Written Answers of 19 May 2004

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Bovine TB
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department uses the Bovigam gamma interferon test in field trials. [172529]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Bovigam test is being used in Defra's gamma-interferon field pilot.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms in Gloucestershire are under movement restrictions due to bovine TB, broken down by constituency; what the figures were in each of the last five years; what action she proposes to take to reduce these figures; and if she will make a statement. [173693]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The information requested is not available on a constituency basis. TB data is held by county or Animal Health Divisional Office level.

  At 31 March 2004, 201 herds were under TB movement restrictions in Gloucestershire. The information requested for the previous five years for Gloucestershire is given in the following table.

  Herds under TB movement restrictions

  1999

  277

  2000

  330

  20011

  180

  20022

  394

  20032

  474

  1 In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease Also the proportion of high risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result since 2002 the statistical data is not comparable to that of previous years.

  2 Includes restrictions imposed for other reasons, such as a TB test being overdue.

  Note:

  Data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on 13 May 2004.

  This is provisional data, which is subject to change, as more data becomes available. The TB strategy is under review. We issued a consultation document 'Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine TB' in February 2004. This constitutes the first stage in the development of a long-term strategy for TB, which applies the principles in the overarching Animal and Welfare Strategy.

  The consultation also includes proposals for short-term cattle based-measures designed to restrict the geographical spread of the disease. These include such
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  measures as pre- and post-movement testing, reviewing testing frequencies and improving the delivery of the testing and control programme.

  We have carried out a number regional workshops in support of the review of the bovine TB strategy including one in Bristol on 16 April 2004, and a national workshop held in London on 12 May.

  Agricultural Census
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for the future administration of the annual June agricultural census. [166447]

  Alun Michael
  The annual June Agricultural and Horticultural Census is an important survey. We continue to develop it with a view to reducing the burden on both respondents and the taxpayer. Following a review with our statistical advisers, we have concluded the sample sizes can be reduced in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009 when we do not need to run such large surveys for EU purposes. The sample size for 2004 is being reduced from 75,000 holdings to about 50,000. While this will reduces the precision at the local levels, this will be minimised by the use of available administrative sources. Increasing numbers of farmers and growers are now completing survey forms electronically and we will be developing our electronic data collection as part of the Whole Farm Approach initiative.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what target was most recently set by the Government for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2020. [171522]

  Margaret Beckett
  The Government have set a domestic goal to move towards a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010, and is putting itself on a path to cut the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by some 60 per cent. by about 2050, with real progress by 2020.

  A target for 2020 has not been set, however, the 2003 Energy White Paper said that by 2020, on the basis of existing policies including the full effect of our climate change programme, we would expect UK carbon dioxide emissions of some 135 millions tonnes of carbon (MtC) in 2020. To be consistent with demonstrating leadership in the international process, we expect to aim for cuts in carbon of 15–25 MtC below that by 2020.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government expects to achieve a 60 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. [171523]

  Margaret Beckett
  In the 2003 Energy White Paper we accepted the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's recommendation, in their June 2000 report "Energy—The Changing Climate", that the Government should adopt a strategy to put the UK on a path to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by some 60 per cent. from current levels by about 2050.
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  As the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's recommendation implies, absolute precision five decades before 2050 is not possible. However, the Energy White Paper uses around 65 million tonnes of carbon (MtC) to describe the level of carbon emissions which a 60 per cent. cut would deliver by 2050.

  Analysis for the Energy White Paper showed that on the basis of existing policies, including the full effect of our climate change programme, we would expect UK carbon dioxide emissions of some 135 MtC in 2020. We expect to aim for additional cuts in carbon of 15–25 MtC below that by 2020 to put us on course to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by some 60 per cent. by about 2050.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government first used the term some 60 per cent. by 2050 to define the target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. [171524]

  Margaret Beckett
  The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution recommended in their June 2000 report, "Energy—The Changing Climate", that the Government should adopt a strategy to put the UK on a path to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by some 60 per cent. from current levels by about 2050.

  Following analysis and public consultation, the Government accepted this recommendation and first defined it as a goal in the Energy White Paper, which was published on 24 February 2003.

  Dairy Farming
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of decoupling on co-operative dairy farmers; and if she will make a statement. [173690]

  Alun Michael
  Decoupling will provide the basis for all farmers to improve the market orientation of their business and will free them from many of the bureaucratic rules associated with production linked subsidies. Decoupling has the potential to being considerable benefits to agriculture as a whole.

  The scope for dairy farmers to realise these benefits as members of co-operatives is not inherently different from those that supply milk direct to processors.

  Departmental Conferences
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many conferences have been organised by her Department in the last three years for which figures are available; how much was spent on them; how many were cancelled; and what costs were incurred in respect of cancelled conferences. [160776]

  Alun Michael
  Conferences organised by the Communications Directorate of Defra in the last three years for which figures are available are as follows. Records of all conferences carried out by the Department are not held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
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  Conference

  £

  Farm Business Recovery—July 2001, Scotch Corner

  13,920

  Farm Business Recovery—July 2001, Oakhampton

  13,860

  Farm Business Recovery—July 2001, Carlisle

  14,095

  Farm Business Recovery—July 2001, Darlington

  14,045

  Farm Business Recovery-August 2001, Carlisle

  13,870

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Hexham

  14,045

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Gloucester

  13,860

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Bishop Auckland

  14,045

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Penrith

  13,870

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Stafford

  13,860

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Bromsgrove

  13,860

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Barnstable

  13,860

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Broughtone

  13,870

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Hereford

  14,170

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Skipton

  14,045

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Carlisle

  13,870

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Penrith

  13,870

  Farm Business Recovery—August 2001, Gisbum

  13,870

  Farm Business Recovery—October 2001, Middlesborough

  14,045

  Waste Management Seminar—November 2001

  13,131

  Chemicals Stakeholder Forum—2002

  4,690

  Rural Revival Seminar—June 2002

  1,105

  SEAC Open Meeting—2002

  37,255

  Defra Hunting Hearing-2002

  18,143

  8 Regional Events On Sustainable Food & Farming—2002 24,240

  Noise Forum Conference—2002

  313

  Countryside Stewardship Campaign, 10th Anniversary Conference 2002

  2,158

  Foundation workshop—2003

  78,500

  Organised meetings (radio)—2003

  5,000

  Organised meetings (material)—2003

  8,250

  Organised meetings (facilitation)—2003

  9,600

  Organised meetings (launch)—2003

  42,344

  Reconvened focus groups—2003

  55,000

  Second tier meetings—2003

  23,176

  Additional costs launch meetings—2003

  29,176

  Flood and Coastal Management Conference—2003

  1,360

  E-nabling Defra Conference—2003

  3,900

  England Bio-Diversity Conference—2003

  900

  IMD Open day—2003

  1,405

  Better Buildings Summit—2003

  26,325

  Animal Health & Welfare Stakeholder Event—2003

  622

  Ethnic Minority Network Conference—2003

  7,000

  Flood Management Conference—2003

  2,022

  Rural Services Standard—2003

  614

  Darwin Lecture—2003

  1,050

  Growing Media Forum Seminar—2003

  8,621

  Science & Innovation Open Meeting—2003

  8,971

  Total

  679,801

  No conferences were cancelled.

  The costs do not include the cost of Departmental staff, details of which are not recorded against each conference.

  Farm Income
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she is undertaking into the implications of the use of the milk quota and other quota arrangements as a means of access to the single farm payment. [169648]

  Alun Michael
  The use of milk quota to generate "historic" entitlements would tend to favour larger, more intensive, producers compared to the flat rate area based entitlements that are being adopted in England over an eight year transition period. It also increases the value of milk quota Prior to decoupling. The issue was considered in the report by David Colman and David Harvey on "The Future of UK Dairy Farming", which
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  was commissioned by the Dairy Supply Chain Forum and we are not undertaking any further research on the matter.

  Farm Medicine
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on proposals to examine the rules in relation to prescription-only farm medicines and the cost of administering them. [173878]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The rules in relation to prescription-only farm medicines have been the subject of three reviews. In the UK, the Independent Review of Dispensing by Veterinary Surgeons of Prescription Only Medicines (the Marsh Report) in 2001 and the 2003 Competition Commission Inquiry into the Cost of Prescription only Medicines both recognised the benefits of retaining the UK's distribution system for veterinary medicinal products while recommending changes to its detailed operation. This was, therefore the Government's aim during negotiations on the Review of European medicines legislation.

  The Review of European medicines legislation has been completed and an amending Directive 2004/28/EC was published in the Official Journal on 30 April 2004. We are now able to implement the changes agreed in the three reviews. In taking forward the provisions for veterinary POMs we expect to establish a system that will retain the key elements of the current distribution arrangements.

  We will consult widely on these proposals and on their cost. Officials from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate are already carrying out informal discussions with interested organisations. We intend to carry out a formal consultation exercise, when our proposals are developed further, at the beginning of next year so as to meet the deadline for implementation of the changes to the legislation of 30 October 2005.

  Glaciers
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what net change in the percentage of(a) area and (b) volume of glacier there has been in each of the last 10 years. [171510]

  Mr. Morley
  Yearly information on glaciers is not available as very few of them are monitored in detail. However, it is possible to infer how glacier volume is changing from measurements of sea level rise. By using values given in the "Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change", and estimates of sea level rise of 0.4 mm per year during the 1990s, it is estimated that glacier volume decreased by approximately 0.2 per cent. per year during the 1990s.

  GM Crop Trials
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) acres and (b) hectares of land have been used for GM crop trials in each of the last five years for which records are available (i) as part of the Government's farm scale evaluation, (ii) for other experimental purposes and (iii) for other purposes. [173017]
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  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]: The available information is as follows.

  (a) Farm-scale evaluations—approximate areas

  Area (acres)

  Area (hectares)

  2000 and 2001

  2,433

  985

  2002

  1,171

  474

  2003

  249

  101

  Total

  3,853

  1,5060

  (b) Research and development trials

  Accurate information is not available on the areas of research and development trials. Under the legislation the notifier is only required to give the size of the release site which is usually larger than the area used for growing GM crops. However, most of these releases are very small, in the region of 0.1–0.2 ha.

  (c) National List trials—each site on average less than 0.1 ha

  Area (acres)

  Area (hectares)

  1999

  3.7

  1.5

  2000

  4.0

  1.6

  2001

  1.2

  0.5

  2002

  1.5

  0.6

  2003

  <0.1

  <0.1

  Total

  10.4

  4.2

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many sites GM crops have been grown in the UK in the last five years for which records are available; and how many were(a) part of the Government's farm scale evaluation and (b) for other purposes. [173018]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]: In the five years to the end of 2003, there were 565 releases of GM crops for research purposes. Of these 273 were used in the farm-scale evaluations on 264 sites, as nine maize sowings were on fields reused from the previous year. The remaining 292 releases were for National List trials or other research work and in many cases several different releases were located at the same site.

  IACS
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications for farmers of the time scale for distribution of Integrated Administration and Control System forms to farm businesses this year. [173016]

  Alun Michael
  The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is responsible for the distribution of Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) forms. The RPA is aware that 1,255 applicants, 1.85 per cent. of the total number of IACS applicants, had not received their forms by 19 April. It apologises for the late arrival of these forms.
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  The RPA acknowledges that this will have reduced the time for some applicants to ensure forms are correctly completed and received by the RPA by the regulatory deadline of 17 May 2004. The deadline is set by EC Regulation and the RPA has no authority to change it.

  As soon as the RPA became aware of concern from a small percentage of IACS applicants that they had not received their IACS forms it issued a statement on its website advising them to contact their RPA Processing Site.

  The News Release that the RPA issued on 17 March announcing the 2004 IACS arrangements had already advised that any producer who had not received his form by 15 April to contact the RPA. The need to contact the RPA where IACS forms had not been received was further enforced in advertisements placed in editions of Farmers Weekly and The Grower at the end of March.

  Milk
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates the Dairy Supply Chain Forum met in the last year to discuss farmgate milk prices; what representations she has received regarding the price of milk received by farmers; what steps she is taking to increase the percentage that farmers receive; and if she will make a statement. [172988]

  Alun Michael
  The Dairy Supply Chain Forum, which is chaired by my noble Friend, the Lord Whitty, provides a framework in which all links in the dairy supply chain can come together to discuss the challenges facing the sector and develop collaborative solutions to improve the efficiency and promote the sustainable development of the sector. It does not discuss price negotiations, which are a private commercial matter between farmers and purchasers. However, the work of the Forum and its various subgroups should help address some of the underlying causes of low farmgate prices. In the last year the main Forum met on 7 July, 20 October and 28 January. In addition, its sub-groups meet frequently to take forward individual work streams.

  As well as participating in the Forum and its subgroups, Defra has made a grant of £0.5 million to the Food Chain Centre to undertake a value chain analysis in the dairy sector. This will examine a number of different supply chains to find ways in which efficiency can be increased, improving the returns to all participants in those chains.

  Milk Processing (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers she has to ensure that competition exists in milk processing in Lancashire. [173309]

  Alun Michael
  None. Responsibility for the administration of competition law rests with the competition authorities.

  Over-30 Month Scheme
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will make an announcement on the ending of the over-30 month scheme. [172457]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The ending of the over-30 month (OTM) scheme is linked to a change to the OTM rule. The Food Standards Agency has recommended to Ministers that the OTM rule could be replaced with a system of testing OTM animals for the food chain. UK Health Ministers are currently considering the agency's advice. Rural Affairs Ministers have decided that, for practical reasons, animals born before August 1996 will not be allowed back into the food chain.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with(a) her colleagues in the Department of Health and (b) the Food Standards Agency on the future of the over-30 month scheme. [172458]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommended to Health Ministers in July 2003 that the over-30 month (OTM) rule could be replaced with a system of testing. Defra Ministers and officials have been in regular contact with colleagues in both the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency on issues arising from that recommendation.

  Pedestrian Crossings (Railways)
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she gives to local authorities on re-routing public rights of way in order to make pedestrian crossings at rail lines safer. [173084]

  Alun Michael
  Guidance on rail crossing orders affecting rights of way is provided in paragraph 32 and Annex C of Department of the Environment Circular 2/1993.

  Sewage Sludge
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons sludge sewage has been exempted from requiring a waste management licence for treatment in agriculture; and what research has been undertaken to assess the potential health risks posed by sewage sludge seeping into water supplies. [173428]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: Article 2 of the Waste Framework Directive exempts sewage sludge from waste management licensing requirements if it is used in accordance with the separate Directive on use of sludge in agriculture. This Directive, which is implemented by the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, as amended, requires sludge to be used in such a way that the quality of the surface and ground water is not impaired. In addition, there are statutory requirements to ensure that only treated water may enter the public drinking water supply, to comply with European and national standards.
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  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research has been undertaken to assess the potential risks to health posed by the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural fields situated close to residential homes. [173429]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: A study carried out in the USA has examined the evidence for Staphylococcus aureus (SA) in sewage sludge applied to land and whether a route existed by which populations living in proximity to sludge spreading could be infected. The result of this work was that no SA were detected in any background aerosol or sludge aerosol sample.

  Proposals to amend the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, as amended, will further strengthen the controls applying to the recycling of sewage sludge in England and Wales by making statutory the water industry's voluntary ban on the use of untreated sewage sludge on agricultural land.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken to amend the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 to incorporate a safe barrier between agricultural fields treated with sewage sludge and residential homes; and if she will make a statement. [173432]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, as amended, ensure that recycling sludge to agricultural land is carried out in a way that protects human and animal health and the environment. Proposed revisions to the regulations will introduce additional requirements to protect further against the entry of pathogens into the food chain. These requirements are already being followed on a voluntary basis by the water industry.

  The non-statutory Code of Practice for Agriculture Use of Sewage Sludge, which is also under revision, includes recommendations on environmental protection relating to odour control and proximity to properties.

  Single Farm Payments
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of the single farm payment scheme on farmers in(a) Loughborough and (b) Leicestershire. [174050]

  Alun Michael
  Farmers in Loughborough and Leicestershire, like all others, will benefit from decoupling of subsidies from production.

  Defra will publish shortly an analysis of the economic impact on the English farming industry of the decoupling of CAP direct payment and the way in which the scheme will be operated in England.

  Sudden Oak Death
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many instances of sudden oak death have been detected in the South East of England; and at what locations. [174193]
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  Mr. Bradshaw
  The following table outlines the total number of instances of phytophthora ramorum in the South East of England since the first finding in April 2002.

  Region/county

  Total

  Retail and nurseries

  Established gardens, woods and other wild planting areas

  Berkshire

  4

  4

  —

  Buckinghamshire

  6

  6

  —

  East Sussex

  10

  10

  —

  Hampshire

  18

  15

  3

  Isle of Wight

  2

  2

  —

  Kent

  9

  9

  —

  London

  10

  10

  —

  Oxfordshire

  2

  2

  —

  Surrey

  32

  31

  1

  West Sussex

  33

  26

  7

  Sugar
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will make a statement on the consultation carried out by her Department on reform of the sugar regime. [173487]

  Alun Michael
  We are still considering the wide range of views received and hope to produce a summary soon.

  In the meantime the responses themselves are available for public inspection in the Defra library.

  Swill Feeding
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the replies received by the Department by(a) 26 April 2001 and (b) 1 May 2001 in response to the consultation document that preceded the ban on swill feeding (a) were against the ban, (b) were in favour of the ban and (c) expressed no preference. [166754]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The answer I gave the hon. Member on 30 March,Official Report, column 1305W, on swill feeding incorrectly stated that we had received 357 responses. The correct number is 330. The previous response included some duplicated responses. As a result the percentage of responses supporting a ban was also incorrect in the answer of 30 March for which I apologise.

  The date of receipt of the responses (other than those by e-mail) is not recorded. It is not possible therefore to give the figures with the degree of accuracy that you seek. I have, however, had the responses reviewed and recounted. Respondents replied to a consultation document that asked a series of questions. The questions were:
  "(a) Should swill feeding of catering waste containing animal by-products be banned?
  (b) If yes, should (i) fish and poultry animal by-products fed on-farm be included in the ban, and (ii) non-meat containing catering waste be included in the ban? [It was explained that a ban on all catering waste would include non-meat containing catering waste e.g. bread, brewers waste.]
  (c) Should a three-four week transitional period apply?

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  (d) any other comments, including on whether or not it would be practicable to place obligations on the producers of catering waste e.g. restaurants to ensure that it is not fed to animals; and [comments] on the enclosed draft Order."

  Some respondents tailored their responses to five options set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment. Those were:
  "(a) Do nothing, i.e. permit the feeding of swill under current controls.
  (b) Tighten up current controls.
  (c) Ban the feeding of catering waste (waste from kitchens, restaurants and some food factories) and processed poultry and fish waste as swill.
  (d) Ban the feeding of catering waste and poultry as swill.
  (e) Ban the feeding of swill and all catering waste (including that which does not contain meat or meat products e.g. biscuits, yoghurts, brewers grain, vegetable waste, etc)."

  In view of the detailed questions asked by the consultation document it is not surprising that the replies were often equally diverse and detailed. But the responses have been re-read as objectively as possible to place them in the categories you seek.

  There were 303 responses dated by the sender on or before 26 April.

  Those against the ban on the swill feeding of catering waste that contains animal by-products totalled 77 (26 per cent.).

  Those that were in favour of a ban on swill feeding of catering waste that contains meat or meat products totalled 105 (35 per cent.). There was an additional 35 (12 per cent) that favoured a complete ban on swill feeding of all catering waste including non-meat waste. The combined figures of these respondents total 140 (46 per cent.) in favour.

  There were 31 (10 per cent) respondents where no particular preference was stated.

  An additional 55 (18 per cent.) respondents were against a ban being extended to non-meat waste foods, e.g. from millers, vegetable producers, brewers, etc.

  Between 27 April and 1 May there were three additional responses (one against, one in favour of a ban on swill feeding meat waste, and one no preference). One further response was received after 1 May which was against a ban.

  There were also an additional 23 undated responses. 11 were against a ban, three favoured a ban on all catering waste (i.e. including non-meat waste), eight favoured a ban on swill feeding meat waste and one was against an extended ban to non-meat waste.

  In total therefore, of all responses received, 208 (63 per cent.) respondees supported a ban on swill feeding of catering waste containing meat. There were 90 (27 per cent) against a ban and 32 (10 per cent) where no preference was expressed.

  I believe the House can be reassured therefore that not only was there a numerical majority in favour of a ban but also that it was widely supported when account is taken of the support expressed from associations that represented large memberships (including the NFU, Tenant Farmers Association, the British Pig Association, the Royal Association of British Dairy
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  Farmers, the National Beef Association, the National Consumer Council, the Meat and Livestock Commission and qualified support from the National Pig Association).

  All the responses were placed in the library after the consultation period, which was in accordance with normal procedures, and the responses continue to be available for others to scrutinise.

  Tobacco Exports
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to which countries EU-grown tobacco is exported. [173189]

  Alun Michael
  The main destinations for EU grown tobacco in its raw state are Russia, the United States, Egypt, Poland, Algeria the Ukraine and Switzerland. A table showing the quantities exported to these and other important destinations is as follows:

  EU 15 Exports of raw tobacco and tobacco refuse in 2002

  Tonnes

  Russia

  44,190

  USA

  18,690

  Egypt

  12,948

  Poland

  11,149

  Algeria

  10,710

  Ukraine

  9,465

  Switzerland

  7,178

  Turkey

  5,091

  Romania

  5,025

  Japan

  4,830

  Singapore

  3,243

  Uruguay

  3,139

  Serbia Montenegro

  2,791

  Tunisia

  2,772

  Ivory Coast

  2,408

  Other destinations

  45,482

  Total

  189,111

  Source:

  Eurostat Comext database 12/2002

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Miners' Compensation Scheme
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many miners have been compensated and how much has been paid in compensation under the miners' compensation scheme, broken down by constituency, listed in descending order by region. [172951]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I refer the hon. Member to the Department's website www.dti.gov.uk/coalhealth/for constituency figures.

  The constituencies are listed alphabetically and the information is compiled in the middle of the month and shows the figures for the end of the previous month.

  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many medical assessments and offers have been disputed by Raleys solicitors under the Coalminers Compensation claim for chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and vibration white
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  finger which have required additional expenditure outwith the costs covered by the Department under the claims handling agreement. [172984]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]: None.

  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether DMH(a) has been removed at any time and (b) is currently removed from the list of approved solicitors dealing with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compensation claims. [173027]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]: I can confirm that I wrote to DMH solicitors requesting they confirm that they had not double charged and, if they had, that they repay any deductions. According to the Department's records. I did not receive a reply to this correspondence and subsequently DMH were removed from the list of solicitors on the Department's website.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to meet the Energy White Paper target of 10GWe of combined heat and power by 2010; and what progress has been made towards the target. [171033]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 May 2004]: I have been asked to reply.

  The package of support for CHP is set out in the Government's Strategy for CHP to 2010, which we published on 26 April. This support will significantly help the industry. At the end of 2002, installed CHP capacity stood at 4,742MWe. More up to date data will become available when the annual Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) is published in the summer by DTI.

  Company Liquidations
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether administrators who take over a company following its liquidation are subject to the same redundancy regulations as other companies. [173851]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Yes. The provisions in the Employment Rights Act 1996 apply to all redundancies. The provisions in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 apply in all cases where there are proposals to dismiss 20 or more employees at one establishment within a 90-day period.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps to ensure that employees made redundant by administrators following a company's liquidation have the same rights as those made redundant by companies. [173852]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Under the current redundancy provisions, employees have redress against an employer's failure to comply with any of the requirements by making a complaint to an employment tribunal. This applies irrespective of the solvency of the employer.

  Product Safety
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 5 May 2004,Official Report, column 1645W, on product recalls/safety, when she intends to implement the General Product Safety Directive. [173958]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: We expect to carry out a formal public consultation on the draft regulations implementing the General Product Safety Directive in the summer and to lay the regulations at the turn of the year.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 5 May 2004,Official Report, column 1645W, on product recalls/safety, if she will place in the Library correspondence between the Government and the European Commission on the General Product Safety Directive. [173959]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: It is not the practice under exemption 2 Internal Advice and Discussion of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information to release details of correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and the European Commission.

  Small Businesses (Blackpool, South)
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government has taken to help small businesses in Blackpool, South since 1997. [173063]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Business Link Operator for North and West Lancashire has provided assistance to 1,647 enterprises in the Blackpool constituencies since 2001. (Statistics are not available specifically for Blackpool South). The Small Business Service was set up as an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry in April 2000. Contracts were exchanged with a national network of 45 Business Link Operators (seven in the North West) to provide Business Support to small and medium sized enterprises from April 2001. Before this date Government Support to business was provided through training and Enterprise Councils and the SBS does not have access to this data.

  243 of the 1,647 companies who received assistance were pre start-ups. The type of assistance provided include IT support, Investors in People, International, and Business support.

  Under the Research and Development Scheme (R&D) six companies have received offers of grant with a total value of £335,128 since 1997.

  Under the Enterprise Grant Scheme (EGS) eight companies have received offers of grant with a total value of £261,950.

  Small Mines Claims
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the operational arrangements to allow full and final payments to be made in respect of the 23 February agreement on small mines claims will come into effect. [172738]
  987W
  Nigel Griffiths
  Agreement in principle on the accession of the small mines to the respiratory disease Claims Handling Agreement was reached on 23 February. The Department is in the process of finalising a Memorandum on Heads of Agreement with the claimants' solicitors and the small mines, and agreeing with them the necessary amendments to the dust model to enable final compensation payments to be calculated. It is hoped that the testing of the computer models will be completed and operational arrangements for the bulk of cases finalised by the end of July.

  UK Trade and Investment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of UK Trade and Investment in the last financial year. [169739]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 4 May 2004]: UK Trade and Investment has played a key role in helping to deliver the Government's agenda of increasing competitiveness, innovation and prosperity for all. Details, in quantifiable terms, of what UK Trade and Investment has achieved are contained in its 2003 Autumn Performance Report, and in its latest Departmental Report. Copies of both reports are laid in the Libraries of the House.

  Working Time Regulations
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many residents of West Lancashire have benefited from a reduction of the compulsory working week to 48 hours. [171727]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Working Time Regulations provide workers with the right to refuse to work more than 48 hours on average, if they do not want to. Numbers for West Lancashire are not available, however it has been estimated that around 300,000 workers resident in the north-west stood to benefit from the introduction of the weekly working time limits in 1998.

  Work-Life Balance
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what schemes and initiatives her Department is undertaking in each constituency in Hampshire to promote a better work-life balance. [171644]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: The national Work-life Balance (WLB) campaign was launched by the Prime Minister in 2000. Using case studies, a body of research evidence, and a dedicated website the campaign seeks to demonstrate to employers and employees the case for adopting flexible working practices, and highlight the business benefits that can accrue to companies who have considered, and then implemented, alternative ways of working. The campaign has historically provided practical help in implementing Work-life Balance initiatives through the DTI Challenge Fund.

  At present only one Challenge fund project, from the fifth and final round, is operating in Hampshire. New DTI arrangements to support best practice in business, and other employer organisations, are now in place.
  988W
  These arrangements will be the means by which work-life balance, and the DTI financial support to promote the take-up and growth of flexible working opportunities, will be delivered.

  Financial assistance to implement best practice in work-life balance and flexible working (and a range of other best practice areas) will be accessible via Business Link offices. Advisers in these offices, in Hampshire and the rest of the country, will provide local points of access for this support. Further details on these arrangements are available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk.

TREASURY

  Aviation Tax
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional revenue that would be raised, assuming no change in the level of sales, if duty free concessions on alcohol, tobacco and VAT were abolished at UK airports. [171364]

  John Healey
  No estimate of the additional revenue that would be raised if duty free concessions on alcohol, tobacco and VAT were abolished at UK airports is available.

  Climate Change Levy
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue he received from the Climate Change Levy in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; and what proportion of that sum in each year was received from those companies receiving 80 per cent. discounts as part of sectoral climate change agreements. [173463]

  John Healey
  Table 2.1D in the ONS publication "Financial Statistics" (April 2004) shows cash receipts from the Climate Change Levy to be £829 million in 2002–03. A provisional figure for 2003–04 receipts of £831 million is also available on the ONS website.

  It is not possible to determine the proportion of levy receipts the Exchequer received during 2002–03 or 2003–04 from those companies covered by negotiated climate change agreements.

  Construction Industry
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the climate change levy on the construction industry. [174252]

  John Healey
  Climate Change Levy (CCL) revenue receipts and forecast revenues are provided for the UK as a whole and are not available by individual industry sector. The CCL is broadly revenue neutral for business as a whole. CCL revenues are recycled back to business by means of a 0.3 percentage point reduction in employers' national insurance contributions, introduced at the same time as the levy in April 2001, and by support for energy efficiency and low carbon technologies. CCL has not led to any net gain to the public finances.
  989W
  Monitoring of the climate change levy takes the form of a rolling programme of research and analysis of data as they become available, encompassing all sectors of industry. It takes account of data from specific research as well as information from business organisations, individual companies, environment groups and site visits by officials.

  Credit Derivatives
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the review of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 covers the regulation of credit derivatives. [1732631]

  Ruth Kelly
  The regulatory treatment of credit derivatives does not specifically fall under the remit of the two-year review of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. However, the FSA is participating in a review of trading book activity by the Basel Committee and the International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO), including the prudential treatment of credit derivatives.

  Debt Cancellation
  Colin Burgon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the cancellation of debt in the world's poorest countries. [173930]

  John Healey
  The UK fully supports the cancellation of debt of the world's poorest countries through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. We were instrumental in securing international agreement to enhance the original Initiative in 1999, to ensure that as much debt relief as possible is granted to as many countries as possible. The UK continues to be a champion of the HIPC Initiative. We have provided commitments of £2.3 billion of debt relief to eligible countries and have pledged a total of US$474 million through multilateral institutions to support the Initiative further. The UK goes even further than is required under the Initiative, and is committed to providing 100 per cent. debt relief to eligible HIPC countries.

  The HIPC Initiative is delivering real benefits to participating countries. It is providing over $70 billion of debt relief to the 27 counties that have reached Decision Point. We are committed to maintaining the momentum of the HIPC Initiative and continue to ensure that it is fully implemented. Ethiopia and Niger's exits from the Initiative in April mean that five countries have now reached Completion Point since September 2003 (Ethiopia, Guyana, Nicaragua, Niger and Senegal), bringing the total number to 13.

  The HIPC Initiative is also helping increase annual social expenditures in countries receiving debt relief. Total social spending has increased by around $4 billion since 1999—equivalent to 2.7 per cent. of GDP. On average, health and education spending account for 65 per cent. of the use of HIPC debt relief.

  However, debt relief alone is not sufficient. All HIPC countries will need additional aid to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This is why
  990W
  the UK has proposed an International Finance Facility (IFF), which could provide the much-needed substantial increase in aid—in the form of grants, concessional loans, or further debt relief—needed to attain the MDGs without threatening the long-term debt sustainability of the world's poorest countries.

  European Council of Finance Ministers
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 11 May; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [173080]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I attended the ECOFIN meeting on 11 May. This was the first ECOFIN attended by the accession countries as full members of the European Union.

  ECOFIN had an orientation discussion of the draft Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs). The Council took note of the Commission's recommendations for this year's update and requested that the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee take work forward so as to enable the Council to adopt a report to the European Council on the BEPGs in its meeting on 2 June.

  An EPC report on Potential Output and Output gaps was adopted. Discussion noted the transitional problems of Spain, Austria and Germany in moving to an estimation method based solely on the production function.

  The Council took stock of the situation regarding the adoption of the European Investment Bank's external lending mandates.

  The Council adopted a Decision abrogating Decision 2002/923/EC on the existence of an excessive budget deficit in Portugal, noting that it had complied with the terms of the Recommendation adopted by the Council with a view to bringing that deficit situation to an end.

  The Council took stock of progress made in negotiations on savings tax agreements. It welcomed progress made with Andorra on a savings tax agreement and the prospect of monetary agreement, and adopted a Decision on the position to be taken. I provided an update on the Crown Dependencies and Caribbean Overseas Territories. The Council reaffirmed its determination for the various savings tax

  Following global compromises agreed with the European Parliament in March, political agreement was reached on two draft Directives on financial services as amended by the European Parliament—Transparency Directive and Committee Structure Directive. Formal adoption, without further discussion, will follow later in the year.

  The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of the EU's preliminary draft budget for 2005. A brief exchange of views was held. It was requested that the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) examine the text and prepare a package enabling the Council to adopt the 2005 Draft Budget at the July 16th Budget ECOFIN.
  991W
  The Council was briefed by the Presidency on the work by the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) on the EU's financial perspective for 2007–2013, and held an exchange of views. I stated the need for a budget of 1 per cent. of ED GNI based on clear priorities: —subsidiarity, EU valued added, and budget discipline. The Presidency will prepare a report in advance of the European Council on 17 and 18 June, to provide guidance for the next phase of work.

  The Council took note of the situation regarding excise duty rates on alcohol and of concerns expressed by the Swedish delegation regarding delay in the presentation by the Commission of a report on this subject. The Commission said that the report was currently being finalised and would be adopted as soon as practical within the coming weeks. The presidency concluded that all Member States would want to consider the report carefully when it was released.

  ICT Training
  Mr. Simon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year. [173715]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested is not readily available and would be available only at a disproportionate cost.

  Lambert Review
  John Austin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to implement Recommendation 6.2 of the Lambert Review of Business University collaboration; and if he will make a statement. [174184]

  John Healey
  The final report of the Lambert Review, an independent review of business-university collaboration, was published in December 2003 and made a series of recommendations aimed at improving the links between the UK's strong science base and the business community. The Government are strongly supportive of the analysis in the report and recognise the importance of this policy agenda.

  The Government believe that Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are well-placed to promote business-university collaboration but recognise that they need capacity and links to national programmes to do this effectively. The RDAs also have a role to play in facilitating cross-regional collaborative activity.

  The Government intend to develop the main policy reforms put forward in the Lambert Review in the context of the 10-year investment framework on science and innovation. The Government's final response to the Lambert Review will be published this summer as part of this 10-year investment framework.

  Museums
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to give the same VAT tax privileges to university museums as those that apply to other museums [174335]

  John Healey
  Under normal VAT rules, VAT incurred on goods and services relating to non-business activities cannot be recovered. Free admission of persons to premises is a non-business activity for VAT purposes, therefore museums which do not charge for admission cannot recover the VAT they incur on related purchases. These principles apply irrespective of the source of the funding used to make the purchases.

  In September 2001, the Government introduced a VAT refund scheme that allows the main national museums and galleries which do not charge admission to recover VAT they incur on related purchases. This scheme is designed to remove the obstacle VAT was creating to the delivery of the Government's 1997 manifesto commitment that there should be free access to the main national museums and galleries.

  As the Chancellor announced in his Budget statement this year the commitment to achieve free access has been an outstanding success. Building on that success, and in light of the Goodison Review, the Government are considering in the context of the forthcoming spending review the issue of extending the free access commitment for the main national museums and galleries, and the VAT refund scheme that has helped to deliver it, to university museums.

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding he has made available for overseas aid in each year since 2000. [173857]

  John Healey
  Since 2000 the following amounts have been made available each year by the Government for the UK's official development assistance:

  UK Official Development Assistance (oda)

  £ billion

  2000–01

  3.0

  2001–02

  3.2

  2002–03

  3.3

  2003–04

  3.8

  Source:

  OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and Statistics on International Development 1998–99 to 2002–03.

  Sport Utility Vehicles
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will examine the recent steps taken by the German states to increase the tax on sport utility vehicles to assess the potential environmental effects of similar provisions in the United Kingdom. [173144]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: The Government keep all taxation policy under review. Any changes to taxation policy are announced by the Chancellor in the context of his annual Budget statement.

TRANSPORT

  Dibden Bay
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government Office for the South East has to initiate discussions with appropriate authorities to determine the future(a) investment and (b) infrastructure needs of the Port of Southampton following the decision on Dibden Bay; and if he will make a statement. [173214]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is for the Port of Southampton to determine their own future investment and

  Police station profile

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  London North Area

  Paddington

  27

  24

  21

  22

  26

  28

  42

  40

  Heathrow Express

  0

  4

  5

  5

  4

  3

  3

  3

  Liverpool Street

  35

  34

  34

  32

  36

  33

  41

  40

  Reading

  20

  20

  20

  15

  14

  16

  12

  11

  Euston Road

  97

  89

  89

  87

  96

  87

  84

  72

  Southend

  15

  15

  14

  12

  12

  15

  12

  12

  Norwich

  11

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  8

  Ipswich

  13

  12

  11

  13

  12

  9

  10

  10

  Cambridge

  9

  9

  9

  6

  7

  8

  5

  5

  Milton Keynes

  8

  8

  9

  8

  5

  10

  10

  7

  Stratford

  19

  19

  17

  19

  19

  19

  20

  18

  Peterborough

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  London South Area

  London Bridge

  22

  25

  24

  23

  22

  9

  14

  30

  Victoria

  60

  61

  55

  55

  63

  72

  63

  57

  Waterloo

  57

  56

  53

  53

  58

  72

  77

  72

  Brighton

  15

  14

  12

  14

  12

  17

  19

  20

  Guildford

  6

  5

  7

  10

  8

  8

  5

  4

  Croydon

  9

  9

  8

  10

  11

  13

  14

  12

  Bournemouth

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  6

  6

  7

  Ashford

  34

  33

  31

  30

  28

  30

  39

  37

  Clapham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  Southampton

  20

  21

  20

  20

  18

  18

  19

  16

  Gatwick

  2

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Croydon Tramlink

  0

  0

  0

  9

  10

  9

  11

  6

  London Underground Area

  Probationers

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  87

  Aldgate

  66

  67

  81

  50

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Baker Street

  64

  66

  67

  87

  0

  0

  0

  0

  East Ham

  24

  24

  21

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  DLR

  6

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  10

  8

  Hammersmith

  32

  37

  41

  36

  25

  26

  24

  28

  Heathrow

  9

  10

  10

  9

  8

  10

  11

  9

  Finsbury Park

  39

  40

  38

  30

  17

  19

  19

  21

  Wembley Park

  33

  32

  31

  26

  16

  20

  20

  16

  Stockwell

  32

  35

  32

  25

  18

  19

  17

  17

  West Ham

  0

  0

  0

  28

  18

  26

  19

  30

  TCR

  0

  0

  0

  0

  120

  133

  167

  130

  East London Line Ext.

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Jubilee Line Ext.

  3

  3

  9

  14

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North East Area

  Darlington

  15

  19

  18

  9

  9

  8

  7

  6

  Grimsby

  3

  6

  3

  8

  5

  5

  4

  4

  Hull

  12

  10

  11

  10

  9

  9

  9

  8

  Leeds

  32

  35

  42

  44

  44

  42

  44

  45

  Newcastle

  39

  31

  32

  27

  30

  30

  34

  35

  Sheffield

  14

  10

  12

  12

  13

  13

  12

  14

  York

  12

  14

  15

  15

  16

  12

  12

  12

  Middlesbrough

  7

  0

  0

  7

  8

  8

  6

  6

  Doncaster

  19

  20

  21

  17

  17

  15

  15

  13

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  994W
  infrastructure needs in discussion with the appropriate authorities, as they see fit. The Government Office for the South East would be pleased to discuss any proposals for the Port with those responsible for its development.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport from how many police stations the British Transport Police operate; and what the manning levels were at each station in each year since 1997. [171900]

  Mr. McNulty
  The British Transport Police (BTP) have provided the following information:
  995W

  Police station profile

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  North West Area

  Manchester

  50

  55

  57

  60

  60

  56

  62

  63

  Manchester Airport

  4

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Preston

  26

  26

  27

  25

  23

  21

  22

  25

  Carlisle

  14

  10

  10

  10

  11

  11

  11

  10

  Lancaster

  6

  5

  5

  5

  5

  4

  4

  3

  Liverpool

  38

  43

  39

  44

  35

  32

  41

  62

  Merseyrail

  35

  35

  38

  32

  37

  34

  26

  0

  Bangor

  5

  4

  4

  5

  5

  14

  4

  0

  Wigan

  8

  11

  10

  10

  8

  9

  9

  10

  Crewe

  28

  28

  26

  23

  22

  22

  20

  20

  Scottish Area

  Glasgow

  62

  70

  74

  72

  78

  76

  79

  81

  Dalmuir

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  6

  4

  5

  Paisley

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  4

  Kilwinning

  8

  8

  9

  9

  9

  9

  9

  9

  Edinburgh

  31

  31

  31

  31

  31

  36

  35

  38

  Motherwell

  7

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  6

  7

  Aberdeen

  9

  9

  7

  7

  9

  8

  9

  8

  Inverness

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  Dundee

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  7

  8

  8

  Kirkcaldy

  7

  6

  6

  7

  8

  7

  5

  5

  Perth

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South West Area

  Bristol

  26

  24

  27

  33

  31

  27

  28

  —

  Gloucester

  4

  4

  5

  3

  5

  4

  3

  —

  Plymouth

  13

  13

  13

  12

  14

  13

  11

  —

  Exeter

  7

  7

  7

  7

  9

  9

  8

  —

  Truro

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Cardiff

  22

  22

  24

  25

  29

  28

  32

  —

  Swansea

  11

  12

  12

  15

  14

  14

  12

  —

  Midland Area

  Birmingham

  25

  25

  28

  31

  33

  30

  31

  —

  Birmingham Centro

  9

  9

  8

  11

  8

  7

  7

  —

  Metro LRT

  0

  3

  11

  9

  10

  9

  7

  —

  Wolverhampton

  11

  12

  10

  10

  11

  8

  11

  —

  Shrewsbury

  6

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  —

  Leicester

  13

  13

  9

  12

  13

  11

  12

  —

  Lincoln

  5

  5

  5

  5

  4

  5

  4

  —

  Coventry

  11

  9

  12

  12

  10

  11

  12

  —

  Peterborough

  14

  13

  13

  13

  13

  14

  14

  —

  Derby

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  8

  —

  Nottingham

  27

  28

  24

  28

  27

  15

  15

  —

  Western Area

  Birmingham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  Birmingham Centro

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Metro LRT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Wolverhampton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Shrewsbury

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  Bangor

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Leicester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15

  Carmarthen

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Coventry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  Derby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  Nottingham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  17

  Bristol

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  27

  Swindon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Gloucester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Plymouth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  Newport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Exeter

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  Truro

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Cardiff

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  32

  Swansea

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  Total Stations

  76

  77

  77

  78

  74

  75

  76

  79

  Note:

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

  996W 997W
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Transport Police officers in London are(a) trained and (b) equipped to handle major terrorist biological attacks. [171903]

  Mr. McNulty
  For security reasons actual numbers of trained and equipped officers cannot be revealed. However, the BTP is currently in excess of double the target number set by the Home Office for all forces regarding numbers of officers to be trained for a chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological attack both in terms of forcewide and in London.

  Bus Lanes
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will issue regulations to allow camera enforcement of bus lanes outside London; and if he will make a statement. [173803]

  Mr. McNulty
  We will make the regulations as soon as possible.

  Concessionary Bus Fares
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the use of concessionary bus fares for older people in England and Wales; and what plans he has for future changes. [173262]

  Mr. McNulty
  The National Travel Survey provides the following information on the use of concessionary bus fares for women aged 60 or over and men aged 65 or over in England and Wales.

  Take-up rate of those with scheme available1 (Percentage)

  Trips per person per year, where main mode is bus, using concessionary fares2

  1991–93

  58

  69

  1996–98

  50

  53

  1999–2001

  47

  42

  2002

  57

  61

  1 The percentage of older people taking up their entitlement to a travel pass allowing them to claim concessionary fares

  2 In the National Travel Survey, a trip is a one-way course of travel having a single main purpose.

  We have no plans to change the present arrangements for concessionary travel for older people. The current statutory minimum requirement for concessionary travel in England introduced in 2001 ensures half fares for older and disabled people on local buses, with no charge for the pass. From April 2003, we have extended concessionary travel schemes to men aged 60–64, bringing them into line with women of the same age. Local authorities may make more generous provision, including free travel, at their discretion.

  Driving Standards Agency (Conferences)
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many conferences for attendees other than Driving Standards Agency employees the DSA has organised each year since 1997; and how much each conference cost. [174166]
  998W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Since 1997, the Driving Standards Agency has organised three conferences for external audiences:

  Conference title and venue

  Cost (£)

  1998

  Safe driving for life—Birmingham

  24,000

  1999

  Safe driving for life—Birmingham

  32,500

  2003

  CIECA(Commission Internationale des Examens de Conduite Automobile)—Edinburgh

  57,600

  Light Rail
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment his Department has made of the National Audit Office report, "Improving Public Transport in England through Light Rail"; [173915]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of its (a) bidding process for and (b) evaluation of light rail proposals since publication of the National Audit Office report, "Improving Public Transport in England through Light Rail." [173916]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department is currently considering the findings of the report published on 23 April, including those conclusions relating to the bidding process and the evaluation of light rail projects.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with organisations representing the disabled about the inclusion of access criteria in the assessment of the Blackpool light rail bid. [173917]

  Mr. McNulty
  The impact on accessibility is one of Department's criteria used for assessing the value for money of all transport projects. The Department has no direct discussion with organisations representing the disabled regarding accessibility issues on the Blackpool tramway; this would be for the promoters when developing their bid.

  Light Rapid Transit
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much central Government investment was promised by his Department when funding approval was first given to the South Hampshire Rapid Transit scheme; and what subsequent change in funding has been agreed by his Department; [171958]

  (2) how much central Government investment was promised by his Department when funding approval was first given to the Leeds Supertram; and what subsequent change in funding has been agreed by his Department; [171959]

  (3) how much central Government investment was promised by his Department when funding approval was first given to the Liverpool Merseytram; and what subsequent change in funding has been agreed by his Department. [171960]
  999W
  Mr. McNulty
  In March 2001 the Department agreed to contribute up to £170 million (in present value) towards the South Hampshire Rapid Transit scheme and up to £355 million (in present value) towards Leeds Supertram. In December 2002 the Department provisionally agreed to contribute a maximum of £165 million towards Merseytram Line 1 subject to all the necessary statutory powers being obtained. In all cases, final funding is dependent on the scheme still offering value for money against the Department's appraisal criteria to ensure value for money. No change in funding has been agreed.

  Radioactive Materials
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to minimise the movement of radioactive material. [173477]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: We are not aware of any shipments of radioactive materials having taken place without a justifiable reason.

  Percentage

  Rail users1

  Bus users2

  Socio-economic group (SEG)

  All persons aged 16 and over

  Outside London

  London

  South East

  Outside London

  Professional/managerial

  14

  21

  24

  25

  8

  Intermediate non-manual

  10

  14

  16

  14

  8

  Junior non-manual

  12

  14

  14

  17

  13

  Skilled manual

  12

  8

  9

  7

  8

  Other manual/other SEGs

  14

  13

  9

  11

  17

  Retired

  26

  19

  16

  18

  30

  Other economically inactive

  12

  11

  14

  8

  15

  All persons

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1 Use surface rail more than twice a year (31 per cent. of all persons aged 16 and over).

  2 Use a local bus more than twice a year (47 per cent. of all persons aged 16 and over).

  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards the targets for bus services agreed between his Department and the Confederation for Passenger Transport announced on 30 April 2002(a) in London and (b) outside London; and what further action he proposes to take to ensure that those targets are achieved. [173469]

  Mr. McNulty
  Progress towards the four bus service targets agreed between the Department and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) in 2002 is monitored regularly through surveys.

  With regard to reliability, the results for the quarter year October to December 2003 showed that 98.5 per cent. of scheduled local bus mileage was operated in England, using seasonally adjusted data. The figure for London was 97.5 per cent. and that for the rest of England 98.8 per cent. In the baseline year, 2000–01, 98.2 per cent. of scheduled local bus mileage was operated. The target is for operators to run 99.5 per cent. of all scheduled mileage.

  On bus fleet age, the most recent results from CPT for the age of their members' full size bus fleet showed an average age of 7.5 years at 1 July 2002. The target is to maintain an average fleet age of no more than eight
  1000W
  In the UK and worldwide the overwhelming majority of radioactive material movements are associated with medical care. These materials often have a very short shelf life, and may be delivered in response to individual patient needs. Other requirements, such as the need for secure storage, also influence the number of shipments of radioactive material.

  Rail and Bus Services
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the socio-economic make up of rail users(a) outside London, (b) in London and (c) in the South East; [173468]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the socio-economic breakdown of bus users outside London. [173724]

  Mr. McNulty
  The National Travel Survey provides the information for people aged 16 and over in Great Britain for the period 1998–2000, according to their area of residence.

  The table shows the percentage of users in each socio-economic group.

  years. Data for 1 July 2003 should be available shortly. Separate figures for London as compared to the rest of the country are not available.

  On accessibility, results from the Department's annual survey of bus operators showed that, at 31 March 2003, 29.3 per cent. of full size buses in Great Britain were of low floor design, allowing wheelchair access. This has increased from 22.0 per cent. at 31 March 2001. The target is for half of all full size buses to be wheelchair accessible by 2010. A separate survey undertaken by Transport for London showed that 82 per cent. of the capital's full sized bus fleet is fully accessible.

  Survey results for the quarter year October to December 2003 showed that bus passenger satisfaction with information at bus stops was rated at 66 out of 100, for England, using seasonally adjusted data. This is up from 61 in 2000–01 and 63 in 2002–03. The figure for London was 73 out of 100 as against 60 out of 100 for the rest of England. The target is to improve the rating year on year.

  The Government and the CPT remain committed to achieving these targets, underlining the good working relationship that we have with the bus industry, as well as demonstrating the industry's continuing commitment to delivering improved services.
  1001W
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much capital expenditure has been invested by local authorities on measures designed to improve the quality and reliability of bus services outside London in the last five years for which data is available. [173723]

  Mr. McNulty
  We do not hold figures for local authority transport capital expenditure broken down by mode for the years preceding the introduction of the local transport plan system.

  In the first two years of the LTP programme (2001–02 and 2002–03) local authorities informed us that they spent £97 million and £165 million respectively on bus infrastructure schemes, including major schemes. They forecast further spend of £233 million in 2003–04.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hourly bus services were operating in rural areas in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [173729]

  Mr. McNulty
  Information is not available in the form requested. The Department collects information each year on the number of rural bus services it supports through rural bus subsidy grant but the survey does not measure the frequency of services.

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies are run on(a) management contracts and (b) a cost plus basis; and when each contract began. [171212]

  Mr. McNulty
  Virgin West Coast, Virgin Cross Country, First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern are operating on management contracts. The new arrangements came into place in July 2002 for the Virgin franchises, March 2001 for First North Western, and February 2001 for Arriva Trains Northern. Of these, only First North Western is on a cost plus basis. The others are operated on the basis of annual budgets (so the operator is at risk within the year).

  Railways
  Albert Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask Network Rail to launch an urgent inquiry into track quality between Holyhead and Chester. [174069]

  Mr. McNulty
  This is an operational matter for Network Rail. However, Network Rail advises me that it is already undertaking a comprehensive programme to manage and monitor the track quality in this area and, at the same time, is investing to upgrade the track.

  Rural Buses
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the £263 million cited in 1002W
  paragraph 5.14 on page 52 of his Department's Annual Report 2004 comes through the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant and Rural and Urban Bus Challenge. [174167]

  Mr. McNulty
  In 2002–03, this Department paid a total of £74.7 million to local authorities under its three bus grant schemes. This consisted of £47.3 million under the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant, £18.2 million under the Rural Bus Challenge and £9.2 million under the Urban Bus Challenge.

  Speed Cameras
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to increase the number of speed cameras in the Humberside area. [171774]

  Dr. Howells
  Approval has been given to the request by the Humberside Safety Camera Partnership to place four additional fixed camera sites and 13 additional mobile camera sites in the 2004–05 financial year.

  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the(a) installation costs and (b) annual maintenance and running costs of a speed camera. [171894]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The estimated cost of installing a camera site is around £7,000. The estimated cost of a speed or traffic light enforcement camera, which may be used at a site continuously or from time to time, is around £38,000.

  Average running costs are estimated at around £5,000 per annum per camera site.

  Transport Direct
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards delivering the targets relating to Transport Direct set out in the 10-year plan; and when he expects remaining components to be operational. [170867]

  Dr. Howells
  Transport Direct has overseen the implementation of 19 local authority schemes, which have resulted in approximately 40 per cent. of the English bus fleet having real-time capability. Also, real-time operating information for the whole rail network has been put in place.

  The development of the internet portal was completed in November 2003. The portal will allow the user to plan multi-modal journeys, book long-distance tickets and consult internet maps. It will be first available to the public in summer 2004, as opposed to the 10-year plan target of 2003.

  The portal is currently integrated with 12 remote journey planners, three retailers and several real-time travel information providers. The prime cause of delay in launching the portal has been the need to fully integrate all these services with the portal and to test the resultant outputs.

HEALTH

  Abortion
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the cost was of performing abortions in NHS hospitals in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [165975]

  (2) how many abortions have been performed under the Abortion Act 1967; and how many were performed to save the life of the mother. [165976]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The number of abortions performed in England and Wales on residents of England and Wales in the years 1968 to 2002 was 4.73 million. Of these 39,757 were performed under Sections 1(1)(c) and 1(4) of the Abortion Act 1967. These are cases where the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, or where the termination is immediately necessary to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

  The cost of performing abortions in national health service hospitals in England was £32.7 million in 2000–01, £35.7 million in 2001–02 and £38.2 million in 2002–03.

  Agency Fees
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2004,Official Report, column 1127W, on agency fees, what definition has been used of non-NHS staff. [172813]

  Mr. Hutton
  The figures for non-national health service staff include all expenditure on agency staff and any other temporary staff not directly employed by NHS trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities. Separate information on agency staff is not collected.

  Allied Health Professions
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many(a) consultants and (b) clinical specialists he estimates will be appointed within the allied health professions in the next (i) 12 months and (ii) 12 to 24 months; [173722]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting targets for the number of consultants within the allied health professions; [173725]

  (3) how many (a) clinical specialists and (b) consultants there are within the allied health professions. [173733]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on numbers of clinical specialists in the allied health professions in England is not collected centrally. The Department's non-medical 1004W
  workforce census records is that there were 20 allied health professions consultants in England on 30 September 2003. In neither case have we made estimates of numbers for future periods.

  Ambulances (Speeding)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulance drivers have been recorded as speeding by speed cameras while answering 999 calls in(a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003; what the total cost has been to ambulance trusts; and if he will make a statement. [173021]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: The information requested is not collected centrally.

  However, the Department is aware that speeding tickets issued to ambulances on emergency journeys are creating extra administration costs in some areas. Officials have already had useful discussions with the Home Office and are working closely with them to provide a solution.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in respect of ambulance drivers recorded as speeding by speed cameras when answering 999 calls; and if he will make a statement. [173022]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: The Department is aware that speeding tickets issued to ambulances on emergency journeys are creating extra administration costs in some areas. Officials have already had useful discussions with the Home Office and are working closely with them to provide a solution.

  The issue of speeding tickets has been raised with the Department in a Lord's starred question, in questions from hon. and right hon. Members and by the Ambulance Service Association.

  Barbecued Food
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many food poisoning incidents relating to barbecued food were recorded in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [172702]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Health Protection Agency receives reports of outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease (IID) in England and Wales. A summary of the outbreaks from 1997 to 2003 that were reported as being associated with barbecues or with barbecued food is shown in the table.

  However, outbreaks account for only a small proportion of laboratory-confirmed cases of IID (probably around 5 per cent.). The majority of cases are sporadic and in such cases, it is usually impossible to determine the source of infection. Laboratory confirmed cases of IID themselves represent only a fraction of all cases.
  1005W

  Foodborne outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease (IID) associated with barbecues: 1997 to 20031

  Pathogen

  Location

  Number ill

  Month of onset

  Comment

  1997

  Salmonella Virchow PT8

  Restaurant

  3

  April

  Chicken (BBQ)

  1998

  Escherichia coli 0157

  School

  2

  May

  Sausages at BBQ

  2000

  Campylobacter

  BBQ at Residential institution

  21

  May

  BBQ held for residents and staff

  2001

  Salmonella Enteritidis PT6

  BBQ at Private House

  22

  Sent

  Tiramisu

  1 Provisional for 2003.

  Note:

  There were no outbreaks of IID associated with barbecues in 1999, 2002 and 2003.

  Source:

  Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Gastrointestinal Diseases Department, Health Protection Agency.

  Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide key statistical performance indicators for Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust, disaggregated between Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals, for each of the last three financial years; and if he will make a statement. [169799]

  Mr. Hutton
  Disaggregated statistical information on performance indicators used to calculate star ratings for national health service trusts are not held centrally.

  Statistical information on the trusts' results are available on the star ratings website which is http://www.chi.nhs.uk/Ratings/Reports/SummaryReport Core.asp?TrustCode = RVL

  Cancelled Operations
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled for non-clinical reasons in each strategic health authority in England in each year since 1997. [172823]

  Mr. Hutton
  Quarterly data for England are collected on the number of operations cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons at the last minute (for example, on the day patients are due to arrive, or after arrival in hospital, or on the day of their operation), and the number of patients not admitted within 28 days of a "last minute" cancellation as part of the NHS Plan cancelled operations guarantee.

  Cancelled operations data by national health service trust and by strategic health authority are available in the Library and on the Department's website at http://www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

  Dentistry
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in each primary care trust in London is registered with an NHS dentist. [172798]

  Mr. Hutton
  At 31 March, 2.9 million people were registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist in London, representing, 40.7 per cent. of the population.1006W
  The information in the table shows the percentage of population registered with a dentist in each primary care trust area in London at 31 March.

  Registrations are recorded in the dentist's primary care trust (PCT) area. Patients attending a dentist in their home PCT area are recorded in the PCT area of their dentist. Registration rates for individual PCTs can be significantly affected by some patients receiving dental treatment in a different PCT area from the one in which they live.

  Registrations lapse if patients do not return to their dentist within 15 months and so the registration figures exclude patients who have not been to their GDS dentist within the past 15 months. Also excluded from the figures are patients who receive dental treatment from other national health service dental services including dental access centres.

  Number of General Dental Service registration as a percentage of the population at 31 March 2004—London

  Primary care trust

  Registration rates

  London Region

  40.7

  North Central London

  41.3

  Barnet

  33.3

  Enfield

  40.0

  Haringey

  53.4

  Camden

  43.1

  Islington

  40.8

  North East London

  38.6

  Havering

  45.3

  Barking and Dagenham

  36.9

  City and Hackney

  28.0

  Tower Hamlets

  31.4

  Newham

  37.6

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest1

  44.4

  North West London

  43.1

  Hillingdon

  44.2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  38.8

  Ealing

  44.5

  Hounslow

  46.5

  Brent

  49.5

  Harrow

  42.8

  Kensington and Chelsea

  20.6

  Westminster

  49.7

  South East London

  40.7

  Bromley

  34.9

  Greenwich

  44.8

  Bexley Care Trust

  42.3

  Lambeth

  37.1

  Southwark

  38.1

  Lewisham

  49.0

  South West London

  39.6

  Kingston

  37.5

  Croydon

  43.5

  Wandsworth

  38.2

  Richmond and Twickenham

  29.8

  Sutton and Merton

  42.6

  1 Combined rates for Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

  1007W
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to dentistry(a) in each year since 1997 and (b) for each of the next three years; and how that money has been spent. [169706]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Funding for hospital and community dental services is included in primary care trusts' (PCTs) unified budget allocations and is not identified separately; PCTs decide what level of spend is appropriate for local circumstances from their unified budget allocations.

  Funding for general dental services (GDS) is currently managed on a national basis as a non-discretionary budget, and expenditure is determined by the number of patients and the treatments provided. Actual net spend since 1997–98 to 2002–03 are shown in the table.

  Expenditure (£ million)

  1997–98

  959

  1998–99

  1,022

  1999–2000

  1,058

  2000–01

  1,130

  2001–02

  1,202

  2002–03

  1,263

  Expenditure figures represent the net spend on the GDS after taking account of the contribution from dental charges paid by patients. Figures from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 are cash based. Figures for 2001–02 onwards are resource based. Figures from 1998–99 include expenditure on new personal dental service (PDS) pilot schemes.

  In addition to the non-discretionary expenditure shown in the table, £4 million in 2000–01 and £41 million in 2001–02 was allocated to special schemes to help dentists modernise their practices and extend access to more national health service patients.

  Expenditure figures for 2003–04 are not yet available. As in previous years, the GDS budget for 2004–05 is a central non-discretionary budget and expenditure will be determined by dental activity. We have not yet made allocations for 2005–06 and 2006–07. These will be notified to Parliament in due course. However, we have already announced further supplementary investment totalling £90 million to support dentistry through to 2005–06. £59 million will support access, and strategic health authorities have been advised of their shares and are working with their primary care trusts to address access issues. £30 million is to support information technology and the balance of £1 million will support organisational development locally.

  The funding has been spent in paying fees to dentists for the provision of dental services through the GDS and the PDS and includes increases in fees in line with the Doctors and Dentists Review Body recommendations, as well as the introduction of schemes such as rewarding NHS
  1008W
  commitment. Over this period, the number of adult courses of treatment in the general dental service increased from 25.3 million in 1997–98 to 26.7 million in 2002–03, which includes 0.4 million courses in the personal dental service.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to recruit more NHS dentists. [170415]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We are developing a comprehensive plan to increase dental workforce capacity. The plan will address the short, medium and long term. It will include international recruitment and increases in the amount of national health service dentistry provided by United Kingdom dentists.

  Diagnostic Testing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 5 May 2004,Official Report, column 1612W, on diagnostic testing, of what types of diagnostic testing his Department is committed to extending the provision within (a) general practitioner surgeries and (b) community pharmacies; and what costs this will incur. [172915]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is committed to improving access to diagnostic services in primary and community settings to prevent inappropriate hospital visits.

  However it is the responsibility of local strategic health authorities and primary care trusts, determined by local needs, to decide which diagnostic services GP surgeries and community pharmacies might provide, and the costs incurred by such services.

  Drugs Expenditure
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total expenditure on drugs in the NHS was in(a) England, (b) etch NHS region and (c) each strategic health authority in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [169707]

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

  Failed Appointments
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of patients failed to attend NHS appointments in(a) England. (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority in each year since 1997. [172708]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is shown in the tables.

  England: out-patient non-attendance rates

  Number of patients who did not attend

  Percentage of patients who did not attend

  1997–98

  5,629,429

  11.9

  1998–99

  5,648,971

  11.8

  1999–2000

  5,882,510

  12.0

  2000–01

  5,954,819

  12.0

  2001–02

  5,947,730

  11.9

  2002–03

  5,885,369

  11.7

  1009W

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  NHS Executive Regions

  Number of patients who did not attend

  Percentage of patients who did not attend

  Number of patients who did not attend

  Percentage of patients who did not attend

  Number of patients who did not attend

  Percentage of patients who did not attend

  Northern and Yorkshire

  742,460

  11.8

  789,636

  12.4

  756,921

  11.8

  Trent

  523,492

  10.6

  541,815

  10.8

  558,708

  10.9

  West Midlands

  626,061

  12.2

  642,063

  12.2

  660,166

  12.3

  North West

  889,697

  12.4

  909,187

  12.4

  935,436

  12.5

  Eastern

  417,882

  9.6

  442,051

  9.9

  457,356

  10.2

  London

  1,412,961

  15.7

  1,497,322

  15.8

  1,481,249

  15.7

  South East

  683,884

  10.0

  696,046

  10.1

  733,824

  10.4

  South West

  352,534

  8.8

  364,390

  8.9

  371,159

  8.9

  Notes:

  1. Due to changes in the configuration of regions which took place between 1997–98 and 1998–99, information for 1997–98 is not available on a comparable basis.

  2. The regions were abolished in 2001–02.

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Strategic Health Authority

  Number of patients who did not attend

  Percentage of patients who did not attend

  Number of patients who did not attend

  Percentage of patients who did not attend

  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire HA

  166,963

  8.5

  162,214

  8.2

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire HA

  139,738

  11.7

  137,514

  11.0

  Essex HA

  142,168

  10.6

  146,876

  10.9

  North West London HA

  360,176

  16.6

  366,960

  15.7

  North Central London HA

  358,724

  15.7

  343,41 1

  15.4

  North East London HA

  283,504

  16.4

  319,770

  17.4

  South East London HA

  356,102

  18.7

  339,551

  17.6

  South West London HA

  176,100

  11.9

  166,796

  12.5

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear HA

  210,232

  11.8

  193,052

  10.5

  County Durham and Tees Valley HA

  122,341

  11.4

  121,820

  10.8

  North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire HA

  148,395

  10.6

  129,973

  9.8

  West Yorkshire HA

  280,942

  12.4

  281,300

  12.6

  Cumbria and Lancashire HA

  176,390

  10.4

  170,853

  10.5

  Greater Manchester HA

  420,197

  12.7

  428,425

  12.6

  Cheshire and Merseyside HA

  375,061

  13.0

  355,203

  11.9

  Thames Valley HA

  173,978

  10.3

  177,184

  10.1

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight HA

  133,591

  9.6

  132,192

  9.3

  Kent and Medway HA

  133,673

  10.4

  135,047

  9.7

  Surrey and Sussex HA

  243,799

  10.6

  235,515

  10.7

  Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire HA

  179,432

  9.1

  177,541

  9.2

  South West Peninsula HA

  110,648

  8.4

  111,395

  8.4

  Somerset and Dorset HA

  73,508

  7.7

  76,095

  7.7

  South Yorkshire HA

  209,614

  11.9

  209,162

  11.6

  Trent HA

  223,764

  10.1

  212,878

  9.8

  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland HA

  132,761

  10.4

  140,875

  10.8

  Shropshire and Staffordshire HA

  118,013

  9.6

  117,857

  9.4

  Birmingham and the Black Country HA

  353,362

  12.3

  356,482

  12.2

  Coventry, Warwickshire. Herefordshire and Worcestershire HA

  144,554

  11.6

  1 39,428

  11.0

  Note:

  Strategic Health Authorities did not exist prior to 2001–02.

  Fertility Treatment
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many licensed clinics providing fertility treatment have obtained licences for embryonic stem cell research. [173381]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Seven clinics licensed to provide fertility treatment have obtained licences for embryonic stem cell research.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the application to the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority by Professor Alison Murdoch for a licence to create human embryonic stem cell lives using nuclear transfer and parthenogenically activated oocytes. [173434]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Embryo research in the United Kingdom can only be carried out under licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
  1010W
  Consideration of the application by Professor Alison Murdoch for a licence to create human embryonic stem cell lines using nuclear transfer and parthenogenically activated oocytes is for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to determine under the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

  Professor Murdoch is on the HFEA's panel of external inspectors for in-vitro fertilisation clinics. The HFEA have procedures in place to avoid using individual external inspectors in circumstances where they could have a conflict of interest.

  Foundation Trusts
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) staff and (b) community electors each foundation trust had at the time of the election for governors; and how many electors took part in each election. [170999]
  1011W
  Mr. Hutton
  This is a matter for the Office of the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts. The chairman will write to the hon. Member, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many positions were available on the board of governors for each NHS foundation trust for patients and staff; how many people stood for each position; how many positions were uncontested; and how many positions remain unfilled. [171263]

  Mr. Hutton
  This is a matter for the Office of the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts. The Chairman will write to the hon. Member, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Gamete Donation
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much money the Government intends to invest to promote gamete donation; [173379]

  (2) what protocols are in place to ensure that no coercive practices are involved in the targeting of gamete donation. [173380]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We announced in January that we are to support the transition to identifiable gamete donors, subject to Parliament's approval of the regulations, by increasing public awareness of the importance of such donors. The investment that we are making in the promotion of gamete donation involves time and effort as well as the provision of funding.

  We are working with a range of organisations including the Donor Conception Network, the National Gamete Donation Trust and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on collaborative arrangements to encourage the recruitment of identifiable donors. We will be supporting the National Gamete Donation Trust (NGDT) to make contact with fertility clinics about current recruitment arrangements and the dissemination of good practice. The NGDT will also run an improved helpline for people interested in being gamete donors on 0845 226 9193. To date we have decided to provide the NGDT with some £100,000 for this work and are currently in discussion with them about further funding for 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Raising awareness of the value and importance of identifiable gamete donors will also take place in other ways. The HFEA will, for instance, include it as part of their inspections of clinics. We will also be promoting public awareness of gamete donation with other organisations and with the media in preparation for the introduction of identifiable donors from April 2005.

  The donation of sperm, eggs or embryos is entirely voluntary. The code of practice issued by the HFEA makes clear that gamete donors must be paid no more than £15 for each donation plus reasonable expenses. It
  1012W
  also makes clear that where a person is undergoing a treatment cycle, there must be no pressure or undue influence on a patient to donate supernumerary gametes or embryos.

  General Practice in England
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to act on the findings and recommendations of the Audit Commission report "A Focus on General Practice in England". [172734]

  Mr. Hutton
  "A Focus on General Practice in England" did not make recommendations. The findings of this baseline study of general practice undertaken during the negotiations between the NHS Confederation and the general practitioners committee of the British Medical Association for a new contract for general medical services did, however, inform those negotiations. The new contract that came into effect on 1 April will make sure that the money going into general practice matches the needs of patients, enable general practitioners to control their work load while incentivising high quality care; and the new quality and outcomes framework will ensure that all patients can benefit from the same high quality care.

  General Practitioners
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there are per head in each primary care trust in England. [172828]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of general practitioners per 100,000 patients in each primary care trust in England, as at September 2003, has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for NHS patients to be given a first appointment with a general practitioner was in each year from 1974 to 2003. [173634]

  Mr. Hutton
  These data are not collected centrally. However, available information shows that in March 2004 some 97 per cent. of the population could be seen by a general practitioner within two working days. This compares with about 75 per cent. in March 2002, which was the first year in which these data were collected.

  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there have been per head in Brent, East in each year since 1997. [172822]

  Mr. Hutton
  General practitioner services for people living in Brent are currently provided by Brent Primary Care Trust, part of North West London strategic health authority. Prior to 2001, these services were provided by Brent and Harrow health authority.

  The table shows the number of general practitioners there have been in the Brent area since 1997.
  1013W

  Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers but including GP Registrars)1 per 100,000 patients of Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs2 for North West London SHA and specified organisations, 1997–2003

  Number (headcount)

  1997

  1990

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  Patients of UPEs

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  Patients of UPEs

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  Q04 North West London

  1,209

  2,031,706

  60

  1,188

  2,011,394

  59

  Of which:

  4JC46 Brent Central

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4XW97 Brent North

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4EF26 Brent South

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5K5 Brent PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5HX Ealing PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5K6 Harrow PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5AT Hillingdon PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5HY Hounslow PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5LC Westminster PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1999

  2000

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  Patients of UPEs

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  Patients of UPEs

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  Q04 North West London

  1,134

  1,881,696

  60

  1,125

  2,004,915

  56

  Of which

  4JC46 Brent Central

  47

  93,074

  50

  50

  95,790

  52

  4XW97 Brent North

  65

  108,692

  60

  64

  113,029

  57

  4EF26 Brent South

  63

  79,638

  79

  57

  98,801

  58

  5K5 Brent PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5HX Ealing PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5K6 Harrow PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5AT Hillingdon PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5HY Hounslow PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5LC Westminster PCT

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2001

  2002

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  Patients of UPEs

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  Patients of UPEs

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  Q04 North West London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Of which

  4JC46 Brent Central

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4XW97 Brent North

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4EF26 Brent South

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5K5 Brent PCT

  184

  320,649

  57

  197

  347,890

  57

  5HX Ealing PCT

  198

  360,064

  55

  195

  352,583

  55

  5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham

  105

  180,949

  58

  106

  186,741

  57

  5K6 Harrow PCT

  142

  259,168

  55

  121

  221,675

  55

  5AT Hillingdon PCT

  138

  254,204

  54

  137

  253,087

  54

  5HY Hounslow PCT

  123

  240,173

  51

  118

  248,171

  48

  5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT

  124

  178,455

  69

  132

  189,307

  70

  5LC Westminster PCT

  136

  232,816

  58

  133

  241,265

  55

  2003

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  Patients of UPEs

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  Q04 North West London

  —

  —

  —

  Of which

  4JC46 Brent Central

  —

  —

  —

  4XW97 Brent North

  —

  —

  —

  4EF26 Brent South

  —

  —

  —

  5K5 Brent PCT

  205

  344,059

  60

  5HX Ealing PCT

  194

  355,535

  55

  5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham

  96

  183,161

  52

  5K6 Harrow PCT

  146

  223,947

  65

  5AT Hillingdon PCT

  139

  256,188

  54

  5HY Hounslow PCT

  133

  240,698

  55

  5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT

  120

  165,860

  72

  5LC Westminster PCT

  143

  202,609

  71

  1 All Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers) include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants. GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA). PMS Other, GP Retainers. Flexible Career Scheme GPs and GP Returners

  2 UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried Gps.

  1014W 1015W
  Note:

  Data as at 1 October 1997–99, 30 September 2000–03

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)1 per 100,000 patients of Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)2for Brent and Harrow HA: 1997–2003

  Brent and Harrow HA

  Number (headcount)

  1997

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  324

  Patients of UPEs

  554,018

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  58

  1998

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  333

  Patients of UPEs

  561,395

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  59

  1999

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  311

  Patients of UPEs

  516,923

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  60

  2000

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  306

  Patients of UPEs

  560,206

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  55

  2001

  All practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)

  326

  Patients of UPEs

  579,817

  Practitioners per 100,000 UPE patients

  56

  1 All Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers) include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA). PMS Other. GP Retainers. Flexible Career Scheme GPs and GP Returners

  2 UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals. PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried Gps.

  Note:

  Data as at 1 October 1997–99

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of women in South Ribble with suspected breast cancer saw a specialist within two weeks in each of the last five years. [171668]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is not collected on a constituency basis. The information shown in the table relates to the national health service organisations serving the South Ribble area.

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services: Qualified occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists employed in the NHS in each Government office region and strategic health authority area in England as at 30 September in each year

  Headcount

  Occupational therapists

  Physiotherapists

  Speech and language therapists

  2002

  2003

  2002

  2003

  2002

  2003

  England total

  14,749

  15,391

  16,885

  17,922

  5,960

  6,243

  A. North East

  Total

  726

  756

  953

  1,004

  320

  344

  Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley SHA

  289

  283

  392

  412

  123

  135

  1016W

  Waiting times for 1st consultant out-patient appointment for suspected breast cancer following urgent GP referral

  Seen within 2 weeks

  NHS Trust

  Percentage

  Number

  1999–2000

  Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust

  94.5

  52

  2000–01

  Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust

  100.0

  169

  2001–02

  Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust

  100.0

  240

  2002–03

  Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  100.0

  238

  2003–04

  Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  100.0

  279

  Note:

  Lancashire Teaching Hospitals was established on 1 August 2002 following a merger of the Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust and Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Source:

  DH form QMCW.

  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of women in Workington constituency with suspected breast cancer saw a specialist within two weeks in each of the last five years. [170717]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is not collected on a constituency basis. The information shown in the table relates to the national health service organisations serving the Preston area.

  Waiting times for first consultant out-patient appointment for suspected breast cancer following urgent GP referral

  Seen within 2 weeks

  Percentage

  Number

  1999–2000

  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust

  92.9

  236

  2000–01

  West Cumbria Health Care NHS Trust

  —

  —

  2000–01

  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust

  83.3

  244

  2001–02

  North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust

  94.7

  570

  2002–03

  North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust

  89.0

  699

  2003–04

  North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust

  95.0

  755

  Note:

  West Cumbria Health Care NHS Trust and Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust merged to form North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust in April 2001.

  Source:

  Department of Health form QMCW.

  Health Therapists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how mangy(a) occupational therapists, (b) physiotherapists and (c) speech and language therapists were employed in the NHS in each (i) NHS region and (ii) strategic health authority in each of the last two years. [172705]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  1017W

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services: Qualified occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists employed in the NHS in each Government office region and strategic health authority area in England as at 30 September in each year

  Headcount

  Occupational therapists

  Physiotherapists

  Speech and language therapists

  2002

  2003

  2002

  2003

  2002

  2003

  Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA

  437

  473

  561

  592

  197

  209

  B. North West

  Total

  1,978

  2,012

  2,588

  2,748

  861

  911

  Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside SHA

  617

  602

  915

  942

  264

  274

  Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire SHA

  559

  611

  643

  700

  242

  274

  Q14 Greater Manchester SHA

  802

  799

  1,030

  1,106

  355

  363

  D. Yorkshire and the Humber

  Total

  1,577

  1,587

  1,917

  2,050

  568

  596

  Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA

  410

  448

  472

  528

  170

  184

  Q23 South Yorkshire SHA

  475

  478

  600

  638

  158

  178

  Q12 West Yorkshire SHA

  692

  661

  845

  884

  240

  234

  E. East Midlands

  Total

  1,327

  1,440

  1,222

  1,329

  453

  462

  Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA

  435

  471

  400

  439

  145

  145

  Q24 Trent SHA

  892

  969

  822

  890

  308

  317

  F. West Midlands

  Total

  1,444

  1,515

  1,783

  1,926

  591

  649

  Q27 Birmingham and The Black Country SHA

  597

  619

  734

  792

  283

  304

  Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA

  418

  452

  540

  589

  137

  157

  Q28 West Midlands South SHA

  429

  444

  509

  545

  171

  188

  G. East of England

  Total

  1,519

  1,607

  1,457

  1,572

  554

  573

  Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA

  322

  364

  367

  431

  171

  174

  Q03 Essex SHA

  454

  460

  354

  373

  131

  136

  Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA

  743

  783

  736

  768

  252

  263

  H. London

  Total

  2,018

  2,113

  2,328

  2,486

  979

  1,133

  Q05 North Central London SHA

  390

  450

  471

  510

  178

  254

  Q06 North East London SHA

  410

  399

  390

  421

  184

  179

  Q04 North West London SHA

  455

  458

  565

  597

  229

  258

  Q07 South East London SHA

  416

  456

  491

  516

  219

  251

  Q08 South West London SHA

  347

  350

  411

  442

  169

  191

  J. South East

  Total

  2,311

  2,394

  2,608

  2,666

  998

  931

  Q17 Hampshire and Isle Of Wight SHA

  436

  478

  584

  625

  185

  190

  Q18 Kent and Medway SHA

  411

  415

  443

  449

  199

  190

  Q19 Surrey and Sussex SHA

  885

  898

  877

  885

  303

  265

  Q16 Thames Valley SHA

  579

  603

  704

  707

  311

  286

  K. South West

  Total

  1,849

  1,967

  2,029

  2,141

  636

  644

  Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA

  814

  878

  934

  991

  321

  308

  Q22 Dorset and Somerset SHA

  450

  463

  468

  506

  125

  137

  Q21 South West Peninsula SHA

  585

  626

  627

  644

  190

  199

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census.

  Healthy Eating
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Department is taking to encourage the production and sale of healthier foods. [160697]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 11 March 2004]: We are working closely with the food industry
  1018W
  and other stakeholders to encourage the production and sale of healthier foods. Our 5 A DAY programme is promoting the sale of fruit and vegetables.

  We are currently consulting stakeholders and the public as part of the Choosing Health? consultation through the consultation document, "Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet". This will enable a wide range

  1019W
  of stakeholders to contribute to the debate on healthier food. The Government will draw up a White Paper in the light of consultation.

  Healthy Living Centres
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of healthy living centres. [170417]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Healthy living centres (HLCs) have a key role to play in reducing inequalities and supporting the work of other statutory and voluntary organisations locally.

  The New Opportunities Fund has commissioned the Bridge Consortium to carry out a four-year evaluation of the programme which will focus on health impact monitoring and issues of sustainability, partnership and social exclusion.

  The Department has commissioned its own evaluation of the HLC programme through the Tavistock Institute against key health priorities, such as cancer and coronary heart disease prevention. The institute will be encouraged to publish its findings and the Health Development Agency will incorporate the findings into evidence and practice reviews.

  Interim findings from the New Opportunities Fund's evaluation are already available on the New Opportunities Fund website at www.nof.org.uk.

  Hearing-impaired Patients
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to introduce deaf and disability awareness training for front-line NHS staff. [170967]

  Mr. Hutton
  NHSU, the organisation set up by the Department to establish a university for the national health service, is leading the development and delivery of disability equality and awareness training tools and resources as part of a wider disability learning and development strategy. An initial prototype learning programme, aimed at providing staff with a broad overview of disability awareness, will be ready for consultation in the autumn.

  There are no plans for centrally funded training programmes that deal specifically with deaf awareness.

  Hospital Services/Investment
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the major investments at(a) Diana,

  In-patient waiting list figures for North East Lincolnshire NHS Trust (March 1996 March 2001), Scunthorpe and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust (March 1996 to March 2001)

  North East Lincolnshire NHS Trust

  Scunthorpe and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust

  Total

  As at March each year

  Day

  Ord.

  Total

  Day

  Ord.

  Total

  Day

  Ord.

  Total

  1996

  1,300

  2,328

  3,628

  2,366

  1,389

  3,755

  3,666

  3,717

  7,383

  1997

  2,121

  3,580

  5,701

  3,253

  2,210

  5,463

  5,374

  5,790

  11,164

  1998

  2,674

  4,155

  6,829

  3,921

  2,012

  5,933

  6,595

  6,167

  12,762

  1999

  1,995

  3,263

  5,258

  3,100

  1,450

  4,550

  5,095

  4,713

  9,808

  2000

  2,737

  2,137

  4,874

  3,281

  1,019

  4,300

  6,018

  3,156

  9,174

  2001

  2,430

  2,008

  4,438

  2,646

  905

  3,551

  5,076

  2,913

  7,989

  1020W
  Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby and (b) Scunthorpe Hospital since 1997, and the value of those investments. [172338]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Major capital schemes at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole hospitals national health service trust since 1997

  Year started

  Description

  £000

  1998–99

  C7 Enabling—DPOW

  606

  Special Procedures & Fluoroscopy—DPOW

  197

  1999–2000

  C Floor Ward Accommodation—DPOW

  275

  CT Scanner & Building work—DPOW

  422

  2000–01

  Maternity & Day Surgery Unit—DPOW

  13,609

  Brumby— Scunthorpe

  871

  Replacement Nurse Call System—DPOW

  236

  New Substation & Generator—DPOW

  377

  F&G Theatres Refurbishment—Scunthorpe

  241

  2001–02

  A&E—Scunthorpe

  833

  Refurbish Ward 16/17—Scunthorpe

  431

  Additional Medical Beds—Scunthorpe

  844

  Additional Medical Beds—DPOW

  813

  Dermatology—Scunthorpe

  368

  Laminar Flow—Scunthorpe

  269

  2002–03

  Treatmen Centre—Goole

  2,800

  Child Development Centre—DPOW

  641

  CT Scanner—Scunthorpe

  505

  Pathology Modernisation

  2,000

  Pathology IT

  1,034

  HSDU Washers/Disinfectors—Scunthorpe

  433

  Obstetric Theatre—Scunthorpe

  238

  Main Electrical supply—Goole

  305

  2003–04

  MAU—Ward 5—Scunthorpe

  1,804

  Cardiology—DPOW

  1,100

  Endoscopy—DPOW

  1,730

  Not yet started

  Stroke Unit—DPOW

  610

  A&E—DPOW

  5,000

  Total

  38,592

  Notes:

  DPOW—Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.

  Scunthorpe—Scunthorpe General Hospital.

  Goole—Goole and District Hospital.

  Source:

  Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were on(a) in-patient waiting lists and (b) day case waiting lists at (i) Diana, Princess of Wales hospital and (ii) Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospital in each year since 1997. [172339]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The requested information is not available for individual hospitals. Information for the relevant national health service trusts is shown in the tables.
  1021W

  In-patient waiting list figures for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust (March 2002 to March 2004)

  Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust

  Total

  As at March each year

  Day

  Ord.

  Total

  Day

  Ord.

  Total

  2002

  5,606

  2,377

  7,983

  5,606

  2,377

  7,983

  2003

  5,078

  2,250

  7,328

  5,078

  2,250

  7,328

  2004

  1,967

  4,669

  6,636

  1,967

  4,669

  6,636

  Source:

  Department of Health KH07.

  Hospitals (Internet Access)
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals which(a) have and (b) do not have access to broadband-enabled Internet, broken down by (i) London boroughs, (ii) metropolitan boroughs, (iii) shire districts, (iv) unitary authorities, (v) shire counties and (vi) other local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the benefits of broadband connectivity to (A) patients and (B) hospital staff. [173097]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: All acute trusts in England have broadband connections to the national health service national network. Information about the type of local authority organisation within which the trust is based is not collected.

  A major part of the infrastructure programme is the implementation of the NHS national broadband network. This will provide the NHS with world class networking services, including secure broadband connectivity, for the future. The substantially enhanced bandwidth, intelligent network services and new network technologies will meet increasing demand and offer a range of new opportunities. It will enhance services and allow for the further development of remote centres, with increased access to specialist support.

  The broadband network will provide access to the patient record in the various care locations, support on-site procedures and allow consistent access to knowledge for all clinicians. Care will be provided using telemedicine and telecare techniques in a wide range of locations, for example, minor injuries units, enhanced general practices and diagnostic and treatment centres. This will relieve acute trusts and accident and emergency departments by taking on investigations, treatment for minor injuries and procedures such as some day-case surgeries.

  Improving Chronic Disease Programme
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the details of the Improving Chronic Disease Programme will be published. [171935]

  Mr. Hutton
  "Improving Chronic Disease Management" was published by the Department on 4 March, and signalled the start of an evolving programme to engage the national health service in adopting a more systematic approach to helping people with chronic conditions. More details were given to chief executives of strategic health authorities in a letter on 6 May, and this was followed by a conference on 18 May, and a series of regional Workshops in June.

  Internet Medicine Sales
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations have been made by(a) the
  1022W
  Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency between April 2003 and 2004 and (b) the Medicines Control Agency for each year between 1997 and 2003 to internet service providers regarding websites (i) in breach of the law on the sale of unlicensed medicines via the internet and (ii) providing medicines without adequate patient consultations; and if he will list the websites in each case. [167806]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  During the period 2003 to 2004, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) made one representation to an internet service provider (ISP) involving the supply of unlicensed medicines via the internet without a United Kingdom registered medical practitioner's prescription. Initially compliance was achieved. However, the site is once again operating and is the subject of a new criminal investigation. Disclosure of the name of the site during the investigation could be prejudicial to any future prosecution action, and exemption four of the open government code of practice therefore applies.

  During the period 1997 to 2003, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA made six representations to ISPs involving the supply of both licensed and unlicensed medicines via the internet. All six representations related to a study (by the MCA enforcement unit) in 1999. The specific details of individual sites have not been retained following their closure.

  Investing in General Practice Initiative
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the £85,000 allocated to South Sefton Primary Care Trust to support the Investing in General Practice commitments will be spent. [170525]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not collected centrally. Following the introduction of the new general medical services contract, future decisions on how to prioritise health centre developments are the responsibility of local primary care trusts.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the £86,000 allocated to Southport and Formby Primary Care Trust to support the Investing in General Practice commitments will be spent. [170526]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Following the introduction of the new general medical services contract, future decisions on how to prioritise health centre developments are the responsibility of local primary care trusts.

  Maternity Services
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the number of midwives employed in(a) hospitals and (b) the community. [173580]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government are implementing a range of measures to recruit more midwives, both in primary and secondary care. These include improving pay and conditions, encouraging the national health service to become a better, more flexible and diverse employer, increasing training, investing in child care and continuing professional development, attracting back returners and running national and local recruitment campaigns. As a result of these initiatives, there are more than 1,500 more midwives working in the NHS in England than in 1997.

  NHS (Translation Costs)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what translation costs were incurred within the National Health Service in 2003–04. [172374]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer given 13 May 2004] This information is not held centrally.

  NHS Land Sales
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will receive the profits of sale of NHS land for housing where a foundation trust is not in existence. [169763]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 30 April 2004]: The receipts from the proposed transfer surplus National Health Service land to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be added to normal capital allocations and passed out to the benefit of the entire NHS.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the anticipated profits of sale of surplus NHS land for housing are expected to be; and how much front line service expansion this profit is expected to fund. [169816]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 30 April 2004]: Until negotiations on the precise terms of the transfer of the land to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have been agreed, it will not be possible to say how much will be received for the surplus National Health Service land.

  All of the receipts, once to hand, will be re-invested in the NHS.

  NHS Staff
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of those classified as(a) senior managers, (b) managers, (c) clerical and (d) administrative staff within the HS (i) have medical training and (ii) do not have medical training. [171290]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  North Bristol NHS Trust
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the costs of(a) elective acute activity and (b) non-elective acute activity at North Bristol NHS Trust; how these compare with the tariff payments that he proposes to make for such services; what the effect
  1024W
  on the money available to North Bristol NHS Trust would be if the payment by results policy was implemented immediately; and if he will make a statement on his plans for transition to the new arrangements. [169013]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 27 April 2004]: The Department annually collects retrospective cost and activity data from all English national health service trusts, including collections of elective in-patient, non-elective in patient, and day case activity. The national tariff for 2004–05 includes some 550 or so healthcare resource groups (HRGs) covering activity in these categories. HRGs are groups of procedures and treatments that are clinically similar and involve similar use of resources.

  Though the tariff is based on national average reported costs (Reference Costs), it is not meaningful to make direct comparisons between the two because of the prospective nature of the tariff. For example, the latest reference costs refer to 2002–03, and the tariff to 2005–06. However a realistic guide to the relative cost efficiency of a NHS Trust is given by the National Reference Cost Index (RCI). The RCI gives a single figure for each NHS trust which compares the actual cost of its activity with the same activity at national average cost. The 2002–03 RCI score for North Bristol NHS Trust indicates that across the board its activity costs are 26 per cent. above the national average. This reflects the significant extra unplanned expenditure incurred by the trust in that year.

  Payment by results began in a small way in 2003–04, is extended in 2004–05, and becomes fully operational in 2005–06. There will be a further three-year transition period to full impact of the new system until 2008, during which the effect of the tariff will be phased to allow trusts to adjust local costs so as to be able to live within the tariff.

  We anticipate there may be some NHS trusts that will not be able to reduce costs to the extent necessary. The numbers in this position are likely to be very few as new and better costing and HRG definitions are introduced, and when the system has been fine-tuned to take account of exceptionally expensive patients not well covered by the tariff. We also recognise that where organisations are recovering an accumulated deficit, recovery plans will need to be revisited in the light of transition.

  Latest thinking on how these and a number of other operational issues might be resolved in practice is described in the Department's formal response to the latest round of consultation on payment by results, which will be published shortly. Final guidance will be issued later this year in time to inform the normal planning and contracting processes for 2005–06.

  Obesity
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the obesity rate is for(a) all people, (b) under-25s and (c) over-25s in (i) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (ii) England. [171786]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The prevalence of obesity in children and adults, based on data from the Health Survey for England 2000–02, are shown in the table. No figures are available for the East Riding of Yorkshire.
  1025W

  Prevalence of obesity in children and adults

  Total England

  Age (years)

  Prevalence (percentage)

  Bases

  2–15

  16.0

  9,412

  16–24

  10.3

  3,270

  25+

  24.2

  5,835

  16+

  19.2

  9,105

  Source:

  Health Survey for England.

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Organ

  Cadaveric

  Living

  Total

  Cadaveric

  Living

  Total

  Kidney

  1,264

  372

  1,636

  1,337

  379

  1,716

  Pancreas

  7

  —

  7

  11

  —

  11

  Kidney/pancreas

  41

  —

  41

  48

  —

  48

  Heart

  154

  6

  160

  147

  10

  157

  Lung(s)

  96

  —

  96

  118

  —

  118

  Heart/lung

  21

  —

  21

  21

  —

  21

  Liver

  654

  7

  661

  692

  7

  699

  Liver/kidney

  5

  —

  5

  13

  —

  13

  Other

  5

  —

  5

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  2,247

  385

  2,632

  2,388

  396

  2,784

  2003–04

  Average over three years

  Cadaveric

  Living

  Total

  Cadaveric

  Living

  Total

  Kidney

  1,330

  450

  1,780

  1,310

  400

  1,710

  Pancreas

  12

  —

  12

  10

  —

  10

  Kidney/pancreas

  45

  —

  45

  45

  —

  45

  Heart

  164

  —

  164

  155

  6

  161

  Lung(s)

  147

  —

  147

  120

  —

  120

  Heart/lung

  9

  —

  9

  17

  —

  17

  Liver

  676

  10

  686

  674

  8

  682

  Liver/kidney

  10

  —

  10

  9

  —

  9

  Other

  1

  —

  1

  2

  —

  2

  Total

  2,394

  460

  2,854

  2,342

  414

  2,756

  Pensions Agency
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2004,Official Report, column 865W, on pension schemes, on what grounds the NHS Pensions Agency may refuse to accept a pension transfer into their scheme; and if he will make a statement. [173906]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: The National Health Service Pensions Agency may refuse to accept a transfer of pension rights into the NHS pension scheme ("the Scheme") if:
  the transferring scheme is not tax approved
  the transferring scheme is not an occupational pension scheme, a personal pension scheme, a buy-out policy or a retirement annuity other than a retirement annuity approved under section 620 (formerly section 226) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988
  the application to transfer is made on or after age 60
  the application to transfer is made more than 12 months after joining the NHS scheme (there is discretion to extend this time limit)
  the transfer payment offered does not meet the scheme's liability to provide a guaranteed minimum pension
  the transferring scheme will not provide a signed declaration confirming that the payment offered represents benefits that have been equalised from 17 May 1990 and that they will make good any deficiency in the amount paid should it later prove that the equalisation was inadequate.

  Organ Transplants
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many transplant operations took place on average in each year since 2001, broken down by type of organ. [164866]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The table shows data on organ transplants in the United Kingdom, April 2001 to March 2004, by financial year, organ and donor type with average over the three years.

  Personal Injury Cases
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many personal injury cases have resulted in repayment of NHS costs to the NHS in each of the last five years; what the total amount recovered was; what the categories of cases are from which recovery is expected; what the maximum amounts recoverable for each kind of treatment are; and if he will make a statement on(a) the trend in recovery of NHS costs and (b) his future plans for the recoupment scheme. [R][173562]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: Under the provisions of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999, national health service hospital treatment costs can be recovered in cases where a person injured in a road traffic accident makes a successful claim for personal injury compensation. The costs are recovered from insurers, not the injured person. The charges are calculated using a tariff, which is currently set at £473 for treatment without admission, a daily rate fee of £582 for treatment with admission and there is a ceiling of charges which is set at £34,800.

  The table shows the number of settled claims for personal injury compensation following a road traffic accident that resulted in a payment to the NHS and the total amounts paid to NHS hospitals in England, Scotland and Wales for each of the last five years.
  1027W

  Number of cases resulting in repayment of NHS costs

  Amounts recovered and paid to NHS hospitals (£ million)

  1999–2000

  67,466

  30.05

  2000–01

  148,249

  75.9

  2001–02

  182,006

  98.3

  2002–03

  195,643

  105.03

  2003–04

  185,533

  105.7

  Provisions contained in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 allow the current system of recovery of NHS costs to be expanded so that NHS hospital treatment costs and NHS ambulance service costs will be recoverable in all cases where personal injury compensation is paid. This will in the main include employer and public liability claims, in addition to road traffic accident claims. The new scheme is due to commence on 1 April 2005. It is estimated that the expanded scheme will recover an additional £150 million per year when its full impact is realised in several years' time.

  Pharmaceutical Research
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure that the results of pharmaceutical research indicating negative results are made available to(a) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and (b) the public. [171854]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Pharmaceutical companies must submit all research data to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in support of any application for a marketing authorisation of a medicinal product. We have no plans to compel pharmaceutical companies or others to provide unpublished research data to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

  It is for the company or the research author(s) to decide whether they wish to publish their data.

  Practitioners with a Special Interest
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made for each of the last five years of the number of referrals to practitioners with a special interest, broken down by(a) primary care trust and (b) strategic health authority area; [168863]

  Annex A: Department of Health Vacancies Survey, Three-month vacancy rates in England, North West London Strategic Health Authority area and Brent and Harrow Health Authority area

  Percentage

  Specified staff groups

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting England

  2.8

  3.9

  3.4

  3.1

  2.9

  Q04

  North West London SHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4.4

  6.3

  QAR

  Brent and Harrow HA

  6.2

  5.6

  6.0

  n/a

  n/a

  Allied Health Professionals England

  2.1

  3.2

  4.3

  5.0

  4.8

  Q04

  North West London SHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  6.2

  7.3

  QAR

  Brent and Harrow HA

  2.5

  6.2

  8.4

  n/a

  n/a

  1028W
  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost savings expected in the current financial year as a result of referrals to practitioners with a special interest rather than to hospitals; and what projection he has made of future cost savings from this programme. [168864]

  Mr. Hutton
  The practitioner with special interest role is intended to offer opportunities for professional development to general practitioners and others, and to offer primary care trusts (PCTs) new flexibilities in delivering services.

  In line with "Shifting the Balance of Power", PCTs are responsible for developing practitioners with special interest services. Most are now doing so, but information on referrals to practitioners with a special interest is not collected centrally. Overall, however, in 2001–02 some 600,000 procedures previously only done in hospitals were carried out in primary care. By 2002–03, this had increased to 700,000 and further increases are expected in future years. This initiative has not been introduced to save money and no central estimates of potential or actual savings to the national health service in 2004–05 have been made.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many professional allied to medicine have been appointed as practitioners with a specialist interest in each year since the scheme started; and from which discipline they came. [172706]

  Mr. Hutton
  There is no central scheme for the appointment of allied health professionals with a special interest, and information on any such appointments made locally is not collected centrally.

  Professional Groups (Vacancies)
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the vacancy rate was for each professional group in the North West London Strategic Health Authority in each year since 1997. [172819]

  Mr. Hutton
  General practitioner vacancy rates are not collected by strategic health authority.

  Vacancy rates for other professional groups are only collected centrally for:

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff.

  Allied health professionals.

  Other qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff.

  Ambulance staff.

  Consultants.

  However, this data has only been collected since 1999. The figures are shown in the table.
  1029W

  Annex A: Department of Health Vacancies Survey, Three-month vacancy rates in England, North West London Strategic Health Authority area and Brent and Harrow Health Authority area

  Percentage

  Specified staff groups

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Other qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff England

  1.6

  2.6

  3.3

  3.2

  2.8

  Q04

  North West London SHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4.8

  4.6

  QAR

  Brent and Harrow HA

  2.7

  2.0

  1.4

  n/a

  n/a

  Ambulance staff England

  0.8

  1.0

  1.4

  0.5

  0.7

  Q04

  North West London SHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0.0

  1

  QAR

  Brent and Harrow HA

  0.0

  1—

  1—

  n/a

  n/a

  Consultants England

  2.3

  2.8

  3.0

  3.8

  4.7

  Q04

  North West London SHA

  2.1

  1.7

  1.1

  4.0

  3.4

  QAR

  Brent and Harrow HA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  n/a = Not applicable.

  1 Figures where sum of staff in post and vacancies is less than 10.

  Notes:

  1. Three-month vacancies are as at 31 March each year.

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

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

  4. For 1999–2001, three-month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the previous September's Workforce Census.

  5. For 2002–03, three-month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the March Vacancy Survey.

  Sources:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey.

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the vacancy rate is for each health professional group in each strategic health authority in England; and what the average figures are for(a) London and (b) England. [172820]

  Mr. Hutton
  The three-month vacancy rate and number for specified non-medical professional groups and consultants in each strategic health authority

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2003—Vacancies in NHS Trusts by Strategic Health Authority and NHS Trust, specified staff groups three month vacancy rates and numbers

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff

  Qualified Allied Health Professionals

  Other qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  England

  2.9

  7,967

  4.8

  2,176

  2.8

  1,548

  Norfolk. Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA

  1.4

  167

  5.4

  115

  2.6

  59

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA

  4.9

  315

  7.4

  79

  5.9

  65

  Essex Strategic HA

  3.4

  220

  4.1

  46

  3.1

  42

  London

  5.7

  2,611

  8.4

  594

  4.8

  510

  North West London Strategic HA

  6.3

  737

  7.3

  127

  4.6

  111

  North Central London Strategic HA

  6.5

  638

  9.0

  139

  4.1

  109

  North East London Strategic HA

  3.7

  303

  8.6

  110

  2.5

  42

  South East London Strategic HA

  7.3

  779

  10.7

  166

  7.4

  194

  South West London Strategic HA

  2.8

  153

  5.3

  52

  4.4

  55

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA

  1.7

  177

  3.7

  56

  2.7

  48

  County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA

  0.8

  57

  2.4

  25

  1.1

  11

  North and East Yorkshire And Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA

  2.1

  163

  4.9

  63

  2.7

  West Yorkshire Strategic HA

  1.6

  211

  3.6

  86

  1.5

  39

  Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA

  1.8

  202

  3.0

  52

  2.7

  43

  Greater Manchester Strategic HA

  3.0

  524

  4.4

  127

  1.8

  57

  Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA

  1.0

  155

  2.8

  66

  2.3

  74

  Thames Valley Strategic HA

  4.0

  400

  7.3

  129

  3.8

  66

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA

  4.6

  422

  5.4

  76

  3.4

  46

  Kent and Medway Strategic HA

  4.4

  312

  4.1

  49

  2.3

  29

  Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA

  4.1

  508

  6.4

  147

  5.0

  108

  Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA

  3.6

  441

  3.0

  68

  1.7

  46

  South West Peninsula Strategic HA

  1.2

  106

  3.2

  49

  1.6

  25

  1030W
  (SHA) as at March 2003 is shown in the table. The average three-month vacancy rate and number for London and England as at March 2003 has also been provided.

  The estimated three-month general practitioner vacancy rate for England in 2003 was 3.4 per cent. It is not possible to produce reliable estimates of the vacancy rate for GPs at SHA level.
  1031W

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2003—Vacancies in NHS Trusts by Strategic Health Authority and NHS Trust, specified staff groups three month vacancy rates and numbers

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff

  Qualified Allied Health Professionals

  Other qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA

  0.7

  42

  1.1

  12

  1.3

  12

  South Yorkshire Strategic HA

  0.9

  82

  2.2

  34

  1.1

  21

  Trent Strategic HA

  1.1

  158

  2.2

  52

  0.9

  23

  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA

  2.9

  216

  5.1

  61

  3.3

  46

  Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA

  1.1

  83

  3.6

  46

  2.2

  29

  Birmingham and The Black Country Strategic HA

  2.2

  328

  5.0

  103

  2.6

  81

  Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Strategic HA

  0.8

  59

  3.3

  40

  1.7

  21

  Special Health Authorities

  1.7

  8

  1—

  1—

  0.4

  11

  Ambulance

  Consultants

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  Three month vacancy rate percentage

  Three month vacancy number

  England

  0.7

  111

  4.7

  1,264

  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA

  1—

  1—

  4.4

  53

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA

  2.1

  12

  5.5

  33

  Essex Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  3.7

  22

  London

  0.0

  1—

  3.5

  181

  North West London Strategic HA

  *

  1—

  3.4

  42

  North Central London Strategic HA

  1—

  1—

  1.8

  21

  North East London Strategic HA

  1—

  1—

  3.2

  28

  South East London Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  6.0

  72

  South West London Strategic HA

  1—

  1—

  2.5

  19

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA

  3.0

  18

  5.3

  54

  County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA

  1—

  1—

  7.8

  52

  North and East Yorkshire And Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  6.4

  43

  West Yorkshire Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  4.9

  61

  Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA

  0.2

  2

  7.3

  61

  Greater Manchester Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  1.8

  108

  Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA

  7.3

  48

  3.6

  50

  Thames Valley Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  5.4

  56

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  5.6

  48

  Kent and Medway Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  6.2

  41

  Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  5.1

  59

  Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA

  2.3

  19

  3.4

  40

  South West Peninsula Strategic HA

  0.7

  6

  2.9

  22

  Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  2.4

  12

  South Yorkshire Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  2.9

  24

  Trent Strategic HA

  0.5

  6

  5.4

  61

  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA

  1—

  1—

  5.2

  36

  Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  6.2

  40

  Birmingham and The Black Country Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  5.4

  78

  Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Strategic HA

  0.0

  1—

  3.9

  27

  Special Health Authorities

  1—

  1—

  4.7

  5

  1 Zero.

  Notes:

  1. Three-month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2003.

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

  3. Three-month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three-month vacancies plus staff in post.

  4. Three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the Vacancy Survey, March 2003, or from March 2003 consultant Mini Census.

  5. London is based on the five London Strategic Health Authorities and London Ambulance service NHS Trust.

  Public Health Action Plan
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for(a) publishing and (b) implementing the Public Health Action Plan proposed in Choosing Health. [172521]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Secretary of State for Health launched "Choosing Health? A consultation on action to improve people's health" on 3 March 2004. The formal consultation period runs until 28 May 2004. The consultation will feed into a White Paper to be 1032W
  published this summer. The White Paper will set out the Government's plans to improve health, including the timetable for implementation.

  Skin Diseases
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to extend chronic disease management clinics to cover skin diseases; and if he will make a statement. [169713]
  1033W
  Mr. Hutton
  Primary care trusts, in partnership with local stakeholders, have the responsibility for deciding what services to provide for their populations including those with skin conditions. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.

  St. George's Hospital
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what development projects are proposed for St. George's Hospital, Tooting within the next three years; and what the estimated cost is of each. [173079]

  Mr. Hutton
  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust is projecting a capital spend of £16.4 million in 2004–05 on a number of small capital projects including an endoscopy unit, modernisation of the pharmacy facilities, upgrading of intermediate care facilities and a new maxillofacial laboratory. Delivery of this capital programme is dependent on the trust and South West London Strategic Health Authority working together to identify the funding streams.

  The capital programme beyond 2004–05 has yet to be agreed.

  Staff Turnover
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much was spent on staff turnover(a) at North West London Hospitals Trust and (b) in the North West London Strategic Health Authority in each year since 1997; [172799]

  (2) what the percentage turnover of nursing staff was at North West London NHS Trust in the latest period for which figures are available. [172800]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the percentage turnover of nursing staff or on how much is spent on staff turnover is not collected centrally

  Teenage Sexual Health
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of incidence of each sexually transmitted disease was in teenagers in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [167395]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Rates of diagnoses of each of the five most common sexually transmitted infections among teenagers from 1995 to 2002 are shown in the tables.

  Rates (per 100,000) of diagnoses of selected STIs in 13–19 year olds, England: 1995–2002

  Infectious syphilis (primary and secondary

  Males

  Females

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  1995

  3

  0.1

  2

  0.1

  1596

  5

  0.2

  3

  0.2

  1997

  3

  0.1

  3

  0.1

  1998

  5

  0.2

  3

  0.1

  1999

  5

  0.2

  12

  0.6

  2000

  6

  0.4

  8

  0.4

  2001

  12

  0.5

  12

  0.6

  2002

  27

  1.2

  19

  0.9

  1034W

  Gonorrhoea

  Males

  Females

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  1995

  716

  35.4

  1,130

  57.3

  1996

  911

  44.7

  1,499

  75.3

  1997

  1,083

  52.3

  1,557

  77.0

  1998

  1,022

  48.4

  1,625

  79.2

  1999

  1,392

  64.8

  1,974

  95.0

  2000

  1,891

  87.3

  2,516

  121.0

  2001

  2,041

  92.2

  2,819

  133.6

  2002

  2,252

  101.8

  3,005

  142.4

  Chlamydia

  Males

  Females

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  1995

  1,183

  58.6

  5,083

  257.7

  1996

  1,395

  68.4

  6,063

  304.5

  1997

  1,846

  89.1

  7,764

  384.1

  1998

  2,392

  1,13.2

  8,785

  427.9

  1999

  2,931

  136.4

  10,515

  506.1

  2000

  3,688

  170.2

  12,358

  594.1

  2001

  4,119

  186.1

  13,746

  651.4

  2002

  5,181

  234.1

  16,030

  759.7

  Genital herpes (first attack)

  Males

  Females

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  1995

  281

  13.9

  1,696

  86.0

  1996

  269

  13.2

  1,699

  85.3

  1997

  263

  12.7

  1,848

  91.4

  1998

  327

  15.5

  1,918

  93.4

  1999

  353

  16.4

  1,965

  94.6

  2000

  396

  18.3

  2,012

  96.7

  2001

  391

  17.7

  2,180

  103.3

  2002

  390

  17.6

  2,081

  98.6

  Genital warts (first attack)

  Males

  Females

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  Diagnoses

  Rates

  1995

  1,803

  89.3

  6,876

  348.6

  1996

  2,033

  99.7

  7,685

  386.0

  1997

  2,469

  119.2

  8,307

  410.9

  1998

  2,784

  131.7

  8,648

  421.2

  1999

  3,087

  143.6

  8,552

  411.6

  2000

  3,135

  144.7

  8,331

  400.5

  2001

  3,131

  141.5

  8,589

  407.0

  2002

  3,175

  143.5

  8,656

  410.2

  Source:

  Health Protection Agency.

  Waiting Lists/Times
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times for heart surgery in Burnley. [167944]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There were eight patients waiting more than nine months for heart surgery in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust area at 30 June 2002. As at 30 March 2004, there were no patients waiting more than six months.

  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of suspected cancer patients in Preston saw an NHS consultant within two weeks in each of the last seven years. [168110]
  1035W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is not collected on a constituency basis. The information shown in the table relates to the national health service organisations serving the Preston area.

  Waiting times for first consultant out-patient appointment for suspected cancer following urgent GP referral

  Seen within 2 weeks

  NHS trust

  Percentage

  Number

  2000–01

  Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust

  98.8

  320

  2000–01

  Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  100.0

  158

  2001–02

  Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust

  100.0

  406

  2001–02

  Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  100.0

  291

  2002–03

  Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  100.0

  783

  2003–04

  Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  100.0

  990

  Note:

  Lancashire Teaching Hospitals was established on 1 August 2002 from the acute services of Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust and Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Source:

  DH form QMCW.

  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times for heart surgery in Preston. [168111]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There were three patients waiting more than nine months for heart surgery in the Preston Primary Care Trust area at 30 June 2002. As at 30 March 2004, there were no patients waiting more than six months.

  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his target of 17 weeks' wait for a national health service out-patient referral starts from(a) the date of the consultation with the referring general practitioner and (b) the date that the patient is given the appointment date to attend the hospital or clinic. [172843]

  Mr. Hutton
  The target of 17 weeks wait for a national health service first out-patient appointment with a consultant following a general practitioner referral starts from the date on which the provider received the written referral request from the GP (or the date of the verbal request which was later confirmed), to the date when the first out-patient attendance with a consultant takes place.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Car Theft
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cars were stolen in(a) Lancashire, (b) Yorkshire, (c) Cheshire, (d) Derbyshire and (e) Wales in 2003; and how many were subsequently recovered in each case. [R][172698]

  Ms Blears
  The available information relates to 2002–03 and is given in the table. Information relating 1036W
  to the recovery of vehicles is no longer collected centrally.

  Police force area

  Theft and unauthorised taking of motor vehicle

  Lancashire

  5,585

  North Yorkshire

  2,642

  South Yorkshire

  10,241

  West Yorkshire

  22,867

  Cheshire

  4,503

  Derbyshire

  4,062

  Wales

  17,814

  Counter-terrorism
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made, in respect of counter-terrorist planning, of the work done by the Health and Safety Executive for the International Atomic Energy Agency on public protection from high-activity sealed sources. [172314]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The United Kingdom has been prominent in negotiations to revise the International Atomic Energy Authority's Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources which was agreed in September 2003. The UK was among the first to express an intention to implement the code and encourage all other countries to do the same. The UK was also prominent in negotiating action plans within G8 and the European Union, and in December 2003 the EU Council Directive on High Activity Sealed Sources (HASS) was adopted. The UK is now in the process of implementation and this work is being taken forward by a number of Government Departments and agencies, including the Health and Safety Executive.

  Crime (Stalybridge and Hyde)
  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in(a) overall recorded crime, (b) overall recorded violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts has been in Stalybridge and Hyde since 1997. [168736]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Stalybridge and Hyde is within the Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level have only been published from 1999–2000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website: http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Criminal Records Bureau checks were carried out free for charities in each of the last 12 months; and at what cost to his Department. [169026]
  1037W
  Ms Blears
  Information is not available to determine how many Criminal Records Bureau checks have been carried out for charities during the last 12 months. However, between April 2003 and March 2004, the

  Month

  Number of enhanced disclosures issued free of charge for volunteers

  Cost (£)

  Number of standard disclosures issued free of charge for volunteers

  Cost (£)

  Overall cost (£)

  April 2003

  28,096

  337,152

  4,733

  56,796

  393,948

  May 2003

  26,220

  314,640

  3,853

  46,236

  360,876

  June 2003

  30,863

  346,812

  4,855

  58,260

  405,072

  July 2003

  30,863

  895,027

  5,031

  120,744

  1,015,771

  August 2003

  21285

  617,265

  2,911

  69,864

  687,129

  September 2003

  23,703

  687,387

  4,141

  99,384

  786,771

  October 2003

  35,853

  1,039,737

  6,590

  158,160

  1,197,897

  November 2003

  29,323

  850,367

  6,209

  149,016

  999,383

  December 2003

  25,214

  731,206

  4,734

  113,616

  844,822

  January 2004

  26,524

  769,196

  4,750

  114,000

  883,196

  February 2004

  32,975

  956,275

  5,671

  136,104

  1,092,379

  March 2004

  29,690

  861,010

  4,424

  106,176

  967,186

  Overall total

  9,634,430

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many adult males given a custodial sentence by courts were assessed as requiring(a) category A, (b) category B, (c) category C and (d) category D security conditions in London in each month since January 2003. [168638]

  Paul Goggins
  The original security category of adult males received under sentence in London prisons as(a) category A, (b) category B, (c) category C and (d) category D prisoners in each month since January 2003 is given in the table.

  Original security category of adult males received under sentence into London prison

  A

  B

  C

  D

  Other codes1

  January 2003-

  4

  33

  488

  123

  143

  February 2003

  0

  30

  450

  118

  127

  March 2003

  0

  20

  496

  101

  155

  April 2003

  0

  21

  445

  98

  162

  May 2003

  0

  26

  494

  111

  169

  June 2003

  0

  17

  490

  121

  168

  July 2003

  0

  17

  560

  112

  204

  August 2003

  1

  18

  465

  69

  151

  September 2003

  0

  24

  484

  117

  159

  October 2003

  0

  18

  535

  92

  143

  November 2003

  0

  27

  518

  95

  175

  December 2003

  0

  13

  432

  80

  262

  January 2004

  0

  14

  505

  134

  186

  February 2004

  0

  13

  514

  121

  202

  March 2004

  0

  15

  513

  110

  231

  1 Other codes includes those awaiting categorisation and where the code has not yet been entered

  Identity Cards
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether(a) convicted and (b) suspected terrorists in the United Kingdom are using (i) multiple and (ii) false identities. [170344]
  1038W
  Bureau carried out 396,549 checks for volunteer applicants at a cost of £9,634,430 to the Department. The breakdown of the above figures on a monthly basis is shown in the table.

  Mr. Blunkett
  We are aware that the use of false and multiple identities is a well established practice used by those who wish to disguise and facilitate involvement in serious crime, including terrorism. We know that at least 35 per cent. of terrorists use false or multiple identities.

  An identity cards scheme which made it far more difficult to establish multiple identities will help to disrupt terrorist support networks. That is why the Government are introducing such a scheme.

  Mini-cab Drivers
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the reasons are for the exclusion of other EU citizens from criminal record checks when applying to work as mini-cab drivers; [167981]

  (2) for what reason British and EU mini-cab drivers are not treated equally with regard to requirements for criminal record checks when applying to work as mini-cab drivers. [167982]

  Ms Blears
  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will accept a Disclosure application from any individual who is resident, or is seeking a post, in England and Wales, meets the eligibility criteria and makes an application in the prescribed form which includes providing the documentation required to authenticate the applicant. But Part 5 of the Police Act 1997, under which the CRB operates, does not empower the CRB to search data sources outside the United Kingdom for conviction and other information shown on its Disclosures. The value of a CRB Disclosure may therefore be limited if the applicant has been resident in the UK for no more than a short time.

  Some other countries, including most in the EU, have arrangements in place which allow their citizens to obtain certificates of good conduct or extracts from the criminal record to show to prospective employers. The CRB has developed an Overseas Information Service for the benefit of employers. This supplies advice and

  1039W
  information about arrangements and contact points in a number of other countries in order that the employer can make inquiries or ask the employee to do so. At present, this covers 16 countries, including nine in Europe, and work is in hand to extend the service to a further 15 countries, including 14 in Europe. The CRB advises that Disclosures should complement and not replace other checks and inquiries under good recruitment practice. It is for employers (or regulatory bodies) to determine the arrangements that are to apply.

  Ministerial Visits
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by(a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost. [171568]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Government publish on an annual basis the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Information for 2003–04 is currently being collected and will be published in due course.

  Detailed information for all Ministers in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are in the Library.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the National Association for Neighbourhood Watch. [173420]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: The National Neighbourhood Watch Association is an independent organisation and its future is a matter for the association itself.

  General government grants1 £ million

  Annual percentage change in general government grants Percentage

  Specific grants and capital provision2 £ million

  Total £ million

  Annual percentage change in all government grants Percentage

  1997–98

  1,549

  —

  39

  1,588

  —

  1998–99

  1,572

  1.5

  35

  1,607

  1.2

  1999–2000

  1,594

  1.4

  35

  1,629

  1.4

  2000–01

  1,586

  -0.5

  61

  1,647

  1.1

  2001–02

  1,666

  5.0

  125

  1,791

  8.7

  2001–023

  1,647

  —

  125

  1,772

  —

  2002–03

  1,677

  1.8

  259

  1,936

  9.3

  2003–04

  1,764

  5.2

  290

  2,054

  6.1

  2004–05

  1,822

  3.3

  309

  2,131

  3.7

  1 General government grants comprise Home Office police grant, ODPM Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates. It also includes SSA Reduction Grant (£42.3 million in 1997–98, £32.1 million in 1998–99, £24.9 million in 1999–2000 and £10.4 million in 2000–01).

  2 Includes funding from the Crime Fighting Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, Street Crime Initiative, Community Support Officer funding, Special Priority Payments, the DNA Expansion Programme, London Allowance, Free Travel, Capital grant, Airwave, Premises Improvement Fund, C3i and Counter Terrorism funding. The total for specific grants in 2004–05 is an estimate.

  3 Figures for 2001–02 are not directly comparable with 2002–03 due to the change in funding arrangements for NCS and NCIS. Adjusted figures for 2001–02 are included to allow direct comparison with 2002–03.

  1040W
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support and assistance he provides to Neighbourhood Watch districts merging into regional bodies. [173422]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: None. I am not aware of proposals for such mergers. I will consider any proposals if they are put to me. The Home Office and a number of Police forces provide considerable support to local neighbourhood watch schemes.

  Operation Cohort
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Operation Cohort in the National Crime Squad is to close. [167401]

  Caroline Flint
  It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing operational matters.

  Police
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in the number of full-time police officers in Sittingbourne and Sheppey has been since 1997. [170287]

  Ms Blears
  Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency is part of the Swale Basic Command Unit (BCU). Information on strength at BCU level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.

  Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the Swale BCU increased by 10.3 per cent. (from 213 to 235). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Michael Fuller) and within the Swale BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

  The number of police officers in Kent County Constabulary has increased by 292 since March 1997 to a record 3,552 officers in December 2003.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much in(a) percentage and (b) cash terms the Metropolitan police grant has changed in each year since 1997. [170493]

  Ms Blears
  The information is set out in the table.
  1041W
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to promote the use of bicycles by patrolling police officers. [172570]

  Ms Blears
  The Home Office encourages forces to use a variety of means to increase the accessibility and visibility of officers with their local communities, as part of a wider commitment to engage with communities on a routine and in depth basis to identify their needs and act on them. It is the role of chief constables, however, to decide whether the use of patrol by bicycle would best meet the identified needs of their communities.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civilians were employed by each police force in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available; and it what roles they were employed. [173570]

  Ms Blears
  Published information on police staff strength by police forcearea is available in total but not by function. The latest available figures for police staff are those for 31 March 2003. For Community Support Officers the latest available is for 31 March 2004. The data are set out in the table.

  Police staff as at 31 March 2003 and Community Support Officers as at 31 March 2004 by police force England and Wales

  Police force

  police Staff as at 31 March 2003

  Community Support Officers as at 31 March 2004

  Avon and Somerset

  1,785

  46

  Bedfordshire

  595

  11

  Cambridgeshire

  786

  59

  Cheshire

  1,008

  37

  Cleveland

  694

  80

  Cumbria

  676

  0

  Derbyshire

  1,061

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,834

  55

  Dorset

  793

  7

  Durham

  602

  37

  Essex

  1682

  77

  Gloucestershire

  590

  55

  Greater Manchester

  3,173

  185

  Hampshire

  1,720

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,299

  44

  Humberside

  880

  0

  Kent

  2,095

  62

  Lancashire

  1,489

  117

  Leicestershire

  934

  45

  Lincolnshire

  641

  44

  London, City of

  268

  0

  Merseyside

  1,752

  100

  Metropolitan Police

  11,358

  1,465

  Norfolk

  924

  34

  Northamptonshire

  812

  12

  Northumbria

  1,457

  51

  North Yorkshire

  723

  52

  Nottinghamshire

  1,180

  43

  South Yorkshire

  1,510

  53

  Staffordshire

  1,146

  13

  Suffolk

  713

  15

  Surrey

  1,245

  64

  Sussex

  1,578

  72

  Thames Valley

  2,412

  7

  Warwickshire

  503

  28

  West Mercia

  1,233

  55

  West Midlands

  3,012

  60

  West Yorkshire

  2,538

  224

  Wiltshire

  703

  24

  Dyfed-Powys

  502

  5

  Gwent

  607

  50

  North Wales

  703

  8

  South Wales

  1,366

  63

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  Police staff as at 31 March 2003 and Community Support Officers as at 31 March 2004 by police force England and Wales

  Police force

  Police Staff as at 31 March 2003

  Community Support Officers as at 31 March 2004

  Total of 43 forces

  62,581

  3,459

  NCS

  524

  2—

  NCIS

  1—

  2—

  British Transport Poll

  624

  2—

  Total other services

  1,148

  2—

  Total police service

  63,729

  3,459

  Total police service (excluding BTP)

  63,105

  3,459

  1 Have not supplied figures

  2 Not applicable

  Note

  All figures are full time equivalents.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours were spent by police officers(a) on patrol, (b) on reactive policing, (c) in offices and (d) attending court for each police force in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available. [173569]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: This information is not available. Later in the year, the Government intends to publish the proportion of time spent by police officers on front line duties in each force.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use is being made of geographic information systems to match police project funding to area-specific problems(a) in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, (b) by Government Office of the Regions area and (c) in England. [141860]

  Ms Blears
  I understand that Cleveland Police use North East Regional Information Sharing System (NERISS) for crime mapping and data sharing. Cleveland also use Intergraph public safety mapping for command and control and Mapinfo for crime analysis and to inform tasking and co-ordination meetings and patrol patterns.

  The Chief Constable of Cleveland Police informs me that resources are distributed locally according to an allocation model that is in part based on levels of deprivation. The force is in the process of adjusting its method of allocation to recognise, for example, the policing environment, in Middlesborough. The adjustment is informed by ongoing analysis of crime and disorder in the force area.

  Comprehensive information on a national basis is not available but we are aware of police and local authorities using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in some instances to target funding and other resources.

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances the police are entitled to enter private property without a warrant. [172857]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]: The main powers of entry available to police officers are set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). Circumstances in which the police may enter private property without a warrant are:

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  to arrest someone for an arrestable offence;
  to arrest someone for whom an arrest warrant has been issued;
  to search the premises of someone who has been arrested for an arrestable offence and where the police have reasonable grounds to believe that they will find evidence relating to that offence or of some similar or connected arrestable offence;
  to search the premises in which an arrested person was immediately prior to his arrest, if the officer believes that evidence relating to that offence may be found there;
  to recapture a person who is unlawfully at large;
  to prevent or stop a breach of the peace;
  in order to save life or limb; and to prevent serious damage to property.

  A police officer may also enter private property without a warrant where the owner consents to such entry.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British-manufactured(a) vehicles and (b) motorcycles are employed by police forces. [172381]

  Ms Blears
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines his Department offers on buying British-built or manufactured vehicles for police forces. [172382]

  Ms Blears
  Since 1992 the Police Information Technology Organisation, with the support of the National Association of Police Fleet Managers, has put in place a number of national frameworks for the purchase of vehicles by the police service.

  Under EC rules references in procurements to national origin are specifically prohibited as this contravenes the principles of the Treaty of Rome, of a single European Community internal market open to all.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign-made vehicles are used by police forces. [172414]

  Ms Blears
  This information is not held centrally.

  Solvent Abuse
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is provided to police on dealing with children engaging in solvent abuse. [169064]

  Ms Blears
  Nationally, all probationer police officers are provided with training material on how to deal with persons, including children, engaging in solvent abuse.

  Individual forces are responsible for determining any further training required by their officers.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what voluntary sector agencies are used by police authorities for training in solvent abuse among children. [169066]

  Ms Blears
  We do not hold data on this specific issue centrally. However, we actively encourage police forces to seek opportunities to work in partnership with other agencies, including the voluntary sector, in developing and delivering training for the police.

  Drug Addiction
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate how many people there are in Greater London, who are addicted to drugs, broken down by borough. [173252]

  Caroline Flint
  The Home Office does not collect specific information on the number of people in Greater London who are addicted to drugs.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate what proportion of crime in Greater London was connected to drug addiction in each year since 1997, broken down by borough. [173253]

  Ms Blears
  Recorded crime figures, which are used to measure trends in crime, include statistics on drugs offences, such as possession, and on property crimes, such as burglary, do not record whether the latter are related to an offender's drug habits. There are therefore no figures currently available for the proportion of crime in Greater London, by borough, which was connected to drug addiction.

  The Home Office sponsored New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) survey, which invokes interviewing and drug testing those arrested by the police, provides an insight into the proportion of crimes that are drug related. However, this survey does not provide sub-national data and is also not nationally representative.

  A comparison of the survey's findings from eight sites across the country (including custody suites in Bethnal Green and Hammersmith) visited in 1999 and 2002, indicate that there was no change in the proportion of arrestees testing positive for one or more of six illicit drugs. Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent.) of arrestees in each year tested positive for any drug.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the central point of expertise on timber. [167630]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Department has no plans to contribute financially to the development of a central point of expertise in timber (CPET). It has not been approached to do so.

  Under-age Drinking
  Mr. Lyons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle under-age drinking. [17143]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 10 May 2004]: The Licensing Act 2003 strengthens the law on selling to under-18s, and increases the penalties for doing so. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, published on 15 March 2004 sets out the Government's plans to build on this through greater enforcement of existing laws against selling alcohol to minors.

  We announced on 29 April 2004 that this summer, the Police Standards Unit, working with the Association of Chief Police Officers, will lead a robust enforcement

  1045W
  campaign in towns and cities across England and Wales to target those who encourage under-age and binge drinking.

  In taking forward the Strategy recommendations, we will also look at improving the information about the dangers of alcohol misuse available to young people and encouraging the provision of more alternative activities for young people.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Local Authority Services
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what rewards are being given to local authorities with a record of delivering excellent services to the community. [173986]

  Phil Hope
  Local authorities that score as "excellent" in their comprehensive performance assessments receive more freedoms and flexibilities than those with lower scores. These include a significant reduction in ring-fencing, a 90 per cent. reduction in inspections, the freedom to trade, complete freedom over the use of income received from fines and fewer requirements to produce service plans.

  Better Government for Older People
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his Department's contribution to Better Government for Older People. [173988]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is playing a key role in relation to improving services for older people, ensuring that they can live full independent lives and contribute fully to society. We are closely involved in the cross-Government drive to develop better quality and more co-ordinated services for older people, an aim which is vital to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's remit of creating sustainable communities.

  Travelling Showmen
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Government policy is on location of winter quarters for travelling showmen. [173989]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government's advice to local planning authorities is contained in Circular 22/91, 'Travelling Showpeople'. This recognises the need for showpeople's winter quarters and describes the particular character of showpeople's sites. It puts emphasis on early discussion between local planning authorities and showpeople whenever local development plans are being prepared in order to help ensure suitable sites are available for purchase. It also advises early discussion between local planning authorities and showpeople before land is purchased for the setting up of winter quarters Where plans do not contain a policy relating to the provision of showpeople's quarters, applications should be determined on their merits.

  New Deal for Communities
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the progress of the new deal for communities. [173990]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire today.

  Regional Government
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the potential benefits to the Yorkshire and Humber economy of regional government. [173991]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Improving the economic performance of the region will be at the heart of the objectives of an elected regional assembly in Yorkshire and Humber. An elected assembly will be expected to agree with Central Government a target for improving its region's economic performance.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the companies to which he has awarded contracts in relation to the Your Say information campaign on elected regional assemblies; and, what the value was of each component of the contract for each. [172753]

  Mr. Raynsford
  For the Robson Brown contract I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 5 May 2004,Official Report, columns 1603–04W.

  A self employed copy-writer has been appointed to write for the website and printed materials.
  (a) Printed material—£3,100

  The following companies have been appointed for individual printing jobs.

  £

  (a) Impress

  Printing of calendars

  835

  (b) Sterling

  Printing of leaflets and fact sheets

  59,364

  (b) Taurus

  Printing of letterhead, fact sheets, folders

  3,199

  (c) CW print

  Printing of fact sheets

  1,230

  Two further companies have been appointed contracts (to date no costs have been paid).

  (a) The company Reading Room has been appointed to design and build the website an improved Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about regional governance.

  (b) The company Carat is the Office's media buyer and has been appointed to buy the media.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual funding for 2004–05 is for(a) regional chambers, (b) the English Regions Network and (c) the Regional Co-ordination Unit; what the total funding has been for each year since their creation; and what the predicted budget is for the next financial year, broken down by (i) region and (ii) specific grant. [172754]
  1047W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister makes a grant to the regional chambers and the English Regions Network to support their work. Details of the grant they have been allocated since they were designated by my right Hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister are detailed in the following table:

  Table 1.

  Chamber and Year

  Strengthening Regional Accountability Grant

  Regional Planning Body Grant

  Planning Delivery Grant

  Total

  East

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  2003–2004

  600,000

  758,000

  516,000

  1,874,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  758,000

  754,000

  2,112,000

  East Midlands

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,00

  2003–2004

  600,000

  666,000

  365,000

  1,631,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  666,000

  790,000

  2,055,000

  North East

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  2003–2004

  600,000

  545,000

  263,000

  1,408,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  545,000

  563,000

  1,708,000

  North West

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  2003–2004

  600,000

  868,000

  369,000

  1,837,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  868,000

  1,068,000

  2,536,000

  South East

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  2003–2004

  600,000

  1,005,000

  581,000

  2,186,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  1,005,000

  1,675,000

  3,280,000

  South West

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  2003–2004

  600,000

  689,000

  324,000

  1,613,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  689,000

  812,000

  2,101,000

  West Midlands

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  2003–2004

  600,000

  739,000

  332,000

  1,671,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  739,000

  732,000

  2,071,000

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  2001–2002

  500,000

  —

  —

  500,000

  2002–2003

  600,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  2003–2004

  600,000

  730,000

  325,000

  1,655,000

  2004–2005

  600,000

  730,000

  593,000

  1,923,000

  English Regions Network

  2001–2002

  1,000,000

  —

  —

  1,000,000

  2002–2003

  200,000

  —

  —

  200,000

  2003–2004

  200,000

  —

  —

  200,000

  2004–2005

  200,000

  —

  —

  200,000

  All-Total

  2001–2002

  5,000,000

  —

  —

  5,000,000

  2002–2003

  5,000,000

  —

  —

  5,000,000

  2003–2004

  5,000,000

  6,000,000

  3,075,000

  14,075,000

  2004–2005

  5,000,000

  6,000,000

  6,987,000

  17,987,000

  Grant allocations for future years have not yet been agreed.

  The Regional Co-ordination Unit was created in April 2001. Its annual funding is:

  £

  2001–2002

  9,623,600.00

  2002–2003

  7,496,130.00

  2003–2004

  14,506,530.00

  2004–2005

  10,535,730.00

  1048W
  The Unit's funding consists of the running costs for the organisation itself and budgets that it holds centrally on behalf of the Government Office network as a whole which includes staff from 10 Central Government departments. The running costs of the organisation in 2004–05 are £4,522,000.00 The centrally held budgets will be used to fund Government Office activities across the nine English Regions, but they are managed within the Unit and are not split by region.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 366W, on regional assemblies, what proportion of each of those costs will be spent in (a) the North East, (b) the North West and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber. [172914]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The £5 million budget allocation for the "Your Say" information campaign is not broken down by individual region. The information campaign operates across all three regions.

  Local Government Finance
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of local authority spending in the current financial year is(a) provided centrally and (b) raised locally. [173992]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In 2003–04, 74 per cent. of local government revenue expenditure was funded centrally and 26 per cent. locally. Figures are not yet available for the current financial year.

  Gypsies/Travellers
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to help gypsies and travelling people living on unauthorised sites. [173993]

  Yvette Cooper
  In England, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is conducting a review of Gypsy and Traveller policy, which will be concluded this summer. The Welsh Assembly are considering a report on service provision for Gypsies and Travellers and consulting on draft guidance on the management of Welsh unauthorised encampments.

  Decent Homes Standard
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses have been brought up to the Government's Decent Homes Standards by(a) registered social landlords, (b) arm's length management organisations, (c) councils and (d) the Public Finance Initiative since targets were fixed; and what proportion these numbers constitute of each sector's stock. [173669]

  Keith Hill
  The data collected for each of the sectors shows reduction in non-decent homes not numbers of homes made decent. The data from local authorities and registered social landlords (RSL) returns based on 2003 out-turn and plans to March 2004 show that:(a) RSLs have reduced the number of non-decent homes by 20,000 since April 2001. This includes the impact of the transfer on non-decent homes from local authorities.

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  (b) Arm's length management organisations (ALMOs) have reduced the number by 30,000. This covers the 19 ALMOs that have received their additional resources. The first ALMOs that passed inspection started operations in November 2002.
  (c) Non-decent stock in local authority management between 2001 and 2004 has reduced by 350,000.
  (d) Work under the first Public Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes only started in July 2003. Data are not yet available on progress.

  Disabled Children
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what percentage of families with disabled children received assistance from statutory agencies in order to address their housing needs in the latest period for which figures are available; [172870]

  (2) which Government agency has lead responsibility for assessing the housing needs of disabled children; [172871]

  (3) what plans are in place to improve the provision of housing to families with disabled children; [172872]

  (4) what plans he has to abolish the disabled facilities grant means test for children; [172873]

  (5) if he will make a statement on the fairness of the disabled facilities grant means test, The Test of Resources for children; [172909]

  (6) what assessment he has made of whether the current Test of Resources for disabled children encourages parents to work; [172910]

  (7) what progress the Government has made in reviewing the disabled facilities grant programmes and its means test. [172911]

  Yvette Cooper
  Statistics on the percentage of families with disabled children who received assistance from statutory agencies to address their housing needs are not collected centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Local housing authorities in consultation with social service departments have the leading role in assessing the housing needs of disabled children.

  The Government have a number of policy initiatives designed to increase the supply of accessible housing including the provision of suitable housing to families with a disabled child. All newly built homes are required to comply with "Part M" of the building regulations. These provisions are expected to enable occupants to cope better with reduced mobility. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced earlier this year that we will carry out a further review of Part M, with the aim of incorporating Lifetime Home standards for accessibility into the Building Regulations.

  Furthermore, in relation to new social housing, the Government requires that all schemes funded through the Housing Corporation comply not only with the Building Regulations, but also with additional criteria for accessibility and internal environments set out in the Corporation's scheme development standards. Reforms of the planning system are also seeking to address issues of access and inclusion. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill introduces a statutory requirement for those responsible for preparing regional spatial strategies and local development documents in England to undertake these functions with the objective of
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  contributing to the achievement of sustainable development. Our consultation draft of Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) makes it crystal clear that development plans should contain clear and comprehensive inclusive access policies.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not only taking action to improve accessibility in relation to new developments. We have also substantially increased Government resources available to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) scheme to help with adaptations to the existing housing stock to meet the needs of disabled people. Since 1997, Government funding for DFGs has nearly doubled, rising to £100 million a year. This year, over 33,000 homes will be adapted to meet the needs of disabled people through the programme—a 50 per cent. increase on 1997–98. The 1996 report into the Evaluation of the DFG system published by the Department of the Environment showed that 5 per cent. of all successful DFG applicants were parents with a disabled child.

  The Government announced a review of the operation of the DFG programme on 5 January 2004. In answer to a Parliamentary Question from Baroness Wilkins, Lord Rooker in the House of Lords said that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, jointly with the Department of Health will be reviewing the disabled facilities grant programme, including the operation of the means test, in the context of the Spending Review 2004.

  This Review is now under way and will include an assessment of the equity of the DFG means test as it affects applications from families with a disabled child and any disincentive effect of the test on a parent's decision to work. The conclusions of this review will be announced by the end of 2004.

  Disabled Facilities Grant
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whether the disabled facilities grant is subject to a review; and if he will make a statement; [173864]

  (2) what plans he has to abolish means testing of the disabled facilities grant; [173865]

  (3) if he will raise the level of the maximum grant in order to compensate for any loss incurred through the operation of the means test for the disabled facilities grant. [173866]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government announced a review of the operation of the disabled facilities grant programme on 5 January 2004. In answer to a parliamentary question from my noble Friend Baroness Wilkins, my right hon. Friend Lord Rooker in the Other Place said that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, jointly with the Department of Health will be reviewing the disabled facilities grant programme, in the context of the Spending Review 2004,House of Lords, Official Report, columns 1–4. A number of financial and policy issues affecting the programme, including the operation of the means test and the maximum grant limit will be evaluated.

  This review is now under way, and its conclusions will be announced in due course.

  Emergency Calls (Speed Cameras)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from fire and rescue authorities concerning the administrative costs of dealing with the paperwork generated by the contravention by their vehicles on emergency calls of speed limits captured on speed cameras. [173808]

  Mr. Raynsford
  None.

  Housing
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government achieved its target of reducing the council house repairs backlog by at least 900,000 properties by April; and what the estimated number of council house properties suffering from a backlog of repair was on 1 April. [173419]

  Keith Hill
  Progress against this target is monitored using the English House Condition Survey. The first results from the continuous survey are due to be published later this year, with the assessment of the stock at April 2004 due to be published in 2005.

  Progress against this target is closely linked to progress against the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's decent homes Public Service Agreement (PSA) target. Local authority returns on decent homes indicate that we may achieve this target later in 2004, rather than the original date of April 2004

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when local authorities were allowed to raise resources against their assets and the income stream to improve the quality of their housing. [174602]

  Keith Hill
  From 1 April this year, local authorities have been free to borrow for capital projects, such as housing improvement, without Government consent, provided that they can afford to service the debt from their revenue resources. They remain prohibited from offering their assets as security for loans.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost is of the dowry funding allocated to housing transfers under the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund. [174654]

  Keith Hill
  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund dowry funding between 1996–97 to 1999–2000 was £488.173 million which generated over £860 million in private finance for investment in the schemes.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the role and mission statement are of his Community Housing Task Force. [174656]

  Keith Hill
  The current role of the Community Housing Task Force (CHTF) is to lead the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's work on options appraisal. The CHTF offers free, 'hands-on' advice to local authorities who are going through the process, and this advice continues when an authority decides on, and progresses with, any one or more of the options available to them. The Task Force advisers check 1052W
  proposals at key stages, assist with the development and sharing of good practice, and offer support to allow tenants and other key stakeholders to make informed decisions on the future of their housing stock.

  The CHTF has never had a formalised mission statement. However, on the front of all CHTF publications there is a quote from the Head of CHTF, which adequately describes the main ethos and aims of the division. This reads as follows:
  "The CHTF is dedicated to ensuring that the Decent Homes target is met. We will work closely with local authorities and tenants from the beginning of the Option Appraisal process to develop the most appropriate option for them. The end result must be sustainable communities where people want to live."

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the total amount of debt write-off(a) involved in housing transfers in 2004–05 and (b) actually paid out in 2003–04; how this is to be funded; and by what Department this is to be funded. [173523]

  Keith Hill
  It is estimated that if all housing transfers currently estimated to transfer in 2004–05 secure a positive ballot and transfer this financial year then the 2004–05 Office provision for making overhanging debt payments of £616 million would be used in full. £90.9 million was paid to the Public Works Loans Board in 2003–04. The resources used to make overhanging debt payments are part of the Office's Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) and are outside the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL). The payment reflects the continuing liability the Office would otherwise have to pay subsidy on a local authority's housing attributable debt. It is not possible to use this resource for capital purposes.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whether his officials vet the promises made by housing associations on transfer proposals; whether offer documents are standardised; and how his officials ensure delivery of the promises; [174100]

  (2) whether the Community Housing Task Force supplies (a) templates and (b) drafts of offer documents to housing associations; and how they advise councils on housing privatisation proposals. [174146]

  Keith Hill
  It is for Authorities and Registered Social Landlords to develop any transfer proposal with tenants and other stakeholders. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will ensure that these comply with the Housing Transfer Programme criteria.

  The Housing Transfer Manual 2003 Programme gives guidance on how to prepare the formal consultation document. It advises authorities to take into account specific local circumstances. The Community Housing Task Force discuss the developments of the proposal and the engagement of all stakeholders. They neither supply a template for nor draft the offer document.

  Both transferring authorities and receiving Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) will be required to fulfil annual performance monitoring and evaluation requirements by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation. The exact set of indicators that authorities and RSLs will be asked to

  1053W
  provide will be finalised after a piloting exercise has been undertaken. Authorities and RSLs will be provided with information and support to assist them in completing their returns. This framework applies to all transfers from the 2001 programme onwards.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether civil servants in his Department are allowed to(a) campaign for large scale voluntary transfer proposals and (b) advise councils on how to win tenant support in ballots. [174101]

  Keith Hill
  Officials in the Office's Community Housing Task Force are there to provide advice and support to all stakeholders in the transfer process so they can develop housing transfer proposals that maximise the potential benefits in conjunction with the policy guidance contained in the Housing Transfer Manual 2003 Programme.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of tenants eligible to vote, voted(a) for and (b) against transfer in this year's ballots on (i) large-scale voluntary transfers and (ii) arm's length management organisations. [174102]

  Keith Hill
  The information requested is as follows.

  Large-scale voluntary transfers (LSVT) ballots since January 2004

  Local authority

  Pontential votes

  Turnout (%)

  In favour (%)

  Not in favour (%)

  Middlesborough

  13,983

  59.84

  77.16

  22.84

  Trafford

  11,101

  63.56

  72.91

  27.09

  Manchester (Woodhouse Park)

  2,741

  78.5

  92.7

  7.3

  Wirral

  16,636

  60.63

  77.36

  22.64

  Wakefield

  39,282

  65.1

  73.6

  26.4

  North East Lincolnshire

  9,735

  64.87

  67.26

  32.74

  Arm's length management organisations (ALMO) ballots since January 2004

  Local authority

  Potential votes

  Turnout (%)

  In favour (%)

  Not in favour (%)

  Almo Round 3

  Camden

  25,300

  30

  23

  77

  Harrow

  7,783

  32

  73

  27

  ss

  Bassetlaw

  7,406

  58

  88

  12

  Sheffield: Hillsborough,

  5,606

  45

  87

  13

  Nether Thorpe

  Sheffield: Parson Cross,

  10,854

  38

  94

  6

  Foxhill, Longley

  Sheffield: Westfield,

  7,851

  43

  89

  11

  Hackenthorpe

  Local Authority Leisure Services
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he made of adjusting planning guidance on sports and leisure facilities to take account of the Government's targets to raise participation. [174054]
  1054W
  Keith Hill
  National planning guidance for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (PPG17), published in July 2002, already provides the framework for raising participation. It includes an objective for the planning process to promote healthy living and prevent illness. The guidance requires local authorities to assess the future as well as the existing needs of their communities for sports and recreational facilities. Authorities are expected to keep these assessments up-to-date and to use them to set standards for inclusion in their plans.

  Tree Preservation Orders
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to amend Tree Preservation Order legislation so that dying and dead ancient trees are eligible for protection. [173957]

  Keith Hill
  Local planning authorities currently have powers to use tree preservation orders for the protection of selected trees in the interests of amenity. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans at the present time to amend the legislation for this specific purpose.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Child Employment
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish his response to the Better Regulation Task Force report on the regulation of child employment. [172449]

  Margaret Hodge
  I will be replying to the Chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force shortly and will place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the recommendations made in the Better Regulation Task Force report on the regulation of child employment; and if he will make a statement. [173389]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]The report by the Better Regulation Task Force on the regulation of child employment contains five recommendations, which I have considered carefully. I hope to make a positive response to the report shortly. A consultation process, as recommended in the report, will be undertaken to ensure that any changes in child employment legislation to be introduced will meet the needs of those subject to it. Before any new legislation is introduced, a full regulatory impact assessment will be carried out.

  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to ensure that existing guidelines and codes of practice regarding the employment of children are enforced at local authority level. [173390]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: Local authorities are currently responsible for determining that child employment legislation is

  1055W
  complied with and it is for local authorities to ensure that any guidelines and codes of practice that they may have are enforced at a local level.

  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to propose new clauses to the Children's Bill relating to the regulation of child employment in England and Wales. [173391]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]There are no plans to introduce clauses into the Children Bill relating to the regulation of child employment in England and Wales. Any changes to child employment legislation are likely to be introduced by way of a Regulatory Reform Order, as recommended by the Better Regulation Task Force report on the regulation of child employment.

  Computers Within Reach Programme
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) teachers and (b) families in Manchester, Gorton have benefited from the Computers Within Reach programme. [167443]

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

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

  Of the 24,000 computers delivered through the Computers within Reach scheme, approximately 2,200 were for people in the Manchester area, including those in and around Gorton.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many families in Tamworth constituency have benefited from the Computers Within Reach programme; and how many teachers have benefited from the Computers for Teachers programme. [173283]

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

  At the same time as funding was made available for the Computers within Reach scheme, funding was also provided for the Computers for Teachers programme. For teachers who met certain criteria, this programme subsidised the cost of a computer. It was subsequently
  1056W
  replaced by the current Laptops for Teachers scheme which dispensed with subsidies, and through which sufficient funding will be provided to enable two thirds of teachers to receive a laptop by March 2006.

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

  Early Retirement
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many employees in his Department took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year. [172175]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In the 2003–04 financial year, 28 employees in my Department took early release packages at a total cost of £2,775.639.

  The various categories of early retirement and severance, and details of the various schemes, are set out in sections 11.5 to 11.10 of the Civil Service Management Code and can be found at: http://www. cabinet-office.gov.uk/civilservice/managementcode/.

  Education Act Powers
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times he has exercised his powers under section 58 of the Education Act 2002 to appoint interim executive members to a specially constituted governing body. [173782]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]No interim executive members have been appointed by the Secretary of State to a specially constituted governing under section 58 of the Education Act 2002. However, local education authorities have used their powers under section 57 to establish interim executive boards in weak and failing schools in 11 cases, with the consent of the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times he has exercised his powers under section 56 of the Education Act 2002 to(a) close schools and (b) appoint additional governors. [173781]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]No school closure has been directed under Section 56 of the Education Act 2002.

  The power of the Secretary of State to appoint additional governors to a school requiring special measures or which has serious weaknesses is available under section 18 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (SSFA); no appointments have been made under this provision.

  However, under section 16 of the SSFA, as amended by Schedule 5 of the Education Act 2002, local education authorities have appointed additional governors to schools causing concern on a number of occasions.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding was spent per pupil in Oldham West and Royton in each of the last seven years. [170911]

  Net current expenditure per pupil

  Pre-Primary Education

  Primary Education

  Pre-primary and Primary

  Secondary Education

  Special

  1996–97

  n/a

  n/a

  1,890

  2,510

  11,540

  1997–98

  n/a

  n/a

  1,910

  2,530

  12,150

  1998–99

  n/a

  n/a

  2,080

  2,730

  14,130

  1999–2000

  0

  2,260

  2,300

  2,820

  16,470

  2000–01

  0

  2,400

  2,500

  3,050

  17,630

  2001–02

  0

  2,690

  2,840

  3,430

  19,210

  2002–03

  —

  2,940

  —

  3,780

  —

  Notes:

  1 The financial data are taken from Oldham LEA'S Section 52 Outturn Statement submitted to the DfES from 1999–2000 onwards and the ODPM's RO1 statement previously Expenditure was not distinguished between pre-primary and primary sectors until the inception of the Section 52 outturn statement in 1999–2000. 1999–2000 figures reflect the return of GM schools to local authority maintenance.

  2 The outturn 2002–03 tables captured the data in a fundamentally different way to the previous years. Categories were aligned with the Consistent Financial Reporting framework and the spending by LEAs was no longer split by school sector. Consequently the unit costs per pupil in 2002–03 are not strictly comparable with earlier years as they include an apportionment of LEA expenditure based on pupil numbers. 2002–03 data is subject to change by the LEA. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10.

  3 Net current expenditure (NCE) includes expenditure within schools and also that incurred centrally by the LEA.

  4 The NCE per pupil figures for primary and primary relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in the pre-primary sector and maintained primary schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained nursery and primary schools sector.

  5 The NCE per pupil figures for secondary relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in maintained secondary schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained secondary schools sector.

  6 The NCE per pupil figures for special schools relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in maintained special schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained special schools sector.

  7 Pupil data are drawn from the Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis.

  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding was spent, per pupil, in the Huntingdon constituency in each of the last seven years. [170838]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is

  Net current expenditure per pupil

  Pre-primary education

  Primary education

  Pre-primary and primary

  Secondary education

  Special

  1996–97

  n/a

  n/a

  1,940

  2,740

  14,080

  1997–98

  n/a

  n/a

  1,910

  2,740

  15,210

  1998–99

  n/a.

  n/a

  2,040

  2,750

  16,680

  1999–2000

  14,360

  2,080

  2,160

  2,720

  17,240

  2000–01

  20,900

  2,290

  2,400

  2,930

  18,850

  2001–02

  21,020

  2,490

  2,600

  3,150

  20,430

  2002–03

  —

  2,850

  —

  3,500

  —

  Notes:

  1. The financial data are taken from Cambridgeshire LEA's Section 52 Outturn Statement submitted to the DIES from 1999–2000 onwards and the ODPM's RO1 statement previously. Figures up to and including 1997–98 are for Cambridgeshire LEA prior to local government reorganization. From 1998– 99 part of Cambridgeshire LEA became Peterborough LEA. Expenditure was not distinguished between pre-primary and primary sectors until the inception of the Section 52 Out turn Statement in 1999–2000. 1999–2000 figures reflect the return of GM schools to local authority maintenance.

  2. The outturn 2002–03 tables captured the data in a fundamentally different way to the previous years. Categories were aligned with the Consistent Financial Reporting framework and the spending by LEAs was no longer split by school sector. Consequently the unit costs per pupil in 2002–03 are not strictly comparable with earlier years as they include an apportionment of LEA expenditure based on pupil numbers. 2002–03 data is subject to change by the LEA. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10.

  3. Net current expenditure (NCE) includes expenditure within schools and also that incurred centrally by the LEA.

  4. The NCE per pupil figures for pre-primary and primary relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in the pre-primary sector and maintained primary schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained nursery and primary schools sector.

  5. The NCE per pupil figures for secondary relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in maintained secondary schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained secondary schools sector.

  6. The NCE per pupil figures for special schools relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in maintained special schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained special schools sector.

  7. Pupil data are drawn from the Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis.

  1058W
  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is submitted to the Department according to local education authority areas rather than districts within an area. Oldham West and Royton is a district of Oldham local education authority. The information for Oldham LEA is as follows:

  submitted to the Department according to local education authority areas rather than districts within an area. Huntingdon is a district of Cambridgeshire local education authority. The information for Cambridgeshire LEA is as follows:
  1059W
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Eduction and Skills how much public money was spent per pupil in West Lancashire in each of the last seven years [171490]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is

  Net current expenditure per pupil

  Pre-primary education

  Primary education

  Pre-primary and primary

  Secondary education

  Special

  1996–97

  n/a

  n/a

  1,800

  2,590

  15,990

  1997–98

  n/a

  n/a

  1,820

  2,630

  17,320

  1998–99

  n/a

  n/a

  2,000

  2,700

  17,770

  1999–2000

  7,130

  2,110

  2,170

  2,760

  18,490

  2000–01

  11,030

  2,330

  2,440

  2,910

  18,770

  2001–02

  16,390

  2,630

  2,800

  3,230

  20,600

  2002–03

  —

  2,900

  —

  3,400

  —

  Notes:

  1. The financial data are taken from Lancashire LEA's Section 52 Outturn Statement submitted to the DfES from 1999–2000 onwards and the ODPM's RO1 statement previously. Figures up to and including 1997–98 figures are for Lancashire LEA prior to local government reorganisation. From 1998–99 onwards parts of Lancashire LEA became Blackpool and Blackburn LEAs. Expenditure was not distinguished between pre-primary and primary sectors until the inception of the Section 52 Out urn Statement in 1999–2000. 1999–2000 figures reflect the return of GM schools to local authority maintenance.

  2. The outturn 2002–03 tables captured the data in a fundamentally different way to the previous years. Categories were aligned with the Consistent Financial Reporting framework and the spending by LEAs was no longer split by school sector. Consequently the unit costs per pupil in 2002–03 are not strictly comparable with earlier years as they include an apportionment of LEA expenditure based on pupil numbers. 2002–03 data is subject to change by the LEA. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10.

  3. Net current expenditure (NCE) includes expenditure within schools and also that incurred centrally by the LEA.

  4. The NCE per pupil figures for pre-primary and primary relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in the pre-primary sector and maintained primary schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained nursery and primary schools sector.

  5. The NCE per pupil figures for secondary relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in maintained secondary schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained secondary schools sector.

  6. The NCE per pupil figures for special schools relate the net current expenditure (after recharges) in maintained special schools to the total number of financial year pupils who are educated in the maintained special schools sector

  7. Pupil data are drawn from the Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year bass.

  Educational Achievement (Essex)
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many passes in GCSE at grades A*-C or equivalent were achieved by students in (a) the County of Essex in each year from 1980 to 1997 and (b) the County of Essex and the unitary authorities

  Essex

  Southend-on-Sea

  Thurrock

  15-year-old pupils1

  Number of A*-C passes

  Percentage achieving 5 A*-C

  15-year-old pupils1

  Number of A*-C passes

  Percentage achieving 5 A*-C

  15-year-old pupils1

  Number of A*-C passes

  Percentage achieving 5 A*-C

  1980

  21,580

  50,060

  22.9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1981

  20,790

  47,680

  22.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1982

  23,480

  56,990

  24.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1983

  24,540

  58,730

  23.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1984

  22,760

  59,180

  26.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1985

  22,380

  57,050

  25.5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1986

  22,350

  57,260

  26.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1987

  21,520

  52,740

  23.6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1988

  19,810

  59,760

  29.5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1989

  19,810

  56,900

  29.3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1990

  18,810

  60,390

  34.1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  15,440

  51,300

  34.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  17,022

  58,876

  36.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  16,444

  60,819

  39.1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  16,514

  64,158

  41.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  17,556

  71,661

  42.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  17,988

  73,743

  43.1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1997

  17,914

  76,257

  44.6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998

  14,259

  66,143

  48.6

  1,748

  8,391

  48.4

  1,487

  5,110

  34.5

  1999

  14,281

  67,729

  49.3

  1,717

  9,040

  54.1

  1,466

  5,129

  35.9

  2000

  14,540

  70,556

  50.8

  1,722

  9,099

  53.3

  1,502

  5,919

  39.7

  2001

  14,670

  73,214

  52.0

  1,871

  10,300

  55.9

  1,508

  6,140

  41.8

  2002

  14,966

  77,201

  53.5

  1,997

  11,034

  56.0

  1,511

  6,801

  46.8

  2003

  15,531

  83,484

  55.0

  1,981

  11,455

  56.6

  1,587

  7,498

  49.4

  1060W
  submitted to the Department according to local education authority areas rather than districts within an area. West Lancashire is a district of Lancashire local eduction authority. The information for Lancashire LEA is as follows:

  of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock in each year from 1998 to 2003. [173327]

  Mr. Miliband
  The table below shows the number of GCSE grades A*-C (or equivalent) passes achieved by school leavers/15-year-old pupils in maintained schools from 1980 to 2003.
  1061W
  Notes:

  1. Age is at the beginning of academic year.

  2. The figures for 1979–80 to 1987–88 are estimated from the School Leavers Survey and cover school leavers of any age. For 1988–89 to 1990–91 the figures are estimated from the School Examinations Survey but cover leavers of any age. The figures relate to maintained schools excluding special schools.

  3. The figures from 1991–92 onwards are taken from the database on School Performance Tables and are based on 15-year-old pupils in all maintained schools including maintained special schools and CTCs.

  4. "Passes" include achievements at GCEO level grades A-C and CSE grade 1 up to 1986–87, GCSE grades A*-C from 1988 (grade A* was introduced in 1993–94) to 2003 and GNVQ equivalencies from 1996–97 to 2002–03.

  Excellence in Cities
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Wirral, South have benefited from the Excellence in Cities programme; and what the per pupil spending was in each year since the programme's inception. [173629]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following table shows the number of children in Wirral, South benefiting from EiC, and the annual spend per pupil for the years in question.

  Number of children

  Total EiC expenditure1 (£)

  Spend per pupil (£)

  2000–01

  5,349

  473,473

  88.52

  2001–02

  5,376

  473,473

  88.07

  2002–03

  5,443

  507,764

  93.29

  2003–04

  5,566

  1,182,257

  212.41

  1All funding figures supplied by Wirral Excellence in Cities Team.

  The increase in the rate of EiC funding in 2002–03 was to pay for extra learning mentors and the increase in 2003–04 was due to the introduction of the Leadership Incentive Grant and the Behaviour Improvement Programme

  Further Education Colleges (Salford)
  Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will provide funding to help further education colleges in the City of Salford to refurbish and rebuild their estates [173127]

  Alan Johnson
  All of the Departments post-16 learning and skills sector capital investment is allocated to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The Department does not provide a specific budget to the LSC for rebuilding and refurbishing property in further education colleges at either the local or regional levels. It is for the LSC to determine for itself the right level of capital investment in further education colleges. Mr. Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member on this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

  Higher Education (North-West)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on his recent discusions with the North West Regional Development Agency on the links between industry and higher education in the north west. [171014]

  Alan Johnson
  I have had no recent discussions with North West Development Agency on the links between industry and higher education in the north-west.

  History Teaching
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to promote the(a) teaching of history and (b) testing of historical knowledge in primary schools. [173331]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  History is a statutory subject in the National Curriculum for all primary age pupils, which requires that pupils are taught knowledge, skills and understanding through various areas of study. At Key Stage 2 these include studies of local, British, European and world history. Within that framework, schools have considerable flexibility over the detailed content of their history courses as long as the statutory requirements are met. The full Programmes of Study for History can be viewed at www.nc.uk.net.

  All primary schools have received copies of the DfES/Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) scheme of work for primary history. This was specifically developed to help teachers plan courses aimed at developing children's historical knowledge and skills in a coherent and rigorous way. This is widely used and Ofsted has found that it is having a positive impact on standards in many primary schools. The Department is also funding the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to produce an "Innovating with History" website which will provide further support for primary and secondary history teachers encouraging them to explore more innovative and creative approaches to planning in history.

  Assessment of historical knowledge is carried out through teacher assessment. Teacher assessment is carried out as part of teaching and learning in the classroom and forms an integral part of the assessment and reporting procedures.

  The National Assembly for Wales is responsible for the curriculum and the teaching of history in schools in Wales.

  Infant Class Sizes
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average teacher-to-pupil ratio in infant classes was in(a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) the north-east and (c) England in each year since 1997. [173383]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Maintained Schools
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils there were in each of the last six years aged 11 to 15 in maintained
  1063W
  secondary schools in England; and how many and what percentage of pupils in the same period were aged 11 to 15 in maintained grammar schools in England. [172380]

  Mr. Miliband
  The data requested is shown in the table.

  Maintained secondary schools and grammar schools1: Number of pupils aged 11 to 15 1998–20042—Position in January each year—England

  Maintained secondary schools

  Of which: Grammar school

  Number of pupils aged 11 to 15

  Number of pupils aged 11 to 15

  Percentage of pupils aged 11 to 15

  1998

  2,686,788

  95,511

  3.6

  1999

  2,734,535

  104,260

  3.8

  2000

  2,795,415

  107,475

  3.8

  2001

  2,846,084

  108,232

  3.8

  2002

  2,878,800

  109,604

  3.8

  2003

  2,916,582

  110,715

  3.8

  20042

  2,917,400

  111,500

  3.8

  1Grammar schools were designated by Order in 1999; prior to that schools designated themselves in returns to the Department.

  22004 is provisional data, rounded to nearest 100.

  Source:

  Annual Schools Census

  Renewal of R and D funding

  Organisation

  Project title

  Allocation for 2004–05 (£000)

  Allocation for 2005–06 (£000)

  2 as 1

  Bridging The Gap Through Training

  85

  106

  2 as 1

  Relationship and On Line Counselling

  63

  65

  Support Service

  Brighton Oasis Project

  Relationship Programme

  50

  n/a

  Care For The Family

  Asian Family Matters

  37

  n/a

  Family Matters York

  Introduction to FOCCUS

  50

  51

  FWA

  Marriage and Relationship Support Within Healthcare

  70

  81

  Marriage Care

  Emotional Literacy and Education Project

  61

  n/a

  Poole Community Family Trust

  MARS Development Project

  50

  67

  Somerset Family Partnership

  Couple Support

  50

  89

  Students Exploring Marriage

  Young Offenders Project

  25

  22

  Sussex Family Mediation Service

  One Stop Shop

  25

  n/a

  Tavistock Marital Studies Institute

  Brief Psychological Evaluation

  48

  52

  The Minster Centre

  The Aricas Project

  75

  n/a

  The Richmond Centre

  Videos are Valuable

  36

  n/a

  Totnes Community Family Trust

  Making Your Relationships Work

  46

  49

  University of Exeter—School of Psychology

  Evaluation of FOCCUS

  48

  n/a

  Total

  819

  582

  New funding

  Organisation

  Type

  Project title (if R and D)

  2004–05 allocation (£000)

  The Cogwheel Trust

  Core

  n/a

  6

  The Salvation Army

  Core

  n/a

  48

  Lubavitch Youth

  Core

  n/a

  41

  Reform Synagogues of Great Britain

  Core

  n/a

  11

  Project for Advocacy Counselling and Education

  Core

  n/a

  45

  Aquila Care Trust

  Core

  n/a

  22

  ARC

  Core

  n/a

  19

  Muslim Welfare House

  Core

  n/a

  50

  Prisoners Families and Friends

  Core

  n/a

  27

  Lesbian and Gay Foundation

  R and D

  n/a

  40

  Students Exploring Marriage

  R and D

  Learning By Experience—Evaluation and Video

  25

  Marriage and Relationship Support Programme
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 5 May 2004,Official Report, column 1583W, on Marriage and Relationship Support, if he will list the pilot projects being funded through the Marriage and Relationship Support Grant programme. [173433]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Marriage and Relationship Support Grant supports the adult couple relationship, helping to prevent or eliminate problems and consequently help improve outcomes for any children in the family. Details of the 41 projects that will receive funding totalling £4.9 million for 2004–05 (as detailed in a press notice issued on Monday 10 May 2004) are:

  Sustained Core funding

  Organisation

  Allocation (£000)

  Relate

  2,104

  Tavistock Marital Studies Institute

  464

  Marriage Care

  300

  One Plus One

  242

  2 as 1

  150

  London Marriage Guidance Council

  103

  Parentline Plus

  62

  Asian Family Counselling Service

  50

  Family Welfare Association

  30

  Total

  3,505

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  New funding

  Organisation

  Type

  Project title (if R and D)

  2004–05 allocation (£000)

  Relate

  R and D

  Measuring The Outcomes of Marriage and Relationship Support

  47

  Leeds Animation Workshop

  R and D

  Minding the Baby

  65

  Contact a Family

  R and D

  Making Time For Us—Parental Information and Support Project

  10

  One Plus One

  R and D

  Supporting Relationships that need it the Most

  60

  Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group

  R and D

  For better or worse—Supporting relationship breakdown of prisoners and their partners

  60

  Total

  576

  National Childcare Strategy
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the number of children in Wirral, South who have gained from the National Childcare Strategy. [173625]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Wirral, South.

  However, from April 1999 to March 2004, Wirral local authority created 5,763 new child care places, helping some 10,480 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 3,358, helping some 6,213 children.

  Postgraduate Students
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average level of tuition fees charged for a taught postgraduate degree was in the UK last year; and what level of Government funded assistance was offered to students undertaking postgraduate degrees in the UK last year. [174135]

  Alan Johnson
  Students on Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses were liable for a fee contribution of up to £1,100 in the 2002/03 academic year. The Department does not regulate the level of fees for any other postgraduate courses. It is a matter for higher education institutions to determine the level of fees they charge.

  Full tuition fee remission and bursaries of £6,000 are available to eligible post graduate students on PGCE courses. Other postgraduate courses are not eligible for fee remission. Eligible postgraduates with a disability will have been able to receive assistance for e.g. specialist equipment, additional travel and non medical help costs through disabled students allowances (DSAs), up to a maximum of £5,245.

  Students on all post graduate courses were able to apply to their institution for help from the discretionary Access and Hardship Funds. The total amount awarded from this fund to post graduate students in 2002/03 was £6.5 million. Awards were subject to income assessment and could cover additional course or living costs.

  School Inspections
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will instruct Ofsted to make positive accreditation awards to schools following Her Majesty's Inspectorate or team validation visits; [173686]
  1066W
  (2) what assessment he has made of (a) the level of understanding by school staff of Ofsted's use of the term "satisfactory" in its reports and (b) the term's effect on staff morale; and if he will make a statement. [173689]

  Mr. Miliband
  These matters are for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  School Sports
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what criteria Ofsted applies with regard to inspecting school sports and physical activities; [174062]

  (2) what remit Ofsted has to inspect the quality and quantity of school sports and physical activities. [174063]

  Mr. Miliband
  These are matters for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been invested in developing school sports facilities in Bootle since 1997. [173185]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 May 2004,Official Report, column 45W.

  School Transport (Norfolk)
  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the cost of school transport in Norfolk in each month for the last four years. [171746]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 10 May 2004]: The information requested is not available on a monthly basis. However, the cost of expenditure on transport in Norfolk in each year for the last four years is shown in the following table:

  Cost of home to school/college transport in Norfolk

  £ million

  Total transport expenditure

  Transport related income

  Net current expenditure on transport

  1999–2000

  14.50

  0.79

  13.71

  2000–01

  15.27

  0.71

  14.56

  2001–02

  18.19

  0.82

  17.37

  2002–03

  19.71

  0.82

  18.89

  Notes:

  The financial data are as reported by Norfolk LEA on their Section 52 Outturn Statements submitted to the DfES. 2002–03 data is subject to change by the LEA.

  1067W
  2. The cost of home to school/college transport includes the cost of public transport, contract hire or the use of authority vehicles in transporting pupils/students to school/college under section 509 of the Education Act 1996.

  Figures include all expenditure by the local authority on transport. This includes the pre-primary, school, education out of school and continuing education sectors.

  Trafficked Children
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what(a) advice and (b) information he has issued to local authorities about the use of the trafficked children's resource operated by Integrated Care. [173796]

  Margaret Hodge
  I am aware that a new independent safehouse, run by Integrated Care Ltd., opened in April 2004. I understand it is open to referrals from local authorities throughout the UK. We have not issued any guidance about this resource.

  It is for local authorities to decide how best to provide support and services for children in need in its area, including those who are the victims of trafficking. When a child enters the country alone and claims asylum or there are concerns that he or she may have been trafficked, the immigration service should immediately refer the child to the relevant local authority's social services department. The social services department will undertake a needs assessment and will provide services in the light of the outcome of that assessment. These services should be tailored to the individual needs of the child, just as they should be for any child in need.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Children's Diet
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her assessment of the effect of food promotion on children's health takes into account the(a) quantity, (b) frequency and (c) scheduling of food and drink advertisements in addition to their content. [173745]

  Estelle Morris
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a responsibility only in relation to broadcast advertising. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no separate assessment of the effect of food promotion on children's health but the Department continues to participate in the consultation being undertaken by the Food Standards Agency on the possible impact of broadcast advertising on childhood obesity.

  The Secretary of State has also asked Ofcom to examine the adequacy of its codes regulating broadcast advertising of food to children and Ofcom has indicated that it will make its own assessment of the evidence.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she has accepted the conclusions of the Food Standards Agency research, "Does Food Promotion Influence Children? A Systematic Review of the Evidence", conducted by the University of Strathclyde. [173801]
  1068W
  Estelle Morris
  The University of Strathclyde review was prepared for the Food Standards Agency (FSA). It is an important contribution to the debate and has therefore informed the FSA's development of its recommendations to Government and others about the promotion of food to children, on which the FSA is currently consulting. It is those recommendations which will be considered by Government and other stakeholders in the context of our commitment to reduce levels of obesity.

  Local Authority Leisure Facilities
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with representatives of the private sector on the contribution it can make to investing in local authority leisure facilities. [174055]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department continues to explore ways to increase investment in our sports facilities working with partners in the voluntary, public and private sectors.

  One of the key routes for DCMS to invest in the delivery of local authority leisure facilities is through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). This is one of a range of Government policies designed to increase private sector involvement in the provision of public services. DCMS is currently supporting 21 local authority PFI projects nationwide, 12 of which include the provision of new or refurbished sports and leisure facilities.

  DCMS has participated in various cross-government initiatives aimed at informing both the public and private sector about the PFI process. However, DCMS does not directly enter into discussions with the private sector on individual PFI projects since it is a matter for local authorities to negotiate the specific terms by which they might contribute to the provision of their leisure facilities.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's assessment is of the impact of trusts on provision of local authority leisure facilities; and if she will make a statement. [174058]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not made a formal assessment of the impact of trusts on the provision of local authority leisure facilities. The Department is, however, aware that there are a significant number of trusts operating sports and leisure facilities in partnership with local authorities and will monitor their development.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is on ensuring that operators of public sector leisure facilities which have been contracted out invest in the long-term future of the facility. [174059]

  Mr. Caborn
  Whilst the provision of public leisure facilities is not a statutory duty, local authorities do have a duty to ensure that public services are responsive to the needs of their citizens, efficient and of high quality. Under the Local Government Acts (1999 and 2000) all services purchased or provided by local authorities are subject to the duty of best value which
  1069W
  requires them to improve services year on year. Depending on the length of the contract, this would include long-term investments.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what standards the Government set for the acceptable standard of sports and leisure facilities offered by a local authority. [174060]

  Mr. Caborn
  The provision of sports and leisure facilities is not a statutory duty for local authorities and therefore there are no mandatory standards. However, my Department and its non-departmental public bodies offer extensive and detailed advice on standards; for instance, Sport England offers guidance notes, technical advice and standards for the design and development of sports facilities and Quest, a national quality accreditation scheme for sports facilities and sports development. By December 2003, 430 sports and leisure facilities had achieved a pass or higher in the Quest facility management scheme. The Department is also working with Sport England and other partners to develop "Towards an Excellent Service", a performance management framework for sport.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the cost of bringing local authority leisure facilities up to what Sport England considers(a) a good and (b) an acceptable standard. [174061]

  Mr. Caborn
  The most comprehensive picture of the condition of the existing stock of public sector sports facilities available to the Department is Sport England's report "Condition and Refurbishment of Public Sector Sports Facilities", published January 2003. The report estimates that it would cost £550 million over five years to bring sports centres owned by local authorities in England up to a safe and acceptable standard. The capital cost of maintaining the stock thereafter is estimated at between £144 million and £151 million per annum. These costs are at mid-2002 prices and exclude VAT.

  New Opportunities Fund
  Albert Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Ynys Môn in each year since 1997. [174071]

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

  Financial Year

  Amount (£)

  1999–2000

  0

  2000–01

  34,336

  2001–02

  616,125

  2002–03

  137,704

  2003–04

  295,923

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

  Physical Activity
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with the private sector on the contribution it can make to raising participation in sport and physical activity to 70 per cent. [174056]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has had a number of discussions with the private, public and voluntary sectors on the role they can play in increasing participation in sport and physical activity across the population. The Government are also keen to engage employers, including the private sector, in encouraging physical activity in the workplace.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the target increase in participation in sport and physical activity between now and 2020 is expected to come through membership of private gym facilities. [174057]

  Mr. Caborn
  It is not known what proportion of the target increase in participation in sport and physical activity will be met through the use of private gym facilities. The Chief Medical Officer's recommendation of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day on five days of the week can be achieved through both lifestyle activity and/or structured exercise or sport.

  Public Bodies (Funding)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much grant in aid funding was given to the regional cultural consortiums and what the administration costs were, in 2002–03, broken down by region. [173706]

  Mr. Caborn
  The eight regional cultural consortiums are currently advisory non-departmental public bodies. Their remit is to lead the development and implementation of regional cultural strategies, to promote cross-sectoral initiatives and to help develop and support partnership working. In 2002–03, the consortiums were funded as part of the Department's core programme business and all of their costs, including administration costs, were included as part of the 'Administration and Research' heading of the Department's main estimate. Figures for each consortium's administration costs are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The consortiums did not receive any grant in aid funding in 2002–03.

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the action taken in the case of the two soldiers implicated in the killing of a 20-year-old Afghan on 16 February 2002. [172945]

  Mr. Caplin
  A full investigation has been conducted by the Special Investigation Branch, following which the case was considered by the Army Prosecuting Authority (APA). The APA judged that there was insufficient evidence to proceed against any of the individuals reported in connection with the incident.

  Defence Logistics Organisations
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what items make up the Defence Logistics Organisation-sponsored Support Solutions Envelope. [173702]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Support Solutions Envelope (SSE) contains guidance to Integrated Project Teams on the current methodology for delivering logistic support, i.e. the current 'envelope' of acceptable support solutions. The guidance is divided into a number of Key Support Areas (chapters) covering: logistic sustainability, engineering and asset management, materiel flow, information knowledge management, contractors on operations and people and training. Each Key Support Area contains several Guiding Principles on specific topics.

  The SSE is also available on the internet at http://www.ams.mod.uk/ams/content/docs/sse/default.htm.

  Departmental Records Office
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the process is for the security clearance of(a) agency and (b) other staff working for TNT at the Departmental Records Office at Bourne Avenue, Hayes; [173656]

  (2) how many staff including agency staff employed by TNT at the Departmental Records Office, Bourne Avenue, Hayes have sought security clearance; at what level they have been security cleared; how many have had clearance declined; and what the average length of time taken to obtain security clearance has been. [173657]

  Mr. Caplin
  Agency staff and staff employed by TNT at the Departmental Records Office are subject to the processes for security clearance in accordance with the Government's vetting policy as announced to the House on 15 December 1994,Official Report, columns 764–66W. Personnel are normally to hold a Security Check (SC) clearance, but individuals with a Basic Check (BC) may be employed provided they are escorted and supervised at all times by a member of staff who is SC cleared.

  As at 13 May 2004, 272 TNT Records Office staff had completed the security clearance processes. 188 held an SC clearance and 84 held a BC. Two of the SC clearances were subject to restrictions. One individual had had a clearance at the SC level declined.

  The average length of time to complete a BC is two weeks, and for an SC clearance 12 weeks.

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints have been lodged against the performance of TNT in its handling of records based at the Hayes Departmental Records Office at Bourne Avenue, Hayes. [173658]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Ministry of Defence has set-up a Contract Management Team (CMT) whose role it is to monitor the services provided by TNT to all the Departments involved. Between 18 December 2003 and 13 May 2004 the CMT was advised of 46 mostly minor complaints about the performance of TNT. This number of complaints is regarded as very small.

  Falklands War
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans will be put in place to commemorate in the UK the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War. [173787]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: Preliminary discussions have taken place with the principal veterans association, SAMA82 about this important anniversary. These will continue in order to develop ideas and when there is agreement I will ensure that an appropriate announcement is made to the House.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether funding will be provided for a visit in 2007 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War as it was for the 2002 Pilgrimage to the Falkland Islands by the South Atlantic Association. [173789]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: At this early stage, we have yet to decide the detail of our plans for the 25th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict. However, we will be consulting key stakeholders for their views and will give careful consideration to these.

  Mine Clearance
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are involved in mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal; and in which countries such personnel are working. [164326]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are approximately 170 British service personnel involved in mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal on overseas operations and exercises. They are deployed to Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, the Falklands, Afghanistan, Kenya and Canada. There are approximately 200 held at high readiness for EOD tasks within the United Kingdom.

  Nuclear Safety
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 27 April 2004,Official Report, column 873W, on Nuclear Installations (Aircraft Incidents), what reviews have taken place of the flight paths taken by RAF planes in United Kingdom airspace following the infringements he listed. [171647]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no fixed flight paths in the United Kingdom Military Low Flying System. All low flying sorties are planned individually in order to spread the distribution of low flying across the UK as much as possible and provide maximum training value by ensuring that a variety of terrain is overflown.

  The increases to restricted areas around nuclear facilities from one to, two nautical miles up to 2,000 ft, effective from November 2001, are considered sufficient to preserve the safety and integrity of the sites.

  Paper Recycling
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when his Department expects to implement in full the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that(a) all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post consumer waste content and (b) all paper for

  1073W
  printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post consumer waste; [171820]

  (2) what percentage of paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post consumer waste this paper contained; [171818]

  (3) what measures he has put in place to ensure that his Department meets the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that (a) all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post consumer waste content and (b) all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post consumer waste; [171819]

  (4) what percentage of copying paper used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post consumer waste this paper contained. [171817]

  Mr. Caplin
  The number of suppliers of paper across the Ministry of Defence means that the information requested is not readily available. It is likely to take some time to collate and this work is now under way. I will write to the hon. Member when I can and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  RAF Gibraltar
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force aircraft used RAF Gibraltar in(a) 2003 and (b) 2004 broken down by type; how many other air forces used Gibraltar in each year; and how many aircraft were involved in each case. [173775]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number and type of military aircraft that used RAF Gibraltar in 2003 and up to 30 April 2004 is as follows:

  Royal air forceaircraft type

  2003

  20041

  C130

  135

  56

  Hawk

  76

  —

  Tornado F3

  60

  32

  Tornado GR4

  199

  —

  Nimrod

  222

  30

  HS125

  4

  2

  CH47

  12

  —

  Puma

  10

  —

  Merlin

  2

  —

  Jaguar

  14

  —

  C17

  6

  2

  Royal navy aircraft type

  2003

  20041

  Falcon DA50

  99

  18

  Hawk

  140

  30

  Sea Harrier

  40

  —

  Jetstream

  4

  2

  Lynx

  228

  28

  Sea King

  82

  2

  Other forces

  2003

  20041

  USA-C 130

  2

  —

  USA-C26

  8

  —

  USA-Learjet

  6

  4

  Canadian-C130

  2

  —

  1074W

  Other forces

  2003

  20041

  Canadian-Sea King

  78

  —

  Canadian-CL60

  2

  —

  Morrocan-C560

  2

  —

  Morrocan-CN35

  4

  4

  New Zealand-P3

  —

  2

  1 Until 30 April.

  Warship Support Agency
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used by the Warship Support Agency's Maritime Support Strategy element to assess support through life for major future naval equipment. [173701]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Maritime Support Strategy (MSS) is an integral part of the broader Defence Logistics Organisation's Support Solution Envelope. This stipulates the following principles, tailored for each project, against which through life support is assessed:coherence with wider defence strategies, structures, policies, plans and initiatives;
  coherence with related support programmes, existing and planned;
  demonstration of achievable, flexible and adaptable operational and through-life sustainability; and
  a cost-effective means of delivering optimised military capability or business benefits that offers value for money through life.

  The MSS provides further detailed information for the application of these principles within the maritime environment. In addition, the support proposal must be comprehensive, with a demonstrably acceptable level of risk.

  Wreck Management
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Under-Secretary of State's letter reference D/US of S/IC 1295/04/A of 5 April 2004, what action he is taking to resolve the legal principle in international law of the ownership of wrecks; and what lessons have been learned in wreck management for his Department's work on HMS Royal Oak in Scapa Flow. [166925]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Ministry of Defence is consulting with other Government Departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as to the most appropriate means of resolving the legal principle in international law of the ownership of wrecks.

  As to HMS Royal Oak, every opportunity has been taken during the wreck remediation work on this vessel to further our understanding of the technical and environmental issues associated with the management of such wrecks. Our investment in Royal Oak has highlighted that detailed risk and environmental assessment is key to remediation work; that removal of oil, rather than containment, may be the best solution in certain circumstances; that it is important to work closely with industry to identify non-intrusive technological solutions to meet the challenging conditions on similar wrecks; and that there is a need for clear and concise mapping of a wreck and the surrounding site before the start of remediation work.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Aid (Africa)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects his Department has(a) run, (b directly and solely financed and (c) directly financed with other contributors in (i) Uganda, (ii) Rwanda, (iii) Burundi and (iv) the Democratic Republic of Congo in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [173813]

  Hilary Benn
  The following table lists those projects with a commitment of £1 million or more funded by DFID in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1997, along with details of when they were started, their total value and whether they are solely financed or financed in partnership with

  Project Title/Country

  Spending Code Created

  Commitment

  Financed by

  Uganda

  Deregulation project preparation

  14 January 1997

  1,915.818

  Solely funded by DFID

  Uganda Prog Aid

  28 February 1997

  20,000,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Forest Sector Pol & Strat

  4 March 1997

  6,963,000

  Co-financed by GOU, NORAD, EU, GTZ, UNDP

  Commodities Support to the HIV/AIDS, STI and TB Programmes

  5 March 1997

  2,395,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  UNICEF E Polio Immunization/Oral Rehydration Salts

  20 March 1997

  3,110,000

  Harmonised with other partners

  Renewable Natural Resources Strategy

  12 June 1997

  1,031,698

  Solely funded by DFID

  Uganda Fish Farming

  13 June 1997

  2,227,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Uganda Lake Management

  13 June 1997

  4,876,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Economic Reform and Primary Education

  24 September 1997

  20,000,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Cont. to HIPC Trust fund

  19 March 1998

  6,402,439

  Co financed by other donors

  Appropriate Technology (Uganda) Project for Rural Enterprise

  25 March 1998

  1,057,183

  Harmonised with other donors

  Improving Rural Livelihoods

  21 April 1998

  4,985,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Education Sector Programme (ESP)

  8 May 1998

  7,000,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Uganda Land Laws (Tenure Project)

  11 May 1998

  1,350,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Cholera and Ebola Uganda Emergency Support

  20 May 1998

  1,825,060

  Solely funded by DFID

  In Country Training Programme

  20 May 1998

  2,600,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Poverty Monitoring—Uganda

  25 June 1998

  1,260,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Primary SFAC project

  14 July 1998

  2,109,050

  Solely funded by DFID

  Eradication of Polio in East Africa

  5 August 1998

  5,167,251

  Harmonised with other donors

  Prog. Aid for Pov. Red. 98/2000

  12 August 1998

  18,000,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Education Sector Support

  26 November 1998

  60,000,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  National Water & Sanitation Support Programme

  6 January 1999

  4,987,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Civil Society Programme

  14 June 1999

  8,300,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Anti-Corruption Support

  6 July 1999

  2,000,000

  Co-financed by DANIDA

  Support to Uganda Bureau of Statistics

  1 February 2000

  3,250,000

  Co-financed by GoU and World Bank

  Support to Government Of Uganda/UNICEF Health Programme

  22 March 2000

  2,850,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Prog. Aid Pov. Reduct. 99/00

  24 March 2000

  14,500,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Support

  9 June 2000

  5,529,930

  Solely funded by DFID

  Poverty Eradication Action Plan Budget Support Grant

  12 December 2000

  138,500,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  HIV AIDS Umbrella Prog

  11 April 2001

  6,260,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Financial Sector Deepening

  1 June 2001

  7,135,462

  Solely funded by DFID

  Acholi land Conflict Reduction

  14 August 2001

  1,755,155

  Harmonised with other donors

  Business Services Uganda

  21 August 2001

  1,500,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  UNICEF Appeal for acholi

  9 April 2002

  1,270,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Assistance to the Pop Census

  19 July 2002

  1,000,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Humanitarian response N Uganda

  8 January 2003

  7,054,912

  Harmonised with other donors

  Decentralisation Support Programme

  18 February 2003

  2,650,000

  Co-funded by World Bank

  Priority Humanitarian Response in Northern Uganda-UNICEF

  17 March 2004

  1,000,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  383,816,958

  Rwanda

  Gender Mainstreaming Development Programme

  26 September 1997

  1,670,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Rwanda Revenue Authority Phs 1

  9 January 1998

  1,040,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Rwanda Revenue Authority 3

  19 November 1998

  7,218,800

  Solely funded by DFID

  Rwanda Revenue Authority 4 Local costs

  10 January 2001

  1,000,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Rwanda Revenue Authority Phase 4

  17 January 2001

  3,565,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Demobilisation & Reintegration

  13 March 1998

  1,000,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  High Commissioner Human Rights

  19 March 1998

  2,000,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  BBC Lifeline

  11 November 1998

  1,475,588

  Solely funded by DFID

  Financial Aid

  15 December 1998

  93,000,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Household Survey

  25 August 1999

  1,300,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Poverty Reduction Strategy

  13 June 2000

  1,410,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Rwanda Education Sector Support Programme

  23 January 2001

  10,000,000

  Harmonised with other donors

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  other donors. There were no such projects funded by DFID in Burundi. I have not listed the projects below this level in view of the number of activities that would involve.

  DFID acknowledges the importance of working collaboratively within the wider donor community, rather than operating independently. In all of the countries listed DFID is working actively to promote donor collaboration and harmonisation, both to improve the coherence of donor support and to cut down the transaction costs faced by recipient governments. Whenever solely financed projects are supported (e.g. in response to requests from humanitarian agencies) DFID seeks to do so in full knowledge of the support being provided in that field by other contributors.
  1077W

  Project Title / Country

  Spending Code Created

  Commitment

  Financed by

  (ESSP)

  Rwanda ESSP

  2 January 2002

  3,530,000

  Harmonised with other donors

  Development Central Statistics

  22 July 2002

  1,500,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Demobilisation & Reintegration Committee

  30 July 2002

  5,500,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Rwanda DBS 2003/4–2005/6

  25 November 2003

  82,000,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  Rwanda Rev Auth—Phase V

  4 December 2003

  4,310,000

  Solely funded by DFID

  221,519,388

  Congo Dem Rep

  World Bank Trust Fund

  19 March 1998

  5,977,286

  Co-financed with other donors

  ICRC Emergency Appeal 2001

  13 February 2001

  5,500,000

  Co-financed with other donors

  ICRC Emergency Appeal 2002

  9 December 2002

  2,500,000

  Co-financed with other donors

  UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs

  20 February 2003

  1,000,000

  Co-financed with other donors

  ICRC Emergency Appeal 2003

  18 March 2003

  2,500,000

  Co-financed with other donors

  Insecticide Nets

  17 September 2003

  3,427,147

  Solely funded by DFID

  Support to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process

  11 December 2003

  1,100,000

  Co-financed with other donors

  DRC Quick Start Health IRC

  22 December 2003

  3,414,016

  Solely funded by DFID

  UNICEF Accelerated Vaccination Activities

  25 February 2004

  1,000,000

  Co-financed with other donors

  International Committee Red Cross-Emergency Appeal 2004

  4 March 2004

  2,500,000

  Co-financed with other donors

  Medecins Sans Frontieres Primary Health Care

  30 March 2004

  1,035,150

  Solely funded by DFID

  29,953,599

  Colombia
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment his Department has made of the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinators' comments on 10 May 2004 concerning the humanitarian situation in Colombia; and if he will make a statement; [173368]

  (2) what (a) aid and (b) relief plans are in place for a possible humanitarian crisis in Colombia; what the predicted roll-out times are; and if he will make a statement. [173369]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID notes that the Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, indicated that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), together with the Government of Colombia and Non-Governmental Organisations, intend to launch a new humanitarian plan of action next month focused on the internally displaced. DFID will consider it carefully and discuss the details with OCHA once it is launched.

  DFID stands ready to provide appropriate humanitarian assistance in response to humanitarian crises wherever they occur and seeks to respond as quickly as possible against an assessment of priority needs. The extent and nature of any UK response is determined by the magnitude of need and as part of a coordinated international response.

  The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has already committed €8 million of humanitarian assistance for 2004, of which the United Kingdom's share is some €1.44 million.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people his Department estimates to be(a) internally displaced in Colombia, (b) displaced from Colombia to Panama and (c) displaced from Colombia to Venezuela; how these figures have changed since 2000; and if he will make a statement. [173443]
  1078W
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  No universally accepted figures of displaced Colombians exist. In his statement of 10 May 2004, the Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, stated that 2 million people had become displaced in Colombia in the past 15 years. According to CODHES, a Colombian NGO, about 3,090,000 people were internally displaced from 1984–2003, of which 1,247,000 were over the period 2000–03. The Colombian Government figures estimates a figure of 1,148,000 over the latter period.

  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that there are 2,430 Colombian 'persons of concern' in Panama and around 8,860 in Venezuela. However, these figures are generally considered to represent only a proportion of displaced people to these countries, particularly in Venezuela given the effect the Venezuelan Government's concern about the influx of displaced Colombians is having on Colombians' desire to register.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he will publish his strategy referred to on page 190 of the 2004 Departmental Report for improving project scoring of the Department's low-risk bilateral projects. [174119]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID will outline in both the Autumn Performance Report 2004, and the Departmental Report 2005, the range of measures put in place to improve project scoring. These are likely to centre upon strengthening guidance and lesson learning within DFID as key to improving programme delivery.

  Iraq
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new measures he plans to ensure the safety of British civilians who are helping to deliver aid and reconstruction in Iraq. [173648]
  1079W
  Hilary Benn
  Extensive measures are taken to protect all DFID staff and contractors. All DFID staff and consultants employed individually are provided with body armour, safety and communications equipment, security training, briefing and armed protection. Contractors are responsible for the security arrangements of their staff but the costs are covered by the UK Government. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in receipt of DFID support are also responsible for their own security. DFID maintains a regular dialogue with them on security issues and will fund their security needs where appropriate. All of these security arrangements are kept under constant review.

  Primary Education
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of children are in primary education in the top 30 UK development partner countries. [171691]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The percentage of children that are in primary education, as measured by primary school net enrolment rates, in the UK's top 30 development partner countries is as follows:

  Country

  Primary school enrolment (Percentage net)1

  Angola

  37

  Bangladesh

  89

  Cambodia

  95

  China

  93

  Cote d'Ivoire

  64

  Egypt, Arab Republic

  93

  Ethiopia

  47

  Ghana

  58

  India

  1,021

  Indonesia

  92

  Jordan

  94

  Kenya

  69

  Malawi

  101

  Morocco

  78

  Mozambique

  54

  Nepal

  72

  Pakistan

  66

  Philippines

  93

  Poland

  98

  Romania

  93

  Russian Federation

  93

  Sierra Leone

  No Data

  South Africa

  89

  Sri Lanka

  97

  Tanzania

  47

  Uganda

  109

  Vietnam

  95

  West Bank and Gaza

  No Data

  Zambia

  66

  Zimbabwe

  80

  1 Percentage gross enrolment figure used as no net figure available.

  Note:

  The 30 countries in the table are those used to measure the universal primary education (UPE) target included in the PSA 2001–04.

  Source:

  World Development Indicators 2003 CD rom.

  Net enrolment ratio is the ratio of the number of children of official school age (as defined by the national education system) who are enrolled in school to the population of the corresponding official school age.
  1080W
  Enrolment ratios, while a useful measure of participation in education, also have significant limitations, which can result, on occasion, on an figure in excess of 100 per cent. for enrolments rates in a year, primarily due to errors in estimates of school age populations. School administrators may also report exaggerated enrolments, especially if there is a financial incentive to do so, overage or underage enrolments frequently occur for cultural or economic reasons and there can be a lack of distinction between new entrants and repeaters. The data for some countries, including Uganda, may be revised as a result of the factors in the table.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of children are enrolled in primary school in each of the 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for which the Millennium Development Goal on enrolment has been set. [171680]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The percentage of children who are enrolled in primary school in each of the 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for which the MDG on enrolment has been set is as follows:

  Country

  Primary school enrolment (Percentage net)

  Congo, Democratic Republic

  33

  Ethiopia

  47

  Ghana

  58

  Kenya

  69

  Lesotho

  78

  Malawi

  101

  Mozambique

  54

  Nigeria

  No data

  Rwanda

  97

  Sierra Leone

  No data

  South Africa

  89

  Sudan

  46

  Tanzania

  47

  Uganda

  109

  Zambia

  66

  Zimbabwe

  80

  Source:

  DFID's PSA reporting.

  Net enrolment ratio is the ratio of the number of children of official school age (as defined by the national education system) who are enrolled in school to the population of the corresponding official school age. Enrolment ratios, while a useful measure of participation in education, also have significant limitations, which can result, on occasion, on a figure in excess of 100 per cent. for enrolments rates in a year, primarily due to errors in estimates of school age populations. School administrators may also report exaggerated enrolments, especially if there is a financial incentive to do so, overage or underage enrolments frequently occur for cultural or economic reasons and there can be a lack of distinction between new entrants and repeaters. The data for some countries, including Uganda, may be revised as a result of the above factors.

  World Bank
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes his Department(a) (i) runs and (ii) finances through the Inter-American Development Bank and (b) finances

  1081W
  through the World Bank aimed at solving the social and economic problems of the native tribes in South America; which (A) countries and (B) tribes are included in each programme; when each was established; and what contribution his Department has made in each year of the programme. [173819]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  10 per cent. of the Latin American population is indigenous, ranging from less than 1 per cent. in countries such as Brazil and Venezuela, to over 50 per cent. in Bolivia and Guatemala. Most of DFID's programmes in Latin America address the issue of inclusion of various excluded populations, including indigenous people. This includes its support through the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

  While both the IDB and the World Bank have a number of projects, or components of projects, specifically targeted at indigenous people, other projects, not so targeted, often have a similar or greater impact. This is particularly the case in countries where indigenous people represent a significant proportion of the population.

  DFID is specifically working with the IDB to contribute to its efforts to ensure appropriate account is taken of indigenous people's issues in its policies and their implementation. DFID is providing US$203,500 contribution to the consultation process in the IDE's preparation of an updated strategic framework on indigenous development. At present, DFID does not have any specific programmes targeted at indigenous people in Latin America with the World Bank.

  Yemen
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he next plans to visit Yemen. [[R] [173779]

  Hilary Benn
  I have no plans at present to visit Yemen. I will consider a visit when the DFID programme there is further developed.

CABINET OFFICE

  Magistrates
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many magistrates are aged(a) 25 to 30, (b) 30 to 40, (c) 40 to 50, (d) 50 to 60, (e) 60 to 65 and (f) 65 to 70 in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Chorley magistrates' courts, broken down by sex. [173768]

  Mr. Alexander
  At 31 March 2004 the available figures show that there were 616 men and 526 women serving as Active Magistrates in the Lancashire Commission Area. Of this number, the Chorley Bench comprises of 37 men and 36 women. These statistics are broken down into age categories as shown in the following table.

  Chorley

  Lancashire

  Age

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Under 30

  0

  0

  1

  2

  30–40

  0

  1

  12

  17

  40–50

  3

  3

  91

  89

  1082W

  Chorley

  Lancashire

  Age

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  50–60

  16

  21

  244

  249

  60–65

  17

  8

  188

  118

  66–70

  1

  3

  80

  51

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office who is responsible for selecting new magistrates in Lancashire; and what process is used. [173769]

  Mr. Alexander
  As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancashire, I have the responsibility for the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

  In the Lancashire area, I am aided by the Lancashire Advisory Committee and its five Sub-Committees, who interview and then recommend to me those found suitable for appointment as magistrates. These Sub-Committees generally comprise of six magistrate members and three individuals who are not magistrates.

  Throughout the selection process, the Advisory Committees adhere to the guidance set out in the Directions for Advisory Committees. The guidance offered in these Directions is identical to that issued by the Lord Chancellor to his Advisory Committees in the remainder of England and Wales.

  Generally, candidates must demonstrate six key qualities to be found suitable for appointment:

  Good character

  Understanding and communication

  Social awareness

  Maturity and sound temperament

  Sound judgement

  Commitment and reliability

  These qualities are tested during a two-stage interview process by a panel of a Committee or Sub-Committee comprising of two magistrate and one non-magistrate members.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the production of the Cabinet Office's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge. [171142]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Stationery Office Ltd. (TSO) produced the latest Cabinet Office Departmental Report (Cm 6226). TSO determines the number of copies printed for retail sale and meets the costs of printing and publication. TSO does not charge these costs to departments. Since its publication on 28 April, TSO has sold 306 copies of the 2004 Cabinet Office Departmental Report and has provided the Cabinet Office with 150 copies. The cost to the Cabinet Office is £5,905, covering the design, typesetting, production and printing of this year's Report, as well as for the 150 copies received. The Cabinet Office copies were mainly distributed within the Department and to some other Government Departments. The Report can be
  1083W
  downloaded free of charge from the Cabinet Office website at http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/reports/annualreport/dept-report.asp.

  Emergency Communications Network
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much has been spent in each of the last three years on maintaining and utilising the Emergency Communications Network. [172749]

  Mr. Alexander
  In each of the last three years the Emergency Communications Network budget has been £5.2 million. This sum is accounted for in the costs of system maintenance, provision of private line connections and location moves required by the users.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cyprus
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to ensure that any new plan for the Cyprus problem will not impose a financial burden on the Greek Cypriots that they find unacceptable. [174137]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government, EU, UN and international donor community have worked hard to ensure that fears of financial insecurity may not reasonably be adduced as grounds for opposing a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

  At the European Commission's international donors' conference for Cyprus on 15 April 2004, the international community and the international financial institutions signalled their strong support for the UN Secretary-General's plan. The IMF explained that much of its advice on fiscal and other economic matters had been reflected in the plan, which it would help the parties implement with technical assistance, and—if necessary—balance of payments support. The IMF's considered view was that the Annan Plan was "economically and financially viable", and would deliver a higher rate of growth for the United Cyprus Republic than was likely to be achieved under the status quo. The World Bank also signalled its intention to support implementation of the plan, including to help address income disparities. The EIB and the Council of Europe Development Bank supported this analysis. Representatives from many countries, with the UK to the fore, made financial and political commitments to support the UNSG's proposals.

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications of the Loizidou case, concerning Turkey's acts in Northern Cyprus, in relation to the applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights to the actions of UK personnel in Iraq. [171556]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: The applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to the actions of UK personnel in Iraq is a matter which is in issue in the current cases before
  1084W
  the High Court brought by the families of 13 Iraqi civilians. The Government's position in those cases is that ECHR rights have no application in Iraq. The citizens of Cyprus, prior to invasion by Turkey, were the beneficiaries of rights under the ECHR, by virtue of Cyprus' membership of the Council of Europe. The decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Loizidou was to the effect that they did not lose those rights when Turkey assumed sole effective control of part of the territory of Cyprus. The position in Iraq, of course, is critically different. The citizens of Iraq had no rights at all under the ECHR prior to military action by the coalition forces; furthermore, the UK does not exercise the same degree of control over Iraq as existed in relation to the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus.

  Indonesia
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities concerning the recent resurgence of violence in Ambon, with particular reference to(a) the steps needed to stop the violence, (b) the need for the security forces to act in an impartial and professional manner and (c) the process by which the perpetrators of the violence will be brought to justice. [173760]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have consistently made clear to the Indonesian authorities our view that long-term solutions to regional conflicts can only be achieved through negotiation and consultation. While we have not made any representations to the Indonesian Government about the recent violence in Ambon, our embassy has kept in close contact with the UN and NGOs in Ambon and is continuing to monitor the situation there. On 29 April the Acting Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, Hari Sabarno, visited Ambon with the National Police Chief, Da'i Bachtiar and agreed to increase security personnel there in order to restore order. Additional personnel have since arrived in Ambon.

  We fully support the Malino Peace Agreement for Sulawesi and Maluku, which brought an end to large-scale inter-communal violence.

  Iraq
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the US Central Intelligence Agency comments on the 10 September 2002 draft of the UK Government's Dossier, Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, included comments on the claim that Iraq sought to procure uranium from Africa. [167278]

  Mr. Rammell
  The US Central Intelligence Agency did offer a comment, just before the September dossier was finalised, noting that they had concerns about the credibility of the reference to the supply of uranium from Africa. But they provided no explanation for their concerns. UK officials were confident that the statement in the dossier was based on reliable intelligence. A judgment was therefore made to retain the reference.
  1085W
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 30 January 2004,Official Report, column 581W, on Iraq, whether the source upon which it based its claim in the September 2002 dosier, that Iraq sought to procure uranium from Africa, is the same information that it understands was discussed with the International Atomic Energy Authority before 7 March 2003. [173387]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 6 May 2004,Official Report, columns 1733–1734W.

  Minority Languages (Europe)
  Mr. MacDonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Council of Europe's recent report on implementation of the European Charter on minority and lesser-used languages; and whether the Government will be publishing a response. [174186]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government welcomed the Council of Europe's report of 24 March 2004 on the implementation of the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The report praises the UK in setting up official bodies for Welsh, Irish and Ulster-Scots. It also applauds the UK for the development of a semi-official body for Scottish Gaelic. The report commends the UK's dynamic approach to the instrument of ratification in recognising Manx and Cornish. It also noted the same approach regarding the ratification for Welsh.

  The UK Government have already made a response to the report, and this is included in the full report published by the Council of Europe.

  Russia
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has been given to Russia through the Individual Partnership Programme under NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme; what the results have been; whether he expects further assistance to be given to ensure democratic control of the armed forces in Russia; and if he will make a statement. [164649]

  Mr. MacShane
  I apologise for the late response which was due to an administration error.

  Whilst Russia is a member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace (PfP) initiative, it does not have an Individual Partnership Plan. It has a presence at the PfP's Partnership Co-ordination Cell, and participates in a small number of PfP exercises.

  Russia also engages with NATO through the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), which was founded in 2002. NATO's role is not to assist Russia. Rather, the NRC is a forum to facilitate co-operation. The NRC's work plan addresses a broad defence reform agenda that strengthens democratic control of the armed forces. Other areas of joint work include: the struggle against terrorism; crisis management; non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; arms control and
  1086W
  confidence-building measures; Theatre Missile Defence; search and rescue at sea; military-to-military co-operation; and civil emergencies.

  Through the NRC's Ad Hoc Working Group on Defence Reform, NATO countries and Russia have come together in seminars and other events to share expertise with the aim of enhancing the performance of all involved. The coming year will see a broad range of work, including the development of measures to enhance transparency in defence planning.

  Turkey
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government on political prisoners being held in Turkish prisons; which individual cases were discussed; and if he will make a statement. [173536]

  Mr. MacShane
  We are in constant dialogue with the Turkish Government on human rights issues, which includes prisoners' rights. We also raise individual cases, such as that of Leyla Zana and the three other Kurdish Democracy Party MPs. I discussed the case with Leyla Zana's lawyer during my trip to Turkey in January, before raising it with the authorities. The outcome of the retrial is extremely disappointing and at odds with the reform process to which the Turkish Government are clearly committed. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised human rights issues with the Turkish Prime Minister during his visit to Turkey as part of the first ever UK-Turkey Prime Ministerial summit.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government on the(a) health and (b) prison conditions under which Mr. Abdullah Ocalan is being held by the Turkish authorities. [173996]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) on 8 March 2004,Official Report, column 1323W.

  We note that the Turkish authorities have been in dialogue with the Centre for Prevention of Torture on Ocalan's prison conditions and have agreed to undertake a number of measures in light of recommendations made by the centre.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Civil Service
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 1 April 2004,Official Report, column 1638W, on staff reduction, (1) what discussions he has had with trade unions regarding plans for a net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department; [171423]

  (2) by what date he intends to have reduced civil servant jobs in his Department by 30,000;. [171424]

  (3) whether the intended net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department will include the reduction of 18,000 for which plans have been in development since 2002; [171425]
  1087W
  (4) what the baseline figure is for the intended net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department; [171426]

  (5) if he will break down the net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department by reductions made through (a) the new business model being rolled out in Jobcentre Plus, (b) the Pensions Transformation Programme and reductions in staffing in the Pension Service, (c) the introduction of child support reform and (d) savings in back office functions. [171427]

  Maria Eagle
  The 30,000 reductions are part of a four year programme to 2008 which we are discussing with our unions and include the 18,000 reductions previously outlined in 2002. We met with our Trade Unions on 6 April and 13 May and have a further meeting planned in May.

  It is too early to define how the reductions will be profiled across each part of the Department and its businesses. We are using our current staffing level of around 130,000 as the baseline for the reductions.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the(a) nature and (b) value was of all contracts, consultancies or other services placed with the accountancy firms (i) Deloitte & Touche, (ii) Ernst & Young, (iii) KPMG and (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2000–01 by the Department and its agencies. [166087]

  Jane Kennedy
  DWP was established in June 2001. The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, we are able to provide total spend by this Department with these accountancy firms, which is as follows:

  £ million

  2001–021

  2002–03

  Deloitte & Touche

  8.1

  4.2

  Ernst & Young

  22.3

  3.5

  KPMG

  1.1

  2.6

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  0.5

  1.4

  1 Estimate.

  2 Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.

  The figures for 2001–02 figures are for the complete year and are estimates of the spend for the legacy organisations. Also, 2003–04 figures will be available in June and July 2004.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2004,Official Report, column 709W, on pension forecasts, how many combined pension forecasts have been issued in each month since their introduction; and how frequently they are reissued to individuals. [171103]

  Malcolm Wicks
  DWP does not hold information on the number of combined pension forecasts that are issued by employers and providers each month. However, the figures in the following table show the number of state pension forecasts that DWP has supplied to an employer or pension provider for 1088W
  inclusion in a combined pension forecast. This information is supplied for each month since the introduction of combined pension forecasts.

  All the employers and providers currently delivering combined pension forecasts issue them annually to their scheme members.

  Date

  Volume

  Pilot year 1

  19,291

  Pilot year 2

  15,543

  2001

  October

  0

  November

  0

  December

  0

  2002

  January

  0

  February

  0

  March

  0

  April

  14,602

  May

  0

  June

  467

  July

  9,127

  August

  0

  September

  5,537

  October

  0

  November

  0

  December

  1,168

  2003

  January

  0

  February

  0

  March

  0

  April

  30,005

  May

  20,497

  June

  113,223

  July

  97,310

  August

  82,945

  September

  52,543

  October

  88,324

  November

  138,152

  December

  131,317

  2004

  January

  150,202

  February

  77,700

  March

  72,095

  Total

  1,120,048

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people who claimed the state pension but lived outside the United Kingdom in each year from 1990–91 to 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [173908]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is in the table.

  September

  Number of people

  1990

  575,800

  1991

  609,900

  1992

  632,000

  1993

  630,100

  1994

  674,300

  1995

  712,800

  1996

  741,700

  1997

  770,200

  1998

  797,300

  1999

  834,100

  1089W

  September

  Number of people

  2000

  857,600

  2001

  887,700

  2002

  913,300

  2003

  952,400

  Notes:

  1. The figures are for cases outside Great Britain and are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Figures for September 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993 do not include people receiving only additional pension or graduated retirement benefit.

  Sources:

  1. Figures for September 1990 to September 1994 were taken from the Social Security Statistics publication 1995.

  2. Figures for September 1996 and September 1997 were taken from the Social Security Statistics publication 1999.

  3. Figures from September 1997 to date were taken from the 5 per cent. samples from the Pensions Strategy Computer System taken on 30 September of each year.

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what(a) instruction and (b) guidance (i) his officials and (ii) Ministers were following prior to the decision not to make the February International Committee of the Red Cross report available to him as soon as it became available to his office; [173573]

  (2) what (a) written and (b) oral briefing was provided by officials in his office to inform him of the contents of the International Committee of the Red Cross report and actions taken (i) as a result of officials having read the report and (ii) prior to the full report being made available to him. [173574]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) at Prime Minister's questions on 12 May 2004,Official Report, columns 347–49.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Community Legal Services Partnerships
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representation community legal services partnerships have on local strategic partnerships; and if he will liaise with appropriate ministerial colleagues to promote such representation. [173953]

  Mr. Lammy
  Working relationships between Community Legal Service Partnerships (CLSPs) and Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) are active in all areas. CLSPs are represented in a number of LSPs throughout England (there are no LSPs in Wales). There are variations to the extent to which CLSPs are joining up with LSPs, and to the form of representation, due to the varying nature and structure of each LSP. Ongoing work to develop relationships between CLSPs and LSPs is being actively pursued throughout the English regions.
  1090W
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the workings of community legal services partnerships, with particular reference to(a) research into patterns of need, supply and capacity, (b) priorities for service development and the deployment of resources, (c) disseminating good and best practice and (d) publicising services which are available. [173954]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Independent Review of the Community Legal Service (CLS), which was published on 28 April 2004, provides a detailed assessment of the workings of CLS Partnerships. The Review recommends that CLS Partnerships have their activities re-focused in the short-term, and are placed on a statutory footing in the longer term. My Department is currently seeking views on the Review's recommendations, as part of a process of consultation. We will be considering the best way in which to build on the success of the CLS in the light of the Review's recommendations and the comments we receive. In addition, we have announced a fundamental legal aid review, which will look at the long-term future of the legal aid system, focusing on how best to provide publicly funded legal services to those who need them.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [167624]

  Mr. Lammy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 May 2004,Official Report, column 31 W.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Criminal Justice
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress made on the Attorney General's examination of police powers, bail arrangements and other criminal justice matters announced by the right hon. Member for Hamilton, North and Belshill (Dr. Reid) on 24 July 2002; and if he will publish the Attorney General's conclusions. [172155]

  Mr. Pearson
  On 29 August 2002 the Attorney-General delivered to the then Secretary of State a paper outlining measures which might be taken to improve the possibilities of successful prosecution for acts of terrorism, violence and organised crime. The paper recommended that policy consideration be given to the introduction of an ASBO regime for Northern Ireland, that consideration be given to the use of section 108 of the Terrorism Act, that the DPP and Police should give further consideration on how co-operation could be improved, and that policy consideration be given to introducing pre-charge bail conditions. In September 2002, the Northern Ireland Law and Order Action Group was established and it has since considered ASBOs and bail in detail.
  1091W
  Following a public consultation on measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in Northern Ireland, a further consultation of legislative proposals to introduce antisocial behaviour orders is under way.

  Cases are proceeding through the courts in which section 108 statements have been made.

  The two pilot schemes for the new Public Prosecution Service have introduced co-location working practices in which police officers operate from Prosecution Service offices, thus allowing the police immediate access to prosecution lawyers for advice on prosecutorial issues. Co-location will provide a firm basis on which to build closer co-operation.

  The introduction of pre-charge bail conditions will be taken forward as part of a review of Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) in Northern Ireland announced by the then Minister of State in a written ministerial statement on 26 February 2004.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what future funding has been allocated specifically in relation to the development of treatment and care for Alzheimer's sufferers. [173272]

  Angela Smith
  The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is not planning to allocate funds specifically for the development of treatment and care of Alzheimer's sufferers. Allocations are made on the basis of Programmes of Care for different classes of patients and clients, rather than specific conditions. Decisions about funding for treatment and care are made by Health and Social Services Boards in light of local priorities and available resources.

  Bill of Rights
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his intention to bring forward a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [172876]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government remains committed to facilitating the work of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for Northern Ireland on proposals for a Bill of Rights. However, it remains our position that it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment until we receive the final advice from the Commission. We have therefore not reached any policy conclusions.

  In addition the Government remains committed to establishing a broadly based forum on the Bill of Rights. We will engage the political parties in a renewed effort to build consensus to this end.

  Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the dates on which he has had meetings with the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice since his appointment. [173303]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  While my colleague, John Spellar, met Kit Chivers on his appointment to the post of Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland in June last year, I have not yet had occasion to meet him.1092W
  However, I have corresponded with him on the preparations he is making for the formal establishment of his inspectorate in the autumn and I recently endorsed his work programme along with his corporate and business plans for the period up to March 2006.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in relation to an inspection of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. [173305]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have not had discussions with the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in relation to an inspection of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. however, I have noted the proposed timing of an inspection of that office within the Inspectorate's work programme for the first 18 months of operation.

  Criminal Justice Inspectorate
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of staff are employed within the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement on recruitment to the Inspectorate. [173304]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Within recent months the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland has been engaged in recruiting and appointing staff. A deputy Chief Inspector and Head of Research and Communications have been appointed. The process of recruiting inspectors is progressing as planned. The first of these should be in post by July, trained and ready to start the programme of inspections in the autumn. Senior support staff have also been identified and will be in post by that time.

  Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions took place at the recent Anglo-Irish summit concerning the Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill and the need for legislation; and if he will make a statement. [171537]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Joint Communique issued after the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 21 April 2004 confirms that this issue was raised; I have placed a copy in the Library.

  However, it would be inappropriate to disclose details of the discussions beyond those contained in the communique in accordance with Part II, Paragraph 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (defence, security and international relations: information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs).

  Departmental Annual Report
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the production of his Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge. [171150]
  1093W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office Departmental Report 2004 way only completed on 30 April 2004 and made available to purchase on 7 May 2004, details of sales and final costs are not yet available. However, the details for the annual report for 2003 which I expect to be very similar to those for 2004, are as follows:The Northern Ireland Office Departmental Report 2003 was produced by The Stationary Office (TSO). Costs of printing and publication are met directly by TSO and do not fall to Government. The Department was invoiced for the 180 copies that it requested. 856 copies were printed and TSO's records show that eight copies have been sold at its cover price of £30, and an additional 597 copies were sold at a reduced charge. The NIO supplied copies of the report free of charge to 159 parties. A list of those interested parties is set out in the following table.
  The 2004 report is available in the Libraries of the House and to the public free of charge on the NIO website at http://www.nio.gov.uk/pdf/deptreport2004 pdf.

  Distribution of the NIO Departmental Report 2003

  Secretary of State, Ministers, Senior NIO Officials

  20

  Heads of NIO Agencies and Legal Offices

  5

  Parliamentary/House of Commons Library

  28

  NIO Information Offices (Belfast and London)

  9

  HM Treasury

  3

  Scottish and Welsh Offices

  2

  Head of NICS and Northern Ireland Permanent Secretaries

  11

  Northern Ireland MP's

  18

  Other interested MP's

  3

  1 MEP

  1

  Members of the House of Lords with an interest in Northern Ireland

  25

  Treasury Select Committee

  20

  Northern Ireland Select Committee

  14

  Total

  159

  Language Public Bodies
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has contributed towards the costs of the production and staging of the Ulster Scots Production "On Eagle's Wing". [172763]

  Angela Smith
  The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has made no direct contribution to the production and staging of "On Eagle's Wing". However, bodies funded by the Department have offered financial support totalling £175,000 of which £162,500 has been drawn down by the promoter, On Eagle's Wing Ltd.

  Ministerial Visits
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by(a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost. [171564]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested by the hon. Member in relation to dates and constituencies visited is set out below. Information in relation to the cost of visits is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  1094W

  Constituency visited by right hon. Paul Murphy MP

  2 December 2003

  Belfast South

  7 January 2004

  Belfast South

  7 January 2004

  Belfast South

  19 January 2004

  North Down

  21 January 2004

  Foyle

  04 February 2004

  Belfast South

  24 March 2004

  Belfast North

  Constituency visited by right hon. Jane Kennedy MP

  1 December 2003

  Lagan Valley

  17 December 2003

  East Londonderry

  7 January 2004

  North Antrim

  7 January 2004

  South Belfast

  8 January 2004

  South Belfast

  19 January 2004

  Lagan Valley

  20 January 2004

  North Down

  21 January 2004

  South Belfast

  28 January 2004

  Foyle

  3 February 2004

  North Down

  4 February 2004

  East Londonderry

  11 February 2004

  East Londonderry

  12 February 2004

  South Belfast

  16 February 2004

  South Belfast

  23 February 2004

  Lagan Valley

  23 February 2004

  North Belfast

  23 February 2004

  North Down

  1 March 2004

  South Belfast

  3 March 2004

  North Antrim

  3 March 2004

  West and North Belfast

  8 March 2004

  East Belfast

  9 March 2004

  South Belfast

  10 March 2004

  Lagan Valley

  10 March 2004

  Newry and Armagh

  10 March 2004

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  15 March 2004

  South Belfast

  16 March 2004

  North Belfast

  18 March 2004

  South Belfast

  18 March 2004

  West Belfast

  24 March 2004

  West and North Belfast

  25 March 2004

  South Belfast

  29 March 2004

  Lagan Valley

  29 March 2004

  West Belfast

  1 April 2004

  East Londonderry

  Constituency visited by right hon. John Spellar MP

  2 December 2003

  South Belfast

  12 January 2004

  North Belfast

  13 January 2004

  East Antrim

  13 January 2004

  North Antrim

  19 January 2004

  South Belfast

  19 January 2004

  North Down

  26 January 2004

  Upper Bann

  4 March 2004

  South Down

  4 March 2004

  Upper Bann

  5 March 2004

  South Belfast

  15 March 2004

  South Antrim

  16 March 2004

  South Belfast

  19 March 2004

  South Belfast

  1095W

  Constituency visited by Ian Pearson MP

  2 December 2003

  East Antrim

  9 December 2003

  North Belfast

  9 December 2003

  South Belfast

  10 December 2003

  East Belfast

  11 December 2003

  South Belfast

  13 January 2004

  South Belfast

  13 January 2004

  South Belfast

  19 January 2004

  South Belfast

  19 January 2004

  East Antrim

  19 January 2004

  North Antrim

  19 January 2004

  Foyle

  20 January 2004

  Foyle

  22 January 2004

  South Belfast

  9 February 2004

  East Belfast

  13 February 2004

  East Belfast

  18 February 2004

  East Antrim

  18 February 2004

  South Belfast

  24 February 2004

  Newry and Armagh

  25 February 2004

  North Down

  25 February 2004

  Cities of London and Westminster

  26 February 2004

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3 March 2004

  Meridan

  4 March 2004

  South Belfast

  10 March 2004

  West Belfast

  24 March 2004

  Mid Ulster

  24 March 2004

  Foyle

  25 March 2004

  South Belfast

  26 March 2004

  South Belfast

  29 March 2004

  South Down

  29 March 2004

  Lagan Valley

  30 March 2004

  South Belfast

  30 March 2004

  South Belfast

  30 March 2004

  Upper Bann

  7 April 2004

  West Tyrone

  7 April 2004

  South Belfast

  19 April 2004

  South Belfast

  22 April 2004

  Mid Ulster

  27 April 2004

  South Belfast

  27 April 2004

  South Belfast

  Constituency visited by Angela Smith MP

  8 December 2003

  South Antrim

  9 December 2003

  Foyle

  9 December 2003

  Mid Ulster

  9 December 2003

  South Belfast

  10 December 2003

  South Belfast

  17 December 2003

  West Tyrone

  7 January 2004

  South Belfast

  7 January 2004

  Foyle

  8 January 2004

  Foyle

  9 January 2004

  Foyle

  9 January 2004

  Mid Ulster

  12 January 2004

  East Belfast

  12 January 2004

  South Belfast

  19 January 2004

  South Belfast

  21 January 2004

  South Belfast

  21 January 2004

  North Belfast

  26 January 2004

  South Antrim

  09 February 2004

  South Belfast

  16 February 2004

  South Belfast

  17 February 2004

  North Belfast

  17 February 2004

  Newry and Armagh

  18 February 2004

  South Belfast

  24 February 2004

  South Belfast

  02 March 2004

  South Antrim

  02 March 2004

  South Belfast

  03 March 2004

  Strangford

  03 March 2004

  South Belfast

  03 March 2004

  Lagan Valley

  1096W

  Constituency visited by Angela Smith MP

  08 March 2004

  South Belfast

  09 March 2004

  South Antrim

  09 March 2004

  North Antrim

  10 March 2004

  North Antrim

  10 March 2004

  East Londonderry

  10 March 2004

  Mid Ulster

  18 March 2004

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  19 March 2004

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  19 March 2004

  South Belfast

  22 March 2004

  East Belfast

  23 March 2004

  Newry and Armagh

  24 March 2004

  Newry and Armagh

  24 March 2004

  Upper Bann

  29 March 2004

  North Down

  1 April 2004

  North Belfast

  2 April 2004

  Newry and Armagh

  2 April 2004

  North Belfast

  3 April 2004

  East Antrim

  6 April 2004

  North Antrim

  7 April 2004

  East Londonderry

  20 April 2004

  East Belfast

  Constituency visited by Barry Gardiner MP

  21 April 2004

  East Belfast

  21 April 2004

  South Belfast

  22 April 2004

  South Belfast

  27 April 2004

  East Belfast

  27 April 2004

  East Belfast

  MS Treatment
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been provided to make beta interferon and glatiramer available to multiple sclerosis sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [173606]

  Angela Smith
  A total of £3.6 million was spent on these disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis sufferers in 2002–03, increasing to £4.1 million in 2003–04. The Health and Social Services Boards have provisionally allocated £4.5 million to cover the cost of these medicines for patients in the current financial year. This represents a 23 per cent. increase in funding since 2002–03.

  A further £100,000 (recurrent and uplifted for inflation) has been provided since 2002–03 to enhance the infrastructure required for the delivery of these medicines.

  Pressure Ulcers
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions are being taken to limit costs resulting from pressure ulcers. [173608]

  Angela Smith
  The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Practice Education Council (NIPEC), is taking forward an Essence of Care Project aimed at improving fundamental aspects of patient care across all care settings. A number of areas of care will be examined, including the prevention, care and treatment of pressure ulcers. The Project will test benchmark
  1097W
  standards, support measures to improve quality, and help practitioners take a structured approach to sharing and improving practice, as well as identifying and remedying poor practice that result in unnecessary costs and poor outcomes.

  Pupil Numbers (Secondary Schools)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils aged 11 to 15 there were in each of the last six years in maintained secondary schools in Northern Ireland; and how many and what percentage of pupils in the same period were aged 11 to 15 in maintained grammar schools in Northern Ireland. [172379]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The enrolment figures for 11 to 15-year-olds in grant aided schools in Northern Ireland for the last six years are as follows:

  Secondary (non-grammar) schools

  Grammar schools

  Total

  1998–99

  85,418

  46,263

  131,681

  1999–2000

  85,851

  46,479

  132,330

  2000–01

  85,996

  46,359

  132,355

  2001–02

  85,247

  46,483

  131,730

  2002–03

  84,249

  46,453

  130,702

  2003–04

  82,880

  46,268

  129,148

  The percentages for 11 to 15-year-old enrolments in grant aided schools in Northern Ireland for the last six years are as follows:

  Secondary (non-grammar) schools

  Grammar schools

  1998–99

  64.9

  35.1

  1999–2000

  64.9

  35.1

  2000–01

  65.0

  35.0

  2001–02

  64.7

  35.3

  2002–03

  64.5

  35.5

  2003–04

  64.2

  35.8

  Student Nurses
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursing students have(a) withdrawn and (b) been forced to withdraw from their course in each of the past five years at universities in the Province. [173611]

  Angela Smith
  Information on the number of students who withdrew from their course is only readily available for the last four financial years and is as follows.

  Financial year

  Number of permanent withdrawals

  1 April 2000—31 March 2001

  50

  1 April 2001—31 March 2002

  64

  1 April 2002—31 March 2003

  100

  1 April 2003—31 March 2004

  70

  They are currently in excess of 2,200 students actively pursing their training.
  1098W
  Students may be asked to permanently withdraw from their course in the event of examination failure, breaches of discipline or continued poor performance while on practice placement.

  Other reasons cited for withdrawal include personal reasons, domestic responsibilities and financial difficulties. The Universities can offer an option of a temporary withdrawal, as a possible solution to difficulties a student is experiencing.

SCOTLAND

  Advisers/Consultants
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last three years. [172549]

  Mrs. McGuire
  Spending on external consultants and advisers was as follows:

  £000

  2001–2002

  17,864

  2002–2003

  4,620

  2003–2004 (est)

  10,044

  Departmental Annual Report
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the production of his Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge. [171152]

  Mrs. McGuire
  The cost to the Scotland Office of producing the 2004 Annual Report was £4,119. The number of copies printed for the Office was 150 and the report is also available on the Scotland Office website. Copies of the report were provided to the Scottish Affairs Committee, other Government Departments and for use within the Office.

  Other costs of printing and publication were met directly by the publisher, The Stationery Office Limited (TSO), and did not fall to the Government. TSO recoups these costs through sales and uses its commercial judgment as to the number of copies printed. TSO printed 550 copies of the report for their own use. As the report has only recently been published, TSO are not yet able to provide figures on sales.

  Departmental Procurement
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the(a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture. [170807]
  1099W
  Mrs. McGuire
  The Scotland Office has no responsibility for any catering outlets and purchases of crockery, cutlery and glassware have been minimal. Details about the manufacture of such items are not available.

  Holyrood (Transport Competences)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Executive concerning the transfer of additional competences to Holyrood on transport matters. [174049]
  1100W
  Mrs. McGuire
  No such representations have been received.

  Productivity
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his policy is for(a) increasing the productivity and (b) cutting the costs of his Department. [172173]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, on 10 May 2004,Official Report, column 149W.

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