Written Answers of 24 May 2004

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Ancient Trees
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to allow the EU's Natura 2000 designation to be extended to include sites with ancient trees. [173956]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Ancient trees can and do occur in candidate Special Areas of Conservation, which together with Special Protection Areas for birds form the Natura 2000 network. However, they are not included specifically either as a habitat type in Annex I, or a species in Annex II, of the Habitats Directive for which sites can be selected.

  The purpose of Natura 2000 designation is to conserve areas containing habitats and species of Community interest of high ecological and bio-diversity value, rather than their cultural or historical value. Where ancient trees are included within sites, their cultural value as well as their contribution to the biodiversity of the area is provided for.

  Apiculture
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the grounds for the ban on the import of queen bees from Hawaii; [174128]

  (2) what evaluation her Department has made of the (a) health, (b) disease and (c) animal welfare grounds for restricting the import of queen bees from (i) Hawaii and (ii) Australia; and if she will make a statement. [174129]

  Alun Michael
  New European Community legislation strengthening the animal health controls and certification requirements for the importation of bees from third countries came into effect across the Community on 27 December 2003. Its aim, in particular, is to protect the EU bee population from exotic pests and diseases.

  The new import controls include the requirement that consignments of queen honey bees will only be allowed into the Community from those third countries that have demonstrated the veterinary competence to certify bees for export, and provided that the notifiable diseases of bees in the EU—American foul brood, the small hive beetle and tropilaelaps mite—are also confirmed as notifiable throughout the exporting country. The specified third countries are listed in Part 1 to the Annex of Council Decision 79/542 and include the USA and Australia.

  To date, only Australia, New Zealand and Argentina have demonstrated to us that they are able to comply with the conditions provided in the legislation, and
  1288W
  imports of queens from these countries are permitted. However, in the case of Hawaii, while it is our opinion that it does have a high bee health status, and, indeed, we have until recently permitted imports of queen bees from there, it is nevertheless a territory of the USA. The EU legislation is clear in its intention, and it is our understanding that the three notifiable diseases mentioned above are not yet notifiable throughout the USA as a whole. The Commission has stated that it is not prepared to treat Hawaii as separate from the rest of the USA for this purpose. We are therefore not free to authorise the importation of queens bees from Hawaii until the USA has demonstrated equivalence with the EU.

  Batteries Directive
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what representations her Department has made to the European Commission regarding the impact on users of hearing aids of the proposed Batteries Directive; [171353]

  (2) what representations she has received from (a) organisations representing the hard of hearing and (b) manufacturers of batteries regarding the impact on hearing aid users of the proposed Batteries Directive. [171354]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK Government have made no representation to the European Commission about the impact of the proposed batteries Directive on batteries used in hearing aids. This is because proposals issued by the Commission for a new batteries Directive do not contain any requirement prohibiting the sale of batteries used in hearing aids.

  However, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted during their first reading of the proposal on 20 April in favour of an amendment, setting limit values for prohibiting the sale of all batteries that contain more than 5ppm of mercury by weight. The Government understand that because hearing aid batteries may contain more than 5ppm of mercury and 40ppm of lead, by weight, in a zinc air hearing aid battery, there is now concern as to a possible ban. However, the Government have not, as yet, heard from any organisations or manufacturers that may be affected, nor have they heard the reaction of the European Commission to the amendment

  It should also be noted that the European Parliament also voted on an amendment to exclude from the controls of the new Directive, batteries and accumulators placed in medical devices; namely, those designed to maintain vital functions, where uninterrupted functioning is essential and the batteries and accumulators can be removed only by qualified personnel. If this amendment were accepted, it would not be clear whether those hearing aid batteries containing more than 5ppm of mercury and 40ppm of lead would be excluded.

  HMG believes that the inconsistency between these two amendments is likely to be addressed by the European Parliament in its second reading. If the threshold limits proposed remained in the Directive and

  1289W
  led to the prohibition of batteries contained in hearing aids, or indeed batteries contained in other medical devices, this would be opposed by the UK and, we believe, by other member states also.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from manufacturers of batteries regarding the proposed European Batteries Directive. [171356]

  Mr. Morley
  We have received representation from the British Battery Manufacturers Association (BBMA) and the European Portable Batteries Association (EPBA) who represent all major manufacturers of portable batteries. Also, we have held discussions with Collect Nicad who represent the manufacturers of nickel cadmium batteries.

  We expect to have further meetings with battery companies and other stakeholders now that the batteries consultation paper has been issued.

  Beak Trimming
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will extend the 2010 deadline for the ban on beak trimming if no solution to the problem of cannabalism is found. [174200]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Government are committed to banning the practice of beak trimming by the end of 2010. A beak trimming action group has been set up to carry forward an action plan to enable Defra to introduce this ban without compromising bird welfare. However, some form of review process prior to the 2010 ban is not unreasonable.

  Chicken Incinerators
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the regulations governing incinerators used for on-farm disposal of chickens, with particular reference to(a) how often they will be inspected and (b) the cost to farmers of carrying out inspections. [174203]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  On-farm incinerators which only burn animal carcases such as chickens, must comply with the relevant requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 and must also be approved in accordance with this Regulation.

  This regulation is enforced in England by the Animal By-Products Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/1482) (the ABPR).

  Under the ABPR, the State Veterinary Service is responsible for inspecting and approving incinerator plants in accordance with Regulation 1774/2002. Visits to non-SRM incinerators (such as those incinerating only poultry) will, in general, be carried out on a quarterly basis. However, additional inspections may be carried out should they be necessary.

  At present there is no cost for either the inspection or the approval of such plants.
  1290W
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from small-scale producers of chickens requesting their exemption from the ban on on-farm disposal; and if she will make a statement. [174204]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department has received a number of such representations. However, the only exceptions from the ban on the routine on-farm burial or burning of animal by-products, in the UK, would be for remote areas (parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the Scilly Isles and Lundy Island) and during outbreaks of notifiable disease if there were a lack of capacity at rendering plants and incinerators, or if transport of the carcases would spread disease.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that the difference in systems being adopted for single farm payments in England, Scotland and Wales does not lead to excessive trading in milk quotas and a reduction in dairy output in England; and if she will make a statement. [174136]

  Alun Michael
  We are aware that some milk quota is moving out of England, since it will generate larger payments under the Single Payment Scheme in other regions of the UK but we are monitoring the situation. On the basis of current evidence, the scale of the movement does not seem to be great enough to justify any action.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Bootle have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes. [171484]

  Mr. Morley
  The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 4,700 households in Bootle received assistance from the Scheme.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in West Lancashire have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes. [171496]

  Mr. Morley
  The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 2,400 households in West Lancashire received assistance from the Scheme.

  Farming
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) assessment and (b) economic analyses have been conducted of the economic impact on English farmers of differing farm payment schemes under common agricultural policy reform in England, Wales and Scotland; and if she will make a statement. [174080]
  1291W
  Alun Michael
  Defra will publish shortly an analysis of the economic impact on the English farming industry of the single farm payment and the way in which the scheme will be operated in England.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were employed, in full time equivalents, in the United Kingdom farming industry in each of the last three years; and what contribution was made by the farming industry to the United Kingdom economy as a percentage of GDP in that period. [174192]

  Alun Michael
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Calendar years

  2001

  2002

  20031

  Annual work unit (thousands)2

  333

  320

  306

  Agriculture's Gross Value Added (GVA) as a percentage of national GVA (current prices)

  0.8

  0.8

  0.8

  1 Provisional.

  2 An annual work unit represents the equivalent of an average full-time person engaged in agriculture. Includes farmers, partners, directors and hired workers.

  Flood and Coastal Defences
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken as a result of the Foresight Programme on Flood and Coastal Defences. [167001]

  Mr. Morley
  The Foresight Programme on Flood and Coastal Defence was initiated by the Office of Science and Technology to provide a shared understanding of the challenges faced by a wide range of stakeholders and to assist in the development of a long-term policy response. Stakeholders have contributed to an action plan in response to the Foresight Report which seeks to build upon this shared understanding and provide a channel through which actions across and outside Government can be co-ordinated. I have agreed that the group of key stakeholders which I chair will meet in one year to monitor progress and consider the need for other actions.

  In order for this action plan to be effective, it must be responsive to change in circumstances and will require regular review. The initial plan focuses on immediate actions, the findings of which will influence longer-term activities. A key mechanism for responding to the challenges within the report will be Defra's new strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management, which is expected to be finalised early next year.

  Landfill Sites
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what constitutes a moderate risk of release of leachate from a landfill site into a surrounding sea or land area. [171526]

  Mr. Morley
  The Landfill Directive requires that a landfill must be situated and designed so as to meet the necessary conditions for preventing pollution of the soil, groundwater or surface water and ensuring efficient collection of leachate as and when required. In addition, the Groundwater Directive requires Member States 1292W
  to prevent the introduction of certain substances and to limit the introduction of certain other substances into groundwater so as to avoid pollution.

  The legislation in England that implements both these Directives is regulated by the Environment Agency and it is the Agency that would determine whether a likely release of leachate constituted an unacceptable risk, given the planned location of the landfill, using risk assessment techniques.

  For closed landfills that are controlled by a waste management licence, a risk based approach is also adopted by the Environment Agency. Monitoring of leachate, ground and surface waters is required to provide, amongst other things, that leachate controls are preventing pollution of the environment and, where unacceptable risks are identified, the need for measures to prevent, reduce or remove potential leachate pollution are assessed.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fines have been issued by courts following successful prosecutions for release of pollution from landfill sites in each of the last five years. [171533]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency has provided the following details of total levels of fines issued by the courts following successful prosecutions for release of pollution from landfill sites.

  Data are available for the calendar years 2000–03 as these are the years for which complete data is present on the database. As the database is not specifically searchable for offences at landfill sites, these figures have been generated by selecting records where the word "landfill" appears in the address of the site of an event.

  £

  2000

  1—

  183,000

  2001

  1—

  91,500

  2002

  1—

  127,750

  2003

  1—

  51,000

  1 Total fines for year

  Packaging
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to promote the minimising of packaging and the prevention of waste creation by(a) producers, (b) distributors and retailers and (c) consumers; and if she will make a statement. [174232]

  Mr. Morley
  There are currently two sets of Regulations that cover packaging in the UK, both of which encourage producers (including retailers) to minimise packaging. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended) are intended to increase the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. The amount of packaging waste producers have to recover and recycle is determined, in part, by the amount of packaging they handle. Therefore, businesses can save money if they reduce the amount of packaging they handle. The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 place a number of requirements on all packaging placed on the market in the UK, including a requirement
  1293W
  that packaging should be manufactured so that the packaging volume and weight are limited to the minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product and for the consumer.

  Both Regulations have actually led to decreases in packaging used around products. For example, less material is used now to make a plastic container than was used a few years ago. However, more still needs to be done to reduce the amount of packaging that is actually produced in the first place. I have asked the Advisory Committee on Packaging to work with industry to find solutions to this problem and to let me have recommendations for ways of encouraging businesses to further reduce the amount of packaging they use.

  Although legislation is a way of reducing packaging and increasing recycling, we would also encourage consumers to play a part. For example, if consumers made a point of choosing goods that are not heavily packaged, or bought 'loose' food rather than prepackaged, or used their own shopping bags or boxes, manufacturers would be more inclined to reduce the quantity of packaging on their products.

  Pollution Licensing Regime
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to ensure that the Environment Agency does not use the integrated pollution prevention and control licensing regime as a revenue stream. [174089]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency has powers under Section 41 of the Environment Act 1995 to charge for environmental licences, including pollution prevention and control permits. Charging schemes must be approved by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury. Charging schemes have to be limited to the recovery of the amounts needed, taking one year with another, to recover the Environment Agency's costs of carrying out its regulatory functions.

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that charges for integrated pollution prevention and control licences are set at a reasonable level; and if she will make a statement. [174095]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency's Environmental Protection Operator and Pollution Risk Appraisal (EP OPRA) charging scheme is a risk based assessment system, which closely links regulatory effort to environmental risk. EP OPRA was approved by the Government after consultation with industry and is based on four elements: emissions, location, complexity and operator performance. The scheme allows the Agency to recover the costs of carrying out its statutory responsibilities under the Pollution Prevention and Control regime. In line with the "polluter pays principle", well run companies with low potential risk to the environment are charged less than poorly run ones with a high potential to pollute. The Agency must adhere to the Treasury's Fees and Charges Guide, which describes how charges for statutory services should be calculated. The Agency is due to publish a 'transparency document' shortly, which will provide more detail on 1294W
  the Agency's costs; this document will be subject to the approval of the Environment Protection Charges Review Group, which includes industry representatives.

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about the proposed integrated pollution prevention and control licences governing ammonia levels and odour; and if she will make a statement. [174096]

  Mr. Morley
  Permits issued under the integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) system each relate to a specified industrial installation and must contain emission limits and other permit conditions in respect of any pollutant likely to be emitted in significant quantities from that installation. Both Defra and the Environment Agency are in regular contact with all the industry sectors covered by IPPC and with other stakeholders.

  One industry sector in which ammonia and odour emissions will be significant is the intensive rearing of pigs and poultry. IPPC permits for that sector may incorporate "Standard Farming Installation Rules", based on the application of Best Available Techniques which are described in a reference document published by the European Commission and in national guidance.

  The Environment Agency began a public consultation on an updated version of the Standard Farming Installation Rules on 12 May 2004. The responses to the consultation are due by 16 August 2004. The consultation document is available on the Environment Agency's website at http://www.environment-agencv.gov.uk/yourenv/consultations/775300/7versi

  Recycling
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what waste recycling levels were achieved by each European Union country in the last year for which records exist for each country. [174231]

  Mr. Morley
  Estimates for municipal recycling and composting rates for each available European Union country are listed in the table.

  Municipal waste 2001

  Percentage recycled or composted

  Austria

  32.5

  Belgium

  57.7

  Denmark

  31.7

  Finland

  25.0

  France

  24.6

  Germany

  53.0

  Greece

  8.6

  Ireland

  12.9

  Italy

  24.4

  Luxembourg

  35.8

  Netherlands

  59.4

  Portugal

  4.2

  Spain

  28.4

  Sweden

  39.4

  United Kingdom

  12.7

  These results are published on the Department's website. The full results can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/waste/wrkf08.html

  1295W
  There may be some differences in definitions between countries.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities(a) met and (b) failed to meet the local authority recycling target. [174233]

  Mr. Morley
  Individual local authorities are required to meet Statutory Performance Standards for the recycling and composting of household waste in 2003–04 and 2005–06 only. The most recent data available, for 2002–03, show that 83 local authorities have already met or exceeded their 2003–04 target and six have met or exceeded their 2005–06 target.

  The names of these local authorities have been placed in the Library of the House. We Will not know whether the remaining local authorities have succeeded or failed against their 2003–04 targets until later this year.

  Local authorities which met or exceeded their Statutory Performance Standards for 2003–04 or 2005–06 in 2002–03

  Local authorities which met or exceeded their 2005–06 targets in 2002–03

  East Hampshire District Council

  Daventry District Council

  Lichfield District Council

  Oswestry Borough Council

  Wealden District Council

  Wyre Borough Council

  Local authorities which have met or exceeded their 2003–04 targets in 2002–03

  Bedfordshire County Council

  Birmingham City Council

  Blaby District Council

  Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

  Blackpool Borough Council

  Blyth Valley Borough Council

  Braintree District Council

  Bromley LB

  Broxtowe Borough Council

  Calderdale MBC

  Cradon District Council

  Carrick District Council

  Castle Point Borough Council.

  Chelmsford Borough Council

  Chester City Council

  Chorley Borough Council

  Congleton Borough Council

  Cornwall County Council

  Dacorum Borough Council

  Darlington Borough Council

  Daventry District Council

  Derbyshire County Council

  Dudley MBC

  Durham City Council

  Durham County Council

  Easington District Council

  East Hampshire District Council

  East Hertfordshire District Council

  1296W

  East Sussex County Council

  Essex County Council

  Fenland District Council

  Gedling Borough Council

  Guildford Borough Council

  Halton Borough Council

  Hartlepool Borough Council

  Herefordshire Council

  Hillingdon LB

  Huntingdonshire District Council

  Ipswich Borough Council

  Isle of Wight Council

  Kennet District Council

  Kerrier District Council

  King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council

  Lancashire County Council

  Leicestershire County Council

  Lichfield District Council

  London Corporation

  Luton Borough Council

  Maidstone Borough Council

  Malvern Hills District Council

  North East Lincolnshire Council

  North Kesteven District Council

  North Lincolnshire Council

  Northumberland County Council

  Oswestry Borough Council

  Oxford City Council

  Pendle Borough Council

  Preston Borough Council

  Ribble Valley Borough Council

  Rochford District Council

  Rushcliffe Borough Council

  Salisbury District Council

  Selby District Council

  Shropshire County Council

  South Cambridgeshire District Council

  South Northamptonshire District Council

  South Ribble Borough Council

  Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

  Telford and Wrekin Council

  Thurrock Council

  Torbay Council

  Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

  Uttlesford District Council

  Vale of White Horse District Council

  Vale Royal Borough Council

  Wakefield City MDC

  Wansbeck District Council

  Wealden District Council

  Wellingborough Borough Council

  West Oxfordshire District Council

  Wokingham Council

  Wyre Borough Council

  York City Council

  1297W
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action(a) has been taken and (b) is being considered against local authorities that fail to reach the waste recycling targets. [174234]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have always said that they will take seriously any failures by local authorities to achieve their Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting for 2003–04 and 2005–06.

  However our primary aim is to support local authorities in achieving the targets, and we have set up the Waste Implementation Programme in Defra to do exactly that.

  We will not know whether local authorities have succeeded or failed against their 2003–04 targets until later this year. Once that information is available, and where an authority has missed its target and demonstrates no commitment to improving its performance, the Government will consider using their formal intervention powers to drive improvement.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 March 2004, Official Report, column 7205w, for further information on what action might be taken under my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's formal powers of intervention.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities bid for funds under the waste management recycling challenge in each round; and which have been successful. [174235]

  Mr. Morley
  The lists of local authorities that bid for funds under the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund in rounds 1 and 2, which cover in 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively, have been placed in the Library of the House. The lists for round 3, covering 2004–05, will be placed in the Library of the House shortly.

  Successful bids in all three rounds are also published on the Defra website and can be accessed via the following links:
  Successful bids in round 1: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2002/020625a.htm
  Successful bids in round 2: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2002/021204a.htm
  Successful bids in round 3: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/funding/wastefund/index.htm

  Sluice Gates (Queenborough)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who owns the sluice gates that lead into the tidal pond at the bottom of Borough Road, Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey.

  Mr. Morley
  I understand that Swale borough council are currently in the process of establishing the ownership of the land on which the sluice gates are located. These investigations will enable the council to establish, among other things, who is responsible for their maintenance. The council expect to conclude their investigations within a few weeks and I have asked them to inform my hon. Friend of the outcome.

  Supermarkets
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the regulation of prices paid to farmers by supermarkets. [174208]

  Alun Michael
  The price that supermarkets pay for their supplies, including those purchased direct from farmers, is a commercial matter. We have no plans to regulate this.

  Two Tree Island
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from English Nature regarding(a) contaminated materials on Two Tree Island and (b) the management of the site. [171534]

  Mr. Morley
  No representation have been made by English Nature to the Secretary of State in respect of Two Tree Island landfill site. Since 2001, English Nature, as a statutory consultee on planning applications, has attended meetings about proposed developments to repair sea wall defences at two locations (NE corner & south) within the perimeter of Two Tree Island. English Nature has made formal representations to a planning application by Southend-On-Sea Borough Council in respect of the NE corner in 2004. No formal planning application has yet been received for the areas within Castle Point Borough Council.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions the Water Resources Act 1991 has been breached by release of contaminated material from Two Tree Island. [171535]

  Mr. Morley
  Since 1991, The Environment Agency and its predecessor body (The National Rivers Authority) have only had one report (12 October 1993 Councillor Peter Wexham, Borough of Southend-On-Sea) of a suspected breakout of landfill leachate in the area of Two Tree Island The investigating officer at the time of the incident indicates in the file note, that he was unable to substantiate the report, as he could not pin point the exact location of the suspected leachate breakout.

  The Agency does not routinely monitor Two Tree Island, but would investigate reports and concerns from external bodies including members of the public, as it normally does.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis she relies for refusing to answer questions relating to the responsibilities of the Environment Agency in respect to(a) public safety and (b) contamination from reaching the closed Two Tree Island landfill site into the Thames estuary; and if she will make a statement. [174127]

  Mr. Morley
  The licence for the disposal of waste on Two Tree Island was held by Essex county council until 1994 when the licence was rescinded. The land was owned by, and continues to be owned by, Southend-on-Sea borough council, who is also responsible for monitoring emissions from the site.
  1299W
  As land-owner, the council has public safety responsibilities and must ensure that contamination does not leave the site.

  The Environment Agency is not responsible for monitoring the site, but would wish to liaise with the land-owner if pollution was identified.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) short-term and (b) long-term solutions she plans to protect the (i) public and (ii) environment from leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site. [1742228]

  Mr. Morley
  As noted in the response I gave on 12 May 2004,Official Report, column 344W, Southend-on-Sea borough council and Castle Point district council are responsible for the Two Tree Island landfill site. I understand, however, that the local authorities are planning to implement the recommendations contained in the report prepared by Halcrow Fox.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the results of the Environment Agency investigations into leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site. [174229]

  Mr. Morley
  Detailed results of the Environment Agency's investigations into leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site are already publicly available on the Agency's public register that is held at Swift House, Frimley Business Park, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 5SQ.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the landfill site on Two Tree Island was closed. [174229]

  Mr. Morley
  The Two Tree Island waste disposal site was used for landfill operations, reportedly from the 1930s until the 1980s. The licence for the activity was rescinded in 1994.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

  Statutory Instruments
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Leader of the House if he will propose a change to the standing orders of the House to make provision for statutory instruments to be amended; and if he will make a statement. [175551]

  Mr. Hain
  A change to the standing orders of the House would not be sufficient to allow amendment of statutory instruments: an amendment of each enabling power would be needed.

  In its 1996 report on Delegated Legislation, the Procedure Committee considered whether statutory instruments should be made amendable and recommended against, on the grounds that it would involve excessive complication, run directly counter to the past intentions of Parliament and would frustrate the very purpose for which delegated powers were given.

  Very little legislation currently in force allows for secondary legislation to be amended. An exception is proposed to be made in respect of emergency regulations under the current Civil Contingencies Bill.
  1300W
  This reflects the exceptionally broad scope of the delegated powers conferred by the Bill and the circumstances in which those powers are likely to be exercised. A similar exception is made in the Emergency Powers Act 1920, which the Bill supersedes.

TRANSPORT

  Speed Cameras
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money raised in fines from speed cameras during the last year for which records are available was spent in(a) West Sussex and (b) the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency. [175039]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Sussex Safety Camera partnership joined the cost recovery scheme in October 2002. Details of partnership operations for 2002–2003 will be published shortly.

  Blackpool Light Rail
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of(a) Blackpool borough council's previous relations with light rail contractors and (b) the lack of need to divert utilities as part of the proposed Blackpool light rail upgrade on the overall risk assessment of the Blackpool light rail bid in the light of the conclusions of the National Audit Office report, "Improving public transport in England through light rail", on cases of cost overruns in light rail schemes. [175504]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department will be taking both of these factors into account in its assessment of the level of 'optimism bias' to apply to the estimated capital costs of the project, to reflect possible cost overruns.

  Capital and Revenue Expenditure
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken to assess the relative costs and benefits of capital expenditure and revenue expenditure on transport. [173313]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State assesses each scheme on its merits, capital or revenue, against a range of appraisal criteria under the New Approach to Appraisal before taking individual investment decisions. Decisions must be consistent with the Government's overall spending allocations determined as part of the budgetary process. The Government meet their golden fiscal rule, so over the economic cycle, we only borrow to invest.

  Car Clubs
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial support his Department gives to promote car clubs. [174867]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 12 May 2004 Official Report, column 399W.
  1301W
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken into the reduction in car journeys attributable to car clubs. [174869]

  Mr. McNulty
  Last year the Department commissioned research into the influence of soft factors on travel demand. The final report, which will include a chapter on car clubs, is expected to be completed shortly.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the local authorities which support car clubs. [174870]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department does not collect this information centrally.

  Departmental Officials
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in his Department and associated agencies have withheld details of their salaries and performance related pay in each year since 1997. [172086]

  Mr. McNulty
  Since the Department was formed in May 2002, there have been seven officials, out of a possible total of 42, who have withheld details of salaries.

  Highway Code
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to review the stopping distances of cars shown in The Highway Code. [175079]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The stopping distances shown in The Highway Code will be reviewed as part of the major revision of the code which will start later this year, including full consultation with all stakeholders with an interest in The Highway Code and road safety matters.

  Journey Times
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of increasing time taken by commuter rail journeys into London on modal shift. [174074]

  Mr. Darling
  Minor timetable changes are regularly made to ensure timetables are robust and provide more reliable journey times for passengers. Where major timetable changes are proposed—for instance to address capacity problems—they invariably involve consultation with local or regional stakeholders.

  Motoring Costs
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of motoring has been in each year since 1997, expressed at today's prices. [175075]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The following table shows how the cost of motoring1, as measured by the Retail Prices Index, has changed in real terms each year since 1997. The cost of motoring decreased by 4.8 per cent. between 1997 and 2003.
  1 "All motoring" includes the cost of purchase, maintenance, fuel, tax and insurance.
  1302W

  Index (2003=100)

  1997

  105.0

  1998

  104.7

  1999

  105.6

  2000

  106.6

  2001

  104.1

  2002

  101.6

  2003

  100.0

  Source:

  Consumer Prices and Inflation Division, Office for National Statistics

  MOTs
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total expenditure of the MOT computerisation project from its start was, broken down by(a) staff salaries, (b) office accommodation, (c) travel and subsistence and detached duty expenses and (d) fees to consultants. [173889]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The total costs incurred by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on the MOT Computerisation project from its start are £13,362,000. Of this staff salaries account for £3,816,000; office accommodation £2,950,000; travel and subsistence and detached duty expenses £817,000; fees to consultants £3,615,000; and other costs £2,164,000.

  Railways
  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect upon costs in the rail industry of regulations prepared by the Health and Safety Commission concerning rail safety. [1748813]

  Mr. Darling
  In accordance with Cabinet Office guidance first issued in 1999, all the railway safety regulations prepared by the Health and Safety Commission since then have been accompanied by Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs). Copies of all the RIAs were laid in the Houses of Parliament Libraries with the regulations.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Freight on Track campaign. [174999]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Government are committed to developing a competitive and efficient freight distribution system that supports economic growth while protecting the environment and recognise the economic importance and environmental benefits of rail freight to the UK.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many containers and what tonnage of freight was carried by freight trains in each year since 1997. [175002]

  Mr. McNulty
  The tonnage for freight carried by freight trains on a yearly basis is contained in the Strategic Rail Authority's publication National Rail Trends, which has been placed in the Library of the House. The number of containers moved is not reported in the publication as that information is commercially sensitive.

  Roads (Derby)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the means of completing the road linking the A50 at the A514 junction at Chellaston with Wilmore Road in Derby. [174826]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The proposed link-road in question is a local road and as such is the responsibility of Derby city council. I understand that the scheme is to be appraised by the city council as part of a major transport study, currently under way, for the Derby Joint Local Transport Plan Area.

  School Buses
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of school buses in each local authority are fitted with seat belts. [175099]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department does not collect this information.

  Sea ports (Transport Links)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on providing rail and road links to ports. [175093]

  Mr. Darling
  We recognise the importance of good road and rail connections to ports and further improving access to them is an important objective of our 10-Year Transport Plan as well as being a significant issue for the regional planning process. Access to ports featured in several of the recent multi-modal studies and a number of the transport projects now being taken forward as a result of these studies will benefit ports related as well as domestic traffic

  Ship and Port Security
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of training is required for a ship security officer to be compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. [174608]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code requires the ship security officer to have received training in accordance with the guidance given in Part B of the Code. The guidance lists 25 training topics.

  Ship security officers on UK registered ships are required to attend a training course that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has approved as meeting the Merchant Navy Training Board specification. 35 training providers have been approved to run ship security officer courses.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 26 April 2004,Official Report, column 782W, not shipping, how control measures for ships that do not provide evidence of having an International Security Ship Plan will be enforced.171293

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department for Transport's Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC), in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), are developing appropriate response 1304W
  procedures to deal with ships that fail to provide evidence of an International Ship Security Certificate when seeking entry into a UK port. Consultation is on-going with a number of Departments and agencies including the MOD, Police, and Customs.

  Tachographs
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects digital tachographs to be introduced. [175402]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We do not expect the first digital tachograph to be type-approved until the end of this month at the earliest. Therefore, the first vehicles fitted with digital tachographs are unlikely to be on sale before the end of the year. This means that the current date of 5 August 2004 for mandatory fitting to all relevant new vehicles cannot be met. On 8 March, I announced that we would not enforce the August 2004 deadline in the UK. Since that announcement, the European Commission has proposed an EU-wide moratorium in the enforcement of mandatory fitting by member states until August 2005. We will continue to monitor developments and will make further announcements as and when appropriate.

  Traffic Accidents (Bootle)
  Mr. Joe Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change has been in the number of(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on the roads of Bootle since 1997. [175490]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The available information relates to local authority areas. In the Sefton local authority area there were 10 deaths in road accidents in 1997 and 10 deaths in 2002, the latest year for which information is available. The number of serious injuries fell by 12 percent from 100 in 1997 to 88 in 2002. Estimates on the basis of parliamentary constituencies will become available in the summer, where I shall write to my hon Friend with figures for Bootle and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion on the M54 was in each year since 1997. [175076]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Highways Agency does not currently take regular measurements of congestion levels on the M54. Once the agency's National Traffic Control Centre is fully operational by March 2005, information on journey times and speeds will become widely available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Colombia
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much(a) money and (b) aid in kind the UK has (i) pledged and (ii) delivered to date to (A) UNICEF and (B) the UN Industrial Development Organisation within the

  1305W
  framework of the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Colombia (HAP) 2003; and if he will make a statement; [174638]

  (2) how much (a) money and, (b) aid in kind the United Kingdom (i) pledged and (ii) delivered to date to (A) the United Nations Population Fund and (B) the UN High Commission for Refugees within the framework of the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Colombia 2003; and if he will make a statement. [174638]

  Hilary Benn
  The UK did not contribute funds or provide aid in kind to the United Nations Children Fund, UN Industrial Development Organisation, UN Population Fund, or UN High Commission for Refugees within the framework of the UN's 2003 Appeal for Colombia. I refer the hon. Member for Moray to the reply I gave him on the 18 May 2004,Official Report, column 867–68W, for details of the nature of DFID's response to this appeal.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the Department's medium-risk bilateral projects referred to on page 190 of the 2004 Departmental Report which have been evaluated as successful. [174116]

  All low risk projects with a commitment value of £1 million or over only partly achieving their output purpose during 2003

  Region

  Title

  Commitment

  African Division

  DFID Ghana

  Ghana

  Civil Service Performance Improvement Project Phase Two

  5,602,000

  DFID Kenya

  Kenya

  Approtech LTMIP

  1,700,000

  Business Partnerships Programme Kenya (BPP)

  2,000,000

  DFID Malawi

  Malawi

  Support to National Democratic Institute

  3,000,000

  DFID Mozambique

  Mozambique

  National Health Plan—TC

  1,433,000

  Demining in Mozambique: HALO Trust

  3,908,048

  DFID Southern Africa

  Botswana

  ACORD Ngamiland

  1,681,000

  South Africa, Republic of

  SAUVA HIV AIDs

  1,000,000

  Free State community policing.

  1,920,000

  DFID Tanzania

  Tanzania

  Parastatal Sector Reform Programme III

  5,400,000

  DFID Uganda

  Uganda

  Uganda Fish Farming

  2,197,000

  DFID Zimbabwe

  Zimbabwe

  Empowerment of Farm Worker Communities

  1,614,778

  DFID Ethiopia

  Ethiopia

  SCF Emergency Drought Relief Fik Zone

  1,425,318

  Oxfam: Emergency Nutrition. Boloso Sorie

  1,443,803

  Farm Africa: Farmer Research

  2,654,235

  Asia Division

  DFID Bangladesh

  Bangladesh

  Research and Extn. In Farm Power Issues (REFPI)

  1,623,000

  Rural Bridges Project

  4,500,000

  Bridge Replacement Project

  7,600,000

  GIDP—SCADA/MSIP—Gas Infrastructure Development

  23,609,000

  DFID India

  India

  Urban Public Health Engineers (MDSUPHO)

  1,464,000

  West Bengal Reproductive Child Health Project

  2,990,000

  West Bengal Sexual Health Project

  4,780,000

  Reproductive Health Project Orissa

  4,997,780

  Pub. Admin. Training Prog.

  4,650,000

  1306W
  Hilary Benn
  The medium risk projects, referred to on page 190 of DFID's Departmental Report, are listed on a table I have deposited in the Library called "DFID Medium Risk Projects: Written Question 174116". Each project is given a score ranging from one to five based on the likelihood of achieving their intended objectives. These scores are a forecast of success for projects of £1 million or more that have been in operation for at least two years. It records work in progress and is a twelve-month snapshot view on a particular date reflecting those projects that meet the above criteria. The table lists those projects that have a score of one or two.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the Department's low-risk bilateral projects referred to on page 190 of the 2004 Departmental Report that have not been evaluated as successful. [174117]

  Hilary Benn
  The low risk projects, referred to on page 190 of DFID's Departmental Report, are listed on the table below. Each project is given a score ranging from one to five based on the likelihood of achieving their intended objectives. These scores are a forecast of success for projects of £1 million or more that have been in operation for at least two years. It records work in progress and is a twelve-month snapshot view on a particular date reflecting those projects that meet the above criteria. The table lists those projects receiving a score in the range of three to five which means they will achieve only some of their objectives.
  1307W

  All low risk projects with a commitment value of £1 million or over only partly achieving their output purpose during 2003

  Region

  Title

  Commitment

  DFID Nepal

  Nepal

  Right-based response to HIV/AIDS

  1,750,000

  DFID Nepal

  Russian Federation

  SPS for Health and Social Care

  2,525,000

  REAREF project

  2,689,000

  Support to BAS—Samara

  2,000,000

  Europe, Middle East and Europe and central Asia

  Albania

  Albania Tax Reform

  1,287,615

  Kyrgyzstan, Republic of

  Kyrgyz Tariff project

  1,249,542

  Latin America Department

  Bolivia

  Mink'a Agricultural Development Project Phase IV

  2,827,000

  Brazil

  Participatory Management of Natural Resources

  3,000,000

  Central America

  PAHO Disease Control

  2,771,150

  Middle East and North Africa

  Egypt, Arab Republic

  Environment (SEAM 2)

  6,316,000

  Overseas Territories

  Anguilla

  Secondary School Development Project

  3,088,000

  St Helena

  Cargo Handling Equipment

  1,031,000

  Link Committee

  1,589,680

  Policy Division

  Non Specific Country

  WHO HQ Roll Back Malaria

  48,000,000

  Commonwealth Local Govt. Forum

  2,000,000

  Joint UNDP UMP Phase III

  2,562,000

  CLS: Homeworker Mapping

  1,213,380

  Liberia
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the(a) number and (b) location of Liberian refugees; and if he will make a statement. [175476]

  Hilary Benn
  In February 2004 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated a total of 324,000 Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries; 147,000 in Guinea, 68,000 in Sierra Leone, 67,000 in Ivory Coast, and 42,000 in Ghana. It has since been estimated that up to 17,000 refugees have returned spontaneously to Liberia from these countries. With improved conditions, services and stability inside Liberia, UNHCR expects up to 100,000 of the remaining refugees to return by the end of 2004, and the remainder in 2005. DFID has assisted with the provision of services and support to refugees and internally displaced persons by providing £10.6m in humanitarian support in 2003 and 2004. DFID has committed a further £6m for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, as an additional contribution to post-conflict recovery and the creation of conditions for a return to peace and stability.

  Occupied Palestinian Territories
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much expenditure is planned by his Department in the next three years for projects to work with young people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; [174554]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the projects his Department is supporting in the Occupied Palestinian Territories specifically aimed at giving young people an alternative to violence and extremism; and at what cost in 2003–04. [174554]
  1308W
  Hilary Benn
  The best way of giving young people an alternative to violence and extremism is to ensure they have a full and effective education with good prospects of future employment. DFID's support to the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) for which planned expenditure over the next three years is about £15 million per calendar year, provides substantial support to education and emergency employment creation. Over two thirds of UNRWA's annual budget is allocated for the education needs of Palestinian children in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. DFID provides project funding for UNRWA to help improve the school management by involving the local community. Planned funding is about £500,000 per year for the next two years.

  DFID recently agreed a £7 million contribution to the World Bank's Public Financial Management Reform Trust Fund to support the Palestinian Authority. This will have an indirect impact on supporting young people, as the money will help maintain public services including education and keep PA employees at work by paying salaries.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the level of disruption to the schooling and vocational education of young people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories over the last five years. [174556]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has not commissioned any such research but monitors the level of disruption to education through regular contact with our Palestinian and international partners including the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education, United Nations Relief Works Agency and Non Governmental Organisations. Many pupils and teachers now face difficulty in getting to school, which in effect reduces the number of full school days. There is also a reduction in the financial resources
  1309W
  available for education as a result of the severe downturn of the Palestinian economy. The high priority given to education by Palestinian communities means that there has been no increase in the very low dropout rate, and only a small reduction in the high rate of enrolment of pupils in schools. The disruptions and violence nevertheless have a high psychological impact on students and on student achievement.

  South Africa
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the statement released by South Africa's Deputy President Jacob Zuma's office on 11 May 2004; what his Department's assessment is of the scale of the problem highlighted by Mr. Zuma; and if he will make a statement. [174640]

  Hilary Benn
  The statement by South Africa's Deputy President Zuma's office, highlighted the extent of food insecurity and vulnerability in the Southern African region. At the 15 May Southern African Development Community Summit on Agriculture and Food Security in Dares Salaam the South African government announced a contribution of R 100 million (approximately £8 million) to help meet these needs. DFID welcomes this and believe that South Africa has an important role to play in improving food security in the region, including as a major food producer and grain market.

  Food security is a continuing challenge in Southern Africa. At the peak of the recent humanitarian crisis, the United Nations assessed that 15.2 million people (26 per cent. of the population) were in need of food aid. DFID spent over £88 million in 2002–03 in response to the Southern African food crisis (in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho). Acute needs appear to be lessening now as a result of improved harvests in many but not all countries, However, chronic poverty appears to have increased and more communities are now likely to become destitute as a result of variable rainfall or other shocks such as illness or loss of work.

  The impact of HIV/AIDS has placed a major burden on households and increased their vulnerability. Increasing food production is necessary but not sufficient, since many people do not grow their own food, and lack resources to buy food even if it is available. Increasing employment, land reform, better infrastructure and access to markets, and more private sector investment are also required.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the Department had observers at the 2004 Southern African Development Community Heads of State and Government Summit on Agriculture and Food Security held on 15 May 2004 in Dar es Salaam; what reports of the(a) proceedings and (b) conditions of this summit he has received; and if he will make a statement. [174639]

  Hilary Benn
  The British High Commissioner in Tanzania attended the opening ceremony of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)1310W
  Summit on 15 May. The Summit launched an action plan to address the food security problems in the region. It emphasised the extent and depth of vulnerability in the region and the need for concerted international action on a wide range of issues. Member states re-endorsed their commitment to increase their financing to agriculture to 10 per cent. of national budgets within five years.

  The official communiqué sets out the agreed action and priority areas for short and longer-term support. DFID, in collaboration with partners, is supporting a number of programmes to address the issues discussed at the Summit. DFID's collaboration emphasises access to food, as well as increasing production; monitoring vulnerability and targeting vulnerable groups; and the important role of the private sector and regional trade. DFID welcomes SADC's renewed commitment to food security as a development priority.

  Sudan
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what assistance his Department is providing with demobilisation disarmament and the reintegration of combatants in Sudan; [174774]

  (2) what is the nature of the support being provided by his Department to assist reintegration in the Sudan. [174773]

  Hilary Benn
  Full demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of combatants will only take place in Sudan after a peace agreement has been signed between the Government of Sudan and Sudan People's Liberation Movement. However, as part of the international effort to promote successful DDR, DFID is currently supporting both the preparation and planning for full-scale demobilisation and the demobilisation of Child Soldiers.

  DFID has provided about £505,000 of assistance to UNICEF for child soldier disarmament and demobilisation, as well as the return, reunification and reintegration of vulnerable children. We have also provided about £312,000 of assistance to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for three DDR field advisers under their preparatory support for reintegration for former combatants and community based weapons reduction. In addition we are also providing a DDR adviser to act as a resource person to the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the IGAD-led peace talks, and to the international community through the UN Resident Coordinator for Sudan.

  Both DFID and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are also pressing the UN at the highest levels to ensure that DDR is given the utmost priority, and is fully supported during coming peacekeeping missions.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action his Department is taking to support the development of effective governance in Sudan. [174775]
  1311W
  Hilary Benn
  DFID hopes that a framework peace agreement will emerge from the Sudan peace talks soon. DFID sees a sustainable and just peace as key to effective governance in Sudan so the United Kingdom has committed itself to supporting Sudan in implementing the peace agreement.

  One of DFID's objectives for the programme in Sudan is the development of effective public administration, security and judicial systems. To this end we are supporting policy development, for example, by helping the Sudan People's liberation Movement (SPLM) to develop good governance principles for the new Government of South Sudan. DFID is also working on plans to support capacity building on safety, security and accessible justice; on local government; and on public financial management. In addition we have financed a consultancy report on the development of policing in Sudan, and are considering support for security sector reform.

  Zimbabwe
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the secretary of State for International Development what discussions(a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other members and representatives of the Government have had with (i)representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), (ii) members and representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe and (iii) members and representatives of the Government of South Africa concerning the WFP and FAO's crop assessment missions recently cancelled by Zimbabwe officials; what assessment his Department has made of this incident; and if he will make a statement. [174641]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government of Zimbabwe's recent decision to cancel the crop assessment mission has been discussed extensively in numerous meetings in Harare involving DFID Zimbabwe, the British embassy, United Nations agencies, and other donors. Officials from DFID and the embassy, as well as the UN, have expressed concerns to the Zimbabwean Government. DFID and embassy officials have also discussed this issue with South African officials.

  The Government of Zimbabwe's cancellation of the mission means that there is no internationally accepted estimate of Zimbabwe's harvest, and their decision not to request international food aid means that normal advance planning processes will not take place. The Zimbabwean claim that they have produced 2.4 million metric tonnes (MT) of maize this year is simply not credible. The actual harvest is probably below 1.2 million MT, compared to a requirement of about 1.8 million MT. Given the significant shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe, it will be difficult for the Government to import enough grain to fill this gap. Many poor and vulnerable people may therefore go very hungry, if not worse, as a result of these decisions.

  DFID Zimbabwe, in collaboration with other major donors and the UN system, will monitor the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe closely, while continuing to provide targeted food assistance and other humanitarian support to the most vulnerable sections of Zimbabwe society through NGO programmes which DFID is able to fund directly. DFID will press the Government of Zimbabwe to
  1312W
  recognize the humanitarian need within the country and to collaborate with the international community to provide an apolitical and co-ordinated response.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the continuing need for international food aid to Zimbabwe. [174776]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government of Zimbabwe have decided to cancel the joint crop assessment mission with the UN which had started in late April. This means that there is no internationally accepted estimate of Zimbabwe's harvest. Their separate decision not to request international food aid means that normal advance planning processes for delivery of food aid will not take place. The Zimbabwean claim that they have produced 2.4 million metric tonnes (MT) of maize this year is simply not credible. The actual harvest is probably below 1.2 million MT, compared to a requirement of about 1.8 million MT. Given the significant shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe, it will be difficult for the Government to import enough grain to fill this gap. Many poor and vulnerable people may therefore go very hungry, if not worse, as a result of these decisions.

  The UN and donors, including the UK, have expressed our concern to the Zimbabwean Government about their handling of the humanitarian situation. DFID, in collaboration with other major donors and the UN system, will monitor the position in Zimbabwe closely, while continuing to provide targeted food assistance and other humanitarian support to the most vulnerable sections of Zimbabwe society through NGO programmes which we are able to fund directly. DFID will press the Government of Zimbabwe to recognize the humanitarian need within the country and to collaborate with the international community to provide an apolitical and coordinated response.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  VAT
  Claire Ward
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what response he has received from churches to the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the extension of VAT for listed places of worship. [174918]

  Sir Stuart Bell
  I and my colleagues in the Churches receive many indications of appreciation from parishes for the Chancellor's extension of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to repay the full amount of VAT paid on repairs to listed church buildings after 1 April 2004.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums and Galleries Month
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on activities and events that have taken place and are taking place in museums and galleries month. [174900]
  1313W
  Estelle Morris
  Museums and Galleries Month comprises more than 1,100 special events that will attract an estimated 10 million people during May. The month shows that museums and galleries are becoming ever more interesting and accessible to all sections of society, and I congratulate the organisers and all those taking part.

  Cinema
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve access to the cinema for small towns and rural communities. [174901]

  Estelle Morris
  The UK Film Council, the Government's strategic agency for film, oversees several strategies to improve access to cinema, including in small towns and rural areas.

  These include the establishment of a Digital Screen Network; the installation of audio-descriptive captioning in 78 cinemas to enhance the cinema-going experience of visually impaired people; continued funding for film societies; and a fund to help film clubs, societies and community groups to buy digital projection equipment.

  Amateur Sports Clubs
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the take-up of rate relief support for amateur sports clubs. [174902]

  Tessa Jowell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Parmjit Dhanda),Official Report, column 1293.

  Landmark Buildings
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance is available for the preservation of landmark buildings within small communities. [174903]

  Estelle Morris
  English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund run a number of grant schemes which provide assistance for the preservation of listed buildings of historic or architectural importance in both large and small communities. Additionally, English Heritage and local authorities provide advice on practical measures with preservation.

  Ofcom (Television Access)
  Tom Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects Ofcom to publish its code on television access services for people with hearing or sight difficulties. [174904]

  Tessa Jowell
  I understand from OFCOM that they expect to publish the code in the summer.

  Olympics 2012
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will report progress on London's bid for the 2012 Olympics. [174905]
  1314W
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress on the Olympics bid for 2012. [174910]

  Tessa Jowell
  On 18 May the International Olympic Committee announced that London had been accepted as a Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, together with Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow.

  London 2012 is now working on the completion of the Candidate files, which will be submitted to the IOC by 15 November 2004,

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans there are to hold Olympic events in Wales. [174907]

  Tessa Jowell
  The bidding company, London 2012 announced the venues for the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 16 January. The Olympic football competition will be held in stadia in Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and London. There will be opportunities for sporting facilities across the UK to be used by national teams for training camps.

  In addition the Cultural Olympiad will take place across the UK over the four years up to and including 2012 and the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay is likely to involve every major city and town throughout the UK over several months.

  Community Radio
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will announce the funding arrangements for community radio. [174906]

  Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 5 March 2004 that £0.5 million pounds has been made available for community radio for each of the next two financial years. OFCOM will administer the fund.

  Athletics
  Mr. Amess
  to ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to promote participation in athletics; and if she will make a statement. [174908]

  Mr. Caborn
  Athletics is benefiting from the Government's investment of £10 million into Club Links, which aims to increase the percentage of young people moving between School Sport Partnerships and governing body accredited clubs. This will build new, and strengthen existing, links between schools and clubs and increase participation opportunities.

  King Edward VII Convalescent Home
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the future of the former King Edward VII convalescent home for officers, Osborne. [174909]

  Tessa Jowell
  English Heritage has considered a range of options. A recent study suggests that the most feasible would be to convert the former convalescent home at Osborne House into a high quality hotel.

  Audio-description Technology
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of British live theatres are(a) equipped for and (b) operating equipment for audio-description of live performances; and if she will make a statement. [175015]

  Estelle Morris
  Arts Council England estimates that of the 283 theatres they fund in England, 53 (about 19 per cent.) are equipped with and operate their own audio description equipment. 11 additional theatres have their own equipment and use Vocaleyes, an Arts Council England funded organisation, to provide audio description. In the last 12 months, 12 additional theatres have used Vocaleyes for both their equipment and audio description service.

  Arts Council England has committed £165,000 to the core funding of Vocaleyes in 2005–06, an increase of 68 per cent. since 2003–04.

  Licensing Act
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account she has taken of representations from the circus industry in developing the draft guidance under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. [175556]

  Mr. Caborn
  We considered carefully the views expressed to us by, and on behalf of, the circus industry when drawing up the draft Guidance to licensing authorities which was laid before Parliament on 23 March. We have, in so far as possible, made the draft Guidance clearer in relation to circuses. We did not accept their case for exemption during the passage of the Licensing Bill, nor for amending the arrangements for temporary events. Further, it is not possible to create exemptions to the Licensing Act 2003 through the Guidance, as it cannot amend the Act.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will delay further parliamentary consideration of the draft guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 until further representations from the circus industry due to be received on 27 May have been considered. [175557]

  Mr. Caborn
  We want to see the Licensing Act 2003 implemented as soon as possible so that consumers, industry and local communities can benefit from the reforms. We do not, therefore, wish to delay Parliament's consideration of the draft Guidance to licensing authorities which was laid on 23 March. I do, however, understand the concerns of circuses and I look forward to meeting the hon. Member and circus industry representatives on 27 May to consider how to assist this important and popular part of our cultural heritage to adjust to the requirements of the new regime in a way that is as smooth and manageable as possible.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what information the Electoral Commission holds on the shortfall in electoral registration. [174920]

  Mr. Viggers
  Last year, the Electoral Commission published research assessing the impact on levels of registration of new registration arrangements in Northern Ireland. I understand that the Commission does not currently hold up-to-date information relating to registration shortfalls in England, Scotland and Wales. However, the Commission is currently establishing a research project to identify the extent and nature of under-registration in Great Britain, as well as reviewing the operation and impact of rolling registration since 2001.

  All-postal Voting
  Bob Russell
  To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what arrangements the Electoral Commission has made for spot checks on households in all-postal voting areas. [174917]

  Mr. Viggers
  While the Electoral Commission has a statutory duty to evaluate the pilot schemes in June, it has no operational role in the conduct of the elections. The Commission has advised Returning Officers of the post-election checks they might use to provide assurance of the security of postal voting, but has no plans to undertake any checks itself during the course of the election period as this could interfere with the conduct of the ballot.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecutors
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Solicitor-General what the annual leave allowance is for each grade of Crown Prosecutor. [167303]

  The Solicitor-General
  The annual leave allowance for all grades of crown prosecutor below the Senior Civil Service grade (SCS) is 25 days per year on entry to the department, and 30 days upon completion of 10 years' service. Crown prosecutors in the SCS and the Chief Crown Prosecutor grades, are entitled to 30 days' annual leave on entry to the department.

  Discontinued Cases (Merseyside)
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases in the Merseyside area were referred to(a) the Crown court and (b) a magistrates court in each year since 1997; and how many of those cases were subsequently discontinued. [173129]

  The Solicitor-General
  The following tables show the number of cases received by CPS Merseyside in the magistrates courts and in the Crown court in each year
  1317W
  since 1997. Magistrates courts receipts include cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police for pre-charge advice and non-criminal proceedings, as well as cases referred to the Service for prosecution. Crown court receipts include appeals and committals for sentence, as well as cases committed for trial.

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  47,080

  —

  45,557

  —

  47,969

  —

  49,158

  —

  42,307

  —

  46,876

  —

  48,383

  —

  5,451

  13.1

  5,550

  13.7

  6,502

  15.2

  6,759

  15.9

  6,084

  16.3

  5,447

  14.0

  5,584

  13.9

  3,138

  7.6

  2,112

  5.2

  3,434

  8.0

  3,042

  7.2

  2,255

  6.0

  2,260

  5.8

  1,749

  4.4

  41

  0.1

  39

  0.1

  48

  0.1

  11

  0.0

  7

  0.0

  0.0

  67

  0.2

  47

  0.1

  56

  0.1

  81

  0.2

  78

  0.2

  85

  0.2

  88

  0.2

  110

  0.3

  946

  2.3

  673

  1.7

  457

  1.1

  708

  1.7

  622

  1.7

  520

  1.3

  647

  1.6

  25,603

  61.7

  26,374

  65.0

  25,615

  59.9

  24,487

  57.6

  23,173

  61.9

  24,706

  63.4

  25,088

  62.4

  4,226

  10.2

  4,137

  10.2

  5,012

  11.7

  5,883

  13.8

  3,989

  10.7

  4,985

  12.8

  5,834

  14.5

  2,051

  4.9

  1,662

  4.1

  1,619

  3.8

  1,541

  3.6

  1,200

  3.2

  945

  2.4

  1,114

  2.8

  9,623

  23.2

  8,430

  20.8

  10,522

  24.6

  10,598

  24.9

  9,053

  24.2

  8,315

  213

  8,757

  20.3

  31,880

  76.8

  32,173

  79.2

  32,246

  75.4

  31,911

  75.1

  28,362

  75.8

  30,636

  78.7

  32,036

  79.7

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  5,022

  —

  4,854

  —

  4,411

  —

  4,569

  —

  3,947

  —

  4,183

  —

  4,518

  —

  447

  10.9

  637

  14.8

  443

  12.7

  589

  16.0

  687

  19.0

  654

  18.0

  686

  18.9

  45

  1.1

  123

  2.9

  188

  5.4

  123

  3.3

  142

  3.9

  123

  3.4

  78

  2.2

  56

  1.4

  52

  1.2

  49

  1.4

  61

  1.7

  64

  1.8

  75

  2.1

  85

  2.3

  273

  6.7

  253

  5.9

  259

  7.4

  263

  7.1

  330

  9.1

  299

  8.2

  301

  8.3

  2,969

  72.4

  2,843

  66.0

  2,178

  62.6

  2,330

  63.2

  2,062

  56.9

  2,105

  57.8

  2,151

  59.3

  313

  7.6

  397

  9.2

  363

  10.4

  323

  8.8

  338

  9.3

  384

  10.5

  324

  8.9

  821

  20.0

  1,065

  24.7

  939

  27.0

  7,036

  28.7

  7,223

  33.8

  7,757

  37.6

  7,750

  31.7

  3,282

  80.0

  3,240

  75.3

  2,541

  73.0

  2,653

  77.9

  2,400

  66.2

  2,489

  68.4

  2,475

  68.3

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Joint Custody
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many separated parents have joint custody of their children; and if he will make a statement. [173556]

  Margaret Hodge
  Since the Children Act 1989 was implemented in 1991, "custody" of a child has ceased to be a concept in the law of England and Wales. Under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 a court has the power to make a residence order, being"an order settling the arrangements to be made as to the person with whom a child is to live".

  Section 1(5) of the Children Act provides that a court cannot make an order unless it considers that doing so would be better for the child than making no order at all ("the no order principle"). It follows that, if parents are agreed on the arrangements for their child, then it may be that the matter never comes before a court, or that, if it is before a court, the court considers that it is better for the child that no order be made. In other cases, such as those where there is no agreement between the parents, it is open to the court to make a residence order, if it considers that it is in the best interests of the child to do so. Such an order might be a "shared residence" order (so that the child lives with both parents, at different times, usually spending around half his time with each). The following table shows the latest available judicial statistics (2002). During 2002 a total of 103,191 section 8 orders were made in private law.
  1318W
  The tables show the outcome of cases prosecuted, both in numerical terms and as a proportion of completed cases. The number and percentage of cases discontinued in the magistrates courts, and the number and percentage resulting in a judge ordered acquittal in the Crown court, are included for each year.

  Disposal of selected applicants in private law in all tiers of court, 2002

  Nature of application

  Applications withdrawn

  Orders refused

  Orders of no order

  Orders made

  Parental responsibility

  773

  290

  132

  8,240

  Section 8

  Residence

  1,536

  158

  431

  30,006

  Contact

  2,373

  518

  945

  61,356

  Prohibited steps

  300

  40

  77

  8,889

  Specific issue

  207

  33

  67

  2,940

  Connexions
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects on the private sector of his Department's decision to reduce the amount it will offset against Connexions partnerships' VAT costs. [172650]

  Margaret Hodge
  We have recommended that partnerships look to improve their tax efficiency. It does not automatically follow that this will have any effect on sub-contracting to private providers. The Department is monitoring how partnerships are dealing with the reduction in VAT transitional funding and we have made it clear that we expect them to continue to involve the private sector. We know that the lead body model is the most tax efficient and an increasing number of areas are adopting this, leaving private sector careers contracts in place.
  1319W
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from private providers of Connexions services concerning his Department's decision to reduce the amount it will offset against partrnership's VAT costs. [172671]

  Margaret Hodge
  In total my Department has received 12 representations from private providers about the decision to reduce the amount of transitional support to Connexions partnerships.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his Department's policy to ensure that Connexions partnerships commit themselves to maintaining the pension benefits of private providers' staff if a partnership opts to shift from a sub-contracting operational model to a system of direct delivery and to incorporate the private providers' staff. [172676]

  Margaret Hodge
  Connexions Partnerships are private companies with obligations to their individual boards. As such the Department is unable to become involved in individual decisions about pension benefits for Connexions staff. This includes where a partnership opts to shift from a sub-contracting operational model to a system of direct delivery and to incorporate the private providers' staff. We would however expect Connexions partnerships to give due regard to any incoming staff and to make every effort to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in any way.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [171137]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  While the Department pays for some production costs of its annual report, these only cover the design and typesetting. The costs of printing are met directly by the publisher, The Stationery Office (TSO) and do not fall to the Department. The Department buys in copies from the TSO to distribute internally and to our partners.

  The costs for the Department for Education and Skills 2004 Report was:

  £

  Typesetting and design

  17,500

  Buying in copies from TSO

  12,000

  Total

  29,500

  Other costs of printing and publication are met directly by the publisher, The Stationary Office Limited (TSO), and do not fall to Government. It is also for TSO to decide how many are printed. As the reported was published on 30 April, there is no meaningful information yet available on numbers of copies sold by TSO.
  1320W
  The number of copies distributed free of charge was:

  Number of copies

  Vote Office

  150

  Paper Office

  50

  HMT

  10

  Ofsted

  15

  DfES internal

  Parliamentary Office

  22

  Library

  20

  Press Office

  25

  Labour Attachés

  50

  SoS, Ministers, Special Advisers

  9

  Board, DGs, Directors

  32

  DMs and policy contributors

  125

  Total

  508

  The report is also available on the departmental website free of charge at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/deptreport2004/.

  Disabled Children
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many families of disabled children have been provided with short breaks through the Quality Protects programme; what proportion that represents as a total of such families; and if he will make a statement. [170610]

  Margaret Hodge
  £60 million was earmarked for services for disabled children and their families for the years 2001–04 through the Quality Protects programme. This funding was mainstreamed into local authority budgets from 2004–05. We do not count the number of additional children supported by the Quality Protects grant. The Children in Need Census 2003, collected information of any disabled child receiving resources from the Local Authority Social Services Department within the Census week, and identified a total of 4,560 disabled children as receiving short term breaks from a total of 29,700 receiving a service. There are approximately 320,000 disabled children in England, including 110,000 severely disabled children.

  Education Services (Essex)
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size in state primary schools was in(a) the County of Essex in each year from 1980 to 1997 and (b) the County of Essex and the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock in each year from 1998 to 2003. [173326]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The requested information is given in the table.

  Maintained primary schools1: average class size2—position in January each year 1980 to 2003

  Average size of one teacher classes

  Essex LEA3

  Southend-on-Sea4

  Thurrock4

  1980

  27.1

  5—

  5—

  1981

  26.8

  5—

  5—

  1982

  26.7

  5—

  5—

  1983

  26.4

  5—

  5—

  1984

  26.5

  5—

  5—

  1985

  26.6

  5—

  5—

  1986

  27.1

  5—

  5—

  1321W

  Maintained primary schools1: average class size2—position in January each year 1980 to 2003

  Average size of one teacher classes

  Essex LEA3

  Southend-on-Sea4

  Thurrock4

  1987

  26.5

  5—

  5—

  1988

  26.1

  5—

  5—

  1989

  26.0

  5—

  5—

  1990

  26.1

  5—

  5—

  1991

  26.7

  5—

  5—

  1992

  26.6

  5—

  5—

  1993

  26.8

  5—

  5—

  1994

  26.9

  5—

  5—

  1995

  26.9

  5—

  5—

  1996

  26.9

  5—

  5—

  1997

  27.3

  5—

  5—

  1998

  27.6

  5—

  5—

  1999

  27.7

  28.4

  27.6

  2000

  27.4

  28.0

  26.9

  2001

  26.9

  28.0

  26.4

  2002

  26.5

  28.0

  25.5

  2003

  26.6

  27.9

  26.3

  Maintained primary and secondary schools1: School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—Brent East Parliamentary Constituency

  pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals

  Pupils who have free school meals4

  Number of pupils on roll3

  Number

  Percentage5

  Number

  Percentage5

  Primary schools

  7,590

  2,340

  30.9

  1,910

  25.2

  Secondary schools

  2,730

  930

  34.0

  780

  28.7

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  2 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  3 Includes pupils with single and dual registration.

  4 The number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census.

  5 Pupils expressed as a percentage of total pupils on roll.

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Maintained primary and secondary schools1: School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas

  Primary schools

  pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals

  Pupils who have free school meals4

  Number of pupils on roll3

  Number

  Percentage5

  Number

  Percentage5

  London

  628,490

  167,530

  26.7

  139,060

  22.1

  Inner London

  229,910

  88,380

  38.4

  74,780

  32.5

  202

  Camden

  11,460

  4,900

  42.8

  4,040

  35.2

  201

  City of London

  0

  0

  6—

  0

  6—

  204

  Hackney

  17,950

  7,360

  41.0

  6,400

  35.7

  205

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  9,780

  4,350

  44.5

  3,700

  37.8

  309

  Haringey

  21,920

  7,860

  35.9

  6,850

  31.2

  206

  Islington

  14,740

  6,000

  40.7

  5,230

  35.5

  207

  Kensington and Chelsea

  7,040

  2,810

  39.9

  2,360

  33.6

  208

  Lambeth

  19,900

  7,500

  37.7

  6,410

  32.2

  209

  Lewisham

  22,130

  6,260

  28.3

  4,920

  22.2

  316

  Newham

  31,280

  11,480

  36.7

  9,240

  29.5

  210

  Southwark

  23,630

  8,480

  35.9

  6,910

  29.2

  211

  Tower Hamlets

  22,030

  11,880

  53.9

  9,910

  45.0

  212

  Wandsworth

  17,220

  5,110

  29.7

  4,960

  28.8

  213

  Westminster

  10,830

  4,390

  40.5

  3,860

  35.6

  1322W
  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  2 Classes as taught during a selected period on the day of the census.

  3 Definition of the local education authority area changed in 1999 as a result of government office reorganisation.

  4 Applicable from 1999—after local government reorganisation.

  5 Not applicable.

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  school Meals
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in(a) Brent East and (b) each London borough claim free school meals; and what estimate he has made of those eligible to claim free school meals in each case. [172817]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Available information relates to (i) the number of pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim a free school meal, and (ii) the number of pupils who took a free school meal.

  Figures for Brent East are given in the table. The same information for local education authorities in London has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
  1323W

  Maintained primary and secondary schools1: School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas

  Secondary schools

  Number of pupils on roll3

  pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals

  Pupils who have free school meals4

  Number

  Percentage5

  Number

  Percentage5

  London

  420,270

  100,400

  23.9

  77,310

  18.4

  Inner London

  126,160

  49,460

  39.2

  39,080

  31.0

  202

  Camden

  9,700

  2,890

  29.8

  2,450

  25.3

  201

  City of London

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  204

  Hackney

  7,350

  3,060

  41.7

  2,130

  28.9

  205

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  7,220

  2,350

  32.5

  1,900

  26.3

  309

  Haringey

  11,250

  4,290

  38.1

  3,710

  33.0

  206

  Islington

  7,880

  3,540

  45.0

  2,590

  32.9

  207

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,500

  990

  28.4

  830

  23.8

  208

  Lambeth

  7,800

  3,050

  39.1

  2,550

  32.7

  209

  Lewisham

  11,650

  3,560

  30.6

  2,570

  22.1

  316

  Newham

  18,140

  7,830

  43.2

  6,240

  34.4

  210

  Southwark

  10,040

  4,650

  46.3

  4,110

  40.9

  211

  Tower Hamlets

  12,930

  7,680

  59.4

  5,350

  41.4

  212

  Wandsworth

  10,300

  2,710

  26.3

  2,070

  20.1

  213

  Westminster

  8,410

  2,850

  33.9

  2,590

  30.8

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  2 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10

  3 Includes pupils with single and dual registration.

  4 The number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census.

  5 Pupils expressed as a percentage of total pupils on roll.

  6Not applicable; no schools of this type

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Maintained primary and secondary schools1: School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas

  Primary schools

  Number of pupils on roll3

  pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals

  Pupils who have free school meals4

  Number

  Percentage5

  Number

  Percentage5

  Outer London

  398,580

  79,150

  19.9

  64,270

  16.1

  301

  Barking and Dagenham

  18,490

  4,510

  24.4

  3,840

  20.8

  302

  Barnet

  25,830

  4,900

  19.0

  4,130

  16.0

  303

  Bexley

  21,480

  2,770

  12.9

  1,960

  9.1

  304

  Brent

  22,820

  6,670

  29.2

  5,550

  24.3

  305

  Bromley

  24,210

  3,320

  13.7

  2,570

  10.6

  306

  Croydon

  30,300

  6,650

  22.0

  5,350

  17.6

  307

  Ealing

  26,200

  6,720

  25.7

  5,450

  20.8

  308

  Enfield

  26,840

  6,710

  25.0

  5,710

  21.3

  203

  Greenwich

  20,660

  7,380

  35.7

  5,680

  27.5

  310

  Harrow

  19,520

  3,090

  15.8

  2,520

  12.9

  311

  Havering

  20,110

  2,400

  11.9

  1,920

  9.6

  312

  Hillingdon

  24,210

  3,950

  16.3

  2,900

  12.0

  313

  Hounslow

  18,980

  4,250

  22.4

  3,660

  19.3

  314

  Kingston upon Thames

  11,640

  920

  7.9

  750

  6.4

  315

  Merton

  14,570

  2,030

  13.9

  1,670

  11.4

  317

  Redbridge

  23,680

  3,870

  16.4

  3,240

  13.7

  318

  Richmond upon Thames

  12,590

  1,180

  9.4

  970

  7.7

  319

  Sutton

  15,140

  2,030

  13.4

  1,670

  11.0

  320

  Waltham Forest

  21,320

  5,810

  27.3

  4,750

  22.3

  Maintained primary and secondary schools1: School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas

  Secondary schools

  Number of pupils on roll3

  pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals

  Pupils who have free school meals4

  Number

  Percentage5

  Number

  Percentage5

  Outer London

  294,110

  50,940

  17.3

  38,220

  13.0

  301

  Barking and Dagenham

  12,090

  3,220

  26.6

  2,140

  17.7

  302

  Barnet

  21,150

  3,280

  15.5

  2,530

  12.0

  303

  Bexley

  18,020

  1,530

  8.5

  1,120

  6.2

  304

  Brent

  15,940

  3,500

  21.9

  2,590

  16.2

  305

  Bromley

  22,240

  2,300

  10.4

  1,780

  8.0

  1324W 1325W

  Maintained primary and secondary schools1: School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas

  Secondary schools

  Number of pupils on roll3

  pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals

  Pupils who have free school meals4

  Number

  Percentage5

  Number

  Percentage5

  306

  Croydon

  18,680

  3,490

  18.7

  2,770

  14.8

  307

  Ealing

  14,950

  4,210

  28.1

  3,410

  22.8

  308

  Enfield

  21,640

  4,350

  20.1

  2,690

  12.4

  203

  Greenwich

  14,410

  4,250

  29.5

  3,100

  21.5

  310

  Harrow

  9,050

  1,650

  18.2

  1,380

  15.2

  311

  Havering

  16,520

  1,630

  9.9

  1,280

  7.7

  312

  Hillingdon

  17,810

  2,960

  16.6

  2,310

  12.9

  313

  Hounslow

  16,680

  3,110

  18.7

  2,780

  16.6

  314

  Kingston upon Thames

  9,340

  810

  8.7

  680

  7.3

  315

  Merton

  8,600

  1,370

  16.0

  1,030

  11.9

  317

  Redbridge

  20,020

  2,960

  14.8

  2,060

  10.3

  318

  Richmond upon Thames

  7,350

  1,210

  16.5

  940

  12.7

  319

  Sutton

  15,730

  1,280

  8.1

  940

  6.0

  320

  Waltham Forest

  13,890

  3,840

  27.6

  2,710

  19.5

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  2 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  3 Includes pupils with single and dual registration.

  4 The number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census.

  5 Pupils expressed as a percentage of total pupils on roll.

  6 Not applicable; no schools of this type

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Head Lice
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the prevalence of head lice in schools. [175279]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department does not keep records of the incidence of head lice in schools and has not made an assessment. To help schools combat this problem the Department of Health have produced a leaflet, "The prevention and treatment of head lice". The local primary care trust can also provide information which teachers can pass on to children and parents as part of an overall health education policy.

  Inter-country Adoption
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to facilitate inter-country adoption with all signatories of the 1993 Hague Convention. [172218]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 19 May 2004]: The UK ratified the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in relation to inter-country adoption on 1 June 2003. My Department, which under the Convention acts as the central authority for the UK, is working closely with other signatories to remove any obstacles to the successful operation of the Convention.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many signatories of the 1993 Hague Convention have suspended inter-country adoption with the UK. [172215]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 19 May 2004]: Romania has introduced a suspension on all inter-country adoptions, not just with the UK. No other signatories to the Convention have suspended work on inter-country adoption with the UK.
  1326W
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has commissioned into the impact of the arrangements for inter-country adoption which came into effect on 1 June 2003. [172217]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 19 May 2004]: My Department launched a full public consultation on arrangements for intercountry adoption on 31 January 2004. This will bring intercountry adoption within the framework of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

  The consultation document specifically asked for comments and feedback on the implementation of the current arrangements for intercountry adoption, which came into effect on 1 June 2003. The consultation closed on 30 April. My Department also held consultation meetings with frontline staff and other stakeholders to discuss the impact of the 1 June 2003 changes.

  All of the feedback received on the changes made on 1 June 2003 will be taken into account before the new arrangements to be made under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 are finalised.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with Belarus regarding intercountry adoption. [172219]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 19 May 2004]: My Department has opened a dialogue with the Central Authority in Belarus regarding the procedures for intercountry adoption following Belarus' ratification of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption.

  International Baccalaureate
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) state secondary schools and (b) sixth form colleges offer the International Baccalaureate as an alternative to A-levels. [174860]
  1327W
  Mr. Miliband
  There are 18 maintained secondary schools that offer the International Baccalaureate. Of these, nine submitted results for 16 to 18-year-olds for publication in the 2004 Performance Tables.

  There are two Sixth Form Colleges that offer the International Baccalaureate. Neither of these submitted results for 16 to 18-year-olds for publication in the 2004 Performance Tables.

  Local Network and Children's Funds
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated through the(a) Local Network Fund and (b) Children's Fund to the North East of England; what criteria his Department has laid down for the allocation of this money; and how the arrangements are audited. [173699]

  Margaret Hodge
  The total allocation for the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People and the Children's Fund, in the North East, since May 2001 when the programmes were launched is as follows.

  £

  Local Network Fund for Children and Young People

  7,215,152

  Children's Fund:

  38,122,961

  Criteria

  The Local Network Fund and Children's Fund are key elements of the Government's agenda to improve outcomes and opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people. The two programmes have different criteria and delivery arrangements:

  The Children's Fund targets 5 to 13-year-olds and aims to develop local preventive strategies for children and young people at risk from social exclusion. The Fund contributes to the development of the wider Local Preventative Strategy which the Government have asked each local authority to devlop for 0 to 19-year-olds. Local Children's Fund partnership boards, covering unitary authorities, decide local priorities for preventive services and allocate Funds through direct commissioning or by inviting applications.

  The Local Network Fund targets 0 to 19-year-olds and is delivered through the voluntary sector. Grants up to £7,000 and capacity building support are available to small community groups working with children and young people facing disadvantage. Applicants can bid for funding under one of four themes: economic disadvantage, isolation and access, aspirations and experiences and children's voices. Decisions on funding are taken by panels of local people with experience of the issues faced by young people in their area.

  Audit

  The Children's Fund, in the North East is administered through 12 programmes each with their own partnership board, lead agency and accountable body. Partnership boards comprise voluntary organisations, statutory agencies as well as members of the local community. The
  1328W
  lead agency is responsible for the operational direction of the programme while the accountable body ensures the financial probity of the Fund.

  The Local Network Fund is delivered through a network of 57 local Funds run by voluntary organisations with grant-making and community development experience. Local Funds report, quarterly, to DFES on financial and service performance. DFES also undertakes regular monitoring visits to Funds to assess and improve performance and undertakes an annual financial and performance audit of the Fund.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money from(a) the Children's Fund and (b) the Local Network Fund has been allocated to projects serving Newcastle East and Wallsend parliamentary constituency. [173700]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information on both the Local Network Fund and Children's Fund is not collected on a parliamentary constituency basis.

  Newcastle East and Wallsend is covered by the Tyne and Wear Local Network Fund which has a total allocation since 2001 of £3,146,297.

  Newcastle East constituency is within the Newcastle Children's Fund which has a total allocation since 2001 of £4,965,059.

  Wallsend is within the North Tyneside Children's Fund which has a total allocation since 2001 of £2,080,433.

  Allocations for both programmes are based on indices of child poverty.

  Panjabi
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has for the teaching of Panjabi in schools. [175047]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department encourages schools to offer a wide range of languages, including community languages. Under current national curriculum requirements, schools are free to offer any modern foreign language, including Panjabi, as long as the offer includes at least one of the working languages of the European Union.

  Learners of Panjabi will be able to have their language skills recognised by the Languages Ladder—the National Recognition scheme—which will be rolled out nationally from September 2005.

  Prison Education
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the budget was in each of the last five years for prisoners undertaking(a) distance learning courses, (b) Open University or other degree courses, (c) basic skills qualifications, (d) GCSE qualifications and (e) A-level qualifications. [172423]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Funding for the Offenders' Learning and Skills Unit is ring-fenced and administered jointly by DfES and the Home Office. Prisons are allocated a total education budget and have flexibility to use this to purchase education to meet their learners' needs.
  1329W
  Budgets are not disaggregated by level of course or qualification. Core funding for prisoners' education for the last five years is:

  £ millions

  Financial year

  Education expenditure

  1999–2000

  40.9

  2000–01

  41.9

  2001–02

  52.6

  2002–03

  59.4

  2003–04

  70.9

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prisoners in each of the last five years successfully completed(a) distance learning courses, (b) Open University or other degree courses, (c) basic skills qualifications, (d) GCSE qualifications and (e) A-level qualifications. [172425]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The table as follows shows all prisoner achievements in Open University courses over the past five years.

  Completed

  Passed

  1998–99

  185

  160

  1999–00

  220

  189

  2000–01

  245

  211

  2001–02

  250

  213

  2002–03

  343

  307

  We do not hold information on the completion of Distance Learning courses and current data collection systems do not allow us to report on awards gained across the prison estate at GCSE and A level.

  The table as follows shows prisoner achievement in basic skills against national targets over the past four years. In 2000–01 and 2001–02 targets were set at level 2 because qualifications at this level are considered key to enhancing individual employability.

  We widened targets from 2002–03 to cover all levels to enable prison establishments to be more responsive to the range of learning needs among their population.

  Target

  Achievement (percentage)

  2000–01

  114,500

  12,500 (86)

  2001–02

  118,000

  16,000 (88)

  2002–03

  228,800

  41,518 (144)

  2003–043(provisional)

  236,631

  46,517 (127)

  1 Level 2

  2 All levels

  3 Provisional

  Recycling
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will introduce measures to promote recycling in schools. [173198]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Citizenship curriculum includes teaching pupils about issues that impact on the society and the environment. Pupils should learn about what improves and harms their local environment and about the importance of recycling. This is part of 1330W
  Education for Sustainable Development which is a statutory requirement in the Science, Geography, Design and Technology and Citizenship curricula.

  school Councils
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to promote school councils in primary schools. [173330]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To support schools to introduce a school or class council, the Department has funded School Councils UK to produce a primary schools toolkit to help teachers and pupils to set up effective councils. The primary toolkit was made available to schools in September 2000. The Department has just issued statutory guidance to LEAs and school governing bodies ("Working Together: giving children and young people a say") on pupil participation, which promotes the value of school councils in actively engaging pupils in decision making processes.

  The National Assembly for Wales which has responsibility for Education there has decided to make school councils mandatory in all Welsh schools.

  School Governors
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to give special recognition to school governors with 25 years' service. [175430]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department is currently examining ways in which the profile of school governors can be raised and their efforts celebrated and better recognised. A project board has been established and will hold its first meeting early in June. The board's representatives are drawn from the National Governors' Council, the National Association of Governors and Managers, the National Co-ordinators of Governor Services, the Trades Union Congress, the Confederation of British Industry, HSBC Bank, The Rayne Foundation, The Education Network and the School Governors' One-Stop Shop. Long-service awards are being considered as part of this initiative.

  School Nurses
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he issues to(a) primary care trusts and (b) local education authorities on the employment of school nurses. [170372]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department for Education and Skills has not issued specific guidance to primary care trusts or local education authorities on the employment of school nurses, as school nurses come within the remit of the Secretary of State for Health. We do, however, recognise that school nurses play an important role in offering health and nursing advice and support to schools, such as in advising and training staff on managing pupils' medical conditions. This is acknowledged in the joint DfES and Department of Health good practice guide 'Supporting pupils with medical needs'.

  Schools (Capital Investment)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 May,Official Report, column 709W, on schools (capital investment), what priority will be given in subsequent waves to schools excluded from a wave one bid which did not cover all schools in a local education authority. [175235]

  Mr. Miliband
  Schools in a local authority that have been successful in wave 1 of Building Schools for the Future which are not in its wave 1 project will not be given any special priority in subsequent waves of investment. Decisions on prioritisation of all groups of schools submitted by local authorities for the next waves of investment will be taken on the basis of the published criteria.

  Schools (South Ribble)
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in schools in South Ribble. [171673]

  Mr. Miliband
  Details of investment in education initiatives in schools in the South Ribble constituency have been placed in the Library.

  Secondary Transfer (Barnet)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on secondary transfer in Barnet, with reference to children whose birthdays fall close to 31 August. [173927]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I am aware that in Barnet some parents are encountering problems in transferring their child to secondary school because the child has been educated below its chronological year group. My officials have written to the Local Education Authority to ask it to work with its schools to broker a solution. We understand that an established Working Party, set up by the Admissions Forum, has agreed to look into the issue, and to consider strategies for dealing with the current situation.

  Bid A—Rugeley reorganisation

  Schools included

  Type of school

  Location of school

  Purpose

  Amount of bid

  Successful (yes or no)

  Chancel Infants

  Community

  All Rugeley

  To rationalise the schools, provide additional early years places, community and special Education need (SEN) facilities and remove 520 surplus places.

  3,531,000

  Yes

  Churchfield C of E (C)

  Voluntary controlled

  Junior

  Flaxley Primary

  Community

  Hob Hill C of E/Methodist

  Voluntary controlled

  Primary

  Nursery Fields Primary

  Community

  Pear Tree Community

  Community

  Primary

  Ravenhill Primary

  Community

  Western Springs Primary

  Community

  1332W
  All admission authorities have a duty to consider applications for places at their schools in accordance with their published admission arrangements. Where places are sought for children who are out of their normal year groups, the School Admissions Code of Practice advises admission authorities to consider such requests fully and to make decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each case, even if it is not their general practice to educate children out of year group.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has further to develop Sure Start programmes in Tamworth constituency, with particular reference to rural areas. [173279]

  Margaret Hodge
  Children's centres represent the next stage of the Government's plans to expand high quality integrated service provision for young children. By March 2008 we aim to have children's centres services available to all under-fives and their families living in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards, which include Glascote in Tamworth.

  As a first step to achieving this, local authorities have been allocated funding and targets to enable them to reach 65 per cent. of under-fives and their families through children's centres by March 2006. We expect them to build on their existing Sure Start local programmes, Early Excellence Centres and Neighbourhood Nurseries. Additional funding has also been made available to cover the extra costs of providing children's centre services in rural areas. It is the local authority's responsibility to determine how to allocate these resources to best serve the needs of families.

  Targeted Capital Fund
  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the bids he received from Staffordshire Local Education Authority for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund by(a) name of school, (b) type of school, (c) location of school, (d) purpose of bid, (e) amount of bid and (f) whether the bid was successful. [174732]

  Mr. Miliband
  Staffordshire local education authority (LEA) submitted three bids to the Targeted Capital Fund (TCF) for 2004–05. One was for a project at LEA schools and two were for projects at voluntary aided (VA) schools. These are in the following table:
  1333W

  Bid C—Extension/alterations to St. John Fisher Catholic School.

  Schools included

  Type of school

  Location of school

  Purpose

  Amount of bid (£)

  Successful (yes or no)

  St. John Fisher Catholic High School

  VA

  Newcastle

  To raise standards, by expanding opportunity and flexibility of provision especially at 14–19: extending provision for SEN and the wider inclusion agenda providing for worksorce reform

  3,329,054

  No

  Bid D—St John the Evangelist Catholic School Amalgamation

  Schools included

  Type of school

  Location of school

  Purpose

  Amount of bid (£)

  Successful (yes or no)

  St. John the Evangelist Catholic Primary

  VA

  Stoke on Trent

  To amalgamate St. John the Evangelist Catholic split site primary school onto the upper site in Gloucester Road.

  1,875,465

  No

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the purpose is of the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund; [174736]

  (2) if he will list the criteria by which bids for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund were judged; [174737]

  (3) what plans the Department has to invite bids for a further Targeted Capital Fund; [174729]

  (4) how many bids for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund were made by (a) state schools and (b) voluntary-aided schools; [174731]

  (5) if he will list the 68 projects which were successful in making bids of £186 million to the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund; [174734]

  (6) how many bids for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund were made by schools in the West Midlands region; and how many were successful. [174730]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Targeted Capital Fund (TCF) is a relatively limited programme and is intended to support projects which contribute directly to meeting the

  2004–05 TCF projects

  LEA

  Project

  Net cost (£)

  Hackney

  Replacement and expansion of primary school

  4,803,120

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Establishment of centralised single-site pupil referral unit

  507,500

  Islington

  Physical and Sensory SEN Service Area Development—school co-location

  3,896,000

  Tower Hamlets

  To raise standards by improving premises

  681,264

  Croydon

  Autistic resource at special school

  960,000

  Ealing

  Replacement SEN School with new centre of excellence

  4,520,000

  Enfield

  Wilbury Primary School, new build and remodelling to replace huts

  3,868,000

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  Regeneration of primary school

  2,694,268

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  To provide a learning centre based on the City Learning Centre model

  1,862,436

  Merton

  Improvement of SMART centres to meet pupils medical educational needs

  692,000

  Coventry

  New replacement 1.5 FE community primary school and nursery

  3,000,000

  Sandwell

  New build primary school and children's centre, Tipton

  3,019,753

  Walsall

  To open a two FE primary with a 26 FTE nursery class

  2,550,818

  Wolverhampton

  Primary rationalisation

  3,506,090

  Liverpool

  New building for amalgamated school

  3,157,472

  Wirral

  Rationalisation of science accommodation

  644,010

  Wirral

  Construction of sports hall

  1,540,887

  Bury

  A new high school for Radcliffe

  5,000,000

  Manchester

  Development and expansion of two successful and popular primary schools

  4,960,000

  Rochdale

  Transformation in Central Heywood primary schools

  3,391,635

  Stockport

  Inclusive space to raise standards and to deliver the Workplace Reform

  1,772,290

  Trafford

  Replace school with significant defects and remove surplus places

  3,999,163

  Bradford

  Specialist provision for pupils with emotional and behavioural needs

  4,106,500

  Cornwall

  Improve primary and SEN provision in Penzance

  1,415,248

  Tameside

  To replace one primary school with a 1.5 FE building

  2,125,000

  Wigan

  New primary school in Platt Bridge

  2,405,601

  Sheffield

  Woodthorpe

  3,100,000

  Calderdale

  New sixth form and community facility

  4,786,444

  1334W
  Government's educational priorities, and which might not otherwise be supported through formulaic allocations to local education authorities (LEAs) and schools.

  The key criteria for 2004–05 TCF bids focused on schools causing concern, curriculum improvements, expansion of popular and successful schools, surplus place removal, improved special education needs provision and innovative use of buildings. Full details of the bid criteria for 2004–05 are listed in the guidance, a copy of which can be found in the Library. Bids for TCF projects are made to the Department by LEAs on behalf of their schools.

  We hope to announce shortly the arrangements for the TCF for 2005–06. For the 2004–05 TCF round, we received 202 LEA bids covering 373 schools in total, and 199 voluntary aided school bids covering 223 schools. For the West Midlands region, 39 bids were made, nine of which were successful.

  The following table shows the 68 successful 2004–05 TCF bids:
  1335W

  2004–05 TCF projects

  LEA

  Project

  Net cost (£)

  Kirklees

  Refurbishment and remodelling of two schools in special measures

  2,492,000

  Leeds

  Establishment of a new school in the Holbeck area

  3,507,930

  South Gloucestershire

  King Edmund Target Capital Fund bid

  2,471,930

  Stockton-on-Tees

  Replacement of faculty of science and technology to enhance curriculum

  1,569,500

  North Lincolnshire

  Establishment of new school to replace existing school

  3,375,804

  York

  Performing arts and community education centre

  2,600,000

  Milton Keynes

  Successful school expansion to be enhanced by ICT Infrastructure

  4,970,000

  Derbyshire

  New library, ICT and music block

  1,640,800

  Derbyshire

  Learning resource centre

  2,590,049

  Derby

  Establish accommodation for a pupil referral unit for KS3

  1,849,600

  Durham

  21st century community school—Gurney Valley

  2,714,856

  Brighton and Hove

  Provision of post-16 places for young people with special needs

  3,028,800

  Leicestershire

  Project to support inclusion and develop SEN expertise in the area

  3,526,264

  Leicester

  Braunstone Primary Reorganisation 2

  1,649,032

  Leicester

  Braunstone Primary Reorganisation 1

  2,996,125

  Staffordshire

  Rugeley Reorganisation

  3,531,000

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Proposed Woodhouse primary school

  2,064,000

  Wiltshire

  Integrated provision for ASD pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4

  862,420

  Swindon

  Autistic spectrum disorder—centre of excellence

  1,600,000

  Bracknell Forest

  Raising performance at Brakenhale Campus through the provision of an OLC

  2,400,000

  Wokingham

  The Wokingham Special School of the Future

  5,000,000

  Cambridgeshire

  Residential provision for children with special educational needs

  435,115

  Devon

  Raising standards in Exeter

  3,621,501

  Devon

  14 to 19 Learning Centre to increase participation in rural community

  741,407

  Plymouth

  Modernisation and refurbishment of special school

  2,711,035

  Torbay

  Brixham primary re-organisation

  1,475,840

  Southend-on-Sea

  Improvement of support, PE and performing arts infrastructure

  2,464,236

  Southend-on-Sea

  Remodelling special schools as centres of excellence

  2,101,791

  Thurrock

  Improved special educational needs provision

  5,000,000

  Worcestershire

  provision of additional accommodation, science facilities and LRC

  2,268,800

  Worcestershire

  To provide enhanced management facilities and new focused entrance

  502,240

  Kent

  Replace temporary accommodation by incorporating into main building

  2,004,800

  Medway

  Creation of a full service extended school: community hub

  2,312,407

  Nottingham

  Establishment of new school to replace unsuitable 1930's school

  4,216,337

  Gloucestershire

  Archway School refurbishment

  4,999,602

  Hertfordshire

  Design technology replacement and additional accommodation

  1,869,040

  Norfolk

  South Lynn—new school and relocation of nursery

  3,066,431

  Northamptonshire

  Transfer of Raeburn Special School to Tiffield

  4,576,000

  Northumberland

  First school replacement

  1,604,000

  Suffolk

  Primary school—regeneration

  5,000,000

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the projects which made successful bids to the Targeted Capital Fund by(a) name of school, (b) location of school, (c) type of school, (d) name of local education authority, (e) purpose of bid and (f) amount of money awarded. [174738]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Trafficked Children
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what conclusions he has reached about services for trafficked children following Operation Paladin. [173797]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 19 May 2004]: I welcome the findings of the Paladin report which was published on Monday. Operation Paladin has been a valuable exercise in determining the nature of child migration to the UK. We will work with the Home Office and other organisations in considering the report and its recommendations.

  It is of course 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
  1336W
  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.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Airports (Aid)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which airports in Northern Ireland receive financial aid from(a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) the European Union and (c) other public sources; what the total cost of that support was during the most recent financial year for which information is available; and how much that support represented per passenger. [174199]

  Mr. Spellar
  During the most recent financial year for which information is available, April 2003 to March 2004, no financial aid was provided from Her Majesty's Government, the European Union or other public sources, for which the Government have responsibility, to airports in Northern Ireland.

  Armagh College
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) A5 and (b) A2 students were enrolled by Armagh College of Further and Higher Education to study (i) French, (ii) chemistry, (iii) art, (iv) physics and (v) economics in (A) 2001–02, (B) 2002–03 and (C) 2003–04. [174044]

  Mr. Gardiner
  The following table contains the requested information.

  AS/A2 level enrolments at Armagh college 2001–02 to 2003–04

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Subject area

  AS

  A2

  AS

  A2

  AS

  A2

  French

  15

  8

  12

  10

  9

  2

  Chemistry

  25

  21

  30

  23

  23

  22

  Art

  23

  5

  15

  8

  13

  3

  Physics

  31

  11

  18

  22

  4

  12

  Economics

  27

  21

  10

  14

  1

  11

  Total

  121

  66

  85

  77

  50

  50

  Source:

  Armagh College (data are provisional).

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what conditions of(a) copyright and (b) royalty payments are attached to grant aid awarded by the (i) Arts Council of Northern Ireland, (ii) Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and (iii) Ulster-Scots Agency. [173188]

  Angela Smith
  The Arts Council of Northern Ireland does not attach conditions relating to(a) copyright or (b) royalty payments to any award. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not award grant aid for the publication of creative writing in Ulster-Scots. Government support for the arts in Northern Ireland is disbursed chiefly through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

  The Ulster-Scots Agency has stipulated conditions relating to copyright and "royalty" payments in the letters of offer it issues on grant applications. With regard to copyright the Agency has attempted to ensure that it can use material it has grant aided, for example in promotions or on the Agency website. With regard to royalty payments the Agency has attempted to ensure that grants it has made which have a commercial aspect (such as to publishers who will sell books printed with Agency assistance) contain a 'claw back' clause, whereby a percentage of the income from such sales is returned to the Agency. Both of these practices are currently under review.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact the low corporation tax rates in operation in the Republic of Ireland has on manufacturing industries in Northern Ireland. [174198]

  Mr. Gardiner
  No formal assessment has been made as to the impact that the low corporation tax rate in operation in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) has had on manufacturing industries in Northern Ireland.
  1338W
  Although the RoI can offer a lower rate of corporation tax, in recent years, Invest NI has successfully secured new investment from the RoI by promoting Northern Ireland as a region where companies can reap the benefits of the greater competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. In practice, it has been found that the more competitive cost base in Northern Ireland often outweighs the corporate taxation differential between Northern Ireland and the RoI.

  Indeed, a recent report, commissioned by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, into the cost of operating business in Northern Ireland concluded that lower labour and property costs, which represent a significant component of the cost base of many firms, places Northern Ireland businesses at a competitive advantage vis-a-vis Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

  Creative Writing
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total amount of public money granted by the(a) Arts Council of Northern Ireland, (b) Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and (c) Ulster-Scots Agency was towards the publication of creative writing in the Ulster-Scots language in Northern Ireland in each year since 1999. [173187]

  Angela Smith
  The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has not made funding available specifically for the publication of writing in the Ulster-Scots language. However, in the 1998–99 financial year, the Arts Council made a grant of £7,500 to the Ulster-Scots Language Society for the publication of a book by Philip Robinson. Since then the Arts Council has received no applications for publications in the Ulster-Scots language.

  The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's funds in support of the arts in Northern Ireland are disbursed chiefly through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department has not made any funding directly available for the publication of creative writing in the Ulster-Scots language.

  The amount of funding granted by the Ulster-Scots Agency towards the publication of creative writing in the Ulster-Scots language in Northern Ireland since 1999 is detailed in the following table.

  Amount (£)

  1999

  —

  2000

  —

  2001

  —

  2002

  6,280.00

  2003

  —

  2004

  121,855.00

  1 Projected.

  Electricity Tariffs
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the application to the European Commission for clearance for a scheme to reduce electricity tariffs in Northern Ireland. [173409]
  1339W
  Mr. Gardiner
  A paper has been submitted to the European Commission outlining the Government's proposal to make an intervention aimed at bringing about a 10 per cent. decrease in electricity prices for non-domestic consumers below the level they would otherwise have been.

  It is hoped that a meeting to discuss the matter with Commission officials will be held shortly.

  Government Investment
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of financial support to business from(a) the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland, (b) the Local Enterprise Development Unit and (c) Invest Northern Ireland was represented by (i) capital grants, (ii) grants for research and development, (iii) grants for training, (iv) grants for marketing, (v) loans and (vi) investment in equity in each of the last five years. [173651]

  Percentage of Assistance Offered By Assistance Category (1999–2000 to 2003–04)

  Percentage

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04 (Provisional)

  Capital Grant

  28

  15

  19

  11

  9

  Research and Development

  8

  9

  13

  29

  18

  Training (CDP)

  7

  13

  10

  6

  12

  Loans

  0

  0

  2

  4

  3

  Equity

  1

  2

  4

  6

  6

  Revenue Grant1

  43

  47

  37

  28

  33

  Other Assistance2

  13

  14

  15

  16

  19

  Total

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1 Revenue Grants include a range of grants such as marketing grant, employment grant, management salary grant and operating grant.

  2 Other Assistance includes consultancy grants, incentive grants, quality grants, trade missions, business improvement services, tourism development as well as assistance to third party organisations.

  Housing (Central Heating)
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of Northern Ireland Housing Executive homes have had(a) oil and (b) gas-fired central heating installed, broken down by Housing Executive District Office Area. [174376]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information is as follows:

  Oil

  Gas

  NIHE District Office

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Belfast 1

  310

  13.4

  1,066

  45.9

  Belfast 2

  883

  22.5

  1,645

  42.0

  Belfast 3

  783

  22.7

  1,891

  54.8

  Belfast 7

  564

  13.1

  2,404

  55.7

  Belfast 4

  374

  9.6

  1,594

  41.1

  Belfast 5

  494

  11.5

  1,934

  45.1

  Belfast 6

  261

  7.3

  1,956

  54.7

  Ballymena

  1,164

  34.9

  2

  0.1

  Antrim

  815

  28.3

  2

  0.1

  Newtownabbey 1

  386

  15.1

  591

  23.1

  Newtownabbey 2

  446

  18.0

  726

  29.4

  Carrickfergus

  374

  16.8

  360

  16.2

  Larne

  319

  17.8

  311

  17.4

  Ballycastle

  366

  38.9

  0

  0.0

  Ballymoney

  873

  53.8

  0

  0.0

  Coleraine

  1,421

  40.3

  2

  0.1

  Banbridge

  710

  35.8

  0

  0.0

  Newry

  1,350

  38.4

  0

  0.0

  Armagh

  636

  29.3

  0

  0.0

  1340W
  Mr. Gardiner
  The following table shows the percentage of financial support to business by category in each of the last five years offered by Invest NI and its predecessors. Although the question does not specifically mention the Industrial Research and Technology Unit, as this agency was responsible for providing research and development support prior to Invest NI being set up, it has also been included in the table. Information relating to training support under the Company Development Programme (CDP) as administered by the Business Support Division of DETI has also been incorporated, as this function is now included within Invest NI's remit. In all cases the figures shown relate to offers of assistance made by the organisations concerned.

  It has not been possible to provide detailed information on levels of marketing support as a marketing grant is a form of revenue grant and cannot easily be separated from other revenue grants.

  Oil

  Gas

  NIHE District Office

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Lurgan

  1,449

  46.8

  0

  0.0

  Portadown

  595

  33.5

  0

  0.0

  Dungannon

  892

  44.6

  0

  0.0

  Fermanagh

  965

  41.6

  0

  0.0

  Bangor

  429

  14.0

  416

  13.6

  Newtownards

  997

  22.7

  517

  11.8

  Castlereagh

  710

  16.3

  592

  13.6

  Lisburn

  979

  20.1

  617

  12.7

  Lisburn

  Dairyfarm

  307

  14.1

  1,203

  55.1

  Downpatrick

  1,001

  37.3

  1

  0.1

  Waterloo Place

  908

  34.8

  1

  0.1

  Waterside

  995

  36.6

  0

  0.0

  Collon Terrace

  643

  23.6

  0

  0.0

  Limavady

  522

  32.1

  0

  0.0

  Magherafelt

  511

  34.6

  1

  0.1

  Strabane

  624

  25.2

  0

  0.0

  Omagh

  740

  34.9

  0

  0.0

  Cookstown

  434

  36.2

  0

  0.0

  Total:

  26,230

  25.6

  17,832

  17.4

  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of Northern Ireland Housing Executive homes have(a) coal-fired and (b) electric and (c) no central heating, broken down by Housing Executive District Office Area. [174377]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information is as follows.
  1341W

  Coal

  Electric

  None

  NIHE District Office

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Belfast 1

  460

  19.8

  443

  19.1

  42

  1.8

  Belfast 2

  715

  18.2

  665

  17.0

  10

  0.3

  Belfast 3

  545

  15.8

  211

  6.1

  0

  0.0

  Belfast 7

  684

  15.8

  620

  14.4

  42

  1.0

  Belfast 4

  737

  19.0

  1,054

  27.2

  110

  2.8

  Belfast 5

  1,030

  24.0

  538

  12.6

  269

  6.3

  Belfast 6

  1,033

  28.9

  322

  9.0

  6

  0.2

  Ballymena

  1,274

  38.1

  850

  25.4

  37

  1.1

  Antrim

  1,263

  43.8

  725

  25.2

  9

  0.3

  Newtownabbey 1

  564

  22.0

  1,013

  39.5

  6

  0.2

  Newtownabbey 2

  643

  26.0

  656

  26.5

  0

  0.0

  Carrickfergus

  853

  38.4

  635

  28.6

  1

  0.0

  Larne

  635

  35.5

  506

  28.3

  16

  0.9

  Ballycastle

  515

  54.8

  25

  2.7

  8

  0.9

  Ballymoney

  576

  35.5

  138

  8.5

  5

  0.3

  Coleraine

  1,329

  37.7

  757

  21.5

  3

  0.1

  Banbridge

  1,048

  52.9

  201

  10.1

  11

  0.6

  Newry

  1,719

  48.9

  419

  11.9

  1

  0.0

  Armagh

  1,230

  56.7

  274

  12.6

  15

  0.7

  Lurgan

  834

  26.9

  761

  24.6

  26

  0.8

  Portadown

  784

  44.2

  395

  22.3

  1

  0.1

  Dungannon

  889

  44.5

  160

  8.0

  14

  0.7

  Fermanagh

  1,145

  49.3

  201

  8.7

  1

  0.0

  Bangor

  1,059

  34.7

  1148

  37.6

  3

  0.1

  Newtownards

  1,878

  42.7

  997

  22.7

  2

  0.0

  Castlereagh

  912

  21.0

  2,130

  49.0

  0

  0.0

  Lisburn

  2087

  42.9

  1,140

  23.4

  38

  0.8

  Lisburn

  Dairyfarm

  457

  20.9

  184

  8.4

  0

  0.0

  Downpatrick

  1,196

  44.6

  474

  17.7

  5

  0.2

  Waterloo place

  1,183

  45.3

  465

  17.8

  12

  0.5

  Waterside

  1,244

  45.8

  452

  16.6

  1

  0.0

  Collon terrace

  1,478

  54.3

  583

  21.4

  20

  0.7

  Limavady

  47

  52.1

  224

  13.8

  6

  0.4

  Magherafelt

  780

  52.8

  142

  9.6

  0

  0.0

  Strabane

  1,701

  68.6

  83

  3.3

  56

  2.3

  Omagh

  1,173

  55.4

  183

  8.6

  19

  0.9

  Cookstown

  552

  46.0

  86

  7.2

  1

  0.1

  Total:

  37,052

  36.2

  19860

  19.4

  796

  0.8

  Note:

  Properties where no central heating is recorded include redevelopment properties, properties due for demolition, and properties not within the Rent Scheme.

  Marching Season
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role played by local community activists during the 2003 marching season; and what plans he has to provide support for local community activists during the 2004 marching season. [174091]

  Mr. Pearson
  During 2003, a wide range of people in the community played an important role in easing tensions and resolving problems around parading and I am most grateful for that. In preparing for the forthcoming marching season, the Secretary of State and I intend to hold a series of meetings similar to last year, which will include all those who have the ability to help ensure that 2004 passes off as peacefully as 2003.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his assessment is of the Police Service of Northern Ireland security assessment relating to Portadown recently received by the Parades Commission; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of security over the forthcoming marching season. [174094]
  1342W
  Mr. Pearson
  The Parades Commission is independent of Government and the Secretary of State does not see PSNI advice to the Commission. There is currently no information which would suggest this marching season will be significantly different from 2003. However, with regard to the forthcoming marching season, the Secretary of State and I intend to hold a series of meetings similar to last year, which will include all those who have the ability to help ensure that 2004 passes off as peacefully as 2003.

  PPP Contracts
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a company which successfully bids for inclusion in an education-related public private partnership scheme retains the right(a) to put the contract on the market at any stage, (b) to sell the contract at a profit and (c) to keep the profit from the sale of the contract without a requirement to provide guarantees that the scheme will be completed to the specifications to which they initially signed up; and whether revenue generated through weekend and evening openings of buildings constructed under such a scheme is required to be invested in the school or its pupils. [174008]
  1343W
  Mr. Gardiner
  (a) A PPP contractor, which successfully bids for inclusion in an education related PPP project, may put the contract on the market at any time during the life of the contract. The prior written consent of the school authority is required and this can be withheld at its discretion.

  (b) Provided the prior written consent of the school authority has been obtained, a PPP contractor may sell a PPP contract at a profit.

  (c) A PPP contract specifies the level of service which an authority can expect to receive in return for payment of the unitary charge. If a contractor were to sell, or otherwise dispose of a PPP contract, it would retain any profit accruing and the service requirements and obligations would transfer to the new contractor. The new contractor would be expected to deliver the full range of services as if there had been no change in ownership.

  The net income from any third party usage of a school that has been procured under PPP is shared between the school authority and the contractor on the basis agreed in the contract.

  Public Administration Review
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost incurred by the Review of Public Administration has been since the beginning of financial year 2001–02. [170438]

  Mr. Pearson
  In May 2002, the Northern Ireland Executive agreed an overall budget of £3 million for the Review of Public Administration. To date a total expenditure of £1.71 million has been incurred by the Review.

  Racial Attacks
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has received about the extent and trend of racial attacks in Northern Ireland; what action is being taken with regard to them; and if he will make a statement. [174188]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following table sets out the number of racial incidents reported to the police in Northern Ireland since 2001.

  The Government have frequently put on record their abhorrence of all forms of intolerance and racism. They are committed to eradicating such manifestations of hatred, whether based on racism or on sectarianism and are developing a co-ordinated response to the problem in Northern Ireland.

  I will shortly bring forward an Order in Council to enable courts to deal more severely with crimes motivated by racist, sectarian and homophobic hatred.

  The proposals will require sentencers to treat racial and religious aggravation as aggravating factors, where proven, when sentencing and to extend this legislation to offences motivated by hatred of sexual orientation.

  The proposals also increase maximum sentences available for certain specified, mainly violent, offences including where racial, religious or sexual aggravation is proven.
  1344W
  The Community Safety Unit (CSU) is leading the development of a Hate Crime recording and monitoring system for Northern Ireland. The minority ethnic communities are represented and fully participating on the Working Group. Integral to the development of the System will be the engagement with the various minority ethnic communities to establish protective and preventive security schemes, and the carrying out of research into racially motivated crime. The CSU has provided funding to a number of counter-racism/sectarian projects under the Challenge Competition— seven at a total cost of £384,000.

  The final version of the Race Equality Strategy (which takes account of extensive consultation with all sections of NI society) will be published by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister this summer and specific actions will be included in a detailed implementation plan developed in line with the strategy.

  These measures will send out a clear message that racism has no place in our society.

  Number of racial incidents reported to the police in Northern Ireland 1998–2004

  Total number of racial incidents

  1998–99

  93

  1999–2000

  237

  2000–01

  260

  2001–02

  185

  2002–03

  226

  2003–04

  453

  Republican Intelligence Operation (Stormont)
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of personal security measures introduced for individuals following the discovery of a Republican intelligence operation at Stormont in October 2002. [173743]

  Mr. Pearson
  Since 1 January 2000, the Government have committed £12.2 million to provide physical security measures at the homes of those whose personal details were compromised.

  Residents Parking Schemes
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide resources to introduce pilot residents parking permit schemes in Northern Ireland. [174090]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.

  Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 20 May 2004:

  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question asking if he will provide resources to introduce pilot residents' parking permit schemes in Northern Ireland. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.

  Roads Service has been examining the case for introduction of a limited number of residents' parking schemes and has identified potential pilot schemes in the south Belfast area. These pilot

  1345W
  schemes would take at least 12 months to implement and Roads Service is willing to allocate the necessary resources. We are in discussions with the PSNI regarding enforcement.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Water Cannon Vehicles
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date he received the request from the Irish Government for the loan of two water cannon vehicles used by the Gardai for dispersing antiglobalisation protestors on 1 May 2004; what the duration of the loan was; how many Police Service of Northern Ireland and other personnel(a) accompanied the vehicles and (b) were involved in their operation; what the cost was of the loan arrangement; and what charge has been levied upon the Irish authorities. [174535]

  Mr. Pearson
  I am advised that on 23 March 2004 the Police Service of Northern Ireland received a written request from the Commissioner of An Garda Siochana to provide two water cannon vehicles for the period 18 April to 4 May inclusive. This was to facilitate the training of Garda officers to work in the use of water cannon and cover the period of potential protests from 1 to 3 May. The request was made direct from one police service to another and not from the Irish Government. A service level agreement was drawn up between the two services to cover this arrangement.

  I am given to understand that no PSNI officers accompanied the vehicles to the Republic of Ireland nor were PSNI officers involved in their operation in Dublin. On this occasion no charge was levied for the provision of the vehicles in the spirit of joint co-operation between An Garda Siochana and PSNI, as set out in chapter 18 of the report of the Independent Commission on policing in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what requests for loans of water cannon vehicles have been received from the Irish authorities for days during(a) June and (b) July. [174536]

  Mr. Pearson
  I have been advised that PSNI has received no requests from either An Garda Siochana or the Irish Government for the provision of PSNI water cannon during June or July 2004.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training in the use of water cannons has been provided for non-UK personnel; how many persons were trained over what period; what the cost was of training provided; and what charge has been levied upon the beneficiary states. [174537]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Police Service of Northern Ireland has advised me that the service provided water cannon training for 21 non United Kingdom personnel. Eighteen officers from An Garda Siochana were trained in the operation of water cannons over a period of six days and three Senior Officers received training in command and control issues relating to the deployment and use of water cannon. No charge was levied for this training on the basis of furthering co-operation with other police services, as recommended in the report of the Independent Commission on policing in Northern Ireland.
  1346W
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports have been received from the Irish authorities concerning the effectiveness and safety of water cannon weaponry on loan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland for the period covering 1 May; what weight of water was discharged; and whether any persons were injured by the use of this equipment. [174538]

  Mr. Pearson
  I have been advised by PSNI that they have not received any written reports concerning the use of water cannon on this occasion. PSNI would therefore not have specific information such as the weight of water used or whether there were injuries resulting from the use of water cannon. However, they have indicated that An Garda Siochana contacts have advised that the water cannons were judged to be an effective tactical option.

DEFENCE

  A400M
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the delivery of the A400M. [173371]

  Mr. Ingram
  As previously stated to my hon. Friend on 5 March 2004,official Report, column 1151W, the in-service date of the A400M (defined as acceptance into service of the seventh aircraft) is 2011. We expect delivery of the final (twenty fifth) aircraft to be in 2015.

  Al Yamamah Contracts
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he met Prince Turki bin Nasser during 2000; where the meeting took place; what the purpose of the meeting was; and what was discussed. [171751]

  Mr. Hoon
  I met His Highness Prince Turki Bin Nasser in my office on 12 October 2000. Prince Turki introduced his successor as Head of the Al Yamamah Project within the Royal Saudi Air Force. Amongst other matters, there was also some general discussion of events in the Middle East and I was able to take the opportunity to thank Prince Turki for his work in support of the Al Yamamah programme, which has brought benefits for both nations over many years.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to conduct further internal investigations into the role of his officials in alleged corruption involving the Al Yamamah arms contracts. [171752]

  Mr. Hoon
  Any evidence of improper behaviour by officials will be fully investigated. This includes any evidence uncovered during the current enquiries into allegations against a retired official formerly associated with the Al Yamamah programme.

  Eurofighter
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place on the possibility of selling Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft
  1347W
  ordered for the Royal Air Force to other countries without being delivered to the RAF; and if he will make a statement. [172420]

  Mr. Ingram
  Some consideration has been given to the scope to provide for early export of Eurofighter Typhoon to potential overseas customers. If pursued, a sale might be accomplished by adjusting the delivery profile to the RAF. The RAF remains, however, the primary customer for these aircraft and any decision made will take full account of its requirements.

  Gunnery Capability
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the saluting battery capability in the Tower of London could be provided by a regiment with no gunnery training or capability. [174443]

  Mr. Ingram
  Only personnel with the appropriate gunnery training could provide the saluting battery capability in the Tower of London

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for the Gun Troops, Honourable Artillery Company; [174444]

  (2) whether the Honourable Artillery Company will maintain a gunner role. [174445]

  Mr. Ingram
  Plans for future Army structures continue to evolve, but there are currently no plans to change the role of the Gun Troop, Honourable Artillery Company.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long the Honourable Artillery Company has performed a gunner role. [174446]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Honourable Artillery Company's gunner lineage dates from the early 1780s, when the City Corporation of London presented the Company with two Brass Field Pieces.

  Helicopters
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Battlefield helicopters are deployed on operations; in which theatres they are deployed; and with which units they are in service. [174543]

  Mr. Ingram
  A total of 68 Battlefield helicopters are deployed in operational areas, in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and Iraq. I am withholding details of the specific units with which these assets are deployed under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as this would give a clear indication of their operational capability.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Royal Navy(a) Merlin helicopters and (b) squadrons of Merlin helicopters are (i) fully operational and (ii) preparing to become fully operational; [1748883]

  (2) when all of the Royal Navy Merlin helicopters and squadrons are expected to be fully operational. [174881]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 21 May 2004] The Royal Navy currently has four commissioned squadrons of Merlin helicopters. A further squadron is planned to be commissioned in October 2004. At
  1348W
  present, all RN Merlin helicopters have been grounded as a precautionary measure pending the investigation into the crash of a Merlin helicopter on 30 March 2004. It is too early to say when flying will be resumed.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) budget and (b) cost of running, maintenance, training and other non capital costs was for the Royal Naval Merlin helicopter squadron in each year since the aircraft was first acquired. [174885]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 21 May 2004]: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  HMS Turbulent
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are sufficient stocks of(a) foul-weather suits and (b) jumpers on board HMS Turbulent to avoid crew members coming on watch while the boat is on the surface having to wear the kit of those coming off watch. [175061]

  Mr. Ingram
  HMS Turbulent has a full allowance of 40 sets of Mk IV Foul Weather Clothing, which is an increase of 16 over the previous scale for the Mk III Foul Weather Clothing.

  Submariner's jerseys are issued to individuals on a personal basis and ample stocks were available before HMS Turbulent deployed.

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Iraq Survey Group are still in the field in Iraq; how many are United Kingdom citizens; and if he will make a statement on each of the tasks carried out by the group since 1 January. [175083]

  Mr. Hoon
  On 13 May 2004, there were 1,270 people employed in the Iraq Survey Group of which 54 were UK citizens. The Iraq Survey Group's primary task is assessing the extent of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction and associated programmes. The Iraq Survey Group has produced two interim reports, in October 2003 and March 2004, and a further report is expected later this year. Posted testimony for both reports can be found on the CIA website www.cia.gov.

  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 May,Official Report, column 873W, on Iraq, from which Vote each of the 49 British personnel serving with the Iraq Survey Group is paid; who in the United Kingdom has line management responsibility for each; to whom they report in the United Kingdom in respect of their work with the Iraq Survey Group; and if he will make a statement. [175101]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 12 February 2004 Official Report, column 1637W on Iraq Survey Group costs.

  Line Management responsibility for the British personnel with the Iraq Survey Group rests with the Deputy Commander Iraq Survey Group, who is a United Kingdom Officer with the rank of Brigadier.

  Light Guns
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many light guns are on issue to the British Army; and to which units they have been issued; [174448]

  (2) how many Territorial Army batteries have a full complement of the light gun; [174449]

  (3) how many automatic positioning systems for the light gun have been issued; and to which batteries; [174450]

  (4) how many (a) Regular and (b) Territorial Army batteries have a full complement of automatic positioning systems allocated to their light guns; and how many are using dial sights. [174451]

  Mr. Ingram
  136 guns have been issued to those units designated Light Gun Units, as shown in the table.

  Serial

  Unit

  Guns fitted with APS

  Guns without sights

  Saluting Guns

  1

  7 Para RHA Aldershot

  18

  —

  —

  2

  29 Cdo Regiment RA Plymouth/Arbroath

  18

  —

  —

  3

  100 Regiment RA(V) Luton

  14

  —

  —

  4

  103 Regiment RA(V) Liverpool

  12

  —

  —

  5

  BF Falkland Islands

  8

  —

  —

  6

  RSA Larkhill

  18

  —

  —

  7

  ESTRA Larkhill

  1

  —

  —

  8

  SEME Bordon

  1

  2

  —

  9

  BATSU Wainwright Canada

  6

  —

  —

  10

  BATU Kenya

  6

  —

  —

  11

  HAC London

  4

  —

  4

  12

  40 Regiment RA Topcliffe

  6

  —

  —

  14

  104 Regiment RA(V) Cardiff

  —

  —

  4

  15

  105 Regiment RA(V) Newtownards

  —

  —

  3

  16

  105 Regiment RA(V) Edinburgh

  —

  —

  6

  17

  Royal Gibraltar Regt

  —

  —

  4

  18

  Defence Academy

  —

  1

  —

  Total

  112

  3

  2

  Missiles
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to arm Type-45 destroyers with(a) TacTom land attack cruise missiles and (b) the Mark 41 launcher; and if he will make a statement. [171861]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is currently no requirement to fit Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to Type 45 destroyers. However, should such a requirement arise, these could

  Port

  Ship

  Start

  End

  Algeciras

  Orangeleaf

  13 August 2003

  14 August 2003

  Alicante

  Northumberland

  2 June 2003

  3 June 2003

  3 June 2003

  5 June 2003

  5 June 2003

  9 June 2003

  Barcelona

  Chatham

  25 July 2003

  29 July 2003

  Fort Austin

  20 May 2003

  23 May 2003

  Gloucester

  28 January 2004

  2 February 2004

  Norfolk

  25 March 2004

  28 March 2004

  Portland

  29 October 2003

  3 November 2003

  Sutherland

  21 November 2003

  26 November 2003

  Cadiz

  Blyth

  4 March 2004

  8 March 2004

  Campbeltown

  21 February 2004

  24 February 2004

  Sir Galahad

  29 July 2003

  1 August 2003

  La Coruna

  Bangor

  16 June 2003

  17 June 2003

  Pembroke

  10 December 2003

  14 December 2003

  Sandown

  16 June 2003

  17 June 2003

  1350W
  Three TA units, 103 Regiment, 100 Regiment and the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) are issued with guns fitted with the Automatic Pointing System. HAC have their full complement of four guns. 103 Regiment have 12 guns, but are established for 18, and therefore operate with 3×4 gun batteries. 100 Regiment have 14 guns, but are established for 18, and therefore operate with 2×5 gun batteries and 1×4 gun battery. The number of guns issued is determined by the number of Automatic Pointing Systems (APS) available. However, although 100 Regiment and 103 Regiment are short of the establishment, the compliment is considered sufficient to meet their requirements. Other TA Units, listed at Serials 14 to 17 in the table, hold Saluting Guns only. Saluting Guns do not require sights to be fitted.

  The APS has been fitted to 112 guns as shown in the table. Those guns without APS fitted are used either for classroom purposes or for saluting only. Dial sights are no longer in service.

  be fitted in the future. The Mark 41 launcher would be one option for launching these missiles.

  Royal Navy Visits
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Navy's ship visits to(a) Spanish ports and (b) Gibraltar in the last 12 months. [173376]

  Mr. Ingram
  Details of ship visits to Spanish ports in the 12 months up to 12 May 2004 are as follows:
  1351W

  Port

  Ship

  Start

  End

  Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

  Fort George

  29 November 2003

  2 December 2003

  Fort Victoria

  1 October 2003

  5 October 2003

  Ocean

  12 March 2004

  16 March 2004

  Malaga

  Grey Rover

  31 July 2003

  4 August 2003

  Liverpool

  31 July 2003

  4 August 2003

  Mallorca

  Campbeltown

  7 April 2004

  13 April 2004

  Palma, Mallorca

  Ark Royal

  29 April 2003

  5 May 2003

  Bangor

  7 June 2003

  11 June 2003

  Campbeltown

  6 May 2004

  9 May 2004

  Northumberland

  12 May 2003

  14 May 2003

  Roebuck

  30 May 2003

  3 June 2003

  Sandown

  7 June 2003

  11 June 2003

  Rota

  Ark Royal

  13 May 2003

  13 May 2003

  Blyth

  19 February 2004

  24 February 2004

  Campbeltown

  2 April 2004

  5 April 2004

  Kent

  9 June 2003

  10 June 2003

  19 June 2003

  20 June 2003

  Newcastle

  25 February 2004

  28 February 2004

  7 March 2004

  8 March 2004

  Somerset

  11 October 2003

  14 October 2003

  Santa Cruz, Tenerife

  Invincible

  1 October 2003

  5 October 2003

  Valencia

  Newcastle

  6 May 2004

  11 May 2004

  Lindisfarne

  18 September 2003

  22 September 2003

  Villagarcia de Arosa

  Blyth

  15 May 2003

  17 May 2003

  Brocklesby

  15 May 2003

  17 May 2003

  Details of ships' visits to Gibraltar in the 12 months up to 12 May 2004 are as follows:

  Ship

  Start

  End

  Brambleleaf

  14 November 2003

  20 November 2003

  Campbeltown

  7 October 2003

  8 October 2003

  Chiddingfold

  27 June 2003

  30 June 2003

  Cornwall

  12 July 2003

  13 July 2003

  17 October 2003

  19 October 2003

  Cumberland

  23 April 2004

  24 April 2004

  Echo

  26 January 2004

  4 February 2004

  Edinburgh

  21 May 2003

  24 May 2003

  26 April 2004

  28 April 2004

  Exeter

  23 March 2004

  24 March 2004

  Glasgow

  2 May 2004

  3 May 2004

  Gloucester

  26 October 2003

  28 October 2003

  Gold Rover

  16 May 2003

  17 May 2003

  Grafton

  20 February 2004

  20 February 2004

  Grey Rover

  25 March 2004

  27 March 2004

  Grimsby

  24 July 2003

  28 July 2003

  Kent

  12 December 2003

  15 December 2003

  Ledbury

  24 July 2003

  28 July 2003

  Lindisfarne

  5 December 2003

  10 December 2003

  Marlborough

  3 August 2003

  4 August 2003

  20 September 2003

  22 September 2003

  26 September 2003

  27 September 2003

  Newcastle

  9 January 2004

  9 January 2004

  Norfolk

  19 October 2003

  21 October 2003

  Northumberland

  3 August 2003

  4 August 2003

  Oakleaf

  19 February 2004

  24 February 2004

  12 March 2004

  15 March 2004

  Ocean

  21 May 2003

  24 May 2003

  Orangeleaf

  4 July 2003

  7 July 2003

  25 July 2003

  28 July 2003

  8 October 2003

  8 October 2003

  14 October 2003

  15 October 2003

  28 November 2003

  1 December 2003

  12 December 2003

  14 December 2003

  Portland

  13 December 2003

  13 December 2003

  12 March 2004

  15 March 2004

  Ramsey

  24 July 2003

  28 July 2003

  Richmond

  26 July 2003

  27 July 2003

  29 November 2003

  1 December 2003

  5 December 2003

  5 December 2003

  Sabre

  26 October 2003

  27 October 2003

  12 November 2003

  16 November 2003

  2 December 2003

  7 December 2003

  Scimitar

  16 May 2003

  22 May 2003

  Scott

  19 November 2003

  24 November 2003

  Shoreham

  24 July 2003

  28 July 2003

  Sir Tristram

  24 July 2003

  28 July 2003

  1352W

  Ship

  Start

  End

  St. Albans

  14 November 2003

  17 November 2003

  Sutherland

  13 June 2003

  14 June 2003

  Trenchant

  10 May 2004

  15 May 2004

  Turbulent

  9 October 2003

  15 October 2003

  Wave Ruler

  24 March 2004

  25 March 2004

  7 April 2004

  8 April 2004

  Westminster

  5 June 2003

  6 June 2003

  6 June 2003

  7 June 2003

  11 June 2003

  12 June 2003

  York

  11 October 2003

  13 October 2003

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Territorial Army's role in the Royal Artillery. [174447]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Territorial Army undertakes a variety of roles in supporting the Royal Artillery, which include Surveillance and Target Acquisition, Reinforcement, and provision of Multi Launch Rocket Systems and Javelin Air Defence capabilities.

  UK Defence Industry
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what areas are considered by his Department to be key industrial capabilities which the UK defence industry must maintain. [170744]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government's Defence Industrial Policy, published in October 2002, is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the UK Defence industry, while continuing to provide the armed force with high quality equipment at best value for money. There are a very small number of capabilities which for national security reasons we place a high priority on retaining within the United Kingdom industrial base. Examples exist in the fields of nuclear technology, defence against biological, chemical and radiological warfare, and some counter-terrorist capabilities.

  UN Operations
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the relationship between British Armed Forces and the Iraqi Government will be following the handover of power on 30 June 2004. [169381]

  Mr. Hoon
  The relationship between British Armed Forces and the Iraqi Government following the assumption of authority on 30 June will be determined primarily by the United Nations Security Council Resolution which we expect to see concluded before 30 June. We envisage that the Resolution will cover amongst other issues the mandate of the Multi-National Force currently authorised by UNSCR1511.

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what military role British troops will play following the handover of power in Iraq on 30 June 2004; [169384]

  (2) what role British troops will play in the new phase of economic, military and political co-operation between the United States of America, the Coalition and the Iraqi civilian government following the handover of power on 30 June 2004. [169383]

  Mr. Hoon
  Following the assumption of authority by the Interim Iraqi Government on 30 June, British troops will contribute to the Multi-National Force in support of the Iraqi Government. We expect that the mandate for the Multi-National Force, which is currently authorised by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511, will be set out in a further United Nations Security Council Resolution in due course.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of investigations in the case of Gary Bartlam of the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; what action has been taken; and what recommendations have been made as a result. [172944]

  Mr. Ingram
  The case involving Fusilier Gary Paul Bartlam has been referred to the Army Prosecuting Authority for consideration. I am withholding details under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to his US counterpart regarding the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by the Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq. [173405]

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the US Administration regarding the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [173401]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: I have had a recent discussion with Mr Rumsfeld, as part of my regular contact with him. Since before the report came to my attention the US Government has made it clear that allegations of abuse of prisoners are being rigorously investigated and that anyone found to have acted wrongly will be dealt with appropriately.
  1354W
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at how many UK run prisons in Iraq Iraqi prisoners are being held; and where each prison is located. [174354]

  Mr. Ingram
  The United Kingdom's only detention facility is in Shaibah

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each of the weapons containing uranium used in Operation Telic. [174372]

  Mr. Ingram
  Depleted uranium was contained in 120mm Armour Piercing CHARM 3 rounds fired by the British Challenger II tanks, during Operation Telic. Additionally, 20mm rounds used by the Royal Navy's Close-in Weapons System known as PHALANX, contain depleted uranium. These rounds were fired for calibration purposes only, prior to hostilities.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Trade
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his policy to seek a legally binding international arms trade treaty. [173278]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government's objective is to work through the Transfer Controls Initiative to achieve an international agreement on transfers of small arms and light weapons.

  UN Peacekeeping
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the(a) numbers, (b) efficiency and (c) effectiveness of the UN administrative staff in New York charged with planning, launching and overseeing UN peacekeeping missions; and if he will make a statement. [175122]

  Mr. Rammell
  At the request of the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General requested the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to evaluate the impact of the recent restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Their report (A/58/746) was issued on 25 March 2004, and is available on the UN website (www.un.org).

  Following the recommendations in the Brahimi report of 2000 on peacekeeping reform, an additional number of posts were agreed for the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The Civilian Police Division was granted the greatest increase, followed by the military division and then the civilian departments. Nearly all of the new posts are now filled. OIOS believe that the quality of personnel recruited has been satisfactory, and argue that reform has enhanced the UN's capacity to tackle complex, multidimensional peacekeeping missions.

  We have no reason to disagree with OIOS's assessment. However, in the light of the current surge in demand for UN peacekeeping, we are closely monitoring the UN's evolving capacity to meet new and existing challenges.
  1355W
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recommendations his Department has made for the reform of the planning and administrative structure of UN peacekeeping missions; when these recommendations were last revised; what response he has received from(a) UN officials and (b) officials of other member states; and if he will make a statement. [175181]

  Mr. Rammell
  We have been at the forefront of the push for the prompt implementation of the recommendations contained in the Brahimi report of July 2000 on peacekeeping reform My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister underlined our commitment at the Millennium Summit 2000. Under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, run jointly by the FCO, MOD and DfID, we have developed a programme of co-operation and assistance designed to enhance the peacekeeping and peace-building capacity of the UN and to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of countries contributing troops and civilian police to UN peacekeeping missions. In addition to bilateral work with the UN and other interested parties, the Government are working multilaterally in the UN and the EU to maintain peacekeeping reform on the international agenda. The Secretary-General's High Level Panel on threats, challenges and change, which we have welcomed, may recommend changes to the peacekeeping structures within the UN. The Panel's report will be published later this year.

  World War Two Medals
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make an exception to the rule preventing UK citizens accepting campaign medals from other countries to enable the British people who served on the Arctic convoy during World War Two to receive the Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region Medal. [170126]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government are currently considering the possibility of an exception to the rules governing the acceptance and wearing of foreign awards, to enable British veterans who served on Arctic convoys during the Second World War to receive the Russian Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region medal.

  Abdullah Ocalan
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which human rights organisations have been allowed to visit Abdullah Ocalan to see what prison conditions he is being held under; what his general state of health is; and if he will make a statement. [174357]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Council of Europe's Committee for Prevention of Torture has regularly visited Abdullah Ocalan and published its most recent report in February 2004. There have been a number of press reports on Ocalan's health, some of which have been confirmed in our Embassy's contact with Ocalan's lawyers. We note that Ocalan has daily basic health checks from the civilian doctors who attend him. There is also a military doctor on site at all times.

  Annan Plan
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications his Department is undertaking with the Greek Cypriots to seek an alternative to the Annan Plan. [174503]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government's position continues to be one of support for the UN Secretary General's Plan. We believe that this offers the best possible basis for a settlement. Now is not the time to seek an alternative to the Annan Plan.

  We look forward to the UN Secretary General's report on his Good Offices Mission and his thinking on next steps.

  Burma
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government regarding Thet Win Aung, who is sentenced to 60 years imprisonment. [174390]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Thet Win Aung is among a large number of political prisoners in Burma. Amnesty International estimate that there are 1,300 to 1,400, many of them prisoners of conscience.

  We have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to release fully all political prisoners and to allow them to play an active role in national reconciliation in Burma. We shall continue to do so. Their plight was most recently raised in April's UK co-sponsored UN Commission on Human Rights resolution.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese regime over the military offensives in(a) northern Karen and (b) Karenni state; and if he will make a statement. [174558]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have not made recent representations on this subject because contacts with the Burmese regime are irregular. However, human rights violations have been highlighted by successive highly critical UK and EU co-sponsored UN Resolutions, most recently at the UN Commission on Human Rights on 21 April 2004. This referred to the violations of human rights suffered in particular by persons belonging to ethnic minorities, women and children, especially in non-ceasefire areas and the situation of the large number of internally displaced persons as well as the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries. It emphasised the obligations of Burma under international law to pursue through dialogue and peaceful means the immediate suspension and permanent end of conflict with all ethnic groups in the country and to conclude a ceasefire agreement with the Karen National Union (KNU). The Burmese regime knows how critical we are of their Human Rights abuses.

  We are, however, encouraged by the recent verbal ceasefire agreement between the regime and the KNU and hope that this will lead to a lasting peace settlement.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to urge the European Union to strengthen sanctions against Burma in response to the atrocities against the Karen, Karenni and Shan peoples by the Burmese military. [174559]
  1357W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK and its European partners follow events in Burma closely. We remain willing to support a genuine process of national reconciliation, leading to the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights in Burma.

  We share the view of a number of international partners that the best interests of all the people of Burma continue to be served by targeted measures against those responsible for the obstruction of reform and progress, together with humanitarian support to ensure that the ordinary people of Burma do not suffer as a result of the damaging policies of their government.

  EU Foreign Ministers agreed on 26 April 2004 to maintain the Common Position on Burma for a further 12 months. We believe that this will maintain pressure on the regime. We are closely monitoring the National Convention process and stand ready to respond proportionately to future developments in Burma, positive or negative.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to recognise the actions taken by the Burmese military against the(a) Karen, (b) Karenni and (c) Shan peoples as (i) war crimes and (ii) crimes against humanity. [174560]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The British Government is one of the strongest critics of the Burmese regime's abuses of human rights. We are aware of a consistent pattern of serious violations over many years, particularly against the ethnic groups. These have been highlighted in successive EU co-sponsored resolutions on Burma in the United Nations General Assembly and UK co-sponsored resolutions in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. But we do not consider that the atrocities constitute "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity", which have specific definitions under international law. Nor does the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma. Professor Sergio Pinheiro, who has regular access to Burma, used these terms to describe the situation there.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise the Burmese military actions against the Karen, Karenni and Shan peoples at the UN Security Council. [174561]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have raised our concerns about the security situation in Burma and the resulting human rights violations with our Security Council Partners. However, there is no consensus at present to bring Burma before the Security Council.

  Atrocities against ethnic groups in Burma have been highlighted in successive EU co-sponsored UN Resolutions on Burma, most recently at the UN Commission on Human Rights on 21 April 2004.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on relationships with the military Government in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [175171]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have full diplomatic relations with Burma and continue to press the military regime to enter into a substantive and genuine dialogue with all political parties and ethnic groups in Burma leading to national reconciliation, democratisation and full respect 1358W
  for human rights. We fully respect the decision of the National League for Democracy (NLD) not to participate in the constitutional convention which opened in Rangoon on 17 May 2004 and urge the regime to reconsider the NLD's reasonable requests. We have repeatedly called on the regime to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD's Vice Chairman U Tin Oo from house arrest, to release all political prisoners, and to reopen all NLD offices in Burma.

  Departmental Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field, and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by(a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others, in (A) 1994–95, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 and (D) 2001–02. [168674]

  Mr. Rammell
  Figures for staff with Government Information and Communications Service qualifications are not available prior to 2003–04 without incurring disproportionate costs.

  For details of Press Office staff between 1997 and 2002, I refer the hon. Member to the answer the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw), gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 63W. For details of Press Office staff in 2003, I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) on 2 July 2003, Official Report, column 310W. For details of special advisers costs and staff numbers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mike O'Brien) gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 23 January 2003, Official Report, column 467W.

  For details of other staff in the communications field (Information Department) between 1997 and 2002, I refer the hon. Member to the answer the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw), gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 63W.

  The salary costs of Information Directorate, including employee contributions for 2001–02 was £9.6 million of which the Press Office (News Department) was £1.1 million and Information Department was £2.3 million. For 2002–03 the figures are £4.6 million, £1.3 million and £2.2 million respectively. Figures for previous years are not readily available and obtaining them would incur disproportionate costs

  Emergency Planning
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what intra EU arrangements are in place for co-ordination between hospitals and emergency services in the event of a major civil emergency. [174684]
  1359W
  Mr. MacShane
  A community mechanism to facilitate reinforced co-operation in civil protection assistance interventions was established by a council decision of 23 October 2001 (2001/792/EC, Euroatom). The community mechanism enables a stricken nation to request all forms of civil protection assistance it requires from participating States.

  In the event of a major civil emergency the EU Commission would facilitate close co-ordination and co-operation between the stricken state and states participating in the community mechanism, through the monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) established by the council decision.

  EU Constitution
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the changes made in the text of the proposed EU Constitution since it was published by Her Majesty's Government in Cm 5897; and whether the Government(a) was consulted on and (b) approves of each change; [174936]

  (2) whether unanimity is required for changes to the draft Constitutional Treaty; [174947]

  (3) which EU member states have (a) submitted formal amendments to the official draft of the proposed constitution of the European Union published in August 2003 and (b) have given notice that they are likely to do so; by what dates such amendments have to be tabled prior to the meeting of the European Council on 17 to 18th June 2004; and what arrangements he is making for their consideration by Parliament. [175107]

  Mr. MacShane
  The draft EU Constitutional Treaty proposed by the Convention on the Future of Europe has no legal status. The European Council decided in June last year that it was a good basis for starting negotiations in the Intergovernmental Conference. The Italian and subsequently Irish Presidencies of the EU have proposed changes to the EU Constititonal Treaty as drafted by the Convention, after consulting with all Member States. Their proposals (summarised in the most recent Irish papers CIG 70/04, 73/04, 75/04, 76/04 and 77/04) have been deposited in the Library of the House and are available from the Presidency website (www.eu2004.ie). They are the subject of discussion in the Intergovernmental Conference The Government has taken part fully in these discussions. Nothing is finally agreed until everything is agreed. The EU Constitutional Treaty, like any new EU Treaty, can only be agreed by the common "accord of all Member States.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in full the Government's red lines on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe; and if he will make a statement. [174995]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government's policy towards the negotiations on the EU Constitutional Treaty remains as set out in the White Paper on the Intergovernmental Conference (Cm 5934), presented to Parliament on 9 September 2003.

  Honduras
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the Government of Honduras' recent crackdown on the Mara Salvatrucha street gang. [175114]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Government of Honduras has acknowledged publicly that it has a serious problem with gang-related lawlessness. Our embassy in Guatemala, responsible for our relations with Honduras, and officials in London have been monitoring the measures taken by the Honduran Government to tackle this problem, including legislation prohibiting gang membership. Since the introduction of this new law, there has been a reported reduction in gang violence. But concern has been expressed by some NGOs and members of civil society that the new legislation, which resulted in mass arrests of gang members and those suspected of being gang members, infringed human rights. The Government of Honduras has responded to this criticism by undertaking to provide training and rehabilitation schemes for those either in prison or wishing to leave the gangs. We have made clear to the Government of Honduras, bilaterally and in the company of our EU partners, the importance we attach to respect for human rights. I raised human rights, particularly those in respect of children, with Honduran Security Minister Oscar Alvarez, during his recent visit to the UK.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the fire of 17 May at the prison in San Pedro Sula in Honduras; what assessment his Department has made of conditions at(a) that prison and (b) other prisons in Honduras; and if he will make a statement. [175115]

  Mr. Rammell
  The San Pedro Sula incident has been widely reported in the UK and local media. 104 prisoners, all gang members are reported to have died and only a few injured. Our embassy in Guatemala, responsible for our relations with Honduras, is watching developments closely and the DFID representative in Tegucigalpa attended a briefing on 18 May given by the Honduran Government.

  Our non-resident ambassador, who was visiting Honduras at the time, has raised this incident with members of the Honduran Government.

  The Government of Honduras has ordered an inquiry that will include investigating claims that: prison wardens refused to open cell doors; the fire services arrived late: and the fire was started by wardens.

  We have made no specific assessment of the conditions at the San Pedro Sula Prison or that of other prisons in Honduras but we are aware of the problem of serious overcrowding. We continue to discuss human rights concerns with the Honduran authorities, particularly those relating to children.

  Iraq
  Sir Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the costs deducted from oil revenues by(a) the Coalition Provisional Authority, (b) Iraqi Government

  1361W
  institutions and (c) other parties before the oil receipts are deposited in the Development Fund for Iraq accounts; and if he will make a statement. [173910]

  Mr. Straw
  United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483 of 22 May 2003 decided that all proceeds from the export sale of Iraq's oil should be deposited into the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI). The only exception to this is that 5 per cent. of proceeds from oil should be deposited into the United Nations Compensation Fund for Kuwait established in accordance with UNSCR 687 of 1991 and subsequent relevant resolutions. As outlined in UNSCR 1483, this latter requirement will be binding on an internationally recognised sovereign government of Iraq unless that government and the Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission decide otherwise. Neither the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), Iraqi Government institutions, nor any other parties deduct costs from oil revenues. The CPA meets its own costs from coalition funding, and Iraqi Government Departments and agencies are funded through the Iraqi budget.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq. [175409]

  Mr. Rammell
  Figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN, confirm that the Oil for Food programme (OFF):reduced the incidence of chronic malnutrition in children under five from 32 per cent. in 1996 to 25 per cent. in 2002 (WHO);
  reduced the mortality rate of children under five in northern Iraq from 80 per 1,000 in 1989 (i.e. before UN sanctions were imposed) to 72 in 1999 (UNICEF);
  increased the Iraqi ration (first introduced during the Iran-Iraq war) from 1,300 kCal to 2,215 kCal per day (UN); and
  reduced the incidence of tuberculosis from 78.5 cases per 100,000 in 1989 (i.e. before UN sanctions were imposed) to 43.3 cases per 100,000 in 2001 (UN).

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has seen the list of names discovered by the Iraqi Governing Council in respect of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq. [175410]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Government have received copies of documents alleging corruption in the Oil for Food programme. These documents include a list of names. The documents have been passed to the appropriate investigative authority.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department has taken in respect of the Iraqi Governing Council's demand for an inquiry into the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq. [175411]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UK supports both the UN and Iraqi inquiries into the allegations of corruption of the Oil for Food programme. The Secretary of State for International Development and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials met Paul Volcker, head of the independent UN inquiry, on 6 and 7 May. Ernst 1362W
  and Young have won the contract to carry out the Iraqi investigation on behalf of the Iraqi Board of Supreme Audit. We will co-operate fully with both investigations.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department first received(a) representations on and (b) reports of concerns about the conduct of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq. [175412]

  Mr. Rammell
  Over the life of the Oil for Food programme, we and other UN member states became aware of attempts to breach the Iraq sanctions regime. The Government took action in response in a range of ways according to the circumstances. These included approaches to other Governments and the UN Secretariat, and action through the United Nations Security Council to counter attempted corruption.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the number of(a) countries and (b) individuals involved in alleged corrupt practices in the UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq. [175413]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Government have received copies of documents alleging corruption in the oil-for-food programme. These documents include a list of names. The documents have been passed to the appropriate investigative authority.

  Middle East
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss suspension of the EU/Israeli trade agreement with his partners in the EU. [175041]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government do not believe that suspension of the EU/Israel Association Agreement would bring the parties any nearer to a peaceful resolution of their differences.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Israel's compliance with the human rights clauses in the EU/Israeli trade agreement. [175043]

  Mr. MacShane
  Along with our EU partners, we have followed a policy of constructive engagement with Israel on humanitarian and human rights issues. We have raised our concerns on human rights violations both bilaterally, most recently with Prime Minister Sharon's advisers on 18 May, and through the institutions established by the EU/Israel Association Agreement. In this respect, at the last EU/Israel Association Council in November 2003, the EU called on Israel to abstain from any punitive measures that are not in accordance with international law.

  Russian Nuclear Submarines
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Russian Government on the decommissioning of Russian nuclear submarines; and what estimate has been made of the number of such submarines. [175161]
  1363W
  Mr. Rammell
  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is responsible for the UK's programme of assistance to Russia for the dismantling of nuclear submarines. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DTI, my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Nigel Griffiths) visited Russia in February, this year to view the progress of the UK programme.

  Currently, two Oscar-1 class submarines are being dismantled as part of this programme at a shipyard near Archangel and discussions are underway for further projects. The Russian Government has informed us that there are approximately 60 decommissioned nuclear submarines in North West Russia awaiting dismantling and a further 30 in the Russian Far East.

  Co-operation in this area continues to feature in regular bilateral discussions between officials. Further detail on the UK's programme of support for the G8 Global Partnership against weapons and materials of mass destruction can be found in the Department for Trade and Industry's First Annual Report on the Former Soviet Union Nuclear Legacy Programme at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/nuclear/fsu/news/First_annual_report.pdf.

  Sudan
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British Government voted in favour of Sudan becoming a member of the UN Human Rights Commission; and if he will make a statement. [174595]

  UN Transitional Administration in East Timer (1999-May 2002)

  UN Mission of Support in East Timor (established May 2002)

  UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (established 1999)

  UN Mission in Sierra Leone (established 1999)

  UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995–2002)

  2003

  0

  9 (range 0–10)

  116 (range 79–133)

  6 (range 5–10)

  0

  2002

  7 (range 0–15)

  7 (range 0–12)

  158 (range 135–166)

  0

  60 (range 0–76)

  2001 (Figures from April-December only)

  14 (range 13–15)

  0

  142 (range 135–168)

  0

  77 (range 76–80)

  Victor Bout
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with the(a) US authorities, (b) French authorities and (c) UN about Victor Bout. [174782]
  1364W
  Mr. Rammell
  [holding answer 20 May 2004]: Sudan's membership of the UN Commission on Human Rights was agreed by the African Group, who put them forward as part of an agreed regional nomination. There was, therefore, no vote on the matter. The Government believe members of the Commission on Human Rights should meet certain minimum standards of behaviour regarding the implementation of human rights in their own countries. We are working with others to identify ways to improve the quality of membership.

  UN Civilian Police
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens are serving as civilian police for the UN; what operations they are involved with; where they are stationed; and how many were serving in each of the last seven years. [175188]

  Mr. Rammell
  A total of 127 UK citizens (serving and retired police officers) are currently serving as civilian police in UN peacekeeping missions. Four are serving in UNMISET (East Timor), 113 in UNMIK (Kosovo) and 10 in UNAMSIL (Sierra Leone).

  The following table sets out the average numbers of UK police officers who served in UN missions in each year from 2001–03. This information can also be accessed through the UN peacekeeping website:http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/contributors/)

  Figures before April 2001 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Rammell
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has, over many years, had many discussions with international partners including the US and France, bilaterally and in the United Nations about Victor Bout. The UK has supported international efforts to end Bout's illegal activities. For example, we co-sponsored Security Council Resolution 1521 (2003) on Liberia, which imposed a travel ban on him. UK Ministers have publicly welcomed action taken against his sanctions-busting activities.

PRIME MINISTER

  Correspondence
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter of 19 April from the hon. Member for Richmond Park. [174391]

  The Prime Minister
  I have replied to the hon. Member today.

  India
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Indian Congress Party's electoral win. [174842]

  The Prime Minister
  I have spoken and written to the new Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, to congratulate him on his appointment. We have strong relations with India and look forward to developing them further with the incoming Government.

  Iraq
  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 12 May 2004,Official Report, column 385W, on Iraq, what inquiries are made by the Coalition Provisional Authority into methods employed by Coalition forces in gathering information important to the CPA's aim. [174327]

  The Prime Minister
  None. Under the Geneva Conventions, responsibility for the methods employed by Coalition forces in gathering information lies with the states supplying the military forces concerned.

  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct the British representative of the Coalition Provisional Authority to require the Coalition forces to conduct an inquiry into the attack upon Mukaradeeb in western Iraq in which it is reported 40 civilians were killed. [175777]

  The Prime Minister
  The attack referred to in Mukaradeeb involved US forces. We understand that the US authorities are undertaking a formal investigation.

  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will institute a debate in Government time before 30 June, on the situation in Iraq. [175778]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House gave to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) at business questions on 13 May 2004,Official Report, column 473.

  Secondments
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Prime Minister how many staff in his Office were seconded from the(a) private and (b) academic sector in each of the last three years. [174816]
  1366W
  The Prime Minister
  There were no secondments to my Office from the private or academic sectors in 2001 and 2002. In 2003, one member of staff was seconded to my Office from the academic sector.

  Tibet
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on discussions he had on Tibet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and other Chinese official representatives during their recent visit to the U K. [174831]

  The Prime Minister
  I discussed a wide range of issues with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, including the issue of Tibet. The Government support another visit to China by representatives of the Dalai Lama and believe a peaceful resolution is best achieved through meaningful dialogue without pre-conditions.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Child Maintenance Payments
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much child maintenance has not been paid in each of the last 10 years; and how much of this is due to one of the parents moving(a) abroad and (b) to another EU member state. [166729]

  Mr. Pond
  I have been asked to reply. The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Barry Sheerman, dated 24 May 2004:

  In replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

  You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much child maintenance has not been paid in each of the last 10 years; and how much of this is due to one of the parents moving (a) abroad and (b) to another EU member state.

  As at 31 March 2003 the reported cumulative debt figure on full maintenance assessments was £664 million (page 86 para 6.1 of the Child Support Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2002/03.) I have no information to determine how much of this is due to parents residing either abroad or in the EU.

  Fine Enforcement
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many persons were fined by magistrates courts in England and Wales in each of the last three financial years; and what percentage of the fines were collected in each year. [173119]

  Mr. Leslie
  Information on the number of offenders is not available from magistrates courts systems. The latest Home Office statistics available, for the 2002 calendar year, showed that 970,400 offenders were fined by magistrates courts.
  1367W
  A national payment rate of 76 per cent. was achieved in the last quarter of 2003–04. The full year outturn stood at 74 per cent. The payment rate in 2001–02 was 59 per cent. and 55 per cent. in 2002–03. These figures are not comparable with the 2003–04 data due to collection and calculation changes. In 2003–04 the payment rate was revised so that it focused clearly on fines and excluded confiscation orders, civil and family moneys and cancelled fines.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many staff

  Number of staff employed

  Annual budgets in 2004–05 (£ million)

  (a)

  Public Guardianship Office

  291

  5.081

  (b)

  The Civil Justice Council

  4

  0.214

  (c)

  The Strategic Investment Board

  0

  0.13

  (d)

  The Information Tribunal

  0

  0.6

  (e)

  The Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act

  —

  —

  (f)

  The Advisory Group on the Delivery of Enforcement Services

  —

  —

  (g)

  The Review of Procedures Consequent on the Decision to Transfer or Commit Fraud Trials

  —

  —

  (h)

  The Office of the Public Trustee

  58

  1.7

  Total

  353

  7.725

  The Strategic Investment Board does not employ staff as such. It has a Chairman and five Appointed Members (one vacancy at present) who are all non-executive, but in receipt of fees. Both the Information Tribunal and the Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act do not directly employ any staff. The Advisory Group on the Delivery of Enforcement Services was formally dissolved during the last financial year. The Review of Procedures Consequent on the Decision to Transfer or Commit Fraud Trials ceased to exist about eight years ago.

  Unified Court Boundaries
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the unified court boundaries to be introduced next year will be coterminous with(a) probation and (b) prison service boundaries. [173126]

  Mr. Leslie
  The unified courts agency will be established in April 2005 and will have 42 local management areas. These areas will directly align with the local boundaries of the National Probation Service. Her Majesty's Prison Service has a 12-region structure that is coterminous with the boundaries of the 42 management areas.

  The local management areas of the unified courts agency will be contained within seven regions. The boundaries of these regions are coterminous with the regional Prison Service boundaries with the exception of Cheshire and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which for the way court business is currently organised, will link with Wales and the South West respectively. The Government will review this position in 2006–07.
  1368W
  are employed by (a) the Public Guardianship Office, (b) the Civil Justice Council, (c) the Strategic Investment Board, (d) the Information Tribunal, (e) the Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, (f) the Advisory Group on the Delivery of Enforcement Services, (g) the Review of Procedures Consequent on the Decision to Transfer or Commit Fraud Trials and (h) the Office of the Public Trustee; and what their annual budgets are in 2004–05. [174665]

  Mr. Lammy
  The information requested is set out in the following table.

  The Government announced in January 2004 the creation of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), which will oversee the management of probation and public sector prisons. The proposed structure of the NOMS is still being considered.

HEALTH

  Ambulance Services
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is a national standard for clinical performance in ambulance services. [174098]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Ambulance services have been set response time targets by the Government that include the target that, immediately life-threatening emergency calls (Category A) should be responded to 75 per cent. of the time within eight minutes, irrespective of location.

  The national service framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease emphasises the importance of ambulance services providing advanced life support to patients with suspected heart attack or cardiac arrest, within eight minutes, to maximise the benefits of resuscitation should it be necessary.

  The latest information about ambulance performance is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, "Ambulance Services, England 2002–03". A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm.

  Asthma
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley suffer from asthma. [173763]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  In 2002–03, there were 1,549 finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of asthma for Lancashire area, of which 286 were for the area covered by Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust.

  Notes:

  1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  3. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed)

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether a failed asylum seeker is entitled to free NHS prophylactic bronchodilators from a general practitioner;[171044]

  (2) how a doctor who has treated a failed asylum seeker may demonstrate to a funding primary care trust that the person's treatment was immediately necessary;[171046]

  (3)which ailments will entitle failed asylum seekers requiring NHS treatment to free treatment in (a) primary care and (b) secondary care. [171047]

  Mr. Hutton
  Each primary care trust (PCT) has a duty to meet all reasonable requirements to provide or secure national health service primary medical services in its area. For their part, general practitioner practices have discretion to accept a failed asylum seeker as a registered NHS patient. However, since the NHS is intended for those living lawfully in the United Kingdom, existing guidance discourages GP practices from accepting failed asylum seekers as patients.

  On 14 May, I issued a consultation document setting out proposals to clarify eligibility and introduce charges for those overseas visitors, including failed asylum seekers, who would then be ineligible for free routine NHS primary medical treatment.

  Under these proposals, practices would continue to be required to provide treatment, including potentially for asthma, which they regard as emergency or immediately necessary to anyone who needs it. Where a practice provides such treatment to an individual not registered at the practice, it notifies the PCT in writing of the clinical care given.

  In secondary care, if an asylum seeker has been in the UK for more than 12 months when their asylum claim is finally rejected, any course of treatment already under way at the time of the final rejection remains free of
  1370W
  charge. Furthermore, certain secondary care services are exempt from charges for everyone, irrespective of their immigration status. This includes treatment provided solely in an accident and emergency department, treatment of certain specified communicable diseases and compulsory mental health treatment. In the case of services which relate to HIV/AIDS only the initial test and counselling is free. Influenza immunisations are given to those who are in at risk categories. These categories include anyone over six months with respiratory disease (including asthma), chronic heart disease, renal disease, diabetes and immunosuppressant or staying or living in long stay facilities, or who at the GP's discretion needs to have a flu jab on the basis of clinical need.

  Blood Transfusion Service (Edgware Hospital)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress concerning the relocation of the blood transfusion service at Edgware hospital. [173528]

  Mr. Hutton
  I understand arrangements are in place between Barnet Primary Care Trust and the National Blood Service to relocate the blood transfusion clinic on the Edgware Site in June 2004.

  Breastfeeding
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission an economic analysis of the benefits of breastfeeding to(a) the NHS and (b) the UK economy. [173946]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department remains fully committed to promoting breastfeeding but has no current plans to commission an economic analysis its benefits.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make recommendations in support of World Health Organisation findings that infants should continue to be breastfed up to two years of age and beyond. [173947]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government support the World Health Organisation's global recommendation that infants should continue to breastfed up to two years of age. The Department recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, then continuing breastfeeding with appropriate types and amounts of weaning foods until the end of the first year of life or longer.

  Cardiac Deaths
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sudden cardiac deaths there were in each of the last five years, broken down by age range; and if he will make a statement. [175164]

  Ruth Kelly
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  1371W
  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 24 May 2004:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many sudden cardiac deaths there were in each of the last five years broken down by age range. I am replying in his absence. (175164)

  It is not possible to give an exact number of cardiac deaths which occurred suddenly, as information on whether or not a death was sudden is not currently recorded at death registration. We have therefore provided figures for all heart diseases, sudden cardiac death (so described), acute ischaemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias.

  The latest year for which data are available is 2002. Figures are shown in the attached table for each year from 1998 to 2002.

  Number of deaths from (a) all heart diseases, (b) sudden cardiac death, so described, (c) acute ischaemic heart disease and (d) cardiac arrhythmics1, by age England and Wales, 1998 to 20022

  Cause of death

  Age

  0–14

  15–44

  45–64

  65–84

  85+

  (a) All heart diseases

  1998

  101

  1,775

  17,332

  86,487

  41,719

  1999

  104

  1,748

  16,470

  82,090

  41,169

  2000

  89

  1,702

  15,756

  76,195

  39,822

  20013

  96

  1,680

  14,952

  73,047

  40,906

  20023

  81

  1,712

  14,355

  70,775

  41,194

  (b) Sudden cardiac death, so described

  1998

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1999

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  2000

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  20013

  0

  6

  4

  1

  1

  20023

  0

  4

  1

  5

  0

  (c) Acute ischaemic heart disease

  1998

  4

  621

  8,017

  38,395

  13,597

  1999

  3

  579

  7,435

  34,899

  12,917

  2000

  1

  555

  6,694

  31,470

  12,292

  20013

  4

  552

  6,184

  28,879

  11,306

  20023

  1

  553

  5,928

  27,875

  11,453

  (d) Cardiac arrhythmias

  1998

  13

  46

  99

  1,526

  1,405

  1999

  6

  49

  110

  1,528

  1,546

  2000

  5

  50

  133

  1,409

  1,554

  20013

  10

  50

  84

  1,348

  1,625

  20023

  5

  40

  75

  1,365

  1,764

  1 The cause of death was defined using the ICD-9 for the years 1998 to 2000, and ICD-10 for 2001 and 2002. The codes used are listed below: All heart diseases ICD-10 120–151, ICD-9 410–429 Sudden cardiac death, so described ICD-10 146.1, ICD-9 no equivalent code Acute ischaemic heart disease ICD-10 121, 124, ICD-9 410–411 Cardiac arrhythmias ICD-10 144–149, ICD-9 426–427.

  2 Figures are based on deaths occurring in each calendar year.

  3 The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for heart diseases are not completely comparable between ICD-9 and ICD-10. In particular there is no equivalent code for I46.1—Sudden cardiac death (so described). Any sudden changes in the above figures in 2001 should therefore be interpreted with caution. An article describing the changes to circulatory diseases in more detail is due to be published in Health Statistics Quarterly on May 27. (Griffiths C, Brock A and Rooney C (2004) The effect of the introduction of ICD-10 on mortality from circulatory diseases in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 22, in press.

  4 Figures only available from 2001, after the introduction of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for coding cause of death.

  Community Care (Ribble Valley)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have received care packages to enable them to stay in their homes in the Ribble Valley in each of the last five years. [173471]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The table shows the number of clients aged 18 and over who received community based services following a community care assessment in Lancashire councils with social services responsibilities for the years 2000–01 to 2002–03. Data for previous years are not available.

  Information on the number of clients who received community based services in the Ribble Valley is not centrally available.

  Number of clients receiving community based services1 in Lancashire, 2000–01 to 2002–03

  Lancashire

  2000–012

  35,100

  2002–02

  28,200

  2002–03

  29,400

  1 Community based services include services such as day care, meals, respite care, direct payments, professional support, transport and equipment as well as home care.

  2 Care should be taken when comparing data across the years, as levels of completion and quality may have changed.

  source:

  RAP form P1.

  Advisers/Consultants
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants had signed the new consultant contract by the end of April. [173842]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data collected on the take up of the consultant contract as at 30 April 2004 shows that nearly two thirds of those consultants who had expressed an interest before 31 October 2003 in moving onto the new contract had either moved onto the new contract or received a final job plan offer.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last three years; [171713]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The expenditure by the Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies is shown in the table.

  All those units that could provide details without incurring disproportionate costs have been included.

  Total (£)

  2001–02

  9,078,407

  2002–03

  10,508,410

  2002–04

  13,153,386

  Dentistry
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of(a) adults and (b) children in the United Kingdom were registered with a NHS dentist at the end of February. [173030]
  1373W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  At the end of February 2004, 44.3 per cent. of adults and 60.7 per cent. of children in the United Kingdom were registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist.

  However, patients do not necessarily have to be registered with a dentist to receive national health service treatment. The community dental service, personal dental service, the salaried service of the GDS and the hospital dental service are all services which do not require the patient to be registered with a dentist before treatment.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists per 10,000 population there are in England. [173032]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There are 4.7 dentists per 10,000 of the population in England.

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in England are accepting new adult patients to be treated on the NHS; and what the equivalent number was 10 years ago. [173821]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  On 17 May, 2,716 surgeries in England were registering new charge paying adults to be treated on the national health service; 3,049 surgeries were registering new charge exempt adults to be treated on the NHS and 1,583 surgeries were offering occasional treatment to non-registered patients. Personal dental services pilots, including dental access centres, provide NHS dental care to patients without registration.

  Comparable information is not available for 10 years ago.

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists are practising in(a) Lincolnshire and (b) England. [173822]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The number of national health service dentists practising in both Lincolnshire and England as a whole as at 30 September 2003 is shown in the table.

  England

  Lincolnshire

  General dental service (GDS)

  18,536

  243

  Personal dental services

  802

  13

  Community dental services

  1,518

  10

  Hospital dental services

  2,245

  36

  Salaried service of GDS

  128

  1

  Total

  23,229

  303

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered dentists in Lincolnshire are accepting new adult patients to be treated on the NHS. [173823]

  Dr. Ladyman
  There are four primary care trusts (PCTs) in the Lincolnshire area: North East Lincolnshire PCT, West Lincolnshire PCT, Lincolnshire South-West Teaching PCT and North Lincolnshire PCT.

  Information on the number of dental surgeries accepting new national health service patients in these PCT areas, as at 17 May 2004, is shown in the table.
  1374W

  Dental surgeries in Lincolnshire accepting new NHS patients by type of patient

  PCT

  Charge paying adults

  Charge exempt adults

  Occasional non-registered patients

  North East Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  1

  West Lincolnshire

  1

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire South West Teaching

  1

  2

  —

  North Lincolnshire

  1

  —

  —

  source:

  www.nhs.uk.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of patients on an NHS dental surgery list was in each of the last five years. [170632]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information in the table shows the number of registered patients, number of general dental service (GDS) principals and the average dentist list size at September each year between 1999 to 2003.

  Registrations cover patients seen in the last 15 months who are registered with the dentist. Many people choose not to register with a GDS dentist and only visit the dentist when they require treatment.

  GDS: Average dentist list size at September each year in England

  Number of patients registered per million

  Number of GDS principals

  Average list size

  1999

  23.47

  16,089

  1,459

  2000

  23.66

  16,276

  1,454

  2001

  23.58

  16,451

  1,433

  2002

  23.47

  16,445

  1,427

  2003

  23.32

  16,648

  1,401

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times on average an NHS dental patient visited an NHS dentist in each of the last five years. [170633]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information is not collected in the requested format.

  The total number of courses of treatment for adults in the general dental service has risen from 25.9 million in 1999– 26.6 million in 2003–04.

  £million

  Period

  Adult courses of treatment in GDS—England

  1996–97

  24.6

  1997–98

  25.3

  1998–99

  26.2

  1999–2000

  25.9

  2000–01

  26.4

  2001–02

  26.3

  2002–03

  26.3

  2003–04

  26.6

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people joined private practice dental surgeries in 2003–04 in(a) Worthing and (b) England. [170631]
  1375W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information on the number of people joining private dental surgeries is not collected centrally. The Office of Fair Trading report, "The Private Dentistry Market in the UK", published in 2003, stated that some 210 practices are totally private in the United Kingdom out of 11,000 Practices in total. This equates to less than two per cent.

  Dermatology
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to encourage more practice nurses to undertake dermatology training. [173926]

  Mr. Hutton
  This is a matter for the national health service locally. Post registration training for NHS staff is determined against local NHS priorities, through appraisal processes and training needs analyses. Training needs analyses are informed by local delivery plans and the needs of the service.

  The Department published an "Action on Dermatology" good practice guide in January 2003, drawing on the experiences of 15 Action on Dermatology pilot sites. The guide suggested the development of a structure of specialist clinics, as well as a comprehensive nurse-led service.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the impact on waiting times for secondary dermatology care is of treating actinic keratosis in secondary rather than primary care. [174126]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally. No assessments have been made of the impact of waiting times based on the setting where a treatment is provided.

  Doctor Vacancies
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctor vacancies there were in(a) North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Brent Primary Care Trust and (c) each strategic health authority in England in each year since 1997; and what the average figures for strategic health authorities in (i) London and (ii) England were in each year. [172818]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department's doctor vacancy survey started in 1999. It collects all hospital and community health service three-month vacancies, excluding the house officer, senior house officer and registrar staff groups.

  The Department's annual general practitioner (GP) recruitment and retention vacancy survey started in 2000. This is a count of all GP vacancies that have occurred during each year. It will include existing posts that doctors have left and also new posts created to increase the workforce, even where they were filled very quickly.

  The average doctor three-month vacancy rate and number for strategic health authorities (SHAs) in London and England since 1999 has been placed in the Library. Data are provided from 2000 for North West London Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Data are not collected for the Brent Primary Care Trust (PCT) area.
  1376W
  The number of GP vacancies in Brent PCT for the year April 2002 to March 2003, the first year data was collected at PCT level, was 16. The number of GP vacancies for each SHA since 2000 has been placed in the Library.

  Drug Treatment (Manchester)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Manchester, Central are receiving drug treatment. [174365]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In 2000–01, there were 3,652 people receiving drug treatment in Manchester. This is the latest available data. Data broken down by drug action team for 2001–02 and 2002–03 has not yet been finalised and published.

  Eating Disorders
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are on a waiting list to receive treatment at each of the specialist eating disorders units; and what the average waiting time to receive treatment is. [172472]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not available in the requested format.

  The finished admission episodes, mean and median time waited in days for treatment for eating disorders on the national health service are shown in the table.

  Primary diagnosis (ICD-10 F50) eating disorders. Method of admission—elective (waiting list and booked) cases. Count of finished admission episodes, mean and median time waited—NHS hospitals, England 2002–03

  Number

  Mean time waited

  38 days

  Median time waited

  8 days

  Count of finished admission episodes

  226

  Notes:

  1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the hospital episodes statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  3. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).

  4. Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.

  Source:

  HES, Department of Health.

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the UK have been admitted as inpatients for the treatment of eating disorders in each of the last five years; and how many of these in-patients were admitted to general psychiatric wards. [172473]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not available in the requested format.
  1377W
  The number of finished admission episodes in national health service hospitals with a primary diagnosis of eating disorder in each of the last five years is shown in the table.

  Finished admission episodes, NHS hospitals in England, 1998–99 to 2002–03

  Anorexia nervosa

  Bulimia nervosa

  1998–99

  1,022

  170

  1999–2000

  1,148

  137

  2000–01

  1,061

  136

  2001–02

  1,139

  137

  2002–03

  1,156

  123

  Notes:

  1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  2. These figures do not represent all people with an eating disorder, as many do not require admission to hospital.

  3. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the hospital episode statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  4. Diagnostic criteria for Anorexia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.0 and F50.1); Bulimia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.2 and F50.3).

  5. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).

  Source:

  HES, Department of Health.

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed as suffering from(a) Anorexia nervosa and (b) Bulimia nervosa, in each of the last five years. [172475]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not available in the requested format.

  The number of finished consultant episodes in national health service hospitals with a primary diagnosis of eating disorder in each of the last five years is shown in the table.

  Finished consultant episodes, NHS hospitals in England, 1998–99 to 2002–03

  Anorexia nervosa

  Bulimia nervosa

  1998–99

  1,157

  189

  1999–2000

  1,264

  157

  2000–01

  1,193

  151

  2001–02

  1,273

  160

  2002–03

  1,315

  131

  Notes:

  1. Finished consultant episodes—a count of the number of hospital episode statistics (HES) records submitted on behalf of English national health service hospital providers that relate to episodes of in-patient care which ended during the HES year. These figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.

  2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  3. Diagnostic criteria for Anorexia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.0 and F50.1); Bulimia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.2 and F50.3).

  4. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).

  Source:

  HES, Department of Health.

  Emergency Planning
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how closely co-ordination health authorities are with those bodies that would provide airlift relief in the event of a serious emergency. [174682]

  Mr. Hutton
  In addition to its own helicopter air ambulances, the National Health Service has long-standing arrangements to seek additional support, if required, from the armed forces. Further support is available, as and when required, through arrangements made at the local level.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how well advanced Government plans are for the co-ordination of NHS casualty units and coordination between hospitals in the event of a serious emergency. [174683]

  Mr. Hutton
  National health service organisations have well developed major incident plans, including mutual aid, and national guidance to NHS organisations requires that all major incident plans be reviewed and tested on a regular basis. The NHS has been conducting major incident training exercises for many years, often in conjunction with local emergency partners.

  Initially, the ambulance service will co-ordinate the NHS response; deploy vehicles to the scene; and put hospitals on stand-by to take casualties. If the incident continues, local health services will take on further coordination of the response.

  The NHS is an integral part of the integrated approach across government to protect the public and maintain essential services.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of his Department's staff work in each of the English Government Office regions. [173839]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested can be found in Table D (page 40–41) in the publication, "Civil Service Statistics 2002". This is the latest published information available. Copies are available in the Library and also at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics/css.

  Epsom and St. Helier Trust
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study has been carried out by the East Elmbridge and Mid Surrey Primary Care Trust on the viability of demerging the Epsom and St. Helier Trust. [173233]

  Mr. Hutton
  The South West London and Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authorities advise me that there are currently no plans to demerge Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the representation by East Elmbridge and Mid-Surrey Primary Care Trust to the Chief Executive of the South West London
  1379W
  Strategic Health Authority during the recent arbitration hearing about the possibility of demerging the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust. [173234]

  Mr. Hutton
  No plans exist within Epsom and St. Helier National Health Service Trust or South West London Strategic Health Authority for the demerger of Epsom and St. Helier. East Elmbridge and Mid-Surrey Primary Care Trust raised the matter during an arbitration hearing, but it has not been explored further.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the secretary of State for Health what changes would be required to maintain accident and emergency services at Epsom hospital following a demerger of the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust. [173230]

  Mr. Hutton
  This is a matter for the local national health service. Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust has not undertaken any detailed studies on the effect of demerger of Epsom and St. Helier hospitals.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital charges are payable on the Epsom hospital site. [173231]

  Mr. Hutton
  The total capital charges for Epsom Hospital for 2003–04 were £3.295 million.

  Foundation Hospitals
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places on the boards of governors of the first wave of foundation hospitals which(a) are vacant and (b) were filled unopposed. [168067]

  Mr. Hutton
  This is a matter for the office of the independent regulator of National Health Service foundation trusts. The chairman will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  GP Contracts
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce quality measures for dermatology into the general practitioner contract. [173924]

  Mr. Hutton
  Changes to the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) of the new general medical services contract will be negotiated between the NHS Confederation and the British Medical Association, following recommendations from an independent, United Kingdom-wide review group. The independent review group will decide which disease areas to consider for addition to the QOF.

  Health Services (Derby, North)
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of patients with suspected cancer in Derby, North saw an NHS consultant within two weeks in each year between 1997 and 2003. [173740]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information from 1999 onwards for the organisations that service the Derby, North constituency is shown in the table.
  1380W

  All Cancer waiting times, Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Urgent referrals received within 24 hours

  Total referrals seen during the year

  Number of patients seen during the year by a specialist within 14 days of the decision to refer by their general practitioner

  Number of patients seen during the year by a specialist after 14 days of the decision to refer by their general practitioner

  Percentage compliance with the two week standard

  1999–2000

  470

  461

  9

  98.1

  2000–01

  1,336

  1,306

  30

  97.8

  2001–02

  4,185

  4,019

  166

  96.0

  2002–03

  5,300

  5,212

  88

  98.3

  2003–041

  4,338

  4,300

  38

  99.1

  Note:

  1 Only three quarters data is available for 2003–04. Date for quarter ended March 2004 will be published on 4 June 2004.

  Source:

  Department of Health form QMCW

  Health Services (Nottinghamshire)
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS(a) nurses, (b) midwives and (c) health visitors were working within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997. [173525]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued to NHS patients within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997. [173552]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information for the years that are available is shown in the following table.

  Number of prescription items prescribed in general practitioner practices in Trent Strategic Health Authority (SHA) at primary care trust (PCT) level and total number of prescription items prescribed in general practitioner (GP) practices in England that were dispensed in the community—for 2001–02,2002–03 and 2003–04

  PCT/SHA where prescriptions prescribed

  Financial Years

  PCTs

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Mansfield District

  1,250,648

  1,319,701

  1,380,595

  Newark and Sherwood

  1,528,463

  1,601,288

  1,676,492

  Gedling

  1,038,381

  1,087,665

  1,132,335

  Nottingham City

  3,282,767

  3,433,254

  3,623,316

  Bassetlaw

  1,405,639

  1,492,650

  1,547,934

  Broxtowe and Hucknall

  1,505,645

  1,603,861

  1,645,517

  Ashfield

  1,086,997

  1,145,424

  1,194,587

  Rushcliffe

  1,253,255

  1,314,968

  1,383,004

  Notes:

  1. This information was obtained from the prescribing analysis and cost (PACT) system, which covers prescriptions prescribed by GP practices in England and dispensed in the community. Prescriptions written within a GP practice but dispensed outside the PCT will be included in the PCT in which the GP practice is based. Prescriptions written in England but dispensed outside England are included. Prescriptions written in hospitals/clinics that are dispensed in the community, prescriptions dispensed in hospitals and private prescriptions are not included in PACT data.

  2. Prescriptions are written on a prescription form. Each single item written on the form is counted as a prescription item.

  3. With effect from October 2002, the prescription pricing analysis (PPA) information systems were changed to reflect Shifting the Balance of Power. Shifting the Balance of Power saw the creation

  1381W
  of SHAs and PCTs, which shifted the balance of power within the national health services away from Whitehall and towards front line clinical staff and their patients. Due to Shifting the Balance of Power, from the October 2002 release of ePACT.net, PCT data reflects the organisational structures in place on 1 October 2002. This was true for all 36 months historic data on ePACT.net, so data on ePACT.net prior to October 2002 was also amended retrospectively so that it was in line with Shifting the Balance of Power.

  Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust 1996–97 to 2000–01

  Average daily number of available beds, by sector

  Year

  All specialties (excluding day only)

  General and Acute

  Acute

  Geriatric

  Mental illness

  Learning disability

  Maternity

  Day only

  1996–97

  1,021

  729

  611

  118

  233

  59

  31

  1997–98

  990

  710

  580

  131

  220

  60

  33

  1998–99

  927

  703

  620

  83

  170

  54

  31

  1 999–2000

  886

  695

  612

  83

  137

  54

  33

  2000–01

  919

  719

  636

  83

  146

  54

  35

  Source:

  Department of Health form KHO3

  Wrightington Health Services NHS Trust 1996–97 to 2000–01

  Year

  All specialties (excluding day only)

  General and Acute

  Acute

  Geriatric

  Mental illness

  Learning disability

  Maternity

  Day only

  1996–97

  148

  148

  132

  16

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1997–98

  154

  154

  140

  14

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1998–99

  158

  158

  158

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1999–2000

  158

  158

  158

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  2000–01

  158

  158

  158

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Source:

  Department of Health form KHO3

  Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust 2001–02 to 2001–03.

  Year

  All specialties (excluding day only)

  General and Acute

  Acute

  Geriatric

  Mental illness

  Learning disability

  Maternity

  Day only

  1996–97

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1997–98

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1998–99

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1999–2000

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  2000–01

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  2001–02

  1,083

  900

  817

  83

  130

  -

  53

  36

  2002–03

  899

  850

  801

  49

  -

  -

  49

  70

  Source:

  Department of Health form KHO3

  Heroin
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest figures are for heroin addiction within the Greater London area. [174485]

  Mr. Hutton
  This information is not collected centrally.

  ICT Training
  Mr. Simon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff

  Health Services (Wigan)
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS beds were available in Wigan in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [169350]

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

  within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT. [173719]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Neither the Department nor its executive agencies have targets for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff.

  Staff are encouraged to improve their ICT skills and every major corporate application implementation or upgrade of desktop software packages is accompanied by training opportunities. The Department offers a range of training options: classroom training, at-desk training, computer based training, short seminars and

  1383W
  workshops. Staff are also able to undertake the European computer driving licence, leading to formally recognised qualifications in ICT.

  The Department and its agencies are very heavily reliant on ICT for the conduct of their business and, while there is no formal, corporate process for validating staff competence in ICT, staff are assessed, as part of the performance appraisal process, on their ability to undertake their roles effectively. This may include ICT related tasks.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds will be made available to(a) strategic health authorities and (b) primary care trusts to cover the costs of (i) training clinical staff to use new IT systems as part of the National Programme for IT rollout and (ii) covering for clinical staff while they are training. [174104]

  Mr. Hutton
  Training plans to support the national programme for information technology in the national health service in England (NPfIT) are still evolving, as is to be expected when approaching a phased programme of implementation and roll out of new applications, systems and services.

  General IT skills are now an everyday element for any public service and service based organisation, including the NHS, and provision for this will form part of the normal continuing professional and personal development for all NHS staff within existing budgets and training plans. The Europe computer driving licence is helping to improve general skills across the NHS. The move to e-learning and development and the NHS university will both create more demand for computer and online skills and provide more channels and solutions to bring training to people.

  As we complete the more detailed plans for each geographical cluster and local service provider contract we will map out the extent of IT support for clinical practice and patient care to support the implementation of the NPfIT. This will generate clearer training requirements and will enable us co consider the most appropriate ways of providing training and development and produce firmer costs. The bids submitted by the service suppliers for the NPfIT include an element for supporting the delivery of training within the NHS.

  Infleximab/Remicade
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is proposing to take to ensure that Infleximab/Remicade is made available on the NHS for all patients requiring this treatment; [174141]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust and (b) other primary care trusts are operating in line with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on the prescription by consultant rheumatologists of Infleximab/Remicade. [174142]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  National health service bodies are under a statutory obligation to fund treatments recommended in National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals. We expect primary care trusts to meet their statutory obligations and strategic health authorities to follow up any allegations of non-compliance.
  1384W
  However, clinicians may depart from the NICE guidance if, in their view, the circumstances of the individual patient justify doing so. But they will be held accountable, through clinical governance arrangements, for their clinical decisions.

  Maternity Services
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time midwives are employed in the NHS; and how many were employed(a) five years ago and (b) 10 years ago. [173581]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  NHS hospital and community health services: registered midwives by nature of contract in England as at 30 September each year

  Headcount

  Total

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Blank/Unknown

  2003

  23,941

  10,462

  11,796

  1,683

  1998

  22,841

  11,638

  9,511

  1,692

  1993

  23,353

  12,205

  7,185

  3,963

  Notes:

  1. A new classification of the non-medical workforce was introduced in 1995.

  2. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the merits of permitting people to commence midwifery training without having to undergo prior training as a nurse. [173738]

  Mr. Hutton
  Entry requirements, content or structure of pre-registration nursing and midwifery training programmes are matters which are the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Council as the regulatory body for these professions. The arrangements for direct entry midwifery training leading to professional qualifications and the right to practice have proved successful over the last decade and have the support of the professional bodies and higher education institutions.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls were made to NHS Direct in 2003–04. [173844]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004, NHS Direct answered 6,427,321 calls.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of NHS Direct was in 2003–04. [173845]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The total budgeted cost for the NHS Direct telephone service, NHS Direct Online and other related services for 2003–04 is £124 million.

  NHS Recruitment
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of healthcare workers from overseas who have been granted work permits were employed by(a) the NHS and (b) the private

  1385W
  health sector for their first job on entering the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [170665]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 4 May 2004]: I have been asked to reply.

  The structure of the Work Permits (UK) database and record storage facilities does not allow for a breakdown of the number of work permits awarded to healthcare workers by employer type, i.e. in NHS or private healthcare sector. This information therefore can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Midwives/Nurses
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives were employed in the national health service in each year from 1974 to 2003. [173637]

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

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Registered midwives in England as at 30 September each year

  Whole-time equivalent

  Headcount

  2003

  18,444

  23,941

  2002

  18,119

  23,249

  2001

  18,048

  23,075

  2000

  17,662

  22,572

  1999

  17,876

  22,799

  1998

  18,168

  22,841

  1997

  18,053

  22,385

  1996

  18,262

  22,595

  19951

  18,034

  22,022

  1994

  19,291

  23,050

  1993

  19,554

  23,353

  1992

  20,283

  24,020

  1991

  19,685

  23,368

  1990

  19,897

  23,143

  1989

  19,213

  22,391

  1988

  19,290

  22,319

  1987

  19,312

  22,117

  1986

  18,850

  21,549

  1985

  18,431

  21,067

  1984

  17,820

  20,438

  1983

  17,309

  19,814

  19822

  16,268

  18,439

  1981

  12,743

  14,763

  1980

  13,056

  15,209

  1979

  12,525

  14,617

  1978

  12,115

  14,078

  1977

  12,277

  14,192

  1976

  12,248

  14,144

  1975

  11,380

  13,311

  1974

  10,562

  12,300

  1A new system of occupation coding for NHS non-medical staff was introduced in 1995. The new codes classify staff according to what they do rather than the terms and conditions under which they are employed i.e. national pay scales. Figures based on new occupation codes are not directly comparable with those based on the old pay scale classification. Therefore figures since 1995 are not comparable with earlier years.

  2 From 1982 onwards data are taken from the Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census. Prior to 1982 data are taken from the Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for England (HPSSS). Data from HPSSS contains hospital-based staff only and is therefore not directly comparable with later years.

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  All figures exclude learners and agency staff.

  Sources:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for England (HPSSS).

  1386W
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses have(a) entered and (b) completed training since 1997; and how many of those have (i) been recruited into the national health service and (ii) are still working in the national health service. [174105]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of nurses and midwives entering training each year since 1997 is shown in the table.

  Pre-registration nursing and midwifery training commissions

  Headcount

  1996–97

  14,984

  1997–98

  16,539

  1998–99

  17,689

  1999–2000

  18,707

  2000–01

  20,021

  2001–02

  21,770

  2002–03

  22,956

  Source:

  Quarterly Monitoring Reports.

  Information on the number of nurses who complete training each year was collected by the English National Board for Nursing, until its abolition in March 2002 with the creation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The latest complete information is only available for the 1997–98 cohort of nursing and midwifery students, of whom 72 per cent. had completed training by October 2001.

  Information is not collected centrally on the number of nurses completing training recruited into the national health service or still working in the NHS. The NMC holds information on the number of nurses and midwives initially entering the register, a pre-requisite for employment in the NHS and other sectors in the United Kingdom. This information can be found on the NMC website at www.nmc-uk.org.

  Between 1997 and 2003, there has been a net increase of 67,503 qualified nurses employed in the NHS.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to increase the input of front-line nurses into departmental policy formation. [173737]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Frontline nurses contribute directly to policy development as individual members of working groups, policy boards and clinical advisory networks. They also contribute though their national health service trusts modernisation programmes and professional organisations which meet regularly with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). The contribution of frontline nurses to policy is being increased by engaging the new strategic health authority lead nurses, greater use of electronic communication, visits to the NHS by Ministers and officials and linking modernisation programmes to policy work.

  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of nursing students withdrew from university courses in each of the past five years. [173766]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information for England on the percentage of pre-registration student nurses who have left their university course is shown in the following table. The recently received attrition data for the
  1387W
  2002–03 academic year administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency is in the process of being analysed.

  Percentage withdrawn

  1996–1997

  20.38

  1997–1998

  20.16

  1998–1999

  18.16

  1999–2000

  13.44

  2000–2001

  6.21

  Note:

  This data is based on a snapshot in time of a particular cohort(s) and therefore each year there will still be students who have yet to complete their course.

  Obesity
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many children have undergone stomach stapling operations for obesity related problems in each of the last five years;[172587]

  (2) how many adults have under gone stomach stapling operations in each of the last five years. [172589]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 11 may 2004]: The table shows the number of finished admission episodes for stomach stapling operations performed on adults over the last five years. No children had stomach stapling operations in relation to obesity during the time period.

  Children: 0–18 years

  Adults: 19 years and over

  1998–99

  0

  4

  1999–2000

  0

  12

  2000–01

  0

  14

  2001–02

  0

  10

  2002–03

  0

  6

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Opticians
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to offer financial support to the compulsory continued education and training programmes for(a) opticians and (b) dispensing opticians. [171045]

  Primary Diagnosis (ICD-10 C00-D48)—Neoplasms: Count of finished admission episodes for London Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) of treatment NHS hospitals. England 2002–03

  SHA of treatment

  Female

  Male

  Not known

  Not specified

  Total

  Q04

  North West London HA

  22,179

  18,842

  6

  —

  41,027

  Q05

  North Central London HA

  18,975

  17,048

  1

  —

  36,024

  Q06

  North East London HA

  18,519

  17,883

  —

  —

  36,402

  Q07

  South East London HA

  13,369

  12,714

  —

  4

  26,087

  Q08

  South West London HA

  22,057

  19,705

  2

  —

  41,764

  London SHAs

  95,099

  86,192

  9

  4

  181,304

  Finished admission episodes

  A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider.

  Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis)

  The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  Ungrossed Data

  Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

  1388W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  As part of a three-year agreement on fees for sight-tests under the general ophthalmic services (GOS), the Department has agreed to make a financial contribution towards the costs of continuing education and training. These arrangements cover optometrists who are obliged to undertake continuing education to maintain their registration with the General Optical Council and also those ophthalmic medical practitioners who undertake no professional work other than conducting sight tests and who are also obliged to undertake continuing education as part of the registration requirements of the General Medical Council.

  Under the terms of the three-year sight-test fee agreement, the financial support towards continuing education has been set at £270 for the year 2004–05 and £425 for the year 2005–06.

  Dispensing opticians are not contracted to provide GOS and are therefore outside of these national health service arrangements and were not part of the pay agreement reached with contractors.

  The Department is due shortly to begin a review of the GOS and the position of dispensing opticians within the NHS will be considered as part of that review.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons dispensing opticians are not recognised by his Department as healthcare professionals. [172703]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Dispensing opticians are recognised as health care professionals and are regulated under the Opticians Act. Under legislative changes introduced in 1986, dispensing was deregulated and became a private transaction. Dispensing opticians are therefore not included on primary care trust lists.

  Cancer
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women are being treated for cancer in the Greater London area. [174496]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on treatment for cancer is not available in the format requested. Information on the number of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of neoplasms for the five London strategic health authorities for 2002–03 is shown in the table.

  Patient Statistics (Wandsworth)
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients there were per general practitioner within the London borough of Wandsworth at the most recent recorded date. [174494]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is collected by primary care trust (PCT) rather than London borough. Information for Wandsworth PCT is shown in the table.

  Patients of unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)1 for Wandsworth PCT

  Wandsworth PCT

  UPEs

  174

  Patients of UPEs

  302,798

  Average list size

  1,740

  1 UPEs include general medical service unrestricted principals, personal medical services contracted general practitioners and personal medical service salaried GPs. Data as at 30 September 2003.

  Source:

  Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics.

  PFI Schemes
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the aggregate annual revenue payments from 2004–05 onwards are in respect of NHS private finance initiative schemes which have reached financial close. [173841]

  Mr. Hutton
  The annual aggregate revenue payments for all national health service private finance initiative (PFI) schemes with a capital value of £10 million or over which have reached financial close are in the table.

  Payment (£ million)

  2004–05

  389.2

  2005–06

  477.7

  2006–07

  567.9

  2007–08

  599.0

  2008–09

  641.3

  2009–10

  641.5

  2010–11

  641.1

  2011–12

  642.2

  2012–13

  642.5

  2013–14

  642.8

  2014–15

  643.6

  2015–16

  643.5

  2016–17

  642.1

  2017–18

  641.0

  2018–19

  640.4

  2019–20

  640.7

  2020–21

  640.8

  2021–22

  640.4

  2022–23

  639.8

  2023–24

  637.1

  2024–25

  634.2

  2025–26

  631.9

  2026–27

  613.5

  2027–28

  613.9

  2028–29

  613.4

  2029–30

  609.3

  1390W
  These figures are submitted bi-annually to Her Majesty's Treasury. Table C19 of the Budget report contains an aggregate figure for the revenue payments from all Government Departments and they appear in Treasury Ministers' autumn report to Parliament.

  Statistics are not collected centrally for schemes with a value less than £10 million.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to his Department of freezing prescription charges at their current price over the next five years. [173184]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The level of the prescription charge is considered annually and no forecast is made of future charge levels. It is therefore not possible to estimate the cost of freezing the current charge.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many men are being treated for prostate cancer in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley. [173762]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  In 2002–03, there were 1,263 finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of prostate cancer for Lancashire area, of which 189 were for the area covered by Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust.

  Notes:

  (1) A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  (2) The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HRS) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  (3) Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health.

  Psychiatrists
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) by what percentage the number of NHS psychiatrists has changed since 1997; [175036]

  (2) how many consultant psychiatrists are employed by the NHS in (a) Leicestershire and (b) England. [175037]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of staff within the psychiatry group in England increased by 21.8 per cent. between September 1997 and September 2003. The number of consultants within the psychiatry group in England increased by 35.1 per cent. between September 1997 and December 2003.

  The table shows the number of consultants within the psychiatry group, broken down by psychiatry specialties, in England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority as at December 2003.
  1391W

  Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): Consultants within the psychiatry group in England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority by organisation: as at 30 December 2003

  Numbers (headcount)

  of which

  Psychiatry group

  Child and adolescent psychiatry

  Forensic psychiatry

  General psychiatry

  Learning disabilities

  Old age psychiatry

  Psychotherapy

  England

  3,305

  526

  216

  1,804

  206

  442

  111

  Of which

  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA

  Q25

  84

  13

  1—

  40

  7

  19

  5

  Of which

  Leicestershire & Rutland Healthcare NHS

  Trust

  RT5

  58

  8

  1—

  29

  5

  14

  2

  Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

  RNS

  3

  3

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  RP1

  23

  2

  1—

  11

  2

  5

  3

  1ZERO

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are planned to increase the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists in the NHS. [175038]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government's agenda to improve the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists is being taken forward by the National Institute for Mental Health in England national world tree programme.

  The Department and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have issued a joint action plan providing recommendations to increase the recruitment and overall numbers and the retention of consultant psychiatrists in January. The recommended actions cover the whole career pathway from initial recruitment of medical graduates into psychiatry through to the timing of retirement and improving international recruitment.

  The national workforce programme is currently producing an analysis of demand and supply of staff to influence the commissioning of funding for education and training by the work force development confederations by way of the national workforce numbers advisory board.

  The programme is also exploring proposals to create more flexibility between specialist registrar and senior house officer posts with a view to reducing potential difficulties in filling them.

  Radiography Services (Berkshire)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified radiographers have been employed at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in each of the last five years. [173730]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Requested information on number of qualified radiographer s is provided in the table.

  NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified radiography staff in the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust by area as at 30 September each specified year.
  1392W

  headcount

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Total qualified radiographers

  94

  74

  90

  91

  90

  95

  of which:

  Diagnostic radiographers

  75

  58

  70

  73

  74

  76

  Therapeutic radiographers

  19

  16

  20

  18

  16

  19

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Rubber Ferrules
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expenditure was on the acquisition of rubber ferrules in each year since 1997. [174158]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 20 May 2004]: Ferrules are supplied to the national health service as part of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency's national agreement for the supply of walking aids. The Department holds information on ferrules bought since 1998–99. The contract is not mandatory, and therefore some NHS bodies may buy ferrules from other sources.

  The expenditure on the contract was as follows:

  £

  1998–99

  96,670.37

  1999–2000

  103,094.37

  2000–01

  87,739.36

  2001–02

  96,896.97

  2002–03

  101,855.81

  2003–04

  106,347.92

  Note:

  All figures include Value Added Tax.

  Radiology
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many interventional radiologists practise in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [174967]

  Mr. Hutton
  Interventional radiology is the use of imaging guidance for the purpose of treating patients.

  There is no certificate of completion of specialist training in interventional radiology. Therefore, the Department does not collect data on the numbers of interventional radiologists practising in the national

  1393W
  health service. Many clinical radiologists undertake interventional radiological procedures and most of them combine diagnosis and intervention in their practice.

  Sick Leave
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the staff of his Department were absent from work due to sickness as a proportion of the staff time available in each year since 2000. [173838]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information on sickness absence in the Department is available in the publication, "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service". Copies of "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" are available in the Library and at www.cabinet-office.gov.ukcivilservice/publications/sickness/index.htm. The website also contains reports for the previous three years.

  Information on the number of staff employed by the Department can be found in the publication, "Civil Service Statistics".

  Copies of "Civil Service Statistics" are available in the Library and at www.civil-service.gov.uk/Statistics/css/htm. The website contains publications since the financial year 1970.

  Skin Cancer
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the two week wait rule on the management of suspected skin cancers. [174124]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  A two-week outpatient waiting time standard was introduced for urgently referred cases of suspected skin cancer from October 2000. In the last quarter (October to December 2003), 99.5 per cent., of urgently referred patients with suspected skin cancer were seen within two weeks of urgent referral. We have issued general practitioner cancer referral guidelines to assist GPs in determining those patients who need to be referred urgently to see a specialist within two weeks, those patients that can be referred for a routine appointment and those who can be safely watched at a primary care level. The referral guidelines are currently being reviewed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

  Smoking
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation he has undertaken on a possible ban on the smoking of tobacco in public places. [174383]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  On 3 March, the Government launched "Choosing Health?", a consultation on action to improve people's health. This sets out a range of questions on which the Government are seeking views.

  Questions regarding smoking of tobacco in public places are:

  Should the Government pass a law to make all enclosed workplaces/public places smoke-free?

  What about restaurants?

  What about pubs and bars?
  1394W
  Would local authorities be better placed than central Government to introduce laws?

  Apart from bans how else could local towns and cities respond to calls for more smoke-free public places?

  The consultation continues until 28 May.

  Social Care
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the recent TV advertising campaign in respect of social care careers. [173952]

  Dr. Ladyman
  During the five weeks of the campaign, the social care careers helpline received more than 66,000 calls against a forecast of 23,000, with the majority of the calls generated by television. This is a very high response and indicates that for many people, social care is a viable career option.

  The website, www socialcarecareers.co.uk, attracted more than 23,000 unique visitors and to support those interested in jobs, links were established to local authority job pages and to Jobcentre Plus.

  St. George's Hospital
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assaults there were on members of staff during the last 12 months at St. George's Hospital, Tooting. [174495]

  Mr. Hutton
  During 2002–03, there were 60 violent incidents1 on directly employed staff at the St. George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust.
  1 Violent incidents are counted as any incident where staff are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related to their work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well being or health.

  Notes:

  1. Data at individual hospitals are not available centrally as information is collected at NHS trust or primary care trust level.

  2. Data are collected on a financial year basis.

  Source:

  Department of Health Violence, Accidents and Harassment Survey 2002–2003.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are employed at St. George's Hospital, Tooting; and how many are(a) agency nurses and (b) recruited from overseas countries. [174498]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of nurses at St George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust is shown in the table. Information is not available centrally on the number agency nurses or the number of nurses recruited from overseas countries by the trust.

  NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust as at 30 September 2003

  Headcount

  RJ7

  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust

  2,375

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Supporting People Scheme
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he is putting in place for health agencies
  1395W
  on the effects on the provision of (a) learning disability and (b) mental health services of changes in the Supporting People budgets. [167857]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  No guidelines are being issued with regard to any changes in the Supporting People budgets.

  Waiting Lists/Times
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for a patient to get an appointment to be seen at a genito-urinary medicine clinic in each strategic health authority area in England. [174038]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: Data on average waiting times are shown in the table.

  Estimated average out-patient wait for those seen under the genito-urinary medicine specialty for March 2004 by Strategic Health Authority (SHA)

  SHA name

  Median (weeks)

  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire

  2.00

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

  2.11

  Essex

  2.25

  North West London

  —

  North Central London

  2.07

  North East London

  2.00

  South East London

  2.01

  South West London

  —

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

  2.02

  County Durham and Tees Valley

  —

  North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lin olnshire

  2.00

  West Yorkshire

  2.02

  Cumbria and Lancashire

  —

  Greater Manchester

  2.04

  Cheshire and Merseyside

  2.14

  Thames Valley

  2.00

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight

  2.00

  Kent and Medway

  2.41

  Surrey and Sussex

  —

  Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire

  2.72

  South West Peninsula

  3.13

  Somerset and Dorset

  2.00

  South Yorkshire

  2.01

  Trent

  —

  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland

  2.03

  Shropshire and Staffordshire

  —

  Birmingham and The Black Country

  2.02

  Coventry, Warwickshire. Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  2.03

  Source:

  Department of Health form QM08.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) average and (b) maximum waiting time to see (i) an occupational therapist, (ii) a physiotherapist and (iii) a speech and language therapist in (A) England and (B) each strategic health authority; [174479]

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2, on applications, by gender, 2001–03

  Applications

  Initial decisions

  Total applications

  Total initial decisions

  Grants of asylum

  Grants of ELR

  Grants of HP/DL

  Refusals

  Male

  20013,4

  315

  830

  5

  15

  n/a

  810

  20024

  280

  230

  *

  5

  n/a

  225

  20034

  205

  230

  —

  5

  *

  225

  1396W
  Mr. Hutton
  Information on waiting times for these services is not collected centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Antisocial Behaviour
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places have been designated as areas of persistent antisocial behaviour by the Metropolitan police since the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 came into force; how many dispersal orders have been issued in those areas; and how many unsupervised children have been escorted home from those areas. [172402]

  Ms Blears
  The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is not currently held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Asylum
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent by the National Asylum Support Service in each year since its inception(a) on subsistence only support, (b) on NASS accommodation and (c) in total. [173399]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: The information requested on the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation costs and total NASS expenditure is as follows.

  £ million1

  Financial Year

  (a) Subsistence only support2

  (b) Expenditure on NASS Accommodation

  (c) Total NASS Expenditure

  2000–01

  Not recorded separately

  Not recorded separately

  783

  2001–02

  Not recorded separately

  439

  1,082

  2002–03

  Not recorded separately

  594

  1,124

  2004–04

  Not recorded separately

  Not yet available

  Not yet available

  1 All figures rounded to the nearest million.

  2 Specific information on the costs of providing subsistence only are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women from the Ukraine have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many applications have been granted. [173539]

  Mr. Browne
  The tables show asylum application and initial decision data for Ukranian nationals, by gender, for those years for which data are available:
  1397W

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2, on applications, by gender, 2001–03

  Applications Total applications

  Initial decisions

  Total initial decisions

  Grants of asylum

  Grants of ELR

  Grants of HP/DL

  Refusals

  Female

  20013,4

  130

  345

  *

  15

  n/a

  330

  20024

  80

  80

  —

  5

  n/a

  75

  20034

  90

  120

  —

  *

  5

  115

  n/a = not applicable.

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

  2 Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals determinations or other subsequent decisions.

  3 Revised figures.

  4 Provisional figures.

  Information on asylum applications and initial decisions, by gender, is published in the annual statistical bulletin, "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom". Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://NAAAAw.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html

  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the new EU accession states, previously maintained as asylum seekers, have(a) had that maintenance removed, (b) lost their housing and (c) applied for work registration. [173873]

  Mr. Browne
  On 5 and 6 April 2004, the National Asylum Support Services (NASS) sent 1,131 letters to nationals from those countries due to join the EU on 1 May (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Cyprus and Malta). The letters explained that, after 1 May, as EEA nationals, they would no longer be entitled to National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support and that they would have the options of working, and registering under the Worker Registration scheme where appropriate, becoming self sufficient or returning to their country of origin. Support can be provided if it is necessary to avoid a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and a process has been set up to consider ECHR representations.

  Provisional figures indicate that as at 14 May, of the 1,131 cases, 571 were remaining in NASS accommodation and a further 108 were receiving cash only support, pending an individual assessment of their circumstances. These figures are subject to change as cases find work or if they decide to leave the United Kingdom voluntarily.

  Figures are not currently available for those supported by local authorities under the interim provisions but local authorities have been advised of the procedures being followed by NASS.

  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate is monitoring the impact of accession and will be making information available on the Worker Registration Scheme on a regular basis, when it is meaningful and appropriate to do so.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and their dependants in each parliamentary constituency in the City of Newcastle in December 2003 were supported by 1398W
  the National Asylum Support Service; and how many of those were (a) from the EU accession countries and (b) potentially covered by amnesty schemes. [170863]

  Mr. Browne
  The total number of asylum seekers (including dependants), and those from the EU accession countries (including dependants), in each parliamentary constituency in the City of Newcastle as at the end of December 2003 that were supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are shown in the table:

  Parliamentary constituency

  Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS1 (including dependants)

  Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS1 from the EU accession countries (including dependants)

  Newcastle upon Tyne Central

  430

  20

  Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend

  475

  20

  Newcastle upon Tyne North

  145

  10

  Tyne Bridge

  515

  40

  Total

  1,565

  90

  1 Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS includes those supported in NASS accommodation and those in receipt of subsistence only support

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  Data about how many of the asylum seekers supported by NASS in the City of Newcastle that are potentially covered by amnesty schemes are not available.

  An announcement detailing the results of the exercise announced by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary in October 2003, including the available statistical information, will be made when the exercise is completed. We would not wish to release figures until all those potentially qualifying applicants have had an opportunity to respond to our queries.

  We have made good progress in considering the cases originally identified The bulk of cases have been processed with the majority, where the applicants have responded to our queries having been decided. We are reliant on the applicants we contact replying to our queries promptly. Those not doing so are being reminded.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly. The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration 1.html.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers in(a) the UK, (b) West Yorkshire, (c) Kirklees and

  1399W
  (d) Huddersfield have exhausted the appeals process and have been refused on asylum and human rights grounds and are unable to be returned to their own country because it is not considered safe. [171374]

  Mr. Browne
  I regret that the information requested on appeal rights exhausted is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.

  Where an asylum seeker has had their claim refused and has exhausted their appeal rights it is considered safe for them to return to their own country.

  Statistics on initial asylum decisions, appeals and removals are published quarterly. Copies of the most recent publications are available from the Library of the House or on the Home Office

  Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html

  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken is for the removal of asylum seekers whose claims have been unsuccessful following judicial review. [171416]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on final decisions made on asylum applications, and on the interval between the final refusal of the application—including any appeal—and subsequent removal of the person concerned is not readily available. This could be obtained only by examination of individual case files to obtain information on the outcomes of initial decisions, of subsequent appeals to the Immigration Appellate Authority, the Tribunal and for Judicial Review, and of cases which have been reconsidered, which would incur disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries' citizens can claim hard case support if their asylum claims are refused on appeal. [171887]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 12 May 2004]: Failed asylum seekers of any nationality may seek support under section 4 of the 1999 Act if they are seeking to return but cannot do so immediately, and fulfil the other criteria set out in the National Asylum Support Service Policy Bulletin 71 which was published on 25 March.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when failed Iraqi asylum seekers are expected to return home. [171888]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 12 May 2004]: All asylum and human rights claims are considered on their individual merits in accordance With our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Should a claim be refused and any appeal before the Independent Immigration Appellate Authority be unsuccessful, it means for that individual it is safe to return. We would expect these individuals to return home.

  We have reached agreement with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to begin enforced returns. Work is currently under way on the practicalities of the returns programme, and returns will begin as soon as these arrangements are finalised.
  1400W
  We are currently facilitating the return of those who wish to go home through the International Organisation for Migration.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made towards setting a target for the proportion of asylum claims, including final appeal, to be determined within six months. [173136]

  Mr. Browne
  The confirmed target will be published shortly.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women from Russia have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many applications have been granted. [173288]

  Mr. Browne
  The table shows asylum application and initial decision data for Russian nationals, by gender, for those years for which data are available:

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2, on applications, 2001–03, Russian males and females

  20013,4

  20024

  20034

  Applications

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Total applications

  310

  140

  170

  125

  175

  110

  Initial decisions

  Total initial decisions

  610

  285

  235

  120

  235

  135

  Grants of asylum

  15

  5

  10

  5

  5

  5

  Grants of ELR

  25

  10

  15

  5

  5

  *

  Grants of HP/DL

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  5

  5

  Refusals

  570

  270

  210

  110

  215

  130

  n/a Not applicable

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding.

  2 Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals determinations or other subsequent decisions,

  3 Revised figures

  4 Provisional figures.

  Information on asylum applications and initial decisions, by gender, is published in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers were removed from the UK in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [173300]

  Mr. Browne
  The available information is in the table.

  Removals and voluntary departures of asylum applicants1,2

  2001–023

  2002–03

  April-December 20033

  Principal applicants

  9,630

  10,915

  9,870

  Dependants

  1,970

  4,065

  3,180

  Total

  11,600

  14,975

  13,050

  1 Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country Found

  2 Figures rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum due to rounding.

  3 Provisional figures.

  1401W
  Information on asylum seekers who were removed from the UK in the first quarter of 2004 will be published on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the last five years have sought asylum from(a) Zimbabwe and

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions 2, on applications, 1999 to 2003, nationals of Afghanistan

  Principal applicants

  Decisions

  Applications3

  Cases considered under normal procedures4

  Backlog clearance exercise

  Total

  Port

  In Country

  Total decisions

  Grants of asylum

  Grants of ELR

  Grants of HP

  Grants of DL

  Total refusals

  Grants of ELR under backlog criteria5,6

  Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria5,7

  1999

  3,975

  2,610

  1,365

  1,295

  15

  1,180

  n/a

  n/a

  90

  10

  —

  2000

  5,555

  2,610

  2,945

  2,590

  375

  695

  n/a

  n/a

  1,515

  10

  —

  20018

  8,920

  4,560

  4,360

  12,365

  2,320

  7,500

  n/a

  n/a

  2,545

  n/a

  n/a

  20029

  7,205

  1,765

  5,440

  8,175

  115

  4,765

  n/a

  n/a

  3,300

  n/a

  n/a

  20039

  2,290

  700

  1,590

  3,920

  40

  205

  *

  350

  3,320

  n/a

  n/a

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions 2, on applications, 1999 to 2003, nationals of Zimbabwe

  Principal applicants

  Decisions

  Applications

  Cases considered under normal procedures4

  Backlog clearance exercise

  Total

  Port

  In Country

  Total decisions

  Grants of asylum

  Grants of ELR

  Grants of HP

  Grants of DL

  Total refusals

  Grants of ELR under backlog criteria5,6

  Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria5,7

  1999

  230

  180

  50

  115

  —

  —

  n/a

  n/a

  105

  10

  *

  2000

  1,010

  820

  190

  595

  20

  10

  n/a

  n/a

  525

  35

  5

  20018

  2,140

  1,510

  625

  2,130

  120

  45

  n/a

  n/a

  1,970

  n/a

  n/a

  20029

  7,655

  5,305

  2,350

  6,235

  2,240

  110

  n/a

  n/a

  3,885

  n/a

  n/a

  20039

  3,280

  715

  2,565

  4,175

  870

  10

  5

  20

  3,275

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a = Not applicable.

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

  2 Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

  3 May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January and March 2000.

  4 Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.

  5 Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 act asylum backlog.

  6 May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.

  7 May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.

  8 Provisional figures.

  9 Revised figures.

  The table shows the available data, for outcomes of adjudicator appeals at the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) for nationals of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, the latest period for which published data are available. Appeals may relate to initial decisions made in earlier periods. Corresponding information on appeals

  Outcome of Appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority excluding dependants, nationals of Afghanistan, 2001 to 2003

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals determined by adjudicators2

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Total

  Total

  As a percentage of Determined

  Total

  As a percentage of Determined

  Total

  As a percentage of Determined

  2001

  595

  110

  18

  260

  44

  225

  38

  2002

  2,040

  230

  11

  1,235

  60

  580

  28

  2003

  5,535

  710

  13

  4,420

  80

  405

  7

  1402W
  (b) Afghanistan; how many have been refused; and how many have been returned. [174246]

  Mr. Browne
  The table shows the number of asylum applications and initial decisions for nationals of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe (excluding dependants), 1999 to 2003 where available. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same period.

  to the Immigration Appellate Tribunal (IAT) relating to Afghan and Zimbabwean nationals (including appeals made by the Secretary of State) is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
  1403W

  Outcome of Appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, nationals of Zimbabwe, 2001 to 2003

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals determined by adjudicators2

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Total

  Total

  As a percentage of Determined

  Total

  As a percentage of Determined

  Total

  As a percentage of Determined

  2001

  1,115

  255

  23

  815

  73

  40

  4

  2002

  2,405

  925

  38

  1,370

  57

  110

  5

  2003

  4,080

  1,165

  29

  2,735

  67

  180

  4

  1Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages), with * = 1 or 2. Figures may not add up due to independent rounding. Data on appeal outcomes by nationality in this table are derived from electronic sources.

  2 Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant.

  Removal of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe was suspended on 15 January 2002; we did not at the time consider that it was unsafe to return them but in view of the rapidly changing circumstances it was appropriate not to enforce returns. The suspension has been maintained since that date and although we still consider it would not be unsafe to return failed asylum seekers there, enforced returns would be inappropriate in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe. An exception to the suspension policy in cases where a failed asylum seeker has a serious criminal record or their presence in the United Kingdom is not otherwise conducive to the public good was announced on 5 February 2004. In such circumstances enforced return to Zimbabwe would be considered by Ministers on a case-by-case basis.

  Removals and voluntary departures1of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, Afghan and Zimbabwean nationals, January 1999 to September 20032

  Principal applicants

  Nationality

  19993

  20003

  20013,4,5

  20023,4,5,6

  January to September 20033,4,5,6

  Afghanistan

  —

  —

  125

  395

  460

  Zimbabwe

  —

  —

  210

  110

  45

  1Includes persons departing Voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.

  2 Figures rounded to the nearest five, with * = 1 or 2, and may not sum due to rounding.

  3 Figures may include a small number of dependants leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes

  4Figures exclude dependants of asylum seekers removed. Data on dependants removed have only been collected since April 2001.

  5 Data have been estimated due to data quality issues.

  6 Provisional figures.

  Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals are published in quarterly web pages, the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004, and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research
  1404W
  Development and Statistics Directorate website at
  http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his latest estimate is of the number of asylum seekers who have failed the appeal process and are ineligible for National Asylum Support Service, Government or local authority financial support in(a) the UK and (b) Leeds. [174248]

  Mr. Browne
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Information on asylum appeals and the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS are published quarterly; the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions and guidance have been given to officials on the number of days asylum seekers who have failed the appeal process must spend on the streets before they qualify for hard case support; and if he will make a statement. [174249]

  Mr. Browne
  There is nothing to prevent the majority of failed asylum seekers from leaving the country voluntarily and there is no need for them to become homeless or destitute. They can seek assistance with return from either the Immigration Service or the International Organisation for Migration. Those unable to leave immediately who are complying with the process for return may, on application, be provided with accommodation under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, as amended. There is no need for anyone in this group to become homeless or destitute. They can seek accommodation as soon as they receive the final decision on their asylum claim. In addition, letters sent to failed asylum seekers by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) notifying them of the termination of support now give advice on the availability of section 4 support. MASS has also now introduced a one-stage application process in order to reduce the time taken to process applications.
  1405W
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the last five years have sought asylum from Iraq; and how many have been refused. [174337]

  Mr. Browne
  The tables show applications and initial decisions and appeal decisions for nationals of Iraq, 1999–2003 where available. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period, neither do appeal outcomes necessarily relate to decisions made in the same period.

  Initial decisionsCases considered under normal procedures7

  Backlog clearance exercise

  Grants of asylum

  Grants of ELR

  Grants of HP

  Grants of DL

  Total refusals

  Grants of ELR under backlog criteria4,8

  Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria8,9

  1999

  315

  320

  n/a

  n/a

  100

  5

  10—

  20004

  845

  2,455

  n/a

  n/a

  2,220

  10

  10—

  20015

  830

  1,885

  n/a

  n/a

  6,315

  n/a

  n/a

  20026

  715

  8,195

  n/a

  n/a

  2,995

  n/a

  n/a

  20036

  75

  2,105

  10—

  45

  4,530

  n/a

  n/a

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 5

  2 Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

  3 May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January and March 2000.

  4 May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.

  5 Revised figures

  6 Provisional figures

  7 Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.

  8 Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 act asylum backlog.

  9 May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.

  10 Equals 1 or 2

  Outcome of appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants: Nationals of Iraq, 2001 to 2003

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals determined by adjudicators2

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Total

  Total

  As percentage of determined

  Total

  As percentage of determined

  Total

  As percentage of determined

  2001

  1,655

  445

  27

  1,065

  64

  145

  9

  20023

  4,570

  1,130

  25

  2,970

  65

  470

  10

  20033

  5,400

  495

  9

  4,465

  8

  445

  8

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages). Figures may not add up due to independent rounding. Data on appeal outcomes by nationality in this table are derived from electronic sources.

  2 Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant.

  3 Provisional figures

  Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and appeals are published in quarterly web pages, the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004, and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

  Biometric Technology
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the(a) cost to date and (b) projected cost is of developing biometric technology for inclusion in passports, broken down by financial
  1406W

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2 on applications, 1999–2003: Nationals of Iraq

  Principal applicants

  Applications3

  Total

  Port

  In country

  Total initial decisions

  1999

  1,800

  1,385

  415

  745

  20004

  7,475

  1,920

  5,555

  5,530

  20015

  6,680

  2,315

  4,365

  9,035

  20026

  14,570

  1,525

  13,045

  11,905

  20036

  4,045

  415

  3,635

  6,755

  year; and whether any portion of the expenditure is included in the identity card set-up costs cited in his statement of 11 November 2003, Official Report, column 178. [163325]

  Mr. Browne
  The cost incurred by the UK Passport Service to develop a facial biometric chip enabled passport is shown in the table.

  Year

  (£)

  2003–04

  850

  2004–05

  4,645

  2005–06

  625

  The work being carried out to develop biometric technology for inclusion in passports is necessary to

  1407W
  meet current International Civil Aviation Organisation (IACO) recommended standards for passports and therefore no portion of this expenditure is included in the identity card set-up costs.

  Charity Commission
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many receivers and managers were appointed by the Charity Commissioners in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04; what the total cost was to all charities of such appointments in each period; and what the (i) shortest and (ii) longest duration of receiver and manager appointments to a charity have been since April 2001. [172154]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  These are matters for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Director of Operations of the Charity Commission will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations his Department has undertaken with race relations bodies about the effects of the Commission for Racial Equality Getting Results programme. [174388]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 20 May 2004]: It is the responsibility of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) to set its own criteria for grant funding under the provisions of section 44 of the Race Relations Act 1976, and then to make decisions on individual applications on the basis of how well they meet those criteria. The CRE consulted widely on its proposals to move away from its previous policy of funding posts in bodies it supports, mainly Race Equality Councils, to funding projects focused on outcomes (ie the Getting Results programme). I understand that its partners welcomed the new approach, as do the Government.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact the Commission for Racial Equality's Getting Results programme on the delivery of race equality schemes. [174398]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 20 May 2004]: The publication of a race equality scheme is a specific duty placed on certain public bodies under the Race Relations Act 1976 (Statutory Duties) Order 2001. The responsibility for delivering these schemes lies with the bodies listed in the order. Section 44 funding has never been intended to fund the delivery of this particular aspect of the Race Equality Duty. However, the Commission for Racial Equality informs me that one of the specific priorities for Getting Results funding in 2004–05 has been measuring the impact of the Race Equality Duty, and that £193,200 has been awarded to organisations under this priority. This is distinct from the delivery of race equality schemes.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from 1408W
  the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 1 March, with regard to Ms N. Islam, transferred from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [170698]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 May 2004.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Criminal Records Bureau is permitted to access Department of Health and Department of Education and Skills List 99 records when checking the suitability of individuals for work with children. [143483]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 10 December 2003]: Section 115(6) of the Police Act 1997 gives provision for the Secretary of State for the Home Department to access lists held by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills when checking individuals for work with children.

  Criminals (New Identity Costs)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it a policy of the Government to require those convicted of crimes, who are provided with a new identity upon their release, to contribute to the costs involved where they have the means to do so. [163151]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 23 March 2004]: Most of the very small number of convicted criminals who need new identities on release from prison do so because, at some point in the criminal proceedings, they have decided to turn Queen's Evidence and appear as witnesses for the prosecution against their former partners in crime. Since in doing this they have helped to convict other (often more serious) offenders, then it is cost-effective for the state to offer to pay for any necessary change to their identity, and any other associated costs. In other cases the state is required to take reasonable steps to fulfil its duty to protect the lives of those threatened by others. Only in the most exceptional circumstances would this include a formal change of identity and only where the threat to life is clearly evidenced and the change of identity considered appropriate by the police.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) renovation and (b) maintenance projects on buildings (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department were undertaken in each of the last five years; and what the associated costs were of each. [163954]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Department does not maintain central records of the cost of every building refurbishment project carried out by the Department including its Executive agencies and to provide the information requested would be at disproportionate cost. However, in central London and Croydon, the approximate expenditure on such projects which includes elements of maintenance and alterations to house additional staff, over the last five years, is as follows.
  1409W

  £ million

  1999–2000

  6.7

  2000–01

  135.2

  2001–02

  11.5

  2002–03

  9.2

  2003–04

  4.0

  1 Figures for 2000–01 reflects the refurbishment of Lunar House, Croydon which had a major upgrade that year.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether companies that tender for his Department's contracts have to recognise the relevant trade union as a condition of winning that contract. [166592]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Home Office does not ask companies to recognise the relevant trade union as a condition of winning Home Office contracts.

  Government policy requires that all procurement must be transparent and non-discriminatory, and that contracts must be awarded on a value for money basis.

  Departmental Staffing
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to his Department of employing temporary staff through agencies was in each of the last five years. [163632]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 31 March 2003]: The employment of temporary staff through employment agencies for the Core Home Office over the last five years is as follows:

  £

  1999

  6,500,408

  2000

  11,768,105

  2001

  20,669,056

  2002

  41,713,675

  2003

  54,466,279

  The Stage 2 RAB Resource DEL for the Home Office over the same period was:

  £

  1999–2000

  7,076,102,000

  2000–01

  8,398,131,000

  2001–02

  10,261,856,000

  2002–03

  11,088,502,000

  2003–04

  11,836,009,000

  Expenditure expressed as a percentage of the Home Office total DEL during the last five years was as follows:

  Percentage

  1999–2000

  0.09

  2000–01

  0.14

  2001–02

  0.20

  2002–03

  0.38

  2003–04

  0.46

  1410W
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate accounted for around half of the cost for each financial year.

  The use of temporary staff provides the Home Office with cost effective, flexible resources which can be employed at very short notice. Their employment often allows the Department to react quickly to changes in the demands that it faces by deploying appropriately skilled and experienced individuals quickly to those areas of the business where they are most needed.

  Deportations/Removals
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been(a) removed and (b) deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [173289]

  Mr. Browne
  The available information is in the table.

  Persons removed from the United Kingdom, 2000 to 20021,2: United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Total persons removed3,4

  46,645

  50,625

  68,630

  Of whom: removed as a result of Deportation action5

  1,280

  450

  100

  1Under sections 3(6), 3(7) or 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971, or under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

  2 Including persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them.

  3 Includes dependants of asylum seekers removed from April 2001 onwards only. This information was not collected prior to this although figures up to March 2001 may include a small number of dependants of port principal asylum applicants removed.

  4 Includes persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration.

  5 Figures for 2001 and 2002 have been estimated. Deportation figures may be under-recorded in 1999 and 2000.

  The substantial reduction in the number of persons deported after October 2000 is due to a change in the categories of person liable to deportation. Under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, overstayers, persons who breach their conditions of stay, and persons who gain leave to remain by deception are administratively removed and deportation is now restricted to more serious cases.

  Information on all those removed from the UK in 2003, including the number of deportations, will be published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Control of Immigration Statistics UK 2003" which is due to be published at the end of August, and will be available from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration 1.html.

  Detention Centres
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 30 April 2004,Official Repiort, columns 63–64WS, on Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, if he will ensure that the results of the investigation recommended by Mr. Shaw into two further allegations of assault are made public. [173543]
  1411W
  Mr. Browne
  Stephen Shaw recommended that Global Solutions Ltd. (GSL) should investigate the allegations referred to and they will. GSL will report the outcome to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and, for the sake of completeness, Stephen Shaw will be asked to review the investigation. I can confirm that the outcome will be made public.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were made in(a) 2003 and (b) 2004 to date by those detained at Yarl's Wood about the escort service taking them to and from Yarl's Wood; how many are under investigation; and if he will make a statement. [173545]

  Mr. Browne
  The Monitor responsible for overseeing the contract which covers in-country escorting and holding rooms at ports received three complaints in 2003 and one so far in 2004 to date, from persons detained in Yarl's Wood. All complaints are subject to an investigation by the Monitor, none are currently under investigation.

  In the same period, there were no complaints regarding the contractors responsible for escorting persons on scheduled flights overseas, from persons detained at Yarl's Wood.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints about the activities of those escorting detainees to and from detention centres and detention and removal centres he has received; how many are being investigated; and if he will make a statement. [173547]

  Mr. Browne
  Since January 2003, there have been over 100,000 escorted movements. In this period there have been 78 complaints to the Monitor from detainees regarding the in-country escorting contract, which is responsible for movements of detainees from any location in the UK and supervision of detainees in the holding rooms at ports. All complaints are subject to investigation by the Monitor, at present 12 complaints are under investigation.

  In the same period there have been 22 complaints against the overseas escorting contractor, which has responsibility for escorting people on scheduled flights to their removal destinations.

  Dirty Bombs
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he is taking to inform the general public of the precautions they must take to avoid contamination by a dirty bomb explosion; and if he will make a statement; [173710]

  (2) what system is in place to alert the general public that a dirty bomb has exploded in an area in which they may become contaminated; and if he will make a statement. [173711]

  Mr. Blunkett
  In the event of an attack, unless people are under the direction of the emergency services, they should go indoors and tune into the TV or radio for further instructions. The media is the main system through which the Government and the emergency services will alert the public. The message is 'go in, stay in, tune in'.
  1412W
  As part of a deliberate strategy over the last 18 months, I have made sure that we have increased the information available to the public on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Government will continue to do this and we are regularly reviewing the best way to keep the public informed.

  The main sources of advice for the general public and our partners are the Home Office, the MI5 and the UK Resilience websites, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism/, www.ukresilience.info/ and www.mi5.gov.uk/.

  Drugs Misuse (Manchester)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in Manchester, Central in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 2002–03. [174367]

  Caroline Flint
  Breakdown of financial allocation to local constituencies is not available in the form requested as funding is allocated to Drug Action Team (DAT) area (Manchester DAT).

  The period 1997–98 pre-dates National Drug Strategy, during this time the local council and primary care trust allocated funding for tackling drug misuse. Accounting procedures mean that the 1997 figures are no longer available and that 1998 figures are not accessible by the DAT.

  In 2002–03 the total drugs allocation was £5,678,000. In order to ensure consistency figures supplied are based on funding streams associated with the National Drug Strategy and are readily verifiable. These funding streams are specifically targeted at tackling the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of drugs. Other mainstream funding is made available at a local level, this varies both in amount and origin; as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.

  (£)

  2002–03

  Partnership Capacity

  77,000

  Adult Pooled Treatment Budget

  3,389,000

  Pooled Treatment Budget (Young People element)

  207,000

  Young People's Substance Misuse Planning Grant

  80,000

  Communities against Drugs

  710,000

  Street Crime Initiative (Drugs funding)

  1,215,000

  Total

  5,678,000

  Early Retirement
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year. [171868]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  Details of normal early retirements and their costs for the last financial year are shown in table 1. The table also shows the full cost to the Department to age 60.

  The Home Office also ran an additional scheme in 2003–04 using funds bid from Her Majesty's Treasury. The costs for that scheme and the staff numbers involved are contained in table 2.
  1413W

  Table 1: Home Office early retirements 2003–04

  £

  Number of staff

  12

  Cost for year 2003–04

  116,956

  Full cost to Department

  621,965.98

  Table 2: Home Office early retirements scheme 2003–04

  £

  Number of staff

  67

  Cost for year 2003–04

  4,638,139.97

  Full cost to Department

  13,227,687.88

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports belonging to former asylum seekers, since 1 May EU citizens, are held by the Immigration and Nationality Service; when he expects that these documents will be returned to their owners; and if he will make a statement. [172928]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]: Once a decision has been reached on an asylum seeker's application, their passport or identity card, where one has been submitted, is normally returned to them with the decision letter. An exception to this is when a passport or identity card is found to be a forgery or otherwise to have been tampered with.

  The numbers of such documents belonging to former asylum seekers who are now EU citizens is not recorded centrally and could only be obtained, at disproportionate cost, by examination of individual cases.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been in the number of people claiming benefits since 1 May 2004. [173181]

  Mr. Pond
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is not available.

  Information on the number of people claiming benefits is available each quarter. Data for the quarter ending February 2004 will be published in June. Data for the quarter ending May 2004 will be available later this year.

  Guantanamo Bay
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2004,Official Report, column 592W, on Guantanamo Bay, whether MI5 officers at Guantanamo Bay raised with (a) his Department and (b) the US authorities the interrogation methods deployed by the US. [173485]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]As explained in the earlier answer, these interviews were conducted as part of the Government's responsibility to protect national security. The interviews were conducted on a voluntary basis. Officers carrying out the interviews were under an obligation to inform the relevant authorities of any complaints made by the detainees and of any concerns which they had.
  1414W

  Witness Protection
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of protection schemes for witnesses involved in gun crime cases. [175539]

  Caroline Flint
  The Home Office, in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, the Northern Ireland Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, has appointed an independent consultant to carry out an assessment of witness protection arrangements nationally. The assessment is covering all cases where witness protection is afforded by UK law enforcement agencies including the police. It will provide us with valuable information about the circumstances in which witness protection is provided, broken down by crime type, including offences where firearms have been used.

  The assessment commenced on 2 January; it was announced in the White Paper One Step Ahead —a 21st century strategy to defeat organised crime which I published on 29 March. The assessment is due to be completed over the summer, and a final report will be available in the autumn.

  Hazardous Consignments
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to give particularly hazardous consignments a police escort in the Central London area. [174678]

  Caroline Flint
  We have introduced, in consultation with industry and the police, a Code of Practice for the transport security of dangerous goods. The Code is a pre-cursor to formal regulations due to come into effect from July 2005. The Code is supported by a guidance document and training video. These and other helpful materials are available via the Department for Transport's website, at www.dft.gsi.gov.uk.

  Decisions on whether a particular consignment should receive a police escort are a matter for chief officers of police, in central London the Metropolitan Police Commissioner He informs me that a very limited number of particularly hazardous consignments do attract special security arrangements, such as a police escort, when being conveyed by road in the central London area.

  Highly Skilled Migrants Programme
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dentists have been accepted for entry to Britain(a) under the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme and (b) through work permits in the past year. [172597]

  Mr. Browne
  28 Dentists were approved under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and 131 through work permits during 2003.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many legal professionals were accepted for entry to Britain(a) under the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme and (b) through work permits in (i) 1995. (ii) 1998, (iii) 2001, (iv) 2002 and (v) 2003. [172600]
  1415W
  Mr. Browne
  For the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme the information is not held centrally.

  For work permits, the records are only held centrally for 2001 onwards.
  In 2001–971 applications were approved.
  In 2002–693 applications were approved.
  In 2003–619 applications were approved.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken to process(a) work permits and (b) highly skilled migrant applications for appointments of junior doctors to health authorities was in the last year for which figures are available; what the average time taken was for all work permits; and how many junior doctor applicants were appointed to jobs in (a) Bolton North East, (b) the Greater Manchester area and (c) England. [172622]

  Mr. Browne
  The information requested on work permits and the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is not held centrally in relation to occupation and location in the UK.

  In 2003 the processing times of work permits were 91 per cent. of all complete applications received were cleared in one day.

  Home Office Documents
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are followed in relation to highly sensitive documents leaving Home Office premises; and what guidance is issued on this matter to Home Office staff. [173949]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The Home Office follows the national guidelines laid down in the Manual of Protective Security governing the protective marking of sensitive documents, as well as their storage and handling outside Home Office premises. These are set out in the Departmental Security Unit's Security Guidance, which confirms that all protectively marked documents should be carried securely in a twin-lock brief case, box or pouch and should remain at all times in the immediate possession of the officer concerned.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the Identity Cards Programme Board. [173130]

  Mr. Browne
  The members of the Identity Cards Programme Board are John Gieve (Permanent Secretary, Home Office and Programme Board Chair), Helen Edwards (Director General of Communities Group, Home Office, and Senior Responsible Owner), Bernard Herdan (United Kingdom Passport Service), Stephen Hickey (Department for Transport), Mark Fisher (Department for Work and Pensions), Bill Jeffrey (Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate), Dennis Roberts (Office for National Statistics), Peter Unwin (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister), John Middleton (Inland Revenue) and Julian Kelly (HM Treasury).
  1416W
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has carried out of the prevalence in other common law countries of compulsory identity cards; and if he will list those countries that have such cards. [169912]

  Mr. Browne
  The Home Office carried out research into identity cards schemes in other countries. The results are in "Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud: A Consultation Paper". Within the EU Cyprus is a common law jurisdiction which has identity cards which all Cypriot citizens over the age of 12 have to obtain.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the procedures being used to verify the identity of people taking part in the identity card pilot scheme. [170255]

  Mr. Browne
  The biometric enrolment pilot being run by United Kingdom Passport Service is not an identity cards pilot but rather intended to test the processes around, and user experience of biometric enrolment. Ascertaining the identities of the people taking part in the pilot is therefore much less important than ensuring that the people taking part form a representative cross-section of the UK population.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the biometric information that will be collected and stored on the(a) National Identity Register and (b) identity card. [170256]

  Mr. Browne
  There has been no firm decision made on the biometric data which will be collected and which biometrics will be stored on the National Identity Register and which will be stored on the identity card.

  These decisions will be made in the light of work underway on the feasibility of different technologies and the processes around identity enrolment and verification.

  The draft Identity Cards Bill makes provision for the recording of biometric information in the form of a head and shoulders photograph, fingerprints and data about a person's external characteristics including, in particular, the features of an iris or of any other part of the eye.

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the iris has been selected as the basis for a biometric identifier. [170553]

  Mr. Browne
  Both retina and iris recognition were considered by the National Physical Laboratory in their evaluation of biometric technologies. Retina recognition was found to be effective but difficult to use by a large number of people and too physically intrusive to be widely acceptable.

  It has not yet been decided that iris recognition will be used in the identity card scheme. The feasibility of using iris recognition for identity cards is under investigation.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the storage of health information on(a) blood group, (b) organ donor status and (c) HIV condition on the National Identity Register on (i) a voluntary and (ii) a compulsory basis. [171597]
  1417W
  Mr. Browne
  Clause 1 of and Schedule 1 to the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April set out what information could be held on the National Identity Register. In general the storage of medical information on the Register would not be allowed by the draft Bill as medical information does not fall within the definition of registerable facts as set out in the draft Bill. However the draft Bill does allow for the storage of voluntary information with the consent of both the person who is registered and the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the subsidy for the price charged for an identity card for those on low incomes will be funded. [171598]

  Mr. Browne
  The expectation is that when the scheme is established, running costs will be covered by charges for the application and issue of cards and for identity verification services provided by the scheme. Any subsidy for those on low incomes will therefore be funded by fee income.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2004,Official Report, columns 1299–300W, on identity cards, if he will list the non-arrestable criminal offences, enforced by a summons, for which the police have powers of arrest where a person refuses to provide evidence of identity. [171916]

  Mr. Browne
  Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any offence which is not an arrestable offence has been committed or attempted, or is being committed or attempted, he may arrest the relevant person if it appears to him that service of a summons is impracticable or inappropriate because any of the general arrest conditions are satisfied.

  Two of the general arrest conditions are:

  (a) that the name of the relevant person is unknown to, and cannot be readily ascertained by, the constable; and

  (b) that the constable has reasonable grounds for doubting whether a name furnished by the relevant person as his name is his real name.

  Non-arrestable offences are all those not covered by the categories set out in Section 24 (1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) which states:
  "The powers of summary arrest conferred by the following subsections shall apply:

  (a) to offences for which the sentence is fixed by law;

  (b) to offences for which a person of 21 years of age or over (not previously convicted) may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of five years (or might be so sentenced but for the restrictions imposed by S 33 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980); and

  (c) to the offences listed in Schedule 1A

  and in this Act 'arrestable offence' means any such offence."

  The offences which are not covered by this section are too numerous to list and could be identified only and listed at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2004,Official Report, columns 1299–300W, on identity cards, whether the police have powers to require a person to verify their identity other than those set out in his answer. [171917]
  1418W
  Mr. Browne
  The Government have made it clear that it will not be a requirement to carry an identity card or to produce a card to a police officer on demand.

  Police powers in England and Wales to identify a person arrested for a recordable offence are contained in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. The powers will be unaffected by the introduction of an identity card however the introduction of identity cards will make it much easier and simpler for people to prove their identity when they wish to do so. As at present with existing documents, people will be free to produce an identity card on a voluntary basis (if they have one) to a police officer or to any other official as a means of establishing their identity.

  The draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April also includes a power in clause 24 for information relating to a biometric to be disclosed if it is not reasonably practical for the person to whom this is disclosed to have obtained this information by other means. This means that if it were not possible to identify an arrested person by other means, for example by checking police records, a check could be made on the person's biometric against the National Identity Register.

  In addition to powers under PACE, powers under s 41 (1) Terrorism Act 2000 allow a constable to arrest without a warrant a person whom he reasonably suspects to be a terrorist, which is defined in s 40. In this case, powers under Schedule 8, paragraph 2 permit an authorised person to take any steps which are reasonably necessary for photographing, measuring or identifying a person detained under s 41. Again, these powers will be unaffected by the introduction of an identity card but again a power is available under the draft Identity Cards Bill that would allow a check of a biometric of a person detained under this section if it were not reasonably practical for this information to be obtained by another means.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an individual's unique learner number will be recorded in the National Identity Register under the proposal in the draft Identity Cards Bill. [171918]

  Mr. Browne
  Schedule 1 to the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April sets out what information may be held on the National Identity Register including the personal reference numbers that may be recorded in any individual's entry. Schedule 1 does not include the unique learner number. Clause 3(4) does allow the Secretary of State to modify Schedule 1 and the information that may be held on the Register. However, any changes must be agreed by Parliament and be consistent with the statutory purposes of the scheme.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what categories of people resident in the UK for three months or more will not be eligible for the identity card proposed under the draft Identity Cards Bill. [171919]

  Mr. Browne
  Under Clause 2 of the draft Identity Cards Bill, all individuals over the age of 16 who are residing in the UK for longer than a prescribed period,
  1419W
  proposed to be three months, are eligible to be entered in the National Identity Register and thereby obtain an identity card.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information will be(a) printed on the face of and (b) held but not shown on (i) the identity card proposed under the draft Identity Cards Bill, (ii) the proposed biometric passport and (iii) the proposed biometric driving licence. [171920]

  Mr. Browne
  The UK Passport Service is planning to implement a facial recognition image biometric in the British passport booklet during 2005. No additional data other than the digital signature which "locks" the data on to the chip will be held but not shown on the bio-data page of the passport.

  There has been no firm decision made on the information which will be printed on the face of the identity card and which will be held but not shown on the card. These decisions will be made in the light of work under way on the feasibility of different technologies and analysis with key user groups of the business requirements of the scheme. These arrangements must be approved by Parliament and no information may be held unless it is required for the statutory purposes of the scheme as set out in the primary legislation.

  The passport and driving licence may be designated as identity cards under the draft Identity Cards Bill. In which case these documents may require certain additional information to be included in or on the face of the document which reflects the common standards of the identity cards family. However, as set out above no firm decisions have yet been made on what these will be.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the names of people who have not applied for identity cards will be recorded on the National Identity Register(a) before and (b) after the card becomes compulsory; and whether the names of certain categories of individuals who have not applied for identity cards will be recorded. [172298]

  Mr. Browne
  The National Identity Register will hold information about those people who have registered and been issued with an identity card. Entries will be created as people apply for identity cards. There is no intention to record on the Register the names of people who have not yet applied for identity cards although the final decision will be made following the detailed design phase.

  Clause 2(4) of the draft Identity Cards Bill does provide that in some circumstances, a person who has not applied may be entered into the Register. For example, a failed asylum seeker who has not applied for an identity card but whose information was available may be entered on the Register so that if he applies to stay in the UK again using a different identity, his previous status as a failed asylum seeker will have been recorded.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which private sector databases will be used to check identities under proposals contained in the draft Identity Card Bill. [172299]
  1420W
  Mr. Browne
  Identity Cards: the Next Steps (CM 6020) made clear that applications for one of the family of identity cards will require checks to be made against other databases to help establish that an application for a card is genuine. Data-sharing gateways established for this purpose will be used only when processing applications for cards or related purposes (e.g. when issuing a replacement) and do not confer any general power to share data for wider purposes.

  This approach to identity verification follows proposals included in the Cabinet Office study on Identity fraud (published in July 2002) which recommended greater use of biographical checks on applicants for passports and driving licences. The most effective way of confirming this biographical information is to check some of the information provided by applicants with information held on a range of Government and private sector databases. These checks could for example confirm that a person had been known by a certain identity and lived at known addresses for a number of years.

  The databases that could be checked would include public sector bodies (such as the National Insurance or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) databases) as well as private sector organisations (such as credit reference agencies or banks) but it is at this stage too early to know precisely which databases would be checked.

  Information requested would be restricted to that needed to confirm the identity of an individual who has made an application to register. Clause 11 (1) and (2) of the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April places a duty on a person to provide information to the Secretary of State or a designated documents authority for the purposes of verifying an individual's entry to the Register. Clause 11 (4) sets out that the requirement may be imposed on any person specified in an order subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. This means that particular gateways could be established only with the consent of Parliament and for the limited purpose of validating information on the Register.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his Department's services which will have access to the National Identity Register without being named on the face of the Draft Identity Cards Bill. [173009]

  Mr. Browne
  Proposals to permit information held on the National Identity Register to he disclosed without an individual's consent are set out in "Legislation on Identity Cards: A Consultation" [CM6178] published on 26 April.

  Clause 20(5) of the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April will permit disclosure of information that does not fall within paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 (access records) if it is made to a prescribed officer of the Secretary of State's department in order to carry out prescribed functions of the Secretary of State. Disclosure of information held in paragraph 9 will be permitted if it is made for purposes connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime and it is authorised under s20 (3) to (6).
  1421W
  Clause 20(5) will allow for disclosure of information held on the National Identity Register to other parts of Government which are the responsibility of a Secretary of State e.g. the Department of Work and Pensions, and will also include disclosure to parts of the Home Office such as the Immigration and Nationality Department (IND), subject to Parliament's consent.

  At this stage, it is not possible to list the Home Department's services that may require information from the National Identity Register. In assessing whether a departmental service should be granted disclosure, we will look closely at the justification for this information. Disclosure will only be allowed to specified persons for specified purposes, Parliament's consent will be required and the disclosure arrangements will be subject to proper authorisation procedures with independent oversight.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he conducted on the impact of identity theft in countries where identity cards have been introduced. [173049]

  Mr. Browne
  Home Office officials have had detailed discussions with colleagues involved in the operation of identity card schemes in Italy, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands and comprehensive information has been supplied by each of the EU member states on the operation of their card schemes. Home Office officials have also liaised with colleagues involved in the operation of card schemes in Singapore and Japan and with officials in countries such as Canada, USA and Australia that do not have card schemes on emerging crime trends.

  Many card schemes were developed with specific aims and objectives such as population registration and not specifically implemented for countering identity fraud. As such, many identity cards are issued locally after checking available information, for example, birth certificates and information relating to an applicant's parents. In many countries it is not necessary to give biometric information when applying for an identity card.

  "Identity Cards: The Next Steps" (CM 6020) states that applications for one of the family of identity cards will require checks against other databases. These checks would confirm that a person had been known by a certain identity and lived at known addresses for a number of years. This information is more difficult to forge than birth certificates or other similar documents and follows recommendations in "Identity Fraud: A Study" conducted by the Cabinet Office and published in 2002.

  Many card schemes in other countries were implemented some time ago and use mainly paper cards, which do not hold biometric data. With the passage of time, there is an increasing risk that fraudsters could obtain access to modern printing technology and use it to produce forged paper cards for the purpose of committing identity fraud. The absence of a central electronic identity register in many countries increases the risks because an identity card (or biometric data) cannot be checked against a centrally held record of that information. Organisations checking a card are therefore able only to make visual checks, for example, to check
  1422W
  that the photograph on an identity card looks like the person presenting the card and to check for obvious signs of tampering with the card itself.

  In "Identity Cards The Next Steps" the Government stated that the National Identity Register will link each individual record to a biometric. This will help to prevent multiple identities from being established and allow organisations to check a card at a level appropriate for the service they are providing.

  While a modern and effective card scheme would help to combat identity fraud, it does not mean that every card scheme, especially those that have been implemented some time ago, would have a similar or significant effect on countering this type of crime unless they have been regularly updated to stay one step ahead of fraudsters. It is therefore not possible to assess the effect that other card schemes have had on identity fraud.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of adults whose details will appear on the National Identity Register by 2013. [172403]

  Mr. Browne
  We would expect that by 2013, 80 per cent. of the economically active population would be entered on the National Identity Register and therefore have an identity card. The latest figures (relating to December 2003 to February 2004) show that there are currently 29.756 million economically active people aged 16 and over in the United Kingdom, 80 per cent. of which is around 23.8 million people.

  Immigration
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his review into whether all immigrants should be tested for HIV upon entry into the United Kingdom; and when the review will be completed. [174039]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the response given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 8 March 2004, Official Report, column 1334W.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been(a) refused permission to board and (b) arrested by UK authorities for (i) immigration offences and (ii) other offences following checks by French immigration staff on passengers boarding ferries at Dover; and if he will make a statement. [172404]

  Mr. Browne
  Since the implementation of the juxtaposed controls at Dover and Calais on 1 February 2004 the Police aux Frontieres (French authorities) have operated an immigration control in Dover.

  The information requested is not currently published and would therefore not normally be released.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest unresolved immigration case being dealt with by his Department is; when the person concerned in this case first arrived in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [173538]
  1423W
  Mr. Browne
  Information on individual decisions, up to and including the outcome of all potential appeals, is not readily available and could be obtained only by examination of individual case files. This would incur disproportionate cost.

  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests for immigration offences there were in each of the last five years in each(a) police force area and (b) local authority, broken down by (i) month and (ii) offence. [167966]

  Mr. Browne
  Information collected centrally is based on persons arrested for 'notifiable' offences within main offence groups only, and as such it does not separately identify immigration offences in the "Other" offence group within which they fall.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 29 to 30 April 2004; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [171291]

  Caroline Flint
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 29 April 2004. Good progress was made on a number of issues and the Council finished a day early.

  Firstly, subject to Member States' parliamentary scrutiny reserves, including the UK's, and completion of the certificate that will accompany the Framework Decision, Ministers reached a general approach on the Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to confiscation orders.

  The Eurojust President, Mike Kennedy, then presented the Eurojust Annual Report for 2003 noting, in particular, that there had been a 50 per cent. increase in cases referred to Eurojust compared to the previous year. The Commission indicated that it planned to publish its report on Member States' implementation of the Council Decision establishing Eurojust by the end of June. Ministers then agreed Council conclusions noting the report and requesting the Presidency to report to the Council with recommendations for further enhancing the role of Eurojust.

  The Presidency reported on progress in meeting the European Council conclusions on counter terrorism, but acknowledged that much remained to be done. It was therefore preparing a comprehensive roadmap on implementation of the counter terrorism strategy, indicating the body or group responsible for each action and deadlines for completion.

  The Commission said that it was preparing Communications on practical measures for the exchange of information and on the interoperability of data in the field of visas and border management. It also wanted to bring forward proposals for allowing Schengen Information System data on lost and stolen passports to be sent to Europol. In order to launch the invitation to tender in September the Commission recommended adoption of the Council Decision establishing the Visa Information System.
  1424W
  I presented an initiative on the retention of telecommunications traffic data and explained why the UK believes that a common EU approach to the retention of this data is essential. I outlined some of our practical experience of investigations and prosecutions which had depended on such data to establish the link between the suspects and offences in question.

  The EU counter-terrorism coordinator welcomed the progress made and suggested that work now needed to focus on practical action and implementation of agreed legislation.

  The Council was unable to secure the required unanimity on the decision as to who should be appointed as the new Europol Director. The Presidency therefore concluded that the Council would need to return to the issue in June. In the meantime the Europol Management Board would need to consider whether interim arrangements would need to be put in place pending a final decision.

  Discussion on the draft Asylum Procedures Directive focussed on the application of the safe third (i.e. non EU) country concept (Articles 27 and 35A).

  I made clear that the UK would not accept anything which would prevent us from pursuing the approach in the Asylum and Immigration (treatment of claims etc.) Bill whereby an applicant who has transited a safe third country before coming to the UK may only challenge his removal on ECHR grounds. One other Member State initially felt that consideration should be given to all aspects of an applicant's claim. However, following discussion with them, the Presidency and the Commission, a compromise strengthening the wording on individual consideration and guaranteeing as a minimum that the applicant could bring a challenge on the ECHR elements in his claim was agreed.

  It was also agreed, in relation to Article 35A, which sets out what may happen when an asylum applicant enters a Member State from a bordering country designated as safe, that Member States' national lists of these safe third countries would expire once a common EU list was in place.

  All other reservations, apart from four parliamentary scrutiny reservations, including the UK's, were lifted from the text and the Council reached a General Approach, pending submission of the draft Directive to the European Parliament for re-consultation. This is a good result for the UK as the draft Directive will allow us to maintain all significant elements of our domestic asylum procedures.

  It was also agreed, in relation to Article 35A, which sets out what may happen when an asylum applicant enters a Member State from a bordering country designated as safe, that Member States' national lists of these safe third countries would expire once a common EU list was in place.

  All other reservations, apart from four parliamentary scrutiny reservations, including the UK's, mere lifted from the text and the Council reached a General Approach, pending submission of the draft Directive to the European Parliament for re-consultation. This is a good result for the UK as the draft Directive will allow us to maintain all significant elements of our domestic asylum procedures.
  1425W
  The Council also agreed a Minutes Statement, placing Bulgaria and Romania on a common minimum EU list of safe countries of origin and committing the Council to complete work on the definitive list of such countries prior to re-consulting the European Parliament.

  Under Any Other Business the Commission confirmed that it had been in discussions with key third countries about visa requirements for the new Member States and that it would be presenting a proposal to facilitate the procedures relating to short stay visas in relation to EU and Russian citizens.

  Finally, I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of the list of "A" points which, with the exception of item 25, were approved (see documents 8847/04 PTS A 19 and ADD 1). This included item 20 on the Obligation of Carriers to Communicate Passenger Data. The UK believes that this will be a useful tool in helping to tackle terrorism and organised crime and we therefore supported the European Council Declaration on Terrorism calling for its adoption. However, as a Member State initiative, it would have fallen if not agreed before 1 May 2004 and, regrettably, I therefore felt unable to block its adoption despite it being held under scrutiny in the House of Lords.

  Marsham Street
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons additional funding is necessary for works on Marsham Street; and how this money will be used. [165877]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  When the contract between the Home Office and Anne's Gate Property (AGP) for 2 Marsham street was signed, it was recognised that changes to the original specification were likely to be required during the contract period—in particular for security, information communication technology (ICT) cabling and external design. It was not at the time possible to determine precisely what those changes might be, and the contract therefore made provision for a further £11 million to be raised via a Variation Bond.

  The final scope of the changes, and their cost, is still being determined. They will, however, include security and business continuity enhancements to provide greater protection and resilience; enhancements to the design to support the Government's Better Public Buildings initiative; compliance with the latest standard of ICT cabling; internal changes to better meet business requirements; and some spend to save investments in energy efficiency, internal communications services and the provision of electronic rather than manual IT switching. The Home Office has made provision for a contribution of £2 million towards the cost of the additional works.

  Bernice Wiarimu Kamau
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of removing Ms Bernice Wairimu Kamau to Nairobi, broken down by each itemised cost associated with the removal. [172795]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]Information held by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) relating to individuals is confidential and it is not our policy to disclose it.
  1426W
  Any attempt to calculate the cost of removal on individual cases would need to take into account a large number of factors and this could only be done at disproportionate cost.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that public liability cover for local neighbourhood watch districts will be guaranteed if the National Neighbourhood Watch organisation goes into liquidation. [173421]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are important partnerships between communities, the police and local authorities, and they will continue to have our support.

  If the need arises we will take steps to safeguard existing arrangement: for local organisations.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 23 April 2004, reference 168914. [172361]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 11 May 2004]I replied to the hon. Member on 10 May 2004.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will provide a substantive reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent, ref 168371, on processing of seasonal agricultural workers scheme visas from Romania and Bulgaria. [172926]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]: I replied to the hon. Member on 30 April 2004. The PQ reference number relating to the processing of seasonal agricultural workers scheme visas from Romania and Bulgaria is 168377 and not 168371 as shown above.

  Passports
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which(a) private companies and (b) Government Departments have taken part in the UK Passport Service's Personal Identification Project; which databases were used in the exercise; and how the scheme is being evaluated. [173175]

  Mr. Browne
  Two private companies have been involved in the trials. These are Experian in 2001 and Equifax from 2002 to date. The databases used are:

  Electoral roll

  County court data within the public domain

  Linked addresses (Equifax)

  Date of birth validation (Equifax)

  Previous searches (Equifax)

  INSIGHT for ID verification (Equifax)

  Thompson Data (Business telephone directory)

  Companies House data

  BAGS

  BT 192 Database.

  1427W
  Three Government Departments are working with the UK Passport Service in this project:
  DVLA to verify driving licence details submitted against current records held on the drivers record;
  DWP to verify national insurance numbers submitted against current DWP records;
  IND to verify Naturalisation Certificates submitted against lists of valid certificates.

  No data is returned from these systems, only confirmation of the accuracy of data supplied.

  The current trials are assessing the potential benefits to applicants and UKPS in terms of customer service against security of identity. Statistics are being gathered to show the impact in both these areas.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports have been lost or mislaid by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate since 31 January; and if he will make a statement. [173023]

  Mr. Browne
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]For the period 1 February 2004 to 30 April 2004, a total of 169 letters have been issued for passports reported lost or mislaid in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. For the same period last year, 185 letters were issued. This represents a drop of 9 per cent.

  People Trafficking
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with European Union countries regarding the issue of people trafficking into Europe. [172508]

  Mr. Browne
  The UK is working with EU partners and countries beyond the borders of the EU to combat the trafficking of people.

  The UK participated fully in the drafting of the EU framework decision on trafficking and has been involved in discussions at EU level on provisions within this and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons which supplements the United Nations Convention against Trans- National Organised Crime. We are currently involved with, and in discussion with EU partners about, the drafting of a Council of Europe Convention on trafficking.

  Through Reflex, the NCS chaired multi-agency taskforce on organised immigration crime, the UK continues to discuss and work in partnership with other EU countries and organisations such as Europol and Eurojust to take effective enforcement action against trafficking.

  Building relationships with international partners is an important element of the UK strategy to combat trafficking. The UK has successfully bid for a twinning project under the EU Phare scheme in the Czech Republic. The aims of the project are to strengthen the fight against trafficking into and through the Czech Republic. This will be run in partnership with the Czech Republic and the Netherlands and is due to be launched in June 2004.

  Prisons
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in prisons in England and Wales for drug-related offences in each of the last five years, broken down by class of drug. [163549]

  Paul Goggins
  On 30 November 2003 there were 11,777 persons held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales, under sentence or on remand, for drugs offences. Equivalent figures for each of the last five years can be found in tables 1.5 and 2.8 of the publication 'Prison Statistics England and Wales'. A copy of this publication is available in the House of Commons Library.

  The number of prisoners held under sentence in Prison Service establishments for drugs offences in 1999 and 2000, broken down by type of drug, is given in the table. Information for later years is not yet available.

  Table 3.11 Persons under sentence in Prison Service establishments1 for drug offences on 30 June: by principal drugs offence2, type of controlled drug and year, England and Wales

  Estimated number of persons3 2000

  Type of drug

  1999

  Male

  Female

  All persons

  Cocaine

  1,400

  1,000

  300

  1,350

  Crack

  250

  300

  0

  350

  Heroin

  2,750

  2,900

  400

  3,300

  LSD

  100

  50

  0

  50

  Ecstasy-type

  650

  800

  50

  900

  Methadone

  50

  50

  0

  50

  Amphetamines

  500

  300

  0

  300

  Cannabis

  1,650

  1,200

  100

  1,300

  Other drugs

  950

  900

  50

  950

  All drugs

  8,150

  7,500

  950

  8,450

  1Excluding persons committed in default of payment of a fine.

  2In the case of offenders with two or more sentences of immediate custody the offender is shown against the longest one which is the principal drugs offence.

  3Total number of persons under sentence in prison offences by type of drug offence and average time spent under sentence provided by Prison Statistics. Breakdown by type of drug estimated from drug offenders sentenced to immediate custody by sentence length. Figures rounded to nearest 50.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons were operating at greater than their certified normal accommodation rate in each of the last 10 years. [166797]

  Paul Goggins
  I will write to the right hon. Member.

  Probation Service
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the additional probation staff employed since December 1999 are trainee probation officers; and what their average caseload is. [168392]

  Paul Goggins
  There have been 3,646 trainee probation officers appointed since 1998, and there are 780 projected trainee officer appointees for 2004.
  1429W
  It is not possible to calculate the average caseload of a trainee because this varies significantly during the two-year programme, according to their stage of training.

  Trainee probation officers are classified as supernumerary to the workforce, which means that they do not form part of the establishment for casework purposes. During their training they undertake the amount and type of cases appropriate to their experience and knowledge and identified development needs. Their casework contribution is therefore incidental to meeting their training needs.

  The information previously collected and held on starters and leavers to the service is very limited in terms of the analysis that can be performed against it. With this in mind, since 1999, the number of probation staff1 (senior probation officers, senior practitioners, probation officers, trainee probation officers and probation services officers), employed by the National Probation Service has increased by 3,089 full-time equivalents, which equates to a growth of 31.9 per cent. The proportion of this, which can be broadly attributed to growth among qualified probation staff, is 12.5 per cent. with the remainder being a growth in probation services officers.

  1These figures exclude staff employed in family Court Welfare in 1999 and 2000, as these were subsequently transferred in 2001.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what involvement his Department has had in the allocation of Commission for Racial Equality section 44 funding for 2004–05. [172864]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 13 May 2004]The responsibility for setting criteria for section 44 funding, assessing applications against those criteria and making final decisions lies with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). The Home Office role is to agree the level of funding which the CRE proposes to allocate. We welcome the CRE's policy of using the Getting Results programme to support any innovative project which makes a difference to race equality and good relations within its local community.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many speeding fines were issued in Essex in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002;[174723]

  (2) how many speeding fines were paid by motorists in Essex in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002; and how many speeding offences were detected in Essex in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002. [174724]

  Caroline Flint
  [holding answer 21 May 2004]: Available information showing the total number of police disposals and court proceedings for speeding offences within Essex police force area for 2001 and 2002 are given in the tables.

  Information on the number of fixed penalties or fines paid for speeding offences is not collected centrally.
  1430W

  Table A: Fines and fixed penalties data for speeding offences1, Essex, 2001 and 2002

  Number of offences

  2001

  2002

  Court proceedings fines issued

  9,131

  14,570

  Fixed penalty notices issued

  168,885

  199,201

  1Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.

  Table B: Speeding offences1 detected by type of action, Essex,2001 and 2002

  Number of offences

  Type of action

  2001

  2002

  Court proceedings total findings of guilt

  9,208

  14,660

  Fixed penalty notices issued

  168,885

  199,201

  Written warnings issued

  49

  —

  Total

  178,142

  213,861

  1Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.

  Sexual Offences
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many foreign nationals convicted by courts in the United Kingdom of being involved in the trafficking to and within the United Kingdom of women and children for sexual purposes have been sent to prison and upon their release have been, or will be, deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; [173534]

  (2) how many (a) male and (b) female foreign nationals convicted by courts in the United Kingdom of sexual offences and sent to prison have been deported on their release from prison in each of the last five years. [173535]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the nationality of offenders convicted in the UK and on offenders deported following their release from prison is not collected centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost.

  A person convicted of a criminal offence may be recommended for deportation by the court which has the power to sentence him. The Secretary of State also has the power to consider a person for deportation on conducive grounds. However, we would not seek to deport a person who had an outstanding claim for asylum.

  Departmental Expenditure (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the expenditure of his Department in the constituency of Sittingbourne and Sheppey was between(a) 1992 and 1997, (b) 1997 and 2001 and (c) 2001 and 2004. [159492]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The information is as follows:

  Funding for Kent police

  Grants for policing are not hypothecated to individual areas such as Sittingbourne and Sheppey. Grants are allocated to Kent police as a whole and it is for the Chief Constable to decide how best to deploy the resources across the force area.
  1431W
  Police grant distribution has been formula-based since 1995–96. Prior to that, grant was based on a proportion of forces' net expenditure.

  Home Office police grant is one element only of the total general police grant forces received. Revenue Support Grant and National Non Domestic Rates make up the total of the general grant. These have not been included in the answer as they are administered by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

  In line with all forces in England and Wales, Kent police will receive a general grants increase of 3.25 per cent. next year. Their allocation is £182.6 million. Kent is one of the shire forces who benefit most from this arrangement. If the formula alone had been applied, they would have received £167.9 million. Because a floor of 3.25 per cent. on top of last year's grant was given, they will in fact receive £182.6 million, £14.7 million more.

  £

  Police grant (HO only)

  Capital grant1

  Crime Fighting Fund

  Rural Policing Fund

  DNA Expansion Programme

  Airwave

  1992–93

  68,815,000

  2,491,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  71,825,000

  2,404,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994–95

  76,008,000

  2,574,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995–96

  78,591,413

  3,481,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97

  82,321,694

  4,803,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1997–98

  84,673,351

  4,476,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998–99

  91,724,083

  2,263,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  92,098,019

  1,853,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2000–01

  96,482,918

  1,503,000

  1,347,740

  298,863

  655,232

  —

  2001–02

  102,643,758

  2,003,000

  4,505,000

  599,342

  1,283,474

  —

  2002–03

  102,446,510

  2,680,000

  6,190,000

  599,700

  1,533,389

  —

  2003–04

  106,107,422

  3,372,000

  7,270,500

  595,161

  1,494,810

  7,153,000

  2004–05

  105,806,169

  2,684,000

  7,633,906

  594,228

  1,051,206

  1,483,000

  £

  Basic Command Unit Fund

  Community Support Officers

  Special Priority Payments

  South East Allowance

  Total

  1992–93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  71,306,000

  1993–94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  74,229,000

  1994–95

  —

  —

  —

  —

  78,582,000

  1995–96

  —

  —

  —

  —

  82,072,413

  1996–97

  —

  —

  —

  —

  87,124,694

  1997–98

  —

  —

  —

  —

  89,149,351

  1998–99

  —

  —

  —

  —

  93,987,083

  1999–2000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  93,951,019

  2000–01

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100,287,753

  2001–02

  —

  —

  —

  1,483,554

  112,518,128

  2002–03

  —

  264,418

  —

  1,719,156

  115,433,173

  2003–04

  1,051,206

  871,426

  992,100

  2,200,000

  131,107,625

  2004–05

  1,051,206

  2871,426

  2992,100

  23,125,375

  125,292,616

  1Capital grant figures prior to 2000–01 include an element of grant specifically for major capital schemes under the Priority Planning List scheme. Figures include Premises Improvement Fund allocations (£500,000 in 2002–03 and £1 million in 2003–04). Figures exclude revenue support for capital provided by ODPM and Supplementary Credit Approvals/Supported Capital Expenditure.

  2 Estimated figures for 2004–05. Subject to change.

  Sources of police grant data:

  1.1992–93 to 1994–95 figures—CIPFA Police Statistics.

  2.1995–96 to 2004–05 figures—Police Grant Reports.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with(a) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) police authorities on a strategy to combat illegal access to fertilisers to prevent use by terrorists. [169328]
  1432W
  In addition, funding is provided to forces for a number of specific programmes such as the Crime Fighting Fund, to assist the recruitment of extra police officers, and the Rural Policing Fund, to enhance policing in areas with the most widespread populations.

  Active Community Unit grant

  For the past three years via our mentoring programme the Home Office has been providing financial support to mentoring organisations throughout England. Home-Start Sittingbourne and Sheppey successfully bid for three years project funding under the Active Community Unit's Mentoring Fund in 2001–02. The project helps those families experiencing difficulties and breakdown. The organisation received revenue grants of £6,219 in 2001–02, £12,715 in 2002–03 and £13,034 in 2003–04. The organisation also received a one-off capital grant of £2,682 in 2002–03 to buy equipment to support the project. Home Office funding has (finished in March 2004) now ceased.

  Mr. Blunkett
  Policy on protective and preventative security measures to counter the threat of terrorism is directed by a ministerial group which I chair. I would also refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality on 27 April 2004,Official Report, column 857W.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Advisers/Consultants
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisers each year since its creation. [172397]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created in May 2002. In the two years since then the spend on external consultants and advisers for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, its agencies and the non-departmental public bodies are as follows:

  £

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

  2002–03

  76,000,000

  2003–04

  47,000,000

  The Executive agencies and NDPBs

  2002–03

  5,356,822

  2003–04

  6,305,906

  The above figures do not include the Audit Commission, as its expenditure is an operational matter. I will ask the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Antisocial Behaviour
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responsibilities housing associations have to(a) monitor and (b) control antisocial behaviour by tenants in their properties. [175405]

  Keith Hill
  The Government do not believe that placing a statutory duty on housing associations to act on antisocial behaviour is the best way forward. To do so would risk the danger of landlords being endlessly caught up in long and expensive court cases to establish whether any action taken by the landlord met the statutory requirement. This would not help in tackling the problem.

  The Government have amended the Housing Act 1996, through the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, to place a duty on all social landlords to publish policies and procedures on tackling antisocial behaviour. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is consulting on statutory guidance at the moment; this guidance contains a section on monitoring.

  Early Retirement
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many employees in his Department took early retirement in the last financial year; and at what total cost. [171744]

  Yvette Cooper
  The number of employees who took early retirement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, its agencies and the Government office network in the last financial year was 16, at a cost of £2.8 million.

  East of England Regional Assembly
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) letters and (b) other representations he has received from individuals in support of an elected East of England Regional Assembly. [175870]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Between 2 December 2002 and 18 May 2004 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received 79 e-mails and letters from individuals and organisations in connection with the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" relating to an elected regional assembly for the Eastern region. One individual and one parish council expressed support for an elected regional assembly for the Eastern region. 43 correspondents opposed the idea. The remainder of the inquirers either did not express a definite opinion or were merely seeking information. In the light of this response, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not proposed a referendum in the Eastern region on an Elected Regional Assembly.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) when he expects personnel in the fire services who respond to emergencies to be provided with insurance cover for terrorist incidents; [171857]

  (2) what action he is taking to ensure that personnel in all fire services who respond to emergencies are provided with insurance cover for terrorist incidents. [171858]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are provisions within the Firefighters' Pension Scheme and Conditions of Service which provide for awards in the event of death or injury either occurring in, or as a result of, the exercise of duty.

  Employer liability insurance is a matter for fire and rescue authorities who have a duty as employers to ensure that the necessary cover is provided.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has had discussions with The Association of British Insurers regarding private insurance arrangements entered into by individual firefighters to determine the extent of any problem about life insurance policies. I understand that in the case of most life insurance policies there are no terrorist exclusions although individuals should check their policies.

  Where occupation is a determinant of risk I understand that there should be no increase in premiums.

  Housing (North East Lincolnshire)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what residual housing costs will fall on North East Lincolnshire Council's general fund following the transfer of housing stock; and what further public consultation will take place on the effects of the changes. [174583]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working with North East Lincolnshire Council to identify and manage the residual housing costs and the actions that the Council will take to manage this. It is usual for such costs to be finalised during the period between ballot and transfer.
  1435W
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister understands that the Council intends to embark on a series of newsletters, letters to tenants and probably a formal consultation process specifically around the capital improvement programme.

  Local Authority Officers
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister under what circumstances councillors who have made inappropriate appointments of council officers may be surcharged for(a) salary costs, (b) legal costs and (c) medical costs incurred because of the appointments. [174944]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Local Government Act 2000, which provided for the establishment of the Standards Board for England and the new regime for handling allegations of misconduct by councillors, repealed the powers to surcharge councillors.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether a local authority has the power to reallocate the duties of a returning officer for local elections when the current returning officer is one of the authority's statutory officers and a designated independent person has been appointed under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001 to investigate allegations of misconduct by that statutory officer. [174973]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Pursuant to section 35(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 non- metropolitan county councils have the power to appoint a returning officer for local elections of councillors of the county, and district councils have the power to appoint a returning officer for elections of councillors of the district and a returning officer for elections of councillors of parishes within the district.

  The precise terms of the returning officer's appointment are a matter for the local authority.

  Local Government Finance
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total central funding for local government was in each of the last 25 years, expressed at today's prices. [175003]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The total central funding for local government for the period 1981–82 to 2003–04, expressed at 2003–04 prices, appears in the table.

  Year

  £ million

  1981–82

  26,462

  1982–83

  25,400

  1983–84

  24,906

  1984–85

  24,527

  1985–86

  22,837

  1986–87

  22,575

  1987–88

  22,762

  1988–89

  22,078

  1989–90

  21,063

  1990–91

  33,821

  1991–92

  42,364

  1992–93

  43,986

  1993–94

  42,814

  1994–95

  43,588

  1995–96

  42,755

  1996–97

  42,580

  1436W

  Year

  £million

  1997–98

  41,676

  1998–99

  42,707

  1999–2000

  44,233

  2000–01

  47,131

  2001–02

  49,537

  2002–03

  50,654

  2003–04

  53,135

  The data are taken from the RS (outturn) forms for all years except 2003–04, when the data are taken from the RA (budget) form. The forms are completed each year by individual local authorities.

  For the period 1981–82 to 1989–90 non-domestic rates were collected and retained locally. As such, they are not regarded as a central government grant. However, from 1990–91 onwards non-domestic rates were collected locally, pooled on a national basis and redistributed by central Government to each authority from the non-domestic pool. Consequently, figures for non-domestic rates from 1990–91 have been included above. From 1993–94 onwards the non-domestic rates figure includes City offset.

  The figures have been revalued for previous years at 2003–04 prices using the current Her Majesty's Treasury GDP deflators.

  Planning (North Devon)
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will decide whether to call in planning application no. 31760 (Anchorwood Bank, Barnstaple) to North Devon district council; and in doing so, what account he will take of the area's housing and employment needs. [175768]

  Keith Hill
  The application was formally referred to the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister by North Devon district council as it represents a Departure from the Development Plan for the area. A decision will be made in due course.

  The hon. Member for North Devon can rest assured that all material for planning considerations will be taken into account in the consideration of the application.

  Show People
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, (1) on what basis a site may be ruled inappropriate for locating show people by his Department; [175019]

  (2) what definition his Department uses of a realistic assessment of the amount of accommodation required in relation to identifying sites for show people; [175018]

  (3) what account of the rights of local residents (a) his Department and (b) local planning authorities take in identifying appropriate sites for winter quarters for show people; and what weight is attached to the (i) appropriateness of the site, (ii) suitability of the location, (iii) availability and adequacy of vehicular access and (iv) availability of existing locations in taking such decisions. [175017]
  1437W
  Keith Hill
  All applications for planning permission are decided on their individual merits with reference to the local authority's development plan for the area and other material considerations including national planning policy guidance. The Government's advice to local planning authorities on travelling showpeople is contained in Circular 22/91 'Travelling Showpeople'.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many non-decent social homes there are; how many there were in 1997; and what funds he has allocated to reducing the numbers in future years. [174843]

  Keith Hill
  In 1997 there were 2.13 million non-decent homes in the social sector. The estimate for March 2004 is 1.17 million.

  Between April 2004 and 2006 Local Authority plans indicate that they will spend £5.7 billion on their existing stock, the majority of which is allocated by Central Government with some from Local Authorities' own resources. This includes work beyond the decent homes standard and work to prevent dwellings from becoming non-decent as well as work to the existing non-decents. Registered Social Landlords will mainly use their own resources on improving their stock.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  China (Renewable Energy)
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to encourage the development of renewable energy in China. [174020]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department of Trade and Industry maintains close contact with the Chinese authorities with regard to energy matters, and including renewable energy. This contact is managed day-to-day through the Commercial Sections of the British diplomatic posts in China, and export and trade promoters of UK Trade and Investment and of the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme.

  We are currently working with the Chinese to assist with their design and drafting of regulations to increase their use of renewable energy over the coming years. In close co-operation with the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), we received a delegation of Chinese law makers in March, for a programme of meetings when they were able to discuss the issues involved with UK Government Departments and with UK industry. In May we sent a specialist who works with our Distributed Generation Working Group, and a Trade Promoter of the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme, to Beijing to join a working group developing the drafting of these regulations, which are expected to come into force next year.

  We will continue to support this initiative, and also to promote contact between companies and industry bodies of our two countries. We have commissioned the development of a website designed specifically to make
  1438W
  available information on renewable energy capabilities and opportunities in each country. This website is nearing completion, and can now be viewed on www.ukchinarenewables.co.uk. We understand that a UK specialist wind energy company is once again going to engage in training Chinese companies in the development of wind energy, in June; at least partially as a result of our trade promotional activities. And we are preparing to sponsor a presence by UK industry at a wind energy conference and exhibition in Beijing at the end of October.

  Accountancy Standards
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the Government has made to the European Commission in respect of(a) IAS 39 and (b) IAS 32; what assessment she has made of their impact on British (i) insurance companies and (ii) pension schemes; and if she will make a statement. [172916]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government have made it clear to the European Commission that the adoption of all standards is essential to the success of the EU's approach to accounting harmonisation. It would be difficult for Europe to maintain international credibility without key standards on financial instruments.

  We accept that IAS 32 and 39 are not perfect standards, but experience from countries where similar standards are in use show that concerns about their impact are exaggerated. Discussions with the British insurance industry indicate that companies are primarily concerned now to get the finalised standards in place so they can move forward. IAS 32 and 39 are not expected to have any particular impact on pension schemes.

  Fuel Prices
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total tax payable on the average pump price of a litre of unleaded petrol was on(a) 1 May 2003, (b) 1 January, (c) 17 March and (d) 17 May 2004. [174573]

  Mr. Timms
  Pump prices are not available for the specified dates. The table below gives the average prices for ultra low sulphur petrol on the Monday closest to the date.

  Date

  Amount of Duty per litre

  Amount of VAT per litre

  Pump Price per litre

  28 April 2003

  45.82

  11.53

  77.42

  29 December 2003

  47.10

  11.31

  75.94

  15 March 2004

  47.10

  11.53

  77.39

  17 May 2004

  47.10

  12.14

  81.49

  Source:

  DTI

  Bribery/Corruption
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many allegations of overseas bribery and corruption were received by her Department since the date that would not incur disproportionate costs. [174004]
  1439W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The DTI has received one allegation of overseas bribery. Under the terms of the published memorandum of understanding copy in Libraries of the House, this was passed on to NCIS for investigation.

  Civil Servants
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for each civil service grade within her(a) Department and (b) Department's executive agencies, the total number of staff employed, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) ethnic group and (iii) age group; and how many are registered disabled. [166396]

  Ms Hewitt
  Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service is collected by the Cabinet Office and published in Civil Service Statistics. A copy of Civil Service Statistics, 2002 is available in the Libraries of the House and at http://www/civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. The 2003 edition will be published in summer 2004.

  Company Liquidations
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many redundancies have been made by(a) companies and (b) administrators in each of the last 10 years. [173827]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The following table shows the available statistics. Estimates of the total number of employees made redundant each year are from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey which is based on a sample of over 61,000 households. The estimates are subject to sampling variability. The statistics of employees made redundant because their employer has become insolvent are from records of claims made to Redundancy Payments Offices. Employees of insolvent employers may claim redundancy payments and other contractual debts such as unpaid wages, notice pay and outstanding holiday pay. Though some qualifying employees may not make a claim, it is thought that almost all do.

  Estimates of employees made redundant each year in Great Britain

  Thousand

  Total number of employees made redundant:

  Number of employees making a claim to a Redundancy

  Estimates from the Labour Force Survey

  Payments Office because of the insolvency of their employer

  1994

  1—

  1—

  1995

  680

  1—

  1996

  623

  1—

  1997

  610

  1—

  1998

  697

  75

  1999

  686

  82

  2000

  639

  91

  2001

  722

  106

  2002

  700

  99

  2003

  580

  91

  1Not available.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps to ensure that the administration of a company following its liquidation is used as an effective tool to safeguard the interests of shareholders and stakeholders, including employees. [173853]
  1440W
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Enterprise Act 2002 introduced changes that allow a liquidator to apply to court for an administration order. The court would have to be satisfied that the company would achieve the purpose of administration, the primary objective of which is to rescue the company as a going concern and failing that to achieve a better result for the creditors than on a winding up. If companies and their businesses can be rescued rather than wound up, then the outcome will be better for the company itself, its employees, its creditors, its shareholders and the economy as a whole.

  Corporate Identity Theft
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action is being taken to deal with the problems of industrial sabotage as a result of corporate identity theft; [174691]

  (2) what action is being taken to encourage UK firms to take precautions against corporate identity theft. [174692]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Companies House is considering what steps it can actively take within the scope of the present law to reduce the risk of corporate identity theft. In particular it is considering further enhancing its electronic filing services to provide greater security for companies that feel at risk. Companies House is also an active member of the North East Fraud Forum, which is a unique partnership between the public and private sectors to share knowledge and experience with a view to defeating economic crime.

  However, this is also a matter for companies themselves to consider how best to protect themselves against the risk of corporate identity theft. Companies House also offers a service known as "Monitor" which companies can subscribe to which will alert them to the filing of any documents on their public record. Companies can also easily make regular checks of their public record on the Companies House Website (companieshouse.gov.uk) to make sure their records reflect the true position.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of corporate identity theft have been reported in each of the last five years. [174693]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Companies House began to record figures for corporate identity theft as a particular statistic in May 2004. It would be of disproportionate cost to isolate allegations of corporate identity theft from the previous records of all complaints about the false filing of documents.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the costs to(a) UK consumers and (b) UK companies of corporate identity theft in each of the last five years. [174694]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  No such assessments have been made.

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department is investigating allegations of breaches of OECD
  1441W
  guidelines by British-based companies and individuals made by the UN Panel of Experts in respect of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [175511]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A formal complaint was never lodged against De Beers. However following the final UN Expert Panel report and discussions between De Beers and the U.K. National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines, an NCP Statement was published on 5 May 2004 and is available on the U.K. OECD Guidelines webpage (http://164.36.164.37/ewt/debeers.doc)

  The NCP is not an investigatory body. Its role, as defined in the Guidelines, is one of facilitation and mediation between the parties. This presupposes the existence of a complainant.

  If the NCP is in receipt of information (e.g. from the UN expert panel) this can be put to the company, but without a complainant the NCP cannot engage in the dialogue process envisaged by the Guidelines.

  Following repeated requests for evidence over a six month period, the UN has now agreed to provide copies of their background documentation. This arrived on 17 May 2004 and is currently being examined in detail to see what it adds to the report. A decision can then be taken as to the appropriate way forward on each company concerned.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what information her Department has received from the UN and the panel of experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in support of allegations against British-based companies or individuals made by the panel of experts; and what steps her Department has taken to investigate such allegations; [175553]

  (2) whether her Department requires a complaint to be made in order for an investigation to be pursued in respect of an alleged breach of OECD guidelines; [175554]

  (3) whether a complaint was received against De Beers in respect of an alleged breach of OECD guidelines as referred to in the initial UN expert panel report on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [175555]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A formal complaint was never lodged against De Beers. However following the final UN Expert Panel report and discussions between De Beers and the U.K. National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines, an NCP Statement was published on 5 May 2004 and is available on the U.K. OECD Guidelines webpage (http://164.36.164.37/ewt/debeers.doc)

  The NCP is not an investigatory body. Its role, as defined in the Guidelines, is one of facilitation and mediation between the parties. This presupposes the existence of a complainant.

  If the NCP is in receipt of information (e.g. from the UN expert panel) this can be put to the company, but without a complainant the NCP cannot engage in the dialogue process envisaged by the Guidelines.
  1442W
  Following repeated requests for evidence over a six month period, the UN has now agreed to provide copies of their background documentation. This arrived on 17 May 2004 and is currently being examined in detail to see what it adds to the report. A decision can then be taken as to the appropriate way forward on each company concerned.

  Departmental Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field, and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by(a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others, in (A) 1994–95, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 and (D) 2001–02. [168682]

  Ms Hewitt
  The detailed information requested is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 4 February 2003,Official Report, column 180W, giving details of the number of press officers and press office costs for 1996–97 and 2001–02.

  DVDs/Videos
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regulations are in place on the sale by(a) national supermarket chains and (b) small independent retailers of DVDs and videos at below-dealer wholesale prices. [174598]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  [holding answer 20 May 2004]: There are no regulations governing the prices at which goods may be sold by retailers relative to the prices at which they were purchased from wholesalers. The main legislation relating to commercial practices and fair competition is the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what(a) initiatives, (b) campaigns and (c) advisory bodies relating to older people her Department (i) is responsible and (ii) has provided funding since 2001; and what the cost in each year was for each one. [166243]

  Ms Hewitt
  As part of our commitment to protecting the rights of all consumers, employees and employers, the Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for numerous activities that have particular relevance for older people. Examples include: introducing legislation under the European Employment Directive that will outlaw age discrimination in employment and vocational training from October 2006; the Age Advisory Group, set up in 2001, and Taskforce, set up in 2004, have been advising the Government on matters to do with implementation of the Directive; and establishment of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHRs), which will provide, for the first time, institutional support for the proposed provisions on age discrimination. In its first few years of operation particular attention will need to be paid to age
  1443W
  issues, including awareness raising among, and support for, those with rights and responsibilities under the age legislation. In addition, the CEHR will be able to act in a broad range of areas and not just those where there is specific legislative protection—for example, encouraging good practice in the provision of goods and services to help prevent unfair treatment of older people.

  Further examples include funding for the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and Citizens Advice Scotland to provide support and training to the Citizens Advice Service across the UK. The service deals with in excess of 6 million cases annually, of which over 50 per cent. involve older people; and joint support with DEFRA in 2001 (500,000) for a three-year pilot programme of Warm Zones to assess the merits of a systematic local approach to client identification and assistance: the formal evaluation of this work is expected by the end of 2004.

  In April 1999, DTI launched a three-year campaign specifically targeted at older people entitled "Avoiding Slips, Trips and Broken Hips" working with Help the Aged and others. This campaign ended in 2002. However, DTI provided a grant of £50,000 directly to Help the Aged to continue to deliver the existing resources, and at present materials continue to be available for free distribution.

  Energy Efficiency
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote the use of more energy efficient electrical motors within industry. [174763]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Proposals to develop more efficient engines and vehicles through the design and application of electric power drives and systems, where they are used in the development of environmentally friendly transport, are being considered under the collaborative research and development arm of the DTI Technology Programme. The Technology Programme seeks to promote innovative technologies to help companies bring products to market. Calls for outline proposals from industry are requested by 21 June.

  A further call for proposals is planned for later this year and ideas for new priority areas to be covered are welcomed from business and should be submitted to the, industry led, Technology Strategy Board through the DTI.

  Additionally the Enhanced Capital Allowance (EGA) Scheme allows businesses investing in designated energy saving products published in the approved Energy Technology List (ETL) to claim 100 per cent. first-year capital allowances on their investment. Motors and Variable Speed drive s were included in the first wave of technologies published in 2001. Currently there are over 2,800 products listed under Motors and Drives section of the approved ETL Product List. The full list of energy saving products eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances can be found at www.eca.gov.uk.

  Fireworks
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in tackling the issue of noisy night-time fireworks. [174848]
  1444W
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Department launched a formal consultation on 23 April 2004, which details proposed regulations to be made under the provisions of the Fireworks Act 2003. One of the proposed measures is to create a curfew on the use of fireworks between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am, with the exception of November 5, New Years Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

  We expect that the police will enforce this measure—and that the police will have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for infractions of the curfew.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many young people in Hull, North have benefited from the introduction of the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds. [174795]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  It is not possible to provide an estimate specifically for the constituency of Hull, North because of small sample size. However, the number of people in the UK who stand to benefit from the new rate for 16 and 17 year olds is likely to be in the low tens of thousands.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many people have legitimately not been paid the minimum wage in each year since its introduction; what the reason was in each case; what estimate she has made of the number of people not being paid the minimum wage for illegitimate reasons; and she will make a statement; [170311]

  (2) how many employees have been affected by employers not complying with the National Minimum Wage in each year since its introduction. [170464]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  [holding answers 4 May 2004]: The Office for National Statistics publishes an estimate of the number of jobs paying below the National Minimum Wage—See table 1, which reproduces this estimate for the years since the National Minimum Wage was introduced).

  Table 1: Number and proportion of jobs paying below the National Minimum Wage

  As at spring each year

  Number

  Percentage

  20001

  240,000

  1.0

  20012

  250,000

  1.0

  20023

  330,000

  1.3

  20034

  260,000

  1.0

  1Rate was £3.00 per hour (aged 18–21) or £3.60 per hour (aged 22 and over).

  2Rate was £3.20 per hour (aged 18–21) or £3.70 per hour (aged 22 and over).

  3Rate was £3.50 per hour (aged 18–21) or £4.10 per hour (aged 22 and over).

  4Rate was £3.60 per hour (aged 18–21) or £4.20 per hour (aged 22 and over).

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics' central estimates of low pay.

  However, these figures do not constitute an estimate of non-compliance since there are certain circumstances where the usual minimum wage rates do not apply, in which case it may be legitimate for an employer to pay below National Minimum Wage rates.
  1445W
  There are two main instances when individuals may legitimately earn less than the appropriate minimum wage for their age. Firstly, individuals may be on certain Government training programmes or apprenticeships, in which they are exempt for the first year up to the age of 26. Also, employees aged over 21 who receive accredited training (such as those doing NVQs) may be exempted from receiving the full adult national minimum wage for the first six months of training in a new job with a new employer. Secondly, employees may be exempted if they are receiving accommodation that is tied to their employment. Such employees do not have to be paid all of their minimum wage entitlement in cash terms because employers can legitimately reduce rates to take into account the cost of accommodation provided; from October 2003 this has amounted to a daily offset of £3.50, leading to a maximum weekly offset of £24.50.

  Using the Labour Force Survey, the DTI estimates the maximum number of workers whose job characteristics mean they can be paid less than the National Minimum Wage.

  Table 2: Maximum number of workers whose job characteristics mean they can legitimately be paid less than the National Minimum Wage

  As at spring each year

  Number

  2000

  320,000

  2001

  250,000

  2002

  260,000

  2003

  220,000

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  In practice, the number of workers who can legitimately be paid below minimum wage rates is likely to be substantially lower than these figures. This is because a significant proportion of people receiving free accommodation as part of the job, holding apprenticeships or taking part in Government training programmes are likely to be earning in excess of the minimum wage.

  Maternity Leave
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of women in Oldham, West and Royton have taken 26 weeks' maternity leave since 1997. [170938]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Data on maternity leave is not available by constituency. However, a DTI survey of working parents in Autumn 2000 showed that of mothers who had taken maternity leave in the previous five years, 51 per cent. had taken 18 weeks or less and 79 per cent. had taken 19 to 29 weeks or less.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the budget of each of the nine regional development agencies has been spent on administration in each year since their inception. [174697]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 11 May 2004,Official Report, column 247W.
  1446W

  Regulations
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons she rejects the British Chambers of Commerce estimation of the costs to businesses of regulations introduced since 1997. [173260]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The British Chambers of Commerce estimation of the burden does not appear to offset the benefits accrued. Objective measurement of regulation must consider the total impact, taking account of associated benefits.

  Scottish Power
  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 12 May to question reference 171781, if she will list the issues discussed at the meeting with representatives of Scottish Power on 11 March. [173696]

  Ms Hewitt
  The specific issue relating to electricity supply discussed at the meeting was wind farms and their interaction with radar. Also discussed was security of supply.

  Software Patents
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Council of Ministers has received the report from the Council Working Group on Intellectual Property on the draft Directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions. [174745]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 20 May 2004]: The Council of Ministers discussed the report of the Working Group at the meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 17 and 18 May 2004, and reached political agreement on a Common Position on the proposed Directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the latest position is regarding the opt-out from the 48-hour limit on the working week under the Working Time Directive; and if she will make a statement. [174871]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) which implement the provisions of the Working Time Directive in UK law came into force on 1 October 1998. The Regulations currently include an opt-out provision to the weekly working time limit. Under the opt-out, an individual worker may agree to work more than 48 hours a week.

  The opt-out was initially granted for a period of 15 years but has since been extended. A review has been carried out and the European Commission have decided to consult more widely over working time changes. The Commission published a consultation communication on 5 January 2004.

  The UK response to the Communication (31 March 2004) argued strongly for the retention of the opt-out. While the Government are in favour of providing fair minimum standards of employment protection, they are

  1447W
  also keen to maintain the flexibility our individual labour market requires, and, which many individual workers prefer.

  The second stage consultation paper from the European Commission was recently published on 19 May. It presented the following options:
  Option 1—Keep the individual opt out with tighter conditions of application.
  Option 2—Opt-out only available through collective agreement.
  Option 3—Opt out available through collective agreement, but retain the possibility of individual opt out in the absence of such an agreement and for undertakings without worker representation.
  Option 4—Phase out the opt out.

  Option 1 is the only one to ensure workers have real choice and ensure working hours are tailored to what individual workers want.

  The UK and the Commission agree that extending the reference period for working hours, so that these can be averaged over a period of up to 12 months without the need for a collective agreement would increase the flexibility of both employers and workers. This is of particular value in the UK because, as the Commission's Communication notes, collective or workforce agreements are not widespread here.

  There is now in a 6-week period of negotiation with the social partners: UNICE, the European employers' federation; ETUC, the European employees organisation; and CEEP, the public sector employers organisation. If the social partners do not agree to negotiate on a workable solution during this time, the Commission will propose legislation by co-decision by the summer 2004.

TREASURY

  Conceptions
  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many conceptions in women aged(a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000; [174950]

  (2) what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority was in each year since 2000; [174951]

  (3) how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000. [174953]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Ann Winterton, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (174950,174951 & 174953)
  1448W
  The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 120JW–1208W.
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W–1200W.

  Overseas Charity Workers
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many United Kingdom citizens working overseas for charities in the field of overseas development have lived overseas for more than five years; [175830]

  (2) how many United Kingdom citizens are employed overseas by United Kingdom based charities involved in international development. [175832]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Alistair Burt, dated 24 May 2004:
  The National Statistician has been asked by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reply to your request for information on (a) how many United Kingdom citizens are employed overseas by UK-based charities involved in international development and; (b) how many UK citizens working overseas for charities in the field of overseas development have lived overseas for more than five years. I am replying in his absence. (175830,175832)
  The information you requested is not available. Migration data are not collected by specific sectors, or specific types, of employment.

  Psepho-analysis
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which 20 United Kingdom mainland constituencies experienced the greatest fall in electorate between 1997 and 2004 in(a) numerical and (b) percentage terms, listed in descending order. [175125]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Chris Ruane, dated 24 May 2004:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the 20 United Kingdom mainland constituencies that have experienced the greatest fall in electorate between 1997 and 2004.1 am replying in his absence. (175125)
  For the purposes of this question, the United Kingdom mainland excludes Northern Ireland. The effect of the introduction of a new system for registering electors in Northern Ireland is explained in an answer to an earlier Parliamentary Question on this subject (Official Report, 9 March 2004, Column 1416W).
  Two tables are attached. Table 1 shows the 20 constituencies that experienced the greatest decrease in parliamentary electors between 16 February 1997 and 1 December 2003, the latest date for which data are available. Table 2 shows the 20 constituencies who experienced the greatest percentage decrease in parliamentary electors over the same period.
  1449W

  Constituencies experiencing the greatest decrease in electorate between 1997 and 2003, Great Britain.

  Constituency

  1997 figures

  2003 figures

  Electorate decrease

  Portsmouth South

  80,907

  66,162

  14,745

  Brentford and Isleworth

  79,644

  67,934

  11,710

  Sheffield Central

  68,976

  58,708

  10,268

  Rhondda

  57,487

  48,332

  9,155

  Sheffield, Brightside

  59,287

  51,031

  8,256

  Edinburgh Central

  63,969

  55,714

  8,255

  Bradford West

  72,671

  64,663

  8,008

  Tyne Bridge

  61,602

  53,971

  7,631

  Sheffield, Heeley

  67,011

  59,428

  7,583

  Leeds Central

  67,911

  60,398

  7,513

  Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend

  63,799

  56,340

  7,459

  Newcastle upon Tyne Central

  70,271

  63,408

  6,863

  Paisley North

  50,261

  43,590

  6,671

  Aberdeen Central

  54,548

  47,903

  6,645

  Sunderland South

  68,477

  61,872

  6,605

  Salford

  58,961

  52,443

  6,518

  Dulwich and West Norwood

  69,994

  63,489

  6,505

  Paisley South

  54,573

  48,248

  6,325

  Halifax

  72,384

  66,126

  6,258

  Edmonton

  64,184

  57,988

  6,196

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Constituencies experiencing the greatest percentage decrease in electorate between 1997 and 2003, Great Britain.

  Constituency

  1997 figures

  2003 figures

  Percentage decrease

  Portsmouth South

  80,907

  66,162

  18.22

  Rhondda

  57,487

  48,332

  15.93

  Sheffield Central

  68,976

  58,708

  14.89

  Brentford and Isleworth

  79,644

  67,934

  14.70

  Sheffield, Brightside

  59,287

  51,031

  13.93

  Paisley North

  50,261

  43,590

  13.27

  Edinburgh Central

  63,969

  55,714

  12.90

  Tyne Bridge

  61,602

  53,971

  12.39

  Aberdeen Central

  54,548

  47,903

  12.18

  Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend

  63.799

  56,340

  11.69

  Paisley South

  54,573

  48,248

  11.59

  Glasgow Baillieston

  51,589

  45,738

  11.34

  Sheffield, Heeley

  67,011

  59,428

  11.32

  Cynon Valley

  48,713

  43,260

  11.19

  Leeds Central

  67,911

  60,398

  11.06

  Salford

  58,961

  52,443

  11.05

  Bradford West

  72,671

  64,663

  11.02

  Glasgow Maryhill

  52,854

  47,525

  10.08

  Newcastle upon Tyne Central

  70,271

  63,408

  9.77

  Dundee West

  57,809

  52,196

  9.71

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been saved by housebuyers in stamp duty exempt areas as a result of not having to pay the duty, broken down by local authorities in England. [174463]

  Ruth Kelly
  The available information cannot be given at this level of detail.

  Suicides
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides there were in England and Wales in 2002. [174486]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  1450W
  Letter from Len Cook to Tom Cox, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question how many suicides there were in England and Wales in 2002. (174486)
  There were 4,665 deaths with a verdict of suicide or an open verdict1 in England and Wales in 20022.
  1Data for England and Wales are for deaths occurring in the calendar year.
  2 Causes of death were defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60–X84 (suicide verdict) and Y10–Y34 (open verdict) excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.

  Abortion
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many conceptions resulted in abortion among those aged(a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 in each year since 2000; [174459]

  (2) what the rate of conceptions for females aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in each year since 2000; [174466]

  (3) what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in the Essex Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000; and how many conceptions there were in each age group. [174578]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Bob Spink, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary questions on conceptions and abortions. (174459, 174466 & 174578)
  The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W–1208W.
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W–1200W.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many conceptions in women aged(a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Essex Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000. [174510]

  (2) what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Essex Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000; [174511]

  (3) how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Essex Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000; [174513]

  (4) what the rate of conceptions for women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in each year since 2000; [174504]
  1451W
  (5) how many conceptions resulted in abortion among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in each year since 2000. [174506]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Sir Teddy Taylor, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (174510, 174511, 174513, 174504 & 174506)
  The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W–1208W.
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W–1200W.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of conceptions was for women aged(a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 in England and Wales in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement. [174521]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave to him on 20 May 2004,Official Report, columns 1197–200W

  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the rate of conceptions for women aged(a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in each year since 2000; [175395]

  (2) how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 there were in West Cumbria in each year since 2000; [175420]

  (3) what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 was in West Cumbria Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000; [175421]

  (4) how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in West Cumbria Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000; [175425]

  (5) how many conceptions resulted in abortion among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in each year since 2000. [175516]

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

  letter from Len Cook to Tony Cunningham, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175395, 175420, 175421, 175517 & 175516)
  The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 9.1, Column 1201W–1208W.
  1452W
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W–1200W.
  Please note that information for the West Cumbria area is not available. However, information for the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority area is given at both the above references.
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions, broken down by (i) disease and (ii) sex is not available.

  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the rate of conceptions in women aged(a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000; [175619]

  (2) how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000; [175620]

  (3) how many conceptions resulted in pregnancy terminations among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000. [175625]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Adrian Flook, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175619, 175620 & 175625)
  The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W–1208W.
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W–1200W.

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many conceptions in women of 19 years and under there were in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000, broken down by age; [175782]

  (2) what the rate of conceptions in women of 19 years and under was in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority since 2000, broken down by age; [175783]

  (3) what the rate of conceptions for women of 19 years and under was in each year since 2000, broken down by age; [175786]

  (4) how many conceptions resulted in abortion among women of 19 years and under in each year since 2000, broken down by age; [175787]

  (5) how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women of 19 years and under in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000, broken down by age. [175763]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  1453W
  Letter from Len Cook to Jim Dobbin, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175763, 175782, 175783, 175786 & 175787)
  The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W–1208W.
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W–1200W.

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the rate of conceptions in women aged(a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000; [175388]

  (2) how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000; [175391]

  (3) how many conceptions resulted in abortions among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000. [175386]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Goodman, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175386, 175388 & 175391)
  The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W–1208W.
  Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W–1200W.

  Child Tax Credit
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Hull North are eligible for the child tax credit; and what the take-up rate is. [174793]

  Net council tax paid by households within each Government Office Region by equivalised disposable income quintile, 2001–02-England

  North East

  North West and Merseyside

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Quintile

  Bottom

  —

  242

  3.1

  —

  396

  4.7

  —

  370

  4.0

  9,112

  —

  —

  9,995

  —

  —

  10,245

  —

  —

  2nd

  —

  420

  3.3

  —

  430

  3.4

  —

  375

  3.0

  12,790

  —

  —

  13,483

  —

  —

  13,622

  —

  —

  3rd

  —

  500

  2.6

  —

  664

  3.4

  —

  524

  2.7

  17,972

  —

  —

  17,937

  —

  —

  17,920

  —

  —

  1454W
  Dawn Primarolo
  For the number of recipient families, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Mrs. Dean) on 15 March 2004,Official Report, column 98W.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the information set out in the answer of 17 November 2003,Official Report, columns 520–22W, on council tax, to take account of the effects of taxes and benefits on household income in 2002–03. [174862]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Edward Davey, dated 24 May 2004:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for an update of the information set out in the answer of 17 November 2003, Official Report, columns 520–22W, giving how much council tax was paid as a proportion of gross income for households in each income quintile group in each English region. (174862)
  Estimates have been produced from the Office for National Statistics' analysis "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income" published on the National Statistics website on 6 May 2004 at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/taxesbenefits. The analysis includes measures of income inequality for the United Kingdom as a whole based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey. This is a sample survey covering about 7,000 households in the UK and sample sizes for each region are only sufficient to give approximate estimates.
  The current analysis presents data for the category 'Council tax and Northern Ireland rates', as opposed to the category 'Local taxes' used in previous analyses. This is because, from this year, charges made by water authorities for water, environmental and sewerage services have been excluded. This treatment conforms to the National Accounts classification and definition of taxes where water rates and related charges are considered a charge for services rather than a tax. They have therefore been excluded from the calculation of disposable income. This reply is based on the new methodology and includes updated 2001–02 figures on this basis for comparison.
  The table shows, for 2001–02 and 2002–03, the average net council tax paid for all households in each Government Office Region and for each income quintile group within each region where households are ranked by equivalised disposable income. Equivalisation is a standard methodology that takes into account the size and composition of households and adjusts their incomes to recognise differing demands on resources. The net council tax figures are gross council tax less reported council tax benefits and discounts. The table also shows the boundaries between equivalised disposable income quintiles, which have been calculated separately for households in each Government Office Region. For example, the 1st quintile boundary is the income level below which one fifth of those households are estimated to lie.
  1455W

  Net council tax paid by households within each Government Office Region by equivalised disposable income quintile, 2001–02-England

  North East

  North West and Merseyside

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  4th

  —

  707

  2.3

  —

  750

  2.6

  —

  647

  2.4

  26,154

  —

  —

  24,290

  —

  —

  23,907

  —

  —

  Top

  —

  872

  15

  —

  936

  1.8

  —

  846

  1.7

  All households in region

  —

  548

  2.2

  —

  635

  2.6

  —

  553

  2.3

  East Midlands

  West Midlands

  Eastern

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Quintile

  Bottom

  —

  484

  5.1

  —

  426

  4.8

  —

  468

  5.3

  10,517

  —

  —

  10,071

  —

  —

  11,116

  —

  —

  2nd

  —

  549

  3.5

  —

  429

  3.5

  —

  527

  3.4

  14,894

  —

  —

  13,958

  —

  —

  16,206

  —

  —

  3rd

  —

  679

  2.8

  —

  598

  2.6

  —

  722

  2.7

  19,777

  —

  —

  18,032

  —

  —

  22,332

  —

  —

  4th

  —

  725

  2.3

  —

  782

  2.3

  —

  786

  2.1

  26,917

  —

  —

  25,358

  —

  —

  30,455

  —

  —

  Top

  —

  785

  1.4

  —

  781

  1.5

  —

  885

  1.4

  All households in region

  —

  644

  2.4

  —

  603

  2.3

  —

  678

  2.2

  London

  South East

  South West

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Quintile

  Bottom

  —

  444

  4.6

  —

  473

  4.8

  —

  474

  5.4

  11,647

  —

  —

  12,758

  —

  —

  10,955

  —

  —

  2nd

  —

  559

  3.1

  —

  643

  3.3

  —

  570

  3.8

  17,770

  —

  —

  18,203

  —

  —

  14,643

  —

  —

  3rd

  —

  753

  2.2

  —

  746

  2.6

  —

  674

  3.0

  25,855

  —

  —

  24,832

  —

  —

  19,555

  —

  —

  4th

  —

  789

  1.7

  —

  831

  1.9

  —

  746

  2.5

  38,166

  —

  —

  35,472

  —

  —

  26,542

  —

  —

  Top

  —

  886

  1.0

  —

  981

  1.3

  —

  897

  15

  All households in region

  —

  686

  1.7

  —

  735

  2.0

  —

  672

  2.5

  Note:

  1 Boundary point between equivalised disposables income quintiles.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, based on the analysis 'The effects of taxes and benefits on household income'

  Net council tax paid by households within each Government Office Region by equivalised disposable income quintile, 2002–2003-England

  North East

  North West and Merseyside

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Quintile

  Bottom

  —

  395

  4.1

  —

  378

  4.0

  —

  368

  4.0

  10,600

  —

  —

  10,952

  —

  —

  10,378

  —

  —

  2nd

  —

  474

  3.5

  —

  487

  3.3

  —

  490

  3.4

  14,052

  —

  —

  14,832

  —

  —

  14,181

  —

  —

  3rd

  —

  541

  2.6

  —

  597

  2.7

  —

  556

  2.7

  18,501

  —

  —

  19,287

  —

  —

  19,533

  —

  —

  4th

  —

  697

  2.5

  —

  753

  2.4

  —

  670

  2.3

  24,518

  —

  —

  26,993

  —

  —

  25,829

  —

  —

  Top

  —

  883

  1.8

  —

  979

  1.9

  —

  847

  1.6

  All households in region

  —

  598

  2.4

  —

  639

  2.4

  —

  586

  2.4

  1456W 1457W

  East Midlands

  West Midlands

  Eastern

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1(£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Quintile

  Bottom

  —

  513

  5.1

  —

  406

  4.3

  —

  591

  5.4

  10,992

  —

  —

  10,865

  —

  —

  12,113

  —

  —

  2nd

  —

  558

  3.4

  —

  497

  3.3

  —

  580

  3.3

  15,238

  —

  —

  14,259

  —

  —

  16,944

  —

  —

  3rd

  —

  691

  2.9

  —

  656

  2.9

  —

  784

  2.9

  20,734

  —

  —-

  19,323

  —

  —

  22,195

  —

  —

  4th

  —

  835

  2.3

  —

  802

  2.4

  —

  855

  2.3

  28,150

  —

  —

  26,717

  —

  —

  33,990

  —

  —

  Top

  —

  956

  1.6

  —

  883

  1.7

  —

  958

  1.5

  All households in region

  —

  711

  2.4

  —

  649

  2.5

  —

  753

  2.4

  London

  South East

  South West

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1(£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Income boundary1 (£)

  Net council tax (£)

  Net council tax as percentage of gross income

  Quintile

  Bottom

  —

  395

  3.7

  —

  553

  5.3

  —

  480

  5.6

  11,904

  —

  —

  12,545

  —

  —

  11,576

  —

  —

  2nd

  —

  507

  3.1

  —

  660

  3.6

  —

  602

  4.0

  17,009

  —

  —

  18,310

  —

  —

  16,173

  —

  —

  3rd

  —

  714

  2.3

  —

  851

  2.9

  —

  769

  3.0

  26,286

  —

  —

  24,805

  —

  —

  21,231

  —

  —

  4th

  —

  918

  1.9

  —

  938

  2.3

  —

  844

  2.5

  37,876

  —

  —

  33,743

  —

  —

  29,152

  —

  —

  Top

  —

  928

  1.0

  —

  1050

  1.5

  —

  988

  1.8

  All households in region

  —

  693

  1.8

  —

  811

  2.4

  —

  737

  2.7

  Note

  1Boundary point between equivalised disposable income quintiles.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, based on the analysis 'The effects of taxes and benefits on household income'.

  Labour Statistics (Eastern Region)
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the change in the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector in the Eastern Region has been in(a) the last 12 months for which figures are available and (b) in the 24 months prior to this; [174544]

  (2) how many people are employed in engineering and engineering related industries in the Eastern region; and how many were employed in these industries in (a) 2003, (b) 2002 and (c) 2001. [174545]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Alistair Burt dated 24 May 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about employment in the manufacturing industry and engineering sectors in the eastern region. (174544, 174545)

  The latest year for which figures are available is 2002. The attached table shows the information requested for the years 2000–2002.
  1458W

  Employee1 jobs in manufacturing, and in engineering and related industries—Eastern region: 2000–2002

  £000

  Year2

  Manufacturing

  Change year on year

  Engineering

  Change year on year

  2000

  333

  —

  120

  —

  2001

  328

  -5

  118

  -2

  2002

  307

  -21

  109

  -9

  1Employee jobs only, does not include self-employed.

  2The Annual Business Inquiry is released in December of each year.

  Source:

  Annual Business Inquiry (ABI).

  Financial Statistics
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1997. [174980]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  1459W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 24 May 2004.

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning (a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1997. (174980)

  The implied annual deflator for general government consumption derived from the national accounts estimates published in March 2004 is presented in the attached table.

  Please note that these estimates do not present price measures directly, since with a few exceptions (e g. passport fees), there are no directly observable prices for the services provided by government. The estimates are therefore derived by comparing the spending on producing government services with measures of the output of those services. As derived statistics, they should not be confused with measures of the price of the inputs such as public sector earnings or prices paid for other purchases.

  In calculating the deflator, the quality and reliability of the output measures are crucial. However, public service delivery and management mechanisms have developed and become more complex in recent years, and there is an increasing emphasis on the quality of service for the customer. As a result there are greater demands on, and expectations of, measures of government output. In order to ensure that output measures can respond to these demands, in December 2003 I announced an independent review, led by Sir Tony Atkinson, of the future development of government output and productivity measures, and the associated price indices.

  General Government consumption—implied deflator1 UK, 1997–2003

  Year

  Index

  1997

  88.8

  1998

  91.1

  1999

  95.4

  2000

  100.0

  2001

  105.7

  2002

  113.3

  2003

  122.7

  1Indexed, with value of 100 in year 2000

  Source:

  UK National Accounts, 26 March 2004

  Gershon Review
  Brian White
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish the results of the Gershon review. [175431]

  Mr. Boateng
  Sir Peter Gershon continues to work closely with all Departments to prepare detailed efficiency proposals for consideration in the 2004 Spending Review. A further announcement will be made at the Spending Review.

  Holiday Bond Schemes
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have to ensure that companies promoting holiday bond schemes make potential investors aware of the financial risks involved. [174533]

  Ruth Kelly
  Where firms carry on regulated activities relating to specified investments, including holiday bond schemes, firms must be authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA also regulates promotions of holiday bonds involving controlled investments and activities, which includes checking that promotions are clear, fair and not misleading.

  Large Business Office
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the operating costs have been for the Large Business Office for each year since 1997. [174937]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Large Business Office developed during 1997–98 so 1998–99 was the first full year of operation.

  The operating costs of the LBO for each year, together with those of the prior year, are set out in their Annual Report. Copies of those for 2000–01 and 2002–03 are held in the House of Commons Library.

  Low Sulphur Petrol
  John Thurso
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to ensure the availability of low sulphur petrol after 1 September in the North East of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands; and if he will make a statement. [174481]

  John Healey
  Following the announcement by the Chancellor that a duty differential of 0.5p/1 in favour of sulphur free petrol will apply from 1 September 2004, we anticipate that this will rapidly replace low sulphur petrol. The marketing of sulphur free fuels is a matter for the oil industry, however we do expect that the duty differential will be sufficient to ensure widespread availability across the UK generally. Certainly, early indications from the oil industry are that Scotland will be among the first areas to see the introduction of sulphur-free fuels.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much public money has been spent in Northern Ireland in each of the last seven years, broken down by main budget heading; and what the general receipts were in each year, broken down by revenue source. [175232]

  Mr. Boateng
  Identifiable public spending by function, region and country is published annually in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses. The latest data for Northern Ireland is shown in the tables 8.5,8.6,8.7,8.8 and 8.9 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2004 (Cm 6201). Information on current receipts is published in Table C8 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 301). No Northern Ireland-specific figures are available for current receipts.

  Public Sector Inflation
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1979. [175243]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  1461W
  Letter from Colin Mowl to Chris Ruane, dated 24 May 2004:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning (a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1979.1 am replying in his absence. (175243)

  The implied annual deflator for general government consumption derived from the national accounts estimates published in March 2004 is presented in the attached table.

  Please note that these estimates do not present price measures directly, since with a few exceptions (e.g. passport fees), there are no directly observable prices for the services provided by government. The estimates are therefore derived by comparing the spending on producing government services with measures of the output of those services. As derived statistics, they should not be confused with measures of the price of the inputs such as public sector earnings or prices paid for other purchases.

  The methodology used in calculation the volume measure of Government consumption was changed from the mid-1990s, therefore comparisons should be made with care.

  In calculating the implied deflator, the quality and reliability of the output measures are crucial. However, public service delivery and management mechanisms have developed and become more complex in recent years, and there is an increasing emphasis on the quality of service for the customer. As a result there are greater demands on, and expectations of, measures of government output. In order to ensure that output measures can respond to these demands, in December 2003 the National Statistician announced a review of the future development of government output and productivity measures, and the associated price indices.

  General Government consumption—implied deflator1 UK, 1979–2003

  Year

  Index

  1979

  27.8

  1980

  34.4

  1981

  38.8

  1982

  42.0

  1983

  44.7

  1984

  46.8

  1985

  49.5

  1986

  52.4

  1987

  56.2

  1988

  60.4

  1989

  64.8

  1990

  70.0

  1991

  74.9

  1992

  79.1

  1993

  81.1

  1994

  83.1

  1995

  84.9

  1996

  87.4

  1997

  88.8

  1998

  91.1

  1999

  95.4

  2000

  100.0

  2001

  105.7

  2002

  113.3

  2003

  122.7

  Source:

  UK National Accounts, 26 March 2004

  Travellers
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits income tax and VAT inspectors have made to unauthorised traveler 1462W
  developments to ensure the proper collection of income tax and VAT in the year to 5 April 2004 in (a) England and Wales and (b) South Bedfordshire. [171777]

  John Healey
  Both HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue are committed to treating all taxpayers fairly and equally and do not target or classify businesses by demographic or racial group. An approach to managing non-compliance is taken which deploys resources on the basis of risk assessment. It is not therefore possible to quantify the number of visits made to unauthorised traveller developments.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Child Poverty
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the Government's aim to eradicate child poverty in this country by 2020. [172912]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar (Vera Baird) on 26 April 2004,Official Report, column 625–26.

  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions using the 1999 Millennium Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey, how many children he estimates lived in families with below 70 per cent. of the before housing costs national median income who also lacked(a) one or more and (b) two or more of the necessities proposed in the annex of the document Measuring Child Poverty; and how many of those categorised as missing out on (i) one or more and (ii) two or more of the list of necessities did not have before housing cost income; below 60 per cent. of median income in 1999. [173450]

  Mr. Pond
  We have not made any estimates using the 1999 Millennium Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey.

  The official Government estimates of low income are derived from the Family Resources Survey-based Households Below Average Income dataset. Data for the material deprivation element of the measure outlined in the document Measuring Child Poverty will be collected on the Family Resources Survey from 2004–05, and will be published in 2006.

  Copies of the 'Measuring Child Poverty' document are available in the Library.

  Council Tax Benefit (Hampshire)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have claimed council tax benefit in(a) Portsmouth, (b) Southampton and (c) the rest of Hampshire in each of the last three years. [174195]

  Mr. Pond
  The information is in the table.
  1463W

  Council tax benefit recipients in Portsmouth, Southampton, and Hampshire local authorities

  Thousand

  Council tax benefit recipients

  Local authority

  August 2001

  August 2002

  August 2003

  Portsmouth

  14.2

  12.8

  13.8

  Southampton

  17.9

  18.0

  17.3

  Basingstoke and Deane

  6.3

  6.5

  6.6

  East Hampshire

  4.1

  4.1

  4.2

  Eastleigh

  4.7

  4.8

  4.9

  Fareham

  3.7

  3.7

  3.6

  Gosport

  4.7

  4.4

  4.7

  Hart

  2.0

  1.9

  2.1

  Havant

  8.7

  8.0

  8.2

  New Forest

  8.9

  8.5

  8.5

  Rushmoor

  3.5

  3.4

  3.7

  Test Valley

  4.3

  4.3

  4.5

  Winchester

  4.5

  4.3

  4.4

  Notes:

  The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  The figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

  Council tax benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

  Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in August 2001, 2002 and 2003.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance numbers have been issued in each year since 1992. [172917]

  Mr. Pond
  The number of National Insurance Numbers (NINOs) created each year since 1992 on the Departmental Central Index (DCI) is in the table.

  Year January to December

  NINOs created on DCI

  1992

  9,765,000

  1993

  3,292,000

  1994

  1,057,000

  1995

  1,008,000

  1996

  979,000

  1997

  1,018,000

  1998

  1,027,000

  1999

  1,023,000

  2000

  996,000

  2001

  928,000

  2002

  1,082,000

  2003

  1,142,000

  Advertising and Publicity
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the expenditure of his Department on advertising and publicity was in each of the last six years, broken down by campaign; and what the projected expenditure is for 2003–04. [152855]
  1464W
  Maria Eagle
  2003–04 was a major year for advertising and publicity in the Department for Work and Pensions, with a number of big campaigns rising to a peak of activity.

  During 2003–04, estimated expenditure on alerting people to their rights, responsibilities and entitlements through information campaigns was £58,179,000. Of this sum, an estimated £40,894,000 was spent on advertising using television, radio, cinema, internet and press media.

  Some campaigns, such as pension credit and new deal, have expenditure falling into more than one financial year, depending on requirements and final billing dates. Estimated total expenditure for 2003–04, broken down by campaign, is in the table.

  £

  2003–04 campaign

  Advertising expenditure

  Total publicity expenditure1

  Future Pensioners/Informed Choice

  —

  2,700,000

  Pensioners' Guide

  —

  1,250,000

  Pension Credit

  11,100,000

  15,580,000

  The Pension Service

  570,000

  2,650,000

  Direct Payment

  11,044,000

  12,474,000

  Direct Payment road show

  51,000

  480,000

  Fraud

  8,383,000

  9,362,000

  Winter Fuel

  637,000

  938,000

  Council Tax Benefit

  500,000

  652,000

  New Deal

  5,800,000

  7,600,000

  Jobcentre Plus awareness

  —

  531,000

  Jobseeker Direct help-line

  1,700,000

  1,700,000

  Jobcentre Plus employer marketing

  1,016,000

  1,016,000

  Age Positive

  46,000

  946,000

  DDA Awareness and Disability Rights

  47,000

  300,000

  Total

  40,894,000

  58,179,000

  1 The total publicity expenditure column includes the advertising costs shown in the centre column. Final expenditure April 2003-March 2004 may differ from these figures depending on actual activity and billing dates.

  Notes:

  All costs exclude VAT.

  Figures have been rounded to the nearest £1,000

  Advertising costs are total media costs excluding all production costs.

  Information campaigns costing under £250,000 and the details of highly localised publicity activity by the Department's customer-facing businesses have generally not been included as a disproportionate cost would be incurred in compiling these figures.

  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 January 2004, Official Report, column 342W, detailing expenditure for 2001–02 and 2002–03. Information on total advertising and publicity costs by campaign for these years can be found in the Department's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.

  A more detailed breakdown, distinguishing between advertising and other publicity costs, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Benefits
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Scotland were in receipt of(a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02. [174022]
  1465W
  Mr. Pond
  The available information is in the table.

  Housing benefit and council tax benefit recipients aged 60 and over in Scotland

  As at May

  Housing benefit

  Council tax benefit

  2000

  203,000

  275,000

  2001

  203,000

  281,000

  Notes:

  1. The figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  2. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  3. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4. Council tax benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

  5. Housing benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases.

  6. "Aged 60 and over" refers to cases where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 2000 and 2001.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) state pensioners and (b) non-pensioner benefit recipients within the Tamworth constituency receive (i) pensions and (ii) other benefits (A) through an order book, (B) through a Post Office Card Account and (C) paid directly into a bank or building society account. [160057]

  Mr. Pond
  Information in the following table gives the number of customers in the Tamworth constituency, by benefit, broken down by their method of payment (order book, Post Office Card Account or direct payment) as at 23 January 2004. Child benefit and war pensions information is not included as these are the responsibility of the Inland Revenue and Ministry of Defence respectively.

  Payment by order book

  Payment by Post Office card account

  Payment direct into a bank or building society account

  (a) State pensioners (women over 60 and men over 65)

  State pension (retirement pension)

  5,235

  250

  6,720

  Other benefits1

  2,835

  (1)

  1,850

  (b) Non-pensioner benefit recipients

  Total of benefits

  3,700

  455

  5,415

  1Other benefits are attendance allowance, disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, carers' allowance, industrial injuries, pensions credit, severe disablement allowance and widows benefit.

  Notes:

  The following special points should be noted:

  1. For confidentiality reasons, all figures are rounded to the nearest 50.

  2. Figures relate to payload and not caseload therefore if a claimant is receiving more than one benefit e.g. pension credit (PC) and state pension (SP) but only receives one combined payment through the PC system they will only be shown as having a pension credit account and not a state pension account.

  3. Payments made into some bank/building society accounts will still allow customers to access their cash at Post Office branches if the account provider has an arrangement with Post Office Limited.
  1466W
  4. Benefits are bereavement benefit, disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, carers' allowance, industrial injuries, income support, jobseekers allowance, pension credit, severe disablement allowance and widows' benefit.

  Source:

  DWP Information Centre, Information & Analysis Directorate (100 per cent. data).

  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Battersea are receiving at least one benefit that can be collected at the post office. [168855]

  Mr. Pond
  Based on information available at 21 February 2004, the number of pensioners in Battersea receiving at least one benefit that can be collected at the post office is 5,555.

  This figure includes payments made into post office card accounts. It also includes girocheques, which are encashable at either a post office or through a bank or building society account.

  There are no data available on the number of benefit payments collected at post offices through the wider range of banking services now available.

  This figure does not include child benefit or war pensions accounts, as these are the responsibility of Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Defence respectively.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the measures introduced to improve the working conditions of disabled workers it Blackpool, North and Fleetwood over the last seven years. [175892]

  Maria Eagle
  We have a number of measures in place nationally to help improve conditions for disabled people at work, as well as measures to improve their access to services generally. None of these are specific to Blackpool, North and Fleetwood, but all are available to disabled people who live and work there.

  From 1996, the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act required most employers of 20 or more staff not to discriminate against, and to make reasonable adjustments for, disabled job applicants or employees; in December 1998, we reduced this threshold to 15 employees. From October this year, the small employer exemption will be removed and most currently excluded occupations, such as police officers, fire-fighters, and partners in business partnerships will be brought within the scope of the Disability Discrimination Act employment provisions.

  Jobcentre Plus runs a number of specialist programmes providing help for disabled people, including New Deal for Disabled People, WORKSTEP, Access to Work, the Job Introduction Scheme, and Work Preparation. All these programmes provide practical advice and support to disabled people and their employers to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from disability. Since 1997–98 there have been year on year increases in both numbers helped and programme spend.

  To help people access appropriate help, Jobcentre Plus has established a network of disability service teams. The teams are made up of disability employment

  1467W
  advisers, access to work advisers and occupational psychologists; their services are accessed through local Jobcentres.

  Since April 2003, disabled people in work have been receiving financial support through the working tax credit. This is available if a person it working an average of at least 16 hours per week (self employed or for an employer); and have a disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job. 70,000 families (including over 32,000 adults without children) are benefiting from the disability element within the working tax credit, compared to 38,000 who benefited from the old disabled person's tax credit.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in the Havant constituency have migrated from over the counter benefit payments to automated credit transfer in each of the last 12 months. [167330]

  Mr. Pond
  The number of pensioner accounts (men over 65 women over 60) in the parliamentary constituency of Havant that have migrated from over the counter benefit payments to Direct Payment in the past 12 months is in the table.

  Figures refer to accounts migrating. An individual pensioner paid two benefits separately will be counted as two pensioner accounts.

  Statistics are taken from individual scans of benefit databases at a point in time each month. New accounts opened and closed in between scans are not included in the figures. Similarly, if a person changes their method of payment and then reverts back to the old method of payment this change will not be included.

  Time period

  Number of accounts migrating

  24 January 2004 to 21 February 2004

  285

  27 December 2003 to 24 January 2004

  305

  29 November 2003 to 27 December 2003

  35

  1 November 2003 to 29 November 2003

  170

  4 October 2003 to 1 November 2003

  225

  6 September 2003 to 4 October 2003

  20

  9 August 2003 to 6 September 2003

  120

  12 July 2003 to 9 August 2003

  70

  14 June 2003 to 12 July 2003

  20

  17 May 2003 to 14 Jun 2003

  65

  19 April 2003 to 17 May 2003

  45

  22 March 2003 to 19 April 2003

  5

  22 February 2003 to 22 March 2003

  30

  25 January 2003 to 22 February 2003

  40

  28 December 2002 to 25 January 2003

  5

  Carers Allowance
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) claims and (b) successful claims for carers allowance were made in each of the last three years for which figures are available to (i) claimants under 65 years and (ii) claimants over 65 years. [173073]

  Maria Eagle
  The available information is in the table.
  1468W

  1 December 2001 to 30 November 2002

  1 December 2002 to 31 May 2003

  Claims received

  65 and over

  16,695

  24,400

  Under 65

  136,545

  68,690

  Claims decided

  Successful with entitlement

  65 and over

  11,725

  22,570

  Under 65

  120,250

  63,675

  Successful In Payment

  65and over

  840

  1,390

  Under 65

  100,305

  51,890

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  Data on new claims are not currently available for August 2003 and November 2003.

  Figures for the number of claims received refer to the number of people making claims and a person may have made more than one claim but they will only be counted once.

  Source:

  ICA Unit, 100 per cent. sample

  Chagossians (Resettlement)
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will meet delegates from West Sussex county council in order to discuss the resettlement of Chagossians in West Sussex. [165573]

  Mr. Pond
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Chagossians arriving in the Great Britain and who are not subject to immigration control, have the same rights as anyone else to seek assistance from the social security system. Generally anyone claiming benefits has to establish a habitual residence in the UK.

  Child Benefits/Support
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what powers the child element of jobseeker's allowance and income support will continue to be paid after 1 April 2004. [172892]

  Mr. Pond
  For families not yet migrated to tax credits, child and family allowances in income support continue to be paid under regulation 17(1)(b) and (c) of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 and child and family allowances in jobseeker's allowance continue to be paid under regulation 83 (b) and (c) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996. The relevant primary powers are sections 124, 135 and 136 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and sections 4, 12 and 13 of the Jobseekers Act 1995.

  Subsequently, once tax credits have been awarded and put into payment, child and family allowances will be removed from income support and jobseeker's allowance under the provisions in The Social Security (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2003 S.I. 2003 No. 455.

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many parents have been found guilty of avoiding paying the right amount of child support in(a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK, in each year since 1997. [173245]
  1469W
  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

  Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 24 May 2004:

  In reply to your recent Parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

  You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many parents have been found guilty of avoiding paying the rightful amount of child support in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK, in each year since 1997.

  I do not have the information in precisely the form requested. I can however indicate the number of liability orders by the Child Support Agency in each year from 1997. Obtaining these orders is a pre-requisite for subsequent enforcement action leading ultimately to potential committal to prison. The figures are:

  Number

  1996–97

  1,125

  1997–98

  1,374

  1998–99

  2,033

  1999–2000

  2,523

  2000–01

  1,755

  2001–02

  1,427

  2002–03

  2,383

  2003–04

  3,885

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he will take to provide further support to single parents whose former partners are avoiding paying the right contribution to their child's upbringing. [173246]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

  Letter form Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 24 May 2004:

  In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

  You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action he will take to provide further support to single parents whose former partners are avoiding paying their rightful contribution to their child's upbringing.

  The Agency has taken a number of steps to improve its enforcement work. It has taken action to identify and examine barriers to effective enforcement, has benchmarked its services and simplified the process by which debt is referred for enforcement. Additional staff have been deployed in this area. The Agency's Business Plan for the current year identifies enforcement activity as one of its six key priorities.

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce further measures to give the Child Support Agency power to take action against parents not paying the right amount of alimony. [173247]

  Mr. Pond
  None.

  The Child Support Agency already has a wide range of powers.
  1470W
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his statement on CSA Performance, Departmental Report 2004, page 19, what his forecasts were for new scheme(a) cases with maintenance calculations, and (b) compliance; and what the performance was against those forecasts. [172954]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

  Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 24 May 2004:

  In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

  You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his statement on CSA Performance, Departmental Report 2004, page 19, what his forecasts were for new scheme (a) cases with maintenance calculations, and (b) compliance; and what the performance was against those forecasts.

  The Agency will be publishing its annual report for the year to 31 March 2004 in July. This will indicate the Agency's actual performance in the year against targets set by Ministers.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his statement on the CSA Delivery Strategy, Departmental Report 2004, page 18, on how many occasions(a) cases have stuck in the system, (b) cases have disappeared from caseworker screens and (c) telephone calls have been routed inappropriately. [172955]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

  Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 24 May 2004:

  In reply to your recent Parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

  You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his statement on the CSA Delivery Strategy, Departmental Report 2004, page 18, on how many occasions (a) cases have stuck in the system, (b) cases have disappeared from caseworker screens and (c) telephone calls have been routed inappropriately.

  I am unable to provide robust information in the form requested. Ministers have however made regular reports to Parliament on the operation of the new arrangements and these were placed in the library of the House of Commons on 16 July 2003, 18 November 2003, 12 February 2004, and 21 April 2004.

  Civil Service Travel
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to his Department of Civil Service travel expenses has been in each of the last seven years. [172919]

  Maria Eagle
  The available information is in the table. DWP was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security (DSS) and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). Travel expenditure information is not available for the former DfEE. Expenditure figures up to and including 2000–01 are for the former DSS only.
  1471W

  £

  Travel Expenditure

  1997–98

  26,443,081

  1998–99

  27,427,728

  1999–2000

  29,164,243

  2000–01

  30,621,828

  2001–02

  34,431,759

  2002–03

  30,813,140

  2003–04

  33,383,959

  Source:

  Former DSS and DWP payroll systems.

  Computer File Formats
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy is in respect of the computer file formats used for the(a) distribution and (b) archiving of publicly available documents. [173362]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) publishes material available on its website www.dwp.gov.uk in HTML (hyper text markup language) generated via "active server pages" (ASP) or Adobe Acrobat (PDF). The PDF format is mainly used for longer documents that members of the public might want to print out rather than view on screen. Images, where they are used, are provided in standard graphic file formats GIF and JPEG. Information about accessibility, to help users with visual impairments or other disabilities, is given at: www.dwp.gov.uk/accessibility/

  When leaflets, guides, forms and other documents are updated older versions are removed from the website so that members of the public gel the most up-to-date information. Electronic copies of archived documents are available via e-mail on request from: www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/orderolditems/orderoldpubs.asp. These documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

  Further information about the full range of material published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can be found in our publication scheme at: www.dwp.gov.uk/pub_scheme/.

  Departmental Communications
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field, and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by(a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others, in (A) 1994–95, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 and (D) 2001–02. [168681]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment. Information on costs from 1994 to 2000–01 is not held centrally, and for the year 2001–02, is only available for the Department's Communications Directorate. The available information is in the table.
  1472W

  Total expenditure on DWP Communications Directorate staff for the Department for 2001–02

  Total staff cost (£)

  5,023,218

  Of which

  Cost of press office staff (£)

  816,725

  Total of staff employed in DWP Communications Directorate broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service (GICS) staff and (b) other staff broken down by (i) Press Officers (ii) special advisers and (ii) others in 2001–02

  (i) GICS

  147

  (ii) Other staff

  154

  Of which

  (iii) Press Officers (numbers)

  18

  (iv) Special Advisers (numbers)

  Nil

  (v) Others (numbers)

  136

  1Includes 21 Press Officers

  Notes:

  1. All costs exclude VAT.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 1,000.

  3. Advertising costs are total media costs excluding all production costs.

  4. Information campaigns costing under £250,000 and the details of highly localised publicity activity by the Department's customer-facing businesses have generally not been included as a disproportionate cost would be incurred in compiling these figures. Non GIGS Press Officers are Regional Press Officers.

  The total publicity expenditure column includes the advertising costs shown. Final expenditure April 2003 to March 2004 may differ from these figures depending on actual activity and billing dates.

  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 January 2004, Official Report, column 342W, detailing expenditure for 2001–02 and 2002–03. Information on total advertising and publicity costs by campaign for these years can be found in the Department's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.

  A more detailed breakdown, distinguishing between advertising and other publicity costs, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ethnic Monitoring
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what ethnic monitoring is carried out of staff in his Department including staff on short-term contracts. [175506]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department for Work and Pensions monitors ethnicity to assess the effectiveness of its policies and procedures in creating a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities that we serve. This includes those staff on fixed-term contracts of employment. We hold ethnicity data on 88 per cent. of the Department's workforce which enables us to obtain robust data for our monitoring activities.

  The ethnic profile of our workforce compares favourably with that of the general population and in the labour market. This information is made available within the Department by region and by grade.

  The Department collects a wide range of information about the human resources activity of staff and aims, as a minimum, to meet the mandatory requirements in respect of employment duties stipulated in the Race Relations Act 1976, as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
  1473W
  Monitoring is undertaken in relation to: job application rates; selection success rates; representation of different ethnic groups in the workforce; training application rates; promotion application and success rates; and performance and development appraisal mark distribution.

  In addition we are developing systems to monitor disciplinary action, grievances and unsatisfactory work performance by ethnicity.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants aged between 50 years and state pension age worked immediately prior to their claim in each year since 1997(a) in the UK and (b) broken down by region; and if he will make a statement. [175283]

  Maria Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Proportion of those aged 50 to state pension age who were in employment prior to claiming incapacity benefits, broken down by region

  Percentage

  Region

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  North East

  52

  46

  42

  50

  56

  North west

  53

  51

  56

  55

  53

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  58

  54

  46

  58

  57

  East Midlands

  55

  58

  60

  56

  55

  West Midlands

  50

  48

  49

  51

  55

  East of England

  53

  63

  62

  65

  64

  London

  54

  53

  58

  55

  63

  South East

  43

  39

  46

  44

  45

  South West

  56

  51

  53

  58

  57

  Wales

  52

  47

  49

  52

  48

  Scotland

  54

  49

  56

  55

  58

  All GB

  53

  51

  53

  55

  55

  Notes:

  1. Includes incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance payments and 'credits only' cases.

  2. Figures include those previously in employment and self-employment.

  3. Figures include those aged 50 and excludes women aged 60 and men aged 65.

  4. Figures are for in-flows in year to April.

  Source:

  DWP administrative data (1 per cent. sample)

  Jobcentre Plus
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps Jobcentre Plus is taking to match the skills development of the unemployed to employer demands in the workplace. [172631]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through initiatives like the New Deal and Ambition, Jobcentre Plus provides a range of help to people needing to improve their skills in order to find work and fill vacancies.

  Employers have been involved from the start in the design of New Deal to ensure it meets business needs. New Deal is delivered by local partnerships, including training organisations and employers, and is tailored to meet the needs of local economies. Training is procured locally and linked to employer need.
  1474W
  The Ambition initiatives aim to help unemployed and disadvantaged people gain the right skills to meet employer needs in key sectors. The sectors targeted are those with skills shortages and employers are closely involved in the development and design of training.

  Jobcentre Plus also works with key economic partners at local and regional level to ensure our activities meet with business and economic priorities for the area. Since October 2002, each English region has had in place a Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESAs). FRESAs aim to maintain and improve regional labour markets by co-ordinating a strategy for employment and skills in each region, and ensuring a more efficient and co-ordinated service.

  The publication of the 2003 Skills Strategy, "21st Century Skills—Realising Our Potential", has increased the momentum for the skills agenda for those in and out of work. Jobcentre Plus will continue to work with partners at a national regional and local level to ensure the ambitions of the skills strategy are developed in a way that makes a real difference to individuals and employers, ensuring that employers get employees with the skills they need for their business.

  ME
  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many ME sufferers appealed after their initial claims for disability living allowance were rejected in the last 12 months; and how many of these were(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in their appeals. [171341]

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

  Letter from Christina Townsend to John Robertson, dated 24 May 2004:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the number of ME sufferers that appealed after their initial claims for disability living allowance were rejected in the last 12 months; and how many were successful or unsuccessful in their appeals.

  The information is not available in the format requested.

  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

  Leroy Keen
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will investigate why it took two years to conclude that Mr. Leroy Keen of Paignton had been overpaid by £119.55 in income support. [173431]

  Mr. Pond
  [holding answer 18 May 2004]: Details of benefit claims are confidential and I will write to the hon. Member.

  This is in line with part 2, paragraph 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  New Deal
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many young people in the East Riding of Yorkshire he estimates have gained sustained employment through the New Deal who would not otherwise have done so; [171789]
  1475W
  (2) what the cost of the New Deal in the East Riding of Yorkshire has been since its inception. [171790]

  Jane Kennedy
  The New Deal for Young People has been successful in helping 2,570 young people in the East Riding Local Authority area into work, 2,090 of which have gained sustained employment.

  Information on how many of these young people would not have gained sustained employment without New Deal intervention is not available. However, research by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) found that long term unemployment would have been twice as high without New Deal for Young People and that a large number of young people left unemployment quicker than they would have done without New Deal.

  Information on the cost of New Deal in the East Riding of Yorkshire is not available.

  State Pension
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the average wage the state pension is in the UK; and what the figure is for each member state of the European Union. [155467]

  Mr. Pond
  The average State Pension payment to all recently retired pensioners is 20 per cent. of average earnings.

  The comparable figure is not available for EU member states because most EU countries have earnings related State Pensions schemes. The amount of State Pension will therefore vary according to the individual earnings during their working life

  Notes:

  1. State Pension is the maximum rate of basic State Pension plus the average amount of additional pension in payment based on March 2003 data for recently retired pensioners (men 65, women 60).

  2. Average earnings is the mean weekly earnings at April 2003 of £475.80

  3. The 20 per cent. figure has been rounded to the nearest percentage point.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Hull, North are eligible for pension credit; and what the takeup rate is. [174792]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The minimum income guarantee (MIG) was replaced by pension credit on 6 October 2003. Those who were receiving MIG immediately prior to that date were transferred automatically to pension 1476W
  credit. Information on the number of people who are eligible for pension credit is not available in respect of individual constituencies. However, we estimate that approximately 350,000 pensioner households in the Yorkshire and Humberside Government office region (rounded to the nearest 50,000) are eligible for pension credit. This estimate is based on data from the Family Resources Survey for 2001–02. A revised estimate, based on data from the Family Resources Survey for 2002–03, will be available early in June.

  The number of recipients of MIG and pension credit in Hull, North in October 2003 and April 2004 respectively is shown in the table.

  Minimum income guarantee and pension credit recipients, Hull, North, October 2003

  Number

  Minimum income guarantee (3 October 2003)

  Households

  3,425

  Individuals

  4,100

  Pension credit (30 April 2004)

  Households

  4,485

  Individuals

  5,565

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.

  2. Figures for individuals include a small number of partners under age 60.

  Vulnerable Customers (Cheque Payment)
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his written statement of 11 May 2004,Official Report, columns 6–7WS, on vulnerable customers (payments by cheque), at what point the (a) Pension Service, (b) Jobcentre and (c) Disability Benefits Office will accept that a vulnerable customer's payment by cheque is late or lost; and whether a vulnerable customer, if they have not received any post on the day payment is due, will be able to contact their Pension Office and receive an emergency payment that day. [17424]

  Mr. Pond
  We will ensure that people get the money they are entitled to. Where a cheque payment does not arrive by the due payday, the customer should initially contact the office which normally pays their benefit or pension. Arrangements for replacement payments will vary depending upon the individual circumstances and needs of each customer.

  Paying by cheque is a well-established method of payment that the Department has used successfully since 1968. We already have procedures in place for dealing with missing payments. We will ensure they continue to meet the needs of those customers paid by cheque.

  Chechnya
  Chechnya
  EU: Decision-making Procedures
  EU: Decision-making Procedures
  UN Convention against Torture
  UN Convention against Torture
  EU: Free Trade Agreement with Andean Community
  EU: Free Trade Agreement with Andean Community
  EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit
  EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit
  Iran: Human Rights
  Iran: Human Rights
  Libya: Human Rights
  Libya: Human Rights
  Nuclear Submarines
  Nuclear Submarines
  Fire Services: ODPM Responsibility
  Fire Services: ODPM Responsibility
  GCSE and A-level Grades
  GCSE and A-level Grades
  Schools: Information for Parents
  Schools: Information for Parents
  New Deal 50-plus
  New Deal 50-plus
  Red Squirrels
  Red Squirrels
  Rabies
  Rabies