Written Answers of 11 March 2004

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Hazardous Waste
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the future provision of sites for the disposal of hazardous waste. [160300]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government recognise that implementation of the Landfill Directive will have a significant impact on the disposal of hazardous waste. In particular the ending of co-disposal from 16 July 2004 will lead to a reduction in the number of landfill sites taking hazardous waste. Coupled with the requirements for treatment of hazardous waste prior to landfill, this will lead to better management of hazardous waste and more incentive on producers to minimise the amount of waste produced.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support she plans to give to Challenge Fund proposals with regard to waste disposal; and if she will make a statement. 156388]

  Mr. Morley
  The Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) has been established to help push England's waste management practices up the waste hierarchy, and specifically to divert increasing amounts of waste away from landfill. Properly known as the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund, the Challenge Fund is managed by WIP and does not provide funding for final disposal facilities. Rather, it provides local authorities with opportunities to pursue schemes that reduce the volume of the household waste stream, and to increase the amount of household waste recycled and composted. From 2005–06, the Challenge Fund will be replaced by a new Waste Management Performance Reward Grant, and Defra is currently consulting on its proposals for the design of this grant.

  It is recognised that final disposal will remain an important element in local authorities' waste management plans. This need is addressed through the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) block funding, which covers waste management among other local authority services. In addition, WIP is managing £355 million of waste PFI credits over the three-year period to 2006, providing the necessary investment in large-scale waste management facilities. WIP's New Technologies work stream is also promoting investment in near-market technologies that will encourage more sustainable ways of disposing of waste.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much hazardous waste can be(a) delivered and (b) deposited in each month from 16 July at landfill sites that have applied to take only hazardous waste from 16 July. [156411]
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  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency is undertaking a permitting exercise for sites proposing to take hazardous waste after 16 July 2004. Latest information available indicates that, if all the permits were issued, the monthly capacity from 16 July 2004 would be approximately 95,000 tonnes (derived from expected annual inputs). This figure is for those sites accepting hazardous waste on a "merchant" basis. The amounts delivered would equate to those deposited.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many businesses produced hazardous waste in(a) 2002 and (b) 2003; and what estimate she has made of the number of busin esses producing hazardous waste in each year from 2004 to 2008. [156421]

  Mr. Morley
  Data on this for the years 2002 and 2003 are not yet available. The average number of active special waste producers over previous years (1999 to 2001) was 100,000.

  The number of active producers of hazardous waste is expected to rise to 750,000 when the revised European hazardous waste list is fully implemented.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) tonnage and (b) proportion of hazardous waste will require treatment from 16 July; and what the capacity of existing waste treatment infrastructure is. [156422]

  Mr. Morley
  The tonnage requiring treatment will depend on a number of factors, not least the amount arising. In 2002, some 5 million tonnes of special waste was consigned, and 47 per cent. was specifically consigned to treatment facilities (including recycling and reuse), 39 per cent. to landfill and 4 per cent. to incineration.

  From 16 July 2004, all hazardous waste sent for disposal at a landfill will require some form of pre-treatment, unless this is of no practical benefit towards meeting the aims of the Landfill Directive. For hazardous waste, the Government believe that treatments are available that will reduce the mass to be landfilled, as well as the hazards to human health and/or the environment. Any decision that treatments are not available can only be made following a thorough evaluation of the treatment options.

  Estimates on available capacity of existing hazardous waste treatment infrastructure were prepared for the Hazardous Waste Forum in September 2003 and posted on the forum's website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/hazforum/031021/enviros.pdf

  The forum continues to keep this information under review as it becomes aware of changes to waste industry plans.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her policy that there should be no stockpiles of hazardous waste from 16 July. [156424]

  Mr. Morley
  It is Government policy to ensure as smooth a transition as possible of the implementation of the requirements of the Landfill Directive, in particular the ending of the practice of co-disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in the same cell from 16 July,
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  and to that end to avoid the need for storage of hazardous waste over and above that which normally occurs.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which hazardous waste streams she has identified as the most problematic to treat and manage after 16 July; and what steps she has taken to ensure the safe management of these waste streams. [156426]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have taken the advice from hazardous waste stakeholders through the Hazardous Waste Forum to identify the following waste streams which warrant particular attention.

  Construction and demolition

  Contaminated soils

  Air pollution controls residues

  Waste oils

  Wastes from non-ferrous metals industry

  Filter cakes from waste treatment

  The task force on treatment and capacity is investigating in more detail these waste streams, and has set up two work streams paying particular attention to construction and demolition wastes (including contaminated soils) and waste oils. The task force is assessing the arisings and alternative capacity available, communicating the issues to the industries concerned, and looking at environmentally sound methods of managing the wastes.

  In addition, the Environment Agency are identifying the top five waste streams per region, based on potential risk to the environment (quantities and hazardousness) and public health. Cradle to grave audits on these waste streams will be carried out which will include taking targeted enforcement action when appropriate.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Environment Agency has spent in the last year for which figures are available on the(a) detection and (b) prosecution of illegal disposal of hazardous waste; and how much it proposes to spend on these activities in (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05. [156428]

  Mr. Morley
  The agency spends in the order of £12 million annually on detection and prosecution of illegal waste activities including fly-tipping. Figures relating only to hazardous waste are not available. The amount that the agency spends is driven in part by the level of criminal activity. Between 2001 and 2002 the number of incidents the agency responded to increased by 19 per cent. across England and Wales. However, this masked a 73 per cent. increase in the number of incidents responded to in Thames region alone.

  During 2003–04 additional funding has been made available for the development of "Flycapture", a national fly-tipping database, being set up by the Environment Agency. This will allow the collection and collation of summary data on fly-tipping incidents dealt with by the agency and local authorities.
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  The agency anticipates that its spend in this area will be in the order of £12 million during 2004–05. Spending in future years is subject to a spending review.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to alert small and medium enterprises to their obligations as producers of hazardous waste. [156430]

  Mr. Morley
  Guidance will be issued at least three months before the implementation of the new regulations for hazardous waste to explain the obligations to be placed on producers. The guidance will be available in both paper and electronic formats to ensure that it is accessible to small and medium sized enterprises and we will be liaising with the Small Business Service and Federation of Small Businesses to ensure that the guidance is both appropriate and helpful to those in such enterprises.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what funding she has allocated for 2004–05 for a campaign to inform waste producers of their obligations under the Landfill Directive. [156434]

  Mr. Morley
  A strategy to inform waste producers of their obligations under the Landfill Directive is an integral part of the Hazardous Waste Forum's Action Plan, published in December 2003. This strategy will receive the necessary funding although no specific budget has been allocated to cover the Government's role in this work. Also, Defra officials will continue to present papers on Landfill Directive issues at industry seminars on waste disposal as part of their normal duties.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much hazardous waste was illegally dumped in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in each of the last three years; and how many prosecutions resulted. [157262]

  Mr. Morley
  Responsibility for tackling illegal dumping and fly-tipping is shared between local authorities and the Environment Agency. Information on local authority incidents is not held centrally.

  With regard to illegal special waste dumping, the Agency responded to 29 (2001), 54 (2002) and 62 (2003) incidents in Lancashire and of these 3 (2001), 1 (2002) and 0 (2003) were in the Chorley District.

  Prosecutions, North West Region (Central Area): 2001–03

  In the Environment Agency's North West Central Area as a whole (which includes Lancashire and Chorley) prosecutions taken were as follows:
  Under Section 33 1,(a) of the Environmental Prosecution Act 1990 (these may include Special Waste):
  2001—11
  Prosecutions under Regulation 5 (2) (a) of the Special Waste Regulations 1996
  2002—1
  Section 1, Control of Pollution (Amendment Act) 1989
  2003—1

  Agency Budgets
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the budget
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  of the (a) Environment Agency and (b) Countryside Agency were in each year from 1998–99 to 2005–06 (planned); and if she will make a statement. 156601]

  Alun Michael
  (a) The budget for the Environment Agency from 1998–99 to 2003––04 was as follows:

  £ million

  1998–99

  593.0

  1999–2000

  617.9

  2000–01

  640.3

  2001–02

  702.8

  2002–03

  782.5

  2003–04

  805.2

  (b) The Countryside Agency was established on 1 April 1999. Its budget from 1999–2000 to 2003–04 was as follows:

  £ million

  1999–2000

  54.1

  2000–01

  63.5

  2001–02

  100.6

  2002–03

  108.7

  2003–04

  112.0

  The budget of the Environment Agency and Countryside Agency for future years will be confirmed in due course.

  Asbestos
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the buildings occupied by her Department's staff, including agencies, which require(a) remedial work on and (b) the removal of asbestos; what that work will cost; what budgets are available for this work for (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005; and what budget is available for future asbestos surveys. [159364]

  Alun Michael
  No buildings occupied by Defra or its Executive Agencies staff require remedial work to residual asbestos. In 2003–04, £260,000 was spent on surveys and

  Date

  Type of contact

  Detail

  24 February 2003

  Correspondence

  Asgard made an application to the Environment Agency for registration as an exempt activity from Waste Management Licensing

  24 July 2003

  Meeting

  Mr. Donovan met Environment Agency officials (followed by a letter from the Environment Agency to Mr. Donovan, clarifying that his plant would be subject to the Waste Incineration Directive, according to the Government's Waste Incineration Regulations issued in December 2002)

  11 September 2003

  Correspondence

  Asgard e-mailed Defra official

  11 September 2003

  Telephone conversation

  Defra official telephoned Asgard

  19 September 2003

  Correspondence

  Mr. Donovan e-mailed Defra official

  14 November 2003

  Meeting

  Defra and Environment Agency officials visited Mr. Donovan and colleagues at prototype plant near Milton Keynes

  14 November 2003

  Correspondence

  Defra official e-mailed Mr. Donovan

  28 November 2003

  Telephone conversation

  Defra official telephoned Mr. Donovan

  16 December 2003

  Correspondence

  Defra official wrote to Mr. Donovan

  29 January 2004

  Meeting

  Mr. Donovan, his colleagues and Alistair Burt MP met Elliot Morley (Minister for the Environment). and Defra and Environment Agency officials

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  preparation of management plans as required by the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

  In 2004–05, £200,000 has been allocated to complete the management plans. No further surveys are planned.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of buildings occupied by(a) staff of the Department and (b) staff of the Department's executive agencies have been surveyed for the purpose of identifying the presence of asbestos prior to implementation of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. [159374]

  Alun Michael
  All of them.

  Asgard Systems
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what advice was given by the Environment Agency to Mr. Ross Donovan in answer to his letter of 14 February 2001, asking for information on any legislation which a prototype waste to energy plant might need to comply with; and if she will make a statement. [156715]

  Mr. Morley
  On the basis of the information provided to the Environment Agency, the Agency advised Mr. Donovan that the activity did not require a permit under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations, but that the registration of the activity as an exempt activity under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations was required. The Agency reached this view based on the Pollution Prevention Control Regulations existing at that time.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the(a) meetings, (b) correspondence and (c) phone conversations between (i) her Department and (ii) the Environment Agency and (a) Mr. Ross Donovan of Biggleswade and (b) Asgard Systems Ltd of Bedford relating to the development of a waste to energy plant by Mr. Donovan. [156716]

  Mr. Morley
  A list of recorded communications with Mr Donovan and Asgard Systems Ltd. relating to the development of a waste to energy plant is provided in the table.
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  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will instruct the Environment Agency to conduct an inquiry into the part played by the Agency in the liquidation of Asgard Systems Ltd of Bedford. [156719]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency has a well established "Complaints and Commendations Procedure" which is used to investigate any complaints against it. If Asgard Systems Ltd. makes a complaint to the Agency, it will undertake an appropriate inquiry according to this procedure.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions (Aviation)
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to include aviation in the target of a 60 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. [158830]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 4 March 2004]: The Government are committed to putting the UK on a path to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by some 60 per cent. by 2050. International flights from the UK do not currently count in the national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions as there is no international agreement yet on ways of allocating such emissions between countries. However, the Government's Energy White Paper made it clear that the aviation industry is encouraged to take account of, and where appropriate reduce, its contribution to global warming.

  This was restated, and built on, in the recently published Air Transport White Paper which announced a package of measures to reduce the impact of aviation on climate change. This included the Government's intention to press for the inclusion of intra-EU air services in the forthcoming EU emissions trading scheme, and that this will be a priority for the UK Presidency in 2005, with a view to aviation joining the scheme from 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter.

  Batteries
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the environmental consequences of disposing of spent batteries to landfill. [156347]

  Mr. Morley
  The main environmental concerns associated with the landfilling of batteries relate to the potential generation and discharge of leachate into the environment of hazardous substances i.e. cadmium, lead and mercury, all known to be toxic to the aquatic environment and human health. Discharge of these substances to the environment are likely to occur through(a) the compaction of weight, leading to substances discharging from the battery and (b) percolation of rainfall further leaching these substances into groundwater. It is however worth noting that spent batteries constitute only 0.1 per cent. of the Municipal Solid Waste stream.

  The Belgian Government recently commissioned a study Targeted Risk Assessment Report, (TRAR) currently under scientific peer review, to identify the environmental impacts of disposing batteries in landfill.
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  The TRAR study mainly focused on cadmium containing batteries and concluded that the impact of batteries on landfill leachate could not be judged, based upon current lack of knowledge and methodology. In addition, risks related to the uncertainties of hazardous substances from batteries going to leachate, would require the adoption of risk management measures.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of batteries were recycled in each European Union country in the last year for which figures are available. [156348]

  Mr. Morley
  Information on percentage of batteries recycled in European Union countries is not readily available for all battery chemistries. Member states have not been required to provide this in the past. However, officials are in the process of acquiring this data.

  Portable battery collection rates are available for 2002 and are as follows.

  Country

  Collection rate in percentage of sales in 2002

  Grams per inhabitant

  Austria

  44

  179

  Belgium

  59

  228

  France

  16

  69

  Germany

  39

  157

  Netherlands

  32

  116

  Sweden

  55

  193

  Spain

  14

  61

  UK

  0.5

  2

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many spent batteries, other than vehicle batteries, are generated each year in the United Kingdom; what quantity of each heavy metal is involved; and what percentage of these batteries are recycled. [156349]

  Mr. Morley
  No studies have been undertaken, so far, to assess the quantities of batteries that enter the waste stream annually in the UK. However, we do know that in 2002, 45.5 per cent. of the annual sales of the 15 European member states, went for final disposal (incineration or landfill) instead of being collected and recycled.

  The following quantities of heavy metals are found in each battery.

  Recyclable materials of portable batteries.

  Percentage

  Non rechargeable general purpose battery

  Zinc

  20

  Manganese

  20

  Ferrous Metal

  20

  Copper

  10

  Non rechargeable button cell

  Zinc

  26

  Silver

  34

  Ferrous Metal

  30

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  Recyclable materials of rechargeable batteries

  Percentage

  Nickel Cadmium

  Cadmium

  15

  Nickel

  25

  Steel

  35

  Nickel Metal Hydride

  Nickel

  40

  Steel

  18

  Lithium Ion

  Acier

  22

  Cobalt

  17

  The European Battery Recycling Association (EBRA) estimated that the UK sent 424 tonnes of nickel cadmium batteries, 45 tonnes of nickel metal hydride and 38 tonnes of zinc carbon, alkali and zinc air batteries for recycling in 2002.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the preparedness of(a) her Department and (b) the UK to meet the targets in the draft EU Directive on batteries and accumulators and spent batteries and accumulators; [156362]

  (2) what steps she is taking to increase the percentage of batteries other than vehicle batteries that are recovered from the waste stream. [156346]

  Mr. Morley
  The draft Batteries Directive requires member states to achieve collection targets for household batteries (44 per cent.) and household Nickel Cadmium batteries (80 per cent.), and that all automotive and industrial batteries are collected and sent for recycling. At present, the UK is collecting less than one per cent. of household batteries and in 2002, 87 per cent. of the total automotive batteries put on the market were collected and sent for recycling. HMG will be commissioning work, in the near future, to obtain data on the collection and recycling rates of industrial batteries.

  The Government welcome the draft Directive. Defra and DTI are already in talks with those stakeholders affected by the proposal and are looking at ways to secure early participation, to enable the UK to successfully meet the collection target within the given timeframe. In addition, both Departments are fully involved in discussions with the Commission and the European Parliament, to ensure that targets for the collection and recycling of household batteries are challenging, but achievable.

  Biofuels
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the help given by her Department to each type of biofuels energy in order to encourage the development of this part of the energy sector. [160299]

  Margaret Beckett
  A range of support is available to farmers to grow energy crops. Funding has been provided for open days, conferences, a biofuels leaflet, R&D and reports to support the development of bio-energy. DEFRA works closely with other Government Departments on the development of policy.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to promote international agreement on measures to respond to climate change. [160297]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government takes every opportunity to promote international action on climate change bilaterally, through the EU and in international fora. Our commitment to the international existing agreements and our Energy White Paper's long-term vision show climate change action and healthy economic growth are compatible.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received about problems in the diary sector. [160294]

  Alun Michael
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly receives letters from MPs and others on dairy issues. Ministers frequently meet with representatives from all parts of the dairy sector and matters affecting the whole dairy supply chain are regularly discussed at the Forum chaired by my noble Friend Lord Whitty.

  Environment Council
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what position she will be taking at this month's EU Environment Council in respect of(a) medium and long-term greenhouse gas reductions and (b) the EU Chemicals Directive. [159798]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 8 March 2004]: The UK successfully pressed for language in the Environment Council Conclusions that established a process under which the EU will develop strategies for further action to tackle climate change post-2012 including medium-and long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets. This will kick-start the process of establishing our position in advance of the international negotiations on future action, which are due to start next year.

  Regarding the new EU chemicals strategy (REACH), the Presidency invited the Council to consider its progress report on the work done so far by the ad hoc working group, and in particular the need for further work to be carried out to understand the full impact of the proposed Regulation. There was no substantive debate on the issue. We believe that it is essential that the Environment Council has the opportunity to be fully involved in decisions on REACH and we welcome the formation of the ad hoc working group as a way for both economic and environment ministry expertise to contribute to the discussions. The efforts made by the Presidency to take forward such a complex dossier are to be welcomed.

  Environmental Sustainability
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the cost to local authorities of meeting the Government's recycling targets. [159011]
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  Mr. Morley
  Waste Strategy 2000 sets out the Government's targets on recycling and composting. Appendix C to Annex C provides estimates of the cost of various municipal waste management options from 2000 to 2020. The present value of the additional costs to local authorities of reaching the recycling and composting targets, over and above a 'base case' which assumed current levels (in absolute terms) of recycling, composting and energy recovery, with all other waste going to landfill, were estimated at between £3.4 billion and £7.7 billion over the 20 year period.

  GM Crops
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what separation distance would be required to keep the contamination of non-GM crops with GM varieties below a level of 0.1 per cent. for(a) maize, (b) oil-seed rape and (c) sugar beet. [154708]

  Mr. Morley
  The European Union has agreed a threshold of 0.9 per cent. for labelling adventitious GM presence in non-GM products. We recognise that there are arguments for a lower threshold to apply particularly in relation to organic production, although no conclusion has been reached on this.

  The separation distances needed between fields to limit cross-pollination to 0.1 per cent. (on a whole-field basis) were considered in a review produced for Defra in 2000 by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). This suggested the following distances on the basis of fields of an average size of two hectares or more:

  oilseed rape (fully-fertile varieties): 100 metres

  sweetcorn maize: 420 metres

  forage maize: 290 metres

  No distance was estimated in relation to sugar beet because cross-pollination does not affect the composition of the utilised plant tissues (only vegetative parts of the plant are harvested, rather than seeds or fruits). Moreover, beet crops are normally harvested before they flower and farmers usually control any `bolting' plants that flower prematurely.

  The information in the NIAB report needs to be considered further in the light of data from a Defra-funded research report on gene flow from the GM maize crops in the Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) trials (available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/ research/epg-1-5-138.htm). This study concluded that in the case of a GM and non-GM maize crop growing alongside each other, the rate of individual GM cross-pollination events (per maize kernel) would be below 0.1 per cent. at a distance of 258 metres into the non-GM crop. A parallel report on gene flow from the FSE oilseed rape crops is in preparation and will be published in due course.

  Another relevant Defra-funded research project has studied landscape-scale gene flow in oilseed rape crops (report available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environments gm/research/epg-rg0216.htm). This does not estimate the separation distances needed for specific cross-pollination thresholds, but it notes that relatively small distances will limit cross-pollination between fully-fertile oilseed rape varieties to around 0.1 per cent. or below, and that pollination from one field to the next is
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  likely to be less than 0.1 per cent. averaged over the field. At present it is difficult to estimate the separation distances that would be needed for a 0.1 per cent. threshold in relation to oilseed rape varieties that are not fully fertile. Further information that is relevant to this will be provided by the report noted above on gene flow from the FSE oilseed rape crops.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she commissioned into(a) product liability insurance and (b) co-existence, with regard to the possible introduction of GM crops. [159406]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 March 2004]: The issues of co-existence and liability have been explored in a report to the Government by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission. We will set out our thinking on this shortly. The Government have not commissioned any specific research on insurance but has funded various projects on co-existence-related topics. These studies are published on our website www.defra.gov.uk when finalised.

  Household Waste
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what household recycling levels have been attained in(a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997. [158449]

  Mr. Morley
  The Information requested is contained in Defra's Municipal Waste Management Survey 2001–02, copies of which are in the Library. Table 5B gives the information request ed for London for the financial years 1996 –97 2001–02. Annex B gives information for individual London local authorities for the financial years 1998–99–2001–02. Information for the years before 1998–99 was not published at the local authority level. The Management Survey can be downloaded from: http://defrawebienvironment/statistics/wastats/mwb0102/ index.htm. Further data on London's waste can be found at www.capitalwastefacts.com

  The household waste recycling and composting rates for 2002–03 can be obtained from the following website: www.bvpi.gov.uk

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress made on pilot schemes for direct and variable charging for collection and disposal of household waste. [158232]

  Mr. Morley
  In its response to the Strategy Unit Report Waste Not Want Not, the Government undertook to carry out further work before a decision is taken on whether to enable local authorities to introduce pilot direct and variable charging schemes for collection and disposal of household waste. In co-operation with the Local Government Association and other stakeholders, and drawing on international experience, work is being undertaken to consider the practicalities of operating such schemes and how potential disadvantages could be overcome.

  The Government will consider the results of this work during 2004.
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  Oak Disease
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on recent steps taken by her Department to combat oak disease. [160277]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have recently stepped up inspections of imported plants, doubled checks on nurseries, increased surveys of woodland and heathland around outbreaks. We are also taking special measures to deal with the most worrying outbreaks in two historic gardens in Cornwall.

  Plastic Bags
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what incentives are in place in the UK to discourage the(a) production and (b) handing out of plastic bags. [158279]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 4 March 2004]: None at present. Under the Packaging Regulations, businesses have tonnage obligations and they can reduce these, and their costs, by reducing the amount of packaging they handle.

  While there are no formal measures in place targeted specifically at plastic bags, the Government fully support the retailers in the introduction of 'bag for life', reusable bags and plastic bag recycling schemes.

  Radon Gas
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to include radon testing in CON29 within the proposed Housing Investment Programme. [159894]

  Keith Hill
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are no such plans. Under our proposals for home information packs, the pack is likely to include information on whether the property is located within a radon affected area. Issues of practicality and cost suggest that it would not be appropriate to require radon testing as part of a statutory home information pack scheme. However, this will be considered further by specialist working groups that are being set up to consider the contents of the pack before any final decisions are taken.

  Refrigerators
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many refrigerators were disposed of in each year since 1997 in the United Kingdom; what quantity of ozone depleting substances were on average contained in the coolant and foam from refrigerators being destroyed; and whether these ozone depleting substances are controlled substances within the remit of Article 16 (1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No. 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council. [158088]

  Mr. Morley
  As EC Regulation 2037/2000 only applied to domestic refrigeration units containing ODS from the 1 January 2002, the Environment Agency does not have accurate figures for fridges disposed of prior to that date.
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  Number of fridges

  2002

  2003

  Disposed (units) in England and Wales

  299,000

  979,336

  Exported for treatment to Germany and the Netherlands and Denmark (units)

  418,000

  377,168

  The average quantities of ozone depleting substances contained in the coolant and foam from fridges being destroyed are not collected through the current reporting mechanism. However, the average quantity of controlled substances recovered from the refrigerant and blowing agent that was subsequently destroyed in England and Wales for 2003 was 236.63g per fridge.

  CFC contained in fridges are controlled substances under EC Regulation 2037/2000.

CABINET OFFICE

  Supplier Companies Staffing
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance is issued to Government purchasing staff on requesting from potential supplier companies information about the number of people they employ. [160046]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  Procurement Guidance does not recommend that Departments request information from potential suppliers on the number of people they employ. However there is provision under the EC Services Directive (92/50/EEC) for Departments should they wish to do so, to request a
  "statement of the service provider's average annual manpower and the number of managerial staff for the last three years."

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Fertility Treatment
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister for Women what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of IVF treatment in the UK; and what the criteria are for IVF treatment on the NHS. [154324]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has revolutionised the treatment of infertility, allowing couples to have children they would otherwise have been denied. The success rate of IVF has continually increased over the years, as techniques have been refined. Currently the live birth rate per treatment cycle started in the United Kingdom is 22 per cent, (all women) and 25 per cent. (woman under 38).

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is expected to publish its guideline on the provision of National Health Service infertility services, including IVF, shortly. The Department of Health will consider issues of implementation in light of the recommendations in the NICE guideline.
  1635W

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Charities Bill
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what representations the Church Commissioners have made to the Government about the draft Charities Bill. [158943]

  Sir Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners and the Archbishops' Council both responded to the Strategy Unit's report on charity law reform and remain in discussion with the Home Office about the likely implications of the proposed legislation for the various parts of the Church of England.

  Lambeth Palace Library
  Chris Bryant
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the future of Lambeth Palace Library. [158944]

  Sir Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners have, in consultation with the other National Institutions of the Church of England, instigated a review of the arrangements for housing and conserving the documentary heritage held by those institutions, and this will consider Lambeth Palace and other libraries. Extensive consultation has taken place and responses are being collated.

  Parish Priest Salaries
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what the total salary cost of parish priests was in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2003–04. [158945]

  Sir Stuart Bell
  In 1996 the total stipend cost for parochial clergy (not including Employer's National Insurance contributions) was approximately £130.5 million. In 2003 the figure was approximately £151.8 million.

  Graveyards
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how much was spent maintaining church graveyards in each of the last three years. [158940]

  Sir Stuart Bell
  Such information is not held centrally. Responsibility for maintenance of churchyards lies with the Parochial Church Council. Grants may be available from local authorities, since they have a special power to contribute to maintenance. Where a churchyard has been closed by Order in Council, the PCC may transfer the maintenance burden to the local authority.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the Government are giving to Afghanistan in relation to road reconstruction. [160230]
  1636W
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Rebuilding Afghanistan's road networks is key to promoting regional trade and revitalising the Afghan economy. The UK contributes to road construction through our funding of the European Commission and the Asia Development bank, both of which are actively involved in major road building in Afghanistan. The Asia Development bank is engaged in several priority road projects, including the rehabilitation of the critically important Kabul-Kandahar-Spin Boldak road. The European Commission has undertaken the reconstruction of the Kabul-Jalalabad-Torkham road, another very important transport route. The travel times on this road have now been cut from six to three hours.

  Departmental Refurbishment
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which companies have contracts for furniture provision for his Department; and what measures have been implemented to ensure that when a product contains wood, it can be shown to come from legal and sustainable sources. [158106]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID does not have contracts for the supply of furniture, but makes use of Office of Government Commerce (OGC) arrangements for pretendered goods and services. However, all suppliers used are provided with model specification clauses which set out Government procurement policies and so ensure that all timber used is from legal and sustainable sources. The two main suppliers used are both certified as operating systems that meet the standards set by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what construction and refurbishment his Department is undertaking; at what locations; and what measures are being implemented to ensure that all timber used(a) on the construction sites and (b) in the final projects will come from legal and sustainable sources. [158104]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  We are currently undertaking the refurbishment of our office at Abercrombie House, East Kilbride.

  Throughout the project the contractor and the project managers have been informed of Government policy regarding procurement of timber used, and DFID has issued a model specification clause in accordance with the guidelines as issued by Defra. Documentation to support the sourcing of timber from the lead contractor, and also all relevant sub-contractors, is being obtained and independently verified.

  Uzbekistan
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects his Department is funding in Uzbekistan. [159844]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID is currently assisting the Government of Uzbekistan and the World Bank in the design of a new health care reform project; providing organisational capacity-building support to civil society organisations; and providing financial support to small local projects through a small grants scheme. Uzbekistan will also be included in a Central Asia region HIV/AIDS project starting in September this year.
  1637W
  Additionally, the UK provides assistance to Uzbekistan through the EU programme of Technical Assistance to the Countries of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia (TACIS). In calendar year 2002 (the most recent year figures are available) the UK's attributed contribution was £0.96 million.

SCOTLAND

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [155931]

  Mrs. McGuire
  While records on average processing times for parliamentary questions are not collected, the Department answered approximately 70 per cent. of its Session 2002–03 ordinary written questions on time (five sitting days). Ministers attach great importance to Parliamentary Questions and endeavour to reply within the parliamentary deadlines wherever possible.

  Westminster Hall
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to reply in person to debates in Westminster Hall. [159682]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on 8 March 2004,Official Report, column 1234W.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  New Opportunities Fund (Crosby)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Crosby in each year since 1997. [160450]

  Estelle Morris
  The New Opportunities Fund began making grants in 1999. The awards to Crosby are shown in the table.

  £

  1999

  0

  2000

  900,513

  2001

  155,946

  2002

  69,425

  2003

  610,475

  To February 2004

  0

  Television Licences
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of BBC licence revenue is derived from notional payments from persons aged over 75 years. [160682]
  1638W
  Estelle Morris
  In the financial year 2002–03, 14 per cent. of the BBC's television licence fee revenue was derived from payments from the Department for Work and Pensions in respect of free licences issued to people aged 75 or over.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many TV licences were(a) issued and (b) paid for in each of the last six years; and what the unit cost of the collection process was in each of those years. [159690]

  Estelle Morris
  All television licences have to be paid for, whether by the individual or, in the case of free licences issued to people aged 75 or over, by the Department for Work and Pensions. The total number of licences issued in each of the last six years, the number of free licences issued in each year since their introduction in November 2000 and the gross cost of issue per licence were:

  Total licences issued (million)

  Free licences issued (million)

  Gross cost per licence (£)

  1997–98

  22.4

  —

  4.88

  1998–99

  23.0

  —

  5.79

  1999–2000

  23.2

  —

  4.91

  2000–01

  23.5

  3.0

  5.61

  2001–02

  23.9

  3.2

  113.99

  2002–03

  24.4

  3.3

  6.00

  1Licence fee collection costs were significantly reduced in 2001–02 by a rebate from Consignia for non-performance of contractual obligations.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the cost is of the National Television Licensing Authority's Get One or Get Done advertising campaign; who pays for it; which advertising agency is responsible for the campaign; and if she will ask the authority to sever its connection with this agency forthwith; [158578]

  (2) who in the National Television Licensing Authority is responsible for its Get One or Get Done campaign; and if she will make representations to the authority for the dismissal of the person or persons responsible; [158579]

  (3) what connection the BBC has with the National Television Licensing Authority's Get One or Get Done campaign. [158580]

  Tessa Jowell
  As Licensing Authority, the BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system. TV Licensing's marketing and communications are carried out by the AMV Consortium under contract to the BBC.

  The BBC has indicated that it does not publicise the costs of individual advertising campaigns, for reasons of commercial sensitivity. However, the corporation has confirmed that all such campaigns undergo a series of legal compliance checks before they are approved by the corporation.

  The Government have no power to intervene in the everyday management of the television licensing system nor would it be appropriate for it to seek to influence the BBC's choice of contractors, staff or advertising campaigns.
  1639W

  Television Programme Guidelines
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what procedures are applicable to a company bound by the Independent Television guidelines on the amount of(a) political and (b) current affairs coverage that fails to meet its requirements; [160128]

  (2) how many complaints she has received concerning failures of companies bound by the Independent Television guidelines to meet the appropriate level of (a) political and (b) current affairs coverage. [160129]

  Estelle Morris
  These are matters for Ofcom.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Clerk's Department
  David Winnick
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission how many full-time appointments there have been to the Clerk's Department in the last five years; and how many were(a) female and (b) of an ethnic minority. [160417]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  There have been 155 full-time appointments to the Clerk's Department in the five year period up to 10 March 2004, of whom 86 were female (55.5 per cent.). 13 of the 155 have since left the Clerk's Department (six of whom were female). Of the 142 appointees still employed, 80 are female (56.3 per cent.).

  House of Commons staff are currently in the process of completing and returning revised ethnicity survey questionnaires. Of the 142 current staff who started within the last five years, approximately half have so far returned their questionnaires. Of these, 5.3 per cent. are from an ethnic minority background. If this proportion holds good for all the staff in this group, approximately eight of them will be from an ethnic minority background.

TRANSPORT

  British Transport Police Numbers
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Transport police officers were based in each British Transport police force area in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [160648]

  Mr. McNulty
  The British Transport police have provided the following information.

  Police officers

  Area

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Force Headquarters

  110

  139

  131

  London North

  310

  311

  295

  London South

  300

  324

  314

  London Underground

  405

  476

  537

  North Eastern

  192

  193

  201

  North Western

  270

  263

  258

  Midland1

  179

  166

  —

  South Western1

  141

  127

  —

  1640W

  Police officers

  Area

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Western1

  —

  2

  279

  Scotland

  202

  205

  207

  On secondment

  —

  —

  29

  Total

  2,109

  2,206

  2,251

  1Midland and South Western Areas were merged to form Western Area in 2003–04.

  Council Tax (DVLA)
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency supplies local authorities with the vehicle registration numbers of people who are in arrears with their council tax payments. [160635]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The DVLA vehicle register is maintained primarily for vehicle taxation and law enforcement purposes and DVLA is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 to carry out those duties.

  The vehicle register is not an open record but information may be released in a number of circumstances. Section 29 (3) of the Data Protection Act exempts from its non-disclosure provisions information required for the assessment or collection of any tax or duty or of any imposition of a similar nature. Under this exemption, local authorities apply to DVLA for keeper details to trace council tax debtors through the registration numbers of their vehicles.

  Motorcycle Training
  Lembit Őpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend the regulations which enable(a) a motorcycle rider to complete compulsory basic training on an automatic machine and progress to ride a geared bike with no further training, (b) a novice rider to obtain a motorcycle restricted licence allowing him to ride a more powerful motorbike on the roads without providing proof that he has undertaken training or riding in the previous two years and (c) newly qualified motorcycle instructors to train others as instructors; and if he will make a statement. [159470]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We have no plans to make such amendments to the regulations at this time. We shall, however, keep under review the training arrangements for novice riders, and the persons authorised to instruct them, in the light of recommendations made to Government by the Advisory Group on Motorcycling, forthcoming changes to the practical motorcycling test and European proposals to amend motorcycle categories.

  Lembit Őpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on post-test training qualifications for motorcyclists. [159471]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Driving Standards Agency is working in partnership with trainer and industry interests to create a voluntary rider development scheme to improve safety for motorcyclists who hold a full licence. Consultation with all interested parties is planned for later this year.
  1641W

  Permanent Equipment (Highways)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require(a) the privatised former public utilities and (b) other companies providing similar services to pay a site rent to local authorities for permanent equipment located on the public highway. [157559]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We have no plans to require such bodies to pay a rent for locating permanent apparatus on the public highway.

  Resurfacing
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason no regulations have been introduced under section 78 of the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 to require statutory undertakings to contribute to resurfacing costs. [159731]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Over recent years research has been undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory, on behalf of my Department, examining the effect of utility trenching on the long-term performance of roads. Any decision on whether to make regulations under section 78 of the 1991 Act will be taken in the light of this and other evidence collected into the effect on the quality of roads of works carried out by statutory undertakers.

  The Traffic Management Bill contains more explicit provision supplementing the general powers in section 78, so that, should a decision be taken that it would be appropriate for utilities and others to £million

  Outturn

  Forecast outturn

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Highways agency1

  318

  300

  427

  491

  413

  Local authorities outside London2

  —

  —

  94

  118

  104

  London (TfL)3

  —

  —

  23

  17

  10

  Total

  318

  300

  544

  626

  527

  1Highways Agency expenditure is that on, major road schemes costing over £5 million. It also includes spend on trunk roads in London until July 2000.

  2 Local Authority spend is the value of Credit Approvals issued to support major local road schemes over £5 million. The Department does not hold figures for road building projects prior to the year 2001 when its database was set

  3London spend is Transport for London's expenditure on major road schemes over £5 million. TfL, has been responsible for road improvements in London since July 2000

  Notes:

  1. Road building projects outside of England are the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

  2. All figures are rounded to the nearest million.

  The 10 Year Plan for Transport provided for a balance of investment between roads, public transport and railways. Future spending is being reviewed as part of Spending Review 2004. In respect of switching funds from road to rail, we would consider this following the outcome of SR2004 and the rail review.

  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been spent by the Highways Agency on non-motorway roads in(a) Somerset, (b) Dorset, (c) Devon, (d) Cornwall, (e) North Somerset, (f) Wiltshire, (g) Bristol (h) Bath and North East Somerset, (i) South Gloucestershire and (j) Gloucestershire in each year since 1990. [160499]
  1642W
  contribute towards the cost of putting right any damage caused to roads by works, then these costs can be fairly shared between the relevant parties.

  Road Deaths and Injuries (Crosby)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on roads in Crosby has been since 1997. [160544]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The available information relates to the numbers of killed and seriously injured road casualties in the local authority district of Sefton, which includes the constituency of Crosby, and is given in the following table.

  1997

  2002

  Percentage change

  Killed

  10

  10

  —

  Seriously injured

  100

  88

  –12.0

  Roads (Funding)
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been spent on road building projects in each of the last five years; and if he will use funds allocated to future schemes to encourage rail travel instead. [155887]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The expenditure on road building projects in England in the last five years is set out in the following table:

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Highways Agency started to collect information on expenditure on a county-by-county basis in 2001. Expenditure totals for the years 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 are therefore shown in the following table. Equivalent figures for earlier years are not available.

  Total spent on non motorways £

  £

  County

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Bath and North East

  1,162,018.27

  1,631,470.05

  817,756.63

  Somerset

  Bristol

  12,362.45

  10,157.40

  11,302.04

  Cornwall

  9,654.395.57

  12,044,323.34

  10,079,002.14

  Devon

  38,596,255.32

  37,682.602.50

  35,572,643.94

  1643W
  Total spent on non motorways £

  £

  County

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Dorset

  4,272,792.34

  3,688,271.91

  4,285.587.89

  Gloucestershire

  9,383,633.66

  21,770,465.06

  21,619,119.63

  North Somerset

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Somerset

  3,914,427.23

  2,405,165.16

  3,188,763.41

  South Gloucestershire

  326,983.05

  461,811.81

  347,131.44

  Wiltshire

  10,454,631.81

  10,294,957.81

  12,887,648.06

  The Highways Agency has no roads in North Somerset that are not motorways.

  Transport Spending (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public money was spent on transport in the constituency of Sittingbourne and Sheppey between(a) 1992 and 1997, (b) 1997 and 2001 and (c) 2001 to 2004. [159490]

  Mr. McNulty
  Information on transport spending is not collected in the format requested.

  Weight Limits (Lorries)
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to increase the penalties for lorry drivers breaching weight limits set on smaller bridges for second and subsequent offences; [161008]

  (2) what plans he has to increase the penalty for lorry drivers breaching weight limits set on smaller bridges. [161009]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We have no plans to increase the penalties for lorry drivers breaching weight limits on smaller bridges for first or subsequent offences. Weight limits on bridges are notified by traffic signs, and failure to comply with such signs is an offence under section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine not exceeding £1,000 plus a three point endorsement.

TREASURY

  Unemployment (Jarrow)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the change in the level of unemployment has been in the Jarrow constituency in each year since 1997; [159508]

  (2) what the level of youth unemployment was in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear and (d) the UK in each year since 1997. [159524]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 11 March 2004:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about unemployment in the Jarrow constituency. I am replying in his absence. (159508, 159524)
  1644W
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation definitions. However, the LFS sample size is too small to give reliable estimates of unemployment in the Jarrow Parliamentary Constituency.

  The ONS also publishes data on the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (ISA). Table 1 gives information on the change in the number of JSA claimants in the Jarrow Constituency for each year since 1997. Table 2 gives information, also for each year since 1997, on the number of the JSA claimants aged between 18 and 24 years in the Jarrow Constituency, the South Tyneside Unitary Authority, the Metropolitan County of Tyne and Wear and in the UK as a whole.

  Table 1: Total number of claimants1 of Jobseekers Allowance in Jarrow parliamentary constituency: 1997–2003

  Claimants

  Number of claimants

  Difference from previous year

  1997

  3,119

  —

  1998

  2,766

  -353

  1999

  2,820

  54

  2000

  2,625

  -195

  2001

  2,377

  -248

  2002

  2,273

  -104

  2003

  1,986

  -287

  1Annual average.

  Source:

  Jobcentre plus administrative system.

  Table 2: Number of claimants1 of Jobseekers Allowance aged 18–24 in the areas shown: 1997–2003

  Claimants

  Jarrow Parliamentary Constituency

  South Tyneside Unitary Authority

  Metropolitan County of Tyne and Wear

  United Kingdom

  1997

  802

  1,800

  11,563

  406,417

  1998

  665

  1,500

  9,780

  339,001

  1999

  654

  1,458

  8,903

  294,124

  2000

  583

  1,300

  8,223

  261,472

  2001

  557

  1,234

  7,637

  241,222

  2002

  523

  1,169

  7,466

  242,930

  2003

  512

  1,158

  7,267

  249,054

  1Annual average.

  Source:

  Jobcentre plus administrative system.

  Child Trust Fund
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total cost of the Child Trust Fund for each year from 2004–05 to 2009–10, broken down by(a) start-up costs, (b) annual administration costs and (c) other costs; and if he will make a statement. [156758]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the Regulatory Impact Assessment published with the Child Trust Fund Bill in November 2003, the Explanatory Note that accompanied the publication of the Child Trust Fund Bill on 4 February 2004; and the answers I gave the hon. Member for Tatton (Mr. Osborne) on 4 December 2003,Official Report, columns 138–39W.

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on how many occasions his Department has placed advertisements in Hello magazine; [157965]
  1645W
  (2)what the total cost of his Department's advertising in Hello magazine was in each of the last five years; [157967]

  (3)what the cost is of each of his Department's advertisements in Hello magazine for tax credits. [157968]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A small amount of advertising has been placed in Hello! magazine by the Inland Revenue (IR) in recent years in support of its Tax Credits campaigns. This is because analysis of its readership indicated an appropriate percentage of people entitled to claim Tax Credits.

  There was no advertising prior to 2002, but in the last three years IR placed:

  2002: 4 insertions

  2003: 2–insertions

  2004: 3 insertions

  There have been no advertisements placed in support of other issues or by any other departments responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Like most central Government Departments, the IR buys media space using specialist agencies contracted through the Central Office of Information (COI).

  Through its bulk-buying power, COI negotiates significant discounts on rate-card prices. To protect this, and the thus the added value it achieves for taxpayers' money, it maintains commercial confidentiality agreements in which it undertakes not to publicise charges levied by individual publications in single instances.

  Media planning and buying for large campaigns such as New Tax Credits is focused purely on the most effective way of reaching the target audience-the publications they read or TV channels they watch, for example.

  Overall spends for major campaigns are published regularly, often in response to parliamentary questions or press queries.

  Environmentally Sustainable Procurement
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what ways environmentally sustainable procurement strategies within the Department have driven innovation in the design and supply of products. [159148]

  Mr. Boateng
  Treasury's procurement has been handled by Inland Revenue since April 2002. Inland Revenue are continuing to develop their environmentally sustainable procurement strategies. It is too early at present to judge whet her there is evidence of innovation in the design and supply of products.

  Income Tax (10p hate)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior citizens in Crosby qualified for the 10p rate of income tax it each year since its introduction. [160581]

  Ruth Kelly
  All income taxpayers benefit from the 10p pence starting rate. The Survey of Personal Incomes estimates there are about 8,000 stale retirement pension 1646W
  age taxpayers in the Crosby constituency in 2000–01. Constituency level estimates are not available for earlier years.

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will leave the basic rate of insurance premium tax unchanged in this year's Budget. [160324]

  Ruth Kelly
  As with all taxes, the future rates of Insurance Premium Tax are a matter for the Chancellor to consider as part of the Budget Process.

  Museums
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to public funds of Gift Aid provisions used by the museum sector was in each year since it was introduced, broken down by(a) institution and (b) amount received. [160422]

  John Healey
  It is not possible to ascertain the amount repaid in Gift Aid in relation to the museum sector. Inland Revenue records do not distinguish amounts repaid to charities according to the type of charity. Information held by the Inland Revenue about the tax affairs of individual businesses could not be disclosed, Exemption 15 of the Open Government Code applies.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the relationship of the Maastricht criteria to public expenditure levels, with reference to(a) the Treasury Red Books since 1997 and (b) the Treasury Paper of June 2003 on "Policy Frameworks in the UK and EMU". [160647]

  Ruth Kelly
  The scope of the Maastricht criteria is set out in Annexe A of the EMU study on "Policy Frameworks in the UK and EMU".

  Projections for the public finances presented in the 2003 pre-Budget report, show that the UK continues to meet a prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact, that takes into account the economic cycle, the long-term sustainability of the public finances and the important role of public investment.

  Projections of the public finances will be updated, as usual, in the forthcoming Budget.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the administration of the Child Tax Credit and the Working Tax Credit since 6 April 2003; [158268]
  1647W
  (2) what discussions he has had with officials from the Inland Revenue regarding the administration of the Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit since 6 April 2003. [158269]

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with officials from the Inland Revenue regarding the administration of tax credits. [158706]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have had regular discussions with Inland Revenue officials regarding the administration of Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit since 6 April 2003, including plans for the next stage of tax credits implementation.The process of finalising tax credit awards for 2003–04, and renewing claims for 2004–05, begins in April. We also plan in 2004–05 to bring within Child Tax Credit (CTC) those families with children receiving support for them though Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (IS/JSA). The process of moving these families into Child Tax Credit will begin in April as planned. Families on IS/JSA already receiving CTC will start to receive support for their children solely through CTC. And new claimants of IS/JSA will no longer be awarded child allowances in those benefits and will receive CTC instead. The automatic phased transfer onto CTC of the remaining families with children within IS/JSA is planned to begin from October, subject to a final review in the summer. Meanwhile, families will continue to receive the same level of support through their benefits as they would from CTC.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Crosby have received Child Tax Credit. [160442]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated numbers of families receiving Child and/or Working Tax Credits in each constituency at 5 January 2004 are shown in "Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics, Geographical analyses—January 2004", which is on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personaltax-credits/menu.htm.

  NATO Rank Codes and UK Service Designations

  Royal Navy

  Royal Marines

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  OF-10

  Admiral of the Fleet

  Field Marshal

  Marshal of the RAF

  OF-9

  Admiral

  General

  General

  Air Chief Marshal

  OF-8

  Vice Admiral

  Lieutenant General

  Lieutenant General

  Air Marshal

  OF-7

  Rear Admiral

  Major General

  Major General

  Air Vice Marshal

  OF-6

  Commodore

  Brigadier

  Brigadier

  Air Commodore

  OF-5

  Captain

  Colonel

  Colonel

  Group Captain

  OF-4

  Commander

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Wing Commander

  OF-3

  Lieutenant Commander

  Major

  Major

  Squadron Leader

  OF-2

  Lieutenant

  Captain

  Captain

  Fight Lieutenant

  OF-1

  Sub-Lieutenant

  Lieutenant/2nd Lieutenant

  Lieutenant/2nd Lieutenant

  Frying Officer/Pilot Officer

  OF(D)

  Midshipman

  —

  Officer Designate

  Officer Designate

  OR-9

  Warrant Officer

  Warrant Officer Class 1

  Warrant Officer Class 1

  W arrant Officer

  OR-8

  —

  Warrant Officer Class 2

  Warrant Officer Class 2

  —

  OR-7

  Chief Petty Officer

  Colour Sergeant

  Staff Sergeant

  Flight Sergeant/Chief Tech'n

  OR-6

  Petty Officer

  Sergeant

  Sergeant

  Sergeant

  OR-4

  Leading Rate

  Corporal

  Corporal

  Corporal

  OR-3

  —

  —

  Lance Corporal

  —

  OR-2

  Able Rate

  Marine

  Private (Classes 1 to 3)

  Junior Technician/Leading Aircraftman/

  Senior Aircraftman

  OR-1

  —

  —

  Private (Class 4)/Junior

  Aircraftman

  Note:

  The Royal Navy and the Royal Marines together make up the Naval Service.

  1648W
  The estimates ar based on a sample of cases and are subject to sampling; uncertainty.

DEFENCE

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on local purchase of vegetables and meat by the garrison at Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. [159872]

  Mr. Ingram
  Locally grown salad vegetables are purchased for use at Mount Pleasant Airfield, but the produce available is limited. Local meat has not been procured because, prior to this year, it did not meet the Armed Forces Quality Standard and the Falkland Island abattoir was not EC approved. However, the Falkland Island Development Corporation has recently opened a fully compliant, purpose-built abattoir, and they are working to improve the quality of local lamb and mutton, with a view to supplying to Angliss (UK), the MOD's meat supplier, in the near future. An exploratory visit in January 2004 by Angliss (UK) proved to be most encouraging.

  Armed Forces Dentists
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) dental personnel and (b) dentists are employed within Her Majesty's Armed Forces, broken down by(a) grade, (b) whole-time equivalents and (c) headcount numbers for each year since 1990. [159673]

  Mr. Caplin
  Figures for all dental service personnel are shown in the table. The figures for officers represent qualified dentists for each service. The tables show figures for each equivalent NATO rank and these are set out. Since there are no part-time dental personnel. the total figure represents both the headcount and the whole-time equivalents.
  1649W
  Naval Service

  Naval Service1,2

  OF-7

  OF-6

  OF-5

  OF-4

  OF-3

  OF-2

  Total

  (a) Officers

  April 1990

  —

  —

  7

  30

  19

  15

  72

  April 1991

  —

  1

  7

  27

  22

  18

  75

  April 1992

  —

  1

  6

  27

  18

  20

  72

  April 1993

  —

  1

  5

  27

  20

  23

  76

  April 1994

  —

  1

  5

  22

  18

  29

  75

  April 1995

  —

  1

  5

  21

  19

  24

  70

  April 1996

  —

  1

  6

  16

  19

  20

  62

  April 1997

  —

  1

  6

  12

  26

  20

  65

  April 1998

  —

  1

  5

  14

  20

  24

  64

  April 1999

  —

  1

  5

  15

  23

  19

  63

  April 2000

  —

  1

  6

  15

  17

  21

  60

  April 2001

  —

  1

  6

  16

  16

  23

  62

  April 2002

  —

  1

  5

  17

  17

  21

  61

  April 2003

  —

  1

  6

  14

  19

  17

  57

  January 2004

  —

  1

  7

  13

  23

  13

  57

  (b) Ratings

  April 1990

  —

  3

  19

  40

  47

  13

  122

  April 1991

  1

  3

  20

  41

  49

  10

  124

  April 1992

  1

  3

  19

  38

  52

  6

  119

  April 1993

  1

  5

  18

  41

  45

  4

  114

  April 1094

  —

  5

  17

  40

  42

  4

  108

  April 1995

  —

  4

  17

  43

  36

  10

  110

  April 1996

  —

  3

  16

  41

  43

  2

  105

  April 1997

  1

  4

  16

  35

  35

  4

  95

  April 1998

  1

  4

  16

  34

  36

  9

  100

  April 1999

  1

  4

  17

  34

  38

  5

  99

  April 2000

  1

  5

  15

  28

  45

  —

  94

  April 2001

  1

  5

  14

  26

  42

  —

  88

  April 2002

  1

  5

  14

  40

  33

  —

  93

  April 2003

  2

  6

  13

  35

  42

  —

  98

  January 2004

  2

  5

  14

  32

  48

  —

  101

  1 All Naval Service Officers in the tables are qualified dentists

  2 The ratings figures comprise of hygienists and dental surgical assistants

  Note:

  Officers at OF-6 and above in the Naval Service are no longer practising dentists.

  — denotes zero

  Army

  The figures in the tables are for the Royal Army Dental Core (RADC) which contains all dental personnel within the Army.

  Army1,2,3

  OF-7

  OF-6

  OF-5

  OF-4

  OF-3

  OF-2

  Total

  (a) Officers

  April 1990

  —

  3

  27

  51

  64

  52

  197

  April 1991

  1

  2

  30

  56

  60

  45

  194

  April 1992

  1

  2

  30

  52

  64

  34

  183

  April 1993

  —

  3

  24

  57

  53

  41

  178

  April 1994

  —

  3

  23

  51

  59

  32

  168

  April 1995

  —

  3

  20

  47

  56

  28

  154

  April 1996

  —

  2

  19

  57

  41

  26

  145

  April 1997

  —

  1

  18

  52

  39

  29

  139

  April 1998

  1

  17

  50

  40

  32

  140

  April 1999

  —

  1

  16

  45

  38

  41

  141

  April 2000

  —

  1

  17

  46

  31

  49

  144

  April 2001

  1

  1

  19

  45

  31

  52

  149

  April 2002

  1

  2

  18

  46

  33

  41

  141

  April 2003

  1

  2

  19

  41

  40

  48

  151

  January 2004

  1

  2

  17

  40

  47

  47

  154

  1650W 1651W

  OR-9

  OR-8

  OR-7

  OR-6

  OR-4

  OR-3

  OR-2/OR-1

  Total

  (b) Soldiers

  April 1990

  9

  17

  24

  64

  31

  27

  18

  190

  April 1991

  9

  17

  25

  55

  28

  24

  21

  179

  April 1992

  8

  17

  21

  54

  33

  24

  15

  172

  April 1993

  8

  19

  25

  69

  64

  67

  50

  302

  April 1994

  8

  16

  23

  50

  66

  55

  45

  263

  April 1995

  6

  12

  26

  44

  59

  51

  45

  243

  April 1996

  9

  10

  23

  48

  63

  48

  41

  242

  April 1997

  6

  11

  24

  44

  53

  46

  49

  233

  April 1998

  4

  14

  22

  43

  49

  44

  38

  214

  April 1999

  5

  12

  24

  45

  45

  50

  38

  219

  April 2000

  5

  13

  24

  46

  54

  51

  33

  226

  April 2001

  5

  15

  21

  42

  65

  50

  42

  240

  April 2002

  5

  13

  22

  40

  69

  49

  47

  245

  April 2003

  6

  15

  22

  38

  70

  55

  59

  265

  January 2004

  7

  14

  21

  44

  68

  52

  51

  257

  1All Army officers in the table are qualified dentists, however as at 1 January 2004 there were 15 officers within the RADC who had an unallocated trade.

  2The soldiers figures are a mixture of hygienists, dental technicians, support specialists and other dental personnel

  3Officers at OF-7 are no longer practising dentists.

  —denotes zero

  Royal Air Force

  Royal Air Force1,2,3

  OF-7

  OF-6

  OF-5

  OF-4

  OF-3

  OF-2

  OF-21/OF(D)

  Total

  (a) Officers

  April 1990

  —

  3

  13

  36

  36

  32

  —

  120

  April 1991

  —

  3

  11

  33

  44

  29

  —

  120

  April 1992

  —

  3

  13

  29

  48

  28

  —

  121

  April 1993

  1

  2

  14

  31

  44

  27

  —

  119

  April 1994

  1

  2

  12

  29

  48

  22

  1

  115

  April 1995

  1

  2

  9

  32

  47

  19

  —

  110

  April 1996

  1

  2

  8

  32

  44

  17

  —

  104

  April 1997

  2

  2

  9

  20

  43

  11

  87

  April 1998

  1

  2

  9

  22

  38

  8

  80

  April 1999

  1

  2

  10

  24

  36

  12

  85

  April 2000

  1

  3

  8

  32

  25

  9

  —

  78

  April 2001

  1

  3

  7

  35

  19

  11

  —

  76

  April 2002

  —

  2

  7

  31

  21

  12

  —

  73

  April 2003

  —

  1

  8

  28

  19

  10

  —

  66

  January 2004

  —

  1

  10

  23

  26

  16

  —

  76

  OR-9

  OR-7

  OR-6

  OR-4

  OR-2

  OR-I

  Total

  (b) Airmen

  April 1990

  7

  22

  45

  48

  27

  147

  296

  April 1991

  7

  23

  46

  49

  26

  146

  297

  April 1992

  7

  23

  46

  52

  17

  157

  302

  April 1993

  7

  24

  44

  51

  9

  153

  288

  April 1994

  6

  23

  42

  51

  12

  149

  283

  April 1995

  4

  22

  47

  52

  17

  141

  283

  April 1996

  4

  14

  44

  42

  14

  126

  244

  April 1997

  4

  13

  45

  39

  7

  110

  218

  April 1998

  4

  14

  43

  36

  4

  103

  204

  April 1999

  3

  14

  41

  38

  2

  97

  195

  April 2000

  4

  14

  36

  39

  2

  97

  192

  April 2001

  4

  18

  33

  44

  4

  99

  202

  April 2002

  4

  16

  32

  48

  3

  89

  192

  April 2003

  6

  17

  25

  51

  0

  91

  190

  January 2004

  6

  17

  27

  48

  0

  105

  203

  1All RAF officers in the table are dentists

  2The Airmen figures are a mixture of hygienists, administrative staff, and technicians and nurses

  3Officers at OF-6 and above are no longer practising dentists. However there may be service personnel between OF-3 to OF-5 who although being qualified dentists may not be practising due to being posted on staff appointments.

  —denotes zero

  1652W

  Armed Forces Personnel (Overseas)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from other countries are serving in the(a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force; and from which countries they come. [156134]

  Mr. Caplin
  The number of foreign nationals serving in the Army at 1 January 2004 is 5,540. The following table gives a more detailed breakdown.

  Nationality

  Officers

  Soldiers

  Irish Republican

  25

  175

  Australian

  35

  40

  Barbadian

  1—

  5

  British Commonwealth

  5

  10

  Cameroon

  0

  10

  Canadian

  20

  45

  Dominican

  0

  10

  Fijian

  1—

  1,720

  Gambian

  0

  55

  Ghanaian

  1—

  395

  Grenadian

  0

  45

  Guyanese

  0

  10

  Indian

  10

  25

  Jamaican

  1—

  870

  Kenyan

  5

  60

  Malawi

  0

  55

  Maltese

  1—

  5

  Mauritian

  0

  15

  New Zealander

  25

  45

  Nigerian

  1—

  45

  Pakistani

  1—

  5

  Seychellois

  0

  5

  Sierra Leone

  1—

  20

  South African

  35

  445

  Sri Lankan

  1—

  10

  St. Lucia

  1—

  215

  St. Vincent

  0

  285

  Tongan

  0

  5

  Trinidadian

  1—

  60

  Ugandan

  0

  20

  Zambian

  1—

  10

  Zimbabwean

  25

  485

  St. Helenian

  0

  25

  Nepalese

  10

  1—

  Not known/stateless

  35

  1—

  1Denotes less than five

  The following nationalities have less than five officers and/or less than five soldiers:

  Antiguan

  Bangalee

  Belizean

  Botswana

  Cypriot

  Malaysian

  Namibian (formally South West African)

  Papuan

  Singaporean

  St. Kitts

  Swazi

  Tanzanian

  West Indian

  Falkland Islander

  Gibraltarian

  Montserrat Islander

  American

  1654W

  German West

  Iranian

  Iraqi

  Pacific Islander Rhodesian

  Swiss

  For the Naval Service and RAF some information on `not British' personnel is held but data are not accurate enough to provide a reliable estimate.

  Challenger 2
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the operational effectiveness of Challenger 2 main battle tanks when crews are wearing individual protective equipment against nuclear, biological and chemical attack. [159266]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 5 March 2004]: The effect on the operational effectiveness of Challenger 2 tanks when their crew members are wearing individual protective equipment against nuclear, biological and chemical attack depends on a number of related and variable factors. These include the ambient temperature and the effectiveness of the crew cooling system; the length of time the equipment has been worn at high protection state; the amount of prior training undertaken by the crew; their physical fitness levels; and the psychological stresses imposed during battle. The requirement to operate Challenger 2 tanks in individual protection equipment is reflected in annual training.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will write to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok with the answer he undertook to provide on 20 November 2003. [151197]

  Mr. Ingram
  I replied to my hon. Friend today.

  Hawk Trainer
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hawk advanced jet trainers have been procured: and when delivery will take place. [158261]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following the announcement last summer of our intention to procure Hawk 128 to meet our Advanced Jet Trainer requirement, detailed contractual negotiations with BAE SYSTEMS are continuing. Subject to a satisfactory conclusion, we are planning on placing an order for 20 aircraft with options for up to a further 24. The first aircraft would be delivered during 2008.

  Iraq
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make an assessment of the contribution of United Kingdom forces to the delivery of humanitarian aid in Iraq. [143725]

  Mr. Ingram
  Enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid has been a key priority for UK forces since the end of major combat operations on 1 May 2003.
  1655W
  In the period immediately after major combat operations ended UK forces cleared mines and other dangers in the waterway leading to Umm Qasr port and made safe the port area itself, opening the most important route into Iraq for humanitarian aid.

  Since then UK forces have delivered limited amounts of aid themselves and, when requested, have provided assistance to Non-Governmental Organisations working on humanitarian programmes in Iraq.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the humanitarian projects that United Kingdom forces have(a) completed and (b) not yet completed in Iraq since 1 May 2003. [147156]

  Mr. Ingram
  United Kingdom forces have undertaken over 700 reconstruction projects in Iraq since the end of major combat operations. For a list of projects I refer my hon. Friend to my letter reference: D/MIN(AF)/5234N dated 10 March a copy of which is available in the Library of the House in response to question number 137519 from the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson).

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what force protection measures are in place to protect the operatives of non-governmental organisations and humanitarian organisations within the UK sphere of military operations in Iraq. [150226]

  Mr. Ingram
  The UK does not routinely provide force protection to humanitarian or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Such organisations are directly responsible for assessing the risks to their staff. UK local commanders do discuss security and other practical issues with them on a regular basis.

  The coalition as a whole is working to secure conditions in which UN agencies, NGOs, humanitarian organisations and the Iraqi people are able to go about their business.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been paid to Iraqi families following the death of a member of their family while being held in British military custody. [158032]

  Mr. Ingram
  UK Authorities have paid £1,875 to an Iraqi family following a death in custody.

  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status of UK forces in Iraq will be after 31 July; what legal mandate will govern their presence and operations; and if he will make a statement. [158147]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 March 2004]: The status of UK forces in Iraq and the legal mandate that will govern their presence and operations after the handover of authority to an Iraqi government remain under consideration.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether techniques of sensory deprivation have been used on Iraqi detainees by members of the British armed forces. [158860]
  1656W
  Mr. Ingram
  Members of the armed forces may only use blindfolds on apprehended individuals for reasons of operational security, such as movement through military sensitive areas. No other forms of sensory deprivation are permitted.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for providing compensation to the(a) residents and (b) businesses of Skye and Wester Ross in the event of a nuclear incident involving a nuclear submarine using the Z Berths at Aultbea and Broadford; and if he will make a statement. [159625]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government underwrite the nuclear risks associated with the consequences of the operation of its nuclear submarines. The indemnification of these risks is not limited either financially or geographically and depending on the location and type of incident, would cover the local residents and businesses on the Isle of Skye and at Wester Ross.

  Government Contracts (Scotland)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many procurement contracts were placed by his Department with companies based in Scotland in financial year(a) 2002–03, (b) 2001–02 and (c)2000–01; what the (i) most expensive and (ii) least expensive contracts were; and what the total value of contracts was. [159245]

  Mr. Ingram
  Details of procurement contracts directly placed by the Department with companies based in Scotland in each of the financial years requested is detailed in the following table:

  Financial Year

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Number of new contracts let

  724

  604

  600

  Total value of these contracts

  £250 million

  £1.2 billion

  £850 million

  Most valuable new contract let

  £59 million

  £395 million

  £418 million

  It is not possible to provide meaningful data on the least valuable contracts let in each of these years because certain types of MOD contract are set up with a nominal value (normally £1) under which goods or services are then 'called-off' and paid for during the contract term.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many research contracts were placed by his Department with research institutions based in Scotland in fiscal year(a) 2002–03, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2000–01; what the total value of these contracts was; and what the total value of research contracts placed within the UK was. [159246]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost (Exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information).

  Temporary Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff the Department employs on a temporary basis through employment agencies; what
  1657W
  percentage this is of total staff employed; and how much the Department paid employment agencies to supply temporary staff in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04 to the most recent date for which figures are available. [158250]

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

  Tomahawk Cruise Missiles
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of ship-borne Tomahawk cruise missiles. [158138]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 4 March 2004]: The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a conventionally armed land attack missile. TLAM represents a major step forward in capability, enabling precision attacks at long range against selected targets. The missile's effectiveness is not affected by the platform from which it is launched.

  Westminster Hall
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to have senior Ministers reply to debates in Westminster Hall. [159615]

  Mr. Caplin
  I refer the hen Member to the answer given to him on 8 March 2004,Official Report, column 1234W by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons.

PRIME MINISTER

  Geoff Mulgan
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister how many hours Mr. Geoff Mulgan has spent working on the Big Conversation Project; and if he will make a statement. [160603]

  The Prime Minister
  Civil Servants act in accordance with the Civil Service Code.

  For information on the Big Conversation, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Duncan) on 4 December 2003, Official Report, column 113W.

  Sir David king
  Mr. Tam Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implications of the findings of the Chief Scientist on climate change published in the journal Science in January. [160418]

  The Prime Minister
  The article in Science was based on analysis which the Chief Scientific Adviser first set out in his Zuckerman Lecture in October 2002. His conclusion was that the evidence for man-made climate change was convincing and that this cannot be ignored. The Government share that view

  This analysis underpinned the rationale behind the Energy White Paper, (CM5761) which sets out a programme to put the UK on a path to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by some, 60 per cent. by 2050.
  1658W
  It also underpins the UK's support for the United Nations Framework Convention on climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol which are a vital first step to avoiding dangerous climate change. The UK has also been at the forefront of efforts to secure global action on climate change.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister with reference to the memorandum from Mr. Ivan Rogers to Sir David King, relating to public pronouncements on climate change, which wider policy aims would be adversely affected were Sir David King to grant interview requests from the media.[160599]

  The Prime Minister
  David King is on the record many times outlining the importance of climate change to the media, including on his recent visit to the United States where he took part in a press conference and chaired a workshop that the media attended.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what(a) representations were received from and (b) discussions took place with the US authorities on Sir David King's public statements on climate change between their publication and the issuing of the memorandum to Sir David King by Mr. Ivan Rogers, on media requests for an interview. [160600]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government regularly have discussions with the US Government, at many levels, on a wide range of international issues including on climate change. As with previous Administrations, it is not the practice of this Government to make public details of discussions with foreign Governments.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Charities
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on legislative provisions on the monitoring and policing of companies registered as charities in Northern Ireland; and if he will propose amendments to Northern Ireland legislation to bring it into line with the rest of the United Kingdom in this regard. [158560]

  Mr. Spellar
  Only charities based in England and Wales are registered. The provisions for the monitoring and policing of charities which are also limited companies are the same as for those which are not.

  In Northern Ireland:

  the Inland Revenue deal with charitable status for tax purposes;

  the PSNI can investigate any criminal offence alleged by or in connection with a charity;

  the PSNI license street and house-to-house collections; and

  the Department for Social Development can look at any dispute not involving criminal activity.

  In Northern Ireland, most complaints about collections or criminal activity fall to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The Department for Social Development will consider non-criminal complaints but, like the Charity Commission for England and Wales, cannot interfere in a charity's affairs where the trustees have acted properly (for example, where there is a dispute between trustees as to which of a number of equally legitimate policies should be pursued) or

  1659W
  consider cases which concern disagreements between trustees or between trustees and members which can and should be settled by the trustees themselves (for example, over the details of the employment of particular staff or selection of beneficiaries).

  The Government are currently considering proposed changes to the charities legislation in England and Wales and elsewhere with a view to deciding whether changes to the existing Northern Ireland charity legislation would be desirable. Any proposed changes will, of course, be the subject of public consultation as well as consultation with interested bodies.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to introduce a charity commissioner for Northern Ireland; [158888]

  (2) what plans he has to bring the law governing charities in Northern Ireland into line with that in England and Wales. [158889]

  Mr. Spellar
  In Northern Ireland the systems for dealing with charities are different from those in England and Wales:the Inland Revenue deal with charitable status for tax purposes;
  the PSNI can investigate any criminal offence alleged by or in connection with a charity;
  the PSNI license street and house-to-house collections; and
  the Department for Social Development can look at any dispute not involving criminal activity.

  In Northern Ireland, most complaints about collections or criminal activity fall to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The Department for Social Development will consider non-criminal complaints but, like the Charity Commission for England and Wales, cannot interfere in a charity's affairs where the trustees have acted properly (for example, where there is a dispute between trustees as to which of a number of equally legitimate policies should be pursued) or consider cases which concern disagreements between trustees or between trustees and members which can and should be settled by the trustees themselves (for example, over the details of the employment of particular staff or selection of beneficiaries).

  The Government are currently considering proposed changes to the charities legislation in England and Wales and elsewhere with a view to deciding whether changes to the existing Northern Ireland charity legislation, including the option of establishing a Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, would be desirable. Any proposed changes will, of course, be the subject of public consultation as well as consultation with interested bodies.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the pay dispute in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. [159558]

  Mr. Pearson
  Extensive negotiations over several months did not result in an agreed pay deal for the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration this year. Management Side presented an offer worth 3.67 per cent. on 5 November. As this could not be agreed, and Trade Union Side declined to negotiate within the 3.67 per cent. envelope, we took the decision 1660W
  to proceed to pay the award and communicated this to staff and Trade Union Side on 27 November. I have made clear to Trade Union Side that the 3.67 per cent. deal is the maximum that can be paid. We are however exploring other reasonable means of resolving the dispute. Meetings with Trade Union Side took place on Thursday 19 February and Monday 8 March, and a further meeting is being arranged.

  Members of the NI Civil Service working in the Northern Ireland Office are subject to separate pay negotiations involving three Unions: NIPS A, PCS and the PDA. A formal offer of 3 per cent. was made to the Unions but was rejected. NIO intend to proceed to pay the award at the end of March.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what annual pay rises have been awarded to(a) the Northern Ireland civil service and (b) senior civil servants in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [159559]

  Mr.Pearson
  The annual pay rises awarded to(a)the Northern Ireland civil service and (b)senior civil servants in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997 are follows:

  Percentage

  Civil servants below the SCS

  Senior civil servants

  2003

  3.67

  5.37

  2002

  5.5

  4.38

  2001

  4.85

  4.4

  2000

  4.5

  4.4

  1999

  3.97

  4.3

  1998

  3.2

  5.5

  1997

  3.2

  4.5

  Cormorants
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he is taking to control cormorants and their predation on fish-stock. [160595]

  Angela Smith
  In Northern Ireland all wild birds are protected under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Cormorants are also protected under the EC Birds Directive (1979). If there is a specific local problem with cormorants seriously damaging fish stocks, my Department will consider applications for a licence to control the birds at the point of damage.

  Any such a licence will require the licensee to report on activities authorised by it to the Department.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many licences to cull cormorants have been issued in each of the last 10 years; and how many cormorants haw been culled in each of the last 10 years. [160596]

  Angela Smith
  The figures requested are set out as follows. The licences are issued for the purpose of protecting fisheries, and the number culled is based on reports received from the licensees as a condition of their licences.
  1661W

  Number of licences issued

  Number of cormorants reported culled

  1995

  19

  82

  1996

  20

  107

  1997

  21

  87

  1998

  21

  99

  1999

  23

  76

  2000

  16

  77

  2001

  20

  70

  2002

  31

  93

  2003

  13

  56

  20041

  2

  10

  1Up to 1 March 2004

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the number of cormorants in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [160597]

  Angela Smith
  The following figures are winter peak counts for cormorants in Northern Ireland. The total is made up from both breeding birds and winter visitors.

  Number

  1994–95

  1,475

  1995–96

  2,058

  1996–97

  1,785

  1997–98

  2,194

  1998–99

  3,229

  1999–2000

  2,761

  2000–01

  2,477

  The data have not yet been validated for 2001 onwards.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate(a) the number and (b) the percentage of salmon smolts returning seawards on the River Bush that were taken by cormorants in each of the last 10 years. [160598]

  Angela Smith
  No estimates of the levels of salmon smolt predation by cormorants have been made on the River Bush in the last 10 years. Previous studies carried out during the 1980s indicated that predation levels could be in excess of 50 per cent. of the wild smolt runs at that time.

  Education Jobs Evaluation
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether non-reaching staff in the voluntary grammar and integrated education sector will be included in the job evaluation scheme being funded and carried out by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. [159590]

  Jane Kennedy
  Job evaluations in the voluntary grammar school and grant-maintained school sectors are a matter for individual schools, as the employing authorities. The Department of Education will be discussing with representatives of these sectors the implications of job evaluations in Education and Library Boards, and any consequent budgetary pressures will be considered in light of the resources available and the associated circumstances.
  1662W

  Electoral Register
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to locate electors missing from the latest electoral register; and if he will make a statement. [158887]

  Mr. Spellar
  Electoral registration is primarily a matter for the Chief Electoral Officer. However, individuals who are eligible and are not on the register can still have their names added to the register under the system of rolling registration. The Electoral Commission will shortly be embarking on a major publicity drive to encourage this.

  The Electoral Office and the Electoral Commission are working closely together to encourage potential electors to register. It is planned to focus on groups who are traditionally under-represented on the register, such as young people, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with literacy problems or whose first language is not English.

  The Commission is also funding a call centre to deal with queries on the electoral process including registration. Rolling registration forms are widely available, including electronically from the Electoral office website.

  Means-Tested Benefits
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what benefits to which pensioners are entitled in Northern Ireland are means-tested; what steps he is taking to reduce the number of means-tested benefits in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [159668]

  Mr. Spellar
  Pensioners in Northern Ireland are eligible to claim state pension credit and housing benefit which are income-related or means-tested benefits.

  The Government's policy is to focus help on the poorest pensioners. Income-related benefits are an integral part of a complementary mixture of social security provision alongside contributory and universal benefits. There are no plans to reduce the number of means-tested benefits available to people in Northern Ireland.

  New Deal
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have participated in the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + in Northern Ireland in each year since its inception. [159564]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Preparation for Employment programme was introduced in Northern Ireland in April 2001 as the main element of provision within the New Deal 25 +.

  The number of people who have participated in the Preparation for Employment programme and the former Intensive Activity Period, which it replaced, are as follows.
  1663W

  Number

  November 1998 to March 1999

  130

  1999–2000

  6,690

  2000–01

  3,441

  2001–02

  2,633

  2002–03

  3,176

  April 2003 to December 2003

  1,408

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost per participant is of the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 +. [159565]

  Jane Kennedy
  The cost per participant on the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + ranges from £2,910 to £4,372, depending on the duration of participation i.e. 20 or 26 weeks and outcomes achieved.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sanctions are applied to those who refuse to participate in the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 Plus. [1595661]

  Mr. Spellar
  The New Deal is founded on the principle of rights and responsibilities. The Preparation for Employment Programme element of New Deal 25 Plus is mandatory for those aged 25 to 49.

  The sanction for a first failure to comply with the requirements of the Preparation for Employment Programme is the loss of jobseeker's allowance for two weeks. The sanction for a second failure to comply which occurs within 12 months of the imposition of the first sanction is the loss of jobseeker's allowance for four weeks. The sanction for a third or subsequent failure to comply which occurs within 12 months of the imposition of the previous sanction is the loss of jobseeker's allowance for 26 weeks.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend participation in the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + to those aged over 49 years. [159567]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + is currently available to all unemployed jobseekers aged 25 or over when they have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for 18 months, or for 18 out of the last 21 months. Those aged 50 or over, who meet the JSA eligibility criteria, are able to participate in the programme on a voluntary basis. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will shortly commence a two year pilot, in selected areas of GB, requiring mandatory participation in the Preparation for Employment programme for those eligible JSA claimants aged 50 or over. The Department for Employment and Learning will examine the recommendations arising from the evaluation report of the pilot, when it is available, with a view to implementing them in Northern Ireland.

  Non-UK Residents
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people resident in Northern Ireland who hold nationality from countries other than the UK. [156555]
  1664W
  Mr. Pearson
  The closest approximation to the requested data derives from the Labour Force Survey in Northern Ireland, which collects information on nationality and country of birth. The most recent results indicate that between September and November 2003 there were an estimated 48,000 persons resident in Northern Ireland who were born outside the UK and held nationality from countries other than the UK. In addition, people born in Northern Ireland generally have the right to hold both British and Irish citizenship.

  Prison Statistics
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each of the detention centres and prisons (a) how many places there were, (b) how many prisoners are occupying them and (c) how many prisoners share cells. [159958]

  Jane Kennedy
  As of 4 March 2004, the number of places available and the number of prisoners occupying them is as shown in the following table. The number of prisoners who share cells is difficult to establish as that figure changes on a daily basis and therefore the figures shown represent the approximate number of cells currently capable of being shared.

  Maghaberry

  Magilligan

  Hydebank Wood

  Number of cells available

  753

  352

  212

  Number of prisoners occupying cells

  716

  348

  196

  Approximate number of cells currently capable of being shared

  129

  12

  10

  1In Hydebank Wood, no cells are capable of being shared although dormitories can accommodate a number of inmates.

  Punishment Beatings
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment beatings have been reported in the past two months, broken down by constituency; and how many there were in the same period in 2003. [158636]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested is as follows.

  Security situation statistics for Northern Ireland by District Command Unit number of casualties as a result of Paramilitary Style Assaults

  DCU

  January 2004

  February 2004

  January 2003

  February 2003

  North Belfast

  —

  —

  1

  —

  South Belfast

  2

  1

  —

  —

  East Belfast

  —

  1

  1

  —

  West Belfast

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Newtownabbey

  1

  —

  1

  3

  Carrickfergus

  2

  —

  1

  —

  North Down

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Castlereagh

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Lisburn

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Antrim

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Ards

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Lame

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Ballymena

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Coleraine

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ballymoney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Moyle

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Fermanagh

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Strabane

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Limavady

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1665W
  Security situation statistics for Northern Ireland by District Command Unit number of casualties as result of Paramilitary Style Assaults

  DCU

  January 2004

  February 2004

  January 2003

  February 2003

  Omagh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Magherafelt

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Foyle

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Banbridge

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Craigavon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Downpatrick

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Newry and Mourne

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cookstown

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Armagh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dungannon and South Tyrone

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Total for Northern Ireland

  15

  8

  9

  8

  Note:

  2004 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.

  Ulster Scots
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what criteria he uses to measure demand for the Ulster Scots language to be a subject option on the education curriculum; [159538]

  (2) what he considers to be an appropriate level of demand to merit the inclusion of the Ulster Scots language in the curriculum; [159562]

  (3) if the system used by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland for measuring demand for Ulster Scots is scientifically based and quality assured; [159540]

  (4) what steps the Department of Education has taken to seek the views of the public on the issue of demand for Ulster Scots language; [159541]

  (5) what criteria he uses to measure demand for the Ulster Scots language to be a subject option on the education curriculum; whether the system used to measure demand is (a) scientifically based and (b) quality assured; what margin of error there is in the measurements of demand; what steps he has taken to seek the views of the public on such demand; and if he will publish the results of (i) surveys and (ii) measurements of demand for the Ulster Scots language in Northern Ireland; [159560]

  (6) what equality impact assessment he has carried out on his policy on the inclusion of the (a) Irish and (b) Ulster Scots languages in the school curriculum. [159563]

  Jane Kennedy
  To merit consideration of the inclusion of the Ulster Scots language in the curriculum would require a demand from a significant number of schools. As part of a recent widespread public consultation on the proposals for a revised statutory curriculum all consultees had the opportunity to comment on the content of the proposed curriculum and the potential equality impact of the detailed proposals. No such demand was evident during the consultation.

  Unionist Paramilitary Groups
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent meetings with Unionist parties which discussed methods of curbing the activities of Unionist paramilitary groups. [158778]
  1666W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  In our discussions with all political parties, including those involved in the review of the operation of the Belfast Agreement, we have emphasised the need for an end to paramilitary activity, as set out in paragraph 13 of the Joint Declaration. We believe all parties must use any influence they have in order to bring this about.

  Benefits Appeals
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful appeals were made against decisions on (i) disability and (ii) sickness benefits in each year since 1997 in Greater London. [158460]

  Maria Eagle
  This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will reply to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Christina Townsend to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 11 March 2004:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the number of successful and unsuccessful appeals against decisions on disability and sickness benefits since 1997 in Greater London.
  The information is not available for Greater London. However the available information is outlined in the table. The Appeals Service regional sites based at Nottingham, Sutton, and Birmingham deal with parts of Greater London.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Successful and Unsuccessful appeals against decisions made on disability and sickness benefits by year ( 1998–(2003 )—Figures from regional sites at Nottingham, Sutton and Birmingham

  Cleared at Hearing

  Cleared in favour of appellant

  Cleared against appellant

  Otther decisions

  Decision upheld

  2003

  Nottingham

  Sickness

  8,025

  3,550

  —

  105

  4,370

  Disability

  17,520

  8,495

  5

  375

  8,645

  Sutton

  Sickness

  2,760

  1,680

  —

  5

  1,070

  Disability

  5,360

  3,570

  5

  15

  1,775

  Birmingham

  Sickness

  4,960

  1,935

  —

  15

  3,010

  Disability

  10,275

  4,720

  40

  75

  5,440

  2002

  Nottingham

  Sickness

  5,730

  2,230

  —

  70

  3,430

  Disability

  16,300

  8,060

  15

  290

  7,935

  Sutton

  Sickness

  4,465

  2,335

  —

  15

  2,115

  Disability

  7,390

  4,790

  5

  25

  2,575

  Birmingham

  Sickness

  3,775

  1,510

  —

  15

  2,250

  Disability

  9,835

  4,690

  35

  65

  5,045

  2001

  Nottingham

  Sickness

  4,380

  1,490

  —

  50

  2,840

  Disability

  17.545

  8,375

  15

  240

  8,915

  Sutton

  Sickness

  4,195

  2,200

  —

  25

  1,965

  Disability

  9,665

  6,260

  5

  55

  3,340

  Birmingham

  Sickness

  2,970

  1,120

  5

  15

  1,830

  Disability

  10,055

  4,415

  25

  75

  5,535

  1667W
  Successful and Unsuccessful appeals against decisions made on disability and sickness benefits by year (1998–2003 ) —Figures from regional sites at Nottingham, Sutton and Birmingham

  Cleared at Hearing

  Cleared in favour of appellant

  Cleared against appellant

  Other decisions

  Decision upheld

  2000

  Nottingham

  Sickness

  6,325

  2,185

  15

  65

  4.065

  Disability

  11,910

  5,820

  40

  165

  5,885

  Sutton

  Sickness

  5,565

  2,860

  —

  40

  2,660

  Disability

  6,295

  3,965

  5

  70

  2,255

  Birmingham

  Sickness

  3,190

  1,135

  5

  15

  2,030

  Disability

  7,430

  3,300

  45

  50

  4,035

  1999

  Nottingham

  Sickness

  530

  200

  10

  15

  300

  Disability

  10,245

  4,920

  90

  180

  5,055

  Sutton

  Sickness

  320

  155

  5

  10

  150

  Disability

  6,305

  3,635

  25

  85

  2,560

  Birmingham

  Sickness

  235

  60

  20

  5

  150

  Disability

  7,040

  3,055

  75

  75

  3,840

  1998

  Nottingham

  Sickness

  395

  180

  5

  10

  205

  Disability

  7,610

  3,995

  70

  95

  3,445

  Sutton

  Sickness

  260

  120

  10

  —

  125

  Disability

  4,015

  2,110

  30

  65

  1,810

  Birmingham

  Sickness

  260

  65

  20

  5

  165

  Disability

  4,575

  1,915

  90

  50

  2,520

  Appeals figures notes:

  Sickness Benefits means—Severe Disablement Allowance;
  Personal Capability Assessment (non IB); Incapacity Benefit Disability Benefits means—Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit; Disability Working Allowance; Disability Living Allowance: Disabled Persons Tax Credit; Attendance Allowance Figures for 1997 have not been included, as they are not available for the full year and as result would be inconsistent with other years.

  All figures are subject to change as more up to date data becomes available.

  Figures for the latest months may rise significantly as information feeds through to the Appeals Service.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest five except for the National

  Live Load, which is rounded to the nearest hundred.

  — denotes data equal to nil or negligible.

  Incapacity Benefit data is not available before 2000 due to a change in methodology. The live load figures for Sickness Benefits and Disability Benefits as at August 2003 were 2,715,800 and 4,228,100 respectively. These figures cannot be broken down to those for Appeals Service regional office areas to give the number of appeals cleared as a percentage of the live load.

  Source:

  100 per cent. download of the Generic Appeals Processing System.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures his Department is taking to prepare( a) businesses and(b) service providers for the implementation of the parts of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which come into effect later this year. [160692]

  Maria Eagle
  We are making significant changes to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) on 1 October 2004 to improve access to employment and to goods and services for all disabled people in this country. Employers with fewer than 15 staff will be covered by 1668W
  the employment duties for the first time. Service providers will also be under new duties to make reasonable adjustments to physical barriers which prevent disabled people accessing their services.

  We are taking action on three fronts to prepare employers and service providers for these changes:
  undertaking targeted campaigns using a range of press, broadcast and web-bwed media to raise awareness of the new duties;
  directly mailing around a million individual small businesses to explain their responsibilities under the DDA and the business benefits of making adjustments for disabled people; and
  running another Access All Areas award to encourage the spread of best practice among service providers.

  This activity complements the Disability Rights Commission's Open 4 All campaign, which is targeted at small service providers.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Burglary
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) charged, (b) prosecuted and (c) found guilty of burglary in Greater London in each year since 1997; how many of these were under (i) 16, (ii) 18 and (iii) 21 years; and how many of those found guilty were given(a) custodial and(b) non-custodial sentences, broken down by age group. [159219]

  Paul Goggins
  The available information is contained in the table and relates to offenders proceeded against at the magistrates courts and found guilty and sentenced at all courts for burglary of all types in Greater London, 1997 to 2002.

  Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  Persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and those found guilty and sentenced at all courts for offences of burglary1 by age and outcome Greater London2 1997 to 2002

  Number of persons

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty at all courts

  Persons sentenced

  Sentenced to immediate custody

  Given non-custodial sentences

  1997

  All ages of whom:

  5,547

  3,551

  3,609

  1,815

  1,794

  Aged 10–15

  493

  288

  289

  51

  238

  Aged 16–17

  830

  539

  551

  159

  392

  Aged 18–20

  1,143

  769

  781

  363

  418

  1998

  All ages of whom:

  5,534

  3,408

  3,611

  1,880

  1,731

  Aged 10–15

  507

  296

  299

  35

  264

  Aged 16–17

  763

  487

  487

  154

  333

  Aged 18–20

  1,037

  646

  699

  353

  346

  1999

  All ages of whom:

  5,309

  3,313

  3,358

  1,739

  1,619

  Aged 10–15

  479

  276

  275

  30

  245

  Aged 16–17

  670

  424

  424

  138

  286

  Aged 18–20

  998

  646

  640

  324

  316

  1669W

  persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and those found guilty and sentenced at all courts for offences of burglary 1by age and outcome

  Greater London21997 to 2002

  Number of persons

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty at all courts

  Persons sentenced

  Sentenced to immediate custody

  Given non- custodial sentences

  2000

  All ages of whom:

  5,355

  3,290

  3,367

  1,966

  1,401

  Aged 10–15

  403

  216

  214

  34

  180

  Aged 16–17

  687

  406

  408

  127

  281

  Aged 18–20

  908

  595

  615

  335

  280

  2001

  All ages of whom:

  5,374

  3,148

  3,189

  1,768

  1,421

  Aged 10–15

  454

  224

  224

  35

  189

  Aged 16–17

  689

  378

  376

  105

  271

  Aged 18–20

  814

  452

  436

  246

  190

  2002

  All ages of whom:

  5,782

  3,364

  3,261

  1,790

  1,471

  Aged 10–15

  448

  238

  238

  21

  217

  Aged 16–17

  664

  352

  352

  112

  240

  Aged 18–20

  802

  432

  423

  232

  191

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis.

  2 Metropolitan and City of London police force areas.

  Correspondence
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letters of 31 July 2003 and 24 November 2003 from the hon. Member for Maidstone and the Weald about Mrs. Rosa Wiles. [157997]

  Beverley Hughes
  Our records show that I wrote to the right hon. Lady on 4 August 2003 in response to a previous letter of 23 July 2003. The right hon. Lady's office confirmed this reply dealt with the points raised in the right hon. Lady's letter of 31 July 2003 and that a further reply was not required. Although there was no record of the right hon. Lady's letter of 24 November 2003 having been received by the Home Office your office sent a copy and I wrote to the right hon. Lady on 11 March.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when ho intends to reply to the letter to him dated 28 January from the right on. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. J. Hussain. [158696]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 March.

  Mr. Gerald Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 15 January from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A. Nicholls; [1599871]

  (2) when his Department will reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 15 January with regard to Mr. A. Nicholls. [160489]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Minister of State wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 March.

  Corruption
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department intends to establish a specialised authority to combat corruption in line with Article 36 of the UN Convention Against Corruption. [158356]

  Caroline Flint
  The UK is already in compliance with article 36 of the UN Convention against Corruption which stipulates that each State Party shall ensure the existence of a body or bodies or persons specialised in combating corruption through law enforcement. There are persons specialised in combating corruption in a number of law enforcement authorities which have responsibility for investigating or prosecuting corruption offences, such as the CPS and the Metropolitan Police.

  Curfew Orders
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many curfew orders have been made in Chorley in each of the last five years. [157114]

  Paul Goggins
  The information requested is contained in the table and relates to offenders sentenced to a curfew order for all offences in the Chorley Petty Sessional Area (PSA) and at the Crown court when committed from the Chorley PSA, in the years 1998 to 2002.

  Persons1 sentenced to a curfew order2 for all offences in the Chorley PSA, 1999 to 2002

  Sentenced to a curfew order

  1999

  —

  2000

  5

  2001

  8

  2002

  11

  1These data are on the principal offence.

  2 Curfew orders were introduced nationally in December 1999

  Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  .Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) home and (b) child curfew orders have been made in (i) Greater London and (ii) each London borough in each of the last five years. [159218]

  Paul Goggins
  It is not possible, from the statistics collected centrally, to identify persons released from custody on Home Detention Curfew orders by area.

  The available information is contained in the table and relates to juveniles aged 10–17 sentenced to a curfew order for all offences in the Greater London area, each borough in outer London and each magistrates court in inner London (it is not possible from the statistics collected centrally to identify boroughs in inner London). The figures include curfew orders imposed at the Crown Court when committed for trial or sentence from the courts/boroughs shown.
  1671W

  Number1 of juveniles aged 10–17 sentenced to a curfew order for all offences in Greater London2 and each London borough—1998 to 20021

  Sentenced to a curfew order

  Magistrates court/borough

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Inner London magistrates courts2

  Bow Street

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Camberwell Green/Tower Bridge

  —

  —

  1

  6

  24

  Guildhall Justice Rooms

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greenwich/Woolwich

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Highbury Corner

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horseferry Road

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Marylebone

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Western

  —

  —

  3

  30

  56

  Thames

  —

  —

  11

  33

  36

  West London

  —

  —

  5

  16

  46

  Outer London boroughs

  Barking and Dagenham

  —

  —

  —

  4

  11

  Barnet

  1

  —

  3

  2

  5

  Bexley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Brent

  9

  5

  —

  3

  2

  Bromley

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  Croydon

  —

  —

  —

  1

  12

  Ealing

  1

  1

  —

  1

  6

  Enfield

  1

  3

  8

  5

  9

  Harringey

  —

  —

  1

  5

  13

  Harrow

  1

  1

  2

  1

  4

  Havering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Hillingdon

  —

  3

  2

  9

  —

  Hounslow

  —

  —

  4

  2

  10

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Merton

  —

  —

  —

  4

  13

  Newham

  —

  —

  —

  2

  13

  Redbridge

  —

  —

  —

  1

  5

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  —

  —

  —

  3

  5

  Sutton

  —

  —

  —

  1

  7

  Waltham Forest

  —

  —

  —

  9

  6

  Total

  13

  13

  42

  142

  292

  These data are on the principal offence basis.

  Information held centrally does not allow a breakdown of cases by borough in the inner London area.

  Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many home curfew orders have been made in(a) Ribble Valley and Fulwood and(b) Lancashire in each of the last five years. [156501]

  Paul Goggins
  The available information is contained in the table and relates to persons sentenced to a curfew order for all offences at all courts in the Lancashire police force area, 1998 to 2002. It is not possible to separately identify the areas of Ribble Valley and Fulwood in the statistics collected centrally.

  Number of persons1 sentenced to a curfew order for all offences at all courts in the Lancashire police force area2, 1998 to 2002

  Sentenced to a curfew order

  1999

  1

  2000

  58

  2001

  61

  2002

  195

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis

  Curfew orders were introduced nationally in December 1999

  Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

  Litter Abatement Orders (Merseyside)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions 1672W
  local authorities in Merseyside have issued a litter abatement order to landowners in each of the last five years. [159598]

  Alun Michael
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Principle Litter Authorities can serve litter abatement notices" on the occupier of land or, if unoccupied, on the owner of the land. "Litter abatement orders" can be served by a magistrates' court should any person be aggrieved by the defacement of litter or refuse on relevant land and highways make a complaint.

  The information collected by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs indicates that Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens or Wirral local authorities have not issued any litter abatement notices to landowners during the last five years.

  Looked-After Children
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many looked-after children aged 10 or over were, cautioned or convicted for an offence in each year since 1994; and what the figures were for all children. [158068]

  Paul Goggins
  Figures on looked after children aged 10 or over who were convicted or subject to a final warning or reprimand have been collected annually since 2000 for those children who have been continuously looked after for at least 12 months. These figures, provided by the Department for Education and Skills, cover England only, and are shown in the following table:

  Offending by children who had been looked after continuously for at least 12 months, years ending 30 September 2000 to 2002—England

  Number1 of children

  Number of looked after children aged 10 or older at 30 September

  of which:Number convicted or subject to a final warning or reprimand during the year

  Number

  2000

  25,700

  2,800

  2001

  27,000

  2,800

  2002

  28,200

  2,700

  Percentage

  2000

  —

  10.8

  2001

  —

  10.4

  2002

  —

  9.7

  1Numbers shown are rounded to the nearest 100.

  National figures for 2003 are due to be published in April.

  Similar information for Wales is not available

  The following table shows the number of all children found guilty or cautioned (given reprimands or final warnings from June 2000) in England and Wales:
  1673W
  Children aged 10–17 cautioned and found guilty at all courts for all offences1, England and Wiles 1994–2002

  Children cautioned

  Children found guilty

  Total

  Proportion of total children in age group (percentage)

  1994

  124,654

  62,062

  186,716

  3.8

  1995

  120,561

  67,864

  188,425

  3.7

  1996

  113,065

  74,675

  187,740

  3.6

  1997

  104,520

  79,151

  183,671

  3.5

  1998

  109,725

  86,506

  196,231

  3.7

  1999

  103,978

  90,280

  194,258

  3.7

  2000

  97,541

  91,423

  188.964

  3.5

  2001

  98,042

  95,530

  193,572

  3.6

  2002

  86,589

  94,546

  181,135

  3.3

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis

  Statistics for 2003 for England and Wales will be published in the autumn.

  No Fixed Abode
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether the monetary grant made available for prisoners on release from custodial sentence offering no fixed abode as an address acts as an incentive to give no fixed abode as their address; and whether paedophiles giving no fixed abode on release avoid immediate listing on the Register of Sex Offenders. [157995]

  Paul Goggins
  A higher rate of discharge grant is paid to prisoners on release only if there is a need to seek, obtain and pay for accommodation. It is only paid to prisoners with no accommodation arranged in advance if this arises through no fault of the prisoner.

  The Prison Service undertook a large-scale survey in March and April 2003 of sentenced prisoners nearing release. 29 per cent. said they did not have accommodation arranged on release, compared to 33 per cent. in a similar survey undertaken in November and December 2001.

  Registered sex offenders are subject to the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Act 1997. They are required to provide the police with their home address within three days of their release from prison. Where an offender does not have a home address (which is his sole or main residence in the UK), he is required to provide the police with an address of premises in the UK which he regularly visits.

  Oakington Immigration Centre
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of policing arising from(a) the activity at, and(b) escapes from the immigration centre at Oakington, Cambridgeshire. [157353]

  Ms Blears
  The Chief Constable has informed me that the costs of policing activity incurred by the force over the period 1 January 2002 to 1 March 2004 was:(a) £950 for responding to 83 calls to assist at the Oakington immigration centre.
  (b) £3,250 to deal with 31 incidents involving escapees from the centre.

  Operation Artemis
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the likely cost to the police of Operation Artemis. [160086]

  Caroline Flint
  There was no cost to the police from Operation Artemis. Operation Artemis was a French-led European Union operation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support the United Nations Mission present in the country and to provide a secure environment under which the interim administration could function.

  It was deployed for a short period from June 2003 until 15 September 2003 and was a military mission with no civilian police involvement.

  Police Officers
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in each(a) London borough and (b) Metropolitan police division in each year since 1992, in terms of (i) budgeted establishment and (ii) officers in post. [158839]

  Ms Blears
  The deployment of officers to territorial divisions is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Sir John Stevens). The information requested has been provided by the Commissioner in tabular form. Table 1 sets out the position in the MRS between 1992 and 1998. Table 2 continues with figures for a revised structure in 1999 and 2000. Table 3 sets out the position following the boundary changes on 1 April 2000. These tables have been placed in the Library.

  The structure of Metropolitan Police territorial divisions and Borough Operational Command Units over the period 1992 to 2003 has changed. Figures are not therefore strictly comparable year on year as a result of boundary and organisational changes in the Metropolitan Police Service (MRS). In particular organisational changes were made following boundary changes on 1 April 2000 with the Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey forces. The current territorial areas, introduced in 2000, are not therefore compatible with the previous force structure.

  Prisons
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all prisons issue prisoners with a plastic sack marked HM Prison Service to contain their belongings on discharge; and what assessment he has made of alternatives to this practice. [156033]

  Paul Goggins
  Plastic sacks stamped with the Prison Service logo are used to store prisoners' property while they are in custody. The Prison Service has made it clear that their use for prisoners' property on discharge is not acceptable. Since October 2002 the Prison Service has made available to prisons plain nylon barrel bags for use for prisoners' property on discharge. These have been well received by prisoners and staff.
  1675W
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the average weekly hours of purposeful activity in(a) privately run prisons and (b) state run prisons; and if he will make a statement.[156829]

  Paul Goggins
  During this financial year, to the end of January prisoners undertook an average of 23 hours of purposeful activity per week in public sector prisons and 26.3 hours in contracted out prisons.Note:
  These figures are provisional and have been taken from establishment purposeful activity returns for the financial year 2003 to present.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are housed in modular temporary units, broken down by prisons. [159278]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 5 March 2004]: The number of prisoners accommodated in Modular Temporary Units (MTUs) is not held centrally. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 10 February 2004, Official Report, column 1431 for the capacity of MTUs across the prison estate, broken down by establishment.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sites are being assessed as potential new sites for prisons. [159279]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 5 March 2004]: The Prison Service is actively seeking potential sites suitable for the development of prison establishments. The details of any individual sites cannot be disclosed for commercial reasons.

  Women Prisoners
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to implement the results of the research commissioned from Prisoners' Families on enabling women prisoners to keep in touch with their families. [159311]

  Company insolvencies in the UK 1997 to 2003

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  England and Wales

  12,610

  13,203

  14,280

  14,317

  14,972

  16,305

  14,184

  Scotland

  477

  566

  572

  583

  602

  788

  631

  Northern Ireland

  113

  99

  103

  136

  100

  102

  143

  UK total

  13,200

  13,868

  14,955

  15,036

  15,674

  17,195

  14,958

  Biomass Electricity Project, Winkleigh
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the requests for payment from(a) her Department and (1)) the South West Regional Development Agency in respect of the proposed Biomass Electricity Generation project at Winkleigh, Devon. [157145]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 27 February 2004]: The Department received an application for grant assistance of £11.50 million for this project under the Bioenergy Capital Grants Scheme in October 2002. The project was given a grant offer of £11.50 million in February 2003. No payments have yet been made, under this grant.
  1676W
  Paul Goggins
  The work carried out by Action for Prisoners' Families will continue to inform the development of family policy and practice at Cookham Wood and other women's prisons.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trading Standards
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information the Office collects on the on-line submission of complaints to trading standards offices. [158900]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of Fair Trading do not collect statistics about the on-line submission of complaints to trading standards Departments. However, ConsumerComplaints.org.uk is a site developed with DTI support, which enables consumers to complain on-line. The complaint is automatically directed to the appropriate Trading Standards Department. Individual trading standards Departments use computer systems that are able to generate reports on how complaints are received. This would include a report on the number of complaints received on-line, compared to other methods.

  Bankruptcies
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies went bankrupt in(a) Huddersfield and ( b) the UK in each year since 1997. [1600421

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Company Insolvency data for Huddersfield are not separately identifiable. Compulsory insolvencies are only broken down by Official Receivers Office. Huddersfield county court comes under the jurisdiction of the Official Receivers Office at Leeds, which also has responsibility for Bradford, Dewsbury, Halifax, Harrogate, Keighley, Leeds, Otley, Pontefract, Skipton, Wakefield and Todmorden. Company Insolvency Figures for the UK are provided in the following table:

  In parallel, the South West of England Regional Development Agency has received an application for support totalling £623,900 in respect of this project. Project funding has been authorised and to date £384,391 has been paid (mainly for land acquisition) leaving £239,509 to be paid as other elements of the project are completed.

  British Nuclear Fuels
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many workers who transferred from AEA Technology to British Nuclear Fuels on 2 December 2003 lost pension benefits as a
  1677W
  result; for what reasons they are required to pay increased contribution rates for pensions in their new jobs; and if she will make a statement. [159886]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 10 March 2004]: The staff that transferred on 1 December 2003 have until the end of May to decide which pension option they would like to take up out of those presented to them as part of the flexible transfer process.

  As a minimum, transferring staff retained the value of their existing AEA Technology ("AEAT") pension fund. This existing pension fund had diminished during employment with AEAT but on transfer the funds were augmented via a mechanism involving AEAT, BNFL and employee's contributions. The Government Actuary's Department considered that the value of pension benefits arising from the augmented funds to represent a fair and equitable transfer of benefits under the stated Government guidelines on transfer of pension benefits within the public sector.

  Transferring staff contribution rates are the same as those that they would have been required to make under their previous employment with A EAT if the transfer had never occurred.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with BNFL about their overseas contracts. [160017]

  Mr. Timms
  BNFL operates within a Governance Framework agreed by the Department as shareholder. Within this framework, BNFL is required to seek departmental agreement to specific contracts subject to certain criteria. On behalf of the Secretary of State, officials have regular discussions with BNFL regarding their overseas contracts in this context.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for Christchurch will receive a substantive response to his letter of 18 December 2003 about the employment of non-UK labour in the construction industry and the Posting of Workers Directive. [157590]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  As set out in the reply to the hon. Member for Christchurch, these are very important issues upon which the Government are seeking to obtain the full facts. 1 will write to him when I have further information to provide.

  Employment Rights Advice Booklets
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the expected annual cost savings to her Department are of its decision to cease production of hard copy prints of most of its employment rights advice booklets. [159683]

  Mr. Sutcliiffe
  We anticipate savings in the region of £380,000 per annum.
  1678W
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of I March 2004,Official Report, column 630W, to the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble), on employment rights leaflets, which leading customers of her Department's information service were consulted in relation to the decision to cease production of hard copy prints of most of the service's employment rights advice booklets. [159685]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Ceasing production of hard copy documents was one of the recommendations of a review on how our information on employment rights could be better focused on users needs. A practitioner group was set up as the means of consultation. Listed are the groups invited to be part of that group:

  CBI

  Trade Unions Congress

  Small Business Council

  Commission for Racial Equality

  NACAB

  British Retail Consortium

  Parents at Work

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  MaternityAlliance

  Amicus

  EEF

  ACCA

  West Midlands Employment and Low Pay Unit

  Construction Confederation

  British Hospitality Association

  Canary Wharf Group PLC

  Leo Abse and Cowen

  LG Electronics

  ACAS

  Disability Rights Commission CIPD

  British Chambers of Commerce

  Federation of Small Business

  An Employment Law Consultant

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 1 March 2004,Official Report, column 630W, to the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble), how many end users were surveyed during her Department's recent review of its information service; and how these end users were selected.[159686]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The review was conducted on the basis of consultation with users groups. A survey was not undertaken.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many paper copies of each of her Department's employment rights booklets were ordered by customers in the most recent annual period for which information is available. [159687]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  I refer the hon. Member to the following list.
  1679W

  Employment Rights Publication

  Annual issues up to 5 September 2003

  Industrial action ballots and notice to employers. PL962 (Rev 1)

  1,202

  Written statement of employment particulars. PL700 (Rev 5)

  12,587

  Trade Union political funds: a guide for trade unions, their members and others. PL868 (Rev 3)

  752

  Industrial action and the law: a guide for employees, trade union members and others. PL869 (Rev 4)

  2,302

  Industrial action and the law: a guide for employers, their customers and suppliers and others. PL870 (Rev 4)

  1,135

  Family emergency? your right to time off. PL506

  9,224

  Argyfwng teuluol? eich hawl I gael amser I ffwrdd

  121

  Benefit repayment: a guide for employers required to repay state benefit previously claimed by an employee who who won an employment tribunal award.PL720(Rev 4)

  1,771

  Trade union executive elections: a guide for trade unions, their members and others. PL866 (Rev 3)

  516

  Time off for public duties. PL702 (Rev 4)

  3,230

  Unjustifiable discipline by a trade union: a guide for trade unions, their members and others. PL865 (Rev2)

  1.002

  Access to workers during recognition and derecognition ballots. PL500

  555

  Guarantee payments. PL724 (Rev 2)

  4,030

  Union membership: rights of members and non-members. PL871 (Rev 7)

  2,724

  Hawliau mamolaeth: arweiniad I gyflogwyr a gweithwyr. PL958 (Diw 7)

  158

  Suspension from work on medical or maternity grounds under health and safety regulations. PL705 (Rev4)

  1,402

  Trade union funds and accounting records: a guide for trade unions, their members and others. PL867 (Rev 3)

  732

  Family emergency? Your right to time off (audiotape). PL506

  74

  Time off for dependants: a guide for employers and employees (audiotape.

  60

  Contracts of employment: changes, breach of contract and deductions from wages. PL810 (Rev 6)

  18,420

  Sunday shop and betting work: employees' rights. PL960 (Rev 1)

  1,567

  Contractau cyflogaeth: newidiadau, torri contract a thynn'u ol o gyflog. PL810 (Diw 6)

  0

  Disclosures in the public interest: protections for workers who 'blow the whistle'. PL502 (Rev 2)

  3,444

  Rights to notice and reasons for dismissal. PL707 (Rev 13)

  10,256

  Adoptive parents: rights to leave and pay when a child is placed for adoption in the UK (PL518)

  2,848

  Working fathers: rights to paternity leave and pay. A guide for employers and employees. PL517

  20,935

  Transfers of undertakings: a guide to the regulations. PL699 (Rev 6).

  10,886

  Dismissal: fair and unfair. A guide for employers. PL714 (Rev 10)

  15,551

  Hawliau unigol gweithwyr: arweiniad i gyflogwyr a gweithwyr. PL716 (Diw 9)

  159

  Parental leave: a guide for employers and employees. PL509

  12

  Parental leave: a short guide. PL510

  235

  Unfairly dismissed? PL712 (Rev 17)

  8,621

  Pay statements: what they must itemise. PL704 (Rev 5)

  4,640

  Maternity rights: a guide for employers and employees. PL958 (Rev 7)

  3,310

  Employment agencies: know your rights. PLS11

  1,518

  Industrial action and the law: citizen's right to prevent disruption. PL943 (Rev 1)

  1,331

  Rights to notice and reasons for dismissal (audiotape version). PL707 (Rev 13)

  138

  PL833 (REV 6) Redundancy Consultation and Notification

  10,810

  Limits on payments and awards. PL827 (Rev 8)

  6.148

  Maternity leave changes: a basic summary. PL507 (Rev 3)

  21,833

  Adoptive parents rights to leave and pay: a basic summary. PL515 (Rev 1)

  14,154

  Paternity leave and pay: a basic summary. PL514 (Rev 1).

  23,814

  Flexible working the right to request: a brief summary. PL516 (Rev 1)

  24,298

  Continuous employment and a week's pay: rules for calculation. PL711 (Rev 8)

  7,431

  Redundancy entitlement statutory rights: a guide for employees. PL808 (Rev 6)

  28,733

  Individual rights of employees: a guide for employers and employees. PL7J6 (Rev 10)

  7,477

  Maternity rights: a guide for employers and employees. Babies due on or after 6 April 2003. PL958 (Rev 9)

  15,273

  Picketing. PL928 (Rev 1)

  1,090

  The payment of union subscriptions through the check-off: a guide for employers, trade unions and their members, taking account of legislation up to and including the Deregulation (Deduction from Pay of Union Subscriptions) Order 1998. PL944 (Rev 1)

  594

  Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998: a guide to its provisions

  345

  Time off for dependants: a guide for employers and employees

  8,441

  Offsetting pensions against redundancy payments: a guide for employers. RPL1

  293

  Example form of a written statement of employment particulars. PL700A (Rev 1)

  5,065

  A short guide to the working time regulations

  16,096

  Your guide to the working time regulations: workers and employers. July 2003

  7,537

  Working Time Regulations Rheoliadau Amser

  0

  Your rights if your employer is insolvent: a guide for employers, employees and others. PL 718 (Rev 7)

  45,215

  National minimum wage: a short guide for young workers. (Somali)

  18

  The minimum wage and 'therapeutic work'.

  0

  A detailed guide to the national minimum wage (October 2001 edition). PL501

  6,361

  Isafswm cyflog cenedlaethol: canllaw byr I gyflogeion. (A short guide to the national minimum wage)

  145

  Isafswm cyflog cenedlaethol: canllaw byr I gyflogwyr. (A short guide to the national minimum wage)

  96

  National minimum wage: a short guide for employees

  14,303

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Bengali)

  254

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Chinese)

  190

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Greek)

  207

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Gujarati)

  270

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Hindi)

  248

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Punjabi)

  259

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Somali)

  162

  1680W 1681W

  Employment Rights Publication

  Annual issues up to 5 September 2003

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Turkish)

  205

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Urdu)

  218

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Vietnamese version)

  219

  National minimum wage: a short guide for employers

  12,467

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Bengali)

  173

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Chinese)

  133

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Greek)

  120

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Gujarati)

  170

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Hindi)

  173

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Punjabi)

  174

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Somali)

  121

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Turkish)

  120

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Urdu)

  130

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Vietnamese)

  173

  National minimum wage: A short guide for young workers. PL 519

  190

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employees (Arabic)

  163

  National minimum wage: A short guide for employers (Arabic)

  123

  The minimum wage and therapeutic work. National minimum wage information note. PL508 (Rev 1)

  564

  The minimum wage and therapeutic work (Large print)

  0

  The minimum wage and therapeutic work (Braille)

  11

  The minimum wage and therapeutic work (Audio cassette)

  33

  Notes:

  1. Publications in italics will remain in hard copy format.

  Source:

  Extract from DT1 Publications Full Title Usage Report 5 September 2003.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the(a) most regular users of her Department's distribution service and (b) the total number of employment rights booklets ordered by each such user in the most recent annual period for which information is available. [159688]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The following is a list of the organisations ordering the largest number of publications for the year ending 29 February 2004. Figures are for all booklets ordered by the organisation and not by subject matter.

  Annual figures on employment rights booklets ordered by organisations are not readily available and would not be cost effective to produce.

  Top 100 organisations ordering the highest number of publications from the DTI distribution centre

  Address number

  Organisation

  Total order quantity1

  558138

  Bright Star Fireworks UK Ltd.

  500,000

  414998

  Amey

  135,000

  326772

  Redundancy Payments Service

  111,515

  563898

  TNT Fireworks UK Ltd.

  100,000

  443440

  Lewisham Fire Station

  85,650

  471697

  Clearview Imaging Services Ltd.

  69,125

  473215

  The Portergate

  66,971

  480222

  Trading Standards

  59,695

  8813

  Edinburgh RPO

  58,948

  206669

  Cosmic Fireworks

  51,000

  439799

  Quality Mark Scheme Helpdesk

  50.876

  1315868

  The Insolvency Service

  48,003

  181100

  Strathclyde Fire brigade HQ

  45,010

  582195

  Department of Trade and Industry

  40,980

  607992

  SGB Youngman

  40,000

  518183

  IWM 2003 Exhibition and Conference

  34,172

  562459

  Invest UK and Itu telecom World

  33,193

  295514

  Renault Printing Co Ltd.

  30,000

  562496

  HM Customs Excise

  30,000

  483912

  Employment Tribunals Service

  25,020

  9106

  ROSPA Info Centre

  22,751

  343898

  Anton Group

  20,000

  139891

  Department of Trade and Industry

  20,000

  1 31 January 2003 to 1 February 2004

  1682W

  Energy Services Working Group
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which members of the energy efficiency industry she has appointed to her Energy Services Working Group. [160097]

  Mr. Timms
  The Energy Services Working Group has now completed its work and submitted a final report to Ministers on 23 January. John Chesshire of the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes was a member of the Group. Other members, apart from Government officials, were Nick Eyre of the Energy Saving Trust and representatives of all the major energy suppliers. Minutes of the meetings of the Group, together with papers presented to it and the interim and final reports are available on the DTI website at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/environment/energy_efficiency/eswg/shtml

  EU Emissions Trading Scheme
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact she expects the EU emissions trading scheme to have on electricity prices. [158850]

  Mr. Timms
  The impact of the EU emissions trading scheme will depend on the price of carbon in the market and the extent to which this is passed through by generators. The Department has based its estimates on a carbon price in a range from €5–25/tonne of CO2. In the first phase of the scheme at least, from 2005 to 2007, the Department believes that the carbon price is more likely to be towards the bottom of the range. The electricity price increase corresponding to a carbon price of €5/tonne is estimated to be 3 per cent. for domestic customers and 6 per cent. for industrial customers.

  The Department commissioned ILEX Consulting to undertake work on the implications of the emissions trading scheme on the power sector. Their report can be found at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/ilex_report.pdf
  1683W
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of her Department's interpretation of the EU emissions trading scheme on UK competitiveness. [158851]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department has considered carefully the implications of the EU emissions trading scheme for UK competitiveness in decisions on the overall cap. The expected impacts on energy costs and their effects on trade and the regions and countries of the UK have been published in the following document: www.dti.gov.uk/ energy/sepn/euetsimplications.pdf

  We will keep this under review as national allocation plans of other member states become clearer.

  Household Fuel Expenditure
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average proportion of household expenditure spent on household fuel was in(a) 1975, (b) 1980, (c) 1985, (d) 1990, (e) 2000 and (f) 2003. [160096]

  Mr. Timms
  The average proportion of household expenditure spent on fuel in(a) 1995, (b) 1980, (c) 1985, (d) 1990, (e) 2000 and (f) 2003 is set out in the following table.

  Household expenditure on fuel(Percentage)

  1975

  5.5

  1980

  5.6

  1985

  6.2

  1990

  4.5

  2000–01

  3.1

  2002–03

  2.9

  Source:

  ONS-Family Expenditure Survey, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 2000–01.

  Expenditure and Food Survey from 2001–02.

  Internet Access
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many workers she estimates(a) are unable to use and (b) do not have direct access to the internet. [159699]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The DTI's International Benchmarking Study (DBS) measures the use of ICT by business and is produced annually. The IBS 2003 found that:(a) 77 per cent. of ICT using organisations are completely or mostly content with their in-house ICT skills.
  (b) 10 per cent. of businesses do not have internet access.

  IBS results are weighted to reflect employee distribution. A copy of the 2003 study (URN 03/147) is available from the Libraries of the House.

  Miners' Pension Funds
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she or one of her Ministers will meet ex-miners from the Lichfield constituency in London to discuss current arrangements for miners' pension funds in the next four months. [160043]
  1684W
  Mr. Timms
  Issues relating to the current arrangements for the miners' pension funds are matters for the Schemes' Trustees.

  Nanotechnology
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is on nanotechnology; and if she will make a statement. [159740]

  Ms Hewitt
  The global market for nanotechnology is forecast to exceed ․1,000 billion within the next decade and it is vital that the UK is a strong player in this market. My noble Friend the Minister for Science announced our investment of £90 million in our Micro and Nanotechnology Manufacturing Initiative in July 2003 to help industry harness the commercial opportunities offered by nanotechnology. £50 million will be spent on collaborative R&D projects and £40 million on a new network of micro and nanotechnology facilities. This will help business build or the UK's excellent track record in small-scale science and win a share of this developing market. This activity will build on the substantial and wide ranging investment we are already making through the Research Councils. We expect to invest a further £100 million in our science base for nanotechnology based research over the next few years.

  In addition in December 2003 I launched the "Innovation Report: Competing in the global economy: the innovation challenge, December 2003". This report describes a range of new DTI products to support technological innovation which are already being applied to support UK interests in nanotechnology.

  It is the policy of this Government to be open about our approach to new technologies, to acknowledge uncertainties and to ensure that the public are engaged in the decision making process. To address any potential concerns the Government commissioned the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering to carry out an independent study to make sure we are able to benefit from the advances that nanotechnology promises with the right regulatory safeguards and protections in place. The study will also be used to inform policy on what safeguards might be required over and above existing legislation and guidance.

  Nirex
  Mr. Simon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact on long-term radioactive waste management of(a) the continued ownership of Nirex by the nuclear industry, (b) the ownership of Nirex by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and (c) a Nirex independent of the nuclear industry. [159666]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government have established the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) to advise it by the end of 2005 on the long-term management of the UK's higher activity wastes. Consideration of the arrangements for managing these wastes before receiving that advice would be premature.
  1685W
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings her Department has held with(a) BNFL and (b) British Energy to discuss the budget for Nirex. [160010]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department is in regular contact with BNFL and British Energy on a range of issues, including their shareholdings in Nirex.

  Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any income accrued by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority from(a) the commercial reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and (b) Magnox power generation will be returned to the (i) decommissioning and (ii) clean-up of nuclear sites. [160009]

  Mr. Timms
  Yes. All such income will be received by Government and credited to the Nuclear Decommissioning Funding Account that will record the sums available to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Commercial income credited to the Account will be separately identified.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on plans to establish a Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. [160286]

  Mr. Timms
  Proposals to establish the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority were set out in the 2002 White Paper, 'Managing the Nuclear Legacy:.A strategy for action', and are provided for in the Energy Bill, due to begin Report stage in the other place on 18 March.

  The Bill will be introduced in this House as soon as the legislative timetable permits. We hope the Bill will receive Royal Assent by July, and our goal remains to have an operational NDA in place by April next year.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had regarding the establishment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. [160288]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government continue to engage in their proposals to establish the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) with a broad range of stakeholders, including industry, the regulators, local and regional government organisations, trades unions. Non-Governmental Organisations, suppliers and members of the public. Legislation to establish the NDA is under discussion in the other place.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will accept new contracts for the commercial reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel once it assumes control of Thorp; [159586]

  (2) what long-term future she envisages for the commercial reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel in theUK. [159587]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady) on 11 September 2003,Official Report, column 385W.

  Post Office
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of proposals for post office closures have been halted as a result of public consultation in the(a) West Midlands and (b) UK. [159895]

  Mr. Timms
  Decisions on post office closure proposals following public consultation are an operational matter for Post Office and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the(a) consultation and (b) decision-making process involved in the Post Office Network Reinvention programme. [160592]

  Mr. Timms
  In the light of concerns expressed by Members of Parliament, and following discussions with Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch, I announced changes to the consultation arrangements for urban reinvention post office closure proposals in my written statement of 5 February. Following public consultation, decisions on post office closures are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd.

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she can introduce to stop Tesco closing post offices as a result of the takeover of one-stop convenience stores, with particular reference to the one-stop convenience store in Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne. [159793]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 8 March 2004]: None. Any decision by Tesco to remove a post office from one of its T&S convenience stores is a commercial matter for the company. Tesco has however committed to giving six months notice of its intention to do so to Post Office Ltd., allowing it the opportunity to find alternative partners to continue to offer post office services in close proximity to the existing location, and to working with all parties to seek a smooth changeover process for customers in the area.

  I understand that Tesco has recently given notice of its intention to discontinue post office services from its Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne store and that Post Office Ltd. is now actively engaged in seeking an alternative location in the vicinity.

  Postwatch
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount of money allocated to Postwatch is in 2002–03. [159602]

  Mr. Timms
  The total amount of money allocated is £8.19 million.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the duties are of Postwatch; and to whom it is responsible. [159603]

  Mr. Timms
  The Consumer Council for Postal Services also known as Postwatch was established to represent the user interests in postal services. Its functions are laid down in the Postal Services Act 2000; and it is responsible to the Secretary of State.

  Product Safety
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many deaths were caused by products classified by her Department as unsafe in each of the last 10 years. [159978]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many products were banned from sale on safety grounds in each of the last 10 years; [159979]

  (2) how many of the products banned from sale on safety grounds were recalled by the manufacturer in each of the last 10 years. [159980]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  In 1996 the Department made emergency regulations under section 11(5) of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to ban the supply of certain fireworks to the general public. This ban was carried forward in permanent regulations-The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997—which banned the sale of a range of fireworks.

  In 2003 the Department issued prohibition Notices under the 1987 Act against six suppliers of Yo Balls because the posed a risk of strangulation to children.

  In neither case were the affected products recalled by their manufacturers. However, the publicity surrounding the bans will have alerted consumers to the dangers presented by these products.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations she has received from(a) consumers organisations and(b) industry on the EU Directive on General Product Safety; [159981]

  (2) for what reason the Government has not yet implemented the EU Directive on General Product Safety; and if she will make a statement. [159982]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Department invited views from consumer organisations, industry and the enforcement community on a number of policy issues concerning transposition of the revised General Product Safety Directive in an initial public consultation during the period from November 2001 to March 2002. A copy of the consultation document and a summary of the responses is available on the Department's website at www. dti.gov.uk/ccp/archive/pdf/gpsdcon.pdf and www.dti. gov.uk/ccp/archive/pdf/gpsdsumrn.pdf respectively.

  The consultation identified differing views on key issues in complex policy areas including how to handle mandatory product recall, on which we have held a number of stakeholder meetings. We want to ensure that the system we employ for recalling products will have the confidence of all parties and be effective in providing better protection for consumers from dangerous products.

  Rover Task Force
  Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost of the Rover Task Force Modernisation and Diversification programme has been to the Small Business Service in each of the last five years. [156682]
  Ms Hewitt
  The Rover Task Force was established early in 2000, led by the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the right hon. Member for North Tyneside (Mr. Byers). The Task Force considered how both the region's automotive supply chain could be supported, and how the region's manufacturing base could be helped to modernise and diversify.

  A package of funding for business support and regeneration of £129 million was agreed. £31 million of that figure was administered by the SBS as part of the Modernisation and diversification programme. The funding package of the Rover Task Group is invested in the automotive supply chain. No funding is provided direct to MG Rover itself.

  To date a total of 1,600 businesses have been assisted by the Taskforce and 3,000 jobs have been safeguarded or created.

  Temporary Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff the Department employs on a temporary basis through employment agencies; what percentage this is of total staff employed; and how much the Department paid employment agencies to supply temporary staff in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04 to the most recent date for which figures are available. [158248]

  Ms Hewitt
  The number of temporary staff engaged by DTI fluctuates through the year, but on average we have approximately 450 temporary staff per annum, which represents 9 per cent. of our current workforce. The cost of employing these agency staff over the last three financial years was 2001–02 £4,865K, 2002–03 £6,654K and 2003 –04 £5,223K.

  Tesco
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will recommend to the Office of Fair Trading that it judges the Tesco Adminstore merger on the basis of Tesco's share of the overall grocery market; [160460]

  (2)if she will direct the Office of Fair Trading to refer Tesco's proposed acquisition of Adminstore to the Competition Commission on the grounds of public interest considerations of the socio-economic consequences of further consolidation of the grocery market; [160461]

  (3)if she will recommend that the Office of Fair Trading refer Tesco's proposed acquisition of Adminstore to the Competition Commission. [160462]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The independent competition authorities (the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission) are responsible under the Enterprise Act 2002 for decision making in merger cases against a specific competition-focused test. The Office of Fair Trading announced on 5 March that it was not referring to the Competition Commission the anticipated acquisition by Tesco Plc of 45 grocery stores from Adminstore Ltd. It would not have been appropriate for Ministers to try to influence the Office of Fair Trading in carrying out its independent function by seeking to direct it in any aspect of its consideration of this case.
  1689W
  The Enterprise Act does not allow my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to intervene on existing or new public interest grounds in cases where the OFT has already announced its decision on reference to the Competition Commission.

HEALTH

  Acute Mental Illness Beds
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute mental illness beds were available for(a) the elderly, (b) children and (c) other age groups in Lancashire Mental Health Trust in each of the last three years: and how many were in secure units. [157674]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Lancashire Care National Health Service Trust was formed on 1 April 2002. Data are not available for this trust prior to that date. The available data, for the year 2002–03, are shown in the table.

  Number

  Mental illness: children

  Short stay

  —

  Long stay

  —

  Mental illness: elderly

  Short stay

  227

  Long stay

  170

  Mental illness: other ages

  Secure unit

  70

  Short stay

  393

  Long stay

  —

  Source:

  Department of Health returns.

  Ambulances
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2004,Official Report, column 328W, on ambulances, whether the periodic refresher training refers to (a) specialist driving training and (b) other forms of training relevant to the job of ambulance technician. [158492]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Individual national health service trusts are responsible for ensuring that staff receive any training necessary to maintain driving proficiency standards. In addition maintaining staffs proficiency in all other aspects of their work is also the responsibility of every trust.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2004,Official Report, column 328W, on ambulances, if he will place in the Library copies of the proficiency standards and national syllabus. [158521]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A copy of the driver training manual has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2004. Official Report, column 329W, on ambulances, whether there is a mandatory requirement for specialist driver training at an accredited driver training school. [158618]
  1690W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The training of their staff is a matter for each individual national health service ambulance trust. We would expect them to take account of national recommendations and requirements. Driver instructors are trained and qualified to a United Kingdom standard approved by the Institute of Healthcare Development.

  Asthmatics (Aspirin)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to highlight the risk to asthmatics from taking aspirin. [160072]

  Dr. Ladyman
  All licensed aspirin products available over the counter currently have label warnings and/or patient information leaflets advising patients with previous asthma (especially after taking aspirin) not to take the product or to consult their doctor before use.

  Labels and patient information leaflets advise patients with known allergy to aspirin not to take aspirin containing products.

  Infant Formula
  Sandra Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to tighten the implementation of the World Health Organisation code in the United Kingdom to prohibit aggressive Infant Formula marketing strategies. [157999]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In line with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, advertising of infant formulas directly to the general public is already prohibited by the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations. Enforcement of these regulations is carried out by local authorities.

  Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Act
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money Essex Social Services Department had to pay in fines under the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Act 2003 from when it came into operation to 29 February. [160275]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Essex Social Services Department arranged local investment agreements with the national health service in line with levels of delay for September 2003 and will only pay charges once they exceed this level of investment.

  Dementia
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of providing free domestic and residential nursing and personal care for people suffering from(a) Alzheimer's Disease and (b) other forms of dementia. [160111]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Since April 2003, anyone in a care home with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia who requires care from a registered nurse will have received either direct national health service nursing care from the community nursing service or NHS funded nursing care.

  The estimated cost of providing free personal care for people with Alzheimer's (approximately 30 per cent., of care home residents) would be somewhere in the region of

  1691W
  £500 million. The estimated cost of providing free personal care for people with dementia, including Alzheimer's (around 60 per cent. of care home residents), would be somewhere in the region of £l billion.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding NHS dentists who only accept NHS registrations of children if their parents register privately; and if he will make a statement. [154435]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not collected on the number of dentists accepting only certain categories of patients. However, very few dental practices have only children registered as national health service patients.

  Dentists working in the general dental service are self-employed independent contractors providing dental services. Under current arrangements dentists can practice wherever they like, as there are no restrictions. They are free to accept as many or as few NHS patients as they wish and can alter their NHS commitment without reference to the primary care trust (PCT). They can quite legally accept only certain categories of patients (for example, children).

  Under the provisions in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, PCTs will assume responsibility for dental services in this area. With these new responsibilities will go the financial resources currently held centrally, which by 2005–06 are expected to total nearly £1.5 billion. The new arrangements will give the NHS greater control locally enabling it to match services to local need. They will underpin a modernised, high-quality primary dental service provided through new contracts between PCTs and dental practices and properly integrated with the rest of the NHS.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage more applicants for dentistry degrees. [157697]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Dentistry is already a popular choice for A-level students, with nearly two applications received for every place available in dental schools. In 2002, the NHS Careers service was extended to provide information to the public on careers in dentistry and, earlier this year, we published a new NHS Careers brochure, "Dental Care in the NHS", which has been distributed to schools, further education colleges, youth employment advisers and other agencies working with young people. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to prepare health service providers for the implementation of the parts of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which come into effect later this year. [160693]

  Dr. Ladyman
  National health service organisations are responsible for their own compliance with the new (and existing) provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act. The Department of Health is, however, working in partnership with the Disability 1692W
  Rights Commission on a range of measures to support the NHS in assessing and improving progress on disability access. These measures include, for example, ensuring that core practical guidance is readily available to the NHS and contributing to the development of health sector-specific guidance being produced by the Disability Rights Commission.

  Food Supplements
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) public and (b) professional consultation has been undertaken on which vitamins and supplements are used regularly in the UK in connection with preparing for the EU's Food Supplements Directive. [158569]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  During negotiations on Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements and when drafting the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, the Food Standards Agency consulted publicly with a wide range of stakeholders. The results of those consultations are summarised in the Regulatory Impact Assessment accompanying the Regulations, which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department has contributed to the discussions at EU level on vitamins and supplements being placed on the EU's positive list. [158570]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements includes in its Annexes 'positive lists' defining the vitamins and minerals that may be included in food supplements as well as the range of forms (chemical sources) of vitamins and minerals which may be used in such products. Substances on the positive lists have been assessed for safety and bio-availability by the former Scientific Committee for Food and more substances may be added to the lists following submission of dossiers of information supporting their use.

  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) secured a valuable meeting between representatives of United Kingdom food supplements manufacturers and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 14 October 2003 to discuss dossier requirements, and has disseminated EFSA's advice to interested parties. Furthermore, the FSA has expressed its willingness to provide further advice to industry on dossier production if required.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the possible link between illegal drug use and the development of psychosis later in life; and if he will make a statement. [152364]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Recent research of note in this area has explored whether there is any causative link between early cannabis use and later development of psychosis, but such a link has not been conclusively proven. However, the recent epidemiological research on the issue of earlier use of cannabis and risk of later development of schizophrenia, 'schizophrenic symptoms' and 'schizophreniform disorder' has shown a stronger association than was previously evident from
  1693W
  published studies. The British Medical Journal editorial accompanying the publication of key research papers in November 2002 concluded that:
  "whether the use of cannabis triggers the onset of schizophrenia or depression in otherwise vulnerable people or whether it actually causes these conditions in non-predisposed people is not yet resolved."

  While a number of illegal drugs, particularly amphetamines and cocaine (and to a lesser degree cannabis), are well-recognised in causing short-lived psychotic symptoms and signs there is no conclusive proof of causation of psychosis in later life. It is difficult to exclude confounding factors in carrying out such long-term research on, where such drug use would also be only one of a number of risk factors. It is also difficult to differentiate the role of such drugs in possibly precipitating psychosis in a pre-disposed individual from causation in someone not otherwise pre-disposed.

  The Department has commissioned the National Addiction Centre to review the evidence regarding the harmful effects of drugs of abuse and this is published as a Department of Health document, Dangerousness of drugs (2003). This describes a wide range harmful effects of illegal drugs. A copy is available in the Library.

  It is widely recommended by clinicians that anyone at risk of psychosis should avoid any drugs that can cause acute psychotic symptoms.

  The Department continues to monitor research in this area and has a range of expert advisors to continue to inform policy.

  Low Fat Diets
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on low fat diets free from animal products. [156810]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department has not commissioned or evaluated research on low fat diets free from animal products. The Oxford cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Oxford) has been supported by Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council and the Europe Against Cancer Programme of the Commission of the European Community. Findings from EPIC-Oxford data have shown that diets free from animal products are associated with lower levels of obesity than diets which include meat. The Medical Research Council spent £17.1 million in 2001 –02 on nutrition research.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 688W, on mental health, how many of the 700 carer support workers are (a) new staff and (b) existing staff with expanded or adapted roles; and if he will make a statement. [154987]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The commitment to recruit 700 carer support workers by 2004 to increase the breaks available for carers, and to strengthen carer support 1694W
  networks is part of the Priorities and Planning Framework 2003 –06 which identified the targets set for services in the three year period.

  Recruitment is a local responsibility. We cannot say whether the 700 carer support workers will all be additional to existing national health service staff. Guidance on developing carer support services was published in 2002.

  Nebulisers
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of nebulisers for NHS patients on prescription. [159722]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Nebulisers are not available on national health service prescription. It is long-standing policy that such items should be loaned to patients from specialist NHS services.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to continue the use of lay assessors in the monitoring of quality of nursing and care homes. [160219]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This will be a matter for the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), a new non-departmental public body, which will be operational from 1 April 2004. The CSCI will be reviewing how it works with lay assessors in due course.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department since 1 January 2003, broken down by(a) ordinary written and (b) named day; what percentage in respect of (a) were answered within 10 working days; and what percentage in respect of (b) were answered by the specified date. [157747]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Between 1 January 2003 and 27 February 2004, 8,058 ordinary written and 1,458 named day parliamentary questions were tabled to the Department of Health.

  Using the information readily available the average time taken to answer an ordinary written parliamentary question was 15.5 calendar days; and approximately 30 per cent. of named day parliamentary questions received an answer by the specified date.

  The Department strives to answer right hon. and hon. Members' questions in a timely and helpful fashion and is currently seeking to improve performance.

  Patient Forums
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) assessment he has made and (b) representations he has received on the impact of benefits rules on the participation of disabled people in patient forums. [158508]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We have not received any representations about the impact of the benefit rules on the participation of disabled people in patients forums and no assessment of the impact has been made.
  1695W

  Processed Meals
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into the level of consumption of processed meals; and if he will make a statement. [157594]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department has not commissioned research into the level of consumption of processed meals. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey programme is a joint initiative between the Department and the Food Standards Agency. The survey covers consumption of different food types by individuals, including processed products such as breakfast cereals and baked beans.

  The Expenditure and Food Survey (EFS) is commissioned jointly by the Office for National Statistics and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Results from EFS presented in the report, Family Food in 2001 –02, show that consumption of meat-based ready meals, including takeaways consumed in the household, increased by 15 per cent. in comparison to 2000 –01, which represents a 70 per cent. increase compared to 1996 –97. The report is available on the Defra website at http:// statistics.defra.gov. uk/esg/.

  Psychiatric Wards (Delayed Discharges)
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend arrangements for charging social services departments for delayed discharges from psychiatric wards. [160047]

  Dr. Ladyman
  We intend to extend the system of reimbursement for delayed discharges to all hospital patients in a phased way, based on a consideration of the benefits for each group of patients. However, further parliamentary debate would be required to extend the scope to include mental health patients.

  Restructuring and Change Programme
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2004,Official Report, column 1699W, on the Restructuring and Change programme, how many of the 1.400 staff will (a) be made redundant, (b) retire and (c) be lost due to natural wastage. [158129]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 2 March 2004]: The number of staff who will be made redundant is not yet known. It will be determined by the levels of natural wastage, the take-up of any voluntary early severance/ retirement scheme and the extent to which it is possible to re-deploy staff in the civil service.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answers of 12 February 2004,Official Report, column 1699W, and 23 February 2004, Official Report, column 297W, on the restructuring and change programme, how many of the 1,400 staff will be redeployed or transferred to departmental arm's length bodies or agencies. [158205]
  1696W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We estimate that 415 posts will transfer to the departmental arm's length bodies.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets his Department has set for recruitment of social workers. [159741]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department's national planning guideline is to recruit an additional 50,000 whole time equivalent people into the social care workforce, which includes 5,000 social workers by 2005–06.

  As an incentive to train as a social worker, a bursary is available to all students who are not supported by their employer. The introduction of a degree in social work will also help to make this a more attractive career choice.

  Step Change
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the review of Step Change will occur; and how long the review will take; [155393]

  (2) whether the review of Step Change will be made public; and who will consider its findings. [155395]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  A ministerial committee has been set up to co-ordinate policy on imports of animals, plants, fish and their products, which will include a review of the Step Change. The timing of the review, and how it is publicised, are matters for the committee to decide.

  Subutex
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the use of Subutex in drugs treatment. [153982]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 9 February 2004]: Subutex is licensed for use in the treatment of opiate dependency. which is included in the clinical guidelines on the management of drug misuse and dependence issued by the Department in 1999. The Department has also made it possible for doctors to prescribe Subutex for instalment dispensing, to ensure there is no disincentive for its use as compared to methadone. While there are recognised advantages, there are also disadvantages to its use. There is a clear risk of Subutex being abused by injection. Methadone liquid appears more suitable for severely dependent opiate addicts. It is for clinicians to determine the appropriate use of Subutex for patients.

  Westminster Hall
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to have senior Ministers reply to debates in Westminster Hall. [159617]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons on Monday 8 March 2004,Official Report, column 1234W.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Council of the Isles
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Council of the Isles last met; and when it will next meet. [159478]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Council of the Isles is known as the British-Irish Council. The Council last met on 28 November 2003 at a Summit at St. Fagans in Cardiff. The Council next meet in July for ministerial level meetings to discuss the Environment and Social Inclusion sectoral work strands. The next Summit is planned for autumn 2004 in Guernsey.

  Departmental Communications
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the total expenditure on communications for his Department has been in 2003–04, broken down by expenditure on(a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others. [158207]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA), which includes its agencies—the Court Service and the Public Guardianship Office (PGO)— employs 60 staff in communications work. This figure comprises 24 staff of the Government Information and Communication Service (GICS) and 36 others.

  Amount (£)

  Department for constitutional affairs HQ

  (a) GICS

  918,187

  (b) Other staff

  (i) Press officers1

  35,232

  (ii) Special advisers

  2—

  (iii) Others

  351,979

  Court service

  (a) GICS

  0

  (b) Other staff

  (i) Press officers

  0

  (ii) Special advisers

  0

  (iii) Others

  603,185

  Public Guardianship Office

  (a) GICS

  0

  (b) Other staff

  (i) Press officers1

  63,150

  (ii) Special advisers

  0

  (iii) Others

  80,525

  1 Non GICS.

  2 The Special Advisers' Code of Conduct sets out the sort of work a special adviser may undertake on behalf of their Minister. This includes communications activity. Details of the costs of Special Advisers are given on an annual basis. Information for the financial year 2003–04 will be published in due course.

  Notes:

  1. All figures include forecast expenditure for February and March 2003–04.

  2. 'Others' includes staff working on publications. publicity, internal communications, websites and administration.

  Election Turnouts
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the(a) lowest and (b) highest turnout in a local authority election was in the last five years. [156445]

  Phil Hope
  I have been asked to reply.

  Turnout at local authority elections is not recorded centrally and the specific figures requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However a source of information that may be useful to the hon. Member is the Local Elections Handbook which is published annually by the Local Government Chronicle Elections Centre at the University of Plymouth which contains turnout figures for local authority elections.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is regarding the role that former Taliban members should play in the future government of Afghanistan; and what his policy is regarding proposals for an amnesty for those Taliban members deemed no longer to constitute a terrorist threat. [159505]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 10 March 2004]: The UK believes that national reconciliation is an important element in the process of rebuilding Afghanistan. It must be an Afghan-led process and one which is transparent. We would oppose the rehabilitation of the Taliban's senior leadership. Taliban who were involved in war crimes, terrorism, or engaged in violent opposition to the Coalition or the Bonn Process, should be brought to justice. The treatment of other former Taliban who no longer constitute a threat is a matter for the Afghan authorities.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Government have made of the progress needed on security for elections to proceed in Afghanistan on 30 June; and if he will make a statement. [159888]

  Mr. Straw
  Security will be one of the key ingredients in facilitating successful and credible elections, including the electoral registration process currently underway. It is for the Afghan Government to lead on ensuring the elections are held in a secure environment. But they will require international support and assistance. Security is already being provided for the voter registration process. The Afghan Transitional Administration are also working with the United Nations, the International Security Assistance Force (led by NATO), and the US-led Coalition to put the necessary security structures in place for the elections themselves. No date has yet been announced for elections to be held.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Department is taking to support the UN plan to hold elections in Afghanistan this summer. [160221]
  1699W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK has committed £9 million to supporting the UN preparations for elections. Of this £9 million, £3 million has already been dispersed. The UK is also encouraging other donors to contribute to supporting preparations for the elections through funding, and through providing resources to the International Security Assistance Force to enable it to support the Afghan government in providing security for the elections.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the UK is giving to British businesses considering investing in Afghanistan; and what discussions he has had regarding the underwriting of risk for such businesses. [160229]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government, through UK Trade and Investment and the British embassy in Kabul provides direct assistance and advice on local business conditions including security advice to businesses wishing to invest in Afghanistan.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) is currently unable to offer political risk insurance to UK companies investing in Afghanistan under its Overseas Investment Insurance scheme. ECGD judge that the political and economic situation in Afghanistan is too unstable to allow them to provide such cover. ECGD is however monitoring developments in Afghanistan and expects to conduct a market review in the latter part of 2004, following the proposed elections late this year.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many additional(a) soldiers and (b) officials the Government are planning to send to Afghanistan to ensure stability in the build up to and during the proposed elections in that country. [160236]

  Mr. Straw
  It is the responsibility of the Afghan Transitional Administration to provide security for the forthcoming elections. The UK is supporting the election preparations through funding of £10.4 million for the UN electoral preparations plan and through the role of the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Mazar-e Sharif. The Mazar-e Sharif PRT has 90 British soldiers.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 7 February 2004 that the UK would support NATO efforts to play a wider role in Afghanistan by increasing support to PRTs (a copy of which is available at www.securityconference.de>conferences>2004>speeches>Hoon,Geoffrey). The number of British soldiers likely to be involved has not yet been finalised. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is also considering a role in support of the elections. The UK currently contributes 350 soldiers to ISAF but no decision has been made on possible future contributions.

  The UK is also supporting the EU Commission's intention to send a team of election observers to Afghanistan, and is currently funding an expert to participate in the ongoing EU exploratory mission on election observation, with a particular focus on women's participation in the elections.
  1700W
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the 15 May Bishkek Conference on stability in Afghanistan; and what discussions he has had with other governments regarding the conference. [159887]

  Mr. Straw
  We welcome the proposal to hold a conference in Bishkek, involving Afghanistan and other countries in the region. Closer co-operation on trade, development and efforts to tackle illegal activities such as narcotics production and trafficking will enhance stability in the region. The conference will complement the regional commitment to the Good Neighbourly Relations Declaration signed in December 2002, and the related Declaration on Trade, Transit and Investment and Counter-Narcotics signed in September 2003.

  We regularly discuss a wide range of issues concerning Afghanistan, including regional co-operation, with other governments and international organisations.

  Burundi
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to support the Arusha Accord, with particular reference to the stipulation within the Accord for elections to take place before the end of October. [160081]

  Mr. Mullin
  The UK strongly supports the Arusha accord and has provided political and financial support to Burundi since the Accord was signed in 2000. In financial year 2003–04, the UK has made £11.6 million available for Burundi. We provided £3.7 million to supply equipment to the Mozambican contingent of the African Mission in Burundi.

  We recognise that there are many issues which need addressing before elections can be held satisfactorily and continue to encourage the government of Burundi to work to resolve them.

  Butler Committee
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many individuals have expressed an interest in submitting evidence to the Butler Committee on intelligence; and how many independent submissions have been received to date. [159942]

  Mr. Rammell
  This is a matter for the Butler Review Committee.

  Chad
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Chad over the level of forced migration into Chad from the Sudan. [160185]

  Mr. Mullin
  Our embassy in Khartoum has discussed the conflict in Darfur with the Chadian embassy in Khartoum. We are also in close contact with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva and their field teams in eastern. Chad. The Department for International Development is one of the largest donors 10 UNHCR operations in Chad for
  1701W
  Sudanese refugees, having provided £1 million in October 2003 in response to the initial US$16 million appeal.

  Colombia
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the EU Commissioner for external relations regarding the Colombian Government's democratic security policies and Cohmbia's compliance with UN human rights recommendations; and if he will make a statement on areas of disagreement between the UK Government and the Commissioner. [159606]

  Mr. Rammell
  We followed closely the recent visit to Colombia of the EU Commissioner for External Relations which took place in January. We have no differences in view with the Commissioner about Colombia. The EU's latest position on Colombia—with which the UK is fully aligned—was set out in Conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 26 January, following the Commissioner's visit.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government will take in response to non-compliance of the Colombian Government with UN human rights recommendations. [159646]

  Mr. Rammell
  The British Government keep in close touch with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Colombia and we take careful note of the matters raised in relevant UN reports on the situation in Colombia. The recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights remain a key issue for follow up to the London Declaration of July 2003. The UK and its EU partners have made clear to the Colombian Government the importance of progress on these areas. We await the next Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Colombia which is due to be published shortly. Its conclusions will assist the UK, the EU and the rest of the international community to focus on priority areas where further progress is needed.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 10 November 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to M. Sam. [159983]

  Mr. Mulliin
  I refer my right hon. Friend to my answers of 18 December 2003,Official Report, column 1107W, and 6 January 2004, Official Report, columns 240–41W. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied to my right hon Friend's letter on 16 December 2003.

  Environmentally Sustainable Procurement
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways environmentally sustainable procurement strategies within the Department have driven innovation in the design and supply of products. [159103]
  1702W
  Mr. Rammell
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a Sustainable Procurement policy which promotes the purchase of recycled products (such as paper and toner cartridges); sustainably grown timber for construction and office furniture; and fair trade goods (such as coffee, tea and chocolate) for sale in the FCO restaurants and shop. We ensure that FCO contracts include environmental requirements. We are for example currently considering with potential suppliers if our existing computer printers, photocopiers and fax equipment can be replaced with more energy-efficient multifunctional devices. We also buy "green electricity" which supports the development of renewable energy sources.

  European Union
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on reform of the EU's institutions to make enlargement work. [160254]

  Mr. MacShane
  My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and I have regular discussions with our European Colleagues on developments in the European Union, including on institutional issues. The Irish Presidency will report back to the European Council on 25–26 March 2004 on its assessment of the prospects for progress in the Intergovernmental Conference, on the basis of its consultations with member states.

  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being considered in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference to reform the working of the EU to make it more(a) effective and (b) accountable. [160265]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to Cm5934, the Government's White Paper on their approach to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). Chapter IV ("The Convention Outcome and Detailed Issues of the IGC", especially paragraph 42) sets out details of a number of measures under consideration in the IGC designed to make the EU more effective and accountable. Copies of the paper are available in the Library of the House.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the sustainability of the economy of the Falkland Islands. [159873]

  Mr. Rammell
  Through careful management of its fishery industry, the Falkland Island Government generates over £20 million per annum in licence fees. Other sectors such as agricultural production also remain important. The Falklands economy has grown rapidly since 1982 and the Falkland Island Government continues to work to ensure that it remains diverse and sustainable for the future. This includes the continued development of sectors such as tourism and mineral resources. With the exception of defence costs, the Falkland Islands receive no grant in aid from Her Majesty's Government.
  1703W

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money his Department has spent on the tercentenary celebrations in Gibraltar. [160694]

  Mr. MacShane
  At this early stage in Gibraltar's tercentenary year, Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure on tercentenary events has been limited to the cost of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff time devoted to the issue.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role he has agreed with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will play in the tercentenary celebrations. [160695]

  Mr. MacShane
  This is a matter for the Gibraltar Government.

  International Criminal Court
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the operation to date of the International Criminal Court. [159936]

  Mr. Rammell
  The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established by the Rome Statute, which entered into force on 1 July 2002. Work began shortly afterwards to prepare for the appointment of officials to the court's three main organs; the chambers (comprising 18 judges), the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry.

  The judges were subsequently elected in February 2003, the Prosecutor (Luis Moreno Ocampo, Argentina) was elected in April 2003 and the Registrar (Bruno Cathala, France) was elected in June 2003. The court opened for business with the swearing in of the prosecutor on 16 June 2003 followed by the swearing in of a Deputy Prosecutor (Serge Brammertz, Belgium) on 3 November 2003.

  The prosecutor has yet to start his first formal investigation. He has been conducting preliminary examinations into the situations in Ituri (Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo) and northern Uganda. In December 2003. the Ugandan Government referred the situation in northern Uganda to the ICC. The prosecutor then announced in January 2004 that he would consider that situation further in order to determine whether to proceed with a formal investigation.

  The UK is fully committed to supporting the ICC and is engaged in dialogue with the court at official level to consider ways of providing effective practical support.

  Iran
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Iranian Government regarding the closure of the Yas-e-no and Sharq newspapers. [160080]

  Mr. Rammell
  We have not discussed the closure of these two newspapers in particular. But we have on many occasions made clear our concern at restrictions on free expression in Iran. The Iranian Government's1704W
  failure over recent months to agree dates in early March for the regular meeting of the EU/Iran human rights dialogue has deprived the EU of a channel through which concerns on matters such as this would normally be raised. We regret that Yas-e no remains closed; Sharq reopened on 28 February.

  Israel
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom regards Israel as being in the possession of a deployable nuclear arsenal. [159975]

  Mr. MacShane
  We have regularly made clear that Israel should resolve international speculation about its nuclear programme by acceding to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state and by signing a nuclear safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, thus opening up its facilities to international inspection.

  Kenny Richey
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States Administration about the case of Kenny Richey. [160165]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are in touch with Mr. Richey's lawyers both in the USA and the UK, as well as with Ohio State officials. We continue to monitor his case closely to determine what representations might be made on his behalf, and the appropriate time to make them, and will do all we properly can to try to prevent Mr. Richey's execution.

  Maldives
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrests of members of the Maldivian Democratic Party on 13 February by the Maldivian authorities; and on the extent to which human rights are protected in the Maldives. [159859]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are aware that the Maldivian authorities arrested An unconfirmed number of people in the capital Male on 13 February in advance of a demonstration planned for 14 February by those sympathetic to the Maldivian Democratic Party. We look to the Government of the Maldives to charge those arrested promptly, in accordance with local law, or to release them. We have concerns about the protection of human rights in the Maldives, including the right of freedom of expression. We will continue to raise these concerns with the Government of the Maldives.

  Middle East
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Palestinian Authority's policy towards security arid terrorism. [159669]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Palestinian Authority can do more to control Palestinian terrorist groups and improve security for both Israelis and Palestinians. We are in close touch with them about how to achieve this.
  1705W
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made regarding the Al-Aqsa Brigade and Fatah and responsibility for terrorist attacks. [159945]

  Mr. Ramnnell
  We have no reason to doubt the Al-Aqsa Brigades' claims of responsibility for a number of terror attacks. While they proclaim their loyalty to Fatah, we do not judge that these attacks are sanctioned or approved by the Fatah leadership.

  Morocco
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Morocco concerning Ali Salem Tamek. [160187]

  Mr. Rammell
  Officials and Ministers regularly call upon the parties to the Western Sahara dispute to take action on human rights issues.

  We have in the past brought our concerns about the case of Ali Salem Tamek to the attention of the Moroccan authorities. Ali Salem Tamek was released from custody in January 2004. We continue to monitor the situation closely, and will take action with the appropriate authorities where necessary.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the(a) security situation in Western Sahara and (b) impact of Moroccan migration into the territory. [160188]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UN-monitored ceasefire in Western Sahara has held for over a decade and the security situation remains stable.

  Demographic changes in Western Sahara have been a factor in all the proposals on the future of the territory. We continue to urge all parties to engage flexibly with the UN Secretary-General and his personal representative, James Baker III.

  Nuclear Materials
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding the United Kingdom has provided to the International Atomic Energy Agency's nuclear materials tracking programme in each year since 2001. [159947]

  Mr. MacShane
  The UK has contributed a total of £750,000 to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Nuclear Security Fund. This has been contributed at a flat rate of £250,000 per annum in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

  Polisario Front
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary, of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent release of Moroccan prisoners of war by the Polisario Front; and if he will make a statement on the Sahrawis that have yet to be accounted for. [160186]

  Mr. Rammell
  We welcome the recent release of 100 Moroccan prisoners of war by the Polisario front and urge the Polisario to release the 513 remaining prisoners in their custody without delay.
  1706W
  We have encouraged all parties to co-operate with the International Committee of the Red Cross to account for those missing in the conflict.

  Russia
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal consultation has been undertaken by his Department on the Sakhalin II phase 2 oil and gas project. [158272]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), under the supervision of my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and Investment leads on the formal aspects of the consultation process, including on environmental issues. However, due to the role that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office fulfils in supporting export promotion, we have also been closely involved in discussion of this project with the ECGD, DEFRA, UK Trade and Investment and the DTI, as well as Shell.

  Tibet
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the Dalai Lama during his forthcoming visit to the UK. [160261]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary intends to meet the Dalai Lama during the latter's visit to the UK.

  United Nations
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information has been provided by Her Majesty's Government to the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to paragraph 2 of the General Assembly resolution 58/48; and if he will make a statement. [159418]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government have not so far written to inform the UN Secretary-General of the extensive measures which the UK has put in place to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and related technologies. The Government have, however, included much relevant information in their reports to the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee, available on the UN website at www.un.org.

  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on reform of the UN. [160269]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer my hon. Friend to my statement on UN reform on 11 September 2003,Official Report, columns 139–47WH, and the "United Kingdom in the United Nations" Command Paper (Cmnd 5898) published in September 2003, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Government are firmly committed to reform of the United Nations. As an active UN member, the UK conducts regular exchanges with the UN and other member states on reform. We are working to create a more efficient United Nations better equipped to meet the challenges of the modern world and deliver the objectives established in the Millennium Declaration.

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  We support the work of the Secretary-General's High Level Panel which is looking into threats to peace and security and the UN response to them.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications

  Slovakia

  Turkey

  Croatia

  Received

  Resolved

  Received

  Resolved

  Received

  Resolved

  1997

  401

  369

  65,056

  60,528

  841

  851

  1998

  6,082

  5,548

  67,868

  64,865

  342

  336

  1999

  22,838

  19,700

  63,565

  46,596

  2,435

  2,354

  2000

  22,270

  21,436

  68,638

  64,516

  13,490

  13,489

  2001–02

  20,051

  18,226

  54,086

  50,524

  13,988

  13,892

  2002–03

  22,419

  21,742

  63,493

  62,326

  15,304

  15,317

  Since 2001, statistics have been collated by financial year (1 April to 31 March) rather than calendar year.

  The numbers of applications received and resolved do not always tally. Applications that are recorded as being received in one accounting period may be carried forward for resolution in the next. It is therefore possible to resolve more applications during a period than were received for the same period. Figures show that fewer applications tend to be resolved than received. The method of recording the statistics accounts for this: a mother and three children on one passport may count as four applications received, but only one entry clearance resolved. Also, some applications will be counted as received that are subsequently withdrawn and therefore not counted as resolved.

  Visa regimes were imposed on Slovakia on 8 October 1998, on Turkey on 23 June 1989 and on Croatia on 19 November 1999. The visa regime on Slovakia was lifted on 18 December 2003.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action can be taken against UK national companies involved in business with Zimbabwean companies classed as SDNs under United States Executive Order 13288; if he will make a statement on the extension of EU sanctions to include such measures; and when he expects EU sanctions to match those of the US. [159889]

  Mr. Straw
  On 21 February 2004 the EU's restrictive measures were renewed and extended to a larger number of Zimbabwean individuals who are responsible for policies that lead to the suppression of human rights, of the freedom of expression and of good governance. One of the measures is an assets freeze against a new list of 95 individuals. The US has similar measures against only 77 individuals. It would therefore be a backward step for the EU's measures to "match" those of the US in this regard.

  On 3 March, the US announced that it was also freezing the assets of seven companies, controlled by three of Mugabe's closest confidantes—Information Minister Moyo, Speaker Mnangagwa and ex-Army Chief Zvinavashe. The UK and EU have already frozen
  1708W
  to British consulates in (a) Slovakia, (b) Turkey and (c) Croatia were (i ) received and (ii) processed in each year since 1990. [159742]

  Mr. Mullin
  The following table shows figures for the number of entry clearance applications received and resolved in Slovakia, Turkey and Croatia since 1997, Figures for the years before 1997 are not readily available.

  the identifiable assets of those individuals. The EU measures target individuals, not companies. The UK and other member states have taken the view that targeting companies risks harming ordinary Zimbabweans who are already suffering under the present regime.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Adjudication Panel
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases have been referred to the Adjudication Panel by the Standards Board for England in each month since its establishment; how many have been determined; how many have yet to be determined; how many of the cases relate wholly to a failure of a member of a parish council to complete the council's Register of Member Interests; if he will list the complaints made in the remaining cases; and what the decision of the Adjudication Panel w as in the determined cases. [160044]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A total of 195 cases have been referred to the Adjudication Panel for England between October 2002 and February this year. Of those 173 have been determined. The remaining 22 cases have yet to be determined. The following table shows the breakdown by month:

  Number of cases

  2002

  October

  1

  November

  19

  December

  25

  Total

  45

  2003

  January

  15

  February

  38

  March

  13

  April

  9

  May

  26

  June

  10

  July

  4

  August

  2

  September

  11

  October

  7

  1709W

  Number of cases

  November

  0

  December

  7

  Total

  142

  2004

  January

  0

  February

  8

  Total

  8

  128 cases related to breaches of the requirement to complete the Register of Interests by Parish Councillors. The following table shows the type of complaint made in the remaining cases and the outcome (in some cases more than one type of complaint is raised).

  Nature of complaint

  Number

  Failure to promote equality—unlawful discrimination

  3

  Failure to treat others with respect

  21

  Compromise impartiality of authority employees

  7

  Disclosure of confidential information

  6

  Bringing office or authority into disrepute

  37

  Using position to confer or secure advantage or disadvantage

  14

  Failure to use resources in accordance with requirements

  7

  Failure to report another member

  1

  Failure to disclose a personal interest

  19

  Prejudicial interest—failure to withdraw

  23

  Total

  138

  In the 173 cases heard to date, the Adjudication Panel found that there had been no breach of the code in six cases, and declined to impose sanctions in a further six. In the other cases Members were disqualified, or suspended as tabled:

  Period of disqualification or suspension

  Number of members

  Member disqualified up to 1 month

  2

  Member disqualified for 1 to 6 months

  4

  Member disqualified for 1 year

  100

  Member disqualified for 18 months

  4

  Member disqualified for 2 years

  13

  Member disqualified for 3 years

  10

  Member disqualified for 5 years

  3

  Member suspended up to 1 month

  12

  Member suspended 1 to 6 months

  10

  Member suspended for 1 year

  3

  Community Plan Areas
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to extend further community plan areas. [159960]

  Keith Hill
  The London-Stansted-Cambridge Growth Area was extended to include Peterborough on 2 February 2004. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no current plans to extend further any of the Sustainable Communities Plan Growth areas.

  On 2 February, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the Government would be working with the Regional Development Agencies, and other public and private sector partners, on a new long-term growth strategy for the north. This new vision for the north, 'The Northern Way', seeks to develop a real ambition in the north about the long term potential for growth by fully exploring the opportunities for
  1710W
  growth along the economic and transport corridors that connect the three northern regions. The focus is therefore different from the existing housing growth areas or market renewal pathfinders.

  Homelessness
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the funding each local authority in London(a) has received and (b) will receive from the Homelessness Directorate in (i) 2002–03, (ii) 2003–04 and (iii) 2004–05 to support their local homelessness strategies; and how that funding has been or is to be used in each case. [158549]

  Yvette Cooper
  The allocations to London boroughs over the three years 2002–03 to 2004–05 are tabled as follows.

  Homelessness grants from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are intended to supplement main sources of expenditure on homelessness (for example, local authority general fund expenditure and housing investment) to fund innovative services that tackle and prevent homelessness more effectively. The approaches underpinning this funding were set out in our March 2002 report, "More than a roof".

  Allocations were boosted in 2002–03 and 2003–04 in acknowledgement of the need to pump-prime a number of new schemes to help deliver the Government's target to end the use of bed and breakfast hotels for homeless families with children, except in short-term emergencies, while improvements to Housing Benefit subsidy for other forms of temporary accommodation were put in place.

  All housing authorities are offered a set allocation based on historic levels of homelessness in the borough. An additional grant may also be awarded based on performance in tackling homelessness and an assessment by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Government Offices in the Regions of bids submitted by authorities for funds to help them:
  eradicate the use of bed and breakfast hotels as accommodation for homeless families with children, except in short-term emergencies;
  sustain reductions in the number of people sleeping rough to a level as near to zero as possible and at least two-thirds below the level in 1998; and
  tackle and prevent homelessness more effectively.

  Over the three-year period there has been a reduction in direct commissioning by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of services to tackle rough sleeping. Resources have been transferred to local authorities to commission services themselves as part of the development and implementation of local homelessness strategies. This is most apparent in the increasing allocation to Westminster.

  Authorities have considerable discretion over how they use the grant, provided that they deliver the required outcomes. While particular schemes are set out in individual financial agreements and monitoring returns for each authority, we do not maintain a detailed, central schedule of all the services funded in each year. Typical of the range of schemes that may be funded are: mediation; rent deposit/bond schemes; private sector and RSL lettings; advice services; services

  1711W
  for particularly vulnerable groups; tenancy sustainment and outreach services. Services provided in each local authority area, including those receiving Office of the Deputy Prime Minister funding, are likely to feature in most authorities' homelessness strategies if they existed or were planned when the strategies were being written.

  An independent evaluation of the homelessness strategies developed during 2003 in response to the requirements of the Homelessness Act 2002 has been commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and will provide more detailed information on the approaches taken by authorities. A further project will be commissioned shortly to evaluate homelessness prevention schemes, including those funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's homelessness grants.

  £

  Grant paid 2002–

  Offer amounts 2003–041

  Provisional offer 2004–052

  Barking and Dagenham

  38,000

  68,000

  28.000

  Barnet

  420,000

  435,000

  165,000

  Bexley

  120,000

  130,800

  58,000

  Brent

  1,970,000

  1,423,000

  783,000

  Bromley

  242,000

  183,500

  100,000

  Camden

  1,004,000

  1,884,192

  1,800,000

  City of London

  18,000

  656,000

  500,000

  Croydon

  1,597.000

  1,104,000

  600,000

  Ealing

  1,535,000

  1,224,608

  600,000

  Enfield

  588,000

  509,000

  250,000

  Greenwich

  63,000

  113,000

  100,000

  Hackney

  224,000

  646,000

  640,000

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,816,000

  1,300,500

  1,500,000

  Haringey

  421,000

  473,500

  200,000

  Harrow

  191,000

  181,000

  178,000

  Havering

  0

  27,000

  27,000

  Hillingdon

  920,000

  780,000

  80,000

  Hounslow

  494,000

  459,000

  180,000

  Islington

  306.000

  326,700

  357,000

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,252,000

  1,565,511

  905,000

  Kingston upon Thames

  151,000

  121,000

  90,000

  Lambeth

  1,083,000

  1,149,456

  2,000,000

  Lewisham

  79,000

  290,000

  250,000

  Merton

  116,000

  75,000

  80,000

  Newham

  1,803,000

  1,257,000

  250,000

  Redbridge

  458,000

  292,000

  105,000

  Richmond

  116,000

  386,576

  295,000

  Southwark

  518,000

  996,508

  1,100,000

  Sutton

  241,000

  193,000

  150,000

  Tower Hamlets

  1,174,000

  876,050

  800,000

  Waltham Forest

  825,000

  383,000

  200,000

  Wandsworth

  629,000

  546.000

  300,000

  Westminster

  2,902,000

  4,434,374

  7,366,000

  1 We will not know actual spend for 2003–04 until fourth quarter expenditure returns are completed and returned by London authorities.

  2Some 2004–05 offers are still to be agreed with London authorities.

  In addition to the above grants, cross boundary funding provided mainly to voluntary and community sector agencies to tackle and prevent homelessness totalled:

  £

  2002–03

  24,371,000

  2003–04

  18,735,000

  2004–05

  19,063,000

  1 Not all allocations for 2004–05 have been confirmed.

  House Building (Hampshire)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 23 February 2004,Official Report, column 25W, on development sites, if he will make a statement on the conclusions reached by the Joint Advisory Panel at the meeting on 10 March regarding the review of progress made on Hampshire's house building targets. [159998]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister welcomes the decision of the Joint Advisory Panel to recognise the uncertainty surrounding future housing provision in Hampshire, and to recommend a number of measures to reduce that uncertainty. The Panel has agreed to prepare a draft action plan, which we would like to agree in a month's time. The measures will need to be implemented by local authorities in Hampshire speedily, in order to obviate the need to release the reserve.

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) instructions and (b) guidelines are issued by his Department to local authorities on the writing off of (i) Council Tax and (ii) Housing Benefit debt when the debt recovery costs are greater than the debt itself; and if he will make a statement. [160689]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Local authorities are under a duty to collect all council tax revenues owing to them. "Council Tax Practice Note 9: Recovery and Enforcement", issued jointly by the former Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office in 1993, states that authorities should have provisions in their Standing Orders or Financial Regulations to enable amounts to be written off if they are irrecoverable or not economical to pursue.

  The recovery of housing benefit debt is a matter for the Department for Works and Pensions.

  Local Government Finance (Isle of Wight)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what additional grant is to be paid to the Isle of Wight Council in 2004–05 following his decision to add £1 million to the grant for 2003–04. [160646]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In 2003–04, during the final consultation on our proposed formulae changes, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister accepted the Isle of Wight's argument that their New Earnings Survey sample size was too small for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to reliably calculate a separate area cost adjustment (ACA) for the island. As a result the Isle of Wight received the same ACA as Hampshire in the 2003–04 settlement. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister used the same methodology to calculate the ACA for the 2004–05 settlement when the Isle of Wight once again received the same ACA as Hampshire.

  The Local Government Finance Settlement was approved by the House of Commons on 5 February 2004.

  Pre-Budget Report Leaflet
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask 1 he Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the timetable for(a) publication

  1713W
  and (b) circulation to hon. Members by the Government Office for the South East of copies of the pre-Budget report leaflet for the south east; and what the (i) cost and (ii) purpose of the exercise were. [160634]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information is as follows.

  (a) This document is distributed after t he pre-Budget statement via Government Offices for the Regions

  (b) The objective of the document is to explain the impact of the pre-Budget report on each region.

  (i) The total cost of the publication and distribution of the document was £286.00 for the south-east.

  (ii) Distribution of the document is in line with Government's commitment to promote dialogue with the regions, to strengthen their input into future policy making.

  Regional Assemblies/Government
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what basis he decided that the referendums for elected regional assemblies should be conducted by all-postal ballot. [159824]

  Phil Hope:
  Following a series of pilots in local authority elections and thorough evaluation by the Electoral Commission, it is clear that all-postal ballots can significantly increase the levels of participation in elections. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister considered this evidence carefully, before announcing our intention to hold the referendums by all-postal ballot in response to a question from the hon. Member for South Ribble (Mr. Borrow) on 22 October 2003.

  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister to whom Government Offices of the Regions would be accountable if regional assemblies are introduced. [160740]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Government Offices for the Regions will remain as part of central Government and will continue to be responsible to Government Ministers.

  Existing RPGs and proposed revisions

  Region

  Draft RPG published

  Existing RPG Public examination into RPG

  Issue of final RPG

  Draft RPG/RSS published

  Revision timetable Public examination into RPG/PSS

  Target for issue of final RPG/RSS

  East of England (Formally RPG6 but to become RPG 14) (Revision will extend coverage to whole of the East region)

  August 1998(issued for consultation by GO)

  February 1999

  November 2000

  September 2004

  June/July 2005

  July 2006

  North East (RPGI)

  December 1999

  June/July 2000

  November 2002

  November 2004

  August 2005

  June 2006

  East Midlands (RPG8)

  November 1999

  July 2000

  January 2002

  Spring 20031

  Autemn 20031

  Autumn 20041

  South East (RPG9) (Revision will exclude areas now included in the East and London)

  December 1998

  May 1999

  March 2001

  Summer 2005

  Late 2005

  Autumn 2006

  South East (Waste Review)

  —

  —

  —

  Early 20041

  Autumn 20041

  Summer 20051

  South West (RPG10)

  August 1999

  March/April 2000

  September 2001

  Autumn 20041

  Early 20061

  Early 20071

  west Midlands(RPG11)

  —

  —

  April 1998

  November 2001

  June 2002

  Early 2004

  Yorkshire and the Humber (RPG 12)

  October 1999

  June/July 2000

  October 2001

  End 2004

  Autumn 2005

  Summer 2006

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  —

  —

  —

  June 20031

  February 20041

  Late 20041

  North West (RPG 13)

  June/July 2000

  February 2001

  March 2003

  March 20041

  November 20041

  Late 20051

  Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study(MKSM), will inform RPG for the East of England, the South East and East Midlands.

  —

  —

  —

  July 2003

  March-April 2004

  February 2005

  1Partial review only

  1714W
  However the Government intend to devolve to elected assemblies some of the functions currently discharged through Government Offices. The assembly would be accountable to its electorate for those devolved functions.

  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister from which funding source the difference between the 2002–03 Government grant of £780 million for the North West Region, £350 million for the North East Region and £570 million for the Yorkshire and the Humber Region and the EU funding of £254 million for the North West, £88 million for the North East and £185 million for Yorkshire and the Humber was provided. [160742]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The difference between the 2002–03 likely total budgets for elected regional assemblies and the European programme funding is the block grant which assemblies will receive from central Government. The budgets for which a future elected regional assembly would be responsible (in the form of the block grant) are currently allocated to the Government Offices and non-departmental public bodies from central Government Departments.

  Regional Spatial Strategies
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out the current progress of the regional spatial strategies in each region. [159961]

  Keith Hill
  As the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill now stands as amended in the other place, there will be no regional spatial strategies until elected regional assemblies are established. As the Bill was introduced the intention was that regional planning guidance in each region would become the regional spatial strategy following commencement of Part 1 of the Bill. Current progress on the relevant regional planning guidance is tabled as follows.
  1715W

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Adoption
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding has been made available to each local authority for the establishment of adoption support services under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 in the last 12 months. [156528]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 26 February 2004]: Funding for local authority adoption support services (including adoption support services) derived from the following sources in the financial year 2003–04:
  The children's social services Formula Spending Share (Children's FSS) of £3038.350 million, which is intended to fund all local authority children's social services, including adoption services.The Quality Protects (QP) main grant, which included approximately £60 million funding over the three years 2001–02 to 2003–4 to secure sustained improvements in adoption services. This funding will be mainstreamed from 2004–05 into the CSS baseline. An extra £70 million of ring-fenced money for Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Services from 2003–04 to 2005–06. £12 million of this was allocated to local authorities in the year 2003–04.
  A breakdown of the allocations by local authority for the Children's FSS, overall QP main grant and Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Services grant is available in Local Authority Social Services Letter (LASSL) (2003)1, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Adult and Community Learning Programmes (Greater London)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people were enrolled on adult and community learning programmes in Greater London in each year since 1995; and how many are enrolled on adult and community learning programmes now. [158409]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The numbers of enrolments in Greater London on (i) adult and community learning and adult education courses run through local education authorities; (ii) LearnDirect; and (iii) adult basic skills, are set out separately as follows.

  The number of enrolments on adult education courses run through local education authorities (LEAs) in England at 1 November each year is published annually in the Statistical First Release, "Adult Education Enrolments in England". The publication includes a breakdown of enrolments by region. The following table shows the number of enrolments on courses offered by LEAs in Greater London at 1 November for each year from 1995 to 2002, the latest year for which figures are available. These figures include enrolments on both courses that do and do not lead to a recognised qualification.

  Adult education enrolments on courses run by local education authorities in Greater London at 1 November: 1995 to 20021

  November

  Enrolments (thousand)

  1995

  222.8

  1996

  226.7

  1997

  209.0

  1998

  218.8

  1999

  179.5

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  Adult education enrolments on courses run by local education authorities in Greater London at 1 November: 1995 to 20021

  November

  Enrolments (thousand)

  2000

  201.4

  2001

  217.3

  2002

  221.0

  1 Includes enrolments by 16 to 18-year-olds

  Source:

  Local education authorities

  The figures in the following table show the numbers of learners on LearnDirect provision in Greater London in each year since 2000/01, the earliest year for which figures are available. Learners who withdrew from their course are excluded.

  Learners on LearnDireet provision in Greater London — 2000/01 to date

  Academic year

  Learners

  2000/01

  15,000

  2001/02

  50,000

  2002/03

  57,000

  2003/04 (to date)

  30,000

  Source:

  LearnDirect

  The final table shows the number of enrolments on adult basic skills courses in Greater London since the launch of the Skills for Life strategy.

  Enrolments (in thousands) on Adult Basic Skills in Greater London —2000/01 to 2002/031,2

  Academic year

  Enrolments (thousand)

  2000/013

  167

  2001/02

  272

  2002/03

  311

  1 Includes enrolments by, 16 to 18-year-olds.

  2 Figures do not include estimates from the Offenders' Learning and Skills Unit and the Department for Work and Pensions.

  3 Part year figure covering April to July 2001.

  Source:

  Learning and Skills Council

  Adult Residential Colleges
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to examine the contribution of residential colleges for adult education to the Government's lifelong learning policies; and if he will make a statement. [159525]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  There are 32 adult residential colleges based in rural locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These colleges are mainly owned and run by Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and provide, in the main, short courses. They do not receive funding direct from the DfES or the Learning and Skills Council. ft is for local Learning and Skills Councils, in discussion with LEAs, to consider whether, and if so how, residential colleges can contribute to meeting local needs in lifelong learning in the light of our commitments in 21st Century Skills to safeguard budgets for such learning.
  1717W

  Asbestos
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the(a) schools and (b) other education facilities which have been identified as containing asbestos; what proportion of (i)schools and (ii) other education facilities have been surveyed for the purpose of identifying the presence of asbestos; which(A) schools and(B) other education facilities require (1) remedial work and (2) removal of asbestos; what this work will cost; what budgets are available for this work for 2004 and 2005; and what budget is available for future asbestos surveys. [159656]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department does not hold information on which schools and other education facilities contain asbestos, nor on the proportion that has been surveyed for asbestos. As part of the data collected through the appraisal of Asset Management Plans, the Department has information on maintenance requirements at maintained schools, but asbestos work is not separately identified. By May this year, in accordance with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, schools should have identified and recorded the position of any asbestos. We do not provide funding specifically for the survey, treatment or removal of asbestos. Schools and authorities can use the large amounts of formulaic capital which is now allocated to them for investment in their buildings, including health and safety needs such as asbestos treatment. We would expect these needs to be prioritised highly in the local asset management planning process. The total amount of capital available for investment in school buildings in 2004–05 is £4.5 billion and in 2005–06 it rises to £5.1 billion.

  CAFCASS
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many complaints have been(a) made and (b) upheld against reports produced by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service since the inception of the Service. [152348]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: As at 31 March 2003, CAFCASS had received 916 complaints since its inception in April 2001, representing less than 1 per cent. of the total number of cases handled. Of the complaints, 47 per cent. were not upheld and 31 per cent. were resolved or withdrawn. Five per cent. of complaints were upheld, with 9 per cent. partly upheld and 8 per cent. remaining under investigation as at 31 March 2003.

  Figures for the period April 2003–March 2004 are currently being collected from CAFCASS' regions and will be published in their 2003–04 Annual Report; which is expected to be laid before Parliament before the summer recess.

  If complainants complete CA FCASS's complaints process and still remain dissatisfied, they are able to raise the matter, through a sponsoring MP, with the Parliamentary Ombudsman, In 2002–03, four complaints were referred to the Ombudsman: in three, no evidence was found to support them. The Ombudsman made enquiries about the fourth
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  complaint, but decided not to progress it any further. CAFCASS only has figures on complaints received by the Parliamentary Ombudsman in 2002–03.

  Child Care Review Officers
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many independent review officers responsible for child care cases are employed in each local authority; and how many vacant posts there are in each local authority. [156525]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 26 February 2004]: The information requested is not available centrally.

  The Children Act 1989 Guidance requires that reviews are chaired by someone at a more senior level than the case social worker to bring a degree of oversight and objectivity to the review and care plan. Regulations also require local authorities to appoint an officer to assist in the co–ordination of all aspects of the review.

  To further strengthen this, provision was made in the Adoption and Children Act 2002 for legislation to require local authorities to appoint Independent Reviewing Officers. These officers are to be independent of the management of the child's case and independent of the resources allocated to that case. Regulations commencing this provision will come into force in September 2004 following a consultation exercise last year. A large number of local authorities already employ individuals fulfilling a similar function.

  Children in Care
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) new born babies, (b)infants aged between one and four years and (c)children aged over five years have been taken into care by social services in each of the last 10 years. [152115]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 30 January 2004]: The number of (a) new born babies, (b) infants aged between one and four years and (c) children aged over five years who were taken into care by local authorities in each of the last 10 years is shown in the table.

  Children who were taken into care during the years ending 31 March 1993 to 2003, by age group—England

  Numbers

  Age on entering care

  Year

  1.2All Children

  Under 1

  1 to 4

  5 and over

  1993

  29,100

  3,000

  6,000

  20,200

  1994

  31,300

  3,200

  6,500

  21,700

  1995

  32,500

  3,400

  6,300

  22,800

  1996

  32,100

  3,300

  6,200

  22,600

  1997

  29,900

  3,300

  5,800

  20,800

  1998

  29,700

  3,200

  5,700

  20,800

  1999

  28,400

  3,500

  5,500

  19,500

  2000

  28,600

  3,700

  5,200

  19,600

  2001

  25,100

  3,700

  4,600

  16,900

  2002

  24,600

  3,900

  4,500

  16,200

  1 Only the first occasion on which a child entered care in the year has been counted.

  2 Figures for children in care in this table exclude agreed series of short term placements.

  Of the 24,600 children who entered care during the year ending 31 March 2002, 68 per cent. were looked after under voluntary agreements (Section 20 of the

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  Children Act 1989), 17 per cent. were under a care order, and 15 per cent. were looked after under other legal statuses.

  For both the Under 1 and 1–4 age groups, over half the children who entered care during the year ending 31 March 2002 were under voluntary agreements, 25–30 per cent. were under care orders and just under 20 per cent. were under other legal statuses. The pattern is slightly different for the 5 and over age group, with three quarters of the children entering under voluntary agreements, 11 per cent. under care orders, and 14 per cent. under other legal statuses.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children aged(a) three to six months and (b) six months to one year entered local authority care in (i) Greater London and (ii) each London borough in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [158762]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 4 March 2004]: The information requested is shown in the following table.

  31 March 2002, aged 3–6 months and 6 months to 1 year, London

  Number

  Age on entering care

  3–6 months

  6 months–1 year

  Inner London

  40

  55

  Camden

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  Greenwich

  —

  5

  Hackney

  10

  10

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  0

  Islington

  10

  —

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  —

  Lambeth

  —

  5

  Lewisham

  —

  0

  Southwark

  —

  —

  Tower Hamlets

  0

  0

  Wandsworth

  0

  10

  Westminster

  —

  15

  Outer London

  35

  70

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  5

  Barnet

  0

  0

  Bexley

  —

  0

  Brent

  —

  5

  Bromley

  —

  0

  Croydon

  0

  10

  Ealing

  —

  0

  Enfield

  0

  —

  Haringey

  0

  0

  Harrow

  0

  —

  Havering

  —

  5

  Hillingdon

  —

  —

  Hounslow

  5

  5

  Kingston Upon Thames

  0

  0

  Merton

  —

  —

  Newham

  5

  15

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond Upon Thames

  0

  0

  Sutton

  0

  0

  Waltham Forest

  0

  —

  Notes:

  1. Figures for children looked after in this table exclude agreed series of short term placement.

  2. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5. Numbers between 1 and 5 are suppressed (—).

  3. The figures are based on a one-third sample of children. A zero in the table means there were no children in the sample.

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  Children's Departments
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received concerning the proposed formation of a children's department within local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [157358]

  Margaret Hodge
  We have received 4,604 responses to the Green Paper 'Every Child Matters' and have considered them very carefully. Last week we published 'Every Child Matters: Next Steps', which reports on the outcomes of the consultation and sets out the Government's proposals for taking this work forward.

  Children's Fund
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1186W, on the Children's Fund, if he will list each project funded by the Children's Fund to date. [155076]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested on individual projects funded is not collected centrally; this is held only by partnerships. The latest available data shows that a total of 4,665 Children's Fund services were being delivered across England to 321,033 children, young people and carers.

  A list of the 149 Children's Fund partnerships in England follows. Wave 1 partnerships were approved to begin from July 2001, Wave 2 partnerships from April 2002 and Wave 3 partnerships from April 2003. Under the 2002 Spending Review the programme has £150 million per annum, although we have been able to commit an additional £20 million to all partnerships from our 2004/05 budget.

  Partnership

  Wave 1

  Norfolk county council

  Camden LBA

  Greenwich council

  Hackney Education Department

  Haringey council

  Islington council

  Newham

  Southwark

  Tower Hamlets

  Blackburn with Darwen borough council

  Blackpool borough council

  Bolton Met. borough council

  Halton (NCH)

  Knowsley MBC

  Lancashire county council

  Liverpool county council

  Manchester city council

  Oldham MBC

  Rochdale MBC

  Salford city council

  Birmingham city council

  Sandwell MBC

  Leicester city council social services

  Lincolnshire Development

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  Nottingham City Social Services Depar merit.

  Gateshead MBC

  Hartlepool borough council

  Middlesbrough (NCH)

  Newcastle city council

  Stockton on Tees borough council

  Sunderland City

  Kent (FWA)

  Portsmouth city council

  Bristol

  Cornwall (NCH)

  Bradford City MDC

  Doncaster MBC

  Kingston Upon Hull city council

  Leeds city council social services

  Sheffield city council

  Wave 2

  Luton borough council

  Peterborough

  Suffolk county council

  Barking and Dagenham

  Brent social services

  Hammersmith and Fulham social services

  Lambeth

  Lewisham

  Waltham Forest

  Wandsworth borough council

  Westminster city council

  Cheshire county council

  Cumbria Community Foundation

  St. Helens (NCH)

  Sefton council

  Tameside MBC

  Trafford MBC

  Wirral metropolitan borough

  Bournemouth (The Childrens Society)

  Devon county council

  Plymouth

  Torbay (The Children's Society)

  Barnsley MBC

  Calderdale council

  Kirklees (NCC)

  North East Lincolnshire council

  North Lincolnshire council

  North Yorkshire

  Rotherham MBC

  Derby city council

  Derbyshire county council

  Northamptonshire county council

  Nottinghamshire county council

  Darlington borough council

  County Durham

  North Tyneside council

  Northumberland (NCH)

  Redcar and Cleveland borough council

  South Tyneside MBC

  Brighton and Hove city council

  East Sussex county council

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  Isle of Wight council

  Medway council

  Southampton city council

  Coventry city council

  Solihull MBC

  Stoke-on-Trent (Voluntary Action)

  Telford and Wrekin council

  Walsall MBC

  Wolverhampton city council

  Wave 3

  Barnet

  Bath and North East Somerset

  Bedfordshire

  Bexley

  Bracknell Forest

  Bromley

  Buckinghamshire

  Bury

  Cambridgeshire

  City of London

  Croydon

  Dorset

  Dudley

  Ealing

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  Enfield

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Hampshire

  Harrow

  Havering

  Herefordshire

  Hertfordshire

  Hillingdon

  Hounslow

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Kingston upon Thames

  Leicestershire

  Merton

  Milton Keynes

  North Somerset

  Oxfordshire

  Poole

  Reading

  Redbridge

  Richmond upon Thames

  Rutland

  Shropshire

  Slough

  Somerset

  Southend-on-Sea

  South Gloucestershire

  Staffordshire

  Stockport

  Surrey

  Sutton

  Swindon

  Thurrock

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  Wakefield

  Warrington

  Warwickshire

  West Sussex

  West Berkshire

  Wigan

  Wilshire

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  Wokingham

  Worcestershire

  York

  Computer Access
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what programmes are in place to enable mature students on low incomes to acquire computers. [158150]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 2 March 2004]: At present no centrally funded programmes are in place that enable mature students on low incomes to acquire free or low price computers. The Government have however, established a network of UK online centres. These centres provide open access to ICT and the internet for people in all communities. All mature students in England should be able to find a UK online centre near to their home.

  Many higher education institutions run local schemes to provide financial support or computer loans to their students on a case-by-case basis.

  There are several programmes that provide general financial support to mature students on a basis of need, such as Access Funds. These are explained in the booklet, "Money to Learn", published by the Department for Education and Skills.

  Departmental Policies (Regent's Park and Kensington, North)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the impact of his Department's policies on the constituency of Regent's Park and Kensington North since 1997. [145418]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The constituency Regent's Park and Kensington, North covers part of both Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea local education authorities. Where the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) can or does collect information by constituency, it has been provided.

  Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, my Department is investigating ways in which we disseminate information about the effects of our policies at a local level. We hope to have systems to facilitate this in place later this year.

  Children, young people and families

  The Government have sought to increase the range, number, quality and effectiveness of services for children, young people and families since 1997. Although data are not collected on a constituency basis, information is available on the impact of programmes delivered in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.
  1724W
  Children's Social Services

  Children's social services in the constituency are delivered by both Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, both of which are three star social services authorities (as published in the Annual Review of Performance Reports, issued by the Chief Inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate).

  Early education

  The Government have guaranteed a free, part time, early education available place to all our four-year-olds since 1998 and an increasing number of three-year-olds, if their parents want it. All three-year-olds will be guaranteed a free place by April 2004.

  Both Kensington and Westminster authorities have confirmed that they will be able to meet their statutory obligation to three-year-olds by April 2004. Currently, we understand that around 50 per cent. of Kensington's three and four-year-olds take up an early education place, while in Westminster the participation rates are: 86 per cent. for four-year-olds and 92 per cent. for three-year-olds.

  Child care

  Since 1999, a total of 1,583 new pre-school and out of school child care places have been created within the constituency benefiting 2,689 children.

  Disadvantaged area programmes

  There are four Sure Start local programmes in the constituency providing a range of early learning, health and family services and with 3,230 children in their catchment areas, and one early excellence centre has been established in the constituency offering early education, childcare, health and family support to local children and families. Neighbourhood nurseries are being built in disadvantaged communities throughout the country following an initiative that began in 2001. There are five proposed flagship children centres in both Kensington and Chelsea LEA and Westminster LEA, some of which would be developed from acclaimed local nursery schools.

  Connexions

  Connexions, the Government's front line support service for all young people aged 13–19, is providing advice, guidance and support to young people in Regent's Park and Kensington. North constituency through Central London Connexions partnership. Since its launch in June 2002, following a 12 month pilot, young people aged 13–19 have had access to support and advice on a range of issues to help them participate and achieve in education, employment and training and to reach their full potential as adults.

  Youth Services

  There are two local authority youth services in Regent's Park and Kensington, North-in Westminster and in Kensington and Chelsea. There is evidence that the Department's policies have made a positive impact on the standards of youth service provision in both areas, in both of which Ofsted inspections identified weaknesses but which, when re-inspected in October 2003, were found to have made good progress.

  Extended schools

  The Department is supporting the rollout of up to 240 full service extended schools by 2006, so that there will be at least one in each LEA area. Quintin Kynaston School in Westminster LEA and Sion Manning RC
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  School for Girls in Kensington and Chelsea LEA are being developed as full service extended schools from this year.

  Schools
  Recurrent funding>

  The estimated1 increase in per pupil funding in Westminster in real terms from 1997–98 to 2004–05 is £1,160, compared with the national average of £880.

  School performance tables

  Key stage (KS) figures can be found on the DfES website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/perfonnancetables.
  Specialist schools

  There are two specialist schools in Kensington and Chelsea LEA and four specialist schools in Westminster LEA:
  Education Action Zones

  There is an Education Action Zone in Westminster, which includes three secondary schools, 22 nursery and primary schools and two special schools.
  Beacon schools

  Within Regent's Park and North Kensington constituency there are a total of sewn Beacon schools.
  Primary Strategy Leadership

  Six primary schools are part of the Primary Strategy Leadership programme in Kensington and Chelsea. Westminster LEA has not identified particular schools to participate in the programme but is using consultant leaders to give leadership support to all schools across the LEA.
  Leadership Incentive Grant

  There are eight secondary schools in Westminster in receipt of LIG and four schools in Kensington and Chelsea in receipt of LIG.
  Behaviour improvement projects

  In Westminster four secondary schools and 17 primary schools are involved in the BIP. In Kensington and Chelsea there are three secondary schools and 12 primary schools.
  Healthy schools

  There are different levels of involvement within the NHSS, level three being the highest—37.5 per cent. of schools in Kensington and Chelsea and 53 per cent. of schools in Westminster are working at this level and are recognised as healthy schools.
  14–19 Education

  The Government's strategy for 14–19 education and training, set out in "14–19: opportunity and excellence", will provide all young people wit h the opportunity to continue their education in different settings, including schools, colleges, and the workplace.

  The impact of the 14–19 agenda on Regent's Park and Kensington, North includes:
  16–19 area inspection ( 14–19 from March 2003)

  16–19 area inspections were introduced in 1999 as a key means of securing improvements in education and training for young people. The royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea underwent a 16–19 area inspection in summer 2002. A copy of the Ofsted report can be found on their website www.ofsted.gov.uk.
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  With London Central LSC in the lead, local partners developed an action plan that was accepted by Stephen Twigg, the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Schools, on 12 January 2003. London Central LSC is responsible for the successful implementation of the plan, which is on-going.
  Vocational Provision

  London Central LSC currently has four work-based learning providers delivering vocational programmes in the constituency of Regents Park and Kensington, North.

  Learners in the borough have access to all of the remaining 31 work-based learning providers in the London Central portfolio. Within easy travelling distance they can gain entry to over 35 additional occupational areas ranging from accountancy, engineering and sport and recreation to construction, hospitality and retail.

  Educational maintenance allowances

  Neither Kensington and Chelsea nor Westminster is covered by Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMA) pilots although some students attending FE institutions in these LEAs may be in receipt of EMA because most of inner London is covered by pilots.

  Higher education

  Participation

  The number of 18 to 20-year-olds entering full-time higher education courses, are as follows:

  Number

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Westminster

  1997

  655

  613

  1998

  584

  650

  1999

  614

  647

  2000

  654

  672

  2001

  658

  688

  2002

  655

  717

  Adult education

  The Local Labour Force Survey shows that in Regents Park and Kensington, North:
  The proportion of working age people qualified to at least level 4 has risen from 30.5 per cent. in 1999 to 37.1 per cent. in 2001.
  The proportion of working age people qualified to at least level 2 has risen from 62.6 per cent. in 1999 to 69.8 per cent. in 2001.
  The proportion of working people without any qualification has fallen from 18.2 per cent. in 1999 to 13.6 per cent. in 2001.
  The proportion of working age people who received job related training in the last four weeks rose from 10.4 per cent. in 1999 to 13.1 per cent. in 2001.
  1 Includes provisional estimates of grants and allocations still to be confirmed. Real terms at 2002–03 prices.

  Domestic Violence
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research Government departments have conducted within the past five years into the effects of domestic violence on children; and what the main conclusions were. [159802]

  Margaret Hodge
  There is considerable research already available conducted by experts in this field of social policy that highlights the effects of domestic violence on children. The main conclusions are that
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  children who have been exposed to domestic violence demonstrate more aggression, antisocial behaviour and anger, as well as withdrawal, depression, suicidal behaviour, anxiety, fears, phobias, insomnia and low self-esteem, compared to children who have not suffered these experiences.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are(a) in place and (b) planned to increase the consistency among geographical areas of standards of domestic violence services aimed at children. [159803]

  Margaret Hodge
  Local authorities, in partnership with other agencies, both statutory and voluntary, are expected to assess the needs of children in their areas, in accordance with the duties imposed on them by Part III of the Children Act 1989 and then to determine the range of services that will need to be available in order to respond to those needs. This process, inevitably and properly, leads to diversity in the provision of services at local level.

  Dyslexia Conference
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representation his Department plans to have at the Sixth British Dyslexia Association Conference; and if he will make a statement on programmes available to assist dyslexia sufferers. [159944]

  Margaret Hodge
  A DfES representative has served on the steering group for this event and we hope to send an observer on one of the conference days.

  In addition to assisting with planning, the Department has provided grant support to enable a number of promising students to attend the event and a grant for a new conference publication aimed at classroom practitioners. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has also provided a goodwill message for this international event, which will be reproduced in conference literature.

  A number of commercially available programmes support children with specific learning difficulties. It is for parents, individual schools and local education authorities to decide whether a given technique has something to offer an individual child in the light of his or her needs.

  Education Maintenance Allowance
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research his Department has carried out, in addition to the three-year assessments, to assess the impact of education maintenance allowances on participating in the Government-supported training; and if he will make a statement. [155439]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 23 February 2004]: Evaluation findings show that the national EMA scheme is expected to increase participation in education at Year 12 by 3.8 per cent. and at Year 13 by 4.1 per cent. Evidence from the pilot EMA areas shows that little of the increase in participation through EMA is from Government Supported Training. Over half of the increase in participation through EMA is from young people who would otherwise not be in any education, employment or training, and most others are
  1728W
  from work without training. There is some evidence from the pilot areas that suggests an increased flow into Government Supported Training at 18.

  Overall EMA supports a range of learning up to level 3. This includes young people doing quality assured NVQs and vocational courses in FE colleges that often incorporate work placements.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of educational maintenance allowances in improving participation rates in post-16 education. [156634]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  In the pilots, EMA increased participation by 16-year-olds in education by 5.9 per cent. points. Judged against historic trends, this represents a major increase. Our evaluators predict that in the first year of the national scheme, some 35,000 additional young people will participate in further education, and this will rise to over 70,000 per year when EMA is fully in place.

  Emotional Intelligence Initiatives
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what departmental initiatives there are in relation to emotional intelligence; what difficulties have been reported in implementing such initiatives; and how the success of these initiatives is evaluated; [155290]

  (2)what funding his Department provides to (a) schools and (b) local education authorities to develop (i) emotional intelligence and (ii) literacy initiatives; [155292]

  (3)which (a) schools, (b) academics and (c) university education departments his Department has assessed as the best practitioners in the field of emotional intelligence; and what his Department regards as best practice in this field. [155293]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Department is concerned to promote children's social and emotional development and their social, emotional and behavioural skills (SEBS), which themselves contribute to children's emotional intelligence and emotional literacy.

  Promoting positive emotional and social development is a crucial part of educating children. The Department is therefore committed to providing guidance and materials for every stage. Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage covers the emotional and social development of very young children and we are developing associated training materials. The Personal, Social and Health Education framework supports the emotional and social development of children at Key Stages 1 to 4. To supplement that, the Department is piloting specific Social, Emotional and Behavioural Skills (SEBS) materials for primary schools in 25 local education authorities (LEAs) and developing similar materials for second. try schools.

  The Department is investing £600,000 in SEBS materials for primary schools over two years. The pilot is in the early stages of implementation but initial feedback from schools is very positive. It will be evaluated by the University of London's Institute of Education. The Foundation and secondary materials are still at the initial development stage.
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  The development of SEBS materials is informed by existing good practice in a number of LEAs including Southampton, Bristol, Portsmouth. Cumbria, Merton, East Riding of Yorkshire, Brighton and Hove and Nottingham City. The Department is also advised by an expert SEBS practitioners group including academics from the universities of Southampton, Oxford and Middlesex, a range of voluntary bodies including the National Children's Bureau, the NSPCC and Antidote, senior school staff and LEA officer.

  EU Accession Citizens
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate the Government have made of how many EU accession country citizens will make use of the education system in the UK at each level. [157348]

  Alan Johnson
  From 1 May children living within the UK who come from the accession countries will have access to education here. In addition, students who attend Further and Higher Education Institutions will have home fee status as long as they have been resident within an acceding country for three years.

  The Government commissioned work from independent academic experts on likely numbers of migrants arriving which is published and available on the Home Office website. We will monitor the situation post enlargement to ensure that the impact on schools, FE and HE is understood. Government departments are working together to ensure that all the available data are brought together to offer a rounded picture of the impact of accession and as well as feeding into this we will be looking to use the results to inform the picture for education.

  For Higher Education we have been collecting data on the nationality of students, including those from accession countries for some years. We estimate a one-off increase in the number of EU students in the UK of perhaps about 8 per cent. as a result of EU enlargement. Our January HEFCE Grant letter took account of the expansion of the EU due to take place in 2004, and so did the Additional Student Numbers (ASN) exercise that HEFCE are currently running for foundation degrees. We have already forecasted for growth in new EU students and will continue to do so in the next Spending Review. It is important to remember that since we do not give maintenance to students from the EU, coming to study in the UK is not a 'cheap option' for them; they still have to find ways to. support their living costs themselves.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which UK agencies are best able to(a) assist with recognising educational backgrounds and skills of migrant workers and (b) help the UK employment sector to take advantage of the enlargement of the EU. [157363]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Government welcome EU enlargement and expect that it will have a positive impact on the UK, allowing us to benefit from a wider skills market to fill key labour and skills gaps and boost productivity.
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  The UK National Reference Point (NRP) for Vocational Qualifications has been set up by UK Government to explain vocational qualifications (VQs) and particularly how UK VQs relate to ones elsewhere in Europe. The UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) advises on the comparability of overseas educational qualifications with those from the UK.

  Jobcentre Plus is able to assist employers in the UK and migrant workers from the new member states to fill vacancies and find appropriate work. Jobcentre Plus, through its EURES adviser network is also able to advise employers and jobseekers about comparability of qualifications through the NARIC Global Qualifications database.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of how enlargement of the EU will affect the skills shortage in the United Kingdom. [157362]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Government welcome EU enlargement and expect that it will have a positive impact on the UK, allowing us to benefit from a wider skills market to fill key labour and skills gaps and boost productivity. The UK has the strongest labour market for a generation and this puts us in a good position to absorb any additional migrant flows. Free movement of workers within a larger EU will complement the work we are doing to address the skills gaps that exist currently within our own workforce, which are predominantly in the Business Services and construction sectors.

  As announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, A8-nationals who want to work in the UK will be required to apply to register as a worker once they have found a job. The benefit of this new light-touch worker registration scheme is that it will expand the range of skills and supply of workers available across the UK and allow us to monitor the types of work that accession country nationals are entering in the UK. Through our labour market data we will also be able to tell the impact on the UK labour market as a whole.

  European School, Culham
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the European Parliament resolution on the future financing of the European Schools (2002–2083 (INI)), with regard to the European School at Culham. [160266]

  Alan Johnson
  The future financing of the European School at Culham is the subject of an independent review as a direct result of the European Commission's intention to withdraw support from smaller European Schools. Decisions on the future of Culham will be taken by the European Schools Governing Body on the basis of this review.

  Further Education
  Mr. Mahmood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of(a) applicants and (b) entrants to each university in England were from (i) further education colleges, (ii) sixth-form colleges, (iii) school sixth-forms and (iv) independent schools in(a) 2001 and(b) 2002. [143642]
  1731W
  Alan Johnson
  The information is not held centrally. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) collects data on the previous school type of applicants and acceptances to full-time undergraduate courses but does not release this data at institutional level without the prior permission of the institutions.

  However, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) publishes data annually showing the proportion of entrants to each university and HE college who come from state schools or colleges. This is contained in "Performance Indicators in Higher Education", the latest edition of which is available from the House Library.

  Gap Year Students
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of A-level students who took a year off study before beginning a university course in each year since 1990. [152003]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information comes from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and covers deferred entry for 18-year-old, full-time, accepted applicants to first degree and HND study in the UK. Figures are in the table. Students who defer their application to UCAS because they are taking a gap year are therefore excluded.

  UK domiciled 18-year-old applicants, accepted through UCAS with deferred entry

  Year of application

  Total accepted applicants

  Total accepted on deferred basis

  Percentage deferred

  1994/95

  118,890

  9,120

  7.7

  1995/96

  124,908

  10,495

  8.4

  1996/97

  130,768

  11,879

  9.1

  1997/98

  146,756

  13,345

  9.1

  1998/99

  148,301

  14,261

  9.6

  1999/2000

  146,670

  14,975

  10.2

  Percentage of accepted applicants, aged 18, through UCAS

  Year of Entry

  LEA

  11994

  11995

  11996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  North East Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  15.3

  14.7

  15.3

  15.2

  16.0

  14.5

  North Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  20.2

  18.8

  17.9

  21.3

  18.2

  18.6

  Humberside

  15.1

  16.5

  16.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1Prior to 1997, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire were contained within Humberside LEA along with the City of Kingston upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire.

  Isle of Wight College
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the quality of provision by the Isle of Wight college since publication of the statement by the Baroness Blackstone contained in the Department of Education and Skills press notices 1999/0212. [160272]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 10 March 2004]: The Isle of Wight College recovery plan has been effectively implemented and the college now offers good quality courses across a wide provision to serve the needs of the local community. The college was inspected under the Common Inspection Framework in October 2003 and
  1732W

  UK domiciled 18-year-old applicants, accepted through UCAS with deferred entry

  Year of application

  Total accepted applicants

  Total accepted on deferred basis

  Percentage deferred

  2000/01

  147,986

  16,007

  10.8

  2001/02

  156,790

  18,840

  12.0

  2002/03

  161,032

  19,600

  12.2

  Source:

  UCAS

  Higher Education
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of students in higher education institutions are not studying for degree courses. [152685]

  Alan Johnson
  In 2002–03, 47 per cent. of all HE enrolments to UK HE institutions were for courses other than first degrees. Figures are given in the table.

  Enrolments to UK HE Institutions, 2002–03

  Level

  Number

  Percentage

  Postgraduate

  414,250

  21

  First Degree

  1,075,070

  53

  Other Undergraduate

  530,860

  26

  All

  2,020,180

  100

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

  Shona Mclsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 18-year-olds entered full-time higher education in(a) North East Lincolnshire and (b) North Lincolnshire in each year since 1990. [153598]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) applicants accepted to full time first degree and HND courses. Information prior to 1994 entry is not available at local education authority level. Figures are given in the table.

  the inspectors judged that of the nine areas of learning delivered by the college, three were satisfactory, five were good and one outstanding. Leadership and management of the college was also judged to be good. The college has also recently been recognised as a Centre of Vocational Excellence for hospitality and catering.

  Language Teaching
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many staff teaching English in secondary schools(a) for part of their time and (b) full-time do not have a first degree in English; [159820]
  1733W
  (2) how many staff teaching modern foreign languages in secondary schools (a) full-time and (b) for part of their time do not have a first degree in a foreign language; [159821]

  (3) what the vacancy level for teachers of modern foreign languages is. [159822]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information on subject teaching is not available in the form requested. Similar information is available in 'Statistics of Education: School Workforce in England, 2003 Edition'. This can be found in the Library or at the following link: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsqatewav/DBA/OL/v000443/inclex.shtml. The level of qualifications teachers hold in the subjects they teach is shown in Table 24. The percentage of periods they provide in those subjects is shown in Table 25.

  In January 2003, the vacancy rate for all languages in secondary schools in England was 1.1 per cent. Modern foreign languages cannot be separately identified.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in the United Kingdom had learning difficulties in each year since 1995. [158325]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) collects information on the long-term health conditions and impairments of working age adults. LFS estimates of those who have a current long-term impairment and whose main condition is a severe or specific learning difficulty are shown in the table below for each autumn since 1998. Comparable estimates are not available prior to 1998.

  People of working age1 with a current long-term health condition or impairment2 whose main condition is a learning difficulty3

  Autumn of each year

  Thousand

  Percentage of working age population

  1998

  128

  0.35

  1999

  150

  0.41

  2000

  153

  0.42

  2001

  149

  0.40

  2002

  187

  0.50

  2003

  159

  0.43

  1Working age is defined as men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.

  2People are defined as disabled if they have a long-standing illness significantly limiting their day-to-day activities and/or they have work-limiting disability.

  3Main health condition is a severe or specific learning difficulty.

  Source:

  UK, Labour Force Survey

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the school population is categorised as having(a) severe and (b) moderate learning difficulties; and what proportion is in special schools in each case.[159389]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department of Education and Skills began collecting data on pupils' type of special educational need from January 2004. It is not possible 1734W
  to provide information on the proportion of the school population with severe or moderate learning difficulties until the data have been collated. We expect it to become available in the summer.

  Information about the provision being made for pupils with statements of special educational need is collected from local authorities each year. In January 2003, 37.5 per cent. of pupils with a statement of special educational need were being educated in maintained, non-maintained or independent special schools.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding his Department provides for projects to train people with learning difficulties. [156021]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  There is no specific funding for such projects. Rather, training and education for people with learning difficulties is funded from the overall budget (£8.1 billion in 2003—04) which my Department allocates to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in order to carry out its education and training remit for young people and adults. Within this overall budget the LSC will spend £105 million this year on specialist residential college placements and considerably more supporting learners with learning difficulties in mainstream provision.

  The Government have strengthened the rights of people with learning difficulties 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 LSC has a specific responsibility to help young people and adults with learning difficulties. 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.

  The LSC has established a Forum on Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities to ensure that inclusive learning is at the heart of its policies and processes. Membership includes representatives from Government, external representative bodies and learners with learning difficulties. The LSC also participates in local Learning Disability Partnership Boards, with the Department of Health and other partner agencies, to improve local inter-agency working.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what framework is in place to assess the quality of local education authorities in areas other than those covered by Ofsted. [157069]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 27 February 2004]: Ofsted is responsible, under section 38 of the Education Act 1997, for inspecting the main functions of local education authorities (LEAs) as they relate to schools. Provisions in the Children Bill would widen the scope of section 38 to cover any function of an LEA other than those falling within the remit of the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI).
  1735W
  Local authority social care functions are inspected by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), whose functions are shortly to transfer to the newly established Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). The Children Bill provides for the integrated inspection of children's services in local authority areas, with all relevant inspectorates working under a framework which will cover all local authority services for children, as well as other non-Council services such as health and probation.

  Numeracy/Literacy
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in the United Kingdom were classified as(a) innumerate and (b) illiterate in each year since 1995. [158326]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Until last year, information on literacy and numeracy skills had not been collected on a regular basis, so annual data are not available. However, the "Skills for Life Survey: A national needs and impact survey of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills", which was published by the Department for Education and Skills in October last year, tested the literacy, language and numeracy skills of 8,040 people in England. The findings are shown in the following table. Attainment is split into levels that are broadly mapped to the National Curriculum Key Stages in schools: Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 correspond to Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, Level 1 corresponds to Key Stage 3, and Level 2 to Key Stage 4. We consider those who are at Entry Level 3 or below to have a severe basic skills need.

  As education is a devolved matter, the Department does not have data covering the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Percentage of 16 to 65-year-olds

  Number of 16 to 65-year-olds (million)

  Overall literacy1

  Entry level 1 or below

  3

  1.1

  Entry level 2

  2

  0.6

  Entry level 3

  11

  3.5

  (All Entry level or below)

  (16)

  (5.2)

  Level 1

  40

  12.6

  Level 2 or above

  44

  14.1

  100

  31.9

  Overall numeracy2

  Entry level 1 or below

  5

  1.7

  Entry level 2

  16

  5.1

  Entry level 3

  25

  8.1

  (All Entry level or below)

  (47)

  (15.0)

  Level 1

  28

  8.8

  Level 2 or above

  25

  8.1

  100

  31.9

  1 Base: all respondents with literacy level (7,874)

  2 Base: all respondents with numeracy level (8,040)

  Source for population figures:

  Census 01

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in the United 1736W
  Kingdom had (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills below Level 1, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) race and (iii) socio-economic group in each year since 1995. [158328]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Until last year, there was no large-scale collection of information on literacy and numeracy skills, so annual data are not available. However, the "Skills for Life Survey: A national needs and impact survey of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills", which was published by the Department for Education and Skills in October last year, tested the literacy, language and numeracy skills of 8,040 people in England.

  Attainment in literacy and numeracy, recorded by gender, social class and ethnic background, is summarised in the tables.

  As education is a devolved matter, the Department does not have access to data for the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Literacy and Numeracy skills below Level 1 by Gender

  Literacy by Gender

  Base: all respondents with literacy level (7874)

  Men aged 16–65 (%)

  Women aged 16–65 (%)

  Below Level 1

  16

  16

  Level 1 and above

  84

  84

  Numeracy by Gender

  Base: all respondents with numeracy level (8040)

  Men aged 16–65 (%)

  Women aged 16–65 (%)

  Below Level 1

  41

  59

  Level 1 and above

  53

  47

  Literacy and Numeracy skills below Level 1 by Social Class

  Literacy by household social class

  Base: All respondents with literacy scores

  Base

  Below Level 1 (%)

  Level 1 and above (%)

  I

  429

  6

  94

  II

  2,656

  8

  92

  IIIa

  1,328

  12

  88

  IIIb

  1,739

  21

  79

  IV

  1,051

  31

  69

  V

  301

  37

  63

  Total

  7,874

  16

  84

  Numeracy by household social class

  Base: All respondents with numeracy scores

  Base

  Below Level 1(%)

  Level 1 and above (%)

  I

  433

  23

  77

  II

  2,664

  33

  67

  IIIa

  1,361

  48

  52

  IIIb

  1,785

  56

  44

  IV

  1,100

  65

  35

  V

  317

  77

  23

  Total

  8,040

  47

  53

  1737W

  Literacy and Numeracy skills below Level 1 by ethnic group

  Literacy level by ethnic group

  Base: All respondents with literacy level

  All (n = 7874)

  White British (n=7015)

  Asian (Indian) (n=123)

  Asian (Pakistani) (n=69)1

  Black (Caribbean) (n=80)1

  Black (African) (n=77)1

  Below Level 1

  16

  14

  37

  47

  40

  38

  Level 1 or above

  84

  86

  63

  53

  60

  62

  1Note small base

  Numeracy level by ethnic group

  Base: All respondents with numeracy level

  All (n=8040)

  White British (n=7160)

  Asian (Indian) (n=130)

  Asian (Pakistani) (n=70)1

  Black (Caribbean) (n=86)1

  Black (African) (n = 78)1

  Below Level 1

  47

  45

  61

  71

  81

  78

  Level 1 or above

  53

  55

  39

  29

  19

  22

  1 Note small base

  Post-16 Education
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what local education authority programmes encourage pupils to remain in education beyond the age of 16; and what steps his Department is taking to support these programmes. [154945]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We work with local education authorities (LEAs), the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Connexions, and schools and colleges to encourage young people to remain in education or training after the age of 16. We are tackling the causes of low participation by providing a more flexible, coherent and better quality 14–19 curriculum; advice and guidance; and financial support.

  We are working with 56 LEAs to pilot the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme. Evidence from the evaluation has led to our decision to extend the scheme across England from September 2004.

  We have put in place a national Connexions service to provide advice, guidance and support to help young people make an effective transition to post-16 learning and to adult life. This is supported by Connexions Direct—an internet and telephone based confidential advice service available 18 hours a day and 365 days a year. The Connexions service has a specific target to reduce the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training by 10 per cent. by November 2004.

  We are investing, jointly with the LSC, £46 million over the period 2002–03 to 2004–05 in a programme of 39 14–19 pathfinders. Pathfinder partnerships, which include LEAs, are testing local delivery of 14–19 education and training in a range of settings, introducing more curriculum flexibility and choice so that students' programmes can be better tailored to their needs and aptitudes.

  We recognise that a key factor in the decision by young people to remain in education after 16 is the quality of their experience at school and the standards they achieve. That is why our strategy for transforming education in secondary schools, particularly the national Key Stage 3 Strategy, supports teachers in
  1738W
  tailoring teaching and learning to meet the needs of pupils and to personalise their learning experience. The results of national curriculum tests at KS3 last year showed standards at their highest ever in each subject and at every level. Standards at KS4 again improved on previous record levels with greatest improvements in schools in the most challenging circumstances. The 'Increased Flexibility for 14–16 Year Olds' programme aims to increase attainment and encourage young people to progress into education or training. Over 90,000 pupils are currently involved and we are providing over £50 million of support in the current year to almost 300 partnerships between schools and colleges.

  We are also working, through the Sure Start initiative, with LEAs and providers to continue to expand child care, early learning and health and family support from which teenage and older parents can benefit.

  And we recognise that educational participation is supported and enhanced by modern, accessible youth work providing personal and social development. In "Resourcing Excellent Youth Services", we set youth services a clear vision of what we expect them to provide for the young people in their area. To help youth services achieve this vision, we gave local authorities a 5.9 per cent. investment increase in the EPS youth and community sub-block; and have also provided grant funding worth around £80 million over the period 2002–06 explicitly to support modernisation.

  Pre-schools
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his latest estimate is of the number of pre-schools in England; and if he will make a statement. [156698]

  Margaret Hodge
  My Department estimates that there were 10,100 pre-school or playgroups in England in January 2003. Provisional data for January 2004 will be published in May 2004.
  1739W

  Pupils Attainments
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the changes in pupils' attainment in the early years of secondary schools over the past two years. [159819]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Key Stage 3 (KS3) National Tests are the main measure of pupils' attainment in the early years of secondary education. The 2003 tests, recorded the best ever pupil attainment at KS3, with improvements in every subject and at every level. Over the past two years the percentage of pupils achieving Level 5 or above has increased by four percentage points to currently stand at 69 per cent. in English; increased by five percentage points to reach 71 per cent. in mathematics and increased by two percentage points to stand at 68 per cent. in science. The percentage of pupils achieving Level 6 or above over the same period has increased by three percentage points in English to reach 35 per cent., six percentage points in mathematics to reach 49 per cent., and six percentage points in science to reach 40 per cent..

  These achievements endorse the positive impact on pupils' attainment of the Key Stage 3 National Strategy which we introduced to raise the attainment of all 11 to 14-year-olds. Our priority now is to build on these gains to achieve even higher standards this year by further embedding the strategy, maintaining a focus on tackling under performance, and supporting teachers to personalise teaching and learning to meet the needs of individual pupils.

  Recreational Adult Education
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the implications of the decision to prioritise some groups of adult learners in recreational adult education. [146316]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  There has been no decision to prioritise some groups of learners in recreational adult education. We gave a commitment in the Skills Strategy White Paper to safeguard the availability of lifelong learning courses by agreeing with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) an overall indicative budget for non qualification provision provided through local education authorities (LEAs), family and neighbourhood learning. This we have done. The figure for 2004–05 is £207.4 million compared with £206 million in 2003–04. This follows a period when the Government significantly increased the budget for this type of learning from £145 million in 2000–01, and £183 million in 2002–03. In November 2002, 662,000 adults were on predominantly non vocational and non qualification courses run through LEAs.

  School Absenteeism (Greater London)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many half-days have been lost owing to unauthorised absence of pupils in(a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997 (i) in absolute terms and (ii) as a proportion of the total number of half-days. [158454]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The information requested is shown in the tables.
  1740W

  Unauthorised absence in maintained Primary and Secondary schools in Greater London 1997/98 to 2002/03

  Academic year 1997/98

  Local education authority

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  London, City of

  976

  1.92

  Camden

  78,679

  1.46

  Greenwich

  172,048

  2.00

  Hackney

  101,078

  1.58

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  65,994

  1.90

  Islington

  105,073

  1.70

  Kensington and Chelsea

  41,502

  1.74

  Lambeth

  88,978

  1.34

  Lewisham

  150,844

  1.83

  Southwark

  169,937

  2.03

  Tower Hamlets

  184,708

  2.19

  Wandsworth

  66,109

  0.99

  Westminster, City of

  91,418

  2.08

  Barking and Dagenham

  105,543

  1.52

  Barnet

  77,882

  0.65

  Bexley

  38,296

  0.42

  Brent

  62,081

  0.75

  Bromley

  54,438

  0.47

  Croydon

  67,594

  0.56

  Ealing

  84,732

  0.86

  Enfield

  111,415

  0.95

  Haringey

  128,095

  1.64

  Harrow

  43,429

  0.55

  Havering

  37,739

  0.40

  Hillingdon

  97,442

  1.05

  Hounslow

  77,565

  0.92

  Kingston upon Thames

  24,577

  0.51

  Merton

  80,513

  1.39

  Newham

  281,582

  2.51

  Redbridge

  58,420

  0.61

  Richmond upon Thames

  26,734

  0.50

  Sutton

  27,419

  0.39

  Waltham Forest

  122,797

  1.42

  Greater London

  2,925,637

  1.16

  Academic year 1998/99

  Local education authority

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  London, City of

  870

  1.62

  Camden

  80,643

  1.47

  Greenwich

  164,721

  1.84

  Hackney

  117,592

  1.87

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  81,121

  1.88

  Islington

  101,917

  1.70

  Kensington and Chelsea

  44,302

  1.72

  Lambeth

  74,782

  1.11

  Lewisham

  146,376

  1.77

  Southwark

  152,771

  1.85

  Tower Hamlets

  144,803

  1.75

  Wandsworth

  55,429

  0.82

  Westminster, City of

  111,262

  2.52

  Barking and Dagenham

  118,473

  1.64

  Barnet

  82,707

  0.70

  Bexley

  41,590

  0.42

  Brent

  67,803

  0.75

  Bromley

  55,152

  0.47

  Croydon

  85,711

  0.69

  Ealing

  78,697

  0.78

  Enfield

  139,097

  1.17

  Haringey

  132,103

  1.66

  Harrow

  38,434

  0.50

  Havering

  35,452

  0.36

  Hillingdon

  111,820

  1.15

  Hounslow

  85,135

  0.99

  Kingston upon Thames

  26,861

  0.55

  Merton

  81,051

  1.35

  Newham

  279,864

  2.34

  1741W

  Academic year 1998/99

  Local education authority

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  Redbridge

  59,335

  0.59

  Richmond upon Thames

  39,226

  0.71

  Sutton

  29,396

  0.41

  Waltham Forest

  105,736

  1.15

  Greater London

  2,970,232

  1.15

  Academic year 1999/2000

  Local education authority

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  London, City of

  1,024

  1.93

  Camden

  73,343

  1.38

  Greenwich

  140,254

  1.59

  Hackney

  106,715

  1.68

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  64,254

  1.58

  Islington

  87,926

  1.51

  Kensington and Chelsea

  23,882

  1.24

  Lambeth

  67,732

  1.06

  Lewisham

  177,815

  2.06

  Southwark

  143,088

  1.70

  Tower Hamlets

  175,273

  1.97

  Wandsworth

  47,933

  0.71

  Westminster, City of

  82,599

  1.96

  Barking and Dagenham

  112,190

  1.53

  Barnet

  92,733

  0.80

  Bexley

  65,638

  0.67

  Brent

  71,191

  0.78

  Bromley

  55,696

  0.46

  Croydon

  66,086

  0.54

  Ealing

  74,619

  0.74

  Enfield

  158,499

  1.36

  Haringey

  158,098

  2.11

  Harrow

  43,560

  0.55

  Havering

  32,183

  0.33

  Hillingdon

  115,132

  1.13

  Hounslow

  80,178

  0.93

  Kingston upon Thames

  29,328

  0.61

  Merton

  59,500

  1.01

  Newham

  251,543

  2.14

  Redbridge

  70,426

  0.71

  Richmond upon Thames

  51,160

  0.93

  Sutton

  28,208

  0.38

  Waltham Forest

  89,053

  0.99

  Greater London

  2,898,859

  1.12

  Notes:
  Figures relate to maintained primary and secondary schools but exclude maintained special schools and CTCs.
  Figures cover pupils that were absent between September and May for each year

  Unauthorised absence in maintained Primary and Secondary schools in Greater London 1997/98 to 2002/03

  Academic year 2000/01

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  London, City of

  470

  0.85

  Camden

  77,860

  1.48

  Greenwich

  151,560

  1.74

  Hackney

  137,829

  2.10

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  59,493

  1.40

  Islington

  81,544

  1.40

  Kensington and Chelsea

  40,208

  1.56

  Lambeth

  78,000

  1.19

  Lewisham

  201,480

  2.44

  Southwark

  147,966

  1.72

  1742W

  Unauthorised absence in maintained Primary and Secondary schools in Greater London 1997/98 to 2002/03

  Academic year 2000/01

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  Tower Hamlets

  176,825

  1.97

  Wandsworth

  41,310

  0.62

  Westminster, City of

  70,169

  1.59

  Barking and Dagenham

  119,229

  1.61

  Barnet

  107,497

  0.90

  Bexley

  67,686

  0.67

  Brent

  62,876

  0.69

  Bromley

  82,593

  0.69

  Croydon

  83,410

  0.65

  Ealing

  58,368

  0.58

  Enfield

  176,126

  1.45

  Haringey

  137,481

  1.78

  Harrow

  38,516

  0.49

  Havering

  39,524

  0.40

  Hillingdon

  91,964

  0.93

  Hounslow

  91,588

  1.08

  Kingston upon Thames

  22,032

  0.44

  Merton

  49,034

  0.87

  Newham

  233,181

  1.93

  Redbridge

  75,684

  0.73

  Richmond upon Thames

  66,817

  1.22

  Sutton

  29,372

  0.40

  Waltham Forest

  115,934

  1.25

  Greater London

  3,013,626

  1.15

  Academic year 2001/02

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  London, City of

  169

  0.32

  Camden

  65,294

  1.25

  Greenwich

  165,470

  1.86

  Hackney

  118,493

  1.81

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  46,981

  1.13

  Islington

  81,441

  1.37

  Kensington and Chelsea

  31,389

  1.26

  Lambeth

  69,059

  1.05

  Lewisham

  152,961

  1.84

  Southwark

  156,481

  1.76

  Tower Hamlets

  163,020

  1.83

  Wandsworth

  57,917

  0.86

  Westminster, City of

  54,865

  1.22

  Barking and Dagenham

  127,790

  1.73

  Barnet

  91,524

  0.78

  Bexley

  76,907

  0.75

  Brent

  53,091

  0.58

  Bromley

  86,441

  0.72

  Croydon

  78,092

  0.61

  Ealing

  55,691

  0.55

  Enfield

  175,576

  1.47

  Haringey

  156,948

  1.93

  Harrow

  34,500

  0.45

  Havering

  38,596

  0.39

  Hillingdon

  104,817

  1.04

  Hounslow

  88,872

  1.04

  Kingston upon Thames

  19,697

  0.39

  Merton

  38,326

  0.69

  Newham

  213,733

  1.78

  Redbridge

  78,596

  0.74

  Richmond upon Thames

  64,402

  1.23

  Sutton

  49,739

  0.65

  Waltham Forest

  92,502

  1.03

  Greater London

  2,889,380

  1.10

  1743W

  Academic year 2002/03

  Number of sessions missed due to unauthorised absence

  % half days missed due to unauthorised absence

  London, City of

  0

  0.00

  Camden

  55,645

  1.14

  Greenwich

  166,073

  1.85

  Hackney

  105,774

  1.62

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  48,180

  1.19

  Islington

  80,662

  1.36

  Kensington and Chelsea

  24,846

  0.97

  Lambeth

  62,317

  0.92

  Lewisham

  136,429

  1.57

  Southwark

  157,226

  1.75

  Tower Hamlets

  138,820

  1.56

  Wandsworth

  52,766

  0.78

  Westminster, City of

  48,561

  1.08

  Barking and Dagenham

  119,169

  1.60

  Barnet

  87,718

  0.74

  Bexley

  54,322

  0.54

  Brent

  56,144

  0.60

  Bromley

  87,561

  0.73

  Croydon

  110,841

  0.87

  Ealing

  48,907

  0.49

  Enfield

  173,070

  1.44

  Haringey

  143,333

  1.75

  Harrow

  25,072

  0.32

  Havering

  37,431

  0.39

  Hillingdon

  111,853

  1.10

  Hounslow

  95,439

  1.11

  Kingston upon Thames

  17,616

  0.35

  Merton

  41,819

  0.77

  Newham

  150.900

  1.29

  Redbridge

  76,663

  0.73

  Richmond upon Thames

  56,648

  1.09

  Sutton

  35,024

  0.46

  Waltham Forest

  81,085

  0.90

  Greater London

  2,687,914

  1.03

  Notes:
  City of London reported no unauthorised absences in 2002/03.
  Figures relate to maintained primary and secondary schools but exclude maintained special schools and CTCs.
  Figures cover pupils that were absent between September and May for each year

  Schools (Accidents)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent in legal costs by(a) schools and (b) local education authorities in relation to (i) school trip accidents and (ii) accidents within schools in 2003. [160070]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  My Department does not collect this information from local education authorities or schools.

  Sector Skills Development Agency/University for Industry
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the(a) Sector Skills Development Agency and (b) the University for Industry is registered to (i) the ISO 9000:2000 standard requirement and (ii) Investors In People standards. [159748]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Sector Skills Development Agency is not registered to the ISO 9000:2000 standard requirement As a relatively new organisation the Sector Skills Development agency is working towards and is totally committed to achieving Investors in People recognition during the operating year 2004–05.
  1744W
  The University for Industry is not registered to the ISO 9000:2000 standard requirement but is currently considering its value and expect shortly to make a decision about its adoption. The University for Industry was recognised as an Investor in People on 29 October 2003.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the change in the rate of incidence of emotional and behavioural difficulties as a special educational need among primary school children over the last 10 years. [157176]

  Margaret Hodge
  In the past no figures have been collected for special educational need by type of difficulty. However, from January this year we have started to collect information about type of need for pupils with statements of SEN and for those at School Action Plus as part of the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC). One of the categories used is 'Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulty' (BESD).

  From this summer, information will be available on the number of children in primary schools with BESD. These figures will act as the baseline against which we will be able to compare future trends.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures are in place to assess progress made in improving the attainment of children with a statement of special educational needs. [157823]

  Margaret Hodge
  Each child with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) is expected to have short-term educational and development targets set for them during the course of the year. In addition to routine monitoring of the child's progress by their teacher, these targets form part of their individual education plan which should be reviewed by the school at least twice a year and fully considered by the Local Education Authority at the annual review of the child's statement before new targets are set.

  "Removing Barriers to Achievement: the Government's Strategy for SEN", launched on 11 February, will strengthen the focus on pupil progress and achievement. Key measures include:
  trialling and guidance on how schools can make effective use of routine tests, tasks and other forms of assessment to inform target-setting and reporting on pupil progress;
  helping schools to make effective use of information contained within the Pupil Achievement Tracker and Ofsted Performance and Assessment Reports so that they can compare their performance for different groups of pupils, including those with SEN, with other schools;
  extending the Pupil Level Annual School Census to include pupil details by type of SEN, allowing comparison with others and better identification of pupils who may need targeted support;
  promoting the use of P-Scales by all schools with pupils working at the very lowest level of the National Curriculum, by providing guidance on moderation to support consistent assessment and collecting P Scale results as part of the national data collection exercise from 2005;
  looking further at how the achievements of all children, including those working below the level of the national tests can best be reflected in national performance tables.

  1745W
  The SEN Strategy includes a number of measures which underpin this work including: equipping teachers and other professionals with the skills and confidence they need to enable children with SEN to reach their potential; encouraging children and young people to be actively involved in decisions about their learning; and promoting and supporting the commitment of inclusive schools.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the future role of moderate learning difficulty special schools will be; and if he will make a statement. [159383]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Government's special educational needs strategy Removing Barriers to Achievement makes it clear that we believe that special schools have an important role to play within the overall spectrum of provision for children with special educational needs—educating some children directly and sharing their expertise with mainstream schools to support greater inclusion.

  There will always be changes to local provision to reflect local needs and circumstances. This is a matter for local decision. Local education authorities are required to review their provision and future needs for children with special educational needs when drafting their School Organisation Plan.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of pupils at special schools was successfully reintegrated within the mainstream school system in 2003. [160071]

  Margaret Hodge
  In January 2003, local authorities reported that 1020 pupils had transferred from special schools to mainstream schools. That is 1.1 per cent. of the special school population. In addition, about 2000 pupils are dual registered and spend part of their time in a mainstream school. Others are on the roll of a special school but have regular mainstream experience.

  The Government's SEN Strategy, "Removing Barriers to Achievement", encourages greater collaboration between special and mainstream schools in order to promote inclusion. This will include greater movement between special schools and mainstream schools by both pupils and staff. We will also encourage more special schools to participate in federation, cluster and twinning arrangements and, through the Building Schools for the Future programme, hope to bring more schools closer physically, including through co-location.

  Student Drop-out Rates
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated cost to public funds was of students dropping out of higher and further education courses in the latest year for which figures are available. [156309]

  Alan Johnson
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England's (HEFCE) teaching funding method provides funding for students who complete their course of study. Students who do not complete their course are not fundable. Figures for the public costs of student support for higher education students who do not complete their courses are not available.
  1746W
  Further education funding for institutions is based on learners' attendance on termly census dates. If students finish their studies before the planned end of their course no further funding is provided. Thus if a student attends for one term of a one year course, the college gets 30 per cent. of the funding for the whole course. The Learning and Skills Council estimates that around £319 million is spent on teaching students who attend only part of their course. This does not include any Learner Support Funds received by these learners as this information is not available centrally.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the percentage drop-out rate for students from higher education institutions whose home residence is in the(a) 100 poorest wards in England and Wales and (b) 100 richest wards in England and Wales was in the last academic year. [156311]

  Alan Johnson
  Non-completion rates are not calculated at ward level.

  The figures produced by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in the publication 'Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK' give non-completion rates for UK domiciles as a whole at each UK HE institution. A copy of the publication is held in the House Library.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport website will carry information on how the Higher Education Bill will change student finance arrangements. [160068]

  Alan Johnson
  The DIES Student Support website will contain information on any changes to the Higher Education funding regime only after the passage of the Bill and when the detail of the future arrangements have been decided. Until then, information on the possible impact of the Higher Education Bill on student finance arrangements is available on the Department's www.dfes.gov.uk/hegateway website which is dedicated to keeping the public informed on developments around Higher Education reform. A link between the two sites ensures that people can access both information on the current funding regime and proposals for the future.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many graduates have begun to repay income contingent loans in each of the past three financial years. [159850]

  Alan Johnson
  Repayments of income-contingent loans are collected through the tax system, apart from a few exceptions. Repayments are notified to the Student Loans Company (SLC) after the end of the tax year, after which time has to be allowed for reconciliation with SLC records. Therefore complete data on the number of borrowers with income-contingent loans where repayments have begun to have been made are not yet available.

  Borrowers enter repayment status, i.e. are due to make repayments on their loans, in the April after graduating or otherwise leaving their course. No repayments are

  1747W
  deducted from income-contingent borrowers whose income falls below £10,000 per year. Borrowers with income contingent loans can also make voluntary repayments, either in the form of pre-payments before they enter repayment status, or ad-hoc repayments to accelerate their repayments after entering repayment status. These repayments are made directly by the borrower to the SLC. The table shows the number of UK income-contingent loan borrowers who have entered repayment status by tax year. It also shows the number who have made voluntary repayments by tax year, and of those the number who have entered repayment status in that year.

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Entered repayment status

  36,000

  66,000

  202,000

  Borrowers who made voluntary repayments

  5,000

  12,000

  24,000

  of which, borrowers in the first year of entering repayment status

  1,000

  1,000

  8,000

  Source:
  Student Loans Company

  Students (South Derbyshire)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many students there were in the most recent academic year for which statistics are available whose home prior to commencing their higher education course was in the South Derbyshire constituency; [157399]

  (2) what proportion of students leaving school or college at 18 whose home was in the South Derbyshire constituency commenced a higher education course in the most recent academic year for which statistics are available. [157400]

  Alan Johnson
  Figures at constituency level are not held centrally.

  The available information covers students accepted for entry to full time undergraduate courses via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by local education authority (LEA). The figures show that in autumn 2002, 3,508 students of all ages from South Derbyshire LEA obtained a place in HE. In the same year, 22.5 per cent. of all 18-year-olds from South Derbyshire LEA obtained a place.
  1748W

  Unruly Behaviour
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what steps he is taking to address the problem of unruly behaviour by pupils in(a) primary schools and (b) high schools; [156492]

  (2) what plans he has to change guidance to teachers with respect to restraining unruly and violent pupils. [156496]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We are investing nearly £470 million over this and the next two years in measures to improve behaviour and attendance in schools. These include training for school staff in managing pupil behaviour and reducing and preventing violence. We have also made it clear that head teachers can permanently exclude pupils responsible for violence, and that we would support such action. In January 2003 new Regulations governing exclusions came into force and the DfES issued new Guidance on Exclusion from Schools and Pupil Referral Units, which introduced several changes. Independent Appeal Panels are not able to reinstate a pupil solely on the basis of technical defects in prior procedure. They are also now required to balance the interests of the excluded pupil against the interests of all the other members of the school community.

  New legislation in t he Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 will enable local education authorities and schools to enter into parenting contracts with parents whose children are excluded from school, helping parents who are willing to engage to improve their children's behaviour. Where children are excluded for serious misbehaviour and parents are unwilling to engage, local education authorities may apply for court-imposed Parenting Orders, compelling the parents to attend parenting classes. We have issued "A legal toolkit for schools", which identifies legal remedies available when school staff experience problems with violent parents. Some of these are also available when dealing with violent pupils.

  It is not possible to provide details of separate primary and secondary funding as a major element. The Behaviour Improvement Programme, funds partnerships of schools that include primary and secondary schools, and funding decisions are made locally.

  We have no plans to change current guidance on restraining unruly or violent pupils. Our current guidance is contained in Section 550A, Circular 10/98, which came into force on 1 September 1998.

  We also have guidance in this area for special schools. These are contained in LEA/0264/2003 September 2003 (guidance for LEAs and special schools on drawing up physical intervention policies and risk assessment).

  Questions for Written Answer: Reply Times
  Questions for Written Answer: Reply Times
  Northern Ireland Civil Service: Remuneration
  Northern Ireland Civil Service: Remuneration
  Northern Ireland: Railways
  Northern Ireland: Railways
  Cross-Border Implementation Bodies
  Cross-Border Implementation Bodies
  Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan
  Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan
  Ulster Scots Future Search
  Ulster Scots Future Search
  European Elections: Post Office Deliveries
  European Elections: Post Office Deliveries
  Victims' Advisory Panel
  Victims' Advisory Panel
  Criminal Offences
  Criminal Offences
  Prisoners: Dental Services
  Prisoners: Dental Services
  Sentencing
  Sentencing
  Community Service Orders
  Community Service Orders
  Offenders: Cost of Custodial and Community Sentences
  Offenders: Cost of Custodial and Community Sentences
  Health Professionals: Recruitment from EU Accession States
  Health Professionals: Recruitment from EU Accession States
  Undocumented Arrivals: Originating Airports
  Undocumented Arrivals: Originating Airports
  Child Pornography and Sexual Offences
  Child Pornography and Sexual Offences
  Abu Hanza
  Abu Hanza
  Passport Fees
  Passport Fees
  Customs Duties: UK Net Receipts from Non-EU Countries
  Customs Duties: UK Net Receipts from Non-EU Countries
  Agricultural Duties: UK Net Receipts from Non-EU Countries
  Agricultural Duties: UK Net Receipts from Non-EU Countries
  Imports: Agricultural and Fishing Produce from Non-EU Countries
  Imports: Agricultural and Fishing Produce from Non-EU Countries
  Imports with Zero Rate Customs Duty: Non-EU Countries
  Imports with Zero Rate Customs Duty: Non-EU Countries
  Sport: Government Funding
  Sport: Government Funding
  UK Sport: Modernisation Programme
  UK Sport: Modernisation Programme
  Olympic Games 2012: London Bid
  Olympic Games 2012: London Bid
  Haemophilia: Review of 1970s and 1980s Treatments
  Haemophilia: Review of 1970s and 1980s Treatments
  Obesity
  Obesity
  NHS Dentistry
  NHS Dentistry
  Surgical Practitioners
  Surgical Practitioners
  Aspartame
  Aspartame
  Mobile Phones: Possible Health Effects
  Mobile Phones: Possible Health Effects
  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Osteoporosis
  Osteoporosis
  Fishing Industry
  Fishing Industry
  Single Farm Payment Scheme
  Single Farm Payment Scheme