of in a separate cell in non-hazardous landfills. This is expected to result in additional capacity being available for the disposal of hazardous waste.

  Horse Passports
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the impact of the European Directive requiring horse passports on the population of semi-feral mountain ponies in Wales. [149656]

  Mr. Touhig
  I have been asked to reply.

  I understand that no final decision has yet been taken about the point at which Welsh mountain ponies will have to be passported, but implementation of the European legislation in full will require every horse, pony and donkey to have a passport. The Welsh Assembly, which is responsible, is still considering the final domestic legislation to implement the Directive, taking into account the need to preserve both the breed of pony and the environment in which it lives.

  Information Technology
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list each Information Technology system(a) supported and (b) in development by the IT Department at Guildford; which of those systems provide information to agencies associated with her Department; which of those systems support payments to outside bodies and individuals, giving the value of the payments for each system and the number of recipients of payments; which of those systems provide statistical information and payments to (i) her own and (ii) other Government departments; and which of those systems provide statistical information to the European Union. [150615]

  Alun Michael
  A table showing the list of each IT system supported by or under development by the IT Directorate at Guildford has been placed in the Library of the House. The table also sets out the additional information requested.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the contribution of organic farming to curbing the build up of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. [152323]

  Mr. Morley
  Carbon monoxide is of concern mainly because of its effects on human health and its role in tropospheric ozone formation. As a result, carbon monoxide is one of the pollutants covered by the
  901W
  Government's Air Quality Strategy. No exceedences of the health-based ambient air quality objective have been recorded in the UK for several years.

  According to the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, over 90 per cent. of the annual UK emissions for 2001 resulted from incomplete fuel combustion, largely from road transport. The contribution of agriculture to the total is small, so organic farming is not expected to have a measurable effect on the total.

  Packaging Waste
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003; and why they are only available in draft form. [147080]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 21 January 2004,Official Report, column 1234W.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 21 January 2004,Official Report, column 1234W, on packaging waste, what her policy is on the penalising of companies involved in the packaging waste process for actions taken in contravention of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) 2003 before they were published. [152138]

  Mr. Morley
  The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 came into force on 1 January and were published in final form on 14 January.

  The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Regulations.

  Producers are required to register with the Environment Agency by 7 April, providing the required packaging data and fee. There are no actions required under these new Regulations that have to be discharged in the first 14 days of January.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 21 January 2004,Official Report, column 1234W, on packaging waste, what the extent was of the delays caused by the Christmas holiday period to the publishing of the Producer Responsibility Obligations(Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) 2003 [152139]

  Mr. Morley
  The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 came into force on 1 January 2004. The final Regulations were published by the Stationery Office on 14 January.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason her Department had not allowed for delays caused by the Christmas holiday period when deciding(a) when to publish the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) 2003 and (b) when they should come into force. [152140]

  Mr. Morley
  The new obligation year under the Packaging Regulations starts on 1 January each year. This determines when new Regulations must come into 902W
  force. The Department's intention is to publish new Regulations as soon as possible after making them. We would have preferred to see the new Regulations published before 1 January 2004, but from time to time, unintended delays occur which was the case on this occasion.

  Pollution
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the action plan on diffuse pollution relating to agriculture to be concluded. [152078]

  Mr. Morley
  The action plan to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture in England is currently being developed to ensure agriculture plays, and continues to play, its part to make water in England as clean and healthy as practicable.

  As announced in the pre-Budget report in December 2003, we intend to publish a draft action plan for consultation early this year that will set out options to tackle diffuse water pollution, including a consideration of the pros and cons of using economic instruments.

  Sellafield
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress made in ending discharges of TC-99 from Sellafield. [152191]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: As a result of co-operative efforts between BNFL, the Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive and others, much has already been done to reduce Technetium-99 (Tc-99) discharge levels from Sellafield.

  The discharge limit was cut from 200 TBq/year (terabecquerels per year) to 90 TBq/year in 2000. Ministers also asked the Environment Agency to carry out a review of Tc-99 discharges and the Agency's proposed decision was published in September 2001. One of the proposals, to deal with new arisings of Medium Active Concentrate (MAC) (the complex liquid mixture that contains Tc-99 and other, more radiotoxic, radionuclides) using "MAC-Diversion" abatement technology, was implemented in 2003. This will allow the discharge limit to be reduced to 10 TBq/year in 2006.

  The Environment Agency also proposed further research on abatement of Tc-99 arising from stored MAC. In October 2003, following approval by regulators, a plant-scale trial began using tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPP)—a chemical that precipitates Tc-99 out of MAC. Initial results appear to be encouraging. However, a full evaluation of the trial by the regulators is still under way. If their assessment shows that TPP is acceptable for future use to reduce Tc-99 discharges, it will allow the discharge limits to be cut to below 90 TBq/year before 2006.

  Warm Front Programme
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what funding her Department has provided for the Warm Front programme in each year of that programme, including the current financial year; [151887]
  903W
  (2) when she expects to be able to announce the level of funding for the Warm Front programme in the (a) next financial year and (b) future years of the scheme. [151888]

  Mr. Morley
  The level of expenditure under Warm Front since the start of the scheme is as follows: 2000–01—£72 million; 2001–02—£197 million; 2002–03—£163 million. For the current financial year, 2003–04; £152 million has been allocated to Warm Front.

  Decisions on future funding of the scheme will be considered during the normal Government spending round process and announcements will be made after final decisions have been taken.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households she estimates are eligible for the Warm Front scheme in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley; and how many households qualify for the Warm Homes Plus element of the programme. [151206]

  Mr. Morley
  We are preparing estimates of the total number of households in England currently eligible for assistance under Warm Front as part of the next spending round process.

  In addition we will be producing an Implementation Plan on the action required to achieve targets and tackle fuel poverty.

  Information on eligibility of the Warm Front scheme cannot be provided at a local authority level. The smallest area for which the Department for Work and Pensions can provide estimates of those eligible for the scheme is regional government office.

  Waste Disposal
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her Answer of 14 January 2004,Official Report, column 732W, on domestic waste, in which month the Government will consider the results of that work. [150841]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government will consider the results of work being undertaken as it is progressed during 2004, so no specific month has been identified for this work.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of(a) domestic, (b) commercial and (c) industrial refuse was recycled in each of the last three years. [151205]

  Mr. Morley
  Data from the three most recent annual Municipal Waste Management Surveys shows that the recycling and composting rates for household waste in England have been:

  Percentage

  1999–2000

  10.3

  2000–01

  11.2

  2001–02

  12.4

  904W
  Preliminary indications from the Best Value Performance Indicator returns for 2002–03 suggest a composting and recycling rate for England of 14.9 per cent., however this figure has still to be audited.

  The most recent figures for commercial waste and industrial waste in England are found in the Strategic Waste Management Assessment 2000, published by the Environment Agency, covering 1998–99. The survey collected data from a sample of 20,000 businesses across England and Wales.

  Commercial waste—22.5 per cent

  Industrial waste—34 per cent.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what subsidies are available for(a) the incineration of waste, (b) the recycling of waste and (c) other waste disposal options; at what rate per tonne those subsidies are paid; and what assessment she has made of the impact of each of the subsidies available on waste disposal options in England. [151366]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no direct subsidies available for waste disposal in the UK. However, in England the Government provide financial assistance to promote sustainable waste management in a number of ways.

  Examples include the Waste Implementation Programme and its components. This sustainable waste delivery programme aims to deliver a package of strategic measures recommended by the Strategy Unit report on waste, helping to move waste management up the waste hierarchy. The Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund provides assistance to local authorities to improve their infrastructure and collection systems for waste, in particular promoting recycling. Additional funding is provided through Waste PFI, for local authorities looking to work in partnership with the private sector to fund long-term waste solutions. £355 million has been provided over the SR2002 period.

  There is also a Government funded Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is designed to create stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products, and remove the barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the environmental benefits of recycling. [151367]

  Mr. Morley
  Recycling has three direct benefits for the environment. By drawing recycled materials back into the production process fewer raw materials have to be extracted to produce the same amount of new products. This helps conserve natural resources and reduces the damage to the environment from resource extraction, for example mining or quarrying.

  It generally takes less energy to re-process recycled materials than generate new products from raw materials.

  Recycling also reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill, which is environmentally harmful.
  905W
  Recycling, which requires greater awareness of and direct involvement in waste issues by the public, will have the indirect benefit of encouraging greater public involvement and responsibility for their environment.

  The Government have commissioned a comparative study of the health and environmental effects of different types of waste treatment, which is to be published shortly.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the environmental benefits of incineration. [151368]

  Mr. Morley
  Incineration with controls on emissions is an important part of the Government's strategy on waste management. It is the only suitable way to protect the environment from certain biological pathogens and is the most effective way to render some hazardous chemical wastes safe.

  While re-using, recycling or composting waste can represent a better use of resources, incineration offers an opportunity to extract energy from the waste and is therefore preferable to disposal. This, in turn can reduce extraction and transportation of fuels that would otherwise be used to create energy. By diverting biodegradable waste from landfill, incineration also helps to reduce the production of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

  Government have commissioned a comparative study of the health and environmental effects of different types of waste treatment, which is to be published shortly.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the environmental costs and benefits of landfill. [151369]

  Mr. Morley
  All waste disposal options have environmental impacts. Landfill has potentially adverse effects on air and water quality in addition to the local environmental impacts of noise and smell. The most important environmental impact reported in scientific research is the effect on global warming of emissions of greenhouse gases from the landfill of biodegradable waste. Methane (a greenhouse gas 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide) is generated at all landfill sites accepting biodegradable waste. The contribution of methane emitted from landfills to global warming contributes some 25 per cent. of methane emissions in the UK.

  Well operated and regulated landfills nevertheless have a role to play in waste disposal both now and in the future. The EU Landfill Directive (as implemented in England and Wales by the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002)) sets new standards for the management and engineering of landfill sites to reduce as far as possible the negative environmental impacts and any potential health risk. The Government are committed to reducing the UK's reliance on landfill, which, as well as its negative environmental impacts, makes little practical use of waste and is a missed opportunity to recover value from waste. For these reasons, Waste Strategy 2000 sets out a range of policies to promote the reduction, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste in order to divert it from landfill.
  906W
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of waste have been disposed of in England by(a) landfill, (b) incineration and (c) recycling in each of the last five years. [151370]

  Mr. Morley
  According to the most recent Municipal Waste Management Survey, about 28.8 million tonnes of municipal waste were collected in 2001–02. Of this, about 22.3 million tonnes were disposed of to landfill, 2.5 million tonnes were incinerated, and 3.9 million tonnes were recycled. The remaining municipal waste was dealt with using other management methods.

  The latest figures on industrial and commercial waste come from the last Environment Agency survey on commercial and industrial waste conducted in 1998–99, and a survey on construction and demolition waste in England in the same year. It is estimated that in 1998–99 51.2 million tonnes of industrial and commercial waste (including construction and demolition waste) were landfilled, 49.2 million tonnes were recycled and 1.3 million tonnes were incinerated. The Environment Agency is conducting another survey on commercial and industrial waste this year.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the impact of a £5 billion reduction in water company investment in environmental improvements on the United Kingdom's ability to meet its legal obligations to nature conservation sites; and if she will make a statement; [152250]

  (2) what representations she has received from the Environment Agency regarding the consequences of reducing investment by the water industry in environmental improvement; and if she will make a statement. [151770]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]: The Government are committed to the maintenance or restoration of internationally and nationally important nature conservation sites, including Natura 2000. Ramsar and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. An assessment of water company programmes' effects on these areas, already under way, will be kept under review.

  The Government published guidance on the contribution expected from water company investment to meeting the United Kingdom's legal obligations in the Secretary of State's Initial Guidance on the Periodic Review in January 2003. The Secretary of State's Principal Guidance on the Periodic Review, which will be published shortly.

  The Secretary of State received formal written advice on the environment programme for the Periodic Review 2004 from the Environment Agency in November 2003. Both the Secretary of State and I have also had meetings and correspondence with the Environment Agency and English Nature to discuss the proposed environment programme.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [152642]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 3 February 2004,Official Report, column 838W.

  Iran
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards democracy in Iran. [151604]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  For elections in any country to be regarded as free and fair, electors should have a chance to vote for candidates with a range of views. We are concerned at reports that many candidates have been disqualified from standing in February's parliamentary elections.

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether former members of the Iraqi Ba'ath party will be permitted to stand for election in Iraq under the proposed arrangements being negotiated with the Iraq Governing Council. [151973]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The process of de-Ba'athification is an Iraqi led process. Guidelines were announced by the Iraqi Governing Council on 11 January and provide a clear framework for this process. The Transitional Administrative Law, which will include the criteria for nomination to the Transitional National Assembly, is in the final stages of drafting. It is likely to follow the existing practice that nominees shall not have been a member of the dissolved Ba'ath Party at the rank of Division Member (uthu firqah) or higher—unless exempted by the National De Ba'athification Commission—or a member of the past agencies of repression, or one who participated in the oppression of citizens.

  South Africa
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which official from Trade Partners UK was given a sabbatical to work with BAE Systems in South Africa; what date and for what period this sabbatical was given; and what position the official held prior to his sabbatical. [151388]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  Nicholas McInnes is a DTI Civil Servant who was granted Special Leave Without Pay at his request with effect from 30 April 2003 for one year. He is now working in South Africa. Previously he was Director, International Management Directorate in UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) formerly Trade Partners UK.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress of the peace process in Sri Lanka. [152405]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) on 26 January 2004,Official Report, column 62W.

  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the(a) President and (b) Prime Minister of Sri Lanka about the political situation in Sri Lanka. [152406]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary met the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe in June 2003. However, the British High Commissioner in Colombo also has regular discussions with both the President and Prime Minister. He last met the President on 3 December 2003 and the Prime Minister on 12 January this year.

SCOTLAND

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland for answer on 22 January, on the Scottish whisky industry. [152947]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I replied to the hon. Member's question on 3 February 2004,Official Report, column 757W.

TRANSPORT

  Public Bodies
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the members of the(a) Civil Aviation Authority, (b) Traffic Area Eastern and (c) Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151806]

  Mr. McNulty
  The names, dates of appointment and annual remuneration of members of the Civil Aviation Authority, Traffic Area Eastern England and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee are recorded in the following table.

  First name

  Surname

  Appointed from

  Appointed to

  Remuneration

  Civil Aviation Authority

  John

  Arscott

  03/01/04

  02/28/09

  Yes

  Mike

  Bell

  11/14/03

  11/13/08

  Yes

  Harry

  Bush

  01/04/03

  03/31/08

  Yes

  Chris

  Jesnick

  03/01/01

  29/02/04

  Yes

  James

  Keohane

  01/01/04

  12/31/08

  Yes

  David

  Lusher

  05/01/02

  03/31/05

  Yes

  Roy

  McNulty

  09/01/04

  08/31/08

  Yes

  Roger

  Mountford

  04/01/03

  03/31/08

  Yes

  Helen

  Simpson

  08/01/01

  07/31/04

  Yes

  Roy

  Swainson

  07/01/02

  03/31/06

  Yes

  David

  Walker

  10/03/03

  Resignation from ACAS

  No

  909W

  First name

  Surname

  Appointed from

  Appointed to

  Remuneration

  Traffic Commissioner—East England

  Geoffrey

  Simms

  01/06/98

  07/08/06

  Yes

  Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee

  Pravinkant

  Amin

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Sian

  Baldwin

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Ann

  Bates

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Neil

  Betteridge

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Josephine

  Clairmont

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Lekh

  Dindayal

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Jean

  Dunlop

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  David

  Finnegan

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Julie

  Giles

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Alan

  Hartley

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Roy

  Hayter

  11/10/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Roger

  Hewitt

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Grahame

  Lawson

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Jenny

  Meadows

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Thomas

  Pey

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  David

  Pugh

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Keith

  Richards

  01/01/02

  31/12/04

  No

  Laura

  Smales

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Carol

  Thomas

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Richard

  West

  01/07/03

  30/06/06

  No

  Railways
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the total level of investment provided by the private sector in the railway industry was in each of the financial years since the publication of the 10 Year Plan; [152444]

  (2) if he will list the railway investment projects supported by the private sector in the last financial year; what the total level of funding provided by the private sector for these projects was (a) in the last financial year and (b) in total since the projects began; and what the private sector proportion of total funding for these projects was. [152445]

  Mr. McNulty
  The table shows total private rail investment in each of the three years 2000–01, 2001–02 and2002–03:

  £ million

  2000–01

  2,958

  2001–02

  3,386

  2002–03

  3,156

  Rail investment projects supported by the private sector in 2002–03 include the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), West Coast Route Modernisation (WCRM), the train protection scheme, stations and depots, Waterloo-Fawkham Junction and the East Coast Main Line.

  The total level of private funding raised by London and Continental Railways (LCR) in 2002–03, mainly for CTRL, was £2.1 billion. The total amount spent by Network Rail (NR) in 2002–03 on the other projects listed was, respectively, £761 million, £140 million, £44 million, £26 million and £11 million.

  Comparable figures for the private and public sector contributions to the CTRL project are not readily available. The total level of private funding raised by LCR since the CTRL project began, mainly for that project, is £6.3 billion, not all of which has yet been
  910W
  drawn. The project also benefits from Public Sector Support (including capital and operating grants and loans, less amounts recovered by Government in respect of land rentals and proceeds from property developments) estimated in 2002 to total, over the life of the project, £1.8 billion in present value terms (discounted at 6 per cent. real to January 1997).

  Total spending to date on the WCRM project, by NR and its predecessor Railtrack, is of the order of £3 billion. Total NR spending on the other projects listed above, since they began, is not readily available. It is not possible accurately to estimate the proportion of total funding for these projects which is provided by the private sector, because some private rail investment is indirectly funded by the public sector through franchise payments and access charges.

  Rural Bus Grant
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the levels of the rural bus grant to local authorities for 2004–05; and if he will enhance those grants to support authorities in securing the continuation of community transport schemes whose central Government funding has expired. [152860]

  Mr. McNulty
  The total amount allocated to local transport authorities in Rural Bus Subsidy Grant is due to rise from £48.5 million in the current financial year to £51 million in 2004–05. An announcement will be made shortly on the increases for individual authorities which will depend in part on consideration of newly available population data from the 2001 census. Following that announcement it will be for each authority to decide on what schemes and services the grant should be spent.

  Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the cost is of the software upgrade at Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre to be made by National Air Traffic Services as a result of the near-miss between a Virgin Atlantic and a Delta Airlines aircraft in November 2002; [151781]

  (2) what the value is of software that will become redundant at Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre owing to the software upgrade to be carried out as a result of the near-miss between a Virgin Atlantic and a Delta Airlines aircraft in November 2002; [151782]

  (3) if he will list the spending on computer systems at the Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre for each year since 1997. [151833]

  Mr. McNulty
  Spending on its computer systems is a matter for NATS. The incident in November 2002 has been assessed by the UK Airprox Board—an independent body of experts—as carrying no risk of collision. It was the result of human error and the software has been modified by NATS to preclude a repeat of such human error.

  Taxis
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received
  911W
  concerning the Office of Fair Trading's report recommending de-restriction of taxis; and if he will make a statement. [152478]

  Mr. McNulty
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: We have received just over 600 representations about the OFT's report into licensed taxi and private hire vehicle services. We are now considering them carefully so that we can respond to the OFT within 120 days of their report. The representations include the views of key taxi and private hire stakeholders that we sought.

  US Ships (Decommissioning)
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the International Maritime Organisation recommendations on changing ballast water mid-ocean were followed in respect of the ships sent from the US for dismantling in Hartlepool. [152701]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: The vessels were appropriately ballasted for a towed transoceanic passage to the UK. No changes to the ballast water were made on route or after arrival at Hartlepool. If a decision was to be taken to discharge ballast water in Hartlepool then Able UK would need to submit a ballast water management plan for approval by the Environment Agency.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Motor Sport
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress with the Department's commitment to investment in British motor sport. [152566]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department, along with the Department of Trade and Industry, recently announced a £16 million investment into motorsport, to take forward the recommendations in the Motorsport Competitiveness Panels report. This is the responsibility of the Motorsport Development Board, and my Officials continue to work with the Government Motorsport Unit to take forward the sporting recommendations in the report.

  The East Midlands Development Agency also continues to work with Formula One Management, Octagon and the British Racing Drivers' Club about the long-term future of Silverstone.

  Tourism
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with One North-East about its responsibilities in relation to tourism. [152488]

  Name

  Jonathan Laidlaw

  Counsel

  Gerald Butler QC

  Counsel

  Anthony Heaton-Armstrong

  Former Chairman of Review of Coroners

  Louise Christian

  Christian Khan

  Dr. Roy Palmer

  HM Coroner, Southern District of Greater London

  Lindsay Pennell

  Victim Support

  912W
  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have discussed tourism with the Chairs of all the Regional Development Agencies, in the light of their taking over tourism responsibilities from 1 April 2003, and I met Tim Cantle-Jones, the ONE Board member with specific responsibility for tourism on 13 January 2004 to discuss progress on tourism reform in the North East. Also, officials from the Department and from the Government Office for the North East have been in regular contact with ONE as it has taken on strategic responsibility for tourism in the region, and have also had discussions with the Northumbria Tourist Board. I have asked ONE and the other RDAs to work with their tourist boards and the industry to decide upon the best support structure for the tourism industry in their particular region. I understand that ONE is working towards the introduction of a new structure for the delivery of tourism in the North East. DCMS officials continue to work with the RDAs to help ensure a planned and smooth transition to any new arrangements.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Deaths in Custody
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list those individuals and organisations(a) to whom (i) her Department, (ii) its executive agencies and (iii) the non-departmental public bodies for which her Department is responsible sent a copy of the consultation "Deaths in custody: a review of the role and practices of the Crown Prosecution Service": a consultation paper, and (b) from whom each received a response. [151653]

  The Solicitor-General
  An initial consultation paper for the "Deaths in Custody: A review of the role and practices of the Crown Prosecution Service" was sent to 151 people at the end of April 2002. 37 Consultees responded.

  An all-day seminar was held on 21 May 2002 to discuss the review. 83 people attended that seminar. The report; "Deaths in Custody: a review of the role and practices of the Crown Prosecution Service" was sent out to 217 people. 18 agreed to be named as contributing to the report.

  Some MPs were consulted, including those on the Home Affairs Select Committee, Joint Human Rights Committee and the Parliamentary Labour Party and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Also consulted were the judiciary, police, prisons, coroners, overseas DPPs, the legal and medical professions, academics, civil liberties groups, victims and interest groups and members of the general public who expressed an interest.

  The 18 people who contacted my office agreeing to their contribution to the report being made known are as follows:
  913W

  Name

  Selena Lynch

  Coroner for Inner South District Greater London

  Lord Campbell of Alloway QC, ERD

  —

  Dr. Margaret Stark

  Association of Forensic Physicians (formerly Association of Police Surgeons)

  Dr. Guy Norfolk

  Association of Forensic Physicians

  Phil Pavey

  CRE

  Robert Johnson

  Anoka County Attorney, US

  Win Griffiths

  MP

  Nogah Ofer

  Hickman & Rose

  Daniel Machover

  Hickman & Rose

  Wendy Towers

  PCA (at that time)

  Kathleen Lowe

  Law Society

  Margaret Warren (for her late husband, Peter Warren)

  Member of the public

  Hutton Report
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Solicitor-General if the Attorney-General will discuss with Lord Hutton the investigation of the source of the leak of Lord Hutton's findings to Mr. Trevor Kavanagh of The Sun, with reference to the witness summons clauses of the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996. [152519]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: The Attorney-General does not propose to discuss this matter with Lord Hutton. 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.

WALES

  Correspondence
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters from hon. Members from Wales he answered during(a) June, (b) July, (c) August,(d) September, (e) October and (f) November 2003; and if he will make a statement. [150059]

  Mr. Hain
  Details of correspondence from hon. Members from Wales answered in June to November 2003 are as follows:

  Number

  June

  2

  July

  7

  August

  1

  September

  3

  October

  3

  November

  5

  During that period, the Wales Office also answered 238 other letters and dealt with over 2,500 inter-departmental letters.

  As the hon. Member is aware, post devolution most of the executive functions of the Secretary of State for Wales now rest with the National Assembly for Wales.

  Hon. Members also take greater opportunity to raise matters personally rather than in writing.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  India
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of poverty levels within the Indian state of Jharkhand. [152411]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The latest official figures on poverty that relate to the State of Jharkhand pertain to the year 1999–2000 (National Human Development Report 2001); at this time Jharkhand was part of the state of Bihar. The percentage of people under the official poverty line was 42.6 per cent. out of the total population of 99.9 million. DFID has not undertaken an independent poverty assessment in the State of Jharkhand.

  Iraq
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether there are UK representatives on the International Advisory and Monitoring Board in Iraq. [152408]

  Hilary Benn
  The United Kingdom is not represented on the International Advisory and Monitoring Board for Iraq (IAMB). Its members are representatives of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development and the World Bank. The IAMB's role is to provide for the independent monitoring of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI), so it would not be appropriate for a party to DFI spending decisions to be represented on it.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 26 January 2004,Official Report, column 24W, on Iraq, who the voting members are of the Programme Review Board which approves Coalition Provisional Authority plans for expenditures from the Development Fund for Iraq; and who the Department's secondees are to the Coalition Provisional Authority. [152403]

  Hilary Benn
  The voting members of the Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority Program Review Board (PRB) are representatives of: the Iraqi Minister of Finance; the CPA's Economic Affairs, Governance and Security Policy Offices, and Office of Infrastructure and Operations; the Coalition military (Combined Joint Task Force 7); the Iraqi Council for International Co-operation; and the Governments of the United Kingdom and Australia.
  915W
  DFID secondees to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad are currently filling the posts of: Director of Operations, Policy Adviser, Financial Adviser, Senior Adviser and Institutional Development Adviser to the Ministry of Public Works, Electricity Adviser, Gender Adviser and Logistics Manager for the food Public Distribution System.

  Twelve secondees, directly employed by DFID, are filling a range of posts in CPA South in Basra; and six such secondees are working in CPA Governorate offices in Dhi Qar, Kirkuk and Wasit. A further 25 posts in the CPA in Basra are currently being filled through a DFID contract with the Crown Agents.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 20 January 2004,Official Report, column 1144W, on Iraq, if he will place in the Library reports of the meetings between his Department's staff and Coalition Provisional Authority South regarding the review of projects funded by his Department in Southern Iraq. [152409]

  Hilary Benn
  We will shortly be publishing an Interim Country Assistance Plan (ICAP) setting out DFID's programme in Iraq over the next two years. The ICAP reflects discussions between DFID staff and the Coalition Provisional Authority (South). A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the projects funded by his Department in southern Iraq that have not been subcontracted to local firms. [152410]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID supports a staffing project which supplies the Coalition Provisional Authority in Southern Iraq with a range of reconstruction policy advisers. This project does not include sub-contracts with local firms.

  DFID does, however, fund a number of projects in Southern Iraq which do include sub-contracts with local firms. They are as follows:

  No.

  Project title

  Consultant

  Consultant's brief

  Current value (original contract value plus cost of any increases or extensions). (£)

  1.

  Public Service Delivery Initiative

  Centre for Management and Policy Studies

  To provide a team of experts with relevant experience to work with the Government of Nigeria's new Service Delivery Team

  54,787

  2.

  State and Local Government Project (SLGP)

  HTS Consulting Ltd.

  To enhance the capacity and effectiveness of state and local government in Nigeria to manage resources and ensure delivery of services, in the interests of poor people

  20,508,289

  3.

  Partnership for Transforming Health Services (PATHS)

  HLSP Consulting Ltd.

  The PATHS programme will assist Nigerian-led initiatives for health system reform

  17,181,515

  4.

  Health Sector Reform Early Start Project: Change Agent Programme (CAPS)

  HLSP Consulting Ltd.

  CAPS is a sister project to PATHS. It aims to provide two 'Change Agent Programmes' (CAP), one for "Health Sector Reform" and the other for "Immunisation Programme Reform" (IPR)

  1,674,128

  916W
  The Recovery and Infrastructure Group project is rehabilitating a number of important buildings in Southern Iraq such as hospitals and government buildings. The contract is managed by Halcrow, but local firms carry out all infrastructure work.

  Similarly, Halcrow manage a contract to rehabilitate a number of regional offices. Local firms carry out all reconstruction and all materials are procured from local firms.

  The Emergency Infrastructure Project is managed by Mott MacDonald. The bulk of funding for this project is spent on international procurement. However, local firms have been contracted to carry out reconstruction work. Goods and materials have also been procured from local firms for this project.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who the members of the Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority's programme review board are; what criteria were adopted to choose the members of the board; how many United Kingdom representatives are on the board; and what their period of membership is. [151970]

  Hilary Benn
  The membership of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Programme Review Board (PRB) comprises representatives of: the Iraqi Minister of Finance; the CPA's Economic Affairs, Governance and Security Policy Offices, and Office of Infrastructure and Operations; the Coalition military (Combined Joint Task Force 7); the Iraqi Council for International Co-operation; and the Governments of the United Kingdom and Australia. The UK Government have one representative on the Board, normally the Head of the DFID Office in Baghdad. Membership of the Board is not held in a personal capacity.

  Nigeria
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which consultants are retained by his Department to provide the Government of Nigeria with advice on public service delivery and civil service reform; what the value of the contracts with the consultants is; and what the nature of the consultants' brief is. [152381]

  Hilary Benn
  The requested information is shown in the following table.
  917W

  No.

  Project title

  Consultant

  Consultant's brief

  Current value (original contract value plus cost of any increases or extensions) (£)

  5.

  Access to Justice Programme

  The British Council

  The Access to Justice Programme's purpose is to support the development of Nigeria-led justice sector reform so that pro-poor policies are implemented

  16,583,210

  6.

  Procurement Agent for Nigeria Contraceptives and Communication against HIV/Aids Programme

  Population Services International (PSI)

  The programme will contribute to 90 per cent. of all young adults having access to STD/HIV/AIDS prevention methods by 2005

  52,800,000

  1 Inception

  Sudan
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the levels of(a) malnutrition, (b) disease and (c) destitution in Southern Sudan in (i) December 2001, (ii) December 2002 and (iii) December 2003. [149985]

  Hilary Benn
  It was not possible to obtain the information on the overall levels of malnutrition in Southern Sudan for the month of December in the years requested. The following table lists rates of malnutrition for November through to February for the years indicated, and at the locations mentioned. These are from NGO surveys. As the NGOs would undertake surveys in areas where high levels of malnutrition were suspected they should not be taken as representative of the whole population. The rates give the proportion of children acutely malnourished. This approximates to the percentage of children who are less than 80 per cent. of the international reference weight for a given height:

  Southern Sudan: Rates of malnutrition

  Percentage

  County

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Aweil East

  13.9

  n/a

  25

  Aweil South

  n/a

  21.1

  22.1

  Aweil West

  13.9

  n/a

  n/a

  Gogrial

  3

  n/a

  n/a

  Magwe

  17

  23.1

  n/a

  Northern Leech

  16.4

  n/a

  n/a

  Phou State

  16.8

  n/a

  n/a

  Sobat

  23.4

  n/a

  n/a

  Twic

  25.1

  n/a

  n/a

  Yirol

  9.9

  n/a

  n/a

  The only year where we have information on levels of disease in December in Southern Sudan is 2002. Over that year there were outbreaks of measles and whooping cough reported, with 132 cases of whooping cough of whom two died, and 85 cases of measles with three deaths. There were also reports of rabies, but there are no actual numbers of cases affected. Basic health indicators in Southern Sudan are persistently very poor, and among the worst in Africa.

  In the absence of information specifically related to destitution we have referred to the monthly report of the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, which provides information on those requiring emergency humanitarian assistance in the form of food aid. The December issue of this report usually gives the harvest assessment and the needs assessment for the following year. For 2001 the main findings were that emergency
  918W
  needs were linked to the presence of insecurity in parts of Bahr-el-Ghazal, Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria. In 2002 below average harvest combined with insecurity resulted in persisting requirements for humanitarian relief in parts of Bahr-el-Ghazal, Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria. In 2003 agricultural production was generally good, but need for emergency assistance remained in many communities in Upper Nile and Bahr-el-Ghazal.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [148634]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Details of staff who have received Statutory Sick Pay in the periods specified could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the Department.

  DFID is committed to managing sickness absence effectively, and we are making progress in reducing the levels of absence year on year.

  Sudanese Refugees
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian condition of Sudanese refugees from the Beja community who are living in Eritrea; and if he will make a statement. [151949]

  Hilary Benn
  We have not made any specific assessment of Sudanese Beja refugees in Eritrea. However, we keep closely in touch with Government of Eritrea, NGO and UN reports/assessments, and are therefore aware of the concern that has recently been raised about the humanitarian situation faced by the Beja refugees.

  UK is willing to play its part in the provision of assistance to address humanitarian needs, in any part of Eritrea and with any community, where there are urgent, unmet humanitarian needs.

  We have been supporting supplementary food distributions to the Beja in Eritrea through the NGO Dutch Interchurch Aid.

  Voluntary Service Overseas
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's
  919W
  grant to Voluntary Service Overseas (a) is this year and (b) will be next year: and how many Voluntary Service Overseas volunteers this money supports. [152088]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Under the Partnership Programme Agreement with DFID, the VSO grant for 2004–05 will be £24,460,000. The grant for 2004–05 will be £24,860,000. In the past two years, the grant has made up approximately 75 per cent. of VSO's total income and we have no reason to believe that this will change during 2003–04 and 2005–06.

  The total number of volunteers supported by the grant in 2003–04 will be 1505. In 2004–05, the number of volunteers supported is estimated to be 1540.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Homelessness
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on homelessness. [152486]

  Yvette Cooper
  Homelessness is a serious problem affecting families across the country, but particularly concentrated in London. The Government have increased funding to prevent and address homelessness, strengthened the safety net for vulnerable people, and reduced the level of rough sleeping by two thirds. Councils have also cut substantially the number of homeless families in Bed and Breakfast.

  Registered Social Landlords
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to encourage councils to adopt registered social landlords as principal agents for development. [152487]

  Keith Hill
  Guidance to local authorities already stresses the need to consider using registered social landlords when funding provision of affordable housing. This will generally provide more dwellings for a given amount of public subsidy and increases choice and competition.

  Housing
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he is taking to encourage greater energy efficiency in new house building. [152489]

  Phil Hope
  The Energy White Paper, published on 24 February, announced that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would start work immediately on the next major revision of the Building Regulations. This work has started and using the energy efficiency provisions of the Building Regulations we aim to bring new standards into effect in 2005.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to assess the impact on North West house builders of his current housing policy. [152481]

  Keith Hill
  The housing policies in Regional Planning Guidance are monitored by the North West Regional Assembly. A full review of the housing figures in Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) will take place in 2006.
  920W
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of(a) households, (b) people, (c) accommodation units and (d) dwellings that will fall within the scope of the mandatory houses in multiple occupation licensing scheme proposed in the Housing Bill. [152182]

  Keith Hill
  The Government estimate that about 120,000 houses in multiple occupation will be licensed under the mandatory licensing scheme proposed in the Housing Bill. It is estimated that 360,000 to 450,000 dwellings up to 720,000 households (including single person households) will be protected by the regime.

  Local Government
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the review of local government boundaries. [152490]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Boundary Committee for England is currently undertaking reviews of the structure and boundaries of local government in the three northern regions prior to referendums on directly elected regional assemblies. There are currently no plans for further reviews of structures and boundaries.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Essex county council on his plans to regionalise the fire service. [152491]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government have no plan to regionalise the Fire and Rescue Service other than in regions which vote in a referendum for an elected regional assembly. No such referendum is proposed in the Eastern region.

  Regional Government
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will set a date for the referendum on regional government in the north-west. [152492]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to hold the referendums in the three northern regions in autumn 2004.

  But before a date can be set:

  The Boundary Committee must make its recommendations on restructuring local government in two-tier areas; and

  Parliament must approve the Orders calling the referendums.

  We expect to lay these in Summer.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will meet a delegation from Worcestershire to discuss the report by Professor David Blanchflower and Professor Andrew Oswald on the calculation of an appropriate regional funding adjustment for the county. [152493]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No. During the formula review, which was completed in 2002 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister looked in some detail at the different geographies, data and methods that could be used to calculate the ACA. Several of the options advocated by Professors Oswald and Blanchflower in their report were examined and rejected during the formula review.
  921W
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister considered the Oswold and Blanchflower report as part of the written representations received on the local government settlement for 2004–05. However, as we made clear following the recent review it is our intention that the funding formulae will be frozen for at least 2004–05 and 2005–06. There would therefore be little purpose in the suggested meeting.

  Beaches
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether beaches form part of functional flood plains for the purpose of planning policy guidance. [152715]

  Keith Hill
  Planning policy guidance note (PPG) 25 defines the functional flood plain as the unobstructed or active areas within the land at risk of river and coastal flooding shown on indicative flood plain maps prepared by the Environment Agency where water flows regularly in times of flood. Areas that are defended are passive until such time as the defences are overtopped or breached and are not regarded as part of the functional flood plain.

  The term functional flood plain was primarily coined in connection with river flooding, where the proper functioning of a river flood plain serves to reduce the impact of flooding on other areas. However, since most beaches are flooded by tides twice a day, and are undefended they could logically be considered to be functional flood plains, as could undefended areas above mean high water that are flooded by the sea on a regular basis. There may be instances where a storm beach created by extreme high waters has its crest above the flood level with an annual probability of occurrence of 0.5 per cent. In such a case the storm beach itself might not be classified as functional flood plain because of the very long periods between potential flooding events.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons beaches are not part of the definitions of land contained within planning policy guidance; and if he will take steps to ensure that they are. [152716]

  Keith Hill
  Beaches are part of the definition of land within planning policy guidance. Control under the planning system extends to the seaward boundary of local planning authorities, which is generally taken to be the mean low water mark unless statutory provisions state otherwise at a particular location. Any development on a beach above mean low water would thus be subject to planning control. Planning policies in national or regional guidance, where they are relevant, would be material planning considerations in the formulation of development plans and the determination of applications for planning permission.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which planning policy guidance notes cover proposed development on beaches. [152717]

  Keith Hill
  Planning policy guidance notes (PPGs) cover all land that is subject to control under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, namely all land within local authority boundaries. In coastal areas, the seaward boundary of local authorities is generally taken to be mean low water. Thus the planning system and all the PPGs would cover relevant developments within a922W
  local authority, including that on the intertidal or supratidal areas of beaches above mean low water. Particular consideration is given to development in coastal areas, including that on beaches, in PPG 20 Coastal Planning and in PPG 25 Development and flood risk.

  Dame Shirley Porter
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress being made in removing the damehood from Dame Shirley Porter. [152193]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government do not comment on individual honours cases.

  Homebuy Loans
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Homebuy loans were made to(a) those in social housing, (b) those on housing waiting lists and (c) key workers in London in 2002–03. [152018]

  Keith Hill
  A total of 332 Homebuy loans, funded by social housing grant, were approved for property purchases during 2002–03.

  A Housing Corporation survey, "CORE Sales", identified 242 of sales on Homebuy terms carried out in London during 2002–03. Of these:

  (a) 88 per cent. were to households in social housing;

  (b) a further 11 per cent. were to households who were not in social housing but who were on a local authority waiting list or common housing register.

  (c) The Housing Corporation's investment system shows that there were eight Homebuy loans to key workers in London approved during 2002–03.

  It should be noted that a further 1,400 key workers in London were assisted under the Starter Home Initiative in 2002–03—many of whom received equity loans similar to the Homebuy model.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how and by which department housing benefit in respect of tenants whose properties(a) are managed by arm's length management organisations, (b) have been the subject of large-scale voluntary transfers and (c) are council owned is paid; for what reasons they are not all paid on the same basis as the social security fund; and what the effect of the method of funding is on central Government housing allocations to each type of operator. [148065]

  Mr. Pond
  I have been asked to reply.

  Local authorities are responsible for the payment of housing benefit to eligible claimants. Housing benefit is paid as a rent rebate to local authority tenants and rent allowance to tenants of private landlords (including individual private landlords, housing associations and registered social landlords); tenants whose properties are managed by arm's length management organisations remain local authority tenants.

  Currently as part of the housing benefit scheme local authorities in England receive a subsidy to reimburse them for correctly determined housing benefit claims.

  923W
  Responsibility for payment of the indirect housing benefit subsidy element, which for English authorities was previously distributed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, will be transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions from April 2004. This element represented the 5.5 per cent. residual subsidy paid to authorities for rent allowance, council tax benefit and non-housing revenue account rent rebates, which supplemented the 95 per cent. direct subsidy that the Department for Work and Pensions already pay; from April this year the Department for Work and Pensions will pay all HB/CTB benefit subsidy as a direct grant, payable at 100 per cent. for correct claims.

  In addition responsibility for rent rebate subsidy will transfer to the Department for Work and Pensions from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister from April 2004. As a result of the transfer of all housing benefit and council tax benefit funding streams to the Department for Work and Pensions, a full review of the subsidy rules has been undertaken in order to produce a simpler, clearer system for reimbursing local authorities.

  Housing allocations take no account of these arrangements.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list(a) the 10 local authorities which are due to receive the greatest percentage increases in grant in the financial year 2004–05 and (b) the amounts of those increases. [152326]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Having adjusted for changes in function, the 10 largest percentage increases in grant are tabled as follows:

  Local authority

  Adjusted 2003–04 grant

  2004–05 grant

  Change

  Percentage change

  Oadby and Wigston

  2.689

  3.002

  0.312

  11.6

  Blaby

  3.744

  4.101

  0.357

  9.5

  South Staffordshire

  4.743

  5.158

  0.415

  8.7

  Milton Keynes

  152.958

  166.097

  13.139

  8.6

  North Somerset

  104.058

  112.921

  8.863

  8.5

  Congleton

  3.609

  3.909

  0.299

  8.3

  Member

  First appointed

  Re-appointed

  Expiry

  Remuneration

  The Housing Corporation1

  Armitage, Eric (Deputy and Chair Registration Committee)

  1 October 1997

  1 October 2000

  30 September 2004

  Yes

  Arthur, Richard (Chair of Registration and Super Committee)

  1 October 2000

  30 September 2004

  Yes

  Button, Sheila (Chair of Finance and Audit Committee)

  1 October 1997

  1 October 2000

  30 September 2004

  Yes

  Dixon, Peter (Chair)

  1 October 2003

  30 September 2006

  Yes

  Drew Smith, Sheila

  1 December 2002

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  Duncan. Michael (Chair of Investment Committee)

  1 October 2000

  30 September 2004

  Yes

  Fawcett, Julie

  1 December 2002

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  Higgins, David

  24 March 2003

  Ex-officio

  No

  Huka, Geraldine

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2004

  Yes

  Hutchinson, Yvonne

  1 July 1998

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  Moledina, Shaukat

  1 December 2002

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  Monckton, Ivan

  1 April 1999

  1 January 2003

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  O'Neill, Sandi

  1 December 2002

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  Perry, Norman

  2 October 2000

  Ex-officio

  No

  Winckler, Andrew

  6 April 1998

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2005

  Yes

  Housing Action Trust-iverpool1

  Allen, Nicola

  1 October 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Chape, Alan

  1 October 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Clark, Eileen

  8 February 1993

  1 May 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Dykes, Rodney (Deputy Chair)

  8 February 1993

  1 June 2000

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  924W

  Local authority

  Adjusted 2003–04 grant

  2004–05 grant

  Change

  Percentage change

  Telford and the Wrekin

  116.443

  125.771

  9.328

  8.0

  Cambridgeshire

  279.796

  302.047

  22.252

  8.0

  Reading

  89.805

  96.933

  7.128

  7.9

  Thurrock

  109.162

  117.776

  8.615

  7.9

  Public Bodies
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who the members of the(a) Housing Action Trust Liverpool, (b) Audit Commission, (c) Housing Action Trust Stonebridge, (d) Buildings Regulations Advisory Committee and (e) Housing Corporation were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151807]

  Keith Hill
  The details of the members, their term of office in each case and whether they are remunerated are listed in the following tables:

  Building Regulations Advisory Committee as at January 20041

  Member

  First appointed

  Re-appointed

  Expiry

  Allen, Paul

  1 February 1998

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Brown, Tony

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Cassar, May

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2005

  Conway, John

  1 February 1998

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Cowans, Julie

  1 February 1998

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Finn, Michael

  1 July 1991

  1 January 2002

  31 December 2004

  Gibson, David

  1 February 1998

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Holliday, David

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2005

  Jones, Philip Mills,

  1 October 2000

  1 October 2003

  30 September 2006

  Christopher

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Roberts, Phil

  1 February 1998

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Sheehan, Frank

  1 October 2000

  1 October 2003

  30 September 2006

  Smith, David

  1 February 1998

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Soane, Alastair

  1 February 2001

  31 January 2004

  Stanton, John

  1 February 2001

  1 February 2003

  31 January 2006

  Sullivan, Lynne

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2005

  Thirumoolan,

  Arumugathasan

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2005

  Walsh, Sean

  1 October 2000

  1 October 2002

  30 September 2004

  Warburton,

  Peter

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2005

  Williams, Kelvin

  1 October 2000

  1 October 2003

  30 September 2006

  Wright. Clare

  1 February 1998

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2005

  Young, Janet

  1 February 2002

  31 January 2005

  1None receive remuneration.

  925W

  Member

  First appointed

  Re-appointed

  Expiry

  Remuneration

  Gallimore, Marjorie

  8 February 1993

  1 May 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Hardaker, Nick

  12 October 2003

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Hubbard, Charles

  1 July 1994

  1 July 2000

  30 June 2004

  Yes

  Kemp, Erica

  1 September 1999

  1 September 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Parker, Graham

  7 March 1999

  7 March 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Pettitt, John

  1 May 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Ridley, Paula (Chair)

  26 February 1992

  8 February 1999

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Housing Action Trust—Stonebridge1

  Ainger, Barbara

  1 November 2000

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Balogun, Julie-Ann

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Bamford, Terence

  1 November 2000

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Bolaji, Hakeem

  1 November 2000

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Bragman, Paul

  1 December 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Ferguson, Jennifer

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Harrod, Richard

  1 June 2002

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Magloire, Estella

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Maloney, Colum

  1 June 2002

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Pickering, Caroline (Chair)

  17 July 2000

  1 November 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Wilson, Peter

  1 December 2003

  31 December 2007

  Yes

  Audit Commission1

  Bowen, John

  1 September 2001

  31 October 2004

  Yes

  Bundred, Steven

  1 November 2003

  Ex-officio

  No

  Dixon, Jennifer

  1 November 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Filkin, Elizabeth

  1 November 1999

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2004

  Yes

  Hart, Graham

  1 November 1999

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2004

  Yes

  Hoyle, Roger

  1 January 2002

  30 June 2005

  Yes

  Jones, Peter

  1 November 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Lane, Pauline

  1 December 2000

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Lemos, Gerard

  1 December 2000

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Lyons, Michael

  1 November 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Moss, David

  1 December 2000

  30 June 2004

  Yes

  Pomeroy, Brian (Chair of Audit Committee)

  1 May 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Scott, Ros

  1 November 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Smith, Peter

  1 November 2003

  30 April 2006

  Yes

  Strachan, James (Chair)

  5 November 2002

  4 November 2005

  Yes

  1 As at January 2004

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who the members of the(a) Rent Assessment Panel Greater Manchester and Lancashire, (b) Rent Assessment Panel London, (c) Rent Assessment Panel Merseyside and Cheshire, (d) Rent Assessment Panel Northern, (e) Rent Assessment Panel Southern and South Eastern, (f) Rent Assessment Panel Yorkshire, (g) Rent Assessment Panel East Midland, (h) Rent Assessment Panel South Western and (i) Rent Assessment Panel Chilterns, Thames and Eastern were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151809]

  Keith Hill
  A list of the members of the Rent Assessment Panels has been made available in the Library of the House.

  An appointment as part-time member is for a (renewable) period of five years. Part-time members are remunerated on a daily or half-daily fee basis according to the number of hours worked. Presidents and vice-presidents receive a salary.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who the members of the(a) Advisory Committee Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, (b) Better Regulation Task Force, (c) New Millennium Experience Company and (d) Civil Service Appeals Board were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151821]

  Mr. Alexander
  I have been asked to reply.
  926W
  The information requested is as follows:

  Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Chairs and members receive no remuneration except expenses. (See Table A)

  Better Regulation Task Force

  Chairs and members receive no remuneration except expenses. (See Table B)

  Responsibility for New Millennium Experience Company rests with my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

  Civil Service Appeals Board

  The Chair, Deputy Chairs and members all receive remuneration. (See Table C)

  Table A: Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Position

  Name of appointee

  Term of appointment held

  Chairman

  Mr. R. Bracegirdle, JP

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mrs. B. Parker, JP

  1996–2004

  Member

  Reverend G. Rainford

  1998–2006

  Member

  Mrs. E. A. Midgley

  2000–08

  Member

  Mr. S. F. Shipway JP

  2001–09

  Member

  Mr. B. Rigby, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mrs. S. E. Edwards JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. A. J. Wallace

  2002–10

  Member

  Mrs. C. A. Hamilton, JP

  2003–11

  Chairman

  Mr. J. R. Bisby, JP

  2001–09

  Member

  Mr. J. P. A. Tuley

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mrs. C. Beesley, JP, BA

  1998–2006

  Member

  Mrs. M. A. McCaldin, JP

  1998–2005

  927W

  Table A: Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Position

  Name of appointee

  Term of appointment held

  Member

  Mr. M. J. Fisher

  1999–2007

  Member

  Miss H. M. Pape-Hughes

  2000–08

  Member

  Dr. R. B. Henig, CBE, JP

  2001–09

  Member

  Dr. E. A. M. Roberts. JP

  2001–06

  Member

  Mrs. C. Lomas JP

  2002–10

  Chairman

  Mr. D. Winthrop, JP

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mr. R.T. G. Lord

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mrs. U. J. B. Walton, JP

  1997–2005

  Member

  Mr. J. E. Hurst

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mrs. J. H. Rigby, JP

  2000–06

  Member

  Mrs. M. A. P. McKenzie-Murdoch, JP

  2001–09

  Member

  Mr. T. A. Harris

  2000–07

  Member

  Mr. J. A. Lark, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mrs. C. Rourke, JP

  2002–10

  Chairman

  Mr. P. F. Robinson

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mr. E. Bolton, JP

  1997–2005

  Member

  Mrs. A. N. W. Chapman, JP

  1997–2005

  Member

  Mr. B. Holden, JP

  2000–04

  Member

  Mr. P. W. Watkins

  2003–07

  Member

  Mr. G.R.Hill, JP

  2001–09

  Member

  Mrs. G. N. Rostron, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. C. J. Clark

  2002–10

  Member

  Mrs. V. Whittam, JP

  2003–11

  Chairman

  Mrs. E. A. Parkinson, JP

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mrs. B. Duxbury. JP

  1998–2004

  Member

  Mrs. M. Fishwick, JP

  1998–2004

  Member

  Mr. B. M. Mulligan, JP

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mr. M. J. Povey, JP

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mr. J. M. Edwards

  2000–08

  Member

  Mr. J. A. McGowan, JP

  2001–09

  Member

  Mrs. D. M. Dunne. JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mrs. G. Lewis

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. M. R. Malik

  2002–10

  Chairman

  Mr. M. Cresswell, JP

  1996–2005

  Member

  Mrs. J. Armistead, JP

  1996–2005

  Member

  Mrs. J. M. Winstanley, JP

  1996–2005

  Member

  Mrs. H. S. Harvey

  2000–08

  Member

  Councillor K. J. Helsby, MBE,

  2000–08

  Member

  Revd. F. D. Smith

  2002–11

  Chairman

  Mr. E. G. Hubert

  1997–2007

  Member

  Mr. J. P. Hyndman JP

  1999–2004

  Member

  Mrs. V. S. McGrory, JP

  2002–04

  Member

  Mrs. J. E. Hinkley, JP

  1997–2007

  Member

  Mr. E. Ahmed, JP

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mrs. J. R. Smale

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mr. I. D. Hurdley, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mrs. L. B. Sable, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Miss B. E. Farragher

  2003–10

  Chairman

  Mrs. J. L. Berry, JP

  1998–2005

  Member

  Mrs. B. E. Creme JP

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. S. Terry, JP

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mrs. B. H. Warnock, JP

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mr. M. M. Elder

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. G. Sable Mr. M.J.Taylor

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mr. M. J. Taylor

  2000–08

  Member

  Mr. R. S. Rees

  2003–11

  Member

  Ms A. R. Malach

  2003–11

  Member

  Ms K. A. Rigby, JP

  2003–11

  Member

  Mrs. K. J. Heppleston-Baines, JP

  2003–11

  Member

  Mr. M. B. Enderby, JP

  2003–11

  Member

  Ms G. D'Silva, JP

  2003–11

  Member

  Mr. L. W. T. Collier, JP

  2003–11

  Chairman

  Mrs. A. Sykes. JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mrs. J. Cooper, JP

  1996–2007

  Member

  Mr. M. J. Garner, JP

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mr. M. Flacks, JP

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mr. D. R. Jones

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mrs. M. C. Bray, JP

  2001–10

  Member

  Mrs. J. H. Molineux, JP

  2001–10

  Member

  Mr. A. K. Hazell

  2001–10

  Member

  Mr. I. P. Armstong

  2002–10

  Chairman

  Mr. R. Matthews, JP

  1997–2004

  Member

  Mrs. D. Ainsworth, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mrs. M. C. Ashworth

  1999–2004

  Member

  Mr. J. M. Coupe

  2001–07

  Member

  Mr. R. Needham, JP

  1996–2007

  Member

  Dr. A. Rauf, JP

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mrs. C. V. Ashworth-Lord, JP

  2001–10

  Member

  Mrs. G.J. Wilde. JP

  2001–10

  928W

  Table A: Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Position

  Name of appointee

  Term of appointment held

  Member

  Mr. J. K. Davies

  2003–10

  Chairman

  Mrs. P. A. Holt, JP

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mr. F. Sullivan

  1994–2005

  Member

  Mr. J. Connor, JP

  1994–2005

  Member

  Mr. B. Ball

  1996–2008

  Member

  Mr. D. Bentham, JP

  1997–2005

  Member

  Mrs. S. Portman, JP

  1999–2008

  Member

  Ms C. R. Borders, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Mr. R. S. Smith, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Mrs. J. L. Dunn

  2002–11

  Member

  Mr. D. Marsh

  2002–11

  Chairman

  Mr. A. Roberts

  1995–2005

  Member

  Mr. S. B. Berry

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mr. D. J. Wildgoose, JP

  1994–2005

  Member

  Mrs. M. A. Evans, JP

  1995–2008

  Member

  Mrs. D. A. Manton, JP

  1995–2008

  Member

  Mrs. H. C. Jenkins

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mrs. P. P. King, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Mr. J. T. Jackson, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Dr. C. S. Raju

  2002–11

  Chairman

  Mr. D. Baggott, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mrs. B. E. Ilett, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mrs. J. Hurlston

  1997–2006

  Member

  Mrs. S. Marston, JP

  1997–2006

  Member

  Mrs. A. Saltsman, JP

  1997–2006

  Member

  Mrs. J. A. Watson

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mr. M. Watson

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. A. Bridge, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  A. J. H. Van Weerdenburg, MBE, JP

  2002–10

  Chairman

  Mrs. J. Brown. JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mr. M. J. Harkin, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mrs. G.L. Williams, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mr. J. F. Connor, JP

  2000–07

  Member

  Mrs. M. Lucas, JP

  2000–07

  Member

  Dr. R. J. M. Gray

  2001–10

  Member

  Mr. G. Homer, JP

  2001–10

  Member

  Mr. J. R. Marsh

  2001–10

  Member

  Miss. K. J. Holder

  2001–10

  Chairman

  Mrs. M. Wall, JP

  1996–2005

  Member

  Mr. C. B. F. J. D'Souza

  2000–08

  Member

  Mrs. C. E. Hitchmough

  2000–08

  Member

  Mrs. M. Griffin, JP

  2001–04

  Member

  Mr. G. Cunliffe, MBE, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Mr. T. M. Gregory, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Mr. A. Bent, JP

  2003–11

  Member

  Mr. J. Winter, JP

  2003–11

  Chairman

  Mr. B. R. Worster-Davis, QBE, JP

  2002–07

  Member

  Mrs. M. H. Davitt, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mr. J. Alexander. JP

  1997–2004

  Member

  Mr. J. G. Moore. JP

  1996–2007

  Member

  Mrs. C. E. Humphries

  1999–2007

  Member

  Mrs. K. P. Pye, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. A. D. Disley

  2003–11

  Member

  Mrs. L. Murray

  2003–11

  Member

  Mr. E. G. Grimes

  2003–06

  Chairman

  Mr. M. W. Evans

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mrs. S. E. Mashiane-Talbot, JP

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mrs. D. E. Morton, JP

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mrs. D. Bogle, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. B. M. Cave, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. G. Green, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mrs. M. K. Kakar, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Prof. J. L. Verbov, JP

  2002–04

  Member

  Prof. R. S. Jones, QBE, JP

  2002–07

  Member

  Miss J.G. Keller

  2003–10

  Chairman

  Mr. G. H. Lloyd, JP

  1996–2005

  Member

  Mrs. E. A. Barnett, JP

  1994–2005

  Member

  Mr. D. J. Allman,JP

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mrs. A. Shute,JP

  1999–2008

  Member

  Dr. A. D. Havard

  1999–2008

  Member

  Mr. F. J. Hyland, JP

  2003–11

  Member

  Ms D. Bridson, JP

  2003–11

  Member

  Dr. P. A. Downham,

  2003–11

  Member

  Mrs. J. R. Carver

  2003–11

  Chairman

  Mrs. H. Williams, JP

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mr. S. Cooper, JP

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mrs. J. M. Dawkins, JP

  1996–2005

  Member

  Mr. B. Corbin

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mr. D. McCaughrean

  2000–09

  929W

  Table A: Advisory committees on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Position

  Name of appointee

  Term of appointment held

  Member

  Ms. J. A. Ash

  2000–09

  Member

  Mrs. E. A. Sinker, JP

  2001–09

  Chairman

  Mr. B. T. Spencer

  1998–2004

  Member

  Mrs. M. Brooks, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Dr. P. J. Tunstall, JP

  2002–04

  Member

  Mrs. D. M. Hilton, JP

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mr. D. Wainwright, JP

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mr. E. Hazeldine

  1998–2007

  Member

  Mr. B. W. Bawden, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Mr. A. G. Dudley, JP

  2002–10

  Member

  Miss C.A. Roberson

  2002–10

  Chairman

  Mr. M. H. Middleton, JP

  1997–2005

  Member

  Mr. R. J. Pullin. JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mrs. S. Spencer, JP

  1995–2004

  Member

  Mrs. P. M. Snowden, JP

  1997–2007

  Member

  Cdr. C. J. Arthurs, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Mrs. C. A. Alien, JP

  2002–11

  Member

  Mrs. D. S. Shaw

  2003–11

  Member

  Mr. R. McWilliams

  2003–11

  Table B: Better Regulation Task Force

  Position held

  Name

  Term of appointment

  Chair

  Mr. D. Arculus

  2002–05

  Deputy Chair

  Ms T. Graham QBE

  1997–2006

  Member

  Ms M. Alderson

  1999–2004

  Member

  Mr. S. Falder

  1999–2004

  Member

  Mr. M. Gibbons

  2002–06

  Member

  Dr. K. Hawkins

  2002–06

  Member

  Ms D. Hutton CBE

  1999–2006

  Member

  Mr. S. Petch

  2000–04

  Member

  Dr. I. Peters

  2000–06

  Member

  Dr. P. Rowlatt

  2000–06

  Member

  Ms J. Russell

  1998–2006

  Member

  Ms S. Stubbs

  2002–06

  Member

  Mr. T. Sweeney

  2002–06

  Member

  Mr. R. Symons CBE

  2002–06

  Member

  Mr. S. Ward

  1999–2004

  Member

  Ms V. Younghusband

  2003–05

  Table C: Civil Service Appeal Board

  Position held

  Name

  Term of appointment

  Chairman

  Mr. J. H. Davies

  1999–2005

  Deputy Chair

  Mr. M. E. G. Fogden CB

  1997–2005

  Deputy Chair

  Mr. J. Sheldon

  2001–04

  Member

  Mr. G. Bertram CB

  2001–04

  Member

  Ms S. Brown

  1998–2004

  Member

  Mr. J. F. Carling

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. E. McGivern CB

  1998–2004

  Member

  Mr. D. W. Rayson

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. G. L. Reid CB

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. A. Turner CBE

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. J. Turner CB

  2000–05

  Member

  Mr. I. Ward

  2001–04

  Member

  Mrs. C. Alderson

  2000–06

  Member

  Mr.A. J. Audley

  2001–07

  Member

  Mrs. L. J. Clare

  1998–2004

  Member

  Mrs P. Cryer

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. D. Evans

  2000–06

  Member

  Mrs. D. Hall Hall

  1996–2004

  Member

  Mr. P. J. Kelly

  1999–2005

  Member

  Mr. T. Thomson

  1998–2004

  Member

  Mr. F. Winrow

  1999–2005

  Swale Borough Council
  Mr Wyatt
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many requests have been made to the Legal Department of Swale Borough Council under Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 since 24 November 2003. [152337]

  Phil Hope
  It is a matter for Swale Borough Council to answer.

  Thames Gateway
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many additional housing units have been targeted for(a) Castle Point and (b) Canvey Island since March 2000. [152438]

  Keith Hill
  The housing growth targets for Castle Point (and Canvey Island) have been determined by Regional Planning Guidance 9 and are set out within Essex County Council's current Structure Plan, which relates to the period 1996 to 2011. For that period, Castle Point is required to accommodate 2,400 new dwellings.

  The East of England Regional Assembly is in the process of preparing new Regional Planning Guidance for the East of England (RPG14). This will contain housing growth targets for local authority areas within the region (including Castle Point).

TREASURY

  Advancing Enterprise Summit
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) who the speakers are at the Advancing Enterprise summit; [150764]

  (2) what the sources of funding were for the Advancing Enterprise summit; [150766]

  (3) what the (a) total cost and (b) cost to the United Kingdom Government is of the Advancing Enterprise summit; [150767]

  (4) if he will list the representatives of (a) the United Kingdom Government, (b) the United States Administration and (c) business and other representatives attending the Advancing Enterprise summit. [150768]

  John Healey
  The speakers and chairs at the conference 'Advancing Enterprise: Britain in a Global Economy' on 26 January 2004 were my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretaries of State for Education and for Trade and Industry, myself and:

  Arun Sarin

  Dr. Jean-Pierre Garnier

  Sir Terry Leahy

  Dr. Eric Schmidt

  Paul Walsh

  Hans Eichel

  Charlie McCreevy

  Rodrigo Rato y Figaredo

  Jean Claude Trichet

  Gerrit Zalm

  George Cox

  931W

  Charles Dunstone

  Caroline Plumb

  Dame Marjorie Scardino

  Lee Williams

  William H. Gates

  Sir Howard Davies

  Brendan Barber

  Sir Roy Gardner

  Digby Jones

  Ben Verwaayen

  Mervyn King

  Niall Fitzgerald

  The hon. Donald Johnston

  John Snow

  Dr. Alan Greenspan

  Lord Browne of Madingley

  Richard Lambert

  Professor Richard C. Levin

  Sir Tom McKillop

  Professor Alison Richard

  Gus O'Donnell

  Ed Balls

  A list of the senior business leaders and Government representatives who attended has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The costs of the conference are being met entirely from HM Treasury's resources. The aggregated cost of all Departmental events will be included in HM Treasury's annual report.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what allowance is made in the Government Actuary's projection of future immigration for(a) the number of people whose claims for asylum are rejected who remain in this country, (b) the number of people who overstay their visas and (c) the ending of visa restrictions for inhabitants of new member states of the EU. [152857]

  Ruth Kelly
  The latest (2002-based) official population projections for the United Kingdom were published by the Government Actuary's Department in December 2003. The migration assumptions underlying the projections use the internationally agreed definition of a migrant. A migrant is defined as someone who changes his or her country of usual residence for a period of at least a year so that the country of destination becomes the country of usual residence.

  For the long-term migration assumptions, an allowance is made for asylum seekers who are granted leave to stay in the UK. It is assumed that asylum seeker applications will be processed within twelve months and no allowance is made for failed asylum seekers who may remain in the UK for longer than 12 months as there is no reliable evidence on which to base such an estimate.

  The migration assumptions include an allowance for persons who enter the UK as short-term visitors but are subsequently granted an extension of stay for a year or
  932W
  longer. No allowance is made for those who overstay their visas illegally, again as there is no reliable evidence on which to base such an estimate.

  Failed asylum seekers who do not leave the UK and people who overstay visas illegally are part of the illegal population. The size of this group is particularly difficult to estimate because they often do not show up in official records and are motivated to remain hidden. This is also a problem experienced by most other EU countries: in a recent survey only one country out of 15 reported that they made any allowance for illegal migration in their population projections.

  No allowance has been made for the possible effects of enlargement of the European Union. At present, the precise impact of this change cannot be predicted, although recent Home Office research has concluded that the effect on the UK is likely to be fairly small.

  Carers
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of carers aged 65 years and over. [152757]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Sandra Gidley, dated 4 February 2004:
  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the number of carers aged 65 years and over. (152757)
  Figures from the Census 2001 National Report for England and Wales indicate that there were 944,650 people aged 65 and over providing unpaid care. The table below shows the distribution of these carers according to the number of hours of care provided per week.

  Number of people aged 65 and over providing unpaid care, 2001: England and Wales

  Care provided per week

  Number

  1 to 19 hours

  501,318

  20 to 49 hours

  102,182

  50 or more hours

  341,150

  Total number of carers

  944,650

  Source:

  Table SO25 Census 2001 National Report for England and Wales

  Child Mortality
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the main cause of death in children aged under 15 years was in 2003. [152564]

  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 4 February 2004:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the main cause of death in children aged under 15 was in 2003. (152564)
  The latest year for which data are available is 2002. The attached table shows the percentage of deaths by major causes of death and age groups in children aged under 15.
  933W

  Percentage of deaths by age-group for main causes of death1, England and Wales, 20022

  Cause of death

  All ages under 15

  Under 1

  1–4

  5–14

  Infectious and parasitic diseases

  6.1

  6.5

  9.4

  3.3

  Neoplasms

  13.5

  1.5

  16.2

  26.4

  Blood and blood-forming organs

  1.4

  1.3

  1.5

  1.5

  Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disorders

  4.8

  2.8

  7.1

  5.8

  Mental disorders

  0.5

  0.0

  0.0

  1.5

  Nervous system

  10.7

  8.6

  11.4

  12.8

  Circulatory system

  4.7

  4.0

  5.1

  5.3

  Respiratory system

  6.7

  6.5

  6.4

  7.2

  Digestive system

  3.1

  2.8

  3.8

  2.9

  Pregnancy and childbirth

  8.6

  19.8

  1.3

  0.0

  Congenital malformations

  15.4

  20.5

  17.6

  7.8

  Signs, symptoms and ill-defined conditions

  9.4

  19.6

  3.4

  1.0

  External causes of death

  14.3

  5.3

  16.3

  23.9

  Other causes

  0.8

  0.9

  0.5

  0.7

  Number of deaths

  2,377

  1,001

  551

  825

  1.The causes of death were selected using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes. The cause groups presented are entire chapters from the ICD-10 classification, as follows:

  Infectious and parasitic diseases—AOO-B99;

  Neoplasms—COO-D48;

  Blood and blood-forming organs—D50-D89;

  Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disorders—EOO-E90;

  Mental disorders—FOO-F99;

  Nervous system—GOO-G99;

  Circulatory system—100–199;

  Respiratory system—JOO-J99;

  Digestive system—KOO-K93;

  Pregnancy and childbirth—OOO-O99;

  Congenital malformations—QOO-Q99;

  Signs, symptoms and ill-defined conditions—ROO-R99;

  External causes of death—V01-Y89

  2 Figures are for the number of deaths occurring in the calendar year

  Children With Heart Defects
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the incidence was of children born with heart defects in each year since 2000. [152548]

  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 4 February 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the incidence of children born with heart defects in each year since 2000. (152548)
  The figures for 2000 and 2001 (the latest year available) are shown in the table below.

  Number of children born in England and Wales with heart defects1, and rate of occurrence: 2000 and 2001

  Year

  Number

  Rate2

  2000

  1,250

  20.6

  2001

  1,069

  17.9

  1 Heart defects was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes 145,6,147.1.

  2 Rate per 10,000 live and stillbirths.

  Source:

  Health Statistics Quarterly no. 16: Annual update—Congenital anomaly statistics, notifications 2001 England and Wales.

  Congenital Anomaly statistics for 2002 are scheduled for publication in April 2004.

  Financial Services
  John Mann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he estimates are actively using
  934W
  internet-based stockbroking services in the UK; and how many he estimates are doing so in other EU states. [152387]

  Ruth Kelly
  In the table are the latest available figures for the number of clients using online stockbroking services in the UK. This information is taken from a survey conducted for the Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers by ComPeer.

  Number of clients

  Q3 2003

  461,848

  Q2 2003

  432,556

  Q1 2003

  348,700

  Q4 2002

  362,040

  Figures for other EU states are not readily available.

  Future Tax Yield
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Report of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Inland Revenue for the year ending 31 March 2003 (Cm 6050), Page 107, Table 5, Note 5, in which year the inclusion of(a) taxpayer favourable adjustments and (b) additional sums arising from the method of estimating future tax yield prior to that employed in 2002–03 in calculating the compliance performance of the Large Business Office for publication in Inland Revenue annual reports first commenced; who first sanctioned the use of each of these methods to calculate Large Business Office compliance performance; and on what date sanction was given. [152218]
  935W
  Dawn Primarolo
  In April 1998 the Large Business Office introduced an automated system to record adjustments arising from its enquiries into large companies' tax affairs. Inadvertent design faults resulted in the incorrect reporting of the results referred to. As soon as these faults were identified, they were corrected and the results for 2002–03 have been reported on the correct basis

  Illegal Meat Imports
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Department's progress in tackling illegal meat imports.[152602]

  John Healey
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffat) on 8 January 2004,Official Report, column 423W.

  Two of the four new detector dogs enter into full operational service in mid-February and the remaining two are expected to do so early in April.

  Pensions
  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) residential and (b) other properties have been purchased under the Self Investment Personal Pension system since its introduction.[152163]

  Ruth Kelly
  The purchase of residential properties is not currently permitted under the current rules for Self Invested Pension Plans. No figures are available on the numbers of other properties purchased under Self Invested Pension Plans

  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes proposed in his pre-Budget statement in respect of Self Investment Personal Pensions upon(a) availability of housing for rent, (b) the amount and proportion of second and holiday homes, (c) the availability of housing in areas with a high preponderance of second and holiday homes and (d) other aspects of the housing market.[152164]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's technical paper "Simplifying the taxation of pensions: the Government's proposals" proposes allowing pension funds to invest in all types of investments, including residential property. The impact of this change, if introduced, will depend on the extent to which trustees and administrators decide that residential property is a suitable pension scheme investment.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria will apply to the purchase of residential properties under his proposed changes to Self Investment Personal Pensions.[152165]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's technical paper "Simplifying the taxation of pensions: the Government's proposals" proposes allowing pension funds, including Self Invested Pension Plans, to invest in all types of investments, including residential property. There will be no specific criteria relating to residential properties. There will be a single set of simple, flexible investment rules underpinning the simplified regime.

  The private use of pension scheme assets by a scheme member will be subject to a tax charge.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue to be raised from stamp duty land tax on leases in the next tax year.[152608]

  Ruth Kelly
  The yield from stamp duty land tax on the premium and rental elements of leases is forecast to be around £450 million in 2004–05.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the percentage of commercial rental contracts liable for stamp duty land tax.[152610]

  Ruth Kelly
  Approximately 60 per cent., of new commercial leases will pay no stamp duty land tax on the rental element. This compares with only 9 per cent. of leases that were exempt as regards the rental element under the previous stamp duty regime.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the future of e-conveyancing following the implementation of stamp duty land tax.[152611]

  Ruth Kelly
  None.

  Thalidomide Trust
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the Inland Revenue to establish the Thalidomide Trust's right to make distributions tax exempt under section 329 of the Finance Act 1996. [152301]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Discussions between the trustees of the Thalidomide Trust and officials of the Inland Revenue about the tax treatment of payments to beneficiaries of the trust are continuing. No conclusion has yet been reached.

  US-UK Enterprise Agreement
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the(a) measures introduced and (b) events taking place as part of the US-UK enterprise agreement;[150763]

  (2)what meetings officials from his Department had with representatives of the United States Administration regarding the US-UK enterprise agreement; [150765]

  (3)what the (a) total cost and (b) cost to the United Kingdom Government is of the US-UK enterprise agreement.[150769]

  John Healey
  The initiatives established in the US-UK Enterprise Agreement are:a scholarship programme;
  a forum to share best practice in enterprise education between school and related enterprise education providers and universities in the two countries;
  a joint government-business meeting to discuss common productivity challenges and policy implications;
  closer links between technology transfer offices in the US and the UK through the exchange of technology transfer professionals;

  937W
  a review to study the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers between Europe and America which we are taking forward with our European partners including France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.

  Treasury officials have had a number of meetings and discussions with their counterparts in relevant departments in the United States Administration, and are in regular contact with US officials to develop these proposals.

  The scholarships will offer the opportunity for entrepreneurs from the UK to study in the US. The budget for these scholarships is in the process of being finalised. Events to follow up the agreement will be announced in due course.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time was for treatment in each of Northern Ireland's accident and emergency departments in each month of the last year for which figures are available; and what steps he is taking to reduce these figures. [151320]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  In order to relieve pressure on hospital accident and emergency departments, Boards and Trusts are providing a range of additional services during the winter months, including extra community care provision, which helps to reduce demand on hospital services. Additional support is also being provided in primary care, where a flu vaccination programme has been running, which is targeted at over-65s and those at risk. Work will also be taken forward in all acute hospitals during 2004–05 on improving the flow of emergency patients.

  Acquired Brain Injury
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people suffered a traumatic head injury in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [152420]

  Angela Smith
  Traumatic head injuries cover a broad spectrum of severity of injury including those who do not present at hospital, those who attend Accident and Emergency Departments but are not admitted, those who are admitted for treatment and those who die before reaching hospital. Information is available only on those admitted to hospital. The table as follows provides figures on the number of admissions to hospital in Northern Ireland where the primary diagnosis is for head injury and, of these, the number of admissions where the primary diagnoses are fractures to the skull or facial bones or intracranial injuries. Information is provided for the last five years for which data are available.
  938W

  Total number of Admissions to Hospital1 with injuries to the head for the years 1998–1999 to 2002–2003

  Years

  All head injuries

  Skull fracture or intracranial injury

  1998–1999

  7,273

  2,573

  1999–2000

  7,126

  2,407

  2000–2001

  7,027

  2,284

  2001–2002

  7,236

  2,352

  2002–2003

  6,874

  2,399

  1 Deaths and Discharges are used as an approximation for Admissions

  Source:

  Hospital Inpatients System

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reason the Department for Employment and Learning decided to provide no further funding to the ReConnect training facility for people with acquired brain injury. [152421]

  Jane Kennedy
  In December 2003, the Department for Employment and Learning advised ReConnect that its application for ESF assistance, under the second round of applications for the Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity, was unsuccessful.

  The Department runs an open competition for such funding. On this, as in the previous round, there were more acceptable projects than budget available to meet their bids. Applications are scored, by selection panels, against the requirements of the Programme's measures and the funding available is allocated to those which score highest. The ReConnect application did not score highly enough to receive an allocation.

  Unsuccessful bidders have a right of review, for which the closing date was 30 January 2004. A request for review has been received from this project, which is due to be heard in early February 2004.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total expenditure has been on providing community-based training and rehabilitation for people with acquired brain injury in Northern Ireland by(a) the Department for Employment and Learning and (b) the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. [152422]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Department for Employment and Learning (DEL)

  In the last eight years, ERDF and ESF assistance of £5.1 million and DEL match funding of £520,000 has been paid to two organisations providing community-based training where participants have included people with acquired brain injury.

  It is not possible to disaggregate the share of funding which might be attributed to the number of participants with acquired brain injury.

  (b) Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

  The information is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ards Hospital
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to broaden the range of services offered on the Ards Hospital site. [150737]
  939W
  Angela Smith
  The Ulster Community and Hospital HSS Trust is currently developing plans to redevelop the Ards Hospital site. The Trust's proposals include the provision of modern Local Health and Social Care facilities, which will consider a range of services, including Primary Care Services, Mental Health Services, Children's Services including Community Paediatric and Family and Child Care Services, In-Patient, Out-Patient and Diagnostic Services.

  The Trust is also presently undertaking a review of the Community Hospital Services currently provided on the Ards Hospital site and when this review is completed in the Spring of this year, a decision will be taken on the final configuration of these services.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend the opening hours of the minor injuries units at(a) Bangor and (b) Ards Community Hospitals. [150739]

  Angela Smith
  The Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust is presently engaged in a review of its Community Hospital Services. This review will be considering the relationship between Emergency Services at the Ulster Hospital and Minor Injuries provision located at Ards and Bangor Community Hospitals.

  I understand that the review will be completed in the spring of this year, and a decision will then be made on the proposed configuration of services at Bangor and Ards Community Hospitals, which may include the extension of opening hours for Minor Injury Services within the Trust.

  Civil Service
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to resolve the Northern Ireland Civil Service pay dispute; and if he will make a statement. [152442]

  Mr. Pearson
  Extensive negotiations over several months did not result in an agreed pay deal for the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration this year. Management side presented an offer worth 3.67 per cent. on 5 November. As this could not be agreed, and Trade Union side declined to negotiate within the 3.67 per cent. envelope. We took the decision to proceed to pay the award and communicated this to staff and Trade Union side on 27 November. I have made clear to Trade Union side that the 3.67 per cent. deal is the maximum that can be paid. We are, however, open to exploring other reasonable means of resolving the dispute. A meeting of the Central Whitley Council between Trade Union and Management sides took place on 29 January 2004, and we are considering the points discussed then.

  Members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service working in the Northern Ireland Office are subject to separate pay negotiations involving three Unions: Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, Public and Commercial Services and the First Division Association.

  A formal offer of 3 per cent. has been made to the Unions.

  Community Support Programme
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his assessment is of the Community Support Programme in Northern Ireland. [152583]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Community Support Programme is an important collaborative initiative between the Department for Social Development and all 26 district councils aimed at developing a core local community infrastructure across Northern Ireland. This infrastructure supports the delivery of a number of important Government programmes, such as Neighbourhood Renewal and Investing in Health, which aim to tackle the root causes of deprivation and social exclusion, as well as other Government objectives around poverty through the provision of funding for frontline advice and information agencies, such as Citizens' Advice Bureaux and Independent Advice Centres.

  The work of the Community Support Programme has been strengthened by the implementation of the recommendations of the policy document "Beyond the Centre", published in 2000, which provide a clearer focus on people-centred community development and on targeting social need. On the basis of "Beyond the Centre", all 26 councils are developing integrated community support plans for their respective areas based on an assessment and prioritisation of need.

  On the basis of numerous examples of good practice arising from this work, the Community Support Programme now has significant opportunities for growth and development, both as a means for better integrating the current multiplicity of local funding streams and as a more robust model for social investment by Government.

  Economic Performance
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on economic performance in Northern Ireland over the last five years. [152589]

  Mr. Pearson
  Evidence suggests that despite the recent global slowdown, the Northern Ireland economy has continued to expand over recent years.

  Between March 1999 and September 2003, the number of employee jobs has increased by 46,180 (7.4 per cent.). While the vast majority of new employment is to be found in the service sector, manufacturing output and productivity have continued to rise over the period. Between Q1 1999 and Q3 2003 manufacturing output increased by 18.8 per cent., while manufacturing productivity increased by 40.9 per cent. Exports by Northern Ireland's manufacturing firms increased by 15.9 per cent. between 1998–99 and 2002–03, however, in recent years the level of manufacturing sales and exports has shown a small decrease.

  Elective Surgery
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the extent of elective surgery conducted in Northern Ireland on citizens of the Irish Republic in 2003; and if he will make a statement. [150758]
  941W
  Angela Smith
  The total number of elective admissions to surgical specialties in Northern Ireland by residents of the Republic of Ireland during the 2002–03 financial year was 319, which comprises 136 normal in-patients and 183 day cases.

  Residents of countries within the European Union are entitled to treatment if they are taken ill while visiting another European Union state. Patients may also be transferred to another country under formal contractual arrangements between individual hospitals or health boards if the treatment required is not available locally. Consequently, residents from the Republic of Ireland are sometimes treated in Northern Ireland and vice versa.

  Employer's Liability Insurance
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the costs of Employer's Liability Insurance in Northern Ireland. [152588]

  Mr. Pearson
  Insurance is a reserved matter. However, in Northern Ireland the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment recently undertook a Business Insurance Survey of some 3,000 firms. The results of the survey are currently being analysed and will be published shortly.

  Ethnic Minority Funding
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding was provided to ethnic minorities in each of the last five years, broken down by project. [148816]

  Mr. Pearson
  The information required will require some time to collate. I will respond to the hon. Lady when the information is available.

  Fisheries
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial assistance the Government will give Northern Ireland's(a) fishermen and (b) processors during the tie-up scheme for cod fishing boats beginning on 14 February. [152415]

  Mr. Pearson
  I propose to introduce transitional aid for fishermen most affected by the cod recovery measures and who voluntarily cease all fishing activities during the closure of the Irish Sea to cod fishing from 14 February to 30 April 2004 inclusive. The scheme aims to provide assistance to the owners of eligible vessels who tie-up for the full 11-week closure. There are no plans to compensate processors. The majority of the Northern Ireland fleet may continue to fish and therefore provide continuity of locally sourced raw materials, which local processors normally supplement with raw materials from other parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom throughout the closure.

  Government Solicitors
  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 942W
  of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) the current financial year, broken down by firm. [152212]

  Mr. Pearson
  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. Simmons and Simmons, appointed in June 2001 as specialist solicitors to assist with the policy development process leading up to the preparation of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, were paid the following amounts (including VAT) for this work:

  £

  (a) 2000–01

  Nil

  (b) 2001–02

  178,381

  (c) 2002–03

  608,541

  (d) 2003–04

  Nil—the Energy Order was made in February 2003

  Heroin Addicts
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered heroin addicts there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [150667]

  Angela Smith
  The latest available figures show the number of registered heroin addicts in Northern Ireland as at 31 December of each year 1998–2002 is as follows:

  Year

  Number of registered addicts

  2002

  213

  2001

  244

  2000

  233

  1999

  226

  1998

  161

  This information is published in the 'Northern Ireland Drug Addicts' Statistical Information Bulletin'. The next bulletin is due for publication on 24 February 2004, copies of which will be available on the DHSSPSNI website, Internet address:www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/publications/index.html. Copies of previous bulletins can be obtained from the Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit.

  Home Helps
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent changes have been made in Home Help Services in Northern Ireland. [152353]

  Angela Smith
  The Department's policy for the provision of the Home Help Service in Northern Ireland is set out in guidance to Health and Social Services Boards issued on 12 November 1980. The guidance introduced a Model Scheme for the Provision of a Home Help Service which has operated successfully from that time and the Department have not made any recent changes to the Model Scheme. HSS Trusts operate Home Help Services within the framework provided by the Model Scheme and in the context of local priorities and available resources.

  Hospital Discharges
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients' hospital discharge was delayed while awaiting community care packages in each of the last six years. [150740]

  Angela Smith
  The number of delayed discharges recorded as a snapshot of the position at yearly intervals from October 2000 to October 2003 (the latest date for which such information is available), and for February 1999 and February 2000, is shown in the following table.

  Number of delayed discharges

  February 1999

  249

  February 2000

  319

  October 2000

  327

  October 2001

  456

  October 2002

  392

  October 2003

  390

  Note:

  Information on numbers of delayed discharges has been collected in respect of the position at the last day of each month from August 2000, and previous to that date by annual census held in February.

  Hospital Trolley Waits
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 7 January,Official Report, column 406W, on hospital trolley waits, how many patients included in trolley wait totals for 2002–03 (a) were discharged from hospital and (b) left hospital without obtaining a ward bed. [151089]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not available.

  Lung Cancer
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals died from lung cancer in 2003; and what the mean survival time was following diagnosis. [150751]

  Angela Smith
  In 2002, the latest year for which deaths data are available, a total of 777 individuals died from lung cancer (466 men, 311 women).

  The most recent estimate of the five-year relative survival rate for lung cancer patients, based on persons diagnosed in 1993–96, is 9 per cent.

  Maternity Hospital
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards the construction of a new regional maternity hospital. [150741]

  Angela Smith
  The new regional maternity hospital will be constructed in line with the timetable for the strategic redevelopment of the Royal Victoria Hospital site, which envisages that building work will begin in 2007 and be completed by 2010.

  The Royal Group of Hospitals Trust is currently preparing a business case for the development of the new maternity hospital. In developing the business case, the trust has engaged with Service Commissioners,
  944W
  neighbouring Trusts, medical and midwifery staff, along with users of the service. The Trust is expected to submit a business case to the Department by June 2004.

  Medical Treatments
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sufferers from rheumatoid arthritis in Northern Ireland are waiting to commence anti-TNF drugs; and if he will make a statement. [152355]

  Angela Smith
  At 15 December 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 389 patients waiting to commence anti-TNF drug treatment in Northern Ireland. I announced on 13 January that I would provide additional resources for anti-TNF drugs for 2004–05 and the detailed funding allocations will be made shortly in consultation with HSS Boards and Trusts.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals are awaiting the commencement of treatment with(a) beta interferon and (b) glatiramer for multiple sclerosis. [152357]

  Angela Smith
  At 20 January 2004 there were 66 people awaiting the commencement of treatment with these medicines. The decision as to which medicine is appropriate is a matter for the patient's doctor, in consultation with the patient, when treatment is to begin.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recent meeting between the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office and the Ulster Political Research Group. [151612]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government have always said that we will work with those who want to engage in democratic politics. At our recent meeting I recognised the constructive approach of the UPRG but made clear that the many social and economic problems affecting loyalist working class areas cannot be tackled effectively against a background of widespread and continuing paramilitary activity. Attacks on prison officers' homes; hoax bombs at schools and elsewhere in the city; and involvement in drugs and organised crime are totally unacceptable. I also made clear, regarding Maghaberry, that we are working with the Prison Service to develop a safe regime for prisoners and prison officers, but that control of the prison by prison staff would be maintained at all times.

  Minority Ethnic Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons he has decided to limit provision for meeting the commitments of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister funding for minority ethnic voluntary organisations to a one-year period; and what assessment he has made under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 of the equality impact of his decision. [152131]

  Mr. Spellar
  In its first Programme for Government the Northern Ireland Executive committed itself to
  945W
  "bring forward, consult on and implement cross-departmental policies to tackle racial inequality within a strategic framework"
  including
  "targeted support for minority ethnic groups and projects".

  The funding scheme for minority ethnic voluntary organisations was established in April 2001 and work commenced on developing the strategy.

  A draft Race Equality Strategy was issued for public consultation on 25 February 2003 and an independent evaluation of the funding scheme was commissioned in June 2003. The final evaluation was received in December 2003.

  I propose to bring forward the final version of the Race Equality Strategy by the summer. In bringing forward the strategy, I will wish to consider very carefully the independent evaluation of the funding scheme and the views of key stakeholders.

  In the circumstances, I thought it prudent to extend the existing scheme for a period of one year. Any change to the existing funding arrangements in light of the new strategy will, of course, be subject to assessment under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

  MRI Scanning
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are awaiting MRI scanning in Northern Ireland, broken down by health trust area. [151178]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not available.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines extend to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [152329]

  Angela Smith
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) are only applicable to England and Wales. The Department are considering how guidelines issued by NICE can be used in the context of Northern Ireland's health and social services.

  Neurosurgery
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in Northern Ireland are awaiting(a) inpatient admission and (b) initial outpatient assessment, in neurosurgery. [151215]

  Angela Smith
  I refer the hon. Lady to the Written Answer given on 19 January 2004,Official Report, column 997W, Question 148845.

  Patient Admissions/Assessments
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients are awaiting(a) in-patient admission and (b) initial out-patient assessment in Northern Ireland; and what the comparative statistics were at 12-month intervals over the last five years. [151216]
  946W
  Angela Smith
  The most recent waiting list data available shows the position at 30 September 2003. Data in the tables refer to the position at this date in 2003 and at the same date in the previous five years.

  Number of people waiting for in-patient admission to hospital (includes normal in-patients and day cases)

  Quarter ending 30 September

  Number

  1998

  46,428

  1999

  46,689

  2000

  50,184

  2001

  56,713

  2002

  60,190

  2003

  54,257

  Source:

  CH1 parts A and B.

  Number of people waiting for a first out-patient appointment (includes cancellations and deferrals)

  Quarter ending 30 September

  Number

  1998

  86,152

  1999

  98,712

  2000

  119,298

  2001

  133,974

  2002

  146,818

  2003

  151,752

  Source:

  CH3 parts 1 and 2

  Physiotherapy
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients were awaiting physiotherapy assessment in each six-month interval over the last five years. [151222]

  Angela Smith
  Information on the number of individuals awaiting physiotherapy assessment is not collected centrally. However, information is collected centrally on completed waiting times for a first outpatient appointment of an episode of care with a community physiotherapist. The total number of persons attending their first outpatient appointment, and the number of those who had waited for six months or more for their appointment, is shown in the following table. The information is in respect of six-month intervals from the quarter ending 30 September 1998 to the quarter ending 30 September 2003 (the latest date for which such information is available).

  Number of persons who attended their first outpatient appointment with a community physiotherapist, and number and percentage who had waited for six months or more for appointment, quarters ending 30 September 1998 to 30 September 2003

  Persons who waited six months or more

  Quarter Ending:

  Total Number of persons

  Number

  percentage

  30 September 1998

  9,863

  14

  0.1

  31 March 1999

  10,679

  19

  0.2

  30 September 1999

  11,837

  51

  0.4

  31 March 2000

  11,704

  83

  0.7

  30 September 2000

  11,492

  188

  1.6

  31 March 2001

  13,446

  142

  1.1

  30 September 2001

  12,754

  324

  2.5

  31 March 2002

  14,154

  475

  3.4

  30 September 2002

  14,303

  441

  3.1

  31 March 2003

  15,644

  570

  3.6

  30 September 2003

  12,798

  420

  3.3

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of time is for processing planning applications in Northern Ireland. [152580]

  Angela Smith
  The average time taken by the Department of the Environment's Planning Service to issue a final decision in respect of planning applications in Northern Ireland over the last three previous years is as follows:

  Average time in Northern Ireland

  Year

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total average days

  139

  134

  137

  Total average weeks

  20

  19

  20

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average time is for a planning appeal hearing to take place in Northern Ireland after an application for an appeal has been lodged. [152581]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As the Planning Appeals Commission is a tribunal Non-Departmental Public Body, I have asked the Chief Commissioner to write to the hon. Gentleman directly in connection with the information requested.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average time taken by his Department was to respond to letters of objection from people regarding planning applications in 2003. [152594]

  Angela Smith
  It is Planning Service's policy to acknowledge all letters of objection within three working days, and where specific questions are raised, it is the policy to issue a reply within 15 working days.

  However, it is often difficult to deal with specific questions at an early stage of the processing of an application, as detailed consideration will not have taken place by the divisional planning office and consultee replies will not have been received. More substantive replies can issue at a later stage. In addition, all those who object to planning applications are informed in writing of the final decision and the reasons for that decision.

  Police Officers
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of police officers in Northern Ireland, broken down by rank, are(a) female and (b) from an ethnic minority. [151319]

  Jane Kennedy
  The figures requested as at 1 January 2004 are shown in the following table.

  Percentage

  Rank

  Female

  Ethnic Minority

  ACPO

  12.50

  Chief

  10.34

  Superintendent

  Superintendent

  2.74

  Chief Inspector

  10.61

  948W

  Percentage

  Rank

  Female

  Ethnic Minority

  Inspector

  7.99

  Sergeant

  11.27

  0.09

  Constable

  17.70

  0.28

  Student officer

  36.74

  1.40

  FTR

  8.71

  PTR

  36.13

  Police Ombudsman
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been referred to the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland for investigation since its formation; and how many of these complaints have resulted in(a) successful prosecution and (b) resolution between the parties. [150682]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Police Ombudsman advises that since her office opened on 6 November 2000, and up until 31 December 2003, a of total of 10,535 complaints have been made to her office. Of these complaints 4,598 have been referred for investigation, and prosecutions by the Director of Public Prosecutions have resulted in two police officers being convicted. In the same period the informal resolution procedure has resulted in 878 complaints being resolved between the parties involved.

  Police Service
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the Full Time Reserve of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [151614]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government accepted, subject to the security situation, the recommendation in the Patten report that"the future police service should not include a Full Time Reserve".

  In October 2002 the Chief Constable put to the Policing Board a human resource strategy to meet the staffing needs of the Police Service over the next eight to 10 years which the Policing Board endorsed. This included a phased run-down of the Full Time Reserve over an 18 month period from April 2005, subject to no further deterioration of the security situation and the continued success of the recruitment campaign for the Police Service.

  Later this year the Chief Constable will put forward advice to the Board and the Secretary of State on these matters. The Government recognise the major contribution that members of the Reserve have made to the maintenance of law and order in Northern Ireland and the high price that they and many of their families have had to pay in doing so.

  Negotiations between Government officials and the Police Federation about severance arrangements for the Full Time Reserve have begun.

  Prisons
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount was spent on leisure facilities in prisons in each of the last six years. [150734]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Northern Ireland Prison Service does not spend money on leisure facilities, however, the service does incur costs on recreation and physical education. Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the amount spent on gym assets including snooker and pool tables for the last six years is:

  Amount (£)

  1998–99

  13,900

  1999–2000

  27,275

  2000–01

  36,234

  2001–02

  13,847

  2002–03

  37,970

  2003–04

  24,814

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners in Northern Ireland are the subject of suicide watch observations; and what the corresponding figure was for the first day of each of the last 12 months. [150745]

  Jane Kennedy
  Where there is concern that a prisoner may be at risk of self-harm a form IMR 21 is completed to inform staff. This might lead to a period of assessment in the healthcare unit for those deemed to be at a more serious risk. This period of assessment might also include a period of close observation. In the period January-December 2003, the number of IMR 21 forms raised was as follows:

  Month

  IMR 21 referrals

  January 2003

  11

  February 2003

  11

  March 2003

  16

  April 2003

  16

  May 2003

  11

  June 2003

  23

  July 2003

  15

  August 2003

  19

  September 2003

  22

  October 2003

  24

  November 2003

  39

  December 2003

  33

  There has been an increase in the number of IMR 21 forms raised during the past year due to the increase in prisoner population and increasing tensions because of separation issues in Maghaberry.

  Public Bodies
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who the members of the(a) Probation Board for Northern Ireland, (b) Police Authority for Northern Ireland and (c) Board of Visitors of Magilligan Prison were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and what their remuneration is. [151458]
  950W
  Jane Kennedy
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Probation Board for Northern Ireland—Membership: chairman, deputy chairman and 16 members

  Name

  Date of first appointment

  Expiry of appointment

  Gender

  Chairman

  B. Rowntree

  1 December 1998

  30 November 2004

  M

  Deputy chairman

  Mrs. F. Reid1

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  F

  Members

  Ms J. Daykin

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  F

  Mr. C. Flanagan

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  M

  Ms M. Gilheany

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  F

  Mrs. B.Grant

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  F

  Mr. R. Hanna

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  M

  Mrs. J. Hillen

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  F

  P. Killen

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  M

  Mr. A. MacLaughlin

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  M

  Mr. P. McAteer

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  M

  Miss M. McCann

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  F

  Dr. R. McKee

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  M

  Mrs. G. Rice

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  F

  Mrs. G. Shaw

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  F

  B. Stuart

  1 December 2000

  30 November 2006

  M

  Mr. W. Tweed

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  M

  Ms K. Yiasouma

  1 December 2003

  30 November 2006

  F

  1 Previously member from 1 December 2000.

  Notes:

  1. Length of each term of appointment: three years

  2. Remuneration: Chairman—£25,860 per annum; deputy chairman and members attendance allowance plus travel and subsistence expenses.

  (b) Northern Ireland Policing Board

  In accordance with the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland was dissolved and replaced by the Northern Ireland Policing Board on 4 November 2001. The setting up of the Northern Ireland Policing Board was one of the recommendations contained in the Patten Report.

  The board was made up of 19 members—10 political and nine independent. The 10 political members were nominated from among the members of the then Northern Ireland Assembly, in accordance with the d'Hondt process. The nine independent members were appointed by the Secretary of State.

  In October 2002, following the suspension of the devolved institutions, the then Secretary of State appointed the current 19 members of the Policing Board for a three year period.

  As of 1 January 2004 the members are as follows:

  Chairman:

  Professor Desmond Rea

  Vice chairman:

  Denis Bradley

  Other members:

  Alex Attwood

  Viscount Brookeborough

  Joe Byrne

  Fred Cobain

  Brian Dougherty

  Sam Foster

  Barry Gilligan

  William Hay

  Tom Kelly

  951W

  Lord Kilclooney

  Pauline McCabe

  Alan McFarland

  Eddie McGrady

  Rosaleen Moore

  Ian Paisley Junior

  Suneil Sharma

  Sammy Wilson

  Their remuneration is:

  Chairman: £45,000

  Vice chairman: £35,000

  Independent members £12,000

  (c) Board of Visitors members for Magilligan Prison

  Chairman:

  Armitage

  Vice chairman:

  Mrs. I. Johnston

  Members:

  J. Campbell

  Mrs. R. Craig

  Mrs. J. Doherty

  Cllr. R. D. McDonnell

  S. McGregor

  M. McIvor

  C. McLaughlin

  J. Mitchell

  W. A. Mitchell

  Mrs. M. D. Nicholl

  E. Turner

  Mrs. V. A. Von Hoff

  Plus one other

  Board of Visitors members are generally appointed for three years, but may be appointed for a shorter period. They may be re-appointed for further periods of three years or less, but not more than 12 years in total.

  Members of Boards of Visitors receive no remuneration.

  Racist Incidents
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many racist incidents were recorded by the police in Northern Ireland in(a) January and (b) each month in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2002, broken down by constituency; [149228]

  (2) how the police categorise different types of racist incident; and how many of each type of incident there has been so far this year. [149230]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested by my hon. Friend has been placed in the Library.

  Rating
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with European Union authorities on the issue of industrial de-rating and state aid. [152206]

  Mr. Pearson
  None. Industrial de-rating in Northern Ireland predated UK accession to the European Union in 1973. Member states were not required to notify pre accession financial support arrangements.
  952W
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the likely impact of industrial de-rating on(a) small and medium-sized and (b) large businesses in Northern Ireland. [152207]

  Mr. Pearson
  Our assessment on the likely impact on(a) small and medium-sized and (b) large businesses came from a variety of different sources, including studies by DTZ Pieda, Invest NI and the Confederation of British Industry (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 included the Regulatory Impact Assessment, New TSN and Equality Impact Assessment and all this evidence was summarised, analysed and considered objectively and the various options were discussed openly with representatives of the business community before a final decision was taken.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the likely impact of his decision to rate vacant premises on(a) small and medium-sized and (b) large businesses in Northern Ireland. [152208]

  Mr. Pearson
  Our assessment on the likely impact on all vacant commercial property, and in particular, small commercial property came from a variety of different sources, including the Regulatory Impact Assessment, New TSN, Equality Impact Assessment, as well as submissions made during the public consultation exercise in 2002 by the DETI and DFP Assembly Committees and submissions from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). All this evidence was summarised, analysed and considered objectively and the various options were discussed openly with representatives of the business community before a final decision was taken. The impact of this measure will be felt by property owners rather than small businesses that tend to rent property and therefore are unlikely to face a vacant rate cost.

  Industrial De-rating
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what mechanisms he has established to monitor the impact of the phasing out of industrial de-rating in Northern Ireland. [152230]

  Mr. Pearson
  The policy document in relation to the "Rating of Vacant Property and the Removal of Industrial De-rating", published in April 2003, included Equality Impact and Regulatory Impact Assessments. Both these types of assessment require that the policy be monitored and evaluated after a suitable period of time has elapsed to allow the policy to 'bed down', and three years from its introduction is considered appropriate for evaluation. Monitoring and evaluation, following HM
  953W
  Treasury "Green Book" guidance, would seek to measure outcomes during and after implementation in terms of revenue generated and the main impacts against what would have happened in the absence of the policy.

  Social Rented Housing
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new houses have been built in the social rented sector in North Belfast in each year since 1997; and what the cost was in each year. [152577]

  Mr. Spellar
  Details of houses started and associated total scheme costs are as follows.

  Houses

  Cost (£ million)

  1997–98

  218

  9.3

  1998–99

  210

  11.9

  1999–2000

  325

  23.8

  2000–01

  105

  8.1

  2001–02

  200

  16.0

  2002–03

  254

  19.2

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on maintenance and repair of social rented housing in North Belfast in each year since 1997. [152578]

  Mr. Spellar
  Expenditure by NIHE and Housing Associations on the maintenance and repair of social rented housing in North Belfast, based on Housing Executive Districts 4 and 6, is as follows:

  £000

  Year

  Maintenance and repair

  1997–98

  12,710

  1998–99

  16,128

  1999–2000

  14,185

  2000–01

  13,575

  2001–02

  13,829

  2002–03

  13,886

  Specialist Drugs
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what additional funding was provided in 2003 for new specialist prescribed drugs for(a) rheumatoid arthritis and (b) multiple sclerosis. [150750]

  Angela Smith
  The additional £3 million allocated to Health and Social Services Boards in the 2002–03 financial year towards the costs of new specialist drug treatments including those for rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis has been made recurrent in the current financial year 2003–04 and increased to £3.1 million to cover inflation.

  A further £100,000 made available in September 2002 specifically for infrastructure support for beta interferon treatment for multiple sclerosis has also been made recurrent thus relieving pressures elsewhere in these drugs budgets.

  Speech Therapy
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals are awaiting speech therapy assessment; and how many of those have waited more than six months. [150736]

  Angela Smith
  Information on the number of individuals awaiting speech therapy assessment is not collected centrally. However, information is collected centrally on completed waiting times for a first outpatient appointment of an episode of care with a community speech and language therapist. In the quarter ending 30 September 2003 (the latest date for which such information is available), 2,453 persons attended their first outpatient appointment. Of these, 218 (8.9 per cent.) had waited for six months or more.

  Sports
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been provided to promote cricket in the Province in each of the last five years. [148817]

  Angela Smith
  The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) is responsible for the development of sport in NI including the distribution of public funding to individual sports. Funding from SCNI for the five-year period 1998–2003 for the sport of cricket is:

  Cricket

  £

  Exchequer funding

  1998–99

  20,000

  1999–2000

  20,000

  2000–01

  20,000

  2001–02

  20,000

  2002–03

  26,330

  Total

  106,330

  Lottery funding

  1998–99

  215,298

  1999–2000

  212,837

  2000–01

  282,500

  2001–02

  57,202

  2002–03

  16,000

  Total

  783,837

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been provided to assist the promotion of(a) hockey, (b) rugby, (c) soccer, (d) gaelic football, (e) hurling and (f) other Gaelic Athletic Association sports in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [148818]

  Angela Smith
  The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) is responsible for the development of Sport in NI including the distribution of public funding to individual sports.

  The following tables provides details of funding from SCNI for the five year period 1998–2003 for the four sports of Soccer, Gaelic Games (including Gaelic Football, Hurling and other Gaelic Athletic Association games), Rugby and Hockey.
  955W

  Exchequer Funding

  £

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Soccer

  50,000

  50,000

  50,000

  59,000

  52,500

  261,500

  —

  —

  —

  1100,000

  1500,000

  600,000

  Gaelic Games

  30,000

  30,000

  30,000

  30,000

  45,000

  165,000

  Rugby

  16,000

  16,000

  16,000

  16,000

  24,000

  88,000

  Hockey

  65,167

  66,443

  27,464

  61,225

  54,902

  275,201

  Totals

  161,167

  162,443

  123,464

  266,225

  676,402

  1,389,701

  1 These figures indicate the funds allocated to Soccer from the Football Development Centre Programme for 2001–02 and 2002–03

  Lottery Funding

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Soccer

  677,073

  816,616

  942,492

  642,710

  609,131

  3,688,022

  Gaelic Games

  2,703,811

  1,303,185

  1,694,182

  1,025,420

  689,962

  7,416,560

  Rugby

  155,526

  100,784

  312,053

  144,000

  76,860

  789,223

  Hockey

  322,588

  14,000

  47,625

  199,850

  68,800

  652,863

  Totals

  3,858,998

  2,234585

  2,996,352

  2,011,980

  1,444,753

  12,546,668

  Safe Sports Grounds

  The money provided by the Safe Sports Ground Programme was made available from financial year 2000–01 for the three sports of Soccer, Gaelic Games

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Soccer

  1,206,809

  784,003

  415,188

  2,406,000

  Gaelic Games

  622,085

  350,833

  507,082

  1,480,000

  Rugby

  136,843

  140,612

  68,536

  345,991

  Total

  1,965,737

  1,275,448

  990,806

  4,231,991

  Tourism (Ards Peninsula/North Down)
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to attract more tourists in 2004 to(a) the Ards Peninsula and (b) the North Down area. [149615]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is working with local councils in the Ards and North Down areas and the Kingdoms of Down regional tourism organisation on a range of tourism promotion initiatives. These include marketing and promotion initiatives and familiarisation trips by international tourism interests/key market representatives. A programme of tourism events is planned for 2004, drawing and improving on their successful last year.

  The NITB's Strategic Framework for Action 2004–07, which will drive the tourism agenda for the next three years, will provide a focus and impetus to the growth and delivery of tourism to all areas of Northern Ireland, including the Ards Peninsula and North Down areas.

  Waiting Lists/Times
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the current average waiting times are for MRI scanning in Northern Ireland. [151224]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not available.
  956W
  and Rugby. The following table shows the funding that was allocated for these sports for the 3-year period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2003.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to introduce within the public service agreements set by central Government a commitment to raise Council Tax Benefit take-up rates for pensioners from the current level of 65 per cent. to 90 per cent. within three years; and if he will make a statement. [148241]

  Mr. Pond
  We have no plans at present to introduce a target for take-up of Council Tax Benefit by pensioners.

  Take-up of Council Tax Benefit has historically been lower than for other income-related benefits, take-up by pensioners being lower than for non-pensioners. However, we are keen to ensure that all pensioners entitled to help with their council tax bills are claiming Council Tax Benefit. We have therefore launched a take-up campaign to help support local authorities in encouraging those who may be entitled to claim.

  The introduction of Pension Credit also means around 300,000 pensioner households will be newly entitled to Council Tax Benefit. To help facilitate take up, applicants for Pension Credit who also want to claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit are sent a claim form to return to their local authority. We have recently also introduced a shortened version of this claim form for pensioners to make the process of claiming even easier.

  Pension Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the(a) error rate and (b) arrears of work levels were for the last year in which pensions work was done in local offices in the South East region; and what the latest figures are for this work in the new pension centres. [151534]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefits Agency handled payments to pensioners as well as to people of working age through a network of over 400 social security offices. The Pension Service was launched in April 2002 to provide a more unified and responsive service via a network of 26 pension centres. Directly comparable data is not available in the format requested. However, I can confirm that within the South East Region the level of accuracy reported on Retirement Pension work has remained above the 98 per cent. target throughout the transition, and the levels of outstanding Retirement Pension work have reduced by more than 50 per cent..

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer, net of savings in means-tested benefits and additional tax revenues, of paying a full basic state pension to each individual, regardless of contribution record, at the rate of the guarantee credit, from the age of(a) 65, (b) 70 and (c) 75 years; and if he will estimate in each case the cost in each of the following four years on the assumption that the pension was then indexed to earnings. [150451]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is set out in the following table.

  £ billion

  2004–05

  2005–06

  2006–07

  2007–08

  2008–09

  Over 65

  9.9

  10.2

  10.7

  11.3

  12.1

  Over 70

  6.9

  7.1

  7.5

  8.1

  8.6

  Over 75

  4.4

  4.6

  4.9

  5.3

  5.6

  Notes:

  1. Figures are in 2003–04 price terms rounded to the nearest £100 million. It is assumed the change comes into effect from April 2004 and only affects basic State Pensions.

  2. Gross costs are estimated by the Government Actuary's Department and are consistent with Budget 2003 assumptions Estimates are all based on the 2002 population projection and allow for recent revisions.

  3. The costs take into account income related benefit offsets, which are calculated using the DWP policy simulation model and April 2004 benefit rates.

  4. Additional income tax revenue is estimated by the Inland Revenue using 2004 tax rates.

  Sunset Clauses
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his policy on the use of sunset clauses in legislation; and which Acts containing such clauses relevant to his Department were passed in each year since 1997. [149336]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department for Work and Pensions actively promotes the better regulation agenda and the use of sunsetting where appropriate.
  958W
  The Regulatory Impact Assessment guidance 'Better Policy Making: A Guide to Regulatory Impact Assessment' advises policy officials to consider time limiting or sunsetting at an early stage of policy development, and gives specific circumstances where sunsetting maybe appropriate.

  No Acts for which DWP is responsible containing a sunset clause have been passed since the Department was formed in June 2001.

  For most of the Department's business, sunsetting would not be appropriate. For example where primary legislation establishing a benefit or other scheme is drafted on the basis that it will last indefinitely and the details will be set out in secondary legislation, it would normally be inconsistent to time limit this.

HEALTH

  "Agenda for Change"
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the projected cost increase in each of the next five years if all members of staff eligible for the Agenda for Change programme receive an annual increase in pay of one pay point in a pay band and successfully pass through the(a) foundation and (b) secondary gateways. [151144]

  Mr. Hutton
  The projected basic pay increases under Agenda for Change—2.5 per cent. on average by 2005–06 and 5.9 per cent. in the longer term (compared with 2002–03) in addition to annual pay uplift—assume that all staff will progress annually through pay points and pay gateways up to the maximum of their pay band. These projections also assume that the distribution of staff between the different pay points in a given pay band, taking account of joiners, leavers and annual pay progression, will remain similar to the distribution seen in current National Health Service pay bands. In other words, the additional costs do not arise from pay progression as such (which is a feature of most current NHS pay systems), but from the changes in the basic pay ranges to which NHS staff will be entitled.

  Cataracts
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the reasons that Netcare delivers cataract services on behalf of the NHS at a price less than NHS costs. [149029]

  Mr. Hutton
  All selected preferred bidders for the contracts for new independent sector treatment centres have gone through a rigorous procurement process to ensure that they are fit to deliver high quality clinical services for national health service commissioners. This has been independent of their price or the commercial aspects of the contract.

  Netcare has been awarded the contract to provide an innovative mobile theatre solution that will perform over 40,000 additional operations at different sites over

  959W
  the next five years. The contract has been negotiated at a price less than the comparable NHS cost: this will benefit patients who will benefit from speedier treatment and is a good deal for the NHS.

  Consultants
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assumptions his Department has made about the level of take-up of the consultant contract. [151569]

  Mr. Hutton
  We estimate around 70 to 80 per cent., of consultants are likely to take up the contract this year.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department used to decide on the(a) location and (b) number of training places for consultants in grown-up congenital heart abnormality. [152166]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department makes decisions about the allocation of consultant training places or national training numbers (NTNs) each year. This includes decisions about NTNs in cardiology, which includes adult congenital heart disease.

  The decisions are based on intelligence collated from local and national bodies on workforce needs and are a balance of the needs of all medical specialties. The number of NTNs allocated to cardiology is made in consultation with the National Clinical Director for heart disease.

  New training places in cardiology are distributed to sites that have available training capacity and where possible are distributed nationally to areas which are most under-resourced.

  Contracting Out
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of procedures contracted out by the NHS to the public sector in the last 12 months. [146304]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not hold centrally information on the cost of procedures contracted out by the national health service to the private sector in the last 12 months. The exception is the independent sector treatment centre programme. One centre is already open at Daventry, and we estimate that, to date, contracted out procedures at Daventry will amount to approximately £1,096,800.

  Dentistry
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of dental treatment in(a) Brent, (b) London and (c) England was in each year since 1997. [149898]

  Mr. Hutton
  The average costs of a course of dental treatment in the general dental service for adults and children in England, London and Brent and Harrow Health Authority (HA) for each financial year are shown in Table 1 for the period 1997–98 to the first half of 2002–03 and for Brent Primary Care Trust (PCT) for the second half of 2002–03 in Table 2.
  960W
  These costs are for payment made to the dentist for dental treatment. These include the patient charges where applicable. They exclude patient registration payments to the dentists. Some patients may have more than one course of treatment in a year.

  The averages for children excludes courses of treatment involving an examination only, which are not paid for separately but covered by the patient registration payment to dentists.

  Table 1: General Dental Service—Average cost of dental treatment for 1997–98 to 2002–03 first half

  £

  England

  London

  Brent and Harrow Health Authority

  Children

  Adult

  Children

  Adult

  Children

  Adult

  1997–98

  26.1

  32.5

  36.2

  47.2

  36.6

  45.7

  1998–99

  28.5

  33.5

  39.1

  48.8

  32.8

  47.7

  1999–2000

  29.9

  34.8

  42.3

  51.7

  34.0

  50.6

  2000–01

  32.0

  35.5

  45.7

  52.9

  37.2

  52.6

  2001–02

  34.5

  36.3

  48.3

  54.7

  40.9

  54.3

  2002–031

  35.7

  37.4

  49.0

  57.2

  42.2

  56.2

  1 Covers period from 30 April 2002 to 30 September 2002.

  Source:

  Dental Practice Board.

  Table 2: General Dental Service—Average cost of dental treatment for 2002–03 second half

  £

  2002–031 Children

  Adult

  England

  37.5

  37.2

  London

  50.8

  56.1

  Brent PCT

  39.1

  55.4

  1 Covers period from 31 October 2002 to 31 March 2003.

  Source:

  Dental Practice Board.

  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists' surgeries in Brent East constituency are accepting new NHS patients. [149905]

  Mr. Hutton
  Figures collected by the Department are by primary care trust (PCT) and not by constituency.

  Brent PCT has:

  51 dental surgeries accepting children (latest data available—January 2004);

  13 dental surgeries accepting national health service charge-paying patients i.e. those not exempt from payment (latest data available—January 2004); and

  44 dental surgeries accepting NHS charge-exempt patients (latest data available—October 2003).

  The nhs.uk website at: www.nhs.uk/root/administration/reports/dentalreport.asp gives information on dental practices and whether or not new patients are being accepted.

  Note:

  1. Some surgeries may accept more than one type of patient. So the overall total of 64 surgeries includes some surgeries which are not accepting new NHS patients.

  2. There may be some dental surgeries which are not included in the nhs.uk figures. nhs.uk figures have been used here because that source gives information on dentists' acceptance practices.
  961W
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) NHS and (b) private dental practices there are in (i) the Castle Point and Rochford Primary Care Trust and (ii) the Essex Strategic Health Authority. [152441]

  Dr. Ladyman
  At August 2003 there were 21 general dental service practices in Castle Point and Rochford Primary Care Trust and 248 practices in Essex Strategic Health Authority.

  Information on the number of private dental practices is not collected centrally. Generally, few dental practices are wholly private.

  NHS Students (Child Care)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to introduce the scheme to help with child care costs for national health service-funded students with children aged up to five years. [152771]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is intended to introduce a scheme to assist national health service-funded students with childcare costs in September 2004. Officials are currently developing proposals for the scheme.

  Drug Prices
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate of drug price inflation his Department is using in budgets for financial year 2004–05. [144145]

  Mr. Hutton
  In calculating budgets for 2004–05, we are providing for a growth of about ten per cent. in the estimated outturn expenditure on drugs for 2003–04. The percentage growth is based on a combined figure of volume and price inflation, and we are thus unable to break it down to obtain separate figures.

  General Practitioners
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many general practitioner vacancies there were in(a) Brent Primary Care Trust, (b) London and (c) England in each year since 1997; [150812]

  (2) how many general practitioner vacancies there were on average in each London primary care trust in each year since 1997. [150813]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department's annual general practitioner (GP) recruitment and retention and vacancy (RRV) survey started in 2000.

  The number of GP vacancies in England and in each London strategic health authority since 2000 is shown in Table 1. The number of GP vacancies in each London primary care trust (PCT) including Brent PCT, for 2003, is shown in Table 2. This is the first year vacancy data has been collected at PCT level.

  The RRV survey is a count of all GP vacancies that have occurred during each year. It will include existing posts that doctors have left and also new posts created to increase the workforce, even where they were filled very quickly. Thus, the increase in vacancies in part, is a result of there being more posts overall, reflecting the Government's plan to increase the GP workforce.
  962W

  Table 1: England GP vacancy numbers by London SHA, 2000 to 2003

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  England total

  11,143

  22,345

  32,487

  43,245

  of which:

  North Central London SHA

  22

  78

  80

  53

  North East London SHA

  18

  55

  17

  104

  South East London SHA

  38

  101

  81

  179

  South West London SHA

  16

  242

  329

  445

  North West London SHA

  49

  60

  93

  78

  1 In 2000 four HAs did not respond to the survey. These made up parts of: Thames Valley SHA, County Durham & Tees Valley SHA, North & East Yorkshire & N Lincolnshire SHA and Trent SHA.

  2 In 2001 two HAs did not respond to the survey. These made up parts of: Surrey & Sussex SHA and South West London SHA.

  3 In 2002 four HAs did not respond to the survey. These made up parts of:Surrey & Sussex SHA, South West London SHA, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland SHA and Hampshire & Isle of Wight SHA.

  4 In 2003 one PCT in South West London SHA did not respond to the survey.

  Note:

  Years prior to 2003 have been mapped to current SHA areas 2003 numbers were collected directly from PCTs. Previous years vacancy numbers were collect from Health Authorities.

  Source:

  Department of Health GP Recruitment, Retention and Vacancy surveys, 2000–03.

  Table 2: GP vacancy numbers by London PCT, 2003

  ISHA

  Total

  England Total

  3,245

  of which:

  London All

  459

  of which:

  North Central London All

  53

  of which:

  Barnet PCT

  27

  Camden PCT

  8

  Enfield PCT

  4

  Haringey PCT

  9

  Islington PCT

  5

  North East London All

  104

  of which:

  Barking and Dagenham PCT

  7

  Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford PCT

  12

  City and Hackney PCT

  22

  Havering PCT

  10

  Newham PCT

  15

  Redbridge PCT

  13

  Tower Hamlets PCT

  13

  Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone PCT

  12

  North West London All

  78

  of which:

  Brent PCT

  16

  Ealing PCT

  1

  Hammersmith & Fulham PCT

  5

  Harrow PCT

  28

  Hillingdon PCT

  9

  Hounslow PCT

  3

  Kensington and Chelsea PCT

  9

  Westminster PCT

  7

  South East London All

  179

  of which:

  Bexley PCT

  24

  Bromley PCT

  37

  Greenwich PCT

  32

  Lambeth PCT

  32

  Lewisham PCT

  21

  Southwark PCT

  33

  963W

  Table 2: GP vacancy numbers by London PCT, 2003

  ISHA

  Total

  South West London All

  145

  of which:

  Croydon PCT

  24

  Kingston PCT

  3

  Richmond and Twickenham PCT

  4

  Wandsworth PCT

  14

  1 One PCT (Sutton & Merton PCT, South West London SHA) did not respond to the survey.

  Note:

  No figures for PCTs are available before 2003 as previous years vacancy numbers were collected from health authorities.

  Source:

  Department of Health GP Recruitment, Retention and Vacancy survey 2003.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average amount of funding provided to a general practitioner surgery is in(a) England and (b) the London Borough of Havering. [150371]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not collect information at a London borough level, but rather at primary care trust (PCT) level. The answer therefore compares the national position with Havering PCT. The average funding per general practitioner practice in England in 2002–03 was £464,000. The average funding per GP practice in Havering PCT was £347,000. However, the number of practitioners per practice in Havering PCT as at March 2003 was lower (at 2.58) than the national average (at 3.76). Consequently, when practitioner numbers are used, the average cost per practitioner in England was £124,000, while the equivalent figure in Havering PCT was £134,000.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to recruit general practitioners; what the current national ratio of patients to general practitioners is; what the ratio is in the Portsmouth area; and how many general practitioner vacancies there are in(a) Portsmouth and (b) South East Hampshire. [151993]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government are committed to recruiting and retaining more general practitioners (GPs). A range of measures have been implemented including financial incentives, extended options for flexible working and improved family friendly policies.

  The ratio of patients to unrestricted principals and equivalent (UPE) general practitioners (GPs) in England and in Portsmouth Primary Care Trust is shown in table 1.

  The number of GP vacancies recorded in the GP recruitment and retention vacancy survey between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003 in Portsmouth PCT and East Hampshire PCT and Fareham and Gosport PCT is shown in table 2.

  This is a count of all GP vacancies that have occurred during each year. It will include existing posts that doctors have left and also new posts created to increase the work force, even where they were filled very quickly. Thus, the number of vacancies in part is a result of there being more posts overall, reflecting the Governments plan to increase the GP work force.
  964W
  The Department of Health collects figures by PCT only, not by constituency.

  Table 1: Patients of unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs) 1 for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority—England, as at 30 September 2002

  Number (headcount)

  England

  Portsmouth City PCT

  All practitioners2

  32,292

  105

  of which:

  UPEs

  28,031

  101

  Patients of UPEs

  51,522,391

  181,805

  Ratio UPEs to patients

  1:1,838

  1:1,800

  1 UPEs include GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.

  2 All practitioners include GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (para. 52 SPA), PMS other and GP retainers.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

  Table 2: Reported GP vacancies in England and Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA and PCTs, 2003

  Headcount (number)

  England total

  13,245

  East Hampshire PCT

  18

  Fareham and Gosport PCT

  10

  Portsmouth City PCT

  10

  1 One PCT (Sutton and Merton PCT, South West London SHA) did not respond to the survey.

  Note:

  No figures for PCTs are available before 2003 as previous years vacancy numbers were collected from health authorities.

  Source:

  Department of Health GP Recruitment, Retention and Vacancy survey 2003.

  Health Care Professionals
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net inflow of health care professionals to the United Kingdom was in each of the last ten years, broken down by(a) country and (b) profession. [151611]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: The information requested is not collected centrally.

  The Nursing and Midwifery Council holds information on the number of initial admissions to the register by country. This information is available on the NMC's website at www.nmc-uk.org.

  The Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census provides a breakdown of all doctors in the national health service broken down by United Kingdom, European Economic Area (EEA) and non-EEA countries, and the full data has been placed in the Library.

  Health Care Workers (Communicable Diseases)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether health care workers from overseas who are employed at NHS treatment centres are subject to compulsory tests for communicable diseases; and if he will make a statement. [151870]
  965W
  Mr. Hutton
  Health care workers from overseas who are employed at national health service treatment centres will be subject to the same occupational health checks for communicable diseases as other NHS health care staff, in accordance with their duty of care to protect the health and safety of their patients. Under existing guidance, these will include checks for tuberculosis disease and for immunity to hepatitis B and chickenpox, with immunisation if appropriate.

  Health Statistics
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) delayed transfers of care and (b) emergency readmissions within 28 days of discharge there were in each quarter of 2003–04, for (i) each NHS region, (ii) each strategic health authority, (iii) each NHS trust and (iv) England, broken down by (a) age and (b) in the case of the reason for delay. [152848]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The latest figures for 2003–04, Quarter 3 (December 2003) will be available by the middle of February, and will be placed in the Library. All the information for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2, 2003–04 is available in the Library.

  Health Workers (Commonwealth)
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the United Kingdom will sign up to the code of practice for the international recruitment of health workers approved by the Commonwealth Health Ministers in May 2003. [150650]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]: The United Kingdom strongly supports the principles underlying the Commonwealth code of practice on the international recruitment of health workers. We do not intend, however, to sign up to the version put forward in May 2003. That version differed from earlier versions, which had been acceptable to us, and did not reflect amendments we had suggested.

  The Department has its own guidance and a code of practice embodying ethical principles for the international recruitment of healthcare workers, which are clear, explicit, and under regular review. While we support efforts to persuade more countries and bodies to adopt ethical principles for any active international recruitment they undertake, we do not regard the Commonwealth code of practice as it stands as an appropriate vehicle.

  Only 22 of the (then) 54 Commonwealth countries signed up to the Commonwealth code.

  Local Health Economies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the targets set by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's community plan for local health economies. [151630]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has recognised the need to consider the implications of Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Growth Area initiative for local health economies.
  966W
  Work to assess the impact on health care need is ongoing and we are considering the appropriateness of providing extra funding for those areas affected.

  Macular Degeneration
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average wait was between diagnosis of macular degeneration and first follow-up appointment with a health professional in the last period for which figures are available. [148934]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 19 January 2004]: Information on the average wait between diagnosis of macular degeneration and first follow-up appointment is not held centrally.

  Information is available on the number of hospital admissions (first period of in-patient care) and average-waiting times for those diagnosed with degeneration of the macular pole. In all, there were 3,417 admissions in England in 2002–03 for degeneration of the macular pole. The average waiting time for these admissions was 67 days.

  Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. In-patients are defined as patients who are admitted to hospital and occupy a bed, including both admissions where an overnight stay is planned and day cases.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support those suffering from age-related macular degeneration currently receive after diagnosis. [148935]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 19 January 2004]: In addition to any medical treatment that may be appropriate, people with vision problems affecting their quality of life can be referred for a low vision assessment. Low vision services are usually provided in a hospital setting, but in many parts of the country are being provided in locations closer to where people live, for example, in local opticians' practices and at centres for visually impaired people. It is important that the prescribing of any optical aids, and training in their use, must be done in the context of an individual's vision and the optical status of the eyes. Low vision aids, such as strong reading glasses, magnifiers or telescopes are available free on loan to any person requiring them.

  Social services departments also have responsibility for assessing the needs of those who request help due to problems with their vision. Help could include aids to daily living, such as improved home lighting and hi-marks for cookers, or the provision of mobility training to enable a person to retain their independence with respect to travel.

  Marshfield Road Surgery
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis the decision has been taken to close the Marshfield Road Surgery of Dr. Barne Williams, in Chippenham; and what procedure was used to make the decision. [151160]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 27 January 2004]: On 30 September 2002, the primary care trust (PCT) gave six months notice to terminate Dr. William's personal medical services contract (PMS) on grounds of

  967W
  breach of contract, following Dr. William's continued refusal to provide out-of-hours services to his registered patients.

  Dr. Williams invoked the national health service disputes resolution procedure, pursuant to Section 4 of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. Subsequently, an independent adjudicator was appointed pursuant to the NHS (Disputes Resolution) regulations 1996. On 17 December 2003, the independent adjudicator upheld the PCT decision that the PMS contract should terminate on 30 January 2004.

  I am informed that Dr. Williams has now applied to rejoin the general medical services list and this is currently being considered by the Family Health Services Appeals Authority.

  Medical Students
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the future impact on the NHS of the increase in the proportion of medical students who are female(a) in general practice and (b) in hospital medicine. [151698]

  Mr. Hutton
  The increasing proportion of women entering the medical profession and the impact of this on participation in the workforce is factored into the Department's workforce planning.

  MMR Vaccine
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the refusal of parents to allow their children to receive the MMR vaccine affects(a) payment to the child's family doctor and (b) the star rating of the general practitioner surgery which the child attends. [151570]

  Mr. Hutton
  The MMR vaccine is provided to children as part of the childhood immunisation programme. General practitioners receive payment through a target system, which incentivises high levels of coverage in order to provide herd immunity. The target is achieved if they immunise an average of 70 per cent. or 90 per cent. of the children aged two or under on their patient list each quarter.

  Target payment rates are:

  £980 for the 70 per cent. target.

  £2,940 for the 90 per cent. target.

  The MMR indicator is one of 33 performance indicators in the primary care trust balance scorecard. Calculation of the ratings for 2003–04 is a matter for the new Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection.

  There is no star rating system for GPs' surgeries.

  NHS Budget (Non-British Citizens)
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the annual budget for the national health service in 2003–04 has been spent on treatment of non-British citizens. [150645]

  Mr. Hutton
  Entitlement to free national health service treatment is based on residence in the United Kingdom. The national health service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989 place a duty on
  968W
  NHS trusts to establish whether a patient is ordinarily resident or otherwise eligible for free NHS hospital treatment and, if not, to levy a charge for any treatment provided.

  The amounts collected from NHS charged patients are not separately identified in trust accounts and are not collected centrally.

  NHS Complaints Procedure
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the individuals and organisations from which his Department, its executive agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which his Department are responsible received a response to the consultation, Reforming the NHS complaints procedure: a listening document. [149869]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 22 January 2004]: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each(a) NHS region, (b) health authority and (c) NHS trust for each quarter of 2002–03 the (i) monetary value of approvals to use (A) capital and (B) revenue for capital purposes, (ii) number of approvals and (iii) total capital allocation. [152509]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: The allocation of capital resources available for hospital and community health services for 2002–03 is contained in HSC 2001/027. This shows that £85.6 million was set aside for central budgets (to be distributed by the Department of Health); none was distributed directly to health authorities and the table below shows the allocations to regions for 2002–03.

  £000

  2002–03 regional capital planning totals

  General Allocations

  Renal services

  Fallon Enquiry

  Total

  Northern and Yorkshire

  183,112

  1,171

  —

  184,283

  Trent

  139,351

  902

  3,000

  143,253

  Eastern

  140,142

  898

  —

  141,040

  London

  279,262

  1,442

  3,000

  283,704

  South East

  231,867

  1,489

  —

  233,356

  South West

  132,332

  841

  —

  133,173

  West Midlands

  157,661

  1,010

  —

  158,671

  North West

  198,273

  1,248

  3,000

  202,521

  Total

  1,462,000

  9,000

  9,000

  1,480,000

  The allocations for renal services and the Fallon Enquiry were earmarked for specific initiatives. The general allocations in column two contained an element for the Local Capital Modernisation Fund (£110 million) initiative but the remaining £1.352 billion was available to regional offices to fund block and discretionary capital projects at individual trusts. It was for regions to agree individual capital projects with their local trusts and distribute the funding accordingly. To gather this information would involve disproportionate cost.

  Under Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts new serviced assets are paid for by annual payments from

  969W
  revenue allocations. This is the use of revenue for capital purposes. The major PFI schemes which were approved (which signed contracts) during the financial year

  NHS trust

  Region

  Date of approval

  Unitary payment (£ million)

  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust

  South West

  1 May 2002

  21,267

  University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

  West Midlands

  27 November 2002

  50,211

  NHS Professionals
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether NHS Professionals is able to operate more efficiently than the previous arrangements for the recruitment of staff. [152012]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: The benefits from the establishment of the NHS Professionals Special Health Authority will be achieved over time both in terms of reducing costs and in ensuring higher standards in the recruitment and development of temporary staff. National health service trusts across the country have already seen a reduction in temporary staffing costs and improvement in bank fill rates due to NHS Professionals. Local agency agreements have also saved an estimated £50 million over the last year.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the policy of NHS Professionals is on the international recruitment of nurses; how many nurses it has recruited from abroad in each year since its inception; and which countries these nurses came from. [152013]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: The NHS Professionals Special Health Authority does not currently recruit nursing staff from abroad. Information is not available on the nationalities of the nurses recruited to date by NHS Professionals.

  Nurses/Trainees and Midwives
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to commission research into the reasons why(a) nurses and (b) midwives trained in the UK (i) do not register with the Nurses and Midwifery Council and (ii) practise overseas; [151344]

  (2) if he will commission research to establish the number of UK nurse trainees who do not register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and their reasons. [151721]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department have a continuing programme of research into workforce issues, which is reviewed on a regular basis. The Nursing Research Unit at King's College London has undertaken studies of the careers of the 1990–91 cohort of registered general nurses and the 1997–98 cohort of Project 2000 diplomates. Both studies provide information about practising overseas, the findings will be placed in the Library. The diplomate cohort provides information about registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

  With regard to registering with the NMC, the study showed that the overwhelming majority of newly qualified or about to qualify nurses and midwives had
  970W
  2002–03 and for which records are held centrally on the unitary payment which becomes payable when the scheme is fully operational are listed in the table.

  registered or were about to register with the NMC. With regard to practising overseas, while many nurses and midwives expressed an interest in working abroad while in training, of these who intended to work overseas, under 2 per cent., actually went on to work abroad once they started nursing.

  Nurses have always used their qualifications to work overseas. The United Kingdom is a net importer of nurses and midwives and there are more qualified nurses working in the national health service than ever before. Between September 1997 and March 2003 there has been an increase of over 55,000 nurses working in the NHS. This shows that our recruitment and retention policies are working and suggests that overseas nurses consider the UK to be a good place to work.

  Nursing Students (Tuition Fees)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of meeting tuition fees for nursing students arising from the Higher Education Bill. [152334]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 2 February 2004]: 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 continue to cover the full cost of training and will specifically prohibit the charging of variable fees to NHS students arising from the Higher Education Bill. There will, therefore, be no additional cost to the NHS for meeting tuition fees arising from the Higher Education Bill.

  Primary Care Trusts
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) of the funding announced in his Department's press release of 18 September; and what guidance he will issue to PCTs on how their allocations on local dental services are to be spent. [145178]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  On 18 September 2003, we announced new investment totalling £65.2 million for dentistry. This consisted of £35 million capital for dental access and quality, £30 million for dental information technology (IT) and £200,000 for developing dental leadership. This was on top of revenue funding we announced in August of £9 million for targeted support on dental access and £1 million for organisation development. We subsequently announced on
  971W
  25 November 2003 further revenue funding of £15 million to support access for patients to a modernised national health service dental service, bringing the total of new funding announced this year for dentistry to £90.2 million.

  The £30 million investment in IT will facilitate integration of dental practices with wider NHS (IT) systems and will support local contracting. The IT investment and solutions for dentistry consistent with other NHS information technology initiatives are being taken forward within the national programme for IT.

  The funding of £200,000 for developing dental leadership is aimed at strategic health authority level to support primary care trusts (PCTs) in delivering the modernisation agenda for dentistry.

  The organisational development funds of £1 million are being distributed in line with advice from strategic health authorities (SHAs). They are intended to help PCTs, local dental committees and dentists to prepare for the change in the way dental services are commissioned. £0.3 million has been distributed for 2003–04 and the remaining £0.7 million will be distributed for use in 2004–05.

  The balance of £59 million is intended to support dental access and quality as follows:
  £9 million is for the NHS dentistry support team that has been set up to work with those areas where it is hardest to find an NHS dentist. These funds are being used in a targeted way to support local action plans for improving access to dentistry. The NHS support team have identified 16 PCTs with specific dental access issues. Funding for these PCTs, which are shown in the following list, will take into account the challenge faced by the individual PCTs and the potential benefit of the proposals in the dental action plan that each of the challenged PCTs is developing. Draft plans are now starting to arrive. The team allocated £200,000 in 2003–04, and will be increasing the pace of allocations early in 2004–05 based on the plans currently in preparation;
  £35 million capital funds are to enable PCTs to invest in primary care premises and facilities to improve access and quality. These funds will be distributed on a fair-shares basis at SHA level and then on a targeted basis to PCTs on the advice of the SHAs. The fair shares for SHAs are set out in the table. The bulk of the funds will be spent in 2004–05 to allow SHAs and PCTs to plan for its investment; and
  £15 million revenue funding for 2004–05 to support access will also be allocated on a fair-shares basis at SHA level and, on the advice of the SHA, on a targeted basis to PCTs. The SHA fair shares allocations of these funds are set out in the table.

  Guidance for PCTs on commissioning NHS dentistry, including the allocation of £35 million capital and £15 million revenue to support access, quality and choice was issued on 15 January 2004. The guidance makes it clear that access remains a key priority in the run-up to the new arrangements for dentistry from April 2005.

  PCTs which have been identified for support from the NHS Dentistry Support Team:

  Fareham and Gosport;

  Isle of Wight;

  New Forest;

  972W

  West Gloucestershire;

  North East Lincolnshire;

  Scarborough, Whitby and Rydedale;

  Craven, Harrogate and Rural District;

  Northumbria Care Trust;

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale;

  Hyndeburn and Ribble;

  Blackburn with Darwen;

  Morecambe Bay;

  Shropshire County;

  Telford and Wrekin;

  South West Staffordshire; and

  Central Cheshire.

  £000

  Strategic Health Authority

  Capital

  Revenue

  England

  35,000

  15,000

  Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire

  1,396

  598

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

  1,039

  446

  Birmingham and The Black Country

  1,771

  761

  Cheshire and Merseyside

  1,853

  796

  County Durham and Tees Valley

  894

  384

  Cumbria and Lancashire

  1,411

  602

  Dorset and Somerset

  814

  349

  Essex

  1,071

  458

  Greater Manchester

  1,987

  852

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight

  1,148

  492

  Kent and Medway

  1,071

  459

  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland

  962

  412

  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire

  1,416

  607

  North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire

  1,073

  460

  North Central London

  961

  413

  North East London

  1,297

  556

  North West London

  1,344

  575

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

  1,089

  466

  Shropshire and Staffordshire

  988

  425

  South East London

  1,165

  499

  South West London

  863

  370

  South West Peninsula

  1,092

  469

  South Yorkshire

  981

  420

  Surrey and Sussex

  1,689

  723

  Thames Valley

  1,285

  550

  Trent

  1,813

  777

  West Midlands South

  1,013

  433

  West Yorkshire

  1,514

  648

  Radiographers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies exist for radiographers in the NHS in(a)Portsmouth and South East Hampshire and (b)England; and what assessment he has made of progress towards improving recruitment. [152350]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number and rate of three month vacancies for radiographers in each year since 2001 is shown in the following tables.

  The Government are implementing a range of measures to recruit more health care professionals and have made considerable progress in increasing the number of radiographers employed in the national health service and the number of training places for radiographers. There are 11 per cent. more NHS radiographers than in 1997 and the number of students entering training to become a radiographer has more than doubled since 1996–97.
  973W

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey: Vacancies in NHS Trusts by HA area and SHA area for qualified radiography staff

  Three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff in post

  March 2001

  September 2000

  Three month vacancy rate (Percentage)

  Three month vacancy (Number)

  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)

  Staff in post (headcount)

  Diagnostic

  England (excluding HA staff)

  4.4

  420

  9,165

  11,032

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  0.0

  0

  78

  110

  Isle of Wight HA

  15.9

  4

  19

  26

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Therapeutic

  England (excluding HA staff)

  8.0

  114

  1,309

  1,453

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  6.5

  2

  29

  33

  Isle of Wight HA

  *

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff in post

  March 2002

  September 2001

  Three month vacancy rate (Percentage)

  Three month vacancy (Number)

  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)

  Staff in post (headcount)

  Diagnostic

  England (excluding HA staff)

  5.5

  531

  9,260

  11,158

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Isle of Wight HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA

  7.9

  23

  270

  340

  Therapeutic

  England (excluding HA staff)

  8.8

  134

  1,391

  1,543

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Isle of Wight HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA

  0.0

  0

  55

  62

  Three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff in post

  March 2003

  September 2002

  Three month vacancy rate (Percentage)

  Three month vacancy (Number)

  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)

  Staff in post (headcount)

  Diagnostic

  England (excluding HA staff)

  6.1

  599

  9,489

  11,489

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Isle of Wight HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA,

  6.5

  22

  283

  364

  Therapeutic

  England (excluding HA staff)

  10.7

  169

  1,374

  1,542

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Isle of Wight HA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA

  5.7

  4

  56

  65

  Three month vacancy notes:

  1. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March.

  2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which Trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole-time equivalents).

  3. Three month Vacancy Rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post.

  4. For 2002 and 2003 three month Vacancy Rates are calculated using staff in post from the Vacancy Survey. Earlier years vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the Non-Medical Workforce Census the previous September.

  5. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.

  6. n/a = not applicable.

  7 * = Vacancies plus staff in post is less than 10.

  Staff in post notes:

  Staff in post data is from the Non-Medical Workforce Census, September each specified year.

  General notes:

  1. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  2. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.

  3. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component parts.

  4. Strategic HA figures are based on Trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of health care.

  Sources:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March each specified year.

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census, September each specified year.
  974W

  Rainbows Children's Hospice (Leicestershire)
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had from hon. Members concerning the funding of Rainbows Children's Hospice. [151664]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Ministers have replied to a small number of Parliamentary Questions and letters from hon. Members. In addition, the former Secretary of State met with the Chief Executive of the Rainbows Children's Hospice in April 2003.

  Respite Care
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money Leicestershire West Primary Care Trust gave to projects dealing with children's respite care in 2003. [151666]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collected centrally. The New Opportunities Fund has provided £48 million over three years in support of palliative care projects for children, of which children's hospices have received £15 million.

  The Rainbows Children's Hospice Loughborough has received £650,000 from the New Opportunities Fund.

  Sensory Impairment
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much(a) his Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department spent on (i) advertising and (ii) information campaigns in each year since 1995–96; what his estimate is for 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [149725]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 21 January 2004]: The following table shows the expenditure on major information campaigns and advertising commissioned by the Department's communications directorate for the financial years 1995–96 to 2003–04 (estimated). The figures include the costs of campaign-related publishing, TV, radio, poster, newspaper and magazine advertising.

  £ million

  Financial year

  Total campaign expenditure

  Advertising expenditure

  1995–96

  15.56

  2.08

  1996–97

  15.13

  2.50

  1997–98

  6.63

  2.04

  1998–99

  22.96

  8.53

  1999–2000

  35.97

  15.17

  2000–01

  25.32

  20.80

  2001–02

  37.23

  20.41

  2002–03

  34.85

  23.13

  2003–041

  52.5

  38.98

  1 Estimated

  The differences between 2002–03 actual and 2003–04 forecast figures is the result of the Government's commitment to increasing tobacco control advertising. The SR2002 settlement allocated £39 million per annum for three years to tobacco control advertising. Expenditure for the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Streptococcal Infections
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to implement the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Green Top Guidelines on Group B streptococcus. [151946]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' guidelines on the Prevention of Early Onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcus Disease have been circulated to all fellows and members of the College. Ministers have asked the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) to undertake further work to assess the existing evidence on screening and treatment for Group B Streptococcus in pregnancy in the UK. A recent workshop agreed a number of actions to reduce the risk of GBS infection, including ensuring better information for professionals and pregnant women, more consistent and appropriate advice and treatment for women at increased risk, and further research. The NSC will take forward a programme of work in the light of this report during 2004.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses and (b) general practitioners are in training in (a) South Tyneside, (b) Tyne and Wear, (c) the North East and (d) the UK; and what the figures were in 1997. [152102]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number (headcount) of general practitioner registrars in South Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT), Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authorities and England since 1997 is shown in table 1.

  The number (whole time equivalent) of pre-registration nurses in training in Northern England Workforce Development Confederation (WDC), County Durham and Tees Valley WDC and England in each year since 1998–99, the first year the information is available, is shown in table 2. Information is not available at South Tyneside PCT level.

  Information for GP registrars and nurses in training in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the devolved Administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

  1. GP registrars in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA and Co. Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority

  Number (headcount)

  1997

  2001

  2002

  June 2003

  England

  1,343

  1,883

  1,980

  2,157

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

  25

  55

  73

  78

  of which:

  South Tyneside PCT

  3

  3

  4

  County Durham and Tees Valley

  28

  34

  37

  51

  Note:

  Data as at 1 October 1997, 30 September 2001–02 and 30 June 2003.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
  977W

  2. Number of students in pre-registration nursing and midwifery training between 1998–99 and 2002–03

  Number (whole time equivalent)

  England

  Northern England WDC

  County Durham and Tees Valley WDC

  1998–99

  39,319

  1,278

  695

  1999–2000

  44,005

  1,728

  752

  2000–01

  48,422

  1,400

  827

  2001–02

  53,299

  1,883

  1,032

  2002–03

  58,902

  1,672

  1,154

  Note:

  There have been boundary changes since 1998–99, data are not, therefore, directly comparable.

  Source:

  Financial and Workforce Information Return.

  Waiting Lists/Times
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times were for(a) all specialities, (b) orthopaedics and (c) thoracic treatment in each year since 1997 for (i) England and (ii) each region; and if he will make a statement. [149854]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the(a) mean and (b) median waiting time for (i) in-patient and (ii) first out-patient appointments for each quarter from 1990–91 to Q1 2004; and if he will make a statement. [150539]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 28 January 2004]: The tables show estimates of the mean and median waiting times for in-patients and out-patients. Out-patient data are only available from Quarter 3, 1993–94.

  Patients waiting for elective in-patient admission: England

  Average waiting time (months)

  Quarter ending

  Mean

  Median

  30 June 1990

  8.55

  4.77

  30 September 1990

  8.41

  4.76

  31 December 1990

  7.95

  4.50

  31 March 1991

  7.57

  4.43

  30 June 1991

  7.53

  4.37

  30 September 1991

  7.31

  4.19

  31 December 1991

  6.43

  3.75

  31 March 1992

  5.12

  3.20

  30 June 1992

  5.03

  3.45

  30 September 1992

  4.96

  3.40

  31 December 1992

  4.77

  3.24

  31 March 1993

  4.53

  3.18

  30 June 1993

  4.72

  3.47

  30 September 1993

  4.80

  3.45

  31 December 1993

  4.80

  3.41

  31 March 1994

  4.61

  3.23

  30 June 1994

  4.64

  3.35

  30 September 1994

  4.59

  3.25

  31 December 1994

  4.42

  3.02

  31 March 1995

  4.02

  2.84

  30 June 1995

  4.08

  2.95

  30 September 1995

  4.01

  2.86

  31 December 1995

  3.87

  2.79

  31 March 1996

  3.66

  2.72

  30 June 1996

  3.81

  2.84

  30 September 1996

  3.89

  2.82

  31 December 1996

  3.99

  2.87

  31 March 1997

  4.17

  3.04

  30 June 1997

  4.34

  3.09

  978W

  Patients waiting for elective in-patient admission: England

  Average waiting time (months)

  Quarter ending

  Mean

  Median

  30 September 1997

  4.49

  3.27

  31 December 1997

  4.60

  3.36

  31 March 1998

  4.61

  3.42

  30 June 1998

  4.67

  3.50

  30 September 1998

  4.53

  3.25

  31 December 1998

  4.39

  3.03

  31 March 1999

  4.30

  2.96

  30 June 1999

  4.28

  2.95

  30 September 1999

  4.30

  2.95

  31 December 1999

  4.30

  2.94

  31 March 2000

  4.31

  2.97

  30 June 2000

  4.37

  3.08

  30 September 2000

  4.36

  3.00

  31 December 2000

  4.32

  2.96

  31 March 2001

  4.18

  2.90

  30 June 2001

  4.35

  3.16

  30 September 2001

  4.35

  3.09

  31 December 2001

  4.15

  2.94

  31 March 2002

  4.01

  2.92

  30 June2002

  4.07

  3.04

  30 September 2002

  4.02

  2.96

  31 December 2002

  3.89

  2.87

  31 March 2003

  3.61

  2.75

  30 June 2003

  3.62

  2.80

  30 September 2003

  3.53

  2.71

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH07

  Waiting times for 1stt consultant out-patient appointment following G(D)P referral: England

  Average waiting time (weeks)

  Quarter

  Mean

  Median

  Q1 1993–94

  9.37

  5.47

  Q2 1993–94

  9.35

  5.42

  Q1 1994–95

  8.90

  5.69

  Q2 1994–95

  8.91

  5.82

  Q3 1994–95

  9.06

  5.72

  Q4 1994–95

  9.33

  6.05

  Q1 1995–96

  8.60

  6.01

  Q2 1995–96

  8.85

  6.31

  Q3 1995–96

  8.76

  6.07

  Q4 1995–96

  8.68

  6.02

  Q1 1996–97

  8.48

  6.13

  Q2 1996–97

  8.46

  6.18

  Q3 1996–97

  8.64

  6.05

  Q4 1996–97

  8.70

  6.05

  Q1 1997–98

  8.71

  6.17

  Q2 1997–98

  8.86

  6.37

  Q3 1997–98

  9.13

  6.25

  Q4 1997–98

  9.32

  6.27

  Q1 1998–99

  9.30

  6.49

  Q2 1998–99

  9.63

  6.80

  Q3 1998–99

  10 06

  6.89

  Q4 1998–99

  10.42

  6.99

  Q1 1999–2000

  10.46

  7.09

  Q2 1999–2000

  10.73

  7.31

  Q3 1999–2000

  11.08

  7.32

  Q4 1999–2000

  11.49

  7.58

  Q1 2000–01

  10.49

  7.11

  Q2 2000–01

  10.76

  7.45

  Q3 2000–01

  10.90

  7.38

  Q4 2000–01

  10.81

  7.38

  Q1 2001–02

  9.72

  6.89

  Q2 2001–02

  10.10

  7.21

  Q3 2001–02

  10.49

  7.27

  Q4 2001–02

  11.06

  7.58

  Q1 2002–03

  8.93

  7.03

  Q2 2002–03

  8.97

  7.15

  Q3 2002–03

  8.98

  7.22

  979W

  Waiting times for 1st consultant out-patient appointment following G(D)P referral: England

  Average waiting time (weeks)

  Quarter

  Mean

  Median

  Q4 2002–03

  8.99

  7.34

  Q1 2003–04

  8.25

  6.86

  Q2 2003–04

  8.52

  7.05

  Note:

  The figures shown are estimates based on aggregate data, categorised into waiting time bands, and do not reflect shifts in the waiting time profiles within these bands, only between bands. The median is not very sensitive to reductions in maximum waiting times, and it is possible to see a rise in the median, while reducing maximum waiting times because of shifts in low time bands. Short term progress on delivering maximum waiting times (including in year tail-gunning) will not necessarily translate into a reduction in the median waiting time. Our policy, therefore, is to focus attention on the number of patients waiting the longest, and in each waiting time band.
  980W
  Year-on-year, the trend on both waiting lists and waiting times is clearly downwards. Waiting lists are now over 199,000 lower than March 1997, and numbers of patients waiting over 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months and 15 months for in-patient treatment are all lower than inherited March 1997 figures.

  Source:

  Department of Health form QM08

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital trolley waits there were in the London region in(a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; and how many there were in December of each year. [149794]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of emergency admissions through accident and emergency departments and the time spent waiting for admission to a ward is published each quarter at www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity. This information is available in the Library. Information is not available on a monthly basis.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Anti-social Behaviour
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what advice he has given to(a) police and (b) local councils on (i) the need to liaise with each other, (ii) the protocols for publishing intentions in the local press and (iii) operational protocols in respect of anti-social behaviour legislation; [152427]

  (2) what guidance he has issued to (a) local councils and (b) the police on the use of anti-social behaviour legislation to disperse groups of youths. [152428]

  Ms Blears
  We have issued a "Together Campaign Pack" which provides information and tools for local authorities, police and other practitioners to run campaigns against anti-social behaviour in their area. It encourages practitioners to keep the public and partner organisations informed and involved in the work they are doing to tackle anti-social behaviour.

  We have also issued Home Office Circular number 04/2004 describing the powers to disperse groups contained in Part 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. The circular provides information to assist the police and local authorities in the use of the new powers. The National Centre for Policing Excellence (NCPE) has been asked to produce further guidance on these new powers. We hope to publish the guidance later this year.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a code of practice for police operations in respect of recent anti-social behaviour legislation. [153077]

  Ms Blears
  We have published "A Guide to the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003", copies of which were sent to all Chief Constables in England and Wales and Members of Parliament. In addition, we have produced some detailed guidance on the measures in the Act for practitioners, including the police. Examples of these include:Notes of Guidance to Accompany Part One of the Act, 'The Power to Close Premises' where drugs are used unlawfully.
  Home Office Circular 04/2004 on the use of the powers to disperse groups contained in Part 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
  Home Office Circular 01/2004 on the purpose and effect of the firearms provisions contained in Part 5 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

  Information on when further guidance will be issued on other measures in the Act is contained in the Guide to the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

  Asylum Policy
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the differences between the proposed new measures on asylum policy and the present immigration rules. [150178]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill and accompanying explanatory notes set out the proposed changes to existing legislation and the effect of these changes. The Immigration Rules can be accessed through the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) website.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what instructions were given to his Department's staff on the length of time of stay that asylum seekers were allowed in the UK before applying for asylum before section 55 of the Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Act 2001 was enforced; from when those instructions applied; and what the current instructions are; and from what date they applied; [146972]

  (2)when he will publish revised National Asylum Support Service Policy Bulletin 75 on the application of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; [151409]

  (3)if he will publish the revised casework notes on the application of section 55 of the Nationality. Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, issued to the National Asylum Support Service caseworkers after 17 December 2003. [151418]

  Beverley Hughes
  Instructions on the operation of Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 first appeared in Policy Bulletin 75, published on 7 January 2003. Revised instructions appear in Policy Bulletin 75 version 3, published 11 April 2003.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 17 December 2003 that asylum applicants who could give a credible explanation of the way in which they arrived in the UK and who had made a claim for asylum within three days of arrival would be considered to have applied as soon as reasonably practicable.

  In view of the interest in the operation of section 55, a new revised edition of Policy Bulletin 75 which will include guidance to National Asylum Support Service caseworkers, will be published in February.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further research has been conducted since July 2002 on why asylum seekers seek asylum in Britain rather than elsewhere; on what size of sample such research was based; and from which countries the participants originated. [148041]

  Beverley Hughes
  Since the publication of the Home Office report "Understanding the decision-making of asylum seekers" (Home Office Research Series 243/Findings 172) in July 2002, there has been no further research undertaken by the Home Office which focuses specifically on why asylum seekers choose to come to the United Kingdom in preference to other possible destinations.

  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate carries out analysis of asylum statistics and findings from other studies to assess likely trends in asylum intake figures.

  The Research Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office is in the process of agreeing its 2004–05 research programme. It is likely that further investigations into the decision-making of asylum applicants and other migrants will form a part of this programme.

  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants who are citizens of Sri Lanka were given permission to stay in the UK in(a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; and how many applications were refused in

  983W
  each of these years. [148422]

  Beverley Hughes
  [pursuant to his answer, 21 January 2004, Official Report, c. 1269 W]: Due to an administrative error the figures for Sri Lanka were not the most current figures available. The corrected version of the answer is in the table.

  Initial decisions on asylum applications1,2 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by year, nationals of Sri Lanka

  Principal applicants

  Decisions

  Sri Lanka

  Total decisions

  Grants of asylum

  Grants of Exceptional Leave to Remain

  Grants of Humanitarian Protection

  Grants of Discretionary Leave

  Total refusals3

  Grants of Exceptional Leave to Remain under backlog criteria4,5

  Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria4,6

  2000

  9,050

  900

  285

  n/a

  n/a

  6,875

  895

  100

  20017

  10,350

  1,440

  540

  n/a

  n/a

  8,370

  n/a

  n/a

  20028

  4,285

  340

  275

  n/a

  n/a

  3,670

  n/a

  n/a

  January to September 20038

  1,265

  20

  55

  —

  35

  1,155

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a = not applicable

  1 Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5.

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

  3 May include some refusals under non compliance grounds.

  4 Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre 1996 asylum backlog.

  5 May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.

  6 May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.

  7 Revised figures

  8 Provisional figures

  The table shows the available data, for outcomes of appeals relating to refused asylum applications (principal applicants) for nationals of Sri Lanka in 2000, 2001, 2002 and from January to September 2003.

  Outcome of Appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, nationals of Sri Lanka, 2001 to September 2003

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals determined by adjudicators2

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Total

  Total

  As percentage of Determined

  Total

  As percentage of Determined

  Total

  As percentage of Determined

  2001

  4,830

  1,810

  37

  2,900

  60

  120

  2

  2002

  6,435

  1,455

  23

  4,880

  76

  100

  2

  January to September 2003

  4,710

  580

  12

  4,015

  85

  110

  2

  1 Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages) with '*' = 1 or 2. Figures may not add up due to independent rounding.

  2 Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant.

  Information on asylum applications and decisions is published quarterly. The next publication will be available on the 24 February 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Burglaries
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for burglary were of first-time burglars in each of the last five years, broken down by(a) police authority and (b) age; and how many of these were given a custodial sentence in each year. [150788]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available. However Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1998 (Cm. 4649) and Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 2000 (Cm. 5312), both deposited in the
  984W
  The table shows the available data, for outcomes of initial decisions relating to asylum applications (principal applicants) for nationals of Sri Lanka in 2000, 2001, 2002 and from January to September 2003. Grants of exceptional leave to remain and of discretionary leave may be followed by review of individuals' cases and do not necessarily result in permanent settlement.

  Allowed appeals may result in grants of asylum, grants of humanitarian protection or grants of discretionary leave, or in appeals to the IAT by the Secretary of State, and do not necessarily result in permanent settlement.

  Library, contain estimates of the percentage of male burglars sentenced in 1998 and 2000 who had no previous convictions for a standard list offence. The estimated percentages were 25 per cent. and 31 per cent. respectively for 1998 and 2000.

  Cannabis
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prosecutions brought for cannabis-related offences have not resulted in a conviction in each of the last five years. [151506]

  Caroline Flint
  The information requested is contained in the table.
  985W

  Proportion of persons1 proceeded against for cannabis related offences2 who were not convicted

  Percentage

  1998

  9

  1999

  10

  2000

  8

  2001

  10

  2002

  10

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis

  2 Offences include supplying or offering to supply, possession with intent to supply, production, possession and permitting premises to be used for unlawful purpose (cannabis).

  Statistics for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what references will be made in his new campaign on drugs education to accompany the reclassification of cannabis on possible links with mental illness. [151291]

  Caroline Flint
  A £1 million information campaign started on 22 January to inform the public about the changes to the law on cannabis. This includes radio and newspaper adverts, leaflets, posters, postcards and education packs for schools. All these communications are designed to provide the simple message that cannabis is harmful and remains illegal.

  Further activity is planned to communicate specific messages about the health risks associated with cannabis, which are evidence based and rigorously market tested. This will include mental health issues.

  Drugs
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people in England and Wales who take(a) heroin, (b) marijuana, (c) cocaine and (d) ecstasy. [150761]

  Caroline Flint
  The British Crime Survey (BCS) provides figures on use among adults aged 16 to 59 years of age in England and Wales. The 2002–03 BCS estimated that approximately 3.4 million adults had used marijuana, 640,000 had used cocaine and 610,000 had used ecstasy and 45,000 had used heroin in the previous 12 months.

  Approximately one million people were estimated to have used class A drugs during the last year.

  Estimated levels of drug use for those aged 16 to 59 years have remained the same since 2001–02.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the system of classifying illegal drugs. [152345]

  Caroline Flint
  The Government have no plans to review the system used to classify illegal drugs.

  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is a statutory and non-executive non-departmental public body, established by the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971. It has a statutory duty to keep under review the situation in the United Kingdom with respect to the misuse of drugs and to advise Ministers of the measures which they consider should to be taken to deal with social problems which arise from drug misuse. Ministers may also ask the ACMD to consider
  986W
  the appropriate classification and scheduling of any substance. In addition, the ACMD has a duty to consider any matter relating to drug dependence or misuse that may be referred to them by Ministers.

  Fixed Penalty Notices
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices were issued in the most recent period for which figures are available, broken down by police authority in England and Wales; what the total value of these penalty notices was; what proportion of these were paid in full and on time; and what proportion of those fined paid their penalty in full and on time. [152189]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: Information on fixed penalty notices issued for road traffic offences by police force area can be found in the annual Home Office publication 'Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales Supplementary tables'—Tables 20(a) to 20(c) refers. The latest issue covers 2001. Copies are available from the Library. The total value of fixed penalty notices issued is not collected centrally.

  Data are also collected centrally on the disposal, (i.e. paid, fine registration certificate issued etc) of fixed penalty notices issued for road traffic offences. However because of the time taken for the procedures for payment to be enforced the data are collected approximately nine months later than the period of issue. Tables 21(a) and 21(b) of the above 2001 publication detail 2000 data by number and percentage of fixed penalty notices by result. Tables 20(a) to 20(c) of the 2000 publication cover that period. Information is not available on the number of fines paid in full and on time.

  Over 6,000 penalty notices for disorder were issued in the year-long pilots in four police force areas which started in mid-2002. A Home Office Research Findings covering the evaluation of the pilots will be published shortly.

  Motoring Offences
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of totting procedures for motoring offences. [151940]

  Caroline Flint
  The penalty points system acts as a reminder to drivers that they risk losing their licences if they persist in offending and plays an important part in our overall enforcement strategy. For the majority of drivers, the threat of disqualification through accumulating the appropriate number of penalty points acts to encourage compliance with the law.

  Operation Tarian
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) raids, (b) arrests, (c) convictions and (d) drug seizures were carried out under Operation Tarian. [151731]

  Caroline Flint
  The Regional Task Force of Operation Tarian has executed 72 warrants, and made 82 arrests. At present no convictions have arisen as cases are
  987W
  awaiting trial. It has seized 1.3 kg of cocaine, 0.491 kg of heroin, 8 kg of amphetamines, 15,738 tablets of ecstasy and 301,600 kg of cannabis, with a total estimated value of £1.6 million.

  In addition it has seized £123,500 cash, placed restraining orders on property to the value of £1 million, dismantled six organised crime groups and disrupted 14 others.

  Murders (Southend)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders there were in Southend in each of the last 10 years; and how many resulted in convictions. [152000]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: Published information on homicide relates to England and Wales only. The latest available is given in Home Office Statistical Bulletin number 01/04, 'Crime in England and Wales 2002/2003: Supplementary Volume 1: Homicide and Gun Crime', a copy of which should be available from the Library or internet site http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hosbpubs1.html.

  Police (Cumbria)
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons he proposes to reduce the amount of police specific grant to be received in Cumbria in 2004–05 in respect of the Rural Policing Initiative. [151875]

  Ms Blears
  Force allocations for the 31 forces benefiting from the £30 million Rural Policing Fund are determined by sparsity and population factors alone. I have made no changes to the formulae underpinning the Fund for next year. Cumbria's share will reduce by £7,000 (0.5 per cent.) to take account of changes in data relative to other authorities. Cumbria's allocation for 2004–05 is £1,348,383.

  Police Statistics (Wales)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) recorded burglaries, (b) recorded thefts from or of a vehicle, (c) recorded violent crimes, (d) recorded crimes involving the use of firearms, (e) recorded drug offences and (f) crimes there were in Wales, broken down by (i) police force, (ii) constituency and (iii) local authority area for each year since 1997; [151734]

  Table 1

  Offence

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Crime recorded by the police in Wales1,2,5

  All burglary

  46,445

  41,941

  36,764

  32,883

  32,248

  36,848

  Theft of and from vehicles

  59,785

  56,161

  51,864

  43,652

  42,662

  48,879

  Violent crime3

  20,071

  34,770

  40,580

  40,822

  39,274

  56,561

  Firearms offences

  594

  591

  712

  614

  6106

  6161

  Drug offences4

  1,526

  9,749

  8,520

  8,351

  9,425

  10,268

  All crime

  236,936

  261,994

  255,487

  238,449

  241,765

  294,846

  988W
  (2) if he will list the crime clear-up rate in Wales, broken down by (a) police force, (b) constituency and (c) local authority area for each year since 1997. [151736]

  Ms Blears
  The available information is given in the tables.

  Recorded crime statistics are not broken down by constituency areas. However, they are available at Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) level. CDRPs were set up under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, with data available from 1999–2000. CDRPs broadly equate to local authority areas and include representatives from police, health, probation and other local agencies and provide strategies for reducing crime in the area. Recorded crime figures are available at CDRP level for six key offences only: violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, burglary in a dwelling, theft of a motor vehicle, and theft from a vehicle.

  There was a change of counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which had the effect of increasing the number of crimes counted. Numbers of offences for years before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.

  The National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) was introduced across England and Wales in April 2002. Broadly, the NCRS had the effect of increasing the number of crimes recorded by the police. Therefore, following the introduction of the Standard, numbers of recorded crimes are not comparable with previous years. Total detection rates (percentages) in Wales, for 1997 to 2002–03, are given in the table.

  Percentage

  Force

  1997

  1998–991

  1999–20002

  2000–01

  2001–023

  2002–033

  Dyfed Powys

  61

  69

  65

  63

  64

  68

  Gwent

  51

  55

  53

  57

  55

  48

  North Wales

  34

  43

  36

  31

  28

  29

  South Wales

  36

  39

  31

  32

  33

  29

  Wales total

  41

  46

  40

  41

  39

  36

  1 Percentage detected using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.

  2 Revised Home Office instructions, which clarified the recording of detections, were introduced on 1 April 1999. These instructions provided more precise and rigorous criteria for securing a detection, with the underlying emphasis on the successful result of a police investigation. As a result of the revised detections guidance (in which some previous methods of detection were no longer counted), the numbers of crimes detected, and figures derived from them, will have been affected.

  3 Detection figures may also have been affected by the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS), with the exception of Gwent in 2001–02.

  Overall detection rates are not available for CDRP areas.
  989W

  Table 1

  Offence

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Crime recorded by the police in Dyfed Powys1,2,5

  All burglary

  2,590

  2,615

  2,072

  1,978

  2,122

  2,104

  Theft of and from vehicles

  2,372

  2,480

  2,203

  2,120

  2,052

  2,028

  Violent crime3

  2,503

  5,039

  5,839

  5,751

  5,844

  6,531

  Firearms offences

  61

  60

  45

  68

  626

  617

  Drug offences4

  374

  2,483

  2,030

  1,690

  2,407

  2,978

  All crime

  18,098

  24,588

  23,709

  22,878

  24,003

  25,104

  Crime recorded by the police in Gwent1,2,5

  All burglary

  9,154

  8,416

  7,656

  6,905

  6,172

  7,586

  Theft of and from vehicles

  9,649

  9,746

  9,107

  8,109

  7,019

  8,332

  Violent crime3

  6,139

  11,980

  14,493

  14,682

  9,837

  15,835

  Firearms offences

  129

  215

  248

  197

  618

  652

  Drug offences4

  389

  2,447

  2,214

  2,196

  1,729

  1,585

  All crime

  47,268

  58,738

  60,132

  56,728

  46,938

  61,237

  Crime recorded by the police in North Wales1,2,5

  All burglary

  7,554

  7,226

  6,892

  7,246

  7,405

  8,543

  Theft of and from vehicles

  7,911

  7,254

  7,501

  7,186

  7,710

  8,096

  Violent crime3

  3,167

  5,164

  6,258

  5,927

  8,049

  12,268

  Firearms offences

  109

  94

  104

  74

  66

  618

  Drug offences4

  238

  1,885

  1,586

  1,427

  1,382

  1,833

  All crime

  40,684

  43,848

  44,606

  47,712

  54,116

  65,133

  Crime recorded by the police in South Wales1,2,5

  All burglary

  27,147

  23,684

  20,144

  16,754

  16,549

  18,615

  Theft of and from vehicles

  39,853

  36,681

  33,053

  26,237

  25,881

  30,423

  Violent crime3

  8,262

  12,587

  13,990

  14,262

  15,544

  21,927

  Firearms offences

  295

  222

  315

  275

  656

  674

  Drug offences4

  525

  2,934

  2,690

  3,038

  3,907

  3,872

  All crime

  130,886

  134,820

  127,040

  111,131

  116,708

  143,372

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

  2 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998. These changes had the general effect of increasing the number of crimes counted. Therefore, numbers of recorded crimes for this year are not directly comparable with previous years.

  3 Violent crime comprises offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

  4 Upto 1997, the only drug offence recorded was 'Trafficking in controlled drugs'. From 1998–99, the offences of 'Possession of controlled drugs' and 'Other drug offences', were added to the series.

  5 Three of the Wales forces implemented the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) prior to the official introduction on 1 April 2002; North Wales in October 2001, and both Dyfed Powys and South Wales in January 2002. Gwent introduced the Standard in 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.

  6 The figures given for 2001–02 and 2002–03 are based on numbers of firearms offences recorded which exclude air weapons. The previous years figures include air weapons offences. Therefore, the figures for 2001–02 and 2002–03 are not comparable with previous years figures.

  Table 2: Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in Wales from April 1999 to March 2003: numbers recorded for six key offences

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  CDRP

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Dyfed-Powys

  Carmarthenshire

  2,275

  2,243

  2,455

  2,523

  115

  108

  130

  100

  Ceredigion

  783

  719

  723

  938

  45

  56

  29

  58

  Pembroke

  1,201

  1,245

  1,162

  1,340

  69

  87

  79

  51

  Powys

  1,260

  1,217

  1,177

  1,416

  63

  53

  54

  65

  Gwent

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,986

  2,237

  1,672

  2,751

  96

  59

  72

  62

  Caerphilly

  4,779

  4,959

  2,680

  4,494

  142

  153

  121

  152

  Monmouthshire

  1,749

  1,593

  982

  1,455

  54

  64

  45

  58

  Newport

  3,459

  3,217

  2,482

  4,248

  142

  105

  117

  147

  Torfaen

  1,801

  2,192

  1,369

  2,072

  69

  59

  82

  67

  990W 991W

  Table 2: Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in Wales from April 1999 to March 2003: numbers recorded for six key offences

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  CDRP

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  North Wales

  Conwy

  954

  806

  1,072

  1,872

  52

  43

  59

  98

  Denbighshire

  913

  985

  1,249

  2,232

  53

  56

  70

  123

  Flintshire

  1,200

  1,047

  1,602

  2,106

  73

  83

  96

  98

  Gwynedd

  781

  784

  1,223

  1,738

  63

  59

  65

  94

  Isle of Anglesey

  562

  505

  656

  1,085

  46

  28

  70

  41

  Wrexham

  1,329

  1,231

  1,541

  2,439

  86

  133

  104

  101

  South Wales

  Bridgend

  1,419

  1,363

  1,468

  2,003

  54

  59

  47

  91

  Cardiff

  3,983

  4,236

  4,331

  6,175

  220

  151

  183

  200

  Merthyr Tydfil

  593

  676

  768

  1,106

  23

  27

  30

  34

  Neath Port Talbot

  1,199

  1,201

  1,373

  2,082

  38

  44

  37

  75

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  1,822

  1,992

  2,192

  3,542

  89

  80

  99

  165

  Swansea

  3,040

  2,801

  3,038

  3,936

  79

  96

  77

  94

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  834

  981

  1,238

  1,582

  78

  95

  68

  58

  Robbery

  Burglary dwelling

  CDRP

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Dyfed-Powys

  Carmarthenshire

  17

  8

  11

  14

  282

  284

  322

  266

  Ceredigion

  5

  3

  4

  8

  111

  97

  88

  87

  Pembroke

  3

  9

  6

  11

  175

  180

  169

  164

  Powys

  3

  35

  7

  128

  146

  135

  149

  Gwent

  Blaenau Gwent

  15

  14

  18

  10

  524

  420

  283

  372

  Caerphilly

  42

  45

  35

  51

  874

  704

  743

  878

  Monmouthshire

  25

  11

  6

  12

  243

  210

  243

  332

  Newport

  111

  149

  137

  230

  1,137

  894

  987

  1,084

  Torfaen

  23

  25

  19

  26

  370

  352

  306

  335

  North Wales

  Conwy

  24

  30

  16

  26

  415

  439

  575

  558

  Denbighshire

  30

  32

  42

  66

  464

  462

  462

  672

  Flintshire

  44

  38

  47

  41

  352

  423

  453

  620

  Gwynedd

  8

  5

  27

  24

  250

  273

  229

  336

  Isle of Anglesey

  8

  13

  10

  18

  175

  149

  107

  218

  Wrexham

  32

  45

  52

  49

  563

  432

  579

  823

  South Wales

  Bridgend

  18

  20

  41

  28

  662

  485

  500

  659

  Cardiff

  262

  198

  318

  421

  2,821

  2,197

  2,209

  2,792

  Merthyr Tydfil

  27

  19

  22

  17

  403

  345

  309

  292

  Neath Port Talbot

  17

  24

  28

  35

  711

  554

  660

  763

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  44

  39

  42

  74

  1,465

  1,256

  1,188

  1,360

  Swansea

  100

  118

  108

  153

  1,517

  1,296

  1,483

  1,552

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  51

  42

  36

  56

  804

  552

  496

  642

  Theft of a motor vehicle

  Theft from a vehicle

  CDRP

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Dyfed-Powys

  Carmarthenshire

  475

  468

  476

  466

  524

  486

  551

  432

  Ceredigion

  82

  75

  72

  59

  134

  102

  150

  103

  Pembroke

  134

  133

  119

  143

  308

  312

  264

  315

  Powys

  177

  185

  174

  165

  369

  359

  244

  345

  Gwent

  Blaenau Gwent

  562

  468

  404

  424

  828

  679

  447

  582

  Caerphilly

  1,191

  907

  783

  894

  1,551

  1,257

  1,185

  1,400

  Monmouthshire

  306

  255

  242

  262

  747

  588

  472

  629

  Newport

  958

  1,060

  849

  1,008

  1,787

  1,801

  1,699

  1,781

  Torfaen

  376

  384

  332

  458

  801

  710

  606

  894

  992W 993W

  Theft of a motor vehicle

  Theft from a vehicle

  CDRP

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  North Wales

  Conwy

  255

  233

  270

  255

  790

  713

  711

  791

  Denbighshire

  414

  341

  345

  411

  701

  975

  1,026

  1,058

  Flintshire

  521

  474

  433

  509

  997

  1,112

  1,154

  1,206

  Gwynedd

  203

  166

  193

  214

  915

  680

  728

  793

  Isle of Anglesey

  129

  136

  104

  132

  331

  282

  375

  401

  Wrexham

  788

  553

  601

  566

  1,457

  1,521

  1,717

  1,757

  South Wales

  Bridgend

  1,471

  1,047

  925

  890

  1,404

  927

  1,029

  1,264

  Cardiff

  4,123

  2,807

  3,111

  3,180

  6,697

  5,159

  5,319

  7,818

  Merthyr Tydfil

  781

  769

  825

  779

  904

  670

  785

  748

  Neath Port Talbot

  1,934

  1,342

  1,206

  1,150

  1,262

  878

  913

  1,133

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  2,177

  1,778

  1,491

  1,921

  1,796

  1,552

  1,447

  1,865

  Swansea

  4,300

  3,548

  3,347

  3,243

  3,549

  3,747

  3,587

  4,433

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  1,064

  728

  652

  681

  1,591

  1,285

  1,244

  1,318

  Note:

  Three of the Wales forces implemented the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) prior to the official introduction on 1 April 2002; North Wales in October 2001, and both Dyfed Powys and South Wales in January 2002. Gwent introduced the Standard in 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.

  Speed Cameras (Southend)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much revenue has been raised in fines imposed as a result of speed cameras in Southend since 1997. [152160]

  Caroline Flint
  The available information on the number of court fines and fixed penalties issued within the police force area of Essex for the offence of 'speeding detected by camera' for 1997–01 is shown in the table. It is not possible from the data collected centrally to identify Southend.

  Information for 2002 will be available in the Spring.

  Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected by cameras1,2 in the Essex police force area, 1997–01

  Fixed penalties

  Court proceedings

  Offence and year

  Number of tickets3

  Estimated revenue4 (£)

  Number of fines

  Total amount of fine (£)

  Average fine5 (£)

  Speeding offences

  1997

  18,800

  753,700

  880

  93,900

  107

  1998

  8,700

  346,600

  1,700

  227,400

  134

  1999

  19,800

  791,400

  2,100

  357,400

  169

  2000

  46,300

  2,007,200

  2,800

  317,800

  115

  2001

  81,900

  4,911,100

  6,500

  651,200

  101

  1 Automatic cameras until 1998, all camera types from 1999.

  2 Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.

  3 Paid i.e. no further action.

  4 Estimate based on £40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000 the penalty was raised to £60.

  5 Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.

  UK Immigration Officials
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK immigration officials were in post at(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted, (d) Luton and (e) City airport on 1 January in each of the last six years. [148436]
  994W
  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 January 2004]: The table sets out the number of full-time equivalent immigration officials employed at the airports listed, as at 1 January for the last six years.

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  Heathrow

  1—

  632.7

  588.7

  642.4

  721.6

  682.6

  Gatwick

  1—

  265

  258.6

  283.6

  292.5

  278.2

  Stansted

  48.6

  47.7

  44.9

  48.4

  54.6

  63.8

  Luton

  1—

  24

  24

  28

  28

  28

  London City

  13

  13

  11

  12

  14

  15

  1 1999 = Incomplete records available for Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton.

  As at 2 January 2004, the UK Immigration Service had a further 103 Immigration Officers who had confirmed places on training courses taking place in January, February and March who were to be posted to either Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted airports.

  Taiwanese Nationals (Police Registration)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the requirements for police registration have been lifted in respect of Taiwanese nationals. [150635]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]: The Government do not recognise Taiwanese nationality, although passports issued by the Taiwanese authorities are accepted for the purposes of travel to and from the United Kingdom. The holders of such documents continue to be required to register with the police in accordance with the requirements of Part 10 of the Immigration Rules. These requirements are a matter which is kept under review.

  Serious Crime
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to chief constables on the definition of serious crimes. [152155]
  995W
  Ms Blears
  No specific guidance is given on the definition of serious crime.

  All police forces in England and Wales are required to submit monthly recorded crime statistics prepared in accordance with the Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime. This contains a principal crime rule whereby if the sequence of crimes in an incident contains more than one type of crime the most serious crime is counted. In determining the most serious crime, the most serious violent crime takes precedence over the most serious property crime.
  996W
  A full list of the offence headings which comprise the recorded crime series is issued to police forces, along with their definitions (most of which are in terms of criminal law definitions), as part of the Home Office Counting Rules. The list is also given in Table 3.04 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 07/03 'Crime in England and Wales 2002–03' which was published in July 2003. That table also shows what offences within the violence against the person category are deemed to be more serious and less serious offences.

  GM Crops
  GM Crops
  Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe and River Danube
  Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe and River Danube
  Police Service: Staff Support Associations
  Police Service: Staff Support Associations
  Faith Communities Unit
  Faith Communities Unit
  Cannabis
  Cannabis
  Fungal Diseases
  Fungal Diseases
  School Session Times
  School Session Times
  School Swimming
  School Swimming
  Stakeholder Pensions
  Stakeholder Pensions
  Horse Passports: VAT
  Horse Passports: VAT
  Sports Coaching Qualifications: Funding
  Sports Coaching Qualifications: Funding
  Drug Free Sport Directorate
  Drug Free Sport Directorate
  Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
  Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
  Sport: Overseas Tours
  Sport: Overseas Tours
  Public Bodies: Disabled Members
  Public Bodies: Disabled Members