Written Answers of 14 September 2004

HEALTH

  Health Service Finance
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the debt of(a) the Royal United hospital, Bath and (b) Kennet and North Wiltshire primary care trust is. [188513]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  At the end of the financial year 2003–04, the total owed by Royal United hospitals, Bath as a result of previous years overspends was £24.7 million.

  The comparable figure for Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was £3.9 million.

  Doctors (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of out-of-hours provision by doctors in North Yorkshire since 1 April. [188514]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is the legal responsibility of primary care trusts to ensure that patients have access to high quality out-of-hours services which are delivered to nationally set quality requirements. The four PCTs North Yorkshire will be entering into an agreement with North Yorkshire Emergency Doctors, an established provider of general practitioner home visiting services for out-of-hours services, later this year.

  Obesity
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the Government's efforts to tackle obesity. [188515]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Representations have been received as part of the Choosing Health, Choosing a Better Diet and Choosing Activity consultations. These responses and the Health Select Committee report on obesity will inform the development of the White Paper on improving health, due to be published later this year.

  Primary Care (Out-of-hours Services)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of arrangements put in place by primary care trusts for out-of-hours services. [188517]

  Mr. Hutton
  Primary Care Trusts are responsible for commissioning out-of-hours services which are delivered to nationally set quality requirements. Strategic Health Authorities are responsible for performance managing Primary Care Trusts in the delivery of these services.

  Diagnostic Equipment
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce waiting and delivery times for diagnostic equipment. [188519]

  Mr. Hutton
  The national health service is committed to reducing the length of time that people wait before their treatment starts. By 2008 patients will wait no longer than 18 weeks from general practitioner referral to the start of treatment and this includes access to diagnostics.

  Alcohol Strategy
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of his Department's alcohol strategy. [188520]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy was published on 15 March 2004, meeting the Government's commitment to publish and implement the strategy from 2004. The Sensible-drinking message will be revised by spring next year and an audit of demand for provision of alcohol treatment will be completed by 31 January 2005

  Children's Hospices
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the guidance he issues to Primary Care Trusts on the funding of children's hospices. [188521]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Standards for the provision of services for children with life limiting or life threatening illnesses who need palliative care will be issued shortly under the National Service Framework for children and maternity services. Decisions on funding are the responsibility of Primary Care Trusts in line with their assessment of local priorities.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the demand on accident and emergency services. [188522]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A&E attendance numbers are collected and published quarterly. The latest figures were made available on 27 August. There were a total of 4,502,578 new and follow up attendances at major A&Es, minor injury units and walk-in centres between April and June 2004.

  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes introduced by the new general medical services contract on accident and emergency admissions in the out-of-hours period. [186512]

  Mr. Hutton
  No information has been put forward to date to the Department suggesting the established pattern of when patients arrive at accident and emergency during each day has generally altered following the changes to the general medical services contract. We are, however, monitoring any possible impact of the changes to the contract on A&E closely and will continue to do so.

  NHS Administrative Staff
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of staff in the national health service is engaged in administration; and what the percentage was 10 years ago. [188523]

  Mr. Hutton
  Current non-medical workforce figures are not directly comparable with pre-1995 figures. As at September 2003, 19 per cent. of the total NHS workforce were managers and clerical and administrative staff compared with 17 per cent. in 1995. Many administrative and clerical staff work directly to health professionals freeing them up to do their job, such as health care support workers and medical secretaries.

  Health and Social Care Act
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has issued to the NHS about public consultations under sections 7 and 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 in respect of election periods. [188524]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Sections 7 and 11 guidance does not refer specifically to public consultations during election periods. The guidance supporting section 7 makes it clear that the NHS organisation consulting overview and scrutiny committees should agree with them how long the consultation period should last.

  Pharmacists
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of pharmacists in preventive health programmes. [188525]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Pharmacists already contribute to health improvement, including through stopping smoking services, emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) and needle exchange schemes. We will significantly expand this role through the proposed new contractual framework for community pharmacy, underpinned by a pharmaceutical public health strategy due in 2005.

  Age-related Macular Degeneration
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on making magnifying equipment more easily available to people who are registered visually impaired with age related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement. [189038]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We have received representation from hon. and right hon. Members and the Royal National Institute of the Blind regarding the provision of closed circuit television (CCTV) readers to help visually impaired people with certain tasks.

  The provision of CCTVs and other non-optical aids is a decision that lies with social services departments as they are considered to be aids to daily living. Being registered as visually impaired is not a pre-requisite to receiving services. Social services departments are responsible for assessing an individual's needs and for arranging services to meet those needs; this could include the provision of CCTV. However, hand-held,
  1496W
  stand and spectacle-mounted magnifiers are easier to use, more widely available, more accessible and more cost effective.

  Encouragement is being given to hospital and social service departments to work more closely together, and perhaps operate a joint budget to allow more flexibility in funding equipment, and provide a wider range of services and equipment than has hitherto been available. The overall level of funding for aids to vision will, however, rest with primary care trusts and local councils.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual running costs for community health councils were in each year from 1997 onwards. [187759]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Community health council running costs (£million)

  1997–98

  22.561

  1998–99

  22.561

  1999–2000

  23

  2000–01

  23

  2001–02

  23

  2002–03

  23

  2003–04

  15

  Eating Disorders
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the prevalence of eating disorders among(a) women and (b) men in England; [187867]

  (2) how many (a) children, (b) adolescents and (c) adults suffered from eating disorders in each year since 1997, broken down by gender. [187873]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information about the prevalence of eating disorders in adults is not collected centrally.

  "The mental health of children and adolescents in Great Britain", a survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics in 1999, found that the prevalence of eating disorders among all children aged five to 15 was 0.1 per cent., and the rate for girls aged five to 15 was 0.2 per cent.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the maximum travelling distance is for patients with eating disorders to specialist health care services. [187872]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information is not collected centrally about the travelling distances that may be involved when patients are referred for treatment for specialist treatment.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision there is for specialist treatment for eating disorders in(a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority; and if he will make a statement. [187874]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  This information is not centrally available.
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  People with eating disorders can access mental health services in and through primary care. Details of services available locally can be obtained from strategic health authorities.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) average and (b) maximum waiting time for (i) outpatient and (ii) inpatient treatment for eating disorders has been in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [187875]

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

  Foundation Trusts Regulator
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total expenditure was on the rebranding of the Independent Regulator for Foundation Trusts as Monitor. [187856]

  Mr. Hutton
  I understand from the chairman of Monitor that the total costs of the design work for the development and implementation of the Monitor brand was £24,465, excluding VAT.

  The total costs includes £8,200 on re-branding and enhancing the website and £3,000 on the application of the new design to letterhead business cards and presentation material. Monitor timed the introduction of its new name to coincide with its relocation to new offices thereby minimising the additional expenditure required.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there were in the London Borough of Havering in(a) 1997 and (b) 2004; and what the figures are for all other London boroughs. [187730]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of general practitioners broken down by boroughs is not collected centrally. However, the tables show the number of GPs broken down by strategic health authority and primary care trust.

  General medical practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums) for London by strategic health authority (SHA)

  Numbers (headcount)

  1997

  March 2004

  London SHA

  4,324

  4,676

  North West London

  Q04

  1,164

  1157

  North Central London

  Q05

  744

  795

  North East London

  Q06

  849

  926

  South East London

  Q07

  833

  974

  South West London

  Q08

  734

  824

  Note:

  All practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums) include general medical service (QMS) unrestricted principals, personal medical service (PMS) contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other and flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners. Data as at 1 October 1997 and 31 March 2004.

  Source:

  Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics.

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  General medical practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums) for London by strategic health authority (SHA) and primary care trust (PCT)

  Number (headcount)

  London, as at 31 March 2004

  General medical practitioners(excluding retainers, registrars and locums)1

  London

  4,676

  Q05

  North Central London

  795

  5A9

  Barnet PCT

  234

  5K7

  Camden PCT

  139

  5C1

  Enfield PCT

  151

  5C9

  Haringey PCT

  143

  5K8

  Islington PCT

  128

  Q06

  North East London

  926

  5C2

  Barking and Dagenham PCT

  80

  5C3

  City and Hackney PCT

  156

  5A4

  Havering PCT

  124

  5C5

  Newham PCT

  171

  5NA

  Redbridge PCT

  121

  5C4

  Tower Hamlets PCT

  135

  5NC

  Waltham Forest PCT

  139

  Q04

  North West London

  1,157

  5K5

  Brent PCT

  194

  5HX

  Ealing PCT

  193

  5H1

  Hammersmith and Fulham PCT

  96

  5K6

  Harrow PCT

  140

  5AT

  Hillingdon PCT

  140

  5HY

  Hounslow PCT

  129

  5LA

  Kensington and Chelsea PCT

  113

  5LC

  Westminster PCT

  152

  Q07

  South East London

  974

  5AX

  Bexley Ct

  120

  5A7

  Bromley PCT

  193

  5A8

  Greenwich PCT

  131

  5LD

  Lambeth PCT

  203

  5LF

  Lewisham PCT

  164

  5LE

  Southwark PCT

  163

  Q08

  South West London

  824

  5K9

  Croydon PCT

  197

  5A5

  Kingston PCT

  103

  5M6

  Richmond and Twickenham PCT

  114

  5M7

  Sutton and Merton PCT

  211

  5LG

  Wandsworth PCT

  199

  1All practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums) include general medical service (QMS) unrestricted principals, personal medical service (PMS) contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other and flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.

  Source:

  Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics.

  Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he proposes to make a draft order on the Regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture: Proposals for statutory regulation for consultation; and when he proposes to lay the draft order before Parliament; [187484]

  (2) how many responses he has received to the Regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture: Proposals for statutory regulation; and how many were (a) in favour of and (b) against his Department's proposals for collaborative regulation; [187485]
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  (3) if he will publish the results of the consultation on the Regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture: Proposals for statutory regulation. [187486]

  Mr. Hutton
  On 2 March, I published proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners. The consultation period closed on 7 June. An analysis of the responses to the consultation will be published in the autumn. I plan to publish draft legislation for further consultation in 2005.

  In all, about 700 responses have been received, of which 255 expressed a view about the proposals for collaborative regulation. Of these responses, 93 agreed with the proposals in the consultative document and 162 disagreed. In addition I received over 200 letters as part of a write-in campaign specifically expressing concern about the proposals for collaborative regulation.

  Hospital-acquired Infections
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to set a target for reducing MRSA infections. [188516]

  Mr. Hutton
  Yes. We published details of this target on 21 July 2004.

  King's College Hospital
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes have been introduced to improve the(a) hygiene of wards, (b) speed of response of staff when called by patients, (c) provision of cold water, (d) availability of ice cubes, (e) regularity with which bedding is changed, (f) cleanliness of toilets, (g) availability of plain food for patients and (h) prevention of acquisition and spread of MRSA in King's College Hospital, London, since 29 June. [187816]

  Mr. Hutton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Myasthenia Gravis
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on hospital waiting times for patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. [188629]

  Mr. Hutton
  Waiting times data are collected by consultant specialty and not for specific conditions. Specialty level data would include various conditions as well as myasthenia gravis disorders. Therefore it is not possible to determine the waits for myasthenia gravis.

  NHS Dentistry
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in the London borough of Wandsworth provide NHS treatment; what the number was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [187607]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of practices providing general dental service in Wandsworth Primary Care Trust (PCT) area between 1999 and 2004 is shown in the following table.
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  Number of general dental practices in Wandsworth PCT area at 30 September 1999 to 2003 and 30 June 2004

  Number

  1999

  70

  2000

  69

  2001

  68

  2002

  67

  2003

  61

  2004

  59

  Notes:

  1. The number of practices in the PCT area have been estimated from practice postcodes information.

  2. Some patients in the Wandsworth PCT area will attend dentists in other areas.

  Source:

  Dental Practice Board

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints he received regarding the availability of NHS dentistry in the London Borough of Havering for(a) 1997 and (b) 2004; and what the figures are for all other London boroughs. [187727]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Local trusts, in partnership with their health community, have responsibility for local services and the support systems which they have put in place and a corresponding responsibility to improve upon these. It is, therefore, appropriate that they investigate complains and respond accordingly.

  However, Ministers received a total of 19 letters on dental access from e London area in the period from 1 January 2004 to the present.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists were operating in the London Borough of Havering in(a) 1997 and (b) 2004; and what the figures are for all other London boroughs. [187731]

  Mr. Hutton
  The numbers of general and personal dental service dentists in Havering Primary Care Trust (PCT) area and for all other London PCTs at June 1997 and June 2004 are shown in the table.

  National health service. Number of dentists in London PCTs at June 1997 and June 2004

  PCT

  1997

  2004

  Havering

  87

  111

  Barking and Dagenham

  50

  57

  Barnet

  181

  208

  Bexley Care Trust

  94

  95

  Brent

  157

  169

  Bromley

  147

  177

  Camden

  147

  165

  City and Hackney

  99

  94

  Croydon

  170

  189

  Ealing

  200

  191

  Enfield

  117

  154

  Greenwich

  95

  114

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  121

  150

  Haringey

  124

  144

  Harrow

  106

  128

  Hillingdon

  105

  127

  Hounslow

  139

  149

  Islington

  92

  119

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  National health service: Number of dentists in London PCTs at June 1997 and June 2004

  PCT

  1997

  2004

  Kensington and Chelsea

  83

  82

  Kingston

  68

  81

  Lambeth

  130

  141

  Lewisham

  116

  127

  Newham

  82

  97

  Redbridge

  105

  144

  Richmond and Twickenham

  98

  112

  Southwark

  110

  99

  Sutton and Merton

  174

  190

  Tower Hamlets

  72

  93

  Waltham Forest

  80

  99

  Wandsworth

  150

  159

  Westminster

  204

  193

  Source:

  Dental Practice Board.

  Dentists are counted in each PCT in which they practice.

  NHS Information Technology
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 29 July 2004, ref.185963, on NHS IT, if he will publish a summary of the recommendations of the Gateway review. [187890]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have no current plans to do so. The considerations of confidentiality attaching to Gateway reviews apply equally to any recommendations they may contain.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what reviews his Department has undertaken into the financial viability of(a) contractors and (b) subcontractors of companies working on the NHS National Programme for Information Technology; [187360]

  (2) if the Department will ask Accenture to report on the (a) financial standing and (b) accounting treatment of revenues and profits at iSoft. [187361]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is a standard precautionary business practice to commission financial and market assessments of prospective business partners. In addition to the financial evaluation of companies as pare of the Official Journal of the European Union competitive process, all organisations tendering to become prime contractors of the national programme for information technology, and relevant subcontractors, were subjected to financial and market assessments before contractual arrangement were entered into. This was undertaken by specialist advisers; themselves and selected by competitive process.

  The Department has no current plans separately to ask Accenture for a report specifically on the financial standing of its subcontractor iSoft, or on the accounting treatment of revenues and profit by the company. These are matters between iSoft and its auditors.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Department has inquired as to why iSoft has suspended one of its executive directors. [187359]
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  Mr. Hutton
  We are aware from press reports that iSoft has recently suspended one of its executive directors and anticipate that a further announcement will be made by the company following the completion of its internal investigations. We do not regard it as the business of the Department to inquire into the circumstances of the suspension. This is a matter for the company to resolve with the director concerned.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes are proposed to the NHS pension scheme; and how many existing contributing members to the scheme there are in each(a) region and (b) county. [188719]

  Mr. Hutton
  The NHS Confederation is leading a review of the National Health Service Pension Scheme, in partnership with the NHS Pensions Agency, the National Assembly for Wales, the Department of Health and the NHS Trade Unions. The review has made good progress but formal proposals have not yet been finalised. The aim is to have proposals ready for consultation by the end of autumn.

  The NHS Pension Scheme currently has over 1.1 million contributing members. Unfortunately, it is not possible, due to the way in which the NHS Pensions Agency holds its data, to identify the geographical profile of the membership.

  NHS Register of Interests
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to initiate a register of interests for NHS medical practitioners to declare(a) shares in, (b) gifts from and (c) other interests in pharmaceutical companies. [187519]

  Mr. Hutton
  All national health service staff are already required to declare interests, gifts and sponsorship which might be seen to compromise their position on local registers. The Department last reviewed this in 2002 and considers the current arrangements to be adequate.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what systems are in place to monitor the amount of drugs prescribed to NHS patients which have been donated by pharmaceutical companies as promotional material. [187520]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The supply of samples by pharmaceutical companies is regulated under the Medicines (Advertising) Regulations 1994. These stipulate that a free sample must be of the smallest pack of a medicine available for sale, that it may only be provided to a prescriber in response to a written request and that it should be clearly labelled as a promotional sample not for resale. We expect primary care trusts to act on any local evidence that promotional material is being misused.
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  Non-clinical NHS Jobs
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many new non-clinical jobs have been created within the NHS since 1997; [186870]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the role of NHS staff in non-clinical posts in improving the health of NHS patients. [186871]

  Mr. Hutton
  Non-clinical staff perform vital functions within the national health service and make an important contribution to the delivery of healthcare and will continue to do so as the clinical NHS workforce increases. Many of them work directly to support clinicians, leaving them free to work with patients. Others working in NHS infrastructure support perform essential and unavoidable tasks, such as cleaning, paying staff, ordering supplies and recruitment.

  Between 1997 and 2003, the number of clinical staff and staff working in direct support to clinical staff has increased by 195,059 and the number of staff working in infrastructure support has increased by 29,185.

  Nurse Consultants
  Dame Marion Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has met the NHS Plan target of 1,000 nurse consultants employed in the NHS. [186962]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 7 September 2004]: Latest figures indicate that, as at December 2003, 870 nurse consultant posts had been approved in the national health service. Responsibility for monitoring progress against this target has now passed to strategic health authorities.

  Oldchurch Hospital
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints he received regarding Oldchurch Hospital in the London Borough of Havering for(a) 1997 and (b) 2004; and what the figures are for all other London hospitals. [187728]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Local trusts, in partnership with their health community, have responsibility for local services and the support systems, which they have put in place, and a corresponding responsibility to improve upon these. It is therefore appropriate that they investigate complaints and respond accordingly.

  Osteoporosis Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has received of osteoporosis services in other EU countries. [186143]

  Dr. Ladyman
  No such studies have been received. However, we understand that "Osteoporosis in the European—Members States Policy Progress Report and Action Plan" is due to be posted on the European Commission website for access to all member states.

  Passive Smoking
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's public health priorities in relation to passive smoking. [188518]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We have completed a major national public consultation on the best ways to improve people's health, including what can be done to tackle secondhand smoke.

  We are considering the many responses we have received. These will inform the White Paper on improving health that will be published later this year.

  Patient Environment and Assessment Teams
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the months in which Patient Environment and Assessment Team inspections have taken place in each year since inspections began. [187408]

  Mr. Hutton
  Since its inception in 2000, there have been five rounds of patient environment action team assessments, with additional visits to some hospitals in the summer of 2001. Details of when those visits took place are shown in the table.

  Patient environment action team assessments

  From

  To

  2000

  August

  October

  2001

  January

  March

  2001

  August

  September

  2002

  January

  May

  2002

  November

  May 2003

  2003

  December

  May 2004

  Postgraduate Medical Students
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is available to postgraduate medical trainees for expenses on(a) text books, (b) medical equipment and (c) examination fees; and if he will make a statement. [187764]

  Mr. Hutton
  Postgraduate medical trainees are usually salaried employees of the national health service. As such, they do not receive specific help with their textbooks, equipment and examination fees. They do have access to postgraduate centres and libraries. They also have access to funded study leave, which enables postgraduate trainees to access specific courses and programmes. which enhance the training they receive through the NHS. Much of the equipment they will use is of course available through their employers. Trainees should have access either to standard texts and/or to the internet within the workplace.

  St. Helens and Knowsley Hospital Trust
  Mr Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for accident and emergency department services in St Helens and Knowsley Hospital Trust was for each year from 1997 to 2004. [184619]
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  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is not collected; information is collected for the percentage of patients spending four hours or less in accident and

  Total time spent in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. National Health Service organisations in England, 2003–04, January to March (quarter 4)

  Major A&E (type 1 only)

  All A&E f Mill Will Wic (Type 1,2,3)

  Year

  Quarter

  Strategic health authority

  Organisation identifier

  Name

  Total attendances

  Percentage of partients who spent less than four hours in A&E

  Total attendances

  Percentage of patients who spent less than four hours in A&E

  2003–04

  4

  England

  3,059,698

  90.6

  4,009,142

  92.7

  2003–04

  4

  Q15

  RBN

  St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust

  21,140

  88.0

  25,680

  90

  Source:

  Department of Health dataset QMAE

  Status: Published 16 July 2004

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action can be taken in the domestic courts against NHS Trusts that fail to comply with the Working Time Directive. [187407]

  Mr. Hutton
  Individuals may take a case to an employment tribunal where the employer has failed to let them exercise their entitlement to daily and weekly rest, including compensatory rest.

  Complaints can also be raised with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in relation to individuals having to work in excess of the maximum working week. As a result of investigating the trust, the Health and Safety Executive is likely to serve improvement notices where claims are upheld. Further action beyond this, including possible criminal proceeding; in the lower or magistrate's court, depends on actions taken by the employer in response to the notice served.

  In addition, individuals may take a case to a county court in instances where there has been a breach of contract, for example, where they have been made to work over the averaged hours limit or where an employer has failed in his/her duty of care.

TREASURY

  Council of Ministers
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will provide a written ministerial statement outlining the key points on the agenda for each of the Council of Ministers' meetings at which his Department is represented in advance of each meeting; [188210]

  (2) if he will provide a written ministerial statement outlining for each meeting of the Council of Ministers at which his Department is represented as soon as is practicable following that meeting (a) the key items of discussion, (b) the positions of the Government on those items, (c) the key positions taken by other member states that Ministers consider should be noted by hon. Members and (d) any preliminary discussion on the timing and the agenda of the following meeting. [188211]
  1506W
  emergency departments from arrival to discharge, admission or transfer. The latest information available is shown in the table.

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Foreign Secretary dated 13 September 2004,Official Report, column 1451W.

  Crown Estate
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value of applications made to the Crown Estate's Research Committee for research proposals has been for the financial year 2004–05; how many applications have been made for funding; what the total value of research funding allocated is for the financial year 2004–05; and how many applications for research funding in 2004–05 have been successful. [185971]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 22 July 2004]Since September 2003, The Crown Estate Fish Farming Research Committee has become part of the independent Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF). The Crown Estate has committed £100,000 per annum to SARF for 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Additional marine based research funding is also available from The Crown Estate. This includes other aquaculture funding, the offshore research fund, the marine stewardship fund, and the renewables and communities fund. The Crown Estate expects to spend around £650,000 on these projects for the year 2004–05.

  For the financial year 2004–05, 32 applications (17 of which were not costed) have been received for the marine stewardship fund. Three have been successful and a further seven are still under consideration. Two applications have been made for aquaculture projects, of which one has been successful and the other is under consideration. Three applications have been made for marine aggregate research projects, of which one has been successful and the other two are under consideration. Finally, two applications have been made to the renewables and community fund and are still under consideration.

  Day Memberships
  John Barrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he will announce the results of the consultation on his plans to amend the gift aid rules on day memberships; [187948]
  1507W
  (2) pursuant to his answer of 30 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1350–351W, on gift aid, for what reasons an announcement on the results of the consultation on his plans to amend the gift aid rules on day memberships was not made at around the time of the 2004 Spending Review. [188253]

  John Healey
  The consultation period ended on 11 June. We are evaluating the responses to that consultation and will announce the results in due course.

  Departmental Recycling
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest available 12 month figures are for the proportion of the Department's redundant documentation, waste paper and card that is recycled; and if he will make a statement on the Department's recycling policy. [188687]

  Mr. Timms
  It is the policy of the Treasury to recycle all waste paper and card. The figures for the period 1 September 2003 to 31 August 2004 were 160,820 kg of paper, and 10,420 kg of cardboard.

  Table 1: Finished Consultant Episodes (FCE's)1,2 with death as method of discharge and eating disorders3 mentioned as a diagnosis, by sex and broad age group, 1997–98 to 2002–03, NHS Hospitals in, England4

  Group

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Male

  Under 15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  15–44

  *

  *

  *

  0

  *

  *

  45–64

  *

  *

  *

  0

  *

  *

  65+

  10

  10

  11

  15

  9

  14

  Male Total

  14

  13

  18

  15

  12

  16

  Female

  Under 15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  15–44

  20

  *

  *

  7

  15

  21

  45–64

  9

  *

  *

  12

  7

  12

  65+

  37

  22

  28

  30

  34

  32

  Female Total

  66

  34

  43

  49

  56

  65

  * Small number (Figures between 1 and 5, with secondary suppression to avoid disclosure by differencing) have been suppressed to protect patient confidentiality.

  1An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within a year.

  2 These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (7 prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episodes Statistics record.

  3 International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code F50

  4Figures are grossed for coverage, except for 2002/03 which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health

  Table 2: Number of deaths where an eating disorder1 was mentioned on the death certificate, by sex and broad age group, England and Wales, 1997–20022

  Age group

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Male

  Under 15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  15–44

  2

  2

  5

  4

  1

  0

  45–64

  1

  2

  4

  1

  1

  1

  65 plus

  5

  6

  6

  2

  7

  1

  Male total

  8

  10

  15

  7

  9

  2

  Female

  Under 15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1508W

  Eating Disorders
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths then, were of patients suffering from eating disorders, broken down by(a) age and (b) gender, in each year since 1997. [187870]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 14 September 2004:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths there were of patients suffering from eating disorders, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender, in each year since 1997. (187870)
  Information is not available in the exact form requested. However, figures are available on:

  (1) hospital admissions for patients diagnosed with eating disorders (not necessarily as the primary diagnosis) and where the discharge method was death;

  (2) deaths where an eating disorder was mentioned on the death certificate.

  This information is given in the attached tables for the years 1997 to 2002.
  1509W

  Table 2: Number of deaths where an eating disorder1 was mentioned on the death certificate, by sex and broad age group, England and Wales, 1997–20022

  Age group

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  15–44

  23

  10

  19

  13

  17

  26

  45–64

  11

  4

  5

  15

  8

  9

  65 plus

  11

  17

  17

  24

  18

  17

  Female total

  45

  31

  41

  52

  43

  52

  1 Cause of death was defined using ICD-9 codes 307.1 and 307.5 for 1997–2000, and ICD-10 code F50 for 2001–2002. Figures coded to different revisions of the 1CD are not completely comparable.

  2 Figures are based on deaths occurring in 1997–2002.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Endowment Mortgage Mis-selling
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people who are eligible to claim compensation for the mis-selling of endowment mortgages; and what proportion of those who have claimed have been successful. [188662]

  Mr. Timms
  Given the passage of time since the majority of endowment policies were sold and the lack of contemporaneous records of the advice given at the time, it is difficult to be certain of the number of consumers who may have been mis-sold their policy. The Government supports moves by the FSA to take forward a programme of research to form a better understanding of the numbers of endowment policies facing shortfalls. The FSA had received a total of 452,201 complaints on this subject by 31 March 2004. Information provided by the FSA indicates that the proportion of consumer complaints upheld by firms is now approximately 60 per cent. in favour of consumers, and from those complaints reaching the Financial Ombudsman Service, the figure for cases decided in favour of the consumer is 42 per cent.

  Environmentally Sustainable Economic Activity
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the growth rate has been in environmentally sustainable economic activity in each year since 1997; [188164]

  (2) if he will make a statement on (a) the performance of environmental investments funds as an indicator of the strength of environmentally sustainable economic activity and (b) the success of Government policies for promoting environmentally sustainable economic activity. [188165]

  John Healey
  The Government are committed to developing and implementing policies that will simultaneously deliver social, economic and environmental progress. We do rot separately measure the growth rate in 'environmentally sustainable economic activity' but in 1999 we established a set of 15 headline indicators and a wider set of core indicators to provide a baseline against which progress on sustainable development could be measured. Economic, social and environmental indicators are included and are reported on in the "Achieving A Better Quality of Life" annual reports. The indicators are being reviewed as part of the review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy.
  1510W
  The Government welcome innovation in investment products to meet the needs of their clients' preferences, of which environmental investment funds are one option.

  EU Budget
  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his projection is of the percentage of gross domestic product the UK will pay to the European Union budget under the post-2006 financial settlement. [188798]

  Mr. Timms
  The new Financial Perspective for the period from January 2007 will not be agreed by member states before next year. The Government's latest forecast of UK net contributions to the EC Budget, which covers the period to 2007–08, was included in a footnote to Table A1 of the Statistical Annex to the 2004 Spending Review (Cm 6237) published on 12 July 2004. This forecast is used for public expenditure planning purposes and assumes an appropriately uprated roll forward of the status quo. It is without prejudice to the Government's assessment of the likely outcome of the negotiations on the new financial perspective.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards an IMF programme for Iraq. [188347]

  John Healey
  The Iraqi authorities are currently engaged in regular and ongoing discussions with the IMF on a possible programme for Iraq.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to assist economic reform in Iraq. [188348]

  John Healey
  The UK aims to support economic reform in Iraq in the short term by working towards rapid agreement on an IMF programme, and by securing agreement in the Paris Club to write off the vast majority of Iraq's foreign debt by the end of the year. The UK will continue to support the efforts of the Iraqi authorities to develop a sustainable, stable and appropriate fiscal and monetary framework for Iraq, and to develop and implement policies to achieve and sustain rapid growth, high employment and poverty reduction.

  Leasehold Property Sales
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to permit Muslims to buy
  1511W
  leasehold property on the same or similar basis to freehold within the provisions in the Budget to prevent double stamp duty and allow purchases without payment of interest as a consequence. [188013]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government want to see consumers benefit from a wide choice and innovation in the financial services market. The Finance Act 2003 introduced two reliefs (s72 and s73) for purchases funded by "alternative property financing", which enables individuals to finance a property without paying interest. The combined effect of these reliefs is to place the amount of stamp duty land tax due when purchasing property using these arrangements on a level footing with the amount due on the purchase of property when using 'conventional' mortgage products. This will remove a significant barrier to the development of alternative property financing, thus benefiting a range of consumers with increased choice in the mortgage market.

  The legislation does not discriminate between freehold and leasehold properties, so both can be purchased using alternative property financing without a greater quantity of stamp duty being incurred than under a conventional mortgage.

  Department/Agency

  (a) Set retirement age

  (a) Maximum retirement age

  (b) Maximum age employment applications considered

  HM Treasury

  Age 60

  Age 60

  Age 59

  Valuation Office

  Age 60

  Age 65

  Age 64

  Royal Mint

  Age 60

  Age 65

  Permanent application up to age 59, Casual applications up to age 64

  Debt Management Office

  Age 60

  Age 70

  Age 60 unless there is a business justification for an older person

  National Savings and Investments

  Age 60

  None

  None—Age like other diversity data is not considered as part of NSI's selection criteria which is purely role related.

  Office National Statistics

  Age 65

  Age 65

  Age 65 Age 64 right tip until 65th Birthday

  Government Actuaries Dept.

  Age 60

  None

  None GAD currently does not operate a maximum age limit requirement.

  Inland Revenue

  Age 60

  Age 65

  None up to Age 65

  Office of Government Commerce

  1Age 60

  1None

  1None up to retirement age

  HM Customs and Excise

  2—

  2—

  Age 65

  1 OGC buying solutions retirement age is currently 65 for Ban 1 (Administrative Officer equivalent) staff and 60 for all other staff. However as with OGC normal staff, consideration would be given to staff working beyond this, subject to business needs.

  2 In HM Customs and Excise the set (maximum) retirement age is:

  60 for staff at Bands 7 (HEO equivalent) and above, of which there were 7,877 in post (on 1 July 2004);

  62 for staff at Bands 5 and 6 (EO equivalent), of which there were 8,143 in post and in post; and

  65 for staff at Band 4 (AO equivalent) and below, of which there were 7,182 in post.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue implication of restructuring stamp duty on residential property sales to charge marginal rates of(a) 0 per cent. on property sales of £120,000 or less, 3 per cent. on sales between £120,000 and £249,999, 4 per cent. on sales between £250,000 and £499,999 and 8 per cent. on sales of £500,000 and above, (b) 0 per cent. on property sales up to £100,000, 3 per cent. on sales between £100,000 and £249,999, 5 per cent. on sales between £250,000 and £499,999 and 8 per
  1512W

  National Debt
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) the value and (b) the interest paid on the national debt has been in each year since 1990. [188953]

  Mr. Timms
  The measure used in this Government's sustainable' investment rule and in international comparisons of debt is Public Sector Net Debt as a percentage of GDP.

  Figures for public sector net debt and central Government debt interest payments in current prices are available on the Office for National Statistics website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/tsdtables1.asp?vlnk=fsf. Table 1.1A: Public Sector Finances (series RUTN and RUTO) shows figures for public sector net debt in £ billion and as a percentage of GDP. Table 1.1C: Central Government (series NMFX) shows debt interest payments in £ billions. No data is available for debt interest payments by local authorities or public corporations.

  Staff Recruitment
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the(a) set retirement age applying to all or most personnel and (b) maximum age beyond which applications for employment will not be considered is in (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [186372]

  Mr. Timms
  The in formation requested is available in the following table:

  cent. on sales of £500,000 and above, (c) 0 per cent. on property sales up to £100,000, 2 per cent. on sales between £100,000 and £249,999, 5 per cent. on sales between £250,000 and £499,999 and 8 per cent. on sales of £500,000 or above, (d) 0 per cent. on property sales up to £110,000, 3 per cent. on sales between £110,000 and £249,999, 5 per cent. on sales between £250,000 and £499,999 and 8 per cent. on sales of £500,000 and (c) 0 per cent. sales up to £110,000, 2 per cent. on sales between £110,000 and £249,999, 5 per cent. on sales between £249,999 and £499,999, 8 per cent. on sales of £500,000 or above. [188011]
  1513W
  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 13 September 2004]: The estimated revenue cost, in 2005–06, of restructuring stamp duty on residential property sales according to the five schemes described in the question is given in the following tables:

  Tax regime 1 Marginal rates

  Price of residential property

  £0-£119,999 (percentage)

  0

  £120,000-£249,999 (percentage)

  3

  £250,000-£499,999 (percentage)

  4

  £500,000 and above (percentage)

  8

  Revenue cost (£ million)

  690

  Tax regime 2 Marginal rates

  Tax regime 3 Marginal rates

  Price of residential property

  £0-£99,999 (percentage)

  0

  0

  £100,000-£249,999 (percentage)

  3

  2%

  £250,000-£499,999 (percentage)

  5

  5

  £500,000 and above (percentage)

  8

  8

  Revenue cost (£ million)

  -60

  690

  Tax regime 4 Marginal rates

  Tax regime 5 Marginal rates

  Price of residential property

  £0-£109,999 (percentage)

  0

  0

  £110,000-£249,993 (percentage)

  3

  2

  £250,000-£499,999 (percentage)

  5

  5

  £500,000 and above (percentage)

  8

  8

  Revenue cost (£ million)

  190

  860

  This does not include any allowance for behavioural changes.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which neighbourhoods in Newcastle exemptions and remissions of stamp duty apply what the value of the exemptions and remissions so far granted has been; and whether the boundaries of the neighbourhoods will be revised in the light of the new index of multiple deprivation. [188711]

  Mr. Timms
  The list of wards in Newcastle which qualify for deprived areas relief are Walker, Monkchester, Elswick, West City, Byker, Scotswood, Benwell, Woolsington, Moorside, Fawdon, Blakelaw, Kenton, Wingroye, Fenham, Newburn, Walkergate and Denton.

  The value of relief given in the listed Newcastle wards between inception of the relief at the end of November 2001, and the end of March 2004, is estimated at around £4 million.

  There will be no changes to the qualifying areas before December 2006.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in(a) 2003–04 and (b) the current financial year to date have been overpaid tax credits; what proportion of the cases of overpayment
  1514W
  were due to error by the Inland Revenue; and in what proportion of the cases the Inland Revenue has attempted to recover overpayments. [188243]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The total number of(a) 2003–04 and (b) current financial year awards that are overpaid will be available only when all the awards for the years in question are finalised.

  Unoccupied Young People
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the Tamworth constituency aged between 16 and 24 years were both economically inactive and not in further or higher education(a) in 1997 and (b) in the latest year available. [188096]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 14 September 2004:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about economic inactivity in the Tamworth Parliamentary Constituency. I am replying in his absence. (188096)
  Estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for the twelve months periods ending February 2003 show that there were over 12 thousand residents aged 16–24 in private households in the Tamworth Parliamentary Constituency. Of these, around 10 thousand were not in full-time education and of that figure, fewer than 2 thousand were economically inactive.
  The corresponding figures for the 12 months ending February 1997 showed that out of a total of just under 11 thousand 16–24 year olds, nearly 9 thousand were not in full-time education and, of these, less than 2 thousand were economically inactive.
  These estimates are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a high degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution.

  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the Bridgwater constituency aged between 16 and 24 years are both economically inactive and not in further or higher education. [186501]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger, dated 14 September 2004:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about economic inactivity. (186501)
  Estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for the twelve months ending May 2003 show that there were 9,000 residents in private households aged 16 to 24 in the Bridgwater Parliamentary Constituency. Of these, 6,000 were not in full-time education and, among those, fewer than 1,000 were economically inactive.
  These estimates are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a high degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution.

  Worker: Pensioner Ratio
  Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the ratio of workers to pensioners in the(a) United Kingdom, (b) each region of England, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales. [188129]
  1515W
  Mr. Timms
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Denzil Davies, dated 14 September 2004:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the ratio of workers to pensioners in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) each region of England, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales. I am replying in his absence. (188129)
  The attached table gives the estimated ratios of people in employment to the population estimates above pension age by gender and region for the three months ending August 2003.
  These ratios have been calculated by dividing the estimated employed population aged 16 and over, obtained from the ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS), by the estimated populations of men aged 65 and over and of women aged 60 and over.

  Ratio of people in employment to estimates of population above pension age1 by gender and Government office regions; summer (June to August) 2003 not seasonally adjusted

  Total

  Male

  Female

  England

  2.6

  3.8

  1.9

  North East

  2.2

  3.2

  1.6

  North West (inc Merseyside)

  2.4

  3.6

  1.8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2.5

  3.7

  1.8

  East Midlands

  2.5

  3.7

  1.9

  West Midlands

  2.5

  3.6

  1.8

  Eastern

  2.5

  3.7

  1.9

  London

  3.3

  5.1

  2.3

  South-East

  2.6

  3.8

  1.9

  South West

  2.2

  3.2

  1.7

  Wales

  2.2

  3.2

  1.7

  Scotland

  2.5

  3.8

  1.8

  Northern Ireland

  2.7

  4.3

  1.8

  United Kingdom

  2.5

  3.7

  1.8

  1Pension age is defined as women aged 60 plus and men aged 65 plus. Ratio was calculated as people in employment divided by number of people above pension age.

  Source:

  ONS—Labour Force Survey

  ONS—Population Estimates

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  AIDS/HIV
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that AIDS/HIV prevention is given a high priority during the UK presidency of the(a) G8 and (b) EU. [187465]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The Government's strategy on AIDS "Taking Action: The UK's strategy for tackling HIV and AIDS in the developing world", published in July, signals that HIV and AIDS, with a special focus on Africa, will be a centrepiece for our Presidencies of both the G8 and of the EU in 2005. DFID is currently developing ideas about how best to use our G8 and EU Presidencies to promote accelerated international action on HIV and AIDS.
  1516W
  DFID is working closely with the other countries that hold the EU Presidency during this period (including Ireland, who hosted an important meeting on new HIV prevention technologies during their Presidency) and the European Commission to ensure that the European contribution to preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS is as effective as possible.

  Chechnya
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much(a) financial and (b) humanitarian assistance Russia has received from the UK in relation to the recent terrorist atrocities in Beslan. [188296]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Following a crisis, DFID assesses whether needs can be met within a country before deciding to respond. To date there has been no specific funding request to DFID relating to the terrible events in Beslan, largely because needs seem to have been adequately met by resources within the country. Indeed, agencies such as the World Food Programme, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children Fund and the Red Cross who responded to needs in Beslan, halve recently received support from DFID for their programme in the region.

  DFID has a long-standing programme of humanitarian assistance in the North Caucasus. Last year DFID channelled approximately £3.5 million largely through United Nations agencies and the International Confederation of the Red Cross to meet immediate humanitarian and protection needs.

  Burma
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the International Labour Organisation about breaches of its standards by the Government of Burma. [188339]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The UK plays an active part in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and fully supports its efforts to end the use of forced labour in Burma. DFID's embassy in Rangoon maintains regular contact with the ILO liaison office there. The EU has repeatedly condemned Burma's lack of progress on forced labour, most recently on 5 June, at the International Labour Conference in Geneva. The EU issued a statement at the ILO's Governing Body in March. The ILO will consider what progress Burma has made at its Governing Body meeting in November.

  CDC/Actis Capital
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether CDC investments qualify as bilateral aid. [189061]

  Hilary Benn
  I confirm that CDC investments still qualify as bilateral aid and full details of these investments are set out in Table 7 of Statistics on International Development, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Buildings (Lost and Stolen Property)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if ho will list the items that his Department has reported to the police as lost or stolen from his Department's buildings or property in the United Kingdom and overseas since 1997. [188319]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The number of items reported lost or stolen to the police in the UK and overseas is as set out. Information for 1997 is not readily available and could not be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.

  Item

  Quantity

  1998

  Laptop

  1

  1998

  Computers

  10

  1998

  Laptop

  1

  2000

  Vehicle

  1

  2001

  Telephones

  3

  2001

  Colour printer

  1

  2001

  Laser printers

  2

  2001

  Scanners

  2

  2001

  Fax machine

  1

  2001

  Laptop

  1

  2001

  Vehicle

  1

  2002

  Video camera

  1

  2002

  Vehicle

  1

  2002

  Vehicle

  1

  2002

  Laptop

  1

  2002

  Laptops

  2

  2002

  Vehicle

  1

  2002

  Laptop

  1

  2002

  Laptop

  1

  2002

  Digital camera

  1

  2002

  Laptop and projector

  1

  2002

  Building materials

  —

  2002

  Laptop and projector

  1

  2003

  Laptop

  1

  2003

  Laptops

  3

  2003

  Laptop

  1

  2003

  Laptop

  1

  2004

  Laptop

  1

  2004

  Laptop

  1

  2004

  Digital camera

  1

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on replacing light bulbs in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on energy efficiency in his Department's buildings in the UK and overseas. [188330]

  Year

  Focus groups

  Cost (£)

  Opinion polls

  Cost (£)

  Total (£)

  1997–98

  OLR Baseline Study

  43,000

  —

  —

  43,000

  1998–99

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  —

  —

  ONS Poll

  28,200

  44,704

  —

  —

  MORI Poll

  14,700

  —

  —

  Developments Survey

  1,804

  2000–01

  —

  —

  ONS Poll

  33,000

  47,629

  —

  —

  MORI Poll

  14,629

  1518W
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID spent £4,311 in its London offices on replacement light bulbs during 2003–04. No information is available for our East Kilbride offices, as it is currently being refurbished and the lighting system is therefore being replaced. Information on expenditure on light bulbs in our overseas offices is not centrally available and could not be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.

  DFID is committed to implementing the standards set out in the Government's Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. The recent refurbishments of our UK offices have given us the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, for instance with installation of Building Management Systems which allow us to monitor and manage energy usage to a much greater extent than in the past.

  The design for the refurbishment of our East Kilbride office has received an "excellent" rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM); for instance, DFID has installed energy efficient heating systems, and also lighting systems which are movement sensitive and take account of natural lighting levels. Through our green awareness programme DFID is encouraging overseas offices to consider the implementation of similar energy efficiency measures wherever appropriate.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money his Department has spent on(a) opinion polling and (b) focus groups in each year since 1997. [188332]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  In 1998, DFID commissioned Opinion Leader Research (OLR) to undertake baseline focus group research among the UK public. In 2003, DFID commissioned OLR to undertake further focus group research to explore ways of increasing understanding and support for international development in the UK. DFID also commissions two annual opinion polls on public attitudes to development. One poll, undertaken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), monitors the opinion of the UK adult population, and the second, undertaken by Market and Opinion Research International (MORI), monitors the opinion of schoolchildren. In 1999, we also undertook a readership survey of "Developments" magazine, in order to test its impact and reach. The results of the focus group research and the opinion polls are used to inform, and monitor the impact of, our work on development awareness and education.

  The annual cost of focus group research and opinion polls is detailed in the following table:
  1519W

  Year

  Focus groups

  Cost (£)

  Opinion polls

  Cost (£)

  Total (£)

  2001–02

  —

  —

  ONS Poll

  34,300

  45,815

  —

  —

  MORI Poll

  11,515

  2002–03

  —

  —

  ONS Poll

  31,880

  43,395

  —

  —

  MORI Poll

  11,515

  2003–04

  OLR Research

  50,309

  ONS Poll

  32,990

  95,519

  —

  —

  MORI Poll

  12,220

  2003–05

  OLR Research

  —

  ONS Poll

  36,120

  To be confirmed

  —

  —

  MORI Poll

  To be agreed

  To be confirmed

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the equivalent monetary cost of theft from his Department was in each year since 1997, broken down by(a) United Kingdom locations and (b) overseas offices. [188333]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  The cost to DFID, in pounds, of items reported stolen is as set out. Information for 1997 is not readily available and could not be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.

  £

  United Kingdom

  Overseas

  1998

  3,111

  16,357

  1999

  0

  0

  2000

  111

  24,319

  2001

  203

  6,472

  2002

  10,595

  29,797

  2003

  10

  2,674

  2004

  0

  2,192

  Departmental Mobile Phones
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many mobile phones owned by his Department have been reported lost or stolen since 1997. [188331]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  Within the Department for International Development, 28 mobile phones have been reported lost or stolen since 1997.

  Departmental Satellite and Cable Subscriptions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost was of satellite and cable subscriptions in his Department's buildings in the UK and overseas in each year since 1997; and if he will list the premium channels to which his Department subscribes. [188328]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID subscribes to the Parliamentary TV System to allow access to the Parliamentary Annunciator System, the Division Bell and Commons and Lords TV channels in the UK. Other services and channels are included in the package: these are selected by the Information Committee of the Houses of Parliament. The annual costs of the subscription since 1997 are given in the table.
  1520W

  £

  Amount

  1997

  1—

  1998

  19,770

  1999

  19,770

  2000

  220,500

  2001

  220,500

  2002

  20,500

  2003

  23,059

  1No figures are available.

  2Estimated figure.

  DFID has no other cable and satellite subscriptions in the UK and there is no central provision of cable and satellite services to overseas offices. Information about any local purchases overseas could not be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.

  Infant Mortality Rate
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of global infant mortality he estimates results from unsafe water and sanitation; and how this is taken into account in the design of the programmes funded by his Department in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goal to reduce the under-five mortality rate. [188053]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  UN data on infant mortality are not routinely disaggregated by cause of death. It is estimated, however, that diarrhoea causes more than 1.5 million child deaths each year, constituting about 15 per cent. of under-live deaths. Childhood diarrhoea is closely associated with insufficient water, inadequate sanitation, contaminated water and poor hygiene practices.

  The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are strongly inter-dependent and DFID programme interventions include strict controls over appraisal and design to reflect this. DFID's Water Action Plan, published in March 2004, sets out DFID's priorities for the integrated provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene promotion at national, regional and international levels. Significant progress to reduce childhood deaths from diarrhoea requires increased coverage of both preventative interventions and curative, such as the provision of effective health care (including oral re-hydration therapy and drug treatments).

  Iraq
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if ho will make a statement on responsibility for the management of the Development Fund for Iraq. [188343]

  Hilary Benn
  Under the United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (8 June 2004) resources in the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) are managed and disbursed solely at the discretion of the Interim Iraqi Government. The International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) continues its work as an audit oversight body for the DFI. The IA MB oversees audits conducted by international accounting firms of (i) oil export sales, (ii) the accounting for the proceeds from oil export sales, (iii) the DFI financial statements, and (iv) the disbursement procedures for DFI resources.

  In March 2004 the IAMB approved the Coalition Provisional Authority's appointment of KPMG to conduct audits in two stages: first for DFI activities up to the end of December 2003, which reported on 15 July; and second for the six months to 28 June 2004, on which KPMG expects to report in early October 2004. As with the first stage audit reports, the IAMB will make the reports of the second stage available on its website (http://www.iamb.info).

  Oil export sales and DFI operations after 28 June 2004 will be examined by external auditors to be appointed by the Government of Iraq. The IAMB will work with the Government of Iraq to ensure the early appointment of appropriately qualified external auditors.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the current levels of(a) water and (b) electricity provision in Iraq are; and what the targets for improvement in the next 12 months are. [188351]

  Hilary Benn
  Estimates suggest that immediately after the 2003 conflict, 60 per cent. of in ban and 30 per cent. of rural populations had access to safe water. In October 2003, the United Nations and World Bank's Needs Assessment of Iraq proposed a 2007 target of increasing water access in urban areas by 30 per cent., and in rural areas by 45 per cent., from immediate post-conflict levels. Considerable work has taken place since May 2003 to improve the quantity, quality and reliability of water supplies.

  Programme

  Contract cost (£)

  Programme details

  Emergency Public Administration Programme (EPAP)

  3,181,205

  This programme provides capacity building support to the Iraq public administration. Activities include the provision of long and short-term technical advice, support and training to key central ministries, to enable them to begin the process of re-establishing effective and accountable government in Iraq

  Technical Support to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) South

  491,406

  Provision of technical experts to the former Coalition Provisional Authority in southern Iraq in the areas of economic reform and justice. This work completed on 28 June following the handover of sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government

  Total

  3,672,611

  1522W
  In Basra the water supply situation remains difficult but is now better than before the 2003 conflict. Informal estimates by the former Coalition Provisional Authority (South) indicated that, in the south, coverage increased by 10 per cent. to 15 per cent. from May 2003 to July 2004. Major infrastructure work which is mainly US funded is planned over the next year. United Nations agencies are providing up to 800,000 litres of drinking water per day to vulnerable groups and inhabitants of rural areas. Drinking water is also sold by bottle or tanker. The restoration of 14 Basra Governorate water treatment plants is on schedule for completion by the end of October 2004.

  In Baghdad, civil engineering work has now been completed at three wastewater treatment plants. The UN is operating water tankers and supplying water purification tablets to meet shortfalls. Water specialists from the USA are working with local government officials in Baghdad Municipality's water department to improve water treatment throughout the city.

  The supply of electricity in Iraq has improved since May 2003. Production now averages 4,750 MW, compared with the pre-conflict level of 4,400 MW. Most of Iraq is now receiving between nine and 15 hours of electricity daily.

  Significant programmes of long-term rehabilitation of electrical infrastructure are being undertaken alongside planning for the expansion of generating capacity with new plants. However, security problems continue to slow the progress of reconstruction and make precise forecasting difficult. The Interim Iraqi Government has set a target of 6,000 MW by the end of 2004. The United Nations and World Bank's Needs Assessment proposed a target of 8,760 MW by 2007.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department has allocated to the Adam Smith Institute for work in relation to the reconstruction of Iraq; what the nature of the work is; and if he will make a statement. [188428]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has not allocated any funding to the Adam Smith Institute for work in relation to the reconstruction of Iraq.

  DFID has contracted the consultants Adam Smith International Ltd. (ASIL) to provide services to assist with reconstruction in Iraq as follows:
  1523W

  Pakistan
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to Pakistan for the reform of its education system. [188364]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  DFID has made a significant contribution to the reform of Pakistan's education system. During 2003–04, DFID spent £2.2 million on a number of initiatives, including support to the National Education Assessment System, a programme that assessed children's performance nationally and informed education policy. DFID also supported the North West Frontier Province Education Programme, the Northern Areas Education Programme, Sindh Primary Education Project and the Punjab Middle Schooling Project. These programmes have supported the Government of Pakistan to improve the decentralised management of human and financial resources for education, as well as strengthening teacher training for primary education, with particular emphasis on education for girls.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Housing
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many households were living in temporary accommodation in the Tamworth constituency in each year since 1997; and how many of those households included dependent children. [188125]

  Keith Hill
  Information is not collected at constituency level, only at local authority level. A summary of information reported by Tamworth district council about the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation as at 31 March of each year since 1997 is tabled as follows. The number of households in temporary accommodation containing dependent children or expectant mothers has been collected only since March 2002.

  Principal authority

  Area(s) which petitioned for parish status

  Outcome

  2000–01

  Ashfield

  Hucknall

  Declined

  Bromsgrove

  Lickey End

  One new parish created

  Harlow

  Church Langley

  Declined

  Newcastle upon tyne

  Blakelaw and North Fenham

  One new parish created

  Nottingham

  Wollaton

  Declined

  Restormel

  St. Austell

  Declined

  St. Edmunsbury

  Brackland

  Considered by district review but declined

  Total

  Two parishes created

  Declined

  2001–02

  Basildon

  Noak Bridge

  One new parish created

  Bradford

  Keighley

  One New parish created

  Bradford

  Oakworth

  Declined

  Burnley

  Padiham

  One new parish created

  Brentwood

  West Hornden Herongate and Ingrave

  Two new parishes created

  Dudley

  Stourbridge

  Invalid petition

  Leeds MBC

  Shadwell

  One new parish created

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  silverdale

  One new parish created

  1524W

  Households in temporary accommodation1 arranged by Tamworth district council, as at 31 March

  Total households

  Of which: with dependent children2

  1997

  109

  n/a

  1998

  83

  n/a

  1999

  88

  n/a

  2000

  92

  n/a

  2001

  105

  n/a

  2002

  94

  90

  2003

  83

  75

  2004

  not reported

  not reported

  1 Households in temporary accommodation arranged by the local authority pending inquiries, or after being accepted, under homelessness legislation

  2 Includes expectant mothers. Data collected only since March 2002.

  Source:

  ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly).

  Indicts of Deprivation
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the electoral wards under which each Super Output Area in the Indices of Deprivation 2004 falls. [188272]

  Phil Hope
  There are 32,000 Super Output Areas and this is too large to send in this format. I have contacted the Office for National Statistics and it will arrange for the hon. Member to receive a copy of these on CD format.

  Local Government
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many ballots there have been to set up(a) parish and (b) town councils in each of the last three years; and what the result was in each case. [188310]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In accordance with the provisions set out in the Local Government and Rating Act 1997, the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister may by Order create parish and town councils following petitions from electors in the area of the proposed parish which are presented to principal local authorities. Where parishes are created, they come into existence on the l April of the year following the Order being made. The following table shows for each year since 1 April 2000 the outcome of petitions received from principal local authorities in that year or before.
  1525W

  Principal authority

  Area (s) which petitioned for parish status

  Outcome

  North West Leicestershire District

  Council

  Ellistown and Battleflat

  One new parish created

  Stockport MBC

  Offerton Estate

  One new parish created

  Warwick

  Royal Leamington Spa

  One new parish created

  Total

  10 parishes created

  2002–03

  North East Lincolnshire

  Great Coates

  One new parish created

  Wear Valley

  West Auckland

  One new parish created

  Total

  Two prishes created

  2003–04

  Bedford

  Brickhill

  One new parish created

  Bradford

  Clayton

  Four new parishes created

  Sandy Lane

  Wilsden

  Wrose

  Leeds

  Drighlington

  Three new parishes created

  Gildersome

  Kippax

  Sefton

  Formby

  One new parish created

  Shepway

  Folkestone

  Two new parishes created

  Sandgate

  Total

  11 parishes created

  2004–05

  Fylde

  Saint Anne's on the Sea

  One new parish created

  Total so far

  1 parish created

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what opportunities there will be for parish and town councils in his 10-year vision for local government. [188316]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The vision for local government sees an important role for citizen engagement and participation so that they have greater influence over the delivery of public services. There are a variety of possible models to give communities a stronger voice at local level, one of which is through parish and town councils. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to issue a discussion document looking at the issue of citizen engagement, including the role of parish and town councils, later this year.

  Local Government Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has(a) to protect the interests of staff over the age of 40 and (b) for a transitional scheme, in changes to the local government pension scheme. [188722]

  Phil Hope
  The proposals to amend the Local Government Pension Scheme, on which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister consulted earlier this year, are planned to come into effect in April 2005. They fully protect all members rights accrued up to that time. Those members who reach 60 years or over by 31 March 2013, and whose age and membership of the Scheme when added total 85, will also continue to accrue membership to that date on the me basis as they did prior to April 2005. In these circumstances, further transitional arrangements are not required.
  1526W

  Park Homes (Fire Safety)
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will make it his policy to require all park home sites to provide individual fire protection for each residence rather than communal fire points; [188728]

  (2) what regulations there are regarding fire protection on park home sites; and what plans he has to amend these. [188729]

  Keith Hill
  The relevant statute for the licensing and control of residential park homes is the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. Section 5 of the 1960 Act provides local authorities with the power to regulate fire precautions on park home sites, by enabling the local authority to impose conditions on the site licences issued to site owners. The Act enables the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to issue model standards. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has exercised this power most recently in 1989, in Circular 14/89: "Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960—Model Standards". The model standards represent the standards that are normally expected as a matter of good practice on sites for residential mobile homes or static holiday caravans, or both. The local authority must have regard to the model standards in issuing or reviewing the conditions of a site licence. In addition, the Act provides that a local authority is required to consult with the fire authority for the park as to the extent to which the model standards relating to the fire precautions are appropriate to the land. Ultimately, it is up to the local authority on what conditions they apply to site licences. As part of the ongoing park home reform, the model standards are currently being revised and an informal consultation is
  1527W
  taking place with stakeholders and a formal consultation paper will be published in the summer of 2005.

  Currently it is not expected that this revision will require individual fire protection for each residence.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the councils and fire authorities which require individual fire extinguishers for park home residences rather than fire points within 30 metres of each residence; and if he will make a statement. [188730]

  Keith Hill
  This information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There are no powers for the Fire Safety Service to require the information.

  Section 5 of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 gives local authorities the responsibility for the regulation of fire precautions on park home sites, by enabling the local authority to impose conditions on the park homes site licences the authority issues. The local authority must have regard to Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's model standards in issuing or reviewing the conditions of a site licence. In addition, the Act provides that a local authority is required to consult with the fire authority for the park as to the extent to which the model standards relating to the fire precautions are appropriate to the land, and if the conditions (if any) are found to be unsuitable, the local authority must consult with the fire authority about the conditions that ought to be attached to the licence instead. Ultimately though, it is matter for the local authority to decide upon the appropriate conditions to apply to site licences and there is no requirement that information about a site licence is provided to central Government.

  A local authority has the power to enter a site and monitor the upkeep of site licensing conditions.

  Regional Observatories
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 1 September 2004,Official Report, columns 742–44W, from the Deputy Prime Minister, which Government Department has responsibility for overseeing the expenditure of the regional observatories. [188269]

  Phil Hope
  Regional observatories are voluntary partnerships formed in the regions. Central Government does not oversee their expenditure.

  Supporting People Programme
  Derek Conway
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the level of Supporting People programme grants are for each London borough. [188589]

  Keith Hill
  The Supporting People programme grant for each of the London boroughs for 2004–05 was:

  London borough

  Supporting People programme grant 2004–05 (£)

  Barking and Dagenham

  4,997,640

  Barnet

  7,490,089

  Bexley

  2,777,648

  1528W

  London borough

  Supporting People programme grant 2004–05 (£)

  Brent

  13,723,511

  Bromley

  5,645,494

  Camden

  39,696,525

  City of London

  741,115

  Croydon

  8,881,039

  Ealing

  11,643,789

  Enfield

  11,849,724

  Greenwich

  9,505,899

  Hackney

  24,114,767

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  13,932,752

  Haringey

  23,323,001

  Harrow

  3,624,556

  Havering

  2,550,490

  Hillingdon

  6,239,503

  Hounslow

  5,614,200

  Islington

  16,551,521

  Kensington and Chelsea

  12,205,258

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  4,720,995

  Lambeth

  22,112,120

  Lewisham

  18,452,195

  Merton

  3,523,216

  Newham

  11,272,635

  Redbridge

  4,394,844

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  3,015,294

  Southwark

  20,108,613

  Sutton

  3,833,837

  Tower Hamlets

  15,732,633

  Waltham Forest

  7,967,877

  Wandsworth

  11,860,631

  Westminster

  18,250,145

  Telecommunications Masts
  Derek Conway
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will implement the recommendations of the Stewart Report, section 1:36 within planning policy guidance note 8. [188588]

  Keith Hill
  Section 1:36 of the Stewart Report recommends that telecommunication development should be subject to the normal planning process. The Stewart Report made this recommendation in order to improve local consultation. The arrangements the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister put in place following the Stewart Report provide for the same consultation on mobile phone masts up to 15 m in height as is required by full planning permission.

  Derek Conway
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from local planning authorities on the recommendations of the Stewart Report on permitted development of masts at 15 metres or below. [188591]

  Keith Hill
  Since the publication of the revised Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications in August 2001 10 local planning authorities have made representations about the Government's response to the recommendation of the Stewart Report on permitted development of masts up to 15 metres in height.

  Mr. Shepherd
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether, in the light of the recent statement by Sir William Stewart, Chairman of the Health Protection Agency and the National Radial ion Protection Board on whether Tetra had any harmful effects, he plans to remove the permitted development rights granted to licensed
  1529W
  telecommunications operators under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (Part 24 of Schedule 2). [188819]

  Keith Hill
  The Government currently have no plans to remove the permitted development rights granted to licensed telecommunications operators under Part 24 of the "Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995".

  The National Radiological Protection Board's (NRPB) independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) published a report on "Possible Health Effects from Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA)" in 2001. The report noted that the signals from TETRA base stations, like their mobile phone counterparts, are not pulsed. NRPB advise that there is no reason to believe that signals from TETRA base stations should be treated differently from other base stations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on subsidies available for companies working to find and develop renewable energy sources. [187296]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Renewables Obligation is the key policy mechanism by which the Government are encouraging the growth necessary to reach the UK's renewable energy targets. It requires all licensed electricity suppliers in England and Wales to supply a specified and growing proportion of their electricity from renewables. Renewable energy is also exempt from the Climate Change Levy, a tax on commercial energy use.

  In addition the Government also provides a range of other support for industry-led research and development and demonstration projects for longer term renewables and low carbon energy generation technologies, through the DTI and the Carbon Trust. Further details can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/index.shtml and http://www. thecarbontnist.co.uk/

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has lo introduce legislation against age discrimination in the work place following the judgment in the case of Rutherford and Bentley v. Towncircle Ltd.; and if she will make a statement. [188254]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Rutherford and Bentley case is not about age discrimination—it is about sex discrimination, and the Government welcomes the Court of Appeal judgment that UK legislation is not unlawful. The Government have undertaken public consultation on forthcoming age legislation, which will come into force in 2006, including proposals on upper age limits for unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy payments.

  British Nuclear Group
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she received from BNFL its first near term work plans and its lifecycle baseline analysis for British Nuclear Group sites; and what procedure is in place for amendment to these planning documents. [187502]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The first lifecycle baselines for British Nuclear Group sites were received on 30 September 2003. The first near term work plans for BNFL sites were received on 15 March 2004. Updating lifecycle baselines and near term work plans will be an annual process.

  British Telecom (Service Obligations)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers she has to instruct BT to meet its obligations to customers who have a medical priority in the event of breakdown or disruption due to planned maintenance. [188391]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The matter raised is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Business Link
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated administrative cost is of devolving Business Link services to the regions. [186347]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The combined estimated administrative cost to the Department of Trade and Industry and the Regional Development Agencies, of devolving the management of Business Link Operators to the Regional Development Agencies is less than £650,000.

  Business Support Agencies
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how her Department measures the success of its business support agencies. [186318]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The common monitoring framework for all DTI business support product provision measures immediate benefits to assisted businesses, quality of service they receive and the process required to deliver a good service.

  All business support products will also be included in an annual Business Support Cross Product Monitoring Survey. The monitoring survey aims to measure the client experience and subsequent impact and effectiveness of each scheme.

  In addition DTI undertakes regular evaluations of the economic benefits of each its products and services and these are published on the DTI website.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions the
  1531W
  Sustainable Energy Policy Group ministerial committee has had in relation to the Combined Heat and Power Strategy; [187581]

  (2) what discussions (a) the Sustainable Energy Policy Network (SEPN) Advisory Board, (b) the SEPN Programme Board and (c) the SEPN Strategy Group have had in relation to the Combined Heat and Power Strategy. [187582]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Sustainable Energy Policy Network (SEPN) Ministerial Committee, the SEPN programme board and SEPN strategy group regularly have wide ranging discussions on energy policy issues, including the contribution of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to the objectives set out in the Energy White Paper.

  Minutes of the Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board's discussions can be found on the SEPN website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/structure.shtml# advisory. The CHP Strategy was not on the Board's agenda at the three meetings held since its creation in December 2003.

  Corporate Venturing UK
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total funding is that has been given by her Department to support Corporate Venturing UK since it was launched. [186343]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The total funding provided by this Department to Corporate Venturing UK since its inception is £1,465,415.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's proposed funding arrangements for Corporate Venturing UK. [186344]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department has no plans to provide further funding for Corporate Venturing UK.

  Cybersquatting
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what statistics the Government collate on(a) incidences and (b) the cost to British business of cybersquatting on British companies and individuals. [187952]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government do not run the internet and we do not have responsibility for internet domain names. Statistics for Top Level Domain names are held on the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) Arbitration and Mediation Center website (www.arbiter.wipo.int/.domains/index.html). Since 1999 WIPO has recorded 554 instances of disputes for generic top level domain names (.int.com etc.) in which the complainant was domiciled in the UK.

  Nominet UK is responsible for uk internet domain name registration. As of 31 August there were over 3.6 million uk registrations in Nominet's register database. To date, Nominet has received 1,813 disputes into its Dispute Resolution Procedure since September 2001.
  1532W
  Nominet's Dispute Resolution Procedure is free of charge and Nominet provides it's administrative and mediation services free. The domain name registry responsible for com.net etc. offer similar dispute resolution procedures; where they are administered by WIPO they are subject to fees as set out at (www.arbiter.wipo.int/domains/fees/index.html).

  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the practice of cybersquatting; and what steps the Government are taking to reduce cybersquatting. [187957]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  WIPO defines cybersquatting as the pre-emptive, bad faith registration of trademarks as domain names by third parties who do not possess rights in such names. Cyber squatters exploit the first come first served nature of the domain name registration system to register as domain names third parties' trademarks or business names of famous people as well as variations thereof. A common motive for cybersquatting is the intention to sell the domain name back to the trademark owner or to attract web traffic to unrelated commercial offers.

  The Government support the development of affordable alternative dispute resolution procedures by domain name registries.

  It is ICANN's (Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers) responsibility to co-ordinate, at a global level, the internet domain name system. ICANN's board have adopted a Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy for all registrars serving the com, .net, and org domains.

  Nominet UK manages the database of uk domain name registrations. Nominet have a Dispute Resolution Procedure developed in close consultation with UK stakeholders.

  Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) Contract
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the consequences for(a) employment opportunities and (b) skills in the north-west of the award of the Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) contract to each of the current bidders. [188263]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 13 September 2004]: No assessment by DTI has been made of the UK employment implications related to either of the bidders for the MoD's Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) procurement.

  European Directives (Environment)
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list each environment-related European Directive the implementation of which involves her Department; and what steps her Department is taking towards implementation in each case. [187213]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This Department is involved in the implementation of all environment-related European Directives, because of their implications for business, but takes the lead on the following current measures:
  1533W

  (a) The End-of-Live Vehicles (ELY) Directive (2000/53/EC). Implementation has been partially effected by the ELV Regulations 2003 (S.L 2003/2635), and will be completed by the forthcoming ELV (Producer Responsibility) Regulations, on which public consultation took place earlier this year.

  (b) The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/96/EC) and The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2202/95/EC). Draft Regulations to transpose these Directives were published for consultation on 30 July 2004.

  (c) The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (1994/62/EC). DTI has introduced Regulations (SI 2003/1941, amended by SI 2004/1188) relating to the essential requirements (composition and definition) of packaging and packaging waste.

  (d) The proposed Directive on Batteries and Accumulators and Spent Batteries and Accumulators (COM(2003)723 final). A first consultation, seeking stakeholder views on the proposed measure, has recently closed, and responses are being assessed.

  (e) The proposed Directive to amulet the Whole Vehicle Type Approval Directive, specifying reusability, recyclability and recoverability standards for vehicle design (COM(2004) 162 final). Negotiations have not yet began on this proposal.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many full-time equivalent staff have been assigned to work on each environment-related European Directive, the implementation of which involves her Department. [187214]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The equivalent of 13 full-time executive, administrative economic, and legal staff have been assigned to work on all the range of environment-related European Directives on which DTI takes the lead in implementation.

  Gas and Electricity Supply
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has had of increases imposed by Centrica gas suppliers on prices to domestic customers; what action she is taking to ensure greater diversity in generating electricity with greater use of coal; and if she will make a statement. [188097]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  While gas retail prices are a commercial matter for the companies concerned, consumers are normally free to seek a better deal and can switch energy supplier. Although some gas suppliers have announced gas prices recently, even after these price rises the real price of domestic gas will be significantly lower than that seen over most of the last 30 years

  We are continuing to monitor developments regarding diversity in the electricity generation market e.g. through the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS) which consists of officials from Government, Ofgem and National Grid Transco.

  We recognise the value of coal fired generation, especially its ability to meet peaks in demand and cover supply intermittency. We believe it will have a continuing role in a diverse energy balance provided that its associated carbon emissions can be reduced through clean coal technologies. We plan to publish around the end of the year a Carbon Abatement Technologies Strategy aimed at supporting the development of low carbon technologies from fossil fuels such as coal.

  MOX Plant (Sellafield)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public money has been given to the MOX Plant at Sellafield in each year since 1990; what the projected sums are for future years; and if she will make a statement. [187524]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The construction and operation of the Sellafield MOX Plant (SMP) has been funded by BNFL from income from the company's commercial operations. No publicly voted money has been provided to the company.

  The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which will become operational from 1 April 2005, will assume full financial responsibility for the UK's civil public sector nuclear assets and liabilities.

  A number of BNFL's assets will transfer to the NDA in April 2005, including SMP. Money voted by Parliament intended for the clean up programme will not be used to subsidise commercial operations such as SMP.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much revenue was forecast to be generated by the MOX Plant at Sellafield at its inception in each year to 2004; what the outturn has been; what the projections are for future years; and if she will make a statement. [187525]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government commissioned an independent review of the Sellafield MOX Plant (SMP) economic case by Arthur D. Little in 2001. The consultants analysis in the report, stated that: "there is a robust economic case for proceeding with SMP" and that "the expected Net Present Value (NPV) of the national economic interest case for SMP is £216 million".

  Details of SMP annual revenues are commercially confidential. The recently published audited 2004 Annual Accounts for BNFL noted that the most recent financial forecasts for SMP, which are used both for economic appraisal and accounting for SMP contracts, has shown some deterioration from last year. This reflects recent difficulties in achieving production ramp up and BNFL's current best estimate of the future production profile.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries were expected to place orders with the MOX Plant at Sellafield at its inception; and how many have done so to date. [187526]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The economic case for the Sellafield MOX Plant (SMP) presented to the Environment Agency in 1997 was based on MOX business from Japanese, German, Swiss and Swedish customers. To date, SMP has secured contracts from German, Swiss and Swedish customers plus commitments from Japanese customers. I understand from BNFL that the company is hopeful of securing Japanese MOX contracts in the future.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much profit the MOX plant at Sellafield is expected to make in its lifetime. [187527]
  1535W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This is a commercially confidential figure under Exemption 13—Third Party Commercial Confidences of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and the Government are working with BNFL to ensure that the best value for money is achieved for the taxpayer with respect to the operations of this plant.

  Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made since December 2003 in respect of the consideration by the European Commission of details provided by the Government on the proposed financing of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. [187604]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The European Commission is still considering the matter. We hope for a decision soon.

  Nuclear Waste
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response has been received from the European Commission following the plan presented by the United Kingdom on 1 June in respect of the nuclear waste storage silo B30 at Sellafield. [187503]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As of 7 September, UK authorities had received no formal or substantive response from the Commission to the plan presented on 1 June in respect of B30 at Sellafield. The Commission has however issued a press release dated 3 September in which it states that it will refer the UK to the European Court of Justice. The UK remains keen to engage in a full and co-operative dialogue with the Commission aimed at satisfactorily resolving the remaining Euratom Treaty safeguards issues at the B30 plant.

  Overhead Power Lines
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government has taken to evaluate the impact of new overhead power lines on the economy of communities reliant on tourism. [187491]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This is one of a number of issues for Government to take into account when considering an individual application for consent to a particular proposal for a new overhead line. In Scotland it is for Scottish Ministers to take that decision.

  Renewable Energy
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many householders have taken advantage of the Clear Skies renewable energy grants scheme since the scheme started operating; and how much has been awarded in grants. [188171]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since the start of Clear Skies 4,204 household applications have been made with a total value of £2,489,050. Of these 3,939 have been accepted and 2,347 have been paid, with a total value of £1,297,050.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on future plans for the Clear Skies renewable energy grants scheme. [188172]
  1536W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Department is currently considering how best to allocate the recent Spending Review Settlement for sustainable energy. While the settlement was a good one in the context of a tight spending review, it unfortunately will not allow us to do everything.

  We are currently considering the case made by the industry to make a further extension to Clear Skies in the context of the overall funding made available for renewables and low carbon generation in SR2004.

  An announcement about continued funding will be made shortly.

  Renewables Obligation
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the timescale for the consultation on the renewables obligation. [188419]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are two separate consultations on the Renewables Operation under way at present.

  First, the Government launched a consultation on the terms of reference for the Review of the Renewables Obligation which will take place in 2005/06. The review will address the effectiveness of the Obligation to date, the future profile of the Obligation, its working arrangements and the transition to market over time for renewables technologies including taking account of support under the Obligation and the Emissions Trading Scheme. The consultation period on the terms of reference ends on 30 September. A preliminary consultation is planned for early next year followed by a statutory consultation of all stakeholders later in 2005 with a view to any necessary changes that can be made by secondary legislation taking effect from 1 April 2006.

  In addition, on 8 September the Government published a separate consultation paper on a number of limited changes to the Renewables Obligation to strengthen the development of electricity generation capacity using renewable energy sources in the UK. This is a more limited consultation concerning measures to:
  extend the profile of the Obligation to 2015/16;
  allow tradability between Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation Certificates (NIROCs) and GB ROCs;
  introduce measures that will further secure the buy-out fund in the event of a shortfall occurring;
  consider the introduction of a single recycling mechanism for the separate buy-out funds;
  introduce more flexibility for small generators.

  The period for this consultation ends on 1 December, and the Government plans to make any necessary changes to take effect from 1 April 2005.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the calculation of the effectiveness of renewable obligations will include the operation of renewable obligation certificates. [188420]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Yes. The operation of Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) are an important element of the Renewables Obligation. The forthcoming review of the Renewables Obligation in 2005/06 will include, among other things, an assessment of the effectiveness of the operation of the ROCs market.
  1537W

  State Aid
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the levels of state aid to industry in other EU member states relative to the UK and of whether this results in unfair competition. [186419]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The European Commission publishes regular reports on levels of state aid spending in member states, based on information which member states are required to provide, and the results are available on the Commission's website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/state_aid/scoreboard/

  EU rules on state aid provide a safeguard against any member state funding businesses in a way that will distort competition and trade within the single market. The Government sees this regime as essential in ensuring a level playing field for businesses across the EU, and we are committed to the objectives agreed at Lisbon and other European Councils of less and better targeted state aid.

  Telephone Billing;
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will require British Telecom to allow its competitors to offer a single telephone bill for its customers. [186331]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The matter raised is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Tidal Energy
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote tidal energy; and what plans she has to increase investment in its further development. [187041]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The main form of support for all renewable technologies is the Renewables Obligation (RO) which provides a stable and long term market for renewable electricity. Electricity generation from both wave and tidal stream technologies is eligible for the RO.

  However, these technologies are still at the developmental stage. Therefore the principal form of support to date has been through the DTI's Technology Programme that since 1997 has committed around £15 million towards the development of these technologies.

  On 2 August the Government announced a further £50 million funding primarily focused on supporting the UK's marine renewables industry through the next phase of development of these technologies, which includes small scale demonstration and pre-commercial stages.

  The Department is now working closely with the Carbon Trust, Scottish Executive and other stakeholders looking at mechanisms for applying the funding, subject to State Aid approval.
  1538W
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the potential contribution to the UK's energy needs of tidal power. [187042]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A study has been commissioned to provide a spatial quantification of renewable sources of energy—wave, tidal and offshore wind across the waters of the UK continental shelf. In addition to the spatial variation of these resources, temporal variations will also be assessed. This study (ATLAS) will assist in deciding which areas of the sea will next be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment.

  The first stage of the study which has just been completed provides information on the energy levels with a resolution of about 12 km. The second stage will involve the conversion of the raw energy potential into the amount of energy presently available. It will also allow higher resolution in specific areas such as through main channels. The study is expected in the autumn and we intend to publish it.

  Additionally, there have been two previous studies1,2 which examined the potential tidal stream power resource in the UK. The later of those studies completed in 1996 under the EC JOULE-II energy research programme identified a total of 42 potential sites in UK waters with a combined annual output totalling some 31 TWh/yr which represents 8 per cent. of UK annual electricity demand in 2003.
  1 Tidal Stream Energy Review ETSU T/05/00155, 1993
  2 Marine Currents Energy Extraction: Resource Assessment, Final Report, EU-Joule contract JOU2-CT93–00355, 1995

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of the costs of steel production in the construction of wind farms. [186600]

  Mr. Timms
  A typical 2 MW wind turbine weighs around 260 tonnes and approximately 95 per cent. of that by weight is steel. Installed costs of onshore wind turbines are around £700,000 per MW, of which the turbines can account for around 75 per cent., although this will depend on factors such as the cost of the foundations and grid connection etc. One a per tonne basis, steel costs even at current market prices would account for less than 10 per cent. of the cost of the turbine.

  However, the cost of the steel itself is not necessarily the driving cost fact in all components of the turbine. For example, the tower section of the turbine is a relatively simple structure and in this case the amount of steel used will be the primary cost factor. However, other sections such as the nacelle, which contain complex components such as the turbine generator etc, might account for 25–40 per cent. of weight and 25 per cent. of the cost of the turbine. Although steel is still the primary component by weight, other raw materials and the processes involved in making these complex components account for a more significant proportion to total costs.
  1539W
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the 50 MW threshold, above which she determines planning applications for wind farms, is based on the wind farm's theoretical maximum output, or its actual projected output. [187039]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  When looking at the capacity of a power station for the purposes of applications made under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, it is the rated capacity which counts. That is the capacity which can be generated by the station and fed through the alternators without causing damage to the alternators.

  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what constitutes a single wind farm for the purposes of planning applications; and whether there is a maximum distance between two clusters of turbines, beyond which they would be regarded as two wind farms. [187040]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Department is of the view that a wind farm could be considered as one where it used the same common services such as transmission cables, electricity sub-station and control room. If separate services were to be used then it would be two stand alone proposals and fall to be determined as two separate applications. While there is no maximum distance between each turbine the Department would expect the turbines to be spaced in such a manner that the distance between each turbine is the optimum for generation and satisfying environmental concerns.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of levels of carbon dioxide production as a result of building wind farms. [187570]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A number of studies have estimated the overall environmental cost of building wind power generation based on energy payback or life cycle analysis. These calculations project the energy output as a ratio of energy required to build, maintain and decommission the power station.

  The average wind farm in the UK will pay back the energy used in its manufacture within three to five months, and over its lifetime a wind turbine will produce over 30 times more energy than was used in building, maintenance and decommissioning according to a study commissioned by the British Wind Energy Association.

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the number of fighters serving with the militias in Afghanistan and (b) the arms available to them. [188362]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is difficult to estimate accurately the number of fighters serving with militias in Afghanistan accurately, due to the difficulty of obtaining reliable intelligence reporting and the precise definition of what constitutes a militia fighter. Nevertheless, we estimate there to be around 50–60,000. They are predominantly armed with Soviet-era small arms and heavy weapons from the 1950s–1980s period.
  1540W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with other members of NATO on the need for additional resources for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. [188363]

  Mr. Ingram
  The United Kingdom strongly supports the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as an essential part of the international community's efforts to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan. Our leadership of Stage 1 of ISAF expansion and our deployment of Harrier GR7 aircraft to support both ISAF and coalition operations are examples of this commitment. In this context, we routinely engage with our NATO allies to discuss what additional resources are needed to facilitate ISAF expansion.

  Coastal Protection (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many coastal protection vessels have been deployed in Northern Ireland waters by the Royal Navy in each year since 1997; and which the vessels were. [187417]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the period in question, four Royal Navy vessels were initially assigned to Northern Ireland patrol duties: HMS Itchen, HMS Blackwater, HMS Spey and HMS Arun. These ships were progressively withdrawn during 1998 and replaced by the current patrol ships HMS Cottesmore, HMS Dulverton and HMS Brecon which, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Hoon) on 21 July 2004, will be paid off by April 2007.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department is planning to release its budget. [187128]

  Mr. Ingram
  Details of the 2004–05 budget can be found at Table 1 of the current edition of the Ministry of Defence's 'Government Expenditure Plans 2004–05–2005–06' (Cm 6212).

  Iraq
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British service personnel worked as part of the team of the US military judge advocate in Iraq, Colonel Mark Warren. [185908]

  Mr. Ingram
  Ono United Kingdom officer worked with Colonel Warren.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 July, 2004 Official Report, column 245W, on Iraq, how many enquiries by (a) civilian authorities and (b) military police resulted from these incidents; what the conclusions were; and if he will make a statement. [186420]

  Mr. Ingram
  Eight incidents that led to allegations against United Kingdom forces and compensation being paid to Iraqi people have been investigated by the Royal Military Police. Three concluded that no crime could be established and five have been referred to the relevant prosecuting service.
  1541W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi detainees and prisoners of war were held by British forces in Iraq on 29 June. [188320]

  Mr. Ingram
  There were no prisoners of war or detainees held by British forces in Iraq on 29 June. However, 49 internees were held.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a British officer was responsible for supervising Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Jordan during his time at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004. [188302]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 13 September 2004]: No. At no time have United Kingdom officers had direct responsibility for supervising any of the US personnel posted to Abu Ghraib.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Colonels Campbell James and Chris Terrington were part of a joint reporting or command chain with the US army during their time in Iraq. [188303]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 13 September 2004]: Colonel Terrington and his successor, Colonel Campbell-James were embedded within the C2 (Intelligence) Division of the US Combined Joint Task Force 7.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern(a) the handling of captured firearms and ammunition in Iraq, (b) the personal retention of captured weaponry and (c) selling such weapons; how many (i) officers and (ii) soldiers have been found in breach of such rules; how many have been subject to disciplinary action; and what sanctions have been applied. [176025]

  Mr. Ingram
  In Iraq, all captured enemy ammunition is handled by qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, in accordance with the Ammunition and Explosive regulations and Joint Service Publication 482. Captured weapons are transferred to a central facility for destruction, repair, re-distribution to the Iraqi Security Forces, or when given approval, returned to owners. Personal retention of captured weapons is not permitted. In some cases, operational memorabilia is cleared for return to the UK for retention by the capturing units. Service Police conduct anti-smuggling checks on equipment, vehicles, containers and baggage transported back to the UK and service flights are subject to checks by HM Customs and Excise.

  As at 31 August 2004, a total of three service personnel had been reported by the Royal Military Police for possession of captured firearms from Iraq.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions were made available to interrogators and other soldiers involved in the handling of prisoners in Iraq from March 2003 onwards in order to prevent European Convention on Human Rights violations under Article 3 occurring through each of the five techniques identified by the Court in 1978. [174551]

  Mr. Ingram
  All UK armed forces personnel are instructed that Iraqi prisoners should be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, which include the prohibition of torture. Each major unit also has a number of personnel trained to a greater degree in prisoner handling.
  1542W
  All UK interrogators must successfully complete a stringent course prior to undertaking any operational interrogations. During the course they are specifically instructed that individuals being questioned must, again, be treated at all times in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his statement of 7 January 2004,Official Report, column 139WH, on the case of Baha Musa, when he expects the investigation to be completed; whether its outcome will be placed in the public domain; and if he will make a statement. [171623]

  Mr. Ingram
  The investigation into the death of Baha Musa has concluded and the case is now being considered by the Army Prosecuting Authority. Any ensuing trial would be held in public.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the relocation of Defence Science and Technology Laboratories facilities and personnel to Porton Down; and if he will make a statement. [186357]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 13 September 2004]: Work to relocate Dstl facilities and personnel to Porton Down, has focused on the selection of a strategic partner who will provide the new facilities at Porton Down, and become the facilities management supplier to Dstl for 15 years from 2006.

  Four companies have now been short-listed to receive the invitation to tender (ITT), which is expected to be released towards the end of 2004. We hope that a preferred bidder will be appointed in autumn 2005.

  RAF Croughton
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons UK forces at RAF Croughton, are not allowed access to Commissary and BX services run by the US. [188752]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 13 September 2004]: In accordance with the terms of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement the US Visiting Force is permitted to
  "import free of duty the equipment for the force and reasonable
  quantities of provisions, supplies and other goods for the exclusive use of the force" (Article XI (4)).
  These provisions, supplies and other goods are made available through Army Air Force Exchange Services (Base Exchange—BX) and Defense Commissary
  Agency stores.

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise regulations require the United States Visiting Force to refrain from selling goods imported or purchased tax and/or duty free to any persons other than members of the US Force, its civilian component and their dependants.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision comparable to the Commissary and BX service available to US forces at RAF Croughton, exists for UK forces. [188753]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding 13 September 2004]: RAF Croughton is made available to the United States Visiting Force under the terms of the NATO Status of

  1543W
  Forces Agreement 1951. The United Kingdom forces are not stationed at RAF Croughton and there is, therefore, no need to provide facilities comparable to the US Commissary and BX service.

  Warrior
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the propensity of the Warrior to engage in(a) undemanded firing of weapons and (b) other actions attributable to design faults in the electrical and safety systems. [186641]

  Mr. Ingram
  Technical investigations have been carried out since 1999, following a small number of reported incidents involving the undemanded firing of the Warrior chain gun. The investigations concluded that there is a very low risk of the undemanded firing of the chain gun or main armament. A Post Design Service task is currently in progress with the Design Authority to explore whether any design changes may be justified. In addition, a safety notice has been issued to the Warrior user community informing them of the problem, to ensure the continued safe operation of the vehicle.

  Two other technical investigations into the undemanded power traverse of the turret and undemanded operation of the rear door have also been carried out. Solutions to address both these problems are also being pursued by the Design Authorities. A modification programme to prevent the undemanded power traverse of the turret is due to commence this month.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Bangladesh
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent attempt to assassinate Sheikh Hasina, the parliamentary opposition leader in Bangladesh. [188313]

  Mr. Alexander
  As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in his press statement of 22 August, we were shocked to hear of the bombings in Dhaka on 21 August and the many deaths and injuries they caused. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/news/policy/press-releases. We extend our sympathies to all those injured, and to the families of the victims. We condemn these bombings and call on all concerned to refrain from further violence, and to exercise restraint. We welcome the Bangladeshi Prime Minister's public expression of determination to see those responsible brought to justice, and hope that this can be done through an investigation process in which all parties, and the public, can have confidence.

  Departmental Pamphlets
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of printing his Department's pamphlet, "Inclusive Government: mainstreaming gender into foreign policy"; and how many pamphlets were printed. [188457]
  1544W
  Mr. Straw
  The printing cost of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's booklet "Inclusive Government: mainstreaming gender into foreign policy" was £2,730. We printed 3,000 copies.

  Designated Accommodation
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many rooms are set aside for(a) the use of smokers, (b) worship, broken down by religion and (c) nursing mothers and pregnant women in each building and set of offices for which his Department is responsible. [187318]

  Mr. Rammell
  On the Foreign and Commonwealth Office UK estate, there are:

  No rooms are set aside specifically for the use of smokers; there are, however, licensed bars at the Main Building in London and at Hanslope Park in which smoking is permitted in designated areas.

  Two rooms are set aside for worship, one in the FCO Main Building in Whitehall and the second at Hanslope Park—both rooms are designated as Multi-Faith. In the Old Admiralty Building (OAB) there are no rooms set aside solely for worship although two meeting rooms have been identified which may be used for multi-faith worship if not being used for their primary purpose.

  No rooms are specifically set aside for nursing mothers and pregnant women, although First Aid Rooms in the Main Building, OAB and Hanslope Park may be used if desired.

  European Union (Cost-Benefit Analysis)
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the Government last undertook a cost-benefit analysis of United Kingdom membership of the European Union, including(a) indirect costs and benefits and (b) direct costs and benefits. [188781]

  Mr. MacShane
  UK membership of the European Union is vital for British jobs and prosperity. There is broad consensus among academics that UK membership of the European Union promotes growth, competitiveness and employment through the operation of the internal market. Our trade with Europe accounts for 3 million British jobs. 53 per cent. of our total imports of goods and services are from Europe. 50 per cent. of our total exports of goods and services go to Europe. And 65 per cent. of our investment overseas now goes to Europe.

  The Government continually consider the direct and indirect costs and benefits of specific EU legislative proposals, in the context of ongoing European policy development.

  Ewa Jasiewicz
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government regarding the detention of Ewa Jasiewicz; and if he will make a statement. [188068]
  1545W
  Mr. Mullin
  We were informed of Ms Jasiewicz's detention on 12 August when she called our embassy in Tel Aviv to report that she had been refused entry. Following legal appeals and counter-appeals by Ms Jasiewicz and the Israeli authorities, we understand that Ms Jasiewicz returned to the UK on 1 September. The issue of entry and exit to Israel is a matter for the Israeli authorities. However, our ambassador in Tel Aviv has recently written to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise our concerns over the treatment of British journalists and representatives of British media organisations.

  Iran
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear weapons programme. [186868]

  Mr. MacShane
  Discussions between senior officials have taken place during the summer. A further report on Iran's nuclear programme by the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be discussed at the meeting of the Agency's Board of Governors, which began on 13 September.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Iran about the Bushehr nuclear plant. [188368]

  Mr. MacShane
  Discussions with Iran, relating to its' nuclear programme, have taken place between senior officials during the summer. There has been no recent ministerial discussion with the Iranian Government on this subject.

  Iraq
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the political parties registered for elections in Iraq; and if he will break them down by(a) religious and (b) ethnic affiliations. [187616]

  Mr. Rammell
  The timetable for the organisation of the elections has not yet reached the stage of registration. The Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq timetable foresees registration taking place in November. We anticipate that a broad range of political forces and independent candidates will take part in the elections.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is giving to the preparation of women candidates for parliamentary elections in Iraq. [187619]

  Mr. Rammell
  This Government will make every effort to assist the holding of representative elections in Iraq in January next year, including helping implement the provision in the Transitional Administrative Law that calls for a target of 25 per cent. representation in the Transitional National Assembly by women. The 1546W
  stipulation in the electoral law that every third candidate on election lists should be female bodes well in this regard.

  The Department for International Development, through its Political Participation Programme which is being administered by the British Council, is spending £5 million on helping Iraqi women's organisations participate in the elections.

  Laos
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Laos concerning the arrest of four Christians in Kasy District in Vientiane province on 2 August; [187838]

  (2) what representations he has made to the Government of Laos concerning the intimidation of Christians by the authorities in parts of Laos in recent months, including in Nam Thuam village, Vieng Samay village and Hua Muang village; and if he will make a statement; [187839]

  (3) by what methods the British Government monitor abuses of religious freedom in Laos; and if he will make a statement. [187840]

  Mr. Alexander
  We are aware of reports of the mistreatment of Christians in Laos. Our embassy in Bangkok (which is accredited to Laos) monitors the situation. Although Lao people are officially free to worship, they may not preach in public. The Lao authorities themselves acknowledge incidents where officials have not permitted freedom of worship for Christians. We understand, however, there has been some limited progress, with a number of churches being allowed to re-open and an overall drop in the number of believers detained.

  Our contacts with the Laos authorities are very limited. We are not therefore able to confirm individual reports, nor to raise individual cases on a regular basis. Ministers and officials have, however, raised our concerns over freedom of religion on a number of occasions, both in bilateral contacts and through the European Union. Most recently, on 18 June, our ambassador to Thailand raised the persecution of Christians with Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsavath Boupha.

  We will continue to raise our concerns with the Lao Government when opportunities arise; and to encourage it to implement recent reforms on religious freedom.

  Maldives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the treatment of political prisoners in the Maldives. [188340]

  Mr. Alexander
  We remain concerned about prisoners detained without charge in the Maldives, and raise this regularly with the Maldivian authorities. Our Acting High Commissioner recently discussed this issue with
  1547W
  the Maldivian Attorney General, and on 6 September was part of an EU delegation which met the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs. The EU delegation called upon the Maldivian government to immediately repeal the state of emergency and restore all fundamental rights to the detainees. We welcome the steps taken by the Maldivian Government to enter into an agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross on prison monitoring, and look forward to the early conclusion of such an agreement.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in the Maldives. [188341]

  Mr. Alexander
  In December 2003, the Maldives established a Human Rights Commission (HRC) to protect, promote and preserve human rights. However the bill that would give the HRC the necessary legal power has not been passed, and we continue to have concerns, including about freedom of expression and association, and detention without charge. Following the arrests of nearly 200 people, including Special Majlis MPs, during and after the demonstrations of 12 and 13 August, we and EU partners called on the Maldivian authorities to repeal the state of emergency and restore fundamental rights to those detained. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Rammell) reiterated our support for the President's reform proposals, and stressed the importance of ensuring that the Special Majlis, and the people of the Maldives are free to discuss constitutional change, during a meeting on 25 August with the Maldivian Special Envoy.

  NATO Russia Council
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to develop the NATO-Russia Council as a tool in the war against terrorism. [188367]

  Mr. MacShane
  The struggle against terrorism was one of the drivers behind the foundation of the NATO-Russia Council in 2002. On 7 September the NATO-Russia Council issued a statement condemning the recent atrocities in Russia and undertaking to intensify common efforts against this shared threat, including working on measures to allow Russian naval forces to join allied units in NATO's maritime interdiction force in the Mediterranean.

  Nicholas Baker
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2004,Official Report, column 1656W, on Nicholas Baker, what progress has been made in the case of Mr. Nicholas Baker; what discussions on the case the Department has had with the Japanese Government over the last four months; and what further steps have been taken. [188337]

  Mr. Mullin
  Mr. Baker's appeal is currently ongoing in the Japanese Courts.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has discussed Mr. Baker's case with the Japanese authorities on a number of occasions over the last four months, at both ministerial and official level, most recently in August.
  1548W
  We will continue to raise Mr. Baker's case with the Japanese authorities at every appropriate opportunity. We remain in touch with Mr. Baker and his family about his case and will inform them immediately of any developments.

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to publish annually the number of interceptions of communications he approves under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [188052]

  Mr. Straw
  No. The Annual Reports of the independent Interception of Communications Commissioner publish the numbers of interception warrants issued by my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the First Minister in Scotland. In line with longstanding policy, endorsed by successive Interception Commissioners, the figures for warrants issued by the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are not published. The reasons are explained in the latest Annual Report published on 22 July 2004 (HC883).

  Sudan
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first received reports of Janjaweed activity in Darfur; when he first raised the question of Janjaweed activities in Darfur with his counterpart in Khartoum; what assurances were then sought; and if he will make a statement. [187273]

  Mr. Mullin
  Attempts by the Government of Sudan to recruit militias, as part of their response to the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) uprising, was first reported on 12 May 2003. The tern "Janjaweed" was first used by the British Government on 8 September 2003, following its use at negotiations in Abeche. However, different groups use the terns rather loosely to mean different things. The Government of Sudan understand it to mean "bandits"; whereas displaced persons will use it for almost any armed Arab on horseback.

  We have been raising with the Government of Sudan their response to the SLA since May 2003. In May of this year the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs visited London. During his visit my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for International Development and I all raised the need for the Sudanese Government to disarm the militias and protect their civilians from the human rights atrocities that have been taking place. When the Foreign Secretary travelled to Khartoum and Darfur at the end of August he re-iterated this need to both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Sudanese President.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions concerning the situation in Darfur his Department has had with officials from(a) the Sudanese embassy in London and (b) Sudanese Government officials in Khartoum between 22 July and 7 September; and on what dates, and where, these discussions took place. [188486]
  1549W
  Mr. Straw
  We are in regular touch with the Sudanese authorities, both through our embassy in Khartoum and the joint Department for International Development/Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sudan Unit in London. During the period specified, the main contacts included:26 July—the British ambassador in Khartoum met Naguib El Kheir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
  29 July—the UK Special Representative for Sudan met the Sudanese ambassador in London.
  2–3 August—the UK Special Representative for Sudan visited Sudan. Those he met included Saddiq al Mahdi (Umma Party), Yahya Hussein (Minister at the Presidency), Mohamed Yousef (Minister of Humanitarian Affairs), Qutbi Al Mahdi (Presidential Political Adviser), Mustafa Ismail (Foreign Minister).
  6 August—the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Africa Director met the Sudanese ambassador in London.
  12 August—the UK Charge d'Affaires in Khartoum attended the UN/Government of Sudan Joint Implementation Mechanism with Jan Pronk, UN Secretary General's Special Representative (UNSR) and EU ambassadors and Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismael, the Sudanese Foreign Minister and his team.
  16 August—the UK Charge d'Affaires in Khartoum met Dr. Awad E1 Jaz, the Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining
  18 August—the UK Charge d'Affaires in Khartoum attended a meeting at the Foreign Ministry with the International Organisation for Migration Mission
  19 August—the UK Charge d'Affaires in Khartoum attended the Joint Implementation Mechanism at the Foreign Ministry with Jan Pronk, UNSR and EU ambassadors and Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismael, Sudanese Foreign Minister and his team
  23–24 August—I visited Sudan. I called on Mustafa Ismail and President Bashir. I met other members of the Government at a lunch.
  2 September—the British ambassador in Khartoum called on Salah Ghosh (Director General National Security)
  6 September—the British ambassador in Khartoum called on Yahya Hussein (Minister at the Presidency)
  7 September—the UK Special Representative for Sudan met the Sudanese ambassador in London.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the Government's assessment of whether the atrocities committed in Darfur constitute genocide and (b) the implications of Secretary of State Powell's comments on genocide in Darfur to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 9 September. [188995]

  Mr. Mullin
  There is no doubt that grave crimes against humanity have been committed in Darfur. These may amount to genocide. What Colin Powell said to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee underlines the need for all the evidence to be examined by an international commission of inquiry, which we would like the Security Council to set up.

  The evidence currently available further underlines the need for sustained international action to press the Government of Sudan to carry out its responsibilities. That is what we are seeking through the Security Council.
  1550W
  During my own visit to Sudan this week, I will also be making clear to the Government of Sudan its prime responsibility to protect its own citizens and to bring to justice all those responsible for human rights abuses.

  UK Presidency
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparations the Government are making for the forthcoming UK Presidency of the EU. [188297]

  Mr. MacShane
  Each Government Department and devolved Administration has established its own structure for preparing for the Presidency, including teams within the European Union Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK Permanent Representation to the EU. The Cabinet Office European Secretariat has an overall co-ordinating role.

  During our Presidency we will hold two European Councils in Brussels. Other formal Ministerial Councils and meetings of officials will take place in Brussels and Luxembourg.

  Some informal ministerial meetings will take place in the UK during the UK Presidency. Planning for these and other official level events is under way.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the main themes for the forthcoming UK Presidency of the EU will be. [188298]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government's main priority for the UK Presidency of the EU in 2005 will be to take forward the EU policy agenda in an efficient, effective and impartial way, with a strong emphasis on the agenda which we will inherit from the preceding Dutch and Luxembourg Presidencies. That agenda is set out in detail in the Council's Multi-Annual Strategic Programme, covering the three year period from 2004–06, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a logotype for the UK Presidency of the EU has been agreed. [188299]

  Mr. MacShane
  The logo and a number of related issues are under discussion between Government Departments. It is not the usual practice for a future Presidency to publish its logo before the preceding Presidency has done so: the Luxembourg Presidency logo has only recently been unveiled.

  Zimbabwe
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Zimbabwean Government on its raid on the MDC offices in Bulawayo. [188877]

  Mr. Mullin
  Our embassy in Harare is monitoring the situation carefully. We condemn the intimidation and harassment of the Government of Zimbabwe's opponents, and will continue to make this clear.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make urgent representations to the Zimbabwean Government on the arrest of MDC member Mr. Nelson Chamisa. [188878]
  1551W
  Mr. Mullin
  Mr. Chamisa was released without charge on the afternoon of 10 September. The British embassy in Harare was in contact with Mr. Chamisa after his arrest and will continue to monitor the situation.

  We regularly raise human rights issues with the Government of Zimbabwe.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Access Management Grant Scheme
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the take-up of the Access Improvement Grant Scheme by local authorities has been; what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Scheme in meeting its stated objectives; and what will become of the Scheme as a result of Rural Strategy 2004. [186987]

  Alun Michael
  Take-up of the Access Management Grant Scheme has been very good. 24 access authorities, covering 96 per cent. of mapped access land in mapping areas 1 to 5, have bid for funding to support their preparatory planning work. Five local authorities have, so far, submitted bids for infrastructure work. Most authorities are still at the planning and consultation stage and we expect them to submit infrastructure bids during the autumn.

  The Scheme has been running for five months and it is therefore too early to assess how well it will meet all the objectives set for its first year. The Countryside Agency has reported on progress in the first three months, during which period the Scheme has proved successful and popular with local authorities. The Agency will be carrying out a more detailed assessment of the Scheme's overall performance in October. This will inform decisions on the level of funding and priorities for next year.

  I have extended funding for a further two years, to provide the necessary support to enable local authorities to complete access planning and on-site infrastructure work by March 2007.

  This work is an important early step in delivering the Rural Strategy 2004 objective of making the countryside more accessible for all. As the scheme currently runs only until March 2007, it will not be incorporated into the streamlined funding arrangements announced in the Strategy, which we plan to complete by March 2007. If a requirement for funding is identified beyond March 2007, we will review how best to meet it within the context of the new arrangements.

  Biofuels
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the latest figures are that she has collated on the sale of biofuels. [186570]

  Mr. Morley
  Currently, around two million litres of biodiesel are sold each month in the UK. We are not aware of any sales of bioethanol. Biodiesel sales have been stimulated by the existing 20p per litre duty rate cut. A similar incentive for bioethanol will come into force in January 2005.
  1552W
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of biofuels sold were produced from imported vegetable oil in the last year for which figures are available. [186571]

  Mr. Morley
  Currently, around half of the two million litres of biodiesel sold each month in the UK comes from imported biodiesel and this is mainly produced from virgin rape seed oil. It is known that some palm oil is used in the production of biodiesel. Total imports of palm oil in 2001, the latest year for which figures are available, amounted to 1.28 million tonnes but information is not collected on the use of the oil. A further one million litres of biodiesel a month comes from recycled waste vegetable oil produced in the UK.

  Cattle Passports
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate how many cattle have been killed because the British Cattle Movement Service has rejected a passport application or notification in each of the last five years for which records are available. [189082]

  Alun Michael
  Figures are not held for the number of calves that have been killed as a consequence of being refused passports. There is no compulsion for these calves to be destroyed, heifer calves refused passports may live out full and productive lives on the farm where they were born and any calves born to them may be registered in the normal way.

  The British Cattle Movement Service merged with the Rural Payments Agency on 1 April 2003.

TRANSPORT

  A120
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce proposals for the improvement of the A 120 road east of Braintree. [188557]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Following the outcome of the recent Spending Review, we are currently considering funding allocations across departmental programmes, including the Targeted Programme of Trunk Road Improvements. Subject to the outcome of this exercise the Highways Agency intend to present at Public Consultation this autumn, proposals for delivering the dualling of the Al 20 between Braintree and Marks Tey. I shall review the findings of this exercise, together with the outputs of the work currently being undertaken by the Highways Agency, with the intention of being able to take a position on this proposal by Spring 2005.

  Disabled Parking
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the entitlement of those diagnosed with myasthenia gravis to disabled parking provision. [188627]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 9 September 2004.Official Report, column 1327W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Colman).
  1553W

  Safety Cameras
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is responsible for auditing safety camera partnerships; and to which bodies the partnerships are answerable. [188336]

  Mr. Jamieson
  A partnerships' accounts and its operation in line with the Department for Transport 'Handbook of rules and guidelines for the operation of the national road safety camera programme for England and Wales' is audited by the auditor appointed by the Audit Commission for the partner with lead responsibility for financial matters, most often one of the local authorities within the partnership.

  The rules and guidance (a copy of which is in the Library) require a partnership to submit its proposed programme to the Department for Transport for approval. Partnerships include one or more police authorities and local highway authorities. Partnership staff are employed and managed by them, and each partnership is answerable to them for its operation in line with the rules and guidance for the programme.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  People Smuggling
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to co-ordinate Government resources in monitoring non-commercial aircraft movements to detect people smuggling; and if he will make a statement. [183225]

  Mr. Browne
  The Government monitors the movement of non-commercial aircraft through the Border Agencies Working Group, a forum that brings together representatives from the control authorities, the Civil Aviation Authority and Transec. The Group co-ordinates an on-going series of multi-agency operations at small ports and airfields, which assess levels of risk, and provides a forum for the control authorities to develop shared intelligence.

  Additionally the Immigration Service regularly assesses the risks to the UK immigration control and will be monitoring whether the recent disruption by the police of an alleged facilitation attempt using light aircraft in Kent was a "one-off" or is part of a trend to target small airfields. The border agencies and law enforcement are actively engaged in a series of joint working initiatives to identify and combat external risks and organised criminal activity targeting the UK borders at small ports and airfields.

  Antisocial Behaviour
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department's TOGETHER campaign attempts to tackle antisocial behaviour in Leyton and Wanstead. [187741]

  Ms Blears
  TOGETHER is a campaign for both practitioners and the public across all of England and Wales. The approach includes prioritising local concerns about antisocial behaviour, getting the right people from local agencies working with the community 1554W
  to tackle the problem and making effective use of available sanctions and providing feedback to the community on progress at all stages.

  On the practitioner side, the campaign is an ambitious programme that is designed to provide help, resources and know-how to every practitioner across the country. It has three core aims; to make the use and application of tools and powers simple and effective, to take the best of what is developed locally and spread it nationally, and to create a change in culture so that action is taken. The TOGETHER Academy, Action Line and Website—backed up by practical step-by step guides and antisocial behaviour ambassadors remove excuses for inaction and raise the level of practice across England and Wales.

  On the public side it is for individual Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to decide how to take forward the campaign at a local level. The TOGETHER campaign pack gives the tools for local authorities, police and community groups to run a TOGETHER campaign in their area.

  Burglary (Wandsworth)
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results of the evaluation of the Reducing Burglary Initiative for the London borough of Wandsworth. [187828]

  Ms Blears
  My hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) said in reply to my hon. Friend's oral question about the Reducing Burglary Initiative on 14 June 2004,Official Report, column 515 that the report of the findings of the process evaluation of the initiative would be published in the summer, though this will not identify projects individually. However, because of delays in finalising the report for publication, it will now be published later this autumn.

  Crime Trends
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made, using the Home Office Trends in Crime model, of the impact on crime rates of(a) economic and (b) demographic changes in each year since 1995. [187234]

  Ms Blears
  The Home Office Trends in Crime model is an empirical model which attempts to explain annual changes in recorded crime in England and Wales by reference to annual changes in a number of economic, demographic, and criminal justice variables. It has been developed by joint external and internal research effort with the purpose of providing the Home Office with a tool for identifying those determinants of crime that are both within and outside of its control.

  The model is robust, but highly aggregated. As such it cannot account for all the factors that impact on crime rates. It has nonetheless demonstrated that economic and demographic factors have been important determinants of changes in crime over time.

  The model has not been used to attribute annual changes in crime to each of the explanatory variables. However, the model predicts that, if other factors remain constant, a permanent 1 per cent. increase in the growth rate of consumption expenditure reduces the

  1555W
  growth rate of crime by about 1.7 per cent. On a similar basis, an increase of 1 per cent. in the growth rate of the proportion of young males in the population would increase the growth rate of crime by about 0.5 per cent.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide his Department's staffing levels for 1998–99, in the format set out in table 6.1 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2003–04. [181494]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 29 June 2004]: Since 1998–99, the Central Home Office has been re-organised to meet its Public Service Agreements (PSAs) and it not possible to make a direct staffing level comparison in the format set out in the Department's

  Staff distribution—1998–99 Central Home Office (excluding agencies)

  Civil service full-time equivalents

  Casuals

  Secondments

  Total

  Criminal Policy Directorate

  457

  0

  0

  457

  Police Policy Directorate

  682

  17.5

  414

  1,113.5

  Organised and International Crime Directorate

  102

  0

  23

  125

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate

  4,500

  100

  0

  4,600

  Fire and Emergency Planning Directorate

  209

  2

  11

  212

  Constitutional and Community Policy Directorate

  176

  0

  0

  176

  Research Development and Statistics Directorate

  226

  12

  0

  238

  Planning and Finance Directorate.

  167

  0

  0

  167

  Corporate Resources Directorate (in 2003/04 called Human Resources, Corporate Development Services Directorate)

  652

  6

  2

  660

  Legal Advisors

  33

  —

  —

  33

  Communication Directorate

  99

  —

  —

  99

  Ministerial and Central Secretariat

  77

  —

  —

  77

  Prison Service Monitoring Unit

  4

  —

  —

  4

  HM Inspectorate of Prisons

  12

  —

  —

  12

  Prisons Ombudsman

  15

  —

  —

  15

  Total Central Home Office (excluding Agencies)

  7,411

  1,37.5

  450

  7,998.5

  Home Office: agencies

  Prison Service

  38,352

  1,043

  0

  39,395

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  1,1185

  315

  0

  1,500

  Forensic Science Service

  1,284

  11

  0

  1,295

  Fire Service College

  185

  0

  0

  185

  Total Home Office

  48,417

  1,464.5

  450

  50,331.5

  Immigration
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many extension of leave to remain applications had not been decided by the end of the original leave to remain period as at(a) 1 January 2003 and (b) 1 January 2004; and how many of those outstanding cases had been outstanding for (i) over six months and (ii) over 12 months on such dates. [186954]

  Mr. Browne
  The requested information on outstanding applications is not readily available and could only be obtained by examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

  It is the aim of General Group in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to decide 70 per cent. of all new chargeable applications within three weeks and 100 per cent. within 13 weeks.
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  2003/04 Annual Report. This comparison is further made more difficult as a result of the current Spending Review and Strategic Plan commitments to reduce staffing levels. The streamlining Department's headquarters resulting in a reduction of staff numbers by 30 per cent. to focus resources on the front-line will mean further format comparisons will be as difficult. There will also be similar reductions in the headquarters of Prison Service and Immigration and Nationality Directorate (reducing in total headquarter staff numbers by 2,700 full-time equivalents).

  The following table provides the closest comparison. Staff that were recorded in Criminal Policy Directorate, Police Policy Directorate and Organised and International Crime Directorate are now organised within the Criminal Justice Group, Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group, Community Policy Group and Correctional Services.

  Name that Tag Campaign
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been successfully prosecuted as a result of the "name that tag" campaign; and how much reward money has been paid out as a result. [187062]

  Paul Goggins
  No prosecutions have been brought as a direct result of "name that tag" as yet, but police investigations are well under way following information received.

  Crimestoppers are not aware of any money at present having been paid out yet as a reward under the "name that tag" campaign.

  Table 2e of the "Crime in England and Wales 2003–2004" Home Office Statistical Bulletin 10/04 shows that the proportion of people perceiving high

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  levels of vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property in their local area has decreased from 35 per cent. according to the 2002–03 British Crime Survey, to 28 per cent. according to the 2003/04 BCS.

  Operation Scrap-It
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how Operation Scrap-It affects the residents of Leyton and Wanstead. [187743]

  Ms Blears
  Operation Scrap-It started in October 2003 and will run until March 2006. It entails building up the infrastructure (pound space, removal trucks, skills and knowledge) across all London boroughs to meet the agreed target that nuisance vehicles will be removed within 72 hours of reporting by October 2004. The rest of the country will then be able to learn from this good practice.

  This scheme is already proving successful in my hon. Friend's constituency.

  LB Redbridge only started the removal of untaxed vehicles on 7 September 2004, nine vehicles from Wanstead were removed on the first day.

  Between the period 1 May 2004 to 31 August 2004, LB Waltham Forest (Leyton) have removed 45 vehicles. This has included six untaxed vehicles, 39 abandoned vehicles and 10 surrendered vehicles.

  Operation Scrub-It
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how Operation Scrub-It has affected the residents of Leyton and Wanstead. [187746]

  Ms Blears
  Graffiti can lead to an area becoming more and more run-down, with a corresponding increase in crime and fear of crime. Untackled graffiti undermines faith in the services that authorities provide.

  That is why Sections 48–52 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 enable a local authority to serve a "graffiti removal notice" on the owners of street furniture, statutory undertakers and educational institutions whose property is defaced with graffiti. If the owner does not remove the graffiti in compliance with the notice, the local authority may do so and recover its costs.

  In response to concerns about the regulatory impact of these powers, we are currently piloting the new powers in 12 areas of the country. The pilots began on 31 March 2004 and we will consider further roll-out once these are completed. The 12 authorities piloting these powers are:

  Barnsley metropolitan borough council

  Bristol city council

  Cambridge city council

  Dartford borough council

  Doncaster metropolitan borough council

  Epping Forest district council

  Kirklees metropolitan borough council

  London borough of Merton

  London borough of Westminster

  Northampton borough council

  Southampton city council

  1558W

  Wansbeck district council (with Northumberland county council)

  Transsexual People
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents were reported to the police in which hatred of transsexual individuals is involved in the most recent period for which figures are available, broken down by police authority. [187390]

  Ms Blears
  Information concerning the number of incidents reported to the police in which hatred of transsexual individuals was involved is not recorded.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Art Galleries
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which art galleries, broken down by region, have received funding from arts councils in each of the last five financial years for which figures are available; and how much funding was granted in each case. [187978]

  Estelle Morris
  Over 1,300 arts organisations receive funding from Arts Council England on an on-going basis. The Arts Council has a funding agreement with these organisations which is reviewed regularly to ensure the funds invested are meeting the terms of the agreement. Regular funding to arts organisations is paid out of grant-in-aid.

  In total, 245 Visual Arts organisations receive core funding from Arts Council England. The full list is too long to be printed in Hansard, but copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. A breakdown of funding by region is provided in the following table. Regularly funded organisations are awarded funding towards core costs for the period mirroring the Treasury's spending review cycle. The most recent announcement of allocations to Regularly Funded Organisations was made in March 2003, and provides funding up to 2005–06.

  Visual Arts Organisations—total by region

  Region

  2003–04 (£)

  2004–05 (£)

  2005–06 (£)

  Total number of organisations

  East

  1,077,076

  1,214,727

  1,349,332

  13

  East Midlands

  604,850

  809,688

  952,036

  17

  London

  10,973,477

  12,392,161

  13,809,144

  60

  National

  395,570

  392,000

  526,382

  5

  North East

  1,621,016

  1,898,894

  2,329,783

  23

  North West

  2,025,674

  2,618,336

  3,008,199

  24

  South East

  2,634,428

  2,854,981

  3,069,174

  29

  South West

  1,644,667

  1,895,411

  2,191,050

  22

  West Midlands

  2,330,717

  2,825,232

  2,892,737

  30

  Yorkshire

  1,692,700

  2,087,075

  2,351,150

  22

  Source:

  Arts Council England.

  Ministerial Air Travel
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list for each year since 1997 the number of miles flown by each Minister in her Department on official departmental business. [181863]
  1559W
  Mr. Caborn
  Records on this issue are not held centrally and to gather figures would be at disproportionate cost to the Department.

  However, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for 2003–04 is currently being assembled and will be published shortly. All ministerial and civil service travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers, and Civil Service Management Code, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Parks (London)
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans there are for the refurbishment of parks in London. [184282]

  Mr. Caborn
  The only parks for which the Department is responsible are the eight Royal Parks. Plans for their upkeep and refurbishment are set out in the Royal Parks Corporate Plan 2004–05, copies of which will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses shortly.

  People in receipt of attendance allowance by parliamentary constituency as at February on a yearly basis since 1997

  Thousand

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  All

  8.9

  8.9

  9.4

  9.4

  9.4

  9.4

  9.5

  9.8

  Edinburgh, Central

  1.3

  1.2

  1.3

  1.2

  1.4

  1.3

  1.3

  1.4

  Edinburgh, East and Mussleburgh

  1.6

  1.7

  1.8

  1.8

  1.8

  2.0

  1.6

  1.8

  Edinburgh, North and Leigh

  1.7

  1.5

  1.8

  1.6

  1.5

  1.5

  1.5

  1.6

  Edinburgh, Pentlands

  1.1

  1.2

  1.3

  1.2

  1.3

  1.4

  1.5

  1.5

  Edinburgh, South

  1.9

  1.8

  1.9

  2.0

  2.0

  1.9

  1.8

  1.7

  Edinburgh, West

  1.2

  1.4

  1.5

  1.6

  1.4

  1.3

  1.7

  1.7

  Note:

  Figures taken from a 5 per cent. sample at February of each year. 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 case load. This is because some cases which have actually terminated but have not yet been updated on the computer system are now included.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what dates since 1 July the customer service computer was not working in the Cardiff Office of the Appeals Service for disability living allowance. [188820]

  Maria Eagle
  The administration of the Appeals Service is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Appeals Service, Christina Townsend. She will now write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Christina Townsend to Mr. Adrian Flook, dated 14 September 2004:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question regarding which days since 1 July the customer service computer was not working in the Cardiff office of the Appeals Service for Disability Living Allowance.
  1560W

  Recruitment Costs
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the recruitment costs of(a) the chairman of the Film Council, (b) the chairman of Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries and (c) the chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment were; and what (i) the salary of each chairman and (ii) the combined salary cost of each chairman's staff was in the latest year for which figures are available. [185877]

  Estelle Morris
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the lion. Member for North-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Moss) on 21 July 2004,Official Report, columns 303–04W. The chairs of the three bodies concerned do not have dedicated support staff.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Attendance Allowance
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been in receipt of attendance allowance in the(a) Edinburgh, Central, (b) Edinburgh, North and Leith, (c) Edinburgh, West, (d) Edinburgh, Pentlands, (e) Edinburgh, South and (f) Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh parliamentary constituencies in each year since 1997. [187947]

  Maria Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  The computer system in Cardiff has been fully operational and available for use each day since 1 July. However, the issue as I understand it concerns the external customer contact email address for that office.

  For a period between the end of June to the end of July, emails sent to the Cardiff office email address were not monitored or actioned due to an administrative reorganisation within the office. I can only apologise for this error but can confirm that during this period, all other channels of communication were functioning as normal.

  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Benefit Claimants
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to applications for benefits from residents of(a) Aylesbury and (b) Milton Keynes in each year since 2000, how many applicants

  1561W
  were required to take a medical examination; what benefits were applied for that required a medical examination; and how many of those medical examinations were undertaken at (i) Luton, (ii) Aylesbury and (iii) Euston. [187566]

  Incapacity benefit claimants, whose claims were administered by Aylesbury or Milton Keynes district offices and who had medical examinations.

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  Aylesbury

  648

  943

  963

  3057

  2393

  Milton Keynes

  905

  945

  1268

  779

  0

  Location of Medical Examination Centres carrying out examinations of incapacity benefit claimants from Aylesbury and
  Milton Keynes district offices.

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  District Office:

  Exam Centre:

  Aylesbury

  Aylesbury

  594

  827

  876

  1496

  1331

  Aylesbury

  Euston

  0

  13

  9

  5

  8

  Aylesbury

  Luton

  21

  62

  59

  70

  52

  Aylesbury

  Other

  33

  41

  19

  1486

  1002

  Total

  648

  943

  963

  3057

  2393

  Milton Keynes

  Aylesbury

  816

  384

  662

  582

  —

  Milton Keynes

  Euston

  2

  3

  2

  3

  —

  Milton Keynes

  Luton

  37

  491

  487

  158

  —

  Milton Keynes

  Other

  50

  67

  117

  36

  —

  Total

  905

  945

  1268

  779

  —

  Notes:

  1. The Department for Work and Pensions centralised work for Milton Keynes at Aylesbury from 1 July 2003. Medical Services are therefore unable to give specific figures relaying to applicants of Milton Keynes in 2004 as all work is referred to Medical Services from Aylesbury.

  2. The other category includes where a customer has had a Domiciliary visit or visited another Medical Examination Centre apart from Luton, Aylesbury or Milton Keynes.

  3. The "other" category for Aylesbury district office cases in 2003 and 2004 is high as it contains 1447 (2003) and 954 (2004) customers who attended Oxford Medical Examination Centre. These customers attended Oxford as they live in Oxford but the referrals show as Aylesbury due to centralisation; the Department for Work and Pensions centralised work for Oxford at Aylesbury in 2003.

  Source:

  Medical Services data

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Clinical and Educational Negligence
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affair; if he will make a statement on the consultation on removing eligibility from children and placing it on parents in the case of clinical and educational negligence cases; and what assessment has been made of the implications of using conditional fee agreements in such cases. [188408]

  Mr. Lammy
  We have no plans to remove the financial eligibility for legal aid from children and place it on their parents. In November 2002 we consulted on revising the guidance in relation to funding judicial review applications in the name of the child, which had particular relevance in education cases. The revised guidance was implemented from April 2003. The Legal Services Commission has issued a consultation paper, "A New Focus for Civil Legal Aid—encouraging early resolution; discouraging unnecessary litigation" which contains proposals on the use of conditional fee agreements generally, and the appropriate balance between private and public funding. The consultation closes on 15 October and we will announce the way forward thereafter.
  1562W
  Maria Eagle
  The available information is in the following tables.

  The only benefit requiring a medical examination dealt with by Aylesbury and Milton Keynes district offices is incapacity benefit.

  District Judges
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many district judges are employed in the criminal jurisdiction of England and Wales; and how many there were in 1997. [188981]

  Mr. Leslie
  As at 1 September 2004 there were 126 district judges (magistrates courts) and 148 deputy district judges (magistrates courts) in post, in the Magistrates Courts of England and Wales. Prior to 2000, district judges and deputy district judges were formerly known as stipendiary magistrates and acting stipendiary magistrates. In 1997 there were 91 stipendiary magistrates and 85 acting stipendiary magistrates.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visits
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he sanctioned the visits of any members of his Government to(a) the Democrat and (b) the Republican conventions in the United States. [188110]
  1563W
  The Prime Minister
  No member of the Government attended in an official Government capacity the Democratic or Republican conventions in the United States.

  Peerages
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Prime Minister what the place of residence, at the time of their elevation, was of each peer created since 1 May 1997, broken down by(a) nation within the UK and (b) region of England, for peers resident in England at the time of elevation. [188266]

  The Prime Minister
  323 people have been elevated to the peerage since 1 May 1997.

  The place of residence at the time of their elevation is shown in the following table. Information for judicial peers is not held in the format requested.

  Residence at time of elevation

  Number

  England

  North West

  19

  North East

  5

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  15

  East Midlands

  3

  East of England

  24

  West Midlands

  12

  South East

  38

  South West

  13

  London

  147

  Scotland

  19

  Wales

  9

  Northern Ireland

  9

  Judicial (no home address)

  10

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Academic Performance
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to prevent isolation and lack of commitment among students who are not achieving as much as their peers. [188292]

  Mr. Miliband
  Ensuring the personalisation of teaching and learning is the effective response to difficulties of isolation and lack of commitment, the work of the Primary and Key Stage 3 National Strategies is central to this. Both Strategies help teachers give careful attention to pupils' learning needs, set challenging targets for them linked to high quality assessment, and offer tools to make lessons pacy, challenging and more enjoyable.

  Citizenship Lessons
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment the Department has made of citizenship lessons within the national curriculum since their introduction; [188120]
  1564W
  (2) what (a) assistance and (b) guidance the Department gives on teaching the citizenship curriculum in secondary schools. [188124]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department has commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research (NfER) to conduct an eight year longitudinal study Al the impact of the subject on pupils' knowledge, understanding and skills. The study began in 2002 and reports of the first two years are available at www.nfer.ac.uk. Ofsted's section 10 inspections and QCA's monitoring reports provide effective progress reports on school practice and provision and have shown that good progress is being made. They are available from www.ofsted.gov.uk and www.qca.org.uk respectively.

  The QCA has developed and sent to all schools a range of guidance to support the introduction of citizenship education, including schemes of work and guidance on assessment and curriculum planning. The Department published in June a self evaluation tool for schools to help them monitor progress in developing citizenship education. The Department has also put in place a package of support for continuing professional development of teachers in citizenship education.

  Departmental Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on energy efficiency in his Department's buildings. [186680]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  My Department remains committed to reducing energy usage in all its Department's buildings. A range of measures are in place and regularly reviewed and updated to ensure improved performance meets the requirements of the national policy "Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate".

  Non-classroom Learning
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will make a statement on the role of out-of-classroom education and field trips in school education; [188166]

  (2) what the Government's strategy is for ensuring (a) equality of access and (b) increased access for all schools and their pupils to out-of-classroom learning; [188167]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the merits of including out-of-classroom learning in Ofsted school inspections. [188168]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Our "Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners" sets out our commitment to high standards for all within a broad and rich curriculum. Out of classroom learning is key to an enriched curriculum. It can take many forms, for example, through fieldwork, a statutory requirement of the Geography curriculum; through visits to farms and projects within school grounds, accessible to schools through our Growing Schools web service; through heritage and cultural visits, where high quality provision is provided through our Renaissance in the Regions programme; through music, where our Music Manifesto pledges access for every young person to a range of music experiences; through our PE and School
  1565W
  Sports Strategy where we are creating a national network of 400 Specialist Sports Colleges and School Sport Partnerships to increase and enhance school sport, Schools will decide which out of classroom opportunities best meet the needs of their pupils. The Ofsted school inspection framework covers, and will continue to cover, all aspects of a school's provision, including out-of-classroom learning. needs of their pupils. The Ofsted school inspection framework covers, and will continue to cover, all aspects of a school's provision, including out-of-classroom learning.

  Secondary School Teachers
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action the Department is taking to increase the number of people training to enter the secondary school sector as teachers. [188123]
  1566W
  Mr. Miliband
  Since September 2000, £6,000 training bursaries have been offered to postgraduate trainee teachers. An additional £4,000 Golden Hello is also available to those who train in and go on to teach priority subjects in a maintained secondary school. From September 2005, the value of the training bursary for those training in mathematics and science will increase to £7,000 and the Golden Hello payment for those subjects will rise to £5,000 for trainees entering Postgraduate Certificate in Education and equivalent courses at that time. These incentives have helped to increase recruitment to courses of initial teacher training for secondary school teachers by almost one-third between 1999–2000 and 2003–04.

  The Teacher Training Agency's Use your head. Teach, advertisement campaign for 2004–05 will focus on the recruitment of teachers for secondary schools and priority subjects

  Northern Ireland: Audits of Victims' Groups
  Northern Ireland: Audits of Victims' Groups
  Northern Ireland: Government Departments Expenditure on Consultation Exercises
  Northern Ireland: Government Departments Expenditure on Consultation Exercises
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Ulster-Scots Agency
  Ulster-Scots Agency
  Africa: Millennium Development Goals
  Africa: Millennium Development Goals
  United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  European Convention on Human Rights
  European Convention on Human Rights
  Entente Cordiale: Anglo-French Celebrations
  Entente Cordiale: Anglo-French Celebrations
  NITEworks
  NITEworks
  Clinical Trials: Thrombolysis in Cardiac Arrest Study
  Clinical Trials: Thrombolysis in Cardiac Arrest Study
  Nurse Specialists
  Nurse Specialists
  Strategic Rail Authority: Access Charge Review
  Strategic Rail Authority: Access Charge Review
  Roads: Expenditure
  Roads: Expenditure
  Container Ports
  Container Ports
  Bus Lanes
  Bus Lanes
  Motorway Restaurants
  Motorway Restaurants
  Transport Direct
  Transport Direct
  Air Navigation Services: Common Charging Scheme
  Air Navigation Services: Common Charging Scheme
  A31: Underpass at Hickley's Corner, Farnham
  A31: Underpass at Hickley's Corner, Farnham
  Postal Votes in Scottish Constituencies: 2001 General Election
  Postal Votes in Scottish Constituencies: 2001 General Election