Written Answers of 27 May 2004

TREASURY

  Analogue Wave Band
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) estimate he has made and (b) research he has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on the value of the sale of the analogue wave band to public funds. [174047]

  Ruth Kelly
  The terms and method of reallocation of radio spectrum released by digital switchover are a matter for Ofcom. Additionally, the scope of future uses will be dependent on the result of international negotiations commencing in 2006. Hence, the Government are not currently in a position to make an estimate of the likely value of spectrum.

  However, the Government have produced an economic cost-benefit analysis of digital switchover. The positive result of this study informed the Government's decision to confirm their support for switchover in September 2003 as it will bring significant benefits to consumers and to broadcasters. A summary of the results can be found at: www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when the Inland Revenue Avoidance Intelligence Unit will commence work; and how many staff it will employ; [176258]

  (2) what the total costs, including employment, are for the Inland Revenue Avoidance Intelligence Unit for this financial year. [176259]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue's Avoidance Intelligence Unit will be operational by the time the tax avoidance disclosure rules come into effect on 1 August 2004. The anticipated initial funding for the Unit is £1.5 million for the first full year. The precise number of staff who will be employed within the Unit is not fixed but will be under constant review and will vary according to the level of work the Unit has to handle.

  Civil Registration (Consultation)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the origins of the responses to the document Civil Registration: Delivering Vital Change; and how many were received from(a) registration officers, (b) genealogists and (c) the general public. [176583]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the General Registrar for England and Wales, who has been asked to reply.
  1722W
  Letter from Len Cook to Dr. Iddon, dated 27 May 2004:

  As National Statistician and Registrar General For England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what assessment has been made of the origins of the responses to the document Civil Registration: Delivering Vital Change; and how many were received from (a) registration officers (b) genealogists and (c) the general public. (176583)

  There were 516 responses from registration officers, 30 from genealogists who explicitly identified themselves as such and 2,310 from the general public. Of the latter group there were many whose main interest appeared to be in family history and genealogy, although a number also commented on other issues such as the propose changes to the system of civil marriage. The large number of responses received will be taken into consideration before proposals are laid before Parliament for scrutiny in the form of a proposed draft Regulatory Reform Order and Explanatory Memorandum.

  Indeed, in her Statement to the House of Commons on 29 March the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Ruth Kelly) explained that she had been pleased to see there had been almost 3,400 responses to the consultation document "Civil Registration: Delivering Vital Change". She added that this indicated a very real interest among a wide range of stakeholders—registration practitioners and managers, the public and other interested organizations—in this area of reform.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter of 24 March 2004 from Stewart Stevenson MSP regarding World Vision. [176133]

  Mr. Boateng
  There is no record of the letter being received. A copy has been requested and will be replied to as soon as possible.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter dated 9 March from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding whisky strip stamps. [176201]

  John Healey
  I have done so.

  Employment (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood)
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in tourism-related jobs in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood on the latest date for which figures are available. [176398]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Joan Humble, dated 27 May 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about tourism-related jobs in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood. (176398)

  The latest available data, from the 2002 Annual Business Inquiry, shows that the total number of jobs in tourism related industries in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood Parliamentary Constituency was 4,400. This total is obtained by combining figures for those working in the following industries, as identified by Standard Industrial Classification 2003:

  hotels

  restaurants

  bars

  activities of travel agencies

  library, archives, museums etc.

  sporting activities

  other recreational activities.

  1723W
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new jobs have been created in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood since 1997. [176399]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Joan Humble, dated 27 May 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about jobs created in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood. (176399)

  While statistics of new jobs created are not available explicitly, statistics from surveys enable comparisons to be made of net changes, in numbers of jobs, from year-to-year.

  The attached table shows the information requested relating to jobs Blackpool, North and Fleetwood, for 1997 and the latest year available, 2002.

  Total number of employees1 in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood Parliamentary Constituency: 1997 and 2002

  Number, per cent. Total

  Number of employees

  1997

  32,000

  2002

  31,500

  Change from 1997 to 2002

  Absolute

  -500

  1Employee jobs only, not self-employed jobs.

  Source:

  1997; Annual Employment Survey, resealed 2002; Annual Business Inquiry (ABI)

  Employment Statistics
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in each year since 1979, broken down by constituency within each region. [175126]

  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 27 May 2004:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment. I am replying in his absence. (175126)

  Estimates of the number of people in employment broken down by Parliamentary Constituencies within each region, are only available for the twelve month periods ending February 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. This information has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Estimates are taken from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to sampling variability.

  Information for individual constituencies in Northern Ireland is not shown in the table, but is available from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

  Football (Taxation)
  John Mann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the overall liability from the Premier League and football league clubs to the Treasury in unpaid taxes, deferred taxes and business rates is. [176082]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Individual businesses are monitored by both revenue Departments when they fall into arrears. However information on the debts of particular 1724W
  groups according to the nature of their business is not held centrally in both Departments. The information requested is therefore not readily available.

  Fuel Sales (VAT)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much VAT was raised from fuel sales in April. [175961]

  John Healey
  Customs and Excise do not collect data on VAT from individual goods and services. VAT from household expenditure on road fuels can be broadly estimated from ONS Consumer Trends data. However, data are published on a quarterly basis only.

  Honours
  Brian White
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much time his Department spent dealing with honours in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by Civil Service grade. [173045]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Treasury has a designated honours secretary at Range D (HEO/SEO) level for whom work in this area takes up around 10 per cent. of working hours.

  The Management Board meets twice a year for an hour to consider nominations. Members of the Management Board also spend a very small amount of their time considering honours-related issues, but it is not possible to disaggregate this.

  Information is not available on time spent on honours-related work by other staff within the Treasury and across its associated bodies.

  Industrial Wages
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average industrial wage in Great Britain is. [175854]

  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. Gregory Campbell, dated 27 May 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the average industrial wage in Great Britain. (175854)

  Average earnings are estimated from the 2003 New Earnings Survey (NES) and are provided for full-time employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence during the pay period, by their place of work. This is the standard definition used for NES tables. The NES does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work.

  The 2003 NES estimates that the total average industrial weekly earnings of full-time adult employees in Great Britain was £469.00.

  The industrial wage covers all Production, Distribution and Service sectors of the economy. More detailed information on earnings is available in the published tables from the 2003 NES. They are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/NES2003Analyses_By_Industry/NES2003_Analyses_By_Industry.pdf

  The NES, carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in Great Britain. It is a one per cent. sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes but, because of its sampling frame,

  1725W
  it has difficulty capturing data on people with very low pay. It is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold.

  The New Earnings Survey publication criteria ensures that all estimates are undisclosive and of reliable quality. A number of estimates have been removed from the published tables for these reasons.

  International Development
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received in the past 12 months in relation to the target for spending 0.7 per cent. of gross national income on development, broken down by type of representation. [175793]

  John Healey
  The Government have received the usual representations on all subjects relating to official development assistance (oda). Data on the numbers and types of representations are not held centrally in the format requested.

  Since 1997 the UK's level of oda has increased in real terms by 93 per cent. It reached 0.34 per cent. of Gross National Income (GNI) in 2003–04, and is expected to exceed the EU target of 0.39 per cent. for member states in 2005–06. The UK remains committed to the UN target of 0.7 per cent. oda/GNI and to meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in drawing up spending plans in the 2004 Comprehensive Spending Review, he will treat funds committed through the International Finance Facility as counting towards the target of spending 0.7 per cent. of gross national income on development. [176034]

  John Healey
  The results of the Spending Review will be made public in due course. The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) rules on the eligibility for official development assistance (oda), and it will be a matter for the DAC to decide what contribution IFF monies would make towards the UK oda/GNI level. The precise arrangements for the operation of the International Finance Facility (IFF) are still the subject of discussions between the UK and other interested governments.

  The IFF has been designed to front-load the aid to reach the $50 billion extra per year that it is estimated is needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). On current trends few of the MDGs will be met by the target date of 2015, and many will remain off-track without increased investment by donor countries. By delivering aid now, when it will have the most impact, the IFF will be able to provide the world's poorest countries with the funds they desperately need.

  National Minimum Wage (Manchester)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many workers in Manchester, Central have benefited from the national minimum wage. [175716]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
  1726W
  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 27 May 2004:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of workers in Manchester Central who have benefited from the national minimum wage (NMW). I am replying in his absence. (175716)

  Estimates for Parliamentary Constituencies are not available.

  However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) calculates estimates of the number of jobs paid less than NMW rates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions. A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles and data can be found on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5837&Pos=l&ColRank=1&Rank=272

  Official Vehicles
  John Barrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of official vehicles used by his Department are run on(a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) liquid petroleum gas and (d) compressed natural gas. [172768]

  Ruth Kelly
  HM Treasury's ministerial vehicles are provided by the Government Car Service. Detailed information on the breakdown of the GSC vehicle fleet was provided by the Cabinet Office on 25 May 2004,Official Report, column 1538W.

  Petrol and Diesel Duty
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the revenue which would be raised from petrol and diesel duty if pump prices rose to 90 pence a litre on average in the week beginning 17 May and stayed at that price for the rest of 2004–05; [174568]

  (2) what the tax take is from each additional one penny on the litre price of fuel at the pumps; [174569]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the amount of tax revenue which the Government would raise from petrol and diesel if pump prices remain at their current level for the rest of the financial year; [174570]

  (4) what his latest forecast is for the revenue from all taxes on petrol and diesel for 2004–05; [174571]

  (5) what the Budget forecast was for all tax revenues on petrol and diesel for 2004–05. [174572]

  John Healey
  The forecast revenue from fuel duty is published in table C.8 of the 2004 Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 301). Estimates of the impact of duty changes were published in "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs", alongside the 2003 pre-Budget report (Cm 6042). Reliable estimates of the impact of changes in prices are not available.

  Plastic Carrier Bags
  John Mann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of a tax on disposable plastic carrier bags. [175934]

  John Healey
  The Government currently have no plans to introduce a tax on plastic bags. In the UK plastic bags comprise less than 1 per cent. of the waste stream. Hence a tax on plastic bags, on its own, would be unlikely to have any significant impacts on volumes of waste. Further, the Government have a range of
  1727W
  measures in place to tackle the problem of waste, including the landfill tax which goes some way to maintaining the principle that the polluter pays by internalising the cost of the damage to the environment caused by landfill and encouraging recycling.

  An assessment of the Irish tax on plastic bags has been completed and I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

  Regulation
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the impact assessments described in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January will be applied to existing EU legislation; and whether such legislation will be repealed if the costs are found not to justify the benefits; [176346]

  (2) whether the impact assessments described in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January will include a requirement to estimate the (a) costs and (b) benefits of proposed new EU legislation; [176347]

  (3) whether the simplification of the Community Acquis referred to in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January will involve (a) deregulation and (b) the removal of legal texts that are obsolete and outdated without changing their legal status; [176348]

  (4) what the implementation timetable is for the (a) introduction of impacts assessments and (b> simplification of the Community Acquis referred to in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January. [176349]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Joint Initiative on Regulatory Reform was welcomed by the Spring European Council in March. Following on from this, the Competitiveness Council endorsed an initial work programme at its 17–18 May meeting, including improvements to impact assessment and review of existing legislation. The European Council has committed to return to the issue at its November meeting.

  The EU's impact assessment process was introduced as part of its Better Regulation Action Plan and covers both costs and benefits of potential action. The joint initiative contains a number of measures designed to strengthen this analysis, relating to both costs and benefits. In particular, the joint initiative called for better assessment of the impact of proposals on EU competitiveness.

  With regard to simplification of existing legislation, the joint initiative builds on the Commission's work under its Better Regulation Action Plan. The scope of this programme includes reform or removal of existing legislation which is in force, as well as of that which is obsolete or no longer in use.

  The Government will continue to work with EU partners ahead of the November Council to take forward work in this area.

  Retained Firefighters (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to give tax relief to businesses that employ retained firefighters. [176264]
  1728W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keep all taxes under review and any changes will be announced as part of the normal Budget process.

  Statutory Paternity Leave
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken to help businesses administer the statutory paid paternity leave introduced on 6 April 2003; what targets have been set for this work; and what budget has been allocated. [176521]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue provide extensive assistance and support to employers operating the Statutory Paternity Pay scheme.

  As well as paper guidance assistance is available for employers on the Revenue's internet site in a simple question and answer format.

  The Revenue also send all employers a CD-ROM which contains guidance and other aids in easily navigable format.

  The Revenue's, Business Support teams provide a free workshop for employers on SPP at locations across the UK. Assistance is also available on a one to one basis.

  The Revenue's Employer's Helpline offers telephone assistance at hours to suit the employer.

  The Inland Revenue are also working on the provision of an internet calculator for SPP.

  The Inland Revenue do not set a budget or targets for assistance to employers which can be broken down between different employer obligations.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2004,Official Report, column 150W, on statutory paternity pay, when the statistics will become available. [176441]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Employers will notify the Inland Revenue of the numbers of employees who have received SPP in their annual returns for the 2003–04 tax year. Those returns were due on 19 May 2004, they are received over several months and the Inland Revenue will not have completed processing them until later in the year. Employers are not required to notify us of all requests for SPP, only of payments made.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether migrants from the EU accession countries are entitled to(a) the child tax credit and (b) the working tax credit; and on what conditions. [172952]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the letter from my hon. Friend the Minister for Citizenship and Immigration sent to all Members of Parliament on 10 May 2004. A copy of the letter can be found in the Library of the House.

  Unemployment (Manchester)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the levels of long-term(a) adult and (b) youth unemployment in Manchester, Central over the last seven years. [175715]
  1729W
  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 27 May 2004:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. I am replying in his absence. (175715)

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation definitions. However, the LFS sample size is too small to give reliable estimates of unemployment in the Manchester Central Parliamentary Constituency.

  ONS also compiles statistics on those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas including parliamentary constituencies.

  The table below gives the total number of people who had been claiming JSA for over 12 months and the number of people aged 18 to 24 who had been claiming JSA for over 12 months, for the Manchester Central constituency. The figures are annual averages for each year since 1997.

  Number of people claiming JSA for over 12 months 1

  All ages

  Aged 18 to 24

  1997

  2,403

  432

  1998

  1,691

  285

  1999

  1,445

  120

  2000

  1,199

  49

  2001

  1,117

  36

  2002

  992

  49

  2003

  822

  70

  1Computerised claims only.

  Table 1: Number of people aged 16 to 24 years in long-term unemployment1 Government Office Regions, twelve months ending February each year from 2000 to 2003

  Number

  United Kingdom

  North East

  North West

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  West Midlands

  2000

  67

  2—

  13

  7

  6

  2—

  2001

  66

  6

  9

  5

  2—

  7

  2002

  64

  5

  9

  5

  2—

  4

  2003

  61

  4

  9

  5

  2—

  4

  Number

  Eastern

  London

  South East

  South West

  Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  2000

  2—

  9

  2—

  2—

  2—

  9

  2—

  2001

  2—

  11

  4

  4

  5

  2—

  2—

  2002

  2—

  13

  2—

  2—

  3

  6

  2—

  2003

  2—

  11

  4

  2—

  3

  7

  2—

  1 Refers to those who are unemployed over 12 months.

  2 Sample size too small for reliable estimates.

  Source:

  ONS: Labour Force Survey.

  Table 2: Number of people aged 18 to 24 years claiming1 Jobseeker's Allowance for more than 12 months Government Office Regions, April2 of each year from 1986–2004

  Number

  North East

  North West

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  West Midlands

  Eastern

  1986

  25,168

  54,074

  32,455

  18,067

  37,595

  13,804

  1987

  18,972

  45,551

  28,843

  15,411

  31,626

  11,046

  1988

  12,292

  29,282

  19,365

  9,845

  20,164

  6,350

  1989

  8,758

  20,495

  12,191

  5,978

  12,002

  2,822

  1990

  6,932

  15,757

  8,655

  3,778

  8,153

  1,839

  1991

  6,858

  17,020

  9,630

  5,270

  9,329

  3,389

  1992

  10,169

  25,848

  16,419

  10,626

  18,312

  9,375

  1993

  11,602

  29,651

  19,854

  13,914

  24,469

  14,352

  1994

  10,848

  25,277

  17,247

  13,005

  21,314

  12,950

  1995

  9,562

  20,093

  14,319

  10,002

  16,295

  9,592

  Youth Unemployment
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many long-term youth unemployed there were in each year since 1979, broken down by constituency within each region. [175127]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Chris Ruane dated 27 May 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (175127)

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation

  definitions.

  Table 1 gives estimated of the numbers of people aged 16 to 24 who were unemployed for 12 months or longer in the twelve months periods ending in February of each year from 2000 to 2003. Comparable information is not available for earlier periods. The LFS sample size is too small to give reliable information for each Parliamentary Constituency. As with any statistical sample survey, estimates for the LFS are subject to sampling variability.

  ONS also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas including Parliamentary Constituencies. Table 2 gives the number of people aged 18 to 24 years who had been claiming JSA for over 12 months, by Government Office Regions, for April each of year from 1986 to 2003. The data are not seasonally adjusted. Data at regional level are not available for earlier years.

  This information is also available for Parliamentary Constituencies within each Government Office Region from the Nomis (r) database at the House of Commons Library.
  1731W

  Table 2: Number of people aged 18 to 24 years claiming1 Jobseeker's Allowance for more than 12 months Government Office Regions, April2 of each year from 1986–2004

  Number

  North East

  North West

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  West Midlands

  Eastern

  1996

  8,379

  16,274

  12,429

  8,131

  12,776

  7,744

  1997

  5,947

  11,815

  8,743

  5,262

  8,621

  5,199

  1998

  3,761

  6,706

  5,277

  2,579

  5,309

  2,525

  1999

  926

  2,100

  1,138

  886

  2,172

  698

  2000

  438

  800

  406

  268

  1,004

  296

  2001

  285

  531

  295

  220

  602

  198

  2002

  261

  752

  407

  279

  581

  260

  2003

  221

  847

  349

  293

  436

  312

  2004

  258

  802

  363

  508

  637

  479

  Number

  London

  South East

  South West

  Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  1986

  33,871

  17,572

  14,147

  19,250

  37,216

  3—

  1987

  29,281

  14,434

  11,276

  13,953

  34,268

  3—

  1988

  20,753

  8,022

  6,506

  8,686

  24,414

  3—

  1989

  14,216

  3,554

  3,857

  5,855

  17,552

  3—

  1990

  8,691

  2,319

  2,470

  3,833

  13,683

  3—

  1991

  10,903

  4,017

  3,767

  4,582

  12,049

  3—

  1992

  23,225

  12,362

  10,071

  8,399

  15,709

  3—

  1993

  32,129

  19,357

  13,853

  9,957

  17,488

  3—

  1994

  30,582

  17,269

  11,783

  9,042

  15,024

  3—

  1995

  27,848

  12,564

  9,074

  7,027

  12,152

  3—

  1996

  24,657

  10,002

  7,623

  6,246

  9,815

  5,636

  1997

  16,467

  6,468

  5,150

  4,642

  7,705

  4,372

  1998

  8,707

  2,743

  2,201

  2,570

  4,251

  3,193

  1999

  3,482

  652

  506

  534

  1,740

  1,226

  2000

  1,251

  285

  165

  209

  414

  725

  2001

  791

  151

  132

  127

  263

  657

  2002

  1,065

  202

  191

  155

  251

  559

  2003

  1,248

  304

  205

  195

  288

  369

  2004

  1,410

  497

  265

  191

  338

  338

  1Computerised claims only.

  2The data are not seasonally adjusted.

  3Data not available.

  Source:

  Jobcentre Plus administrative system.

PRIME MINISTER

  Cabinet Committees
  Ms Munn
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will next publish the full membership and terms of reference of Cabinet Committees. [176693]

  The Prime Minister
  I have placed a copy of the current list of Cabinet Committees, their membership and terms of reference in the Libraries of both Houses. Details have also been updated on the Cabinet Office website.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the letter reported in The Times of 21 May regarding the time taken to reply to letters from hon. Members, peers and MEPs. [176075]

  The Prime Minister
  I and my Ministerial colleagues attach great importance to dealing with all correspondence quickly and effectively. On 20 May, my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) published a report on the performance of Departments and Agencies in handling correspondence from hon. Members and noble Peers for 2003. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
  1732W

  Czech Republic
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he took to secure the export of Gripen aircraft to the Czech Republic. [176221]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 9 July 2003,Official Report, column 853W.

  Hunting Bill
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received about reintroducing the Hunting Bill in this Session; and if he will make a statement. [176292]

  The Prime Minister
  Since January I have received over 1,600 letters and cards about the issue of hunting. Given the volume of correspondence I receive, over one million letters and cards in the last year covering a broad spectrum of issues, my office records letters by subject rather than by the view expressed.

  Lockerbie Bombing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with the Lockerbie relatives on Monday 24 May. [176998]
  1733W
  The Prime Minister
  I had a very constructive meeting with the Lockerbie families on 24 May. It was an opportunity for me to brief them on my visit to Libya in March and to listen to the families' concerns, which we take very seriously.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Athletics
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the financial viability of UK Sport's elite athletes programme; whether she intends to draw more funds from the devolved Governments to increase the finances available to this fund; and if she will make a statement. [176085]

  Mr. Caborn
  UK Sport recently presented their Business Plan for 2005–09, including details of proposed support to elite athletes, to the Sports Cabinet. The Sports Cabinet considered the proposals in terms of funding need, value for money and affordability and has requested further work be undertaken to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the next Olympic cycle. There is no intention to draw more funds from devolved Governments.

  Legal Deposits Libraries Act
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding her Department has allocated for(a) the long-term storage of the British Library's newspaper collection and (b) the archiving of digital material as required under the Legal Deposits Libraries Act 2003. [175968]

  Estelle Morris
  DCMS recognises the key storage needs of the British Library, and in SR 2002 set aside an extra amount of capital (£3 million in 2004–05 and £8 million in 2005–06) to help the British Library address this. The Department is aware of the British Library's bid for further resources to accelerate the programme of newspaper microfilm surrogate production and to manage digital materials. This is being considered as part of the 2004 Spending Review. The Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 allows for the possibility of archiving digital material; the precise manner in which this is done will be dependent on regulations which will be brought forward incrementally after consideration by an Advisory Panel.

  Licensing
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects responsibility for licensing to be transferred to local authorities. [176338]

  Mr. Caborn
  Licensing authorities, who will generally be local authorities, will be able to accept applications for the conversion of existing licences and club registration certificates from the first appointed day. This will be at least six months after my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State issues the Guidance to licensing authorities. The timetable for full implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 is dependent on parliamentary approval of the draft guidance, which 1734W
  was laid before Parliament on 23 March. If Parliament is content, we expect to complete the implementation of the Act around late summer 2005.

  Regional Tourist Boards
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the membership of each regional tourist board has been in the last three years. [176312]

  Mr. Caborn
  Regional Tourist Boards are not Government agencies, their board members are not appointed by Ministers and records of their membership are not held centrally.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the expenditure of each regional tourist board has been in the last three years, broken down by main budget heading. [176318]

  Mr. Caborn
  Regional Tourist Boards (RTBs) are not Government agencies and records of their expenditure are not held centrally. Most of them are private companies limited by guarantee and they have income in addition to Government funding.

  Funding via the English Tourism Council in 2001–02 and 2002–03 and via the Regional Development Agencies in 2003–04 totalled £6.5 million, £5.7 million and £3.6 million in these years respectively. Government funding passed to the RTBs in these years for specific tourism projects, delivery of national objectives at a regional level and activities in line with regional strategies. Separately, funding of £1.9 million per annum passed from DCMS to the Greater London Authority who, worked with the London Tourist Board (renamed VisitLondon in 2003), on marketing London overseas and tourism development.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Bisham Footpath 9
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government office for the south-east intends to issue its decision on Bisham footpath 9, following the public inquiry, which was completed on 9 November 2003. [174012]

  Margaret Beckett
  The Government office for the south-east is considering the Inspector's report and expects to issue a decision next month.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the current status of the gamma interferon trials being conducted by her Department is; what the total cost so far expended on developing this test is; and what the estimated total cost fully to develop this test to the point where it can be used routinely is. [158000]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Desk studies have estimated that significant savings will need to accrue from the use of gamma interferon (γ-IFN) before it becomes cost-effective in GB. The field trial of the γ-IFN test taking place in Wales and the Midlands is sponsored by Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government. It aims to assess
  1735W
  the cost-effectiveness of using γIFN in infected herds in conjunction with the single intradermal comparative cervical test.

  The field pilot began in November 2002, with the intention to recruit 660 herds. Recruitment to the trial has been slow, with 115 herds recruited by 19 May 2004. Approximately one third of herds recruited so far are γ-IFN tested, with the other herds subject to "extra-severe" interpretation of the skin test and a control group (status quo).

  From May 2004, newly recruited herds will have a 50 per cent. chance of being allocated the γ-IFN treatment, with 25 per cent. allocated to "extra-severe" and 25 per cent. to "control" groups. It is hoped this will encourage more eligible herd owners to participate.

  Since 1999, the Government have spent more than £900,000 on γ-IFN research projects and £8.5 million on other research projects contributing to the development of γ-IFN as a diagnostic test. This is in addition to the £667,000 we expect to spend on the field pilot for the test.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average number of cattle involved in a herd TB breakdown was over the last five years; what the average was in herds with repeat breakdowns; and what epidemiological significance there is to the number of animals affected in a herd breakdown. [158675]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The following table details the average number of reactor cattle slaughtered per TB incident (breakdown) over the last five years:

  Reactors per incident 1

  1999

  2.5

  2000

  2.8

  2001

  3.1

  2002

  4.7

  2003

  3.6

  1 Includes all the herd incidents recorded each year (new and ongoing).

  Separate figures are not available for herds with recurrent breakdowns as a subgroup of all breakdowns. This data can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The number of reactors per incident is a proxy for the severity of a TB breakdown. Severity of a breakdown is in turn determined by the number of cattle in the herd infected at the initial exposure (index animals), the time elapsed between introduction of infection in the herd and the disclosing test (or slaughterhouse case), social interactions between infective and susceptible cattle, herd size, herd management system, susceptibility of the host, the portal of entry into the host and infective dose and, possibly, the strain of "M. bovis" causing the breakdown. Confirmed TB incidents tend to last longer and yield more reactors than unconfirmed incidents.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in how many herd breakdowns in 2003 only one reactor was detected; and in how many of those herds there had been no cattle movements into the herds in the preceding 60 days. [158678]
  1736W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  In 2003 there were 12041 breakdowns with one reactor detected. Of these, the number with no cattle movements in the preceding 60 days is not centrally recorded on the State Veterinary Service database and can only he provided at disproportionate cost from other sources.

  1Provisional data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on 4–5 March 2004. Subject to change as more data becomes available.

  Note:

  For the purposes of this question a reactor has been defined as (i) an animal which reacts positively to the tuberculin test and (ii) an animal which has had an inconclusive reaction to the tuberculin tests on three occasions.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tuberculin positive reactor cattle were slaughtered in the UK in each year from 1999 to 2003 inclusive; and in how many bovine TB infection was not confirmed on culture or examination post mortem in each year. [172557]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The information requested is given in the following table for Great Britain.

  Number of TB

  Number of

  reactor cattle slaughtered1

  unconfirmed cases2

  1999

  5,910

  2,709

  2000

  7,031

  2,629

  20013

  5,048

  2,293

  2002

  19,903

  9,671

  2003

  20,117

  10,180

  1 For the purposes of this question a reactor has been defined as (i) an animal which reacts positively to the tuberculin test or (ii) an animal which has had an inconclusive reaction to the tuberculin tests on three occasions.

  2 Failure to detect visible lesions or culture Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) from samples does not confirm the absence of infection or that the animal has not been exposed to M. bovis.

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

  Note:

  Data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on 1 April 2004 (1999–2001) and 8 March 2004 (2002–03). This is provisional data, which is subject to change, as more data becomes available.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further research she proposes to undertake to investigate TB in wildlife; and if she will make a statement. [173694]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Defra is funding the Randomised Badger Culling Trial and associated research (including the Road Traffic Accident survey of badger carcases in seven English counties). A limited survey of wildlife (badgers, and deer with suspicious lesions) killed on the roads in the Furness Peninsula, Cumbria is also under way.

  Recently published research highlights that the use of farm buildings and cattle troughs by badgers can constitute a TB risk to cattle. A study of possible badger/cattle interactions and how cattle husbandry methods may limit these is under way.
  1737W
  Defra currently funds two research projects investigating the risk to cattle from wildlife species other than badgers. Both projects are due to be completed during 2004 and their final reports will be studied closely before deciding on future research requirements in this area.

  Other work is looking at the "perturbation" effects of removing badgers from an ecosystem, innovative ways of estimating badger numbers and a project to derive economic values associated with changes in badger populations. Another project is devising strategies to diagnose M. bovis infection in badgers in the field (such as alternatives to the Brock test with increased sensitivity).

  Defra is also part-funding collaborative work on the experimental vaccination of badgers with BCG in the Republic of Ireland through a contract with the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. A recent workshop (April) with the animal pharmaceutical industry discussed possible ways of taking this work forward.

  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the extra costs, beyond the cost of the test itself, to farmers of using a TB test; and if she will make a statement. [174082]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The cost of statutory tuberculin testing by an authorised Veterinary Surgeon is currently paid for by Defra. Cattle keepers are responsible for presenting the animals for testing in a manner in which the test can be performed safely, this includes provision of the necessary cattle handling equipment and labour.

  The main cost to farmers incurred for TB testing is labour use. The time spent on testing varies greatly from farm to farm, and will depend on such factors as the size of the herd, the age, breed and sex of the animals, the efficiency of the system employed the way the cattle are handled, gathering times, preparation and cleaning times and subsequent post-test paperwork.

  Some dairy farmers have also reported a reduction in milk yield on testing days.

  A full Regulatory Impact Assessment will be required if proposals on pre or post-movement testing outlined in the consultation document "preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis'' are taken forward. This will include an assessment of the additional economic burden to farmers.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on behalf of the UK(a) off-shore oil and gas operators, (b) electricity generators and (c) coal industry regarding Government policy on reducing emissions of carbon dioxide. [172527]

  Mr. Morley
  The Secretary of State has received numerous representations from the three industrial sectors described above. All three sectors have been 1738W
  closely involved with the consultations on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme National Allocation Plan and have submitted consultation responses.

  Furthermore, operators of installations in the offshore oil and gas industry and the coal industry are direct participants in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and have considerable ongoing contact with the Department because of this.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the area of traditional apple orchards that is not currently covered by the countryside stewardship scheme is included in 2005. [176313]

  Alun Michael
  I can confirm that, subject to approval by the European Commission, the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme which we plan to introduce in 2005 will contain measures designed to maintain and restore traditional orchards. These will be similar to the measures we have successfully operated under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. While we hope for a high level of uptake, we cannot guarantee complete coverage, not least because the scheme is voluntary.

  Dairy Calves
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many male dairy calves have been(a) shot and (b) disposed of on UK farms in each of the last three years as being without financial value. [174138]

  Alun Michael
  Data from the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) on calves of up to 14 days age that either die on farm or are killed at slaughterhouses are tabulated as follows. However, it should be noted that many cattle are not registered under the CTS until they are over 14 days old and these figures are therefore an underestimate.

  Cattle up to 14-days-old that died on farm

  Cattle up to 14-days-old that died at a slaughterhouse

  2001

  27,975

  66,051

  2002

  20,784

  59,934

  20031

  15,740

  40,437

  1Data for 2003 only covers the months January to November, inclusive.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many buildings in England owned by her Department are used at less than 25 per cent. capacity for more than three months of the year. [175978]

  Alun Michael
  Five buildings on the Defra estate fall within this category. All five have been declared surplus and are awaiting disposal.

  The Department does not hold information centrally about properties occupied by non-departmental public bodies but the use of premises by the wider Defra family is currently being reviewed.
  1739W

  Eggs
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about the impact the cost of egg stamping is likely to have on small-scale egg producers; and if she will make a statement. [174202]

  Alun Michael
  Defra has received an estimated 3,150 inquiries on the Registration of Laying Flocks Order and the Egg Marketing Regulations—by far the majority of these were from producers wanting to know how to comply with the legal requirements. We have also held meetings with representative bodies, including the National Federation of Women's Institutes; the National Association of Farmers; and the Small Farms Association. For small-scale producers, a stamp and ink (that will last for years) can cost just a few pounds. Most small producers appear to have been satisfied that the costs are reasonable and can be borne comfortably.

  Emissions Trading Scheme
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage the European Commission to take a robust line with EU members who produce over-generous national allocation plans under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure that significant reductions in carbon emissions are achieved. [174783]

  Mr. Morley
  It is vital that other member states' national allocation plans are robust and ambitious. We welcome the Commission's recent announcement regarding national allocation plans, that clearly demonstrates that they intend to take a firm line in the analysis of these plans.

  Government have commissioned consultants to analyse the plans submitted by other member states. The results of this work will be made publicly available and will help inform our discussions with the Commission and other member states.

  Environmental Campaigns
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much she expects the Government to spend on environmental campaigns in(a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06. [168810]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra provides funding to a number of bodies who will conduct campaigns on environmental issues between 2004–06 as part of their activities. These are shown in the following table. Figures represent overall income. Campaigns will be allocated funds from within these totals.

  £ million

  2004–05

  2005–06

  Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

  57.521

  75.709

  Environment Agency

  870.2

  944.9

  Energy Saving Trust

  59

  Not yet allocated

  Carbon Trust

  24

  Not yet allocated

  ENCAMS

  3.542

  3.542

  1740W

  Fallen Stock
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the new Fallen Stock Scheme is expected to commence; and what level of support it has achieved. [174790]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 21 May 2004.]: As announced by the National Fallen Stock Company on 13 May, the Scheme is expected to commence in the autumn. It has the backing of the major farming unions and livestock organisations, but we will not know the level of support it has among farmers until the Scheme begins.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the oral answer of 20 May 2004,Official Report, columns 1079–80, on fallen stock, if she will give guidance to local authorities on how to implement the EU Animal By-Products Regulations with a light touch before the national fallen stock scheme is in operation. [176295]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Guidance has already been provided to local authorities and a copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Farm Subsidies
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of farms in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland which would be eligible for the post-transitional single farm payment would receive payments exceeding (i) 50,000, (ii) 75,000, (iii) 100,000, (iv) 125,000, (v) 150,000, (vi) 175,000, (vii) 200,000, (viii) 250,000 and (ix) 300,000 euros. [172484]

  Alun Michael
  Payment entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme in England and Northern Ireland will be allocated on the bases of eligible land declared in 2005. It is not possible to provide the information sought until all claims have been received and processed. Payment arrangements for Scotland and Wales are a matter for the devolved Administrations.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average subsidy payment in Cumbria was in(a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001 and (d) 2002. [169077]

  Alun Michael
  The following table represents the average subsidy payment to farmers in Cumbria from 1999 to 2002. These are European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) financial years which run from 16 October o 15 October.

  EAGGF Year

  Average subsidy

  Number of claimants

  Value of payments

  19911

  6,134.41

  4,540

  27,850,196.65

  2000

  12,219.08

  5,113

  62,476,159.75

  2001

  12,149.86

  5,171

  62,826,951.00

  2002

  9,567.28

  5,055

  48,362,622.32

  1 The figures quoted for 1999 relate to the period from 1 March of that year when the Rural Payments Agency introduced its new accounting system.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what
  1741W
  (a) discussions she has had and (b) assessment she has made of future agricultural support payments in (i) uplands and (ii) severely disadvantaged areas. [166445]

  Alun Michael
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had discussions with, and received representations from, a wide range of interests on the subject. As a result she made a written statement to the House on 22 April. Eligible farmers in the uplands and the severely disadvantaged areas will receive the single farm payment, and will continue to be eligible for other schemes such as the Hill Farm Allowance and agri-environment schemes (which are currently being reviewed). The need for assistance to these or other areas will need to be re-examined in the context of the new EU Rural Development Regulation which will come into effect in 2007, and the changing needs of sustainable development in the uplands.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the report on foot and mouth disease at the Waugh's farm by Mr. Jim Dring was(a) first received by her Ministers; and (b) first received by her. [173994]

  Margaret Beckett
  My Ministers and I were briefed about and had access to Mr. Dring's statement concerning the Waugh's farm in the week preceding our publication of his statement.

  GM Feed
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the labelling requirements for(a) milk and (b) meat produced from animals fed on genetically modified feed. [173553]

  Mr. Morley
  Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on genetically modified (GM) food and feed introduces new rules for the labelling of food and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Regulation took direct and full effect in Member States from 18 April 2004.

  There is no requirement under the new rules to label products such as milk or meat or eggs obtained from animals fed with GM feed as there is no GM material in these products to detect.

  Heddon View Farm
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will define the extent of the processing premises at Heddon View; [174539]

  (2) whether the premises designated for processing at Heddon View Farm were analogous to the premises designated by Mr. Jim Dring as direct contact. [174541]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The processing premises were in a self contained roofed building and were therefore compliant with the requirements in Schedule 5 of the Animal By-Products Order 1999. The processing premises at Heddon View were separate from the pig premises referred to as a direct contact by Jim Dring.
  1742W

  IACS Payments
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2004,Official Report, column 1025W, to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), on Severely Disadvantaged Areas, what assessment she has made of the extent of non-receipt of integrated administration and control system forms; and how many farms have contacted the Rural Payments Agency to request forms. [174371]

  Alun Michael
  The Rural Payments Agency sent out replacement Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) forms to some 1,500 applicants approximately 2.2 per cent. of the total number of IACS applicants.

  Psittacosis
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the cases of psittacosis confirmed in Sway in Hampshire in each year since 2000 and the actions taken by her Department; and if she will make a statement. [174629]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  There have been four recorded cases of psittacosis in Sway, Hampshire since 2000:

  Number of cases

  2000

  0

  2001

  3

  2002

  1

  2003

  0

  2004 (to date)

  0

  The veterinary surgeon submitting the samples was informed of the results of the examination carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency Regional Laboratory and reminded that psittacosis is a zoonosis (infection transmissible between animals and man) and the public health implications for the owner.

  The public health authorities were informed and a visit was made to the premises in 2002 by a Veterinary Officer from the local Defra Animal Health Divisional Office to offer advice on the control of the disease.

  Swill Feeding
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department carried out risk assessment on the feeding of swill to pigs prior to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001. [166759]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  No. No formal risk assessment was carried out prior to the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak. Following the outbreak veterinary advice was that there was a risk from domestically produced meat because of the amount of virus in circulation.

  Water Technologies
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many
  1743W
  products have been approved for inclusion in the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for Water Technologies. [175278]

  Margaret Beckett
  The Water Technology Product List which lists all products that are eligible for inclusion in the scheme, was launched on 6 November 2003. Since the launch, 115 products have been approved for inclusion in the scheme.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Accident Surveillance
  Jim Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department maintains the(a) Home Accidents Deaths Database, (b) the Home Accident Surveillance System and (c) the Leisure Accidents Surveillance System. [175826]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  On 2 May 2003, my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Miss Johnson), the then Minister for Competition, Consumers and Markets, announced that the DTI will no longer collect statistics on the causes and nature of home and leisure accidents. Following increased pressure on resources and the need to focus on the Department's core priorities, hard decisions had to be made on what to stop. The Home Accident Surveillance System (HASS) and the Leisure Accidents Surveillance System (LASS) did not fit with these priorities.

  Data from HASS and LASS for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 were published in December 2003. These systems are no longer maintained by DTI, and no further data have been collected beyond 2002. An inquiry service on HASS and LASS historic data up to and including 2002 is being provided by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for a period of five years with effect from 1 January 2004.

  The Home Accidental Deaths Database held data up to and including 1995, and for similar reasons is no longer maintained by the Department. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects information about fatal accidents.

  Coal Compensation Schemes
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal compensation scheme claims have resulted in full and final settlements of less than(a) £1,000 and (b) £500. [176105]

  Nigel Griffiths
  As of 26 May 2004, the figures are as follows:

  Number of settlements less than £1,000

  Of which number of settlements less than £500

  COPD

  26,281

  11,867

  VWF

  2,971

  301

  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal compensation scheme claims have resulted in solicitors being paid more than claimants. [176106]
  1744W
  Nigel Griffiths
  As of 26 May 2004, the figures are:

  Number of settlements where solicitor costs exceed damages paid to claimant

  COPD

  46,768

  VWF

  2,655

  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to her since Easter about the possibility of minimum payments for coal compensation schemes. [176107]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Claimants Representative Group advised the judge that they were looking at the possibility of a minimum payment arrangement for respiratory disease claims. The Department has received two letters from the Claimants Representative Group since Easter seeking background information on claims volumes. The subject has also been discussed at the regular Operation and Monitoring meetings between the parties. A formal proposal has not yet been submitted to the Department.

  Nutritional Supplements
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations to EU Commission officials she has made on behalf of UK businesses in relation to plans for a draft Directive on nutritional supplements for sports competitors; and if she will make a statement. [175281]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 24 May 2004.]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health on 25 May 2004, Official Report, column 1605W.

  Post Office
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received in respect of the manner in which Post Office Ltd. is approaching the Urban Network Reinvention programme in Birmingham. [172025]

  Mr. Timms
  To date, we have received petitions, including those co-ordinated by the Birmingham Evening Mail, opposing all Post Office Ltd.'s proposals for sub post office closures in Birmingham. We have also received representations on the same basis from Birmingham city council. I discussed this with Councillor Albert Bore, the Leader of the Council, on 19 April 2004.

  It was inevitable that Post Office Ltd.'s restructuring of its network in urban areas would be controversial. The restructuring is, however, essential for future network viability. The Government regard it as most important that all communities have good access to postal services. At the end of Post Office Ltd.'s restructuring of the urban post office network, at least 95 per cent. of the urban population nationally will still live within one mile of their nearest post office.
  1745W

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2004,Official Report, column 1781W, on radioactive waste, for what reason the review of Nirex is not yet complete. [164802]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The review of Nirex, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 16 July 2003, Official Report, column 318W, has taken longer than anticipated. Officials are continuing to work on this and Ministers will announce a way forward in due course.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what share of the overall energy supply in mainland Great Britain she expects will be supplied by renewable energy sources by the end of 2005; [175858]

  (2) what share of the overall energy supply industry in Northern Ireland she expects will be supplied by renewable energy sources by the end of 2005. [175864]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department has made no such projections.

  Retail Industry
  Jim Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will ask the Competition Commission to reopen its investigation into competition in the retail industry conducted in 2000; [175759]

  (2) what research has been undertaken into the practice of below cost selling in the grocery industry since 2000; [175760]

  (3) what plans she has to commission research into the impact of below cost selling in the U K retail industry. [175761]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Competition Commission investigation in 2000 did not look at the retail industry generally. It was a specific investigation into the supply of groceries from multiple stores. The Commission's report found that the practice of below cost selling, when carried out by companies with market power, did operate against the public interest but that remedies would be disproportionate to the adverse effect. The Commission therefore did not recommend any action in this regard.

  It is for the competition authorities to decide if a market investigation into the retail industry is now needed or if further research on below cost selling is required.

CABINET OFFICE

  EU Regulation
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 30 April 2004,Official Report, column 1319W, on gold-plating, if he will list cases of unforeseen or undesired over-implementation identified by the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit, broken down by (a) the EU Directive, (b) the
  1746W
  Department responsible for implementation and (c) the option taken that went beyond the minimum necessary to comply with the European Directive. [176100]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Cabinet Office guidance referred to in the original question states that"Instances of gold-plating will need to be brought to the attention of the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit."

  In the context of the guidance, it is clear that what is being referred to is consultation during the course of policy development, rather than notification after the event. The Cabinet Office does not hold records of all the policy discussions which have taken place which have dealt with possible gold-plating.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) of 30 April 2004,Official Report, column 1319W, on gold-plating, if he will list the instances of the implementation of EU legislation where, due to exceptional reasons, it has been deemed necessary to over-implement Directives, broken down by (a) the EU Directive and (b) the Government Department responsible. [176101]

  Mr. Alexander
  One instance has been identified by the Cabinet Office since November 2001, when the provision of Tranposition Notes to Parliament became mandatory.

  The 2001 Money Laundering Directive required the UK to regulate
  "auditors, external accountants and tax advisors…in the exercise of their professional activities."

  The UK implementing regulations (Money Laundering Regulations 2003) introduced by Her Majesty's Treasury, after extensive consultation, covered all those carrying out the activities of accountancy (including unaffiliated professionals) in order not to create loopholes for criminal activity.

  Iraq
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on what date the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war and other persons protected by the Geneva conventions during arrest, internment and interrogation in Iraq was received by the Office. [173900]

  Mr. Alexander
  Neither I nor officials in the Cabinet Office received this report of the International Committee of the Red Cross before it appeared in the public domain.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Internet Access
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission when the House authorities expect to install wireless internet access on the Parliamentary Estate. [175561]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The Information Committee makes recommendations on wireless access. I am sure that the Committee would be happy to receive views from hon.
  1747W
  Members. The Parliamentary Communications Directorate is evaluating the technologies involved and assessing security issues.

  Security
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission who vouched for the person who, from the front of the security screen, threw a substance into the Chamber on 19 May. [175266]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The person who threw the substance into the Chamber on 19 May was present at the invitation of The Baroness Golding and I refer the right hon. Member to her personal statement of 19 May 2004,Official Report, House of Lords, column 777.

  Mr. Forth
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what analysis was carried out to ensure the non-toxicity of the substance thrown into the Chamber on 19 May before it was re-opened. [175326]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The analysis was made by explosives officers of the Metropolitan police using specialist equipment.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on contingency plans for evacuating hon. Members from the House in the event of an emergency. [175397]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  Contingency plans for the evacuation of the Chamber in an emergency are in place and these will be confirmed after the Whitsun recess.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Namibia
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance is being given to Namibia by the European Union in 2004–05. [175617]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The indicative allocation under the 9th replenishment of the European Development Fund amounts to €91 million to be committed over five years from 2002. Firm figures for planned disbursements in 2004–05 are not available.

  The focus of European Union assistance in Namibia is on poverty reduction, including rural development, education and HIV/AIDS. The Country Strategy Paper is published on the European Commission website www.europa.eu.int/comm/development

  Administration Cost Savings
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what administration cost savings were achieved by his Department in each year since 1997, expressed(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the departmental budget; and if he will make a statement. [175748]
  1748W
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Separate figures are not available for past efficiency improvements. DFID has however sought to promote efficiency, for example through internal Service Level Agreements. From financial years 1996–97 to 2002–03, the proportion of the development budget used for administration remained constant at 2.8 per cent. of the total programme, despite a significant widening of DFID's responsibilities in areas that do not entail significant programme spending.

  A new definition of administration costs was introduced during 2003–04 in order to manage operating costs more efficiently and increase transparency. This incorporated substantial charges previously paid from the programme budget. Under Resource Accounting, from 2003–04 the administration budget also incorporates capital charges previously accounted for separately. Between 2002–03 and 2005–06, costs under the new definitions will have fallen from 5.8 per cent. (£197 million) to 5.1 per cent. (£236 million) as a proportion of the programme.

  Chad
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to(a) the Government of Chad and (b) non-governmental organisations operating in Chad in relation to the humanitarian response to atrocities in Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [175874]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID does not provide any assistance to the Government of Chad. DFID is gravely concerned about the situation in Darfur. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 120,000 refugees have fled to Chad from Darfur, and the UN estimates that over 1 million people are displaced within Darfur. The UK has committed £2 million to UNHCR for emergency assistance to refugees in Chad. DFID also contributes 19 per cent. of the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO)'s commitments to NGOs operating in Chad. (ECHO has committed over £4.5 million).

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what correspondence he has had in the last three months with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on(a) setting a firm timetable for spending 0.7 per cent. of GNI on development and (b) making provision for that level of spending in the 2004 Comprehensive Spending Review; what the outcome of those discussions was; and if he will place the correspondence in the Library. [175872]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  I am regularly in discussion with the Chancellor about a range of matters. In line with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (part 2, exemption 2) details of such confidential discussions are not normally disclosed.

  Secondments
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many secondees there
  1749W
  are from his Department in (a) Iraq, (b) Afghanistan, (c) India and (d) Tanzania; and what their (i) host agency and (ii) activity is in each case. [175746]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  In Iraq four DFID staff have been seconded to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Southern Iraq, working in the areas of press and public information, essential infrastructure and the environment. In addition, DFID funds 59 secondee posts in CPA offices across Iraq. These posts are being filled on consultancy terms and cover a wide range of reconstruction related issues.

  In Afghanistan DFID has seconded one staff member to the World Bank as a governance and institutional development specialist, and in Tanzania one member of staff is working as Environmental Adviser to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

  DFID has no staff secondments in India. In line with most of DFID's programmes, we fund a wide range of consultancies at the request of the Government of India and State Governments. Currently there are 10 consultancies working for the Government of India.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what policies he intends to pursue to(a) halt and (b) reverse the decline in population on St. Helena. [174756]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The decline in the island's population, and the problems associated with it, featured prominently in the recent discussions in St. Helena between the island government and a joint DFID/FCO mission. DFID is working with the St. Helenian authorities to address the causes and impacts. For example, a fiscal review is planned with the aim of stimulating growth in the island's private sector and encouraging inward investment. Measures have been introduced to offer some public service appointments on enhanced terms to encourage St. Helenians to stay in St. Helena or return there. DFID is also reviewing options for future physical access to and from the island.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will assess the cost of maintaining St. Helena over the next 10 years. [174760]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID cannot make this assessment, as it would depend on a range of factors including major investment decisions, which we expect to address later this year, on future physical access arrangements. The background to this was reported in my written statement on 19 April 2004 Official Report, column 1WS. In addition, our assistance to St. Helena is set normally in three-year cycles which are negotiated with the island government in the light of anticipated needs and resources available. Discussions have taken place recently with the St. Helena authorities about our assistance for the island over the period 2004–05–2006–07 inclusive. I expect to report on those discussions shortly.
  1750W

  Sudan
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance is being given to Sudan by the European Union in 2004–05. [175157]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The estimated disbursements from the European Development Fund for Sudan in 2004 is €14.3 million. Subject to a comprehensive peace agreement being signed in 2004 an indicative allocation of a further €150 million may be available over the period to 2007.

  In addition further humanitarian assistance will be made available for Sudan through European Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

  DFID also understands that the European Community has committed €1.5 million to support the Peace Talks and the Verification Monitoring Team, which is responsible for investigating and reporting on breaches of the Memorandum of Understanding on the cessation of hostilities in southern Sudan. A further €475,000 has been made available in support of the Darfur peace talks.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures his Department(a) has taken in the past month and (b) plans to take in June in relation to the situation in Darfur, Sudan, broken down by type of action; and what funding has been allocated to each action. [175767]

  Hilary Benn
  In April 2004, I set aside an additional £10 million to be committed to agencies engaged in humanitarian relief in Darfur1. In the last month, DFID has committed funding to the following agencies.

  Agency

  Type of activity

  Total commitment (£)

  OXFAM

  Public Health Humanitarian Response Darfur (Water/Sanitation Programme)

  2,193,161

  WFP

  Emergency purchase and distribution of Food Aid for internally displaced Sudanese in Darfur.

  2,000,000

  WHO

  Emergency primary health care and response to communicable diseases in Darfur; support to measles vaccination programme

  1,500,000

  UNICEF

  Additional support to humanitarian assistance for crisis in Darfur; emergency nutrition; emergency health care and the protection of children

  1,500,000

  UN Joint Logistics Centre

  Support to enable UNJLC to co-ordinate the logistics of an effective humanitarian response in Darfur

  250,000

  In addition to financial commitments in May, the UK has seconded three humanitarian experts to the UN Joint Logistics Centre in Darfur. DFID has also provided in-kind donations of non-food items (22,500 blankets and 15,000 plastic sheets) for distribution by humanitarian agencies.
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  In June, DFID plans to continue committing the remainder of the £10 million to humanitarian agencies who are operational in Darfur and will continue to monitor the situation and keep the level of our response under review.

  In addition to DFID's provision of humanitarian assistance, I have also taken measures to secure access for humanitarian relief. The Foreign Secretary, the Minister for Africa and I all raised this subject with the Sudanese Foreign Minister during his recent visit to the United Kingdom, and the UK Special Representative and our Ambassador in Khartoum had further discussions with the Government on this issue last week. Later, on 20 May, the Sudanese Foreign Minister announced new measures governing the issue of visas and travel permits to humanitarian workers wishing to travel to Darfur.

  Since the ceasefire agreement at N'Djamena on 8 April, the UK has been in close contact with the parties and other members of the international community, including the African Union, to try and help set up the Ceasefire Commission Monitoring Mechanism set out in the 8 April agreement. I spoke to Said Djinnit, the

  Period

  Agency

  Description

  Total cost (£)

  October to December 2003

  UNHCR

  Supplementary Appeal for Emergency Assistance to Sudanese Refugees in Eastern Chad—2003

  1,000,000

  October 2003 to September 2004

  SC-UK

  Emergency Response to Conflict Related Internal Displacement in North Darfur

  500,000

  November to December 2003

  ICRC

  Contribution to the ICRC 2003 Emergency Appeal for Sudan

  1,000,000

  November 2003 to March 2004

  WFP

  Additional Contribution to 2003 UN Appeal, due to Crisis in Darfur, to Provide Emergency Food Assistance to Sudanese Populations Affected by War and Natural Disasters

  2,000,000

  January to April 2004

  MSF-F

  Emergency Assistance to IDPs in Darfur—through increasing access to health care in conflict areas, disease prevention, halting nutritional deterioration and treating malnourished children

  491,369

  January to December 2004

  MSF-H

  Darfur Components of Emergency Health Interventions in Northern Sudan Project

  650,000

  February to December 2004

  UNICEF

  Emergency Assistance to Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur for Health; Water Supply; Water and Environmental Sanitation; Relief and Shelter Items; and the Protection of Children

  1,000,000

  February to November 2004

  GOAL

  Emergency Assistance to Population in Kutum Province, North Darfur—through a combined Health, Nutrition and Shelter Intervention

  575,963

  March to December 2004

  ACF

  Emergency Nutrition Programme in North Darfur

  250,000

  March to December 2004

  WFP

  Emergency Distribution of Food Aid Commodities to Sudanese Refugees in North East Chad

  1,000,000

  March 2004 to January 2005

  UNHCR

  Emergency Assistance to Sudanese Refugees in Eastern Chad

  1,000,000

  April 2004 to December 2004

  OXFAM

  Public Health Humanitarian Response Darfur (Water/Sanitation Programme)

  2,193,161

  May 2004 to December 2004

  WFP

  Emergency purchase and distribution of Food Aid for internally displaced Sudanese in Darfur

  2,000,000

  May 2004 to November 2004

  WHO

  Emergency primary health care and response to communicable diseases in Darfur; support to measles vaccination programme

  1,500,000

  May 2004 to December 2004

  UNICEF

  Additional support to humanitarian assistance for crisis in Darfur; emergency nutrition; emergency health care and the protection of children

  1,500,000

  May 2004 to July 2004

  UN Joint Logistics Centre

  Support to enable UN Joint Logistics Centre to co- ordinate the logistics of an effective humanitarian response in Sudan

  250,000

  Total

  16,910,493

  1752W
  Peace and Security Commissioner of the African Union, on 10 May, about the urgent need to get the team in place. DFID will provide swift and significant funding to enable a rapid deployment and are encouraging other donors to do the same.
  1DFID commitment since October 2003 now total over £17.5 million

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid his Department is giving to alleviate the situation in(a) Sudan and (b) Chad. [175770]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID has committed over £16.9 million to humanitarian agencies providing assistance to people affected by the situation in Darfur, Sudan, of which £3 million has been committed to agencies providing relief to the refugees who have fled into Eastern Chad. DFID has also contributed 19 per cent. of the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO)'s commitments to NGOs operating in Darfur and Eastern Chad. (ECHO has committed over £4.5 million).

  A breakdown of DFID commitments is given as follows.
  1753W
  DFID has allocated £35 million for bilateral assistance to Sudan in 2004–05. This will be spent in the following areas:

  Life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian, recovery and reintegration assistance.

  Assistance for parties to implement the peace agreement including military/political arrangements and to build the consensus for peace more widely.

  Support for the development of an effective public administration, state security and judicial system throughout Sudan.

  Support for development and implementation of policies for poverty reduction.

  DFID does not have a bilateral programme in Chad.

  Clare Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he has taken to secure access to Darfur for humanitarian relief; and if he will make a statement. [175839]

  Hilary Benn
  [holding answer 25 May 2004]: Pursuant to the response given to UIN 175839 on Wednesday 26 May.

  I remain deeply concerned about the grave situation in Darfur, western Sudan. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Minister for Africa (Chris Mullin) and I all registered our serious concerns about the humanitarian and human rights situation with the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, when he visited London on 11 May. The UK Special Representative and our Ambassador in Khartoum had further detailed discussions about Darfur with several Government Ministers and senior officials in Khartoum last week.

  I spoke to Mr. Ismail again on 20 May and he told me he had announced new measures governing the issue of visas and travel permits to humanitarian workers wishing to travel to Darfur. These new measures came into effect on 24 May and include the following: all visas for NGOs, donors, the ICRC, the UN and other humanitarian workers going to Darfur will be issued by Sudanese Embassies within 48 hours; visas will now last for three months rather than one; the requirement for permits to travel from Khartoum to Darfur has been cancelled—notification of travel plans is now the sole requirement; unrestricted movement in Darfur is permitted, subject to UN security co-ordinating movements; a special customs officer will be appointed to facilitate the smooth movement of humanitarian freight.

  We welcomed this announcement, and have been monitoring its implementation closely. Initial indications are that these new procedures are working.

  Humanitarian needs in Darfur remain enormous. Over one million people are internally displaced and a further 120,000 have fled across the border into Chad. Their circumstances are precarious and are likely to worsen with the onset of rains in the region. The UK has committed over £17.5 million to humanitarian agencies
  1754W
  working in Darfur and eastern Chad (see table). We are the second largest donor in Darfur after the US. Our commitments include £5 million agreed on 11 May to support WFP, WHO and UNICEF, as well as commitments in the last two weeks of £670,000 to MSF-Belgium for emergency health care in North Darfur and £250,000 for the UN Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC). We have also seconded seven humanitarian experts, four of whom are supporting OCHA in Khartoum and in Darfur and three of whom are working in UNJLC to improve the co-ordination of relief. In addition we have provided 15,000 plastic sheets and 22,500 blankets for distribution by agencies. We also contribute 19 per cent. of the cost of ECHO'S commitment—of £4.5 million—to NGOs working in Darfur and Chad. Despite our efforts, we are concerned that the recent UN appeal remains significantly under funded, and we are urging other donors to increase their contributions.

  The Sudanese Government can be in no doubt about the seriousness with which we view the situation. We have made it very clear that we expect the parties to implement fully the 8 April ceasefire agreement, including by ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access. Both parties must to put an end to all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The Sudanese Government must act now to rein in the Janjaweed militias who seem to be responsible for some of the worst atrocities.

  In terms of improving the security situation in Darfur, our priority remains rapid deployment of the African Union-led Ceasefire Monitoring Commission (CFC). To this end we are in almost daily contact with the AU through our Embassy in Addis Ababa, and with other members of the international community. The AU mission has now returned from its reconnaissance visit, and they are currently putting together an operational plan and outline budget. These will be discussed today by the Sudanese Government and opposition groups in Addis Ababa. We then plan to make a swift and significant contribution to the CFC and are encouraging other donors to do the same.

  The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has now issued its report on Darfur and the Security Council has been briefed on its contents. It identifies disturbing patterns of human rights violations in Darfur, including forced displacement, arbitrary killing of civilians, and rape, perpetrated by the Sudanese Government and its proxy militia, many of which may constitute war crimes and/or crimes against humanity. Further urgent discussions are taking place on what action should now be taken in light of the report's recommendations. We, with our EU partners, have also made clear that all alleged attacks should be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. We are also in close contact with the OHCHR about Darfur, and are working to ensure that the Independent Expert, mandated by the 23 April Commission on Human Rights decision on Sudan, is appointed as soon as possible.

  The House will also want to be aware that on 26 May the Protocols on power-sharing and the three areas of

  1755W
  the Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei were signed at the Sudan peace talks in Naivasha, Kenya. The UK has played an important role in supporting the parties at the peace talks and was represented at the signing ceremony by our Special

  1 UK government-funded humanitarian support in response to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan

  Period

  Agency

  Description

  Total cost (£)

  October to December 2003

  UNHCR

  Assistance to Sudanese Refugees in Eastern Chad—2003

  1,000,000

  October 2003 to September 2004

  SC-UK

  Related Internal Displacement in North Darfur

  500,000

  November to December 2003

  ICRC

  Contribution to the ICRC 2003 Emergency Appeal for Sudan Additional Contribution to 2003 UN Appeal, due to Crisis in Darfur, to Provide Emergency Food Assistance to Sudanese

  1,000,000

  November 2003 to March 2004

  WFP

  Populations Affected by War and Natural Disasters Emergency Assistance to IDPs in Darfur—through increasing access to health care in conflict areas, disease prevention,

  2,000,000

  January to April 2004

  MSF-F

  halting nutritional deterioration and treating malnourished children

  491,369

  January to December 2004

  MSF-H

  Darfur Components of Emergency Health Interventions in Northern Sudan Project

  650,000

  February to December 2004

  UNICEF

  Emergency Assistance to Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur for Health; Water Supply; Water and Environmental Sanitation; Relief and Shelter Items; and the Protection of Children

  1,000,000

  February to November 2004

  GOAL

  Emergency Assistance to Population in Kutum Province, North Darfur—through a combined Health, Nutrition and Shelter Intervention

  575,963

  March to December 2004

  ACF

  Emergency Nutrition Programme in North Darfur

  250,000

  March to December 2004

  WFP

  Emergency Distribution of Food Aid Commodities to Sudanese Refugees in North East Chad

  1,000,000

  March 2004 to January 2005

  UNHCR

  Emergency Assistance to Sudanese Refugees in Eastern Chad

  1,000,000

  April 2004 to December 2004

  OXFAM

  Public Health Humanitarian Response Darfur (Water/ Sanitation Programme)

  2,193,161

  May 2004 to December 2004

  WFP

  Emergency purchase and distribution of Food Aid for internally displaced Sudanese in Darfur.

  2,000,000

  May 2004 to November 2004

  WHO

  Emergency primary health care and response to communicable diseases in Darfur; support to measles vaccination programme

  1,500,000

  May 2004 to December 2004

  UNICEF

  Additional support to humanitarian assistance for crisis in Darfur; emergency nutrition; emergency health care and the protection of children

  1,500,000

  May 2004 to July 2004

  UN Joint Logistics Centre

  Support to enable UNJLC to co-ordinate the logistics of an effective humanitarian response in Sudan

  250,000

  May 2004 to October 2004

  MSF-Belgium

  Emergency Health Care for IDPs in North Darfur

  671,300

  Total

  17,581,793

  1 In addition we have also seconded four humanitarian officers to OCHA and three to the UN Joint Logistics Centre to work on Darfur.

  1756W
  Representative for Sudan, Alan Goulty. The signing is a welcome and significant step towards a comprehensive peace agreement that will bring an end to decades of conflict in the south of Sudan.

  I will keep the House updated on developments.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Active Communities Unit
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total budget for expenditure by the Active Communities Unit on the voluntary sector(a) was for 2003–04 and (b) is for 2004–05. [171063]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  Last year, the work of the Active Community Unit was expanded to incorporate a Charities Unit and a Civil Renewal Unit in a new Active Communities Directorate. Through the Active Communities Directorate, the Home Office aims to build strong, thriving communities where everyone, regardless of age, race or social background has a stake in society.

  The overall budgets for expenditure on active communities for financial years 2003–04, and planned for 2004–05, rounded to the nearest million pounds, is as follows:

  £ million

  SR settlement

  Futurebuilders fund

  2003–04

  81

  10

  2004–05

  84

  57

  The figures show allocations for the Directorate based on the Department's Spending Review 2002 settlement. In addition, the futurebuilders fund is shown, which is being distributed by an independent provider under contract to the Home Office.

  Anti-crime Initiatives
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 2003–04. [175882]

  Caroline Flint
  Breakdown of financial allocation to local constituencies is not available to the Home Office. Funding is allocated to Drug Action Team (DAT) areas, in this case Blackpool DAT.

  The period 1997–98 pre-dates National Drug Strategy, during this time the primary care trust (PCT) allocated funding for tackling drug misuse. The 1997–98 figure reported to us by Blackpool PCT is £198,776 which covered Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre (all within the health authority boundaries at the time).

  In 2003–04 the total drugs allocation for Blackpool was £1,174,983. 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, and this varies both in amount and origin so, as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.
  1758W

  2003–04 (£)

  Partnership Capacity

  66,872

  Treatment Pooled Budget

  740,000

  Through Care After Care Pump Priming

  35,000

  Building Safer Communities1

  207,193

  Young people

  125,918

  Total

  1,174,983

  1 Contains non-drug elements.

  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public funding has been spent on CCTV security cameras in Bootle since 1997. [175910]

  Ms Blears
  Since 1997, the Home Office has provided £132,623 to Bootle for CCTV schemes.

  Allocation of that funding locally is a matter for Bootle council and Merseyside police. The information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in Bootle in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 2003–04. [175912]

  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 (Sefton DAT).

  1997–98 Sefton drugs allocation was as follows:

  1997–98 (£)

  Local Health Authority Block contracts

  728,671

  JMU Database

  20,000

  Pharmacy costs

  100,000

  Social Work team

  100,000

  Drug Misuse special allocation from DoH

  374,000

  In 2003–04 the total drugs allocation for Sefton DAT was £2,142,399. 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 so as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.

  2003–04 (£)

  Partnership Capacity

  71,500

  Treatment Pooled Budget

  1,336,000

  Through Care After Care Pump Priming

  35,000

  Building Safer Communities1

  484,700

  Young People

  215,199

  Total

  2,142,399

  1Contains non-drug elements.

  Anti-social Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been used in Lancashire, broken down by district; [175496]

  (2) how many anti-social behaviour orders are awaiting decisions in Lancashire, broken down by district; [175497]

  (3) how many anti-social behaviour orders have resulted in a custodial sentence in Lancashire, broken down by district. [175510]

  Ms Blears
  Information is given in Table A on the number of applications for anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) in Lancashire, by result, and local authority area, up to 31 December 2003 (latest available).

  Data are not collected centrally on the status of orders currently being processed.

  ASBOs are civil orders introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and do not of themselves result in a custodial sentence. Breach of an ASBO is a criminal offence and a custodial sentence may result following conviction. Information on breaches of ASBOs are compiled from data reported on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database. Available information for ASBOs breached in Lancashire is given in Table B.

  Table B: ASBOs breached in Lancashire, by type of sentence imposed and period, from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 20021, England and Wales

  Type of sentence imposed for breach of ASBO

  Period (by appearance date)

  Unsuspended imprisonment

  Immediate custody Detention in a young offender institution

  Detention and training orders

  Other

  Total

  1 June to 31 December 2000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 January to 31 December 2001

  2

  1

  —

  3

  6

  1 January to 31 December 2002

  2

  1

  2

  2

  7

  Total

  4

  2

  2

  5

  13

  1 Breach data are compiled from breaches reported on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database. Data for 2003 will be available in the autumn.

  Note:

  Individuals breaching their ASBO more than once in the same year are counted only once for that year, based on the principal disposal (severest penalty imposed). Individuals breaching more than once, but in different years, are counted separately for each year.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children and young people who have broken anti-social behaviour orders are in(a) local authority secure units, (b) secure training centres and (c) young offender institutions; and if he will make a statement. [175465]

  Ms Blears
  Information on breaches of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) are compiled from data reported on the Home Office Court Proceedings

  ASBOs breached by persons aged 10 to 20 years, by type of sentence imposed and period, from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 20021

  Period (by appearance date)

  Detention in a Young Offender Institution2

  Detention and Training Orders 3

  Other

  Total

  1 June to 31 December 2000

  —

  4

  5

  9

  1 January to 31 December 2001

  13

  24

  44

  81

  1 January to 31 December 2002

  25

  53

  103

  181

  Total

  38

  81

  152

  271

  1 Breach data are compiled from breaches reported on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database. Data for 2003 will be available in the autumn.

  2Persons aged 18 to 20 years.

  1760W

  Table A: The number of ASBOs, as notified to the Home Office by all courts within Lancashire, by local authority area and result, 1 April 1999 to 31 December 2003

  Local authority area

  Total issued

  Total refused

  Lancashire

  72

  0

  of which:

  from 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 by pfa

  5

  0

  from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2003 by

  67

  0

  local authority area

  Blackburn with Darwen BC

  3

  0

  Blackpool BC

  10

  0

  Burnley BC

  17

  0

  Chorley BC

  5

  0

  Fylde BC

  3

  0

  Hyndburn BC

  4

  0

  Lancaster CC

  2

  0

  Oswaldtwistle

  1

  0

  Pendle BC

  3

  0

  Preston BC

  5

  0

  Ribble Valley BC

  1

  0

  Rossendale BC

  9

  0

  South Ribble BC

  1

  0

  West Lancashire DC

  2

  0

  Wyre BC

  1

  0

  Note:

  Between 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data available by police force area (pfa) only.

  Database. We are unable to tell the number of offenders currently held for broach of an ASBO in local authority secure units or secure training centres. The number of offenders sentenced to a period of detention in young offender institutions for a breach of an ASBO, for the period 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2002, is shown in the table, together with other sentences imposed. Breach data for 2003 will be available in the autumn.
  1761W
  3 Persons aged 10 to 17 years. Offenders may be sent to a local authority secure unit, secure training centre or (over 15 years of age), to a young offender institution.

  Note:

  Individuals breaching their ASBO more than once in the same year are counted only once for that year, based on the principal disposal (severest penalty imposed). Individuals breaching more than once, but in different years, are counted separately for each year.

  Bribery/Corruption
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) legislative and (b) administrative arrangements need to be made by the United Kingdom Government in order to meet its obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption; and when the Government intend to ratify the UN Convention. [174003]

  Mr. MacShane
  I have been asked to reply.

  Legislation is required to comply fully with the convention's requirements in Article 52, on prevention and detection of transfers of the proceeds of crime; Article 53, on the confiscation and repatriation of assets; and Article 55, on the forfeiture of the instrumentalities of crime.

  Primary legislation is required to comply with Article 55. Secondary legislation, under part 11 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002, is needed to comply with Article 53.

  Secondary legislation will also be required to comply with Article 52. Measures dealing with the requirements of Article 52 are likely to be included in the EU Third Money Laundering Directive. Our current expectation is that negotiations on the directive will be completed by the first part of next year and we would seek to implement it in the UK through secondary legislation, as soon as we reasonably could thereafter.

  The Government are also considering what, if any, administrative arrangements need to be made to enable the UK to meet its obligations under the convention.

  The Government will seek to implement legislation and other measures at the earliest possible opportunity. We intend to ratify the convention as soon as we are satisfied that the UK can comply fully with its obligations under it.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 26 January 2004, with regard to Mosamma Meherun Nessa Begum, transferred to him by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; [166348]

  (2) when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 26 January 2004, with regard to Mosamma Meherun Nessa Begum, transferred to him from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [172251]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 May 2004.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 29 March 2004, with regard to Henry Morgan Crowe. [170701]
  1762W
  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 May 2004.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 5 April 2004, with regard to Alfred Kaland. [172252]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 May 2004.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 14 April with regard to Muhammad Rafique. [175614]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 27 May 2004.

  Domestic Violence
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported cases involving domestic violence there were in England and Wales in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [174490]

  Ms Blears
  Domestic violence is not separately identified in the recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office nor in the statistics of court proceedings, because the circumstances of the offences are not collected.

  However, the British Crime Survey (BCS) routinely collects data on the prevalence and number of incidents of domestic violence in England and Wales from the main "face-to-face" part of the survey. In the 2002–03 BCS there were an estimated 501,000 incidents of domestic violence in England and Wales as a whole. 35 per cent. of these cases were reported to the police.

  E-crime
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public funding has been spent on the e-crime strategy since it was introduced. [176611]

  Caroline Flint
  The e-crime strategy will look to provide a framework for Government, law enforcement and industry action in response to e-crime, seeking to outline current legislation, policy and practice, as well as addressing current questions and advancing and informing the debate on longer-term issues.

  However the strategy has not been published as yet. Officials continue to work to bring the strategy together and it will be published soon.

  EU Enlargement
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from EU accession countries arrived at UK international(a) airports and (b) bus stations on the first week of May. [173182]
  1763W
  Mr. Browne
  Since 1 May, members of the EU accession countries are subject to the same immigration controls as citizens of other EU member states. We are therefore not able to say how many passengers arrived from EU accession countries. Data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS), showing the total number of visits by nationals of all the EU accession countries in May, will be available early in July.

  Air Guns
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of

  Offence description

  Statute

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  Persons sentenced

  Absolute/ conditional discharge

  Fine

  Possession of air weapon with intent to endanger life

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 16

  32

  3

  3

  —

  —

  Using air weapons or imitation air weapons to resist arrest

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 17(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Possessing air weapon or imitation air weapon at time of committing or being arrested for an offence specified in schedule 1 of the Act

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 17(2)

  32

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Possessing air weapon or imitation air weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence or resist arrest

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 18(1)

  11

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Possessing of a air weapon or imitation air weapon with intent to cause fear of violence

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 16A (as amended by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1994)

  127

  25

  25

  2

  —

  Possession of air weapon by persons previously convicted of crime

  Firearms Act 1968 Section 21 (4) as amended by the Criminal Justice & Public Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III.

  57

  35

  36

  9

  8

  Supplying air weapon to person denied them under Section 21

  Ibid Section 21(5) as amended by the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III.

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carrying loaded air weapon in public place etc.

  Ibid Section 19

  186

  137

  137

  41

  45

  Trespassing with air weapon in a building

  Ibid Section 20(1)

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Trespassing with air weapon on land

  Ibid Section 20(2)

  32

  23

  23

  8

  12

  Person under 17 acquiring air weapon

  Ibid Section 22(1).

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Person under 14 having with him an air weapon or ammunition therefor

  Ibid Section 22(4)

  7

  5

  5

  1

  —

  Person under 17 having with him an air weapon in a public place

  Ibid Section 22(5)

  51

  41

  41

  14

  5

  Person under 14 making improper use of air weapon when under supervision

  Ibid Section 23(1)

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Person supervising person under 14, permitting improper use of air weapon

  Ibid Section 23(1).

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Selling or letting on hire an air weapon to person under 17

  Ibid Section 24(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Supplying air weapon to person under 14

  Ibid Section 24(4)

  2

  2

  2

  1

  1

  Supplying air weapon to person drunk or insane

  Ibid Section 25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Failure to hand over air weapon or ammunition or demand by constable

  Ibid Section 47(2)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  540

  273

  274

  77

  71

  1764W
  the level of enforcement of penalties in cases of air gun misuse. [175541]

  Caroline Flint
  The information given in the table relates to persons who were proceeded against at magistrates courts in 2002 for offences under the Firearms Acts where an air weapon was involved and relates to the principal offence for which they were prosecuted. It is not possible to identify from the statistics of court proceedings collected centrally other offences where an air weapon is used in the commission of a crime. Comparative statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will not be available until the autumn.
  1765W

  Offence description

  Statute

  Average fine amount (£)

  Community penalty

  Immediate custody

  Average custodial sentence length (months)

  Otherwise dealt with

  Possession of air weapon with intent to endanger life

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 16

  —

  2

  1

  6.0

  —

  Using air weapons or imitation air weapons to resist arrest

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 17(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Possessing air weapon or imitation air weapon at time of committing or being arrested for an offence specified in schedule 1 of the Act

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 17(2)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Possessing air weapon or imitation air weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence or resist arrest

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 18(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Possessing of a air weapon or imitation air weapon with intent to cause fear of violence

  Firearms Act, 1968 Sec 16A (as amended by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1994)

  —

  16

  7

  15.3

  —

  Possession of air weapon by persons previously convicted of crime

  Firearms Act 1968 Section 21 (4) as amended by the Criminal Justice & Public Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III.

  138

  12

  5

  7.0

  2

  Supplying air weapon to person denied them under Section 21

  Ibid Section 21(5) as amended by the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III.

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carrying loaded air weapon in public place etc.

  Ibid Section 19

  96

  47

  3

  2.3

  1

  Trespassing with air weapon in a building

  Ibid Section 20(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Trespassing with air weapon on land

  Ibid Section 20(2)

  112

  2

  1

  4.0

  —

  Person under 17 acquiring air weapon

  Ibid Section 22(1).

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Person under 14 having with him an air weapon or ammunition therefor

  Ibid Section 22(4)

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Person under 17 having with him an air weapon in a public place

  Ibid Section 22(5)

  49

  21

  —

  —

  1

  Person under 14 making improper use of air weapon when under supervision

  Ibid Section 23(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Person supervising person under 14, permitting improper use of air weapon

  Ibid Section 23(1).

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Selling or letting on hire an air weapon to person under 17

  Ibid Section 24(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Supplying air weapon to person under 14

  Ibid Section 24(4)

  300

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Supplying air weapon to person drunk or insane

  Ibid Section 25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Failure to hand over air weapon or ammunition or demand by constable

  Ibid Section 47(2)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  103

  104

  17

  9.4

  5

  Leyhill Prison
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2004,Official Report, column 435W, if he will make a statement on the conclusions and recommendations of the investigation report; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [160194]

  Paul Goggins
  I wrote to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 8 March 2004 and placed a copy of the letter in the Library.
  1766W

  Neighbourhood Watch Logo
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who owns the Neighbourhood Watch logo. [176390]

  Ms Blears
  The neighbourhood watch logo was designed by the Central Office of Information in 1994 on behalf of the Home Office, and is therefore Crown Copyright.
  1767W
  As a result of complaints from local neighbourhood watches it recently came to light that in early 2003 the National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) registered the Neighbourhood Watch logo as its own trademark. This was done without consulting the Home Office, the Police or neighbourhood watch generally.

  We are taking steps to resolve the situation with NNWA and to restore ownership and control of the Neighbourhood Watch trademarks to the Home Office.

  Number Plate Recognition Technology
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the 10 prosecutions that have resulted from automatic number plate recognition technology that have led to the highest value of drug seizures; [175244]

  (2) how many and what types of prosecution have resulted from cars being stopped by automatic number plate recognition cameras in North Wales since their introduction; [175245]

  (3) how many prosecutions have led to prison sentences as a result of the use of automatic number plate recognition technology; [175246]

  (4) how many cars were stopped by automatic number plate recognition technology in each police authority area since their introduction. [175247]

  Ms Blears
  Data listing the 10 prosecutions that resulted from vehicles being stopped by Automatic Name Plate Recognition (ANPR) dedicated police intercept teams that led to the highest value of drug seizures are not held centrally. However, between 1 June 2003 and 16 May 2004, the latest date for which figures are available, the following number of arrests carried out by the 23 police forces involved in ANPR Project Laser Two for drug-related offences, were as follows:

  ANPR drug-related arrests

  Number of arrests

  1,082

  Number of occasions

  686

  Value of drugs recovered (£)

  432,124.00

  The table gives a breakdown of the number and type of arrest made as a result of vehicles being stopped by the North Wales police ANPR intercept teams between 1 June 2003 and 16 May 2004:

  Arrest breakdown

  Number

  Robbery

  2

  Theft/burglary

  75

  Driving

  249

  Drugs

  182

  S25

  112

  Auto Crime

  51

  Warrant

  53

  Other

  57

  Details of how many prosecutions led to prison sentences as a result of ANPR are not held centrally.
  1768W
  Data on the number of vehicles stopped by ANPR in each police authority area since its introduction are not held centrally. The number of vehicles stopped in each of the 23 ANPR Project Laser Two police forces between 1 June 2003 and 16 May 2004, the latest date for which figures are available, were as follows:

  Number

  Avon and Somerset

  5,692

  Cambridgeshire

  7,818

  City of London

  4,871

  Cleveland

  2,317

  Greater Manchester police

  14,612

  Hampshire

  5,767

  Hertfordshire

  4,911

  Kent

  9,896

  Lancashire

  10,596

  Leicestershire

  9,233

  Lincolnshire

  10,303

  Merseyside

  6,431

  Metropolitan

  17,435

  Northamptonshire

  6,688

  Northumbria

  3,731

  North Wales

  10,227

  North Yorkshire

  4,214

  Nottinghamshire

  2,532

  Staffordshire

  5,078

  Warwickshire

  4,503

  West Midlands

  7,247

  West Yorkshire

  8,322

  Police Patrols (Bicycles)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 May to the hon. Member for Southend, West, reference 172570, which police forces use bicycles while patrolling; and if he will make a statement. [175898]

  Ms Blears
  Information on the number of police forces who use bicycles while patrolling is not collected centrally. The deployment of officers patrolling on bicycles is an operational matter for the Chief Constable and will vary among each force.

  Police Training
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what effect the planned reduction of posts at Centrex will have on the provision of Stage 2 probationer training. [168442]

  Ms Blears
  Delivery of Stage 2 probationer training remains a priority. The reduction in training staff is a consequence of reduced demand for places from police forces: the ratio of trainer to probationer students remains the same. The planned reduction in police support staff numbers will be achieved by a thorough review of administrative processes with a view to making efficiency savings.

  All changes have been made in consultation with key stakeholders, who are content that the approach taken will not impact negatively on the quality of Stage 2 probationer training.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Solicitor-General what plans she has for the Crown Prosecution Service to improve public awareness of its work. [176012]

  The Solicitor-General
  Public awareness of the work of the Crown Prosecution Service is being improved by prosecutors talking about their work, for example in local schools and at local community meetings

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Council Tax
  Jim Knight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2004,Official Report, columns 1140–41W, on council tax, what public consultation will take place on council tax revaluation, with particular reference to consultation between the Government and mobile home users. [176369]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not yet finalised the detailed arrangements for public consultation on the 2007 council tax revaluation.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce council tax for(a) static holiday caravans and (b) touring caravans. [175944]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Council tax liability arises only in respect of domestic property and is based upon the identification of a "chargeable dwelling". Caravans are not in themselves subject to council tax, but liability may arise in respect of the land on which the caravan stands. If a caravan remains on private land for a period of at least six months, the listing officer may include an entry in the valuation list for council tax purposes. If the caravan is being used for holiday letting for more than 140 days a year, then it will be subject to non-domestic rates rather than council tax. The Government have no plans to amend legislation on this matter.

  Housing Pathfinder Scheme
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much(a) in total and (b) per council property is to be made available to Hull under his Pathfinder scheme (i) this year and (ii) in each of the next three years; when the money will start to be paid; and whether there has been a delay in payment. [175106]

  Keith Hill
  Allocation of Housing Market Renewal funding to the Hull and East Riding Market Renewal pathfinder is subject to the pathfinder demonstrating that it has satisfactory arrangements in place to develop a strategic market renewal scheme and to the approval of that scheme once submitted. Following an overhaul by the pathfinder of its governance arrangements and the preparation of a revised work programme, the pathfinder has been informed that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is prepared to enter into a grant agreement that will provide funds to facilitate scheme development.
  1770W
  The Pathfinder's target date for submission of its strategic scheme is the end of September 2004. Allocation of Housing Market Renewal funding for the scheme, along with the amount and timing of any allocation and the programme of work supported, will be dependent on submission of the scheme and it's subsequent assessment by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and independent scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will list for(a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05 the local authorities for which a funding (i) ceiling and (ii) floor has been imposed; [176366]

  (2) if he will list for each local authority for which a ceiling has been imposed (a) the grant calculated by the funding formula and (b) the grant actually received in real terms figures for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05; and what the difference was in each case, expressed as a percentage of the local authority's council tax intake. [176367]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Two tables have been made available in the Library of the House showing the floor and ceiling classification of all authorities for 2003–04 and 2004–05 respectively, together with their formula grant before floors and ceilings, their formula grant after floors and ceilings, the difference, their council tax yield and the difference expressed as a percentage of the council tax yield.

  It should be noted that ceilings do not fully meet the cost of the floor; therefore a scaling factor was applied to that portion of the grant increase above the level of the floor for all non-floor/non-ceiling authorities.

  In 2004–05, there were no effective ceilings for both the shire district and police authority groups; the floors were funded entirely via the scaling factor.

  Regional Assemblies
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 19 May 2004,Official Report, columns 968–69, on regional assemblies, what the evidential basis was for the figure given for the cost of answering the hon. Member for North Essex's written questions relating to the Government's information campaign on elected regional assemblies; and what the (a) total projected cost and (b) the cost to date of that campaign is. [175779]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since January 2004 to date, the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) has asked 60 questions on issues related to elected regional assemblies, including the information campaign. The average cost of answering a parliamentary question, as calculated by Her Majesty's Treasury, is £135. This gives a total of £8,100.

  For the total projected cost of the information campaign and its breakdown, I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 19 April 2004, Official Report, column 366W. To date, the Government have spent just under £700,000.

  Retained Firefighters
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many retained firefighters have been in service during each of the last four years. [176261]

  Phil Hope
  The information requested is as follows.

  Retained firefighters in post, England and Wales, 2000–031

  Number

  2000

  14,698

  2001

  14,832

  2002

  14,719

  2003

  14,776

  1 Data refer to retained workforce as at 31 March of each year

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to help in the recruitment of more retained firefighters. [176262]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has set up a review team to examine the issues which contribute to the challenges facing the fire and rescue service in the recruitment and retention of retained firefighters. The review team, a partnership between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and key service stakeholders, will submit its full report, with recommendations, to the Practitioners' Forum in July 2004.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also sponsored the production of a public information video, highlighting the role of retained firefighters. This video was distributed to fire and rescue services this month for use as part of their community information programmes and as a recruitment tool.

  Additionally, we have produced a new range of recruitment literature which will be launched in the summer for fire and rescue services to use in their retained recruitment campaigns.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will extend the key worker definition to include(a) firefighters and (b) retained firefighters for the purposes of the affordable housing initiative. [176263]

  Keith Hill
  In the Fire Service, the Key Worker Living (KWL) programme is assisting whole-time junior officers and retained firefighters (all grades) to tackle recruitment and retention difficulties linked to housing issues experienced by these groups in London, the South East and Eastern Regions. Based on current evidence, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to extend the assistance to whole-time firefighters.

  Rights of Way
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the navigability of rights of way; and what measures he plans to improve it. [175263]

  Alun Michael
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Countryside Agency rights of way condition survey in England in 2000, found between 87 and 89 per cent. of routes "usable" by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. In addition, the statutory "best value" performance management framework requires local highway authorities to measure the ease of use of their
  1772W
  rights of way, by carrying out annual surveys and reporting against their rights of way performance indicator.

  The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires local highway authorities to prepare rights of way improvement plans. These plans encourage highway authorities to take a strategic look at their rights of way network, with a view to accommodating modern patterns of demand and use and providing better for the needs of users. The Government have provided additional funding to enable the preparation of these plans.

TRANSPORT

  Transport (Serious Emergency)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how well developed Government plans are to deal with a serious emergency in the London Underground. [174681]

  Mr. McNulty
  Through the London Resilience partnership, the Government are working closely with London Underground, Transport for London, British Transport Police and the other emergency services to ensure that London's front-line responders are as well prepared as possible to deal with a serious emergency on the underground. This work is building on tried and tested emergency response procedures and practice developed by London Underground and the emergency services through thirty years of coping directly with terrorist alerts and other emergencies on the underground network. Over the past two and a half years, a number of steps have been taken—and continue to be taken—to strengthen further this emergency response capacity. These include the provision of new equipment to the emergency services, ongoing verbal and written briefings to London Underground staff and a continuing programme of training and exercises.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of whether London Underground lines could be evacuated successfully in the event of a serious disruption to the electricity supply of the London Underground. [174685]

  Mr. McNulty
  This is an operational matter for London Underground, but during last August's power failure all passengers were safely evacuated following well-established procedures. Although not needed last August, LU has back up generators that provide sufficient power for essential equipment, including tunnel and additional station lights that enable the safe evacuation of trains trapped between stations.

  London Underground has well established procedures for investigating any incident and how it was handled. LU published a report in December on the August power failure and has revised its procedures for evacuating trains, as well as improving familiarity with how to restore services following a power failure and has acted to reduce the risk of a similar incident.

  British Transport Police
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Transport Police officers there were in each London borough in each year since 1997. [172816]

  Mr. McNulty
  The British Transport Police (BTP) does not deploy its officers by borough due to the nature of policing the rail network in London. In London and the south east the numbers of police officers were:

  Police

  Specials

  Total

  1997

  1,148

  0

  1,148

  1998

  1,125

  0

  1,125

  1999

  1,123

  1

  1,124

  2000

  1,100

  25

  1.125

  2001

  1,125

  31

  1,156

  2002

  1,181

  50

  1,231

  2003

  1,250

  79

  1,329

  2004

  1,315

  123

  1,438

  Bus Services (Cambridgeshire)
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his policy that part of the capital cost of the proposed guided bus scheme should be paid by way of loan money raised by Cambridgeshire county council. [176260]

  Mr. McNulty
  Yes. The proposed Cambridge to Huntingdon Rapid Transit Guided Busway has been provisionally accepted for funding through Cambridgeshire county council's local transport plan settlement. As is usual with such major schemes (i.e. those costing more than £5 million) the funding will comprise 50 per cent. grant and 50 per cent. supported borrowing.

  Car Sharing
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the total reduction in vehicle kilometres that would result from a(a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent. and (c) 50 per cent. increase in average vehicle occupancy. [172336]

  Mr. McNulty
  It is estimated that the decrease in vehicle kilometres for cars, taxis and vans as a result of an increase in vehicle occupancy would be as follows:

  Percentage increase in vehicle occupancy

  10

  20

  50

  Resultant percentage change in vehicle kilometres

  -9

  -17

  -33

  Vehicle kilometres by cars, taxis and vans (billion)

  Current (2002)

  447

  447

  447

  Following decrease in occupancy

  407

  373

  298

  Change

  -41

  -75

  -149

  This assumes that the occupancy increase is a result of increased trip sharing and therefore fewer trips, and not, for example, from a shift of passengers from other
  1774W
  modes of transport. It is also assumed that an increase in occupancy does not result in an increase in trip length (i.e. passenger kilometre figures stay fixed).

  Child Cyclist Accidents
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children were(a) injured and (b) killed while riding their bicycles in 2003 in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) England. [175633]

  Dr. Howells
  The latest year for which information is available is 2002. The numbers of children (0–15) killed or injured in road accidents while riding their pedal cycles in 2002 in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) England, are shown in the following table.

  The first release of figures for 2003 will be on 24 June 2004.

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  England

  Killed

  0

  21

  Injured

  19

  4,198

  Container Ports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors he takes into account when considering applications for future container port development. [175578]

  Mr. Darling
  I consider the full range of factors that emerge from the inspector's reports on the public inquiry into each application.

  Crossrail
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed ventilation duct due to be built at Stamford Brook Common as part of the Crossrail development on(a) residents and (b) local air quality in Brentford and Isleworth. [176096]

  Mr. McNulty
  Cross London Rail Links Ltd. (CLRL) is continuing to develop its Crossrail proposals. Assessments of environmental impact form an important part of CLRL's work, and should the section of route affecting Brentford and Isleworth be confirmed, the interests of people living and working there will form part of that assessment.

  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the Crossrail development. [176097]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State has received representations on Crossrail from a number of stakeholders, including in particular the representatives of London's business interests, who have expressed their continuing support for the proposals. He has also received representations from residents along the route proposed by Cross London Rail Links Ltd.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many of the new vehicles that came into service on the railways as described on page 10 of
  1775W
  The Department of Transport Annual Report 2004 have since been withdrawn for periods of more than three weeks; [174170]

  (2) how many vehicles that have entered service on the railways have subsequently been withdrawn for periods of three weeks or more in each year since 1997. [174171]

  Mr. McNulty
  The information is not available in the form requested. There have been cases where faults on individual trains have led to their removal from service for varying periods. Trains may also be taken out of service for periods of three weeks or more to allow for planned heavy maintenance. Among the new trains introduced since 1997, however, there is no case in which an entire fleet, or a significant part of one, has entered passenger service but is currently out of use.

  Driving Licences
  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving licence applications were returned in 2003 for being Incorrectly completed; and what proportion of the total number of applications this represents. [175794]

  Mr. McNulty
  During the financial year 2003–04, 9.8 per cent. of applications for driving licences were incorrectly completed and returned to customers. 6.6 million driving licences were issued in the same period.

  Equal Pay
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in(a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey. [171621]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Central Department for Transport and its Agencies with staff in Southampton and the surrounding area individually carried out equal pay reviews in 2003, which included the pay gap between men and women. Although some pay gaps were identified, these can be explained and are justifiable. Action plans are in place to reduce the gaps even further.

  Import/Export Costs
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the annual cost of transhipment of(a) consumer goods and raw materials imported into the UK and (b) manufactured goods exported from the UK. [175598]

  Mr. Darling
  None. Data collected in accordance with the EC Maritime Statistics Directive does not enable us to calculate the volumes transhipped via foreign or other UK ports, nor any extra costs to shippers that might arise.

  Light Rail (Blackpool)
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the need for social inclusion benefits in the criteria for assessment of the Blackpool Light Rail bid in the light of the National Audit Office Report, Improving Public Transport in England through light rail. [175509]
  1776W
  Mr. McNulty
  Social inclusion benefits are already taken into account in the Department's value for money assessments.

  Liquefied Petroleum Gas
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles his Department estimates will be using liquefied petroleum gas fuel by 2008; and what estimate he has made of the contribution these vehicles will make to a reduction in road transport emissions. [172569]

  Mr. Darling
  The Government directly support the use of more environmentally friendly fuels through reduced fuel duty rates. These fuels include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed or liquefied natural gas, biodiesel and low and zero sulphur petrol and diesel.

  Further, the Government encourage the use of cleaner vehicles through reduced vehicle excise duty rates based on vehicle emissions (which are zero for electric vehicles) and reduced levels of company car tax for low emission vehicles. Purchase grants are available under the PowerShift programme for hybrid, electric, LPG and natural gas vehicles. In addition, hydrogen vehicles are supported under the New Vehicle Technology Fund and the fitting of emission abatement equipment is incentivised through the CleanUp programme.

  According to the LPG Association, there are currently some 107,000 LPG vehicles licensed in the UK—an increase from around 39,000 LPG vehicles in 2000. We expect this number to continue to rise, but we have no firm estimates for vehicle numbers in 2008.

  Good quality LPG vehicles can offer a number of environmental advantages, particularly where they are used in place of diesel vehicles in urban areas. The precise nature of these benefits will depend on where the vehicles are used and what type of vehicles they are replacing and as such we have no firm estimates for emissions reductions resulting from the use of LPG vehicles in 2008.

  M6
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) cars, (b) vans and (c) lorries on average use the M6 toll road each day. [175959]

  Mr. McNulty
  Since the opening of the M6 Toll in December 2003 a monitoring programme has been carried out. An initial report, compiled from surveys carried out on behalf of the Highways Agency, is being prepared and is due to be published in the near future. More comprehensive reports are scheduled for one year and five years after opening.

  However, the M6 Toll concessionaire, Midland Expressway Ltd., has published figures showing that the average 24-hour weekday (Monday to Friday) two way traffic flow recorded in April 2004 was 47,247 vehicles per day (vpd). Weekend flows are lower at 39,575 vpd.

  Currently, there is no breakdown between cars, vans and lorries available but indications are that traffic flows comprise mainly cars and light vehicles with HGVs continuing to use the original M6 route.
  1777W
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost of constructing the M6 toll road was. [175960]

  Mr. McNulty
  The M6 Toll has been privately financed by Midland Expressway Ltd. (MEL) under a 53 year concession agreement awarded by the Government in 1992. The construction costs awarded by MEL to its contractor at tender stage were £485.5 million. The overall costs are a matter for MEL but I understand that the development cost incurred is in the region of £900 million. This includes cost of land, interest on loans, consultancy, management, and legal fees.

  Management Consultants (Railways)
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much has been paid by his Department and its predecessors to management consultants in respect of the national railways in each year since 1997; [171214]

  (2) which management consultants have worked for his Department and its predecessors in each year since 1997; and what payments were made to each management consultancy for work in connection with the national rail network in each year. [171215]

  £

  Consultant

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  Total

  Frank Robertson Associates

  12,727.40

  5,623.40

  —

  —

  18,350.80

  Hays Management Consultants

  —

  —

  —

  159,495.01

  159,495.01

  KPMG Consulting

  —

  143,364.80

  —

  —

  143,364.80

  Mantix

  83,600.00

  69,200.00

  —

  —

  152,800.00

  Organisation Consulting Partnership

  —

  —

  55,426.76

  —

  55,426.76

  PJR Ltd.

  —

  29,250.00

  —

  5,551.88

  34,801.88

  Parsons Group International Ltd.

  24,920.00

  —

  —

  —

  24,920.00

  Patricia Sloane Associates

  —

  4,800.00

  —

  —

  4,800.00

  Towers Perrin

  —

  3,899.00

  18,020.00

  70,865.44

  92,784.44

  Total

  121,247.40

  256,137.20

  73,446.76

  235,912.33

  686,743.69

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much Network Rail has paid to management consultants for work in connection with the national railways in each year since its creation; [171218]

  (2) what payments have been made for work in connection with the national rail network by Network Rail to each management consultancy which has carried out such work, broken down by year. [171219]

  Mr. McNulty
  These are operational matters for Network Rail. Details of consultancies let by Network Rail are commercially confidential.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has had with Mr. Alan Osborne over the last 12 months. [174812]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State met with Alan Osbourne on 13 May 2003 when he was an employee of the HSE.

  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has met. Mr. Alan Osborne to discuss the rail review. [174811]
  1778W
  Mr. McNulty
  The information is shown in the following table.

  £ million

  Consultant

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Total

  Mercer Management Consulting

  3.928

  0.777

  0.539

  5.244

  KPMG LLP

  —

  —

  1.500

  1.500

  Jacobs Consultancy UK Ltd.

  —

  —

  0.090

  0.090

  Total

  3.928

  0.777

  2.129

  6.834

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has paid to management consultants in respect of the national railways in each year since the SRA was created; [171216]

  (2) which management consultants have worked for the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), and what payments have been made to each for work in connection with the national rail network, in each year since the creation of the SRA. [171217]

  Mr. McNulty
  The SRA was created in January 2001. The information requested is shown, for each year since the SRA's creation, in the following table:

  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State has not met with Alan Osbourne to discuss the rail review.

  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has met the Health and Safety Commission to discuss the rail review. [174814]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the HSE to discuss a range of issues and will be meeting with them again shortly.

  Official Vehicles
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of official vehicles used by his Department are run on(a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) liquid petroleum gas and (d) compressed natural gas. [172777]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Government as a whole have signed up to various targets for improving the performance of its own vehicle fleet, details of which, together with reports on each Department's progress towards these targets, are available at www.sustainable-development.gov.uk.
  1779W
  The Department for Transport Headquarters has very few departmental vehicles. The Government Car Service (GCS) provides our ministerial cars. For detailed information on the breakdown of the GCS vehicle fleet, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 May 2004, Official Report, column 1538W.

  Over 1,000 vehicles are currently used by the Department for Transport's various agencies, including a number of specialist vehicles. Precise information is not readily available on the fuels used by all these vehicles, but in 2003 approximately 11 per cent. of the vehicles for which this information was available were LPG vehicles.

  Piracy Conference
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) who from his Department will attend the International Maritime Bureau's piracy conference in June; [174607]

  (2) what (a) meetings he has had and (b) correspondence he has exchanged with his counterparts in (i) Malaysia and (ii) elsewhere on tackling piracy in Southern Asia. [174610]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department works with other countries in Southern Asia through the IMO on a routine basis to tackle piracy. In the past the Department has raised the topic in bilateral meetings with officials and Ministers from overseas countries (for example Indonesia). The Department's Transport Security Directorate, TRANSEC has in the past participated in and, jointly with the FCO, provided UK financial support for several IMO regional missions and seminars, presenting UK Government actions and chairing working groups and syndicates. These seminars have played an important role in raising awareness of the incidence and impact of piracy and armed robbery at sea. No request for a ministerial meeting has been received, nor has any ministerial correspondence been received.

  The Deputy Director of this Department's Transport Security Directorate, will be attending the International Maritime Bureau's piracy conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 29–30. This will be a good opportunity for the UK to discuss piracy with the host country of Malaysia as well as other key states in the fight against piracy such as Indonesia and Singapore.

  Railways
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding and subsidy arrangements are available from(a) central Government and (b) other national and European-based agencies to companies who wish to transport goods (a) into the United Kingdom and (b) across the United Kingdom by rail. [175429]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) announced a £22 million Company Neutral Revenue Support grant from April to help the movement of domestic intermodal and deep-sea container traffic by rail instead of road where this is justified by environmental benefits.
  1780W
  The SRA also operates the Freight Facilities Grant and the Track Access Grant schemes to support the cost of moving goods by rail instead of road within the UK where this is justified by environmental benefits. The Freight Facilities Grant is currently suspended.

  In 2003 the EU agreed a five-year funding programme called "Marco Polo" to encourage intermodal freight transport. Aid may be offered to schemes that involve at least two member states, subject to conditions. The total budget for the five-year period is 75 million euros.

  Albert Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail on improving line speeds on the track between Holyhead and Chester. [174070]

  Mr. McNulty
  None. The SRA is actively considering the issues on the North Wales coast and investigating cost effective line speed increases which may be achievable through modest signal and track works. It must first address deliverability and planning issues. In doing so, it is consulting stakeholders, including the Welsh Assembly, about its proposals as part of the ongoing work on the West Coast Strategy. Any commitment to future improvements that may demonstrate value for money will only be given if the project is affordable, and subject to other funding priorities.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria were used by the Strategic Rail Authority in determining its policy of giving priority to long-distance services over local services when letting new railway franchises. [174077]

  Mr. Darling
  The Strategic Rail Authority does not have a policy of giving priority to long-distance services over local services when letting new railway franchises.

  Regional Assemblies Bill
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is planned that the draft Regional Assemblies Bill should specify the circumstances in which decisions relating to transport and transport infrastructures will be taken at(a) regional and (b) national level. [175123]

  Mr. Darling
  The draft Regional Assemblies Bill will specify the proposed statutory provisions required to bring into effect the transport powers of elected regional assemblies set out in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions" (CmSSll).

  Elected regional assemblies will be responsible for advising Government on funding allocations for local transport, taking over functions currently exercised by regional government offices. They will also be responsible for a regional transport strategy, which is currently prepared by regional planning bodies and issued by the Secretary pf State for planning as part of regional planning guidance.

  The powers of the elected regional assemblies in relation to rail will be subject to the outcome of the rail review, which I announced in my statement to the House on 19 January 2004.

  Rescue Operations (Morecambe Bay)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rescue operations have taken place of people caught in the rising tides in Morecambe Bay since 5 February. [176335]

  Mr. McNulty
  Since 5 February 2004, Her Majesty's Coastguard has responded to seven incidents where people were caught out by rising tides in Morecambe Bay.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Safer City Project in reducing(a) road accidents and (b) road casualties in Gloucester. 176215]

  Mr. McNulty
  "Gloucester Safer City" was a demonstration project sponsored by the Department for Transport and ran from 1996 to 2001. It was the subject of full monitoring and conditions in Gloucester were compared with five control towns.

  Compared with the control towns, the project showed that there was

  16.7 per cent. saving in all injury accidents

  36.9 per cent. saving in Killed or Seriously Injured accidents

  16 per cent. reduction in drivers exceeding speed limits

  65 per cent. residents said road safety had improved in the past five years

  Full details are given in the Research Report on "Gloucester Safer City" which can be found in the Road Safety section of the Department for Transport website.

  Sea Ports/Airpoits
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is towards port developments. [175087]

  Mr. Darling
  Our policy towards port development is as set out in Modern Ports, our policy paper issued in 2000. We will support sustainable port projects for which there is a clear need, with each looked at in detail on its merits.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how his Department is promoting the UK ports industry. [175089]

  Mr. Darling
  We take appropriate steps necessary to ensure that the ports industry continues to meet the needs of the wider UK economy.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what authority the provision of port facilities elsewhere in Europe may be taken into account when considering whether new or expanded port facilities should be authorised in the UK. [175090]

  Mr. Darling
  The Habitats Directives provide that, where an Appropriate Assessment concludes that a proposed port development may adversely affect the integrity of a European Site, there is a requirement to consider alternative solutions. In these circumstances European Commission guidance states that alternative solutions may extend to alternatives in other EU regions 1782W
  or countries. However, it is clear that the extent to which options outside the UK are indeed alternatives will depend, amongst other things, on how effectively they can still serve the market in the UK.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last discussed the impact of the EU Habitats Directive on the ports industry with(a) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) his European counterparts. [175091]

  Mr. Darling
  Officials have regular discussions with DEFRA on a wide range of environmental port issues, including the impact of the Habitats Directive. We have worked with DEFRA in securing clarification from the Commission on application of the Habitats Directive in port approaches, and we have assisted the Commission's work with my European counterparts to ensure consistency across all Member States.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his oral answer of 3 February 2004,Official Report, column 616, if he will list the sites where there are cameras in the Christchurch constituency to which he referred; and on what evidential basis he states that there had been an 18 per cent. reduction in people being killed or seriously injured at those sites. [157765]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department does not hold statistical information broken down by parliamentary constituency areas, but at the level of partnerships. The hon. Member may wish to contact the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership for this information. A county-wide survey of Dorset found that at fixed camera sites there had been an 18 per cent. reduction in people being killed or seriously injured.

  Transport (Borrowings Liability)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what liability the Government have in respect of the borrowings of(a) Network Rail and (b) Transport for London. [175515]

  Mr. McNulty
  The information is as follows.

  (a) The Government, through the Strategic Rail Authority, have provided support up to a maximum of £21 billion principal for Network Rail's borrowing. These arrangements are shown as contingent liabilities in the Department's accounts.

  (b) Transport for London is an independent body and the Government have no liability in respect of its borrowings. However the Government do have outstanding contingent liabilities in respect of the London Underground PPP undertaken by London Underground and the Docklands Light Railway Lewisham extension PFI.

  Vehicle Activated Signs
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what revenues raised from speed cameras can be used for the erection of Vehicle Activated Signs under the terms governing speed camera partnerships. [171898]
  1783W
  Mr. McNulty
  Approved traffic signs are allowable costs within the safety camera netting off programme. This includes the funding of Vehicle Activated Signs on a case-by-case basis. This matter is covered by the "Handbook of Rules and Guidelines for the Operation of the National Road Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales", 31 October 2003, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Anti-social Behaviour Orders
  John Mann
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what training provision is provided for clerks to magistrates courts in the use and application of anti-social behaviour orders. [176013]

  Mr. Leslie
  The responsibility for the training of court clerks currently rests locally with the 42 independent Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs). The Judicial Studies Board (JSB) has issued guidance on the application and use of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) to all magistrates and this is available to court clerks.

  The JSB has also issued MCCs with two Criminal Justice Reform updates in March and April 2004 for circulation to both court clerks and magistrates.

  In addition, the Justice's Clerks Society has recently finalised a guidance document on ASBOs after consultation with the Home Office, which has been sent to all their members.

  Community Legal Service
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what consultations he has undertaken on(a) placing duties on local government to participate in Community Legal Service (CLS) Partnerships and (b) including CLS coverage in local authority strategic plans. [174957]

  Mr Lammy
  Recommendations from the Independent Review of the Community Legal Service (CLS), published on 28 April 2004, suggest changes to CLS Partnerships. CLS Partnerships have enjoyed considerable support from Local Authorities since they were set up in 2000. My Department is currently seeking views on the Review's recommendations, as part of a process of consultation. We will be considering the best way in which to build on the success of the CLS in the light of the Review's recommendations and the comments we receive. Any suggestions for a change in the interaction between Local Authorities and CLS Partnerships will be considered as part of this process.

  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what proposals he has to tackle, through the Community Legal Service, the unmet need and unresolved legal problems amongst low income, vulnerable and socially excluded groups. [174958]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Community Legal Service (CLS) has already demonstrated that the law assists in tackling social exclusion, particularly in conjunction with other 1784W
  Government programmes (e.g. Jobcentre Plus and the Connexions service). Further details of the achievements of the CLS in this area can be found in my evidence, and that of the Legal Services Commission, to the recent enquiry of the Constitutional Affairs Committee on Access to Legal Aid. My Department is currently seeking views on the recommendations of the Independent Review of the CLS, published on 28 April 2004, as part of a process of consultation. We will be considering the best way in which to build on the success of the CLS in the light of the Review's recommendations and the comments we receive.

  Computer File Formats
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 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. [173356]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Department's documents that are generally available to the public electronically are provided through the Department's website (www.dca.gov.uk/publications.htm) These are usually available in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Portable Document format (PDF) formats. Previously published documents are archived in the same formats at: www.dca.gov.uk/pubs/archive.htm

  Departmental Logo
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much has been spent in(a) creating and (b) providing name plates for the outside of Government buildings bearing his Department's new logo. [172388]

  Mr. Leslie
  My Department has incurred costs of(a) £655.00 for consultancy and design fees for creating the new nameplates and (b) £3,313.92 in providing external name plates for the outside of Government buildings bearing its new logo. The £3,313.92 consists of £2,256.28 for the front sign at Selborne House and £1,057.64 for a sign to the rear of the same building.

  Attachment of Earnings Orders
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the(a) upward and (b) downward payroll adjustments an employer may have to make as a result of the policies of his Department. [175179]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 allows a court to make Attachment of Earnings Orders for unpaid maintenance, fines and civil judgment debts. Employers may therefore have to make downward payroll adjustments to reflect these court orders which require the deduction of a set sum from the employee's salary.

  Departmental Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional 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

  1785W
  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. [168685]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) was created in June 2003, and therefore was not in existence during the periods for which details are required.

  Minority Languages
  Mr. MacDonald
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the meeting of the British-Irish Council held in November 2003 identified areas for enhanced inter-governmental cooperation in respect of indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages. [174185]

  Mr. Leslie: The meeting of the British-Irish Council in November 2003 focused on indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages. It was agreed that members of the BIC should:

  jointly consider outcomes of research into intergenerational language transmission;

  carry out an assessment of structures supporting indigenous language learning in adult education in each of the BIC administrations;

  work together to identify priorities for their respective indigenous languages in relation to information and communication technology development;

  consider together the potential benefits of co-operating on the development of language use surveys; and

  share information on their experiences of the relationship between planning policy and linguistic considerations.

  Mental Incapacity Bill
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what protection there is in the draft Mental Incapacity Bill for a person who lacks mental capacity because they have been heavily sedated. [174216]

  Mr. Lammy
  The draft Mental Incapacity Bill will offer protection to any individual who lacks the capacity to make his or her own decisions. The Bill only permits actions taken or decisions made on behalf of someone who lacks capacity if they are made in their best interests. This process requires the person making the decision to consider whether it is likely that the person lacking capacity will at some time in the future have the capacity in relation to the matter and question, and therefore whether the decision may be postponed.

  The use of sedation will only be permitted if the person reasonably believes its use is necessary to prevent harm to the person lacking capacity, and proportionate to the likelihood and seriousness of that harm.

  The Government will also be responding shortly to the 40 recommendations of the Health Select Committee following their inquiry into elder abuse. These include recommended safeguards on the use of medication in care homes.

  Official Vehicles
  John Barrett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage 1786W
  of official vehicles used by the Department are run on (a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) liquid petroleum gas and (d) compressed natural gas. [172772]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Government as a whole have signed up to various targets for improving the performance of their own vehicle fleet, details of which, together with reports on each Department's progress towards these targets are available at www.sustainable-development.gov.uk

  The Government Car Service provides my Departments" ministerial vehicles. Detailed information on the breakdown of GCS vehicle fleet is being provided separately.

  The percentage of official vehicles used by my Department that run on the above fuel types are as follows:

  2003–04

  Number

  Percentage

  Cars

  Petrol

  22

  4.09

  Diesel

  499

  92.75

  LPG1

  17

  3.16

  Natural gas

  0

  0

  Total

  538

  100

  Vans (<3.5t)

  Petrol

  0

  0

  Diesel

  1

  100

  LPG/natural gas1

  0

  0

  Total

  1

  100

  Heavy vehicles (<3.5t)

  Petrol

  0

  0

  Diesel

  0

  0

  LPG/natural gas1

  0

  0

  Total

  0

  100

  1 LPG—Dual Fuel (unleaded petrol and liquid petroleum gas) vehicles.

  Parliamentary Questions
  John Thurso
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) how many(a) ordinary written and (b) named day questions his Department received in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) this parliamentary session up to the most recent date for which figures are available, broken down by month;[170760]

  (2) what proportion of (a) ordinary written questions to his Department were answered within five sitting days of tabling and (b) questions for a named day received a substantive answer on that day in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) the current parliamentary session up to the most recent date for which figures are available, broken down by month. [170761]

  Mr. Lammy
  For the 2002–03 parliamentary session, my Department had 696 Commons ordinary written questions of which 383 were answered within five sittings days and 98 named day questions of which 65 were answered on the specified date.

  For the current parliamentary session (2003–04) my Department has had 436 Commons ordinary written questions, of which 301 were answered within five sitting days and 70 named day questions of which 34 were answered on the specified date.
  1787W
  Figures are not available for my Department's parliamentary questions broken down by month as our records are not held in this manner.

  My Department endeavours to answer all parliamentary questions within the parliamentary deadlines whenever possible. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 3 March 2004, Official Report, column 907W.

  Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many statutory reviews under section 101 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 have resulted in the High Court issuing a certificate of no merit under section 101(3)(d) in each month since April 2003. [175823]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Administrative Court Office does not keep a record of the number of cases in which a certificate of no merit is issued. To ascertain this information each court file would have to be individually inspected to check the decision of the judge. These figures could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.

  However, I am able to offer information from the Legal Services Commission (LSC). They have received 5 certificates of no merit for statutory review from the Administrative Court under section 101(3)(d) since April 2003.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many applications to the Legal Services Commission for certificates of public funding for statutory review under section 101 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 have been(a) granted and (b) refused each month since April 2003. [175824]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Legal Services Commission did not receive any applications for statutory review until July 2003, but the number granted between July 2003 and March 2004 are set out in the following table:

  2003

  Month certificates granted

  July

  1

  August

  2

  September

  23

  October

  37

  November

  33

  December

  30

  January

  49

  February

  24

  March

  64

  The Legal Services Commission is unable to provide figures for the number of applications refused because its systems do not record refusal data broken down by category of case.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many 1788W
  statutory reviews under section 101 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 have been heard by the High Court in each month since April 2003; and how many of these were determined in favour of the applicant. [175825]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Administrative Court received the first applications for statutory review in May 2003. Statutory reviews under section 101 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 are considered on paper only; there are no hearings. The figures from May 2003 until April 2004 of statutory review applications received and granted are as follows:

  Month/year

  Applications received

  Applications granted

  May 2003

  2

  1

  June 2003

  3

  0

  July 2003

  2

  0

  August 2003

  9

  0

  September 2003

  65

  10

  October 2003

  84

  26

  November 2003

  95

  14

  December 2003

  117

  15

  January 2004

  118

  8

  February 2004

  130

  40

  March 2004

  203

  25

  April 2004

  116

  36

  Total

  944

  175

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Jobseeker's Allowance (Liverpool, Walton)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Liverpool, Walton were receiving jobseeker's allowance in each year from its inception to 2003. [1669671

  Mr. Pond
  The information is in the table.

  Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants in Liverpool, Walton

  Number

  1997

  5,661

  1998

  4,863

  1999

  4,513

  2000

  4,092

  2001

  3,730

  2002

  3,502

  2003

  3,317

  2004

  2,983

  Notes:

  1. Figures given are the claimant count in March for each year.

  2. Figures are not seasonally adjusted and do not include clerical cases.

  3. Jobseeker's allowance was introduced in October 1996.

  Source:

  100 per cent. count, Jobcentre Plus computer systems.

  Benefit Claims
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were claiming key benefits in(a) the Edinburgh, West constituency and (b) the City of Edinburgh local authority area in each year since 1995. [166671]
  1789W
  Mr. Pond
  The information is in the following tables.

  Number of claimants of key benefits in Edinburgh West parliamentary constituency by client group

  Thousand

  As at November

  Working Age

  Over State Pension Age

  1995

  6.3

  NA

  1996

  6.0

  NA

  1997

  5.5

  NA

  1998

  5.1

  NA

  1999

  5.3

  15.4

  2000

  4.9

  15.7

  2001

  4.9

  15.8

  2002

  4.6

  16.0

  2003

  5.0

  15.8

  Number of claimants of key benefits in City of Edinburgh local authority by client group

  Thousand

  As at November

  Working Age

  Over State Pension age

  1995

  47.7

  NA

  1996

  45.9

  NA

  1997

  41.9

  NA

  1998

  41.4

  NA

  1999

  40.4

  76.9

  2000

  38.9

  76.2

  2001

  37.5

  76.3

  2002

  37.2

  75.8

  2003

  37.9

  75.7

  Notes:

  1. Figures are taken from a five per cent sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  2. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.

  3. Working Age Key Benefits are Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.

  4. Pension Age Key Benefits are State Pension, Incapacity Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) /Pension Credit and Severe Disablement Allowance.

  5. Pension Credit replaced MIG from 6 October 2003.

  6. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities have been allocated using the relevant ONS postcode directory.

  7. Parliamentary constituency and local authority breakdowns were not available prior to Nov 1999 for claimants over State Pension age.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre.

  DLA by rate in the Newcastle upon Tyne, Central parliamentary constituency

  Thousand

  All

  Children

  Working age

  Pensioners

  All

  4.1

  10.4

  2.1

  1.1

  Higher Rate Care and Higher Mobility

  0.6

  —

  10.4

  10.2

  Higher Rate Care Lower Rate Mobility

  10.3

  10.1

  10.2

  —

  Higher Rate Care only

  10.1

  10.1

  —

  —

  Middle Rate Care and Higher Rate Mobility

  0.6

  —

  10.3

  10.2

  Middle Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility

  10.5

  10.1

  10.4

  —

  Middle Rate Care only

  10.2

  10.1

  10.1

  —

  Lower Rate Care and Higher Rate Mobility

  0.8

  —

  10.4

  10.3

  Lower Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility

  10.1

  —

  10.1

  —

  Lower Rate Care only

  10.4

  10.1

  10.2

  10.1

  Higher Rate Mobility

  10.5

  —

  10.3

  10.2

  Lower Rate Mobility

  10.2

  —

  10.2

  —

  1790W

  Benefits
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 1 April,Official Report, column 1633W, on pension payment, what the arrangements will be for cashing the cheques. [175950]

  Mr. Pond
  Direct Payment is an essential part of our drive against financial and social exclusion, giving our customers access to a wide range of financial services, which some cannot access at present.

  The cheque method of payment is only intended for those customers who genuinely cannot use Direct Payment. Customers who will require a cheque payment are likely to have had experience of, and be familiar with, cashing order books and giros at the post office. The cheque solution replicates this process. Cheques can be cashed at post office branches or paid into an account, and they will provide the facility for a third party to cash the cheque on a customer's behalf.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many and what percentage of those(a) of working age and (b) not of working age who receive (i) attendance allowance, (ii) each (A) level and (B) component of disability living allowance and (iii) incapacity benefit, broken down by region. [176227]

  Maria Eagle
  Information on the numbers of benefit recipients as requested has been placed the Library.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many people in Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency receive(a) attendance allowance, (b) each (i) level and (ii) component of disability living allowance and (c) incapacity benefit. [176228]

  Maria Eagle
  The information required is set out in the tables.

  AA by rate in Newcastle upon Tyne, Central parliamentary constituency as at 30 November 2003

  Thousand

  All

  1.8

  Higher rate

  1.2

  Lower rate

  0.6

  1791W

  Incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) beneficiaries in the Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency at 30 November 2003, by rate of IB

  Thousand

  IB/SDA total

  3.2

  All IB rates

  2.7

  IB short term (low rate)

  10.1

  IB short term (high rate)

  10.2

  IB long term rate

  2.4

  SDA

  0.5

  1 Figures are based on a very few sample cases and are therefore subject to a high degree of sampling error and should be used as a guide to the current situation only.

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–04

  Incapacity benefit—benefit expenditure by year and selected conditions

  Phobic Anxiety Disorders or Other Anxiety Disorders

  280

  278

  262

  279

  281

  284

  282

  Reaction to Severe Stress (e.g. Post traumatic stress disorder)

  48

  56

  66

  78

  89

  97

  103

  Depressive Episode or Recurrent Depressive Disorder

  773

  831

  827

  918

  969

  1,002

  1,036

  All other Mental and Behavioural Disorders

  583

  584

  515

  567

  563

  603

  613

  Severe disablement allowance—benefit expenditure by year and selected conditions

  Phobic anxiety disorders or other anxiety disorders

  17

  17

  16

  16

  16

  15

  13

  Reaction to severe stress (e.g. post traumatic stress disorder)

  1—

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Depressive episode or recurrent depressive disorder

  51

  50

  50

  50

  53

  48

  44

  All other mental and behavioural disorders

  350

  347

  356

  361

  366

  326

  316

  1Less than £0.5 million.

  Notes:

  Figures are consistent with the historical outturn expenditure figures published in the DWP's benefit expenditure which can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp.

  Figures are for IB and SDA recipients only and do not include "credits only" cases or income-related benefits.

  Figures do not include costs of administration.

  From 6 April 2001, there are no new claims for SDA; from that date people disabled early in life can qualify for IB.

  Expenditure has been apportioned using data on conditions of IB and SDA recipients from the IB Quarterly Statistical Enquiry which is based on a 5 per cent. sample and therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  Figures are in 2004–05 prices, calculated using the latest GDP deflator.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest million pounds.

  Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  Figures for 2003–04 are estimated outturn.

  Source:

  DWP—Information and Analysis Directorate, Great Britain estimated expenditure on incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) by year and selected conditions.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who are entitled to(a) income support, (b) attendance allowance, (c) disability living allowance, (d) pension credit, (e) council tax benefit and (f) housing benefit are not claiming it in the Vale of Clwyd. [175026]

  Mr. Pond
  The information is not available.

  National figures of the estimated number of people who are entitled to, but not receiving, income support, council tax benefit and housing benefit can be obtained from the DWP report, "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up". The latest statistics relate to financial year 2001–02; a copy of the publication is held in the Library.

  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged from 16 years to 64 years received(a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) severe disablement allowance in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available; what the costs of each was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [174484]
  1792W
  Note:

  Figures are shown in thousands and are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample.

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of those claiming(a) incapacity benefit and (b) severe disablement allowance for (i) anxiety, (ii) stress, (iii) depression and (iv) other mental health reasons in each year since 1997. [175700]

  Maria Eagle
  [holding answer 25 May 2004]: The available information is in the table.

  Mr. Pond
  The information is in the table.

  1997–98

  2003–04

  Expenditure (£ million)

  Caseload (thousands)

  Expenditure (£ million)

  Caseload (thousands)

  Jobseekers allowance (contribution based)

  475

  201

  531

  183

  Jobseekers allowance (income based)

  3,418

  1,190

  2,027

  658

  Incapacity benefit

  6,640

  1,600

  6,637

  1,497

  Severe disablement allowance

  909

  346

  810

  286

  Notes:

  1. Expenditure is shown in cash terms.

  2. Expenditure for 2003–04 is estimated outturn.

  3. Caseload is for August for both the financial years shown in the table. Figures do not include those receiving national insurance credits only. Some jobseeker's allowance recipients can receive both types of benefit, and these are included in caseload figures for both contribution-based and income-based benefit.

  4. Expenditure is rounded to the nearest million. Caseload is rounded to the nearest thousand.

  1793W
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what access to benefits British nationals entering this country who are destitute are entitled. [165495]

  Mr. Pond
  British nationals arriving in the UK from abroad may make an immediate claim for income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and jobseeker's allowance (income-based). In addition to satisfying the normal conditions of entitlement, anyone who claims these benefits within two years of coming to the UK must also demonstrate that they are habitually resident in this country.

  Under the National Assistance Act 1948, local authorities may provide accommodation to British passport holders who do not pass the habitual residence test if they are destitute and have a need for care and attention which is not otherwise available. Such accommodation can be provided only as board and lodging and if the local authority considers it appropriate to do so in all the circumstances. Authorities are not obliged under the Act to provide other services or cash payments.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what prioritisation criteria will be used in the process of transferring existing Child Support Agency cases to the new assessment system. [175560]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Dr. Stoate) on 27 January 2004,Official Report, column 341W.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his oral statement of 11 February to the Work and Pensions Select Committee, on the Child Support Agency reforms, if he will list the milestones against which the success of the recovery programme will be judged. [170452]

  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 Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 27 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 Oral Statement of 11th February, to the Work and Pensions Select Committee, on the Child Support Agency reforms, 11th February, if he will list the milestones against which the success of the recovery programme will be judged.

  In accordance with our agreed plans EDS made enhancements to their computer service for Child Support Reform on 26 January and 22 March. They made enhancements to their telephony service on 9 and 10 January and 29 March. We have agreed plans in place covering a further upgrade to their service on 7 June 2004. We are aware that EDS currently have plans for further upgrades
  1794W
  in August and October. This is in line with their stated intention to complete their remedial work by October 2004. We are still discussing the final content and delivery timetable for their remaining plans and until those are agreed I am unable to provide any further milestones.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason a non-resident father's Child Support Agency payment stops when a child is born to that father in a new relationship. [174588]

  Mr. Pond
  When a new child is born the non-resident parent's liability will be recalculated to take account of their change in responsibilities.

  Under the old scheme, if a non-resident parent had previously been assessed to pay the minimum amount of maintenance (currently £5.60 a week) the birth of a new child would mean that they were exempt from this minimum payment.

  Under the new scheme, a flat rate of maintenance (usually £5.00 a week) is payable even if there is a child present in the non-resident parent's household.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child Support Agency's powers(a) to obtain sufficient information to make an assessment of child support and (b) to enforce payment of assessed child support; and what plans he has to alter and extend these powers. [174599]

  Mr. Pond
  The Child Support Agency has a wide range of powers both to obtain the necessary information and to enforce payments of child maintenance where necessary. I have no plans to change these.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what circumstances separated parents may(a) seek a court order for the assessment of child support and (b) register with the Child Support Agency a voluntary agreement for child support as alternatives to seeking an assessment of child support by the Child Support Agency. [174601]

  Mr. Pond
  Parents who do not already have a court order cannot usually make arrangements for child support through the court unless the court is converting a written maintenance agreement to a consent order.

  Parents with care in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance are required by law to co-operate with the Child Support Agency. Any existing form of court order or agreement will be superseded by a maintenance calculation which must be honoured.

  The Child Support Agency can only calculate child maintenance in accordance with the legislation. It cannot register a voluntary agreement for child support.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons of data protection the Child Support Agency may withhold from a client information about a change of circumstances of the person liable to pay child support when such change affects the amount of child support payable. [174604]
  1795W
  Mr. Pond
  Regulation 9A of the Information, Evidence and Disclosure Regulations (1992) covers the information which may be disclosed to a third party. This provides that only information which is essential to the understanding of how the maintenance is calculated will be made available to either party.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child Support Agency's new computer system provided by EDS. [174605]

  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 Doug Smith to Mr. David Kidney, dated 27 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 recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child Support Agency's new computer system provided by EDS.

  The Agency meets with EDS on a regular basis to assess both the effectiveness of their current computer service and their plans for remedying known defects. The service is progressively improving as defects are fixed. Ministers last reported to the House on the operational impacts of this on 21 April 2004.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what circumstances the income of the household of a person liable to pay child support rather than solely the liable person's income can be taken into account for the purpose of assessing child support. [174625]

  Mr. Pond
  The income of the partner of a non-resident parent is only taken into account when assessing child support in the old scheme. It is used to calculate the "protected level of income" within the formula. Without this information the Child Support Agency cannot make a final assessment. The non-resident parent might then be asked, in the interim, to pay a higher amount than his or her circumstances would otherwise demand.

  Under the new scheme, the maintenance calculation is based only on the income of the non-resident parent, which could however include tax credit paid to another member of their household.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends that child support cases under the old Child Support Agency system will be migrated to the new system. [174633]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 18 December 2003,Official Report, column 1092W.

  Child Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed timetable for transferring the child elements of jobseeker's allowance and income support to child tax credit payments; [166482]
  1796W
  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement reached between the Department and the Inland Revenue ensuring that families do not lose the child element of jobseeker's allowance and income support until child tax payments are guaranteed. [166542]

  Mr. Pond
  The transfer of income support and jobseeker's allowance cases on to child tax credit began on 6 April 2004 as planned. Families on income support and jobseeker's allowance who were already receiving child tax credit have started to receive support for their children solely through child tax credit. New claimants of income support and jobseeker's allowance are no longer awarded child allowances in those benefits, but receive child tax credit instead.

  The automatic phased transfer on to child tax credit of the remaining families with children within income support and jobseeker's allowance is planned to begin from October 2004. Meanwhile, families will continue to receive the same level of support through their benefits as they would from child tax credit.

  We have always recognised that it is important to ensure a successful and smooth migration for claimants of income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance on to child tax credit. We have therefore taken steps to ensure that those families will not lose the child element of jobseeker's allowance and income support until we have confirmation that child tax credit has been awarded. The technical design of the income support and jobseeker's allowance computer systems ensure this. The child and family elements will automatically continue to be paid until a confirmation that child tax credit has been awarded is received from Inland Revenue.

  In April 2002, The Treasury published "The Child and Working Tax Credits" (HMT 2002), which made it clear that continuity of payment is of particular importance to us.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases(a) were registered with the Compensation Recovery Unit and (b) resulted in repayment of benefits to the CRU in each of the last 10 years; what the total repaid to the CRU was; and if he will make a statement. [R] [173563]

  Mr. Pond
  [holding answer 17 May 2004]: The available information is in the table.

  £

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Total number of claims registered

  688,315

  706,715

  770,243

  Total number of benefit recovery cases

  35,907

  40,258

  39,995

  Total benefit recovered

  139,130,000

  166,590,000

  171,110,000

  Note:

  It is not possible to provide the requested information prior to the year 2001–02 as records are only kept for the most recent three years.

  Payroll Adjustments
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the(a) upward and

  1797W
  (b) downward payroll adjustments an employer may have to make as a result of the policies of his Department. [175180]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are limited circumstances under which an employer may need to make payroll adjustments as a result of our policies.

  Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Sick Pay are both paid by employers and may require payroll adjustments. Employers may also need to implement a Deduction from Earnings Order if the Child Support Agency deems this necessary to ensure a non-resident parent fulfils their responsibilities as a parent.

  It is also sometimes necessary, where voluntary agreements have failed, for employers to administer an Attachment of Earnings Order in relation to the enforcement of debt recovery through the civil courts.

  Departmental Staffing
  Mr. Lyons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many of his Department's employees are working in Strathkelvin and Bearsden; [176469]

  (2) how many of his Department's employees are working in Scotland. [176470]

  Maria Eagle
  As at 31 March 2004, a total of 15,487 Department for Work and Pensions employees were based in Scotland. This figure includes 536 temporary staff. The information is not collected for parliamentary constituencies.

  Disabled Workers
  Mr. Benton
  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 in Bootle over the last seven years. [176238]

  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 Bootle, 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, firefighters, 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.
  1798W
  To help people access appropriate help, Jobcentre Plus has established a network of Disability Service Teams. The teams are made up of Disability Employment 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 is 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 with 38,000 who benefited from the old Disabled Person's Tax Credit.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of people in Great Britain are in receipt of disability living allowance. [175865]

  Maria Eagle
  The response to the question is set out in the following table.

  DLA Recipients by Government Office Region against population as at 30 November 2003.

  All (Thousand)

  Percentage of the population

  All

  2,558.2

  4.4

  North East

  156.5

  6.2

  North West

  405.7

  6.0

  Yorkshire and Number

  249.7

  5.0

  East Midlands

  184.2

  4.4

  West Midlands

  245.6

  4.6

  East

  180.1

  3.3

  London

  249.3

  3.4

  South East

  222.5

  2.8

  South West

  173.1

  3.5

  Wales

  207.9

  7.1

  Scotland

  283.6

  5.6

  Notes:

  1. Figures taken from a five per cent sample at 30 November 2003.

  2. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.

  3. From November 2002, the methodology for producing these figures was changed to allow statistics to be published much sooner. This has resulted in a small increase in the reported caseload. This is because some cases which have actually terminated but have not yet been updated on the computer system are now included.

  4. Population figures are from the Office for National Statistics and the General Registrar of Scotland at mid 2002.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre.

  Early Retirement
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees in his Department took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year. [172183]

  Maria Eagle
  53 staff took early retirement from the Department for Work and Pensions in the financial year 2003–04, at a total cost in that year of £1,154,073.
  1799W
  In addition to costs in the year of early retirement there are subsequent costs until the individual staff reach age 60. Costs in subsequent years for these early retirements are as follows:

  £

  Costs

  2004–05

  470,215

  2005–06

  345,592

  2006–07

  286,207

  2007–08

  221,997

  2008–09

  69,477

  2009–10

  50,682

  2010–11

  47,166

  2011–12

  15,766

  2012–13

  2,359

  For the same period there were 156 cases of actuarially reduced retirement. Actuarially reduced retirement enables staff aged 50 and over to retire early and receive an immediate payment of an actuarially reduced pension at no extra cost to the Exchequer.

  Filestore (Nelson)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the filestore in Nelson, Lancashire; and if he will make a statement. [163202]

  Mr. Pond
  Records storage for the Department for Work and Pensions is moving to Capita from 1 July 2004, with migration of services taking place over the following two to three years.

  Negotiations regarding the effect of this on individual stores, including that of Nelson, Lancashire, are continuing.

  It is not anticipated that the majority of the 44 existing departmental in-house filestores, will continue in operation, however one or two of the larger stores may remain operational although functions may change over time.

  Health and Safety Inspectors
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many health and safety inspectors there are, broken down by(a) ethnicity and (b) languages other than English spoken by inspectors; what methods of communications are available to inspectors when dealing with workers who are not fluent in English; and if he will make a statement. [175423]

  Jane Kennedy
  The following tables show the number of full time equivalent inspectors broken down by their ethnicity (Table 1) and the languages other than English spoken (Table 2) as at 21 May 2004.

  Table 1: Break down of inspectors by ethnicity

  Ethnic origin

  Number

  African

  4.65

  Any Chinese background not specified

  2

  Any other ethnic background not specified

  8

  Any other mixed ethnic background

  1

  Asian and White

  3

  Black Caribbean and White

  0.55

  Caribbean

  7

  East African Asian

  1

  1800W

  Table 1: Break down of inspectors by ethnicity

  Ethnic origin

  Number

  Egyptian

  1

  Indian

  19.61

  Other Asian background not specified

  4

  Pakistani

  8

  Tehran/Iran

  1

  Other1

  1,507.8

  Total

  1,568.61

  1The information on individual ethnic origins has been provided from the HSE's personnel system and is based on the recently completed survey. However, it should be noted that if the individual declined to respond on the form then the system would automatically default to other.

  Table 2: Break down of the languages spoken by inspectors

  Language1

  Number

  Arabic

  2.0

  Bengali

  2.0

  Cantonese

  2.0

  Chinese

  2.0

  Chinese Mandarin

  1.0

  Czech

  1.0

  Danish

  3.0

  Dutch

  2.8

  Farsi

  1.0

  Flemish

  1.0

  French

  329.0

  Gaelic

  3.0

  German

  89.0

  Greek

  2.5

  Gujarati

  2.6

  Hindi

  7.0

  Igbo

  0.7

  Italian

  18.9

  Japanese

  1.0

  Nepali

  1.0

  Norwegian

  3.0

  Polish

  1.0

  Portuguese

  2.8

  Punjabi

  15.0

  Pushtu

  1.0

  Russia

  6.0

  Sign

  1.0

  Spanish

  40.2

  Swahili

  1.0

  Swedish

  2.0

  Tamil

  2.0

  Urdu

  8.0

  Welsh

  20.7

  Yoruba

  1.0

  Total2

  577.3

  1 Languages other than English.

  2Some inspectors speak more than one language other than English.

  HSE provides two main means of communication for inspectors who are not fluent in the language spoken by workers with whom they are dealing. These are interpreters for verbal communications and translators for provision of written communications.

  There is a legal duty on all employers to provide comprehensible and relevant information on the risks to the health and safety of their employees and the measures they have in place to protect them against those risks. This means that those employing workers who are not fluent in English may need to make special arrangements in order to comply with this duty. To help them comply, HSE and its inspectors seeks to provide support to such employers through a range of services including the provision of leaflets containing key health and safety messages translated into a variety of languages and access to a translation service.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cumulative additional cost to his Department has been of housing benefit paid where council housing is transferred from councils to registered social landlords in each year from 1999 to 2000. [176267]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave him on 20 May 2004,Official Report, column 1169W.

  Income Support
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were receiving income support in each of the last 25 years, broken down by constituency within each region. [175130]

  Mr. Pond
  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Industrial Injuries (Appeals)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Government's target time is from application to hearing for appeals concerning industrial injuries disablement benefit diseases; and what the average waiting time has been for those whose appeals are currently being heard. [175717]

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

  Letter from Christina Townsend to Mr. Tony Lloyd dated 27 May 2004:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the target time for hearing appears concerning Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) diseases and the average waiting time for those whose appeals are currently being heard.

  Our target for the 2003–2004 financial year was to hear appeals within an average of 13 weeks from receipt in our Service. Information on waiting times is not available in the format requested but I can advise you that the average waiting time for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit appeals was 15.9 weeks for the 2003–2004 financial year.

  I hope that this is helpful.

  Information and Communication Technology
  Mr. Simon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year. [173716]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies do not have a specific budget for training staff in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) during the current financial year. Resource is allocated to Learning and Development in general and includes an element in respect of ICT learning.

  However, Jobcentre Plus, DWP's largest agency, has committed a budget of £400,000 for non-specialist staff to learn basic IT applications such as Word and Excel. All other ICT learning in the Department will be funded from the general Learning and Development budget.
  1802W
  Mr. Simon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff 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. [173717]

  Maria Eagle
  DWP and its agencies do not have specific targets for improving the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills base of staff, but we are committed to ensuring staff have the skills and competence to do their jobs. Learning needs are identified on an individual basis through discussion between jobholders and their line managers. This process will increasingly be assisted by the development of a series of capability matrices which will enable individuals to define their learning needs and to identify the learning solutions by which they can meet them.

  The standard Kirkpatrick model is used to evaluate learning and development in the Department, including an assessment of whether individuals have met the learning objectives of the course.

  Scottish and National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs) in Information Technology are available to staff but these are not mandatory. In the business year 2003–04, 200 staff completed full awards in IT S/NVQ's. Of these, 16 were at level 1, 156 at level 2 and 28 were at level 3. Staff undertaking S/NVQ's are required to produce a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate the required level of competence.

  Jobcentre Plus
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the assessment made under the provisions of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 of the proposal to move Jobcentre Plus jobs out of London; and if he will make a statement on the implications of the assessment. [175025]

  Jane Kennedy
  The draft Impact Assessment forms the basis for further consultation and is currently with London Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) representatives for their initial comments. Following receipt of their comments the intention is to circulate a further draft to a much wider range of stakeholders including all London MPs, the Greater London Authority, the Commission for Racial Equality, the London Development Agency, the Government Office for London and others.

  Once the draft has been agreed, the final version will of course be made available and I will arrange for a copy of this document to be placed in the Library when it is published.

  EU Worker Registration
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the fee for registering under the EU workers registration scheme(a) on Jobcentre Plus services and (b) on illegal working; and if he will make a statement. [175032]
  1803W
  Jane Kennedy
  The UK Government support the free movement of people and workers within the EU— providing our citizens with the opportunity to work elsewhere, as well as allowing our economy to benefit from the productive potential of workers from the new member states.

  The UK has one of the most successful and flexible labour markets in the EU with unemployment at its lowest level for 30 years. The UK labour market has upwards of 550,000 vacancies, and around 15 per cent. of UK trend economic growth depends on migration. Indeed studies show that migrants paid £2.5 billion more in taxes in 1999–2000 than they consumed in benefits and services. Hence the UK is well placed to absorb additional workers from accession states.

  But just as UK nationals have the responsibility not to abuse our benefit and social protection system, so we would expect our neighbours and partners in the EU not to abuse the system. That is why we have allowed free movement of labour but brought in regulations to prevent exploitation of our benefits.

  It costs £50 to register for the first time under the worker registration scheme. The fee has been set at this level to cover some of the administrative costs of running the scheme, in accordance with other charged services. Registration enables those nationals from the eight accession states who were working in the UK without authorisation prior to 1 May to regularise their status and move into the formal economy. We do not believe that a one-off fee of £50 will act as a deterrent to registration by them or by others arriving in the UK. Similarly, we foresee the introduction of this fee having no impact on the services provided by Jobcentre Plus.

  Lung Diseases
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the most recent estimate is of the number of(a) deaths from mesothelioma, (b) cases of lung cancer attributable to asbestos, (c) deaths from asbestosis, (d) disablement benefit cases relating to asbestosis and (e) cases of disablement benefit for diffuse pleural thickening. [175957]

  Jane Kennedy
  There were 1, 848 deaths from mesothelioma in 2001 (the latest year for which data are available).

  Lung cancers caused by exposure to asbestos cannot be individually distinguished from those due to other causes such as smoking. However, based on research evidence on the relative incidence of mesothelioma and lung cancer in specific occupational groups, it is estimated that there were between approximately 1,750 and 3,500 asbestos related lung cancer deaths in 2001.

  There were 73 deaths in 2001 in Great Britain where the underlying cause of death was recorded as asbestosis.

  Provisional figures for 2003 indicate that 650 cases of asbestosis and 400 cases of diffuse pleural thickening were identified through the Department for Work and Pensions Industrial Injuries and Disablement Benefit Scheme.

  Mr. F.A. Street
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the decision of the appeal tribunal on 23 April to pay income support to Mr. F A Street of Kingsbridge, Devon from 31 October 2003 will be implemented; and what the reasons are why payment has not been made. [176216]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Steen, dated 27 May 2004:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question concerning payment of income support for Mr. F A Street, following an appeal tribunal decision. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

  Details of benefit claims are confidential and I will write to you directly on the matter in question.

  This is in line with Part 2, paragraph 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  New Deal
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Manchester, Central have gained work through the New Deal programme. [175714]

  Jane Kennedy
  700 lone parents in Manchester, Central have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998. Figures for lone parents who have gained work through other New Deal programmes are not available.

  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Bootle have benefited from(a) the New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) the New Deal for Partners since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [176235]

  Jane Kennedy
  Through the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help individuals improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. From 12 April we enhanced the New Deal for Partners in order to offer partners taking part in that programme the same level of help and support as our successful New Deal for Lone Parents programme. Also from this April we have started to roll out Work Focused Interviews for Partners, offering greater support to partners of benefit recipients.

  Some 1,390 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in Bootle since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 800 have gained a job. Information on the number of women who have benefited from the New Deal for Partners is not available.

  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Bootle have gained work through the New Deal programme. [176236]
  1805W
  Jane Kennedy
  810 lone parents in Bootle have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998. Figures for lone parents who have gained work through other New Deal Programmes are not available.

  Parental Income
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of(a) two non-working parents with four children under 16 years and (b) two working parents with four children under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000; [172831]

  (2) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of (a) two non-working parents with three children under 16 years and (b) two working parents with three children under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000; [172832]

  (3) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of (a) one non-working parent with a child under 16 years and (b) one working parent with a child under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000; [172833]

  (4) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of (a) one non-working parent with two children under 16 years and (b) one working parent with two children under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000; [172834]

  (5) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of (a) one non-working parent with three children under 16 years and (b) one working parent with three children under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000. [172835]

  (6) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of (a) one non-working parent with four children under 16 years and (b) one working parent with four children under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000; [172836]

  (7) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of (a) two non-working parents with a child under 16 years and (b) two working parents with a child under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000; [172837]

  (8) what the net effect has been of income tax, national insurance and benefits in each year since 1997 on the income of (a) two non-working parents with two children under 16 years and (b) two working parents with two
  1806W
  children under 16 years and (b) two working parents with two children under 16 years earning up to (i) £10,000, (ii) £15,000, (iii) £20,000, (iv) £25,000 and (v) £30,000. [172838]

  Mr. Pond
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will answer questions(a) 152844, (b) 152845 and (c) 152855, tabled by the hon. Member for Northavon on 30 January. [167392]

  Maria Eagle
  [holding answer 22 April 2004]: Replies were given to the hon. Member on 22 April, 12 February and 24 May respectively.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of(a) ordinary written questions to his Department were answered within five sitting days of tabling and (b) questions for written answer on a named day received a substantive answer on that day in (i) the 2002–03 parliamentary session and (ii) this parliamentary session, broken down by month. [171194]

  Maria Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Percentage

  Proportion of ordinary written questions answered within five sitting days

  Proportion of named day written questions answered on that day

  Session 2002–03

  13–30November

  4

  20

  December

  41

  41

  January

  23

  55

  February

  34

  52

  March

  37

  60

  April

  57

  46

  May

  50

  62

  June

  16

  53

  July

  56

  73

  August

  No questions tabled

  September

  80

  79

  October

  45

  73

  1–20 November

  74

  75

  Session 2003–04

  26–30 November

  35

  100

  December

  62

  73

  January

  39

  78

  February

  48

  83

  March

  52

  81

  April

  85

  72

  Note:

  Figures correct as at 5 May 2004.

  Pension Protection Fund
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the annual cost of running the Pension Protection Fund, broken down by(a) direct costs of employing staff, (b) costs paid to outside bodies including (i) investment managers and (ii) actuaries and (c) the costs of collecting the levy by the New Pension Regulator. [175945]
  1807W
  Malcolm Wicks
  Our initial estimates indicate that running costs for the early years of the PPF are between £9–15 million per year. These are order of magnitude figures and are based on a number of assumptions made very early on about the way the PPF might operate. The operating model and the detailed processes underpinning that model are now being refined; this is enabling us to have a much clearer view about not only the potential supply routes, but also the number of people, and necessary skills set, the PPF will need to deliver its business. It is important to note that final decisions relating to operations are very much a matter for the in-coming board. Estimates will be revised once these decisions are firmed up.

  With those points in mind, the early numbers show that on the basis of PPF employing around 100 staff—including professionals such as actuaries—the staff costs represent approximately a third of the total. The charges relating to investment managers are not factored into the admin costs, as they are part and parcel of the on going activity relating to the Fund itself. Assumptions relating to the charges in this area are, at this stage, commercially sensitive. We estimate costs relating to levy collection are in the order of less than half a million pounds.

  Pension/Benefit Fraud
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he has taken to eliminate(a) pension and (b) housing benefit fraud. [174997]

  Mr. Pond
  We are committed to driving down levels of fraud and error in the benefits system.

  A service delivery agreement was introduced to reduce loss from fraud and error in minimum income guarantee/pension credit by 20 per cent. by March 2006. The latest figures for minimum income guarantee were published in the national statistical report, "Fraud and Error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance from April 2002 to March 2003"; a copy is available in the Library.

  The report shows that loss from fraud and error is falling, with a 17 per cent. reduction in fraud and error between April 2002 and March 2003 against the baseline, and a reduction in fraud alone of 45 per cent.

  Data-matching with the Inland Revenue on savings and contributions to occupational pension schemes identifies income that may not have been reported; additionally information on other savings products such as individual savings accounts will become available for data matching later this year. These measures are equally applicable to the detection of fraud in relation to pension credit which replaced minimum income guarantee in October 2003.

  The Government have set a challenging target to reduce fraud and error in housing benefit for working age people. We are working with local authorities to achieve a 25 per cent. reduction by March 2006, and the total amount available to spend on tackling fraud and
  1808W
  error in housing benefit in the three years from 2003 to 2006 is £420 million. The Department published "Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit, April 2002 to March 2003" on 11 December 2003. This report represents the first national headline estimates for the level of fraud and error in housing benefit; a copy is available in the Library.

  Latest figures show that, in the last three years, local authorities have increased the number of prosecutions and sanctions for benefit fraud by more than 500 per cent. In 2003–04, local authorities carried out 2,667 prosecutions and issued 6,289 cautions and penalties.

  The Verification Framework is intended to detect and prevent fraudulent claims and sets a minimum standard of evidence needed for a claim to be assessed. Of the 348 authorities which have received funds to implement the Verification Framework scheme, 301 are fully compliant, with a further 37 being compliant in at least one of the modules. Verification Framework funding of £224 million has been made available for the three years from April 2003, with an additional £8 million being made available to local authorities to assist them with the change from the current VF scheme to a new regime introduced in April 2004.

  From 5 April 2004, the Department is providing local authorities with monthly data-matching and risk based reviews via the Housing Benefit Matching Service (HBMS). This will enable local authorities to identify fraud and error at an earlier stage than in the past, ensuring that any overpayments are kept to a minimum.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Scotland receive council tax benefit. [176492]

  Mr. Pond
  As at May 2002, there were 284,000 pensioner households receiving council tax benefit in Scotland, including 340,000 beneficiaries aged 60 or over.

  Notes:

  1. Pensioner households are defined as benefit units (which may be a single person or a couple) where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  2. Beneficiaries are defined as claimants and partners who are aged 60 or over.

  3. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

  5. Council tax benefit totals exclude any second adult rebate cases.

  Source:

  Housing benefit and council tax benefit annual summary statistics, May 2002.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of over-payments to pensioners in each year since 1997. [175753]
  1809W
  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is in the table.

  Cost of benefit overpayments to pensioners

  Volume

  Value (£)

  1999–2000

  111,599

  26,074,886

  2000–01

  140,795

  42,333,932

  2001–02

  201,260

  87,619,329

  2002–03

  156,189

  58,192,614

  2003–04

  149,554

  51,428,186

  Notes:

  1. Records are not available prior to 1999–2000.

  2. Data for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 is based on overpayments of Attendance Allowance and Retirement Pension.

  3. From 2001, data includes Income Support paid to claimants over the age of 65.

  4. From 2003, overpayments of Pension Credit are included.

  Source:

  Central Debt Management System

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what procedures are in place to enable pensioners who have been over-paid to pay sums back to the Department. [175754]

  Malcolm Wicks
  There are various procedures in place to enable pensioners who have been overpaid to repay sums to the Department. The method of repayment will depend on the particular circumstances of the case; our aim being to recover the money in a cost effective manner without causing unnecessary hardship to the customer.

  Customers are notified of an overpayment and given one calendar month to pay the amount in full or to arrange payment by instalment. The notification includes full details of how to repay, how to appeal and how to get further help and advice.

  Where the customer is not able to repay the amount in a single lump sum, payment by instalments can be negotiated. As the majority of pensioners receive payments from the Department, the preferred method of recovery by instalments is through direct deduction from their entitlement.

  Both lump sum and instalment payments can also be made by Cheque, Postal Order, Girobank, Transcash, Direct Debit, Switch or Delta.

  Seasonal Fruit Pickers
  Colin Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what standards his Department has in place to cover regimes of temporary accommodation sites housing seasonal fruit pickers. [175444]

  Jane Kennedy
  [holding answer 24 May 2004]: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 set specific requirements about the safety of gas systems in accommodation that is provided for an occupant who is not the owner of that accommodation.

  The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places general requirements on all work activity to be performed in a way that does not jeopardise the health and safety of the workers involved, or people affected by work activity. Those general requirements could apply to work that is done to maintain or repair temporary accommodation and hence offer some further protection to those using this type of accommodation.

  Shanklin Jobcentre
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent in the last 12 months, and how much is planned to be spent in the next 12 months, on upgrading premises and equipment at Shanklin Jobcentre. [176365]

  Jane Kennedy
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member. Jobcentre Plus.

  Letter from David Anderson to Andrew Turner, dated 27 May 2004:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question concerning how much money has been spent on upgrading the premises and equipment at Shanklin Jobcentre in the last 12 months and plans for expenditure in the next 12 months. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

  Shanklin Jobcentre has not required any works in the last 12 months other than routine maintenance; therefore no monies have been spent on upgrading the building. However, in line with the national programme of upgrading the IT systems in all offices, Shanklin Jobcentre's IT system has been upgraded. We are unable to give the precise cost involved as it was funded from the national programme.

  Due to the current roll-out plans of Jobcentre Plus services to the Isle of Wight we have no plans for expenditure over the next 12 months.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Part-time Workers (State Assistance)
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what state assistance is available to people without health impediments or caring responsibilities who only work between 17 and 19 hours a week. [173948]

  Mr. Pond
  Adults aged 25 or over who usually work 30 hours or more a week may be eligible for working tax credit. It can also be paid to people who work 16 hours or more a week who are aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, or are disabled. However people without children or a disability, working between 17 and 19 hours a week would only be eligible for working tax credit if they were aged 50 or over and were returning to work after at least 6 months on one or more of a range of out-of-work benefits.

  Housing benefit and council tax benefit run-on is also available to help with the transition to work. This allows certain qualifying claimants of income support and jobseekers allowance to continue to receive housing benefit and council tax benefit for up to four weeks after starting work. In April 2004, a similar provision was announced for those in receipt of incapacity benefits.

  Sure Start (Manchester)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many mothers in Manchester, Central have made use of the Sure Start maternity grant. [175713]

  Mr. Pond
  The data is not available in the format requested, the available information is in the table.
  1811W

  Sure Start maternity grants

  Applications

  Awards

  For Manchester Central, Manchester South, Manchester Trinity and Oldham Social Fund Districts

  2000–01

  5,061

  4,147

  2001–02

  5,719

  4,596

  2002 to December

  5,055

  4,013

  For area covered by Manchester Jobcentre Plus

  2003 January to March

  1,039

  889

  2003–04

  4,708

  3,635

  2004 April

  421

  337

  Notes:

  1. Manchester, Central parliamentary constituency was not included in a single Social Fund District, but used to be part of the area covered by Manchester, Central, Manchester South, Manchester Trinity and Oldham Social Fund Districts. Manchester Central parliamentary constituency is now part of Manchester Jobcentre Plus District. The latter was formed in January 2003 from Manchester Central, Manchester South and Manchester Trinity Social Fund Districts, together with part of Oldham Social Fund District. The two areas for which data are given above are different, therefore the data are not comparable.

  2. Sure Start maternity grants were introduced on 27 March 2000. The very small number of cases for 1999–2000 have been excluded for data protection reasons.

  3. Data is given for all applications and awards, irrespective of whether the application was made by the mother or her partner.

  Source:

  DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Afghanistan
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) members and (b) representatives of the provisional government of Afghanistan on the (i) security situation and (ii) requirements for increased foreign involvement in Afghanistan in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [175756]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We regularly discuss these issues with the Afghan Transitional Administration at a range of levels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Kabul in March this year and discussed issues including security and foreign involvement in Afghanistan with various members and representatives of the Afghan government.

  This followed a similar visit in July 2003. The Foreign Secretary also addressed these issues with President Karzai and members of his government during the President's visit to the UK in June 2003. I visited Kabul in October 2003 and also met President Karzai and other members of the Afghan government in Berlin on 1 April 2004. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) visited Kabul on 4–6 May this year and met President Karzai and other Ministers.

  The security situation remains a problem, particularly in the South and East. Sporadic attacks continue against both international and Afghan forces, as well as the UN and NGOs. Fighting between Afghan forces also occurs. The international community, including the UK, is responding with increased commitments of troops and resources, including by extending the
  1812W
  network of Provincial Reconstruction Teams. In the long-term, Afghanistan must be able to maintain its own security, through an effective national army and police force. Work to recruit and train those has been under way for some time, with the UK's active support and involvement.

  On 1 March 2004 DFID announced (an increase of the UK's commitment, from £200 million over five years to at least £500 million over the same period. This funding is to support a range of reconstruction work, support for conflict prevention, and the counter-narcotics effort. A booklet outlining DFID's program in Afghanistan has been placed in the Library of the House. International donors demonstrated their commitment to Afghanistan at the Berlin Conference held on 31 March—1 April 2004 by pledging US$8.2 billion of assistance over the next three years. This represents two thirds of Afghanistan's requirements over this period. We hope that the full requirement will be met through more money becoming available from donors that were only able to make one-year pledges in Berlin.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of developments over the last 12 months of the security situation in(a) central, (b) northern, (c) eastern, (d) western and (e) southern Afghanistan; what recommendations concerning troop contributions his Department has made; and if he will make a statement. [175757]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Central Afghanistan, in general, is reasonably secure, assisted by the presence of the New Zealand-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) based in Bamiyan and the new PRT in Oruzgan Province. Northern Afghanistan is generally stable but is subject to long-standing tensions between the two biggest factions in the region. The UK-led PRT based in Mazar-e Sharif has helped defuse tensions and a second UK-led PRT is now being established in Faryab Province. There tend to be fewer security incidents in the west. A flare-up of fighting in Herat followed the death of the Afghan Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism in March but units of the Afghan National Army (ANA) calmed the situation.

  Security in the south and east is worrying. There have been murders of international and Afghan aid workers. Seven PRTs have been established in the south and east to help improve the security environment. Coalition forces and units of the ANA continue to pursue terrorists, especially along the border with Pakistan. The Pakistani army is playing its part in ensuring that perpetrators of attacks in Afghanistan cannot easily find refuge in Pakistan.

  The international community, including the UK, is responding to the need for security with increased commitments of troops and resources. Additional PRTs are the key to expanding the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The UK has agreed to lead a second PRT and provide a Forward Support Base for all PRTs in the North. But ISAF expansion can only proceed once NATO's statement of requirements is fully met. We are pressing other nations to contribute the resources needed to meet remaining shortfalls.
  1813W
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) members and (b) representatives of the provisional Government of Afghanistan concerning the timing of elections; and if he will make a statement. [175758]

  Mr. MacShane
  We regularly discuss arrangements for the elections with members of the Afghan Transitional Administration (ATA) at all levels; I discussed this subject with President Karzai and other members of the ATA in Berlin on 1 April.

  President Karzai announced on 28 March that national elections would be held in September 2004. The Joint Elections Monitoring Board, a joint Afghan Government and UN body, is currently leading preparations while an electoral law is finalised. The UK is committed to supporting the electoral process. Last year we contributed £10.55 million to support election registration, we have pledged a further £0.5 million for voter education and £2.77 million to support preparations for the elections themselves. We are working with the UN, international partners and NATO to consider how the international community can assist and can support the Afghan Government in delivering security for the election process.

  Israel
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the Israeli Government about the situation of the Bedouins in the Negev. [175203]

  Mr. MacShane
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not recently raised this issue with the Israeli Government. In August 2003 our embassy in Tel Aviv raised with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs the situation of the Bedouin, including plans for development of the Negev, and government action to improve the standard of health among the Bedouin. During her visit to Israel in October 2003, my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean discussed the plight of the Bedu with representatives of several Israeli human rights groups.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many buildings in England owned by his Department are used at less than 25 per cent. capacity for more than three months of the year. [175981]

  Mr. MacShane
  None.

  EU Enlargement (Benefit Restriction)
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay the decision of the Government to restrict benefit opportunities for nationals of EU accession states; and if he will make a statement. [161352]

  Mr. Pond
  I have been asked to reply

  The Government strongly support the accession to the European Union of the new member states. We intend to open our borders to those who genuinely want to come and work here. This will benefit the UK
  1814W
  economy, expanding the range of skills and supply of workers available across the UK. People from the accession countries who are legally working in the UK will have the right to reside in the UK while in work.

  However, we need to take measures to protect our social security system from possible abuse. Regulations were laid on 30 April 2004 making it a requirement that a person has the right to reside in the UK, as well as being habitually resident, in order to claim income-related benefits. Workers who are legally working in the UK and who are on low income may qualify for housing benefit and council tax benefit as well as child benefit and tax credits.

  Iraq
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is responsible for deciding on the use of oil assets in Iraq. [174045]

  Mr. Mullin
  As agreed in UNSCR 1483, DFI funds are disbursed at the direction of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), in consultation with the Iraqi interim administration, to meet the needs of the Iraqi people. UNSCR 1483 also noted the establishment of an audit oversight body for the DFI—the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB). The IAMB is charged with ensuring that DFI funds are used in a transparent manner and for the purposes for which they were disbursed.

  The Iraqi Ministry of Finance and of Planning and Development Co-operation working with the CPA have published Budgets for 2003 and 2004 which outline the use of oil revenues in public expenditure in Iraq (Budget information can be found on the CPA website at http://www.cpa-iraq.org/budget/). In addition a Programme Review Board (PRB) has been established to enable emergency off-budget expenditure (decisions made by the PRB can be found at http://www.cpa-iraq.org/budget/program_review_board.html).

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many barrels of oil have been exported from Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein; what value this represents; and what use has been made of these funds within Iraq. [174046]

  Mr. Mullin
  All proceeds from the export sale of Iraq's oil are deposited in the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI), as agreed in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483. As of 17 May 2004 approximately US$9.4 billion had been deposited into the DFI from the export sale of oil since 28 May 2003.

  Information on the volume of oil exports from Iraq by month can be found on the US Department of Defense website at http://www.defendamerica.mil/. Average crude oil exports for each month since June 2003 to April 2004 are as follows:

  Monthly average crude oil exports from Iraq— millions of barrels per day

  June 2003

  0.2

  July 2003

  0.322

  August 2003

  0.646

  September 2003

  0.983

  October 2003

  1.149

  1815W

  Monthly average crude oil exports from Iraq— millions of barrels per day

  November 2003

  1.524

  December 2003

  1.541

  January 2004

  1.537

  February 2004

  1.382

  March 2004

  1.825

  April 2004

  1.804

  As determined in UNSCR 1483 all DFI funds are to be used in a transparent manner to meet the needs of the Iraqi people. The Iraqi Ministry of Finance and of Planning and Development Co-operation working with the CPA have published Budgets for 2003 and 2004 which outline the use of oil revenues in public expenditure in Iraq (Budget information can be found on the CPA website at http://www.cpa-iraq.org/budget/). Disbursements have included support of food production and distribution programmes, currency exchange programmes, electricity and oil infrastructure programmes, equipment for Iraqi security forces, and Iraqi civil service salaries and ministry budget operations.

  Middle East
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Israeli Government regarding its refusal to register children born in the occupied territories to parents of mixed Israeli/Palestinian origin; [175351]

  (2) what representations he has made to the Israeli Government following its decision to prohibit Israelis married to residents of the Occupied Territories to live with their spouses in East Jerusalem. [175352]

  Mr. MacShane
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not raised these issues with the Israeli Government. During her visit to Israel in October 2003, my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean discussed the legislation which is behind such discriminatory treatment of Arab Israelis with several human rights groups. Our concerns about the impact of the citizenship law were subsequently raised by British Embassy staff on 7 October 2003 with the Israeli Ministry of the Interior.

  Sudan
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department is making to the monitoring of the ceasefire in southern Sudan. [175719]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government have contributed over £460,000 to the Verification Monitoring Team (VMT), which is responsible for investigating and reporting on breaches of the Memorandum of Understanding on the cessation of hostilities in southern Sudan. We are currently considering a further, significant contribution. The Government have provided four members to staff to work for the VMT.
  1816W
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will consult other members of the United Nations Security Council with a view to securing an emergency session of the Security Council to address the situation in Darfur, Sudan; [175720]

  (2) what diplomatic measures his Department (a) has taken in the past month and (b) plans to take in relation to the situation in Darfur, Sudan. [175721]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Mullin) to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Ladywood (Clare Short) on 25 May 2004,Official Report, columns 1571–72W).

  Darfur was discussed at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April and 17 May, and the UN Security Council was briefed about the situation on 2 April and 7 May. Since then, our Permanent Representative to the UN in New York has been working closely with other Security Council members, notably the US, France and Germany, to ensure that the Security Council remains focused on the crisis. We will continue to consider with all partners what further we can do to alleviate the situation.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government supported the addition of Sudan to the UN's Human Rights Committee; and if he will make a statement. [175906]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir John Stanley) on 24 May 2004 Official Report, columns 1363W—136W.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the attacks on civilians and displacement of communities in the Shilluk Kingdom in Sudan. [176063]

  Mr. MacShane
  We are very concerned by reports of fighting in the Upper Nile region of Sudan, and, in particular that civilians have been targeted. Estimates suggest that between 70–80,000 people have now been displaced and non-governmental organisations in the area have reported that services in the town are becoming increasingly stretched. Though we understand that fighting has decreased since 3 May, the humanitarian situation is likely to deteriorate further with the onset of seasonal rains.

  We are following the situation closely and are in contact with all parties in the area, including the Verification and Monitoring Team which is responsible for investigating and reporting on breaches of the cessation of hostilities. We raised the matter with the Sudanese Foreign Minister during his visit to London on 11 May.

  United States
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the United States Supreme Court concerning the Alien Torts Act. [176327]
  1817W
  Mr. MacShane
  The Government, together with the Australian and Swiss Governments, filed an amicus brief in the US Supreme Court on 23 January 2004 in the Sosa v. Alvarez case which may serve as a test case for the US Alien Tort Statute (ATS). The concern addressed by the Government's amicus brief is the use of the ATS to bring suits for damages brought by non-US nationals or companies in relation to events occurring outside the US. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule on the ATS case at the end of June. A copy of the amicus brief will be placed in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Student Loan Company
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will alter the rules governing the Student Loan Company Ltd so that interest on loans is not charged when a former student is engaged in voluntary work. [176002]

  Alan Johnson
  We have no plans to remove the interest rate on student loans for graduates doing voluntary work. Student loans are already made on exceptionally favourable terms. There is a real terms zero rate of interest on these loans in line with inflation, as defined by the Retail "Prices Index". Currently, graduates involved with voluntary work who are earning less than £10,000 do not have to make repayments. That amount will rise to £15,000 in April 2005.

  Further Education
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on further education funding. [176003]

  Alan Johnson
  The Government have set out their investment plans for 2003–04 to 2005–06 to support its Success for All strategy to reform further education and training. These plans enable the Learning and Skills Council to increase funding for further education significantly. For the academic year 2003/04, core funding rates per qualification increased by 3 per cent. for school sixth forms and 4.5 per cent. for further education colleges (setting aside the impact on rates of changes to targeted funds for pay and staff training and teachers' pension funding). Our expenditure plans to 2005–06 should see that trend continue.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which further education colleges are participating in the(a) learning communities, (b) adult learners' grant and (c) employer training pilots; and what plans he has for take-up in North Staffordshire. [175564]

  Alan Johnson
  Further Education (FE) colleges are key partners in developing Learning Communities. Eleven test bed Learning Communities entered their development phase in April 2004 and a further 15 will be in place by September. Although, none of the test beds are located in North Staffordshire, there are proposals for two learning communities to be developed in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the local FE colleges are closely involved. At this stage in the 1818W
  development of the test beds we do not have information on the FE colleges involved in the local partnerships.

  Adult Learning Grant (ALG) pilots are currently being operated in 10 local Learning and Skills Council areas. There are over 75 FE colleges and other providers (as seen in following Table) who have learners in receipt of an ALG in the pilot areas. From September 2004, there are plans to double the size of the current pilot by extending ALG throughout the two lead regions—the South East and North East. There are no ALG pilots in the Staffordshire area and the area does not figure in the lead regions.

  There are currently 12 Employer Training Pilots in operation and, by September 2004, there will be 18 covering 20 local LSC areas. The LSC is responsible for managing the pilots, which involves 118 FE colleges (as seen in the following list) providing training and other services to help meet the skills needs of participating employers. At present there are no plans to extend the pilots to North Staffordshire.

  FE colleges involved in ALGs

  Bedfordshire

  Bedford College

  Bedfordshire

  Barnfield College

  Bedfordshire

  Dunstable College

  Bedfordshire

  Luton Sixth Form College

  County Durham

  Bishop Auckland College

  County Durham

  New College, Durham

  County Durham

  East Durham and Houghall Community College

  County Durham

  Derwentside College

  Devon and Cornwall

  Truro College

  Devon and Cornwall

  Penwith College

  Devon and Cornwall

  North Devon College

  Devon and Cornwall

  Plymouth College of Art and Design

  Devon and Cornwall

  Plymouth College of Further Education

  Devon and Cornwall

  Cornwall College

  Devon and Cornwall

  Exeter College

  Devon and Cornwall

  Blcton College

  Devon and Cornwall

  East Devon College

  Devon and Cornwall

  South Devon College

  Devon and Cornwall

  Falmouth College of Art and Design

  Humberside

  John Leggott Sixth Form College

  Humberside

  Wilberforce College

  Humberside

  Franklin College

  Humberside

  East Riding College

  Humberside

  Wyke Sixth Form College

  Humberside

  Bishop Burton College

  Humberside

  Hull College

  Humberside

  Grimsby College

  Humberside

  North Lindsey College

  Humberside

  East Yorkshire College of Further Education

  Humberside

  Driffield School

  Lancashire

  Skelmersdale College

  Lancashire

  Blackburn College

  Lancashire

  Nelson and Colne College

  Lancashire

  Blackpool and The Fylde College

  Lancashire

  Lancaster and Morecambe College

  Lancashire

  Preston College

  Lancashire

  Accrington and Rossendale College

  Lancashire

  Runshaw College

  Lancashire

  Burnley College

  Lancashire

  Myerscough College

  Lancashire

  Cardinal Newman College

  Lancashire

  St. Mary's College, Blackburn

  Leicestershire

  Gateway Sixth Form College

  Leicestershire

  Regent College

  Leicestershire

  South Leicestershire College

  Leicestershire

  Loughborough College

  Leicestershire

  Stephenson College

  Leicestershire

  Brooksby Melton College

  Leicestershire

  Leicester College

  Leicestershire

  Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College

  London West

  Harrow College

  London West

  Uxbridge College

  London West

  Baling, Hammersmith and West London College

  1819W

  FE colleges involved in ALGs

  London West

  Stanmore College

  London West

  West Thames College

  London West

  College of North West London

  Shropshire

  Ludlow College

  Shropshire

  New College, Telford

  Shropshire

  Telford College of Arts and Technology

  Shropshire

  Walford and North Shropshire College

  Shropshire

  Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology

  South Yorkshire

  Thomas Rotherham College

  South Yorkshire

  Dearne Valley College

  South Yorkshire

  Sheffield College

  South Yorkshire

  Rother Valley College

  South Yorkshire

  Rotherham College of Arts and Technology

  South Yorkshire

  Doncaster College

  South Yorkshire

  Barnsley College

  South Yorkshire

  Northern College

  The Black Country

  Halesowen College

  The Black Country

  Walsall College of Arts and Technology

  The Black Country

  Wolverhampton College

  The Black Country

  Sandwell College

  The Black Country

  Dudley College of Technology

  The Black Country

  Stourbridge College

  FE Colleges and Work-Based Learning Providers involved in ETPs:

  Academy of Learning Ltd.

  Accrington and Rossendale College

  Adult Community College Colchester

  Adult Community College Chelmsford

  Anderson Business College Ltd.

  Babington Business College Ltd. (Derby)

  Barking College

  Basildon Adult Community College

  Berkshire College of Agriculture

  Bexley College

  Birmingham Academy Training Ltd.

  Birmingham College of Food Tourism and Creative Studies

  Birmingham Community College

  Bolton Community College

  Bournville College of Further Education

  Bracknell and Wokingham College

  Braintree College

  Brooksby Melton College

  Building Crafts College

  Burton College

  Bury College

  Canterbury College

  Catten College Ltd.

  Central Training Academy

  Chelmsford College

  Chesterfield College

  City College Manchester

  City of Sunderland College

  Colchester Institute

  Cricklade College

  Crown Secretarial College

  Derby College

  Derby Tertiary College Wilmorton

  East Berkshire College

  Eccles College

  Epping Forest College

  Gateshead College

  Greenwich Community College

  1820W

  Hackney Community College

  Harlow College

  Harlow ITEC

  Havering College of Further and Higher Education

  Highbury College—Workforce and Business Development

  Hopwood Hall College

  Institute of Refractories Engineers

  Intec Business Colleges PLC

  ITEC Learning Technologies

  Josiah Mason Sixth Form College

  Kingston Maurward College

  Leicester Adult Education College

  Leicester College

  Lewisham College

  Loughborough College

  Ludlow College

  Manchester College of Arts and Technology

  Matthew Boulton College of Further and Higher Education

  Mid-Kent College

  Moulton College F,E,C

  Myerscough College

  New College Swindon

  New College Telford

  Newbury College

  Newcastle College

  Newham College

  Newham College of Further Education

  North Hertfordshire College

  North Trafford College of Further Education

  North Tyneside Adult Basic Education

  North Tyneside College Silverlink Business training

  North Warwickshire and Hinckley College

  North West Kent College of technology

  Northumberland College

  Norton Radstock College

  Oaklands College

  Otley College of Agriculture and Horticulture

  Pendleton College

  Preston College

  Queen Alexandra College

  Ridge Danyers College

  Salisbury College

  Shipley College

  Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology

  Shrewsbury Sixth Form College

  Solihull College

  South Birmingham College

  South East Derbyshire College

  South East Essex College of Arts and technology

  South Kent College

  South Leicestershire College

  South Trafford College

  South Tyneside College

  Southend Adult Community College

  Sparsholt College Hampshire

  St. Helens College

  St. John Rigby College

  Stephenson College

  1821W

  Stockport College of Further and Higher Education

  Sutton Coldfield College

  Swindon College

  Swindon College (Swindon 1)

  Tameside College

  Telford College of Arts and Technology

  Tendring Adult Community College

  Thanet College

  The Oldham College

  The Virtual College

  The Vocational College Ltd.

  Thurrock and Basildon College

  Tower Hamlets College

  University of Derby High Peak College

  Wakefield College

  Walford and North Shropshire College

  West Kent College

  West Nottinghamshire College

  Wigan and Leigh College

  Wiltshire College

  Wirral Metropolitan College

  Writtle College

  Skill-based Qualifications
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to develop flexible skill-based qualifications. [176004]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Creating an employment-led qualifications system for adults that responds quickly to changing skills needs is a key goal of the Government's Skills Strategy.

  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is working with the Learning and Skills Council, the Sector Skills Development Agency and partners in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to develop a fully operational credit-based system across all sectors.

  Overseas Students
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the annual number of overseas students coming to study in the UK after 2006. [176005]

  Alan Johnson
  My Department has no plans to estimate the number of overseas students who may come to the UK to study in the future.

  Deferred University Entry
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people applied for deferred entry to university in 2003–04. [176006]

  Alan Johnson
  Figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions (UCAS) show that 18,930, or 12 per cent., of 18-year-olds who obtained a place on a full-time undergraduate course in autumn 2003, chose to defer entry.

  Adult Education Spending
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what public funding has been spent on adult(a) literacy and (b) numeracy in Blackpool North and Fleetwood in each of the last five years. [176146]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The estimated total spend on "Skills For Life"—the Government's strategy for literacy, language and numeracy needs of all post-16 learners from pre-entry level up to and including level 2—and on Key Skills (essential skills of communication, application of number and information technology), from April 2001 to July 2003, in the Lancashire Learning and Skills Council (LSC) area is set out in the table as follows:

  £000

  Basic skills

  Key skills

  April 2001 to July 20011

  3,370

  1,270

  August 2001 to July 2002

  6,577

  1,857

  August 2002 to July 2003

  7,815

  1,948

  1The figures for April to July 2001 include costs incurred from August 2000 on learning aims continuing into April 2001.

  From the information available to the LSC it has not been feasible to obtain estimates at constituency level or separate figures by subject without incurring disproportionate cost. Likewise it has not been feasible to obtain comparable figures for periods before April 2001 when the Skills for Life strategy was launched and the LSC was formed, but information shows it was considerably less than at present.

  Adult Learning and Skills
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that young people and their families are being prepared through the 13 to 19 curriculum for the effects of demographic changes to the workforce over the coming decade and possible skills mismatches. [175845]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Government set out their strategy for the 14–19 phase of education in their policy document, 14–19: "Opportunity and Excellence". They have asked the Working Group on 14–19 Reform to recommend how there might be greater coherence in vocational learning programmes for all young people in their 14–19 education and on a unified framework of qualifications suitable for all learners. The Group's interim report was published in February and its final report is expected in the Autumn. The Government have already taken action to bring work related and vocational education into the mainstream of the secondary system to help address skills needs. Among other measures: work related learning will become a statutory requirement for all at KS4 from September 2004; qualifications such as the GCSEs in vocational subjects have been introduced to extend the curriculum offer; and programmes such as "Increased Flexibility for 14–16 Year Olds" and "Young Apprenticeships" will provide off-site placements and experience of work for students wanting more applied learning. The Skills Strategy, published in July 2003, set out an over-arching vision for equipping individuals and employers with the
  1823W
  skills they need in order to increase productivity, increase personal returns and close the skills gaps with our international competitors.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how his Department is(a) balancing the targeted social welfare agenda and the skills agenda and (b) taking into account (i) the OECD review of career development, (ii) the inquiry by the Education and Skills Select Committee into skills strategy and (iii) changing workforce demography; and if he will make a statement. [175848]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  In response to the hon. Member's first question, the Department is working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to balance the targeted social welfare agenda and the skills agenda.

  The Skills Strategy White Paper—"21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential", published July 2003— invited the National Employer Panel to look at this specific issue. The Panel reported in February 2004 with a number of recommendations. We are taking these forward these recommendations working with DWP, the LSC and Jobcentre Plus. Building on this report, in the Budget, the Chancellor announced a New Deal for Skills. This will focus on the low skilled who are on benefits— both active and inactive—and help them acquire the skills they need for sustained employment.

  In response to his second question, the Education and Skills Select Committee started its inquiry into skills in January focusing initially on 14 to 19 agenda; it is currently on-going and is due to continue after the summer recess. We await the conclusions of the Committee's work with interest.

  The OECD report, "Career Guidance and Public Policy: Bridging the Gap" (published March 2004), highlighted some positive activity in the UK in relation to career guidance and good practice. We recognise that services such as the Connexions Service for young people, the work of Jobcentre Plus and the reform of IAG services for adults must take account of the demographic changes in the UK. I recognise that the demographic changes show that there will be an older workforce, and we must look to the integration of the skills and welfare agenda to both re-skill and up-skill older workers, and to support and encourage those people on benefits into work with appropriate training. That is why the New Deal for Skills agenda is so important.

  Adult Skills
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the number of economically inactive adults without a level 2 qualification; and if he will make a statement. [174368]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 25 May 2004]According to the quarterly Labour Force Survey, in winter 2003/04 there were 2,862,000 economically inactive adults lacking a level 2 qualification (49.2 per cent. of an inactive population of 5,822,000).

  As we said in our Skills Strategy White Paper, "21st Century Skills", we will create a new guarantee of free tuition for any adult without a good foundation of employability skills to get the training they need to
  1824W
  achieve such a qualification at level 2. We intend that it will apply to those in the workforce or of working age—including the economically inactive who are seeking those employability skills—who do not already have a full level 2 qualification, and who commit to trying to achieve one. The entitlement will be trialled in two regions—the North East and the South East—from September 2004. Subject to experience in the first year, we will roll out the entitlement nationally from September 2005.

  In the 2004 Budget the Chancellor announced a New Deal for Skills. This will focus on people with significant skills needs who are on benefits—both active and inactive—and help them acquire the skills they need for sustained employment.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the number of economically inactive adults with a level 3 qualification; and if he will make a statement. [174369]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 25 May 2004]According to the quarterly Labour Force Survey, in Winter 2003/04 there were 1,903,000 economically inactive adults with a level 3 qualification (or higher), representing 32.7 per cent. of an inactive population of 5,822,000.

  We want to increase the number of people with level 3 qualifications that will enhance their employability. Working through Regional Skills Partnerships and Sector Skills Councils, priority skills needs will be identified so that learning undertaken at level 3 has greater impact for both individuals and employers as regional and sector skills priorities are addressed.

  In the 2004 Budget the Chancellor announced a New Deal for Skills. This will focus on people with significant skills needs who are on benefits—both active and inactive—and help them acquire the skills they need for sustained employment.

  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to maintain adult skills provision at(a) basic, (b) level 2 and (c) level 3 in the Worthing area. [175449]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Government outlined their commitment to improving adult skills in "21st Century Skills" published in July 2003 and has set challenging PSA targets for skills improvement in basic skills and at level 2.

  Sussex Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for planning and funding adult skills provision in Worthing through the main further education college, Northbrook College, and other learning providers including Worthing College and West Sussex Adult Education Service. Northbrook College, in its three-year development plan, outlined plans to maintain learner numbers at entry level, level 1 and level 3, with an increase in learners at level 2.

  Sussex LSC is working closely with local providers and partners, in order to ensure that the strategic area review delivers an improvement in the provision and that the needs of individuals and employers are being met effectively. Sussex LSC is also involved in the

  1825W
  national pilot for level 2 entitlement to deliver free provision and financial support to adults without level 2 qualifications.

  In addition, Sussex LSC has established a Skills for Life Development Centre, in partnership with the South East England Development Agency to increase demand for, and improve, basic skills provision.

  Asbestos
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2004,Official Report, column 1715W, on asbestos, what monitoring procedures are in place to ensure schools have identified and recorded the position of asbestos; and what information his Department collects centrally on the implementation of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations. [175930]

  Mr. Miliband
  Responsibility for monitoring asbestos under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 rests with the owners of school premises. In the case of community schools, community special schools, voluntary controlled schools, maintained nursery schools and pupil referral units, this is the local education authority. With voluntary aided and foundation schools, it is the governing body. Any monitoring procedures in place would be co-ordinated by the local education authority.

  The Department does not collect information centrally on the implementation of these Regulations.

  Building Schools for the Future Initiative
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Government's commitment, including private finance initiative credits, is for each successful wave one bid in the Building Schools for the Future initiative for each relevant fiscal year. [176257]

  Mr. Miliband
  I refer the hon. Member to response I have given him on 17 May 2004,Official Report, column 710W.

  Bureaucracy
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) consultation documents, (b) regulations, (c) revised and corrected regulations, (d) guidance notes. (e) requests for statistical information and (f) letters from Ministers have been sent to (i) schools and (ii) local education authorities by his Department in each year from 1997–98 to 2003–04; what the cost to the Department was in each case; and how many required a response from (A) a local education authority, (B) a school and (C) a member of staff. [175918]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 25 May 2004]: We strictly monitor and gate-keep the information that we automatically send to schools. However, we do not have the information segmented in the way requested.

  The academic year 2002/03 saw a 50 per cent. reduction on the number of documents sent to all schools compared with the previous 2001/02 year. We will be reporting on the current academic year shortly.
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  Going forward, we have successfully piloted an on-line ordering system that will enable schools to choose what information they want from the Department and when. This will put schools in control of what they receive.

  Careers Advice
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that 13 to 19-year-olds in schools, colleges and in the workplace have access to impartial career advice and guidance which is informed by the changing labour markets. [175853]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Every 13 to 19-year-old in England has access to impartial careers advice from their local Connexions Partnership or, on-line, from Connexions Direct. Connexions Partnerships liaise with local employers and conduct labour market studies in order to help young people reach career decisions based on sound information about local and national labour market trends. Connexions also makes available national careers information products, which are developed in close collaboration with Sector Skills Councils to ensure they reflect employment trends and changing occupational requirements.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who has been invited to serve on the end to end review of careers education and guidance in England; and what the timetable is [175851]

  Margaret Hodge
  The review team is made up of officials from the Department. The team has consulted a wide range of individuals and organisations. In total around 350 people will have been consulted by the end of May, including staff and students at several schools and colleges, young people taking part in a Connexions Direct user survey, a spread of Connexions Partnerships and representatives from the following organisations: Aim Higher; Association of Colleges; Association of Learning Providers; Careers England; CBI; CfBT; Construction Industry Training Board; Disability Rights Commission; Equal Opportunities Commission; e-skills UK; Go Skills; Government Offices; Guidance Council; Guidance Enterprises Group; HM Treasury; Institute of Careers Guidance; Learning and Skills Council; Local Government Association; National Association for Gifted and Talented Youth; National Association of Careers and Guidance Teachers; National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations; National Institute for Careers Education and Counselling; National Union of Teachers; Ofsted; Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; Secondary Heads Association; Sector Skills Development Agency; Selly Oak Hospital; Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities; skillsformedia; Universities for the North East; University of Northumbria I expect the review to conclude at the end of June.

  Charles Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the future of the private sector in providing careers guidance for young people. [172675]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department values the contribution made by the private sector in providing careers guidance for young people. However, it is the responsibility of Connexions Partnerships to decide on the most appropriate way to deliver services for young
  1827W
  people in their area. Connexions Partnerships are currently considering the most cost-effective means of delivering the service, and in some cases this may involve a change of structure. This does not necessarily mean that the position on sub-contracting to private providers changes. We have found an increasing number of areas are moving to a "lead body" model leaving private sector careers contracts in place.

  Care Workers (Hygiene Training)
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many care workers working in private sector care homes were trained in basic hygiene through Learning and Skills Council funding in the last year for which figures are available. [175990]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The information cannot be supplied in the time available. I shall write to my hon. Friend with the answer, in due course and place a copy of my letter in the House Library.

  Child Care (Hull)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care places have been created in Hull, North since 1997. [174791]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 24 May 2004]The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Hull, North. However, from April 1999 to March 2004 Kingston upon Hull local authority created 5,221 new child care places helping some 9,267 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 3,909 helping some 6,938 children.

  Connexions
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the level and impact of reductions in the 2004–05 Connexions budget upon each of the Connexions partnerships; what criteria were used in forming the decision to make the reductions; and if he will make a statement. [175850]

  Margaret Hodge
  It is too soon to assess the precise consequences of the reduction in VAT transitional funding for Connexions Partnerships but early

  UK domiciled, full-time first degree graduates with known first destination

  Year of graduation

  Activity1

  1997/98

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  2001/02

  Numbers

  Entering employment in the UK

  115,200

  116,290

  112,250

  114,905

  114,165

  Entering employment overseas

  4,340

  4,430

  4,620

  4,450

  3,875

  Further study/training

  32,720

  33,860

  32,700

  32,470

  33,000

  Not available

  8,260

  9,820

  10,220

  11,365

  11,040

  Seeking employment

  12,150

  11,805

  10,970

  13,225

  14,295

  Total of known first destination

  172,660

  176,205

  170,750

  176,415

  176,390

  Percentages

  Entering employment in the UK

  67

  66

  66

  65

  65

  Entering employment overseas

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  Further study/training

  19

  19

  19

  18

  19

  Not available

  5

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Seeking employment

  7

  7

  6

  7

  8

  Total of known first destination

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1Based on the destinations of graduates six months after graduation.

  Note:

  Totals may not sum due to founding.

  Source:

  HESA

  1828W
  indications are that the impact on the delivery of services to young people will be minimal. The key criterion used in forming this decision was to minimise any adverse impact on the front line services to young people.

  Departmental Efficiency
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is for(a) increasing the productivity and (b) cutting the costs of (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. [172191]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 10 May 2004,Official Report, columns 148–49W.

  Education Statistics (London)
  Sarah Teather
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils there were in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Brent in each year since 1997. [172808]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  A table giving the requested pupil information for all Parliamentary Constituencies have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Further details on the 2004 provisional figures by local education authority can be found on http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsaatewav/DB/SFR/s000457/index.shtml

  Graduates
  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the first destination of first degree graduates was in each year since 1997; and how many and what percentage(a) found employment in the UK, (b) found employment overseas, (c) are undertaking further study, (d) are not available for employment, study or training and (e) are assumed to be unemployed. [173087]

  Alan Johnson
  The latest available information is taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) First Destination Supplement and is given in the table. Figures for 2002/03 graduates will be published in August 2004.

  Headquarters Staff
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [168684]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Available information is set out in the following table.

  Number

  Cost (£)

  GICs staff excluding press officers

  1994–95

  50

  —

  1996–97

  50

  —

  1997–98

  43

  —

  2001–02

  39

  1,004,255

  GICs press officers

  1994–95

  20.5

  —

  1996–97

  19

  —

  1997–98

  20.5

  —

  2001–02

  23

  1,265,626

  There are no press officers from outside the Government Information and Communications Service (GICs). Figures on the number of other non-GICs communications staff and financial data prior to 2001–02 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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

  Healthy Eating Schemes
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what(a) advice and (b) guidance he has issued to local education authorities regarding their implementation of healthy eating schemes. [176317]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  In April 2001 the Department introduced minimum nutritional standards for school lunches that prescribe the types of food to be available and the frequency of their availability.

  To assist with the implementation of the standards, the Department has produced complementary guidance for schools and local education authorities entitled "Healthy School Lunches". The guidance provides examples of good catering practice and suggestions to encourage healthy eating.

  Level 2 Qualifications
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults in work were 1830W
  studying for their second level 2 qualification in each year since 2001. [175985]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 26 May 2004]: Data on the number of adults studying for their second level 2 qualification are not available.

  Part-time Students
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 16 to 19-year-olds were studying part-time in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. [175984]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 26 May 2004]: The numbers of 16 to 18-year-olds participating in part-time education in England for end 2001 and end 2002 (the latest available provisional estimates) are shown in the table. The data shown in the table are snapshot information as at the end of the calendar years.

  Number of part-time students1

  End 2001

  114,600

  End 20022

  108,000

  1 This comprises of those participating in part-time education as part of Government supported work based learning (WBL), employer funded training (EFT) and other education and training (OET).

  2 Provisional.

  Pre-schools
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many registered pre-schools there are in the UK. [173412]

  Margaret Hodge
  My Department estimates that there were 10,100 pre-schools or playgroups in England in January 2003.

  Information on early years education in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the Education Department of the Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and the Department for Education for Northern Ireland respectively.

  Provisional national estimates for January 2004 on provision for children under five in England will be published on 27 May in a Statistical Release "Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2004", a copy of which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many press officers were employed in his Department in each year from 1990–91 to 2003–04; what the total cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [162856]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The table as follows sets out number of press officers employed in the Department for Education and Skills and its predecessors. We are unable to provide information on the number of press officers employed by the Department from 1990–91 to 1995–96 without incurring disproportionate cost. Information for 1996–97 to 1998–99 is available from appendix 10 of the Sixth Report from the Select Committee on Public
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  Administration, entitled Government Information and Communication Service, published on 29 July 1998 (www.publications.parliament.uk).

  Number of Press Officers

  Actual salaries spend (£)

  1999–2000

  28

  1,110,589

  2000–01

  28

  1,246,588

  2001–02

  23

  1,265,626

  2002–03

  23

  1,192,645

  2003–04

  18

  1,352,041

  School Choice
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many of the national cohort of students were admitted to their first choice secondary school in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by local education authority. [174864]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  School Meals (Stroud)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children received free school meals in the constituency of Stroud in each year since 1997 for which figures are available. [174835]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Tables giving requested free school meals information for all parliamentary constituencies have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Further details on the 2004 provisional figures on free school meals by local education authority can be found on http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000457/index.shtml.

  Schools (Capital Investment)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 May 2004,Official Report, column 710W, on schools (capital investment), whether all wave one plans will need to include provision for a city academy prior to approval by the Department. [175234]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 24 May 2004]: Academies—and new or reformed schools including academy features—should form a key part of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) plans, whether the replacement or improvement of failing or weaker schools, or the creation of new schools. The Government expect local projects to provide a proper evaluation of academy options; such reform is critical to demonstrate the expected impact on educational standards of large-scale capital investment. We also encourage local education authorities to engage directly with potential academy sponsors as part of the BSF preparation and evaluation.

  Schools (Computers)
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much public funding has been spent on computers for schools in Blackpool North and Fleetwood in each of the last seven years. [176202]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My Department does not collect information on school spend on computers at constituency level. However, Blackpool North and Fleetwood is in Blackpool LEA and in the last seven years schools in Blackpool have benefited from the following funding through the Standards Fund grant for ICT (including match funding from the LEA):

  Allocation to Blackpool LEA (£)

  1998–99

  233,891

  1999–2000

  376,443

  2000–01

  471,538

  2001–02

  531,056

  2002–03

  750,176

  2003–04

  774,460

  2004–05

  1,021,894

  Special Educational Needs
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 May 2004,Official Report, column 712W, on special educational needs, what steps he is taking to ensure that teachers who qualified more than five years ago have appropriate training to identify and to respond to the special needs of children in school settings. [174880]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 21 May 2004]: All teachers, irrespective of when they qualified, are expected to identify their developmental needs through performance management arrangements, and to address identified needs, including improving their teaching skills in the area of special educational needs, by undertaking appropriate professional development.

  SEN training needs can be identified by using the `National SEN Specialist Standards' published by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) in December 1999, which covers the key outcomes, the professional knowledge and understanding, and skills and attributes required, and the key areas of their role and responsibilities. The TTA have also produced a related CD-ROM, 'Identifying your Training Needs for Teaching Pupils with SEN', released in February 2002.

  All schools receive a School Development Grant which they are able to use to support improvements in any aspect of teaching and learning. Local authorities may retain a proportion of this grant, under certain conditions, to provide specific training and development for SEN.

  How far a school provides for pupils with SEN will be assessed as part of the usual school inspection arrangements made by the Office for Standards in Education.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on his policy on the inclusion of pupils with special needs in mainstream schools. [175997]
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  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We are firmly committed to the principle of inclusion and an increasing proportion of children with special educational needs attend mainstream schools. Special schools will continue to have an important role in meeting need both in their own right and in partnership with local mainstream schools.

  Work Permits
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what(a) representations he has received and (b) discussions he has had with representatives from the governments of (i) India, (ii) Jamaica, (iii) China, (iv) Russia, (v) South Africa and (vi) Zimbabwe about the issuing of work permits to workers from those countries to work in the UK education sector; and if he will make a statement. [175718]

  Mr. Miliband
  I have neither received any representations from, nor had any discussions with, these Governments in connection with work permits.

HEALTH

  Care Homes
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 13 May 2004,Official Report, columns 576–77W, on care homes, how many care homes were closed in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04, due to an anonymous complaint; and if he will make a statement. [175174]

  Dr. Ladyman
  I understand from the chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) that the information requested is not collected in the form requested. Care homes may close for a number of reasons, including as a result of enforcement action by CSCI or by the provider voluntarily deregistering the service. Complaints may only be one of a number of circumstances which lead to a home closing. It would not therefore be possible or accurate to ascribe reasons for home closure directly to complaints.

  Drug Labelling
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made since the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin report of 2001 to ensure that all new drugs are labelled with a black triangle warning. [174476]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The black triangle scheme is intended to facilitate the intensive monitoring of new medicines for which there is relatively limited safety data available. A black triangle symbol is used in the product information to identify the medicines for which the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) request health professionals to report all suspected adverse reactions rather than serious reactions alone. This is a voluntary scheme and, while 1834W
  use of the symbol is not a legal requirement, it is expected that marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) will use the black triangle symbol where requested to do so by the MHRA.

  Following the publication of a survey in Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin in 2001 entitled, "Failings in treatment advice, SPCs and black triangles", the MHRA formally reviewed the use of the black triangle symbol on product information. Companies were requested to submit summaries of product characteristics (SPCs) and promotional material for their products under intensive monitoring and it was subsequently found that approximately 9 per cent. did not display the symbol on their material. Importantly, the review found that all black triangle products had the symbol routinely displayed in the British National Formulary (BNF) and the monthly index of medical specialities (MIMS). These publications are widely used by health professionals when prescribing medicines. This was due to active liaison between the MHRA and MIMS and the BNF. During the review, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry was also contacted and undertook to inform new companies of the scheme.

  As a routine measure, the advertising unit at the MHRA reviews advertisements for new products in a selection of key published journals, and the assessment includes checking to see if the black triangle symbol is displayed. In accordance with published criteria, the unit may also ask a company to submit all promotional material to the MHRA for pre-vetting. Any omission of the black triangle symbol is brought to the immediate attention of the company, who would be asked to resubmit an amended advertisement. In general, companies are found to comply with the scheme for incorporating the black triangle symbol on their promotional material.

  Elderly Care Services
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of recipients of intermediate care services had mental health problems in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [175924]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Health Food Industry
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Minister of Health responsible for consumer affairs declined the request of the Health Food Manufacturers' Association to meet to discuss issues facing the industry. [165490]

  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to meet representatives of the food supplements industry to discuss progress with the Food Supplements Directive; [171988]

  (2) what plans he has to meet Commissioner Byrne to discuss the Food Supplements Directive. [171989]

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent discussions he has held on the impact of the European Food Supplements Directive on the food supplements industry; and what the results of the discussions were; [170580]
  1835W
  (2) what plans he has to meet (a) Commissioner Byrne and (b) food supplements industry representatives to discuss the impact of the Food Supplements Directive on the food supplements industry. [170581]

  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet representatives of natural health food companies to discuss the Food Supplements Directive. [168456]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he or the Minister for his Department will meet representatives of the health food industry on matters relating to the proposed EU Directive on vitamin and mineral supplements. [165466]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements came into force on 12 July 2002. The Food Supplements Regulations England 2003, which implement the Directive in England, were laid before Parliament in June 2003 and the provisions are set to come into force on 1 August 2005. There is parallel legislation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  In October 2003, I had a useful meeting with representatives of the health food industry to discuss their concerns over the potential impact of the Directive, particularly relating to the submission of safety dossiers to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and to the future setting of European maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements.

  Since then there has been a constructive meeting, facilitated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), between industry representatives and representatives of the EFSA to discuss safety dossiers.

  In addition, I recently set out the Government's views on the setting of maximum limits to Commissioner David Byrne. The EFSA is continuing work on safe upper limits for intakes of vitamins and minerals begun by the Scientific Committee on Food. It is not expected to complete this work until Summer 2005 at the earliest. The Commission will not publish a proposal on European Union maximum limits until this work is complete. Commissioner Byrne and I agreed to talk again when the EFSA's advice has been published and, if appropriate, meet. In the meantime, officials continue to press the case for safety based maximum limits in all the relevant European forums. They are keeping in close contact with the Commission officials, who will in due course draft the proposal on EU maximum limits. I have asked for progress reports.

  I am willing to meet food supplement industry representatives again. However, I have suggested to them that, before such a meeting takes place, it would be useful for industry technical advisors to meet FSA officials to discuss detailed technical issues relating to dossiers and then for the industry to gain experience of submitting such dossiers to the EFSA.

  Home Care (Charges)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) monitoring, (b) evaluation and (c) review of the new system of charges for home care he is carrying out. [173950]

  Dr. Ladyman
  We plan in due course to monitor and evaluate the impact of the guidance on "Fairer Charging Policies for Home Care"

  Mental Health
  Mr. Heald
  To ask if the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England have(a) died and (b) been injured by hanging themselves from a ligature point in the suspended ceiling of an acute mental health unit between 1 September 2001 and 18 March 2004. [173481]

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

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask The Secretary of State for Health when he will bring forward proposals setting out a timetable for pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft mental health bill. [175317]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A revised and completed Mental Health Bill will be brought forward for pre-legislative scrutiny in this session.

  Ministerial Visits
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by(a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost. [171567]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Between December 2003 and April 2004 departmental Ministers have undertaken 81 visits. The Department does not have information on constituencies visited or the cost of visits individually.

  National Service Framework for Older People
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions will be taken against strategic health authorities that have not achieved the milestones in the national service framework for older people. [175537]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Planning for and implementing the majority of the milestones in the national service framework for older people is the direct responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs). Information is not collected centrally on progress with these. The milestones on intermediate care, stroke services, falls services and services for older adults with mental health problems, set out in the 2003–06 priorities and planning framework, are reflected in SHAs' local delivery plans (LDPs). The Department performance manages SHA service delivery against the range of agreed LDP targets through its quarterly monitoring process.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how he plans to measure the impact of the proposals in "Options for Change" for increasing the number of NHS dental registrations; and if he will make a statement; [174452]

  (2) how progress on "Options for Change" will be monitored; and if he will make a statement. [174453]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The base contract and permanent personal dental services (PDS) contract will require a new national health service dentistry activity return, which is currently under development. This will provide information on patient numbers and dental activity under the new arrangements and will enable comparisons with previous trends.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from Mr. Geoffrey Morgan of Milford-on-Sea regarding NHS dentistry of 26 February. [174630]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A reply was sent to Mr. Morgan on 5 April 2004.

  Primary Health Care
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary health care staff work in the Coventry area. [176250]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  General medical practitioners1, practice staff1 employed by unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)3, and national health service hospital and community health services: primary healthcare nursing for Coventry Primary Care Trust (headcount).

  Number

  General medical practitioners1

  183

  Practice staff2

  611

  of which:

  Practice nurses

  132

  HCHS primary healthcare nursing

  492

  of which:

  Health visitors

  71

  District nurses

  43

  Community psychiatry nurses

  84

  Community learning disabilities nurses

  35

  Other community services nurses4

  259

  Total

  1,286

  Notes:

  1 All practitioners include UPEs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (para 52 SFA), PMS other, GP retainers, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.

  2 Practice staff includes practice nurses. direct patient care, admin and clerical and other.

  3 UPEs include QMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.

  4 Other community services nurses are nurses working in community services other than health visitors and district nurses.

  Sources:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times a year the Board of the National Patient Safety Agency is scheduled to meet; and when it last met. [175346]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The board of the National Patient Safety Agency is scheduled to meet in public every two months. The last meeting took place on 12 May 2004.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 30 April 2004,Official Report, column 1354W, if he will list those bodies which are still in existence. [174534]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The following departmental task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews are still in existence:

  Adoption and permanence task force is now sponsored by the Department for Education and Skills.

  Cancer task force.

  Children's task force.

  Coronary heart disease task force.

  Mental health task force.

  National health service modernisation board.

  The scientific committee on tobacco and health/advisory committee on the misuse of drugs working group on cannabis and tobacco smoking.

  National users panel of the community equipment services external reference group.

  Interagency working group to develop a memorandum of understanding between the Department, the Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

  NHS information technology task force.

  Patient environment steering group.

  Practice learning task force.

  Work force task force.

  Advisory committee for topic selection.

  Advisory group for genetics research.

  "Agenda for Change" central negotiating group.

  Children's national service framework strategy group.

  Expert group on mental health in prisons.

  Implementation board for modernising NHS hospital medicines manufacturing.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often the British Pharmacopoeia Commission is scheduled to convene; and on what date it last met. [175339]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The British Pharmacopoeia Commission is scheduled to meet four times per year. The date of its last meeting was 15 March 2004.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of his Department's public service agreement targets for(a) 2000 and (b) 2002 have been superseded. [175311]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  It is too early to say what the 2004 public service agreement targets will be. The next set of targets are due to be announced by the Government in the summer.

  Stroke
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffered a stroke in the last year in(a) Rugby and Kenilworth and (b) England. [174961]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Primary diagnosis (ICD-10 160–169) cerebrovascular diseases. Count of finished admission episodes for selected primary care trusts (PCTs) of residence and England national health service hospitals, 2002–03

  Primary diagnosis code

  Description

  North Warwickshire PCT

  Rugby PCT

  England

  160

  Subarachnoid haemorrhage

  20

  14

  161

  Intracerebral haemorrhage

  20

  17

  162

  Other nontraumatic intracranial haemorrhage

  23

  *

  163

  Cerebral infarction

  63

  71

  164

  Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction

  159

  34

  165

  Occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries, not resulting in cerebral infarction

  *

  8

  166

  Occlusion and stenosis of cerebral arteries, not resulting in cerebral infarction

  *

  —

  167

  Other cerebrovascular diseases

  16

  *

  168

  Cerebrovascular disorders in diseases classified elsewhere

  —

  —

  169

  Sequelae of cerebrovascular disease

  —

  —

  160–169

  Cerebrovascular Diseases

  317

  156

  1

  Notes:

  Finished admission episodes

  A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care 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 Episodes 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).

  Low numbers

  Due to reasons of confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 at PCT level have been suppressed and replaced with *(an asterisk).

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

DEFENCE

  Chagos Islands
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether(a) Royal Military Police and (b) members of the Adjutant-General's Corps (Military Provost Staff) have been deployed on (i) Diego Garcia and (ii) other Chagos Islands since October 2001. [175481]
  1840W
  Mr. Hoon
  There is one established Royal Military Police post within the Chagos Archipelagos on Diego Garcia. No members of the Adjutant General's Corps (Military Provost Staff) are deployed there.

  Defence Medical Services
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the Defence Medical Services was in(a) 1997, (b) 2000 and (c) 2003, broken down by (i) service, (ii) rank, (iii) specialisation and (iv) establishment. [169995]

  Mr. Caplin
  The strength of the Defence Medical Services by Service and specialism for each of the three years is broken down as follows. Figures for the Royal Navy and the RAF were provided by the respective Medical Director's General, and the information for the Army was provided by DASA (Army).

  Royal Navy

  October

  Category

  1997

  2000

  2003

  Medical Officers

  247

  205

  230

  Nurses:

  —

  —

  —

  Officer

  48

  67

  87

  Other Ranks

  196

  197

  301

  Medical Support Officers

  51

  53

  48

  Medical Technicians (including ODPs):

  Officers

  0

  1

  8

  Other Ranks

  96

  97

  80

  Medical

  607

  678

  594

  Assistants/Combat Medical Technicians (other ranks)

  —

  —

  —

  Dental Officers

  67

  55

  68

  Dental Support Services:

  Officers

  0

  0

  0

  Other Ranks

  104

  102

  114

  Total

  1416

  1455

  1530

  Army

  October

  Category

  1997

  2000

  2003

  Other Officers (including Medical Officers and Medical Support Officers) (See note)

  600

  600

  730

  Nurses:

  Officer

  250

  280

  290

  Other Ranks

  420

  440

  600

  Medical Technicians (including ODPs)

  280

  260

  260

  Combat Medical Technicians (other ranks)

  1430

  1460

  1630

  Dental Officers

  150

  150

  160

  Dental Support Services (Officers and other ranks)

  210

  230

  260

  Total

  3340

  3420

  3930

  Royal Air Force

  October

  Category

  1997

  2000

  2003

  Medical Officers

  239

  187

  185

  Nurses:

  Officer

  102

  112

  118

  Other Ranks

  192

  215

  346

  Medical Support Officers

  31

  45

  76

  Medical Technicians (including ODPs):

  Officers

  22

  15

  13

  Other Ranks

  125

  107

  127

  Medical Assistants/Combat Medical Technicians (other ranks)

  521

  600

  768

  Dental Officers

  87

  72

  74

  1841W

  Royal Air Force

  October

  Category

  1997

  2000

  2003

  Dental Support Services:

  Officers

  0

  0

  3

  Other Ranks

  218

  209

  210

  Total

  1537

  1562

  1920

  Notes:

  1. Figures shown are broken down between officers and other ranks.

  2. Historical data on the location of personnel is not held centrally, and would be available only at disproportionate cost.

  3. The Army manpower data is rounded to the nearest 10. Available figures for 1997 are not broken down between Medical Officers and Medical Support Officers.

  4. All figures include both trained and untrained personnel.

  Departmental Executive Agencies
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's(a) executive agencies, (b) trading funds and (c) executive non-departmental public bodies for financial years (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05. [172122]

  Mr. Caplin
  In financial year 2003–04, the Ministry of Defence had the following defence agencies, trading funds and executive non-departmental public bodies:

  (a) Defence agencies:

  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency

  Army Personnel Centre

  Army Training and Recruiting Agency

  British Forces Post Office

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  Defence Bills Agency

  Defence Communication Services Agency

  Defence Dental Agency

  Defence Estates

  Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency

  Defence Housing Executive

  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre

  Defence Medical Education and Training Agency

  Defence Procurement Agency

  Defence Storage and Distribution Agency

  Defence Transport and Movements Agency

  Defence Vetting Agency

  Disposal Services Agency

  Duke of York's Royal Military School

  Medical Supplies Agency

  Ministry of Defence Police

  Naval Manning Agency

  Naval Recruiting and Training Agency

  Pay and Personnel Agency

  Queen Victoria School

  RAF Personnel Management Agency

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency

  Service Children's Education

  Veterans Agency

  Warship Support Agency

  (b) Trading Fund agencies:

  ABRO

  Defence Aviation and Repair Agency

  1842W

  Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

  Met Office

  United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

  (c) Executive non-departmental public bodies:

  Fleet Air Arm Museum

  National Army Museum

  Oil and Pipelines Agency

  RAF Museum

  Royal Marines Museum

  Royal Navy Submarine Museum

  Royal Naval Museum

  In financial year 2004–05, the Ministry of Defence trading fund and executive non-departmental public bodies remain the same. There has however been a reduction of four in the number of defence agencies. The three single service personnel agencies ceased to have agency status from 1 April 2004, as set out in my written statement of 17 March 2004, Official Report, column 24WS. The Defence Housing Executive merged with Defence Estates as set out in my written statement of 30 March 2004, Official Report, columns 88–89WS. In addition, the Ministry of Defence Police has been renamed the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency after taking on the Ministry of Defence Guard Service.

  The revised list of defence agencies for 2004–05 is shown as follows.

  (a) Defence agencies

  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency

  Army Training and Recruiting Agency

  British Forces Post Office

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  Defence Bills Agency

  Defence Communication Services Agency

  Defence Dental Agency

  Defence Estates

  Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency

  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre

  Defence Medical Education and Training Agency

  Defence Procurement Agency

  Defence Storage and Distribution Agency

  Defence Transport and Movements Agency

  Defence Vetting Agency

  Disposal Services Agency

  Duke of York's Royal Military School

  Medical Supplies Agency

  Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency

  Naval Recruiting and Training Agency

  Pay and Personnel Agency

  Queen Victoria School

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency

  Service Children's Education

  Veterans Agency

  Warship Support Agency.

  International Committee of the Red Cross
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what(a) instruction and (b) guidance his (i) officials and (ii) Ministers were following prior to the decision

  1843W
  not to make the February International Committee of the Red Cross report available to him as soon as it became available to his Department; [173571]

  (2) what (a) written and (b) oral briefing was provided by officials in his Department to inform (i) him and (ii) his Ministers of the contents of the International Committee of the Red Cross report and actions taken (A) as a result of officials having read the report and (B) prior to the full report being made available to him. [173576]

  Mr. Hoon
  Ministers were made aware of those issues in the ICRC interim report relating to United Kingdom armed forces five months before they were made aware of the report. Ministers subsequently received an explanation of the handling of the full report over the weekend of 8–9 May 2004. The sequence of events is set out in my reply today to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames).

  Land Releases (Hampshire)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2004,Official Report, column 662W on land releases (Hampshire), if he will make a statement on the consultation process that will follow announcements about land disposals. [170468]

  Mr. Caplin
  In Hampshire, as elsewhere, as soon as an opportunity to rationalise the estate emerges, we begin the consultation process with all concerned, including staff and local authorities, to inform identification of options (including alternative defence uses) and to ensure that all relevant factors, including sustainability issues, are taken into account when decisions are made.

  In recognition of the high concentration of defence sites in the County, Defence Estates hold twice-yearly liaison meetings involving all the local authorities in Hampshire to discuss all relevant issues. The last meeting was on 18 March 2004.

  In the case of disposals, it is our usual policy to work within the planning process led by local authorities. In addition all disposal sites are now put on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Assets, operated by English Partnerships, for 40 working days. Former owner and pre-emption rights are, of course, taken into account where appropriate. Sites are usually sold on the open market with the benefit of planning permission, and this will involve discussion with local planning authorities in regard to local or unitary plans, alternative uses that might be permitted and the views of the community. Listed and environmentally sensitive sites are dealt with under specific guidelines.

  Missile Defence
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has(a) made to and (b) received from the United States on the UK's participation in the development of missile defence in the past six months; and if he will make a statement on British participation. [176373]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have neither made representations to, nor received any from, the United States on the subject of the United Kingdom participation in US plans for 1844W
  Missile Defence in the last six months. Missile Defence issues have been discussed in contacts with the US Defence Secretary and others. Officials also keep in close touch with the US Administration to monitor developments. On 5 February 2003, the Government announced that it had agreed to a US request for the upgrade of RAF Fylingdales to enable for missile defence purposes.

  Iraq
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of Coalition forces in Iraq abusing(a) women and (b) children; and if he will make a statement. [172940]

  Mr. Hoon
  Amnesty International's report of 11 May contains an allegation regarding United Kingdom armed forces over the death of an Iraqi child. I am also aware of another allegation recently raised in a letter from Amnesty International, involving a 16-year-old Iraqi boy. The Royal Military Police had already initiated investigations into both these cases, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

  A report from Women Against Rape received on 17 May 2004 by the Ministry of Defence contains non-specific allegations and photographs of alleged rapes. The photographs have been scrutinised by the Royal Military Police and it has been confirmed that no UK armed forces personnel were involved.

  I cannot comment on allegations relating to Coalition partners.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions over the last 12 months the Secretary of State has seen reports by Amnesty International relating to the treatment by the Coalition forces of prisoners of war and other matters in Iraq. [173400]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: The Ministry of Defence receives a number of communications from Amnesty International, including letters from different officers and officials, letters received as a result of AI campaigns and reports. Some are dealt with by officials, others by Ministers.

  Following a range of correspondence to the Ministry of Defence from Amnesty I wrote to Director Amnesty International United Kingdom on 24 July 2003. I received details of eight incidents relating to UK forces in a letter on 16 April. On 10 May I received a report entitled "Iraq—killings of civilians in Basra and Al-Amara" which included descriptions of the same incidents. I subsequently received a copy of Amnesty's 14 May letter to the Prime Minister which included descriptions of four further incidents.

  We take all allegations of wrongdoing against the UK armed forces very seriously. Some of the incidents raised by Amnesty have been identified and are subject to investigation; others require further research. The Minister of State for the Armed Forces has written to Amnesty saying that we will send to them a comprehensive response to the Amnesty reports, when this work is complete.
  1845W
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq was handed to the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ); on what date the report was passed from PJHQ to the Department, and to whom; and on what date the report was passed to him. [173402]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: The International Committee of the Red Cross's Report on the Treatment by the Coalition Forces of Prisoners of War and other Protected Persons by the Geneva Conventions in Iraq during Arrest, Internment and Interrogation, dated 10 February 2004, was formally passed to Ambassador Bremer and Lt. Gen. Sanchez on 26 February. An advance copy was passed by an official working for the Coalition Provisional Authority to the offices of Sir Jeremy Greenstock and the Senior British Military Representative in Iraq on 12 February. The latter passed a copy of the report to Headquarters Multi-National Division (South East) on 13 February and to the Permanent Joint Headquarters on 16 February, and posted a copy to the Ministry of Defence that arrived on 27 February. A copy of the report was sent to my office on 7 May.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the written reply to the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq was made by his Department; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [173404]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 14 May 2004]: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) did not mention any requirement for a formal response in presenting their report of February 2004.

  The report covered visits that had taken place between three and eleven months earlier and there were no specific cases for the United Kingdom that were new. A new report, specific to the UK, was expected at the time and it was decided to wait until this new report was received before formally responding to the ICRC.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to object for operational flying reasons to the erection of a wind turbine at Shipdham in Norfolk. [176125]

  Mr. Caplin
  We are aware of a wind farm proposal for two wind turbines at Shipdham, Norfolk. The Ministry of Defence has not objected to the development.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Agenda for Change
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards meeting staffing targets set out in Agenda for Change, with particular reference to(a) nurses and (b) health visitors. [173587]
  1846W
  Angela Smith
  Specific staffing targets are not part of Agenda for Change. Staffing is a matter for individual Health and Social Services Trusts taking into account factors such as service needs and available resources. However, the Department has a role in ensuring that sufficient suitably qualified staff are available to meet the needs of the service and to monitor workforce levels in Trusts. This will be done through workforce planning mechanisms, which provide an analysis of the current workforce and of current and future recruitment and retention issues. These encompass issues such as the number of staff required to meet service demands and address skill-mix options. These workforce plans will inform decisions on future student intake levels

  Benefit Recipients
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recipients of(a) sickness benefit, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) disability living allowance there were in Northern Ireland in the last three years for which figures are available. [168012]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.

  At 30 November

  Number of recipients

  Disability living allowance

  2001

  142,984

  2002

  148,025

  2003

  155,295

  Incapacity benefit

  2001

  70,905

  2002

  71,771

  2003

  71,974

  Sickness benefit was replaced by incapacity benefit in 1995 and unfortunately the figures requested are no longer available.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of people in Northern Ireland are in receipt of disability living allowance. [175859]

  Mr. Spellar
  As of February 2004 there where 159,911 people in receipt of disability living allowance. This equates to 9.4 per cent. of the population of Northern Ireland and 10.8 per cent. of the population who would be eligible to claim i.e. those under 65.

  Heart Transplants
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of waiting time between diagnosis and assessment of patients requiring heart transplant was in Northern Ireland in 2003. [176254]

  Angela Smith
  Four out of the seven patients who underwent initial review in Belfast, were listed for transplant and underwent residential assessment in the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Individually
  1847W
  the time between their review and assessment was two months, less than three months, five months and six months respectively.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to reduce the length of time between diagnosis and assessment of patients requiring heart transplants in Northern Ireland. [176255]

  Angela Smith
  Heart transplants are not performed in Northern Ireland. Local patients travel to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for this operation. The timing of a cardiac transplant assessment for Northern Ireland patients is dependent upon the patient's clinical need, as determined by the referring consultant cardiologist in consultation with the transplant team from the Freeman Hospital. Non-urgent referrals are normally seen in the transplant assessment outreach clinic in Belfast City Hospital, which is attended by a consultant transplant physician and transplant co-ordinator three or four times a year. Urgent referrals can be assessed in the Freeman Hospital within days, depending upon the patient's clinical need.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision is made for counselling of parents of children under 16 in Northern Ireland who are diagnosed as being in need of a heart transplant. [176256]

  Angela Smith
  Heart transplants for children under 16 are provided at two centres in the UK—the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Great Ormond Street hospital in London.

  Counselling, support and education are provided at these centres for all children assessed as requiring a heart transplant. These services, which are provided by an experienced multi-disciplinary team of professionals, are also available to parents and carers.

  Industrial Wage Rate
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average industrial wage in Northern Ireland is. [175919]

  Mr. Gardiner
  In all industries in Northern Ireland, average gross weekly earnings of all full-time adult employees was£404.50 at April 2003. The average gross weekly earnings by industry is as follows:

  Industry

  Average gross weekly pay (£)

  Agriculture, hunting and forestry

  273.60

  Mining and quarrying

  350.60

  Manufacturing

  374.30

  Electricity, gas and water supply

  596.30

  Construction

  372.00

  Wholesale and retail trade

  336.10

  Hotels and restaurants

  269.60

  Transport, storage and communication

  386.70

  Financial intermediation

  507.40

  Real estate, renting and business activities

  387.60

  Public administration and defence, compulsory social security

  451.60

  Education

  507.30

  Health and social work

  419.90

  Other community social and personal activities

  370.50

  All industries

  404.50

  Invest Northern Ireland
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average financial assistance offered by Invest Northern Ireland to(a) inward investors and (b) indigenous investors was per job created in each of the last five years. [159745]

  Mr. Gardiner
  Comprehensive and consistent information for job creation over time is not available for the full client company base of Invest Northern Ireland. Data on jobs promoted (expected to be created) is available for projects secured between 1998–99 and 2002–03 together with the financial assistance offered to promote those jobs.

  Previous evidence provided by IDB to the Northern Ireland Audit Office showed that approximately 70 per cent. of jobs promoted were created and a similar proportion of grant offered was actually paid.

  The information provided in the tables does not reflect all job promotions as a result of Invest NI activity, but is restricted to those generally larger indigenous businesses and inward investors for which historical information on job promotions is currently available. The focus of much of Invest NI's activity is on capability building as opposed to capacity building with the aim of strengthening business competitiveness in Northern Ireland, which in turn will lead to an increase of wealth in the economy.

  Jobs promoted by inward investors

  Financial year

  Jobs promoted

  Assistance offered for job promotions (£)

  Cost per job promoted (£)

  1998–99

  4,162

  29,261,639

  7,031

  1999–2000

  6,584

  65,086,586

  9,886

  2000–01

  5,506

  40,305,849

  7,320

  2001–02

  2,526

  28,582,770

  11,315

  2002–03

  1,033

  8,873,866

  8,590

  Grand total

  19,811

  172,110,711

  8,688

  Jobs promoted by indigenous investors

  Financial year

  Jobs promoted

  Assistance offered for job promotions (£)

  Cost per job promoted (£)

  1998–9

  1,272

  15,766,331

  12,395

  1999–2000

  561

  4,061,287

  7,239

  2000–01

  2,090

  14,851,008

  7,106

  2001–02

  370

  1,471,357

  3,977

  2002–03

  1,661

  20,340,041

  12,246

  Grand total

  5,954

  56,490,024

  9,488

  National Stadium
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a decision is expected to be made on the timing and location of a national stadium for Northern Ireland. [175526]

  Angela Smith
  I made a announcement on 24 May 2004 outlining how the Stadium issue is to be taken forward. I have arr Waged for a copy to be sent to the hon. Gentleman and made available in the Library.

  Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the dates on which he has had meetings with the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland since his appointment as Secretary of State; [173266]

  (2) if he will list the dates of meetings he has had with the Police Ombudsman since his appointment. [176962]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since my appointment as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I have met the Police Ombudsman informally on a number of occasions. I have had one formal meeting with her, on 28 May 2003, and intend holding a further one soon.

  Police Service
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time police reservists are deployed on(a) operational duties and (b) in critical support functions in each district command unit. [170551]

  Mr. Pearson
  The following breakdown shows the current deployment of members of the Full Time Reserve using classifications defined by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, as follows:

  District Command Units

  Headquarters and Regions

  Operational

  1,424

  47

  Operational support

  62

  28

  Organisational support

  3

  5

  Total

  1,489

  80

  A breakdown of the officers within each District Command Unit is illustrated as follows.

  The HMIC classifications used are defined as follows:

  Operational:
  "Any member of staff, including covert staff, whose primary role (i.e. over 50 per cent. of their time) is directly to deliver the overarching aims of the Police Service. To 'directly deliver' the role must involve routine and immediate interface (either face to face or by telephone) with the public including covert operations. Staff in such roles can be considered as frontline service providers";

  Operational support:
  "Any member of staff whose primary rules is to support the delivery of the overarching aims of the police service".

  Organisaional Support:
  "A member of staff whose primary role is to service the internal needs of the organisation".

  DCU

  Operational

  Operational support

  Organisational support

  Total

  Antrim

  36

  7

  1

  44

  Ards

  44

  4

  —

  48

  Armagh

  65

  —

  1

  66

  Banbridge

  22

  1

  —

  23

  Belfast East

  109

  4

  —

  113

  Belfast North

  66

  7

  —

  73

  Belfast South

  96

  5

  —

  101

  Belfast West

  132

  6

  —

  138

  Ballymena

  27

  1

  —

  28

  Ballymoney

  12

  —

  —

  12

  Carrickfergus

  29

  12

  —

  41

  Coleraine

  36

  —

  —

  36

  Cookstown

  23

  1

  —

  —

  24

  1850W

  DCU

  Operational

  Operational support

  Organisational support

  Total

  Craigavon

  48

  —

  —

  48

  Castlereagh

  55

  1

  —

  56

  Dungannon

  43

  1

  —

  44

  Down

  51

  1

  —

  52

  Fermanagh

  60

  2

  —

  62

  Foyle

  75

  5

  —

  80

  Larne

  16

  —

  —

  16

  Limavady

  22

  —

  —

  22

  Lisburn

  76

  1

  —

  77

  Magherafelt

  53

  —

  —

  53

  Moyle

  10

  —

  —

  10

  Newtownabbey

  23

  —

  —

  23

  North Down

  63

  —

  —

  63

  Newry/Mourne

  58

  2

  —

  60

  Omagh

  29

  —

  1

  30

  Strabane

  45

  1

  —

  46

  Total

  1,424

  62

  3

  1,489

  Sexual Offences
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when consultation proposals on sexual offences in Northern Ireland will be issued, following the announcement of a review in October 2003. [175726]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have not yet completed our consideration of this issue.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to ensure that children in Northern Ireland are afforded the same protection as those in England and Wales under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. [175693]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Sexual Offences Act 2003 was implemented on 1 May 2004. Of the 19 offences which extend directly to Northern Ireland in the Act, 9 of these relate specifically to offences against children. For example, the new offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming provides for a vital new level of protection for our children.

  We have also taken the opportunity to extend to Northern Ireland the strengthened provisions which protect children, often particularly vulnerable children, who are in relationships of trust with adults.

  The Act also creates new offences which specifically criminalise the abuse of children through prostitution and pornography.

  The new offence of sexual activity in a public toilet also extends to Northern Ireland, and is an indication that this sort of behaviour, which is clearly inappropriate in a public toilet, will not be tolerated, particularly where children can be present.

  These changes represent a significant improvement in the level of protection offered to children in Northern Ireland.

  Water Cannon
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his policy that public funds should bear the cost of financial liability for
  1851W
  injuries sustained through use of water cannon loaned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to the Irish authorities. [176328]

  Mr. Pearson
  The loan of the water cannon was agreed directly between PSNI and An Garda Siochana. I have been advised by PSNI that the service level 1852W
  agreement between PSNI and An Garda Siochana for the loan of the water cannon includes a specific provision indemnifying PSNI against all proceedings, costs, liabilities and expenses whatsoever in relation to damage, loss, injury or death arising out of the use of water cannons while in the Republic of Ireland.

  Olympic Games 2004
  Lord Moynihan
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are the findings of the Olympic Advisory Group on security planning, intelligence exchanges and security training in Athens. [HL2901]

  The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)
  The UK is one member of the Olympic Advisory Group, which was set up in 2000 at the request of the Greek Government, to advise on an ongoing basis on security preparations for the Olympic Games. The other members are the US, Australia, France, Spain, Germany and Israel.

  The UK, on a national basis, is satisfied that Greece is working hard towards the goal of ensuring that the Games take place in a safe and secure environment and that Greece will continue to do so in the time remaining before the Games start and for the duration of the Games themselves.

  For reasons I am sure will be appreciated, we do not comment in detail on security matters or on the work and advice of the group. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 1(a) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which covers information whose disclosure would harm national security.

  Regional Assemblies
  Lord Greaves
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is the cost of compilation, production and distribution of the booklet, A New Opportunity for the North West-Elected Regional Assembly-Your Say, issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. [HL2893]

  The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)
  To date 722,630 copies of the booklet A New Opportunity for the North West have been produced at a total cost of £46,448, of which the compilation costs were £2,917, the print and production costs were £35,979 and the distribution costs were £7,552. The distribution sum covered the costs on the insertion of 551,430 leaflets in free newspapers across the North West region.

  Lord Greaves
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the booklet, A New Opportunity for the North West-Elected Regional Assembly-Your Say, issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is intended to provide an impartial explanation of the Government's proposals, including arguments for and against voting for the Assemblies in the referendum later this year. [HL2894]
  WA 154
  Lord Rooker
  The purpose of A New Opportunity for the North West is to provide voters in the North West with information on the proposed powers of an elected regional assembly and why the Government believe that it would benefit the North West.

  The photographs in the leaflet show an equal number of people saying yes and no to these proposals.

  Church of England: Appointment of Deans
  Lord Mayhew of Twysden
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have any plans to reform the nomination system for the deans of Church of England cathedrals. [HL2647]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Lord Filkin)
  Systems of appointment are kept under review but we have no current plans to change the Crown system for nominating deans. Appointments to a number of deaneries, of course, are a matter for other patrons.

  Cohabitation Awareness Campaign
  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is their estimate of the number of marriages likely to result from the Government's information campaign about the lack of sufficient protection for unmarried opposite sex couples between now and the likely date of coming into force of the Civil Partnership Act. [HL2926]

  Lord Filkin
  The Government have made no estimate of the number of marriages that may result from the cohabitation awareness campaign. The campaign aims to increase awareness of the different legal rights and responsibilities that apply to cohabiting and married couples. The purpose of the campaign is to make accurate and accessible information available to the public, through both web-based and printed materials, that will help couples to make informed decisions.

  Food Supplements Directive
  Earl Howe
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What was the outcome of the telephone conversation between the Minister for Public Health and Commissioner Byrne on 12 March in relation to the Food Supplements Directive; and whether a date has been set for a meeting between the Minister and the Commissioner to take forward further discussions. [HL2567]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)
  Directive 2002/46/ EC on food supplements came into force on 12 July 2002. The Food Supplements Regulations England 2003, which
  WA 155
  implement the Directive in England, were laid before Parliament in June 2003 and the provisions are set to come into force on 1 August 2005. There is parallel legislation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  In October 2003 the Minister for Public Health (Miss Melanie Johnson), had a useful meeting with representatives of the health food industry to discuss their concerns over the potential impact of the directive, particularly relating to the submission of safety dossiers to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and to the future setting of European maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements.

  Since then there has been a constructive meeting, facilitated by the Food Standards Agency, between industry representatives and representatives of the EFSA to discuss safety dossiers.

  In addition, the Minister for Public Health recently set out the Government's views on the setting of maximum limits to Commissioner David Byrne. EFSA is continuing work on safe upper limits for intakes of vitamins and minerals begun by the Scientific Committee on Food. It is not expected to complete this work until Summer 2005 at the earliest. The Commission will not publish a proposal on EU maximum limits until this work is complete. Commissioner Byrne and the Minister for Public Health agreed to talk again when EFSA's advice has been published and, if appropriate, meet. In the mean time, officials continue to press the case for safety based maximum limits in all the relevant European fora. They are also keeping in close contact with the Commission officials who will in due course draft the proposal on EU maximum limits. The Minister for Public Health has asked for progress reports.

  The Minister for Public Health is willing to meet again with food supplement industry representatives. However, she has suggested to the industry that before such a meeting takes place it would be useful for industry technical advisers to meet Food Standards Agency officials to discuss detailed technical issues relating to dossiers and then for the industry to gain experience of submitting such dossiers to EFSA.

  National Health Service: Cost Efficiency
  Baroness Noakes
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  When they will publish their new measures of National Health Service cost efficiency growth, as set out in paragraph 7.99 of the Department of Health's Departmental Report 2004; and [HL2678]

  What consultation they intend to undertake in relation to any changes in the measurement of National Health Service cost efficiency. [HL2679]

  Lord Warner
  In December 2003, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced the Atkinson review of measurement of government output. Undertaken by Sir Tony Atkinson, the review is to advance methodologies for the measurement of government output, productivity and associated price indices.
  WA 156
  The Department of Health is working with the ONS, as part of the Atkinson review, to develop new measures of National Health Service productivity. The results of this work will be published as part of the Atkinson review of measurement of government output.

  The Department has already consulted with both the NHS and a number of prominent academics regarding new productivity measures. In addition Sir Tony Atkinson is consulting with stakeholders before writing his interim report in July 2004.

  Mental Health: Ethnic Minorities
  Lord Morris of Manchester
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What consideration they are giving to the finding of the National Association for Mental Health's new report Not Alone? Isolation and Mental Distress that people with mental health problems in the black and ethnic minority communities are significantly more at risk of isolation and discrimination than others; and what action they are taking on the report's recommendations. [HL2866]

  Lord Warner
  The Department of Health welcomes the National Association for Mental Health's recommendations which are being considered as part of the department's agenda to improve mental health services for everyone including people from black and ethnic minority communities with mental health problems.

  The department is currently engaged in a number of initiatives that specifically link in with the National Association for Mental Health's findings in relation to people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds. These include:

  80 community engagement projects;

  500 community development workers by 2006;

  a census of service users so changes can be monitored;

  recruiting nine senior regional equality leads in the National Institute for Mental Health in England to support and assist local services development;

  consulting with asylum seekers on the specific need they have of mental health services; and

  developing work to look at pathways to care and suicide prevention.

  In addition, we have recently consulted on Delivering Race Equality: A Framework for Action, which sets out what planning, delivering and monitoring local primary care and mental health services need to do to improve services for users experiencing mental illness and distress, and their relatives and carers, from black and minority ethnic communities. The final report will be published this summer.
  WA 157
  We also look forward to the report of the Social Exclusion Unit due for publication next month which will highlight the issues, and the action that could be taken to strengthen support for people with mental health problems.

  Website Accessibility Guidelines
  Lord Morris of Manchester
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What consideration they have given to the Disability Rights Commission's finding that 81 per cent of websites do not meet the basic website accessibility guidelines, thus limiting equal access to online services and employment opportunities for disabled people; and what action they are taking. [HL2865]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)
  The Disability Rights Commission published its formal investigation,The Web: Access and Inclusion for Disabled People on April 14. In the research, 1,000 websites were tested for full accessibility and 808 failed to meet the minimum standards for disabled web access.

  The report made 15 recommendations aimed at various organisations, including government, the web industry, business and disability organisations aimed at enhancing access to the web for disabled people.

  We are currently working with the Disability Rights Commission to progress the seven recommendations that fall to Government.

  Sulphuric Acid
  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many incidents involving sulphuric acid when used as a potato haulm dessicant have been reported to the Health and Safety Executive since 31 March 2003; how many were investigated by HSE inspectors; how many individuals were involved in the incidents; and what symptoms were reported where ill health was alleged. [HL2968]

  Baroness Hollis of Heigham
  Five incidents involving allegations of ill health resulting from exposure to sulphuric acid applied to potato haulms have been reported to and investigated by the Field Operations Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive since 1 April 2003. A total of eight people complained about a variety of symptoms including burning lips, breathlessness, sore throats and coughing, sore and streaming eyes, headaches and tightness in the chest.

  A further 11 incidents involving sulphuric acid were reported to and investigated by the Field Operations Directorate during the same period in which there were no allegations of ill health resulting from exposure.

  A23: Fatal Accident
  Lord Berkeley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Following the accident on the A23 on 16 May, whether any of those killed or injured were "at work" as defined by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; and, if so, what action the Health and Safety Executive will take to investigate noncompliance with the Act and bring charges. [HL2973]

  Baroness Hollis of Heigham
  The accident is subject to an ongoing police investigation. It would not be appropriate to comment at this time.

  Pensions
  Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Why they expect the Chatsworth Settlement Estate Pension Scheme to be exempt from payment of the initial levy and the pension protection levies to the proposed pension protection fund. [HL2882]

  Baroness Hollis of Heigham
  The pension protection fund will protect members of eligible defined benefit and hybrid pension schemes who may otherwise lose some or all of their pension entitlement should their sponsoring employer become insolvent. Those schemes eligible for PPF assistance will be liable to pay the pension protection levies.

  However, we expect that those schemes which will be exempt from the new scheme funding requirements will not be eligible for assistance from the PPF. Broadly speaking this is because the existing framework for these schemes already provides a high level of security.

  In the main, those schemes which will be exempted from the new scheme funding requirements will be those schemes currently exempt from the minimum funding requirement (MFR). We will check that it remains appropriate to exempt them before the relevant regulations are made. The Chatsworth Settlement Estate Pension Scheme is exempt from the MFR because the structure of the trust means that pension beneficiaries would be able to call on the entire assets of the trust, where necessary, to fund their pensions. This provides a higher level of security than the MFR.

  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What would be the total annual financial cost if the Civil Partnership Bill were amended so as to backdate to 1988 (the date applicable to surviving widowers) survivor pension benefits for civil partners in private sector schemes; and what is the basis of each element in that calculation. [HL2925]
  WA 159
  Baroness Hollis of Heigham
  The annual costs of providing survivors benefits for civil partners in respect of future service of scheme members in private sector pension schemes are provided in the final regulatory impact assessment (RIA) to the Civil Partnership Bill, published on 31 March 2004. These costs were assessed on two separate assumptions as to future take up of civil partnerships, as set out in Annex A of the RIA and are shown in the table below.

  The table also shows the additional one-off costs if service for such pensions accrued from April 1988 or the date the member joined the scheme, if later. The benefits costed are those which would be required to be paid by contracted-out defined benefit schemes. It is assumed there would be no additional cost for private sector defined contribution schemes.

  Costs of extending survivor benefits to civil partners in contracted-out defined benefit private pension schemes

  Annual cost of benefits accruing from commencement of the Civil Partnership Bill

  One-off costs if benefits accrued from 1988

  Annual cost increase as % of contributions

  Annual increase £m pa

  £m

  High take-up

  0.016%

  £2.5m

  £20

  Low take-up

  0.008%

  £ 1.25m

  £40

  Notes:

  1. Data from the 2000 Government Actuary's Department survey of occupational pension schemes suggest that it would be reasonable to assume that ¾ of private sector defined benefit schemes already offer benefits to same-sex couples, albeit at the trustees' discretion. Using this assumption, the annual costs for future accrual are based on the additional contributions that would need to be paid.

  2. Under the high take-up scenario, the Government Actuary's Department assumes that, by 2050, 6 per cent of the lesbian, gay and bisexual population aged around 70 who are retired with occupational pensions will be in civil partnerships (the proportions around age 70 being a key driver in determining the cost of benefits to spouses/partners on death). This figure is broadly consistent with the assumption that, overall, around 3.3 per cent of the lesbian, gay and bisexual population aged 16 and over will be in civil partnerships, as compared to around 33 per cent of the heterosexual population aged 16 and over who would be married.

  3. Further information on the assumptions for the take-up of civil partnerships are included in Annex A of the regulatory impact assessment published with the Civil Partnership Bill.

  Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What proportion, on average, of the benefits provided to each individual by the proposed pension protection fund they expect the £400 million assistance scheme announced on 14 May will provide. [HL2950]
  WA 160
  Baroness Hollis of Heigham
  The level of assistance that can be provided will be determined in due course. It will depend on a number of factors:

  the final size of the fund—the level of any industry contribution will affect this;

  the method of providing assistance—we are examining the various options;

  the number of people affected—we are finalising our estimates of this and will publish them in June.

  We expect to provide a significant level of help, although it is unrealistic to expect the assistance to be set as high as the future pension protection fund levels, as in future members will benefit from cover paid for by a premium.

  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether surviving spouses of marriages entered into between now and the coming into force of the Civil Partnership Act will be entitled to backdate survivor pension benefits in public service schemes to 1988; and, if so, what is their estimate of the total. increased annual financial cost of such backdating, calculated by reference to each 10,000 such new marriages. [HL2927]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)
  Surviving spouses of marriages entered into between now and the coming into force of the Civil Partnership Act will be entitled to spouse's benefits from public service schemes at least back to 5 April 1988 at the level required for contracting out of the state scheme. Prior to 1988 contracting-out required survivor pensions only for widows of male scheme members and the requirement for widower pensions was not made retrospective. The provision for survivors of marriage is already taken into account in the costing of these schemes. 'The estimates requested do not exist and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Sport: Foster Review
  Lord Moynihan
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they intend to merge United Kingdom Sport and Sport England to avoid the "duplication of effort and inconsistency" between the two bodies as highlighted by the Foster report into athletics. [HL2942]

  Lord McIntosh of Haringey
  There is no intention to merge UK Sport and Sport England in light of the Foster review. The report specifically relates to athletics and proposes that UK Sport and Sport England "should form a senior joint Athletics Team" to reduce duplication of effort and increase consistency in athletics. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is looking forward to working with all interested partners on this recommendation. and the other findings of the report.
  WA 161
  Lord Moynihan
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the streamlining in current sport bureaucracy analysed in the Foster report is consistent with the establishment of Regional Sports Boards. [HL2943]

  Lord McIntosh of Haringey
  The establishment of Regional Sports Boards in England is a result of Game Plan's recommendation that Sport England should reduce bureaucracy and become more customer focused. From April 2004, decision making on funding at regional level has been devolved to Regional Sports Boards, thereby considerably reducing Sport England's central administration. Similarly, the Foster report recommendation about creating a new organisation for athletics in England with a streamlined central office, and with decision-making powers devolved as far as possible, is entirely consistent with the establishment of the Regional Sports Boards.

  Olympic Games 2012: London Bid
  Lord Moynihan
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What steps they intend to take in view of the conclusion of the International Olympic Committee candidature acceptance working party report that in London "rail public transport is often obsolete and considerable investments must be made to upgrade the existing system in terms of capacity and safety". [HL2976]

  Lord McIntosh of Haringey
  The International Olympic Committee recognised that London already has one of the world's most extensive rail and underground networks. Considerable investment in London's transport infrastructure will bring significant improvements by 2012. Over £17 billion of public money has been allocated to improve transport in London between now and 2012, including £1 billion each year until 2010 which is being invested to improve London Underground and deliver better services and greater capacity. By 2012, the proposed Olympic Park in Stratford will be served by 10 railway lines, including the new high-speed Channel Tunnel Rail link into St Pancras.

  Efficiency Review
  Baroness Noakes
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Pursuant to the efficiency review undertaken by Sir Peter Gershon, whether Sir Peter or the Office of Government Commerce submitted a report by 26 April on the potential for departmental savings; and, if not, whether a report has been received subsequently; and [HL2899]

  Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of any reports they have received in connection with Sir Peter Gershon's efficiency review. [HL2900]
  WA 162
  Lord McIntosh of Haringey
  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.

  National Parks
  Earl Peel
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What action they plan to take to investigate the adverse effects on residents, visitors and livestock from speeding by motorcyclists in the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks. [HL2934]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)
  Both the National Park authorities referred to are aware that there are problems on some roads in the National Parks. However, it is the local highway authority that is solely responsible for setting speed limits on its roads, in this case North Yorkshire County Council, while enforcement of the limit is a matter for the police. Both the National Park authorities are liaising closely with the police and the highway authority to investigate the issues and identify possible solutions.

  Foot and Mouth Disease
  Baroness Byford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 6 May (WA 134), what proportion of each of the 28 claims outstanding following the foot and mouth disease outbreak is in dispute. [HL2977]

  Lord Whitty
  The proportion of each contractor account in dispute varies from account to account depending on the mix of evidential, quantum, accounting and legal issues arising in each dispute. The department does not comment on disputes that are, or may be, the subject of litigation, alternative disputes resolution procedures, forensic examination or formal investigation.

  Baroness Byford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 6 May (WA 134), who are the 28 contractors still in dispute with the department following the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and which of them are farmers or involved in farming. [HL2978]

  Lord Whitty
  It is neither appropriate nor fair to identify the names of contractors with whom the department is in dispute given that these are ongoing disputes, which are being concluded through litigation or alternative disputes resolution procedures. Although some contractors and their representatives have sought to publicise their disputes through the media for reasons unknown to the department, others
  WA 163
  have chosen not to do so and no useful purpose is likely to be served by the identity of contractors being divulged in these circumstances. From information held centrally, none of the contractors with whom Defra is in dispute appears to have farming as their primary business activity. All of the contractors, to either a greater or lesser degree, have supplied services to the farming sector since the start of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001.

  Baroness Byford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 6 May (WA 134), whether any part of the total disputed £55.4 million following the foot and mouth disease outbreak is due to be paid to the Government by the European Union; and whether the disputes may adversely affect that sum. [HL2979]

  Lord Whitty
  No part of the total disputed £55.4 million following the foot and mouth disease outbreak is due to be paid to the Government by the European Union. The claim to the European Union relates to invoices which are not in dispute and accordingly the disputes do not adversely affect sums payable by the European Union.

  Baroness Byford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 6 May (WA 134), whether the disputes over the charges claimed by contractors following the foot and mouth disease outbreak have resulted in the withholding of any moneys; if so, how much; and whether there is a deadline by which they have to be paid. [HL2980]

  Lord Whitty
  The disputes over the charges claimed by contractors following the foot and mouth disease outbreak have resulted in the withholding of some £55.4 million from contractors. There is no deadline for payment of the moneys withheld since they are disputes where Defra has been advised in each case that the retention is justified fully on any or all of legal, accounting and quantum grounds.

  Open Access Rights
  Baroness Byford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they are confident that open access to private land will be clearly signed by September 2004 for the use of members of the public. [HL2982]

  Lord Whitty
  The Government are working on a wide-ranging strategy to ensure that members of the public will be well informed about where the right of access introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 applies when the first two regions, the South East and lower North West, open for access on 19 September.

  As part of this strategy, the Countryside Agency will very shortly be issuing guidance to access authorities and land managers on the use of signs. The guidance will give access authorities the lead role in erecting and maintaining signs to show where open access rights exist and will encourage them to consult widely with
  WA 164
  land managers, local access forums and other interested parties in drawing up their plans.

  New signs will not be needed in every case and the guidance will advocate careful thought about whether additional signage is appropriate. The Government have allocated £2 million for 2004–05 towards an access management grant scheme, to be administered by the Countryside Agency, which will help authorities to meet the cost of providing signs. Interim guidance about how the scheme will work has been available since April this year and final guidance will be issued by the Countryside Agency in early June.

  The Countryside Agency has already held two workshops attended by access authorities in the South East and lower North West to promote the scheme and plans to hold a further series of meetings with land managers in these areas in partnership with the Country Land and Business Association later this year.

  Illegal Meat Trade
  Lord Rotherwick
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What support and guidance are available from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Food Standards Agency to enable local authorities to prosecute following seizures of illegal meat. [HL2984]

  Lord Whitty
  The Food Standards Agency makes available a range of technical and practical support to local authorities, and has also given financial assistance to individual local authorities to help fund their investigations into the illegal meat trade.

  Illegal Food Imports: Testing
  Lord Rotherwick
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 23 February (WA 38) on laboratory testing of illegal meat, how they assess the likelihood that illegal meat imports carry diseases or viruses. [HL2985]

  Lord Whitty
  The endemic nature of diseases and viruses in many countries around the world results in a continuous but low risk of infected meat reaching the country through illegal routes. This means that all such seizures are treated as an animal health risk and destroyed, by incineration, in the shortest possible time.

  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs produces Qualitative Risk Assessments following novel disease outbreaks overseas to assess the level of risk associated with particular meat or meat products, whether legally or illegally imported.
  WA 165
  In addition we commissioned the Veterinary Laboratories Agency's "Risk Assessment for the Import of Meat and Meat Products Contaminated with Foot and Mouth Disease Virus into Great Britain and the Subsequent Exposure of GB Livestock" that was published as a work in progress in March 2003. The VLA have re-run this assessment taking into account of additional data, as well as producing similar assessments for three pig diseases—African Swine Fever, Classical Swine Fever and Swine Vesicular Disease. These assessments will be published in the summer.

  South Eastern Trains
  Lord Berkeley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is the estimated total cost to the Strategic Rail Authority of the South Eastern Train franchise in the financial years 2003–04 and 2002–03. [HL2922]

  Lord Davies of Oldham
  The Strategic Rail Authority made net cash payments to Connex South Eastern (CSE) of £37.233 million in 2002–03. In 2003–04 net cash payments of £75.851 million were made to CSE and £41.725 million to South Eastern Trains, which took over the franchise on 9 November 2003.

  Road Haulage Modernisation Fund
  Lord Berkeley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is the annual budget of the road freight modernisation fund; and how much was spent in each year of its existence. [HL2918]

  Lord Davies of Oldham
  The Road Haulage Modernisation Fund (RHMF) was announced in the 2000 Pre-Budget Report as a three year, £100 million UK-wide, ring-fenced fund. No annual budget was set at the time.

  The Department for Transport has spent the following on the RHMF in England:

  2001–02

  £6.07 million

  2002–03

  £8.61 million

  2003–04

  £14.57 million

  Schemes under the fund for England were worked up with the industry through the Road Haulage Forum. Spend was dependent on industry demand for fund schemes.

  The Road Haulage Modernisation Fund ended in March this year for England. But a new £3 million package was announced in this year's budget to allow successful projects under the fund to continue in 2004–05.