Written Answers of 13 February 2004

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been charged with offences in relation to the use of mobile phones while driving since the new measures were introduced. [148600]

  Ms Blears
  Information on the number of people charged is not collected centrally.

  Prosecution data for the new offence of driving while using a hand-held mobile telephone will not be available until the autumn of 2004.

DEFENCE

  Iraq
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what access to legal representation is available to persons detained by United Kingdom forces in Iraq under Article 78 of the IV Geneva Convention (1949); what criteria are used to determine whether they continue to pose a threat to security; and if he will make a statement. [154539]

  Mr. Ingram
  As set out in Article 80 of Geneva Convention IV internees retain their full civil capacity. This principle is reflected in Article 113 which provides, inter alia, that the Detaining Power shall provide all reasonable facilities for the transmission of wills, powers of attorney, letters of authority, or any other documents intended for internees or despatched by them. The Detaining Power is also obliged to facilitate the execution and authentication in due legal form of such documents on behalf of internees, in particular allowing them to consult a lawyer. In accordance with these provisions the United Kingdom provides access to legal advice when requested by an internee for such matters. The UK does not specifically provide for legal advice to be available to internees.

  A review is carried out after 10, 28 and thereafter every 90 days to determine whether, on the balance of probabilities, internment is necessary for reasons of security. In accordance with Article 78 of the Fourth Geneva Conventions, the review takes into account all of the evidence and intelligence available relating to an internee.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on quick impact projects authorised by the UK military command in the(a) first 100 days and (b) six months following the end of high intensity military operations in Iraq. [150225]
  2W
  Mr. Ingram
  $5.3 million was spent on quick impact projects authorised by the United Kingdom military command in the first six months following the end of high intensity military operations in Iraq, of which $1.1 million was spent in the first 100 days.

  Richard Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he was informed that the 45-minute assertion related to battlefield mortar shells or small calibre weaponry. [154024]

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he was informed that the 45-minute claim related to battlefield weapons. [154102]

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he first became aware to which Iraqi weapons the 45-minute claim in the Iraq's weapons of mass destruction dossier applied. [154180]

  Mr. Hoon
  I first became aware of 'the 45-minute claim' when I read drafts of the Government's dossier and the Joint Intelligence Committee's assessment dated 9 September 2002. The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) in their report of 9 September 2003 (cm 5972) published, at paragraph 50, the relevant passage from the assessment. This stated:"Intelligence also indicates that chemical and biological munitions could be with military units and ready for firing within 20 to 45 minutes."

  The ISC also commented (para 57):
  "The JIC did not know precisely which munitions could be deployed from where to where and the context of the intelligence was not included in the JIC Assessment".

  I became aware that this intelligence referred to battlefield weapons soon after the publication of the Government's dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the incidents for which Boards of Inquiry have been initiated since the commencement of military operations in Iraq; and which such Boards have reported. [154038]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 February 2004 ]: I assume that the question is seeking information on those incidents in Iraq that occurred during recent operations there.

  Boards of Inquiry have been convened to inquire into the following incidents:

  Royal Navy
  Collision of two Sea Kings from 849 Naval Air Squadron on 22 March 2003; and
  Death of Marine Maddison on 30 March 2003.
  Internal reports have been issued into both incidents.

  Army
  Death of Lance-Corporal Brierley on 30 March 2003;
  Deaths of Lieutenant Tweedie and Lance-Corporal Shearer on 1 April 2003;
  Death of Private Smith on 13 August 2003; and
  a Board of Inquiry will be convened on Friday 13 February into a serious injury suffered by Lance-Corporal Stesel on 6 April 2003

  No formal reports have yet been issued.
  3W
  RAF
  Patriot/Tornado GR4 incident on 23 March 2003.
  No formal report has yet been issued.

  Further Boards of Inquiry may be convened into other incidents when the relevant initial investigations are complete.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on embedding in the Iraq war. [155134]

  Mr. Ingram
  I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the embedding of journalists as war correspondents with our Armed Forces during the conflict in Iraq.

  I refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 10.11 on page 59 of the MOD publication "Operations in Iraq: lessons for the future" which was published on 11 December. A copy of this publication has been deposited in the Library of the House and is available for reference.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the Government's full response to the National Audit Office's investigation report into Operation Telic; and if he will make a statement. [150197]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]: Departments do not publish full responses directly to National Audit Office reports.

  In due course, the Public Accounts Committee will issue a report into Operation Telic. That report will be informed by the National Audit Office's investigation report. After the Public Accounts Committee report has been issued, the Government will issue a response (in the form of a Treasury minute) within the normal timeframe and in the normal way.

  Military Assistance (Asia)
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military assistance has been provided to(a) Uzbekistan, (b) Turkmenistan, (c) Kazakhstan, (d) Kyrgyzstan, (e) Pakistan, (f) Georgia and (g) Azerbaijan since 2000; and if he will make a statement. [154545]

  Mr. Ingram
  All these countries are situated in a region of increasing strategic importance to the United Kingdom. The UK has small but carefully focused programmes of bilateral co-operation with most of them facilitated by our resident Defence Attachés.

  The UK's military assistance to Uzbekistan has focused on training and advice to assist the Uzbekistan Ministry of Defence with its defence reform efforts. It has stressed the importance of respect for the rule of law and human rights, and has included English language training and assistance with the development of junior staff officer and NCO training. The UK also provided a modest amount of military aid to Uzbekistan in March 2002—100 combat helmets and 15 mine detectors.

  The UK provides no military assistance to Turkmenistan apart from a small English language training programme.
  4W
  The UK's military assistance to Kazakhstan has focused on training and advice to help enhance Kazakhstan's peacekeeping capability and support its defence reform efforts. It has included English language training and assistance with the development of NCO training.

  Military assistance to Kyrgyzstan has centred on English language training and assistance with mountain patrolling techniques. The UK also provided a modest amount of military aid to Kyrgyzstan in March 2002—100 combat helmets and 15 mine detectors.

  The UK has close historical ties with the armed forces of Pakistan. Over the past four years Pakistan has received military assistance in the form of places on training courses in the UK at the Royal College of Defence Studies, the Joint Services Command and Staff College, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and other Service establishments. In Pakistan the UK has provided assistance with flight safety and military band training and has agreed to respond to Pakistani requests for emergency humanitarian escape and rescue assistance for their small submarine fleet.

  UK military assistance to Georgia has focused on training and advice to help defence reform. Our efforts concentrate on advisory visits and have included English language training and assistance with the development of NCO training. Defence reform is also supported by a UK Civilian Special Defence Adviser to the Georgian Ministry of Defence and a resettlement programme which re-trains retired service personnel.

  The UK's military assistance to Azerbaijan has been confined to English language training.

  Afghanistan
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether enhanced body armour is issued to all British troops operating in Afghanistan. [152376]

  Mr. Ingram
  Yes.

  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what personal protection clothing is issued to British troops operating in Afghanistan.[152379]

  Mr. Ingram
  All troops in Afghanistan are issued with a Kevlar helmet and Enhanced Combat Body Armour. They are also issued a S10 respiration. Sufficient Individual Protection Equipment is also held in theatre for all deployed troops.

  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) quantity and (b) type of radar equipment is deployed for British troops to use in Afghanistan. [153037]

  Mr. Ingram
  I am withholding the information required in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans there are for Eurocorps to take over the NATO International Security Assistance Force operation in Afghanistan; [155207]

  (2) what plans there are for Eurocorps to assume command of the Kabul Multi-national Brigade. [155211]
  5W
  Mr. Ingram
  No decisions have been made on deploying Eurocorps to Afghanistan.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will agree the(a) final projected costs and (b) demonstration and manufacturer contracting arrangements for the aircraft carrier programme. [154629]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Future Carrier (CVF) programme is currently in Stage 3 of the Assessment Phase. It is expected that a decision on the CVF programme will be made in Spring this year at the conclusion of the Assessment Phase.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected(a) cost and (b) commissioning date is of the two new aircraft carriers; what estimates were made when the contract was let; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the difference. [154630]

  Mr. Ingram
  The CVF programme is still in the Assessment Phase, which is intended to reduce risk in emerging design solutions, and balance the key parameters of performance, time and cost. The current target acquisition cost for the two carriers is around £3 billion with target in-service dates of 2012 and 2015. Estimates are being refined during the Assessment Phase, taking into account the maturing design and cost information. Agreed targets will be included in the demonstration and manufacturing contract arrangements.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of(a) the cost and (b) the in-service dates of each of the two future aircraft carriers. [154660]

  Mr. Ingram
  The CVF programme is still in the Assessment Phase, which is intended to reduce risk in emerging design solutions and balance the key parameters of performance time and cost. The current target acquisition cost for the two carriers is around £3 billion with target in-service dates of 2012 and 2015 respectively.

  Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the proposals for reform of(a) the pension scheme and (b) the compensation scheme in the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill are (i) individually cost-neutral and (ii) cost-neutral combined; and if he will make a statement. [153875]

  Mr. Caplin
  The costs of the new Armed Forces pension and compensation schemes have been and will continue to be assessed individually. However, there are links between the two schemes, as income payments from the pension and associated early departure schemes are offset against the loss of earnings income payments in the compensation scheme. Both schemes are considered to be broadly cost-neutral when compared with current provision. Benefits will be paid against entitlement from centrally management Government funds.
  6W
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the estimate produced by the Royal British Legion of the likely number of cases that would fail under the provisions of the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill under(a) the proposed balance of probability test, (b) the proposed time limits for compensation claims and (c) both. [153876]

  Mr. Caplin
  I have been in correspondence with the Royal British Legion about its assessment of the combined effect on recent War Pension claims of the changes planned for the new compensation scheme to time limits and standard of proof. We do not accept the Royal British Legion's analysis, which was based on a sample which was not representative of the full spectrum of claims. Nor do we accept that data for the time lapse between leaving service and making a claim under the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) can be extrapolated to the new scheme. We expect the timing of claims under the new scheme to take account of the time limit.

  No work has been undertaken to assess how the particular provisions in the new scheme for time limits and standard of proof would have affected the decisions that we have taken on claims under the War Pension Scheme. Rather, our approach has been to consider the future requirement for a compensation scheme from first principles. We have sought to design a scheme which offers fair and proportionate compensation to anyone who, within a sensible timescale, can provide reasonable evidence that they are suffering from a condition due to service. The scheme will allow claims for specified late-onset conditions outside the limit, and will provide for exceptional review and an independent appeals tribunal. An independent review of our proposals commissioned from Watson Wyatt, a firm of actuaries and consultants, has confirmed that this approach is appropriate and reasonable. Copies of this report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses entitled "Armed Forces Compensation Scheme—A report on the proposals for a revised compensation scheme for members of the Armed Forces".

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on how the new tariff-based compensation scheme will(a) assess compensation for (i) injuries and (ii) financial losses consequent on injury and (b) be administered, with particular reference to appeal arrangements. [153881]

  Mr. Caplin
  The new scheme will assess compensation by matching an injury accepted as due to service to a tariff description and the corresponding fixed level award. For those injuries lying within tariff levels 1 to 11, where it is assessed that earnings capacity will be significantly affected, there will be an additional Guaranteed Income Stream, paid at graduated levels, up-rated for inflation, and based on salary at service termination. It will be paid for life.

  Decisions in the scheme will be the responsibility of lay administrators, but with access to medical and legal advice. They will be evidence-based, reflecting case specific facts and contemporary generally accepted medical understanding. Adjudication guidance in the scheme will be published, with medical aspects externally validated.
  7W
  The new compensation scheme will be implemented by the Veterans Agency, which has considerable experience of assessing and determining claims for injury, illness or death due to Service. There will be an internal disputes resolution procedure for claimants who are dissatisfied with the decision on their claims. Following this, claimants can appeal to the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal (who currently support the War Pensions Scheme). For appeals on points of law, a Social Security Commissioner will provide the new second tier of independent appeal, with a final level of appeal to the Court of Appeal.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of injury case will receive(a) less and (b) more compensation under the new scheme proposed in the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill; and if he will make a statement. [153882]

  Mr. Caplin
  A key principle of the new scheme is a better scaling of compensation to the level of disablement. The War Pensions Scheme provides neither awards that are reasonably proportionate to level of disablement nor significant up-front sums to help people adapt their lives to their new circumstances. However, the new Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for death, injury and ill-health due to Service provides lump sums for pain and suffering that are set out in a 15-level tariff, graduated for level of disablement, with substantial amounts payable, particularly at the higher levels. This also means that money will be available to help people adapt their lives. Where earning capacity is significantly impaired, there will also be a Guaranteed Income Stream (GIS), graduated according to level of impairment. For those with more minor conditions, which are not expected to have a significant impact on earnings capacity, a lump sum for pain and suffering is paid, but no GIS. Details of the compensation scheme, including example tariffs, have been placed in the Library of the House and can be found on the MOD internet site at: www.mod.uk/issues/pensions (A Framework Document For The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for Injury, Illness and Death Due to Service).

  Armed Forces Personnel (Medical Services)
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the availability of(a) general practitioner services and (b) NHS dental services to families of armed forces personnel located in the UK. [153830]

  Mr. Caplin
  Issues of concern to Service families are monitored regularly through continuous attitude surveys and meetings with the Service family associations. We are aware that some families can find it difficult to find a GP but we are not aware of families not being able to register with a GP. Service families are in the same position as other member of local communities in relation to NHS dentists. However, the MOD is continuing to look at ways we can reduce these problems through local discussions.

  Armoured Vehicles
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many FV432 series vehicles were deployed to the Gulf during Operation Telic. [153000]
  8W
  Mr. Ingram
  Approximately 480 FV432 and FV432 variant vehicles were deployed to the Gulf during Operation Telic.

  Aviation Noise
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has(a) published and (b) commissioned into helicopter noise. [153968]

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

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants, broken down by grade, there are in the Department and the agencies for which the Department is responsible; and what the figures were in January 1997. [150254]

  Mr. Caplin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 10 February 2004,Official Report, columns 1293–98W, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  Civilian Staff
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2003,Official Report, column 273W, when his Department last compiled reliable data for civilians at individual defence installations; and if he will make a statement. [155188]

  Mr. Caplin
  There are no centrally held reliable data on the number of civilians at individual defence installations.

  Defence Estate Organisation
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Defence Estate Organisation's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98. [155206]

  Mr. Caplin
  No publication exists for the period stated. The Defence Estates Organisation was not directed to produce qualified accounts during the first year as an Agency.

  Defence Fire Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the Defence Fire Service was of Operation Fresco, broken down by main budget. [155215]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information on the discrete costs incurred by the Defence Fire Service during Operation Fresco could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However the overall additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence during Operation Fresco are charged to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  Defence Spending (Scotland)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much of the personnel budget of the(a) United Kingdom Hydrographic

  9W
  Office, (b) Defence Export Services Organisation, (c) Defence Medical Services Department and (d) Army Base Repair Organisation was spent in Scotland in financial year 2002–03 (i) in monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total; what the figures were in the previous year; and if he will make a statement on the figures for each agency; [155085]

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2003, Official Report, columns 133–36W, how much of its total personnel budget the (a) Defence Estates, (b) Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency, (c) Naval Manning Agency, (d) Defence Analytical Services Agency, (e) Defence Housing Executive, (f) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, (g) Army Personnel Centre and (h) Army Training and Recruitment Agency spent in Scotland in financial year 2002–03, (i) in monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total; what the figures were in the previous year; and if he will make a statement; [155190]

  (3) pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2003, Official Report, columns 133–36W, how much of its total personnel budget the (a) Defence Communications Services Agency, (b) Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, (c) Veterans Agency, (d) Disposal Services Agency, (e) Pay and Personnel Agency, (f) Defence Aviation Repair Agency and (g) Meteorological Office spent in Scotland in financial year 2002–03, (i) in monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total; what the figures were in the previous year; and if he will make a statement; [155191]

  (4) pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2003, Official Report, columns 133–36W, how much of its total personnel budget the (a) RAF Personnel Manning Agency, (b) RAF Training Group Defence Agency, (c) Warship Support Agency, (d) British Forces Post Office, (e) Defence Vetting Agency, (f) Defence Medical Education and Training Agency and (g) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency spent in Scotland in financial year 2002–03, (i) in monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total; what the figures were in the previous year; and if he will make a statement; [155192]

  (5) how much of the personnel budget of the (a) Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and (b)Defence Secondary Care Agency was spent in Scotland in financial year 2002–03 (i) in monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total; what the figures were in the previous year; and if he will make a statement on the figures for each agency; [155086]

  (6) pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2003, Official Report, columns 133–36W, how much of its total personnel budget the (a) Service Children's Education, (b) Duke of York's Royal Military School, (c) Naval Recruiting and Training Agency, (d) Defence Procurement Agency, (e) Defence Transport and Movements Agency, (f ) Medical Supplies Agency, (g) Defence Dental Agency and (h) Defence Bills Agency spent in Scotland in financial year 2002–03, (i) in monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total; what the figures were in the previous year; and if he will make a statement. [155193]
  10W
  Mr. Caplin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 December 2003,Official Report, columns 132–35W, and the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 3 December 2003, Official Report, columns 67–68W.

  Departmental Minutes
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his Department's policy to make notes of(a) meetings and (b) telephone conversations involving Ministers; and under what circumstances no notes would be taken. [149530]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 20 January 2004]The Ministry of Defence follows the central "Guidance on the Management of Private Office Papers" which makes clear that good record management procedures are necessary not least to ensure accountability and provide an audit trail. Among the records covered by the guidance are Ministers' meetings and telephone conversations.

  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what projects have received an environmental impact assessment since his policy statement on the management of safety and environmental protection in July 2000. [154695]

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

  Equipment Programme
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's Equipment Programme. [153032]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information on a range of major equipment projects, which together form the substantial part of the Ministry of Defence's forward equipment programme, is routinely made available, for example in support of the PAC's annual Major Projects Report and the HCDC's annual inquiry into defence procurement. This detail is set in broader context by the publication every two years of the MOD's overarching Defence Investment Strategy.

  In addition, the principal output of the MOD's annual equipment planning round is a set of detailed planning assumptions and financial data about the proposed content and timing of the future equipment programme. This forms part of the internal advice to Ministers on the overall affordability of the defence programme and of individual projects at the time they come forward for approval. It therefore anticipates decisions still to be taken by Ministers. In parts it also contains information which is commercially sensitive. I am therefore withholding the information in accordance with Exemptions 2 and 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  European Defence
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to set up a joint Franco-British rapid deployment force; and if he will make a statement. [155208]
  11W
  Mr. Ingram
  There are no plans to set up a joint Franco-British rapid deployment force. However, as part of the Helsinki Headline Goal, member states agreed to develop rapid response elements available and deployable at very high readiness. The British, French and German governments are proposing that EU member states create Battle Group-sized forces, deployable within 15 days, by 2007. Member states would be able to offer such formations individually—as is likely to be the case for the United Kingdom—or on a multi-national basis.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress achieved by the Helsinki Project Catalogue groups tasked with studying(a) air-to-air refuelling, (b) combat search and rescue, (c) strategic unmanned air vehicles, (d) nuclear, biological and chemical protection, (e) headquarters, (f) special operations forces, (g) theatre ballistic missile defence, (h) strategic airlift, (i) interoperability, (j) space, (k) intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, (l) strategic sealift, (m) collective medical protection, (n) attack helicopters and (o) support helicopters. [155210]

  Mr. Ingram
  Progress is continuing across the 15 Project Groups established under the European Capabilities Action Plan since May 2003, although all are at different stages in their development. In strategic mobility, for example, and in conjunction with NATO, the Project Group is introducing a 'Strategic Air Lift Interim Solution' or SALIS, (in place until A-400M becomes available) and the co-ordinated use of assets by a Strategic Air Lift Co-ordination Centre, co-located with the European Airlift Co-ordination Centre at Eindhoven. There are also important qualitative outputs under development across the Project Groups, for example in systems interoperability, operational doctrine, and training. The Council Conclusions of 17 November 2003 underlined the need to disseminate Project Group objectives, timelines and reporting procedures more widely, and this information will be presented shortly as an integral part of the Single Progress Report compiled once during each Presidency. It is anticipated that a Capability Improvement Chart showing the state-of-play of the Project Groups in a clearly digestible format will accompany the Single Progress Report.

  Future Integrated Soldier Technology Programme
  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology programme. [154585]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme has almost completed the first year of a 32 month Assessment Phase and is making good progress. The project will bring the benefits of improved technology to the soldier by providing an integrated suite of personal equipment to enhance dismounted close combat capability.

  Gulf War Illnesses
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Gulf War veterans suffering from 12W
  Gulf War illnesses have been tested for (a) depleted uranium poisoning, (b) squalene antibodies and (c) microplasmal organisms. [155172]

  Mr. Caplin
  A voluntary programme to test for depleted uranium (DU) in the urine of veterans will begin in pilot form in March, with the full programme expected to become available during the summer. The test will be available for all eligible veterans and civilians, irrespective of their state of health. In addition, a very small number of veterans have been tested for total uranium following referral by the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme. I understand that some veterans have been tested for exposure to DU by private arrangement.

  The Ministry of Defence has not tested veterans for squalene antibodies or mycoplasmal infections, to which I believe the hon. Member is referring. I understand that some veterans have been tested for squalene antibodies by private arrangement.

  Joint Strike Fighter
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who owns the intellectual property rights of the joint strike fighter system; and whether this is shared with UK and US companies. [154684]

  Mr. Ingram
  Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the Joint Strike Fighter system are owned by the contractor or sub-contractor generating them, whether UK or US companies. The IPR generated under the contracts and sub-contracts can be used by the MOD for purposes associated with that programme.

  Lieutenant Lewis Page
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 574W, on Lieutenant Lewis Page, whether (a) authorisation was sought by Lieutenant Page and (b) permission which fell short of proper authorisation was given to Lieutenant Page. [154665]

  Mr. Caplin
  Lieutenant Lewis Page did not seek authorisation to publish an article in Prospect magazine, nor was permission of any kind given to him.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the renewal of the 1958 Agreement for Co-operation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes. [154776]

  Mr. Ingram
  Discussions continue between the United Kingdom and United States Governments on the renewal of this agreement. Subject to the outcome of those discussions, we expect to lay any amendments before the House later this year in accordance with normal procedures for treaty renewals.

  Operation Artemis
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use will be made of the armed forces for covert surveillance on upland estates as part of Operation Artemis. [154732]
  13W
  Ingram
  None. Operation Artemis was an EU led operation to help stabilise the town of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo which ended in September 2003. The UK contributed 85 personnel to the Operation. Their role was to increase the capacity of the airfield in Bunia.

  Overseas Bribery
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many allegations of overseas bribery the MOD Police has received since November 1997; how many of these allegations resulted in investigations; and what the outcome of these investigations was. [151397]

  Caplin
  There have been six allegations of bribery overseas received by the Ministry of Defence Police since 1998. Records do not go back as far as November 1997. As a result of these allegations, four investigations were conducted. One investigation at the British embassy Washington in December 1999 resulted in internal MOD discipline procedures being carried out and an employee returning to the UK. The second investigation at Rhine Garrison in September 2000 resulted in no further action being taken. There is one ongoing investigation which commenced in July 2002 at the Royal Mint Llantrisant which is soon to be brought to a close. The investigation in Sierra Leone in December 2002 resulted in no crime being found.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to Questions with reference numbers 146471 and 146688, tabled on 5 January. [153340]

  Ingram
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 9 February 2004,(Official Report, columns 1173–74W)

  Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ensure that answers to parliamentary questions which are in the form of letters which are lodged in the Library are, subject to issues of confidentiality, made available to the public by posting them on the Ministry website. [153521]

  Caplin
  The office of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, is working with House officials to explore what might be done to improve the accessibility of subsequent correspondence.

  RAF Fairford
  Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what building work is under way at RAF Fairford, with particular reference to hangar capacity. [155116]

  Caplin
  The building work currently under way at RAF Fairford involves a number of general infrastructure upgrade programmes. These include a fuel complex, a 4.5km perimeter road around the south-east portion of the airfield, some airfield pavement works, the construction of a single-bay portable aircraft shelter and a two-bay aircraft maintenance hangar capable of housing a wide variety of aircraft, including the USAF B-2 aircraft.

  The current operational status of RAF Fairford as a NATO designated standby base will not change and no aircraft will be permanently stationed at the base.
  14W
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to further secure the boundary fence at RAF Fairford. [155187]

  Caplin
  Every aspect of security at all RAF bases, including RAF Fairford, is under constant review and improvements are made when necessary.

  Recruitment
  Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence up to what percentage of its liability the(a) Royal Corps of Signals, (b) Corps of Royal Engineers, (c) Infantry, (d) Royal Logistics Corps, (e) Royal Armoured Corps, (f) Royal Artillery, (g) Royal Air Force and (h) Royal Navy is allowed to recruit. [155204]

  Ingram
  The Army, and individual capbadges within the Army, do not recruit as a percentage of liability. The Army is resourced to approximately 94 per cent. of liability in FY 2004–05; this defines, through a process of detailed manpower forecasting, the level of recruits required each year. The Director of Manning (Army) divides the total requirement of new recruits each year by capbadge and this will be consistent with the Army Board's endorsed manning priorities. The level of funding is set to increase gradually to nearly 99 per cent. of its liability by 2008.

  In the Royal Navy and the RAF, recruiting targets are set in order to provide a level of input that will sustain manpower levels in the long-term against the projected requirement. Both Services strive to recruit 100 per cent. of their manning target in any one financial year. Royal Navy recruiting targets are variable and not a fixed percentage of the requirement.

  Reserve Forces
  Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists who are fit for role are available for mobilisation.[R] [154877]

  Caplin
  As at 31 January 2004, the number of Volunteer Reservists who were currently fit for role and available for mobilisation was 19,810. In addition, 112,040 members of the Regular Reserve were also available for mobilisation.

  Royal Fleet Auxiliary
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2003,Official Report, column 273W, how many Royal Fleet auxiliaries are employed in Scotland. [155189]

  Caplin
  There are currently no Royal Fleet Auxiliaries permanently based on-shore in Scotland.

  Surplus Equipment
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sales of surplus equipment have been
  15W
  approved in the last 12 months, broken down by (a) equipment type, (b) country to which it was sold and (c) value; what further equipment is being considered for sale to other countries; and if he will make a statement. [154456]

  Mr. Ingram
  The contracts signed by the Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Agency (DSA) in the calendar year 2003 for equipments directly sold (in some cases still to be exported) on a Government-to-Government basis are listed as follows:

  Equipment

  Country

  Type 23 Frigate HMS Sheffield

  Chile

  6 Watchman Auto Radar Displays

  Finland

  Various 105MM light gun spares

  Republic of Ireland

  Various test/training equipment

  Jordan

  95 Seammell Commander Tank transporters

  Jordan

  It is not our practice to reveal sales values and, so as to protect third party commercial confidentiality, I am therefore withholding that information in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  The DSA markets most capital equipments declared surplus to requirements to overseas Governments for further use. It is currently actively marketing Landing Ships Logistics, Combat Vehicles Reconnaissance (Tracked), Sea Harrier and Sea Kings (among other primary equipments).

  Welsh Regiments
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers in Welsh regiments in Iraq have not been issued with flak jackets. [150358]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is sufficient Enhanced Combat Body Armour in Iraq for every member of the armed forces who requires it.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers in Welsh regiments are fighting in Iraq. [150369]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 11 February 2004, 486 soldiers were serving in Iraq with the Royal Regiment of Wales.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers in Welsh regiments have been killed in Iraq, broken down by cause of death. [150370]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 11 February 2004, three soldiers who were serving with Welsh regiments have been killed in Iraq. All these deaths were the result of operational accidents.

  Number of newly diagnosed cases of malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage in England. By age group. 1991–2000

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Children (aged under 15)

  41

  37

  51

  50

  63

  51

  49

  47

  58

  55

  Adolescents (aged 15–24)

  72

  73

  63

  52

  75

  56

  75

  76

  59

  68

  Adults (aged 25 and over)

  254

  252

  228

  249

  277

  296

  276

  252

  305

  312

  Total

  367

  362

  342

  351

  415

  403

  400

  375

  422

  435

  Note:

  For the years 1991 to 1994. International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision Code (ICD-9) code 170. For the years 1995 to 2000, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C40 and C41.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Leader of the House how many days on average his Office took in Session 2002–03 to give a substantive answer to a parliamentary Question for ordinary written answer; and what the greatest number of days taken to answer such a question was. [155926]

  Mr. Hain
  On average, it took my office 2.5 days to give a substantive answer to an ordinary written parliamentary question1.

  The greatest number of days to answer such a question was nine days (excluding recess days).

  Performance on handling parliamentary questions is available on the Leader of the Commons website www.commonsleader.gov.uk.
  1Questions tabled during Session 2002–03 included those to the President of the Council

TREASURY

  National Statistics
  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new cases of osteosarcoma have been diagnosed in(a) children, (b) adolescents and (c) adults in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [155079]

  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. Andrew George dated 19 February 2004:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many new cases of osteosarcoma have been diagnosed in (a) children, (b) adolescents and (c) adults in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Newly diagnosed cases of osteosarcoma are coded to malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage. It is not possible to say exactly how many such cases are osteosarcoma, because some records do not identify the specific cell type. Of the total numbers of cases of malignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilage, osteosarcomas represent about 50% in children and adolescents and about 25% in adults.

  The numbers of registrations of newly diagnosed cases of malignant neoplasm of hone and articular cartilage in England for the age groups requested for the years 1991 to 2000 (the latest available year) are given in the table below. The age groups; children, adolescents and adults are those used in recent published studies of the incidence of cancer in England.
  17W
  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many patients have died in circumstances where the primary tumour was an osteosarcoma in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [155080]

  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. Andrew George dated 19 February 2004:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many patients have died in circumstances where the primary tumour was an osteosarcoma in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  No figures are available on the number of deaths from osteosarcoma because it is defined in terms of cell type, and this information is not collected at death registration. Deaths from osteosarcoma are included in figures for malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage.

  The number of deaths from malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage in England in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available are given in the table below.

  Number of deaths from malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage in England 1993–2002

  Year

  Number of deaths

  1993

  187

  1994

  188

  1995

  175

  1996

  214

  1997

  212

  1998

  195

  1999

  201

  2000

  202

  2001

  248

  2002

  229

  Note:

  For the years 1993 to 2000, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision Code (1CD 9) code 170. For the years 2001 to 2002, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (1CD-10) codes C40 and C41.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to achieve the Government's targets of(a) ending child poverty by 2020, (b) halving it by 2010 and (c) reducing it by a quarter by 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [154363]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hen. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions gave to her on 12 February 2004,Official Report, columns 1590–91W.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average weekly income was in each ward in each principal seaside town in England and Wales in the last month for which figures are available, listed in descending order with Welsh Seaside Town clusters disaggregated. [154942]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 19 February 2004:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about average weekly income in each ward in principal seaside towns. (154942)
  18W
  The Office for National Statistics does not produce earnings estimates at the requested level of detail for current wards. The lowest geographic area for which these estimates are produced from the New Earnings Survey is local authority and unitary authority level. The latest available figures for average weekly earnings at this level relate to April 2003 and are published on the National Statistics website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/NES2003_Analyses_By_Region/.pdf

  The estimates given in the New Earnings Survey are for the gross earnings of employees who are members of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) schemes. They do not include income from other sources, or the earnings of individuals who are not members of such schemes.

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants he expects will be relocated from London as a result of the assessment by Sir Michael Lyons; from which Government departments relocation of staff is being considered; when he expects the first staff to move from London; and if he will make a statement. [154701]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Independent Review of Public Sector Relocation led by Sir Michael Lyons will report its findings and recommendations in March 2004. It would be inappropriate to pre-empt his final report. Sir Michael's interim report is available on the Treasury website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which towns and cities have been assessed by Sir Michael Lyons for possible relocation of civil servants from London; which have been short-listed; how many locations will be selected; when he expects to make an announcement; and if he will make a statement. [154702]

  Mr. Boateng
  Sir Michael Lyons retained King Sturge Property Consultants to conduct an analysis of over 100 locations to better understand local property and labour markets. This information is available on the Treasury website www.hm-treasury.gov.uk and will inform Sir Michael's final report which will be published in March 2004.

  Defence Capabilities
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1170W, on provision for defence capability, on which page of the Ministry of Defence's Report and Accounts 2002–03 the net cash requirement for Request for Resources 1: Provision for Defence Capability for financial years 2001–02 to 2002–03 can be found. [155205]

  Mr. Boateng
  Net Cash Requirement (NCR) covers the consequences of all requests for resources (RfR) together with other cash implications and, as such, is not recorded on an individual RfR basis.

  The total NCR outturn figures for 2001–02 and 2002–03 can be found on page 88 of MOD's Report and Accounts 2002–03.

  Gulf War
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was received by the Government from overseas governments in respect of costs incurred during
  19W
  the Gulf War, (a) in total and (b) from (i) Germany, (ii) Japan, (iii) Saudi Arabia, (iv) Kuwait and (v) other Gulf states. [154954]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the National Audit Office Report on MOD: Of the Costs and Receipts Arising from the Gulf Conflict (2 December 1992).

  Penrose Inquiry
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any(a) Minister and (b) official of (i) HM Treasury and (ii) the Treasury Solicitor's Department has (A) held discussions with, (B) written to and (C) provided any part of the Penrose report into Equitable Life to anyone in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration; and if he will make a statement. [155067]

  Ruth Kelly
  Treasury officials have had contact with the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on a range of matters, but no part of the Penrose report into Equitable Life has been provided to that office.

  Property Ownership
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people who work abroad and own property in the UK; [155235]

  (2) if he will estimate how many people resident overseas own property in the UK but do not pay income tax. [155236]

  Ruth Kelly
  It is not possible to estimate the number of people who work or are otherwise resident abroad and own property in the UK, or the number of those who do not pay UK income tax. However there are currently around 100,000 individuals who are resident outside the UK and have notified the Inland Revenue that they are letting out UK property. All of them are subject to UK income tax on any profits they make from such letting out.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last used a train in connection with his ministerial duties. [154697]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  On 18 November 2003.

  I travelled from Euston to Birmingham by train to speak at the CBI Conference, returning on the same day.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many civil servants, broken down by grade, there are in the Department and the agencies for which the Department is responsible; and what the figures were in January 1997. [150262]
  20W
  Mr. Lammy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, on 10 February 2004,Official Report, column 1294W.

  Department Branding
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much the Department and its predecessors spent on branding the Department between 1997–98 and 2003–04, broken down by(a) consultancy fees, (b) design and orders for new stationery, (c) website design and (d) other material featuring new logos. [154063]

  Mr. Lammy
  The information is provided in the following table. To date, my Department has not spent anything on rebranding for the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Our executive agency, the Public Guardianship Office, has spent £56,695 on new branding to reflect its change of name from the Public Trust Office. A contract for £25,000 has recently been let to provide a style re-design for DCA HQ stationery and publications.

  Hutton Report
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs who authorised, and for what purpose, members of the Intelligence and Security Committee to be given access to the contents of the Hutton Inquiry Report on the morning of 28 January in advance of its publication. [152520]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer provided on 3 February 2004,Official Report, column 758W, by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, to the hon. Member for Southend West (Mr. Amess).

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs who in his office saw an embargoed copy of the Hutton Report. [152675]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided, by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 February 2004,Official Report, column 758W.

  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what his estimate is of the total amount of staff hours spent in support of Lord Hutton's Inquiry; what the budget allocated to it was; and if he will make a statement. [153384]

  Laganside Courts Complex
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what monthly payments have been made to date to Consul Services Ltd. for the Laganside courts Private Finance Initiative scheme; what abatements have been applied; and what the reasons were for each abatement. [152911]

  Mr. Leslie
  The average monthly payment is £350,000 and, to date, 22 monthly payments totalling £7,682,926.57 have been made to Consul Services Ltd. 11 abatements totalling £4,226.84 have been applied and all were in respect of water ingress.

  Legal Aid
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average annual percentage salary rise awarded to those employed in dealing with or administering criminal legal aid was between 1 January 1996 and 30 November 2003; and if he will make a statement. [154289]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Commission is unable to answer the question in the format requested as neither the Legal Services Commission nor the former Legal Aid Board make a distinction between staff administering civil and criminal work.

  The Commission is able to provide figures on the average annual percentage salary rise—awarded with effect from 1 April—for each year since 1997, but cannot provide a figure for 1996. The figures are as follows:

  Percentage

  1997

  4

  1998

  3.5

  1999

  4

  2000

  14

  20.5

  2001

  14.3

  20.9

  2002

  14.3

  21.1

  2003

  13.6

  21.1

  1 Consolidated

  2 Non-consolidated

  All annual salary increases are subject to a pay remit, which must be approved by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Prior to 2003 remits also required approval of HM Treasury.

  Name

  Nation

  Media

  Dates

  Gareth Furby

  UK

  BBC London News

  9–18 January

  John Walsh

  UK

  BBC London News

  9–18 January

  Herr Rainer Hirst

  Germany

  ZDF TV Germany

  12–20 January

  Herr Lukas Rosenberg

  Germany

  ZDF TV Germany

  12–20 January

  Herr Lars Schwietjke

  Germany

  ZDF TV Germany

  12–20 January

  Herr Christian Schubert

  Germany

  Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

  15–20 January

  M. Olivier Lucazeau

  France

  AFP

  15–20 January

  Nevsal Elevi

  Turkey

  Milliyet

  15–20 January

  Ms Heidi Kingstone

  Canada

  Johannesburg Star

  15–20 January

  Herr Frank Herman

  Germany

  Rheinische Poste

  19–23 January

  Herr Markus Ziener

  Germany

  Handelsblatt

  19–23 January

  Herr Christoph Mahlzahm

  Germany

  Spiegel

  19–23 January

  Herr Christoph von Marschall

  Germany

  Tages Spiegel

  19–23 January

  Dr. Greg Mills

  South Africa

  South African Institute of International Affairs

  19–25 January

  Andrew Redvers Collinson

  UK

  HTV Wales

  19–25 January

  Richard Hooper

  UK

  HTV Wales

  19–25 January

  Iolo Ap Dafydd

  UK

  BBC Wales

  19–25 January

  Rhys Williams

  UK

  BBC Wales

  19–25 January

  Oliver Wright

  UK

  Times

  24–29 January

  Jack Hill

  UK

  Times

  24–29 January

  Mme Florence Saugues

  France

  Paris Match

  7–12 February

  M. Bernard Wis

  France

  Paris Match

  7–12 February

  Mile Sophie Shihab

  France

  Le Monde

  7–12 February

  M. Frederic Gerschel

  France

  Le Parisienne

  7–12 February

  Note:

  Those for which we have provided international air transport

  22W
  Mr. Leslie
  A precise cost for the inquiry, which will include four members from the Department of Constitutional Affairs seconded to the inquiry team, is not yet available. We will publish the figure once it is available.

  Hours spent by other staff in support of the inquiry or in general will have been part of their normal duties and at no cost to the inquiry. Records of hours spent on the inquiry are not maintained centrally.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of staff employed within the 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. [145772]

  Mr. Lammy
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, on 6 February 2004,Official Report, columns 1084–86W.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits by(a) UK and (b) foreign journalists to Basra have been facilitated by the Government in the last month; on which dates such visits took place; and which journalists were involved. [153903]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 February 2004J I have been asked to reply.

  Information on the number of government sponsored visits by both United Kingdom and foreign journalists to Basra in the last month is shown in the following table:
  23W
  This list does not include information on journalists who may have accompanied either a royal or ministerial party, details of which are not held centrally.

  In addition to the sponsored visits, we have provided facilities to many journalists based in or visiting Iraq independently.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Advertising
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent on recruitment advertisements in the press, broken down by publication, by(a) his Department, (b) quangos under the Department and (c) non-departmental Government bodies under the Department (i) in the last year and (ii) since 1997. [145805]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002.

  The total cost of recruitment advertising in the press from 29 May 2002 to 31 December 2003 is £343,000.

  The provision of a breakdown of costs by publication could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister use the most appropriate publication for recruitment advertising, be it national, regional, trade magazine or website, depending on the nature of the vacancy to be filled.

  Information on costs incurred by quangos and NDPBs is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many civil servants were employed in his Department, broken down by(a) gender, (b) age, (c) Civil Service classification and (d) tenure since May 2002. [145991]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established on 29 May 2002.

  The staffing position for the Office, as at December 2003 is shown in the
  Following table.

  Headcount

  Gender

  Female

  1,048

  Male

  1,214

  Total

  2,262

  Age Group

  16 to 25

  147

  26 to 35

  591

  36 to 45

  670

  46 to 55

  607

  56 plus

  247

  Total

  2,262

  Civil Service Classification

  Senior Civil Service

  148

  Pay Group 7

  59

  Pay Group 6

  375

  Pay Group 5

  253

  Pay Group 4

  529

  Pay Group 3

  476

  Pay Group 2

  355

  24W

  Headcount

  Pay Group 1

  40

  Pay Group EM1 to 4

  27

  Total

  2,262

  Tenure

  Casual

  66

  Permanent

  2,054

  Other (fixed-term appointment and inward secondments

  142

  Total

  2,262

  Staffing information is also available in Table C of the annual publication, "Civil Service Statistics", which covers permanent staff numbers in each Department and agencies from 1995 to 2002. Copies of the publication are available in the Libraries of both Houses. The latest edition, based on April 2002 data. was published on 24 July 2003.

  Alternatively, this information is available at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website: http://www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics/css.htm

  Council Housing
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 4 February 2004,Official Report, column 748, what estimate he has made of the return anticipated by investors on the £8 billion private investment made in former council housing to which he referred; and what part of the £8 billion private investment and servicing charges being made in former council housing will be recouped by investors in charges (a) to the Exchequer and (b) to tenants. [154312]

  Keith Hill
  Private Finance raised by registered social landlords (RSLs) in order to purchase and improve former council housing will be obtained on a competitive basis at the market rate at the time of borrowing. The National Audit Office report "Improving social housing through transfer" published in March 2003 recorded that transfers in 2000–01, the last full year covered by the report, secured loans with margins ranging from 0.1 per cent. to 0.5 per cent. above base rates. Provision for the repayment of the loan principal and associated interest will be included with in the RSL's business plan.

  Departmental Information
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the information or public relations campaigns conducted by his Department since May 2002. [145992]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information and public relations campaigns conducted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister since May 2002 are as follows:The Fire safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries from domestic fires.
  The Elected Regional Assemblies campaign—to create public awareness of, and encourage informed debate on, our policies on regional government.
  The advertising and promotional campaign to inform people about and encourage the uptake of the Starter Homes scheme.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [145927]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley South on the 20 January 2004,Official Report, col. 1130W.

  Development Sites
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister through what mechanism he may require reserve housing development sites to be released for building. [154831]

  Keith Hill
  It is premature for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to consider how to require the release of reserve housing sites at this time. In general my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has powers to modify or call-in development plans, and is responsible for deciding planning application appeals. In relation to Hampshire, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will decide what further action, if any, is necessary following the decision of the Joint Advisory Panel on 10 March.

  Fire Service
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he made of the cost to East Sussex Fire Authority of becoming a precepting authority. [154551]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government are carefully considering responses to the consultation on alternative notional amounts for Combined Fire Authorities, including that received from East Sussex Fire Authority.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether, under his plans for modernisation of the Fire Service, smaller fire authorities will have less scope to make savings than larger fire authorities. [154553]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Independent Review of the Fire Service predicted that the metropolitan brigades would gain the biggest savings. However, it may be too simplistic to compare larger versus smaller authorities. That, and the profound changes to the fire and rescue service announced in the White Paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service" is why the Government recognises that revisiting the fire formula spending share formula could be an issue. A working group of officials has been set up to examine the case for change and possible alternatives. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will consider any proposals for changes to the formula in the light of the working group's conclusions.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce a mechanism to redistribute grant to those smaller fire authorities that may have less scope to make savings under the Fire Service Modernisation agenda than larger fire authorities. [154554]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government recognises that revisiting the fire formula spending share formula could be an issue, given the profound changes to the fire and rescue service announced in the White Paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service". A working group of officials has 26W
  been set up to examine the case for change and possible alternatives. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will consider any proposals for changes to the formula in the light of the working group's conclusions.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he takes to ensure that the staff in fire service control rooms in Coventry have adequate levels of local knowledge. [155442]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are no fire control rooms in Coventry.

  Give as You Earn Scheme
  John Barrett
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what percentage of staff in his Department contribute to a charity through the Give As You Earn scheme; how much money is donated to charity per month by staff in his Department through the scheme; and what steps he is taking to encourage greater participation in the scheme by staff in his Department. [143895]

  Yvette Cooper
  The latest available data for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's payroll are for November 2003. In this month 261 staff donated £4,962.46 to 'Give As You Earn' (GAYE) out of a total headcount of 2,385 staff. This means that the percentage of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's staff making donations in this manner currently stands at 10.95 per cent.—the target rate is 10 per cent.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises the importance in continuing to raise awareness among its staff and intends carry out a promotion campaign and to integrate promotion of this scheme in our induction materials.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the fire risk in houses in multiple occupation of two storeys. [153130]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Government research published in 1997—Fire Risk in Houses in Multiple Occupation: Research Report—revealed that the risk of death from fire in HMOs of two storeys is about four times less than those of three storeys or more.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also recently completed a study into the effectiveness of residential sprinkler systems in a range of premises, including houses in multiple occupation. A summary of that project is available from the Building Regulations area of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. The full report of the work is available from the Building Research Establishment.

  House Building
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he assesses which reserve sites should be released to meet county level house building targets; and to what extent those borough councils that have already met their targets will be exempt from having to release reserve sites. [154820]
  27W
  Keith Hill
  It would be premature to take any decisions on where the release of the 'reserve' provision in Hampshire should take place, until after the Joint Advisory Panel have made their decision. The Strategic Planning Authorities have recently consulted upon a draft addendum to the Supplementary Planning Guidance 'Implementing Policy H4', which sets out a process for deciding the location of release. Performance against housing requirements is listed as one of the factors to be considered.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have been assessed as not meeting their target for house building. [154821]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on how many local authorities have been assessed as not meeting their house building target has not been collected centrally. However, performance on house building has formed part of the assessments made at the regional and strategic level for the preparation of revised Regional Planning Guidance and structure plans in each region.

  Each local planning authority will be required, under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill, to report on their performance against their local development scheme and on the impact of their policies on the ground in their Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). Local planning authorities would be required to include information on housing policy and performance. Under draft clause 25 of the Bill, if the AMR indicates that they are not performing as desired, this should trigger the authority to revise their local development scheme (and subsequently their local development documents). If they fail to do so, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister can direct the authority to do so.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what cost savings have been made in his Department since the introduction of the Information Technology procurement Centre of Excellence; and how these were calculated. [151040]

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

  Local Government Finance
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total English local authority expenditure was for each year since 1992–93. [155443]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Local authority revenue expenditure for the period 1992–93 to 2003–04 is tabled as follows:

  £million

  1992–93

  42,020

  1993–94

  41,506

  1994–95

  43,602

  1995–96

  44,827

  28W

  £million

  1996–97

  46,532

  1997–98

  47,256

  1998–99

  50,189

  1999–2000

  53,651

  2000–01

  57,651

  2001–02

  61,952

  2002–03

  165,919

  2003–04

  272,473

  1provisional

  2budget

  Revenue expenditure is financed from formula grant (which includes revenue support grant, redistributed non-domestic rates, police grant), and specific grants within Aggregate External Finance (AEF).

  It excludes expenditure financed by specific grants outside AEF, including mandatory rent allowances, mandatory rate rebates, mandatory student awards and, from 2002ߝ03, grants for adult education and sixth forms which are funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

  Data is taken from RS outturn form for 1992–93 to 2002–03 and RA budget form for 2003–04.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Budget
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget was for each project funded by Neighbourhood Renewal for(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003ߝ04, broken down by (i) English region and (ii) neighbourhood renewal area. [151879]

  Yvette Cooper
  Figures on Neighbourhood Renewal funding for 2002ߝ03 and 2003–04, broken down by English region and neighbourhood renewal area are available in the Library of the House.

  Out-of-town Retail Developments
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he gives to local planning authorities assessing applications for out-of-town retail developments which provide enabling development for the benefit of local communities. [155038]

  Yvette Cooper
  The. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not provide any specific guidance on this issue. Section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires planning applications to be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Key material considerations include national planning policy such as PPG13: Transport, on the location of development, and PPG6 on Town Centres and Retail Developments. PPG6 indicates that all out-of-centre retail development should be assessed in line with the policy. Other material considerations, as draft PPS6: Planning for Town Centres indicates, may include physical regeneration, employment, economic growth and social inclusion, but the draft guidance does not specifically refer to enabling development.

  Periodicals
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the annual cost of periodicals that(a)his ministerial

  29W
  office, (b) other ministerial offices within his Department, (c) non-departmental bodies, (d) executive agencies and (e) his Department have subscribed to since 1997. [146025]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. The total

  £

  29 May 2002 to 31 March 2003

  1 April to 22 December 2002

  (a) Ministerial Office

  1,262

  1,710

  (b) Other ministerial offices in ODPM

  7,827

  5,235

  (c) Non-departmental bodies (Rent Assessment Panels only)

  1,609

  1,431

  (d) Executive agencies

  No data available

  No data available

  (e) ODPM total

  300,072

  237,371

  Information on how much NDPBs and Agencies spend on periodicals is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The exception to this is expenditure by Rent Assessment Panels, which is processed centrally by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  Press/Public Relations Officers
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by his Department in each year since 1997. [146026]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. The press office provides a centralised media service on behalf of ODPM(c). At 1 April 2003, there were 21.8 full time equivalent press officers.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Audit Commission in each year since 1997. [146027]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is as follows.

  (a) The Audit Commission used an external consultancy for Press Officers until October 2001, up to that time the Commission did not directly employ Press officers. The Commission employed Press Officers from the following dates:

  1 April 2002–6

  1 April 2003–7

  The Audit Commission used an external consultancy for Public Relation officers until 1999. Since then this work has been handled by in-house staff and/or outside consultancies. Since 1999 the role has involved the equivalent of one full-time job. As from February 2004 the Press Officer/Public Relation Officer roles will be combined and will result in a total of seven employees.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Housing Corporation in each year since 1997. [146028]

  Yvette Cooper
  Since 1999, as at 1 April, the Housing Corporation has employed a Head of Communications and one full-time Communications/Media Officer.
  30W
  expenditure on periodicals, including newspapers, by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the period from formation until 31 March 2003 was £300,072, and for 1 April until 22 December 2003 was £237,371.

  This breaks down as follows:

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by English Partnerships in each year since 1997. [146029]

  Yvette Cooper
  Since 1999–2000, English Partnerships have employed a total of six press officers and no public relations officers. Records for earlier periods are not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Standards Board for England in each year since 1997. [146030]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Standards Board for England was set up in 2001. It currently employs two officers supported by an administrator who provide a service to the press in addition to other general communications duties such as organising events.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Boundary Commission for England in each year since 1997. [146035]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Since then no press officers or public relation officers have been employed by the Boundary Commission for England.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Boundary Commission for Wales in each year since 1997. [146036]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Since then no press officers or public relations officers have been employed by the Boundary Commission for Wales.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Residential Property Tribunal Service in each year since 1997. [146037]

  Yvette Cooper
  None.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Valuation Tribunals in each year since 1997. [146038]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Valuation Tribunals have never employed press or public relation officers.

  Procurement (Outsourcing)
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his Department's procurement policy with regard to offshore IT and call centre outsourcing; whether his Department is outsourcing IT and call centre jobs to offshore companies; to which countries his Department has outsourced these jobs; how much his Department has spent on this outsourcing in each of the last two years; and how much has been budgeted for this purpose for the next two years. [147578]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister procures IT in line with Government procurement policy, having due regard to propriety and regularity and the need to comply with the requirements of the EU Treaty, including the principle of non-discrimination, the EC procurement directives and the UK's international obligations.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has two outsourced IT contracts, totalling £10.7 million, neither of which is with an offshore company. Of these, one is a Department for Transport contract providing joint services to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the other is the sole responsibility of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. These contracts were let with:
  LogicaCMG for the provision of the corporate payroll service for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Transport; and
  Fujitsu for the provision of IT infrastructure and desktop services for the Government Office Network.

  Protective Suits
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many nuclear, biological, chemical protective suits are available to(a) emergency services and (b) military personnel in the London area. [155036]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The London Ambulance Service currently has 400 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits immediately available for use in response to CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear) incidents. The Service plans to increase the number of suits available to 1,400 during the next financial year.

  The London Fire Brigade has 1,500 gas-tight suits immediately available for use in response to CBRN incidents, as well as for day-to-day operations.

  The Military in London has approximately 1,000 PPE suits immediately available.

  The total number of CBRN trained police officers nationally is now over 5,000. This is in line with the Association of Chief Police Officers' desired level of training to ensure that police forces nationally have the necessary resilience to deal with a CBRN incident. It would not be appropriate, on security grounds, to give more specific information regarding the CBRN response capability in each police force.

  The deployment of CBRN-protective equipment to the emergency services and to the Military is not tied to geographical regions and, depending on the nature and scale of any incident, London may receive extra equipment from or supply extra equipment to other regions.

  Regional Assemblies
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the costs of local government reorganisation would be distributed if an elected regional assembly is established in(a) the North West, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) the North East. [155137]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It is too early to say what the costs and savings of any reorganisation will be since these will depend ultimately on the pattern of unitary authorities introduced and on the decisions that the new unitary authorities take about how to discharge their functions. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be discussing how any costs will be funded with local government.

  Security Passes
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many security passes have been reported(a) lost and (b) stolen by staff in his Department in the last 12 months. [147977]

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many security passes have been reported(a) lost and (b) stolen by staff in his Department in the last 12 months. [151607]

  Yvette Cooper
  Two security passes have been reported stolen by stall in the HQ buildings of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister during the period January 2003 to January 2004. A further 165 replacement security passes have been issued in the same period. It is not possible to say how many of the passes were lost other than by theft. Security passes may need to be replaced for a variety of reasons including loss, theft, damage or change of name, and the Office does not record the reasons for the replacement of a security pass. Figures for GOs North East and London are not available but a further 153 passes have been replaced in the remainder GO network. Although ODPM has overall responsibility for these, the Government Offices carry out functions on behalf often Departments.

  Procedures are in place to ensure that electronic passes are de-activated as soon as their loss is reported. In addition pass designs do not identify the building or organisation.

  Tenancy Deposit Scheme
  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a new cost-benefit analysis of a statutory tenancy deposit scheme in England, taking account of the interest generated on deposits held in a custodial scheme. [154995]

  Yvette Cooper
  In considering proposals for dealing with tenancy deposits and in preparing a response to the consultation that concluded a year ago the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister shall be revisiting the cost-benefit analysis on which the partial regulatory impact assessment that was included in the consultation paper.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate his Department has made of the(a) maximum and (b) minimum potential (i) benefit and (ii) cost of a tenancy deposit scheme. [154996]
  33W
  Yvette Cooper
  An analysis of the costs and benefits of providing for tenancy deposit protection was contained in a partial regulatory impact assessment included in the consultation paper published in November 2002. This suggested that against costs of £19 million there could be benefits of around £20 million. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is reviewing those estimates as the various elements of measures to safeguard deposits are assessed and we will do so against a range of assumptions.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the organisations attending the seminar held in December to discuss the case for linking legislation for compulsory measures to protect tenancy deposits to the Law Commission's findings. [154997]

  Yvette Cooper
  The following organisations attended:

  Ashton Wingate Insurance

  Association of Letting and Managing Agents

  Association of Residential Letting Agents

  Association of Student Residential Accommodation

  Association of Tenancy Relations Officers

  Brent London Borough

  Brent Private Tenants

  Brighton and Hove BC

  British Property Federation

  Camden London Borough

  Council of Mortgage Lenders

  Croydon London Borough

  Empty Homes Agency

  Hastings and Rother Bond Bank

  HMO Network

  Independent Housing Ombudsman

  Islington London Borough

  Law Commission

  Legal Action group

  34W

  Manchester City Council

  NALS Homelet

  National Approved Letting Scheme

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau

  National Association of Estate Agents

  National Federation of Residential Landlords

  National Union of Students

  Newcastle New Deal

  Office of Fair Trading

  Shelter

  Small Landlords Association

  South Norfolk DC

  The Chartered Institute of Housing

  The Law Society

  The Rent Service

  The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

  Thomas Winter Insurance

  Universities UK

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the estimated cost of a tenancy deposit scheme took account of the proportion of cases requiring adjudication in(a) the pilot schemes and (b) other countries. [155212]

  Yvette Cooper
  The consultation paper on tenancy deposits contained a partial regulatory impact assessment that took account of the costs involved in the pilot tenancy deposit scheme managed by the Independent Housing Ombudsman. In the subsequent final period of the pilot the proportion of cases requiring adjudication has grown. Although international experiences make a useful comparison they are unlikely to provide a robust method of estimating what might happen in this country because of cultural differences such as attitudes to litigation. The circumstances in other countries may also reflect significant differences in the housing market, not least of all in the way in which it is regulated.
  35W
  Monday 23 February 2004

CABINET OFFICE

  Public Services Audit
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to his answers of 5 February 2004,Official Report, column 1048W and 26 January 2004, Official Report, column 72W, on public services audit, whether he knows who gave the unauthorised briefing to Rosemary Bennett of The Times newspaper. [155294]

  Mr. Alexander
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 5 February 2004,Official Report, column 1048W.

  Regulatory Reform
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the timetable is for the full implementation of the revised regulatory reform action plan. [155291]

  Mr. Alexander
  Details of the timetable for implementing measures in the Government's Regulatory Reform Action Plan are contained in the updated version of the Plan, published in December 2003.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will place in the Library a copy of the Regulatory Impact Unit business regulation team end of year report for 2003. [155318]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Business Regulation Team's end of year report for 2003 was published on 16 February 2004. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House and can be accessed at www.cabinet- office.gov.uk/regulation/business/endofyear.htm.

  Strategy Unit (Fisheries Report)
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1136W, on the Strategy Unit Fisheries Report, when he will announce the date on which the report will be made public. [155951]

  Mr. Alexander
  The report will be published shortly. We will inform the House when the exact date for publication has been decided.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  "All Our Futures"
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the detailed recommendations made by the National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education in the Report, "All Our Futures", have been implemented; and if she will make a statement. [154964]

  Estelle Morris
  The National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education reported jointly to the Secretaries of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Education and Employment in 1999 via the report "All Our Futures". The report contained 59 detailed 36W
  recommendations for action by a range of bodies including Government, schools and higher education institutions.

  Many of the recommendations in "All Our Futures" are framed quite broadly. However, my Department has worked closely with the Department for Education and Skills, and external partners, to implement all of those which fall to DCMS.

  Among the key examples are the Creative Partnerships programme, which aims to build long-term, sustainable relationships between creative professionals and schools. With £110 million of funding over four years, the programme, which began in September 2002, has enabled over 110,000 pupils to become involved in over 1,400 projects so far.

  The £130 million Space for Sport and Arts (SSA) programme is funding the building of nearly 300 facilities in primary schools in the 20 per cent. most deprived wards in the country. 138 SSA projects have now been completed and 84 more have work ongoing.

  To support new music making opportunities for young people, Youth Music was established in 1999 with £10 million per annum of Lottery funding. It has already reached over one million young people and their wider communities. Alongside this, the Music Standards Fund, also established in 1999, provides £60 million per annum established to protect and expand LEA music services.

  Another relevant initiative is Artsmark, which seeks to recognise those schools which offer a wide range of arts provision. Nearly 2,000 schools now have awards, including one in five secondary schools nationally.

  BBC
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidelines she issues to BBC Governors on their appointment relating to(a) party political work and (b) commenting on the policies of political parties other than those policies directly affecting the work of the BBC. [154222]

  Tessa Jowell
  The guidelines issued by me as Secretary of State to BBC Governors on appointment, in relation to these matters, are contained in the Cabinet Office Code of Best Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies. The BBC requires Governors, as detailed in the Board of Governors Standing Orders, to declare any activity that might affect their ability to perform their duties as Governors

  Consultations
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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 consultations (A) Review of lottery funding: a consultation paper on Lottery distribution policy, (B) New services: BBC public consultation final report and (C) Draft Media Ownership (Local Radio) Order 2003 and (b)from who each received a response in each case. [151652]
  37W
  Mr. Caborn
  The individuals and organisations to which the DCMS sent a copy of the relevant consultation and the responses in each case are shown as follows:

  (A) Review of lottery funding: a consultation paper on Lottery Distribution Policy:

  (a) Sport England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Community Fund, the New Opportunity Fund, Awards For All, Arts Council England, The Film Council, UK Sport, Local Authorities, Members of Parliament, Regional Cultural Consortiums, Lottery Monitor, National Lottery Commission, Devolved Administrations and The Millennium Commission all received copies of this Consultation. The document was also made available on the Department's website.

  (b) A list of those individuals and, where indicated, organisations who commented on this consultation will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  (B) New services: BBC public consultation final report:

  (a) 'New services: BBC public consultation final report' is not a Departmental Publication and was not sent by the Department to any individuals or organisations.

  (C) Draft Media Ownership (Local' Radio) Order 2003:

  (a) Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA), the ITC and the Radio Authority received copies of the Draft Media Ownership (Local Radio) Order 2003.

  (b) Comments were received from CRCA and the Radio Authority.

  Information relating to the distribution of these documents by the Department's (ii) executive agencies and (iii) the non-departmental public bodies for which DCMS is responsible is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Seaside Towns
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what(a) capital and (b) revenue expenditure was provided through Lottery funding in each of the past seven years for each principal seaside town in England and Wales, with figures for Welsh seaside town clusters disaggregated; and if she will make a statement. [154999]

  Estelle Morris
  The information requested is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Ministerial Interview
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to whom she was referring when she referred to testosterone-charged men in her interview with the Daily Telegraph on 7 February. [155032]

  Tessa Jowell
  This is a point that I have made in many interviews over recent years. It refers to an unacceptable style of politics that exists on every side of the House, which frequently alienates the wider public.

  National Stud
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimates her Department has made of the sale value of the National Stud; and if she will make a statement. [155912]

  Mr. Caborn
  The asset value of the National Stud is set out in the annual report of the Horserace Betting Levy Board, a copy of which is in the Libraries of both Houses. Our preference is to transfer the Stud, without consideration, to a new independent charitable trust with a broad remit which would include training for stud staff; thoroughbred breeding which genuinely and distinctively contributes to the long-term quality of British racing; and a centre displaying the British horse heritage as a whole and providing information about breeding. We will continue to assess the progress being made by the new Board of the Stud, with the support of the Levy Board, towards the point at which such a transfer could appropriately take place, with the proviso that closure of the Stud and sale of the assets remains the fall-back option.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent from public funds on the National Stud in each year from 1990; and if she will make a statement. [155938]

  Mr. Caborn
  The National Stud has received no Government funding during this period.

  National Lottery
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what return on investment has been made by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts since its inception. [155147]

  Estelle Morris
  The total return on NESTA's investments for Fund A (NESTA's core endowment, invested on their behalf by the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt in accordance with NESTA's Financial Directions) between the financial year (FY) 1999 to FY 2003 is £40,166.

  The total return on NESTA's investments for Fund B (the Endowments income, invested by NESTA, between FY 1999 and FY 2003 is £2,037.

  The following table shows the breakdown for each year.

  Final Investment income per audited accounts

  £000

  Income and Investment

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Fund A

  11,618

  11.599

  9,006

  7,943

  40,166

  Fund B

  161

  591

  656

  630

  2,037

  Total

  11,778

  12,190

  9,662

  8,574

  42,204

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was allocated in grants by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts in the last year for which figures are available; and what its operating costs were in the last year for which figures are available. [155148]
  39W
  Estelle Morris
  The amount of awards given through NESTA's Fellowship, Learning and Invention and Innovation programmes in the last financial year available (2002–03) stands at £7,271,000. Through their other programmes, including Planet Science and Future Lab as well as £157,000 support for competitions and partnerships they spent £4,613,000. Hence a total of £11,884,000 of support was given by NESTA. This does not include £4,669,000 worth of programme support. Together this amounts to £16,553,000, which is the total support NESTA gave to its programmes.

  The operating costs for the last year available (2002–03) stands at £1,270,000; this includes a portion

  NESTA

  Project type

  1999–2000 (£)

  Percentage

  2000–01 (£)

  Percentage

  2001–02 (£)

  Science only

  188,689

  10

  690,985

  13

  3,605,915

  Technology only

  124,172

  6

  1,181,851

  23

  566,732

  Arts only

  377,554

  19

  1,324,318

  26

  1,870,040

  Science and Technology

  32,000

  2

  583,592

  11

  1,006,259

  Science and Arts

  200,900

  10

  894,879

  17

  306,684

  Technology and Arts

  1,024,747

  53

  368,395

  7

  1,054,113

  Science, Technology and Arts

  0

  0

  92,343

  2

  103,919

  Total

  1,948,062

  —

  5,138,363

  —

  8,513,662

  NESTA

  Project type

  Percentage

  2002–03 (£)

  Percentage

  Total (£)

  Percentage

  Science only

  42

  3,307,364

  28

  7,792,953

  29

  Technology only

  7

  1,474,244

  13

  3,348,999

  12

  Arts only

  22

  2,666,376

  23

  6,238,288

  23

  Science and Technology

  12

  2,930,514

  25

  4,552,365

  17

  Science and Arts

  4

  317,032

  3

  1,719,495

  6

  Technology and Arts

  12

  772,604

  7

  3,219,859

  12

  Science, Technology and Arts

  1

  260,752

  2

  457,014

  2

  Total

  —

  11,728,886

  —

  27,328,973

  —

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list projects in East Devon which have received funding from the National Lottery; and what amount was received in each case. [155295]

  Estelle Morris
  The Department's Lottery Awards database, using information supplied by the distributing bodies shows that 196 Lottery awards to a total of £5,499,026 have been made to the East Devon constituency.

  I am arranging for the list to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Royal Parks
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what(a) salary and (b) bonuses were paid to (i) the Chief Executive and (ii) the senior staff of the Royal Parks Agency in the latest year for which figures are available. [154769]

  Mr. Caborn
  The latest year for which details are available of the salary and bonuses paid to the Chief Executive and senior staff of the Royal Parks Agency is financial year 2002–03. Details are set out in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.40W
  of staff salary not tied to the programme support, rent and other costs.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the expenditure of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts in(a) science, (b) technology and (c) the arts was in each year since inception. [155149]

  Estelle Morris
  The data come from NESTA's Learning, Fellowship and Invention and Innovation Awards, Science Year/Planet Science and NESTA Futurelab. Expenditure on:

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) animals and (b) birds were culled in the Royal Parks in the last two years, broken down by (i) species, (ii) culling method used and (iii) use made of the carcass. [154770]

  Mr. Caborn
  Responsibility for this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency, under its Chief Executive, William Weston.

  Letter from William Weston to Mr. Norman Baker:

  I have been asked by the Secretary of State to reply to your Parliamentary Question about animals and birds culled in the Royal Parks in the past two years, and the use made of their carcasses.

  A total of 149 Red deer and 287 Fallow deer were shot during the annual deer culls; their carcasses were sold as venison, and the antlers for use in the craft trade. In addition, 37 adult Canada Geese were shot and 60 Canada Geese eggs pricked to prevent hatching. The bird carcasses were destroyed.

DEFENCE

  45 Commando
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to relocate 45 Commando from RM Condor. [155875]
  41W
  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence keeps the size and location of its estate under constant review. Following on from Department-wide studies undertaken last year, the MOD is currently examining areas where rationalisation of the estate may be possible. RM Condor, Arbroath, which is the home of 45 Commando Royal Marines and 7 Battery Royal Artillery, is included in one such piece of work. A report has yet to be submitted, however, and no decisions have been taken on the future of this establishment. Any proposals arising from this—and any other study—will be subjected to full consultation.

  Airfield Support Services Project
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on whether to proceed with a public private partnership solution for the Airfield Support Services Project. [155790]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on 15 December 2003,Official Report, column 1307.

  Astute Class Submarine
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will place an order for long lead items for the fourth Astute Class boat; and whether he has assessed the impact on the supply chain of delay in placing such an order. [147610]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence has been working closely with UK industry to assess the implications for sub component suppliers arising from delays to the Astute submarine programme. Purchase of some long lead items for the fourth boat has begun and further measures are under consideration.

  Education
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make changes to boarding school allowances; and if he will make a statement. [155183]

  Mr. Caplin
  Education allowances are provided to assist parents in ensuring continuity of education for their children, where it would otherwise be unacceptably disrupted by postings at home or abroad. There are no plans to change this approach.

  Commanding Officers' Advice
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons a number of commanding officers have been told that individuals who have given notice to terminate their engagement may be given the option to leave sooner. [155269]

  Mr. Caplin
  As a result of the success we have had in recent years with various measures aimed at improving recruitment and retention, in-year targets have been exceeded and measures are therefore being taken to control whole Army strength. Commanding Officers have been told that individuals who have already given notice to terminate their service before 30 September 2004 may be permitted to depart early if this is acceptable to both the individual and the unit.

  Dark Winter Anti-terrorist Exercise
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conduct of, and lessons learned from, the Dark Winter anti-terrorist exercise. [155863]

  Mr. Ingram
  We have no record of a United Kingdom anti-terrorist exercise called Dark Winter. The United States authorities did, however, carry out an exercise with that name in 2001.

  Defence Estates Core Sites
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether(a) RAF Brampton and (b) RAF Wyton have been designated as core sites within the Defence Estates Core Sites Report of March 2003. [155555]

  Mr. Caplin
  I can confirm that RAF Brampton and RAF Wyton were designated as Core Sites, although following the recent announcement by the Chief of Defence Logistics about a proposed framework of changes to the current structure of the Defence Logistics Organisation, further work is in hand to assess the feasibility of collocating additional parts of the DLO alongside or close to the existing Ministry of Defence site at Abbeywood in Bristol. This will be followed by more detailed work which will also consider whether there are alternative Defence uses for RAF Brampton and RAF Wyton.

  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants have been employed at(a) RAF Wyton and (b) the MOD premises at Abbeywood in each of the last five years. [155551]

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

  Department Branding
  Mr.Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on branding the Department between 1997–98 and 2003–04, broken down by(a) consultancy fees, (b) design and orders for new stationery, (c). website design and (d) other material featuring new logos. [154073]

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

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish his review into Ministry of Defence property. [155876]

  Mr. Caplin
  In the Estate Strategy, "In Trust and On Trust" the Department defined its mainland Great Britain sites as "core" or "non-core" sites. Initial classification work was conducted last year but it is not our intention to publish the list. This is a working document and subject to constant detailed revision as the Department undertakes further work to clarify where estate rationalisation may be possible.

  Depleted Uranium Oversight Board
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Depleted Uranium Oversight board(a) to report and (b) to be wound up; and when it last met. [155801]

  Mr. Caplin
  Under its terms of reference, the Depleted Uranium Oversight Board (DUOB) is required to report to the Under-Secretary of State for Defence on its progress, and additionally reports its proceedings publicly on the internet at www.duob.org.uk

  The DUOB last met on 27 January 2004. The main DU testing programme is expected to begin in mid 2004. The period over which testing will continue will depend on demand. It is not possible to say at this stage when the DUOB will be in a position to summarise its findings or when it might be wound up.

  EU Defence
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military capabilities that have been fully implemented as specified in the(a) Helsinki Headline Goal Catalogue 2003, (b) the Helsinki Force Catalogue and (c) the Helsinki Progress Catalogue. [155203]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no Helsinki Headline Goal Catalogue 2003. The Helsinki Headline Goal Catalogue first compiled in 2000, and refined in 2001 and 2002, lists 144 military capability areas required of the EU in order to conduct the Petersberg Tasks within recognised crisis management scenarios. The Helsinki Force Catalogue 2003 and Supplementary Catalogue—which together list the actual forces and capabilities offered by member, accession and third states—show that at least 118 of these capability areas have been met. The Helsinki Progress Catalogue 2003 assesses the progress made overall in the delivery of Headline and Capability Goals, and outlines when new capabilities will feed in to the Force Catalogue. Work now continues—in conjunction with the European Capabilities Action Plan—to address those shortfalls that remain. New Force and Progress Catalogues are expected later this year, and will incorporate the offers made by the ten new members of the EU.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been introduced in the implementation of the EU Headline Goal; and if he will make a statement. [155209]

  Mr. Hoon
  No changes have been introduced to the implementation of the Helsinki Headline Goal. However, with the evolution of the strategic environment and of technology, and following the intergovernmental conference and redefinition of the Petersberg Tasks, and with EU accession, continued progress in the European Capabilities Action Plan, the elaboration of rapid response elements, a European Security Strategy, and further work on rotation, readiness, concurrency and redundancy, a successor Headline Goal is now under discussion, with a target date of 2010. This Goal will place a new emphasis on interoperability, deployability and sustainability as its major themes. We anticipate an announcement at the European Council in June.

  Foreign Ships
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1178W, on foreign ships, whether European Union guidelines prevent his Department from having a bias in favour of chartering ships flying the shipping flags of European Union member states rather than those of non-EU countries; and what changes were made to the process for chartering freight-carrying commercial ships following his Department's review in 2003. [155512]

  Mr. Ingram
  MOD procurement, which reflects the Public Procurement Regulations that have their origins in the 1972 European Communities Act, is governed by the fundamental principle that there should be equal opportunity to tender for work without discrimination on the grounds of nationality. Charter of commercial shipping is, therefore, arranged using a panel of commercial shipping brokers on the global market.

  The 2003 internal Defence Transport and Movements Agency review of charter arrangements for freight-carrying commercial ships led to the introduction of a Safety Management System (SMS) incorporating a greater risk-based process. The SMS has been approved by the MOD Ship Safety Management Board. The comprehensive assessment of suitability for charter covers: the flag, as per the Paris Memorandum of Understanding; the ship's age; port state inspection record; classification society; nationality of owners/operators; Marine Superintendent's assessment; and previous record of MOD usage.

  HMS Coventry/HMS London
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the present state of negotiations is between the United Kingdom and Romania for the sale of HMS Coventry and HMS London in return for Romanian military equipment; and if he will make a statement. [154666]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following detailed negotiations, the Acquisition Agreement between the United Kingdom and Romania for the sale of ex-HMS Coventry and ex-HMS London (regenerated and updated) was signed on 19 December 2002 (and countersigned in January 2003). A 'Back to Back' contract between the MOD and BAE Systems was signed on 20 March 2003, permitting the Acquisition Agreement to become effective on 26 March 2003. Subsequently, the regeneration package has been refined and a suite of alterations and additions to the original design has been developed. The parameters of the offset programme were agreed in the negotiations leading up to the Acquisition Agreement.

  The disposal of these ships is not in exchange for Romanian military equipment. The agreed price will be paid in pounds sterling. Payments will be made in accordance with an agreed schedule of milestones.

  Iraq
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many prisoners are being held by coalition forces in Iraq. [145337]
  45W
  Mr. Ingram
  As at 15 February 2004 there are 103 individuals held by UK forces in Iraq. We are not in a position to comment on the number of individuals held by other coalition partners.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the reports of investigations carried out by the Special Investigations Branch into civilian fatalities in Iraq allegedly caused by British forces which have concluded that no further action should be taken. [147698]

  Mr. Ingram
  Reports of investigations carried out by the Special Investigations Branch will not be published.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many suspected suicides among UK forces in Iraq have been investigated by the Royal Military Police. [148285]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been no suspected suicides in Iraq during Operation Telic.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the process is by which the rules of engagement for UK forces in Iraq are(a) agreed and (b) amended. [148290]

  Mr. Ingram
  Rules of engagement, are drafted by operational staff taking into account the UK's obligations under national and international law and treaties such as the Geneva Protocols. Each rules of engagement profile is subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Defence, who may take farther advice from specialist advisers on any aspect. Requests for amendments are made by operational Commanders and submitted for approval by the Secretary of State in the same way.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Coalition forces in Iraq have common rules of engagement. [148292]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. Rules of engagement remain a national responsibility governed by the domestic legislation of contributing states as well as by international law. Within that framework, however, Coalition partners liaise closely over rules of engagement, and harmonise them wherever possible.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings with parents of Service personnel killed in the Iraq conflict he has arranged. [150063]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have had four meetings with the families of individual Service personnel who died on operations in Iraq. I have had one meeting with the families of the six Royal Military Police killed in Majar Al-Kabir. Five of the six families attended.

  I also met relatives of those killed at the Operation Telic service of remembrance and reception in October 2003 and during the repatriation ceremonies I attended at Brize Norton in the spring of last year.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian contractors were employed under UK command to repair and maintain civil infrastructure in the(a) first 100 days and (b) six months following the end of high intensity military operations in Iraq. [150227]
  46W
  Mr. Ingram
  No civilian contractors engaged in the repair and maintenance of the civil infrastructure in Iraq come under command of the United Kingdom military. However, the majority of projects being funded through the UK military's Quick Impact Project programme (more than 800 projects, valued at over $17 million) have relied, for their success, upon Iraqi contractors and sub-contractors. This is in line with our policy of supporting the use of skilled local labour and the stimulation of legitimate local economic activity wherever possible.

  Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment was of the number of Al Hussein ballistic missiles possessed by Iraq prior to the onset of war; how this assessment differed from the assessment of the weapons inspectors; how many of the Al Hussein missiles had their long range capabilities removed prior to the onset of war; how many Al Hussein missiles were used against coalition forces during the war in Iraq; and how many Al Hussein missiles have been identified in Iraq since the war ended. [154985]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Al Hussein missile is a version of the Scud B missile modified to increase its range to 650 km.

  As stated in the Government's dossier on Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, it was assessed that Iraq had retained up to 20 Al Hussein missiles. These were either complete missiles; missiles broken down for concealment; or separate missile components capable of being reassembled. The UNMOVIC weapons inspectors assessed that it was possible that Iraq possessed a small number of Al Hussein missiles. The UNMOVIC report of March 2003 stated that the consumption of some Scud and Al Hussein missiles could not be independently verified and there were also unanswered questions about the number of indigenously produced warheads and training engines destroyed by Iraq. We have no knowledge of any Al Hussein missiles being modified to reduce their long range capabilities.

  There were no Al Hussein missiles used against coalition forces during the war in Iraq and, to date, there have been no Al Hussein missiles identified in Iraq since the war ended.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last used a train in connection with his ministerial duties. [155161]

  Mr. Caplin
  A Defence Minister last travelled by train on 8 January 2004.

  All ministerial travel on official business is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in Travel by Ministers.

  MOD Police
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the MOD Police manpower in North Wiltshire; and if he will make a statement on the MOD Police in North Wiltshire. [155792]
  47W
  Mr. Caplin
  All Ministry of Defence Police Area Policing Teams (APT), including that at Corsham, are being withdrawn in April 2004 and being replaced by Divisional Support Groups which will give the Chief Constable highly trained groups of officers which can be quickly deployed to respond to a variety of operational requirements. The nearest will be at Bulford Garrison and DSDC Ashchurch.

  There will continue to be an MDP complement at the Joint Support Unit Corsham.

  Due to shortage of office space there will be three officers from CID Foxhill based temporarily in the offices soon to be vacated by the APT Corsham unit.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD Police are stationed at(a) Corsham, (b) Colerne, (c) Hullavington and (d) Lyneham. [155793]

  Mr. Caplin
  The number of Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers at the Joint Support Unit Corsham is 23. An MDP Area Policing Team of eight officers currently operates from Corsham. There are no MDP officers stationed at Colerne, Hullavington and Lyneham.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many arrests the MoD Police in North Wiltshire made in the last 12 months of(a) civilians and (b) servicemen. [155794]

  Mr. Caplin
  The following arrests have been made by the Ministry of Defence Police based at the Area Policing Team (APT) Corsham, during the last 12 months.

  Number

  Civilians arrested by APT Corsham

  7

  Civilians arrested by Joint Support Unit (JSU) Corsham

  1

  Service personnel arrests by APT

  7

  Service personnel arrests by JSU Corsham

  2

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have recently been made with regard to patrolling and other procedures by the MOD Police in North Wiltshire as a result of the heightened security state. [155795]

  Mr. Caplin
  No changes have been made to the Area Policing Team (APT) Corsham, with regard to patrolling and other procedures as a result of the heightened security state.

  Naval Vessels
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on placing of orders for naval vessels in overseas shipyards. [153790]

  Mr. Ingram
  It remains the policy of this Government that all warships for the Royal Navy will continue to be built in the United Kingdom. This entails all fabrication and assembly of new warship hulls but excludes weapon, command and propulsion systems, which may be procured from overseas, following open competition.

  Royal Navy
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on trials of the Royal Navy's combat support system. [155019]
  48W
  Mr. Ingram
  The trials of the Royal Navy Command Support System (RNCSS) in HMS Albion during April and November 2003 were the culmination of a series of demonstrations designed to test the effectiveness of the Royal Navy's command support capability. The trials were a success, with the 72 terminals in HMS Albion meeting the challenges presented in a number of exacting scenarios.

  Typhoon
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Typhoon aircraft he estimates will be ordered by each partner in the third tranche. [155130]

  Mr. Ingram
  Under the 4-nation memorandum of understanding, the UK has undertaken to order 88 Typhoon aircraft in the third tranche, Germany 68, Italy 46 and Spain 34.

  United States Bases/Forces
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United States bases that have been handed back to the United Kingdom Government since 1974, indicating in each case(a) who paid for the restoration of the area and (b) what the cost was. [154761]

  Mr. Caplin
  The United States bases that have been returned to the Ministry of Defence since 1988 are listed as follows. No earlier information is available.

  Records about who paid for the restoration and at what cost are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

  US bases handed back to MOD since 1988

  Site/Facility

  Type

  Service

  Returned to MOD

  Bramley

  (S/S)

  USAF

  1 January 1988

  RAF Ridgewell

  (S/S)

  USAF

  3 August 1989

  RAF Wethersfield

  (SDB)

  USAF

  1 October 1990

  RAF Chessington

  (Hosp)

  USAF

  18 September 1991

  RAF Kirknewton

  (Hosp)

  USAF

  26 September 1991

  RAF Hullavington

  (S/S)

  USAF

  30 September 1991

  RAF Lanark

  (Hosp)

  USN

  3 December 1991

  Greatworth

  (Comms)

  USAF

  8 February 1992

  Great Bromley

  (Comms)

  USAF

  1 May 1992

  Holy Loch

  (S/S)

  USN

  17 June 1992

  Broughton Moor

  (NAD)

  30 June 1992

  Martlesham Heath

  (Comms)

  USAF

  1 July 1992

  RAF Kemble

  S/S

  USAF

  31 July 1992

  Glen Douglas

  (NAD)

  20 September 1992

  RAF Greenham Common

  (SDB)

  USAF

  30 September 1992

  RAF Locking

  (Hosp)

  USN

  1 October 1992

  RAF Sculthorpe

  (SDB)

  USAF

  2 October 1992

  Cairnmore Hilloch

  (Comms)

  USN

  28 October 1992

  RAF Inverbervie

  (Comms)

  USN

  28 October 1992

  Latheron

  (Comms)

  USN

  28 October 1992

  West Murkle

  (Comms)

  USN

  28 October 1992

  Aberdeen

  (Comms)

  USN

  10 November 1992

  RAF Kinnaber

  (Comms)

  USN

  21 January 1993

  RAF Woodbridge

  (MOB)

  USAF

  20 August 1993

  RAF Burtonwood

  S/S

  USAF

  26 August 1993

  Forss

  (Comms)

  USN

  14 September 1993

  RAF Bentwaters

  (MOB)

  USAF

  30 September 1993

  Mormond Hill

  (Comms)

  USAF

  7 October 1993

  RAF Caerwent

  (S/S)

  USAF

  30 November 1993

  RAF Watton

  (S/S)

  USAF

  12 May 1994

  RAF Bicester

  (S/S)

  USAF

  30 June 1994

  RAF Little Rissington

  (Hosp)

  USAF

  30 June 1994

  RAF Upper Hayford

  (MOB)

  USAF

  30 Sept 1994

  RAF Machrihanish

  (S/S)

  USN

  30 June 1995

  RAF Brawdy

  (S/S)

  USN

  30 September 1995

  RAF Chicksands

  (Comms)

  USAF

  30 September 1995

  RAF Chilwell

  (S/S)

  USAF

  30 September 1995

  Framlingham

  (S/S)

  USAF

  30 September 1995

  49W

  Site/Facility

  Type

  Service

  Returned to MOD

  RAF Nocton Hall

  (Hosp)

  USAF

  30 September 1995

  RAF Alconbury (Airfield)

  (MOB)

  USAF

  1 October 1995

  Oakington

  (S/S)

  USAF

  20 February 1996

  RAF Edzell

  (Comms)

  USN

  30 September 1997

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the US National (Reserve) Guard are deployed on RAF bases occupied and controlled by the US Visiting Forces,(a) in total and (b) broken down by base. [155413]

  Mr. Ingram
  A total of 208 US Army National Guards are currently deployed to RAF bases made available to the US Visiting Force, and are based at the following locations:

  Location

  Number

  RAF Lakenheath

  84

  RAF Mildenhall

  84

  RAF Croughton

  14

  RAF Molesworth

  26

  Total

  208

  Nuclear Weapons
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest version of the Mutual Defence Agreement on Atomic Energy Matters, as amended in 1994. [155864]

  Mr. Hoon
  Copies of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement with the United States and its subsequent amendments are already in the Library of the House.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom(a) is involved and (b) plans to be involved, under the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement on Atomic Energy matters, in the Hafnium-178 research at the US Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland in New Mexico; and what research Atomic Weapons Establishment is conducting into military uses of Hafnium-178. [155884]

  Mr. Hoon
  The United Kingdom is not involved with Hafnium-178 research in the United States under the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement, and has no current plans to become involved. There is no current research programme into the military uses of Hafnium-178 at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Visitors Centre
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission whether he has consulted UNESCO regarding building a reception room for visitors to the Palace of Westminster. [155510]
  50W
  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The steering group preparing the UNESCO World Heritage Site Management Plan for Westminster has been fully informed and consulted.

TRANSPORT

  Fuel Duty Rebate
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of his consultation on the fuel duty rebate; [155178]

  (2) if he will give control of fuel duty rebate to those local transport authorities that have (a) a statutory quality partnership and (b) a quality contract scheme. [155179]

  Mr. McNulty
  The April 2003 Budget announced that the Government would continue work on the review of bus subsidies as part of the wider review of the Transport 10-Year Plan. This includes consideration of Bus Service Operators' Grant (previously called fuel duty rebate). Further work will be guided by the need to ensure that local bus services better meet the needs of local people and communities and make effective use of public subsidy to deliver public aims. The review of the Transport 10-Year Plan is being taken forward in parallel with Spending Review 2004, which is expected to conclude in the summer.

  Birmingham Airport
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what compensation arrangements are available to Solihull constituents whose properties are blighted by the possibility of a second runway at Birmingham airport. [155534]

  Mr. McNulty
  We have specified that the operators of airports where runway development is supported by the White Paper "The Future of Air Transport" should develop and bring forward local schemes to address the problem of generalised blight. I understand that Birmingham International Airport Ltd. hopes shortly to bring forward compensation schemes to deal with property affected by the proposals for a second runway.

  Child Poverty
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to achieve the Government's targets of(a) ending child poverty by 2020, (b) halving it by 2010 and (c) reducing it by a quarter by 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [154365]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesham (Mr. Pond) on 12 February 2004.Official Report, columns 1590–91W.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants, broken down by grade. there are in the Department and the agencies for which the Department is responsible; and what the figures were in January 1997. [150270]
  51W
  Mr. McNulty
  [pursuant to my answer, 12 February 2004, Official Report, c. 1661 W]: I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 9 February 2004, Official Report, columns 1293–98W.

  Local Authority Parking Places
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much surplus income from parking places each local authority received in the last year for which figures are available. [154959]

  Mr. McNulty
  Separate statistics on surplus income from parking places are not collected centrally. Information is provided by local authorities down to district council level showing gross income and expenditure on all activities relating to parking. I have arranged for a table showing income and expenditure for authorities in England for 2002/03 to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Low-sulphur Diesel
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage the use in diesel trains of low-sulphur diesel; what percentage of diesel trains use low-sulphur diesel; and if he will make a statement. [155415]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 set a maximum sulphur limit of 0.1 per cent. which will come into effect in 2008. Currently the maximum permissible level is 0.2 per cent. Diesel trains on the UK network operate on gas oil, which typically has a sulphur content of 0.15 per cent. The Strategic Rail Authority is planning a summit of rail industry bodies to manage a transition to low sulphur gas oil.

  Motorways
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will establish a road safety campaign to discourage heavy goods vehicles from using the third lane on motorways. [153251]

  Dr. Howells
  Heavy goods vehicles have been prohibited from using the right hand lane of motorways with three or more lanes, since 1967. This is explained in Rule 239 of the Highway Code. The evidence is that the law is appropriate, respected by drivers and effective.

  Public Transport
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the benefits of the introduction of reward cards to users of public transport. [155021]

  Mr. McNulty
  The introduction of reward or loyalty cards is a commercial matter for public service operators and the Department has made no direct assessment of their benefits. But the Department will continue to encourage all public transport operators to explore new approaches with the potential to increase patronage and provide benefits to passengers.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reinstate railway track between Salisbury and Exeter on the Waterloo Line. [155301]

  Mr. McNulty
  There are no such plans at present. However, South West Trains will be introducing an hourly service from Waterloo to Yeovil in December. The Strategic Rail Authority has agreed with local authorities that they will then assess whether likely demand would justify extending the hourly service to Exeter and whether any infrastructure enhancements would be needed to allow this to happen.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents resulting in death or serious injury have occurred on the hard shoulders of motorways in England in each of the last five years. [155542]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The table shows the number of accidents resulting in death or serious injury that have occurred on the hard shoulders of motorways in England for which The Highways Agency is responsible. This is shown in each of the last five years for which validated data are currently available.

  Number of accidents

  1998

  63

  1999

  38

  2000

  40

  2001

  49

  2002

  44

  Total

  234

  Road Noise
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budget was set for noise mitigation measures on roads in each financial year since 2001–02; and what percentage of this budget was used for noise mitigation measures in each year, including 2003–04 to date. [155102]

  Mr. Darling
  A budget of £5 million was set for noise mitigation measures on roads for 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04. 100 per cent. of the budget was used for noise mitigation purposes in 2001–02 and 2002–03 and we estimate that 100 per cent. of the budget will be used for noise mitigation purposes in 2003–04.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's progress towards its targets of reducing the number of(a) road deaths and serious injuries by 40 per cent. and (b) child deaths and serious injuries on roads by 50 per cent. by 2010. [153020]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: Good progress is being made towards our casualty reduction targets for 2010 set in the Government's Road Safety Strategy. Overall deaths and serious injuries in 2002 were 17 per cent. down from their baseline, which is nearly halfway to the 40 per cent. target. Child deaths and serious injuries were 33 per cent. down, which is

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  two-thirds of the way to that 50 per cent. reduction target. We aim to publish the first three-year review of the Road Safety Strategy in April, analysing the progress made in detail.

  Ryanair
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1241W, on Ryanair Decision, when he expects to receive the full text of the European Commission's decision on the case of Ryanair at Charleroi Airport; and if he will make a statement on its implications for regional airports in the UK. [155237]

  Mr. McNulty
  The European Commission will publish its Decision on Ryanair once the parties to the case have had the opportunity to consider it. We do not know how long that will take. We will need to see the full Decision before we can make a proper assessment of the implications, if any, for UK aviation.

  Speed Management
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was raised in fines from speed cameras in Essex in each financial year since 1996–97, broken down by(a) court proceedings and (b) fixed penalties. [152475]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 3 February 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 January 2004, Official Report, columns 243ߝ44W. These are the latest figures available.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when speed cameras were first introduced in Southend; and what the total number of speed cameras introduced was in each year since that date. [153808]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Fixed speed cameras were first introduced in Southend in March 1995. The number of locations introduced in each year since that date is shown in the following table:

  Additional locations established

  1995

  14

  1996

  0

  1997

  0

  1998

  0

  1999

  0

  2000

  0

  2001

  251

  2002

  0

  2003

  213

  1Fixed camera locations.

  2Fixed and mobile camera locations.

  The increase in sites in 2001 coincides with the Essex Partnership joining the safety camera netting off scheme.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to commission a review of speed limits according to levels of risk on each category of road [155809]
  54W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department's review of speed management policy, published in March 2000, concluded that there was no case for a general change in the present 30 mph and 70 mph limits, but indicated that we intended to update the guidance to local authorities on the setting of local speed limits. The Transport Select Committee also recommended revised guidance in their 2002 report on Road Traffic Speed policy. Copies of these documents are available in the House of Commons Library.

  We plan to issue the new guidance later this year, following consultation with local authorities and other interested parties.

  Stansted
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport further to the written statement of 10 February 2004,Official Report, column 68WS, what supporting documentation he intends to publish in relation to increased airport capacity at Stansted. [155238]

  Mr. Darling
  Supporting documentation for the decisions in "The Future of Air Transport" White Paper at Stansted and other locations has been published and placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Vehicle Insurance/Taxation
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a requirement for drivers to display proof of insurance on their vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [155006]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government are determined to take effective action to tackle the problem of uninsured driving. With that in mind we commissioned, last August, an independent review of motor insurance with uninsured driving as a key focus. The reviewer, Professor David Greenaway of Nottingham University, is expected to report in April. The Government will be taking a close interest in his recommendations and take appropriate action on them as soon as practicable.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Iraqi Oil
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which body is responsible for monitoring the volume and price of Iraqi oil exports; and if she will make a statement. [154549]

  Mr. Timms
  UNSCR 1483 charges the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) with, inter alia, auditing the sale of Iraqi oil.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the(a) average spot price paid for and (b) volume sold of Iraqi oil on the international market in each month since June 2003; and if she will make a statement. [154550]

  Mr. Timms
  The average spot prices for sales of Iraqi crude oil each month since June 2003 are given in Table 1. Only a small volume of Iraqi oil has been sold on a spot basis
  55W

  Table 1: Monthly average of the spot price of Iraqi oil

  US dollars per barrel

  Basrah Light1

  Kirkuk2

  June 2003

  26.1

  24.2

  July 2003

  26.5

  26.4

  August 2003

  27.5

  28.3

  September 2003

  24.8

  Not applicable

  October 2003

  27.4

  Not applicable

  November 2003

  27.3

  Not applicable

  December 2003

  29.3

  Not applicable

  January 2004

  30.1

  Not applicable

  1Monthly average of the daily spot price assessment of Iraqi Basrah Light crude delivered to the United States Gulf.

  2Monthly average of the daily spot assessment of Iraqi Kirkuk crude loading at Ceyhan in Turkey. Note that Kirkuk crude has been exported since August 2003. Kirkuk prices are on a Free On Board basis, meaning that all delivery, inspection and elevation or loading costs involved in putting the crude on board a carrier have been paid.

  Source:

  Platts

  Business Internet Access
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to increase the proportion of businesses with internet access greater than 2 Mbps. [155263]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government have recognised for some time the importance of broadband for business use. Through its UK online for business programme the DTI has worked to promote the benefits that broadband can bring. The Government have also worked hard with industry to extend broadband availability and will continue to promote broadband through its package of support to business. Increasingly, this will include pointing out the added benefits that can be gained through higher-speed broadband access.

  Business Regulation
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many regulations on business have been lifted since 2000; and if she will make a statement on future lifting of regulatory burdens on businesses. [153141]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The figures for number of regulations lifted are not held centrally.

  The Regulatory Reform Action Plan includes deregulatory measures and simplification of exiting compliance requirements. The original RRAP was published in February 2002 and contained 250 reforms, the update in December 2003 contained over 600.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which regulatory impact assessments have been put forward by the Better Regulation Task Force for the National Audit Office to review; and what subsequent action has been taken in each instance. [153552]

  Mr. Alexander
  I have been asked to reply.

  The National Audit Office (NAO) has published the Regulatory Impact Assessments in its pilot year sample on its website at the following address: www.nao.gov.uk/publications/workinprogress/rias.htm
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  The NAO will shortly be publishing a Compendium Report on its findings.

  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of trends in the amount of time businesses spend on dealing with regulation; and if she will make a statement. [153774]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: The World Bank's "Doing business in 2004" survey of 130 countries ranked the UK in top 10 countries with least regulations, and the New Year survey of EU Business leaders by Handelsblatt ranked the UK No. 1 for competitiveness. The OECD has found the UK has almost the lowest administration cost and fewer regulations for entrepreneurs than any other EU country, while tax burdens on small businesses are lowest in the UK. A NatWest Survey of 851 UK companies showed a welcome fall in their concerns about red tape. Government policies which have contributed to this include; the following:
  the abolition of automatic fines for late VAT payment for 200,000 SMEs. In 1996–97 fines totalled £99 million;
  cutting form-filling and red tape for up to 700,000 SMEs with the flat rate VAT scheme;
  raising the statutory audit requirement to £5.6 million turnover to save 219,000 small businesses up to £274 million a year.

  The Government continue to work to reduce the burdens on business.

  Business Support
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list each business support scheme that has been(a) launched and (b) terminated in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [153533]

  Ms Hewitt
  All DTI funded business support schemes are being replaced with a small set of more strategically focussed products. Since January 2003, the DTI has launched the following:

  Small Firms Loan Guarantee

  Grant for Research and Development

  Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea

  Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

  Advanced Metals Technologies Initiative

  Supply Chain Groups

  Coal Investment Aid and

  Micro and Nanotechnology applied research programme

  The following products are to be made available during 2004:

  Collaborative R&D

  Knowledge Transfer Networks

  Access to Business Best Practice

  Support to implement best business practice

  Finance to encourage investment in specific areas of England and

  Enterprise Capital Funds

  It is not possible to list all the business support schemes launched in years prior to 2003.
  57W
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to reduce the number of business support schemes sponsored by her Department. [153562]

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

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the business support schemes supported by her Department. [153563]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 5 February 2004,Official Report, column 998W.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many United Kingdom small businesses she estimates have failed as a result of the late payment or non-payment of debt in each of the last five years. [153564]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Accurate information regarding the number of business failures specifically attributable to late or non-payment of debt is not available.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated cost to United Kingdom small businesses was of the late payment or non-payment of debt in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [153565]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Accurate information regarding the cost to small businesses of late payment or non-payment of debt is not available.

  Call Centres
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which call centres have relocated abroad from(a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) the UK in each year since 2000; and where they have relocated to; [153228]

  (2) how many (a) call centres and (b) call centre-related jobs there are in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) Tyne and Wear, (iv) the North East and (v) the UK. [153229]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are well aware of the heightened interest and concerns expressed about the offshoring of UK service operations, including call centres, to countries such as India, China and Eastern Europe. My Department has commissioned research on the key factors contributing to the relative competitiveness of UK call centre operations. We are conducting this research because reliable figures on call centre employment, including jobs lost and created, do not currently exist, and there are conflicting predictions on future employment trends. However, we are still seeing growth in UK call centres; for example, in the North East region Hays Travel is creating 160 job opportunities at its call centres in Sunderland, Newcastle and Stockton.
  58W
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) call centres and (b) call centre jobs there are in (i) South Yorkshire and (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber. [153720]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are well aware of the heightened interest and concerns expressed about the offshoring of UK service operations, including call centres, to countries such as India, China and Eastern Europe. My Department has commissioned research on the key factors contributing to the relative competitiveness of UK call centre operations. We are conducting this research because reliable figures on call centre employment, including jobs lost and created, do not currently exist, and there are conflicting predictions on future employment trends. However, we are still seeing growth in UK call centres; for example, in the Yorkshire and Humberside region Ventura is creating 300 new job opportunities at its call centre in Rotherham.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) call centres and (b) call centre jobs there are in (i) the North West and (ii) Lancashire. [154315]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are well aware of the heightened interest and concerns expressed about the offshoring of UK service operations, including call centres, to countries such as India, China and Eastern Europe. My Department has commissioned research on the key factors contributing to the relative competitiveness of UK call centre operations. We are conducing this research because reliable figures on call centre employment, including jobs lost and created, do not currently exist, and there are conflicting predictions on future employment trends. However, we are still seeing growth in UK call centres; for example, in the North West region Vertex is creating 1,000 new job opportunities at its call centres in Knowsley, Speke and Bolton.

  Child Poverty
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to achieve the Government's targets of(a) ending child poverty by 2020, (b) halving it by 2010 and (c) reducing it by a quarter by 2004–05; and if she will make a statement. [154366]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 12 February 2004,Official Report, columns 1590–91W.

  Climate Change
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from(a) business and (b) industry representatives on the Government's Climate Change Programme, with particular reference to the viability of the emissions targets for (i) 2010 and (ii) 2020. [154227]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The UK Climate Change Programme sets out the policy framework to ensure that the UK meets its Kyoto target, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by

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  12.5 per cent. below base year levels, and moves towards its domestic goal to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.

  The Climate Change Programme, published in November 2000, was developed in close consultation with business, local authorities and a wide range of public and private sector organisations. Responses from all groups identified significant business opportunities for the UK from moving to a more energy efficient, lower carbon economy and less than 5 per cent. of businesses who responded believed that the programme would damage UK's competitiveness.

  Many respondents to the consultation on the draft Climate Change Programme noted the need to develop a longer term policy framework that would reduce emissions beyond 2010. The February 2003 Energy White Paper did just this, with its goal to put the UK on a path to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050, with real progress by 2020.

  In developing the Energy White Paper, the Government held a large number of meetings and expert workshops along with a written consultation. There was concern, mostly from companies and trade associations, that competitive advantage should not be compromised by measures to address climate change. However there was also recognition of the advantages that would arise from moving towards a low carbon economy, such as through export opportunities in new renewable technology and engineering expertise, and through opportunities arising from job creation. A summary of the responses, and individual replies from businesses, to the written consultation can be found on the DTI website.

  Coke Imports (China)
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has made to the European Union on the suspension of duties on coke imported from China. [144922]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None. The anti-dumping measures currently in force relating to imports of coke originating in China are due to expire in 2005, but are currently being reviewed by the European Commission. We must wait for the outcome of that review before deciding whether any approach to the European Commission is necessary.

  Comoros Islands
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the level of bilateral trade between Britain and the Comoros Islands was in the last year for which figures are available; and what steps are being taken to establish a diplomatic presence on the Comoros Islands. [154220]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  According to figures published by HM Customs and Excise, UK imports of goods from the Comoros Islands in 2002 were worth £211,000 while UK exports were worth £743,000. Our ambassador to Madagascar is cross-accredited to Comoros. He is due to present his credentials to the Comoran Government this week.

  Company Ownership (Voting Rights)
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on company ownership arrangements which grant a majority voting right for a minority share holding. [154453]

  Jacqui Smith
  Differential voting structures in companies (such as multiple voting rights or non-voting shares) were considered by the independent Company Law Review sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry, which reported in November 2000 on this issue and concluded ("Completing the Structure", paragraph 5.47):We propose that the law should continue to place no restriction on the freedom of companies to have separate classes of shares with different voting (or other) rights.

  On the basis of the review's findings, my overall approach to such differential voting structures is that, provided they are properly disclosed to the markets and others having dealings with the company, they do enhance freedom and flexibility for companies to structure themselves according to their needs. I shall, however, continue to keep this matter under review.

  The Company Law Review documents are published on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/cld/ review.htm.

  Debt Repayment
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of small businesses she estimates were forced to take legal action against late or non-payers of debt in the last year for which figures are available. [153566]

  Nigel Griffiths
  A survey by the Royal Bank of Scotland, conducted in January 2004, suggested that up to two fifths of small businesses have taken legal action against a customer for non-payment. The DTI does not make a separate estimate.

  Employment Regulation
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to extend the common commencement pilot for employment regulations to other areas of regulation. [155322]

  Nigel Griffiths
  In January, the Government gave a commitment in their recently published Action Plan for Small Business that they will consider extending the adoption of common commencement dates to other areas of domestic law, subject to the results of the current DTI pilot. Government will consult business on the priority areas and preferred dates.

  Energy Innovations
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what energy innovation breakthroughs have been made in the United Kingdom since the publication of the Energy White Paper in February 2003. [155022]

  Mr. Timms
  Technological progress tends to follow an incremental path and major breakthroughs are less common. Notable events since February 2003 in relation to energy innovation include the commissioning of the
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  UK's first large offshore wind farm (60MW) at North Hoyle, North Wales, the launch of the SUPERGEN sustainable energy research initiative, and the opening in the UK of the first marine energy test centre in Europe, which will help develop key tidal and wave technologies with support from DTI and others, including the Scottish Executive.

  EU Chemical Regulations
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on proposed EU regulation of chemicals. [153078]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department of Trade and Industry has received representations about the proposed legislation from a wide range of stakeholders, including the UK chemical industry and NGOs. My noble Friend the Minister for Science recently joined my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment, in a round-table discussion about this issue, which, in addition to industry and NGOs, also included representatives from the retail sector and trade unions.

  The Government will shortly issue a public consultation paper, which will offer all interested parties a further opportunity to provide us with their views. There are also plans to hold a stakeholder conference during the consultation period.

  The Government will continue to work with all interested parties to ensure the legislation is workable and delivers protection for human health and the environment. Representations from the UK and other member states have already helped to improve the proposal.

  EU Structural Funds
  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether departmental funding is used for EU matched funding. [155222]

  Jacqui Smith
  Yes, where appropriate. For example, substantial amounts of funding are made available via the Small Business Service. In addition, the department is exploring the option for co-financing structural funds with some of the new DTI business support products. Discussions on this and other aspects of match funding are taking place with a number of Regional Development Agencies and the Government Offices.

  Export Licences (Ministry of Defence)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what proportion of export licences in respect of equipment for which advice is sought from the Ministry of Defence a substantive response was received from that Department within 20 working days of receipt in the last 12 months. [154977]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Since May 1997 the Government have published an Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls containing details of all goods authorised for export from the UK and to which destinations. These Annual Reports also contain information on 'performance in processing licence applications' providing a breakdown of the performance of the main Government Departments involved in the processing 62W
  of SIELs (DTI, FCO, MOD, DFID) in that year. The Government's Annual Reports are available from the Libraries of the House.

  Fuel Poverty
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) children and (b) elderly people are living in fuel poor households in the East Riding of Yorkshire. [154165]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The current published official estimates of fuel poverty are extrapolated from a sample survey of 175,000 dwellings and fuel poverty is defined as occurring when a household needs to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income including housing benefit and income support for mortgage interest on all fuels in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime.

  The available information from the English House Condition Survey indicates that in 2001 there were an estimated 238,000 households affected in the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

  More detailed estimates for sub-regional areas are not available from this survey as the sample sized is not large enough to enable reliable detailed estimates at a more local level to be produced.

  Iraq
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 13 January 2004,Official Report, column 703W, on Iraq, what support the (a) UK, (b) US and (c) EU are giving to facilitate Iraq's ability to take responsibility for the necessary administration. [149450]

  Ms Hewitt
  The UK recognises the importance of re-establishing normal conditions for trade in Iraq. This is detailed in the UK's Country Assistance Plan.

  The UK, through Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Department (HMCE), has been very active training, working with and restoring the operations of the Iraqi Customs Service. Chambers of Commerce are emerging in Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk and in the area controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government, and are receiving support from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to create viable trade organisations in Iraq.

  The Commission have said that they will consider re-establishing GSP preferences for the country, when such viable trade organisations and a functioning and internationally recognised political authority exist in Iraq.

  Manufacturing
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the levels of(a) manufacturing output and (b) employment in the manufacturing sector were in each region of the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement on changes in the size of the manufacturing sector in the United Kingdom in the last five years. [152667]

  Jacqui Smith
  Output at regional level is measured using Gross Value Added (GVA). The latest estimates of the output of the manufacturing sector for the regions run to 2000 and are provided in Table A. Estimates of
  63W
  the number of employee jobs within the manufacturing sector in each region and devolved administration of the UK run to 2002 and are provided at Table B.

  Between 1998 and 2002, across the United Kingdom, the total number of manufacturing jobs fell by just under 640,000—a fall of 15.4 per cent.

  During the same period, the index of output for UK manufacturing, measured at constant (2000) prices, fell by 1.8 percentage points.

  Table A: Total gross value added of the manufacturing sector by region/devolved Administration 1996 to 2000

  £ million

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  UK

  146,078

  152,299

  153,412

  152,402

  153,671

  North East

  6,772

  6,799

  6,660

  6,433

  6,427

  North West

  19,151

  19,471

  19,388

  19,323

  19,423

  Yorks and Humber

  13,621

  14,125

  13,948

  13,438

  13,322

  East Midlands

  13,412

  14,155

  14,183

  13,952

  14,011

  West Midlands

  16,517

  17,185

  17,161

  16,625

  16,565

  East of England

  12,714

  13,306

  13,429

  13,229

  13,333

  Table B: Annex A: Employee jobs within manufacturing 1998 to 2002

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  UK

  4,150,449

  4,028,762

  3,894,620

  3,703,061

  3,512,244

  North East

  186,729

  173,208

  169,357

  159,595

  158,873

  North West

  529,604

  514,114

  499,360

  473,257

  448,988

  Yorkshire and The Humber

  409,542

  394,375

  383,832

  373,775

  353,789

  East Midlands

  422,997

  399,161

  383,057

  358,295

  342,845

  West Midlands

  553,432

  532,880

  493,846

  460,040

  445,794

  Eastern

  353,160

  327,716

  333,244

  327,586

  307,363

  London

  286,890

  296,061

  285,840

  260,360

  236,166

  South East

  442,432

  444,320

  432,596

  407,442

  389,903

  South West

  320,565

  313,861

  301,941

  299,835

  282,829

  Wales

  208,160

  206,857

  200,600

  188,958

  184,644

  Scotland

  326,688

  315,020

  302,043

  294,162

  263,552

  Northern Ireland

  110,250

  111,189

  108,904

  99,756

  97,498

  Source:

  GB Annual Business Inquiry, ONS and the Northern Ireland Annual Business Inquiry, NISRA

  The manufacturing jobs estimates refer to December of each year.

  These estimates cover the total number of both full and part-time jobs in the manufacturing sector and cover the number of employee jobs, not necessarily the number of people in jobs. If a person has more than one employee job it is possible that they could be counted twice in this measure.

  Royal Mail
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the recent loss of mail in the Swansea area. [154921]

  Mr. Timms
  These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Royal Mail. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Metal Finishing Industry
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is proposed to meet the Commission of the European Communities communication COM (2003) 354 in respect of assistance
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  Table A: Total gross value added of the manufacturing sector by region/devolved Administration 1996 to 2000

  £ million

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  London

  12,747

  13,335

  13,799

  14,297

  14,750

  South East

  17,143

  18,243

  18,947

  19,335

  19,738

  South West

  10,461

  11,179

  11,497

  11,642

  11,872

  Wales

  7,797

  8,007

  7,941

  7,775

  7,826

  Scotland

  12,638

  13,182

  13,034

  12,787

  12,673

  Northern Ireland

  3,104

  3,313

  3,423

  3,565

  3,731

  Source:

  Regional Economic Accounts, ONS

  Estimates of regional GVA are presented at current basic prices. They do not include taxes on products (such as Value Added Tax), and take no account of the impact of price inflation.

  Regional GVA by industry estimates allocate the earnings of commuters to their region of residence and not the region where they work (in those cases where the two differ).

  to small operators in meeting administrative burdens and environmental challenges, with particular regard to the metal finishing industry. [152512]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  This June 2003 Communication from the European Commission set out the Commission's view on implementation of the 1996 directive concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) and invited responses to seven questions, among which was one about what support measures should be taken at EU, national, regional or local level to facilitate compliance by installations, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Government response, submitted to the Commission on 12 September 2003 and available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/cipp.htm, pointed out that, in the UK's experience, it is essential for regulators to work closely with operators—whether or not SMEs—to explain as precisely as possible what IPPC requires.

  In the case of the metal finishing industry, the Environment Agency is working with the Surface Engineering Association (SEA) to do that, raising awareness of the requirements and providing draft sector guidance. An Agency Sector Co-ordinator has been appointed to provide advice and support to the

  65W
  industry. Three IPPC Launch Workshops were held in January 2004 for the sector, each including a presentation by the SEA. The agency is supporting the Association's IPPC "club" arrangement under which a series of workshops will be held (led by a consultant and with Agency staff contributing) to help operators write their applications in a common and therefore more efficient approach to IPPC permit application and compliance. Revised IPPC guidance for the sector will be issued by the Environment Agency in mid-February.

  Miners' Compensation/Pensions
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average level is of final settlements that have been agreed so far to former miners suffering from(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger. [155026]

  Nigel Griffiths
  As of 1 February 2004 the average payment figure to each miner for respiratory disease was £7,715. The average payment figure for vibration white finger (VWF) was £8,354.

  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are in receipt of a pension from the Mineworkers Pension Scheme; and how much has been paid from the scheme in each year since it was established. [154613]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: The information requested is in the table.

  Number of pensioners in payment

  Amount of pension benefit paid (£ million)

  Amount of bonus payments (£ million)

  1994

  251,674

  355

  1995

  243,147

  359

  1996

  243,257

  364

  1997

  241,217

  398

  23

  1998

  241,068

  483

  69

  1999

  237,132

  485

  76

  2000

  234,568

  488

  82

  2001

  234,455

  531

  119

  2002

  237,929

  584

  127

  National Grid
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the current replacement rate of assets operated by the national electricity grid is. [152040]

  Mr. Timms
  Capital expenditure on asset replacement by the National Grid Company plc is currently of the order of £120 million per year, approximately one-third of NGC's total annual capital expenditure under its current regulatory price control. The value of the company's network assets is approximately £5 billion, which gives an average replacement rate of 42 years.

  NGC's asset replacement expenditure is based on a careful assessment of asset condition and not on a simple average asset age approach to replacement rate.

  Offshoring
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the deadline is for the consultation document on the practice of offshoring which her Department has recently issued. [151827]
  66W
  Ms Hewitt
  The consultation document invited comments by 30 January 2004. But we would still welcome comments from others who were not able to respond by this date. We are currently studying the information we have received carefully.

  Post Office
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations Postwatch South East has received on Post Office Ltd.'s proposal to close the Fetcham sub-Post Office; and if she will make a statement. [155432]

  Mr. Timms
  I understand that Postwatch South East received 98 representations during the public consultation period in Post Office Ltd.'s proposal to close Fetcham sub-Post Office under its urban network reinvention programme.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will undertake to take the final decision if Post Office Ltd. intends to fufil its proposal to close Fetcham sub-Post Office; [155433]

  (2) when she expects to be able to make a decision on Post Office Ltd.'s proposal for closure of the Fetcham sub-Post Office. [155435]

  Mr. Timms
  Following public consultation on a post office closure proposal, as required under the Code of Practice agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch, the final decision on closure is an operational matter for the company.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent changes there have been to the rural to urban classification of post offices and sub-post offices in Mole Valley. [155434]

  Mr. Timms
  I understand from Post Office Ltd. that there have been no recent changes of rural to urban classification of post offices and sub-post offices in Mole Valley.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria the Post Office will use in deciding the future of post offices in Liverpool, Riverside which is recommended for closure. [155668]

  Mr. Timms
  Decisions on post office closures are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

  Productivity
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact that Faraday Partnerships have had on(a) the overall productivity of UK businesses and (b) reducing disparities in regional productivity. [153576]

  Ms Hewitt
  The 24 Faraday Partnerships were designated on the basis of the needs of their respective sectors to accelerate new product development based on research. They feed into DTI's overall objectives for improving productivity and competitiveness in the UK.
  67W
  The Partnerships operate against business plans that are individually agreed with the public sectors sponsors (typically DTI and one or more Research Councils). Progress against the business plan is regularly assessed.

  Partnerships do not have a specific objective to reduce disparities in regional productivity; their aims are to improve knowledge transfer and overall performance in UK businesses wherever they are to be found.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether regional development agencies only fund organisations located within the regions they serve; and if she will make a statement. [155981]

  Jacqui Smith
  Section 4 of the Regional Development Act 1998 sets out the five purposes of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). These purposes relate to the region covered by the RDA. RDAs may fund organisations, located outside their regions, if this benefits their regions and furthers their strategic objectives for the region.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of regional development agencies(a) achieved their targets and (b) delivered their regional economic strategies and corporate plans in the last year for which figures are available. [153585]

  RDA

  Number of staff

  Total salary bill (£000)

  Average salary per employee (£)

  Midyear population estimate for 20021

  Proportion of staff salary per 1,000 head of population (£)

  AWM

  216

  9,159

  42,403

  5,304,124

  1,726.77

  EEDA

  139

  5,435

  39,101

  5,420,360

  1,002.70

  EMDA

  170

  5,569

  32,759

  4,215,492

  1,321.08

  LDA

  236

  7,541

  31,953

  7,355,354

  1,025.24

  NWDA

  291

  10,784

  37,058

  6,770,981

  1,592.68

  ONE

  249

  9,186

  36,892

  2,513,274

  3,654.99

  SEEDA

  182

  8,118

  44,604

  8,037,140

  1,010.06

  SWRDA

  227

  7,546

  33,242

  4,959,593

  1,521.50

  YF

  282

  10,004

  35,475

  4,982,503

  2,007.81

  1Source

  Midyear Population Estimates: Office for National Statistics (ONS).

  Copies of RDA annual reports are placed in the Libraries of the House and are available on the internet. Figures for the current financial year should be published on RDA websites the following May.

  Advantage West Midlands (AWM):www.advantagewm.co.uk

  East of England Development Agency (BEDA) www.eeda.org.uk

  East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) www.emda.org.uk

  London Development Agency (LDA) www.lda.gov.uk

  North West Development Agency (NWDA) www.nwda.co.uk.

  One North East (ONE) www.onenoriheast.co.uk.

  South of England Development Agency (SEEDA) www.seeda.co.uk

  South West Development Agency (SWRDA) www.southwestrda.org.uk

  Yorkshire Forward (YF) www.yorkshire-forward.com

  Regional Venture Capital Fund
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to(a) raise awareness of regional venture capital funds
  68W
  Jacqui Smith
  Information on regional development agencies' achievements against targets set for 2002–03 was published on 7 July 2003, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  As regards the Regional Economic Strategies, the East Midlands Development Agency, One North East, the Northwest Development Agency, the South East of England Development Agency, the South West Regional Development Agency and Yorkshire Forward, published their Regions' current strategies in 2002, Advantage West Midlands and the London Development Agency published theirs in 2003 and the East of England Development Agency will publish a revised Strategy in 2004. The current Corporate Plans for each RDA cover the period 2003–06 and were approved by Ministers and published in 2003. The Regional Economic Strategies and Corporate Plans are available on each RDA's website.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff each Regional Development Agency employs; what the total salary bill of each agency was in the last year for which figures are available; what the average salary per employee was in each case; and what the proportion of staff salary per thousand head of population was in each case. [154335]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]: The information is set out according to the most recent RDA annual reports for year ending 31 March 2003 (for reference the website for each RDA is provided in the table).

  and (b) reduce regional disparities in application levels, especially within areas of lower entrepreneurial activity. [153582]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Government have invested £120,000 to raise awareness of the Regional Venture Capital Funds including holding a National Conference. We have also supported the regional launches of the nine Regional Venture Capital Funds and I have attended several events to launch or promote RVCF.

  Officials regularly review the performance of all the Funds including the number of applications received. Any areas of concern are raised by my officials at the regular Advisory Committee meetings. I have asked officials to investigate any regional disparities and to report their findings back me.

  Renewable Energy Conference
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how her Department was represented at the
  69W
  European Conference for Renewable Energy—Intelligent Policy Options, held in Bonn on 19 to 21 January; and what response she plans to make to the recommendations and conclusions of the conference. [155018]

  Mr. Timms
  The Director of Energy Innovation and Business Unit represented DTI at the Berlin Conference.

  We note the conclusions and recommendations of the conference, which will form the basis of a more detailed discussion at the upcoming International Conference for Renewable Energies, Bonn, 1 to 4 June, 2004, the preparations for which are already under way. The Government support efforts at the international level to strengthen commitment to achieving progress on the penetration of renewable in the energy market.

  Bribery
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department has spent on implementing(a) the OECD convention on combating bribery in each year since 1997 and (b) Part 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 in each year since it came into force. [155010]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Department's main role in implementing the OECD convention and the relevant part of the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act is promoting awareness of them among UK businesses and liaising with the OECD on policy development and implementation. As a result, the majority of DTI expenditure in implementing these instruments has been on human resources, with a number of officials contributing. Their time is equivalent to at least one full time post. Our expenditure is not recorded in such a way as to permit a precise analysis of the year-by-year spend against-implementing these specific instruments.

  Small Business
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which statutory inspectors have a right of entry to small businesses; and if she will make a statement. [151990]

  Nigel Griffiths
  DTI responsibilities where there is a right of entry relevant to small businesses include the following; Export Control, Employment Agency Standards, Trading Standards (enforced through local authorities). I encourage all appropriate enforcement authorities to sign up to the Enforcement Concordat to ensure that inspections are carried out fairly.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 650W, on the Small Business Service, what the cost was of the programmes delivered by the Small Business Service for each year between 2000 and 2003. [155364]
  70W
  Nigel Griffiths
  The Programme cost of Small Business Service for each year between 2000 and 2003 are shown below. These figures are available in the Small Business Service Annual reports deposited in the Libraries of the House.

  Programme cost (£ million)

  2000–01

  244

  2001–02

  268

  2002–03

  336

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 650W, on the Small Business Service, what the running costs of the Small Business Service were for 2000, including agency staff and secondments. [155365]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The running cost of the Small Business Service for 2000–01 including agency staff and secondments was £10,195,000.

  SMART Awards
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what value of SMART awards were issued for each year between 1998 and 2003. [153555]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The information is as follows:

  £ million

  Financial year

  Number of awards1

  Value of awards1

  1998–99

  402

  24.0

  1999–2000

  396

  19.3

  2000–01

  578

  28.6

  2002–03

  829

  34.0

  2003–042

  618

  28.5

  1Offers of grant.

  2To end of Q3.

  The figures are for offers of grant made under the Smart scheme between 1 March 1998 and 31 December 2003. Smart formally closed to applications on 31 August 2003. The new Grant for Research and Development which replaces the Smart scheme, began accepting applications on 1 June 2003.

  Euro
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from British business on the possible effects of the collapse of the euro area stability and growth pact. [153622]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have received representations from several members of the business community. The Government support a prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact, taking into account the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment.

  Statutory Audit Threshold
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent consultation she has undertaken on raising the statutory audit threshold; and if she will make a statement. [153548]

  Jacqui Smith
  In July 2003 the Department published a consultation document on the proposal to increase the thresholds below which most small companies can be exempt from audit. A copy of the consultation document is available for reference in the Libraries of the House. Copies of responses to the consultation are available from the DTI library.

  The Regulation increasing the audit exemption thresholds came into force on 30 January 2004 and applies in respect of financial years ending two months later.

  Sustainable Energy
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation and effectiveness of the Sustainable Energy Policy Network since its establishment under the Energy White Paper of February 2003; and how many times the Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board has met since its inception. [155229]

  Mr. Timms
  The Sustainable Energy Policy Network (SEPN) was established to drive forward the implementation of the Energy White Paper and will be judged on that basis. It comprises Government Departments, regulators, agencies and regional organisations which have a direct role to play in delivering the White Paper's commitments. The Government will report on progress in 2003–04 shortly after the Easter recess.

  The network includes a number of structures:
  the Ministerial Group offers strategic direction and is chaired jointly by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;
  the Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board provides independent expert advice to Ministers. The Board met for the first time in December 2003 and its second meeting will be in March;
  the Programme Board comprises senior officials accountable to ministers for delivering the commitments set out in the White Paper.

  Further details are set out in the SEPN website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/index.shtml.

  Asbestos Claims (T&N Ltd.)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she last met the administrators of T&N Ltd. to discuss compensation for former employees suffering from asbestos-related illnesses; and if she will make a statement. [153910]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not had a meeting with the Administration of T&N Ltd. to discuss this issue, as the payment of compensation to the former employees does not fall within her areas of responsibility.
  72W
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid for the services of the UK administrators of T&N Ltd. since they were appointed; and what the weekly fee paid to(a) them and (b) their solicitor is. [153911]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]: Administration is a collective insolvency procedure and it is for creditors to determine the administrators' remuneration. Insolvency legislation provides that creditors who consider an administrator's remuneration to be excessive can apply to the court for it to be reduced.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the latest estimate is of when Federal Mogul are likely to be out of administration; what is being done to protect the interests of the former T&N employees suffering from asbestos-related illnesses in the meantime; and if she will make a statement. [153912]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]: T&N went into administration when Federal Mogul a US-based manufacturing group filed for bankruptcy in the US. T&N's discharge from administration is dependent on Federal Mogul's discharge from bankruptcy.

  A Global Reorganisation Plan for Federal Mogul, which includes a Trust Distribution Plan to handle payments to all asbestos claimants in the group, is to be put before the US Bankruptcy Court this week. If the plan is approved the Administrators hope to be in a position to apply for the discharge of the administration order against T&N in the final quarter of 2004.

  Asbestos claimants of T&N were represented on a committee established in the US bankruptcy proceedings that have been involved in negotiating the Trust Distribution Plan. The Administrators have negotiated to improve the treatment of UK asbestos claimants within the Plan and have taken legal proceedings against T&N's Employer Liability insurers, which, if ultimately successful, will directly benefit T&N's employee claimants.

  Administration is a collective court-based insolvency procedure and it would be inappropriate for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to make a statement regarding this administration.

  Communications Masts
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many TETRA masts in England are(a) in place and (b) planned in total for complete roll-out in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Sussex. [155652]

  Mr. Timms
  Ofcom has provided the following figures.

  United Kingdom

  The Airwave network currently has around 2,200 sites and has plans to install a further 1,100. Dolphin operates 951 live sites and subject to customer requirements plans to install a further 10. The West Midlands Ambulance service has six sites with no plans at present for more. London Underground plans to install 270 sites, with rollout to commence shortly.
  73W
  Sussex

  Airwave have 65 sites in place and plan to install a further 15. Dolphin have 20 sites with no further installations planned for 2004 unless customer requirements change.

  University Challenge Seed Funds
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact that University Challenge Seed Funds have had on(a) the overall productivity of UK businesses and (b) reducing disparities in regional productivity. [153574]

  Ms Hewitt
  Since their establishment the Challenge funds have invested £47.3 million in projects which will improve UK productivity by making our excellent science and engineering base more easily accessible to business.

  Radioactive Waste
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings have been held between her Department's liabilities management unit and the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM); what matters have been discussed with CoRWM at such meetings; and what decisions have been taken. [154690]

  Mr. Timms
  My Liabilities Management Unit (LMU) and NDA Team have held two meetings with CoRWM to discuss the establishment of the NDA, as part of the on-going work of the Committee

  This dialogue will continue.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the number of wind turbines which will be required to meet Government targets on renewable energy in the United Kingdom. [155481]

  Mr. Timms
  To meet the Government's target of 10 per cent. of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2010 we expect that approximately 3,500 to 5,000 wind turbines will be required. This includes both onshore and offshore turbines, and assumes that around 7 per cent. to 8 per cent. of electricity is generated from wind with the remaining 2 per cent. to 3 per cent. from other renewable sources.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the potential hazard posed by wind turbines to migrating bats. [155023]

  Mr. Timms
  Studies1 of the impact of wind farms on wildlife suggest that there is a small risk of bat strikes from the operation of wind turbines but that this occurs on a very irregular basis due to the good echolocation systems that bats use to navigate.

  In addition, under the normal planning regime and for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 regime or the Transport and Works Act 1992 wind farm developers are required to consider all environmental
  74W
  aspects of wind energy projects and produce an Environmental Impact Assessment. These assessments are available to the public.

  The great majority of British bat species do not undertake large scale migrations and so would not be expected to interact with offshore wind farms. The exception to this is Nathusius's pipistrelle which is known to undertake long distance migrations in Europe (including sea crossings), but this is an uncommon species in the UK. The potential for bat interactions with wind turbines is recognised and are being considered in the Strategic Environmental Assessments that will precede any future offshore wind farm licensing rounds.

  Similarly, bats are listed as a consideration in guidance "Background document on problems and benefits associated with the development of offshore wind farms" issued by the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR document EIHA 03/4/6-E(L)) and thus potential effects on bats would be expected to be assessed in project specific Environmental Impact Assessments for offshore wind farms.
  1Crockford, N, February 1992. A review of the Possible Impacts of Wind Farms on Birds and Other Wildlife (Joint National Conservation Committee report no. 27); JNCC, Peterborough
  1National Wind Co-ordinating Committee, December 1999. Studying wind energy/bird interactions: A Guidance document: NWCC, Washington DC (USA)

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research has been undertaken by(a) her Department, (b) the Energy Technology Support Unit on behalf of her Department and (c) consultants for her Department on (i) shadow flicker and (ii) noise from wind farms. [155024]

  Mr. Timms
  Research on wind turbine noise has been carried out under the Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme. Copies of the reports1 from those studies are available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/publications. No research has been carried out into shadow flicker from wind turbines under the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme. However, others have conducted research in this area and references2 to those studies are provided as follows.

  1"The Assessment & Rating of Noise from Wind Farms" ETSUR-97

  "Noise Emission from Wind Turbines" ETSU W/13/00503/REP

  "Low Frequency Noise and Vibrations Measurement at a Modern Wind Farm" ETSU W/13/00392/REP

  "Assessment of the Effects of Noise and Vibration from Offshore Windfarms on Marine Wildlife" ETSU W/13/00566/REP

  "Aerodynamic Noise Reduction for Variable Speed Turbines" ETSU W/45/00504/REP

  "Machine Tests for Audible Noise Emission on an Atlantic Corporation 15/50kw Wind Turbine Installed on the Carmichael Estate" ETSU W/24/00472/REP3

  2 Clarke, A. D. (1991), A Case of Shadow Flicker/Flashing: Assessment and Solution. Open University, Milton Keynes

  Clarke, A. D. October (1995). Assessment of Proposed Wind Energy Project at Meenacahan, Donegal, Ireland, for Shadow Flicker. Report for B9 Energy Services Ltd.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Gender Pay Gap
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for Women what the difference in pay was between(a) full-time and (b) part-time male and female workers in each year since 1997. [152065]

  Ms Hewitt
  The following table shows(a) the full-time hourly pay gap and (b) the part-time hourly pay gap, measured as the difference in hourly pay between women working part time and men working full time since 1997.

  Percentage

  Full-time pay gap

  Part-time pay gap

  Mean

  Median

  Mean

  1997

  19.8

  16.2

  42

  1998

  20.0

  16.2

  43

  1999

  19.2

  15.4

  42

  2000

  18.9

  15.0

  40

  2001

  18.5

  14.5

  41

  2002

  19.0

  14.3

  41

  2003

  18.0

  12.9

  40

  The Government are taking steps to address the underlying causes of the full-time and part-time gender pay gap. The part-time pay gap, which closed by two full percentage points over the period 1997 to 2003, is significantly bigger than the full-time pay gap.

  To some extent this reflects the occupations that part-time work has historically been concentrated in. The Government are seeking to encourage alternative ways of working for both women and men through initiatives such as the Work-Life Balance campaign, and legislation such as the new law for working parents which enables parents with children under six or disabled children under 18 to request to work flexibly, whilst placing a duty on employers to seriously consider such requests.

PRIME MINISTER

  10 Downing Street
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the hon. Members who are not Cabinet Ministers who have(a) security clearance for and (b) passes to No. 10 Downing street. [155431]

  The Prime Minister
  We do not comment on security arrangements for No. 10 Downing street.

  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on the serving of beer at official receptions held at No. 10 Downing street. [155789]

  The Prime Minister
  Catering at official functions held at No. 10 Downing Street is provided by the Government Hospitality Section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and a mixture of soft and alcoholic drinks including beer is served as appropriate.

  Dr A. Q. Khan
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with President Musharraf of Pakistan the case of Abdul Qader Khan. [155911]
  76W
  The Prime Minister
  We remain in contact with the Pakistani Government over counter-proliferation issues, including the case of Dr. A. Q. Khan.

  EU Migrants
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with(a) the presidents of (i) Austria, (ii) Finland, (iii) France, (iv) Italy and (v) Spain, (b) the Prime Ministers of (A) Belgium, (B) Denmark, (C) Greece, (D) Ireland, (E) Luxembourg, (F) Portugal, (G) Sweden and (H) the Netherlands and (c) the Chancellor of Germany about the expected number of migrants coming to their respective countries after enlargement of the European Union. [155625]

  The Prime Minister
  I have regular discussions with Governments of EU countries on a wide range of international and European issues including on migration and the forthcoming enlargement.

  Iraq
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reason the words'if he believes his regime is under threat'
  were excised from the final version of the September 2002 dossier; and if he will make a statement. [156010]

  The Prime Minister
  As Lord Hutton said in his report, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) had overall responsibility for the dossier of 24 September and accepted only drafting suggestions which were consistent with the intelligence known to the JIC.

  Middle East
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether it is his policy that Israel should cease building settlements and the security wall on Palestinian territory unconditionally; and if he will make a statement. [155284]

  The Prime Minister
  As we have made clear, we consider all settlements in the Occupied Territories illegal under international law and an obstacle to a comprehensive peace in the region. The Government regularly presses the Israeli Government to freeze settlement activity and dismantle outposts in line with Israel's commitments under the roadmap.

  We condemn unequivocally the suicide bombing of Israeli civilians and we understand Israel's need to take steps, within international law, to protect itself from terrorist attack. But we have made clear that we regard the wall Israel is building on occupied Palestinian land as unlawful.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the principal barriers to peace in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement. [155285]

  The Prime Minister
  The path towards a renewed political process is through the Quartet (US, UN, EU and Russia) roadmap. Both the Palestinian and the Israeli Governments should implement their roadmap commitments without delay.
  77W
  The Palestinian leadership should renew its determination to tackle violence and dismantle terrorist capabilities and make further progress on Palestinian Authority reform. Israel should remove settlement outposts erected since March 2001, freeze all settlement activity and reroute the fence away from Palestinian land. Israel should also seek to improve the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Territories.

  Minister for Women
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will add interests in parental contact to. the responsibilities of the Minister for Women. [155108]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  Headed Paper
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Prime Minister what authority members of the Prime Minister's staff have to use 10 Downing street headed paper subsequent to employment in his Office. [154888]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to my previous answer.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Solicitor-General if the Attorney-General will release his full opinion on the 78W
  legality of the war in Iraq to Parliament before the Butler Committee has reported. [155100]

  The Solicitor-General
  No. As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) of 23 October 2003,Official Report, column 693W, there is a long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, that advice which the Law Officers have given to the Government is not publicly disclosed. This is consistent with paragraphs 2 and 4(d) of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Sir Roy Meadow
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Solicitor-General what directions she has issued to local authority departments to identify and secure documents relating to cases involving infanticide or harm to children which relied on expert testimony from Sir Roy Meadow. [151028]

  The Solicitor-General
  With regard to the review of criminal cases, a total of 258 convictions over the past 10 years for the murder, manslaughter or infanticide of a child under two by its parent have been identified. Of those, a total of 72 relate to persons still serving a custodial sentence. These will be accorded the utmost priority. Currently, some 365 boxes of evidence relating to 52 high profile cases have been recovered from central storage and dispatched to CPS areas for them to conduct an initial review. The remaining high profile cases are being recovered from the areas themselves.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Butler Inquiry
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether individuals will be able to put themselves forward as prospective expert witnesses to the Butler Inquiry into weapons of mass destruction intelligence; [153779]

  (2) what the (a) contact postal address and (b) e-mail address of the Butler Inquiry into intelligence gathering and use are. [155066]

  Mr. Straw
  On 12 February the Butler Review announced that the Committee would in due course be taking oral evidence from a number of witnesses at its own invitation. But it is also inviting anyone who has information that might assist it in considering its remit to submit evidence by 31 March 2004 by post to the Secretary, The Butler Review, Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall, London SW1A 2AS; by email to secretary@butlerreview.org.uk

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what his involvement has been in planning Operation Artemis; and what discussions he has had with the police with regard to Operation Artemis; [154727]

  (2) what the likely cost to the police is of Operation Artemis; [154729]

  (3) when he last met the Chief Constable of North Wales to discuss Operation Artemis; [154730]

  (4) if he will make a statement on his policy on Operation Artemis.

  [154731]

  Mr. Rammell
  At the request of the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council agreed to the deployment in June 2003 of an Interim Emergency Multinational Force (Operation Artemis) to Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The purpose of the operation was to support the UN Mission present in the country and to provide a secure environment under which the interim Administration could function. Operation Artemis was a French-led European Security and Defence Policy force, over which the EU's Political and Security Committee exercised political control and strategic direction. It was deployed for a short period until 15 September 2003 and was a military mission with no civilian police involvement.

  The UK contributed some 85 military personnel to Operation Artemis. The Operation's mandate expired on 15 September 2003, by which time all forces involved had been withdrawn from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  Outer Space Treaty
  Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government continue to support the outer space treaty. [154984]

  Mr. MacShane
  Yes.
  80W

  Colombia
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Colombian Government regarding human rights issues, with particular reference to(a) press, (b) trade union and (c) religious freedoms. [155352].

  Mr. Rammell
  Both I and our Embassy in Bogota have regular discussions with the Colombian government, and also with NGOs and trades unions, about human rights issues. We frequently raise specific cases with the Colombian government. The Colombian Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, the right to establish and participate in trades unions and religious choice. We continue to urge the Colombian Government to bring the perpetrators of human rights crimes swiftly to justice and to take effective measures to protect all vulnerable groups at risk from illegal armed groups in Colombia. We have underlined the importance of the Colombian government implementing the specific recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent arrests of church leaders in Colombia. [155353].

  Mr. Mullin
  Neither our Embassy nor the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bogota is aware of recent arrests of Church leaders in Colombia. If additional information can be provided we would be willing to investigate further.

  Department Branding
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on branding the Department between 1997–98 and 2003–04, broken down by(a) consultancy fees, (b) design and orders for new stationery, (c) website design and (d) other material featuring new logos. [154067]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not spend funds on branding the Department.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on implementing(a) the OECD convention on combating bribery and (b) Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 in each year since 1997. [155009]

  Mr. MacShane
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure in this area involves work by staff at home and abroad and is not recorded in such a way as to permit an answer to this question. UK Trade and Investment, which is co-funded by my Department and the Department for Trade and Industry, has produced a guidance leaflet on UK Bribery and Corruption Law. A small amount of other expenditure, for example on travel costs, has been incurred but is not accounted for separately from other related activities.

  Drugs Production
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the results of Plan Colombia on drugs production and use(a) in Colombia and (b) elsewhere. [154939]

  Mr. Mullin
  According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) latest survey, available on the UN website: www.un.org, there was a 30 per cent. decrease in the amount of coca cultivated in Colombia in 2002: 102,071 hectares at the end of 2002, compared with 144,807 hectares at the end of 2001.

  While cultivation in Colombia decreased in 2002, there was an increase in Peru and Bolivia and farmers have increased productivity through the introduction of higher yielding varieties of coca and by increasing the number of plants planted per hectare.

  Drug consumption is believed to be rising in Colombia. Latest UN figures far global consumption indicate that the number of people consuming drugs regularly were 200 million worldwide in the period 2000–01 compared with 185 million worldwide in the period 1998–2000.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have taken place since the end of the war in Afghanistan in levels of(a) poppy cultivation and (b) heroin production in areas previously controlled by (i) the Taliban and (ii) the Northern Alliance. [155001]

  Mr. Rammell
  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan.

  According to the UNODC annual survey, the estimated volume of opium production and cultivation in each of the last three years is as follows:

  Hectares

  Tonnes

  2001

  8,000

  185

  2002

  74,000

  3,400

  2003

  80,000

  3,600

  Since the end of the war in 2001, survey figures have recorded rises in opium poppy cultivation and production in all provinces, including those controlled previously by the Taliban and the Northern Alliance. However the low level of cultivation and low production figure in 2001 reflect the Taliban ban on opium cultivation, which did not address the underlying causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and was enforced with a mix of threat and bribery.

  Somalia
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will investigate the allegations of(a) genocide, (b) crimes against humanity and (c) war crimes against General Mohammed Hersi Morgan, while Governor of Hargeisa in 1988; [154132]
  82W
  (2) if he will pursue at the United Nations the allegations of (a) genocide, (b) war crimes and (c) crimes against humanity in Hargeisa in 1988; [154133]

  (3) if he will assist the Government of the Republic of Somaliland in pursuing those responsible for the alleged war crimes in Hargeisa in 1988. [154135]

  Mr. Mullin
  In 1988 the then British Government expressed concern at reports of serious human rights violations in Somalia and suspended their aid programme. We have no current plans to take further action in relation to those events. Our priority for the moment is to achieve stability and peace in the south.

  Iran
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iranian Government on(a) cultural and (b) educational programmes. [154094]

  Mr. Mullin
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed educational and cultural matters with the Iranian Government, most recently during the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to London in February 2003.

  In the last few years, the Government has stepped up its promotion of educational and cultural links with Iran, for example through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Scholarships scheme, which enables a number of high-achieving Iranians to study at UK universities each year. The British Council reopened in Tehran in 2001.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had while in Iran on the treatment of(a) different ethnic groups and (b) women within that country; and if he will make a statement. [155833]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. But in his other frequent contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made clear our serious concerns about discrimination against and persecution of women and minorities in Iran.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had while in Iran on the development of democracy in that country; and if he will make a statement. [155834]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. However, in other contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made clear our support for the development of democracy and reform, and our deep concern at the disqualification of candidates from the parliamentary elections on 20 February.
  83W
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he(a) received and (b) made while on his recent visit to Iran on religious freedoms. [155835]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. However, in other contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made our serious concerns about restrictions on religious freedom in Iran and the persecution of people for their beliefs.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he(a) received and (b) made while on his recent visit to Iran, on the recent mass resignation of Iranian MPs; and if he will make a statement. [155836]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, before the disqualification of candidates for the Majlis elections and the mass resignation of Iranian MPs. In contacts with Iranian leaders since the current dispute began, he has made clear our deep concerns. For elections in any country to be free and fair, it is essential that voters should be able to choose from a range of candidates.

  Iraq
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) for what reason elements of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi were incorporated into the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement; [153061]

  (2) for what reason elements of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi were altered before incorporation into the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; who authorised these alterations; and if he will make a statement; [153062]

  (3) who authorised the use of parts of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi in the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; when the decision to do so was taken; and if he will make a statement. [153063]

  Mr. Rammell
  The circumstances surrounding the inclusion of Dr. Al Marashi's PhD thesis in the document produced by the Communications Information Centre in February 2003, and the roles of the officials involved, were set out in a memorandum to the Foreign Affairs Committee by the then Director of Communications at 10 Downing street dated 24 June 2003 (paragraphs 11–16), and in his evidence before the Committee on 25 June 2003 (questions 1064–1090).

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iraqi Governing Council regarding Sharia law in Iraq. [153703]
  84W
  Mr. Rammell
  It is for the Iraqis to debate and decide the future laws suitable for their country. We will seek to use our influence, however, to ensure that Iraqi law is compatible with international human rights standards.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he expects will become of the(a) International Advisory and Monitoring Board and (b) Iraq Development Fund after a sovereign government of Iraq is established; to whom control of the monies will be passed; and if he will make a statement. [154547]

  Mr. Straw
  According to UN Security Council Resolution 1483, Iraqi revenues from the export of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas should be deposited into the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) until an"internationally recognised, representative government of Iraq"
  is formed. Unless the Security Council decides otherwise, it will then be for that government to decide how they handle future revenues. At the same time, there will remain a continuing obligation on UN member states to transfer financial assets or economic resources of the former Iraqi regime to the DFI.

  Resolution 1483 does not envisage an end to the International Advisory Monitoring Board (IAMB) with the formation of an Iraqi government. Unless the Security Council decides otherwise, we would expect the IAMB to continue in existence after the formation of that government.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British representatives sit on the Programme Review Board which determines expenditure in Iraq; what the relationship of the Board to(a) the United Kingdom Government, (b) the US Government and (c) the Iraqi Governing Council is; and if he will make a statement. [154548]

  Mr. Straw
  The Programme Review Board (PRB) was established to enable emergency or unanticipated extra-budgetary spending requests to be brought to a joint Iraqi-Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) body for assessment and authorisation. CPA Regulations 2–4 (available online at www.cpa-iraq.org) outline the criteria for the PRB's operations.

  The relationship of the UK and US Governments and the Iraqi Governing Council to the PRB is reflected in the distribution of voting members of the PRB. which includes representatives of:
  the Governments of the United Kingdom and Australia;
  the Iraqi Minister of Finance (who is accountable to the Iraqi Governing Council);
  Officials from the US and other coalition members from the CPA's Economic Affairs, Governance and Security Policy Offices, and Office of Infrastructure and Operations;
  the Iraqi Council for International Co-operation;
  and the Coalition Military (Combined Joint Task Force 7).

  One UK Voting Member may attend the Board.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition he uses of humanitarian intervention, with particular reference to the invasion of Iraq. [154978]
  85W
  Mr. Rammell
  Our decision to take military action was to enforce Iraq's disarmament obligations, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. It was taken as a last resort. The Iraqi regime's refusal to cooperate left us with no option. Authority to use force against Iraq derived from the combined effect of UNSCRs 678, 687 and 1441; and all of these resolutions were adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows the use offeree for the express purpose of restoring international peace and security.

  Clearly, however, the removal of Saddam Hussein's oppressive regime has had humanitarian benefits for the Iraqi people. The coalition and international community are helping to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure. Donors have committed $33 billion in grants and concessional loans; and Iraq's assets and oil revenue are now being used for the benefit of the Iraqi people.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission inspectors discovered at the Al-Rafah test site; whether additional information has since been found by the Iraq Survey Group; and whether the Government has obtained further information since September 2002 on Al-Rafah in addition to that produced by the UN Special Commission on Iraq and the Iraq Survey Group. [155057]

  Mr. Mullin
  As reported by Dr. Hans Blix in the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) working document on unresolved disarmament issues published on 6 March 2003, UNMOVIC inspectors discovered the construction of a new liquid propellant test stand at Al-Rafah designed for both horizontal and vertical testing of engines for Al-Samoud missiles.

  The Iraq Survey Group is continuing to carry out investigations at sites throughout Iraq. They will present their findings in due course.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library all minutes in English of the Coalition Provisional Authority Program Review Board to date. [155287]

  Mr. Straw
  Yes. These minutes are also available on-line at the Coalition Provisional Authority website: www.cpa-iraq.org/budget/program_review_board. html.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) financial and (b) other support the Government are giving to promote inter-religious dialogue in Iraq. [155564]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UK Government are funding an inter-faith conference in Baghdad this month, organised by Iraqis with support from the International Centre for Reconciliation based at Coventry Cathedral. Participants have been drawn from the leaderships of mainstream Iraqi religious communities. This is one of a number of initiatives which aim to promote religious dialogue in Iraq. UK and Coalition Provisional Authority officials are in regular dialogue with religious leaders about a range of issues.
  86W
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the organisation of regional caucuses in the British-controlled areas of Iraq. [155858]

  Mr. Straw
  On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced the process and timetable for the handover of power to a sovereign Iraqi Government and democratic elections. Since then the Coalition Provisional Authority has engaged in a process of consultation with the Governing Council and others on the best way to establish a transitional national administration before full democratic elections are held. The UN Secretary-General sent a technical team to Iraq this month to examine the options for elections. His team's report was due on 21 February. We look forward to receiving its recommendations, to which we will give serious consideration.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed deadline for transfer of power to a transitional Government in Iraq. [155859]

  Mr. Straw
  On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced the process and timetable for the hand-over of power in Iraq, including the establishment of an Iraqi transitional Government by 30 June 2004. We believe that deadline remains realistic and are working hard to achieve the hand-over by that date.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the mandate of a transitional Government in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [155860]

  Mr. Straw
  On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) announced the process and timetable for the hand-over of power in Iraq. This includes the drafting of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), which will define the powers and principles of the Iraqi transitional administration. It is important that the TAL gains wide acceptance among Iraqis. It is currently being debated within the IGC. We will use our influence to help ensure that the TAL safeguards fundamental rights and contributes to the building of a free, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbours.

  Israel
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning Israel's citizenship law. [154195]

  Mr. Rammell
  The British Embassy in Tel Aviv last lobbied the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue of citizenship on 11 August 2003. Embassy staff raised concerns about the implementation of the revised citizenship law and the discriminatory effect it would have on certain sectors of the population, including many Palestinians. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Lord Hutton's Report
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will reconcile paragraph 14 of "A Further Response of the Secretary
  87W
  of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the Ninth Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee's Session 2002–03" (Cm 6123) with Appendix 13 of the Hutton Report. [153747]

  Mr. Mullin
  No reconciliation is called for. Lord Hutton's conclusion on the basis of the evidence was clear:"As the dossier was one to be presented to, and read by, Parliament and the public, and was not an intelligence assessment to be considered only by the Government, I do not consider that it was improper for Mr. Scarlett and the JIC to take into account suggestions as to drafting made by 10 Downing Street and to adopt those suggestions if they were consistent with the intelligence available to the JIC."
  (Paragraph 228 (7) of Lord Hutton's Report of the Inquiry into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Dr. David Kelly CMG.)

  MEPs and EU Officials
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other EU Foreign Ministers about(a) the harmonisation of salaries for MEPs and (b) ensuring greater transparency in the travel expenses of MEPs and EU officials. [155044]

  Mr. MacShane
  Salaries and travel expenses for MEPs were most recently discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27 January, where the Council failed to reach agreement on a revised Statute for MEPs. We nonetheless hope the European Parliament will implement its Expenses Regulation—which it can do with or without a Statute—so reforming its travel expenses system.

  Draft revised Staff Regulations for all EU officials are currently being discussed at working group level; they have not been discussed by the Council. We hope that they will be implemented on 1 May and will make the travel expenses system for EU officials simpler and more transparent.

  Middle East
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to secure a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems as envisaged in UN Security Council Resolution 1284, in respect of(a) Israel and (b) Syria. [155562]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government have consistently supported Resolutions in the UN General Assembly calling for the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

  We take every available opportunity to urge all states in the region to sign, ratify and abide by the obligations of all Treaties and Conventions covering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means for their delivery.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the(a) independence and (b) integrity of the Mozambican judicial system. [155310]
  88W
  Mr. Mullin
  The independence of the Mozambican judiciary is enshrined in Section 1, Article 164 of the Mozambican constitution. This states that, "In the discharge of their functions, judges are independent and only owe obedience to the law". The Government of Mozambique is committed to ensuring an independent and fair judicial system.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the list lodged with his Department of United Kingdom claimants for property appropriated without compensation by the Mozambique Government since 1975. [155311]

  Mr. Mullin
  Under Exemption 15 (Statutory and other restrictions: Data Protection Act in this case) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the Government is prohibited from placing in the Library the list of UK claimants for property appropriated without compensation by the Mozambique Government since 1975 without the written permission of all those listed.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions in the last 12 months in which the issue of claims for compensation for confiscated property have been raised with the Mozambican authorities. [155312]

  Mr. Mullin
  Our High Commission in Maputo last raised the issue of claims for compensation for confiscated property with the Mozambican authorities in July 2003. We will continue to raise the matter with the Mozambicans as and when appropriate opportunities present themselves.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the acquisition of ballistic missiles and associated technology by Nigeria from North Korea. [155563]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) on 10 February 2004,Official Report, column 1305W.

  North Korea
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation he has made of recent evidence from North Korea of continuing human rights abuses, with specific reference to use of political prisoners to test chemical weapons. [155572]

  Mr. Mullin
  We fully share my hon. Friend's concerns about reports of continued and widespread human rights violations in North Korea, and we raise the issue regularly with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) authorities. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) raised the allegations concerning chemical weapons tested on North Korean prisoners with the DPRK Ambassador on 12 February and urged the DPRK government to allow independent monitors access to the country to verify or disprove such allegations, as called for in the Resolution adopted by the UN Commission on Human
  89W
  Rights in 2003. We will continue to encourage the DPRK government to co-operate fully with UN human rights mechanisms.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of China on its policy of sending back North Korean refugees. [155613]

  Mr. Mullin
  We regularly raise the issue of North Korean refugees with the Chinese, including at the biannual UK/China Human Rights Dialogue. At the last round of the Dialogue, on 10/11 November 2003, we urged China to allow the UNHCR access to the border areas and to observe its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. In addition, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) raised the issue with the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui in December 2003.

  We will continue to encourage China's greater co-operation with the UNHCR on this issue.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days on average his Department took in Session 2002–03 to give a substantive answer to a parliamentary question for ordinary written answer; and what the greatest number of days taken to answer such a question was. [155925]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department took an average of four days to answer parliamentary questions for ordinary written answer in Session 2002–03, within the five working day Parliamentary guidelines.

  The greatest number of days taken to provide an ordinary written answer in Session 2002–03 is 102 working days, which includes the summer recess.

  Recruitment Advertising
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's expenditure on recruitment advertising was in each of the last three years, broken down by publication; and what proportion of such expenditure was(a) to advertise vacant posts and (b) in the form of other general recruitment advertising. [155530]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information requested is as follows:

  Advertising vacant posts—Financial year to end March 2003

  £

  Publication

  Cost

  FCO London

  A1—Administrative assistants—June 2002, September 2002, October2002, March 2003

  South London Press

  19,348.80

  Metro and Evening Standard

  91,544.00

  www.thisislondon.co.uk

  144.00

  Total

  111,036.80

  A2—Executive Assistants—July 2002, October 2002, February 2003

  Evening Standard and Metro

  15,722.40

  Daily Mail

  35,713.44

  Ethnic Media Group

  8,510.00

  The Voice

  4,261.68

  Glasgow Herald

  10,858.40

  Scotsman (including Evening News)

  12,690.00

  90W

  Advertising vacant posts—Financial year to end March 2003

  £

  Publication

  Cost

  Belfast Telegraph (including Sunday Life)

  7,354.71

  Cardiff Western Mail

  14,064.60

  Metro Manchester

  2,352.16

  Glasgow Evening Times

  2,856.80

  Edinburgh Evening News

  3,816.80

  Metro Scotland

  913.20

  Metro Birmingham

  2,536.64

  Total

  121,650.83

  B3—Operational Entry—September 2002, January 2003

  Belfast Telegraph

  4,832.97

  Cardiff Western Mail

  9,615.50

  Ethnic Media Group

  5,513.68

  Evening Standard and Metro

  10,872.00

  Glasgow Herald

  10,985.60

  Guardian

  9,355.84

  The Scotsman

  11,160.80

  The Voice

  2,837.12

  Total

  65,173.51

  Overseas Security Managers—January 2003

  Police Review

  3,816.24

  Pathfinder

  3,550.12

  Total

  7,366.36

  C4—DS General—September 2002

  Guardian

  3,920.40

  The Voice

  1,317.40

  Asian Times

  1,645.00

  Belfast Telegraph

  2,055.16

  Glasgow Herald

  4,342.00

  Scotsman

  5,281.00

  Cardiff Western Mail

  3,347.90

  Total

  21,908.86

  C4—DS Economists—September 2002, January 2003

  Guardian

  6,480.00

  Totaljobs.com

  275.00

  The Voice

  1,317.40

  Asian Times

  1,645.00

  Belfast Telegraph

  4,680.32

  Glasgow Herald

  9,554.00

  Scotsman

  10,706.00

  Economist

  17,575.00

  Cardiff Western Mail

  6,469.40

  Sunday Times Website

  340.00

  Ethnic Media Group

  2,908.00

  Total

  61,950.12

  Specialist Recruitment

  Accountancy Age

  3,000.00

  Asian Times Group

  1,506.00

  Bed fordshire Times

  950.00

  Ethnic Media Group

  19,764.00

  Evening Standard

  1,296.00

  Financial Times

  5,250.00

  Guardian

  33,612.00

  Luton and Dunstable Herald

  1,577.00

  Milton Keynes Chronicle

  834.50

  Milton Keynes Citizen

  3,362.70

  New Scientist

  10,495.00

  Northampton Chronicle

  2,067.00

  Northampton Herald and Sport

  1,223.00

  Northants Curon and Echo

  1,587.00

  Sunday Times

  7,840.00

  The Times

  1,519.00

  THES

  3,165.00

  www.jobs.ac.uk

  470.00

  Total

  99,518.20

  FCO Hanslope Park

  C4—Contract Managers—April 2002

  Personnel Publications

  4,465.00

  Total

  4,465.00

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  Advertising vacant posts—Financial year to end March 2003

  £

  Publication

  Cost

  C4—Electrical Technician Officer—April 2002

  McMillan Scott

  705.00

  Premier Newspapers

  4,450.76

  Institution of Electrical Engineers

  4,624.80

  Total

  9,780.56

  D7—Head of Technical Security—May 2002

  Premier Newspapers

  4,450.76

  Express Newspapers

  9,987.50

  Total

  14,438.26

  C4—InvestigatingOfficer—September 2002

  Daily Mail

  4,758.75

  Jane's Information Group

  3,877.50

  Total

  8,636.25

  Al—Mail Room Assistants—November 2002

  Evening Standard

  1,057.50

  Total

  1,057.50

  B3—Assistant Government Butler—March 2003

  Restaurant Magazine

  1,938.75

  Evening Standard

  2,350.00

  Caterer and Hotel Keeper

  1,854.16

  Total

  6,142.91

  General and diversity advertising—Financial year to end March 2003

  Publication

  Cost

  Hobsons Career Guide for Women 2003

  82,500.00

  Hobsons Career Guide for Students with Disabilities 2003

  Hobsons Career Guide for Ethnic Minorities 2003

  Hobsons Diversity Handbook

  www.hobsons.com microsite

  Newsletters for Ethnic Minority students

  KAL—Careers Advice for Ethnic Minority Graduates

  81,114.00

  Number Ten—Careers Advice for Women Graduates

  Arberry Profile—Careers Advice for Disabled Graduates

  Recruitment Brochures

  Spectrum—Careers Advice for Ethnic Minority 16 to 19-year-olds

  Headstart

  3,850.00

  Doctor Job's Little Black Book

  4,450.00

  www.doctorjob.com employer profile

  National Guide to Black History Month

  3,100.00

  Futures/Network News

  5,600.00

  Employment Opportunities website and newsletter

  2,000.00

  Black and Asian Graduate website

  495.00

  Total

  183,109.00

  Total cost of advertising April 2002 to March 2003: £716,234.16.

  We advertise widely for jobs in the Diplomatic Service and specialist positions, as well as general careers advertisements placed in diversity publications and websites. The placement of adverts is reviewed regularly according to the nature of the position, cost and response from previous advertisements. The above breakdown for the years 2000–02 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Serbia and Montenegro
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to EU partners on(a) the situation in Serbia and (b) Serbian co-operation with international institutions; [155670]
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  (2) what assessment he has made of the co-operation of the Serbian Government with (a) UN authorities and (b) the War Crimes Tribunal; [155671]

  what assessment he has made of UN reports that Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are in Belgrade; and what representations he has made to the Serbian authorities on this matter. [155672]

  Mr. MacShane
  We and our European Union partners regularly discuss the situation in Serbia and the rest of the Balkans region. The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 January noted the results of the recent Serbian parliamentary elections of 28 December 2003. It urged all democratic parties to help form a government committed to reform and further integration with the European Union.

  While the relationship between Belgrade and the United Nations Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has been difficult, the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Co-ordination Centre for Kosovo and Metohija, Nebojsa Covic, has recently made helpful statements on the Direct Dialogue Working Groups. These talks will cover areas such as environmental issues, energy and missing persons. This is a positive step towards building a stable future for Kosovo.

  The UK fully supports the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which helps foster reconciliation and stability in the region. Serbia and Montenegro (SaM) made some progress in early 2003, but co-operation has since stalled. We take every opportunity to remind Belgrade that in order to realise her Euro-Atlantic aspirations, SaM must fulfil the international obligation of full and complete co-operation with the ICTY.

  We believe that SaM could do more to co-operate with the ICTY, particularly by assisting in the arrest and transfer of Bosnian Serb leaders Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. Through both bilateral and EU initiatives, we continue to put pressure on the SaM Government to transfer all remaining ICTY indictees, including Mladic and Karadzic, and to allow ICTY full access to documents and witnesses.

  Somali National Reconciliation Conference
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who attended the Somali National Reconciliation Conference at the Safari Park Hotel outside Nairobi. [154137]

  Mr. Mullin
  The main Somali political and faction leaders attended these consultations, although leaders from Somaliland did not. A UK observer was also present.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was to the UK Government of the Somali National Reconciliation Conference held at the Safari Park Hotel outside Nairobi. [154138]

  Mr. Mullin
  The UK Government made a voluntary contribution of US$100,000 to support these consultations.

  Terrorism
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2004,Official Report, column 415W, on terrorism (political parties), what means have been used to persuade Hizbollah to abandon all terrorist activity. [154659]

  Mr. Rammell
  Hizbollah's terrorist wing, the External Security Organisation, is proscribed in the UK. We maintain contact with the political wing of the organisation, on which we press the pursuit of legitimate political engagement and the abandonment of terrorist activity. We have also urged Lebanon, Iran and Syria to exercise any influence they have with Hizbollah in a positive manner.

  Train Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last used a train in connection with his ministerial duties. [155158]

  Mr. Straw
  16 January 2004.

  Tristan da Cunha
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the division of responsibilities between his Department and the local council on Tristan da Cunha in respect of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. [148621]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs takes the policy lead on Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) related matters for the UK. The UK's ratification of CITES applies to Tristan da Cunha. Under the latter's current legislation, which is under review, the functions of the CITES Management Authority are carried out by the Administrator, who is a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official. The Island Council would not be involved.

  Turkey
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek the consent of the Turkish Government for British officials to monitor the Turkish local elections on 28 March. [155581]

  Mr. MacShane
  No. The British Embassy in Ankara will follow the local elections in Turkey closely. This will include consultations with political parties, non-governmental organisations and electoral authorities.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek the consent of the Turkish Government for British officials to monitor the Kurdish New Year Newroz celebrations on 21 March. [155582]

  Mr. MacShane
  No. Non-governmental organisations will observe the Newroz celebrations and the British Embassy in Ankara, which follows developments in Turkey closely, is in regular contact with them.

  Ukraine
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Ukraine on the importance of free and fair elections there; and if he will make a statement. [155937]

  Mr. MacShane
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear to Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko in January that Ukraine's aspirations towards membership of the EU and NATO were dependent on its democratic progress. The extent to which the 2004 presidential elections are free and fair will be a test of Ukraine's readiness for closer relationships with the EU and NATO.

  United Nations Compensation Commission
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the Government's policy to support(a) new approvals and (b) new payments of claims from the United Nations Compensation Commission. [154555]

  Mr. Mullin
  As a permanent member of the United Nations Compensation Commission's (UNCC) Governing Council, the UK actively supports the work of the UNCC, including any Governing Council decisions relating to new approvals and new payments.

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the scope of international monitoring of weapons of mass destruction proliferation, with particular reference to biological and chemical weapons. [154858]

  Mr. MacShane
  The threat of proliferation of WMD has, in recent years been successfully limited by international arms control and effective multilateral treaties including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).

  The NPT is the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime, with 188 States Parties. It forbids acquisition or possession of nuclear weapons, except by the five acknowledged nuclear weapons States, who are required to pursue negotiations on nuclear disarmament. The NPT requires non-nuclear weapons Parties to enter into safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to verify compliance. The IAEA's safeguards system is being strengthened by the introduction of an Additional Protocol expanding the IAEA's access. The UK is working with EU partners to see this Additional Protocol accepted as an international norm.

  The CTBT provides for a global system of monitoring stations, using four complementary technologies, to record data necessary to verify compliance. Its aim is to achieve a total ban of explosive testing of nuclear weapons.

  The CWC bans the production, acquisition and retention of chemical weapons and requires CW possessors to destroy, under supervision, CW stockpiles

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  and production facilities. CWC implementation is verified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) through on-site monitoring of CW destruction activity, and regular inspection of relevant industrial facilities. The CWC also provides for any Party with a concern about another's compliance to seek a challenge inspection. The CWC has 159 Parties, most recently including Libya's welcome accession.

  The BWC has 151 Parties. The Fifth Review Conference of the BWC agreed in November 2002 on a three-year programme of work leading up to the Sixth Review Conference in 2006. This process is designed to strengthen the Convention, which currently has no ability to verify compliance. Assistance with the establishment of national legislation and regulation was provided to two States Parties following the annual Meeting of States Parties in 2003. The UK actively encourages universality of the Convention and urges all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Convention.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the decision of the UN to extend the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara until 30 April; and what impact he expects this to have on Morocco. [154462]

  Mr. Rammell
  We have consistently supported the efforts of the UN Secretary General and James Baker III, his Personal Envoy, to find a solution to the dispute over Western Sahara. We supported UN Security Council Resolution 1523, which extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April, allowing Morocco the opportunity to consult further with Mr. Baker on the final Moroccan response to the latest UN Proposals, known as the Peace Plan. We continue to urge Morocco to engage constructively with Mr. Baker.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation with regard to the imprisonment of Western Sahara Polisario activists in Morocco. [154463]

  Mr. Rammell
  Ministers and officials regularly call upon the parties to the Western Sahara dispute to take action on human rights issues and we also raise specific cases. For example, my officials raised with the Moroccan authorities the cases of some of the 12 Saharawi activists who were subsequently released by the Moroccan authorities on 7 January 2004. We also raise with the Polisario and Algerian authorities the over 600 Moroccan prisoners of war who continue to be held by the Polisario, many on Algerian territory. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, taking action with the appropriate authorities where necessary.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at which EU General Affairs Council meetings in the last six months he has called for the toughening of EU sanctions against the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe; and what specific measures he called for. [155437]
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  Mr. Straw
  We have been consistent advocates of tough EU sanctions against Mugabe. The present measures consist of an arms embargo on Zimbabwe, and an assets freeze and travel ban on leading members of the regime. I have raised the matter with relevant EU Foreign Minister colleagues on a number of occasions and so have officials on my behalf with their counterparts. The result is that with our strong support, these measures were extended on 19 February for a further year.

  We also sought and secured an increase in the number of senior ZANU-PF figures subject to the travel ban and assets freeze, from 79 to 95. This includes several additional individuals who bear particular responsibility for the abuses of human rights in Zimbabwe.

  The 23 February General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC), which I attended, issued a strong statement deploring the failure of the government of Zimbabwe to address the EU's concerns over the deteriorating situation in the country. The GAERC also made clear the EU's intent to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Zimbabwe, on the basis of need.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Agriculture (Africa)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of(a) employment, (b) exports and (c) gross national income in (a) Nigeria, (b) Ghana, (c) Tanzania and (d) Kenya is accounted for by agriculture. [155405]

  Hilary Benn
  Accurate data on agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa are not always available. For example, some smallholder farmers may not be taken into account in those agricultural censuses and surveys that focus on 'formal' agriculture. DFID does not produce its own data—the following have been collated from other sources which we believe to be among the best available:

  2001 labour force employed in agriculture1 (percentage)

  2001 agricultural exports as percentage of total2

  2001 agricultural production as percentage GDP3

  Nigeria

  32

  3

  35

  Ghana

  57

  22

  36

  Tanzania

  80

  28

  45

  Kenya

  75

  39

  19

  1World Resources Institute (2001) sourced from FAOstat.

  2World Bank (2003) African Development Indicators 2003.

  3World Bank (2003) World Development Indicators 2003.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of(a) employment, (b) exports and (c) gross national income in (i) Mozambique, (ii) Malawi and (iii) Lesotho is accounted for by agriculture. [155407]

  Hilary Benn
  The SADC 2000 Human Development Report suggests that in 1990 the percentage of the labour force deriving its primary source of income from agriculture was 87 per cent. in Malawi, 83 per cent. in Mozambique and 40 per cent. in Lesotho (where only
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  10 per cent. of the land area is suitable for cultivation). These figures are broadly in line with more recent assessments in the three countries In all three countries, a higher percentage of households derive at least some of their livelihood from farming.

  Agriculture contributes 93 per cent of export earnings in Malawi,6 percent in Mozambique and 1 percent in Lesotho.

  Agriculture represents 33 per cent. of GDP in both Malawi and Mozambique, and 18 per cent. in Lesotho.

  Palestine
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the allegations that foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority from the EU has been diverted to the Al-Aqsa brigade. [155043]

  Hilary Benn
  The European Union takes such allegations extremely seriously, and has responded by in investigating the matter. The Commission, on the basis of the material it has examined, has not found any evidence of European funds being used for terrorism or other purposes other than those agreed with the Palestinian Authority. A comprehensive report on the matter, by the EU's Anti Fraud Office, is due to be published shortly.

  Bush Meat
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the inter-departmental ministerial group on biodiversity will discuss bushmeat [153152]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The first meeting of this group is likely to take place soon after my return from the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity later this month. Bushmeat is an issue that the Group will want to consider, but all arrangements for this meeting, including the agenda, still have to be finalised.

  Central America
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are in place to deal with Central American garment factories that are found not to comply with the relevant codes of conduct. [155279]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  If a Central American garment factory is found not to comply with codes of conduct enshrined in national legislation, the relevant government institution is responsible for taking remedial actions, as laid out within the legislation. If, however, a garment factory is found not to comply with the corporate codes of conduct specified by the retailers with which the garment factory has a contract, remedial actions are identified by the independent monitor by the retailers to ensure compliance. If these actions are not taken, the factory is liable to be fined by the retailers, or in serious breaches, to losing the contract. The threat of losing a contract is a powerful incentive for a factory to implement these actions.

  Chad-Cameroon Pipeline
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) when independent external audits of the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project will be undertaken; [155408]

  (2) when the mandatory fiscal accountability and transparency measures for the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project will be in place; [155409]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the level of compliance of the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project with statutory international requirements for safety and environmental protection; [155410]

  (4) when the area special oil spill response plan for the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project (a) was due to be in place and (b) is expected to be in place. [155411]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID is not directly involved in funding or implementing this World Bank project. DFID therefore does not have first-hand information on detailed implementation issues concerning external auditing, fiscal accountability, environmental and safety compliance or oil spill response plans.

  However, DFID is confident that the World Bank's systems for the monitoring and implementation of this project, and for the investigation of any warranted complaints are appropriate.

  Since the project was approved in June 2000, exceptional resources have been allocated by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, to monitor and support the project's implementation against Internationally agreed standards. This includes the establishment of the Independent Inspection Panel (IIP) and the External Compliance Monitoring Group (ECMG).

  In relation to the quality of auditing and fiscal accountability, the World Bank policy identifies two sets of appropriate auditing standards: the International Standards on Auditing published by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Auditing Standards published by the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions. Project arrangements provide for regular audits of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline projects accounts, plus independent opinions from the International Advisory Group (IAG) and the External Compliance and Monitoring Group (ECMG), which carries out regular independent supervisions of the technical and environmental aspects of the project, and from the Inspection Panel which may investigate complaints from people who believe they have been negatively affected by a World Bank project.

  The Chad-Cameroon pipeline is subject to a number of monitoring and supervision controls to ensure quality control, application of environmental regulations, design and implementation adhere to International rules and regulations. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has strict requirements and specifications, and compliance with these by all parties is spelled out in legally binding agreements. Strong remedies are provided in legal agreements with all parties in case they fail to comply with this obligation. The EMP represents an extensive analysis of the potential environmental and social impacts of the project.
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  The World Bank are being advised by the ECMG in monitoring the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan, and by an International Advisory Group on broader implementation issues, including those that need to be addressed to achieve the project's developmental objectives. Both the ECMG and IAG make regular site visits. These third party reviews supplement the Bank's own monitoring and supervision of the project which includes site visits, internal reporting and continual discussions with the project sponsors.

  The above measures are additional to on-going monitoring by the Consortium and by the Governments of Chad and Cameroon. The Consortium provides quarterly reports which are publicly available.

  DFID's interest is as a member of the Executive Board of the World Bank. We do and will continue to take our role on the Executive Board seriously, ensuring that issues identified by the Independent Inspection Panel and External Compliance Monitoring Group are raised, monitored and rectified.

  The investigation reports mentioned above are publicly available and can be found on http://www. worldbank.org/afr/ccproj/index.htm.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many civil servants, broken down by grade, there are in the Department and the agencies for which the Department is responsible; and what the figures were in January 1997. [150267]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Details of the numbers of current civil servants in DFID (there are no agencies), broken down by grade, are contained in the following table.

  Grade (highest first)

  Staff numbers

  Senior Civil Service

  71

  Al (Level 6)

  178

  A2 (Level 7)

  368

  A3 (Senior Executive Officer) level

  139

  Bl (Higher Executive Officer) level

  297

  B2 (Executive Officer) level

  295

  C1 (Administrative Officer) level

  306

  C2 (Administrative Assistant) level

  90

  Total

  1,744

  There were 1,177 Civil Servants in DFID, in 1997. A breakdown of that figure by grade, is not available.

  CDC
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the estimated annual amount of investment that the Government will make through CDC when it becomes a Government-owned investment company. [153421]

  Hilary Benn
  The Commonwealth Development Corporation Act of 1999 transformed CDC into a Government-owned investment company that deploys some £1.1 billion of public capital for investment. This 100W
  capital was injected into CDC by the Government over several decades up to the mid-1990s. We have no current plans to invest additional funds in CDC.

  All new investments made by CDC in the future will be funded from the proceeds of realisation of existing investments. CDC's business plan for the next few years estimates that between £200 million and £300 million will be invested each year into the new funds to be managed by Actis. The intention is that, in the medium term, third party investors will be attracted to commit capital to these funds alongside CDC.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the environmental sustainability requirements of Actis and the Commonwealth Development Corporation will be following the reorganisation announced in his Written Statement of 8 January. [153445]

  Hilary Benn
  Since 1999, CDC has been required to follow a set of business principles that require compliance with best practice, both at fund and investee company level. These principles include environmental standards, where, as a minimum, World Bank rules must be applied, or at least met within an agreed timeframe.

  The other business principles cover the areas of personal and corporate integrity, social issues such as child or forced labour or discriminatory practices, health and safety, transparency and legal and fiscal compliance.

  The reorganisation does not affect these principles. They will in future apply to both Actis and CDC.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what(a) objectives and (b) return requirements will be required for investment of capital provided to an Actis-managed fund by the CDC following the reorganisation announced in his Written Statement of 8 January. [153446]

  Hilary Benn
  As set out in my Written Statement of 8 January,Official Report, column 15WS, CDC's objective is to maximise the creation and long-term growth of viable businesses in poorer developing countries by making responsible investments and mobilising private capital alongside public funds. This objective will remain unchanged under the reorganisation proposals and will apply to all CDC capital invested in any Actis-managed fund.

  The rates of return of the different Actis funds will vary according to the region or sector at which a particular fund is targeted; for example, the rate of return for the Africa fund will differ from that for the Power fund. Target rates of return will be set according to the requirements of businesses in the region or sector in question and according to the requirements of potential co-investors in the fund.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether ventures managed by Actis that are fully commercial will be eligible for investment capital from the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [153455]
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  Hilary Benn
  Actis will be a fully commercial organisation and all ventures that it manages will be on fully commercial terms. CDC will only invest its capital in businesses that offer the prospect, with the help of the investment offered by CDC, of generating returns acceptable to CDC and co-investors. CDC's mission is to develop the private sector in the poorer developing countries. It does not plan to make available any form of concessional financing

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the(a) salaries and (b) bonuses awarded to each board member and member of senior management of the Commonwealth Development Corporation for each year since 1997. [153456]

  Hilary Benn
  The salaries, bonuses and/or fees paid to the executive and non-executive directors of Commonwealth Development Corporation each year are published in the directors' remuneration report included in CDC's Annual Report. For the period 1997 to 2002, they were as follows:

  £

  Salary/fee

  Bonus

  2002

  Non-Executive Directors

  Lord Cairns (Chair)

  48,000

  Jayne Almond (Deputy Chair)

  22,432

  Jonathan Kydd

  16,658

  Lalith de Mel

  17,000

  Pen Kent (to 1 December 2001)

  10,250

  Russel Seal (to 2 May 2001)

  4,375

  Peter Smitham (from 15 March 2001)

  17,000

  Tim Parker (from I December 2001)

  17,000

  Executive Directors

  Alan Gillespie (CEO to 30 November 2002)

  143,055

  90,000

  Paul Fletcher (from 17 January 2001)

  141,225

  90,000

  Richard Laing

  139,425

  75,000

  Andrew Reicher (from 17 January 2001)

  137,000

  90,000

  Nicholas Selbie (from 17 January 2001)

  147,900

  67,500

  2001

  Non-Executive Directors

  Lord Cairns (Chair)

  37,500

  Jayne Almond (Deputy Chair)

  16,333

  Jonathan Kydd

  10,833

  Lalith de Mel (from 13 April 2000)

  10,916

  Pen Kent (to 1 December 2001)

  10,250

  Russel Seal (to 2 May 2001)

  4,375

  Peter Smitham (from 15 March 2001)

  8,637

  Tim Parker (from 1 December 2001)

  1,416

  Executive Directors

  Alan Gillespie (CEO)

  170,000

  43,350

  Richard Laing (from 24 January 2000)

  135,000

  35,000

  Paul Fletcher (from 17 January 2001)

  128,769

  42,300

  Andrew Reicher (from 17 January 2001)

  128,769

  32,300

  Nicholas Selbie (from 17 January 2001)

  138,308

  32,100

  2000

  Non-Executive Directors

  Lord Cairns (Chair)

  32,250

  Jayne Almond (Deputy Chair)

  13,146

  Pen Kent

  9,000

  Jonathan Kydd

  8,250

  Russel Seal

  10,260

  Lalith de Mel (from 13 April 2000)

  5,909

  Executive Directors

  Alan Gillespie (CEO)

  160,000

  57,600

  Richard Laing (from 24 January 2000)

  114,583

  45,000

  102W

  £

  Salary/fee

  Bonus

  1999

  Members of the Corporation (to 7 December 1999) and Non- Executive Directors of CDC Group plc (from 8 December 1999)

  Lord Cairns (Chair)

  30,813

  Jayne Almond (Deputy Chair)

  11,625

  Pen Kent

  9,000

  Jonathan Kydd

  8,250

  Russel Seal

  8,953

  Chief Executive Officer (to 7 December 1999)

  Roy Reynolds

  148,750

  35,000

  Executive Director of CDC Group plc

  Alan Gillespie (CEO from 8 December 1999)

  13,333

  Members of the Corporation (to 7 December 1999)

  Carolyn Hayman

  7,728

  Roger Murray

  7,728

  David Pearce

  7,728

  Hari Shankar Singhania (to June 1999)

  3,750

  1998

  Chairman (Lord Cairns)

  29,000

  Other Members of the Corporation (Board)

  68,000

  CEO (Roy Reynolds)

  1168,189

  Executive Management Committee members

  819,429

  1997

  Chairman (Lord Cairns)

  27,000

  Other Members of the Corporation (Board)

  68,000

  CEO (Roy Reynolds)

  1153,762

  Executive Management Committee members

  747,071

  1Inclusive of bonus.

  Notes:

  1. The remuneration committee of the board (made up of the independent directors) is responsible for recommending the total remuneration of executive directors including any bonuses. Bonuses reflect individual performances in the context of the overall performance of CDC including performance against the investment policy.

  2. Prior to transformation into CDC Group PLC in 1999, remuneration data for the former Commonwealth Development Corporation was not published in full detail.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of Commonwealth Development Corporation investment capital was directed to agriculture ventures for each year since 1997. [153457]

  Hilary Benn
  The proportion by year of CDC's new and total investments in the agricultural sector were as follows:

  Percentage of new investment into agricultural sector

  Percentage of total portfolio in agricultural sector

  1998

  23

  25

  1999

  23

  18.5

  2000

  20

  17

  2001

  10.2

  10.2

  2002

  11.3

  11.3

  2003

  5.4

  10.9

  I regret that the figures for 1997 are not readily available.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of Commonwealth Development Corporation investment capital was directed to the poorest quartile of Commonwealth countries in each year since 1997. [153472]
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  Hilary Benn
  The mandate of the former Commonwealth Development Corporation was widened to include all developing countries in 1969. After transformation into CDC in 1999, we gave it a target of making at least 70 per cent. of its new investments in the poorer developing countries (basically those with a GNI per capita of less than US$1,750).

  The poorest quartile of Commonwealth countries all fall within this grouping. For the years 1997 to 2001 (which is the latest year for which data are available) these countries were Bangladesh, Cameroon (1997 only), Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lesotho (1998 to 2001 only), Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

  The proportion of CDC's new investment that were made in these countries is as follows:

  1997—32 per cent.

  1998—47 per cent.

  1999—25 per cent.

  2000—26 per cent.

  2001—44 per cent.

  2002—24 per cent.

  2003—61 per cent.

  Note:

  2002 and 2003 figures are based on the countries in the poorest quartile in 2001.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the measures that will be in place to ensure that Actis does not obtain capital from the CDC that could be obtained through private investors. [153454]

  Hilary Benn
  Under a five-year contract, CDC will place 95 per cent. of its investment capital into the funds that Actis will launch and manage. Actis will be encouraged to raise as much further capital from private and other third party investors as possible for investment in the poorer developing countries. Maximising the mobilisation of third party capital is the key feature of the reorganisation proposals.

  CDC's investment policy (set by DFID) obliges it to concentrate its investment in the poorer developing countries where the private sector is generally reluctant to invest. We believe that in practice there is a wide gap between the demand for investment capital in the poorer countries and the amount actually available to them. It is our aim that CDC will help bridge this gap.

  We are aware that CDC's investments must not crowd out or otherwise discourage private investors already active in developing countries. This is the opposite of its purpose and we will expect the Board of CDC to be particularly vigilant about this issue.

  Conflict Resolution
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds his Department has committed to conflict resolution in 2003–04; and what percentage of the Department's budget this represents. [155565]

  Hilary Benn
  In 2003–04, it was forecast that £22 million would be allocated to DFID for conflict prevention work through the Africa Conflict Prevention 104W
  Pool (ACPP) and £16 million through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP). £4.4 million was committed to Conflict Policy and Projects within DFID's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department.

  DFID's total programme budget for financial year 2003–04 is £3,611 million. Therefore, committed and specific conflict related spending is equivalent to 1.2 per cent. of DFID's total programme budget. However, this does not incorporate the full extent of DFID's spending on conflict issues in this financial year.

  DFID's total budget for its bilateral country and regional programmes is £1,429 million. A significant proportion of this budget is committed to countries affected by conflict and many of DFID's poverty reduction programmes in these countries will have a positive impact on conflict. However, further breakdown by sector is not possible until all actual programmes spending for 2003–04 has been recorded.

  These spending commitment figures are available in the 2003 DFID Departmental Report, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Department Branding
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on branding the Department between 1997–98 and 2003–04, broken down by(a) consultancy fees, (b) design and orders for new stationery, (c) website design and (d) other material featuring new logos. [154078]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Since its establishment in 1997 as the successor to the Overseas Development Administration, this Department has spent the following amounts on creating a new logo and departmental identity:

  (a) Consultancy fees—£6,000 plus licensing typeface—£5,000 and producing guidelines for contractors on logo/identity—£5,600.

  (b) All major items of stationery requiring the new logo were held in electronic form so costs for design and new stock were negligible.

  (c) There were no significant Website re-design costs.

  (d) Publications featuring the old logo continued in use until stocks were exhausted or until the publication became obsolete. Write off costs were therefore negligible.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of his Department's funding was paid to(a) governments and (b) non-governmental organisations in each year since 1997. [154250]

  Hilary Benn
  In recent years, around 7 per cent. of DFID's programme has been channelled through non-governmental organisations and some 23 per cent. directly through governments. The remainder also supports governments and NGOs indirectly, but the initial cash payment is made to multilateral organisations (45 per cent.) or companies and research institutes for development programmes that they manage or goods and services provided by them (25 per cent.).

  Direct Budget Support
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what indicators he intends to use to assess whether direct budget support is effective. [152085]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID continuously monitors the effectiveness in reducing poverty, and the value for money, of its direct budget support. Assessing effectiveness means both monitoring the fiduciary risks we take as we use budget support, and also evaluating budget support in terms of its actual effects on poor people.

  DFID monitors fiduciary risk in order to have a basic indication of whether our budget support is being used effectively. Indicators for monitoring fiduciary risk include:
  whether the objectives for which funds were allocated have been achieved;
  whether reporting is accurate and timely;
  whether actual expenditure matches the agreed budget allocations;
  whether value for money and transparency have been demonstrated in procurement;
  what progress has been made towards improving financial management.

  In addition to this, a joint donor evaluation of general budget support is under way, which will provide a comprehensive assessment of the effects of budget support on developing countries and their people. DFID has the lead in this process which is co-funded by 15 other donors, through the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  The evaluation's indicators of effectiveness will include:
  whether there are macroeconomic benefits from budget support (for example: recession avoided, inflation controlled);
  whether the recipient Government has greater control over externally-funded activities and resources;
  whether public expenditure is made more efficient;
  whether public administration is made more effective (due to focus on national budget rather than off-budget financing);
  whether democratic accountability is enhanced.

  Ultimately the evaluation will assess whether budget support reduces poverty and reduces social exclusion. This assessment will be made using developing countries' own monitoring systems.

  Full details of the indicators used by the evaluation will be published in April in the document "Joint Evaluation of GBS: Evaluation Framework". A copy of this document will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Ethiopia
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Government of Ethiopia about human rights in the country. [153344]

  Hilary Benn
  During my recent visit to Ethiopia I raised the issue of human rights with Prime Minister Meles and Members of his Government about how 106W
  respect for human rightsߞas enshrined in Ethiopia's own Constitutionߞcan be improved. The Prime Minister told me of his commitment to improving human rights as enshrined in the constitution and it will be important for the people to see this happen. He nevertheless accepted that there are problems with human rights in Ethiopia. He gave an undertaking to build the capacity of the judiciary and security sectors to help in the securing and protection of constitutional rights for all. Our office in Ethiopia also frequently discusses such issues with the Government.

  Representations concerning human rights form part of a wider ongoing dialogue with the Government of Ethiopia. This dialogue centres on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)ߞsigned between DFID and the Government of Ethiopia in 2003ߞthat sets out undertakings by each side. The improvement of human rights is one such undertaking given by the Government of Ethiopia.

  We have also ensured that indicators and targets relating to human rights will be linked to our direct budget support in Ethiopia. This will allow us to track the direction of change and inform decisions on future support.

  Iraq
  Clare Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of Thursday 4 December 2003,Official Report, column 115W, on Iraq, whether the Treasury provided an additional £60 million to his Department to help meet the Madrid pledge. [153321]

  Hilary Benn
  The £60 million set aside by the Chancellor from the Treasury Reserve to meet additional needs in Iraq was included in the United Kingdom's Madrid pledge of £544 million for the three years from April 2003, which covers actual and planned expenditure on reconstruction by DFID, the MOD and the FCO.

  To date, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been allocated £35.7 million of the £60 million to meet the costs of civilian staff seconded to the Coalition Provisional Authority and to the office of the UK's Special Representative to Iraq, including the costs of providing suitably secure accommodation and transport. These staff are engaged in rebuilding Iraqi government capacity and facilitating progress towards a stable, effective and representative Iraqi government. DFID has been allocated £6.5 million for reconstruction work in southern Iraq and funding for NGOs. The remainder has yet to be allocated.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what payments have been made by his Department into the Development Fund for Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [155334]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has made no payments into the Development Fund for Iraq. The Fund was established to hold Iraq's own revenues, principally from oil sales.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list direct payments from his Department to the Coalition Provisional Authority; what the payments were for in each case; and if he will make a statement. [155336]
  107W
  Hilary Benn
  DFID has made no direct payments to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). Payments for DFID support to the CPA are made to individuals undertaking secondments and to companies providing consultancy, recruitment, security, equipment supply and other services.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he last used a train in connection with his ministerial duties. [155167]

  Hilary Benn
  I regularly travel to Brussels by Eurostar. The last time was 3 February. When undertaking ministerial duties in the UK, depending on time constraints, I travel by train.

  All my ministerial travel on official business is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in "Travel by Ministers".

  Nigeria
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the implications for UK aid assistance to Nigeria are of the Nigerian Government's attempts to procure ballistic missiles and associated weapons technology; and what representations he has made to Nigerian representatives on the issue. [155489]

  Hilary Benn
  Speculation that Nigeria has attempted to procure military equipment from North Korea has not been substantiated and Nigerian Government spokesmen claim to have been misreported. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has nonetheless made representations to the Nigerian authorities about Britain's policy and position. DFID's criterion for allocating development assistance is where we can make the greatest impact on reducing poverty—as expressed by the UN Millennium Development Goals. The Nigerian Government has embarked on an ambitious programme of reform that provides the best opportunity for substantial and lasting poverty reduction in a generation. DFID is committed to supporting this.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the situation in Plateau State, Nigeria; and what action the Government are taking to support peace and conflict resolution initiatives there. [155566]

  Hilary Benn
  Violent outbreaks throughout Nigeria are a matter of great concern to the Nigerian Government. The roots of conflicts can be hard to establish: groups tend to divide on religious and ethnic grounds but the underlying causes are often more complex.

  DFID, the FCO and the MOD have developed a joint conflict prevention strategy for Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution. As part of this strategy, the British Government are supporting the International Centre for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, who has been supporting reconciliation and conflict transformation work in Plateau State, at the invitation of the Governor.
  108W
  The British High Commission maintains close contact with the Nigerian authorities, and regularly visits afflicted areas.

  Opium Production (Afghanistan)
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimated volume of opium production in Afghanistan is for the current year; and what the estimated volume was in each of the last five years. [154884]

  Mr. Rammell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan. The UNODC is in the process of preparing the 2004 report on behalf of the Afghan government, which will be published in the autumn. According to the UNODC annual survey, the estimated volume of opium production and cultivation in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Hectares

  Tonnes

  1999

  91,000

  4,600

  2000

  82,000

  3,300

  2001

  8,000

  185

  2002

  74,000

  3,400

  2003

  80,000

  3,600

  The low level of cultivation and low production figure in 2001 reflect the Taliban ban on opium cultivation; the ban did not however address the underlying causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, and was enforced with a mix of threat and bribery.

  Recovery Infrastructure Group
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development into which bank account the assistance for the Recovery Infrastructure Group is paid; who controls the account; and if he will make a statement. [155335]

  Hilary Benn
  The Recovery and Infrastructure Group project rehabilitates and refurbishes Government and other public buildings. Project funds are paid into an account managed by Crown Agents Financial Services Ltd. Halcrow Group Ltd. design and supervise the implementation of projects by local firms. Progress is reviewed by DFID staff.

  Serbia and Montenegro
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of Serbian co-operation with(a) international institutions and (b) the War Crimes Tribunal on development assistance to Serbia; and what representations he has made to (i) EU partners and (ii) the Serbian government about this. [155669]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  For the three-year period to the end of 2003, positive dialogue between Serbia and the International Community, including the IMF, World Bank, and European Commission led to a programme of reform backed up by substantial assistance programmes from key donors. In 2003, The European
  109W
  Commission allocated some £160 million (UK share of which was about £30 million) and the World Bank had committed nearly £210 million of a three-year allocation of £286 million approved in 2001.

  Although Serbia and Montenegro (SaM) made some progress in co-operating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in early 2003, co-operation has since stalled. We and our partners in the International Community take every opportunity to remind Belgrade that in order to realise her Euro-Atlantic aspirations, SaM must fulfil the international obligation of full and complete co-operation with the ICTY. Through both bilateral and EU initiatives, we continue to put pressure on SaM to arrest and transfer all remaining ICTY indictees, including Serb leaders Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic and to allow ICTY full access to documents and witnesses.

  We and our European Partners regularly discuss the situation in Serbia. It is unclear how Serbia's relations with international institutions and ICTY will now develop since Serbia has yet to form a government following last December's parliamentary elections. We will continue to liaise closely with EU and other International Community partners, to identify the most effective ways to support and promote both reform and co-operation with ICTY.

  Small Arms Global Pool
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the Small Arms Global Pool. [155673]

  Hilary Benn
  The Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools (GCPP) as a whole are currently undergoing a full and independent evaluation after the first three years of operation. A report will be published shortly.

  The GCPP's Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Strategy is that it has achieved a number of notable outcomes in a short period of time.

  The strategy has helped to ensure that recent UN and regional agreements could be implemented in many arms-affected regions. We have supported practical measures to combat the supply, demand and availability of weapons at local, national and regional levels in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe; notably the establishment in Tanzania of the first ever government-endorsed national action plan, which tackles in a comprehensive way the problem of small arms proliferation. New legislation in Brazil banning the carrying of weapons by civilians is another initiative supported by the strategy that has resulted in lasting change.

  However, more needs to be done to raise awareness and to integrate small arms control and reduction measure into wider defence relations, foreign policy, conflict, security and development programmes. A new SALW strategy (2004–07) is currently being developed and this will seek to address this.
  110W
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the weapons destroyed so far as a result of the Small Arms Global Pool, broken down by type. [155674]

  Hilary Benn
  A key element of the UK Government's Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Strategy is to reduce the availability of SALW through support for weapons stockpile management, collection and destruction programmes.

  Within the framework of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (2001), the UK supports a number of governments including those of developing countries to dispose of small arms stocks, preferably by destruction, that are surplus to national requirements.

  The UK is supporting the development of five-year National Action Plans in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique and Namibia. These plans will provide a comprehensive approach to weapons controls in these countries and include elements for the disarmament, management and destruction of weapons.

  Since 2001, the GCPP-funded Small Arms and Demobilisation Unit of UNDP have supported the destruction of over 360,000 weapons and in excess of 24 million items of ammunition (i.e. small arms cartridges) and 1,090 tonnes of ammunition as part of their global weapons collection management and destruction programme.

  The UK has also funded a Brazilian NGO, Viva Rio, which has, as part of its awareness raising campaign, worked with the police and military in organising ceremonial public destructions of firearms. In excess of 114,000 have been destroyed since UK support for the project started in 2001. Destruction of weapons is done in partnership with the Rio State Government.

  The UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Lima, Peru, which is supported by the GCPP, has a programme for capacity building and training of law enforcement officials in Latin America. As a component of this work the Regional Centre has been involved in supporting local military and police with weapons destruction exercises.

  The UK is also one of a number of countries contributing to an ammunition destruction programme carried out in Albania by the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA), which aims to destroy 11,600 tonnes of small arms and light weapons ammunition over a four-year period.

  Further statistics on the type of weapons and ammunitions destroyed are not readily available.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the countries in which activities are taking place under the Small Arms Global Pool; and what the(a) targets and (b) achievements of those initiatives were in each case. [155675]

  Hilary Benn
  Under the UK Government's Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Strategy (£19.5 million,
  111W
  2001–04) seeks to control and reduce the supply, demand and availability of weapons. It does this by supporting policy development and programmes that assist a wide range of international organisations, regional organisations, Governments and NGOs to combat the proliferation and misuse of small arms.

  The four key areas that the strategy seeks to promote are:
  Policy focused research and analysis to evaluate the impact of programmes and design more effective arms control and reduction policies;
  Building consensus among Governments on the need for increased arms controls;
  Implementing practical projects such as weapons collection, management, and destruction, training of police and customs officers; and
  Integrating small arms controls into wider conflict prevention and poverty reduction programmes.

  For example, the UK has supported regional and sub regional efforts to combat SALW proliferation, and the development of long-term national programmes. The strategy has also supported work to build regional and international consensus on the need for an international agreement on small arms transfers and trade. This is done within the framework provided by the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (2001).

  The UK has contributed to the UN Development Programme's Small Arms and Demobilisation Unit global programme of weapons collection, stockpile management, capacity building and destruction within the context of disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration of ex-combatants and community development. UNDP is active in 45 countries in many parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and Central America.

  The GCPP has also supported a number of other initiatives including the work of:
  The NGO, Viva Rio, which works with police and communities in Brazil to improve security policy and tackle gun violence;
  The Nairobi Secretariat, which co-ordinates action for Governments and civil society in East Africa, Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa;
  National Governments, which are developing Action Plans, with civil society participation, in Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi and Kenya;
  SaferAfrica, Saferworld, and the Security Research and Information Centre, which undertake research, analysis, policy facilitation and practical programmes in East Africa, the Horn, Great Lakes Region and Southern Africa;
  International Alert, which carries out research and analysis projects in Europe, Latin America and West Africa; and
  International Action Network on Small Arms, which has established a global network and co-ordinates advocacy, awareness raising and campaigns among 500 civil society groups around the world.

  I have placed in the Library a table providing details of the work funded under the GCPP SALW strategy during the period 2001–04.

  Water Supply/Sanitation
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the UK Government are taking to ensure that the agreement on 112W
  sustainable development reached at the World Summit is fully implemented in respect of the halving by 2015 of the number of people without access to an adequate water supply and proper sanitation. [155491]

  Hilary Benn
  The key commitments on water and sanitation made at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) were:a re-affirmation of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to halve, by the yea' 2015, the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water;
  halving by the year 2015 the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation; and
  an agreement to develop integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans by 2005.

  In May 2003, a Sustainable Development Task Force was established to help ensure effective follow-up of the UK's WSSD commitments, and monitor progress towards sustainable development against the UK's 1999 sustainable development Strategy, "A Better Quality of Life". The Task Force, chaired by Defra Secretary of State, Margaret Beckett, brings together Ministers from across Whitehall with colleagues from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and some key stakeholders.

  The last Task Force meeting, on 4 February 2004, considered DFID's draft Water Action Plan, which describes how DFID intends to take forward its commitments in water and sanitation, and continue to contribute to achieving the MDGs in a way that recognises that such efforts are most effective when they support plans drawn up by developing countries themselves. This will be presented to Parliament shortly.

  World Trade Organisation
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received from the World Trade Organisation on(a) meeting the targets and (b) implementing the policies agreed in Cancun. [155150]

  Hilary Benn
  Since Cancun all World Trade Organisation members have committed themselves to working to implement the Doha development commitments. While this is welcome, it is imperative that we turn these commitments into progress. The recent WTO General Council agreed on chairs being appointed to the general council and the negotiating groups. We must now seek to ensure that these negotiating groups agree adequate work plans on agriculture and Non Agricultural Market Access (NAMA), and on a resolution to the Singapore issues.

TREASURY

  National Insurance
  Ms. Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost to(a) employees and (b) others in (i) 10, (ii) 20 and (iii) 40 years of reducing the lower earnings limit for National Insurance (A) by £17 and (B) altogether. [155939]
  113W
  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimated increases in National Insurance contribution income of (A) reducing the primary threshold by 17 per week in 2003–04 or (B) reducing the primary threshold to zero, are shown in the following table.

  (– billion)

  (i)2013–14

  (ii)2023–24

  (iii)2043–44

  (a) Effect on primary contributions of reducing the primary threshold

  (A) by 17 per week

  2.2

  2.3

  2.3

  (B) to zero

  12.0

  12.3

  12.2

  (b) Effect on secondary contributions if the secondary threshold is also reduced

  (A) by 17 per week

  2.6

  2.7

  2.7

  (B) to zero

  14.2

  14.4

  14.3

  Notes:

  Figures are for Great Britain, on an accruals basis and the effect on total contributions allocated to both the NIF and NHS in 2003–04 price terms.

  Results based on the long-term estimates published in the Quinquennial Review of the National Insurance Fund as at April 2000 (Cm 6008) assuming 2 per cent. a year real earnings growth. No allowance has been made for the effects of the most recent (2002-based) population projections, or any other information which has become available since the results underlying the Quinquennial Review were prepared.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value was of underpayments not pursued by the National Insurance Contributions office for tax years(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02 and (d) 2002–03; how many underpayments of less than £150 were not pursued in each of those tax years; how much these totalled in each of those tax years; and if he will make a statement. [153288]

  Dawn Primarolo
  National insurance contributions identified as due, but not paid and subsequently written off, amounted to £189 million in 1999–2000; £180 million in 2000–01; £145 million in 2001–02; and £275 million in 2002–03. The amount in 2002–03 includes insolvent companies' debts accrued before July 2001 which were cleared from the accounts as part of a special exercise in that year.

  National insurance contributions may be written off where pursuit is unlikely to be successful, for example, because a company is insolvent; or where it is regarded as neither practical nor cost effective to pursue the debt, for example, because the debtor has gone abroad. Underpayments of less than £150 are not identified separately and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Close Companies
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of close companies that may currently be operated with the primary purpose of reducing owners' personal tax liability; [151943]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the loss to the Treasury from close companies that may currently be operated with the primary purpose of reducing owners' personal tax liability. [151944]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The vast majority of companies are run with the primary purpose of generating profits for shareholders, and a wide variety of strategies might be employed to minimise owners' tax liabilities.114W
  Consequently, it is impossible to say how many close companies are operating with the primary purpose of reducing owners' personal tax liability.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of close companies which may operate with the primary purpose of reducing their owners' personal tax liability; and what value of tax revenues he estimates may thus be lost to the Exchequer. [154863]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The vast majority of companies are run with the primary purpose of generating profits for shareholders, and a wide variety of strategies might be employed to minimise owners' tax liabilities. Consequently, it is impossible to say how many close companies are operating with the primary purpose of reducing owners' personal tax liability or estimate the tax and national insurance that might be lost from such companies.

  Copyright
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate HM Customs and Excise has made of the loss of government revenue from counterfeiting and copyright theft in each of the last five years. [154956]

  John Healey
  No such estimates have been made.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the impact of corporation tax rates on business in Northern Ireland. [155483]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government has received a number of representations on a wide range of subjects. The Government has cut corporation tax rates for all companies—since 1997 the main rate has been reduced from 33 per cent. to 30 per cent. and the small companies' rate from 23 per cent. to 19 per cent. The UK now has the lowest rates of corporation tax in history.

  Demography
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the size of population in the Chorley constituency was in each of the last five years; and what projections have been made for each of the next five years. [155307]

  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. Lindsay Hoyle, dated 23 February 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the population of the Chorley constituency over the last five years, and the projected population for the next five years. (155307)

  The Office for National Statistics does not currently produce mid-year population estimates on parliamentary constituency boundaries. The lowest geography at which mid-year population estimates are currently published is local authority areas. However, Chorley is an unusual case in that the Parliamentary Constituency currently has the same boundaries as the Chorley Borough Council area. Therefore, the population estimates for the two areas will be the same.
  115W
  The population estimates for Chorley Borough Council area for the latest five years available, are given below. Published population estimates are rounded to the nearest 100 people.

  Mid-year population estimates for Chorley local authority, 1998–2002

  Population (Thousand)

  1998

  98.4

  1999

  98.8

  2000

  100.0

  2001

  100.6

  2002

  101.3

  There are currently no official subnational population projections consistent with this series. The last official long-term subnational projections were based on 1996 population data and did not take account of the significant new information produced by the 2001 Census.

  Departmental Minutes
  Richard Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his Department's policy to make notes of(a) meetings and (b) telephone conversations involving Ministers; and under what circumstances no notes would be made. [149803]

  Ruth Kelly
  HM Treasury follows the central "Guidance on the Management of Private Office Papers" which makes clear that good record management procedures are necessary not least to ensure accountability and provide an audit trail. Among the records covered by the guidance are Ministers' meetings and telephone conversations.

  Financial Services
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research has been undertaken to estimate the impact of Basel 2 on(a) the UK lending industry and (b) those lenders with assets of less than £1 billion; and if he will make a statement. [155861]

  Ruth Kelly
  The new Basel Accord will be an international agreement on prudential capital, applying mainly to internationally active banks. Implementation of the new Basel Accord in Europe will be through a new Capital Adequacy Directive, which is expected to apply to all UK credit institutions and investment firms (as was the case for the implementation of the existing Basel Accord). The Treasury is currently consulting on the expected impact on all UK lenders ahead of a formal proposal from the European Commission expected later in the year.

  Gold Reserves
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to sell more of the Bank of England's gold reserves. [155676]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government currently have no plans to sell holdings of gold from their International Currency Reserves. We remain firmly committed to transparency so, if our plans were to change in the future, we would announce this publicly.

  Illegal Meat Imports
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment has been made of the 116W
  effectiveness of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise illegal meat enforcement strategy, with particular regard to the number of prosecutions that have been pursued; [155685]

  (2) how many prosecutions there have been as a result of illegal meat seizures by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the last 12 months; [155686]

  (3) what Her Majesty's Customs and Excise's policy is on prosecuting people caught in possession of illegal meat at United Kingdom ports of entry. [155689]

  John Healey
  Customs' illegal meat enforcement strategy aims to deter and detect illegal imports and thereby reduce the risk of disease from such imports. The strategy delivers this aim through:

  (a) increasing passengers' awareness of the rules and regulations, encouraging the voluntary surrender of any illegal meat on arrival and increasingly discouraging the public from embarking on their journey to the UK with illegal meat in their possession;

  (b) anti-smuggling checks to detect illegal imports on the basis of risk assessment and intelligence;

  (c) seizing imports surrendered by passengers in the Red Channel or detected in the possession of passengers in the Green Channel;

  (d) issuing a seizure notice and warning letter to the owner where the illegal meat was not declared or surrendered;

  (e) responding flexibly to formal notifications by Defra or the Food Standards Agency by imposing additional restrictions in the event of an outbreak of animal disease or other circumstances which may present a risk to animal or human health.

  Within that overall policy, Customs consider cases for investigation and prosecution where suitable evidence is available, and in particular:
  serious cases involving repeat offenders;
  large scale imports;
  commercial smuggling;
  other aggravating circumstances.

  Customs have not undertaken any prosecutions since taking on responsibility for these anti-smuggling controls on 11 April 2003.

  The effectiveness of Customs' strategy is kept under continual review.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what trials Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has undertaken of x-ray equipment to detect illegal meat imports; and when they took place. [155690]

  John Healey
  Customs have undertaken a number of informal trials using their own x-ray equipment as well as external trials involving developments in x-ray technology offered by other manufacturers. The most recent trials took place in June last year.

  This is a constantly developing area and Customs remain committed to working with other UK and overseas agencies as well as manufacturers to make the most of new technology where it can provide good value for money.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed by the Inland Revenue in Northern Ireland. [155484]

  Dawn Primarolo
  At 1 April 2003, the number of people employed by the Inland Revenue in Northern Ireland was 1,840, which represents 1,727 Full-Time Equivalent Units.

  Iraq
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums in United Kingdom claims on Iraq have been notified to the Paris Club, including interest, broken down by(a) government and (b) non-government claims. [154556]

  John Healey
  The Government have notified to the Paris Club unrecovered claims of £623 million arising from commercial export contracts with Iraq signed prior to the first Gulf conflict in 1991 insured by the Export Credits Guarantee Department. This amount does not include interest, which it is estimated could bring the figure to around £1.15 billion. The Paris Club deals only with claims arising out of government loans or government-insured commercial credits.

  The Government believe that Iraq's external debt is unsustainable and that creditors will need to agree a significant reduction through a clear multilateral process in order to restore Iraq to sustainability. That is likely to involve writing off the vast majority of Iraq's external debt.

  Labour Statistics
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the unemployment rate was in England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available; what the unemployment rate was in each ward in each principal seaside town of England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available, listed in descending order, with figures for Welsh seaside town clusters disaggregated; and if he will make a statement. [154962]

  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 Chris Ruane dated 23 February 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on what the unemployment rate was in England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available; what the unemployment rate was in each ward in each principal seaside town of England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available, listed in descending order, with figures for Welsh seaside town clusters disaggregated. (154962)

  The unemployment rate in England and Wales for the period October-December 2003, the latest date for which information is available, was 4.8 per cent. This rate is seasonally adjusted and calculated using the standard International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition of unemployment.

  The most recent data on unemployment rates by ward are taken from the 2001 Census. They are based on the number of people aged between 16 and 74 who were unemployed and seeking work at April 2001 as a proportion of all economically active people aged 16–74, apart from full-time students, at that date. This
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  measure is not directly comparable with the rate using the ILO definition of unemployment above. The average unemployment rate at April 2001 for England and Wales as a whole was 5.2 per cent. on this basis.

  Data on the number of unemployed people who were seeking work in England and Wales was released in Table KS09a of the Census Key Statistics. The table showing information for wards in England and Wales can be viewed from the National Statistics web site at: http//neighbourhoodstatistics.gov.uk/ Downloads.asp?nsid = = false&CE = True&SE = Tme&T: = D&d sid = 2891

  I am placing in the House of Commons Library a table, which shows the figures for all wards which are situated on the coast, and ordered by the unemployment rate as measured by the 2001 Census.

  Land Transactions
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Inland Revenue will prioritise the delivery of land transaction(a) forms and (b) certificates to Scottish solicitors to ensure that they meet the time limits to secure title to land imposed by Scottish law. [155814]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Inland Revenue is committed to issuing certificates within five working days of receipt of a properly completed return. It would not be practicable to give priority to the issue of certificates to Scottish addresses. However, in certain circumstances certificates in respect of transactions in Scotland can be obtained by personal attendance at Edinburgh Stamp Office. Return forms can be obtained in advance of settlement of land transactions so I see no reason why obtaining a return form should delay matters. In addition the Inland Revenue, and some software suppliers, offer the scope for forms to be completed on-line or on-screen and then printed off for signature.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the reasons for delay in the Inland Revenue's distribution of land transaction(a) returns and (b) certificates to Scottish solicitors. [155815]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Inland Revenue is committed to issuing certificates within five working days of receipt of a properly completed return. This target has been achieved across the United Kingdom. In addition, in certain circumstances certificates in respect of transactions in Scotland can be obtained by personal attendance at Edinburgh Stamp Office.

  Return forms have been and are being sent out to all those who ask for them.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from Scottish solicitors about the effect of changes in stamp duty land tax on their work. [155816]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Inland Revenue has received many representations on several aspects of stamp duty land tax, including some from Scottish solicitors. In addition Inland Revenue officials are in regular discussion with the Law Society of Scotland on all aspects of stamp duty land tax.

  London City Bonds
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the London City Bond bonded warehouse cases. [155354]
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  John Healey
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 12 February 2004,Official Report, columns 1552–53W.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the registered customs informants used since 1994 in the London City Bond cases [155355]

  John Healey
  Consistent with long standing convention, it is not Customs policy to disclose publicly the identity of registered informants, except where necessary as part of the legal process.

  Mr. Ed Balls
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he authorised the giving of a speech by his principal special adviser, Mr. Ed Balls, in Leeds on 3 February which included comments on the policy behind setting the level of interest rates; and whether the authorisation of such a speech on the day before a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England complies with the Government's policy on the independence of the Bank and the proper conduct of monetary policy. [153775]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: The Chief Economic Adviser's speech reiterated the Government's long-standing position on monetary policy as set out most recently by the Chancellor in his 18 June 2003 speech to the Mansion House and is consistent with the Bank of England Act 1998.

  Oil/Gas Sector
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in the oil and gas sector in Scotland in each of the last five years. [155472]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Peter Duncan, dated 23 February 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about jobs in the oil and gas sector in Scotland. (155472)

  The table below shows the number of people in Scotland working in industries whose primary activities were described as:

  extraction of crude petroleum/natural gas

  service activities in oil and gas extraction

  manufacture of refined petroleum products

  manufacture/distribution of gas.

  Figures are provided for the years 1998 to 2002, the last five years for which data are available, and are obtained from the Annual Business Inquiry (ABI).

  Number of people in Scotland working in the oil and gas sector,1998–2002

  Number of people (Thousand)

  1998

  26.6

  1999

  24.5

  2000

  21.6

  2001

  23.6

  2002

  22.9

  Private Health Care
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is regarding whether a taxpayer's contribution towards the cost of private health care should be taxable. [155106]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I assume my right hon. Friend is referring to the provision of tax relief for these contributions. It is not the Government's policy that tax relief for private health care costs should be introduced. The Government's belief is that the best way to fund the nation's health needs is directly through the NHS from public expenditure, and not by subsidising those people who, for whatever reason, choose to make alternative arrangements.

  Recruitment Advertising
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's expenditure on recruitment advertising was in each of the last three years, broken down by publication; and what proportion of such expenditure was(a) to advertise vacant posts and (b) in the form of other general recruitment advertising. [155533]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Miss Kirkbride) on 14 January 2004 Official Report, columns 812–15W.

  Seaside Towns
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of people in each ward in each principal seaside town in England and Wales had a limiting long-standing illness on the latest date for which figures are available, listed in descending order with Welsh seaside town clusters disaggregated; and if he will make a statement. [154950]

  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. Chris Ruane, dated 23 February 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning limiting long-standing illness in seaside towns. (154950)

  The latest source of information on this topic is the 2001 Census of Population and Housing. Data on the number of people with a limiting long-term illness in England and Wales was released in Table KS08 of the Census Key Statistics. The table showing information for wards in England and Wales can be viewed from the National Statistics web site at: http://neighbourhood. statistics.gov.uk/Downloads.asp?nsid = false&CE = True&SE = True&T = D&dsid = 2919

  I am placing in the House of Commons Library a table that shows the figures for all wards which are situated on the coast, and ordered by the percentage of people with a limiting long-term illness. There is no definitive list of principal seaside towns so this table includes those wards in England and Wales which have a boundary on the coast.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the economic inactivity rate in the UK was in the latest month for which figures are available; what percentage of the population of each ward in each principal seaside town in England and Wales was economically inactive in the latest month for which
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  figures are available, listed in descending order, with figures for Welsh seaside town clusters disaggregated; and if he will make a statement. [154965]

  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. Chris Ruane, dated 23 February 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on what the economic inactivity rate in the UK was in the latest month for which figures are available; what percentage of the population of each ward in each principal seaside town in England and Wales was economically inactive in the latest month for which figures are available, listed in descending order, with figures for Welsh seaside town clusters disaggregated. (154965)

  The economic inactivity rate in the UK for people for the period October—December 2003, the latest date for which information is available, was 21.5 per cent. The data are seasonally adjusted and relate to all people aged between 16 and normal retirement age (64 for men, 59 for women).

  The most recent data on economic inactivity rates by ward are taken from the 2001 Census. They are based on the number of people aged between 16 and 74 who were retired, students, looking after home or family, permanently sick or disabled, or otherwise economically inactive at April 2001 as a proportion of all people aged 16–74 at that date. The average rate of economic inactivity at April 2001 for England and Wales as a whole was 33.5 per cent. on this basis. This figure is not on a comparable basis with that quoted above because the census based measure includes more retired people.

  Data on the number of people who were economically inactive in England and Wales was released in Table KS09a of the Census Key Statistics. The table showing information for wards in England and Wales can be viewed from the National Statistics web site at http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/Downloads. asp'?nsid = false&CE = True&SE = True&T = D&dsid = 2891

  I am placing in the House of Commons Library a table, which shows the figures for all wards which are situated on the coast, and ordered by the unemployment rate as measured by the 2001 Census.

  Spirit Duty
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a decision on the introduction of strip stamps on bottles of spirits before the Comptroller and Auditor General completes his review of the level of spirit duty fraud. [155913]

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the remit is of the National Audit Office investigation into Customs and Excise estimates of duty diversion on spirits; what the timescale of the inquiry to report is; and whether the Treasury will implement its plans on strip stamps before the NAO conclusions are published. [155842]

  John Healey
  I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on 12 February 2004,Official Report, column 1554W. The Chancellor announced in the Pre-Budget Report that the Government intends to introduce tax stamps for spirits as part of a reinforced strategy, to tackle alcohol fraud. However, the Government has also invited the industry to put forward alternative proposals equally effective in tackling fraud. Detailed discussions with the industry on this issue are continuing.

  Tax Credits
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what money was paid to private contractors in(a) 2002–03 and (b) so far in 2003–04; and what the expected total payment is in 2003–04 for the delivery of the tax credit programme. [145812]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 28 April 2003,Official Report, column 161W.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people(a) have taken up and (b) are entitled to tax credit in East Devon. [155325]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of families in each constituency and local authority receiving tax credits are shown in "Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics. Geographical Analyses. January 2004." This is available on the Inland Revenue website at: www inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/ menu.htm

  No estimates are available of the number of families in each constituency or local authority that are entitled to these tax credits.

  Tax Revenues
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been received from East Devon in respect of(a) inheritance tax, (b) capital gains tax and (c) stamp duty in each of the past seven years. [155296]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested is not available.

  UK Overseas Territories
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the(a) financial and (b) taxation systems of the UK Overseas Territories. [155567]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government welcomes the progress made so far by the Overseas Territories in adopting international standards on financial regulation and transparency in tax matters, and is committed to encouraging them to meet international standards.

  VAT Directive
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the review of Annex H of the Sixth VAT Directive will be concluded. [156018]

  John Healey
  The review of the reduced rate provisions in Annex H of the Sixth VAT Directive will not be concluded until European Commission proposals are either accepted by all Member States, or withdrawn. We have made clear that the current proposal, which challenges a number of the UK's VAT zero rates, is unacceptable.

  Wage Payments (Overseas Accounts)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of how many people domiciled in the UK are paid wages into overseas accounts. [155541]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that this information is not available.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Agricultural Shows
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many agricultural shows she has visited in the last three years. [153440]

  Margaret Beckett
  Since the formation of Defra on 8 June 2001 the Department's Ministers have attended a total of 27 agricultural shows.

  Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Committee
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Committee report on co-existence and liability; and if she will make a statement. [153893]

  Mr. Morley
  We are currently considering the AEBC report and will give our response in due course.

  Avian Influenza
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her counterparts in(a) Thailand and (b) other countries in South East Asia about the recent outbreak of avian influenza in the region. [151964]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with her counterparts in Thailand or other countries in South East Asia. Defra, the Food Standards Agency and the Department of Health have been closely monitoring the development of avian influenza in Thailand and other countries in South East Asia. The European Commission have been in constant contact with the Thai authorities and are reporting their findings to all member states.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which countries no longer export chickens to the UK following the outbreak of bird influenza. [155097]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, including the Territory of Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Under EU rules none of these countries is allowed to export live poultry or hatching eggs to the EU. Imports of poultry meat are permitted from Thailand only.
  124W
  The risk of the avian influenza virus spreading through meat is low. However, the European Commission took action on 23 January to ban imports from Thailand of fresh/frozen poultry meat and cooked poultry meat that has not been heat treated to at least 70°C, unless it is accompanied by additional certification confirming that it was from birds slaughtered before 1 January 2004. Poultry meat products which have been cooked to 70°C or more are not considered to be a risk and may still be exported to the EU. The UK took immediate action to implement these measures in domestic law.

  Bio-accumulative Chemicals
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research has been carried out(a) by and (b) for her Department on the levels of persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals in the food chain and environment in the Thames Estuary. [153111]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has not recently undertaken research specifically on the levels of persistent and bio-accumulative chemical in the food chain and environment in the Thames Estuary. However, the Environment Agency has an on-going monitoring programme in the Thames Estuary which includes the following persistent and bio-accumulative substances:1,2,3 trichlorobenzene; 1,2,4 trichlorobenzene; 1,3,5 trichlorobenzene; Aldrin; Anthracene: Benzo (a) pyrene; DDE (pp); DOT (op); DOT (pp); DOT total; Dieldrin; Drins total; Endosulphan a; Endosulphan b; Endrin; Fenitrothion; HCB; HCH alpha; HCH beta; HCH delta; HCH gamma; HCH Total; Hexachlorobenzene; Hexachlorobutadiene; Isodrin; Lambdacyhalothrin: PCB 101; PCB 118; PCB 138; PCB 153; PCB 180; PCB 28; PCB 52; PCB Total (Congeners 28,52, 101,118,138,153,180); TDE (pp); Tributyltin; Trichlorobenzene total; Trifluralin

  In addition, the Food Standards Agency has a statutory monitoring programme to detect marine biotoxins in shellfish sampled from shellfish harvesting waters. The Agencies also keep abreast of research relating to Thames Estuary, including a recent study on tributyl tin levels.

  Biodegradable Plastic Bags
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage the use of biodegradable plastic bags. [153745]

  Mr. Morley
  Government are not taking steps to promote the use of biodegradable plastic bags. The use of degradable plastics that are made from fossil fuel, and specifically designed for disposal with no beneficial recovery potential, runs counter to the Government's aim to increase recycling. In addition, if disposed of in landfill rather than, for example, being composted, biodegradable waste breaks down to release methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas.

  The Government do support the development of biodegradable plastics from non-fossil sources. The Government-Industry Forum on Non-Food Uses of Crops has concluded that there is an opportunity to produce compostable packaging materials in the UK.
  125W
  Defra is currently drawing up a Non-Food Crops Strategy. A draft is expected to be issued for consultation later in 2004.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the spread of bovine TB in(a) the North West and (b) each county in the North West. [153887]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Statistics are collected by areas covered by Animal Health Divisional Offices (AHDOs). Carlisle AHDO covers Cumbria. Preston AHDO covers Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

  In Cumbria, there were 3,969 registered herds in 2003, with 1,949 TB herd tests carried out. Provisional data show there were 70 new herd TB incidents in 2003, of which 15 were confirmed (three remain unclassified). In 2002. there were 4,041 registered herds, and 1,504 herd tests carried out. There were 33 new herd incidents, of which 10 were confirmed.

  The increase in incidence in Cumbria is giving some concern. TB testing is now being carried out on all farms in an area of South West Cumbria known as the Furness Peninsula, concurrent with a survey of badgers (killed in Road Traffic Accidents) and deer (culled, or found dead, with suspicious lesions) in the same geographical area. It is hoped the data collected will help inform decisions about TB controls in the area.

  In the area covered by Preston AHDO, there were 3,160 registered herds in 2003, with 918 herd tests carried out. Provisional data show five TB herd incidents, with one confirmed. In 2002, there were 3,303 registered herds, and 1,126 herd tests. These resulted in nine TB incidents, with none confirmed.

  There has been a recent breakdown in a herd in Greater Manchester, but this has not yet been confirmed at post-mortem.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the preferred foods of adult badgers are; and on what foods they rely when their preferred foods are in short supply. [153966]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Badgers eat both animal and plant material and are considered to be largely opportunistic in their choice of food. Although they feed on a wide range of foodstuffs, earthworms are the most important single item in the diet of British badgers. Because these and other food types are taken according to their availability, the diet of badgers varies both geographically and seasonally1.

  1The Handbook of British Mammals (1991). Third Edition. Edited by GB Corbet and S. Harris. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what diseases, other than tuberculosis, badgers are susceptible. [153978]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Rabies and distemper have been found in badgers in other European countries but these diseases have not been detected in UK populations. Badgers are also susceptible to bacterial infections, including leptospirosis and salmonellosis.
  126W
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total paid in compensation to farmers for bovine tuberculosis was in each of the last five years; and what percentage of the total was paid in excess of the market value of the animals destroyed. [155000]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The following table gives the compensation paid to farmers for cattle slaughtered under TB control measures 1998 to 2002.

  £

  Compensation paid

  1998

  3,605,242

  1999

  5,770,983

  2000

  7,307,797

  2001

  7,074,125

  2002

  23,138,512

  There is evidence from a National Audit Office study carried out in Wales in 2002 and from other sources that, overall, average compensation payments are significantly higher than average market prices. However, it is difficult to quantify the extent of this disparity.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's progress towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050. [153803]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]Provisional data for 2002 shows that carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 8.7 per cent. between 1990 and 2002.

  The Government aims to cut the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. by around 2050, with real progress towards this goal by 2020. To put us on course, we estimate that in addition to the cuts from existing policies in the Climate Change Programme we will need to aim for further cuts of 15–25 MtC (million tonnes of carbon) by 2020. As set out in the Energy White Paper, published in February 2003, the key measures to achieve this goal will be to increase the share of renewable energy and reduce energy demand by increasing energy efficiency.

  On renewables, the Government's target is for 10 per cent. of UK electricity to be supplied from renewable sources by 2010, with an aspiration to double this share to 20 per cent. by 2020. Though we have started from a low base we are making encouraging progress towards the 2010 target. The Government has also announced its intention to raise the levels of the Renewables Obligation beyond 2010/11. Further yearly targets have been set, reaching 15.4 per cent. in 2015/2016.

  On energy efficiency, the Government plans to publish its Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan in the spring, which will set out how it intends to deliver the White Paper commitments.

  Carbon Trust
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion
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  of the Carbon Trust budget for the last financial year has been allocated for projects in (i) Scotland, (ii) England, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland; what proportion remains unallocated; what funds have been allocated to hydrogen demonstration and innovation projects; and what proportion of funds have been allocated to small and medium enterprises. [153937]

  Mr. Morley
  The Carbon Trust is a private company limited by guarantee that receives funding from: the Climate Change Levy (via Defra for England and via separate relationships with the Devolved Administrations); Defra for the non-domestic element of the UK wide Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme (EEBPp). The Carbon Trust was allocated a total of £49.6 million for 2002–03 (including £17.1 million from the EEBPp) by my Department.

  The Carbon Trust carried out an assessment of the technologies needed to deliver a low carbon economy to inform the development of its Innovation Programme. Suitable proposals for hydrogen based technologies such as fuel cells, infrastructure and hydrogen production will be considered as priorities. But no specific sum has been set aside for these technologies.

  The Carbon Trust manages Action Energy, the UK's main energy efficiency information, advice and research programme for organisations in the public and business sectors. Action Energy services including site visits are available to UK businesses regardless of size. The Carbon Trust also run the Action Energy Loan fund that provides loans of between £5,000 and £50,000 specifically to Small and Medium Enterprises for energy efficiency projects.

  Chicken Welfare
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research into broiler chicken welfare she has(a) commissioned and (b) received, with particular reference to issues of lameness in broiler chickens kept at stocking densities above 30 kilograms per square metre. [154774]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Defra has commissioned research projects into a number of areas. This includes projects on the effect of stocking density and the causes and management of leg health problems. These issues are highly complex and there are many factors influencing the welfare conditions of meat chickens. The Department continues to review the results of research and assess proposals that have been received. Details of the Department's research programme are published on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government will support the recommendations of the report from the EU Scientific Committee for Animal Health and Animal Welfare on chicken welfare. [154775]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The report of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare is the first step in enabling the Commission to produce proposals on specific welfare standards for meat chickens. The UK will take account 128W
  of the recommendations alongside other evidence during the negotiations on the proposals. The Commission expects to issue proposals later this year.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average recovery level achieved by licensed UK plants in respect of CFC R12 from refrigeration equipment was in each year for which figures are available. [154285]

  Mr. Morley
  For 2003, the average recovery level of CFC R12 achieved at fridge destruction facilities in England and Wales was 50.5 g per unit and for CFC R11 186.13 g, therefore giving a total of 236.63 g per fridge.

  For 2001 and 2002, figures for CFC R12 and CFC R11 are not separately available.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many items of equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were processed in each year for which CFC recovery figures are available. [154286]

  Mr. Morley
  For the year 2002, 299,000 items of equipment containing refrigerants were treated in England and Wales and 418,000 units were exported for recovery to Germany and the Netherlands.

  For the year 2003, 979,336 items of equipment containing refrigerants treated in England and Wales and 377,168 units exported for treatment to Germany, Netherlands and Denmark.

  Not all the refrigerants within the equipment were CFCs. Reporting mechanisms for future years will undertake to distinguish between different refrigerants.

  Civil Liability (Claims/Actions)
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil liability(a) claims and (b) actions (i) have been initiated and (ii) are pending, by or on behalf of her Department against (A) contractors, (B) farmers and (C) others, in respect of claims made for works undertaken on behalf of her Department; how many court hearings have been completed; how many cases have been successful; and how much money has been (1) recovered and (2) saved as a result of these actions. [150554]

  Alun Michael
  The Department launched civil proceedings against one contractor in the Mayors and City of London county court and obtained judgment against the contractor on 6 January 2004.

  Three prosecutions were commenced into fraudulent claims for compensation by farmers: one farmer pleaded guilty, two farmers were acquitted. There are no outstanding civil or criminal prosecutions against farmers.

  Currently, there are five civil cases in the Courts pertaining to expenditure with contractors on goods, services and works during the FMD outbreak in 2001. It would be inappropriate to comment on cases that are

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  the subject of ongoing court proceedings. Similarly, public comment cannot be made on civil or criminal cases that are pending.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants, broken down by grade, there are in the Department and the agencies for which the Department is responsible; and what the figures were in January 1997. [150265]

  Alun Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Douglas Alexander) on 9 February,Official Report, column 1293W.

  Combustion Plants
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many states in the EU who operate indigenous coal industries have applied for the Emissions Limited Values option within the Large Combustion Plant Directive. [148756]

  Mr. Morley
  The Directive requires that member states send their National Plan to the Commission if they propose to follow this option. According to the latest information provided by the European Commission, two other member states, Ireland and Finland, have submitted a National Plan in addition to the UK. There is no requirement on member states to notify the Commission if they intend to adopt the alternative Emissions Limit Value option

  Committee on Radioactive Waste Management
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what use has been made by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management of the final report of the information needs research project commissioned by her Department in 2002; and if she will place a copy of the report in the Library. [154691]

  Mr. Morley
  The Committee will consider this and other relevant reports when drawing up its work programme, agreeing this work programme with sponsoring Ministers, and subsequently implementing this agreed programme. The report, published in October 2002, under the reference Defra/RAS/02.014, may be accessed via Defra's Radioactive Substances Research website (www.defra.gov.uk/environment/radioactivity/research/index.htm). I have arranged for copies of the report to be placed in the Library.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual budget in 2003–04 for the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management is; and what plans she has, in consultation with the devolved Administrations, to increase its budgets. [154693]

  Mr. Morley
  For this financial year, CoRWM is working within existing Defra budgets to formulate its detailed work programme and associated estimates of resource needs. This programme and estimates, once 130W
  agreed with sponsoring Ministers, will provide the basis for formally allocated Committee budgets for subsequent financial years.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management is empowered to sub-contract research to consultants. [154694]

  Mr. Morley
  It is for CoRWM to judge what contracts, or sub-contracts may be required to enable it to carry out its programme. Contracts will be placed by my Department on behalf of CoRWM. All contracts and sub-contracts, which, in CoRWM's view, materially impact on its work programme, will be subject to approval by CoRWM. In all cases, Government procurement procedures will apply.

  Comprehensive Performance Assessment
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on including energy in the comprehensive performance assessment. [153805]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]: Defra Ministers have had a number of discussions involving colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the interaction between the comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) and Defra's policies that relate to local government. Similar discussions have also taken place at official level. These discussions have included issues relating to energy.

  Proposals for redesigning the CPA methodology are currently the subject of an Audit Commission consultation paper. A key objective of these proposals is for CPA to respond to the shared priorities agreed between central and local government. This is intended to improve the ability of CPA to reflect cross cutting issues like sustainable energy, including energy efficiency and related issues such as fuel poverty.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 9 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A. Warrich. [149551]

  Margaret Beckett
  I replied to my right hon. Friend on 16 February 2004.

  Dee Cockle Regulation Order
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will hasten implementation of the Dee Cockle Regulation Order following the incident in Morecambe Bay on Thursday 5 February. [154461]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department will take action to make a Regulating Order under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 once the prospective grantee, the Environment Agency in Wales, has submitted a formal application for an Order. I understand that the Agency has made good progress in obtaining the necessary
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  written consents from landowners and that it expects to forward its formal application to the Department in March.

  Departmental Bodies
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) who the members of(a) the governing board of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, (b)the Sea Fisheries Committee and (c) the Sugar Beet Research and Education Committee were on 1 January; what the term of office of each member is; and what their remuneration is; [150838]

  (2) who the members of (a) the Home Grown Cereals Authority, (b) Horticulture Research International, (c) the Meat and Livestock Commission, (d) the Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal and (e) the Regional Floods Defence Committee were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and what their remuneration is; [150839]

  (3) who the members of (a) the Advisory Committee on New Foods and Processes, (b) the Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee, (c) the Apple and Pear Research Council, (d) the British Potato Council and (e) the Consultative Panel on Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and what their remuneration is. [150840]

  Alun Michael
  I am sending a copy of the information requested to my hon. Friend and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Minutes
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is the Department's policy to make notes of(a) meetings and (b) telephone conversations involving ministers; and under what circumstances no notes would be taken. [149527]

  Margaret Beckett
  My Department follows the central "Guidance on the Management of Private Office Papers" which makes clear that good record management procedures are necessary not least to ensure accountability and provide an audit trail. Among the records covered by the guidance are Ministers' meetings and telephone conversations.

  Environment Agency
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were employed by the Environment Agency in January(a) 1997, (b) 2000 and (c) 2004. [152076]

  Mr. Morley
  The number of staff employed by the Environment Agency (including temporary and part-time staff) was as follows:

  (a) January 1997—9,123

  (b) January 2000—10,296

  (c) January 2004—11,532

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  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the Environment Agency's budget in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2003–04 was as spent on national insurance contributions. [152077]

  Mr. Morley
  The proportion of the Environment Agency's budget spent on National Insurance contributions is as follows:

  (a) 1999–2000: 2.6 per cent.

  (b) 2003–04: 2.7 per cent (forecasted)

  Environmental Education
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether funding for environmental education in schools will change when the landfill tax credit scheme is amended. [154458]

  Mr. Morley
  No formal assessment has been made by this Department of the funding of environmental education in schools.

  Environmental education forms a part of the national curriculum for schools. A number of non-curriculum waste education projects received funding through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The reform of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme was announced in the Pre-Budget Report in 2002. As a result, waste projects 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 delivery public spending programme, administered by Defra, has been established following the reform of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, to ensure that sustainable alternatives to landfill disposal are widely available. Under the public expenditure programme the Waste and Resources Action Programme is responsible for taking forward work on waste awareness.

  European Commission Payments
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated value is of payments due from the European Commission in respect of expenditures incurred and payments made by her Department, for which no claim has yet been made. [150849]

  Alun Michael
  The payments due from the European Commission for expenditures incurred as at December 2003 are £235,575,256.02.

  The Rural Payments Agency's (RPA) December 2003 claim was lodged with the Commission on 9 January 2004 for reimbursement at the beginning of February 2004.

  The payments made by the RPA as at January 2004 for which no claim has yet been made are £184,382,364.07.

  The January 2004 claim is due to be lodged with the Commission on 10 February 2004 for reimbursement to the RPA at the beginning of March 2004.

  Transgenic Fish
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list applications for licences to import transgenic fish made in the last three years. [153870]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  There have been no applications for licences to import transgenic fish.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to the United Kingdom is in 2003–04 of maintaining the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour Working Group. [150241]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  It is not possible to give the annual cost of maintaining the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour Working Group because the ICES budget does not separately identify individual working groups.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the financial contribution made by the United Kingdom Government to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas was for each of the last five financial years; and what proportion of those contributions was spent on fisheries research. [150246]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The United Kingdom Government contributed the following amounts:

  Danish Krona

  2003–04

  1,425,600

  2002–03

  1,384,000

  2001–02

  1,354,000

  2000–01

  1,314,480

  1999–2000

  1,276,200

  It is not possible to determine how much of the UK's contribution was spent on fisheries, research because the ICES budget does not separately identify such research. Individual countries' contributions are not allocated to specific areas of work.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has conducted into the extent to which the level of one fish stock is affected by the levels of fish stocks of similar species sharing the same habitat. [150304]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Models which look at the interaction between species are still being developed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). However, the evidence to date suggests that, in most cases, the level of one species is a relatively minor factor in the level of similar species, due to the rich marine food webs.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons are for the relative decline in cod biomass in the North Sea; and to what extent stocks have been affected by(a)long-term changes in sea temperatures, (b) predation and competition by other fish species,
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  (c) commercial exploitation of food supplies upon which cod stocks rely, (d) seals, (e) overfishing and (f) other factors. [150306]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Scientists advise that over the last 20 years the fishing rate on cod has been five times that required to promote optimal use of the cod stock, and the fishery captures too many immature fish. On average less than 5 per cent. of each new brood now survives to maturity, and the cod age structure is very restricted. The stock is severely overfished, the biomass of mature fish has shown a prolonged decline, and the number of young cod entering the stock decreased in the mid-1980s.

  The ICES Advisory Committee on Fishery Management (ACFM) advises that the reduction in recruitment can be at least partly explained by a reduction in the quantity and quality of eggs produced by a reduced spawning stock. There is speculation about the effect of environmental change and species interactions because of increased water temperature, and various contemporaneous changes in other species, but work carried out on these factors does not yet allow them to be quantified. ACFM notes that there may be some changes to the natural mortality of cod, such as a decrease on younger ages, possibly due to reduced cannibalism, and an increase on older ages due to seal predation, but the supporting evidence for these changes is weak.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what independent scientific advice she uses in relation to fisheries management; and if she will publish the advice she has received in relation to increased fishing effort for haddock while protecting cod stocks. [150307]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We and other EU member states receive independent advice on fish stocks from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). The latest such advice on haddock has already been published by ICES on their website: http//www.ices.dk/

  The European Union's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries has also considered the mixed cod and haddock fisheries but the European Commission has yet to publish its work.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the accuracy of scientific assessments of the levels of fish stocks. [150317]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  ICES stock assessments are carried out internationally using landings and biological and survey data that are analysed in a standard way by methods that are well-known and are accepted by the international fisheries science community. Results are dependent on the quality of the data, and on our understanding of biological processes in the sea. It is accepted that the data and the methods are not perfect, but they are the best available. Assessment results are reviewed within ICES by ACFM, as well as by the North Sea Fisheries Commission Partnership in the case of the North Sea stocks, and ACFM is further developing quality assurance and review processes.
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  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned on the effect of escape behaviour between different species on mortality rates for cod in North Sea fisheries. [150941]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Differences in escape behaviour alone are not significant determinants of fishing mortality. The combination of escape behaviour and net design can be a factor and considerable research has been conducted into net designs which will, for example, reduce fishing mortality of juvenile cod. One option is to separate cod from other species within the trawl and then subject them to a different selection process (e.g. a larger mesh size) when they try to escape. Alternatively, it may be possible to design nets so that some species, including cod, avoid the net completely. Each fishery targeting different ranges of species may require a different complex design with the aim of catching the marketable species and releasing the unwanted species. Research is ongoing in the UK, in collaboration with commercial fishermen.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) EU, (b) UK and (c) French fisheries observers have spent research time on board (i) industrial trawlers, (ii) bass pair trawlers and (iii) other pelagic trawl fisheries vessels operating in areas (A) VII and (B) VIII in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [152856]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 4 February 2004]: As part of Defra-funded research into cetacean bycatch, the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) carried out eight days of observations at sea in 2000, 25 days in 2001 and four in 2002 in the following UK pelagic fisheries in Area VII: mackerel, pilchard, whiting and anchovy.

  In the offshore pair trawl fishery for bass in Area VII, SMRU undertook 72 days of observations in 2001, 40 days in 2002 and 87 in the spring of 2003. Further observations have been taking place in the bass fishery since December 2003 but data are not yet available. Defra does not hold records of observations undertaken by other member states in these areas.

  In addition, observers from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) undertook 13 days' monitoring of English or Welsh registered vessels fishing for pelagic species in 2003 in Area VII and Area VIII. This work, which observed about 33 hours fishing, met obligations under the EU discard monitoring programme. CEFAS also undertook monitoring in Area VIld in 2001 for a total of about 21 hours fishing.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of whether fishing effort managed by limiting days at sea, including the banning of discards, is an effective fisheries management tool. [150851]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Scientific assessments have shown that fishing mortality on key species such as cod is too high in waters around the UK. Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas on their own have not been effective in reducing fishing mortality to sustainable levels. In December 2002 and again in December 2003, EU Fisheries Ministers agreed limitations on days at sea to 136W
  complement reductions in TACs—it is too early to assess what impact these restrictions will have had on fishing mortality.

  A discards ban is a separate management tool to a days at sea scheme. At present a ban on discards is not yet considered to be practicable. The European Commission published an action plan in November 2002 which suggested a number of options to reduce discarding, including consideration in the medium term of a discards ban. The UK and other member states have welcomed the Commission's intention to try out the ideas in its action plan through a series of pilot projects.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research has been conducted on the effectiveness of hybrid systems which use total allowable catches, days at sea and individual species quotas [150852]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  There is no such research available applicable to EU waters because the EU has only recently introduced days at sea rules to support the Total allowable catches (TACs) set for cod and other threatened species. In the past, TACs alone have not been respected. It is too soon for research to show whether the new approach is more effective.

  Flood Defence (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the flood defence works in the Chorley constituency; how many contracts have been let in connection with it; and what the value of the contracts is. [148227]

  Mr. Morley
  The following contracts have been awarded by the Environment Agency:

  Capital Works:

  Croston Flood Wall—Works started on the 5 January 2004 to improve existing flood defence walls along the River Yarrow, which protect the village of Croston: (estimated cost £680,000).

  Strategic Studies and Investigations—A strategic study of flood risk management need is currently under way covering the River Douglas catchment area: (estimated cost £100,000).

  In addition, EA's own maintenance works include:

  Revenue Works:

  Heavy Maintenance—Work is to be carried out along the north bank, upstream of Fishery Bridge at the west side of Croston village. This will safeguard the existing flood defences against erosion: (estimated cost £20,000).

  Routine Maintenance—(estimated cost £75,000).

  Fresh Water Fisheries
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the recommendations of the Warren Committee on Fresh Water Fisheries she plans to implement; and when. [R] [154881]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  As explained in the Government response to the report of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group chaired by Professor Lynda
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  Warren, issued in February 2002, the Government accepted (in full or in part) most of the 195 recommendations made by the review group. Those which can be implemented without the need for primary legislation have now been implemented. Work is proceeding towards the development of primary legislation required to implement other accepted recommendations, and this will be taken forward as and when the pressure of the legislative programme on parliamentary time permits.

  Game Laws
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what costs have been incurred in administering game licences in each of the last four years for which figures are available; and what fee income was raised in each year. [155181]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The estimated costs and revenue from game licensing for the last three years1 are given in the following table.

  Number of licences

  Cost of administering (excluding VAT) (£)

  Gross revenue (£)

  2001–02

  48,385

  261,900

  251,884

  2000–01

  42,310

  224,792

  217,408

  1999–2000

  39,262

  217,822

  195,617

  1There are no figures available for the years prior to 1999 and information for 2002–03 has yet to be received from the Post Office.

  These values refer to game licences issued by Post Offices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  In addition to the licences referred to above, district councils and London borough councils issue licences to deal in game. No figures are collected centrally for the numbers of licences issued by councils. We understand that arrangements and charges vary.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review game(a) laws and (b) licences. [155175]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  It is our intention to review the game laws, including the licensing provisions established by the Game Licences Act, 1861. Announcements about timing and scope of a review and consultation arrangements will be made in due course.

  GM Crops
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to commission independent research into the environmental effects of growing GM maize using pesticides other than Atrazine. [153892]

  Mr. Morley
  Further research investigating the environmental effects of growing GM maize in relation to the phasing-out of Atrazine was recommended by the Government's statutory advisers on GM crop releases—The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE)—in January 2004 (see www. Defra.gov.uk/environment/acre).Accordingly, we are currently considering our research requirements in this area.
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  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the maximum level of GM material in seed for planting to ensure a harvested crop does not contain more than the 0.9 per cent. threshold of GM material required under EU regulations for produce to be classified GM-free. [153894]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the right hon. Member to the assessment made by the EU Scientific Committee on Plants which advises that the Commission's proposed labelling thresholds for the marketing of seeds are based on the need to achieve the separate 0.9 per cent. labelling threshold for adventitious GM presence in non-GM food and feed products. Table 1 of the Scientific Committee's Opinion suggests that the Commission's proposed thresholds could achieve harvested crop thresholds of 0.81 per cent. for oilseed rape, 0.57 per cent. for maize and 0.67 per cent. for sugar beet.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the economic(a) benefits and (b) disbenefits to UK farmers of growing GM maize. [153895]

  Mr. Morley
  As part of the GM Dialogue the Strategy Unit carried out a study of the costs and benefits of GM crops. Their report "Field Work: weighing up the costs and benefits of GM crops" was published on 11 July last year. The Unit concluded that GM crops could offer some cost and convenience advantages to UK farmers, although any economic benefit is likely to be limited in the short-term as only a narrow range of existing GM crops are currently suited to UK conditions, and weak consumer demand may limit take-up. In the longer term it concluded that future developments in GM crops have the potential to offer more wide-ranging benefits, to both farmers and consumers.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to commission independent research on(a) gene transfer and (b) co-existence in relation to GM crops. [153896]

  Mr. Morley
  Details of previously commissioned research on gene flow from GM crops are available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/research/index.htm. Several Defra-funded projects looking at aspects of gene flow that are relevant to co-existence are still in progress. We constantly review our research requirements and may commission further work in future. The Government is currently considering a report on co-existence by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to vote to maintain the GM moratorium in Europe on 18 February. [154709]

  Mr. Morley
  No such vote is proposed on 18 February as there is no official moratorium on this matter in the EU. The Government supports the European Commission's view that the EU has an operating legislative framework for the consideration of applications for consent to market GM food and crops on the basis of proper human health and environmental
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  safety criteria. The vote on 18 February was in relation to one such application for consent made within this framework

  The application under consideration is for the import and marketing of GM maize line NK603 for processing for use as animal feed. Consent for this GM maize, if granted, would not permit cultivation or use in food. Four varieties of GM maize already have EU marketing consents which were granted in 1997–98.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department has(a) given to and (b) received from the UK delegates attending European Commission regulatory standing and management committees on GM seed. [153905]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: The Government has advised UK delegates attending EU committee meetings on GM seeds to support, in principle, the introduction of measures, including labelling provisions, to control adventitious GM presence in non-GM seeds. UK delegates have reported on the discussions that have taken place. The Government is still considering its position with regard to the levels at which any thresholds for the adventitious presence of GMOs in seeds should be set.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to(a) announce her policy on growing GM crops in the UK and (b) decide the outcome of applications for licences to grow GM crops which are the responsibility of the UK to determine. [153906]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: The Government is now considering its overall policy on GM crops in the light of all the available information. This includes the reports of the public debate and science review, the study of the costs and benefits, the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission's report on co-existence and liability and the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment's advice on the Farm Scale Evaluation research. We are aiming to set out our conclusions shortly.

  The procedures for considering applications to release or market genetically modified organisms are set out in EC Directive 2001/18. Currently 13 applications to place GM crops on the market for cultivation have been submitted to EU member states, none of these applications have been made through the UK as the lead member state.

  If the lead member state considers that an application complies with the Directive it is required to forward its assessment report to the European Commission. The application is then subject to a collective decision by all member states.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that UK decisions on applications to(a) grow and (b) use GM crops and foodstuffs are subject to parliamentary approval. [153907]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: The procedures for assessing applications are set out in the relevant EU legislation, either Directive 2001/18 on
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  the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms or the Novel Foods Regulation 258/97, and in the implementing legislation. These were subject to parliamentary scrutiny at the time. The legislation provides for decisions to be taken on individual applications by Government. Final decisions on commercial approvals for GM crops and foodstuffs are taken collectively by EU member states.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the basis of the decision by the Belgian Government to refuse an application for a licence to grow GM oilseed rape in the EU. [154000]

  Mr. Morley
  Applications for the deliberate release of GM organisms into he environment are assessed under the procedures set out in EC Directive 2001/18. No assessment has been made by the UK Government of the application to import and cultivate "Ms8xRf3" GM oil seed rape because notification of the Belgian competent authority's opinion has not yet been circulated by the Commission. When the application and the Belgian assessment is forwarded to us we will consider it very carefully in the light of the scientific evidence of any risks it may pose to human health and the environment.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the conclusions of the recent report by the Hazardous Waste Forum in respect of her Department's hazardous waste management strategy. [154188]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: The Hazardous Waste Forum published its Action Plan in December. The Forum's recommendations centre around four main themes:

  (i) There should be clarity and firm and fair enforcement of regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly with respect to the Landfill Directive.

  (ii) There should be greater awareness raising amongst business and industry to promote waste minimisation and environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes.

  (iii) There needs to be clear information on the likely capacity requirements for treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, and that a task force should be set up to review progress on the provision of this capacity.

  (iv) That for the longer term, work should he put in hand to build on Waste Strategy 2000 to develop policy instruments to encourage waste minimisation and environmentally sound management, to develop better data on hazardous waste arisings and develop targets for hazardous waste reduction, and to address issues concerned with household hazardous waste.

  Actions are and have been taken with respect to these recommendations. In particular the Government will shortly be announcing the outcome of the consultation on the implementation of the EU Council Decision on Waste Acceptance Criteria under the Landfill Directive. In addition, a treatment and capacity task force has been set up under the chairmanship of the waste industry to get better information on industry plans for

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  treatment and disposal facilities. The consideration and development of further policy instruments is likely to form part of the Forum's work for this year.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the possible impact of implementing EU Directives relating to hazardous waste on the number of available dumping sites after July. [154190]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Guildford (Sue Doughty) on 14 January, Official Report, column 737W.

  The treatment and disposal capacity task force of the Hazardous Waste Forum are currently assessing and updating the information in this table as industry plans develop.

  Hill Farmers (Environmental Standards)
  Miss Mclntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on the impact on hill farmers on the implementation by English Nature of EU directives setting environmental standards in(a) North Yorkshire, (b) Cumbria and (c) other parts of England. [154445]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department receives a number of representations from farmers on a range of issues but I am not aware of any specifically concerning the impact on hill farmers of the implementation of EU directives by English Nature.

  Elephant Ivory
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made regarding the fulfilment of conditions for the proposed sales of elephant ivory stockpiles under the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa in(a) importing countries and (b) exporting countries. [154014]

  Mr. Morley
  It was an essential part of the decision at the last Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) that a number of strict conditions should be fulfilled before any of the proposed sales of ivory stockpiles went ahead. These included the provision of baseline data on elephant populations and poaching levels under the MIKE process (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants) and confirmation by the CITES Secretariat that the potential importing countries could effectively regulate their domestic ivory markets. These issues will be discussed at the CITES Standing Committee meeting in Geneva next month. It is therefore too soon to make a definitive assessment but the UK Government remains clear that these sales must not proceed if these conditions have not been fulfilled.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy on the trade in elephant 142W
  ivory; what discussions she has had with Ministers from other countries about the trade in elephant ivory; and if she will make a statement. [154207]

  Mr. Morley
  I have discussed the ivory trade with Ministers from other countries on a number of occasions, most recently during my visit to Kenya in October 2003. Officials have also discussed this issue several times in the EC CITES Committee (the Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora), most recently on 29 January 2004. The UK Government are strongly opposed to the illegal and unsustainable trade in elephant ivory.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the results from the Elephant Trade Information System; and if she will make a statement. [152670]

  Mr. Morley
  The last comprehensive report on the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) was presented by TRAFFIC at the 12th Conference of the Parties to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in November 2002. This concluded that the illegal trade in ivory is directly correlated to the presence of large-scale, unregulated ivory markets, predominantly found in West and Central Africa, China and Thailand. The report attributed the upward trend in seized ivory since 1998 to the increased demand for ivory consequent upon increased economic prosperity within China.

  The UK shares TRAFFIC'S concerns about the need to regulate domestic ivory markets around the world. Within the UK and the EU as a whole, trade in ivory is strictly regulated through a licensing system. Permits for the sale of ivory are not issued unless it can be shown that the ivory was legally acquired before the current world-wide ban on commercial trade in ivory came into force in 1990.

  Last year the Government contributed some £60,000 to help ETIS continue its good work in monitoring the illegal trade in ivory and we will be providing an additional £20,000 this year.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate has been made of the amount of illegal ivory sold in the United Kingdom through the antiques trade in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [152671]

  Mr. Morley
  We have made no such estimates. If we were given evidence that illegal ivory was being sold through the antiques trade we would ask the appropriate enforcement authorities to investigate any allegations that are brought to our attention.

  All imports, re-exports and sales of antique ivory are controlled under the appropriate EC regulations, and permits and certificates are not issued unless we are satisfied as to their origin. In addition, my Department, HM Customs and Excise and the police, along with non-governmental organisations such as LAPADA (the Association of Art and Antique Dealers), work together to increase public awareness of the wildlife trade controls.

  Ivory Trade
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with other members of the European Union regarding the ivory trade in advance of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in March. [152986]

  Mr. Morley
  This issue has been discussed on several occasions in the EC CITES Committee (the Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora), most recently on 29 January 2004. The UK Government is strongly opposed to the illegal and unsustainable trade in elephant ivory and this is reflected in the European Union stance on this issue. EU Member States will insist at the CITES Standing Committee in Geneva in March 2004, that all the very strict conditions governing the one-off sale of ivory by Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are met in full before any trade is allowed to go ahead.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to prevent an expansion in the ivory trade; and if she will make a statement. [152987]

  Mr. Morley
  We do not yet know what proposals on elephant ivory, if any, will be made at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Bangkok in October. However, we are concerned that the market for ivory may be poorly regulated in a number of countries around the world, thereby allowing the illegal trade to continue. We will, therefore, work with our partners within the EU and other CITES Parties to ensure that there is no relaxation of the current ban on commercial trade in ivory, unless it can be shown that very strict measures are in place to ensure that such trade would not be detrimental to the conservation of this species in the wild.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 29 January 2004,Official Report, column 496W, on ivory, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the increase in ivory imports in 2003. [153333]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 February 2004]: Defra has not made a formal assessment. It is clear, however, that very little ivory has been imported to the UK in recent years. There was an increase in 2003, but as far as we can establish, this was largely as a result of shipments from other EU member states which are allowed to move freely within the Community.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Article 10 certificates her Department(a) granted and (b) refused for (i) ivory and (ii) items containing ivory in each year since 1997. [154810]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: Our records do not distinguish between sales of items of elephant ivory or items containing ivory, although both are included in the figures in the table. The number of certificates issued or refused were as follows:
  144W

  |Asian ( Elephas maximus)

  African( Loxodonta africana)

  1997

  Total certificates issued

  8

  81

  Quantity of items sold

  24

  157

  Number refused

  0

  0

  1998

  Total certificates issued

  6

  76

  Quantity of items sold

  6

  1,172

  Number refused

  0

  0

  1999

  Total certificates issued

  0

  19

  Quantity of items sold

  0

  78

  Number refused

  0

  3

  2000

  Total certificates issued

  0

  63

  Quantity of items sold

  0

  443

  Number refused

  0

  2

  2001

  Total certificates issued

  2

  32

  Quantity of items sold

  2

  33

  Number refused

  0

  14

  2002

  Total certificates issued

  13

  44

  Quantity of items sold

  13

  50

  Number refused

  0

  0

  2003

  Total certificates issued

  0

  38

  Quantity of items sold

  0

  45

  Number refused

  0

  1

  Landfill
  Joan Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of disposal costs per tonne of contaminated soils to landfill after July; what assessment she has made of additional treatment facilities required by July; and if she will make a statement. [152542]

  Mr. Morley
  It is estimated that, from mid July, the requirements of the Landfill Directive could increase the disposal costs per tonne for contaminated soils to landfill by between 10 per cent. to 100 per cent. depending on the degree and type of contamination.

  The treatment and disposal facilities required will depend on the volume of contaminated soil arising which in turn will be affected by a number of factors which include:
  The classification of more contaminated soil as hazardous under the revised hazardous waste list.
  The expected increase in disposal costs will provide a greater incentive to minimise, recycle and re-use waste and shift the management of waste up the waste hierarchy.
  The greater incentive for on-site treatment, which can decrease the demand for landfill.
  The requirement in the Landfill Directive for all waste to be pretreated before landfill — this can both increase and decrease the volume for disposal.

  Furthermore, the types of any additional facilities that will be required will be site-specific and based on a number of variables such as size of the site and type of

  145W
  contaminate within the soil. The Hazardous Waste Forum task force on treatment and disposal capacity is currently assessing all these interlinking factors, continues to monitor closely the provision of facilities, and will advise on the issues that need to be addressed so that all waste is subject to environmentally sound management and disposal. Overall the Government's policy is to reduce 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.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what grounds landfill sites can be closed. [153889]

  Mr. Morley
  Landfill sites can be closed in the following circumstances:

  (i) When the conditions specified in the landfill permit are satisfied (e.g. the site is full);

  (ii) When the Environment Agency approves the initiation of the closure procedures following a request from the operator; or

  (iii) By a reasoned decision of the Environment Agency to initiate closure procedures (e.g. because the requirements of the landfill permit are not being met).

  Meat Sales
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the(a) Scottish Executive and (b) National Assembly for Wales about the promotion of sales of (i) beef and (ii) lamb; and what assessment she has made of the level of spending on promotion in (A) Scotland and (B) Wales. [154319]

  Alun Michael
  No specific discussions have been held nor assessments made. The promotion of beef and lamb in Scotland and Wales is a matter for their industries representative bodies who receive proportionate funding from the Meat and Livestock Commission levy.

  National Waste Strategy
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has a national waste strategy. [154290]

  Mr. Morley
  Yes. The Government's national waste strategy for England and Wales was set out in the document "Waste Strategy 2000", published in May 2000.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the employment of secondees from commercial organisations to draft parliamentary answers; and if she will make a statement. [154600]

  Alun Michael
  Defra's Ministers see secondments and interchange as a key means of complementing the skills and experience of the Civil Service, drawing in expertise from such fields as business, local government and the voluntary sector as well as other Government Departments. This is assisting Defra's commitment to play its part in developing a modern, flexible, outward looking Civil Service that works in partnership with all sectors of society. Interchange is seen as a key tool in 146W
  meeting this commitment. Defra continues to promote and encourage the interchange of personnel between the Department and a range of other organisations.

  The term 'secondee' is used within the Civil Service in a more limited sense than the meaning used outside the Civil Service. In the Civil Service a secondee is a person who is 'borrowed' from an organisation outside the Civil Service for a period of between three months and three years (exceptionally five years), without affecting employment status. Great care is taken in setting up any secondment to ensure that conflicts of interest do not arise. During the secondment period the secondee would remain an employee of the parent organisation but would be expected to abide by the Defra staff handbook and the Official Secrets Act. At the end of the secondment the secondee would return to the parent organisation.

  The duties performed day to day are a matter for the secondee's managers and may include drafting answers to parliamentary questions.

  Radioactive Waste
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her plans for the long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste. [152613]

  Mr. Morley
  The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) has been set up, under the "Managing Radioactive Waste Safely" programme, to recommend the best option, or combination of options, for the long-term management of the UK's higher activity wastes. As the "Managing Radioactive Waste Safely" consultation document itself indicated, the Committee will be assessing long-term storage options alongside other long-term management options that are available. Both the public and stakeholder groups will be extensively involved in this assessment process.

  It will then be for UK Government and the Devolved Administrations to decide the UK's long-term management policy for this waste in the light of CoRWM's recommendations.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy in respect of the reprocessing of radioactive material. [152614]

  Mr. Morley
  Decisions about whether to reprocess spent nuclear fuel depend on the commercial judgment of the operator concerned.

  The Department's responsibility is to ensure that where reprocessing takes place it is in accordance with appropriate environmental objectives, including the United Kingdom's regulatory requirements and international obligations.

  Recycling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what household recycling levels have been attained in each year since 1997. [154245]
  147W
  Mr. Morley
  The annual Municipal Waste Management Survey, produced by the Office for National Statistics and Defra, shows the following household waste recycling rates for England:

  Percentage

  1996–97

  7.5

  1997–98

  8.2

  1998–99

  9

  1999|–2000

  10.3

  2000–01

  11.2

  2001–02

  12.4

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether home composting is taken into account in the setting of recycling targets at(a) local and (b) national level. [154294]

  Mr. Morley
  Home composting activity is not measured as part of the local authority best value performance indicator (BVPI) for composting. Its contribution to recycling and composting rates is therefore excluded from statutory performance standards for local authorities and from the national targets for recycling and composting. This is because there is not yet a workable and auditable method of calculating the amount of waste diverted through home composting schemes, or one which properly reflects the local authority's contribution to the activity.

  The impact of home composting on reducing waste arisings is already reflected at a local level by BVPI 84, which measures kilograms of household waste collected per head of population. Local authorities are required to set their own local targets for BVPI 84 which has to be included in their Best Value Performance Plans. The Government have concluded a number of Local Public Service Agreements in which home composting activity contributes directly to the achievement of the local authority's target.

  Home composting will contribute to achievement of both national and local targets under the Landfill Directive to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to include home composting in recycling figures at(a) local and (b) national level. [154300]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government are working with expert bodies, including the Waste and Resources Action Programme, to develop a robust methodology to calculate the amount of waste diverted from the household waste stream through home composting schemes. If a workable and auditable methodology is found, the Government will then review whether and how home composting can be incorporated into future local and national recycling and composting figures.

  The impact of home composting on waste reduction is already reflected at local level by Best Value Performance Indicator 84, which measures kilograms of household waste collected per head of population. Home composting activity will also be reflected in local
  148W
  and national progress towards meeting targets under the Landfill Directive to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Environmental Agency plans to audit all refrigerator recycling plants, with particular reference to those licensed to recover chlorofluorocarbons from the refridgeration circuit. [154307]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency is auditing all the fridge destruction facilities. The audit will include an assessment of recovery of CFC from the refridgeration circuit.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to whom her Department distributes expenditure on research and development; how many staff are employed as a result; and how many research establishments of(a) her Department and (b) its agencies there are in each region of England. [154359]

  Alun Michael
  The Defra spend on research and development is some £150 million annually. We fund about 250 contractors including our laboratory agencies, the institutes of the Research Councils, a range of universities, and private sector providers of research such as ADAS. There are approximately 1,500 research projects in our portfolio and details of these can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/science. It is not possible to provide details of precise staff numbers employed on Defra R and D contracts. These will vary over the lifetime of projects, and will often involve less than full-time inputs from a number of researchers or in some cases sub-contractors. The main laboratory agencies of the Defra are:the Central Science Laboratory—York
  the Veterinary Laboratories Agency—Weybridge
  the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science—Lowestoft, Burnham on Crouch and Weymouth

  Sudden Oak Death
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the threat to British woodlands posed by the fungus phytophthora ramorum. [155227]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  A Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for Phytophthora ramorum was first conducted in the UK by Forest Research in September 2000.

  The PRA has undergone a number of revisions and is currently under further review and will take account of the recent findings of the organism on ten trees of six species in Great Britain. Copies of the most recent revision were placed in the Library of the House on 13 February 2003 and updates have since been placed on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pra.htm.

  The Forestry Commission is currently undertaking a survey of around 1,000 woodland sites across Great Britain in order to help determine whether the disease is

  149W
  present in our woodland environment. This survey, which is due to be completed by April, will help us better determine the threat to Britain's trees.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the Department handles plants or trees affected with sudden oak death. [149618]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  All ornamental shrubs found to be infected with "Phytophthora ramorum" are destroyed either by burning or deep burial.

  For infected trees there are two options: either the destruction of the whole tree by burning or deep burial, or the debarking and disinfection of the trunk and main branches which can then be removed and processed. The removed bark, all other branches and debris such as leaves and soil litter are similarly destroyed by burning or deep burial.

  Sustainable Energy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to demonstrate to local authorities the potential benefits of developing sustainable energy policy. [153804]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]: In the Energy Efficiency White Paper published in February 2003 the Government set out its strategy to help local authorities take a more proactive role in the delivery of sustainable energy policy. This includes establishing a new Beacon Council theme on sustainable energy, promoting energy efficiency as an area to be considered for Public Service Agreements and reviewing guidance to Energy Conservation Authorities on complying with the requirements of the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA). The Government will publish in the spring an implementation plan for delivery of the energy efficiency policy commitments made in the White Paper.

  The Government funded Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust (EST) provide support to local authorities to develop sustainable energy policy. For example, through its Carbon Management initiative the Carbon Trust assists local authorities in developing long term, strategic carbon emissions reductions plans. It is also piloting an energy-financing scheme aimed at local authorities. The EST helps local authorities to deliver their Home Energy Conservation Act and other sustainable energy responsibilities through initiatives such as the Local Authority Support Programme, the Practical Help website and funding for the National and Regional HECA Fora Secretariats.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department disseminates best practice in sustainable energy management programmes to local authorities. [153807]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 11 February 2004]: The Department disseminates best practice in sustainable energy management programmes to local authorities through its funding of the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust.

  The Energy Saving Trust and Carbon Trust have developed a range of programmes aimed at supporting local authorities sustainable energy activities.

  Toxic Waste Disposal
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the potential use of salt mine workings for toxic waste disposal. [154758]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have set out a policy and planning framework, in Waste Strategy 2000 and Planning Policy Guidance Note 10 Planning and Waste Management, which is concerned with reducing the amount of waste produced and where waste is produced, for dealing with in a way that supports sustainable development. Proposals for waste management facilities should be developed and considered within that framework. The criteria and procedures for the acceptance of waste are set out in the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) and the associated Council decision (2003/33/EC), including those applicable to underground waste disposal sites such as salt mine workings.

  US Ships (Decommissioning)
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answers of 14 January 2004,Official Report, column 739W, on Tees Estuary, whether ballast water has been removed or disposed of from the ships (a) in accordance with a detailed method statement and (b) without such a statement. [152749]

  Mr. Morley
  No ballast water has yet been removed or disposed of from the ships. No removal is permitted until the Environment Agency has approved a method statement. Able UK has not yet submitted a method statement to the Agency for its approval

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to instruct that the four ghost ships moored in Hartlepool be returned to America. [151641]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: The US authorities accept that the four ships will have to return to the US, unless environmentally suitable and legally acceptable methods for their disposal have been identified. The immediate return of the vessels is not practicable.

  Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has met representatives from the printer cartridge remanufacturing industry to discuss the scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [153198]

  Mr. Morley
  I have not met any representatives from the printer cartridge remanufacturing industry to discuss the scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Ministers in her Department have met(a) Lexmark and (b) Hewlett Packard to discuss the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; and what the dates were of such meetings. [153199]
  151W
  Mr. Morley
  In October 2002, my right hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for Environment (Mr. Meacher), met with industry representatives to discuss the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. A representative of Hewlett Packard was present at the meeting.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the Government's transposition of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive(a) included only whole products and (b) did not include consumables. [153200]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have not yet transposed the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive but is working to do so by the August 2004 deadline.

  The WEEE Directive applies to electrical and electronic equipment that falls into one of 10 indicative categories set out in an annex to the directive.

  The directive applies only to whole products because it makes producers financially responsible for the environmentally sound end of life management of their products. A very large number of producers are affected by this legislation as it is, and adding consumables to the scope of the directive would have significantly increased the number of producers obligated by the legislation, making the directive significantly harder, if not impossible to enforce, as well as more costly.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the implications for hazardous waste regulations arising from the bring-back requirements of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [152616]

  Mr. Morley
  The potential implications of the bring-back requirements of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive on the control of hazardous waste are being assessed in the on-going review of the special waste regulations. These issues will be explained in the forthcoming consultation on replacement hazardous waste regulations.

  Waste Implementation Programme
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings she has had with ministerial colleagues from other departments to ensure that the Waste Implementation Programme has a co-ordinated approach with waste-related programmes in other Departments. [154243]

  Mr. Morley
  The Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) is putting England on the path to more sustainable waste management with measures to slow the growth in the amount of waste, investment in recycling infrastructure and support for new alternative waste management technologies. This new programme was explicitly created to provide clear responsibilities and accountabilities, and a strong focus at the centre of government to drive forward implementation in specific areas. The initial direction and implementation arrangements for WIP were overseen by a ministerial 152W
  group answering jointly to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

  Underpinning the programme are effective mechanisms for cross-government working. A Steering Committee, representing key interests engaged in waste management, has been established to drive forward the implementation of WIP workstreams. This group also provides strategic advice on the new programme, and reports direct to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Meetings are attended by representatives from several Government Departments. In addition, there are regular meetings with ODPM, DTI and HMT at official level.

  Water Sewerage Charges
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with Ofwat and United Utilities about the decision to allow an increase in water and sewerage charges for the remaining year of the current price review period by more than the amount originally set by the regulator; and if she will review the safeguards in place to protect low income households. [154486]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: Price limits for water companies are set or modified independently by the Director General of Water Services. The Director General and United Utilities have kept me informed of this interim price determination that revises price limits for the charging year beginning on 1 April 2004.

  I am considering the responses to the consultation on revisions to the Vulnerable Groups Regulations that provide protection to vulnerable metered households.

  Wildlife Management
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department will make representations to the European Commission for the inclusion of the management of wildlife in the criteria for the definition of legality in the European Commission's proposal for an action plan on European Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade proposal. [153266]

  Mr. Morley
  The European Commission's Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) includes proposals to prevent the import into the EU of illegally logged timber, through the voluntary licensing of timber exports from FLEGT partner countries. Under these voluntary agreements export permits would be granted only if the timber has been harvested in conformity with relevant national legislation.

  The Government's view is that it is for each producer state to define legality in reference to the national laws and regulations of that state and for them to decide if the management of wildlife should be included in such a definition. It would not be appropriate to make representations to the European Commission concerning the criteria for defining legality. We would however be willing to work with individual countries to address this as a criteria.

  Wildlife Trade
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the Government is taking to tackle illegal wildlife trade on the internet [154013]

  Mr. Morley
  We monitor the major internet sales sites, and take enforcement action when possible illegal sales of wildlife items are identified. This is one of the areas that I am asking the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit to focus on

  Wind Turbines
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason noise from wind turbines has been excluded from the study at Salford University into low frequency noise sponsored by her Department [154767].

  Alun Michael
  The study being carried out by Salford University aims to provide a method for assessing low frequency noise. Salford University has been asked to identify a number of examples of different types of low frequency noise for detailed investigation to determine how assessment of such noises could be carried by Local Enforcement Practitioners. Salford University are due to report shortly on the examples recommended for detailed investigation.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  A-level Results
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of pupils in Northern Ireland achieved three grade As or above at A level in each of the last five years [155426]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested is as follows:

  percentage

  1998–99

  >9

  1999–2000

  11

  2000–01

  11

  2001–02

  13

  2002–03

  12

  Academic Qualifications
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of Northern Ireland pupils left school with no qualifications in each of the last five years [155427].

  Jane Kennedy
  Figures for 2002–03 are not yet available. The percentage of Northern Ireland pupils leaving school with no qualifications in each of the previous five years is as follows:

  year

  percentage

  2001–02

  5.2

  2000–01

  4.8

  1999–2000

  3.6

  1998–99

  2.7

  1997–98

  3.1

  Asbestos
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland have taken steps to manage asbestos by(a) undertaking a survey of all premises, (b) compiling a register indicating where asbestos is present and (c) preparing a plan for managing any associated risks [154158]

  Jane Kennedy
  I understand from the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards that all five Boards are currently undertaking surveys of all premises to determine the location and condition of material likely to contain asbestos. As these surveys are completed, the Boards are compiling registers that record the location and condition of asbestos. Four Boards have completed asbestos management plans, while the fifth Board (Belfast) intends to complete its plan by the end of February 2004.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) schools and (b) premises used by school children are assessed as properties with a (i) low, (ii) medium and (iii) high risk of asbestos having been used. [154159]

  Jane Kennedy
  Education and Library Boards are currently engaged in surveys of all schools and Board premises. The surveys should all be completed by May 2004 at which stage the information requested would be available.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to train maintenance staff in the(a) management, (b) surveying and (c) sampling of asbestos in Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland. [154160]

  Jane Kennedy
  I understand from the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards that all relevant maintenance staff have received training in the management, surveying and sampling of asbestos. The training has consisted of the following standard modules provided by the British Occupational Hygiene Society:(1) P402—Building Surveys and Bulk Sampling for Asbestos
  (2) P405—Managing Asbestos in Buildings.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what work each Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland has carried out to inform schools in their area of procedures to safeguard children, staff and members of the public in relation to asbestos in schools and other board properties [154161]

  Jane Kennedy
  All Education and Library Boards are organising awareness training for relevant staff at schools and other board properties aimed at providing them with sufficient knowledge to assist safely in asbestos management. This training is expected to be completed by all boards by May 2004. Asbestos management plans, which include details of the procedures to be followed in the management of asbestos, will be provided to schools and other board properties. Registers are also being drawn up as boards complete surveys of properties, which will include details of the location and condition of any asbestos. Individual properties will be provided with a copy of the register relevant to them
  155W
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many asbestos leaks occurred in buildings owned by each of the Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland in each year since records were kept; and where these leaks occurred.[154162]

  Jane Kennedy
  I understand from the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards that only the South Eastern Education and Library Board has recorded an asbestos leak. This was at the Board's Headquarters in 2002 when elevated fibre counts were detected as part of a routine monitoring programme during an asbestos removal project. In addition to this leak, the South Eastern Board has recorded five occasions involving disturbances of asbestos during the carrying out of maintenance work. These are:

  Education center

  1992

  Braniel Primary School

  1999

  Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centre

  2000

  Board Headquarters

  2001

  Castlewellan Library

  2003

  Ardnabannon Outdoor Education

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland have in place(a) an Asbestos Register and (b) an Asbestos Management Plan. [154414]

  Jane Kennedy
  I understand from the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards that all Boards are currently compiling asbestos registers as they complete surveys of premises. Four Boards have completed Asbestos Management Plans and the fifth (Belfast) intends to have its plan completed by the end of February 2004.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to ensure that there is a recognised procedure in place to minimise the risk of exposure to asbestos in(a) schools and (b) premises used by schoolchildren in Northern Ireland. [154415]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Department of Education has issued guidance to all schools and education authorities on asbestos management and the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003. The Department has provided funding to enable the Education and Library Boards to survey all schools in Northern Ireland, including controlled, maintained, Voluntary Grammar, Grant Maintained Integrated Schools and any other relevant Board premises, to determine the location and condition of asbestos. The Asbestos Management Plans, which are currently being finalised, will outline the processes and actions required to contain and manage any risk from asbestos, where it has been detected. Education and Library Boards have also provided professional training to technical staff and will be organising awareness training for all relevant non-technical staff.

  Assets Recovery Agency
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions have been taken by the Assets Recovery Agency against(a) Republican and (b) Loyalist paramilitary groups. [153846]
  156W
  Jane Kennedy
  There are currently 17 cases under active investigation by the Agency in Northern Ireland with potential assets recoverable of over £7.5 million. These cases cover the whole range of organised crime among all groupings and areas across Northern Ireland.

  The Agency determines which cases should be adopted from those cases referred by law enforcement and other agencies. Its objective is that, some 80 per cent. of cases to be pursued this year, will focus on property obtained by, or in the hands of, paramilitaries and other organised criminals.

  Asthma
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients(a) over and (b) under 45 years were admitted to hospital for asthma in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [154566]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is in the following table.

  Number of patients admitted to hospital during 2002–03 where the primary diagnosis was asthma

  Age

  Number of admissions1

  Over 45

  756

  Under 45

  1,785

  All Ages

  2,541

  1Discharges and deaths are a proxy for admissions.

  Note:

  Figures include elective and emergency admissions.

  Source:

  Hospital Inpatients System

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths from asthma there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [154567]

  Mr. Pearson
  Mortality statistics for 2003 have not been fully collated and therefore the latest available data relates to the five-year period 1998 to 2002. The following table gives the number of deaths resulting from asthma1 registered in Northern Ireland in each year between 1998 and 2002.
  1Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 493 (1998–2000) and Tenth Revision (ICD-I0) codes J45 or 146(2001–2002).

  Number of registered deaths due to asthma by year in Northern Ireland ( 1998–2002 )

  Deaths

  1998

  44

  1999

  38

  2000

  33

  2001

  38

  2002

  36

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many asthma sufferers in the Province had their condition reviewed at least once in the last year for which figures are available. [154568]

  Angela Smith
  This information is not collected centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  Barnett Formula
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the operation of the Barnett Formula as regards Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [155199]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Barnett formula has worked well over the years and continues to deliver high levels of public spending and investment to the people of Northern Ireland. I do not therefore propose to raise this matter with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest survival rate for breast cancer is in Northern Ireland. [154843]

  Angela Smith
  The most recent estimate of the five-year relative survival rate for female breast cancer patients, based on persons diagnosed in 1993–96, is 78 per cent.

  The one-year relative survival rate, based on persons diagnosed in 1993–96, is 92 per cent.

  Cervical Screening
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for introducing human papilloma virus testing for screening against cervical cancer; and if he will make a statement. [155418]

  Angela Smith
  The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) commissioned a pilot scheme to examine the role of human papilloma virus testing in cervical screening. The pilot ran for two years and an evaluation report to the NSC is expected in the near future. I will await the advice and recommendations of the NSC before making any decision about this matter.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the liquid-based cytology cervical screening technique will be introduced within the NHS in Northern Ireland at the same time as in the rest of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [156020]

  Angela Smith
  The other home countries are now in the process of rolling out the liquid based cytology technique. This is expected to take up to five years to complete. My Department has set up a regional group to advise, as soon as possible, on the introduction of this technology to N. Ireland. On receipt of the advice of this group the Department will be in a position to consider how best to take this forward and will seek then to identify funding. Roll-out here should be well within five years.

  Chiropody
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what chiropody service is available within the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust Area, with particular reference to Ards and Bangor Community Hospitals. [155422]
  158W
  Angela Smith
  Chiropody services are provided at Ards and Bangor Community Hospitals and in nine other health facilities in the North Down and Ards area. A service is also provided to 40 nursing and residential homes, to training and resource centres, in GP based diabetic clinics and to the homes of patients who are housebound. An additional two podiatrists were recruited in January 2004.

  Priority in the provision of services is given to patients whose medical conditions place feet and legs at risk of developing complications.

  Christian Education Movement
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what funding will be made available for the Christian Education Movement for 2004–07; and if he will make a statement. [156024]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Christian Education Movement has applied to the Department of Education for funding for the period April 2004—March 2007 under the Department's Community Relations Core Funding Scheme. All applications for such funding are currently under consideration and decisions will be announced in the near future.

  Cross-community Schools
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils attend cross-community schools. [154839]

  Jane Kennedy
  The numbers of pupils attending integrated (i.e. cross-community) schools are as follows:

  Integrated enrolment

  Nursery schools

  0

  Primary schools

  6,417

  Post-primary schools

  10,077

  Total

  16,494

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which paramilitary organisations are formally engaged with the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning. [155576]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Provisional IRA remains in formal contact with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce legislation requiring full transparency in the decommissioning process. [155577]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are no plans to introduce legislation requiring full transparency. The scheme and Regulations allow for confidentiality at the request of those participating. Any loss of confidentiality would make it less likely that acts of decommissioning would take place.
  159W
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total amount of arms and ammunition so far decommissioned is under the supervision of the International Independent Decommissioning Commission. [155578]

  Jane Kennedy
  To date there have been four acts of decommissioning.

  In 1998 the LVF carried out an act of decommissioning and the items were listed. PIRA has carried out three acts of decommissioning—2001, 2002 and 2003. The IICD made an inventory of the arms concerned, which will be provided to the two governments when its task is completed.

  The Prime Minister has stated clearly that all arms must be put beyond use through the IICD.

  Demography
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest rate of population change is in Northern Ireland. [154847]

  Mr. Pearson
  Between mid-year 2001 and mid-year 2002 the estimated population of Northern Ireland increased by 0.43 per cent., from 1,689,300 to 1,696,600 people. This rate of population increase is in line with longer-term trends; on average over the decade from 1992 to 2002 the estimated population increased by 0.44 per cent. annually.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of future population trends in Northern Ireland; and how he expects public services in Northern Ireland to adapt to these trends. [155201]

  Mr. Pearson
  In line with the rest of the United Kingdom, the Government Actuary's Department published population projections for Northern Ireland on 18 December 2003. The population of Northern Ireland is projected to increase overall by 5 per cent. from a base of 1.697 million in 2002 to 1.788 million in 2017. Within this figure, the number of children aged under 16 is projected to decrease by 12 per cent., the population aged 16–64 is projected to increase by 6 per cent., and the population aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 32 per cent.

  Northern Ireland's demographic trends are a key factor determining policy development and resource allocation. Although demographic changes have implications for all departments those most affected are the Department of Education and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

  The Department of Education takes into account future population trends when deciding how many teachers will be needed. Similarly, population trends are recognised by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when drawing up Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland: a statistical profile and will inform the Regional Health Strategy currently in development.

  Dental Health
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure socially disadvantaged young people are receiving appropriate dental care. [154597]

  Angela Smith
  Children living in the greatest deprivation have four times more tooth decay than the most affluent. My Department's Investing for Health Strategy sets a target to increase the levels of 5-year-old children with no dental decay to 55 per cent. and to reduce the gap between the best and worse decayed/ missing/filled scores by 20 per cent. by 2010.

  My Department's policy is to prevent oral disease. In the absence of fluoridation of water supplies, Health and Social Services Boards are taking forward and monitoring other methods of oral disease prevention. These include the provision of toothbrushes and toothpaste to young children in socially deprived areas, schemes to encourage registration from birth with a dentist and sealing permanent teeth with a protective resin to prevent decay. There are also schemes to promote the use of sugar free medicines and offer dietary advice to young mothers.

  Depression
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the(a) financial cost of treating depression in Northern Ireland and (b) the cost to the economy in terms of lost working hours in 2003. [154573]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not available.

  Disabled People (Workplace Participation)
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many projects in Northern Ireland received funding to promote participation by disabled people in the workplace in each year since 1997. [154157]

  Jane Kennedy
  From the information available the number of projects that received funding from Northern Ireland Government Departments to promote participation by disabled people in the workplace in each year since 1997 is contained in the following table.

  Year

  Number of Projects

  1997–98

  62

  1998–99

  67

  1999–2000

  71

  2000–01

  68

  2001–02

  42

  2002–03

  58

  2003–04

  50

  The answer contains information on projects that provide a range of workplace participation including paid employment (full-time and part-time), voluntary work and work placements. The answer does not take account of disabled people working in Government Departments.

  Disabled Parking
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many orange disabled parking badges have been issued in each of the last five years in Northern Ireland. [154844]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have asked the Chief Executive of Roads Service to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest level of economic growth is in Northern Ireland. [154837]

  Mr. Pearson
  Figures for headline gross value added (GVA) provided by National Statistics estimate Northern Ireland growth of 3.8 per cent. in 2001.

  Employment information is often used as a proxy for economic growth as more up to date figures are available. In September 2003, there were an estimated 669,470 (seasonally adjusted) employee jobs in Northern Ireland. This represents an increase of 0.8 per cent. since September 2002 (compared with a UK decline of 0.01 per cent.) and an increase of 8.4 per cent. (51,790 people) over five years, almost twice as fast as the UK average growth rate of 4.3 per cent.

  Football
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the money from the Soccer Strategy will be made available to the Irish Football Association. [154736]

  Angela Smith
  Money for the Soccer Strategy can be released to the Irish Football Association once the department is satisfied that the necessary Governance and Accountability arrangements have been agreed.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Irish Football Association; and when he next plans to do so. [154737]

  Angela Smith
  There are on-going meetings with the Irish Football Association (IFA) at official level within the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure on a number of issues. The last of these took place on 12 February 2004. In addition, a DCAL working level group, which includes the Sports Council and IFA officials, meets to agree the details for taking forward the Soccer Strategy initiative. This group last met on 7 November 2003. The group will meet again in the very near future. I have also indicated my willingness to meet with the IFA after that meeting.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to help improve Windsor Park. [154738]

  Angela Smith
  The future of Windsor Park is primarily a matter for the owners, Linfield Football Club, and the Irish Football Association, who use Windsor Park for Northern Ireland's home international fixtures under an agreement with Linfield FC. Both are considering their future facility needs as are the other main spectator sports and to assist them I have asked the Strategic Investment 162W
  Board to commission the preparation of a business plan which will test the viability of the concept of a new purpose built multi-sport stadium. Discussions on Windsor Park must await the outcome of this work.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to help pay for floodlight improvements at Windsor Park. [154739]

  Angela Smith
  Windsor Park is owned by Linfield Football Club and is used by the Irish Football Association as the venue for Northern Ireland's home international fixtures. To date I have not had any specific requests for funding for floodlighting improvements at Windsor Park. Any proposals for such improvements should first be discussed with the Sports Council, which has responsibility for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funds.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to offer additional financial support to Northern Irish higher education students to take into account the costs of travelling to universities in Great Britain. [154841]

  Jane Kennedy
  The student loan, which is available to Northern Irish students attending higher education institutions in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, is intended to meet students' living costs such as accommodation, food and travel. Northern Ireland students who study at institutions in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland, or at institutions in Northern Ireland which are not within reasonable travelling distance of the parental home are currently able to access a higher rate of student loan than those students living in the parental home.

  The Department has no plans to offer additional financial support to Northern Irish higher education students travelling to universities in Great Britain.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent meetings he has held with(a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) representatives from universities to discuss the implications of the Higher Education Bill for Northern Ireland's universities and students; and if he will make a statement. [154127]

  Jane Kennedy
  While the Higher Education Bill, does not, in the main apply to Northern Ireland, it has significant implications in view of the strong links between the HE Sectors and the level of student flows between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

  Since the publication of the White Paper, I have had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential implications of the proposals in the Bill for Northern Ireland, and I am fully aware of the respective views of the two universities.

  It is my intention to bring forward proposals soon for the way forward in Northern Ireland, taking into account discussions with local stakeholders, including the universities and the student representative body the NUS/USI, and advice from the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council (NIHEC).

  Home Economics
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from home economics teachers about the proposal to teach this subject as a non-examinable component of the curriculum at Key Stage Three; and if he will make a statement. [155492]

  Jane Kennedy
  As part of the consultation process on the review of the curriculum, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment received representations from Home Economics teachers as to the form that provision for this subject should take. The Council's proposals would make aspects of Home Economics a statutory entitlement for all pupils in Key Stage 3. I am currently considering the Council's proposals for the Key Stage 3 curriculum as a whole. No decisions have yet been taken.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much inward investment Northern Ireland has attracted since the start of the peace process. [154838]

  Mr. Pearson
  Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement Northern Ireland has attracted £242 million of New Inward Investment. In addition, during the same period expansions by externally owned companies totalled £936 million.

  Learning Disabilities
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in improving education opportunities for those aged 16 to 19 years who have moderate learning disabilities. [154572]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through its Careers Service and enhanced funding for the Further Education sector, the Department for Employment and Learning provides a range of support services aimed at improving the provision for all students with learning difficulties and/ or disabilities.

  In addition, an Inter Departmental Working Group is examining the transition of all young people with statements of special educational needs to adult life. The group consists of representatives from the Departments of Education, Employment and Learning, and Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The group has consulted widely and plans to produce an Action Plan in Spring 2004.

  Maghaberry Prison
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the prison authorities at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry, negotiate with the leaders of the(a) Provisional IRA, (b) UDA and (c) UVF on conditions within the prison. [154804]

  Jane Kennedy
  The prison authorities do not negotiate with paramilitary leaders on conditions within the prison. It is important that control of the prison regime remains with the prison authorities.
  164W
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of damage by prisoners to prison property and equipment in each of the last 12 months at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry. [154866]

  Jane Kennedy
  The cost of damage by prisoners to prison property and equipment in each of the last 12 months at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry was as follows:

  Month

  Total (£)

  February 2003

  951

  March

  5,644

  April

  4,217

  May

  204

  June

  1,516

  July

  15,889

  August

  41,987

  September

  6,906

  October

  32,944

  November

  15,481

  December

  18,791

  January 2004

  1115,580

  1 A disturbance occurred in Bann House on 14 January 2004 resulting in damage estimated at £100,000. Repair work has commenced but invoices for the actual cost of repairs have not yet been received.

  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoner officers, and what percentage of total staff, have been on sick leave in each of the last 12 months at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry. [154869]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested is in the following table.

  Month

  Number of Percentage of staff absent sick

  Staff in post

  Percentage of staff in post absent sick

  February 2003

  113

  842

  13.42

  March 2003

  97

  842

  11.52

  April 2003

  91

  841

  10.82

  May 2003

  92

  837

  10.99

  June 2003

  90

  836

  10.77

  July 2003

  101

  831

  12.16

  August 2003

  115

  828

  13.89

  September 2003

  100

  829

  12.06

  October 2003

  99

  825

  12.00

  November 2003

  97

  823

  11.79

  December 2003

  102

  821

  12.42

  January 2004

  87

  820

  10.61

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on removing rate relief on manufacturing industries. [153831]

  Mr. Pearson
  The policy rationale for retaining industrial derating in Northern Ireland no longer exists. This view is supported by leading business and economic commentators and by the outcomes of various studies and an extensive consultation exercise in 2002. An assessment of the impact of removal on manufacturers concluded that any increase in costs would be limited and the impact significantly reduced by phasing it out in the manner announced in April 2003.
  165W
  The phase out period will begin on 1 April 2005 and end on 1 April 2011. This means that manufacturers will have been given eight years to adjust and plan for paying full rates which is longer than the timeframe proposed by the former DFP and DETI Assembly Committees. They will have to pay only 15 per cent. of their full rates liability in 2005–06. This percentage will rise but on a very gradual basis over the next six years. This is a sensible, modernising reform measure that will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. There are other more effective ways of supporting businesses than retaining a blanket exemption for which there is no supporting rationale. Proposals for a hardship rate relief scheme for all businesses are being examined and will be published after consultation with Councils and business organisations.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much revenue he estimates will be generated by the removal of rate relief on manufacturing industries. [153832]

  Mr. Pearson
  The estimated long-term yield from the rating of the manufacturing sector is around £55 million per year. This allows for possible valuation reductions as a result of appeals and is based on around 5,100 properties currently in the Valuation List becoming liable to full rates in 2011. Applying the 15 per cent, rate liability applicable in the first year (2005–06), the yield in that year is expected to be around £8 million. This additional revenue will be invested through the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI) to help fund a significant programme of major infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland over the next five years. Projects contained within the Strategic Investment Programme and totalling some £2.7 billion in value have already been announced. Investment in our public service infrastructure is essential for sustained economic growth and development. This scale of planned investment will significantly enhance Northern Ireland's prospects for long-term economic prosperity and future business success. The retention of industrial derating will not achieve these outcomes.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry and its agencies to ensure Northern Ireland's manufacturing industries are not disadvantaged by the enlargement of the European Union, with particular reference to the accession of low-wage economies in Eastern Europe. [153839]

  Mr. Pearson
  Invest NI is working with companies in the manufacturing and internationally-traded services sectors to help them increase their competitiveness in home and international markets. Early results of research commissioned into the impact of EU enlargement on the NI economy, indicate that the overall impact is likely to be relatively limited. They also suggest that enlargement will offer opportunities, particularly for sectors with the greatest prospects for high value-added growth.

  Around 60 Northern Ireland companies are already doing business valued at approximately £100 million in the Accession States. Invest NI has been active in organising a number of trade-related activities, targeted at certain Accession States.

  Northern Ireland Assembly Members
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the ratio of Northern Ireland population to Northern Ireland Assembly members is. [154859]

  Mr. Pearson
  There are 108 elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the estimated population of Northern Ireland at mid-year 2002 is 1,696,600 people. This gives a ratio of one Assembly member per 15,710 population.

  Nurses
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there is a maximum age for nurses within the NHS in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [155428]

  Angela Smith
  There is no compulsory retirement age for nurses, although local employers may have their own policy regarding retirement age.

  The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) does not place upper age limits in relation to fitness to practice and registration.

  The NMC is currently consulting on a proposal that as from 1 April 2004 it will require registrants to make a declaration in relation to good health and good character as part of their application for renewal of the periodic three year renewal of registration.

  Nursing Vacancies
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) hospital and (b) community nursing vacancies there are within North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust. [155805]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is in the following table.

  Number of hospital and community nursing vacancies (including long-term vacancies) within North and West Belfast HSS Trust as at 30 September 2003

  Headcount

  WTE1

  Hospital nursing vacancies

  0

  0.00

  Community nursing vacancies

  9

  8.43

  1 Whole Time Equivalent

  Number of long-term (vacant more than three months) hospital and community nursing vacancies within North and West Belfast HSS Trust as at 30 September 2003

  Headcount

  WTE1

  Hospital nursing vacancies

  0

  0.00

  Community nursing vacancies

  3

  2.04

  1 Whole Time Equivalent

  Obesity
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost
  167W
  to the NHS of treating obesity in Northern Ireland for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [155419]

  Angela Smith
  By extrapolating from figures in a National Audit Office report relating to England and Wales, it has been estimated that obesity may cost the HPSS £15 million-£20 million year.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to combat increases in obesity; and if he will make a statement. [155420]

  Angela Smith
  Action to tackle obesity is being taken forward through programmes to promote a healthy diet such as the "Fresh Fruit in Schools" initiative and also through a range of initiatives to promote physical activity, including the "Get a life, get active" campaign.

  Revised strategies and action plans on food and nutrition and physical activity are currently being developed by inter-sectoral working groups. Both documents will be issued for consultation later in the year. In addition, a task force to address the specific

  HSS Trust

  Count

  WTE

  Number of weekly NHS sessions employed for

  Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust

  6

  5.91

  5 work 11 NHS sessions per week

  1 works 10 NHS sessions per week

  Greenpark Healthcare HSS Trust

  17

  15.15

  1 works 8.5 NHS sessions per week

  7 work 10 NHS sessions per week

  8 work 11 NHS sessions per week

  1 works as and when required

  Royal Group of Hosp. HSS Trust

  1Not available

  8.09

  Total of 89 NHS sessions worked by consultants per week2

  Ulster Comm. and Hosp. HSS Trust

  6

  4.64

  1 works 2 NHS sessions per week

  1 works 2.5 NHS sessions per week

  1 works 3 NHS sessions per week

  1 works 4 NHS sessions per week

  2 work 5 NHS sessions per week

  Total

  Not available

  33.79

  Total of 342 NHS sessions worked per week by consultant orthopaedic surgeons

  1 Headcount figure for number of consultant orthopaedic consultants working in Royal Group of Hosp. HSS Trust was not available.

  2It was not possible to breakdown the number of NHS sessions worked by consultant orthopaedic consultants in Royal Group of Hosp HSS Trust.

  Osteoporosis
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase the availability of the osteoporosis drug Evista in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the treatment of osteoporosis in Northern Ireland. [155202]

  Angela Smith
  Evista (generic name Raloxifene) is one of a number of interventions used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Raloxifene is available to patients on health service prescription in Northern Ireland.

  The choice of any intervention in the treatment of osteoporosis is a clinical one taken in consultation with the patient and based upon the best evidence available. Key factors include the nature and stage of disease progression, the risk and benefits of treatment, the patient age and underlying co-morbidities.

  Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST) Guidelines on the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis were issued to Health Service professionals in Northern Ireland in 2001. The guidelines identify evidence-based strategies for the prevention and
  168W
  issue of childhood obesity is being established under the auspices of the Ministerial Group on Public Health, which I chair.

  Orthopaedic Surgeons
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce a protected elective centre devoted solely to orthopaedic surgery. [154596]

  Angela Smith
  Musgrave Park Hospital, which is part of Green Park Health and Social Services Trust, serves as a protected elective centre for orthopaedic surgery and has recently been expanded by the building of two new modular theatres

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many consultant orthopaedic surgeons there are in the Province; and for how many weekly NHS sessions each is employed. [154598]

  Angela Smith
  Number of consultant orthopaedic surgeons employed in the Province as at 31 December 2003 and the number of weekly NHS sessions they are employed for.

  treatment of osteoporosis, including population approaches to promote smoking avoidance, regular exercise and an adequate diet including calcium and Vitamin D. In addition, the guidelines promote selective case finding approaches to the identification and treatment of those at risk of osteoporosis as well as those with established disease.

  Pension Credit
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pensioner households in Northern Ireland are in receipt of pension credit; and what steps he is taking to increase take-up. [155200]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are currently 82,000 households receiving pension credit. Between April 2003 and October 2004 the Social Security Agency will have written to every pensioner household where they are not already receiving pension credit to advise them about the new pension credit.

  To maximise the benefit take-up, there is also a publicity campaign in local and national newspapers and also on television. In addition to this the Social

  169W
  Security Agency has also appointed a Pension Adviser to each of its office areas to actively promote the take up of pension credit and other benefits.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 720W, on pension credit, by what date he expects the current backlog of pension credit applications to be cleared; and how long he estimates it will take to process a new application for a pension credit. [155628]

  Mr. Spellar
  A recovery plan is being put in place and the situation is being addressed as a matter of urgency. Clearing the backlogs and improving the unsatisfactory standards of service to pensioners is the Social Security Agency's top priority.

  It is estimated that it will take on average of 50 days to process a new application for pension credit.

  Personal Details
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) prison officers, (b) police officers, (c) political representatives and (d) others have been informed since October 2002 that their personal details were held by the Provisional IRA. [151219]

  Jane Kennedy
  Records researched by PSNI would indicate that since October 2002 some 2,841 persons have been informed that their details may be in the possession of the Provisional IRA. The breakdown is as follows:

  (a) Prison officers: 1,427

  (b) Police officers: 84

  (c) Political representatives: 40

  (d) Other: 1.340

  Please note that notification is handled at regional level and therefore these figures may be subject to slight adjustment.

  Police Service
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Catholics have joined the Police Service of Northern Ireland since its creation. [154848]

  Jane Kennedy
  I am advised that as at 1 February of this year, 544 Catholics had been appointed to the Police Service of Northern Ireland as recruits since its creation.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many successful applicants to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland are awaiting training. [154849]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Police Service of Northern Ireland is currently in the process of appointing candidates from its fifth recruitment campaign, which was launched in March 2003. Thirty nine candidates have been appointed and have commenced training. There are currently 861 qualified candidates from the fifth competition, although some applicants are still in the process of going through security vetting and this number may increase.
  170W
  Up to around 270 recruits would be appointed in a six month period.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were received for recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the recruitment campaigns held in 2003. [155503]

  Jane Kennedy
  I am advised that competition 5, which was launched in March 2003, attracted 6,044 applications; competition 6, which was launched in September 2003, attracted 5,419 applications.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were received from(a) Protestants, (b) Roman Catholics and (c) others in each recruitment campaign for the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2003. [155504]

  Jane Kennedy
  Of the 6,044 applications received for competition 5, launched in March 2003, 3,747 were of a perceived Protestant background, 2,194 were of a perceived Catholic background and 103 were not determined.

  Of the 5,419 applications received for competition 6, launched in September 2003, 3,406 were of a perceived Protestant background, 1,909 were of a perceived Catholic background and 104 were not determined.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) Protestants, (b) Roman Catholics and (c) others were successful in entering the merit pool for each of the campaigns for recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2003; and how many applicants in each category were subsequently offered a place on the training course following completion of each recruitment campaign. [155505]

  Jane Kennedy
  1,096 qualified candidates formed the pool for competition 5. Of this number, 778 were of a perceived Protestant background, 307 were of perceived Catholic background and 11 were not determined.

  Appointments from competition 5 started in January 2004. So far, 83 qualified candidates have been appointed as police trainees. 45 of these appointments were of perceived Protestant background, 38 were of perceived Catholic background and none were classified as not determined.

  The pool of qualified candidates for competition 6 will not be formed until April.

  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost to date is of implementing the Patten Report on policing in Northern Ireland. [154867]

  Jane Kennedy
  It is not possible to provide the precise total cost to date of implementing the Patten Report on policing in Northern Ireland. The costs associated with the police early retirement/severance scheme and implementation of specific projects related to some of the individual recommendations from 1 April 2000 to December 2003 amount to some £197 million. Moreover there would have been other costs, which cannot be exactly identified, incurred by PSNI from its grant in support of the implementation of Patten.
  171W
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers of the full-time police reserve have been(a) killed and (b) injured (i) on duty and (ii) off duty in each year since its formation. [154868]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. The following tables set out the statistic available.

  Full-time reserve officers who were killed or died on duty

  Reason

  Death accident gun shot

  Death by terrorist

  Death non-terrorist

  Death traffic accident

  Grand total

  1975

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1976

  0

  3

  0

  0

  3

  1977

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1978

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1979

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1981

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1982

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1983

  0

  5

  0

  0

  5

  1984

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1985

  0

  7

  0

  0

  7

  1986

  0

  2

  0

  1

  3

  1987

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1988

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1989

  0

  1

  0

  2

  3

  1990

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1992

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1993

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1994

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1997

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2000

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2003

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Full-time reserve officers who were killed or died off duty

  Reason

  Death accident gun shot

  Death accident

  Death by terrorist

  Death non-terrorist

  Death traffic accident

  Total

  1976

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1978

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1979

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  1980

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1981

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  1986

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1987

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  3

  1988

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  6

  1989

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  3

  1990

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  4

  1993

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  3

  1994

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1995

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1999

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2003

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Note:

  If a year is not listed it is because no officer was killed or died in that particular year

  Full-time reserve officers injured on duty

  Number injured on duty

  1986

  3

  1987

  3

  1988

  11

  1989

  7

  1990

  76

  1991

  361

  1992

  401

  172W

  Full-time reserve officers injured on duty

  Number injured on duty

  1993

  426

  1994

  344

  1995

  474

  1996

  509

  1997

  529

  1998

  570

  1999

  616

  2000

  609

  2001

  640

  2002

  455

  2003

  221

  Total

  6,255

  It should be noted that records were computerised in the late 1980's and the PSNI can only stand over the figures from 1991.

  Post-primary Education
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) data and (b) methodology were used to produce the statistical tables which appear in the Costello Report. [154125]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information in the statistical tables in the Costello Report was drawn from a variety of sources including the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, the Department of Education, the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment, and the Programme for International Student Assessment (OECD).

  Provisional IRA/Sinn Fein
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2004,Official Report, column 470W, in what ways the Provisional IRA and Sinn Fein are inextricably linked; and on what evidence he judges that they are so linked. [154664]

  Jane Kennedy
  I made clear to the hon. Member for South Antrim (David Burnside), the Government do not comment on intelligence matters.

  Recruitment Advertising
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his Department's expenditure on recruitment advertising was in each of the last three years, broken down by publication; and what proportion of such expenditure was(a) to advertise vacant posts and (b) in the form of other general recruitment advertising. [155525]

  Mr. Pearson
  Information on expenditure by NIO is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Expenditure by the Recruitment Service on advertising vacant poses in the Northern Ireland Civil Service is as follows:

  £million

  2001

  0.5

  2002

  0.5

  2003

  0.5

  173W
  Information broken down by Publication is not held but most recruitment advertising is placed in the Belfast Telegraph, News Letter and Irish News.

  Regeneration
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to regenerate under-populated residential areas. [154846]

  Mr. Spellar
  There a number of policies, both specific and general, designed to help regenerate under populated residential areas.

  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive actively seeks to revitalise areas that have experienced population loss and which may also suffer from unfit or vacant housing stock by the use of statutory powers to designate Redevelopment Areas and Urban Regeneration Areas, together with programmes of Renovation Grant activity. The NI Housing Executive is also currently engaged in developing a range of strategies and programmes which seek to facilitate regeneration and sustainable communities such as:
  Empty Homes Strategy.
  The Rural Strategy.
  Estate Renewal, Neighbourhood Renewal and Community Development Strategies.
  Living over the shop and town centre living.
  Arterial Routes Studies.

  Additionally, the Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland has the objective of creating sustainable communities and regenerating urban areas. It requires that 60 per cent. of future new build housing be sited within the existing urban footprint. The NI Housing Executive contributes to the Policy Planning Strategy 12 document in respect of Housing Need Assessments that are to be completed as part of each Development Plan. These highlight the housing needs required to achieve sustainable and affordable housing within settlements across Northern Ireland.

  In addition, while not specifically targeting under-populated areas, the Department for Social Development's tools for regeneration clearly impact on such areas, and in particular, Northern Ireland's most disadvantaged communities. The Department's wide range of strategies and programmes such as the Urban Development Programme, Urban Development Grant, Environmental Improvement Schemes, and the recently launched Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, aim to revitalise areas of slower growth, promote social cohesion, and help build more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable neighbourhoods.

  Regional Rates
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the percentage increases to the regional rate in Northern Ireland were in each of the past five years. [153844]

  Mr. Pearson
  The percentage increases to the regional rate in Northern Ireland for the past five years is as follows.
  174W

  Percentage

  Non-domestic

  Domestic

  1998–99

  3.2

  5.9

  1999–2000

  5.5

  8

  2000–01

  4.6

  8

  2001–02

  3.3

  7

  2002–03

  3.3

  7

  Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many operations were performed at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children by surgeons from(a) the Republic of Ireland and (b) Great Britain in each of the last five years. [155421]

  Angela Smith
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Sports Funding
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been provided from(a) central Government funds, (b) European funds and (c) other public funds to (i) football, (ii) rugby, (iii) hockey, (iv) cricket and (v) Gaelic games in Northern Ireland in each financial year since 2000–01.
  [154154]

  Angela Smith
  Funding provided from(a) central Government funds, (b) European funds and (c) other public funds to (i) football, (ii) rugby, (iii) hockey, (iv) cricket and (v) Gaelic games in each financial year from 2000–01 is as follows:

  (a) Central Government Funds

  £

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Football

  1,264,009

  1951,803

  1981,188

  3,197,000

  Rugby

  152,843

  157,551

  92,536

  402,930

  Hockey

  27,464

  61,225

  54,902

  143,591

  Cricket

  20,000

  22,000

  26,330

  68,330

  Gaelic games

  652,085

  381,333

  557,676

  1,591,094

  Totals

  2,116,401

  1,573,912

  1,712,632

  5,402,945

  1 These figures include £100,000 and £500,000 allocated to Soccer from the Football Development Centre Programme for 2001–02and 2002–03.

  (b) European Funds

  The following table provides information on European Funds administrated by DFP and DARD to football, rugby, hockey, cricket and Gaelic games for each financial year from 2000–01.

  £

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Football

  915

  0

  10,800

  11,715

  Rugby

  0

  939

  0

  939

  Hockey

  0

  0

  0

  —

  Cricket

  4,067

  0

  0

  4,067

  Gaelic games

  18,557

  1,885

  5,594

  26,036

  Totals

  23,539

  2,824

  16,394

  42,757

  DFP has also provided European funding (Peace II) to numerous sports which include, football, rugby, hockey, cricket and Gaelic games. This funding was for projects that included more than one of the above sports, the details are as follows.
  175W

  Numerous sports £

  2000–01

  0

  2001–02

  0

  2002–03

  3,906

  Total

  3,906

  (c) Other Public Funds

  The following table details the amount of Sports Lottery funding that has been allocated to football, rugby, hockey, cricket and Gaelic games for financial years 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03 by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland.

  £

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Football

  942,492

  642,710

  609,131

  2,194,333

  Rugby

  312,053

  144,000

  76,860

  532,913

  Hockey

  47,625

  199,850

  68,800

  316,275

  Cricket

  282,500

  57,202

  16,000

  355,702

  Gaelic games

  1,694,182

  1,025,420

  689,962

  3,409,564

  Totals

  3,278,852

  2,069,182

  1,460,753

  6,808,787

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children are registered as having special needs in Northern Ireland. [154845]

  Angela Smith
  The information requested is not available.

  Waiting Lists/Times
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a patient referred on 9 February by his or her family doctor can expect to have(a) an initial out-patient assessment and (b) routine elective surgery in orthopaedics. [154588]

  Angela Smith
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  It should be noted, that over 80 per cent. of in-patients for trauma and orthopaedics and 90 per cent. of outpatients are seen in less than 12 months.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients have been waiting for(a) less than six months, (b) six to 12 months, (c) one to two years, (d) two to three years and (e) more than three years to have an (i) in-patient admission and (ii) initial out-patient assessment in orthopaedic surgery. [154589]

  Angela Smith
  Waiting list statistics are submitted to the Department at specialty level. The information in this answer relates to people waiting in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty at 30 September 2003 (the most recent information available). Waiting list statistics are collected in three-month time bands for all patients waiting up to 24 months. Patients waiting 24 months or more are grouped together within one category therefore patients waiting two to three years and more than three years cannot be separately identified.
  176W

  Number awaiting in-patient admission

  Number awaiting initial out-patient assessment

  6 months

  2,748

  8,871

  6–12 months

  1,780

  3,750

  1–2 Years

  1,121

  3,646

  2+ years

  604

  3,352

  Source:

  CHI and CH3

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to tackle waiting lists in orthopaedic surgery; and if he will make a statement. [154599]

  Angela Smith
  A number of initiatives are being taken to reduce the length of time people are waiting for orthopaedic surgery. These include:Increasing the number of trainees in this specialty.
  A review of acute trauma services, which is underway at present. This review is expected to make recommendations for improvements in the delivery of trauma services and will provide strategic direction in the future development of the orthopaedic/fracture seyvice.
  The building of two new modular theatres for Musgrave Park Hospital. This has increased theatre capacity, which will improve fracture services, stabilise and reduce waiting lists and facilitate the mix of elective, trauma and out-patient work of consultant orthopaedic surgeons.
  The appointment earlier this year at Green Park Health and Social Services Trust of a waiting list manager and the establishment of a centralised waiting list team.

  The increase in waiting times in recent years reflects a general rise in demand on the orthopaedic service and there is a considerable commitment and determination to deal with it.

  Wayleave Compensation
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Government policy is in relation to wayleave compensation payable to landowners affected by measures to facilitate the provision of public services; and what recent changes there have been relating to payments for wayleaves. [154579]

  Mr. Pearson
  The primary legislation governing compensation for the acquisition of pipeline wayleaves in Northern Ireland is The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973. The rules for assessing any compensation payable under this Order are contained in the Land Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 1982. The principal thrust of this legislation and the associated case law decisions has been to ensure that compensation is based on the actual loss in every case.

  The legal basis of compensation has therefore not changed but each individual case must be looked at on its merits with the aim of establishing what the actual loss is.

  The Valuation and Lands Agency (VLA) act on behalf of Water Service in the assessment of wayleave compensation. In most cases the compensation amount is agreed between VLA and the landowner or his agent. If agreement is not possible the landowner then has the option of referring the matter to the Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland.

  EDUCATION AND SKILLS CAFCASS
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are undertaken by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service to ensure that full medical and psychiatric reports of a parent who is not a UK citizen are examined when making their report. [152401]

  Margaret Hodge
  CAFCASS officers are able to make inquiries of health and psychiatric services if it is deemed necessary to take such information into account to ensure the best interests of the child are met when preparing their reports.

  If the circumstances require, CAFCASS officers are able to seek a direction from the Court to request relevant information. They are also able to contact International Social Service, or the relevant consulate to obtain necessary documents from abroad.

  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures are followed by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service in cases where one parent is a non-UK resident. [154080]

  Margaret Hodge
  The role of CAFCASS is professionally and impartially to inquire into individual cases, in order to assist the court in reaching decisions that are in the best interests of the children who are the subject of court proceedings.

  The same procedures are followed by CAFCASS in cases where one parent may be a non-UK resident. In addition to collecting and assessing documentation for each case, CAFCASS officers are able to contact International Social Service, or the appropriate consulate, to obtain relevant documentary information from abroad.

  Adoption and Children Act
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to implement the provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002; and if he will publish a timetable for implementation. [148913]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Government have already implemented the following key provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (the Act):1 June 2003: restrictions on adoption from overseas;
  31 October 2003: adoption support for adoptive families; and
  1 December 2003: parental responsibility for unmarried fathers who jointly register the birth of their child with the mother.

  The first phase of the independent review mechanism, which will cover prospective adopters whose adoption agency is minded not to approve them, will become operational on 30 April 2004.

  We expect the provisions on Independent Reviewing Officers to come into force in September 2004.

  Consultation documents have been published on provisions in the Act regarding advocacy services for children and young people; the review of children's cases; arranging adoptions and assessing prospective adopters; and adoption reports and adoptions with a
  178W
  foreign element. Copies are available in the Library. The Government will be consulting on the remaining provisions over the next few months.

  The regulations, court rules and guidance required to implement the core of the Act should be in place by the end of 2004. After a period for preparation and training, we expect the legislation to come into force in September 2005.

  The provisions on domestic violence and the definition of harm are being considered separately and the Government will make an announcement on these provisions in due course.

  Adult Learning
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many courses for adult learning have been made available in each year since 1997; [154232]

  (2) how many courses are provided for adult learning in 2003–04 in the whole of England and Wales. [154233]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Information on the number of courses made available for adult learning is not held centrally. What is held centrally, is information on the number of adults actually participating in further and adult education courses. Figures for(a) the number of adults aged 19 and over participating in LSC funded further education in sector colleges and external institutions and (b) the number of enrolments on adult education courses offered by local education authorities (LEAs), are set out separately as follows. Data on the number of learners participating in 2003/04 are not yet available.

  Adult learners ( in thousands) on FE provision funded by the LSC in colleges and external institutions in England: 1997/98 to 2002/03

  Adult learners

  1997/98

  2,774.6

  1998/99

  2,669.5

  1999/2000

  2,611.6

  2000/01

  2,777.4

  2001/02

  3,220.8

  2002/03

  3,234.9

  Source:

  LSC Statistical First Release ILR/SFRO2

  Enrolments by learners aged 19 and over ( in thousands) on adult education courses offered by LEAs at 1 November 1997 to 2002

  1 November

  Enrolments

  1997

  1,014.7

  1998

  1,055.9

  1999

  1,007.2

  20001

  983.8

  20012

  1,015.4

  2002

  993.2

  1Revised estimate: enrolments were over reported by some LEAs in this year

  2 Revised estimate: enrolments were inaccurately reported by some LEAs in this year, overall there was a net under-reporting

  Source:

  Local education authorities

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding will be made available for adult learning in further education colleges for 2003/04. [154235]
  179W
  Alan Johnson
  The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). In the 2003/04 academic year the LSC's planned allocation for adult learning in further education colleges is £1.923 billion. This figure includes planned funding for Additional Learner Support.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults have been trained at local colleges in each year since 1997. [154236]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The numbers of Learning and Skills Council (formerly Further Education Funding Council) funded adult learners (aged 19 and over) enrolled in further education sector colleges in each year since 1997/98 are shown in the following table.

  Adult learners ( in thousands) on FE provision funded by the Council in colleges in England: 1997/98 to 2002/03

  Learners

  1997/98

  2,480.1

  1998/99

  2,383.4

  1999/2000

  2,316.1

  2000/01

  2,441.8

  2001/02

  2,832.7

  2002/03

  2,844.5

  Source:

  LSC Statistical First Release ILR/SFRO2

  Adult Learning Grant
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults are entitled to adult learning grant; and what steps his Department is taking to promote take-up. [154560]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We estimate that some 6,000 adults may be eligible for the grant in the 10 pilot areas. So far there have been over 2,600 applications.

  We are working with the Learning and Skills Council, Further Education colleges, and advice and guidance agencies in the 10 pilots to promote this new grant. At this stage, the main focus is on promoting the grant to new learners who started courses during January 2004 and to existing learners who may be eligible but have not applied.

  Arts and Humanities Research Council
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the subject remit of the Arts and Humanities Research Council will be. [152634]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) will cover the same broad range of areas of the arts and humanities as currently covered by the Arts and Humanities Research Board.

  Asylum Seekers (Education)
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of places in(a) further and (b) higher education provided to (i) asylum seekers and (ii) their children in the last year for which figures were available. [143647]
  180W
  Alan Johnson
  The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) estimate that about 41,000 asylum seekers participated in LSC funded further education in 2001/02. It is not possible to identify how many learners were children of asylum seekers.

  Data collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) covering students on higher education courses does not separately identify asylum seekers.

  Basic Skills Training
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding will be made available for basic skills training for adults in each year from 2003 to 2006. [154974]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Spending Review 2002 ensured that we are able to continue to support the Skills for Life strategy to enable 1.5 million adults to improve their literacy and numeracy skills by 2007. Over £1.6 billion has been made available to deliver the Skills for Life strategy for the three years to 2005–06 across Government Departments.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults he plans should participate in basic skills training in each year from 2003 to 2006; and what the figures were for each year from 1997 to 2003. [154975]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The following table shows the number of adults participating in basic education in the Further Education sector from 1997 to 2001.

  Learners (Thousand)

  1997–98

  158

  1998–99

  182

  1999–2000

  270

  The number of learners participating each year in Skills for Life programmes since the launch of the strategy in April 2001 are shown in the following table.

  Learners (Thousand)

  2000–01

  449

  2001–02

  655

  2002–031

  664

  1Includes an estimated component due to incomplete enrolment data.

  We expect this level of participation to continue enabling us to meet our targets of improving the skills of 750,000 adults by 2004 and 1.5 million adults by 2007.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff in his Department have been(a) investigated, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for involvement in benefit fraud in each of the last six years; and what amounts were involved in each case. [153207]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  One member of staff from my Department (formerly The Department for Education and Employment) was investigated and suspended for allegedly claiming benefit while working during this
  181W
  period. Following an investigation the Department was satisfied that there was no benefit fraud involved. We do not have records of the amounts involved.

  No staff were dismissed, prosecuted, or convicted for involvement in benefit fraud in each of the last six years.

  Child Deaths
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases of parents gaoled for shaking their babies to death are to be reviewed in the light of the Angela Cannings appeal judgement. [152133]

  The Solicitor-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since the release of Angela Cannings by the Court of Appeal and its published judgment, the Attorney General has instigated a number of measures. A total of 258 convictions over the last 10 years for the murder, manslaughter or infanticide of a child under two by its parent have been identified. Of those, a total of 72 relate to persons still serving a custodial sentence. These will be accorded the utmost priority. Currently, some 365 boxes of evidence relating to 52 high priority cases have been recovered from central storage and dispatched to CPS areas for them to conduct an initial review. The remaining high priority cases are being recovered from the areas themselves.

  Once the review becomes fully under way, the offences comprising the 258 convictions and the issue at trial will become clearer. Once that stage has been reached and more information is known on these cases it will be possible for me to write further to you with additional information.

  Child Removals
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children have been removed from their parents following a younger sibling's death, without evidence that one of the parents was responsible beyond reasonable doubt for the death of the first child, in the past 10 years. [152028]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Children's Fund
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when his Department will confirm final allocation of funds for 2004–05 in respect of the Children's Fund. [153464]

  Margaret Hodge
  I expect to announce the Children's Fund allocations for 2004–05 shortly.

  Children's Social Services
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had about the provision of children's social services in England. [152939]

  Margaret
  As the Minister for Children, Young People and Families I meet regularly with a range of people to discuss the provision of children's social services in England.

  Connexions
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of time Connexions personal advisers have spent with young people from each socio-economic class, broken down by Connexions partnership. [154780]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information about the proportion of time Connexions personal advisers spend with young people from each socio-economic class is not collected by Connexions Partnerships.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what examinations and assessments of existing services for young people were carried out in each region before Connexions partnerships were established; and what the nature of such assessments was. [154784]

  Margaret Hodge
  All Connexions partnerships were subject to a rigorous assessment process before "going live" to ensure they were ready to provide a high quality service. As part of developing their business plans, partnerships were expected to undertake a local needs assessment to draw out the key needs of young people, the extent to which existing provision met those needs, and to identify gaps in services.

  The Connexions Service National Unit provided a mapping tool to assist this process. Partnerships also drew upon local mapping information collected for other purposes.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the budget allocation is for each Connexions partnership for 2004–05. [154785]

  Margaret Hodge
  The budget allocation for each Connexions Partnership for 2004–05 is as follows:

  £

  Connexions partnership

  2004–05 allocation

  South East

  M. Keynes, Oxfordshire and Bucks

  10,595,357

  Berkshire

  6,669,629

  Surrey

  8,110,651

  Kent and Medway

  13,144,292

  Sussex

  11,229,894

  South Central

  14,247,867

  London

  West London

  12,661,008

  Central London

  15,338,641

  North London

  10,026,144

  East London

  22,055,084

  South London

  10,574,964

  East of England

  Norfolk

  6,508,049

  Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

  5,981,683

  Suffolk

  5,408,558

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  5,070,064

  Hertfordshire

  7,913,832

  Essex, Southend and Thurrock

  12,848,412

  South West

  Gloucestershire

  4,512,252

  Wiltshire and Swindon

  4,979,619

  West of England

  8,089,632

  Somerset

  3,951,306

  Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole

  5,060,675

  Cornwall and Devon

  12,513,950

  183W

  £

  Connexions partnership

  2004–05 allocation

  West Midlands

  Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

  3,841,302

  Staffordshire

  9,236,197

  Black Country

  11,473,924

  Birmingham and Solihull

  13,045,649

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  7,199,993

  Hereford and Worcester

  5,652,538

  East Midlands

  Derbyshire

  8,009,441

  Nottinghamshire

  9,644,783

  Lincolnshire and Rutland

  5,413,738

  Leicestershire

  8,351,533

  Northamptonshire

  5,759,611

  Yorks and the Humber

  York and North Yorks

  5,392,793

  West Yorkshire

  20,546,411

  Humber

  8,689,130

  South Yorkshire

  12,385,536

  North West

  Cumbria

  4,281,199

  Lancashire

  12,712,765

  Greater Manchester

  26,256,913

  Greater Merseyside

  17,411,643

  Cheshire and Warrington

  6,850,581

  North East

  Northumberland

  3,011,745

  Tyne and Wear

  11,667,484

  County Durham

  4,829,615

  Tees Valley

  7,143,913

  Total England

  446,300,000

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research has been carried out into the proportion of young people who are aware of the Connexions service in each partnership area, broken down by(a) ethnicity, (b) age and (c) gender. [154786]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information on the awareness of young people of the Connexions service has been obtained from two recent Department for Education and Skills research studies.

  In 2002, the Youth Cohort Study found that 51 per cent. of young people were aware of a Connexions service in their area. Of those, slightly more females said they were aware of a Connexions Service in this area (53 per cent. compared to 50 per cent. of males). Just over one-third of non-white respondents claimed awareness (36 per cent.) compared with 53 per cent. of white respondents.

  In 2003, a customer satisfaction survey of 16,000 young people found that awareness of Connexions was generally high. 92 per cent. of both male and female respondents contacted said they had heard of the service. For minority ethnic groups, awareness levels were 88 per cent. compared with 93 per cent. for white respondents. Young people aged 16–17 had the highest levels of awareness (94 per cent.), followed by 13 to 15-year-olds (92 per cent.) with those over 18 (89 per cent.) being the least aware of the service.
  184W
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what qualifications and training Connexions' personal advisers are expected to have on(a) working with young offenders and (b) health matters; and what proportion are trained to this level within each area partnership. [154787]

  Margaret Hodge
  Detailed information on specific qualifications held by PAs working with young offenders and with individuals who have health concerns is not collected.

  Connexions Personal Advisers are drawn from a broad range of professional backgrounds including youth justice, social work, probation, youth work and career guidance. To be fully qualified Connexions Service personal advisers are required to have an NVQ level 4 or equivalent in a relevant professional discipline and have undertaken Connexions specific training.

  Connexions Personal Advisers are not expected to be experts in all areas but are trained to broker and refer to specialists where appropriate.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of Connexions' personal advisers within each area partnership have(a) a Qualification in Careers Guidance, (b) NVQ Level 4 in Advice and Guidance, including specified units and (c) a Diploma in Careers Guidance. [154788]

  Margaret Hodge
  My department does not collect data on the proportion of specific specialist qualifications held by Connexions personal advisers.

  In our guidance to Partnerships we require that any Personal adviser responsible for providing young people with in-depth career guidance must hold a Qualification in Career Guidance, NVQ4 in Advice and Guidance (including specified units) or the Diploma in Careers Guidance. Connexions Partnerships are responsible for ensuring that this requirement is met.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of Connexions personal advisers within each area partnership are qualified to give guidance on all advisory services. [154789]

  Margaret Hodge
  To be fully qualified, Connexions PAs are required to have a NVQ level 4 or equivalent in a relevant professional discipline and have undertaken Connexions specific training in delivering a wide range of support services to young people. Connexions training equips personal advisers to recognise the boundaries of their existing professional competence and refer to specialist services where necessary.

  We do not collect information in the form requested. However, we expect that by April 2005 all Connexions personal advisers will have completed Connexions specific training.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what safeguards exist to ensure that young people are given in-depth advice only by properly qualified Connexions personal advisers. [154790]

  Margaret Hodge
  The safeguards are through training and supervision. Connexions personal advisers are either qualified to NVQ level 4 or equivalent in a relevant professional discipline or they are actively working to a level 4 qualification. They are also required
  185W
  to complete or be actively working towards Connexions specific training which equips them to recognise the boundaries of their own professional competence.

  All Connexions Service Partnerships have in place professional supervision arrangements.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the quality of advice given by Connexions personal advisers is monitored. [154791]

  Margaret Hodge
  The quality of advice given by Connexions personal advisers is monitored on three levels:

  1. It is a condition of grant that every Connexions partnership has effective procedures in place to evaluate the professional practice of personal advisers and takes appropriate steps to improve individual performance. Partnerships are also required to have robust professional supervision arrangements in place for all personal advisers.

  2. Connexions partnerships undertake a comprehensive annual self-assessment of their performance which is based on the document "Connexions Partnerships: A Framework for Inspection—April 2002". One of the key criteria addressed is the overall quality of advice given by personal advisers. Areas for improvement are identified and addressed by improvement actions in the following year's business plan. Currently progress against these improvement actions is monitored on a quarterly basis by the Government Office.

  3. The independent element of scrutiny of personal advisers' practice is provided by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) over a four-yearly cycle. Ofsted make judgements about the partnership, using the seven key questions within the Ofsted inspection framework. Within this framework Key Question 4 assesses the effectiveness of Connexions practice, assessment, support, teaching and guidance and contains a specific quality statement that addresses the quality of impartial information, advice and guidance provided to young people by personal advisers. Following the report of Ofsted's findings, partnerships are required to address any issues arising from the inspection in an action plan. Progress against this action plan is again monitored by the Government Office.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how(a) parents' and (b) clients' complaints against the service provided by Connexions are dealt with. [154792]

  Margaret Hodge
  Connexions partnerships are required to put in place a complaints procedure, which is the primary mechanism for all complaints from parents and clients. Should complaints not be resolved at that stage, the local Government office and Connexions teams within DfES investigate and provide support both to the public and partnerships to continually improve the level of service Connexions provides to clients and their families.

  Partnerships are required to have strategies to ensure young people are involved in the design, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of the service. This, in part, ensures the number of complaints is reduced. They must respond positively to any complaints made by young people and are required to publish a Youth Charter explaining what Connexions is and offers; its standards of service; and how to complain.
  186W
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills by what criteria Ofsted assess the performance of a Connexions partnership. [154794]

  Margaret Hodge
  This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of Connexions personal advisers within each area partnership has undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks. [154795]

  Margaret Hodge
  Although Connexions Partnerships provide us with the numbers of personal advisers they have recruited, they are not required to provide data on the numbers who have been subject to List 99 and Criminal Records Bureau checks. To do so would serve no purpose as it is a legal requirement for employers to ensure that personal advisers have been subjected to completed List 99 checks before they can come into direct contact with young people. We also require Partnerships to ensure a Criminal Records Bureau check is completed for all Connexions staff working with young people.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much time has been spent by Connexions personal advisers upon each advisory service.[154796]

  Margaret Hodge
  It is not possible to provide the information requested. Connexions advisers offer a broad range of advice on many issues. We do not ask them to account for their time by category of advice.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken to ensure that Connexions works effectively with the voluntary sector. [154797]

  Margaret Hodge
  In October 2002, we published our first strategy for engaging the Voluntary and Community Sector [VCS] in Connexions. We have made considerable progress since then in working with the VCS:Connexions Partnerships awarded more than £10 million in grants and contracts to the VCS in 2002–03.
  There has been an increase in the number of personal advisers based within, or coming from, the VCS. Recent figures show that around 13 per cent. of Connexions personal advisers came from the VCS.
  Nearly every partnership board and local management committee now has VCS representation.
  Most partnerships have at least one full-time VCS co-ordinator or development worker.
  A working group, composed of representatives from the VCS, has been working with the Connexions Service National Unit advising on operational issues as they affect the sector, and sharing good practice.

  An updated strategy, "Involving the Voluntary and Community Sector in Connexions: Strategy and Guidance 2004–05" will be published later this month. This document was developed jointly with the VCS and is endorsed by the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services.
  187W
  From April 2004, Connexions Partnerships will also be required to work with local VCS partners and other organisations to develop a clear and systematic local strategy for the involvement of the VCS in service design, planning, delivery and evaluation.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assistance is provided to voluntary organisations by Connexions in(a) ensuring staff undergo Criminal Records Bureau checks, (b) applying for funding and (c) ensuring they fulfil requirements. [154798]

  Margaret Hodge
  Connexions Partnerships are required to ensure enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks are completed for all staff they recruit, including those who are employed through a subcontractor or voluntary agency. Connexions Service Partnerships are encouraged to provide assistance to voluntary organisations when they apply for funding and are committed to keeping procedures simple. Partnerships are able to provide grant funding and in-kind support to voluntary organisations who might otherwise be able to engage with Connexions.

  It is the responsibility of contractors—including voluntary organisations—to ensure they fulfil contractual requirements, which partnerships monitor to ensure compliance.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost of the Connexions Card scheme has been. [154799]

  Margaret Hodge
  My Department has so far spent £35,884,000 on the Connexions Card scheme.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people have Connexions cards within each partnership area. [154800]

  Margaret Hodge
  The number of young people who have a Connexions Card in each Connexions Partnership area is as follows:

  Connexions Partnership

  Number of young people who have a Connexions Card

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  8,502

  Berkshire

  6,981

  Birmingham and Solihull

  4,075

  Black Country

  8,213

  Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole

  3,816

  Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

  6,318

  Central London

  6,084

  Cheshire and Warrington

  4,507

  Cornwall and Devon

  18,267

  County Durham

  6,740

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  7,877

  Cumbria

  3,771

  Derbyshire

  4,194

  East London

  19,156

  Essex, Southend and Thurrock

  14,304

  Gloucestershire

  2,255

  Greater Manchester

  19,619

  Greater Merseyside

  14,938

  Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  1,434

  Hertfordshire

  8,235

  Humber

  16,653

  Kent and Medway

  19,560

  Lancashire

  4,294

  Leicestershire

  11,887

  Lincolnshire and Rutland

  6,986

  Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

  6,938

  188W

  Connexions Partnership

  Number of young people who have a Connexions Card

  Norfolk

  6,198

  North London

  14,506

  Northamptonshire

  8,421

  Northumberland

  4,138

  Nottinghamshire

  10,455

  Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

  3,015

  Somerset

  1,562

  South Central

  10,109

  South London

  11,533

  South Yorkshire

  7,127

  Staffordshire

  6,142

  Suffolk

  2,905

  Surrey

  10,759

  Sussex

  8,277

  Swindon and Wiltshire

  5,429

  Tees Valley

  20,052

  Tyne and Wear

  18,897

  West London

  8,396

  West of England

  8,738

  West Yorkshire

  11,857

  York and North Yorkshire

  3,721

  Total

  417,841

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people used Connexions Direct, on average, in each of the last six months broken down by(a) age and (b) ethnic origin. [154801]

  Margaret Hodge
  In the past six months (August 2003 to January 2004) Connexions Direct advisers handled an average of 16,000 contacts per month. In addition there were 70,000 visits per month to the Connexions Direct website.

  Many young people choose to remain anonymous when they contact Connexions Direct. Of those that chose to provide information, around 14 per cent. were aged 13 to 14, 39 per cent. 15 to 16 and 38 per cent. 17 to 19. Of those remaining around 1 per cent. were under 13 and the remainder were over 19. Information about ethnic origin is not available as reports over the past six months show no disclosure from young people.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how complaints from(a) parents and (b) young people about Connexions Direct are dealt with. [154802]

  Margaret Hodge
  All complaints from parents and young people are logged and investigated. If the complaint is during a call or webchat, the Connexions Direct duty manager will take over and deal with it immediately.

  In the past six months 15 complaints and 68 praise calls have been logged.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been spent on the(a) purchase and (b) rental of buildings by each Connexions area partnership in each year since its establishment. [154803]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is provided in the following table.
  189W

  Spend (£s)

  2001–2002

  2002–2003

  Partnership

  Start date

  Purchase of buildings

  Rental of buildings

  Purchase of buildings

  Rental of buildings

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  September 2002

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

  April 2002

  0

  257,825

  Essex Southend and Thurrock

  September 2002

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire1

  April 2002

  0

  0

  Norfolk1

  January 2003

  18,000

  0

  Suffolk1

  September 2001

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  September 2002

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  September 2002

  0

  135,192

  Lincolnshire and Rutland

  April 2001

  0

  128,177

  0

  143,298

  Northamptonshire

  September 2002

  0

  147,410

  Nottinghamshire

  April 2002

  0

  199,197

  Central London1

  June 2002

  0

  0

  East London

  April 2002

  0

  94,000

  North London

  April 2001

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South London

  April 2001

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West London

  September 2002

  0

  24,000

  County Durham1

  April 2002

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  April 2003

  0

  Tees Valley

  September 2002

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear1

  April 2002

  0

  0

  Cheshire and Warrington

  April 2001

  183,037

  304,372

  53,307

  238,600

  Cumbria

  April 2001

  0

  123,950

  0

  137,269

  Gtr Manchester

  September 2002

  0

  88,208

  Gtr Merseyside

  September 2001

  195,770

  242,436

  1,324,924

  319,245

  Lancashire

  April 2002

  98,000

  338,000

  Berkshire

  January 2003

  0

  21,840

  Kent and Medway

  November 2002

  0

  28,000

  Milton Keynes Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

  April 2001

  0

  0

  0

  14,000

  South Central

  September 2002

  0

  24,500

  Surrey

  November 2002

  0

  0

  Sussex

  September 2002

  0

  29,820

  Bournemouth Poole and Dorset

  April 2002

  0

  140,286

  Cornwall and Devon

  April 2001

  0

  313,000

  0

  334,000

  Gloucestershire

  April 2002

  175,273

  181,570

  Somerset

  April 2002

  44,229

  225,351

  West of England

  April 2001

  62,000

  0

  4,000

  331,000

  Wiltshire and Swindon

  September 2002

  0

  10,750

  Birmingham and Solihull

  September 2002

  274,356

  402,500

  Black Country

  April 2001

  0

  0

  478,000

  36,000

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  April 2001

  0

  0

  208,605

  360,060

  Hereford and Worcester

  April 2002

  0

  157,221

  Shropshire Telford and Wrekin

  April 2001

  0

  88,470

  2—

  2—

  Staffordshire

  April 2002

  0

  264,500

  Humberside

  September 2001

  0

  23,375

  0

  23,375

  South Yorkshire

  April 2001

  0

  0

  0

  18,850

  West Yorkshire

  October 2002

  0

  0

  York and North Yorkshire

  September 2002

  8,647

  0

  1 These are Lead Body Partnerships for which we have separate accounting arrangements that do not require details of rental expenditure

  2Accounts are not submitted yet

  Note:

  A zero indicates that a Partnership did not incur any expenditure on buildings (e.g. because it took over existing premises). The absence of any figure for 2001–02 means that the Partnership did not start until 2002–03

  Source:

  Partnerships' Annual Statutory Accounts

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what qualifications are required of Connexions personal advisers who give drugs counselling to clients. [154805]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: To be fully qualified Connexions Service personal advisers are required to have an NVQ level 4 or equivalent in a relevant professional discipline and have undertaken Connexions specific training in delivering and brokering a wide range of support for young people. This includes information on drugs and alcohol issues. Connexions training equips advisers to recognise the boundaries of their existing professional competence
  190W
  and to refer to specialist services when necessary. In 2003–04, £1 million has been made available to Connexions Service Partnerships to provide additional training to personal advisers on drugs related issues.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been distributed to voluntary organisations through the Connexions service in each year since its establishment. [154806]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]:Connexions Partnerships make both grant awards and contract payments to voluntary organizations. In

  191W
  2001–02 these totalled £2.2 million, in 2002–03 £10.1 million and in the first six months of 2003–04 (the latest data available) £4.3 million.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average salary of a Connexions personal adviser is in(a) each area partnership and (b) England. [154807]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: My Department does not keep any data on the average salaries of Connexions personal advisers. Under their financial memorandum, partnerships are able to set their own salary rates taking account of qualification levels and local labour market factors.

  Contact and Residence Disputes
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of whether a legal presumption of contact as a principle to the consideration of contact and residence disputes would generally be in the best interests of the child; [152997]

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether a legal presumption of contact would contradict the best interest principle of the Children Act 1989. [152998]

  Margaret Hodge
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 5 January 2004,Official Report, column 67W. The Government support the view that, in general, children benefit from a continuing relationship with both parents following parental separation, where it is in the best interests of the child and safe for all family members. The fundamental principle of the Children Act 1989 is that
  "the child's welfare shall be the court's paramount consideration".

  There is no automatic "right" to contact for either fathers or mothers, but in practice the courts have taken the view that, in most cases, the child's welfare is best served by contact with both parents.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total(a) schools funding spending share, (b) school pupil numbers and (c) schools funding spending share per pupil was in (i) Leicestershire, (ii) Leicester City, (iii) Lincolnshire, (iv) Nottinghamshire, (v) Derbyshire and (vi) Northamptonshire for (A) 2003–04 and (B) 2004–05. [155400]

  Mr. Miliband
  The figures requested are shown in the following table. The Schools Formula Spending Share (SFSS) formula comprises a basic entitlement for each pupil, which is the same across the country, plus a top-up for each pupil with additional educational needs, which is again the same across the country, plus top-ups for areas where it costs more to recruit and retain teachers and for areas which are sparsely populated. Local education authorities with a greater proportion of pupils with additional educational needs or higher average earnings or with significant sparsity will receive a higher level of funding per pupil.
  192W

  SFSS (£ millions)

  3 to 15 pupil numbers used in SFSS calculation

  SFSS per pupil (£)

  2004–05

  Leicestershire

  261.260

  94,914

  2,753

  Leicester City

  154.136

  46,910

  3,286

  Lincolnshire

  290.926

  100,708

  2,889

  Nottinghamshire

  332.137

  115,506

  2,875

  Derbyshire

  322.361

  113,154

  2,849

  Northamptonshire

  298.063

  102,153

  2,918

  2003–04

  Leicestershire

  246.965

  94,898

  2,602

  Leicester City

  145.959

  47,196

  3,093

  Lincolnshire

  271.211

  99,652

  2,722

  Nottinghamshire

  314.974

  116,298

  2,708

  Derbyshire

  302.640

  113,297

  2,671

  Northamptonshire

  282.783

  102,576

  2,757

  Educational Achievement
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. what percentage of pupils left school with no qualifications in each of the last five years. [155424]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is as follows:

  Academic year

  Percentage of 15 year old pupils with no GCSE/GNVQ passes

  1999

  6.0

  2000

  5.6

  2001

  5.5

  2002

  5.4

  2003

  5.2

  Environmental Education
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes will be made to the sources of funding for environmental education in schools when the landfill tax credit scheme is amended. [154460]

  Mr. Miliband
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Guildford (Sue Doughty) on 29 January 2004,Official Report,columns 525–26W.

  Further Education
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills now many new(a) sixth forms, (b) sixth form centres and (c) sixth form colleges have opened in each London borough under the London Challenge Planning since May 2003. [153092]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Since May 2003, the following new provision for 16–19 year olds has opened:

  Sixth forms:
  Brent: Capital City Academy (11–18 Academy), replacing Willesden High School (11–18 school).
  Ealing: West London Academy (11–18 Academy), replacing Compton High School and Sports College (11–18 school).
  Lambeth: new sixth form at Dunraven School.

  193W
  Lambeth: new sixth form at St. Martin in the Fields High School.
  Southwark: The Academy at Peckham (11–18 Academy), replacing Warwick Park (11–16 school).

  Sixth form centres:
  Ealing: new sixth form centre as part of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College in Southall.
  Islington: new sixth form centre as part of City and Islington College at the Angel.
  Southwark: new sixth form academy as part of Southwark College at Waterloo.

  Sixth form colleges:
  No sixth form colleges have opened since May 2003.

  Golden Hellos
  Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to introduce golden hellos that write off tuition fees for graduates taking up public service careers in areas where there are shortages of personnel. [154108]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: I stated in the House on 27 January that I was commissioning a report to examine the gateways into the professions. On 12 February I was pleased to inform the House that Sir Alan Langlands, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dundee has agreed to lead this work.

  The report will examine how the public sector and the professions can sustain and improve recruitment opportunities for graduates, especially those who do not qualify for the full £3,000 support. Sir Alan will be reporting to us by mid-2005.

  However, the Government is already spending in excess of £700 million to support the recruitment and retention of graduates into the public services, for example teachers, dentists and social workers. Part of Sir Alan's work will be to examine this current support and analyse its effectiveness. Additionally he will research current practice in the private sector with a view to determining how employers might respond in a variable fee environment.

  Holiday Prices
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will discuss with the travel industry the differential pricing of holidays out of school term time. [152073]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  My Department has an on-going relationship with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), with whom we are in discussion on the issue of holiday pricing. ABTA advises that if parents book early, discounts may be made available for holidays out of term time. We also know that some local education authorities work in partnership with local tour operators to offer incentives to parents to take their children on holiday outside term time. Good practice on this issue is available at: www.dfes.gov/schoolattendance I am currently considering how this good practice could be implemented in all areas.

  The Office of Fair Trading has the power to look into holiday pricing if there is evidence of anti-competitive behaviour. At present, they have no such evidence.

  Independent Schools
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many independent schools have applied for conversion to state schools since 1997; how many of these applications have been accepted; and what reasons have been given when applications have been declined. [154818]

  Mr. Miliband
  Since 1997, 22 independent schools have applied to become maintained schools; of these 19 have been approved. Where approval was not given the reasons included a lack of basic need; surplus places in the area; questions on the longer term education and financial viability of the proposed schools; and being dissatisfied about the school's ability to deliver the full range of the National Curriculum.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average waiting time has been for claims for payment from the terminated individual learning accounts to be assessed and paid. [154339]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Since the closure of the Individual Learning Account (ILA) programme on the 23 November 2001, due to serious potential fraud and abuse, the average waiting time for payment of ILA incentives, in cases where validation checks to confirm the propriety of payments from public funds are straightforward, is 20 days. The average waiting time for payment to learning providers in cases where validation checks have proved complex is some 17 months. This takes into account procedures for obtaining sufficiently robust evidence from both learning providers and learners to ensure the propriety of payments from the public purse and lengthy settlement negotiations.

  Where registered learning providers have submitted a claim following the Ombudsman's Report into ILAs of 10 April 2003, the average waiting time for payment, including validation checks, is a little under 5 months.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that claims for payment to training providers are settled promptly from the terminated individual learning accounts. [154340]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ensure the propriety of payments and to protect public funds the Department requires registered learning providers to supply appropriate evidence to support all Individual Learning Account (ILA) claims. This evidence is subject to thorough validation checks before payments are made. Since closure of the ILA programme on 23 November 2001, due to serious potential fraud and abuse, to the end of January 2004 the Department's process for validating claims has resulted in £12.9 million being paid to 3,420 registered learning providers.

  Where we have unresolved complaints or there are other on-going concerns, payments continue to be withheld pending the outcomes of inquiries and investigations. Currently, following closure, £14.8 million is withheld.

  Information Sharing
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the new information referral and tracking system protocols and technical developments will interrelate with the wider e-Government programme; and how they will be integrated to ensure that local authorities are not unduly burdened. [155074]

  Margaret Hodge
  Any new systems will conform to the e-GIF (e-Government Interoperability Framework) and we are working with the Office of e-Envoy to ensure that those requirements are met.

  We are consulting other Government Departments on potential links with their e-Government developments and also liaising with ODPM colleagues in regard to the local e-Government programme. Our proposals in this area would only be commenced subject to a proper assessment of impact on local authorities and their capacity to deliver.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much additional funds will be available to support the implementation of new information referral and tracking systems. [155075]

  Margaret Hodge
  Funding for the implementation of our proposals on information sharing systems will depend on the outcome of the 2004 spending review.

  Research Grants
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on the regional dimension of future research grant allocation. [152639]

  Alan Johnson
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocates research funding selectively to universities by a formula according to the quality and volume of their research activity. The funding formula has no explicit regional element. The Government's policy is to target available resources on the highest quality research wherever it exists to ensure our global competitiveness.

  The report of the Lambert Review of Business-University Collaboration in December 2003 recommends that there should be a new stream of funding for business-led collaborative research, which should be delivered at a regional level through Regional Development Agencies. The Government expect to respond fully to the report this summer.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria are set for dispute resolution within learning and skills councils. [154860]

  Alan Johnson
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria he uses in determining value for money from learning and skills 196W
  councils; and what account he takes of value for money from councils when deciding upon re-appointment of council (a) directors and (b) board members. [154861]

  Alan Johnson
  The Learning and Skills Council Remit Letter, issued in November 2000, places a duty on the LSC to make the best use of its resources. It requires the Council to take account of the findings from individual provider and area inspection reports, and the assessments of the Inspectorates about whether the financial resources made available to providers are managed effectively and used in ways which provide value for money.

  The appointment of directors to the LSC is an operational matter for the LSC. Over 600 local Council 'board' members bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise to bear on the delivery of the skills agenda at the local level. They make this commitment on a voluntary basis (which clearly yields excellent value for money). Appointments of Council members is in line with the Nolan principles of fair and open competition and operated in accordance with the guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Reappointments are a matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Learning Disabilities
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on education provision for(a) children and (b) adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. [153785]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Education Act 1996 places duties on local education authorities (LEAs) and all LEA-maintained schools to identify, assess and make suitable provision to meet children's special educational needs (SEN), including the SEN of children with profound and multiple learning difficulties. In doing so, maintained schools and LEAs must have regard to the SEN Code of Practice, which gives practical guidance on identifying and meeting children's SEN, covering all areas of need—communication and interaction; cognition and learning; behaviour, emotional and social development and sensory and physical needs.

  The Government's new SEN Strategy "Removing Barriers to Achievement", launched on 11 February, will build on the improvements to the statutory framework brought about by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act and the SEN Code of Practice, both 2001. Children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities will benefit particularly from the proposals in the Strategy to improve early support for children with special needs from birth, to improve multi-agency working throughout education and in the transition to adult life, and to transform special schools, giving them an important role to play in providing education for children with the most severe and complex needs and sharing their specialist skills and knowledge with mainstream schools to provide children with a range of inclusive experiences.

  My Department has strengthened the rights of people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD), including those with profound and multiple learning

  197W
  disabilities, to appropriate post-16 provision through a combination of legislative change and collaborative work with key organisations representing disabled learners. Under Section 13 of the, Learning and Skills Act 2000, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has a specific responsibility to help young people and adults with LDD. Although the LSC does not develop policies relating to specific groups of learners, its broad remit means that it can fund a wide range of provision to ensure these learners have access to suitable provision which meets their needs and, where appropriate, the additional support they require to undertake it.

  Lifelong Learning
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the paper from the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education on the implementation of lifelong learning. [155691]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  I have only recently received the paper which NIACE is circulating to key partners in advance of the Government's forthcoming Spending Review. The Government will consider the submission during the Spending Review.

  Mathematics Degrees
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list, for the most recent year for which information is available, the(a) first degree subjects studied and (b) first degree classifications achieved by those completing PGCEs in mathematics; and if he will make a statement. [154928]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information on the first-degree subjects studied by students on Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses is not collected centrally. However, all candidates training to teach secondary school pupils in England must, by law, demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of their subject at a standard equivalent to degree level before Qualified Teacher Status may be awarded.

  Of those candidates who successfully completed PGCE courses in mathematics in 2001/02, the latest year for which data are available, and whose first-degree classification is known, 10 per cent. held First-class Honours; 31 per cent. Upper Second-class Honours; 37 per cent. Lower Second-class Honours; and 13 per cent. Third-class Honours. A further 8 per cent. held Ordinary degrees.

  Modern Apprenticeship (Sporting Excellence)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will trial the modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme before it is introduced to all relevant sporting organisations; [146458]

  (2) how the more academically gifted young footballers' academic requirements will be taken into account when the modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme is introduced; [146459]

  (3) if he will delay the introduction of the modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme until full consultation has been possible with all those involved; [146460]
  198W
  (4) if he will allow sporting organisations more flexibility than provided for in the proposed modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme to adapt the scheme to allow progression in careers other than sport. [146461]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  It was the intention to introduce the new Modern Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence MA SE for football from August 2004. I have decided that the current football scholarship will be available for a further year while work to develop a Modern Apprenticeship framework appropriate for football is continued. We ensure that all relevant football interests are consulted about the design of the framework. The scholarship will then be phased out from 2005.

  Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many fathers have been imprisoned in the last 30 years based on expert witness evidence of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. [152114]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: I have been asked to reply.

  Neither the prison service nor the Crown Prosecution Service keeps records of cases in accordance with the type of expert evidence given at trial.

  Since the release of Angela Cannings by the Court of Appeal and its published judgment, the Attorney General has instigated a number of measures. Over the last 10 years, a total of 258 convictions over the last 10 years for the murder, manslaughter or infanticide of a child under two by its parent have been identified. Of those, a total of 72 relate to persons still serving a custodial sentence. These will be accorded the utmost priority. Currently, some 365 boxes of evidence relating to 52 high priority cases have been recovered from central storage and dispatched to CPS areas for them to conduct an initial review. The remaining high priority cases are being recovered from the areas themselves.

  Once the review becomes fully underway, the offences comprising the 258 convictions and the issue at trial will become clearer. Once that stage has been reached and more information is known on these cases it may be possible for me to write further to you with additional information that you seek.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he received a letter from Jan Loxley-Blount warning of the occurrence of misdiagnosis of Munchausen syndrome by proxy and subsequent miscarriages of justice. [152029]

  Margaret Hodge
  The first correspondence from Jan Loxley-Blount that the Department for Education and Skills has on record is dated 17 May 2000.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the term Munchausen syndrome by proxy changed to fabricated or induced illness; and what the reasons for the change were. [152030]
  199W
  Margaret Hodge
  The consultation document: "Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced" issued in June 2001 addressed this issue at paragraph 1.4:"The use of terminology to describe the fabrication or induction of illness in a child has been the subject of considerable debate between professionals. These differences of opinion may result in a loss of focus on the welfare of the child. In order to keep the child's safety and welfare as the primary focus of all professional activity, this Guidance refers to the 'fabrication or induction of illness in a child by a carer' rather than using a particular term. If, as a result of a carer's behaviour, there is concern that the child is likely to suffer significant harm, this guidance should be followed. The key issue is not what term to use to describe this type of abuse, but the impact of fabricated or induced illness on the child's health and development, and consideration of how best to safeguard the child's welfare."

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what measures he intends to put in place to reduce the numbers of parents wrongly accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy; [152032]

  (2) what measures he intends to put in place in social services to reduce the number of parents wrongly accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. [152132]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Government Guidance "Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced" was published in August 2002. It is supplementary guidance to "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's interagency guidance on child protection. The Guidance

  Children who started to be looked after during the years ending 31 March 1998 to 2002 by legal status on starting1—England

  Numbers

  Percentages

  Legal status

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  1998

  1999

  2001

  2002

  All children2

  29,700

  28,400

  28,600

  25,100

  24,600

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  Care order

  4,200

  4,300

  4,300

  4,300

  4,100

  14

  15

  15

  17

  17

  Interim care order

  3,300

  3,500

  3,800

  3,900

  3,800

  11

  12

  13

  15

  16

  Full care order

  910

  880

  510

  450

  270

  3

  3

  2

  2

  1

  Youth Justice legal statuses

  1,600

  1,400

  1,300

  840

  720

  5

  5

  5

  3

  3

  On remand or committed for trial

  1,400

  1,200

  1,200

  760

  680

  5

  4

  4

  3

  3

  Detained under PACE3

  200

  180

  150

  60

  40

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Supervision order

  10

  10

  20

  20

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Detained for child protection

  3,100

  3,300

  3,300

  2,700

  3,000

  11

  12

  12

  11

  12

  Police protection

  1,500

  1,500

  1,600

  1,500

  1,600

  5

  5

  6

  6

  7

  Emergency protection order

  1,600

  1,800

  1,700

  1,300

  1,400

  6

  6

  6

  5

  6

  Under child assessment order

  —

  10

  0

  10

  20

  –

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Freed for adoption

  80

  110

  20

  20

  20

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Voluntary agreement under S20 CA 1989 (single placements)

  20,500

  19,100

  19,500

  17,200

  16,700

  69

  67

  68

  68

  68

  Others legal status

  140

  160

  70

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1 only the first occasion on which a child started to be looked after in the year has been counted.

  2 Figures for children looked after in this table exclude agreed series of short-term placements.

  3 Children detained in local authority accommodation under section 38(6)of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

  Muslim School Children
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been assessed as having more than (i) 50, (ii) 75 and (iii) 90 per cent. of pupils who are classified as Muslim; and for how many of these schools this is a consequence of admissions criteria based on religious denomination. [154817]
  200W
  sets out a clear process for all agencies to follow in relation to cases involving fabricated or induced illness in a child. It requires evidence-based decisions to be taken at each stage of the process by a multi-agency, multi professional team.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children have been removed from their parents since changes to social services guidance in 1998 which made reference to Munchausen syndrome by proxy. [152015]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Government did not issue any guidance to social services in 1998 in relation to Munchausen syndrome by proxy. In February 1998 it issued a consultation paper entitled "Working Together to Safeguard Children: New Government Proposals For Inter-Agency Co-operation". This document did not contain any reference to Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Following the consultation, "Working Together to Safeguard Children" was issued in 1999. Subsequently, supplementary guidance, "Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced", was issued in August 2002

  We do not hold information about the numbers of children looked after where they have had illness fabricated or induced. However, statistics from the Department of Health's statistics of Children Looked After by Local Authorities for the Year Ending 31 March 2002, about all children who started to be looked after in each year from 1998 to 2002, are as follows:

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Information on the religion of pupils is not collected centrally.

  In January 2003 there were 1,647 primary schools and 115 secondary schools reporting selective intake where the main criterion for offering a place was based on religion. This is equivalent to 9.2 per cent. of maintained primary schools and 3.3 per cent. of maintained secondary schools.
  201W
  The religious character of two primary schools and two secondary schools was Muslim (as at January 2003).

  Post-16 Education
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the Learning and Skills Council on engagement with industry in post-16 education. [154538]

  Alan Johnson
  As a member of the national Skills Alliance the Learning and Skills Council has a major part to play in securing the effective implementation of our Skills Strategy. The Strategy sets a new framework for tackling our long-standing skills gaps and meeting the needs of industry.

  Savings Schemes (Secondary Schools)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what savings account schemes 202W
  operate in secondary schools; and what steps his Department is taking to encourage and support the development of such schemes. [154944]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department does not hold information about savings account schemes operating in secondary schools and has no plans to support the development of such schemes.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provisions there are in the national curriculum to provide education on the management of personal finances and savings to secondary school pupils. [154946]

  Mr. Miliband
  Personal finance education, which includes budgeting and saving, is provided in the curriculum through the framework of personal, social and health education. There is also provision for schools to teach financial management through other subjects such as mathematics.

  Personal Finance Education Guidance for schools was produced by the Department in July 2000.

EDUCATION

  School Construction
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the new schools to be built in(a) Bassetlaw, (b) Birmingham, Northfield, (c) Birmingham, Perry Barr, (d) Blaydon, (e) Blyth Valley, (f) Bootle, (g) Bradford, West, (h) Braintree, (i) Burton, (j) Coventry, North-West, (k) Coventry, South, (l) Dover, (m) Ealing, North, (n) Eltham, (o) Feltham and Heston, (p) Forest of Dean, (q) Gateshead, East and Washington, West, (r) Hammersmith and Fulham, (s) Hendon, (t) Hornsey and Wood Green, (u) Ilford, North, (v) Kettering, (w) Knowsley, South, (x) Lancaster and Wyre, (y) Leeds, North-East, (z) Leeds, West, (aa) Leicester, East, (bb) Lewisham, Deptford, (cc) Liverpool, Riverside, (dd) Loughborough, (ee) Manchester, Withington, (ff) Milton Keynes, North-East, (gg) Northampton, South, (hh) North-West Leicestershire, (ii) Reading, East, (jj) Reading, West, (kk) Rugby and Kenilworth, (ll) Sheffield, Attercliffe, (mm) Sheffield, Hillsborough, (nn) Sittingbourne and Sheppey, (oo) Stevenage, (pp) Stockton North, (qq) Stoke-on-Trent, (rr) Stourbridge, (ss) Thurrock, (tt) Tyne Bridge, (uu) Wallasey, (vv) Wansbeck, (ww) Waveney, (xx) West

  List of schools being built or due to be built in the near future

  Constituency

  School name

  (a) Bassetlaw

  Bassetlaw post 16 and community learning centre—December 2002

  Bircotes and Harworth Community Secondary School—December 2002

  Hartland Comprehensive School—December 2002

  Portland Comprehensive—December 2002

  Retford Oaks High—December 2002

  The Elizabethan High School—December 2002

  The King Edward VI School—December 2002

  Tuxford Comprehensive School—December 2002

  Valley Comprehensive School—December 2002

  (c) Birmingham, Perry Bar

  Kingsland Primary School—March 2003

  St. James CE Jl School (VC)—March 2003

  (k) Coventry, South

  St. Mary's and St. Benedict's Catholic Primary—2002

  (m) Ealing, North

  West London Academy—December 2002

  (q) Gateshead, East and Washington, West

  St. Edmund Campion Roman Catholic—2003

  (s) Hendon

  Akiva—2004

  (y) Leeds, North-East

  Allerton Grange—November 2003

  Carr Manor new High School—November 2003

  (bb) Lewisham, Deptford

  Ashmead Primary School—April 2002

  Childeric Primary School—April 2002

  Lewisham 2 Haberdashers—March 2004

  Crofton School—April 2002

  Gordonbrock Primary School—April 2002

  (cc) Liverpool, Riverside

  Shorefields School—June 1999

  Vauxhall VA Primary School—June 1999

  Liverpool 2 Kensington—August 2003

  (ff) Milton Keynes

  Christ the Sower—2003

  St. Bernadettes—2002

  (gg) Northampton, South

  Delapre Middle School—December 2002

  Duston Upper School—December 2002

  St. Crispins Primary—December 2002

  (ll) Sheffield, Attercliffe

  Westfield School—November 2002

  (rr) Stourbridge—Dudley

  Colley Lane Primary School—June 2000

  (xx) West Lancashire

  Guerdon Church—2003

  204W
  Lancashire, (yy) Wirral, West, (zz) Wolverhampton, North-East and (aaa) Wolverhampton, South-East; and when the decision was taken to build them. [153776]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following annex lists the schools and academies that, to our knowledge, are being built or are scheduled to be built in the near future.

  However, as the majority of capital funding is now allocated to local education authorities by formula, so that they can fund locally agreed priorities, the Department does not collect detailed information about all new schools being built within an authority. Therefore additional information on this should be held locally.

  Overall capital investment is set to rise from £3.8 billion this year to over £5 billion in 2005–06, compared to under £700 million in 1996–97. Within the overall funding for 2003–04, £512 million has been allocated on the basis of demonstrated basic need (new pupil places). However, it is for local education authorities to decide whether or not they need to build a new school in order to accommodate all pupils in their area.

  The hon. Member will be aware that we have just announced successful projects for the first wave of the Building Schools for the Future programme, which aims to rebuild or renew all secondary schools within a 10–15 year period.

  School Deficits
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will the list the deficit for each school as at 31 March 2003, broken down by local education authority. [154605]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is not yet available. The Department is awaiting a complete dataset relating to the 2002–03 financial year from a number of local education authorities. I shall write to the hon. Member when all of the information for 2002–03 is to hand.

  School Funding
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what(a) financial and (b) other assistance is available to help schools adapt to the change in funding they receive as a result of falling rolls. [152134]

  Mr. Miliband
  The minimum funding guarantee, which is part of the package of measures to restore stability and certainty to school funding over the next two years announced by the Secretary of State on 29 October, specifically recognises that schools with falling rolls have fixed costs for items such as cleaning, repairs and heating which do not reduce when pupil numbers go down. Such schools are guaranteed a per pupil funding increase in 2004–05 of more than 4 per cent., which is our guaranteed increase for schools where numbers do not change. In addition, LEAs can have safety nets in their local funding formulae to assist schools with falling rolls, and the mechanism which provides revenue support grant to authorities has one year data lag built into it designed to assist LEAs with overall falling rolls in their schools.

  School Meals
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the net cost of the provision of school meals was to Essex county council in each year from 1990 to 2003. [150910]

  Mr. Miliband
  My Department does not collect this information from schools or local education authorities.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money on average was spent per pupil per day on school meals by East Riding of Yorkshire local education authority in each of the last three years in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. [153284]

  Mr. Miliband
  My Department does not collect this information from schools or local education authorities.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many local authorities have delegated the school meals service to primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [151764]

  Mr. Miliband
  My Department does not collect this information.

  Schools (Nottingham)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice his Department gave to the City 206W
  of Nottingham on its bid under the Building Schools for the Future programme; and if he will make a statement on the quality of the bid. [152954]

  Mr. Miliband
  In July 2003, we announced guidance on the Building Schools for the Future programme which invited all authorities to apply for funding in the first wave of the programme, or to express an interest in inclusion in later waves. My officials then held a series of road shows around the country, to which all authorities were invited, where they were able to discuss the programme and the guidance in open sessions and also in one-to-one sessions with my officials.

  Proposals for inclusion in the first wave of funding from 2005–06 have now been rigorously appraised against the criteria for prioritisation in the guidance, and we are shortly to make an announcement. Announcements on subsequent wave funding will be made later this year.

  We propose to give detailed feedback to authorities which are not successful in applications for wave one funding.

  Schools for the Future
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the criteria are for his decisions on the allocation of money for Schools for the Future; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [154604]

  Mr. Miliband
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 15 January 2004,Official Report, column 896W. We published our criteria for prioritisation in the Building Schools for the Future Programme in July 2003, and is available for reference in the Libraries of the House.

  Secondary Schools
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to improve educational attainment in the early years of secondary school; and if he will make a statement. [154657]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: The Government are committed to improving the attainment of all 11 to 14-year-olds through the Key Stage 3 National Strategy which is central to our wider plans for transforming secondary education. The strategy aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom by investing in teachers' professional development.

  The strategy is starting to make a significant impact on standards after only one full year of implementation. The 2003 Key Stage 3 test results stand as the best ever on record with improvements in every subject and at every level. OFSTED have also endorsed the positive impact of the strategy and that it has been welcomed by teachers. Our priority is to build on the gains so far by further embedding the strategy, tackling under performance and supporting teachers in tailoring teaching and learning to better meet the needs of pupils and so personalise their learning experience.

  Sir Roy Meadow/David Southall
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the General Medical Council about Professor Sir Roy Meadow. [152016]

  Margaret Hodge
  I have not spoken to the General Medical Council, but my officials sought confirmation from GMC officials in autumn last year of press reports that Professor Sir Roy Meadow was under GMC investigation.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when(a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) officials in his Department last met (i) Sir Roy Meadow and (ii) David Southall. [154403]

  Margaret Hodge
  As far as we can tell from available records, no Minister or official from this Department has ever met with either in an official capacity.

  Skill Shortages
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which region had the highest proportion of vacancies as a result of skill shortages in 1997. [154237]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We can not say which region had the highest proportion of vacancies as a result of skill shortages in 1997 as this data were not reported in the employer survey of that time.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many job vacancies he estimates are unfilled as a result of skill shortages. [154238]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We do not know how many job vacancies are unfilled as a result of skill shortages. It is estimated that 135,000 job vacancies were hard to fill for skill-related reasons at the time of the Learning and Skills Council's National Employer Skills Survey but this does not mean that the vacancies will go unfilled.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost is of providing special needs education in(a) mainstream and (b) special schools in Gloucestershire in 2003–04; what percentage this forms of the total education budget; and if he will make a statement. [153405]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 6 February 2004]: The information requested is given in the table:

  Total cost of providing special needs education in both mainstream and special schools in Gloucestershire in 2003–04

  £

  SEN element of schools budget1

  9,320,818

  SEN element of LEA budget2

  1,830,229

  ISB for special schools3

  12,223,481

  Funding delegated to primary and secondary schools indentified as "National SEN"4

  10,176,629

  Cost of providing special needs education5

  33,551,157

  Total education budget6

  286,597,291

  Cost of providing special needs education as a percentage of total education budget

  12

  1 As recorded in lines 1.1.1 to 1.1.5 of Table 1 of the budget statement.

  2 As recorded in line 2.2.6 of Table 1 of the budget statement.
  208W
  3 As recorded in line 1.0.1 of Table 1 of the budget statement.

  4 As recorded on Table 2 of the budget statement (figures are only indicative of the amount that might be spent by schools on SEN).

  5 Sum of 1 to 4.

  6 As recorded on line 3 of Table 1 of the budget statement.

  Note:

  The data are taken from 2003–04 Section 52 Budget Statements as reported by Gloucestershire LEA.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the comparative employment prospects of pupils with special needs educated in(a) mainstream schools and (b) special schools. [155999]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  No central record is kept of the outcomes for all young people with special educational needs (SEN) who attended mainstream or special schools. However, my Department has commissioned a longitudinal study of the post-l6 transitions of young people with SEN. Wave one, which took place between January 2000 and September 2001 when the young people in the study were still aged 15–16, found that more mainstream school pupils with SEN wanted to look for a job at the end of their compulsory schooling than special school pupils (28 per cent. as against 16 per cent.). The results from wave two of the study will be published in the spring and a wave three has been commissioned. These waves will show the development of any differential employment outcomes as between mainstream and special school pupils.

  The new SEN strategy "Removing Barriers to Achievement", launched on 11 February, announced cross-Government action to improve the opportunities for progression beyond school for young people with SEN. A multi-agency group has been established to take this work forward and promoting employment as an aim in planning for the futures of almost all young people with SEN is one of the main objectives of this group. The group's work will take account of the findings of the SEN longitudinal study.

  Special Measures
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he had with the Chief Inspector of Schools about the publication of the list of schools in special measures. [154834]

  Mr. Miliband
  My right hon. Friend has frequent discussions with HM Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, about a range of matters relating to standards in schools.

  Specialist Schools
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many selective schools are also specialist schools; what arrangements are in place for pupils who fail the entry tests to these schools to be able to attend a school with a similar specialism; and if he will make a statement. [154932]

  Mr. Miliband
  98 of the 1,686 designated specialist schools are selective grammar schools. On the basis of the latest collated information, 40 specialist schools have chosen to select a proportion of their pupils by aptitude.
  209W
  The admissions process for specialist schools is the same as for all other maintained schools. Applicants must be considered against the school's published admission arrangements, including, where applicable, selection.

  If a parent is refused a place for their child because the child fails an entry test to a selective maintained school, they have the right to appeal against that decision to an independent appeal panel.

  Local education authorities have a duty to ensure that they provide sufficient schools for the children living in their area who need one. There is no duty to provide schools with a particular specialism.

  Student Finance
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government's figures for the cost of student loan subsidies include an element for(a) administration and (b) bad debt. [152790]

  Alan Johnson
  The Government's figures for the cost of student loan subsidies do include a provision for bad debt and for loans not recovered from borrowers meeting the criteria for cancellation of the outstanding debt. The costs for administering student loans is not included but are accounted for separately and, are recorded annually in the Departmental Report.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many one-and two-parent households will be eligible for the maximum combined up-front university grant for academic year 2006/07. [154012]

  Alan Johnson
  We expect around 30 per cent. of students will be eligible for a full combined grant of £2,700 in 2006/07, of which we expect around two thirds to be dependent students (who may be from one or two-parent households). Future numbers and proportions of students receiving grants will depend on changes in demand for higher education.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many former students have outstanding loan accounts; how many of these are being repaid; how many are not being repaid because of the low income of the borrower; and what factors, apart from income, are taken into account when repayment is demanded. [153825]

  Alan Johnson
  Most borrowers who started their course from the 1998/99 academic year will repay income-contingent loans. Loans for those who started their course before 1998/99 are repayable on a mortgage-style basis. There are differences in the repayment terms for the two types of loan.

  Borrowers enter repayment status in the April following graduation or otherwise upon leaving their course. There were 1,492,000 student loan borrowers in the United Kingdom in repayment status at the end of the end of the financial year 2002–03. Of these, some 815,000 borrowers had mortgage-style accounts that were up to date with repayments, or income-contingent accounts which are repaid through the tax system.
  210W
  Some 559,000 borrowers who had mortgage-style loan accounts which they were liable to repay had been granted deferment because their income was below the threshold (£21,022 per annum from 1 September 2002, £21,364 from 1 September 2003).

  No repayments are collected from income-contingent borrowers whose income falls below £10,000 per annum. Repayments of income-contingent loans are collected through the tax system and are notified to the Student Loans Company after the end of the tax year for reconciliation with their records. Therefore the data on the number of borrowers with income-contingent loans, where repayments have not been deducted because the borrower's income is below the repayment threshold, are not yet available.

  The income-contingent loan repayment system takes into account whether the borrower is in receipt of disability related benefits, and whether they are covered by the Repayment of Teacher Loans scheme. Loans are cancelled: when the borrower reaches 65 years of age; if the borrower is in receipt of a disability related benefit and is permanently unfit for work; or if the borrower dies.

  The mortgage-style loan repayment system takes into account whether the borrower is in receipt of disability related benefits; whether they are covered by the Repayment of Teacher Loans scheme; and the number of loans taken out. Loans are cancelled: after 25 years or when the borrower reaches the age of 50 (60 if the borrower was aged over 40 when he/she last borrowed), whichever is the earlier; if the borrower is in receipt of a disability related benefit and is permanently unfit for work; or if the borrower dies.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of what the cost of providing maintenance loans to students from 2006/07 would be(a) under existing arrangements and (b) under the proposals in the Higher Education Bill. [154763]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department's future spending plans on maintenance loans under existing arrangements and under the proposals in the Higher Education Bill will depend on the outcome of Spending Review 2004.

  As stated in the Regulatory Impact Assessment published on 8 January, the resource cost1 of raising the maximum rate of maintenance loan to match the basic living costs expenditure of the mid-range student is estimated at £65 million in 2006/07 terms. This is the resource cost to the Government of both the additional amount of maintenance loan advanced and the resulting impact on the repayments of fee loans.

  1Estimates of the resource cost of the loans represent the real economic cost to the Government of providing the loans and take into account the forecast loan repayments, the cost of charging an interest rate below the government's cost of funds and any loan write offs

  Higher Education
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students at higher education institutions in England and Wales are ordinarily resident in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [145687]
  211W
  Alan Johnson
  In 2002/03, there were 5,833 full-time undergraduate students ordinarily resident in Scotland who were enrolled at English and Welsh HE institutions.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from England and Wales are studying at higher education institutions in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [145688]

  Alan Johnson
  In 2002/03, there were 14,238 full-time undergraduate students ordinarily resident in England and Wales who were enrolled at Scottish HE institutions.

  Teachers
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether teachers employed under Schedule 2 of SI 2003 No.1663 are required to register with the General Teaching Council for England; and if he will make a statement. [154929]

  Mr. Miliband
  All teachers with qualified teacher status who are employed in maintained and non-maintained special schools in England are required to register with the General Teaching Council for England. None of the persons referred to in Schedule 2 to The Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) Regulations 2003 are qualified teachers and so are not eligible to register with the Council. The Education Act 2002 provides for a new category of provisional registration which by regulation can be applied to teachers who are not qualified and can be made compulsory. These provisions are not yet in force.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the local education authorities where the number of unqualified teachers employed in January 2003 was greater than in January 1998. [154930]

  Mr. Miliband
  The number of full-time equivalent regular teachers without Qualified Teacher Status rose in all local education authorities in England between January 1998 and January 2003. Over the same period, the number of full-time equivalent regular teachers with Qualified Teacher Status also rose in all local education authorities except the City of London.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the General Teaching Council for England can discipline a teacher who has not paid its subscription; and if he will make a statement. [154931]

  Mr. Miliband
  The General Teaching Council has two sets of powers in relation to non-payment of the registration fee. It can remove a teacher's name from the register which would prevent the teacher from teaching in a maintained or non-maintained special school. However, the Council also has powers to require an employer to deduct the fee from a teacher's salary. Its policy is to use these powers wherever possible, providing it holds employment data on the teacher.

  Tuition Fees
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of the ability of(a) Birkbeck College, University of
  212W
  London and (b) the Open University to compete with other higher education institutions once the new proposals for tuition fees and funding are in place in 2006; [154645]

  (2) what investment plans he has assessed for (a)Birkbeck College, University of London and (b) the Open University; and whether these are included in the Higher Education Bill. [154647]

  Alan Johnson
  The proposals for variable fees in the Higher Education Bill relate to full-time undergraduate students. The Government do not impose restrictions on the fees that may be charged for part-time undergraduate students, such as those attending Birkbeck College and the Open University. The Higher Education Funding Council for England will shortly be conducting a comprehensive review of how their funding for teaching is allocated. In accordance with the statement by my right hon. friend the Secretary of State to the House on 8 January 2004, a major focus of this review will be how the funding system might further support the development of part-time study.

  Jim Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much income was generated from fees paid by students for courses in colleges of further education in each of the past five years. [155219]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Information from the Learning and Skills Council shows that tuition fee income collected by further education institutions from Council funded adult students, their employers or other sources was as follows for the last three years:

  Year

  £m

  2000–01

  1153

  2001–02

  159

  2002–3

  171

  1Includes income from some 16 to 18-year-olds on part-time courses.

  Data for earlier years on a consistent basis are not available without disproportionate cost.

  University Access
  Chris Grayling
  >To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he will define non-traditional backgrounds for students when replacing the postcode premium. [152780]

  Alan Johnson
  The "postcode premium" formed part of the widening access and improving retention funds distributed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) via the teaching grants awarded to higher education institutions (HEIs). For 2004/05 HEFCE has advised HEIs that the distribution of widening access funding will be based on a method that weights:young (under 21 on entry) full-time undergraduate new entrants according to higher education (HE) participation by ward; and
  part-time and mature full-time undergraduates according to average educational achievement by ward.
  213W
  In addition, weightings of 8 per cent. for inner London and 5 per cent. for outer London are incorporated in the funding formula. These refinements will result in a more transparent funding formula that better reflects levels of educational disadvantage, as well as allowing for additional costs of institutions operating in London.

  University Attendance
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) which local education authority had the highest number of school leavers attending university in each year since 1996; and what percentage this represented of the total number of school leavers in these local education authorities; [148445]

  (2) which constituency had the highest number of people attending university in each year since 1996; [148446]

  which constituency had the highest number of school leavers attending university in each year since 1996; and what percentage these were of the total number of school leavers in those constituencies. [148447]

  Alan Johnson
  Figures by constituency are not available centrally.

  The available figures by local education authority (LEA) are given in the table. They currently only hold figures for entry into higher education at 18.

  LEAs with the highest proportion of 18-year-olds accepted for entry to full-time undergraduate courses via the Universities and College Admission Service(UCAS)

  Year of entry

  LEA

  Number of 18-year-olds accepted to HE courses

  Percentage of 18-year-olds in LEA

  1996

  Hampshire

  3,714

  20.5

  1997

  Kent

  3,983

  20.0

  1998

  Surrey

  3,549

  26.1

  1999

  Kent

  3,628

  21.7

  2000

  Kent

  3,575

  22.1

  2001

  Kent

  3,622

  22.0

  2002

  Kent

  3,863

  23.4

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many people attended university from(a) Chorley and (b) Lancashire in each year since 1997; and what percentage this represents of the number of school leavers; [149170]

  (2) how many people attended universities from Chorley in each year since 1996. [151272]

  Alan Johnson
  Numbers and participation rates at constituency level are not held centrally. The available information by local education authority (LEA) is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and covers 18-year-old applicants who were accepted to full-time undergraduate courses in the UK. Figures for Lancashire LEA for the years since 1996 are shown in the table.
  214W

  Number and participation rates of 18-year-olds from Lancashire LEA accepted through UCAS

  Year of entry

  Number

  Participation rate (percentage)

  1996

  3,237

  19.6

  1997

  3,902

  21.8

  1998

  3,256

  21.9

  1999

  3,296

  22.6

  2000

  3,303

  23.0

  2001

  3,418

  23.1

  2002

  3,511

  23.7

  Source:

  UCAS.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people attended university from the Blackpool North and Fleetwood constituency in each year since 1996. [151084]

  Alan Johnson
  Figures by constituency are not held centrally.

  The available information is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). It covers 18-year-old applicants, domiciled in Lancashire Local Education Authority (LEA), who were accepted to full time undergraduate courses in the UK and is given in the table.

  Number of 18-year-old applicant,domiciled in Lancashire1LEA,accepted to HE course through UCAS

  Year of Entry

  LEA

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Lancashire

  3,237

  3,902

  3,256

  3,296

  3,303

  3,418

  3,511

  Blackburn

  n/a

  n/a

  297

  360

  384

  368

  375

  Blackpool

  n/a

  n/a

  240

  250

  263

  254

  272

  1Prior to entry In 1999, figures were recorded as Lancashire LEA. Due to Local Government re-organisations, figures for 1999 entry onwards for Lancashire LEA were split into three LEAs: Lancashire, Blackburn and Blackpool.

  Source:

  UCAS

  Vocational Training
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what schemes other than the Modern Apprenticeship scheme are in place for the provision of skills and vocational training. [154970]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The aim of the national Skills for Life strategy is to improve adult literacy, language and numeracy skills. The target is to improve the basic skills of 1.5 million adults by 2007. From September this year, we will be phasing in an entitlement to free provision for level 2 learning for adults who do not already have a qualification at this level. For those already in the workforce, there are 12 Employer Training Pilots testing ways of encouraging employers to train low-skilled workers to a first level 2 or basic skills qualification. A further six pilots will begin in September this year.

  Entry to Employment (E2E) is a new work-based programme for young people aged 16–18. It will enable those with few or no qualifications to make a successful transition into a Modern Apprenticeship, sustained employment or further vocational learning opportunities. The Increased Flexibility for 14–16 year olds programme is providing vocational courses for around 90,000 pupils at Key Stage 4.
  215W
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding per capita will be provided for vocational education training schemes other than the Modern Apprenticeship in each year from 2003 to 2006. [154971]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding will be provided for Modern Apprenticeship schemes in each year from 2003 to 2006. [154972]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding per capita will be provided for(a) skills-based learning, (b) vocational education, (c) evening classes run by colleges, (d) skills and vocational training and (e) skills training run by colleges for employers in each year from 2003 to 2006. [154973]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Neither the Department nor the LSC allocate separate funding to the specific areas identified at(a) to (e) above. Funding for these specific areas will be drawn from funds allocated to the LSC for either Work Based Learning or Further Education.

  The Average in Learning cost for Work Based Learning in 2003–04 is £2,687 for those in the 16–18 age range, and £2,361 for those aged 19 and above. Based upon indicative budgets these figures are expected to rise to £2,896 and £2,552 respectively in 2004–05; and to £2,967 and £2,608 respectively in 2005–06.

  Assumed total funding per full time equivalent student in further education allocated to the LSC is £4,240 in 2003–04; £4,460 in 2004–05; and £4,650 in 2005–06.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  1911 Census
  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if his Department will agree to the early release of the 1911 Census data. [155844]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I have given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 10 December 2003,Official Report, column 457W, and on 18 December 2003, Official Report, column 1112W.

  Independent Advocacy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how his Department is ensuring that people with sensory, physical, communication and profound and multiple impairments are able to access appropriate independent advocacy provision. [155033]

  Mr. Lammy
  The legal professional bodies with advocacy provision are the Law Society; the General Council of the Bar; and the Institute of Legal Executives. Each of these bodies have made provisions under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to ensure that people with sensory, physical, communication and profound multiple impairments have access to the appropriate independent advocacy provisions. In addition, the Government established the Partnership Initiative Budget, as part of the Community Legal Service, which funds innovative projects designed to improve services for vulnerable groups, including the disabled.

  Damages Claims
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations he has received concerning the regulation of those businesses which collect damages claims for processing by solicitors. [155574]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department received representations on regulating claims intermediaries in response to the consultation paper 'Simplifying CFAs' published in June 2003. A summary of the responses will be published in the spring.

  The Government have commissioned Sir David Clementi to review the regulatory framework of the legal services industry. Sir David announced in October 2003 that he will consider unregulated providers and regulatory gaps as part of his review. Sir David is expected to issue a consultation paper shortly and is due to report by December 2004.

  Data Sharing
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure local authorities are fully acquainted with his Department's guidance, Public Sector Data Sharing: Guidance on the Law; and if he will make a statement. [155228]

  Mr. Leslie
  The legal guidance, Public Sector Data sharing: Guidance on the Law was published in November 2003. On publication, a press notice was issued and two copies were sent to all local authority Chief Executives in England and Wales. The guidance is also available on the Department's website at http:// www.dca.gov.uk/foi/sharing/toolkit/lawguide.htm. An electronic alert containing this link has been issued to local authority legal services, clerks to police, and joint fire and transport authorities by the Local Government Association. It has also been referred to at a number of conferences for local authority staff where DCA officials have spoken on data sharing issues. The guidance was widely anticipated by local authorities and I am confident that it has been made accessible to them.

  Hutton Inquiry
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost of the Hutton Inquiry was. [154704]

  Mr. Leslie
  The full cost to Government is still being determined, and we will publish the figure once it is available.

  Immigration Adjudicators
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what plans he has to change the basis upon which immigration adjudicators are employed; and if he will make a statement; [154885]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his plans to terminate the current judicial appointment contracts for immigration adjudicators and issue new terms of contract equivalent to Civil Service terms and conditions. [154886]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill provides for the existing judicial members of the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) to form the judicial complement in the proposed single tier Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT).

  The terms of appointment to the AIT will continue to safeguard the independence of judicial office holders and will not be amended to reflect equivalent terms and conditions of employment in the Civil Service.

  Land Registry
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on progress on the Land Registry Quinquennial Review proposals regarding beneficial ownership of land. [155084]

  Mr. Lammy
  The report on the Land Registry's Quinquennial Review, published in June 2001, recommended that consideration be given to including details of the beneficial or true ownership of land on the land register for England and Wales. In response to a question from the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 24 June 2002,Official Report, column 709W, it was announced that the Land Registry and the then Lord Chancellor's Department would jointly consider and consult other Government departments on the recommendation by autumn 2003. Depending on the outcome of that consultation and ministerial agreement consultation with stakeholders and the public on the principles and details would follow.

  This work has been deferred pending a review of the consultations to be carried out by the Land Registry, including those jointly with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, in the light of the difficulties of multiple simultaneous consultations. I have asked my officials to complete this review and to report to me by summer 2004 with their recommendations as to when the several consultations, including that relating to beneficial or true ownership, should be carried out.

  Mr. Balwant Singh
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the letter sent by the hon. Member for Leicester, East to Miss Fitzmaurice on 2 December 2003, what progress has been made in finding the file of Mr. Balwant Singh. [151575]

  Mr. Lammy
  [pursuant to his answer, 2 February 2004, Official Report, c. 726 W]: The previous answer stated that checks with the Immigration Nationality Directorate (IND) had confirmed that IND had not received the appeal papers for Mr. Balwant Singh. Following further checks with IND the appeal papers have been located and are currently being processed by IND before being lodged with the Immigration Appellate Authority for a substantive hearing.

  Public Guardianship Office
  Mr. David
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to improve the efficiency of the Public Guardianship Office. [154816]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Public Guardianship Office (PGO) expects to meet almost all of its key service delivery targets this financial year, and plans to set more challenging measures for next year so that, among other things, it answers a higher percentage of correspondence within target and deals with applications more efficiently. During 2004–05, the PGO will focus on quality improvement further to increase customer satisfaction in its services. A review of how complaints are handled has recently been initiated.

  Mr. David
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the Public Guardianship Office. [154822]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Public Guardianship Office (PGO) experienced severe service delivery problems during 2002–03 resulting in a large number of complaints (1,338 for the year) and key performance measures being missed. It has addressed these problems, so that this year numbers of complaints are well below those from the previous year (456 to end December 2003) and the PGO is on track to achieve almost all of its key performance measures at the end of March 2004.

  Regional Assemblies
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on constitutional changes necessary for the transfer of powers to regional assemblies. [154392]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  Voters in a region will first need to vote "yes" in a referendum under the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003. An Act of Parliament will then be needed to establish elected regional assemblies, allow elections to take place, set out their constitution and transfer powers to them.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will do its best to publish before the first referendums a draft Regional Assemblies Bill addressing these issues.

  Sentencing
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the benches in England and Wales which have not yet signed up to the Magistrates National Sentencing Guidelines; and what percentage of benches this figure represents. [154759]

  Mr. Leslie
  The information requested is not collected or held centrally.

  The Judicial Studies Board incorporated the revised Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines into the Adult Court Bench Book that was recently issued to all magistrates and their legal advisers via their Magistrates Courts' Committees. The guidelines will therefore be available within every magistrates court in England and Wales.

  In court lay magistrates sit with their Justices' Clerk or a legal adviser. The Justices' Clerk has a statutory duty to provide advice to the magistrates on questions of law, practice and procedure. This will include advice on applying any case law and relevant Court of Appeal judgments when making decisions on sentence.

  Small Claims Track
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) in how many small claims track cases the power to remit or waive court fees was exercised in 2002–03; [155376]

  (2) how many times the power under article 6 of the county court rules to excuse payment of fees for exceptional financial hardship was used in 2002–03. [155378]

  Mr. Leslie
  Information concerning the use of the powers mentioned above is not collected centrally. Information concerning the number of applications made for exemption or remission of court fees is collected but not in a manner that would enable it to be broken down as requested. During 2002–03 there were 234,872 such applications made in the county courts of England and Wales.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs in what percentage of cases in the small claims track(a) the complainant and (b) the defendant was legally represented in 2002–03. [155380]

  Mr. Leslie
  During 2002–03 there were 56,988 small claims cases dealt with in the county courts of England and Wales. Based on sample data collected centrally, in just over 41 per cent. of these cases the complainant was legally represented while the comparative figure for the defendant was nearly 32 per cent.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the fee bands for cases in the small claims track were fixed; and what plans there are to change them. [155382]

  Mr. Leslie
  The fee bands for claims in the small claims track (claims up to £5,000) were last fixed on 1 April 2003. My Department has no plans to change the fee bands for these claims.

  Tied Agricultural Property
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many owners of properties with agricultural ties there are, broken down by land registry office area. [155173]

  Mr. Lammy
  Her Majesty's Land Registry does not hold information on agricultural ties.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  EU Enlargement
  23. Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to restrict the admission of residents of the east European states which will be admitted to the EU in May. [155767]

  Beverley Hughes
  From 1 May nationals of the Accession States have the right to free movement through all member states. The United Kingdom welcomes those who can contribute to our economy but will not allow people here purely to claim benefits. We will take the necessary action to ensure the United Kingdom is not open to abuse and will be announcing further details.

  Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Bill
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers about the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Bill. [155765]

  Beverley Hughes
  Officials have been in contact with officials in the Scotland Office and the Scottish Executive as appropriate.

  Correspondence
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that the letter of 4 December 2003 from the hon. Member for Castle Point on the future contracts for housing asylum seekers is answered within five days. [153486]

  Beverley Hughes
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 9 February 2004.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter dated 8 December 2003 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent, Mr. C. Ming of Fraserburgh. [149783]

  Beverley Hughes
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 16 February 2004.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Tyne Bridge of 8 January 2004. [151906]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: My hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) wrote to my hon. Friend on 29 January 2004.
  221W
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 15 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Shaikh Ijaz Ahmed; [152643]

  (2) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 15 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Shaikh Ijaz Ahmed. [155843]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 17 February 2004.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter to him dated 1 December 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. S. Ahmed. [153254]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 12 February 2004.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, dated 13 December 2003, reference A485596; and what the reason is for the delay in responding to this inquiry. [154750]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: I wrote to the hon. Member on 12 February 2004.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Mahmood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the protection of the public from known sex offenders living in the community. [155750]

  Paul Goggins
  Provisions in both the Criminal Justice Act and the Sexual Offences Act will help to strengthen public protection from known sex offenders. These include enhancing the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements, tightening sex offender registration requirements, introducing new orders to prevent sex offenders from committing further offences and making the prosecution of sexual offences easier.

  Gun Crime
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to support communities in the fight against gun crime. [155761]

  Caroline Flint
  We recognise the importance of supporting local communities to resist gun crime and gun culture. This is why we have provided support for the Disarm Trust to work directly with affected communities, and have allocated 1.2 million of recovered assets money to support community action in the most affected areas. We also hosted a major gun crime community engagement conference in January bringing together local community groups, voluntary organisations and others to help identify what more can be done.

  Civil Liberties
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanism is in place to ensure that respect for civil liberties is considered at each stage of his Department's policy-making process. [155763]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Human Rights Act ensures that all legislation complies with the European convention on human rights. For all proposed legislation, section 19 of the Act requires the Minister to make a statement as to the compatibility with the convention. Throughout the policy making process we assess the effects on individuals and society through discussions with independent and representative bodies and where appropriate full public consultation.

  Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many acceptable behaviour contracts were issued in(a) York and (b) North Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [155764]

  Ms Blears
  The Home Office does not routinely collect statistics on the use or otherwise of acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs). ABC schemes, also known as acceptable behaviour agreements, are voluntary and have been developed by a range of agencies whose role it is to prevent such behaviour.

  Research conducted in April 2002 showed that there were 173 ABC schemes running in England and Wales, with 1,868 contracts signed. A Home Office RDS publication on the evaluation of an ABC Scheme in the London borough of Islington was published on 20 January this year.

  Asylum Amnesty
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many families he expects to fall within the asylum amnesty. [152463]

  Beverley Hughes
  We expect up to 15,000 families to qualify under the ILR exercise.

  Asylum Policy
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the measures his Department is taking to ensure there is a co-ordinated asylum policy across EU member states. [146542]

  Beverley Hughes
  The UK Government are engaged in the on-going negotiations to ensure that European measures on asylum allow member states to deal effectively with applications while retaining flexibility to respond to the particular circumstances they face domestically.

  The UK has participated actively in negotiations on all EU asylum initiatives to date, and for example, played a major role in shaping the Eurodac and Dublin II Regulations, which have helped us identify and return asylum shoppers to EU countries where they first arrived or claimed asylum. We retain the right to opt in to European asylum measures on a case-by-case basis, and will do so where it is in the United Kingdom's interests.
  223W
  For further details on the measures taken, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby on 17 November 2003, Official Report, columns 673–74W.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi asylum seekers(a) have been refused asylum or other legal status to remain in the UK and (b) exhausted their rights of appeal in each year since 1997. [150620]

  Beverley Hughes
  The tables show the available information, relating to the outcomes of initial decisions, including refusals of leave to remain, and

  Initial decision on application received for asylum in the United Kingdom1, 1997-September 2003 Nationals of Iraq

  Number of principal applicants

  Cases considered under normal procedures3

  Backlog clearance exercise4

  Initial decisions2

  Granted asylum

  Granted exceptional leave to remain

  Granted humanitarian protection

  Granted discretionary leave

  Rejused

  Granted asylum or exceptional leave to remain under backlog criteria

  Refused under backlog criteria5

  1997

  665

  255

  295

  6—

  6—

  110

  —

  —

  1998

  1,100

  510

  500

  6—

  6—

  90

  —

  —

  1999

  745

  315

  320

  6—

  6—

  100

  5

  7—

  2000

  5,530

  845

  2,455

  6—

  6—

  2,220

  10

  7—

  20018

  9,035

  830

  1,885

  6—

  6—

  6,315

  —

  —

  20029

  11,905

  715

  8,195

  6—

  6—

  2,995

  —

  —

  January to March 20039

  2,915

  65

  2,105

  6—

  6—

  770

  —

  —

  April to June 20039

  335

  5

  6—

  7—

  7—

  330

  —

  —

  July to September 20039

  1,790

  7—

  6—

  —

  15

  1,775

  —

  —

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 5,

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

  3Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.

  4Cases decided under measures aimed at reducing the pre-1996 asylum application backlog.

  5Includes some cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.

  6Not applicable

  7Equals 1 or 2

  8Revised figures

  9Provisional figures

  Outcome of appeals1,2determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority excluding dependants nationals of Iraq, 1997-September2003

  Number of principals appellants

  Appeals determined by adjudicators

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Total determined

  Total

  As percentage of total determined

  Total

  As percentage of total determined

  Total

  As percentage of total determined

  19973

  15

  10

  64

  4—

  14

  5

  21

  19983

  45

  15

  29

  25

  51

  10

  20

  1999

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  2000

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  2001

  1,655

  445

  27

  1,065

  64

  145

  9

  20026

  4,570

  1,130

  25

  2,970

  65

  470

  10

  January to March 20036

  1,355

  280

  21

  910

  67

  160

  12

  April to June 20036

  205

  40

  20

  145

  69

  20

  10

  July to September 20036

  1,220

  50

  4

  1,040

  85

  130

  10

  1Figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages), Figures may not add up due to independent rounding.

  2Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant.

  3Figures are based on the cases for which information is recorded on the Refugee Index.

  4Equals 1 or 2

  5Not available.

  6Provisional figures

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which defences are under statute not to be considered as reasonable causes for asylum seekers no longer in possession of relevant documents. [152842]
  224W
  grants of asylum and the outcome of appeals at the IAA, for Iraqi nationals, who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom, for each year from 1997 to September 2003. Data by nationality are not available for outcomes at the other levels of appeal.

  Information on the numbers of asylum applications by nationality and on the outcome of appeals is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, available from the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next quarterly publication, covering the fourth quarter of 2003 and provisional full year data, will be published on 24 February.

  Beverley Hughes
  For the purpose of the offence set out in clause 2 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill, whether or not an excuse for failing to have a document is reasonable will depend on the circumstances of the particular case.
  225W
  However, the offence explicitly rules out deliberate destruction or disposal as an excuse, unless that destruction or disposal is for a reasonable cause or beyond the control of the person concerned. Certain behaviour does not amount to a reasonable cause, namely if the destruction or disposal was with a view to delaying or enhancing a claim or on the instructions or advice of a facilitator.

  As I said during Committee stage of the Bill, we are looking at the defences in clause 2. If we consider any amendments to be necessary, we intend to table them at Report stage.

  Mr. Tom Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers living in Glasgow were granted refugee status in the last year for which figures are available. [153201]

  Beverley Hughes
  Initial decision outcomes are not available relating to persons living in particular areas of the UK. The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

  Information on the numbers of initial decisions on asylum applications by nationality and on the outcome of appeals is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin 'Asylum Statistics United Kingdom', available from the Home Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next quarterly publication, covering the fourth quarter of 2003 and provisional full year data, will be published on 24 February.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who were qualified doctors have applied to work in the UK as doctors in each of the last five years; how many applications were(a) accepted and (b) rejected; and how many rejections were overturned on appeal. [153617]

  Beverley Hughes
  Generally speaking asylum seekers are not allowed to work in the United Kingdom while their claim for asylum is being processed. The Government are aware that some applicants use the asylum system as an alternative route for economic migration and we believe it is vital to discourage this and to send out a message that we will not tolerate abuse of the asylum system.

  Until 23 July 2002 asylum seekers who had not received an initial decision on their asylum claim within six months of its being lodged could seek exceptional permission to work under the terms of the employment concession. No detailed statistics were kept on the number of asylum seekers given permission to work under the terms of the concession and the type of job they wished to undertake.

  This concession has now been withdrawn. It is our policy to speed up the length of time asylum seekers are awaiting a decision on their status. The latest published figures show that 81 per cent.1,2 of applications received in the period April to June 2003 had initial decisions reached and served within two months3, compared with 75 per cent. for the previous quarter. Proposals in the Asylum and Immigration Bill currently before
  226W
  Parliament will simplify and speed up the appeals process. In this context, we feel it is inappropriate for asylum seekers of any occupation to work.

  1Source:

  A-CID database as at 31 October 2003.

  2Excludes withdrawals and third country cases which may be the responsibility of other EU member states under the Dublin Convention. Home Office's Public Service Agreement target for 2001–02 was 60 per cent. and for 2002–03 was 65 per cent. The target for 2003–04 is 75 per cent. Details of the targets are given in the 2000 Spending Review Public Service Agreements White Paper at http://www.treasury.gov.uk/. Excludes asylum applications lodged by Iraqis between 1 February and 31 May 2003.

  3"Two months" is defined as 61 days.

  Mr. Tom Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers resident in Glasgow were granted refugee status in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of all applications this represents. [153733]

  Beverley Hughes
  Initial decision outcomes are not available relating to persons residing in particular areas of the UK. The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

  Information on the numbers of initial decisions on asylum applications by nationality and on the outcome of appeals is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom", available from the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next quarterly publication, covering the fourth quarter of 2003 and provisional full year data, will be published on 24 February.

  Mr. Tom Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of applications for refugee status were successful in the latest period for which figures are available. [153752]

  Beverley Hughes
  There were 14,210 initial decisions on asylum applications in the period July to September 2003, the latest published figures, of which 5 per cent. of the decisions were grants of refugee status. A further 6 per cent. were granted discretionary leave and a minimal number (less than one per cent.) humanitarian protection. Information on appeals relating to initial decisions made in this period is unavailable but a percentage may be allowed.

  Information on the numbers of initial decisions on asylum applications is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom", available from the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next quarterly publication, covering the fourth quarter of 2003 and provisional full year data, will be published on 24 February.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which countries, other than Iraq, Zimbabwe and Somalia, asylum seekers can claim hard case support if their claims are refused on appeal. [154336]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: As a matter policy accommodation under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (hard case support) may be provided to failed asylum seekers who are unable to leave immediately due to circumstances entirely

  227W
  beyond their control. Currently accommodation will be provided to Kurds from the Kurdish Autonomous Zone of Iraq because until recently there was no viable route of return. Now that Kurds from Iraq can leave under the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme the policy of providing accommodation is being reviewed. It is possible for nationals of Zimbabwe and Somalia to make a voluntary return and accommodation will be provided only where they are seeking to return but cannot do so immediately. No other countries are routinely provided with accommodation if their claims for asylum are finally refused.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is a time frame in which failed Iraqi asylum seekers are expected to return home. [154337]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answerl2 February 2004]: Failed Iraqi asylum seekers are expected to return to Iraq voluntarily once they have exhausted the appeal process; they can do so through the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme operated by the International Organisation for Migration. We are currently working on proposals for enforced return.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors he is taking into account before deciding whether to proceed with a possible accommodation centre for asylum seekers at the Daedalus site in Lee-on-the-Solent. [151616]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: All prospective sites for accommodation centres are evaluated against a set of criteria including size, configuration, location, technical characteristics and planning considerations.

  I announced on 3 February that we have decided not to seek planning approval to develop an accommodation centre for asylum seekers at HMS Daedalus. Following a careful evaluation, we have concluded that the difficulties associated with the conversion of historic buildings and the creation of a suitable access point make the site unsuitable for the purposes of the trial.

  Bail Hostels
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to decide which sex offenders from outside the city are sent to Peterborough Bail Hostel. [153237]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 6 February 2004]: The decision to admit anyone to an approved probation and bail hostel is only taken after a careful consideration of risk. Peterborough Approved Premises is part of a national estate of 100 premises managed by the National Probation Service of England and Wales. From time to time offenders are released from custody who cannot return to their home area for a variety of reasons, including victim issues. As part of a national service, Peterborough Approved Premises, having taken into careful consideration all the relevant risks, will accept "out of area" referrals.
  228W
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made to protect vulnerable young residents of bail hostels from residents who are known sex offenders. [153238]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 6 February 2004]: There are 100 approved premises (approved probation and bail hostels) managed by the National Probation Service for England and Wales. As a general rule, none of these approved premises admit anyone under the age of 18 years as a resident. In exceptional circumstances they may do so for short periods, but only if there were no Schedule I offenders at the approved premises at that time. The decision to admit anyone to an approved probation and bail hostel is only taken after a careful consideration of risk. This includes the risk to other residents.

  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what records are kept of the number of sex offenders resident in bail hostels; [153239]

  (2) how many sex offenders there were in Peterborough Bail Hostel in the last month for which figures are available; what percentage of the hostel's inmates this represented; and what the average percentage of sex offenders in bail hostels in England was in the last month for which figures are available. [153240]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 6 February 2004]: No published data is available on the numbers of offenders convicted or charged with sexual offences who are resident in approved premises.

  Cannabis
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research the Department is carrying out into cannabis-related psychosis. [152708]

  Caroline Flint
  None. We rely upon the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The Council's advice is based upon a wide-ranging review of the available research. The Council will continue to monitor the research carefully.

  The Department of Health has commissioned research projects during 2002 and 2003 relating to cannabis and other substance misuse and harmful effects. Accordingly, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Miss Melanie Johnson), on 27 January 2004, Official Report, column 317W.

  Centre for the 3Rs
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recommendation in the House of Lords report on Animals in Scientific Procedures for a Centre for the 3Rs, with particular regard to its projected(a) terms of reference and (b) budget. [154277]

  Caroline Flint
  In its report published in July 2002, the House of Lords Select Committee on animals in scientific procedures recommended the establishment of a United Kingdom centre for research into the 3Rs—the replacement of animal use, reduction of the number of animals used and the refinement of the procedures
  229W
  involved to minimise suffering—consisting of a small, administrative hub co-ordinating research unit embedded in existing centres of scientific excellence.

  In its response to the Select Committee's report, published in January 2003, the Government accepted this recommendation in principle and undertook to explore the case for such a centre. The Inter-Departmental Group for the 3Rs led by the Home Office, and including officials from the Department of Health, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Office of Science and Technology, the Food Standards Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, and other agencies, was tasked with taking this work forward.

  The Inter-Departmental Group reported to me on its initial findings in September 2003 and I expect to receive its final report shortly, including advice on the possible activities of a centre and funding issues. Subject to that advice, we will announce how we intend to proceed with the Select Committee's recommendation in the next few weeks.

  Child Curfew Orders
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child curfew orders have been issued in England and Wales, broken down by local authority area. [152474]

  Paul Goggins
  Figures broken down by local authority areas are not available. The available information relating to the number of persons aged 10 to 17 years who have received a curfew order at court, by police force area, England and Wales 2002, is contained in the table.

  Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  Number of person aged 10 to 17 years sentenced to a curfew order at all courts for all offences, by police force area: England and Wales 20021

  Police force area

  Sentenced to a curfew order

  Avon and Somerset

  67

  Bedfordshire

  20

  Cambridgeshire

  40

  Cheshire

  12

  Cleveland

  64

  Cumbria

  9

  Derbyshire

  37

  Devon and Cornwall

  17

  Dorset

  39

  Durham

  44

  Essex

  33

  Gloucestershire

  13

  Greater Manchester

  309

  Hampshire

  97

  Hertfordshire

  28

  Humberside

  14

  Kent

  75

  Lancashire

  87

  Leicestershire

  53

  Lincolnshire

  6

  London, City of

  —

  Merseyside

  29

  Metropolitan Police

  293

  Norfolk

  31

  Northamptonshire

  —

  230W

  Number of person aged 10 to 17 years sentenced to a curfew order at all courts for all offences, by police force area: England and Wales 20021

  Police force area

  Sentenced to a curfew order

  Northumbria

  38

  North Yorkshire

  16

  Nottinghamshire

  48

  South Yorkshire

  68

  Staffordshire

  43

  Suffolk

  25

  Surrey

  8

  Sussex

  45

  Thames Valley

  89

  Warwickshire

  10

  West Mercia

  61

  West Midlands

  143

  West Yorkshire

  177

  Wiltshire

  5

  Dyfed Powys

  4

  Gwent

  11

  North Wales

  58

  South Wales

  87

  England and Wales

  2,353

  1These data are on the principal offence basis.

  Constituency Case
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his officials will make a decision on the application of a constituent of the hon. Member for Vauxhall (HO Ref: T1129612). [155580]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Home Office received the application on 27 January 2004. Officials will aim to make a decision on the application within the published 13 week target date.

  Crime and Disorder Partnerships
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) anti-social behaviour orders, (b) acceptable behaviour contracts, (c) child curfew orders and (d) injunctions have been issued in the County of Denbighshire in each year since 1998. [154313]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is as follows:

  Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs). No notifications have been received by the Home Office of ASBOs issued within the county of Denbighshire since their introduction from 1 April 1999 up to 30 September 2003 (latest available).

  Acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs). Data on the number of ABCs are not collected centrally.

  Child curfew Orders. Data extracted from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database shows that, of juveniles (aged 10 to 17) sentenced to a curfew order, at all courts for all offences, in the Denbighshire Petty Sessional Area, between the years 1998 to 2002, there was one imposed in 2000 and six in 2002.

  Injunctions. Data are not collected centrally by my Department on the number of injunctions issued.

  Criminal Justice Act
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the sentencing arrangements in the Criminal Justice Act 2003. [152849]
  231W
  Paul Goggins
  The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduced wide changes to the sentencing powers of the courts;

  For the first time, we have made explicit the purposes of sentencing and put them into statute. They are: public protection, punishment, crime reduction and reparation and the reform and rehabilitation of offenders.

  We have also put in place key principles to guide the Court when determining the seriousness of the offence and the severity of the resulting sentence. The most important of these is that previous convictions (where they are recent and relevant) should be treated as an aggravating factor when determining sentence severity.

  The courts must treat offences as aggravated, for sentencing purposes, where the victim's race, religion, sexual orientation or disability has been a contributing factor.

  The Act establishes a new Sentencing Guidelines Council whose role will be to promote consistent sentencing and which will be responsible for issuing guidelines on sentencing for the range of criminal offences.

  Magistrates will be able to sentence offenders for terms of imprisonment of up to 12 months instead of the current six months maximum.

  The Act provides a new indeterminate sentence for dangerous offenders, which means such an offender can be kept in custody until the Parole Board assesses him as presenting a risk which is manageable in the community.

  We are transforming the structure of short prison sentences so that they will be more effective at addressing the needs of offenders. New custodial sentences of less than 12 months will consist of a short 'custodial period' of between two weeks and three months followed by a 'licence period' of at least six months.

  The Act introduces intermittent custody for low risk offenders where the term of imprisonment is between 28 and 51 weeks duration. Intermittent custody allows for the sentence to be served either during weekdays or weekends, so that offenders can maintain jobs and relationships that contribute to rehabilitation.

  The generic community sentence will allow sentencers a much greater degree of flexibility in putting together tough community sentences that will be tailored to the needs of offenders at any level of seriousness. Where a court decides to impose a community sentence this can be tailored to fit the individual and may include an order to perform unpaid work or specific activities. It may also include exclusion orders or orders for treatment for drug or alcohol abuse.

  Czech Migrants
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the content of the advertising campaign his Department commissioned from the International Organisation for Migration regarding immigration from the Czech Republic to Britain; [154151]
  232W
  (2) how much his Department has paid to the International Organisation for Migration to launch an advertising campaign in the Czech Republic regarding migration to Britain; and if he will make a statement; [154152]

  (3) for what reasons his Department asked the International Organisation for Migration to launch an advertising campaign in the Czech Republic; and whether such campaigns have been considered for other countries joining the European Union on 1 May. [154153]

  Beverley Hughes
  We will make an announcement on these matters shortly.

  Departmental Relocation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department work in(a) the West Midlands and (b) North Staffordshire. [146909]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  In January 2004, the number of staff employed by the Home Office in the West Midlands was 5,856 and North Staffordshire was 176.

  Disclosure Notices
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notices imposing a disclosure requirement have been made under section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [155053]

  Caroline Flint
  None. Part III of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, which includes the provision for giving notices under section 49, has not yet been implemented.

  Driving Convictions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for(a) causing death by dangerous driving, (b) dangerous driving and (c) careless driving there were in each of the last five years. [154333]

  Ms Blears
  Information for England and Wales from the years 1997 to 2001 is given in the table. 2002 data will be available in the spring.

  Findings of guilt at all courts for specific offences, England and Wales, 1997–2001

  Number of offences

  Offence

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Causing death by dangerous driving1

  237

  235

  190

  210

  273

  Dangerous driving2

  5,926

  5,742

  5,243

  5,184

  5,375

  Careless driving3

  55,758

  52,144

  46,763

  41,326

  36,939

  1Offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988, s1 as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991 s1 and Criminal Justice Act 1993 s67.

  2Offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s2 as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991 s2.

  3Offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s3,ss 12(1), 26(2), 33(3) & 168; Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 Regs. 19, 104–107 & 109.

  Note:

  Figures amended since publication of the Home Office 'Offences relating to motor vehicles England and Wales 2001 Supplementary tables'.

  Eulisa de Freitas
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2003,Official Report, column 1057 W, on Miss Eulisa de Freitas, and following receipt of new information provided to her by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Saint Helena and disclosure that Miss de Freitas' father, holds a British passport, if the Minister of State (Citizenship, Immigration and Counter-terrorism) will now meet the hon. Member for Totnes to discuss the renewal of Miss Eulisa de Freitas' British passport for a further period. [146656]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 12 January 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 27 January 2004.

  Fear of Crime
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to combat the fear of crime among elderly people. [153817]

  Ms Blears
  We are committed to reducing the levels of fear of crime among older people. We are addressing the misperceptions about crime by promoting the facts about crime levels and common sense precautions which individuals can take to prevent becoming a victim. In order to do this we have been working with charities such as Help the Aged and Age Concern to find new and better ways of tackling fear among the older population, as well as tackling the crimes committed against them.

  A Fear of Crime Toolkit was published on the Home Office Crime Reduction website in May 2003 to provide best practice to all the practitioners who are working towards reducing fear of crime within communities and vulnerable groups.

  Firearms
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure, following his decision not to renew the Firearms Consultative Committee, that account will be taken of the interests of legal owners of firearms for sporting purposes in his review of firearms legislation; and what measures he proposes to ensure that these interests will be represented on a future firearms advisory body. [155308]

  Caroline Flint
  We are currently considering the establishment of a new consultative structure and will certainly wish to ensure that all interested parties, including sports shooters, are properly represented.

  Georgia
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance his Department has offered to the new President of Georgia in reforming its police force; and if he will make a statement. [154469]

  Ms Blears
  The UK, together with its international partners, is presently considering what assistance we can provide to Georgia. My Department has not yet offered any assistance to the new President of Georgia in 234W
  reforming its police force. However, I will give careful consideration to any future requests for either bilateral police assistance, or policing assistance through the international community, that my Department receives.

  Hillingdon Judgment
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what decision has been made regarding increased funding for local authorities affected by the Hillingdon judgment of 2003; and if he will make a statement; [153014]

  (2) how much extra funding has been (a) earmarked for and (b) paid (i) to each local authority which has a UK port or airport and (ii) specifically in respect of (A) Heathrow airport, (B) Gatwick airport, (C) Stansted airport and (D) the ports of Dover and Folkestone following the Hillingdon judgment of 2003. [153015]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 5 February 2004]: The Hillingdon judgment mainly concerns the availability of leaving care services for former unaccompanied asylum seeking children who have turned 18. Funding for leaving care services is provided by the Department for Education and Skills. My right hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills announced on 19 November 2003 that an additional £10 million would be made available from 2004–05 to top up the existing funding for care leavers.

  The Home Office provides funding for the support of unaccompanied asylum seeking children aged under 18 through an annual grant to local authorities. The unit cost rates for 2003–04 were announced in a letter from the Director of NASS to local authorities on 15 January. For those aged 16 and 17 the rate is £300 per child per week. This represents a 15 per cent. increase over the previous year. For those aged 15 and under the rate is £670 per child per week, an increase of 17 per cent.

  The arrangements announced on 15 January also allow for authorities who believe they have incurred significant additional costs to seek to have their level of grant considered under special circumstances arrangements. It is not possible to specify the amounts any authority will receive until these processes are complete. I would expect authorities receiving higher numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children, for example those with major air or sea ports in their area, to seek additional funding under these arrangements.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who originally entered the UK illegally in 2002 and previous years were(a) granted asylum, (b) granted exceptional leave to remain and (c) removed in 2002. [152861]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 4 February 2004]: The information requested is not available. Information is not collated centrally on how many asylum applicants

  235W
  enter the UK illegally in any given year. The available information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records and would be unreliable.

  Overall it is estimated that 42 per cent. of total asylum applications made in 2002 resulted in grants of asylum (10 per cent.), or of exceptional leave to remain (23 per cent.) or in allowed appeals (10 per cent.), including outcomes occurring after 2002. Corresponding information on the numbers of failed asylum seekers who applied in 2002 and have subsequently been removed is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.

  Information on the outcomes of asylum-related initial decisions, and appeals, and removals is published in the annual statistical bulletin 'Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2002', a copy of which is available from the Library, and quarterly on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration I.html. The next publication will be available on 24 February 2004.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of how many illegal immigrants will be prevented from entering the UK in a year by photocopying air passengers' passports. [153125]

  Beverley Hughes
  A requirement for carriers to provide copies of travel documents would enable quicker determination of genuine identity, thereby speeding up processing times for asylum claims, which reduces detention and support costs. This would also assist with the redocumentation and removal process for those passengers who subsequently make unfounded asylum claims. The application of such a power should also deter a number of unfounded asylum applicants and illegal entrants from travelling to the UK in the first place. The proposed targeted approach of this power would allow effort to be concentrated on routes and areas of greatest concern. We are discussing with the airlines proposals for a voluntary trial scheme, whose results will help to establish how the new power would be most effective.

  As at end:

  Cardiff

  Neath Port Talbot

  Newport

  Swansea

  Wrexham

  Other1

  December 2002

  Subsistence

  70

  —

  25

  15

  —

  70

  Accomodation

  1,000

  *

  115

  410

  55

  —

  March 2003

  Subsistence

  75

  —

  20

  20

  —

  70

  Accommodation

  1,105

  5

  135

  585

  45

  —

  June 2003

  Subsistence

  65

  —

  —

  25

  —

  85

  Accommodation

  1,165

  5

  200

  710

  50

  —

  September 2003

  Subsistence

  60

  —

  —

  20

  —

  75

  Accommodation

  1,230

  5

  280

  790

  45

  —

  1Local authorities with fewer than 20 asylum seekers in receipt of subsistence only support are grouped as 'other'.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 with ★ = 1 or 2.

  236W

  Immigration (Wales)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) asylum applicants, (b) failed asylum applicants, (c) successful asylum applicants and (d) settled asylum seekers there are in Wales; and what the estimated number of illegal immigrants is in Wales, broken down by (i) police force, (ii) constituency and (iii) local authority area for each year since 1997. [151737]

  Beverley Hughes
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Statistics on the location of asylum seekers in the UK are linked to the available information on the support that the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers currently in the UK are either in receipt of support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) or from local authorities, or are supporting themselves.

  Information on numbers of asylum applications and decision outcomes relating to asylum seekers in particular areas of the UK is unavailable as are statistics regarding the location of asylum seekers not in receipt of NASS support. There are no reliable figures available on the refugee or illegal immigrant population.

  The following table shows the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) accommodated by MASS and receiving subsistence only support in Wales as at the end of each quarter since December 2001.

  As at end:

  In receipt of subsistence only support

  Supported in MASS accommodation

  December 2001

  140

  700

  March 2002

  160

  1,020

  June 2002

  175

  1,150

  September 2002

  180

  1,405

  December 2002

  180

  1,585

  March 2003

  185

  1,870

  June 2003

  175

  2,130

  September 2003

  160

  2,350

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  Information on NASS supported asylum seekers can be broken down to local authority level and parliamentary constituency level.

  The following table shows the numbers of asylum seekers in Wales at local authority level (available from December 2002).
  237W
  The following table shows the number of asylum seekers in Wales at parliamentary constituency level (available only as at end September 2003).

  In receipt of subsistence only support

  Supported in NASS accommodation

  Aberavon

  5

  5

  Alyn and Deeside

  5

  –

  Caerphilly

  10

  —

  Cardiff Central

  25

  530

  Cardiff North

  5

  85

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  20

  420

  Cardiff West

  10

  200

  Clwyd South

  —

  5

  Clwyd West

  5

  —

  Conwy

  5

  —

  Cynon Valley

  5

  —

  Gower

  5

  15

  Llanelli

  5

  —

  Newport East

  5

  115

  Newport West

  10

  165

  Swansea East

  5

  470

  Swansea West

  10

  305

  Torfaen

  5

  —

  Wrexham

  5

  40

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest five and parliamentary constituencies with one or two asylum seekers resident are excluded from the table. The parliamentary constituency boundaries have been created using the November 2003 Office for National Statistics definitions.

  Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint System
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint System has been accessed by(a) Interpol, (b) the National Criminal Intelligence Service, (c) the anti-terrorism branch of the Metropolitan police and (d) metropolitan and provincial forces. [151411]

  Beverley Hughes
  Locally held Immigration Service records show that the following requests were made for access to the Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint System (IAFS) between January and December 2003:

  Number of requests for access to IAFS

  Interpol/NClS

  132

  Anti terrorist branch (Metropolitan police)

  664

  Metropolitan and provincial forces

  230

  In November 2003 an electronic link was established between the police fingerprint database (NAFIS) and the Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint System. The Police IT Organisation (PITO) have provided the following figures for searches made following the establishment of this link:
  November 2003: 177 (of which 23 were made by the metropolitan and provincial forces)
  December 2003: 181 (of which 57 were made by metropolitan and provincial forces)
  January 2004: 394 (of which 43 were made by metropolitan and provincial forces).
  238W
  We are unable to specify the number of searches requested by NCIS, Interpol or the Anti Terrorist branch of the Metropolitan police without detailed examination of the cases concerned which would be at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Sri Lankan authorities have accessed fingerprints taken from visa applicants under the six-month pilot scheme,(a) directly through the UK authorities and (b) indirectly through Interpol. [151412]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Sir Lankan authorities have not accessed fingerprints taken from visa applicants under the six-month pilot scheme, either(a) directly through the UK authorities or (b) indirectly through Interpol.

  Immigration and Crime
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been conducted into links between(a) legal immigration, (b) illegal immigration and (c) failed asylum bids and levels of (i) violent crime, (ii) property crime and (iii) car crime. [153099]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Research, Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office commissions and undertakes a broad programme of research on asylum and immigration. Within this, research is currently being developed which will explore the links between legal and illegal migration.

  At present there is no evidence to suggest that asylum seekers are more likely to commit crime than any other person living in the United Kingdom.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is available to Immigration and Nationality Directorate caseworkers before they begin work processing asylum applications. [153701]

  Beverley Hughes
  All new asylum caseworkers receive intensive training, comprising an initial 11-day course on all aspects of asylum work, 13 days in a special mentoring unit, and a 3-day intensive interviewing course (which is followed up by a consolidation workshop after 3 months in post). They receive continual support and mentoring from more experienced colleagues in a team working environment where the sharing and pooling of acquired expertise is actively encouraged. They also receive any additional training or mentoring necessitated by changes in legislation, policy and procedures, and attend developmental presentations or seminars provided by organisations such as UNHCR and the Medical Foundation. The effectiveness of the training is regularly evaluated to ensure that it continues to match the induction and development needs of new caseworkers.

  Immigration Service (Child Detainees)
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children are being detained in centres run by the Immigration Service. [151862]
  239W
  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) internal management information indicates that on 26 January 2004, 35 children were in detention.

  Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers at 27 December 2003 is due to be published on 24 February 2004 in the Asylum Statistics: 4th Quarter 2003 publication on the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ immigration l.html.

  Khat
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of how much crime is committed by people under the influence of khat. [154856]

  Caroline Flint
  Khat is not a controlled drug and no routine statistics are collected about its use to enable a quantitative exploration of the extent of link with crime. However, the Home Office is in the process of commissioning a small-scale study, to report in the first half of next year, which will look at khat use in specific communities and explore qualitatively whether there may be a link with use of controlled drugs or offending behaviour.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ban khat. [154857]

  Caroline Flint
  The Government have no plans at present to ban khat or to control it under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which advises on these matters. keeps its legal status under review.

  The Government are also considering ways to address the problems of khat misuse as part of a wider diversity initiative to ensure that the national drug strategy meets the needs of all our communities. This will include the development of appropriate drug prevention materials and information to raise awareness about khat misuse.

  Marriages
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy to permit persons to marry in this country without both parties satisfying the authorities, prior to the marriage ceremony, as to their immigration status; and if he will make a statement. [143215]

  Beverley Hughes
  In order to marry in the United Kingdom, a couple must demonstrate that they have the legal capacity to marry and are not of a blood relationship. The immigration status of a person is not a legal impediment to them marrying here.

  A person will only be granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of marriage if the requirements of the Immigration Rules relating to marriage are met.

  The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, places a statutory duty on registrars to report to the Home Office those marriages where they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that the marriage will be a sham.
  240W
  Last year there were around 2,700 reports of suspicious marriages from registrars. On receipt, the reports are examined to ensure that the suspicions warrant further investigation. If appropriate, the papers are passed to whichever office is in the best position to deal with it. This would normally be the local Immigration Service enforcement office.

  Action has led to the successful apprehension of immigration offenders. Several "professional" spouses, and their prospective husbands and wives, have gone to prison for sentences ranging from three to nine months.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms are(a) in use and (b) on order by the Metropolitan police. [155050]

  Ms Blears
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that there are(a) 2,965 firearms owned by the Metropolitan Police Service and (b) a further 40 firearms on order.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Metropolitan police has to increase the number of trained firearms officers. [155051]

  Ms Blears
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the number of trained firearms officers is constantly kept under review to ensure that sufficient officers are available to provide an appropriate response and to meet contingencies, perceived risk and anticipated threat levels.

  Migrant Workers
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to tackle illegal exploitation of migrant workers; and what steps his Department is taking to improve coordination with the Department of Work and Pensions on this issue. [154631]

  Beverley Hughes
  We are pursuing our policy of managed migration so that those who want to apply to come and work in the United Kingdom lawfully to meet the country's economic needs can do so on the basis of informed choice and with access to the rights and freedoms available to other workers. In combination, we are strengthening action against illegal working. The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Bill, currently before Parliament, will create a new offence of trafficking for exploitation, including forced labour, with a maximum penalty of 14 years. We intend to strengthen the document checks employers are required to carry out under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. We have been active tackling issues related to gangmasters and support the objectives set out in the Gangmasters (Licensing) Bill introduced by the hon. Member for West Renfrewshire (Jim Sheridan). We are increasing the number of illegal working operations generally and are targeting organised traffickers under the auspices of the Reflex taskforce.

  The Immigration Service already has close working-level contacts with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and regularly carries out joint

  241W
  enforcement operations with officials from that Department. We have established a joint intelligence cell with the DWP National Identity Fraud Unit to facilitate closer co-ordination.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Richard Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his Department's policy to make notes of(a) meetings and (b) telephone conversations involving Ministers; and under what circumstances no notes would be made. [149805]

  Mr. Blunkett
  My Department follows the central "Guidance on the Management of Private Office Papers" which makes clear that good record management procedures are necessary, not least to ensure accountability and provide an audit trail. Among the records covered by the guidance are Ministers' meetings and telephone conversations.

  Murder Cases
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murder cases were brought to trial in each police force area in England and Wales between 1982 and 2003 which resulted in(a) conviction, (b) acquittal and (c) conviction later overturned on appeal. [152535]

  Paul Goggins
  The latest figures for England and Wales are given in Home Office Statistical Bulletin number 01/04, "Crime in England and Wales 2002–03: Supplementary Volume 1: Homicide and Gun Crime", a copy of which is available from the House of Commons Library or internet site: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/hosbpubsl.html

  Information on appeals is not held centrally.

  In England and Wales from January 1982 to March 2003, 13,897 suspects were indicted for homicide. Of these, 10,387 were convicted of homicide and 2,666 were acquitted.

  National Offender Management Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he will ensure that links with criminal justice boards, crime reduction partnerships and multi-agency public protection panel arrangements are retained under the arrangements for the National Offender Management Service. [151622]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 4 February 2004]: Inter-agency work to protect the public and encourage rehabilitation will be a central element of the work of the National Offender Management Service.

  The details of the National Offender Management Service and its links with Criminal Justice Boards, Crime Reduction Partnerships and Multi Agency Protection Panels will be developed as part of the implementation of the Reducing Crime-Changing Lives reforms.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what lines of accountability will lie between local offender managers and regional offender managers under the arrangements for the National Offender Management Service. [151623]
  242W
  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 4 February 2004]: The structure of the National Offender Management Service is yet to be finalised. As part of the implementation of the Reducing Crime—Changing Lives reforms the
  implementation team will consider the lines of accountability between local offender managers and regional offender managers which will be subject to full consultation with staff and unions.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether human resource and finance facilities for probation areas will be provided at regional level under the arrangements for the National Offender Management Service. [152204]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 4 February 2004]: The structure of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), including the human resource and finance facilities, is not yet finalised. The implementation team will work closely with staff and unions to get the structure of NOMS right. No decisions have been made at this stage about changes to numbers terms of service or work locations and there will be full consultation on any proposed changes.

  Nurses
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons nurses working in the UK with a work permit are barred from registering with a nursing agency. [153102]

  Beverley Hughes
  Work permits are not issued to employment agencies and similar businesses for any employment because we wish to ensure that the employer is directly responsible for the duties of the post for which the work permit is issued. Work supplementary to that for which the permit is issued is also subject to this restriction. Overseas nurses are free to use the services of employment agencies and similar types of business to search for further employment opportunities, but it is for the employer, not the agency, that should apply for the work permit.

  Operation Puma
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) policing and (b) criminal justice implications of the collapse of the London City Bond and Operation Puma cases.[154654]

  Caroline Flint
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are implementing the recommendations of the report by Mr. Justice Butterfield which reviewed a number of cases including those two. The Government have been reviewing the process for securing prosecutions in organised crime cases generally, and proposals will appear in a consultation document on tackling organised crime which we intend to publish shortly.

  Persistent Offenders
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will change the definition of persistent offenders, with particular reference to rural areas. [151941]
  243W
  Paul Goggins
  The national Persistent Offender Scheme that came into effect in April 2003 defines a Core Persistent Offender as "someone who is 18 or over and has been convicted of six or more recordable offences in the last 12 months". The definition was developed in order to provide an objective test of persistent offending that can be applied across the criminal justice system. However the scheme recognises that there are individuals who do not meet this definition, who may be suspected of being prolific offenders on the basis of local intelligence. Therefore Local Criminal Justice Areas have the flexibility also to apply persistent offender strategies to "Local Persistent Offenders", identified on the basis of local intelligence and priorities, which could include issues of particular relevance to rural areas.

  Police
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accidents involving police cars there were(a) in total and (b) involving fatalities in each year since 1997 (i) in England and Wales and (ii) in each police force area; and if he will make a statement. [155062]

  Caroline Flint
  The total number of accidents involving police vehicles in England and Wales is given in the table. The number of police and civilian fatalities

  Total police vehicle accidents

  Values

  Time periods

  Forces

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03z

  England and Wales

  16,908

  16,946

  17,338

  18,068

  19,266

  16,826

  18,644

  Avon and Somerset

  507

  477

  531

  457

  394

  616

  647

  Bedfordshire

  205

  320

  161

  215

  170

  167

  196

  Cambridgeshire

  256

  303

  238

  200

  225

  183

  217

  Cheshire

  194

  111

  142

  112

  124

  175

  167

  City of London

  80

  62

  64

  56

  90

  30

  142

  Cleveland

  75

  86

  44

  62

  92

  1—

  186

  Cumbria

  116

  133

  87

  144

  152

  182

  447

  Derbyshire

  320

  383

  399

  355

  379

  399

  449

  Devon and Cornwall

  250

  308

  337

  347

  352

  369

  184

  Dorset

  119

  139

  129

  143

  166

  188

  l—

  Durham

  159

  142

  184

  157

  182

  178

  204

  Dyfed-Powys

  75

  42

  40

  88

  162

  198

  414

  Essex

  391

  396

  406

  392

  446

  392

  203

  Gloucestershire

  196

  147

  163

  228

  181

  124

  1,038

  Greater Manchester

  957

  774

  933

  981

  1,108

  1,050

  160

  Gwent

  195

  182

  217

  194

  179

  199

  543

  Hampshire

  555

  594

  560

  665

  622

  617

  344

  Hertfordshire

  223

  196

  197

  221

  307

  310

  150

  Humberside

  188

  207

  236

  162

  198

  194

  732

  Kent

  423

  546

  448

  427

  507

  506

  510

  Lancashire

  449

  268

  160

  417

  331

  244

  180

  Leicestershire

  214

  173

  186

  168

  161

  145

  131

  Lincolnshire

  71

  94

  185

  149

  141

  114

  38

  Merseyside

  320

  414

  262

  335

  260

  325

  240

  Metropolitan Police

  3,783

  4,045

  1,645

  4,643

  5,375

  3,657

  4,910

  Norfolk

  192

  211

  184

  221

  224

  202

  231

  Northamptonshire

  134

  139

  91

  68

  147

  86

  121

  Northumbria

  1—

  489

  472

  510

  445

  432

  513

  North Wales

  95

  48

  46

  46

  77

  92

  60

  North Yorkshire

  131

  140

  140

  102

  167

  117

  397

  Nottinghamshire

  298

  278

  225

  211

  213

  240

  316

  South Wales

  597

  563

  651

  663

  873

  833

  917

  244W
  arising from police responses to immediate/emergency calls and pursuits are also separately shown.

  The Government welcome the recognition by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) that they must work to reduce the number of collisions involving police vehicles.

  Measures already in place include a new police driver training course, launched in December 2000, which introduced a universal standard for driving in England and Wales. An essential element of the course is that officers should recognise the need to give priority to public safety above all other considerations such as attending an incident or apprehending a suspect.

  Where pursuits are concerned, there is a nationally agreed ACPO Pursuit Code of Practice and it is already police policy to consider continuously the consequences of a pursuit and whether to break it off.

  ACPO are working closely with the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to identify how police vehicle collisions might be avoided. Useful information can be expected front the increasing use by forces of Automatic Data Recorders (ADR) and Vehicle Accident Data Recorders (VADR). These operate in a similar way to aircraft black boxes, providing data on such issues as speed, gear changes, breaking, and the use of blue lights.
  245W

  Total police vehicle accidents

  Values

  Time periods

  Forces

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  South Yorkshire

  292

  357

  400

  367

  279

  216

  316

  Staffordshire

  557

  644

  646

  527

  462

  298

  306

  Suffolk

  136

  122

  168

  143

  137

  142

  119

  Surrey

  270

  108

  108

  42

  148

  103

  320

  Sussex

  401

  282

  223

  567

  462

  1—

  470

  Thames Valley

  888

  688

  918

  1,045

  1,063

  1,127

  992

  Warwickshire

  137

  135

  123

  136

  132

  135

  119

  West Mercia

  175

  270

  260

  201

  234

  202

  293

  West Midlands

  1,503

  1,367

  1,210

  1,220

  1,286

  1,360

  1—

  West Yorkshire

  728

  500

  453

  629

  553

  619

  672

  Wiltshire

  53

  63

  66

  52

  60

  60

  50

  Police fatal road traffic accidents immediate/pursuit

  Values

  Time periods

  Forces

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  England and Wales

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  1

  2

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dyfed-Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Metropolitan Police

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  246W 247W

  Civilian fatal police vehicle accidents immediate/pursuit

  values

  Time periods

  Forces

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  England and Wales

  15

  15

  10

  11

  18

  23

  20

  Avon and Somerset

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1—

  Durham

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Dyfed-Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  Greater Manchester

  2

  8

  2

  1

  6

  5

  0

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  Leicestershire

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Metropolitan Police

  1

  1

  1

  1

  6

  2

  4

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  0

  1

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northumbria

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Thames Valley

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  3

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1—

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 Indicate data not yet submitted by police force.

  Notes:

  1. The information is provided by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, to which forces submit statistical returns.

  2. All figures are for financial years.

  3. The figures for police vehicle accidents include all incidents in which a police vehicle sustains damage, including those where no other vehicle is involved. They encompass a very wide range of incidents from the very serious to the trivial, such as a scratched vehicle in a police yard.

  4. Details of the number of fatalities involving police vehicles engaged in activities other than immediate/emergency response or pursuit are not centrally available.

  Prison and Probation Service
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered reclassifying the Prison and Probation Service as an emergency service. [152714]

  Paul Goggins
  The Government have not considered reclassifying the Prison and Probation Service as an emergency service and have no plans to do so.

  Prisons
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors have been identified as accounting for the increase of self-harming incidents in prisons between 1999 and 2003; and if he will make a statement. [154176]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: In December 2002 new procedures for reporting self-injury were introduced in prisons in England and Wales. The evidence suggests that much of the increase in reported self-harm in 2003 may result from this rather than an actual increase in the incidence of self-harm
  249W
  Beyond that, the reasons for any increase in prisoner self-harm may be related to the fact that the prison population includes a large number of prisoners with a combination of psychiatric disorders, alcohol and drug dependency, family background and relationship problems, histories of self-harm and previous abuse, all of which raise their risk of suicide and self-harm. Additionally, the current operating environment is very challenging because an increased prisoner population and movement of prisoners puts a strain on resources and makes it more challenging to prevent suicides and self-harm. Long-term trends suggest that self-inflicted deaths have been increasing since 1988, broadly in line with the increase in prison population.

  A number of intervention strategies have been introduced into establishments for people who self-harm. These include counselling, support groups, and specialised psychological interventions. A network of establishments has been set up to develop interventions, facilitate evaluation and share good practice, and guidance to staff on managing people who self-harm has been circulated to establishments.

  Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the costs, and what extra resources will be provided, to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman's office when he takes on responsibility for investigating deaths of prisoners, residents of probation hostels and detainees in immigration removal centres from April. [150725]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]: Provisional estimates of the costs are in the region of £1.5 million a year. The Ombudsman's office is working on the detail of the new arrangements in consultation with my officials. The necessary extra resources will be provided as part of the Ombudsman's funding for the next financial year. In the meantime, we have provided an additional £100,000 for start-up costs in the current year.

  Released Prisoners
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the length of time in which released prisoners can apply for Housing Benefit. [148895]

  Mr. Pond
  I have been asked to reply.

  All customers, including those leaving prison, may make a Housing Benefit claim up to 13 weeks in advance. Where there is continuous good cause for delay customers may also apply for their Housing Benefit to be backdated. We have no plans to change these arrangements at present.

  Jobcentre Plus currently assist released prisoners by waiving labour market conditions for the first seven days of their claim and by providing pre-arranged work focused interviews through the Freshstart initiative. As many Housing Benefit applications are linked to claims
  250W
  for Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support, this helps to ensure that Housing Benefit claims are made as early as possible.

  Royal Pardons
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many royal pardons of convicted criminals were agreed by the Home Secretary in each year between 1983 and 2003. [154575]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The two forms of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM) used to grant pardons to convicted criminals are:(1)Free pardon ("free" in this context means that the pardon is free from any conditions); and
  (2)Remission (the mitigation of punishment by releasing a prisoner from having to serve some or all of the remainder of his sentence; or releasing one who has been subjected to a monetary penalty from the obligation to pay it or part of it).

  The figures from 1992 are in the following table—Figures for earlier years are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Free Pardons

  Remission1

  1992

  19

  42

  1993

  22

  34

  1994

  12

  29

  1995

  12

  1

  1996

  1

  4

  1997

  0

  3

  1998

  0

  0

  1999

  0

  0

  2000

  0

  2

  2001

  0

  0

  2002

  0

  3

  2003

  0

  0

  Note:

  These figures do not include the occasional use of RPM for small periods of remission to reward meritorious acts in prison (e.g. extinguishing a fire).

  Russian Citizens (Asylum)
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Russian citizens have applied for political asylum in the UK during the past five years; and how many have been granted political asylum. [154685]

  Beverley Hughes
  The table shows the number of asylum applications and initial decisions for nationals of Russia (excluding dependants) in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and from January to September 2003, the latest period for which published data is available. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same period.

  Information on asylum applications and decisions is published quarterly. The next publication covering the fourth quarter of 2003, and provisional full year data, will be available on 24 February 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/immigrationl.html.
  251W

  Initial decision on asylum application1,2,3received in the United Kingdom excluding dependants,by year,nationals of Russia

  Principal applicant

  Initial decisions Cases considered under normal procedures Grants of:

  Applications received

  Total initial decisions

  Asylum

  ELR

  HP

  DL

  Total refusals4

  1999

  685

  305

  *

  5

  N/a

  N/a

  55

  2000

  1,000

  1,195

  25

  45

  N/a

  N/a

  900

  20018

  450

  895

  20

  40

  N/a

  N/a

  840

  20029

  295

  355

  15

  20

  N/a

  N/a

  320

  Ql 20039

  70

  95

  *

  5

  N/a

  N/a

  85

  Q2 20039

  65

  115

  *

  N/a

  *

  5

  110

  Q3 20039

  65

  80

  *

  N/a

  —

  5

  75

  Initial decisions on asylum applications1,2,3 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by year, nationals of Russia

  Principal applicants

  Backlog Clearance exercise

  Grants of ELR under backlog criteria5,6

  Non Compliance refusals under backlog criteria5,7

  1999

  190

  50

  2000

  185

  35

  20018

  n/a

  n/a

  20029

  n/a

  n/a

  Q1 20039

  n/a

  n/a

  Q2 20039

  n/a

  n/a

  Q3 20039

  n/a

  n/a

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2

  2Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same period

  3Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions

  4May include some refusals under non compliance grounds

  5Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre 1996 asylum backlog

  6May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted

  7May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds

  8Revised figures

  9Not applicable

  Seaside Towns
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of crimes in each ward in each principal seaside town in England and Wales were drug-related, in the latest month for which figures are available, with figures for Welsh seaside town clusters disaggregated; and if he will make a statement. [154943]

  Caroline Flint
  There is currently no measure of drug-related offending at the local level. Existing data sources such as convictions, and recorded crime statistics are not available at ward level and do not contain information about offenders' drug use.

  Sentencing Guidelines Council
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of the Sentencing Guidelines Council. [152840]
  252W
  Paul Goggins
  The role of the Sentencing Guidelines Council is to issue guidance on all aspects of sentencing so as to promote consistent and just sentencing by the courts within the framework provided by Parliament. Recruitment of members is currently under way.

  Tagging
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the case for(a) using tagging with an intensive supervision order and ( b) making tagged offenders who can afford it pay a rental for tagging equipment. [150180]

  Paul Goggins
  The Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) operates within the supervision order for juveniles. The programme is being evaluated by Oxford university and the evaluation report with 12 month reconviction data is now expected in April 2004. Electronic tagging provides the main form of monitoring of the offender on ISSP. Other forms of monitoring include voice verification.

  Electronic monitoring is also used with curfew orders and tagging on bail as well as early release from custody. Evaluation of tagging for juveniles on curfew orders has been published. Progress is also being made on developing the Intensive Control and Change Programme with tagging for 18 to 20-year-old adults and we are extending the pilot areas.

  We have no proposals to charge juvenile or adult offenders for tagging. The financial benefits of charging offenders for use of tagging equipment are likely to be small and offset by administration and enforcement costs. Tagging is already a cost effective alternative to custody.

  Visas
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to(a) re-examine and (b) change visa arrangements for US nationals entering the United Kingdom. [153299]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Government have no plans to re-examine or change the entry clearance requirements for US nationals entering the United Kingdom, although all such requirements are kept under review.

  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) the arrangements for the issuing of visas and (b) eligibility for visas are for (i) US citizens and (ii) other non-EU and non-Commonwealth citizens entering the United Kingdom. [153300]
  253W
  Beverley Hughes
  Arrangements for the issuing of visas are specific to the individual visa issuing Post and are influenced by factors such as the level of demand, and local security situation. Applicants may lodge applications online, in person or by courier service or post. Visa sections may return successful applicants' passports by courier service, or return their endorsed passport to them in person. In the US the visa issuing Posts in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York accept applications made on-line, by post or in person. Visa sections in non-EU or non-Commonwealth countries may operate any one or more of these methods.

  US Nationals are not visa nationals and are therefore only obliged to apply for entry clearance to the UK in specific categories, as set out in the Immigration Rules or if coming to the UK for longer than six months. Visa nationals, which include certain non-EU and non-Commonwealth citizens, are required to obtain entry clearance to enter the UK for any period or purpose. Whether applying for entry clearance or not, the same conditions, as set out in the Immigration Rules, apply to all non-EU or non-Commonwealth nationals.

  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken by his Department to respond to requests for information made by the Visa Section of the British High Commission in Harare about visa applicants. [149486]

  Beverley Hughes
  Immigration and Nationality Department officials are working closely with UK visas to ensure that all requests for information are handled promptly, effectively and securely by those involved. On 10 January this year a new system was introduced making greater use of electronic transmissions. This will also provide an audit trail for each request for information. UK visas and the relevant Home Office Departments are constantly reviewing the system. Work is currently under way to identify further improvements.

  Wetherby Young Offenders Institution
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 14 January 2004,Official Report, column 762W, on HMYOI Wetherby, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increases in costs per prisoner and cost per prisoner place; and what the (a) cost and (b) increase in cost is per (i) prisoner and (ii) prisoner place. [151692]

  Paul Goggins
  I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to question (151131) on 9 February 2004 which set out the reasons for increases in the cost per prisoner and cost per prisoner place at HMYOI Wetherby between 1998–99 and 2002–03. The costs themselves were set out in my previous answers to questions 145649 and 145650.

  Work Permits
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued in 2002. [145413]

  Beverley Hughes
  Under the work permit arrangements, 136,151 approvals were issued during the calendar year 2002. This figure includes initial approvals and approvals of applications to extend and to change existing work permits. It represents a 13 per cent.254W
  increase on the numbers of approved in 2001 and a 203 per cent. increase since 1997. These increases are part of our overall policy of expanding legal migration where it meets the needs of the economy while bearing down on illegal migration.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were granted to health care professionals to work in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years, broken down by(a) country of origin and (b) profession. [151609]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]The tables provide figures for the numbers of work permits granted to health care professionals between 1995 and 2003 (the period for which information is available) broken down by country of origin, and between 2000 and 2003 broken down by occupation.

  A breakdown by occupations for the years 1995 to 1999 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  All health and medical work permit applications approved, broken down by country of origin: 1995

  Number

  India

  209

  Mauritius

  157

  Trinidad and Tobago

  151

  Nigeria

  116

  United States of America

  112

  South Africa

  102

  Australia

  100

  Zimbabwe

  76

  Pakistan

  68

  Malaysia

  57

  Others

  475

  Total

  1,623

  1996

  Number

  India

  276

  Mauritius

  200

  Trinidad and Tobago

  192

  South Africa

  190

  Australia

  189

  Zimbabwe

  146

  Nigeria

  133

  United States of America

  127

  Pakistan

  96

  Malaysia

  82

  Others

  650

  Total

  2,281

  1997

  Number

  South Africa

  420

  Australia

  357

  India

  318

  Trinidad and Tobago

  198

  Nigeria

  196

  United States of America

  187

  Mauritius

  162

  Zimbabwe

  142

  Pakistan

  112

  Canada

  102

  Others

  926

  Total

  3,120

  255W

  1998

  Number

  South Africa

  753

  India

  457

  Australia

  438

  Nigeria

  338

  Trinidad and Tobago

  278

  United States of America

  232

  Zimbabwe

  225

  New Zealand

  192

  Mauritius

  187

  Malaysia

  178

  Others

  1,465

  Total

  4,743

  1999

  Number

  South Africa

  2,024

  Philippines

  1,770

  India

  916

  Australia

  720

  Nigeria

  688

  Zimbabwe

  581

  Trinidad and Tobago

  501

  United States of America

  376

  Malaysia

  272

  New Zealand

  259

  Others

  2,629

  Total

  10,736

  2000

  Number

  Philippines

  6,592

  South Africa

  2,880

  India

  1,939

  Zimbabwe

  1,149

  Nigeria

  1,046

  Australia

  827

  Trinidad and Tobago

  471

  United States of America

  401

  Pakistan

  391

  New Zealand

  390

  Others

  3,874

  Total

  19,960

  2001

  Number

  Philippines

  10,017

  India

  4,137

  South Africa

  4,132

  Zimbabwe

  1,959

  Nigeria

  1,329

  Australia

  1,097

  Pakistan

  799

  Ghana

  565

  China Peoples Republic of

  539

  New Zealand

  488

  Others

  5,514

  Total

  30,576

  256W

  2002

  Number

  Philippines

  11,143

  India

  6,482

  South Africa

  5,728

  Zimbabwe

  2,646

  Nigeria

  1,814

  Australia

  1,241

  Pakistan

  861

  China Peoples Republic of

  713

  Ghana

  631

  Bulgaria

  599

  Others

  6,598

  Total

  38,456

  2003

  Number

  Philippines

  12,014

  India

  9,835

  South Africa

  5,880

  Zimbabwe

  2,825

  Nigeria

  1,510

  Australia

  1,292

  China Peoples Republic of

  1,068

  Pakistan

  964

  Ghana

  850

  Bulgaria

  787

  Others

  7,417

  Total

  44,442

  All health and medical work permit applications approved, broken down by occupation:2000

  Number

  Nurse

  14,123

  Medical practitioner

  543

  Pharmacist

  411

  Researcher

  243

  Dental surgeon

  162

  Physiotherapist

  157

  Assistant dentist

  140

  Veterinary surgeon

  114

  Psychiatrist

  99

  Occupational therapist

  90

  Others

  3,879

  Total

  19,961

  2001

  Number

  Nurse

  22,414

  Medical practitioner

  852

  Doctor

  762

  Pharmacist

  471

  Researcher

  267

  Physiotherapist

  261

  Dental surgeon

  218

  Psychiatrist

  188

  Radiographer

  155

  Occupational therapist

  135

  Others

  4,854

  Total

  30,577

  257W

  2002

  Number

  Nurse

  25,926

  Doctor

  1,948

  Medical practitioner

  524

  Pharmacist

  443

  Researcher

  378

  Physiotherapist

  357

  Radiographer

  352

  Dental surgeon

  238

  Psychiatrist

  213

  Occupational therapist

  194

  Others

  7,884

  Total

  38,457

  2003

  Number

  Nurse

  27,171

  Doctor

  2,947

  Pharmacist

  409

  Physiotherapist

  389

  Radiographer

  384

  Medical practitioner

  340

  Researcher

  339

  Social worker

  208

  Dental surgeon

  201

  Psychiatrist

  189

  Others

  11,866

  Total

  44,443

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down, by occupation, work permits awarded in each year since 1997. [154150]

  Beverley Hughes
  Figures for the primary occupations for which the most work permit applications have been issued since 1997 are given in the following tables:

  1997

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Trainee

  4,529

  Manager

  2,579

  Manager (Unspecified)

  1,943

  Systems Analyst

  1,768

  Staff Nurse

  1,527

  Other Financial Occupations

  1,331

  Company Director

  1,209

  Other Medical Occupations

  1,007

  Other Professional Sportsmen

  908

  Musician

  839

  Others

  25,204

  1998

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Trainee

  5,649

  Systems Analyst

  2,446

  Manager

  2,254

  Staff Nurse

  1,782

  Manager (Unspecified)

  1,543

  Company Director

  1,162

  Other Financial Occupations

  1,102

  Other Medical Occupations

  1,083

  Musician

  846

  Other Professional Sportsmen

  723

  Others

  33,022

  258W

  1999

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Trainee

  3.957

  Staff Nurse

  2,679

  Nurse

  2,406

  Other Managerial Related Occupation

  2,195

  Manager

  1,871

  Other Medical Occupations

  1,356

  Systems Analyst

  1,284

  Manager (Unspecified)

  998

  Other IT Related Occupation

  905

  Accountant

  899

  Others

  39,695

  2000

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Nurse

  15,040

  Other Managerial Related Occupations

  14,971

  Other IT Related Occupations

  14,971

  Other Financial Occupations

  4,405

  Other Engineering Occupations

  4,346

  System Analyst

  3,606

  Other Health/Medical Occupations

  3,347

  Researcher

  3,246

  Software Engineer

  3,006

  Accountant

  2,531

  Others

  21,417

  2001

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Nurse

  24,263

  Other Managerial Related Occupations

  13,308

  Other IT Related Occupations

  9,220

  Teacher (School/College)

  5,880

  Software Engineer

  5,603

  Other Engineering Occupations

  4,555

  System Analyst

  4,435

  Other Financial Occupations

  4–421

  Researcher

  3,931

  Other Health/Medical Occupations

  3,801

  Others

  37,970

  2002

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Nurse

  28,642

  Other Managerial Related Occupations

  12,670

  Teacher (School/College)

  8,353

  Other Health/Medical Occupations

  7,004

  Other IT Related Occupations

  6,935

  Software Engineer

  6,768

  Chef

  5,724

  Other Engineering Occupations

  5,140

  Researcher

  4,140

  Analyst Programmer

  4,008

  Others

  42,951

  20031

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Nurse

  22,055

  Other Managerial Related Occupations

  10,049

  Other Health/Medical Occupations

  7,711

  Chef

  5,723

  Teacher (School/College)

  5,342

  Other IT Related Occupations

  5,146

  Software Engineer

  3,905

  259W

  2003

  Occupation

  Total number issued

  Other Engineering Occupations

  3,519

  Researcher

  3,098

  Other Financial Occupations

  2,927

  Others

  35,510

  1 To 30 September 2003.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were awarded to health workers(a) from each of the top 10 countries of origin and (b) in total in each of the last 10 years. [154601]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: The tables provide figures for the number of permits granted to healthcare professionals between 1995 and 2003 (the period for which information is available). The tables give details of the number of applications approved for each of the top 10 countries of origin and the total of approved applications for each year.

  Health and medical permit applications approved—top 10 countries of origin and total approved applications by year: 1995

  Number

  India

  209

  Mauritius

  157

  Trinidad and Tobago

  151

  Nigeria

  116

  United States of America

  112

  South Africa

  102

  Australia

  100

  Zimbabwe

  76

  Pakistan

  68

  Malaysia

  57

  Total

  1,623

  1996

  Number

  India

  276

  Mauritius

  200

  Trinidad and Tobago

  192

  South Africa

  190

  Australia

  189

  Zimbabwe

  146

  Nigeria

  133

  United States of America

  127

  Pakistan

  96

  Malasia

  82

  Total

  2,281

  1997

  Number

  South Africa

  420

  Australia

  357

  India

  318

  Trinidad and Tobago

  198

  Nigeria

  196

  United States of America

  187

  Mauritius

  162

  Zimbabwe

  142

  Pakistan

  112

  Canada

  102

  Total

  3,120

  260W

  1998

  Number

  South Africa

  753

  India

  457

  Australia

  438

  Nigeria

  338

  Trinidad and Tobago

  278

  United States of America

  232

  Zimbabwe

  225

  New Zealand

  192

  Mauritius

  187

  Malaysia

  178

  Total

  4,743

  1999

  Number

  South Africa

  2,024

  Philippines

  1,770

  India

  916

  Australia

  720

  Nigeria

  688

  Zimbabwe

  581

  Trinidad and Tobago

  501

  United States of America

  376

  Malaysia

  272

  New Zealand

  259

  Others

  2,629

  Total

  10,736

  2000

  Number

  Philippines

  6,592

  South Africa

  2,880

  India

  1,939

  Zimbabwe

  1,149

  Nigeria

  1,046

  Australia

  827

  Trinidad and Tobago

  471

  United States of America

  401

  Pakistan

  391

  New Zealand

  390

  Total

  19,961

  2001

  Number

  Philippines

  10,017

  India

  4,137

  South Africa

  4,132

  Zimbabwe

  1,959

  Nigeria

  1,329

  Australia

  1,097

  Pakistan

  799

  Ghana

  565

  China Peoples Republic of

  539

  New Zealand

  488

  Others

  5,514

  Total

  30,576

  261W

  2002

  Number

  Philippines

  1 1,143

  India

  6,482

  South Africa

  5,727

  Zimbabwe

  2,647

  Nigeria

  1,814

  Australia

  1,241

  Pakistan

  861

  Peoples Republic of China

  713

  Ghana

  631

  Bulgaria

  599

  Total

  38,457

  20031

  Number

  Philippines

  8,749

  India

  7,367

  South Africa

  4,422

  Zimbabwe

  2,050

  Nigeria

  1,128

  Australia

  1,034

  Peoples Republic of China

  732

  Pakistan

  723

  Ghana

  653

  Bulgaria

  532

  Total

  33,058

  1 Figures are only available for the period January to September 2003.

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2, October 2002 to September 2003, nationals of Zimbabwe

  Principal applicants

  Applications

  Decisions Grants of:

  Zimbabwe

  Total

  Port

  In country

  Total decisions

  Asylum

  ELR

  HP

  DL

  Total refusals

  2002

  October

  1,455

  1,170

  280

  705

  275

  10

  n/a

  n/a

  420

  november

  965

  610

  360

  855

  315

  10

  n/a

  n/a

  530

  December

  320

  50

  270

  770

  295

  10

  n/a

  n/a

  465

  2003

  January

  495

  60

  430

  400

  125

  5

  n/a

  n/a

  270

  February

  285

  70

  215

  295

  85

  *

  n/a

  n/a

  210

  March

  295

  85

  210

  490

  135

  *

  n/a

  n/a

  350

  April

  335

  80

  260

  310

  90

  n/a

  —

  5

  215

  May

  230

  75

  155

  430

  95

  n/a

  5

  *

  330

  June

  250

  55

  190

  405

  90

  n/a

  —

  *

  315

  July

  285

  55

  230

  285

  50

  n/a

  —

  5

  230

  August

  185

  25

  160

  270

  35

  n/a

  —

  *

  235

  September

  240

  60

  180

  345

  50

  n/a

  —

  5

  290

  October 2002 to September 2003 total

  5,335

  2,395

  2,940

  5,560

  1,640

  40

  5

  15

  3,865

  1Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*' = 1 or 2.

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

  Note:

  n/a not applicable.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people sought asylum from Zimbabwe in the last 12 months; how many applications(a) succeeded and (b) failed; how many failed applicants have been removed; and how many were white Zimbabwean farmers in each case. [154041]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 1 February 2004]: The following tables show the number of asylum applications, initial decisions and appeal outcomes between October 2002 and September 2003 and the number of removals between October 2002 and June 2003, the latest published figures available, for nationals of Zimbabwe. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period. Appeals do not necessarily relate to refusals of grants of asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave made in the same period. Removals do not necessarily relate to initial decisions or appeal outcomes made in the same period.

  Information on the ethnic origin or occupation of asylum applicants is unavailable. The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

  Information on asylum applications, initial decisions on asylum applications, appeal outcomes and removals by nationality is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, available from the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next quarterly publication, covering the fourth quarter of 2003 and provisional full year data, will be published on 24 February.
  263W

  Outcome of appeals1,2determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority ,excluding dependants ,October 2002 to September 2003, nationals of Zimbabwe

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals determined by adjudicators2

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Zimbabwe

  Total

  Total

  As percentage of determined

  Total

  As percentage of determined

  Total

  As percentage of determined

  2002

  October

  285

  105

  37

  160

  57

  20

  7

  November

  255

  90

  35

  150

  59

  15

  6

  December

  265

  100

  38

  155

  59

  5

  3

  2003

  January February

  300

  85

  28

  205

  68

  15

  4

  February

  205

  70

  34

  125

  60

  10

  5

  March

  310

  100

  32

  195

  63

  15

  6

  April

  380

  115

  31

  250

  66

  10

  3

  May

  405

  115

  29

  265

  65

  25

  6

  June

  315

  95

  30

  205

  64

  20

  6

  July

  405

  145

  36

  245

  60

  15

  4

  August

  305

  70

  23

  220

  72

  15

  5

  September

  400

  105

  26

  280

  70

  15

  4

  October 2002 to September 2003 total

  3,830

  1,195

  31

  2,450

  64

  185

  5

  1 Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages). Figures may not add up due to independent rounding. Data on appeal outcomes by nationality in this table are derived from electronic sources.

  2 Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant.

  Removal and voluntary1 departure of principal asylum applicant(excluding dependants):October 2002 to 20032,3,4

  Zimbabwe

  Number

  2002

  October

  10

  November

  10

  December

  10

  2003

  January

  *

  February

  5

  March

  10

  April

  5

  May

  5

  June

  5

  Total

  55

  1 Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.

  2 Figures rounded to the nearest five with * denoting 1 or 2 and may not sum to total due to rounding.

  3 Data have been estimated due to data quality issues.

  4 Provisional figures.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the removal of failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [154042]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in January 2002 a suspension of removals of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe. This was in response to concerns about the serious deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe in the build-up to the presidential election held in March that year. We did not, at that time, regard it as unsafe to return failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe, but in view of the rapidly changing conditions we considered that it would be appropriate not to enforce returns.
  264W
  The Government's position is, as it has been since January 2002, that each asylum (and human rights) claim made by a Zimbabwean national will be considered on its individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Each application is considered against the background of the latest available country information including that obtained from and through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  We do of course recognise that conditions in Zimbabwe are such that there are individuals who are able to demonstrate a need for international protection. Where they meet the definition of a refugee in the 1951 convention, asylum is granted. There may also be individuals whose circumstances make them particularly vulnerable and who would engage our obligations under the ECHR. Where this is the case these individuals will be granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave.

  In the first nine months of last year, we granted asylum to 755 Zimbabweans and granted other forms of protection to 30 others. These statistics show that we are giving protection to the significant number of people who are found to be in need of it.

  If an application is refused, there will be a right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities against that decision. Should a claim be refused and any appeal be unsuccessful that means that, for that individual, return to Zimbabwe would be safe. That is why we consider it reasonable to expect an individual in that position to leave voluntarily.

  However, although it would be safe for failed asylum seekers to return to Zimbabwe, our view at present is that in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe, it would be inappropriate forcibly to return them at this time. The exceptions we would make to that policy are in cases where a failed asylum seeker

  265W
  had a serious criminal record or their presence in the United Kingdom was not otherwise conducive to the public good. In such circumstances enforced return to Zimbabwe would be considered by Ministers on a case by case basis.

  The policy remains under continuous review.

HEALTH

  Road Safety
  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study of the effect of time delay in summoning help on fatalities and serious injuries following road crashes. [154918]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government's objective is to save more lives by providing faster, more responsive emergency ambulance services, with better trained staff; and to deliver improved patient assessment and treatment while making more use of technology.

  Immediately life-threatening emergency calls (Category A) should be responded to 75 per cent. of the time within eight minutes, irrespective of location. Clinical evidence shows that achievement of the 75 per cent. standard could save as many as 1,800 lives each year.

  Other emergency calls that are not life threatening should be responded to 95 per cent. of the time within 14 minutes in urban areas and 19 minutes in rural areas.

  The latest information about ambulance performance is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, "Ambulance Services, England 2002–03". Copies of the bulletin have been placed in the Library.

  Acute Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has published to ensure that patients who have received specialist acute care are referred for aftercare to a hospital close to the patients' homes; and if he will make a statement. [155152]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In January 2003, the "Department published a good practice guide; "Discharge from hospital: pathway, process and practice". This puts the patient and their carer at the heart of the process for discharge from acute hospital care to other forms of care. February 2003 guidance on reconfiguration, "Keeping the NHS Local", also emphasises the need to expand the range of local options available from providers across the whole health and social care system.

  Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the areas that will start screening newborn children for medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, broken down by primary care trust. [155171]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Six laboratories in England are screening newborn children for medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency for 24 months. This is the first stage of a five-year programme to assess the potential 266W
  impact of screening. The pilot covers children born in and around Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, parts of London and South East counties.

  "Agenda for Change"
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the evaluation undertaken so far by his Department into the pilot trials of "Agenda for Change". [153109]

  Mr. Hutton
  The United Kingdom Health Departments, national health service unions and NHS employer representatives are reviewing the emerging evidence from the 12 "Agenda for Change" early implementer sites. The conclusions from this review should be known from late spring. Some emerging lessons from the early implementer sites, designed to support other NHS organisations in their preparatory work, are available on the web-sites of the Department of Health and NHS Modernisation Agency.

  Anaesthetists
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the future demand for anaesthetists in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority area following the introduction of the European Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement on meeting the demand. [153811]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Working Time Directive (WTD) is an integral part of modernising and improving services at all levels. Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible for planning for implementation by national health service trusts of the WTD for doctors in training from August 2004, as part of their overall NHS planning.

  It is for local organisations to determine the level of staff needed to implement the WTD and to deliver a quality service. Priority will be given to trusts facing WTD challenges in the allocation of an additional 1,500 locally funded specialist registrar training opportunities, subject to educational approval being obtained.

  Figures from the September 2002 Department of Health census show that, in the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA, there were 272 staff with a specialty in anaesthetics. Of these 138 were consultants. As part of the local delivery plans, the local health economy is planning an increase to 176.48 whole time equivalent consultants by 31 March 2006.

  In addition to recruiting increased numbers of consultants, the NHS in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear is looking at new and innovative ways to provide services. This includes the implementation of the non-medical anaesthetics practitioner role at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, which involves recruiting non-medical anaesthetic personnel from overseas.

  Asthma
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many asthma sufferers had their condition reviewed at least once in the last year for which figures are available. [154569]
  267W
  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  The question of the frequency of patient review is a purely clinical one and will depend on the circumstances of the individual patient.

  The new general medical services contract significantly benefits patients by improving the quality of care and widening the range of services available at general practitioners' surgeries.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department have been(a) investigated, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for involvement in benefit fraud in each of the last six years; and what amounts were involved in each case. [151998]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There are no recorded instances.

  Capital Investment (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) planned and (b) committed new capital investment programmes undertaken in the Newcastle Primary Care Trust area by the (i) Newcastle Primary Care Trust, (ii) Newcastle Hospitals Trust, (iii) Neuro Rehabilitation Trust, (iv) Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside Trust and (v) Northgate and Prudhoe Trust since 1997–98, including PFI financed projects. [154607]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: Planned and committed capital investment programmes in the area covered by Newcastle Primary Care Trust since 1997–98 are as follows.

  1. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Trust

  Planned

  A major private finance initiative (PFI) development, costing £220 million, will result in the transfer of acute services from Newcastle General Hospital to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and Freeman Hospital. This will include a new cancer and renal care centre at the Freeman Hospital. At the RVI, there will be a new accident and emergency department, with all of the vital clinical supporting services accommodated together (for example, traumatic orthopaedics, neurosciences, diagnostic imaging and critical care), and a new children's wing. The Freeman Hospital developments are scheduled to open in mid-2006 and an opening date of late 2007 is scheduled for the developments at the RVI.

  Committed/completed

  A new children's intensive care unit and fracture clinic was opened in spring 2002 at a cost of £3 million.

  A new 17-bed critical care unit at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle was completed in 2003 at a cost of £4.5 million.

  New facilities for cleft lip and palate services were developed during 2002–03 at a cost of £1.4 million.
  268W
  The regional neurosciences centre at Newcastle General Hospital was improved and upgraded during 2002–03 at a cost of £l.2 million.

  Facilities for dermatology patients were upgraded at the RVI during 2002–03, at a cost of £1.2 million.

  A new energy centre at the RVI, costing £6.9 million and funded through the PFI, was opened during 2003.

  A pharmacy manufacturing and stores scheme opened at the RVI during 2003 at a cost of £8.6 million.

  A new antenatal clinic opened at the RVI during 2003. This was developed at a cost of £5.7 million.

  Work has started on a multi-storey car park, funded through the PFI, costing £8 million, for completion in the autumn.

  2. Northgate and Prudhoe NHS Trust

  Planned

  A £20 million Northern neuro disability centre is to be developed at Walkergate through the PFI. This is scheduled for completion in 2006 and will bring together current services at Hunters Moor Hospital, Newcastle, the Janie Heppell Unit and Annexe at Prudhoe Hospital and the Sanderson Centre and Hartside Unit at St. Nicholas Hospital, Newcastle. It will provide services for people with neuro disabilities caused by disease, illness or accident.

  3. Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Trust NHS Trust

  Planned

  A £20 million development is planned at St. Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle to improve adult medium and low secure forensic psychiatry accommodation and provide a new personality disorder unit. This is scheduled for completion in 2007.

  Committed/completed

  A rehabilitation unit at St. Nicholas Hospital was reprovided in 2002 at a cost of £1.2 million, as well as accommodation for the neuropsychiatry service, at a cost of £2 million.

  4. Newcastle Primary Care Trust

  Committed

  More than £5 million is to be spent using NHS local investment finance trust (LIFT) to provide modern health centres in Kenton, Walker and Brunton Park. This is part of a scheme that will eventually transform more than 25 outdated health centres and community facilities across Newcastle and North Tyneside.

  In a separate scheme, a new doctors' surgery in the west end of Newcastle is being developed at a cost of £2 million. This is being done in partnership between Prospect Medical Group and Prime, a private sector development. Work started last year and was scheduled for completion in February 2004.

  Planned

  As above—the LIFT project will eventually result in major improvements to more than 25 health centres across Newcastle and North Tyneside.

  Cardiac Care
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people from each primary care trust
  269W
  area in England received cardiac treatment at Brighton hospitals in the most recent year for which information is available. [154873]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: Information on number of people from each primary care trust (PCT) area in England who have received cardiac treatment at Brighton hospitals, is shown in the table. The latest information available is for 2002–03.

  Cardiac procedures (OPCS4 codes K01-K71). All operation count of Episodes. Finished admission Episodes—For Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust by PCT of residence. NHS hospitals in England, 2002–03

  PCT of residence

  Total episodes

  5LQ

  Brighton and Hove City PCT

  938

  5LT

  Sussex Downs and Weald PCT

  470

  5L8

  Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT

  438

  5FK

  Mid-Sussex PCT

  420

  5LR

  Eastbourne Downs PCT

  344

  5FH

  Bexhill and Rother PCT

  184

  5DG

  Isle of Wight PCT

  158

  5FJ

  Hastings and St. Leonards PCT

  153

  5MC

  Horsham and Chanctonbury PCT

  149

  5KQ

  East Surrey PCT

  103

  5KV

  Poole PCT

  97

  5MA

  Crawley PCT

  65

  5L9

  Western Sussex PCT

  57

  5FN

  South and East Dorset PCT

  43

  5CE

  Bournemouth PCT

  28

  5L2

  Maidstone Weald PCT

  23

  5KP

  East Elmbridge and Mid Surrey PCT

  22

  5MV

  Wolverhampton City PCT

  19

  5FD

  East Hampshire PCT

  12

  5LX

  Fareham and Gosport PCT

  12

  5HT

  Dudley South PCT

  11

  5M3

  Walsall PCT

  10

  5CM

  Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley PCT

  9

  5FE

  Portsmouth City PCT

  7

  5HV

  Dudley Beacon and Castle PCT

  6

  5CD

  North Dorset PCT

  6

  5MH

  Rowley Regis and Tipton PCT

  6

  5DQ

  Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth PCT

  *

  5FP

  South West Dorset PCT

  *

  5FF

  South West Kent PCT

  *

  5M1

  South Birmingham PCT

  *

  5L5

  Guildford and Waverley PCT

  *

  5MW

  North Birmingham PCT

  *

  5MN

  South Western Staffordshire PCT

  *

  5MJ

  Wednesbury and West Bromwich PCT

  *

  5L7

  Woking PCT

  *

  5DR

  Wyre Forest PCT

  *

  5LL

  Ashford PCT

  *

  5GD

  Bedford PCT

  *

  5AX

  Bexley PCT

  *

  5G6

  Blackwater Valley and Hart PCT

  *

  5MY

  Eastern Birmingham PCT

  *

  5LN

  East Kent Coastal PCT

  *

  5MG

  Oldbury and Smethwick PCT

  *

  5D1

  Solihull PCT

  *

  5MT

  South Worcestershire PCT

  *

  5L4

  Swale PCT

  *

  5C4

  Tower Hamlets PCT

  *

  5D2

  West Lincolnshire PCT

  *

  5A9

  Barnet PCT

  *

  5GE

  Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT

  *

  5HP

  Blackpool PCT

  *

  5JG

  Bristol South and West PCT

  *

  5LM

  Canterbury and Coastal PCT

  *

  5D4

  Carlisle and District PCT

  *

  5K9

  Croydon PCT

  *

  5HX

  Ealing PCT

  *

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  Cardiac procedures (OPCS4 codes K01-K71). All operation count of Episodes. Finished admission Episodes—For Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust by PCT of residence. NHS hospitals in England, 2002–03

  PCT of residence

  Total episodes

  5A8

  Greenwich PCT

  *

  5A4

  Havering PCT

  *

  5MX

  Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT

  *

  5HY

  Hounslow PCT

  *

  5LD

  Lambeth PCT

  *

  5LF

  Lewisham PCT

  *

  5D3

  Lincolnshire South West Teaching PCT

  *

  5L3

  Medway PCT

  *

  5E9

  Mid-Hampshire PCT

  *

  5DD

  Morecambe Bay PCT

  *

  5AP

  Newark and Sherwood PCT

  *

  5D7

  Newcastle PCT

  *

  5A1

  New Forest PCT

  *

  5DL

  Reading PCT

  *

  5MR

  Redditch and Bromsgrove PCT

  *

  5KK

  Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale PCT

  *

  5LP

  Shepway PCT

  *

  5DJ

  South Wiltshire PCT

  *

  5M7

  Sutton and Merton PCT

  *

  5GN

  Uttlesford PCT

  *

  5GV

  Watford and Three Rivers PCT

  *

  5LC

  Westminster PCT

  *

  5DN

  Wokingham PCT

  *

  59999

  Unknown

  61

  Total

  3,851

  Notes:

  1. Finished admission episodes—A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  2. All Operations count of Episodes—These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the procedure was mentioned in any of the 12 (4 prior to 2002–03) operation fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if an operation is mentioned in more than one operation field of the record.

  3. Low Numbers—Due to reasons of confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been suppressed and replaced with an asterisk.

  4. Grossing—Figures have not (yet) been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of differences in fee levels for care home places in different parts of the country. [155806]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Independent data published in July 2003 found that the number of care home places available nationally exceeded demand by 10,000. Where there are local capacity issues to be addressed, it is for local councils to assess the need for care home places in their areas in the light of local circumstances and preferences and to commission services to meet assessed needs. They should act in consultation with people needing services and local providers.

  Children's NHS Framework
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the Children's National Health Service Framework; and if he will make a statement. [155539]
  271W
  Dr. Ladyman
  The national service framework for children, young people and maternity services will be published later this year.

  Clinical Negligence
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the national health service resulting from clinical negligence was in each year from 1990 to 2002. [156016]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The total cost of medical negligence in each year since 1996, as prepared by the National Audit Office and presented in the National Health Service Summarised Accounts for England, is in the table. Information for the period 1990 to 1995 was not collected centrally.

  £ millions

  In year expenditure

  1996–97

  £235

  1997–98

  £144

  1998–99

  £221

  1999–2000

  £373

  2000–01

  £415

  2001–02

  £446

  Note:

  Changes to accounting policies imposed by Her Majesty's
  Treasury over the years mean that these amounts are not directly comparable.

  Community Health Councils
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for how many former community health council premises which are empty, payments for(a) leases, (b) rent, (c) rates and (d) security costs are still being made; [149762]

  (2) what the estimated cost is of (a) maintaining and (b) securing empty community health council premises until alternative uses have been found. [149763]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There are currently 96 vacant community health council offices and the estimated cost for rent, rates, services and security is £1.62 million per annum. A number of these premises are under offer or are awaiting sale or assignment to other bodies, including national health service organisations, and the position will change as these progress.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of abolishing community health councils. [149776]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  It is not possible to give the exact costs for abolishing community health councils (CHCs). We have estimated the running costs for CHCs from 1 April to 1 December 2003 and for a residual period up to March 2004 at £15 million. Additionally, redundancy costs are estimated at £14.9 million and the estimated costs for rent, rates, servicing and security of vacant CHC offices is £1.62 million per annum. A number of these premises are under offer or are awaiting sale or assignment to other bodies, including national health service organisations, and the position will change as these progress.

  Nappies
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government is taking to promote the use of reusable nappies in hospitals. [154771]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Government firmly believes that women and their families should be given information on the use of both re-usable and disposable nappies to make an informed choice. The Pregnancy Book and Birth to Five are two comprehensive information booklets produced by the Department of Health, which are given free to all first time mothers. Both publications give detailed information on both reusable and disposable nappies, including information about nappy laundering services, and suggest that parents ask their midwife to show them how to fold/pin terry nappies if they decide to use them.

  It is for individual units and trusts to decide on the practicalities of promoting the use of terry nappies in their own maternity units.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent on the(a) purchase and (b) disposal of (i) disposable nappies and (ii) reusable nappies in the last year for which figures are available. [154772]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The national Health Service provides very few nappies for newborn babies; mothers are encouraged to provide their own nappies. The main exception is extremely premature babies, for whom commercially available nappies are too large. NHS-bought nappies are therefore provided.

  The vast majority of nappies purchased by the NHS are provided for children with disabilities who are incontinent. We do not have central information on the purchase of reusable nappies.

  During the financial year 2002–03, the NHS bought approximately 12 million disposable nappies, with a value of £1.5 million.

  Continence Wear
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the(a) provision, (b) collection and (c) disposal of continence wear to older children and adults cost the NHS in the last year for which figures are available. [154773]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information in the form requested is not available centrally. However, the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) estimates that over the past 12 months National Health Service trusts have spent approximately £23 million on disposable products and £150 thousand on reusable products. Additionally, PASA estimates that approximately £22 million was spent by the NHS on home delivery products for people with incontinence. Together, this gives a total spend of around £45 million by the NHS on continence products in the last 12 months.

  Crisis Resolution Teams
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the crisis resolution teams that are operational are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. [154405]
  273W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 22 January 2004,Official Report, column 1425W, to the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe).

  Delayed Discharges
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total amount of reimbursement from social services departments to the NHS for delayed discharges is in the current financial year for(a) England and (b) each strategic health authority; and if he will make a statement. [154582]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Data on legal liabilities for reimbursement charges are not available centrally at this time.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of trained dentists living in the UK as refugees; and what proportion he estimates are working in the NHS. [151467]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not held centrally on the number of refugees working as dentists in the national health service. We are aware that the British Dental Association and the Refugee Council have a database containing details of 60 dentists who are refugees. These dentists are preparing for the General Dental Council's international qualifying examination (IQE) to become eligible to practise in the United Kingdom. We are considering how dentists with overseas qualifications could be given more support with the additional training they require to take the IQE and equip themselves to practise in the NHS.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will break down the funding targeted at primary care trusts where access to NHS dentists is low, announced on 18 September 2003, by(a) region and (b) primary care trust. [151540]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 28 January 2004]: 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 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 25 November 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 information technology 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.
  274W
  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 a 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 has identified 16 PCTs with specific dental access issues. Funding for these PCTs, which are shown in the 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 shown in the table. The bulk of the funds will be spent in 2004–05 to allow SHAs and PCTs to plan for its investment.
  £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 shown 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. 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 PCT

  Isle of Wight PCT

  New Forest PCT

  West Gloucestershire PCT

  North East Lincolnshire PCT

  Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale PCT

  Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT

  Northumbria Care Trust

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT

  Hyndburn and Ribble PCT

  Blackburn with Darwen PCT

  Morecambe Bay PCT

  Shropshire County PCT

  Telford and Wrekin PCT

  South West Staffordshire PCT

  Central Cheshire PCT

  275W

  £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

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress of Options for Change in improving NHS Dentistry, with particular reference to(a) Portsmouth and (b) South Hampshire. [151997]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We are committed to rebuilding and restoring national health service dentistry to improve oral health. The report, "NHS Dentistry: Options for Change", published in 2002, set out the ideas and principles behind the reform of NHS dentistry. Central to these changes are the aims of:local commissioning of services offering care which is responsive to local need;
  moving away from the restrictions of the detailed and inflexible existing fee-for-item system and giving dentists the opportunity to practise more preventive dentistry;
  improving the patient experience; improving access to NHS dentistry.

  New legislation in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 will enable these changes and will underpin a modernised, high-quality primary dental service, properly integrated with the rest of the NHS. The aim is to deliver better access to services; better working lives for dentists and their teams, better oral health and an improved patient experience. From 1 April 2005, primary care trusts (PCTs) will assume a new responsibility for commissioning dental services supported by the £1.2 billion resources currently held centrally.

  The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act also provides for the replacement of the existing Dental Practice Board by a new special health authority for England and Wales with a wider remit for modernisation and change. This is likely to happen in 2005. In the meantime, shadow arrangements are in
  276W
  place to work in partnership with the existing Dental Practice Board to lead the modernisation process and provide support to PCTs and dentists to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements. Discussions are also on-going with the dental profession on the base contract, which will replace the item of service arrangements.

  In Hampshire, each PCT has identified a dental management lead who has been working closely with the strategic health authority dental lead and the Department of Health to prepare dental action plans for the transition to local commissioning of dentistry. In agreement with the Department, arrangements have been made for some dental practices that wish to do so—including one in Portsmouth—to act as pilots for future contracting arrangements.

  Dietary Strategy
  Mr. Barstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's strategy is for reducing(a) salt levels in food and (b) the prevalence of people having excess salt in their diet. [153116]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Strangford (Mrs. Robinson) on Tuesday 27 January 2004,Official Report, column 332W.

  On Tuesday 3 February 2004, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a period of consultation on a public health white paper. This will provide the overarching framework for work that the Department of Health and other Government Departments are already engaged in. The consultation aims to engage the public, the media, industry, voluntary groups and health professionals in a wide-ranging debate about how the nation can best tackle issues like obesity, smoking and sexually transmitted infections.

  Directly Funded Equipment
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the money set aside for directly funded equipment has been taken up by local authorities(a) so far this financial year and (b) in the last financial year. [151717]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 29 January 2004]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to funding for community equipment services. These are funded in the following manner: all local health and social services have historic funding streams for these services. At the beginning of the initiative to integrate and modernise these services we announced that we were increasing baseline funding to the National Health Service and councils to enable them to participate. We gave the NHS an extra £105 million over the years 2001–02 to 2003–04 and made a substantial addition to councils' personal social services allocation ( following normal practice, the amount of the latter was not announced). Councils with social services responsibilities are also now receiving even more funding for community equipment through the systems and access capacity grant, starting with —7.6 million this year, with considerable rises due in 2004–05 and 2005–06. In all cases, local service

  277W
  commissioners decide how to use that funding to meet the needs of their local populations and this element of their spending is not monitored centrally.

  Disciplinary Procedures
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) NHS hospital doctors, (b) NHS consultants and (c) NH S general practitioners are suspended on disciplinary grounds; and if he will make a statement. [154255]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: Discipline for National Health Service trust clinicians is a matter for local managers and disciplinary action will take a variety of forms, NHS trusts are not required to collect this information and it is not collected centrally.

  Primary care trusts (PCTs) must notify the Family Health Services Appeal Authority (Special Health Authority) when they suspend or lift a suspension from a general medical practitioner. Thirty GPs are currently suspended by PCTs.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average time taken to(a) investigate and (b) resolve cases regarding the suspension of NHS (i) hospital doctors, (ii) consultants and (iii) general practitioners was in the latest year for which figures are available; what percentage of those investigations found in favour of (A) those making the complaint and (B) the person suspended; and if he will make a statement; [154257]

  (2) what the total cost is in (a) salaries and national insurance contributions and (b) other costs arising from (i) NHS hospital doctors, (ii) NHS consultants and (iii) NHS general practitioners currently suspended; and if he will make a statement. [154256]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 10 February 2004 ]: This information is not held centrally

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the procedures for investigating the cases of suspended NHS hospital doctors, consultants and general practitioners. [154258]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: The Department issued a mandatory framework, (HSC 2003/ 012) Maintaining High Professional standards in the Modern NHS, for the handling of concerns about doctors and dentists employed in the National Health Service, on 29 December 2003. The procedures a primary care trust must follow are set out in the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, as amended; the NHS (General Medical Services Supplementary List) Regulations 2001, as amended; and the NHS (Personal Medical Services) (Services List) and the (General Medical Services Supplementary List) and (General Medical Services) Amendment Regulations 2003.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the kinds of complaints which cause NHS hospital doctors, consultants and general practitioners to be suspended. [154259]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 10 February 2004]: Under the Restriction of Practice and Exclusion from Work Directions 2003, formal exclusion of one or more
  278W
  clinicians must be used only where there is a need to protect the interests of patients or other staff pending the outcome of a full investigation of: allegations of misconduct, concerns about the lack of capability or poor performance; or the presence of the practitioner in the workplace is likely to hinder the investigation.

  Full consideration should be given to whether the practitioner could continue in or (in cases of immediate exclusion) return to work in a limited capacity or in an alternative, possibly non-clinical role, pending the resolution of the case.

  Regulations permit primary care trusts to suspend general medical practitioners from their medical, supplementary medical or services lists if they consider this is necessary to protect patients or is otherwise in the public interest. This is an interim measure pending the outcome of regulatory body or criminal investigation, or while they consider serious matters which may lead to the practitioner's removal on suitability, efficiency or fraud grounds.

  Drug Addicts
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many addicts in England and Wales are maintained on prescribed(a) heroin and (b) methadone; and at what average annual cost for each of those prescriptions. [150727]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 26 January 2004]: There are approximately 450 drug misusers in England being maintained on prescribed heroin. The estimated annual cost per patient of maintaining a drug misuser on heroin is £12,000 per patient.

  We do not have figures centrally on the numbers of drug misusers being maintained on methadone. The estimated annual cost per patient of maintaining a drug misuser on oral methadone is £3,000.

  EU Accession States (Migration)
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) plans he has made and (b) resources he has assigned for the treatment of migrants from EU accession states from 1st May. [153798]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: Research for the Home Office does not suggest that the numbers of people who migrate from the new Member States of the European Union to the United Kingdom will be significant. Those that fall into the categories covered by Regulations (EEC) 1408/71 and 574/72—for example temporary visitors, certain pensioners and others—will have costs of any National Health Service treatment met by the person's country of insurance.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely impact on the NHS of migration from EU accession states. [153799]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) on 3 February 2004, Official Report, column 822W.

  Family Planning/Reproductive Health Care
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring arrangements are being put in place by his Department to ensure that the advice provided by general practices which sign up to providing contraceptive services under the new general medical services contract(a) covers all methods of contraception and (b) is of a high standard. [154447]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Regulations for the new general medical services contract set out a new contractual requirement that practices providing additional contraceptive services must give "advice about the full range of contraceptive methods" and "the referral as necessary for specialist sexual health services". This includes referral for the fitting of intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants where these are not provided by the practice. In addition, practices will be rewarded through a quality and outcomes framework for having policies on emergency contraception and pre-conceptual (all other) contraception. Primary care trusts will be responsible for performance managing the contract.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps the Government is taking to meet the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare's recommendation that there should be one full-time clinician in family planning and sexual and reproductive healthcare per 125,000 population; [154448]

  (2) how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses are employed in family planning community clinics; and what steps the Government is taking to (i) recruit and (ii) retain (A) doctors and (B) nurses in such clinics. [154449]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  It is for individual primary care trusts and National Health Service trusts to determine how their services are configured and delivered in order to provide quality services. The NHS will continue to plan its future workforce requirements to address identified need. We are also ensuring through the Department's performance management measures that the creation of clinical posts is seen as a high priority. Also, the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare is represented on the contraceptive services group that has been established by the Department. Workforce is a key issue being addressed by this group. In 2003–04, central funding was provided to support the implementation of four additional specialist registrar posts in family planning and reproductive health.

  The Department does not collect data on the numbers of doctors and nurses specifically employed in family planning community clinics (the medical and non-medical workforce census collects information annually on the number of doctors and nurses employed in the NHS, but cannot distinguish those working in family planning).

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to prioritise contraceptive services within strategic health authorities' local delivery plans; [154429]
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  what steps his Department (a) has taken over the last 12 months and (b) plans to take over the next 12 months to prioritise contraceptive services within the NHS; and what impact such measures have had to date; [154430]

  if he will make a statement on the role of the group of key experts on contraception referred to by the Under-Secretary for State of Health on 15 January 2004, Official Report, column 371WH. [154433]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  It is a key aim of both the Government's Sexual Health and HIV Strategy and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy to reduce unintended pregnancy rates. Provision of good quality contraceptive services is key in achieving this aim. It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) to ensure that comprehensive services are provided and the Department has issued them with guidance on how to commission these services.

  The Department has also convened a group of key experts, including representatives from the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Family Planning Association, to develop and implement an action plan to support the improvement of contraceptive services at local level.

  We are working with strategic health authorities to help raise the priority level of sexual health, including contraceptive services, within local delivery plans.

  Flu Vaccine
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on advertising the free influenza vaccine. [152759]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  £1,411,000.00 was spent on this year's flu advertising campaign.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department undertook to find the most effective way of informing people about their eligibility for the free influenza vaccine. [152760]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Each year, the Department conducts research before and after the advertising campaign to measure awareness among our target audience. Research has consistently proved television as the best media for advertising free flu vaccination.

  Glenfield Hospital
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients at the Herschel Prins Low Secure Unit at the Glenfield Hospital site in Leicestershire have been found not to have mental health problems. [154636]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of building the Herchel Prins Unit at Glenfield Hospital in Leicestershire; what its running costs were in the last financial year; and what this cost was per patient. [154637]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collected in the format requested.
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  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have escaped from the Herschel Prins Unit at Glenfield Hospital in Leicestershire in the last year. [154638]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collected centrally.

  General Practitioners
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the procedure is for transferring general practitioner held records when a patient moves practices. [153750]

  Mr. Hutton
  When a patient registers with a new general practitioner, the doctor will request the transfer of medical records via the primary care trust.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigation he has made of delays in transferring general practitioner records when a patient moves. [153794]

  Mr. Hutton
  A survey conducted by the Department in 1997 showed that, on average, 85 per cent. of medical records were transferred within the timescale guidance issued by the Department. These targets are six weeks for routine cases and two working days for urgent cases.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the arrangements are for(a) setting, (b) regulating, (c) monitoring and (d) reporting on performance and clinical governance standards for (i) private agencies and (ii) NHS organisations providing out-of-hours GP services. [152742]

  Mr. Hutton
  At present, all organisations providing out of hours—both private and not-for-profit—have to meet nationally set quality standards and report to primary care trusts (PCTs) on performance, including clinical governance.

  Under the new general medical services (GMS) contract, anyone who provides services out of hours, including individuals contracted by the PCT, and organisations, will need to meet national quality standards. These standards are currently under review by an expert group to make them an integral part of GMS and personal medical services contracting. Strategic health authorities will performance manage PCTs in their delivery of out of hours services.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners recruited through flexible career schemes were working as locums in the NHS before joining the scheme. [153110]

  Mr. Hutton
  The most recent data available is from the June 2003 census, which showed that, of the 85 general practitioners who were counted as flexible career scheme doctors, 25 had last been counted in the census as a locum.

  Haemophilia
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what access patients in the South West have to treatment that is in accordance with national standards 282W
  for haemophilia care published in the National Service Specification for Haemophilia and Related Conditions in 2001; and if he will make a statement; [154576]

  (2)what plans he has for the provision of a comprehensive care centre for haemophilia in the South West; and if he will make a statement. [154577]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Our policy, "Shifting the Balance of Power", means that the local national health service has responsibility for planning and developing health services according to local needs and demands.

  In 2001, The Haemophilia Alliance produced a National Service Specification for a service that allows people with haemophilia the best care that can be made available. The Government welcomed this model service specification, which sets out clear standards of care for patients with inherited bleeding disorders. NHS commissioners of haemophilia services will find the document an invaluable resource when planning and developing services for patients.

  I understand that there are 10 haemophilia centres throughout the South West region, which provide a good range of services between them. The United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctor's Organisation (UKHCDO) is the body responsible for designating comprehensive care centres, and I am informed that the haemophilia centre directors in the South West are in regular contact with the chair of the UKHCDO about the provision of services in the South West.

  The following is a list of the Haemophilia Centres in the South West:
  Bath, Bristol (Infirmary and Children's) for the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area
  Bournemouth/Poole, Dorchester, Taunton/Yeovil for the Dorset and Somerset SHA area
  Barnstaple, Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, Truro for the South West Peninsula SHA area.

  Integrated Community Equipment Service Group
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the work programme for the Integrated Community Equipment Service Group for
  2004. [R] [154992]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The integrating community equipment services team will continue to support local equipment services as they further develop their integration during 2004. The team members do this through:supporting regional networks of service leads and, during this year, they will aim to help the networks become self-sustaining
  visiting services, particularly those that appear to need extra help
  maintaining a popular and informative internet site: www.icesdoh.org/.

  Joint Consultative Forum
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met his counterparts from the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament in the joint consultative forum. [154090]
  283W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, has regular meetings with his counterparts from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Junior Doctors
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the protection of salary for junior doctors working at hospitals as part of a rotation, with particular reference to Great Ormond Street. [R] [153418]

  Mr. Hutton
  Junior doctors receive a banding supplement reflecting the amount and intensity of their out of hours work. When junior doctors contract for a rotation they are made aware of the bandings of the posts they will be working in. As circumstances change, posts may be adjusted and rebanded and the pay for new entrants to such posts may reduce to a level commensurate with the work undertaken. However, for those already contracted to fill those posts, rotation pay protection (built into the national contract for all doctors in training) applies.

  National health service trusts are responsible for ensuring that appropriate rotation and salary arrangements are in place for junior doctors, in line with national guidance.

  Under those arrangements, there is regular monitoring to ensure that rotas are satisfactory, that junior doctors hours are within agreed limits and that safe services are provided.

  Great Ormond Street has these arrangements in place and policies and procedures under which any concerns can be raised and addressed.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether hospitals are changing junior doctors' hours of work statistics to ensure that they conform to the(a) New Deal and (b) European Working Time Directive. [R] [153734]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information collected on junior doctors' hours in the assessment of New Deal compliance, as required by their contract of employment, is based on information supplied by the junior doctors themselves. Before this data is collated centrally, it is validated by junior doctors at national health service trust level. We have no reason to suppose that these returns are anything but an accurate representation of the work situation. Information is not collected centrally on Working Time Directive compliance at trust level; this is a matter for the hospitals concerned.

  Living Wills
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has issued to health authorities on dealing with patients' wishes as expressed in living wills. [155214]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Guidance on advance refusals is included in the Department of Health's "Reference Guide to Consent for Examination or Treatment" published in March 2001. A copy of the guide has been placed in the Library and is also available from the Department of Health's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/01/90/79/04019079.pdf

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 30 January 2004,Official Report, column 559W on long-term care, if he will place in the Library copies of the survey and estimates by the Personal Social Services Research Unit referred to in the explanatory note. [154633]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In the explanatory note referred to in my answer of 30 January 2004,Official Report, column 559W, the estimate of the proportion of privately funded older care home residents receiving disability benefits is from Netten A., Darton R. and Curtis L. (2002). Self-Funded Admissions to Care Homes. A report of research carried out by the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, (Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No. 159). A copy of this report is available in the Library.

  The estimate of private expenditure on private home care was obtained from PSSRU. It derives from research on projections of demand for long-term care for older people. A copy of a recent discussion paper on this PSSRU study—Comas-Herrera A., Pickard L., Wittenberg R. et al. (2003) Future demand for long-term care, 20 1 to 2031: projections of demand for older people in England, PSSRU discussion paper 1980—will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2004,Official Report, column 559W, on long-term care, what the basis is of the assumption in the explanatory note that there are 58,000 privately funded residents of residential care homes in England. [155967]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The figure of 58,000 is an estimate in the absence of data on numbers of privately funded residents in residential care homes. There were around 120,000 older local authority supported residents in independent sector care homes in March 2003. The "PSSRU 1996 Survey of Care Homes for Elderly People", www.pssru.ac.uk/pdf/dp1423 2.pdf, found that around one third of older residents of independent sector residential care homes were privately funded. This suggests that an estimate of around 58,000 is reasonable.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2004,Official Report, column 1110W , on long-term care, whether the Department's proposals in response to the Royal Commission, including free nursing care and changes to the residential charging rules, will have changed these costs. [155968]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The estimated cost of £1.5 billion for England covers only the cost of free personal care and excludes the cost of free nursing care, as that has been implemented. The estimate would have been higher if free nursing care had been included. In principle, this also applies to the 12-week disregard of housing assets and the uprating of the capital limits which the Government announced in their response to the Royal Commission. The estimate of around 100,000 privately
  285W
  funded residents used in the calculation should in principle have been higher if these changes had not been implemented.

  Mental Health
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure fair treatment of ethnic minorities in NHS mental institutions. [155603]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The specific and general duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places an onus on statutory bodies to identify and tackle racial discrimination faced by the black and minority ethnic community.

  In support of this for mental health services we have issued for consultation "Delivering Race Equality—A Framework for Action" which sets out what those planning, delivering and monitoring local primary care and mental health services need to do to improve services for users, relatives and carers from black and minority ethnic communities. This is backed up by a programme of work by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE).

  NIMHE has also issued "Engaging & Changing—Developing effective policy for the care and treatment of Black and minority ethnic detained patients". The document provides guidance in relation to the development of policies concerning the care and treatment of black and minority ethnic communities in the areas of ethnic monitoring, racial harassment, the use of interpreters and the provision of culturally appropriate care and staff training.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS mental health services have a written policy banning racial abuse. [155604]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The NHS Plan introduced an improving working lives standard in 2000 which makes it clear that every member of staff in the national health service is entitled to work in an organisation which can prove that it is investing in improving diversity and tackling discrimination and harassment. All NHS organisations including mental health trusts have to achieve the standard, which is a key performance indicator, part of the star rating system.

  In relation to tackling racial harassment an improving working lives toolkit "Improving Working Lives: Tackling Racial Harassment in the NHS—Good Practice Guidance" was issued in 2001. This guidance sets out key principles on tackling racial harassment in NHS employment.

  The need for local policies to deal with staff/patient and patient/patient racial harassment where patients have been detained under the Mental Health Act is highlighted in the National Institute for Mental Health document "Delivering Race Equality—A Framework for Action and Engaging and Changing—Developing effective policy for the care and treatment of Black and minority ethnic detained patients".

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in mental health institutions died in each of the last five years through(a) hanging,
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  (b) hanging with the use of a non-collapsible curtain track and (c) hanging with the use of a collapsible curtain track. [154418]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The total numbers of people who died in mental health institutions from hanging in each of the last five years for which figures are available (1997–2001) are shown in the table.

  Deaths from hanging

  1997

  57

  1998

  44

  1999

  51

  2000

  36

  2001

  36

  Note:

  Figures for hangings using non-collapsible and collapsible curtain tracks are not available.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which professionals make up an assertive outreach team. [154406]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A detailed service specification for assertive outreach teams, which includes information on staffing requirements, is contained in the "Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide" (2001), which is available from the Department's website at http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth/implementationguide.htm and is also available in the Library.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the assertive outreach teams that are operational are multi-disciplinary. [154407]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  According to the Durham mental health service mapping database www.dur.ac.uk/service.mapping/amh), over 95 per cent. of assertive outreach teams, which are operational, are multidisciplinary.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list which trusts depend on home treatment teams for additional cover to their assertive outreach teams. [154409]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information about the arrangements for clinical cover in teams is not captured centrally.

  The inter-relationship of teams and services and their working arrangements are local matters in the context of national guidance on standards of care, the evidence concerning best practice, and the targets set within the NHS Plan.

  Guidance on the configuration of teams and services is provided in the Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide, which is available from the Department's website at http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth/implementationguide.htm and is also available in the Library.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many early intervention teams the National Service Framework for Mental Health recommends establishing. [154423]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The "National Service Framework for Mental Health" (1999) set out standards for treatment and care for people with mental health
  287W
  problems, including two standards specifically concerned to ensure that each person with severe mental illness receives the range of mental health services they need. The NSF also set out evidence concerning the importance of early intervention for young people with the first sign of a psychosis.

  The "NHS Plan" (2000) provided extra investment by 2003–04 to fast-forward the NSF and set a target of 50 early intervention teams to be established by 2004 to ensure all young people who experience a first episode of psychosis receive the early and intensive support they need.

  Further details were set out in the "Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide" (2001) which is available from the Department's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk, a copy of which has also been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total funding for mental health services was in the NHS in England in each year since 1997. [154005]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 15 January 2004,Official Report, columns 857–58W.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 687W, on mental health, how many carer support workers are employed in the NHS. [154010]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  This information is not centrally available. Arrangements are being made to centrally capture data on carer support workers in post by the end of the year.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the full complement of(a) early intervention, (b) assertive outreach and (c) crisis resolution teams to be established, as set out in the National Service Framework for Mental Health. [154424]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The full complement of assertive outreach teams has been delivered.

  We expect local services to have plans in place to deliver the full complement of early intervention and crisis resolution teams by the end of the year as set out in the NHS Plan (2000).

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners have been(a) diagnosed with and (b) treated for mental health disorders in each year since 1997, broken down by prison establishment. [155900]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information is not available in the form requested. A survey of psychiatric morbidity among prisoners in England and Wales in 1997, by the Office for National Statistics, showed that 90 per cent. of prisoners have at least one significant mental health problem, including personality disorder, psychosis, neurosis, alcohol misuse and drug dependence. Around 5,000 people in prison at any one time have a severe mental illness though they will not all be acutely ill.

  Prisons and their national health service primary care trust partners are responsible for assessing the health needs of their populations and developing services,
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  including mental health services to meet those needs. NHS funded prison mental health in reach teams will be providing services in 90 prisons by March 2004.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on incidence of mental health disorders among ethnic minority prisoners. [155901]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In 1997 the Office for National Statistics (ONS) undertook a survey of "Psychiatric morbidity amongst prisoners in England and Wales". The report included a range of information on the prevalence of specific mental health problems in black and minority ethnic prisoners. A copy of the ONS study is available in the Library.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of mental health service(a) provision and (b) interventions in prisons. [155902]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The provision of national health service community-style mental health services will be in around 90 establishments by March 2004. An evaluation of the in-reach programme has been commissioned through the NHS forensic research and development programme and is expected to start shortly.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what programmes are in place to ensure swift identification of prisoners with mental health disorders upon arrival at prison establishments; and which prison establishments operate such programmes. [155903]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Her Majesty's Prison Service and the Department of Health are working together to implement a revised reception health screening process by March 2004. The new process focuses explicitly on ensuring prompt and effective identification of individuals with mental health problems.

  The new reception screening arrangements are being introduced into the following establishments in England by March 2004: Durham, Eastwood Park, Feltham, Glen Parva, Holme House, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, New Hall, Wandsworth, Brixton, Bedford, Lewes, Preston, Styal, Wormwood Scrubbs, Woodhill, Dorchester, Exeter, Highpoint North, Lincoln, Norwich, Pentonville, Hull, Chelmsford, Nottingham, Hindley, Altcourse, Ashfield, Blakenhurst, Bristol, Brinsford, Castington, Gloucester, Leicester, Highdown, Birmingham, Forest Bank, Onley, Parkhurst, Shewsbury, Stoke Heath, Winchester, Elmley, Brockhill, Bullingtdon, Doncaster, Long Lartin, Lancaster Farms, Wetherby, Wakefield, Holloway, Belmarsh, Full Sutton, Huntercombe, Reading, Warren Hill, Werrington, Low Newton, Kirkham and Morton Hall.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which prisons operate permanent community mental health teams. [155904]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The specialist care of severely mentally ill prisoners is provided by mental health teams, which are staffed by national health service employees and broadly correspond to local community mental health teams. There are currently 90 such teams operating in the following establishments in England:
  289W
  Phase 1: (introduced during 2001–02): Belmarsh, Birmingham, Brixton, Bullwood Hall, Chelmsford. Durham, Eastwood Park, Feltham, Frankland, Holloway, Leeds, Leicester, Pentonville, Wandsworth, Winchester, Whitemoor, Woodhill and Wormwood Scrubs.

  Phase 2: (introduced during 2002–03): Ashfield, Bedford, Blakenhurst, Bristol, Brockhill, Dorchester, Exeter, Glen Parva, Holme House, Hull, Lewes, Lincoln, Liverpool, Long Lartin, Manchester, Moorland, New Hall, Norwich, Nottingham, Onley, Parkhurst, Portland, Preston, Rochester, Styal and Wakefield.

  Phase 3: (introduced during 2003–4): Albany/Camp Hill, Altcourse, Aylesbury, Blantyre House, Brinsford, Buckley Hall, Bullingdon, Canterbury, Castington, Coldingly, Cookham Wood, Dartmoor, Deerbolt, Doncaster, Dovegate, Drake Hall, Elmley, Forest Bank, Foston Hall, Full Sutton, Garth, Gartree, Gloucester, Haverigg, Highdown, Highpoint North/Highpoint South, Hindley, Hollesley Bay/Warren Hill, Huntercombe, Kingston, Lancester Farms, Littlehay, Low Newton, Maidstone, Northallerton, Reading, Risley, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Stoke Heath, Swaleside, Swifen Hall, Thorn Cross, Werrington, Wetherby and Wolds.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed to treat mental health disorders in each prison establishment. [155905]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not available. Most healthcare staff working in prisons will be involved in some way in caring for individuals with mental health problems. By March 2004 we expect to meet the NHS Plan commitment for 300 additional staff to provide specialist community type mental health services to over 5,000 prisoners.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of mental health programmes in UK prisons was in each year since 1997, broken down by prison establishment. [155906]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In England the total amount allocated specifically to primary care trusts for national health service mental health services in prisons was £1,719,000 in 201–02; £3,685,000 in 2002–03 and £9,400,000 in 2003–04. A breakdown of this information, by prison, has been placed in the Library. We expect total expenditure on these services to double to around £20 million by 205–06.

  Mental health services for prisoners are also provided through Her Majesty's Prison Service, but the funding for these is not separately identified.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mental health programmes are available to prisoners upon release from prison. [155907]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Released prisoners can access the full range of mental health services available to the population in which they become resident. An important function of national health service mental health in-reach teams working in prisons is to ensure effective through-care for prisoners with serious mental health problems, to be followed up by support from appropriate mental health services on release.

  NHS Premises (Accidental Injury)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths from accidental injury on NHS premises were recorded in each year since 1997. [151719]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The number of fatal injuries on national health service premises reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in each financial year since 1997–98 are shown in the table. The figures are for work-related injuries. This covers workers (employees and self-employed people) who are injured at work or in connection with their work, and members of the public (including hospital patients) injured as a result of the work activity of someone else. Injuries arising directly out of the conduct of medical treatment by a doctor or dentist are not reportable to HSE.

  Fatal injuries on NHS premises as reported to all enforcing authorities, 1997–98 to 2002–031

  Workers

  Members of the public

  Total

  1997–98

  —

  8

  8

  1998–99

  —

  14

  14

  1999–2000

  —

  17

  17

  2000–01

  1

  16

  17

  2001–02

  —

  11

  11

  2002–031

  —

  15

  15

  1 Provisional.

  Note:

  Figures relate to Great Britain.

  Source:

  Reports to Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995.

  NHS Professionals
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS Professionals accepts NHS staff with work permits to work as agency staff. [152992]

  Mr. Hutton
  Under current Home Office regulations, national health service staff employed under work permit arrangements are not permitted to undertake supplementary employment through a recruitment agency.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many trust franchise managers have terminated their contract before its expiry; and what action has been taken against them in each case; [153273]

  (2) under what circumstances a franchise manager appointed to run a zero star trust may terminate his three year contract to manage that trust (a) without a penalty and (b) with a penalty; and what penalty can be applied by (i) the trust and (ii) the Department. [153274]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 6 February 2004]: National Health Service franchise contracts are a matter for agreement between the individual concerned and his/her employer. Questions relating to specific clauses within such contracts can be answered only by these parties.
  291W
  The Department has no remit to apply a penalty to the chief executive of a franchised trust should he/she choose to terminate his/her contract before it is due to finish.

  The chief executives of two franchised trusts have terminated their franchise contracts before they were due to finish. Any subsequent action taken as a result of this is a matter for their employers.

  Nursing
  Mr. Archie Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many nurse practitioners he estimates are required to ensure compliance in England with the European working time directive; [153706]

  (2) how many nurses of an appropriate grade work as nurse practitioners to cover doctors in training in the NHS. [153709]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is not possible to estimate a figure for the number of nurse practitioners required, as ensuring compliance with the working time directive (WTD) requires a range of different approaches in different trusts and services, only some of which will require nurse practitioners to be employed.

  The 20 WTD pilot projects currently in progress include seven employing nurse practitioners and five more which have developed senior specialist nurse roles. Examples of these are nurses trained as first assistants in surgery, as perioperative surgical practitioners, as specialist mental health nurses, and as pre-admission nurses. These pilots have shown that nurse practitioners and nurses in specialist roles can be extremely effective at both helping a trust to achieve compliant rotas and improving the quality of patient care. In all of these pilots, however, the nurses' roles are combined with changes to medical staff working patterns, and changes to service delivery, which together improve WTD compliance.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the vacancy rate is for the nursing grades that cover nurse practitioners for each strategic health authority in England. [153708]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is not possible to identify nurse practitioners within the vacancy information collected. The rate of vacancies lasting three months or more for all qualified nurses was 2.9 per cent. in March 2003, down from 3.9 per cent. in 2000.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people in nursing homes receive(a) higher, (b) medium and (c) lower level band funding in (i) England and (ii) Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement; [155500]

  (2) how many people in nursing homes receive continual help funding; what the criteria are for determining eligibility for such funding; and if he will make a statement. [155501]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Data on the number of people receiving each band of national health service funded nursing care are not collected centrally. There are roughly 20,000 people in nursing homes, at any one time, who are in 292W
  receipt of fully funded NHS continuing care. All strategic health authorities have recently agreed fully funded NHS continuing care eligibility criteria that apply in their area.

  Operations
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were performed in NHS hospitals to correct mistakes made in previous operations through(a) error and (b) misdiagnosis in each year from 1990 to 2002. [155991]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  This information is not collected centrally.

  However, the Government have established the National Patient Safety Agency to improve the safety of national health service patient care by promoting an open and fair culture and by introducing during 2004 a national reporting and learning system for adverse events.

  Organ Donor Register
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of people signed onto the organ donor register. [154619]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  People are encouraged to join the organ donor register through a number of initiatives, including when they apply for a driving licence, register with a new general practitioner, or apply for a new passport. Additionally, UK Transplant runs publicity campaigns and targets action to raise the profile of organ donation, including specific advertising and information campaigns to increase organ donation from the South Asian and black African and Caribbean populations.

  UK Transplant is currently running a pilot scheme with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to send out organ donor registration forms to all vehicle owners with the road tax reminder during January, March and April this year. The pilot will cover nine million vehicles and UK Transplant will assess the effectiveness of the pilot later in the year.

  There are currently over 11 million people on the register—19 per cent. of the United Kingdom population.

  Osteoporosis
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve services for people with osteoporosis in the South West. [153815]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  National action to improve services for people with osteoporosis is being taken forward through the work of the orthopaedic services improvement team, part of the National Health Service Modernisation Agency, and implementation of the national service framework (NSF) for older people. The prevention, treatment, care and support of those at risk of osteoporosis are important components in the delivery of the integrated falls services that the NSF requires to be in place locally by April 2005.
  293W
  In the South West, the responsibility for commissioning services for people with osteoporosis rests with individual primary care trusts. Local programmes are being developed as part of the NSF to improve services for older people and prevent falls, which includes action on osteoporosis. For example, in South Devon an initiative called Osteoporosis South Devon was launched in October 2002 and is a new service for primary and secondary care to identify those at higher risk of osteoporosis.

  Action is also being taken across the region to prevent the onset of osteoporosis. To this end, a South West regional physical activity group has been set up, which is developing a sport and physical activity plan for the South West.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to issue guidelines on the treatment of osteoporosis. [153943]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The anticipated publication date for the guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of technologies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is June 2004. A clinical guideline is also in preparation on the assessment of fracture risk and the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in individuals at high risk. The anticipated publication date for this guidance is June 2005.

  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the preliminary recommendations of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on the drug treatment of osteoporosis. [154894]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence's consultation document does not constitute its formal guidance on this technology appraisal: the recommendations are preliminary and may change after the consultation. As a registered stakeholder of the guidance, the Department has responded to the consultation and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

  Overseas NHS Staff
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of overseas staff working in the NHS. [153103]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the reorganisation of the Department will improve the response time to(a) parliamentary questions and (b) ministerial correspondence. [153687]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department's change programme is seeking to improve the quality and timeliness of response to parliamentary questions and ministerial correspondence by centralising expertise.

  Since the formation of the Department's customer service centre, there has been steady improvement during 2003 towards Whitehall standards and this is expected to continue as the centre expands to take on all departmental ministerial correspondence.

  Patient Records
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to centralise the holding of patients' records; and if he will make a statement. [153629]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: The national programme for information technology is responsible for introducing the National Health Service care record service (NHS CRS), which will lead to the NHS having an integrated, electronic record management service for the first time. The NHS CRS will provide each patient with a single, comprehensive set of electronic medical and care notes. This will enable all authorised clinicians involved with the care of a patient, to see and share health information. Local practices and hospitals will continue to hold detailed local records, but additionally a summary health record will be created containing essential data such as allergies, current treatments or medication.

  The NHS CRS will also ensure that key data and information is entered only once and then available to multiple users and professionals who are authorised to access. It will support better clinical decision making, remove the need for repeat and potentially harmful tests simply because the previous record is lost or not available and improve the quality of the time spent with the patient.

  The security and confidentiality of patient information is an absolute priority in the context of electronic records and transmissions. Within the contracts for new applications, systems and services being negotiated with IT suppliers are stringent terms around ensuring security, control, alerts and audit measures, including encryption. We will have a right to terminate the contract of any supplier that fails to deliver the high standards that NHS patients and professionals are entitled to expect.

  Performance Indicators
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the full details of the 2003–04 NHS performance indicators for(a) acute and specialist trusts, (b) primary care trusts, (c) mental health trusts and (d) ambulance trusts. [152624]

  Mr. Hutton
  The national health service performance ratings for 2003–04 will be published by the new Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection. The indicators to be used for the 2003–04 ratings were published by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) on 18 December 2003. Full details can be found on the CHI website at www.chi.nhs.uk.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the official definitions are of(a) NHS performance indicators, (b) NHS targets and (c) NHS standards. [152623]

  Mr. Hutton
  National health service performance indicators are now published by the Commission for Health Improvement as part of the NHS performance ratings. They measure service quality and progress in areas of importance to patients and the public. The performance ratings system assesses trusts' performance on these indicators.
  295W
  Targets are the level of service that the Government expects all NHS organisations to achieve and are set out in the priorities and planning framework for that year.

  The standards will define levels of service quality, which those providing or commissioning English NHS health services should seek to achieve. The performance of the NHS against those standards will be assessed against criteria to be set by the independent Commission for Health Care Audit and Inspection.

  Prescriptions
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the NHS Plan target for the electronic transmission of prescriptions. [153822]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The electronic transmission of prescriptions is one of the core programmes within the national programme for information technology (NPfIT) in the national health service in England. The electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) programme will enable prescribers to create and transfer prescription data electronically to a patient's community pharmacist and the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA). As well as being more convenient for the patient (for example in relation to repeat prescriptions), this will improve safety by reducing prescription errors and providing better information at the point of prescribing and dispensing. It will also ensure that information about what has been prescribed and dispensed forms part of each person's NHS care record. In addition, ETP will deliver important administrative improvements.

  The NHS Plan did not contain a specific target in relation to the electronic transmission of prescriptions. We are working towards the timetable for implementation contained in "Delivering 21st Century IT Support in the NHS". This stated, "the National Prescriptions Service will be 50 per cent. implemented by December 2005 and fully implemented by December 2007". This work is being taken forward by the NPfIT in the NHS.

  Key elements of the electronic transmission of prescriptions system have been procured as part of the recently concluded NHS care records service procurements. Work is now focusing on how community pharmacies can be connected to the system, and how their pharmacy computer systems can be upgraded to comply with the requisite technical specification. It is intended that deployment of the live system will commence in January 2005.

  Primary Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the safety of care provided by co-operatives and other organisations providing out-of-hours primary care services. [152815]

  Mr. Hutton
  Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for ensuring that providers of out of hours care in their area provide a high quality, safe service, through the system of accreditation.
  296W
  Accreditation ensures that providers meet nationally set quality standards, including clinical governance. Providers must report regularly to PCTs on performance, and strategic health authorities performance manage PCTs in their delivery of out of hours services.

  All organised providers of out-of-hours services will be accredited by March 2004. Thereafter, they will be subject to re-accreditation at least once every three years, unless an accrediting PCT has grounds to lead it to initiate an earlier re-accreditation. Provider assessment is undertaken by a PCT outside the area that is covered by the provider, to ensure impartiality.

  Under the new general medical services (GMS) contract everyone who provides services out of hours, including individuals contracted by the PCT, as well as organisations, will need to meet the national quality standards. These standards are currently under review by an expert group to make them an integral part of GMS and personal medical services contracting.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adverse incidents he estimates occurred in co-operatives and out-of-hours primary care services in each year since 1997. [152817]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of adverse incidents that occurred in co-operatives and other out of hours primary care services are not held centrally. Primary care trusts (PCTs) and before them, health authorities, are responsible for ensuring that out of hours services are provided to the highest standard. Since October 2002, the performance of all providers of out of hours services have been judged against nationally set quality standards, including clinical governance. Providers must report regularly to PCTs on performance and are re-accredited at least once every three years, unless an accrediting PCT has grounds to lead it to initiate an earlier re-accreditation. Strategic health authorities performance manage PCTs in their delivery of out of hours services.

  Renal Services
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital allocation has been made available in 2003–04 for the development of renal services in(a) Merseyside and (b) Cheshire. [154298]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In 2003–04, the total renal capital allocation for Cheshire and Merseyside was £504,000.

  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is available in 2003–04 to the local health authorities in(a) Merseyside and (b) Cheshire for the development of renal services. [154299]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In 2003—04, £3 million was identified by primary care trusts (PCTs) for investment into the development of renal services to support Cheshire and Merseyside renal patients. This is revenue funding and does not include the national renal capital funding. It is in addition to the PCT baseline investment.

  Respiratory Disease
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total expenditure on respiratory disease in terms of(a) hospital expenditure,

  297W
  (b) primary care expenditure and (c) pharmaceutical expenditure for each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [156004]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information on expenditure on respiratory disease is not collected centrally. The British Thoracic Society published their report in November 2001 entitled "The Burden of Lung Disease". The report estimates the total cost of respiratory disease to the national health service to be £2,576 million. It estimates that approximately £647 million is spent on primary care, £1,062 million is spent on hospital inpatient care, £18 million is spent on hospital day case care, £40.7 million is spent on hospital outpatient care and £800 million is spent on prescriptions relating to respiratory disease.

  Restructuring/Change Programme
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected expenditure is on redundancies arising from the restructuring and change programme. [153676]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Initial expenditure on voluntary redundancies is £9.1 million. The amount of further expenditure will depend on a number of factors, including the level of transfers to partner organisations, the amount of natural wastage and the number of staff the Department is able to re-deploy.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated total cost is of the Department of Health reorganisation and change process; and whether this figure includes monies to address(a) planning, (b) evaluation, (c) retraining and (d) relocation. [153677]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Total costs in the implementation period October 2003 to October 2004 are estimated at £13.7 million. This includes external consultants support in planning the implementation and evaluation as well as support for staff. This figure also incorporates initial expenditure on voluntary redundancies of £9.1 million. Relocation costs cannot be quantified until appointments have been made.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money will be spent on(a) external consultants and (b) the process of transferring service provision to other Government Departments, arm's length bodies and local health authorities as part of the Department's change programme. [153678]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We expect to spend £1.25 million on external consultants in the change programme implementation period from October 2003 to October 2004. Staff support in managing change, recruitment and in seeking alternative employment is estimated at £2.35 million in the same period.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected social costs are of the restructuring proposed for the Department of Health in relation to(a) redundancies, (b) relocation of staff and (c) the impact of these issues on areas of high unemployment. [153679]
  298W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The impact of unnecessary redundancies will be mitigated by a vacancy freeze (in place since last summer) and active redeployment of staff to alternative posts, either within the health and social care system or within the civil service.

  Funds will be available to support the relocation of staff. The Department is committed to maintaining the proportion of posts it currently has in Leeds.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Department has conducted an impact assessment as outlined in the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, prior to the significant departmental changes that may affect the Department's staff. [153681]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department has identified the potential impact of the change programme on the promotion of race equality, has consulted upon and put in place processes to mitigate any adverse impact and is monitoring implementation.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many departmental staff will be transferred to departmental arm's length bodies under the Change Programme. [153697]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Provisionally, several hundred posts are designated for transfer to other organisations, including arm's length bodies, which are themselves currently under review.

  School Nurses
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many school nurse whole-time equivalents are employed in each of the primary care trusts in Sussex; and what their responsibilities are. [154404]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information on the number of school nurses and whole-time equivalents employed in each of the primary care trusts in Sussex is not collected centrally.

  However the number of qualified nurses employed in each primary care trust (PCT) in the Sussex area, which includes school nurses, is shown in the table.

  All NHS qualified hospital and community health service nurses and GMS practice nurses employed by unrestricted principles and equivalents (UPEs)1 in the specified organisations as at 30 September 2002

  Whole time equivalent

  Headcount

  Total of specified organisations

  1,325

  2,061

  5FH Bexhill and Rother PCT

  107

  153

  5FJ Hastings and St. Leonards PCT

  94

  151

  5FK Mid-Sussex PCT

  116

  197

  5L8 Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT

  280

  418

  5L9 Western Sussex PCT

  283

  443

  5LQ Brighton and Hove City PCT

  65

  110

  5LT Sussex Downs and Weald PCT

  218

  335

  5MA Crawley PCT

  94

  135

  5MC Horsham and Chanctonbury PCT

  70

  119

  1UPEs includes QMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried Gps.

  Sources:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

  299W
  School nurses' responsibilities cover children in the five to 16 age group in areas, which include general health care, drop-in cases, child protection, vaccinations, health checks, referrals on to general practitioners, target health checks (such as hearing tests), as well as requests from schools, one to one for parent or child.

  Scrutiny Committees (Costs)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health
  pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2004,Official Report, columns 1362–63W, what the resource implications are to (a) local government and (b) the NHS of the requirement for national services within the NHS to consult Overview and Scrutiny committees when they wish to change a national service; and whether a regulatory analysis of the system has been published. [155078]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  It is not possible to assess the resource implications for local government or national health service organisations in relation to the requirement for overview and scrutiny committees to be consulted on changes to national NHS services, since each circumstance will lead to a different set of arrangements. It is right that substantial changes are appropriately consulted upon and that both local government and the NHS treat that consultation as a priority for local people affected by any proposed change. Local government and the NHS locally should set aside funding to ensure that such changes do receive rigorous consultation to ensure local people's interests are taken into consideration.

  To date, there has not been any regulatory analysis of the work of overview and scrutiny committees in relation to health services. The Department is making a one-off payment to the Centre for Public Scrutiny to undertake a programme of work to support and enable health scrutiny by local government. Part of the three-year programme will be to put in place an evaluation of health scrutiny, including health service consultations, and to assess the outcomes for local people resulting from the input of overview and scrutiny committees.

  Secure Beds (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) secure beds and (b) non-secure beds are available in Lancashire Care Trust; and what percentage is in use in each case. [153494]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not collected in the form requested.

  Sex Lottery Campaign
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what publications and media outlets were used in the sex lottery campaign; and how often each outlet was used. [150292]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Sex Lottery campaign has been carefully designed to target young adults, aged 18 to 30, who are most at risk from sexually transmitted infections and who would benefit from increased information and awareness raising. A variety of publications and media outlets have been used to reach this audience, and a full detailed list has been placed in the Library.

  Spinal Foundation
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to facilitate referrals by general practitioners to the Spinal Foundation; [155997]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his Department's plans for future funding of (a) services and (b) research provided by the Spinal Foundation. [155998]

  Dr. Ladyman
  We currently have no plans to provide further funding to the Spinal Foundation.

  Decisions on whether or not an individual patient should be referred to the Spinal Foundation is a matter for the clinician involved in the patient's care and is not something the Department would become involved in centrally.

  Streptococcal Infections
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what figures his Department has collated on the number of cases of Group D streptococcus in each of the last five years. [151945]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Almost all group D streptococcal infections in humans are associated with enterococci or 'Streptococcus bovis group'. Data received by the Health Protection Agency Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre under a voluntary reporting system are shown in table 1.

  Table 1: Annual totals for England and Wales

  Number of reports of enterococci isolated from blood stream

  Number of reports of 'Streptococcus bovis group' isolated from blood stream

  1998

  3,049

  160

  1999

  3,208

  173

  2000

  3,648

  161

  2001

  4,312

  196

  2002

  4,855

  215

  Source:

  Health Protection Agency website: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics az/bacteraemia/gram pos.htm

  Information for hospital episode statistics is shown in table 2.

  Table 2: Streptococcus group D (ICD10 B95.2) as the cause of diseases classified to other ICD10 chapters—All diagnosis count of episodes. Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs)—NHS hospitals in England, 1998–99 to 2002–03

  Finished consultant episodes

  1998–99

  381

  1999–2000

  479

  2000–01

  542

  2001–02

  572

  2002–03

  707

  Notes:

  1. A finished consultant episode (FCE) is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (7 prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if a diagnosis is mentioned in more than one diagnosis field of the record.
  301W
  2. Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 2001–02 and 2002–03, which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

  Stroke
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimated NHS spending was on(a) treatment of stroke patients, (b) research on strokes and (c) stroke rehabilitation in 2003. [154948]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information on national health service spending on the treatment and rehabilitation of stroke is not collected centrally. Primary care trusts (PCTs) receive unified allocations to cover the costs of hospital and community health services, discretionary funding for general practice staff, premises and computers and primary care prescribing.

  The level of funding made available for the drugs, staffing and other costs of providing stroke services are determined locally. It is for PCTs, in partnership with local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to provide health services for their populations, including those with stroke.

  Management of much of the research supported by NHS research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department. The main agency through which the government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body that receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. The MRC spent an estimated £4.9 million on stroke research in 2002–03.

  SunSmart
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the SunSmart campaign for 2004 will be launched. [154615]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 12 February 2004]: The SunSmart campaign, run by Cancer Research UK on behalf of the United Kingdom Health Departments, will be launched in spring 2004.

  Transmissible Spongiform Encepthalopathy
  Mr. Havard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what precautions are in force to protect people from the risk of transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies through surgical instruments. [153859]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Advice form the Spongiform Encephalopathies advisory committee indicates that good decontamination is key in reducing the risk of person to person transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) through surgical instruments.

  A circular (HSC 2000/032) was issued to the national health service on 18 October 2000, emphasising the importance of effective decontamination in preventing the spread of vCJD. In addition the Department has surveyed the effectiveness of decontamination services and taken action to ensure all NHS hospitals in England had access to decontamination services of an acceptable standard by December 2001.

  Unlicensed Drugs (Children)
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to restrict the prescription of unlicensed drugs to children. [155331]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There are no plans to impose a general restriction on the prescription of unlicensed medicines to children.

  Most medicines have only been tested for safe and effective use in the adult population and there are comparatively few medicines on the market that are specifically licensed for the treatment of children. This leads to prescribers having no option but to prescribe unlicensed and off-label medications in this patient population.

  Normally, if a product has not been licensed for use in children because of a lack of clinical trial data and/or clinical experience, the summary of product characteristics contains statements to this effect and use in children is not recommended. However, further restrictions (contraindications) have been introduced with respect to the off-label or unlicensed use of specific medicinal products where there is evidence that the benefit/risk may be unfavourable.

  The real solution to this problem lies not in restricting paediatric prescribing but in stimulating the development and testing of appropriately formulated medicines for use in the paediatric population. It is expected that the European Commission will adopt a proposal for a Regulation on medicines for paediatric use by the end of April 2004. It will contain a number of incentives and obligations to stimulate the development of medicines for children. In the mean time officials have been asked to develop a UK strategy to deliver, in the short and medium term, improved availability of medicines that are appropriately labelled and appropriately formulated for use in children.

  Wind Turbines
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has commissioned into the health effects of living close to wind turbines. [154766]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has not funded any work in this area.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the European Working Time Directive pilot sites have a full complement of(a) senior specialist nurses and (b) nurse practitioners to cover doctors in training. [153707]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Working Time Directive (WTD) pilot sites are managed by the Modernisation Agency (MA) as part of the wider work on WTD implementation. I understand from the MA that it is not possible to say what constitutes a full complement of these nurses, as each trust and service will have specific needs to be determined locally.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Council Tax Benefit
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioners were eligible for council tax benefit in(a) 1997 and (b) 2003. [153788]

  Mr. Pond
  Between 43 per cent, and 46 per cent. of pensioners in Great Britain were either in receipt of, or were entitled to but not receiving, council tax benefit in financial year 1997–98. Approximately 48 per cent, of pensioners are estimated to be entitled to council tax benefit in 2003–04.

  Notes:

  1. Pensioners are defined as either a single person aged at least 60 or, if within a couple, at least one person is aged 60 years or above.

  2. Pensioners in Residential Care and Nursing Homes are excluded from the estimates.

  3. The estimate for 1997–98 is presented as range to reflect the uncertainty in the number of estimated entitled non-recipients based on Family Resources Survey data.

  4. The estimate for 2003–04 is based on the Department's Policy Simulation Model (PSM). which makes use of 2001–02 Family Resources Survey data projected forward to 2003–04 to estimate the extent of council tax benefit entitlement for each pensioner unit in the survey.

  5. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors that control for tenure type, council tax band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates, particularly for 2003–04, are subject to sampling error and remaining response bias.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce assessed income periods for pensioners claiming council tax benefit; and what estimate he has made of the cost of this change. [152797]

  Appeals against decisions made on the key disability and sickness benefits

  Benefit type and appeal tribunal decision

  2003

  2002

  2001

  2000

  1999

  1998

  Incapacity benefit successful appeals

  22,055

  18,145

  15,185

  16,845

  Not available

  Not available

  Incapacity benefit unsuccessful appeals

  24,155

  22,910

  19,385

  24,545

  Not available

  Not available

  Attendance allowance successful appeals

  3,480

  3,960

  5,035

  1440

  2,455

  2,300

  Attendance allowance unsuccessful appeals

  4,135

  4,350

  5,640

  4,180

  2,635

  2,410

  Disability living allowance successful appeals

  36,855

  39,495

  45,165

  31,065

  25,170

  20,330

  Disability living allowance unsuccessful appeals

  32,095

  32,510

  40,200

  31,410

  25,810

  21,980

  For comparison purposes, the total number of beneficiaries of each benefit for each year is shown as follows rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  DLA

  AA

  IB

  August 2003

  2.5

  1.4

  1.5

  August 2002

  2.4

  1.3

  1.5

  August 2001

  2.3

  1.3

  1.5

  August 2000

  2.2

  1.3

  1.5

  August 1999

  2.1

  1.3

  1.5

  August 1998

  2

  1.2

  1.6

  Source:

  DWP statistics, given for 31 August for each year shown.

  The Secretary of State publishes an annual report on decision-making standards in the Department for Work and Pensions. Copies are available in the Library.

  Benefit Fraud
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the regional
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  Mr. Pond
  The assessed income period (AIP) applies in pension credit. It is a period, normally five years, during which pensioners aged 65 or more will not need to report to the Pension Service changes to the money they have set aside for their retirement.

  There are no plans to introduce similar arrangements for council tax benefit and therefore no estimate of cost has been made However, the requirement for pensioners to complete annual reviews in housing and council tax benefit claims was removed in October 2003, and will be abolished for all other housing and council tax benefit recipients from April 2004.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he w ill introduce a single short form specifically for pensioner home owners claiming council tax benefit. [152798]

  Mr. Pond
  We have already introduced a streamlined housing benefit/council tax benefit claim form for pensioners (HCTBl(PC)), and are currently considering the introduction of a council tax benefit claim form designed specifically for use by pensioners who do not require housing benefit.

  Benefit Appeals
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful appeals were made against decisions made on (i) disability and (ii) sickness benefits in each year since 1997; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the primary decision-making process for (A) disability and (B) sickness benefits. [153377]

  Maria Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  variation in (a) housing benefit, (b) income support and (c) jobseeker's allowance fraud; and if he will make a statement. [147830]

  Mr. Pond
  We are committed to driving down levels of fraud and error in the benefits system, including tackling regional variations; and there are a number of specific initiatives within our agencies to achieve this.

  The latest published national statistical report 'Fraud and Error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance from April 2001 to March 2002' provides a breakdown of estimates of Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance fraud by each Government Office Region. A copy is available in the Library.

  We cannot provide an estimate of the regional variation in Housing Benefit fraud because the measurement sample only supports a national estimate.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the annual level of(a) detected and (b) undetected benefit fraud in each of the last six years. [151020]
  305W
  Mr. Pond
  We estimate that approximately £2 billion per annum is overpaid as a result of fraud.

  We make regular estimates of the total amount of fraud overpayments on Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit and the results are published as National Statistics.

  Our estimates of levels of fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance are published in the series of reports "Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance."

  For Housing Benefit, we published "Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit, April 2002 to March 2003" on 11 December 2003. This report represents the first national headline estimates, for the level of fraud and error in Housing Benefit, derived via the statistical analysis of data collected by the Housing Benefit Review (HBR) continuous measurement exercise. Copies of the reports have been placed in the Library.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what guidance he has issued regarding joint prosecution for benefit fraud with local authorities; [155071]

  (2) what guidance he has issued to local authorities about undertaking joint prosecutions with the Department of Work and Pensions for benefit fraud. [155103]

  Mr. Pond
  Comprehensive guidance is provided to fraud investigators in this Department and in local authorities in the form of the Fraud Procedures and Instructions (FPI) Manual. Guidance on joint proceedings with local authorities was updated in June and August 2003, with additional specific guidance on joint prosecutions also issued in August 2003.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many joint prosecutions have been undertaken by the Department with local authorities on benefit fraud in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority; [155072]

  (2) how many joint prosecutions with local authorities for benefit fraud have been suspended in the last three months. [155104]

  Mr. Pond
  The information is not available.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the office of the Deputy Prime Minister about the implications of the Howell Opinion on joint prosecutions for benefit fraud. [155271]

  Mr. Pond
  There have been no discussions concerning the implications of the Howell Opinion with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. However, Department for Work and Pensions lawyers and officials are continuing to work on the implications of the Opinion to ensure that effective joint working between DWP and local authorities may continue within the existing statutory framework.

  Benefit Payments
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of benefits have had 306W
  their payments made to (a) standard bank or building society accounts, (b) bank or building society basic accounts and (c) Post Office card accounts. [142216]

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) child benefit recipients, (b) pensioners and (c) other benefit recipients received payments (i) into bank accounts, (ii) into Post Office Card Accounts and (iii) through post offices using pension and benefit books at the most recent date for which figures are available. [142424]

  Mr. Pond
  [holding answer 8 December 2003]: The information in the table shows the current number of live accounts, by benefit group, actively paid by Direct Payment into a bank or building society account, and Post Office card account.

  Benefit

  Accounts paid by Direct Payment (excluding Post Office Card Account)

  Accounts paid to Post Office Card Account

  Accounts paid by-order book

  Working Age Benefits

  1,818,507

  51,560

  2,683,926

  Disability and Carer's Benefit

  1,476,640

  8,133

  1,534,277

  Retirement Pension

  5,474,797

  42,561

  5,606,745

  Child Benefit

  4,848,029

  52,053

  1,938,727

  War Pensions

  138,790

  2,753

  99,447

  All Benefits

  13,756.763

  157,060

  11,863,122

  Notes:

  1. This table has been derived from a number of different sources.

  2. The Ministry of Defence is now responsible for payment of War Pensions benefit—they provided the figure for Accounts paid to Post Office Card Account up to 22 October 2003.

  3. The figures relate to accounts not customers.

  4. They only include customers actually receiving an amount in payment.

  5. We cannot differentiate between standard bank or building society accounts and basic bank accounts.

  6. The table details figures for GB only.

  Key figures on the progress of conversion to Direct Payment are available in the Library updated every four weeks.

  Benefit Rights
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will review all advertisements encouraging retired people to take up their benefit and tax credit rights in order to ensure that they are clear, unambiguous and accurate; and if he will withdraw advertisements that fail in these respects. [153079]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We constantly review advertising throughout a campaign to ensure it is working effectively—so that we can take appropriate action if necessary.

  DWP national advertising is checked for clarity, comprehension and accuracy prior to publication or broadcast to ensure that our approach is clear and will generate the desired response. This may involve focus group research among representatives of the target audience and clearance by the relevant broadcast standards authorities. The process can also involve Departmental consultation with key stakeholders such as Help The Aged or Age Concern. Major campaigns also use tracking research to identify any issues of clarity, comprehension and accuracy, in order to

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  optimise campaign performance and ensure that the public have clear and timely information on entitlements and benefits.

  Some local advertising, for example one-off local newspaper advertisements informing the public about outreach events, does not follow this process, as the advertisement just highlights the details of the event. It would not be cost effective to adopt the approach above in these cases.

  The Department is not responsible for advertising tax credits.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of(a) disability and (b) sickness benefits. [153378]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department continually strives to ensure that its customers are aware of any potential entitlement to disability and sickness benefits. The Department publishes a wide range of literature and this is available from numerous easily accessible sources such as offices of the Department, some post offices, doctors' surgeries or advice centres. These, together with free telephone helplines/ensure that the public have sufficient information to enable them to make informed decisions about disability and sickness benefits.

  The Department has a national, regional and local outreach programme in place that aims to promote and raise awareness about availability of services. The Department also meets regularly with partners from local authorities and welfare rights organisations that represent customers with physical, mental and sensory impairments, to ensure that they are kept up to date with our initiatives to modernise the delivery of benefits.

  Expert advice is also available from advisers in Job Centre Plus offices which are rolling out over the next two or three years or Social Security offices, about all the benefits that can be claimed by people of working age and about the best steps for moving towards work.

  For people with internet access information about all benefits and how these may be claimed is also contained on the DWP website.

  The effectiveness of these initiatives has, for example, contributed to the increase in the number of disability living allowance recipients by 25.4 per cent. in the five years to August 2003 and by 5.9 per cent. in the last 12 months alone.

  Casual Staff
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many employees have been employed on 13-week casual appointments in Jobcentre and JobcentrePlus offices in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each region in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement; [152672]

  (2) how many JobcentrePlus staff on 13-week casual contracts were employed on these contracts for (a) the second time, (b) the third time and (c) more than the third time in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [152673]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  308W
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what functions are carried out by casual staff employed in offices in the South East Region; what training they receive; and what the cost of such training was in the last year for which figures are available. [151529]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department employs casual staff for a number of reasons, for example, to help manage peaks of work and to aid release of permanent staff for training and preparation for major business change. Information on the specific duties carried out by casual staff is not available.

  The Learning and Development provided for casual staff varies according to the job role and work undertaken by the individual. For example, those dealing with customers receive training linked to serving customers, keeping safe, equal opportunities, data protection and interviewing skills. More informal training includes working with, and observing more experienced colleagues and coaching from subject experts and line managers. In addition, many new staff have a buddy or mentor.

  Information on the cost of training for casual staff is not available.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on reform of the Child Support Agency. [155348]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer the hon. Member to the written statement from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 12 February 2004,Official Report, columns 80–82WS.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when existing Child Support Agency cases assessed under the old rules will be transferred to the new assessment system. [155910]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 18 December 2003,Official Report, column 1092W.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many people whose cases are in the hands of the Child Support Agency in(a) Angus constituency and (b) Scotland are due arrears of child maintenance; and how many have been due arrears for more than three months; [152544]

  (2) what the (a) average and (b) longest time taken by the Child Support Agency has been to collect arrears due to persons whose cases are in the hands of the Agency in (i) the Angus constituency and (ii) Scotland; [152545]

  (3) what amounts of arrears are due to persons in (a) the Angus constituency and (b) Scotland whose cases are in the hands of the Child Support Agency; [152546]

  (4) what the total amount is owed to people whose cases are in the hands of the Child Support Agency in (a) Angus and (b) Scotland of arrears in child maintenance. [152547]
  309W
  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Michael Weir, dated 23 February 2004:

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

  You asked the following questions:
  how many people whose cases are in the hands of the Child Support Agency in (a) Angus constituency and (b) Scotland are due arrears of child maintenance; and how many have been due arrears for more than three months.
  what the (a) average and (b) longest time taken by the Child Support Agency has been to collect arrears due to persons whose cases are in the hands of the Agency in (i) the Angus constituency and (ii) Scotland.
  what amounts of arrears are due to persons in (a) the Angus constituency and (b) Scotland whose cases are in the hands of the Child Support Agency.
  what the total amount is owed to people whose cases are in the hands of the Child Support. Agency in (a) Angus and (b) Scotland of arrears in child maintenance.

  The specific information that you seek is not available. However, I can tell you that there are around 600 cases within the Angus Parliamentary constituency where arrears are due and have been for more than three months. In comparison Scotland has nearly 26,000 cases where arrears have been outstanding for more than three months.

  Departmental Relocation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on the factors which underlay decisions to(a) relocate work and (b) close his Department's offices in the South-East Region; [151631]

  (2) what factors underlay the decisions (a) to close offices, (b) to transfer work through relocation and centralisation and (c) not to replace permanent staff in (i) Portsmouth, (ii) Southampton and (iii) the Isle of Wight; and if he will make a statement. [152149]

  Mr. Browne
  Jobcentre Plus and The Pension Service are modernising the services we provide to our customers. This modernisation is increasing the number of places where people can get information about work and benefits.

  Jobcentre Plus is providing improved customer access through telephone contract centres, the internet and new, dedicated caller offices. The creation of new style Jobcentre Plus offices is providing customers with premises where they can make inquiries both about their benefits and about job opportunities in one place.
  310W
  The Pension Service has a network of pension centres, complemented by a local service delivered in partnership with local authorities and voluntary sector organisations. The Pension Service is meeting pensioners in their local communities, holding appointment and drop-in advice surgeries in places that they are familiar with, such as Age Concern and CAB outlets, local libraries and community centres.

  The purpose of these plans was to provide all the Department's customers in Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isles of Wight; in the South East Region; and in the country as a whole with a modern and efficient service. These services are being targeted where people need them after consultation with local welfare agencies, local authorities, MPs and others. Where necessary duplication of sites is being reduced, helping to ensure that the taxpayer gets value for money. Overall these plans are building on the high quality service already provided by social security offices and Jobcentres by delivering a service tailored to the specific needs of its customers.

  In determining the location of the new Jobcentre Plus offices a great many factors are taken into account. These factors include, but are not limited to, the population size and spread, the quality, cost and availability of local transport, the distance between offices, concentrations of our key customer groups, areas designated for urban renewal or other regeneration initiatives, employers' needs, labour market characteristics, the availability of suitable office accommodation, the cost of maintenance and disposal, and the availability of staff and ability to relocate existing local staff. In some cases we have found that industrial and demographic change has left our offices situated in less than ideal locations. This modernisation programme provides an opportunity to critically review where we can best locate our offices to deliver services to meet the needs of the local community.

  Disability Allowance
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of extending the entitlement to disability allowance and attendance allowance to 52 weeks for those claimants who are hospitalised. [155986]

  Maria Eagle
  Extending to 52 weeks the period during which disability living allowance and attendance allowance can be paid to hospital in-patients is estimated to cost in the region of £145 million a year at current rates. This figure includes the consequential costs in carer's allowance, pension credit and the income-related benefits.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with colleagues in the Department for Health to ensure fair treatment for older people from ethnic minority groups and their needs in terms of(a) income and (b) quality of life. [155810]
  311W
  Malcolm Wicks
  Ministers have regular contact with colleagues in Department of Health to discuss the position of older people—this would include the fair treatment of minority groups such as ethnic minorities.

  Direct Payment
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 17 December 2003,Official Report, column 978W, on the exceptions service, whether those individuals who do not opt for a direct payment option will be eligible for the service. [147779]

  Mr. Pond
  Customers who have not supplied account details will be contacted at an appropriate time and the options available to them will be fully explained. This will include the fact that order books will no longer be a payment option. An alternative method of payment will be available for those who cannot operate a bank account.

  LHA rates for Teignbridge by Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA)

  BRMA (£)

  LHA category

  Teign

  Exeter

  Tiverton and Crediton

  Torbay

  South Devon

  Plymouth Environs

  Shared room

  53.00

  55.00

  50.00

  54.00

  51.50

  50.50

  2 room

  76.25

  89.50

  77.50

  82.50

  85.00

  81.50

  3 room

  101.00

  114.00

  93.00

  115.50

  104.00

  98.50

  4 room

  121.50

  136.50

  117.00

  125.50

  123.50

  111.50

  5 room

  136.50

  141.00

  124.50

  143.00

  130.00

  124.50

  6 room

  145.00

  170.50

  142.00

  162.50

  153.50

  139.00

  LHA rates of Coventry

  LHA category

  BRMA (£)

  Shared room

  47.50

  2 room

  82.50

  3 room

  98.50

  4 room

  107.00

  5 room

  118.00

  6 room

  142.50

  LHA rates for Blackpool

  LHA category

  BRMA (£)

  Shared room

  47.50

  2 room

  75.00

  3 room

  97.00

  4 room

  102.00

  5 room

  123.50

  6 room

  139.00

  LHA rates for Lewisham by Broad Rental Market Area

  BRMA (£)

  LHA Category

  London South East-Central

  London South East-Inner

  Shared room

  77.50

  92.50

  2 room

  147.50

  200.00

  3 room

  190.50

  252.00

  4 room

  231.00

  284.00

  312W
  Direct Payment will be the best option for the overwhelming majority of our customers, giving them a more modern and reliable method of payment with greater choice about where and when they collect their money.

  Research has shown that 87 per cent. of all our customers and 90 per cent. of pensioners already have an account suitable for direct payment.

  Housing Allowances
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the local flat-rate housing allowances agreed to date for each of the pilot areas for such allowances. [149646]

  Mr. Pond
  The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a major structural reform designed to promote choice and responsibility within the housing benefit system. The LHA has been introduced in four local authorities and is due to be introduced to the remaining pathfinder authorities in the near future.

  The information for the pathfinder authorities currently delivering LHA is in the table.

  LHA rates for Lewisham by Broad Rental Market Area

  BRMA (£)

  LHA Category

  London South East-Central

  London South East-Inner

  5 room

  265.50

  363.50

  6 room

  381.00

  437.50

  Notes:

  1. Tables show weekly LHA rates for January 2004.

  2. The shared room rate is for one room with shared living room and (a) shared kitchen, toilet and bathroom, or (b) exclusive use of kitchen/kitchen facilities, or (c) exclusive use of bathroom and toilet with shared kitchen.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will introduce legislation to provide for greater(a) recognition and (b) powers for safety representatives in workplaces. [155819]

  Mr. Browne
  We have no plans to introduce legislation to provide for greater recognition and powers for safety representatives.

  We have recently received advice from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) recommending that new legislation on worker involvement and representation in occupational health and safety should not be introduced at this time. This advice, which we have accepted recommends that Health and Safety Commission and

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  Executive should instead concentrate their efforts on securing the agreement of social partners to principles and measures that will ensure that workers are properly involved in controlling risks to occupational health and safety. Today HSC is publishing its new strategy and out of this will shortly release a statement on worker involvement setting out these principles and working with social partners to win wider support. A copy will be placed in the Library when published.

  Jobcentre Plus
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many casual workers were employed by Jobcentre Plus in the South East region in each of the last two years; what the cost was; and what the projected numbers are for the current year. [1515301

  Mr. Browne
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 23 February 2004:

  As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the employment of casual members of staff by Jobcentre Plus in the South East. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  The information you require is in the table below. It should be noted that Jobcentre Plus operates according to the fiscal year; therefore the information includes a projection to 31 March 2004.

  Year ending

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Casual staff engaged1

  252

  3250

  Cost2

  £3,066,634

  3£3,716,020

  1This represents the total number of contracts offered during the course of a year.

  2This represents the salary costs for the total number of casual members of staff in post for each month of the year.

  3projected

  Source:

  Financial Accounting Operations System Activity Based Information System.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultation has taken place with outside interested bodies(a) prior to and (b) since the Jobcentre Plus reorganisation; and what representations he has received from groups representing (i) unemployed workers and (ii) pensioners. [151531]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 23 February 2004:

  As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning what consultation has taken place with outside interested bodies prior to, and since, the Jobcentre Plus reorganisation. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

  Jobcentre Plus came into existence as a national organisation at the beginning of April 2002 The Benefits Agency and Employment Service ceased to exist at the same time. The new service is being rolled out across the country on a district by district basis. Over 350 integrated Jobcentre Plus offices are now
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  operating across the country. Integrating the whole of the former Employment Service and Benefits Agency's services for people of working age and creating the national network of Jobcentre Plus offices will not be completed until 2006.

  As each district starts to plan for the introduction of the new integrated Jobcentre Plus, service delivery arrangements are shared with local stakeholders, MPs and others. The service delivery arrangements are shared at the initial proposal stage, amended to take account of comments received where appropriate, then shared again when approval for the plans has been given. This is an integral part of the planning process for the introduction of the Jobcentre Plus service across England, Wales and Scotland.

  District Managers are provided with a list of suggested stakeholders for this initial planning stage. These include; local MPs/MEPs/MSPs/Members of the National Assembly of Wales, local authorities, programme providers/service delivery partners, employers, Citizens Advice Bureaux, and welfare rights organisations. This list is not exhaustive and each District Manager may identify their own local stakeholders.

  As part of the consultation process District Managers may also canvass the opinions of their customers and any comments they provide will be used as part of the planning process. Representations districts receive about Jobcentre Plus service delivery plans from our stakeholders can also include those representing unemployed workers and pensioners. Any concerns or issues raised by these groups as a result of the consultation process will be addressed at district level and are fed in to each districts planning before the final decision is made for roll out of Jobcentre Plus in that district.

  Jobcentre Plus managers at all levels maintain close contact with many local and national organisations representing our client base. This enables continuous feedback concerning the services that we provide before, during and after the roll out of the new Jobcentre Plus services.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has(a) to provide new Jobcentre Plus premises for the inner city areas of (i) Portsmouth and (ii) Southampton, (b) to increase staffing levels in remaining offices and (c) to improve the furnishing in remaining offices. [151535]

  Mr. Browne
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Hancock, dated 13 February 2004:

  As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning Jobcentre Plus proposals for the inner city areas of Southampton and Portsmouth. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  Plans are currently being developed to roll out the new integrated Jobcentre Plus service in both Portsmouth and Southampton. Partners and stakeholders were originally consulted about these plans in June and September 2002.

  Presently, options for both cities are being vigorously pursued. While suitable premises have been identified for Portsmouth that will have the capability to deliver the enhanced services to Portsmouth customers; discussions remain commercially sensitive. Therefore, we are unable to give details of the sites under consideration. Commercial considerations also apply to Southampton, where work is ongoing.

  Jobcentre Plus is contributing to the wider DWP modernisation and efficiency agenda and the workforce planning levels agreed for Jobcentre Plus form part of this. There are no plans to change substantially the numbers of people who work in Southampton and Portsmouth Jobcentre Plus locations beyond the impact of these plans. Each Region has a share of the total Jobcentre Plus performance target with the allocation of resource budgets within

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  Jobcentre Plus linked to expected workloads and performance targets. The headcount target for each region, and each district in that region, and each office in that district, is based on this.

  The new Jobcentre Plus service will provide a more professional and welcoming environment. When the new Jobcentre Plus offices open, they will be to the design and furnishing standard of this new enhanced Jobcentre Plus model. Existing Jobcentre offices in Portsmouth and Southampton undergo regular quarterly health and safety inspections, where the existing furnishings are reviewed.

  If there are any specific issues you wish to raise about these offices or if you would like to see the new specification in offices which have rolled out the new service, please contact Karen Gamester, the District Manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, on 01962 848887, who will be happy to assist.

  I hope this is helpful.

  New Deal
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what resources are made available to New Deal advisers to provide practical advice to members of the public on the New Deal programme who are not graduates, who wish to acquire additional skills to pursue careers which require graduate level entry. [154341]

  Mr. Browne
  The primary aim of New Deal is to help people into employment as soon as possible. The advice given to non-graduate New Deal participants wishing to pursue careers requiring graduate entry level qualifications could depend on a range of factors including the person's existing qualifications, their financial situation, the availability of the training required, and the entry criteria for specific courses.

  New Deal advisers have knowledge of the local labour market and access to a range of resources to assist them in providing appropriate advice and guidance to all New Deal participants. Resources used by advisers include: careers publications, access to the internet, links with training providers and local colleges as well as Connexions/Careers Service. Someone without the relevant qualifications to start a degree or diploma course could, for example be referred to an Access Course, which can be funded under New Deal. People interested in further or higher education would also be given advice on sources of funding such as Career Development Loans, and referred to relevant educational bodies for more detailed advice on course funding.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what procedures are followed to ensure that training programmes and allied support within the New Deal are tailored to an individual's requirements; [154342]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that individuals are not placed on New Deal training courses that provide guidance and advice on skills the person has already acquired. [154343]

  Mr. Browne
  The New Deal is primarily a 'jobs first' programme and its success is measured through the number of people helped into work; so far nearly one million people have been helped into employment through New Deal.

  Training programmes, and other support available through New Deal, are intended to equip people with the skills needed to compete effectively in the local
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  labour market. Effort is made to tailor courses and other support to meet individuals' requirements but this has to be balanced against the recruitment and skills needs of local employers and the likelihood of the training improving employment prospects. In circumstances where the needs of an individual cannot be met through normal contracts with training providers, one-off courses or training provision can be purchased if this is likely to improve the person's chances of getting quickly into work.

  It is not the intention of New Deal to place people on training courses that provide them with skills they already have. However, participants on the mandatory New Deal programmes may be expected to attend courses to help address their barriers to work, for example, a two-week Gateway to Work course, which provides jobsearch and motivational support.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which trade unions he has met to discuss the future of occupational pension schemes; and if he will make a statement. [154748]

  Malcolm Wicks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and I are committed to increasing consensus on pension issues by maintaining frequent contact with all our key partners in both the Trade Unions and the employer community. It is important that we all play our part in making sure that today's and tomorrow's pensioners have the level of income in retirement that they have chosen.

  Within the last two months we have met representatives from many union groups including TGWU, TUC, UNIFI, GMB, GPMU, AUT, NUT, UNISON, Usdaw, ISTC, CWU, GPM, GMBI and Amicus.

  In the next few weeks I hope to have further meetings with representatives from the TGWU and the CWU.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will rank each parliamentary constituency according to the take-up of pension credit. [154747]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The most recent monthly progress report on pension credit, accompanied by tables showing the number of pension credit households in each parliamentary constituency in Great Britain, was published on 9 February. Copies are in the Library. It is not currently possible to rank constituencies according to the level of pension credit take-up since estimates of the number of eligible households are not available at constituency level.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners are not receiving their pension credit entitlement in(a) Portsmouth and (b) England; and what steps his Department is taking to improve take-up. [155217]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, we estimate that there are approximately 3.15 million pensioner households in England likely to be eligible for pension credit. The
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  latest monthly pension credit progress report, published on 9 February, shows that at 31 January, approximately 1.82 million pensioner households in England were receiving pension credit. As at the same date, the numbers of households receiving pension credit in Portsmouth, North and Portsmouth South were 2,555 and 3,862 respectively.

  We are currently in the main phase of our marketing campaign for pension credit and aim to have at least 3 million households in receipt of pension credit by 2006. By June 2004, we will have written to all pensioner households, explaining about the new entitlement. Direct mail is being supported by extensive TV and press advertising. From May we intend to focus campaign activity on those pensioners who are likely to be entitled but who have not responded. The Pension Service local service is playing a key role, particularly in encouraging pensioners who are less likely to take up their entitlement to apply. We continue to work closely with organisations such as Help the Aged and Age Concern, at both national and local level, and with local authorities.

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the average pension credit payment is to pensioners in(a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) the UK; [155845]

  (2) what the average minimum income guarantee payment is to pensioners in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) the UK; [155846]

  (3) how many pensioners are (a) eligible for and (b) in receipt of pension credit in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) Tyne and Wear, (iv) the North East and (v) the UK; [155890]

  (4) how many pensioners were in receipt of the minimum income guarantee in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear,(d) the North East and (e) the UK at the last date on which it was paid; [155952]

  (5) how many pensioners are eligible for the minimum income guarantee in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) the United Kingdom. [156022]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information on the number of people who are eligible for pension credit is not available in respect of individual local authority areas or parliamentary constituencies. However, we estimate that around 250,000 pensioner households in the North East Government Office Region (GOR) and around 3.8 million pensioner households in Great Britain are eligible for pension credit. Information on numbers of pension credit recipients and average awards in the areas mentioned is given in the table.

  Pension credit recipients in Great Britain, the North East, Tyne and Wear, South Tyneside and Jarrow, 31 January 2004

  Households

  Individuals

  Average weekly award per household (£)

  Great Britain

  2,172,280

  2,610,450

  43.50

  North East GOR

  130,080

  157,750

  38.45

  Tyne and Wear

  60,710

  73,325

  39.09

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  Pension credit recipients in Great Britain, the North East, Tyne and Wear, South Tyneside and Jarrow, 31 January 2004

  Households

  Individuals

  Average weekly award per household (£)

  South Tyneside

  9,385

  11,305

  39.18

  Jarrow parliamentary constituency

  4,835

  5,890

  38.45

  Notes:

  1. Numbers of recipients have been rounded to the nearest five.

  2. Average weekly awards have been rounded to the nearest penny.

  3 Numbers of recipients exclude small numbers of clerical cases.
  .At 31 January there were approximately 8,370 such cases in Great Britain, of which approximately 505 were in the North East GOR.

  4. Average weekly awards refer to the amount received by households, which may be a single person or a couple.

  Information on minimum income guarantee is not available in the form requested.

  Since 6 October 2003 pension credit has replaced the minimum income guarantee and the 1.8 million cases receiving minimum income guarantee prior to 6 October were automatically transferred to pension credit.

  Following the introduction of pension credit, some elements of the support previously provided through minimum income guarantee are now provided through local authority funding for people in care homes, and through tax credits for children. In addition, average pension credit awards are expected to be lower than minimum income guarantee because a savings credit of up to £14.79 (single) or £19.20 (couples) is available for people with modest incomes above the guarantee level who previously received nothing from minimum income guarantee.

  Information on the average weekly award and the number of minimum income guarantee recipients in the areas mentioned as at August 2003 appears in the following table.

  £ per week

  Recipients (thousand)

  Jarrow parliamentary constituency

  44.44

  3.8

  South Tyneside

  44.55

  8.1

  Tyne and Wear

  43.70

  51.3

  North East GOR

  44.30

  106.2

  Great Britain

  50.23

  1,802.6

  Note:

  Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to encourage pension credit take-up in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley; and what part councils play in encouraging take-up. [154745]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Pension Credit take-up activity is continuing across Lancashire, with the help of partner organisations and local authorities.

  Activities in Lancashire include awareness talks to a wide range of organisations and regular information surgeries and publicity events. Local authorities across Lancashire have begun to use their Housing Benefit data to identify those potentially entitled to Pension

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  Credit and have worked jointly with The Pension Service on a number of marketing activities. In Chorley, activities undertaken by The Pension service include information surgeries and publicity events in libraries, day care centres and other locations including the local hospital. These are often carried out in collaboration with local authorities.

  Formal agreement to proceed with joint teams has been reached with 13 of the 22 primary tier local authorities in the North West and it is expected that joint teams will start to become operational in the region from April 2004.

  Pension Credit recipients in the North West, Lancashire and Chorley, December 2003 and January 2004

  31 December 2003

  31 January 2004

  Households

  Individuals

  Households

  Individuals

  North West Government Office Region

  288,575

  343,680

  296,320

  354,025

  Lancashire county district

  42,075

  50,535

  43,870

  52,940

  Chorley parliamentary constituency

  3,065

  3,660

  3,165

  3,805

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  2. The figures exclude small numbers of clerical cases. At 31 December 2003 there were approximately 3,555 such cases in Great Britain and 505 in the North West region. At 31 January there were approximately 8,370 cases in Great Britain and 1,190 in the North West region.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many home visits have been carried out by staff of the Pension Service in connection with pension credit in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley. [154749]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, approximately 250 home visits involving pension credit were undertaken in the local authority cluster including Preston Chorley and South Ribble in January 2004.

  Means-testing
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the total cost of administering means-testing for pensioners in 2003–04; and by how much pensions could be increased if the proceeds of abolishing means tests were transferred to pensions. [155469]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information on the total cost of administering means-testing for pensioners is not currently available in the format requested. In accordance with the requirements of Resource Accounting and Budgeting the Department now accounts for its administration and benefit expenditure by Strategic Objective, as set out in its Public Service Agreements (PSA), and by individual Requests for Resources (RfRs), as set out in the Departmental Estimates and Accounts.

  This Government's priority is to target money on the poorest pensioners. Almost half of the extra money to be spent on pensioners in 2004–05 will be spent on the poorest third.

  As a result of the Minimum Income Guarantee and now Pension Credit, the poorest third of pensioners will be around £600 per year better off on average than had the equivalent amount been spent on increasing the Basic State Pension (BSP).
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  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have claimed pension credit in(a) the North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Chorley. [154746]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Pension Credit was implemented in October 2003. The table gives numbers of recipients of Pension Credit in the North West, Lancashire and Chorley at the end of 2003 and at 31 January 2004, the latest date for which figures are available. Numbers of applications for Pension Credit are not available at regional, county or constituency level.

  We are planning to spend around £12.6 billion in 2004–05 on pensioners through income-related benefits including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  If this spending was transferred to pensions, the full Basic State pension could be increased by around £25 per week in 2004–05. However poorer pensioners could face large losses, losing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as well as Pension Credit. Those not eligible for the full Basic State Pension would not get the full £25 increase, and those without any entitlement to he Basic State Pension could be left with no income or state support whatsoever.

  Pensioners
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the pensioner population is in(a) the East Midlands and (b) England. [155638]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The figures requested are in the table.

  Pensioner population

  East Midlands

  784,000

  England

  6,145,000

  Notes:

  1 The figures are from the Mid-Year population figures, 2002.

  2 Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3.'Pensioner' is defined as those over state pension age.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in East Devon are dependent on benefits; and what percentage of entitled pensioners in East Devon have taken up their benefits. [155326]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the format requested.
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  In May 2003, 29,200 pensioners in the East Devon constituency were in receipt of a key benefit. For the majority of these, 23,200, state pension was the only key benefit being received.

  Key benefits are Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Minimum Income Guarantee, State Pension, Severe Disablement Allowance and Housing Benefit.

  As at the end of January 2004 there were 3,437 Pension Credit households in East Devon parliamentary constituency. Information on the number of people who are eligible for Pension Credit is not available in respect of individual constituencies.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met pensioner groups in Scotland. [155477]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Members of the ministerial team visit Scotland to discuss pension issues and have met with pensioner groups. In addition, the Department meets with representatives from pensioner groups in Scotland on a regular basis through various channels—including the Partnership Against Poverty Scotland group and the Pensions Forum which is held annually in Scotland and which members of the ministerial team attend, the last was held in Edinburgh in October.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in the Twickenham constituency(a) are in receipt of winter fuel payments, (b) were in receipt of the minimum income guarantee in 2003 and (c) have applied for and been granted pension credit. [154951]

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

  Information on winter fuel payments for individual constituencies for 2003–04 will not be available until this winter's exercise is complete but will be provided to the hon. Member and placed in the Library when it becomes available.

  The number of pensioner households in the Twickenham constituency in receipt of minimum income guarantee in August 2003 was 1,600 and receiving pension credit as at 31 January 2004 is 1,951. Numbers of applications for pension credit are not available at regional, county or constituency level.

  Notes:

  MIG figures are based on a 5 per cent, sample and therefore subject to sampling variation.

  MIG claimants are benefit units where the claimant and/or their partner are aged 60 or over, therefore figure will include some claimants aged under 60.

  MIG figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent, and 100 per cent, sample.

  Post Office Accounts
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure that existing bank account holders do not have to open a different bank account in order to receive their benefits from the Post Office. [152137]
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  Mr. Pond
  The Government want as many people as possible to be able to do their banking at Post Office branches and welcomes Post Office Ltd.'s efforts to secure agreements with other banks. The decision is ultimately a commercial one which rests with the individual institutions.

  Universal banking services already provide access to the basic bank accounts of every High Street bank plus the nationwide Building Society at Post Office branches as well as the Post Office card account. In addition, more than 20 million customers of Lloyds/TSB, Barclays and Alliance and Leicester can access their accounts electronically at Post Office branches

  Also current accounts customers of Alliance and Leicester, Barclays, Lloyds/TSB the Co-operative Bank and the internet banks smile and cahoot can access paper-based banking services which enables them to cash cheques at Post Office branches, free of charge.

  State Pensioners (Overseas Territories)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many people are in receipt of the UK state pension in each of the British Overseas Territories; [153495]

  (2)if he will list those British Overseas Territories where citizens receiving the UK state pension have their pensions frozen; [153496]

  (3)if he will estimate the cost of waiving the frozen pension rule in each British Overseas Territory in which citizens receiving the UK state pension have their pensions frozen; [153497]

  (4)how many citizens living abroad and receiving frozen UK state pensions reside in (a) Canada and (b) the United States of America. [153498]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information on the number of people in receipt of the UK state pension in the British Overseas Territories other than those living in the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus as at January 2004 is set out in the table.

  Territory

  Number

  Anguilla

  148

  Bermuda

  560

  British Antarctic Territory

  0

  British Indian Ocean Territory

  0

  British Virgin Islands

  42

  Cayman Islands

  95

  Falkland Islands (including South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands)

  37

  Gibraltar

  894

  Montserrat

  154

  Pitcairn Islands

  0

  St. Helena and Dependencies

  71

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  15

  Pensioners living in the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus cannot be separately identified from others living in the Republic of Cyprus.

  Pensioners living in the countries set out in the table other than those living in Bermuda, Gibraltar and the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus have their UK state pension frozen. The estimated cost to unfreeze these

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  pensions, without paying arrears, would be less than £500,000 for 2003–04 based on a 5 per cent, sample. We are unable to estimate the cost for each territory because of the numbers affected.

  There are currently around 150,000 UK citizens now residing in Canada in receipt of a frozen UK state pension. UK citizens now residing in the United States of America do not have their UK state pension frozen.

  Notes:

  1.Caseloads are taken from the Pensions Strategy Computer System.

  2.Costs are estimated using DWP Administrative Data.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated annual total cost of compliance is in respect of the statutory sick pay scheme for employers. [154883]

  Maria Eagle
  Currently around 90 per cent, of employees are covered by an occupational sick pay scheme; where employers operate such a scheme, and it is more generous than Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), they do not have to keep SSP records. This makes it difficult to estimate the annual total costs for employers of compliance with the scheme.

  In the most recent year for which figures are available (2000–01), the estimated expenditure for employers on SSP was £830 million.

  Notes:

  1.The figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2.The figures are on an accruals basis and so record the year of liability of SSP payment, which is not the same as the year money was paid out.

  Source:

  Employers' end-of-year returns.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what would be the additional cost in the next financial year to public funds(a) in benefits and (b)in administrative costs of providing entitlement to winter fuel payment to all persons on reaching their 60th birthday if it falls during the months of October to March inclusive, on the assumption that those with birthdays in other months would continue to receive payment in the winter after attaining age 60. [155327]

  Malcolm Wicks
  If all those reaching their 60th birthday in the months of October 2003 to March 2004 were to receive a winter fuel payment for the winter of 2003–04, the additional cost would be approximately £47 million. We are unable to provide figures for the additional administrative costs that this would incur.

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many British citizens not resident in the UK received Winter Fuel Payments in respect of 2003–04; how many of those previously resided in(a) the Jarrow constituency,(b)South Tyneside, (c)Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) the UK; and what the value of such payments was in each case. [153230]
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  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not available. Such information that is available is as follows:

  So far 14,696 people no longer resident in the United Kingdom have received Winter Fuel Payments for the period winter 2003–04, at a cost of £2,235,700. Citizenship does not affect entitlement to Winter Fuel Payment as entitlement is based on residency in the UK.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Street Wardens
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on street warden funding in Coventry m 2004–05; [155747]

  2.what evaluation has taken place of the successes of street warden schemes in tackling anti-social behaviour in (a) England, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Coventry; [155660]

  3.what assessment he has made of the impact of the withdrawal of funding for the Street Warden schemes on (a) the levels of anti-social behaviour in Coventry and (b) the perceptions of safety among people in Coventry. [155661]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister funds three warden schemes in Coventry. One scheme has managed to sustain itself without further funding from the department. Funding for another scheme has been offered for 2004–05 providing that the scheme continues to find match funding. The third scheme is funded from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister until March 2006.

  Evaluations of the first and second round of warden schemes, including their effect on anti-social behaviour and perceptions of safety are currently being undertaken. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to publish the first report later this year.

  Agricultural Ties
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many owners of properties with agricultural ties have been forced to sell their homes because of failure to satisfy the terms of the tie, in each year since 1997. [155174]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Where planning permission is granted for an isolated agricultural worker's dwelling, an 'occupancy' condition is normally attached in order to ensure that the dwelling is kept available for meeting the agricultural need in the area. The responsibility for attaching, monitoring compliance with, and taking any necessary action to enforce occupancy conditions rests with the local planning authority in the first instance.

  Area-based Initiatives
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money has been allocated by his Department for each(a) region and (b) Neighbourhood Renewal Fund area for the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [152799]
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  Yvette Cooper
  Funding allocated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the regions can be found in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2003 Cm 5901 as amended by corrigendum-corrected tables for Chapter 8, published in June 2003. These set out expenditure by region and by function for an historic five year period. No figures are available for the forward years.

  Funding by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Neighbourhood Renewal Fund areas for the period 2002–03 until 2005–06 is available in the Library of the House. Funding plans beyond 2005–06 are subject to current Spending Review deliberations.

  Civil Servants
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many senior civil servants in his Department are disabled, expressed in(a) numbers and (b) as a percentage of whole-time equivalents. [144985]

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made in meeting targets for the proportion of people with disabilities in senior posts in his Department. [145996]

  Yvette Cooper
  Statistical information about senior civil servants with disabilities is available on the Civil Service Statistics website at http://www.civil-service. gov.uk/statistics/documents/pdf disability-oct03.pdf

  As there are less than five members of the senior civil service in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with a disability, the actual number is not published in order to protect the privacy of individuals in line with exemption 12 of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information".

  Community Projects
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made on bringing together in a single community programme the(a) Community Cohesion pathfinders, (b) Community Chest, (c) Community Empowerment Fund and (d) Community Champions Fund; and if he will make a statement. [152916]

  Yvette Cooper
  From April 2004, the Community Empowerment Fund, Community Chests and Community Learning Chests will be merged into the single Community Programme.

  It was not the intention to include the Community Cohesion pathfinders or the Community Champions Fund in the single Community Programme.

  The Community Cohesion Pathfinders will end in November 2004 and there are no plans to merge the fund.

  The Community Champions Fund is administered by the Department for Education and Skills and there are no plans to merge the fund.

  Consultancy
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list external(a) public relations and communications companies, (b) advertising and
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  marketing companies, (c) management consultancies, (d) accountancy companies, (e) banking firms, (f) individual consultants and (g) other specialist consultancies used by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister since May 2002, indicating in each case the work performed. [145990]

  Yvette Cooper
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Council Housing
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total sum in local authority accounts derived from selling council houses is; how much the Southend-on-Sea local authority has in its account; and if he will review the purposes for which these funds can be used. [155309]

  Keith Hill
  Since 1980–81 to 2001–02, the last year for which we have audited figures, sales of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings for owner occupation have generated –23.490 billion in receipts for local authorities in England. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold records for the amount generated by sales in Southend-on-Sea for the entirety of this period, but from 1998–99 to 2001–02 the receipts generated were £9.603 million.

  Currently, with-debt local authorities, such as Southend-on-Sea, are required to set aside 75 per cent. of the capital receipt arising from the disposal of HRA dwellings for the repayment of their debt. They may use the remaining 25 per cent. to meet capital expenditure. Debt-free local authorities are exempt from the set-aside requirement and may use 100 per cent. of such capital receipts for any capital purpose.

  The set-aside regime, which effectively provides resources for new capital investment by authorities generally, will cease to be available from 1 April this year, when a new capital finance system is introduced. Pooling is the regime that will replace set-aside. It will apply to debt-free as well as with-debt authorities—both will be required to pay to the Exchequer 75 per cent. of their receipts from the sale of council housing, to provide resources nationally for further capital investment in housing. They will retain 25 per cent. to meet such capital expenditure as they may decide. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister believe these arrangements are appropriate and currently has no intention of reviewing them further.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the councils which indicated that they did not want the fourth option of continuing council management of the homes to be improved during the course of the Government's Decent Homes consultation. [155499]

  Keith Hill
  The Government set out their 'Decent Homes' programme in "Quality and Choice: A Decent Home for All-The Way Forward For Housing" published December 2000. 70 housing authorities are now in the process of implementing the programme by means of PFIs, stock transfers, ALMOs and mainstream funding. The remaining authorities are to have completed the options appraisal process by 31 July 2005.

  Decent Homes Standard
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assistance is available to local authority housing departments to meet the Government's decent homes standard. [155118]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has provided both financial and other support to assist local authorities in delivering decent homes. Over the period 2003–06 £7.9 billion is available for capital expenditure on the HRA housing stock.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also making available £1.4 billion through the Private Finance Initiative Guidance on implementing the standard and conducting options appraisals has also been published on; http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house 027345.pdf

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's "Community Housing Task Force" together with Government Offices for the Regions are currently working with local authorities to help them develop their options appraisals.

  This process is designed to help the authority put in place a plan that will deliver decent homes.

  Departmental Information
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the information and public relations campaigns conducted by(a) non-departmental bodies and (b) executive agencies within his Department in each year since 1997, showing the annual cost of each campaign. [146024]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on public relations and information campaigns run by the non departmental bodies and executive agencies of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Empty Houses
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) empty houses and (b) homeless people there are in each local authority area, listed in descending order according to the number of empty houses. [153597]

  Yvette Cooper
  Latest available information, as reported by local authorities in England, is available in the Library of the House. For corresponding information in Wales, I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain).

  Expenditure Limits
  Matthew Green
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list his Department's departmental expenditure limits for 2003–04. [150101]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer the hon. Member to the written statement my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made on 27 November 2003,Official Report, column 3WS.

  Fire Authorities/ Services
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether combined fire authorities in their first year as precepting authorities will have the costs of transition taken into account when their budget is assessed. [154552]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government recognises fire authorities' concerns about setting budgets for next year, not least the particular circumstances faced by Combined Fire Authorities in their move to precepting status, including the pressure arising from the need to build up reserves.

  Nonetheless, the Government remains of the view that all authorities, including Combined Fire Authorities, should be seeking to minimise council tax increases. The Government will, if necessary, use its capping powers to deal with unacceptable increases.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action his Department has taken to ensure that the changes in locations of fire service control rooms do not impact on response times. [155441]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The location of a fire and rescue command and control room does not impact on response times. Service standards for the new regional control rooms will at a minimum be equal to present practice.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the guidance provided to the committees of regional fire authorities regarding the regionalisation of Fire Service control rooms. [155812]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government have said they accept the conclusions of Mott MacDonald report, on the "Future of Fire and Rescue Service Control Rooms in England and Wales", publishedin December 2003. It believes that control rooms at regional level are appropriate for reasons of efficiency, economy, effectiveness and resilience. It is considering the views of the Practitioners' Forum, authorities and the service on the conclusions of the report and the Government's response. Copies of the report are available in the Library of the House.

  Grant Calculations
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has established a timetable for consultation on future changes to the(a) formula spending share calculation and (b) area cost adjustment to enable such changes to be made in financial year 2006–07. [155146]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In order to provide local authorities with more stability in funding arrangements, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has already said that we will not be looking to change the grant distribution formulae until 2006–07 at the very earliest.

  If it is decided that changes to the formulae should be made for 2006–07, a full consultation on options for change would take place prior to the normal settlement round for that year.

  High Hedges
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultation he has undertaken prior to issuing guidance on the high hedges section of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. [153108]

  Yvette Cooper
  Consultation will begin shortly on guidance and on regulations governing certain detailed procedural arrangements relating to the high hedges section of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. The regulations will be laid before Parliament in time for the legislation to come into force towards the end of 2004.

  Homelessness
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the research commissioned by the Homelessness Directorate on homelessness among people from black and ethnic minority communities. [152026]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned research on homelessness among black and ethnic minority communities in February 2003. The research consisted of a literature review, interviews with Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) households, local authority officers and a range of other key national and local stakeholders in order to explore the causes of homelessness and to provide best practice guidance on the most appropriate interventions for tackling and preventing homelessness among different BME groups.

  A first draft report and guidance have been produced for further discussion with a range of key stakeholders and we expect to have a final version ready for publication in three to four months time. When published, copies of both documents will be made available in the Library of the House.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will publish the results of the annual return supplied by local authorities on homelessness applications by couples with dependent children; [152429]

  (2)if he will publish the results of the annual return supplied by local authorities on homeless applications by lone-parent females; [153106]

  (3)if he will publish the results of the annual return supplied by local authorities on homeless applications by single person male applicants: [153419]

  (4)if he will publish the results of the annual return supplied by local authorities on homeless applications by single person female applicants. [153669]

  Yvette Cooper
  Two key summary tables, based on data from the 2003 annual homelessness return, have been made available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. A hard copy has been made available in the Library of the House. These include an analysis of homeless households accepted by local authorities, broken down by region and household type, distinguishing couples with dependent children and lone-parent families. Information collected about homeless applications on both the annual and quarterly homelessness returns distinguishes ethnicity, but not household type.
  330W
  Further key analyses from the annual return are being prepared and will be placed on the website once finalised.

  Housing Taskforces
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Community Housing Task Force last met. [155799]

  Keith Hill
  The Community Housing Task Force generally meets up once a month to discuss and update on progress of work. The team last met on 4 February and will meet again on 1 March.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Advisory Group on Home Buying Taskforce(a)last met and (b) produced its last report; and when he expects it to be wound up. [155800]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Home Ownership Task Force has completed its work. The Task Force met for the last time on 30 September 2003 and its final report "A home of my own" was published on 13 November 2003. Copies of the report and executive summary are available on the Housing Corporation's website at www. housingcorp.gov.uk.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what audit mechanisms are in place to determine whether information technology(a) hardware and (b)software products are being used properly in his Department. [150928]

  Yvette Cooper
  Corporate ICT services for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister HQ are provided by the Department for Transport under a Service Level Agreement which includes provision of licences, software and hardware as part of a managed service. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 28 January 2004,Official Report, column 359W.

  Government Offices and the Regional Co-ordination Unit are responsible for their own IT systems. Procurement of core systems hardware and software is undertaken by the Regional Co-ordination Unit who purchase either directly from providers or via one of their outsource partners.

  Licensing of corporate-wide software is managed by the outsource providers. Such software is subject to corporate licensing agreements and is subject to similar auditing controls by the providers as mentioned in the answer referred to above.

  Individual Government Offices may also purchase non-corporate hardware and software locally. All purchases of software require prior approval from the RCU. Asset tracking software is utilised to monitor hardware and software utilisation.

  Local Government
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the distribution of grants between local authorities in 2003–04. [153302]
  331W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The new system for distributing formula grant to local authorities was introduced in 2003–04 following an extensive review involving both central and local government, and a full and open public consultation exercise.

  The new system was designed to distribute grant to local authorities according to their relative circumstances—or relative need. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is satisfied that the new grant distribution system is both fair and sustainable.

  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from local authorities in the current financial year in connection with the central Government grants they have received. [153303]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As part of the consultation on the provisional local government finance settlement 2004–05, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received 454 written responses from 275 individual authorities, MPs and others. A further 34 arrived after the close of consultation. Ministers also met delegations from the Local Government Association, the Association of London Government and four groups of local authorities. Parliament has now approved the settlement which provides local authorities with a 5.5 per cent. increase in general grant.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will issue(a) regulations and (b) guidance to local authorities with regard to retrospective membership of pension schemes by part-time employees; and if he will make a statement. [155004]

  Phil Hope
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is carefully considering the case for making regulations to empower local authorities to deal with any Local Government Pension Scheme cases which have not been referred to an Employment Tribunal but which constitute a valid claim in all other respects.

  The Local Government Pensions Committee of the Employers' Organisation for Local Government, in consultation with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, have issued guidance to local authorities consequent on directions from the Employment Tribunal. Further guidance in relation to the Local Government Pension Scheme is being prepared. As a result, many claims lodged with Employment Tribunals have now either been struck out or are in the process of being settled by employing authorities. Some claims may be affected by certain legal issues which have yet to be resolved.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many copies of the leaflet entitled "How you can shape the future of local government in your area" have been distributed in(a) Cheshire, (b) Lancashire, (c) Cumbria, (d) Greater Manchester, (e) Merseyside and (f) the North West Region; and what verification has been carried out to establish how many leaflets have been received by (i) households in each of those areas listed and by what date they were delivered and (ii) electors on the electoral register in the areas listed in (a) to (f), with reference to (A) date of the register and (B) date of receipt. [155626]
  332W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The conduct of local government reviews, including consultation on the draft recommendations, is a matter for the independent Boundary Committee.

  London Boroughs (Grouping)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Mayor of London about a possible new grouping of the London boroughs. [155025]

  Mr. Raynsford
  None.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost to his Department of using management consultants has been in each of the last five years. [148026]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) came into existence following the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Liddell-Grainger) on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 358W. The cost of using management consultants is not separately recorded and could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.

  Metropolitan Authorities
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which metropolitan authorities have developed a medium term financial strategy for the next three to five years. [155993]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, from April 2004, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Prudential Code requires all local authorities to prepare each year estimates of their revenue and capital spending for three years ahead. They are also required to consider known significant variations beyond that timeframe. The Government strongly supports this requirement, and have given statutory backing to the Prudential Code using powers in the Local Government Act 2003.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget overspend was for each metropolitan authority in each of the last three financial years; and what estimate he has made of budget overspends for the 2003–04 financial year. [155994]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The amount by which metropolitan authority spend has exceeded their budget forecast for 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03 is as tabled. A negative figure shows that the authority spent less than their budget estimate.

  No estimate has been made of the budget overspend for the 2003–04 financial year.

  £000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Barnsley

  -7,888

  -1,702

  -9,628

  Birmingham

  -9,905

  -6,684

  -20,046

  Bolton

  3,083

  -2,094

  1,286

  Bradford

  -13,138

  -10,875

  -3,503

  Bury

  -4,110

  -1,352

  -2,311

  Calderdale

  -2,249

  143

  155

  Coventry

  34,985

  11,743

  14,953

  Doncaster

  -8,866

  -220

  -296

  333W

  £000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Dudley

  9

  390

  -1,836

  Gateshead

  -8.374

  14,273

  11,780

  Kirklees

  -3.420

  -7,468

  -4,359

  Knowsley

  -996

  -733

  2,196

  Leeds

  -5,266

  742

  -2,778

  Liverpool

  16.413

  5,374

  -17,949

  Manchester

  -13,045

  -13,071

  -12,674

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  -2.440

  -1,468

  -14,636

  North Tyneside

  7.410

  4,188

  4,185

  Oldham

  496

  1,760

  514

  Rochdale

  220

  -389

  -1,887

  Rotherham

  2,288

  -2,270

  276

  Salford

  666

  -549

  363

  Sandwell

  -8,208

  -7,744

  1,179

  Sefton

  -3,987

  -2,270

  983

  Sheffield

  -3,864

  -16,405

  -19,471

  Solihull

  -3,359

  1,855

  -2,353

  South Tyneside

  -4,222

  -5,943

  -5,264

  St. Helens

  -5,165

  -6,956

  -2,938

  Stockport

  1,606

  -1,607

  -4,647

  Sunderland

  -57,687

  -5,254

  4,611

  Tameside

  -3,695

  -8,349

  -819

  TratTord

  -19,111

  -2,197

  454

  Wakefield

  -8,581

  -3,063

  7,077

  Walsall

  919

  -4,653

  -2,226

  Wigan

  -7,581

  -5,575

  -611

  Wirral

  1,223

  -1,057

  1,855

  Wolverhampton

  -13,473

  -9,636

  -2,462

  Notes:

  The data are taken from the RA budget and RS outturn forms for each year.

  The large under spend figure for Sunderland for 2000–01 is mainly attributable to a revenue receipt of £53.9 million in March 2001 being included in their accounts for that year.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which metropolitan authorities have been warned by his Department that he may apply a council tax cap for the next financial year. [155995]

  Mr. Raynsford
  All local authorities have been put on notice that the Government considers that they can and should deliver council tax increases in low single figures in 2004–05. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not pre-judging criteria for capping and will look at authorities' budgets and council tax figures before coming to a view on capping principles.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which metropolitan authorities have been identified by the Audit Commission in the last 10 years as having serious shortcomings in their financial controls; and what action his Department has taken in each case. [155996]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Until the Best Value framework was established by the Local Government Act 1999 and the results of Comprehensive Performance Assessments (CPAs) became available, central Government did not hold comprehensive information on which authorities the Audit Commission had identified as having serious shortcomings in their financial controls. Two metropolitan authorities now have been identified under these processes: Walsall, as the result of a corporate governance review, which found significant weaknesses in its financial processes; and North Tyneside, which scored the lowest possible rating for financial standing in its CPA.

  Both Walsall and North Tyneside received overall assessments of "poor" in their CPA assessments. In common with other authorities assessed as poor, the
  334W
  Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has appointed a lead official to work closely with each authority, and is providing support at the appropriate level to achieve recovery, including thorough advice and help with capacity building.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to amend planning laws relating to siting of TETRA masts. [155651]

  Yvette Cooper
  Current planning guidance for all electronic communication developments is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 (revised) (PPG8). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also issued a Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development and has no plans to change these arrangements at present.

  Planning
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on retrospective planning applications. [154639]

  Keith Hill
  Local planning authorities can invite a retrospective planning application for unauthorised development where they judge that there are no planning objections to it. Otherwise, authorities have wide ranging enforcement powers to control development undertaken without planning permission.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons retrospective planning applications are treated in the same way as other applications. [154641]

  Keith Hill
  When development has been carried out to an acceptable standard, or it can be made acceptable by the imposition of conditions attached to a grant of planning permission, it is reasonable to enable the developer or landowner to obtain permission after the event. The considerations applying in determining a planning application will in general be the same regardless of whether or not the development has taken place.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will impose a system of penalties for carrying out development in advance of obtaining planning applications. [154642]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are carrying out a review of the planning enforcement system in England. Retrospective planning applications, including whether any penalties should be imposed, and retrospective planning permission are part of that review. We expect to announce the outcome of the review later this year.

  Press/Public Relations Officers
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many(a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by Castle Vale Housing Action Trust in each year since 1997; [146031]

  (2) how many (a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by Liverpool Housing Action Trust in each year since 1997; [146032]
  335W
  (3) how many (a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Stonebridge Housing Action Trust in each year since 1997; [146033]

  (4) how many (a) press officers and (b) public relations officers were employed by the Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust in each year since 1997. [146034]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. At 1 April 2003 the number of full-time equivalent staff with press or public relations responsibilities in each of the Housing Action Trusts was:

  Full-time equivalent staff

  Castle Vale

  1.0

  Liverpool

  0.6

  Stonebridge

  0.1

  Tower Hamlets

  nil

  Regional Assemblies
  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether funds will be allocated in 2004–05 for an information campaign on elected regional assemblies. [155042]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Funds will be allocated for the financial year 2004–05, but the level has not yet been decided.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the costs of establishing elected assemblies for(a) the North East, (b) the North West and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber would be met. [155136]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The establishment costs will be met by central Government.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Government-funded bodies other than the Government Offices for the Regions would reduce in size in a region where an elected assembly is established. [155138]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In those regions where an elected regional assembly is established, there will be a reduction in the size of the regional office of the Housing Corporation.

  The designation of the regional chamber would be revoked. Its scrutiny and planning responsibilities, largely funded by Government grant, would pass to the elected assembly.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost of establishing and implementing proposals for elected regional assemblies has been to date; and what his estimate is of the costs for the next financial year. [155140]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No action has yet been taken to establish or implement proposals for elected regional assemblies and none will be taken in the next financial year. Costs so far have been associated with securing the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 and enabling referendums in the three northern regions.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the costs of abolishing regional chambers in regions where an elected assembly is established; and how those costs would be met. [155141]
  336W
  Mr. Raynsford
  It will be for the voluntary regional chambers to decide whether they should abolish themselves. The Government will cease to pay grant to the chambers in regions with elected assemblies as the functions currently supported by grant will transfer to the new assemblies.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will ensure that the size of a central Government grant to an elected regional assembly will require no assembly to precept more than the equivalent of five pence per week for a Band D council tax-payer to cover its administrative costs in its first financial year. [155143]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government has already said in paragraph 5.8 of the White Paper 'Your Region, Your Choice' that "In setting the level of central Government grant, we will expect council tax-payers in any region with an elected regional assembly to contribute the equivalent of around five pence per week for a Band D council tax-payer".

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how much the South West Regional Assembly has cost since its creation; [155302]

  (2) what the budget of the South West Regional Assembly has been in each year since its creation. [155303]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The regional chambers are voluntary bodies and may receive funding from a variety of sources. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not therefore hold information on the South West Regional Assembly's annual budget. This is a question for the Assembly itself.

  Since April 2001 the Government has paid grants to South West Regional Assembly totalling £2,626,967 in order for it to undertake scrutiny of the South West Development Agency and (since April 2003) to act as the recognised Regional Planning body for the South West Region.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what timetable has been set for(a) printing and (b) delivery of information for the referendums on elected regional assemblies. [155458]

  Mr. Raynsford
  During the passage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister made commitments to provide information on the referendums to every household in the regions affected. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will make arrangements for printing and delivery once the orders for referendums have been approved by Parliament.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions have taken place, and with whom, on which constituencies are being considered as sites for headquarters of a regional assembly for the North West; and which constituencies are being considered. [155459]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No such talks have taken place. Paragraph 6.7 of the White Paper 'Your Region, Your Choice' explains that "It will be for an assembly to decide the best way to meet its accommodation requirements, including the location of its headquarters".
  337W
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regional assembly members there will be for the(a) North East, (b) Yorkshire and Humberside and (c) Lancashire; and what percentage of the population each will represent. [155681]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Paragraph 7.7 of the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" states that "assemblies should have between 25 and 35 members". The number for each region has not been decided. However, we expect that the North East, as the English region with the smallest population would have an Elected Assembly of 25 members, while Elected Assemblies for Yorkshire and Humber and the North West would have between 30 and 35 members each

  Paragraph 6.13 of the White Paper explains that the Government will "ask the Electoral Commission to advise on the boundaries of constituencies within regions that vote for elected regional assemblies" and the powers to do this are in the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total number of staff working in the Government Office for the Regions is; how many of those staff have been transferred to the Government Office for the Regions from other Government Departments; and how many have been recruited from outside Government Departments. [149649]

  Yvette Cooper
  The total number of staff currently working for the nine Government Offices is 2,742. In addition there are about 100 secondees from the private, voluntary and community and other public sector bodies. All permanent staff working in Government Offices are employed by one of the Departments which conduct business through them.

  Rent Service
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will allow retrospective effect to be given to registered rents in cases where the Rent Service has not registered the rent within a reasonable time from application. [154111]

  Yvette Cooper
  There are no time limits for rent registrations in the Rent Act 1977, and there are no plans to amend the Rent Act to permit retrospective rent increases after registration.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what targets he has set the Rent Service for the maximum time between application to register a rent and determination of that application. [154112]

  Yvette Cooper
  There is no maximum time set between receipt of a Fair Rent application and determination. However my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has set The Rent Service a target for Fair Rents of completing 87 per cent, within 40 working days of receipt.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what redress is available to landlords in respect of rental income lost because of unreasonable delays by the Rent Service in registering a rent. [154113]
  338W
  Yvette Cooper
  There are no time limits set for rent registrations in the 1977 Rent Act. The Rent Service works to a target of completing 87 per cent, of Fair Rent applications within 40 working days of receipt. It is unusual for significant delays to occur, but where they have, The Rent Service has diverted resources to redress the situation.

  Social Housing
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money central Government allocated to each London borough to invest in social housing in each year since 1999. [155094]

  Mr.Raynsford
  Information on local authority housing capital allocations and the funding provided to housing associations in each London borough since 1999–2000 is available in the Library of the House.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action the Government is taking(a) to eliminate non-decent social housing by 2010 and (b) to reduce the number of vulnerable people living in non-decent homes by 70 per cent, by 2010. [155095]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is providing both financial and other support to assist local authorities in delivering decent homes. Over the period 2003–06 £7.9 billion is available for capital expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) housing stock.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also making available £1.4 billion through Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

  Guidance on implementing the standard and conducting options appraisals has also been published.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's "Community Housing Task Force" together with Government Offices for the Regions are currently working with local authorities to help them develop their Options appraisals.

  This process is designed to help the authority put in place a plan that will deliver decent homes.

  To reduce the number of vulnerable people living in non-decent homes the Government will increase the proportion of privately rented housing stock which is in decent condition.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will continue to encourage schemes which offer support and loan finance to homeowners who repair or adapt their properties. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will provide extra resources for home improvement agencies to help older and vulnerable home owners to remain independent in their own homes and increase the statutory protection for tenants of private landlords by seeking to establish mandatory licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation. Through a Regulatory Reform Order, local authorities have now much more freedom to help homeowners improve the condition of their homes which can include improvements to heating and insulation.
  339W
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how
  many social housing units have been built in(a) the
  North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Chorley in each
  year since 2000. [154316]

  SHG and LASHG unit completion figures for the North West

  Number of units in year

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  Total dwellings for the North West

  3,998

  3,665

  3,820

  3,661

  15,144

  Total dwellings for Lancashire

  861

  899

  554

  668

  2,982

  Total dwellings for Chorley

  29

  15

  56

  14

  114

  South East England Development Agency
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list each project on the Isle of Wight funded by South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) in the last 12 months for which information is available, showing the(a) funding from SEEDA for each project and (b) intended outcomes of each project. [155257]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In the financial year April 2003 to March 2004, South East England Development Agency will invest a total of £13 million on 17 projects on the Isle of Wight. The purpose of those projects is to support the sustainable economic development of the Island. Forecasted core outputs should: create or safeguard 388 jobs, create or fill 1,672 learning opportunities between three and 30 hours duration and 112 over 30 hours and create 40 new businesses while sustaining a further 12 for 12 months. The attached table applies this in more detail to individual projects.

  SEEDA has also provided £35,000 towards the Island's Community Wind project. This has funded a feasibility study which has been extended to cover use of renewable energy in refurbishment and newbuild in an estate in Newport. As well as added value through dissemination there is also a possibility of creating two jobs.

  Travellers
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether utility companies are permitted to provide services to unauthorised Traveller and Gypsy developments(a) at any time and (b) in circumstances when the local authority is challenging the development in the courts. [153724]
  340W
  Keith Hill
  The social housing dwellings which have been funded via Social Housing Grant (SHG) or the Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) are as follows:

  Keith Hill
  Utility companies have duties to supply services for domestic purposes provided safety issues are met and permission to enter land is given.

  Unitary Authorities
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to re-assess the funding arrangements for unitary authorities. [154912]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In order to provide local authorities with more stability in funding arrangements, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has already said that we will not be looking to change the grant distribution formulae until 2006–07 at the very earliest.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received on the funding arrangements for unitary authorities. [154913]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received 61 representations on the proposals for the Local Government Finance Settlement 2004–05 from or on behalf of Unitary Authorities.

  Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how his Department will identify which local authorities have made sufficient progress in meeting Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 targets to be classed as excellent and exempted from requirement to submit future reports. [154644]

  Phil Hope
  Those authorities categorised as excellent under the Comprehensive Performance Assessment will no longer need to prepare reports under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA), but will be asked to provide a small amount of essential information that the Secretary of State needs for her statutory reporting duly under the HECA.