Written Statement of 27 October 2003

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration and Asylum
  The Minister for Citizenship and Immigration (Beverley Hughes)
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Lammy) and I have today announced new legislative proposals for asylum reform. We are writing to a number of key stakeholders outlining these proposals and inviting comments. I will be placing copies of this letter in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament and on the IND and DCA websites. The major proposals include: reform of the immigration and asylum appeals system into a single tier of appeal with restricted access to the higher courts; measures to tackle the problem of asylum seekers deliberately destroying or disposing of their documents to make unfounded claims; provisions removing NASS support from families whose claim for asylum has been rejected and enhancing the effectiveness of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.

  The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 has enabled us to make significant progress in reforming the UK's nationality, immigration and asylum systems. In the asylum system this has meant that the number of people claiming asylum has halved, removals are at record levels and the number of claims awaiting an initial decision is at the lowest for a decade. The Government determined that there should be a balanced approach in asylum and immigration policy so that we bear down on those who would seek to enter the UK illegally and who make unfounded asylum claims, whilst ensuring effective help for refugees who need our protection. Our policy on asylum has to be seen in the wider context of managed migration, through which we are opening up routes for people to enter the UK legally. That is why we are committed to continued reform, as necessary, of the asylum system to ensure that those in need of protection are identified quickly and those who try to exploit the system are prevented from doing so.

  We believe that these reforms should be in place as a matter of urgency and will introduce legislation to enact the measures as soon as parliamentary time allows. We are therefore urgently seeking comments from interested parties on the proposals. We would welcome views on the proposals by 17 November.

TREASURY

  National Insurance Fund
  The Paymaster General (Dawn Primarolo)
  I have today laid before the House a report that the Government Actuary has made on the operation of the 2WS
  legislation governing national insurance contributions and contributory social security benefits between 6 April 1995 and 5 April 2000 in accordance with Section 166 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

  Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of the House.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Incapacity Benefit
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Andrew Smith)
  I laid before the House on 18 November 2002 a consultation document entitled "Pathways to Work, Helping People into Employment" Cm 5690. This outlined a range of proposals to provide more effective support to people with health conditions and disabled people. The Pathways to Work pilots represent the next steps in the Government's strategy of providing people with health conditions and disabilities with the help and support they need—particularly support in helping them into employment. My Department, together with the Department of Health and appropriate Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly officials, have been preparing for the implementation of the Pilots.

  On 26 March I announced the locations of the first three Pathways to Work pilots and on 5 June I subsequently announced the locations of the final four pilots.

  Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of the first three pilots—Bridgend Rhondda Cynon Taf; Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll & Bute; and Derbyshire.

  The pilots will provide a range of individual help and support (including new condition management programmes provided by the NHS and a range of financial incentives) for people with health conditions and disabilities. We will fully evaluate the impact of the extra support we are providing.

  Cold Weather Payment Scheme
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Chris Pond)
  I am pleased to announce that, following advice from the Meteorological Office, the annual review of the cold weather payments scheme has now been completed. Amending regulations were laid on 10 October and will come into force on 1 November, in time for the beginning of the winter period.

  Six of the weather stations used in the scheme last winter, Bracknell, Dumfries, Dyce, Leeds, Ringway and Redhill are closing and six new weather stations are being introduced at South Farnborough, High Wycombe, Dundrennan, Craibstone, Woodford and Charlwood to provide data for the scheme. In addition to changing two weather station linkages to more

  3WS
  representative links, eight postcode to weather station linkages have been changed on the advice of the Meteorological Office following representations made by hon. Members.

  Cold weather payments are separate from, and in addition to, winter fuel payments, which are paid to eligible people from age 60.

  I have written to each of the hon. Members affected by the changes.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  New Millennium Experience Company
  The Minister for Housing and Planning (Keith Hill)
  Further to the statement by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 17 December 2002,Official Report, column 41WS, the shareholding in the New Millennium Experience Company was transferred from Lord Falconer of Thoroton to me on 17 October 2003.

  Aircraft Landing Fees
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid by his Department in respect of landing fees for British military aircraft using commercial airfields(a) in each of the last three years and (b) so far in 2003, broken down by airfield. [133624]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information on landing fees is not held by airfield, and cannot be provided in this format. Figures are available for the United Kingdom and overseas, by budget area, but these figures include handling charges and associated costs (e.g. parking, training, transport and navigation). In some cases the figures are not available from current records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  £

  Financial year 2001–02

  Financial year 2002–03

  Financial year 2003–04

  Strike command

  UK

  2,538,279

  1,944,807

  855,204

  Overseas

  915,812

  1,960,065

  1,759,346

  Fleet

  UK

  1—

  1—

  406,344

  Overseas

  1—

  1—

  12,707

  Land (joint helicopter) command

  UK

  1—

  162,348

  54,364

  Overseas

  1—

  17,185

  12,957

  1 Disproportionate cost.

  Army Regiments
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has held with Scottish army regiments on restructuring. [134008]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been no recent discussions with Scottish regiments on restructuring.

  Bechtel
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts for consultancy and work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997, stating in each case(a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [133581]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 22 October 2003]The Ministry of Defence has placed one direct contract with Bechtel Limited since 1997. It covers the provision of project management services in support of a programme of assistance to the Russian Government in respect of chemical demilitarisation. The contract was placed on 24 January 2003 with a three year duration with two separate one year options to extend.
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  The contract is funded jointly by the UK MOD. which has contributed £9.1 million, the Norwegian Government, and the European Union.

  C130 Aircraft
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many C130J Hercules have been delivered; and how many serviceable engines there are; how many C130J Hercules aircraft are grounded because of a shortage of(a) spares and (b) software; and if he will make a statement. [134276]

  Mr. Ingram
  Twenty five Hercules C-130J aircraft have been delivered to the RAF.

  The RAF currently holds 81 serviceable engines. At 09.00 hours 24 October 2003, five Hercules C130-J aircraft were unavailable to Front Line Commanders while awaiting spares.

  Colombia
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 16 October 2003,Official Report, columns 321–22W, on military aid to Colombia, if he will break down the figures of (a) £48,296 and (b) £77,934 into major expenditure category. [134120]

  Mr. Ingram
  These figures relate to the cost of courses attended by two officers of the Colombian Armed Forces in the UK. One officer attended the Royal College of Defence Studies course and one is currently attending the Advanced Command and Staff College.

  The figures supplied cover course tuition, and accommodation and airfares for the students and entitled accompanying family members. A detailed breakdown of these figures is not held centrally.

  Depleted Uranium
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of Governments participating in the International Security Assistance force in Afghanistan about the use of depleted uranium ammunitions(a) during and (b) after the conflict in Afghanistan; what Governments raised concerns about this matter; what those concerns were; how they were addressed; and if he will make a statement. [133643]

  Mr. Ingram
  Depleted Uranium (DU) ammunition has not been used by Allied Forces in Afghanistan and has therefore not featured significantly in the discussions that take place amongst nations participating in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

  Fast Jet Pilots
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many trained fast jet pilots are serving in flying roles in the RAF; and how many have served in each year since 1997. [134459]
  3W
  Mr. Ingram
  The number of trained Fast Jet Pilots serving in flying roles in the RAF at 1 October 2003 was 533. The numbers since 1997 are shown in the following table:

  Number

  1 April 1997

  639

  1 April 1998

  615

  1 April 1999

  581

  1 April 2000

  543

  1 April 2001

  545

  1 April 2002

  523

  1 April 2003

  548

  The numbers of flying posts in the RAF are subject to constant review and will change throughout a year.

  Financial year

  Ship

  Cost (£)

  Remarks

  2001–02

  MV Tees fisher

  17,750

  Coastal Tanker to supply HMS Albion with fuel post build

  MT Bardsey

  45,178

  Coastal Tanker to supply fuel to HMS Ark Royal post refit

  2002–03

  MV Mersey Fisher

  98,242

  Coastal Tanker to supply HMS Invincible with fuel post refit

  2003–04

  MV Dicksi

  87,500

  Ocean/Tanker to supply fuel to Oil Fuel Depot Thanckes'

  MT Black Rock

  44,678

  Coastal Tanker to supply fuel to HMS Bulwark post build

  MV Mersey Fisher

  24,375

  Coastal Tanker to supply fuel to HMS Bulwark post build

  317,723

  1 This vessel had to be chartered by the Department because the MOD's vessel, the Maersk Rapier was delayed while on a commercial charter. Cost of this voyage is in the process of being entirely recouped by the MOD as compensation against the third party who chartered the MOD's vessel and were responsible for the delay.

  The MOD also has the Maersk Rapier on permanent charter. The Rapier is a multi-tasked tanker which not only supplies all fuel to the naval facilities in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands and Souda Bay, Crete but it is also chartered to supply aviation fuel to Cyprus, Ascension Island and Falkland Islands. The MOD charters the vessel to commercial companies when it is not in use for defence requirements.

  Iraq
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent developments regarding plans to disarm Iraqi civilians. [125245]

  Mr. Hoon
  Our aim for Iraq is a stable, united and law-abiding state, no longer posing a threat to its neighbours or to international security.

  In accordance with this aim, Coalition Provisional Authority policy, which states that no person shall possess small arms in a public place with the exception of Coalition Forces and those who have been authorised to carry weapons by Coalition Forces, is being enforced with due sensitivity to local customs.

  The recent efforts to create a new Iraqi army and an Iraqi police force are an integral part of our efforts to ensure a secure environment for the people of Iraq.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often he plans to rotate British troops in Iraq. [132121]

  Mr. Ingram
  Troops will be rotated as often as appropriate and necessary. For most units a six-month tour, with appropriate opportunity to acclimatise, has now been established.

  Hawk Trainer
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what name is to be given to the new Hawk trainer. [133954]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 23 October 2003]: The new Hawk 128 is planned to meet the United Kingdom's Advanced Jet Trainer requirement. There are no plans to rename it.

  Hired Tankers
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tankers have been hired by his Department to transport fuel for the Royal Navy and at what cost, in each of the past three years. [134464]

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

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it Government policy to launch inquiries into incidents in which Iraqi civilians have been killed in Iraq by United Kingdom and United States military forces since the end of the conflict. [129531]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 15 September 2003]: We investigate every incident in which we can confirm that there has been a civilian fatality, and it has allegedly been caused by United Kingdom military personnel.

  We are not in a position to comment on incidents involving US forces.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the United States Administration in respect of the publication of the report of the finding of the Iraq Survey Group; and when it will be published. [131113]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have frequent discussions with the United States Administration on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. The Iraq Survey Group is one such issue.

  Dr. David Kay published his Statement on the Interim Progress Report on the Activities of the Iraq Survey Group on 2 October. It can be found at www.cia.gov and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to visit Iraq to view the reconstruction programme. [132128]
  5W
  Mr. Hoon
  I have recently returned from a visit to Iraq where I discussed infrastructure development with United Kingdom forces, the Coalition Provisional Authority and local leaders. I witnessed first hand the hard work and determination to ensure the success of reconstruction and security sector reform in Iraq.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement outlining the circumstances under which the test tube of botulinum was discovered in Iraq and how long it had been stored in its place of discovery. [132343]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Iraq Survey Group was led to the vial of "Clostridium botulinum" okra B in the home of an Iraqi BW scientist. It was found in the kitchen in a container with other vials, which are believed to have been stored there for some time.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding his assessment of the United Kingdom Government's claim that Niger was prepared to sell uranium to Iraq. [132344]

  Mr. Hoon
  Niger sold some 270 tonnes of uranium ore to Iraq in the early 1980s. The Government have made no claim that Niger was prepared to sell uranium to Iraq since then.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why British experts on the Iraq Survey Group have not been given access to the classified version of the report presented by David Kay; and if he will make a statement. [132345]

  Mr. Hoon
  The classified version of Dr. David Kay's Interim Report on the work of the Iraq Survey Group was drawn up in consultation with United Kingdom, United States and Australian experts working in the field in Iraq.

  Since Dr. Kay's return to Iraq, ISG personnel from all three coalition countries with a need to know and the appropriate clearances have been granted access to the completed report.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the test tube discovered in Iraq contained(a) the bacteria botulinum and (b) the toxin itself; what strain it was; how many times more toxic than the nerve agent VX the B strain is; and if he will make a statement. [132346]

  Mr. Hoon
  The vial contained viable "Clostridium botulinum- type B organisms. This would have allowed the Iraqis to grow from this seed stock increasing quantities of "Clostridium botulinum" from which its toxin could be derived. The toxin could then have been weaponised.

  The vial was labelled as "Clostridium botulinum" strain Okra B. This micro-organism can produce botulinum toxin type B. "Clostridium botulinum" toxin type B is many times more toxic than VX nerve agent.
  6W
  The comparison varies depending on the route by which each is applied, on the methods by which the botulinum toxin is prepared and on the subject to which it is applied.

  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive the final report from the survey group in Iraq on weapons of mass destruction. [133155]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Iraq Survey Group will take as long as necessary to complete its investigations into Iraqi weapons of mass destruction programmes and produce a final report.

  Life Insurance
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long an army reservist would need to serve in hostile or war conditions before life insurance under the Army PAX scheme would cover war risks. [133835]

  Mr. Ingram
  PAX provides Personal Accident and Life cover for regulars and RPAX for reservists. Cover under these schemes is the same for all three Services. Membership of these schemes is voluntary and thus the decision to purchase this cover rests with the individual.

  A reservist's eligibility for war risks cover under PAX and RPAX is governed not by how long they have served in hostile or war conditions but by the length of time their cover has been in force. Under new arrangements which came into effect on 1 July 2003, PAX and RPAX exclude war risks for the first six months of a new cover purchased at any time other than during initial training.

  This qualifying period was introduced as a result of the trend which Service personnel deployed to war zones have recently shown to buy short-term cover at the last minute. This increases insurers' exposure to risk, making them unable to accrue long-term premium income from which claims can be paid, and causing them to increase premiums or to close their schemes altogether to new applicants. The six-month qualifying period helps to avoid such closures and to protect the interests of prudent long-term scheme members by keeping premiums affordable.

  The Ministry of Defence encourages Service personnel to recognise the long-term nature of life insurance throughout their service and not just at times of more active duty.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will provide a precise figure for the number of nuclear warheads stockpiled by the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [133757]

  Mr. Hoon
  In line with the policy set out in the Strategic Defence Review, we have fewer than 200 operationally available warheads. It would not be in the interests of national security to be more precise than this, and I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
  7W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the approximate yield is of the warheads deployed on the United Kingdom's Trident missiles; and if he will make a statement. [133758]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am withholding the information requested under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information for reasons of national security.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons are also assigned to NATO. [133759]

  Mr. Hoon
  Yes, but they remain under United Kingdom national control at all times.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the sub-strategic role is of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [133760]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government set out its nuclear deterrence policy in the Strategic Defence Review. I particularly refer the hon. Gentleman to chapter four and Supporting Essay Five.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States nuclear weapons are based in the United Kingdom; what the purpose is of their deployment; and if he will make a statement. [133718]

  Mr. Hoon
  As stated in NATO's Strategic Concept (paragraph 63), 'nuclear forces based in Europe and committed to NATO provide an essential political and military link between the European and the North American members of the alliance. The alliance will therefore maintain adequate nuclear forces in Europe.'

  Numbers of US nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom can and do vary, and the capability for deployments of such weapons to and from the UK remains extant regardless of the particular number of weapons in the UK at any given time.

  It is NATO and national policy not to comment on the detail of such nuclear deployments. I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Procurement
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department gives preference to British defence companies(a) when selecting producers for equipment and (b) for project procurement; and if he will make a statement. [133043]

  Mr. Ingram
  Open and fair competition remains the bedrock of the Ministry of Defence's procurement policy. However, we are also prepared to use other approaches for our acquisition requirements where they offer better long term value for money. The MOD's non-warlike acquisition requirements are subject to the EC Public Procurement Regulations that require such opportunities be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union.
  8W
  The Government's Defence Industrial Policy Paper (published in October 2002) recognises that, although acquisition decisions will be driven principally by key factors such as cost and operational effectiveness, they also need to take into account wider factors, such as industrial capabilities, which are desirable to retain in the United Kingdom. The Government are committed to a strong and healthy UK defence industry owing to the economic value that the industry brings to the UK by creating employment, technology and intellectual property in this country. Globalisation of the defence business means that the UK defence industry embraces suppliers that bring benefit and create value within the UK, regardless of the nationality of their shareholders.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms of the contract for the procurement of Meteor missiles are, with particular reference to the total agreed to purchase cost; and if he will make a statement. [133645]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Meteor contract with MBDA UK Ltd covers development, the delivery of development hardware to support aircraft integration programmes (on each of Typhoon Eurofighter, Rafale and Gripen), production of the missiles and Contractor Logistics Support. The total current contract cost is some £1.2 billion, to which the UK has committed some £700 million.

  At this time, only the UK has committed to the delivery of production missiles and to the associated Contractor Logistic Support (for a period of 10 years). Production options in the contract include a number of pricing break points, with the overall unit production prices reducing as those break point quantities are exceeded. Under the terms of the Meteor Memorandum of Understanding, all Partner Nations will pay the same unit production price for Meteor missiles ordered during the option period. If current estimates of Partner Nations' production quantities are fulfilled, the unit production cost for the UK's missiles will reduce from that currently budgeted.

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to reserve the right to be the first to use weapons of mass destruction in war. [133719]

  Mr. Hoon
  The phrase 'weapons of mass destruction', is generally held to refer to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

  The United Kingdom is a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention which outlaw the use and possession of chemical and biological and toxin weapons respectively. The UK gave up such capabilities in the 1950s.

  We maintain only a minimum nuclear deterrent, the purpose of which is to prevent war rather than fight it.

  As the Government has made clear on many occasions, we would be prepared to use nuclear weapons only in extreme circumstances of self-defence. As our overall strategy is to ensure uncertainty in the mind of any aggressor about the exact nature of our response, and

  9W
  thus to maintain effective deterrence, we do not define the exact circumstances under which we would be prepared to use nuclear weapons.

  We would not use our weapons, whether conventional or nuclear, contrary to international law.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Direct Payment
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress being made on moving away from the use of order books and giros by the Post Office. [133612]

  Mr. Pond
  I have been asked to reply.

  The mailing exercise for Direct Payment began in October 2002.

  The huge numbers of customers involved in the conversion process mean the changes are being phased over the period to 2005. This approach will ensure the process is carried out efficiently and with the minimum of disruption. Customers do not need to do anything until they receive a letter from the Department.

  Key figures on the progress of conversion to Direct Payment are available in the Commons Library, updated every four weeks.

  With Direct Payment there are accounts that allow people to continue to be able to collect their money at the Post Office. This has been made possible by the successful introduction of universal banking service in April this year.

  Company Accounts
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will amend the requirement for companies to submit provisional accounts to the National Statistical Office before those accounts have been audited; and if she will make a statement on the purpose of this requirement. [134237]

  Ruth Kelly
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nigel Jones, dated 27 October 2003:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the submission of provisional accounts to the Office for National Statistics before they have been audited. (134237)
  There is no requirement for companies to submit provisional accounts to the Office for National Statistics. Under the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947 companies are required to reply to questions in certain business surveys from the Office for National Statistics, which can require information on a company's performance that is drawn from its accounts prior to auditing.
  These surveys are essential to the production of timely economic statistics that allow the Government, the Bank of England and businesses to base key decisions on the latest information.
  10W
  ONS works to minimise the burden placed upon businesses by the requirement to respond to our surveys. Smaller businesses are selected for survey samples on a rotational basis, to ensure that the burden of compliance is shared as evenly as possible. ONS works within an annual compliance cost limit, and produces an annual Compliance Plan which is approved by our Minister.

  Employers' Liability Insurance
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research her Department has conducted into the proportion of the cost of employers' liability compulsory insurance that is taken up by(a) paying the claimant, (b) covering legal costs and (c) covering administration costs; and what steps she is taking to reduce the proportion taken up in (i) legal and (ii) administrative costs. [133413]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  In the first stage of the review of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance the Government, in assessing the scope and nature of the current EL difficulties, examined EL insurance results.

  Figures from Datamonitor's analysis of data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) showed that, during 2001, claims incurred were 111 per cent. of net written premiums (gross written premiums less outward re-insurance premiums). Management expenses and commission accounted for a further 28 per cent. of net written premiums.

  The Department does not have figures within the above analysis telling us precisely the proportion of claims incurred that was made up of legal costs. However evidence from one major EL insurer submitted during the first stage of the review suggested that legal costs represented on average 36 per cent. of the total claims cost for EL.

  The Department is working closely with stakeholders to reduce the costs of resolving claims and will report further on this in the autumn.

  EU Constitution
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes the Government is seeking in Article III—157 of the draft EU Constitution concerning energy policy. [134315]

  Mr. Timms
  Article III—157 introduces a new Treaty legal base for EU action on issues relating to energy. There is already Union activity in this area and we believe that creating a specific provision should lead to greater transparency. The Government are considering their position on this article in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference. Any changes to the provisions of the existing EU Treaties, including those proposed in Article III—157 of the draft Treaty, require the unanimous agreement of all member states.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what power the EU will have under Article III—157 of the EU Constitution to regulate UK oilfields by majority vote. [134316]
  11W
  Mr. Timms
  Article III—157 of the draft EU Constitutional Treaty would give the EU competence in energy matters related to the establishing of the internal market, including natural resources, with voting by qualified majority. Article III-130(2)(c) provides for unanimity on"measures significantly affecting a Member State's choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply".

  Gas Supply
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with other governments, with particular reference to those of(a) Russia and (b) Algeria, on the supply of gas to the UK; and if she will make a statement. [134327]

  Mr. Timms
  One of the goals of the Energy White Paper, published in February this year, is that people and businesses can rely on secure supplies of energy at predictable prices delivered through the market. Part of this is about promoting diverse energy sources, suppliers and supply routes.

  We are currently working with industry to maximise the economic potential of our North Sea supplies. But it is still likely that the UK will become a net importer of gas on an annual basis by around 2006.

  Against this background, we are making good progress on a Treaty with Norway to underpin future cross-boundary oil and gas developments. I recently agreed the key principles of the Treaty with my counterpart in Norway. This will facilitate direct delivery of around 20 per cent. of UK gas demand from 2006.

  Looking more widely, we are continuing our discussions with Russia. We jointly hosted a major conference "Russia/UK Energy: Long Term Partners", during President Putin's State Visit in June, when my Russian counterpart and I signed a Memorandum of Co-operation on the North European Gas Pipeline. This pipeline will encourage suppliers from diverse sources into the EU including the UK. It involves no direct link to the UK, but we hope that some of this gas will come into the UK in the future.

  My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), visited Algeria on a Trade Mission in February and my colleague, the Minister for Trade and Investment, visited in May 2003. Discussions with Algeria also take place through the European Mediterranean Partnership. Seniors officials will attend a Euro Med ministerial in December to discuss energy infrastructure and co-ordinate policies on security of energy supply.

  There have also been discussions about a Treaty Framework between the UK Government and Dutch Government for the proposed new interconnector from the Netherlands to the UK. It is expected that this interconnector will import 8 bcm of gas by 2005–06.

  Inkjet Cartridges
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions she has had with EU Trade and Industry Ministers about including printer inkjet cartridges in the implementation of the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment; [134212]

  (2) what recent representations she has received about the implementation of the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment from (a) representatives of the recycling of printer inkjet cartridges industry and (b) environmental bodies; and if she will make a statement; [134213]

  (3) what measures she is taking to encourage the recycling of printer inkjet cartridges; [134214]

  (4) what assessment she has made of the contribution of the recycling of printer inkjet cartridges industry to achieving the Government's targets on (a) recycling and (b) sustainable development. [134215]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department has made no specific assessment of the contribution of refilling inkjet cartridges towards environmental objectives. However, the potential environmental benefits of printer cartridge refilling, as well as the contribution of the independent refill sector towards customer choice, are recognised and welcomed by Government.

  The Department has recently received a large number of letters from independent printer cartridge refillers, including many from franchisees of Cartridge World. The independent cartridge refillers have raised concerns that recent innovations by equipment manufacturers in printer cartridge technology may hinder or prevent refilling by independent operators. They have pressed for the Government specifically to include printer cartridges as electrical and electronic products in the implementation of the EU Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (the WEEE Directive) and to implement the Directive's "eco-design" provisions to restrict these developments in cartridge technology.

  This DTI has not received representations from environmental organisations on these matters.

  The Government are currently planning UK implementation of the WEEE Directive, with the aim of publishing implementation proposals later this autumn for consultation. The Directive applies to whole electrical and electronic products, not to individual components, sub-assemblies or consumables. Printer cartridges fall into this latter category.

  The Department sees a harmonised approach to the scope of the Directive as desirable. Officials from this Department with responsibility for implementation planning for the WEEE Directive regularly meet their opposite numbers from other EU member states and the European Commission and have discussed the status of printer cartridges under the Directive. A majority of member states and the Commission have said they share the UK's interpretation. DTI Ministers have not discussed this issue directly with EU counterparts.

  Iran
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of export credits for Iran has been in each year since 1996; and what the main trade products between Iran and the UK have been. [132924]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  1. The Value of export credits for Iran since 1996 is as follows:

  Value of Export Credits £ thousand

  1996

  0

  1997

  0

  1998

  150

  1999

  0

  2000

  0

  2001

  38,217

  2002

  75,692

  2003

  83,203

  2. The main trade products between Iran and the UK up to 2002 are as follows:

  UK trade in goods with Iran, 1996– 2002

  Main Products

  UK Exports *SITC

  1996

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  74 General industrial machinery & machine parts *nes

  65.6

  2

  78 Road vehicles (including air-cushion vehicles)

  40.6

  3

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  37.9

  4

  59 Chemical materials and products nes

  33.7

  5

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  26.1

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  396.6

  1997

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  74 General industrial machinery & machine parts nes

  64.7

  2

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  55.9

  3

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  36.3

  4

  59 Chemical materials and products nes

  33.5

  5

  87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments nes

  31.2

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  402.6

  1998

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  58.9

  2

  74 General industrial machinery & machine parts nes

  54.2

  3

  59 Chemical materials and products nes

  34.1

  4

  78 Road vehicles (including air-cushion vehicles)

  30.0

  5

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  27.0

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  330.9

  14W

  1999

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  74 General industrial machinery & machine parts nes

  43.3

  2

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  27.2

  3

  59 Chemical materials and products nes

  23.2

  4

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  20.3

  5

  77 Electrical machinary, apparatus and appliances nes

  19.3

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  244.9

  2000

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  74 General industrial machinery & machine parts nes

  62.4

  2

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  36.7

  3

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  34.9

  4

  87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments nes

  22.9

  5

  78 Road vehicles (including air-cushion vehicles)

  19.1

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  296.1

  2001

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  74 General industrial machinery &machine parts nes

  95.5

  2

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  67.1

  3

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  44.5

  4

  87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments nes

  35.2

  5

  54 Medical and pharmaceutical products

  23.9

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  430.8

  2002

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  74 General industrial machinery & machine parts nes

  71.7

  2

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  66.7

  3

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  56.8

  4

  87 Professional, scientific and controlling industruments nes

  40.0

  5

  54 Medical and pharmaceutical products

  22.6

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  401.7

  1996

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  33 petroleum, petroleum products and related materials

  86.3

  2

  65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles nes and related products

  9.9

  3

  05 Vegetables and fruit Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs and aq

  7.2

  4

  03 invertebrates etc.

  2.8

  5

  28 Metalliferous ores & metal scrap

  2.5

  Total Exports (incl. top five exports as listed above)

  118.8

  15W

  1997

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles nes and related products

  9.9

  2

  67 Iron & steel

  6.2

  3

  05 Vegetables and fruit

  5.3

  4

  28 Metalliferous ores & metal scrap

  2.4

  5

  26 Textile fibres (and their wastes)

  1.5

  Total Import (incl. top five Import as listed
  above)

  36.2

  1998

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles nes and related products

  7.8

  2

  05 Vegetables and fruit

  4.3

  3

  67 Iron & steel

  3.2

  4

  33 Petroleum. petroleum products and related materials

  3.0

  5

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  2.9

  Total Imports (incl. top five imports as listed above)

  36.1

  1999

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  05 Vegetables and fruit

  9.6

  2

  65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles nes and related products

  7.3

  3

  72 Machinery specialised for particular industries

  2.4

  4

  69 Manufactures of metal nes Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs and aq

  2.1

  5

  03 invertebrates etc

  2.0

  Total Imports (incl. top five imports as listed above)

  36.5

  2000

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles nes and related products

  7.7

  2

  05 Vegetables and fruit

  4.3

  3

  69 Manufactures of metal nes

  3.0

  4

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  2.4

  5

  91 Postal packages not classified according to kind

  2.2

  Total Imports (incl. top five imports as listed above)

  33.2

  2001

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles nes and related products

  6.1

  2

  05 Vegetables and fruit

  5.5

  3

  91 Postal packages not classified according to kind

  3.0

  4

  66 Non-metallic mineral manufactures nes

  2.4

  5

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  2.0

  Total Imports (incl. top five imports as listed above)

  29.6

  2002

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  1

  65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles nes and related products

  6.0

  2

  05 Vegetables and fruit

  5.2

  3

  71 Power generating machinery and equipment

  3.9

  16W

  2002

  Division Product

  Value £ million

  4

  91 Postal packages not classified according to kind

  3.4

  5

  67 Iron & steel

  2.5

  Total Imports (incl. top five imports as listed above)

  35.9

  Note:

  The main products are defined in terms of Divisions of the Standard International Trade

  Classification (*SITC), Revision 3.

  *nes = not elsewhere specified

  Source:

  DTI analysis of data published by HM Customs and Excise

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance her Department provides to manufacturing companies in the UK to improve export levels; and if she will make a statement on the importance of(a) manufacturing exports and (b) export credit guarantees to the UK economy. [133137]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  British Trade International, a joint DTI and FCO operation, provides a range of information, advice and support to enable potential and existing exporters, including manufacturers, to raise their productivity and competitiveness levels by trading internationally.

  Manufacturing exports are a crucial part of the UK's prosperity. Manufacturing accounts for the majority of our exports and makes a substantial contribution to the balance of payments.

  ECGD provides guarantees, insurance and reinsurance against loss to UK exporters and investors in overseas markets. During 2002/03, the total amount of business supported by ECGD was £3.5 billion.

  Oil Stocks
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the EU has to share oil stocks in the event of an oil crisis. [134317]

  Mr. Timms
  The UK is required as a member state of the European Union to hold emergency oil stocks equal to 67.5 days' consumption, and as a member of the International Energy Agency (LEA) to take part in any collective response to a major international supply disruption.

  Under the legislation governing the EU stock-holding obligations, if difficulties arise with regard to EU oil supplies the European Commission will arrange a consultation between member states. However, any response to disruption, including sharing arrangements, is a matter for member states, acting as members of the IEA. The European Commission made a proposal last year to increase its own role. This proposal was opposed by member states at the Energy Council in May 2003, and by the European Parliament at a plenary session in September 2003.

  Post Office Card Accounts
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons a married couple will be issued with two different Pin numbers for a Post
  17W
  Office card account when the card account holder appoints a Permanent Agent with limited access to the account. [134207]

  Mr. Timms
  The detailed operation of the Post Office card account is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd.

  I understand from Post Office Ltd. that the Permanent Agent is issued with a separate card and PIN number from the Primary Account Holder for security reasons. It ensures that every time the Permanent Agent accesses the Primary Account Holders account it is noted on the account history for audit purposes. This is clearly important as the Permanent Agent can make cash withdrawals.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons a married couple are not permitted to open a joint Post Office card account. [134208]

  Mr. Timms
  The detailed operation of the Post Office card account is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd.

  The Post Office card account has been designed as a simple account for the payment of benefits to individuals. It is not intended as a substitute for a current account and a joint account facility is not available on the Post Office card account. The Post Office card account is primarily for those who do not have, or choose not to use their current account, for whatever reason. However, access by someone other than the Primary Account Holder is incorporated as a facility as this is currently a vital component of benefit collection at the Post Office. Therefore, all card account applicants have the option of electing a Permanent Agent.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what eligibility restrictions there are on a Post Office card account. [134209]

  Mr. Timms
  The Post Office card account is only available to benefit, pension and tax credit recipients. There are no other eligibility criteria.

  Postcomm
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on how the principles of good regulation, set down by the Better Regulation Taskforce, of(a) proportionality, (b) accountability, (c) consistency, (d) transparency and (e) targeting are applied to Postcomm. [133464]

  Mr. Timms
  Postcomm must follow its statutory duties, and is accountable to Parliament for its decisions and activities. Its decisions are open to challenge via Judicial Review.

  The Department has co-ordinated two progress reports documenting advances made by Government and regulators against the BRTF's recommendations. They have been sent to the Cabinet Office for onward circulation to the Panel for Regulatory Accountability.

  The reports have found that Postcomm's activities fully respect the need for proportionality: are consistent with those of other economic regulators: are
  18W
  transparent, with all key decisions fully explained in published documents: and appropriately targeted in relation to their statutory obligations.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if (1) she will take steps to strengthen Postcomm's penalty system for failure to achieve postal service quality targets; [133465]

  (2) what research she has commissioned on penalty mechanisms used by postal regulators in other EU countries; [133466]

  (3) to whom the financial penalty levied on Royal Mail announced by Postcomm on 30th September is payable; [133467]

  (4) if she will make a statement on the financial penalty announced by Postcomm on 30 September levied on Royal Mail for failing first class business service targets. [133468]

  Mr. Timms
  The Postal Services Act 2000 establishes the framework under which the Postal Services Commission may impose financial penalties. It is for the Commission to decide on its policy within this framework, which was adopted in February 2002 following a public consultation. I consequently have no plans to commission research in this area. The Commission frequently liases with other industry regulators in the UK, as well as postal regulators in the rest of Europe on a range of postal regulation matters. The recent decision to impose a financial penalty on Royal Mail is a matter for the Commission and is still under a 28 day period for comment. Such financial penalties are payable to Postcomm in the first instance, and then transferred to the Treasury Consolidated Fund.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the terms of reference she has laid down for Postcomm to guide its duties, purpose and activities. [133469]

  Mr. Timms
  The Postal Services Act 2000 ("the Act") sets out the purpose and duties of the Postal Services Commission ("the Commission"). The Act makes provision for the Secretary of State in certain circumstances to give directions and guidance to the Commission. On 14 March 2001, in exercise of her powers under section 41(1) of the Act, the Secretary of State gave directions to the Commission with regard to the provision of free postal services to blind and partially sighted persons. In accordance with section 43(2) of the Act the Secretary of State provided social and environmental guidance to the Commission on 22 March 2001.

  Postal Services
  Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the rural post offices in Shropshire which have closed in each year since 1990. [134321]

  Mr. Timms
  I am advised by Post Office Ltd that data on post office numbers has not been maintained on the basis of County as the company does not require this data for operational reasons. However, I understand that since March 2000 the company has recorded details of post office closures on the basis of Government
  19W
  Region and in the West Midlands region as a whole, of which Shropshire is a part, the numbers of net closures were as follows:

  2000–01 = 34

  2001–02 = 24

  2002–03 = 35

  I understand that Post Office Ltd produces information on post office closures on a quarterly basis. There were 23 net closures of post offices in the West Midlands region to the end of June 2003, the latest quarter for which figures are currently available.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps to ensure that the Skegoneill Post Office in North Belfast remains. [134635]

  Mr. Timms
  Post Office Ltd's proposal to close the Skegoneill post office branch has been made under the company's urban reinvention programme.

  Decisions on post office closures and relocations are an operational matter for the company. It would be inappropriate for the Government to intervene in determining individual closures.

  In accordance with the Code of Practice on Post Office Closures and Relocations—agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for postal services, the company enters into consultation on all proposed closures. Postwatch are consulted on every post office closure proposal before a decision is made and there is every opportunity for those affected by a proposal, and the local MP, to make representations to the company or to Postwatch.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed within the Forest of Dean constituency in(a) each of the last 12 months and (b) the previous five years. [134205]

  Mr. Timms
  I am advised by Post Office Ltd. that data on post office numbers has not been maintained on the basis of local authority areas as the company does not require this data for operational reasons.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed in Gloucestershire in(a) each of the last 12 months and (b) the previous five years. [134206]

  Mr. Timms
  I am advised by Post Office Ltd. that data on post office numbers has not been maintained on the basis of county as the company does not require this data for operational reasons. However, I understand that since March 2000 the company has recorded details of post office closures on the basis of Government Region and in the West Midlands region as a whole, of which Gloucestershire is a part, the numbers of net closures were as follows:

  Number

  2000–01

  34

  2001–02

  24

  2002–03

  35

  I understand that Post Office Ltd. produces information on post office closures on a quarterly basis.
  20W
  There were 23 net closures of post offices in the West Midlands region to the end of June 2003, the latest quarter for which figures are currently available.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will publish the classifications of sub-post offices in the Stroud constituency; and what discussions she has had with individual owners on that classification; [134254]

  (2) if she will publish the criteria for the classification of sub-post offices; and what grounds there are for appeal against that classification; [134255]

  (3) on what basis Cam Woodfield post office was classified as an urban neighbourhood post office. [134256]

  Mr. Timms
  I have had no such discussions on this issue. This is a matter that falls within the operational responsibilities of Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Broadband
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many telephone exchanges in(a) the UK and (b) Scotland are broadband-enabled; what percentage this is of the total of telephone exchanges in each case; and which constituencies have less than 10 per cent. of their telephone exchanges broadband-enabled. [133856]

  Mr. Timms
  Broadband is provided over the telephone system by DSL technology, most commonly by ADSL. However, ADSL is not the only means of accessing broadband. According to BT the statistics for the UK and Scotland are as follows:

  (a) 1827 telephone exchanges are broadband-enabled in the UK. This represents 32.65 per cent. of the total of telephone exchanges. 81 per cent of the UK population are served by telephone exchanges that have been upgraded for ADSL broadband;

  (b) 148 telephone exchanges are broadband-enabled in Scotland. This represents 13.84 per cent of the total of telephone exchanges. 60.9 per cent of the population in Scotland are served by telephone exchanges that have been upgraded for ADSL broadband.

  Information about which constituencies have less than ten per cent of their telephone exchanges broadband-enabled is not held within Government.

  Retail Pharmacy Services
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the proposed exemption of large shopping developments from the control of entry requirements for retail pharmacy services will be restricted to bespoke shopping developments. [133276]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have been asked to reply.

  As part of the balanced package of measures, announced on 17 July 2003, the Government proposed that shopping developments over 15,000 square metres would be exempt from the control of entry requirements for national health service pharmaceutical services. Such developments include purpose-built named shopping developments in town centres, on edge-of-centre and out-of-centre sites, major regional shopping

  21W
  centres, retail warehouse parks and factory outlet centres. We are currently consulting on these proposals and would welcome views

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  River Pollution
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to reduce nitrate concentrations in English rivers. [132114]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government has taken, and is taking, a range of action to address nitrate pollution of English rivers.

  The EC's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive contains provisions designed to reduce the adverse impact of sewage discharges on the water environment. The Directive, and Government policy building on the Directive's requirements, establishes that all discharges from sewage treatment plants serving populations greater than 2,000 have secondary treatment by the end of 2005.

  Secondary treatment reduces the total nitrogen present in sewage. The amount of this reduction is dependant upon the type of secondary treatment process applied, but reduction of total nitrogen achieved through secondary treatment is of the order of 20 per cent. on average.

  The Directive also contains provisions that require further treatment of nitrates from sewage discharges to reduce the impact on freshwaters intended for abstraction for use as drinking water. These provisions require that where nitrate concentration levels in these waters exceed or could exceed 50mg/1, if no protective action is taken, then nitrate reduction is to be achieved through further treatment processes.

  Between February 1997 and June 2002 eight water bodies in need of protection from excessive nitrates levels were identified as Sensitive Areas (Nitrate) in England. Relevant sewage works have been, or are being, built to provide the treatment needed to reduce nitrate levels in their discharges.

  Action has also been taken to reduce nitrates in sewage discharges to estuaries in a number of Sensitive Areas (Eutrophic) where it is considered that these discharges contribute, or are likely to contribute, to the eutrophication of coastal waters.

  Additionally the EU Nitrates Directive, an environmental measure designed to reduce current and prevent future water pollution by nitrate from agricultural sources, requires all known areas of land draining into nitrate-polluted waters to be designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. The Nitrates Directive requires the identification of polluted waters using the following criteria: (a) surface and groundwaters which contain or could contain, if preventative action is not taken, nitrate concentrations greater than 50 mg/1;(b) surface waters which are eutrophic or could become eutrophic if preventative action is not taken. Around 55 per cent. of England has been designated as NVZs on the basis that it drains into these waters.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on(a) the process of establishing area of outstanding natural beauty conservation boards and(b) selecting Secretary of State nominees to area of outstanding natural beauty conservation boards; [133431]

  (2) what mechanisms she will put in place to ensure that the appointment process for members of area of outstanding natural beauty conservation boards is (a) fair, open and transparent and (b) delivers boards that are well-balanced in terms of their skills, background and political interests. [133432]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The process of establishing AONB Conservation Boards is laid down in section 86 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The Chilterns and Cotswolds AONBs are well advanced in the process. I intend to write to the Countryside Agency and the constituent local authorities of each AONB seeking their formal consent for the Establishment Orders to create the two Boards. In addition, we have just begun the same process for the High Weald AONB.

  Secretary of State appointees will represent the national perspective on Conservation Boards. When the vacancies are advertised, I hope a variety of people will apply. To encourage this, Defra asked the Countryside Agency to organise a 'test day' to research the best ways of reaching a diverse range of people with the necessary skills. The results are now being considered. Appointments will follow the process of fair and open competition as described in Cabinet Office Guidance on public appointments.

  The process for appointing parish members will be included in the Establishment Order for each Conservation Board. It will provide a democratic process for parishes to elect their appointees.

  Each constituent local authority will be able to appoint a member to the two proposed Boards. How these appointees are selected will be a matter for each authority to decide but the appointee must be an elected member of the appointing authority.

  Secretary of State appointees will be selected with a range of skills and experience in mind, including in land management, conservation, business and the community. Although it is for local authorities and parishes to chose who they want to represent them, I would expect them to appreciate the need for spread of skills and experience.

  Atrazine
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in which EU countries atrazine is banned. [134100]

  Alun Michael
  As I said in my reply to my right hon. Friend on 20 October 2003,Official Report, column 396W, Atrazine will be withdrawn in all member states over an 18 month period that will begin on final adoption of the relevant European Commission Decision, which we expect in the next few months. Certain "essential cases" will be allowed until the end of 2007 in respect of sweetcorn and forestry.
  23W
  In advance of this, the most recent information from the European Commission indicates that Atrazine is currently not approved in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the earliest possible date is on which the beef export market could be opened; and if she will make a statement. [132390]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  It has been possible since 1 August 1999 to export cattle but only under the stringent rules of the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES).

  The FSA have advised that we could replace the Over Thirty Months Rule by testing for cattle born after 1 August 1996 which could then enter the food chain from January 2004. Ministers are considering this advice.

  If there were to be a change in OTM rule for domestic consumption the UK would wish to see a similar change in export controls. However it is not possible to give a precise date for any such relaxation of current beef export controls. An EFSA opinion is expected in early 2004. In addition an inspection by the EU FVO is likely to be required. We would then need agreement of other member states and changes to EU regulations. Export controls are therefore unlikely to change before mid 2004.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much UK-produced beef was exported by(a) weight and (b) value in 2002; and what percentage of this was (i) beef of UK origin and (ii) beef of foreign origin. [132983]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Data relating to the national origin of beef and veal exported from the UK are not available. However, it is possible to calculate the total UK exports as a percentage of the home fed production.

  Data are provided as follows for UK beef and veal production and exports for the 2002 calendar year.

  UK exports as a percentage of the home fed production

  UK Home fed production (thousand tonnes, dew1)

  692

  UK exports to the EU2

  11

  UK exports to the rest of the world2

  0

  Total UK exports2

  11

  UK exports as percentage of UK home fed production2

  1.6%

  Total value of UK home fed production

  £1,117 million

  Total value of UK exports

  £18 million

  1 dew = dressed carcase weight

  2 Includes exports of non UK origin

  BSE
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the reasons for the Government's decision to discontinue financial support for Professor Alan Ebringer's research into BSE. [132673]

  Margaret Beckett
  The proposal submitted by Professor Ebringer for Defra funding was assessed according to procedures that follow both departmental and Office of Science and Technology current recommendations for 24W
  the evaluation and commissioning of research. This assessment, together with opinion from SEAC, advises that the proposed nature and scope of the work are not recommended for funding by Defra. Professor Ebringer has been advised of reviewers comments and has held discussions with Departmental officials.

  Circo Atlas Circus
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy not to grant authorisations for exports to the Circo Atlas Circus in Portugal; and if she will make a statement. [132441]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department grants export licences for the movement of wild animals under two entirely separate areas of European legislation, namely the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and legislation relating to animal health and welfare.

  Under CITES legislation, export permits are not issued for movements within the EU. Therefore, providing a specimen is legally acquired, is captive bred and has a certificate for commercial display, it can be moved freely within the EU and no paperwork would be required from UK authorities.

  From an animal health perspective, animals may only be exported to destinations (including circuses) in EU member states if they meet the requirements of EU legislation relating to animal health and welfare. Where animal health rules are not harmonised under EU legislation, health conditions are agreed between the veterinary authorities of the exporting and importing member states. These health conditions are set out in official documents, known as export health certificates. They are issued by Defra's local Animal Health Divisional Offices and are signed by a veterinarian. Once signed, the document must accompany the animals to their destination. The suitability of a destination within the country of import is entirely a matter for their authorities and is not a matter for Defra.

  Our records do not show any direct movements from UK to Portuguese circuses. However, animals may have been moved from the UK to Portugal via a third country.

  Coastal Protection
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the grant funding paid to each local authority in each of the last 10 years for coast protection schemes. [132821]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra provides grant to local authorities for coast protection capital works which satisfy essential criteria. Authorities may claim grant on eligible expenditure during the construction of works. Details are provided in a table, which has been placed in the Library, for the grant paid to each authority for each of the last 10 years.

  Figures will vary depending on the variety of local schemes which are promoted in any particular year.
  25W
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has received in respect of properties lost as a result of coastal erosion in each of the last 10 years, broken down by coastal local authority. [132823]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra does not collect such information. Local authorities will hold information on their areas.

  Environmental Sustainability
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where the UK ranks in the Environmental Sustainability Index; and if she will list the rankings of other EU countries. [131062]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK ranks 91st in the 2002 Environmental Sustainability Index. The full list of rankings is shown in the following table. However, the UK and other countries believe this index is profoundly flawed, and therefore potentially misleading, for the following reasons. It is an aggregated indicator which aims to weight together many components into a single overall measure of 'environmental sustainability', an approach which as yet is not scientifically robust. The choice of components, and the way in which they are weighted together, is largely subjective. A different choice of components or weights would give different results, amply illustrated by the fact that the previous edition of this index, based on a different selection of components, placed the UK 16th. Furthermore, there are still many areas where data are not sufficiently comparable between countries, or are simply not available. The values of many of the variables used to compile this index are imputed. It should also be noted that the variables used in this index tend to measure circumstances at a single point in time rather than trends or changes, therefore to the extent the index measures anything at all, it measures the environmental situation which a country faces rather than its progress or performance in improving environmental sustainability.

  2002 ESI rankings by country

  Rank

  Country

  ESI

  1

  Finland

  73.9

  2

  Norway

  73.0

  3

  Sweden

  72.6

  4

  Canada

  70.6

  5

  Switzerland

  66.5

  6

  Uruguay

  66.0

  7

  Austria

  64.2

  8

  Iceland

  63.9

  9

  Costa Rica

  63.2

  10

  Latvia

  63.0

  11

  Hungary

  62.7

  12

  Croatia

  62.5

  13

  Botswana

  61.8

  14

  Slovakia

  61.6

  15

  Argentina

  61.5

  16

  Australia

  60.3

  17

  Panama

  60.0

  18

  Estonia

  60.0

  19

  New Zealand

  59.9

  20

  Brazil

  59.6

  21

  Bolivia

  59.4

  22

  Colombia

  59.1

  23

  Slovenia

  58.8

  24

  Albania

  57.9

  25

  Paraguay

  57.8

  26

  Namibia

  57.4

  27

  Lithuania

  57.2

  26W

  2002 ESI rankings by country

  Rank

  Country

  ESI

  28

  Portugal

  57.1

  29

  Peru

  56.5

  30

  Bhutan

  56.3

  31

  Denmark

  56.2

  32

  Laos

  56.2

  33

  France

  55.5

  34

  Netherlands

  55.4

  35

  Chile

  55.1

  36

  Gabon

  54.9

  37

  Ireland

  54.8

  38

  Armenia

  54.8

  39

  Moldova

  54.5

  40

  Congo

  54.3

  41

  Ecuador

  54.3

  42

  Mongolia

  54.2

  43

  Central African Republic

  54.1

  44

  Spain

  54.1

  45

  United States

  53.2

  46

  Zimbabwe

  53.2

  47

  Honduras

  53.1

  48

  Venezuela

  53.0

  49

  Byelarus

  52.8

  50

  Germany

  52.5

  51

  Papua New Guinea

  51.8

  52

  Nicaragua

  51.8

  53

  Jordan

  51.7

  54

  Thailand

  51.6

  55

  Sri Lanka

  51.3

  56

  Kyrgyzstan

  51.3

  57

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  51.3

  58

  Cuba

  51.2

  59

  Mozambique

  51.1

  60

  Greece

  50.9

  61

  Tunisia

  50.8

  62

  Turkey

  50.8

  63

  Israel

  50.4

  64

  Czech Republic

  50.2

  65

  Ghana

  50.2

  66

  Romania

  50.0

  67

  Guatemala

  49.6

  68

  Malaysia

  49.5

  69

  Zambia

  49.5

  70

  Algeria

  49.4

  71

  Bulgaria

  49.3

  72

  Russia

  49.1

  73

  Morocco

  49.1

  74

  Egypt

  48.8

  75

  El Salvador

  48.7

  76

  Uganda

  48.7

  77

  South Africa

  48.7

  78

  Japan

  48.6

  79

  Dominican Republic

  48.1

  80

  Tanzania

  48.1

  81

  Senegal

  47.6

  82

  Malawi

  47.3

  83

  Macedonia

  47.2

  84

  Italy

  47.2

  85

  Mali

  47.1

  86

  Bangladesh

  46.9

  87

  Poland

  46.7

  88

  Kazakhstan

  46.5

  89

  Kenya

  46.3

  90

  Myanmar (Burma)

  46.2

  91

  United Kingdom

  46.1

  92

  Mexico

  45.9

  93

  Cameroon

  45.9

  94

  Vietnam

  45.7

  95

  Benin

  45.7

  96

  Chad

  45.7

  97

  Cambodia

  45.6

  98

  Guinea

  45.3

  99

  Nepal

  45.2

  100

  Indonesia

  45.1

  101

  Burkina Faso

  45.0

  27W

  2002 ESI rankings by country

  Rank

  Country

  ESI

  102

  Sudan

  44.7

  103

  Gambia

  44.7

  104

  Iran

  44.5

  105

  Togo

  44.3

  106

  Lebanon

  43.8

  107

  Syria

  43.6

  108

  Ivory Coast

  43.4

  109

  Zaire

  43.3

  110

  Tajikstan

  42.4

  111

  Angola

  42.4

  112

  Pakistan

  42.1

  113

  Ethiopia

  41.8

  114

  Azerbaijan

  41.8

  115

  Burundi

  41.6

  116

  India

  41.6

  117

  Philippines

  41.6

  118

  Uzbekistan

  41.3

  119

  Rwanda

  40.6

  120

  Oman

  40.2

  121

  Trinidad and Tobago

  40.1

  122

  Jamaica

  40.1

  123

  Niger

  39.4

  124

  Libya

  39.3

  125

  Belgium

  39.1

  126

  Mauritania

  38.9

  127

  Guinea-Bissau

  38.8

  128

  Madagascar

  38.8

  129

  China

  38.5

  130

  Liberia

  37.7

  131

  Turkmenistan

  37.3

  132

  Somalia

  37.1

  133

  Nigeria

  36.7

  134

  Sierra Leone

  36.5

  135

  South Korea

  35.9

  136

  Ukraine

  35.0

  137

  Haiti

  34.8

  138

  Saudi Arabia

  34.2

  139

  Iraq

  33.2

  140

  North Korea

  32.3

  141

  United Arab Emirates

  25.7

  142

  Kuwait

  23.9

  Source:

  Global Leaders of Tomorrow Task Force of the World Economic Forum in association with Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and Columbia University

  EU Chemical Policy
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement of 22 September, on the EU chemical policy, what impact the outcome of the e-mail consultation will have on the Government's stance. [134241]

  Alun Michael
  The Government strongly supports the development and delivery of an effective EU chemical policy. We have three overarching objectives for the proposals:

  creating a fast, efficient and workable process of testing, screening and assessing substances of concern, starting with the most harmful, because of their impact on human health or the environment;

  keeping animal testing to the minimum necessary to protect human health and the environment; and

  maintaining or enhancing the competitiveness of the chemical industry and downstream users.

  28W
  Details of the Government's response to the European Commission's internet consultation can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/reach/ukresponse.pdf

  Following the Commission's consultations in May-July this year, the Commission has indicated its intention of making a number of changes to the proposals. The Government welcomes any changes intended to make the proposals more effective and workable, and will consider the revised proposals as soon as they have been adopted by the Commission. The Government will then carry out a separate UK consultation accompanied by a regulatory impact assessment.

  Flooding
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with parish councils on their ability to pay for flood prevention schemes. [132482]

  Mr. Morley
  Local authority responsibilities for flood defence measures on ordinary watercourses generally fall to district and unitary authorities rather than parish councils. Defra currently grant aids local authorities at a rate of 45 per cent. for flood defence capital works that meet specified criteria.

  Local authority flood defence expenditure is also supported by funding delivered from ODPM as part of the local Government funding settlement. This expenditure falls into three categories:

  councils' own expenditure on flood and coastal defence;

  levies paid to the Environment Agency, and

  special levies paid to internal drainage boards.

  My Department maintains a dialogue with the Local Government Association (LGA) on the funding needs in Local Authorities which are taken into consideration in our Spending Reviews. Recently we have worked with the LGA in the arrangements for introducing Defra grant in aid to the Environment Agency to replace most of the levies raised on local authorities.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in how many cases her Department is withholding and offsetting the payment of fees to valuers because of disputes over valuations that took place during the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease; what the total sum withheld and offset is; and if she will make a statement. [132746]

  Margaret Beckett
  My Department's policy is not to withhold or offset the payment of fees to valuers because of disputes that took place during the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many contractors have outstanding claims against her Department for invoices relating to work done and claimed to have been done in respect of the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease and the subsequent clean up; what the total sum is of these claims; and if she will make a statement. [132747]
  29W
  Margaret Beckett
  My Department is pursuing those cases where it believes it was overcharged for goods, services and works during the FMD outbreak. Irregularities in contractors' claims have been and continue to be investigated. Defra will take all steps necessary to safeguard the public purse.

  It is inappropriate for me to offer public comment on these disputes in advance of or during formal disputes resolution procedures.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in how many cases her Department has refused to pay to livestock owners all or part of the sums due as compensation in accordance with assessments made of her Department's valuers in valuing stock to be slaughtered during the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [132748]

  Margaret Beckett
  Under the Animal Health Act 1981, the compensation payable for animals slaughtered for disease control purposes is taken to mean their market value immediately before they were slaughtered or affected. A valuer appointed by Defra makes an assessment to determine a figure that represents the market value, and in the normal course, this is the amount of compensation Defra would pay. In a few cases during 2001, where it was apparent that the valuation and/or the figure was incorrect or flawed in some material way, Defra made an adjustment to ensure that the compensation paid to the owner properly represented the value of the slaughtered animals within the meaning of the legislation. Information on the number of cases where this occurred can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements she intends to put in place to ensure co-existence between genetically modified crops and those produced by conventional or organic production methods. [133179]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 October 2003]We will consider possible co-existence arrangements for GM and non-GM crops when we have a report on this issue from the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission. Our current expectation is that this will be published next month. At this stage no GM crop has all the necessary approvals for commercial cultivation in the UK. The Government has not reached a final view on whether any specific GM crops should be approved for cultivation.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts on the introduction of genetically modified crops in EU member states. [132651]

  Mr. Morley
  Ministers from the Department have regular discussions with their EU counterparts on issues relating to genetically modified (GM) crops. The issue has, in particular, featured on the agenda for several meetings of Councils of Agriculture and of Environment Ministers in recent years. Most recently, at a meeting of the Agriculture Council on 29 September there was a discussion on the European Commission's30W
  guidelines on the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops. Final EU decisions on pending applications for consent to grow GM crops are not expected until next year.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role the Government has taken in the development of EU policy on genetically modified crops. [132652]

  Mr. Morley
  Since the late 1980s, the UK has played a full and active role in the development of EU policy on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including GM crops. This has resulted in a strong, transparent and accountable regulatory framework, including the adoption in 2001 of an enhanced generic Directive (2001/18/EC) on the safety assessment of GMOs and in 2003 of specific measures on the traceability and labelling of GMOs, on genetically modified food and feed, and on exports of GMOs from the Community. Throughout, we have argued for an approach which is precautionary, evidence-based and proportionate, and which takes due account of international obligations under agreements such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Government has also paid particular attention to the practical aspects of implementation, with the UK, for example, being one of only four member states so far to have completed implementation of Directive 2001/18/EC.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Department is taking to protect the interests of businesses from contamination by GM crops, with particular reference to organic farmers. [133408]

  Mr. Morley
  We will consider possible co-existence arrangements for GM and non-GM crops when we have a report on this issue from the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission. Our current expectation is that this will be published next month. At this stage no GM crop has all the necessary approvals for commercial cultivation in the UK. The Government has not reached a final view on whether any specific GM crops should be approved for cultivation.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the field scale evaluation GM crop trials in the management of individual crops. [133495]

  Mr. Morley
  The results of the spring-sown GM crop farm-scale evaluations were published on 16 October 2003. The results have now been passed to the Government's statutory advisory body—the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE)—who will advise on their implications. In the light of ACRE'S advice Ministers will decide the UK's position on whether these specific crops should be approved for commercial cultivation in the EU.

  There are currently no GM crops being grown in the UK and none have all the approvals required for commercial cultivation. No GM crops can be sown without further regulatory approval which cannot take place until next spring at the earliest. We expect to receive ACRE'S advice in December or early January.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure that there will be no resumption of live exports of horses, ponies and donkeys for the meat trade from the United Kingdom. [134185]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We are taking the opportunity offered by negotiation of new EU rules on the welfare of animals in transport, to consider the best way to protect British equines.

  Organic Farming
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Government spent in 2002–03 on(a) research into and (b) support for (i) organic farming and (ii) GM crops. [132450]

  Mr. Morley
  The table as follows shows Defra spending in the financial year 2002–03 on support of and research into organic farming and GM crops respectively.

  Organic farming

  GM crops

  Support

  £12,567,000 + £301,000 for the organic conversion information service

  £0

  Research for development purposes

  £1,809,000

  £0

  Research for the purpose of environmental risk assessment

  £0

  £4,522,000

  Recycling
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the steps being taken to increase recycling rates from(a) household waste, (b) business and industrial waste and (c) direct mail. [131904]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have set targets to increase recycling and composting of household waste in England to 17 per cent. by 2003–04 and 25 per cent. by 2005–06. To underpin these national targets, we have required all local authorities to double their recycling, compared with 1999–2000, by 2003–04, and to treble their recycling by 2005–06. The Government have provided significant funding to enable local authorities to meet these targets.

  In addition, Local Public Service Agreements provide a focus for local and central Government to encourage commitment to specific improvements over and above that which would normally be expected. To date, 83 waste related targets have been signed, including 41 targets which aim specifically to increase recycling performance above the statutory performance standard. As part of a Local PSA, the Government offer at the outset, a pump-priming grant, unsupported credit approvals and potential relaxations in statutory and administrative requirements. Typically, financial support has been used to improve enforcement and publicity; to develop civic amenity sites; and to initiate or expand kerb-side collection schemes.
  32W
  The Household Waste Recycling Bill awaits Royal Assent and will become law next month. The Act will provide that where English waste collection authorities have a duty to collect waste they shall ensure, except in some circumstances, that by the end of 2010, they collect at least two recyclates separate from the remainder of the waste. The circumstances in which they would not have to comply would be where the cost of doing so was unreasonably high or where comparable alternative arrangements are available.

  The Bill also now provides that the Secretary of State must report to Parliament on progress towards meeting this requirement, and local authority performance on meeting their recycling and composting standards, by the end of October 2004.

  The Bill will apply to Wales if the Welsh Assembly feel it appropriate.

  In "Waste Strategy 2000", the Government and the National Assembly for Wales set a target to reduce the amount of industrial and commercial waste sent to landfil in 2005 to 85 per cent. of that sent in 1998—reducing the amount from 42 million tonnes to 36 million tonnes. To reaffirm the target, the Government confirmed in the 2003 Budget that landfill tax will increase by £3 per tonne in 2005–06 and by at least £3 per year thereafter on the way to a medium to long-term rate of £35 per tonne. In addition, Envirowise is the main Government programme for providing advice on improving resource efficiency to businesses in industry and commerce increasing sustainable economic development.

  The Government and the Direct Marketing Association signed a new agreement in July 2003 to increase the amount of recycled material used in the direct mail and promotions industry. Currently, 13 per cent. of direct mail is recycled, however, the agreement will raise recycling levels to 30 per cent. by the end of 2005, 55 per cent. by the end of 2009 and 70 per cent. by the end of 2013.

  Regional Payments Agency
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been paid to food producers in the 2002 scheme year payments by the Regional Payments Agency in England, broken down by region; and what percentage of the 2002 scheme year payments budget these payments represent in each case. [134418]

  Alun Michael
  I have asked the Rural Payments Agency to produce an analysis of the relevant expenditure on a regional basis and send this directly to the hon. Member when ready.

  Renardine 72–2
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on licensing Renodene for use as a badger deterrent. [132668]

  Margaret Beckett
  It is assumed that the question refers to the pesticide product, Renardine 72–2. This can be used as a badger deterrent in two circumstances:

  (a) badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which makes it illegal to interfere with a sett. Deterring badgers from using a sett would constitute

  33W
  interference. However, there is provision in the legislation to allow the use of a deterrent such as Renardine 72–2 under a licence from my Department; and

  (b) Renardine 72–2 is also specifically approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended) for use as a badger deterrent where there is no interference with a sett.

  Sheep Quota
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the market value of sheep quota per unit is; what the value of the annual payment from public funds per unit was in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of this total cost is met from UK public funds. [133221]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Livestock Quotas were introduced in order to regulate production and expenditure under the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme (SAPS).

  When the quota system was introduced, producers received an initial allocation based on the number of eligible sheep they received premium on in the 1991 reference year. The normal way in which producers may now acquire quota is by purchasing or leasing it on the open market. Transfer or lease of SAP quota may take place only during certain periods of the year—mid September to early February.

  Values for sheep quota at the end of the 2003 trading period were as follows:

  GB Lowland—£1.30 per unit (permanent transfer)

  Leasing—£0.00 (quota was just given away)

  England Less Favoured Area (LFA)—£9 per unit (permanent transfer)

  Leasing—£1 per unit

  Values at close of the 2002 trading period were as follows:

  GB Lowland—£2 per unit (permanent transfer)

  Leasing—30p

  England LFA—£9 per unit (permanent transfer)

  Leasing—£1 per unit

  Values for both years have remained very low due to Foot and Mouth Disease. When the 2004 quota trading period opens on 11 November, it is expected that values will continue to stay low. This is because sheep quota will no longer be needed due to the reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

  The sheepmeat regime of the European Union plays a significant role in the maintenance of the income of sheep farmers in the United Kingdom. The principal support mechanism of the regime is the Annual Ewe Premium, known in the UK as the Sheep Annual Premium (SAP)

  From 2002, the SAP became a single fixed rate payment paid on breeding ewes. The new rate has been set at €21 (approximately £13) per eligible animal. In 2002 (the last year for which figures are available), SAP was paid on 16,546,384 animals in the UK. This amounted to a UK total of approx €34747,406 (£21,393,299).

  The costs paid in relation to the Sheep Annual Premium came from EU Commission funding only.

  Warm Front Grants
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people(a) in the UK and (b) in the Wycombe constituency who were declared eligible for warm front grants have not received them owing to temporary suspension of the scheme. [133598]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 21 October 2003]: Warm Front, Government's main fuel poverty programme in England, has not been suspended in this or any other area.

  Waste Targets
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she used in drawing up the 2004 packaging waste targets; when the targets will be announced; and what progress has been made in reducing packaging waste. [131976]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department commissioned AEA Technology to design a model to produce target scenarios and assess the costs and benefits of these, using the most up-to-date information. The Department also uses its own model to exemplify targets using the most recent packaging data reported by business as well as the latest information on recycled packaging waste from reprocessors.

  The Department expects to announce the changes to the packaging Regulations including the targets in late November 2003.

  There has been a reduction in packaging waste since 1998. The Regulations include a cost incentive for businesses to reduce the amount of packaging they handle and to reuse packaging where they can. This is because the Regulations place tonnage recovery and recycling obligations on obligated businesses. The less packaging a business handles, the lower its obligation and thus its costs. Equally, where a business is reusing a tonnage of packaging, that tonnage does not have to be included in the calculation of the recovery and recycling obligations. In 2002, 4.9 million tonnes of packaging waste was sent to landfill compared with 6.9 million tonnes in 1998.

  Water Bill
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the farming sector about the proposal in the Water Bill for time-limited licences. [133477]

  Mr. Morley
  In 1998 the Government first consulted on proposals for all new licences to be issued with a time limit in the consultation paper 'The Review of the Water Abstraction Licensing System in England and Wales'. The majority of responses from the farming sector accepted that there was a need to time limit new abstraction licences. The majority of all the consultation responses received welcomed this proposal, and the Government subsequently included the proposal in the draft Water Bill.

  There was similar feedback on our "Water Bill—Consultation on draft legislation" which was published in November 2000.

TREASURY

  MRSA
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress the Department has made on implementing a system of enabling MRSA to be recorded on death certificates. [133849]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 27 October 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what progress the department has made on implementing a system of enabling MRSA to be recorded on death certificates. (133849)
  MRSA an already be recorded on death certificates. Doctors are required to certify all deaths to the best of their knowledge and belief. They should start with the immediate cause of death, and then go back through the diseases or injuries which caused it, to the condition which began the sequence leading to death. The death certificate is designed to obtain this first 'underlying cause of death'. It is up to the doctor how many conditions in the sequence, other than the underlying cause, he thinks should be recorded. MR SA may contribute to death, but it is unlikely to be the first event in the sequence.
  It is difficult to produce statistics on MRSA because there are no codes for antibiotic resistance in the International Classification of Diseases. ONS worked with the World Health Organisation to develop new codes in ICD-10 to identify antibiotic resistance. WHO has recommended that these codes may be used from 2006. ONS is working with the US National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) to ensure that these codes are implemented in NCHS systems used to code cause of death in the UK and many other countries.
  Currently, to obtain figures on the number of deaths where MRSA contributed, it is necessary to identify all deaths with codes relating to staphylococcal infections and study the text of the death certificates. A special study was conducted by ONS and the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre to do this, using data from 1993–1998. The results were published in the British Medical Journal in December 2002. The table below gives figures from this study for 1993 to 1998.

  Number of deaths where MRSA was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, England and Wales, 1993–1998

  Number

  1993

  47

  1994

  88

  1995

  187

  1996

  290

  1997

  377

  1998

  398

  ONS is currently carrying out work to update these figures to 2002, including identifying all possible codes for staphylococcal infections in ICD-10. The results of this analysis are not yet available.

  Bechtel
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list contracts for consultancy or work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997 stating in each case(a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [133855]
  36W
  Mr. Boateng
  The Chancellor's Departments have not had any contracts with Bechtel in this period.

  Child Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of child tax credit reassessments that will be required in 2003–04 due to rises in income in excess of the £2,500 disregard which occurred between the year of assessment and the award being made. [134108]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of awards that are expected to be reassessed owing to rises in income above £2,500 are published in "The Child and Working Tax Credits". Copies are available on the HM Treasury website, www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media//EE15F/new_tax_credits.pdf.

  Correspondence
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for West Worcestershire will receive a response to his letter of 16 September. [134325]

  John Healey
  The hon. Member's letter was transferred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. I understand a reply was sent 20 October.

  Crown Estate Income
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income has been received by the Crown Estate from rents paid for cables which use the seabed for each financial year since 1997. [134332]

  Ruth Kelly
  Since 1997 the following sums have been received by The Crown Estate.

  £ million

  Financial year1

  Revenue

  1997

  1.22

  1998

  1.63

  1999

  2.65

  2000

  3.54

  2001

  3.79

  2002

  4.98

  2003

  5.07

  1 To the 31 March

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income has been received by the Crown Estate from wind-powered electricity generating installations situated offshore for each financial year since 1997. [134333]

  Ruth Kelly
  Since 1997 the following sums have been received by The Crown Estate:

  £

  Financial year1

  Revenue

  1997

  0

  1998

  0

  1999

  0

  2000

  0

  2001

  0

  2002

  2,500

  2003

  2,500

  1 To 31 March

  37W
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income has been received by the Crown Estate from rents paid by Scottish fish farmers for each financial year since 1997. [134334]

  Ruth Kelly
  The annual rent paid by Scottish salmon farmers for each financial year since 1997 is as shown in the following table. Separate figures for emerging species (cod and halibut) are not available but are currently calculated with reference to consented cage surface area rather than being linked directly to tonnage and price. The emerging species rent for 2003 was £9,800.

  £million

  Financial year1

  Production year

  2Salmon rent due 1 January

  1997

  1996

  2.23

  1998

  1997

  1.45

  1999

  1998

  2.41

  2000

  1999

  2.86

  2001

  2000

  2.77

  2002

  2001

  2.52

  2003

  2002

  1.08

  1 To the 31 March

  2 2003 rent due 01.02.03 following rent review w.e.f. 01.01.03

  Emigration
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of UK citizens who have emigrated from the UK in each of the last five years, broken down by destination country. [134727]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Marshall, dated 27 October 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question on the number of UK citizens who have emigrated from the UK in each of the last five years, broken down by destination country. (134727)
  The most recent edition of the annual reference volume for international migration can be found by following the link to the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ downloads/theme_population/MN28.pdf.
  This was published in September and includes data for the years 1992 to 2001. Data regarding country of next residence for 2002 will become available with the publication of the next edition of this volume in Spring 2004.
  Table 2.2 of the volume shows estimates for country of next residence grouped as follows: European Union; Old Commonwealth (which includes Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa); New Commonwealth (which includes all other Commonwealth countries); and Other foreign countries. Tables 2.3 and 2.4 show more detailed breakdowns of the data for the Old and New Commonwealth and the European Union and other foreign countries respectively.
  At present, we are unable to break the data down to individual country beyond those countries included in these tables. The estimates are predominantly based on responses to the International Passenger Survey which samples 0.2% of international travellers using the principal routes to and from the UK. This sample size does not support the production of estimates for country of next residence to a greater level of detail than is currently shown.

  Gold Sales
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the proceeds of gold sales from the UK reserves were in each year since 1997; and if he will estimate the value of that gold at today's prices. [133659]

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total receipts for the gold reserves sold off by the Treasury over the past five years were; and what the value of those reserves would be at the afternoon fix of 20 October. [133974]

  Ruth Kelly
  The gold sales between July 1999 and March 2002 reflect a prudent decision to reduce over-exposure to a single asset in the net reserves portfolio. The total proceeds from the sale of 395 tonnes of gold during this period were US$ 3,496 million. At current market prices, the total value of this gold would be US$4,961 million. The difference between these two figures does not represent the real financial impact of the sales, as the proceeds from the gold sales were invested in euro, dollar and yen interest baring assets that have also increased in value over this period. The gold sales reduced risk by around 30 per cent. (as measured by value-at-risk) and are not expected to deliver a loss in return when measured over the medium to long-term; the appropriate time horizon for such a decision.

  Government Buildings
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list vacant(a) Government owned and (b) Government leased buildings; and if he will make a statement. [132881]

  Mr. Boateng
  The list of holdings owned and leased by UK departments in England, Scotland and Wales that have recorded vacant space has been placed in the Library. This excludes accommodation that is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and leases that have been transferred to PF I suppliers under the STEPS and PRIME contracts.

  Government Rents
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent studies his Department has undertaken on rents paid by central Government buildings in London compared to alternative locations. [134705]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Chancellor's Departments have not undertaken any recent studies in this area. The Independent Review of Public Sector Relocation is examining the question of comparative accommodation costs.

  Housing Market Statistics
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on(a) prices and (b) volumes of transactions in the housing market. [134420]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's forthcoming pre-Budget report will include an assessment of recent housing market developments.

  Illegal Meat
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the occasions on which illegal meat has been seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise since 1 May; and what quantities were obtained in each case. [133976]

  John Healey
  Customs do not publish information in the format requested as there is a risk of prejudicing ongoing and future law enforcement operations; Exemption 4 (Law Enforcement and Legal Proceedings) and Exemption 7 (Effective management and operations of the public service) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information apply. Full-year figures are published by Defra in its Annual Review of Controls on Imports of Animal Products each July.

  Income Distribution
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of national income accrued to the(a) top and (b) bottom (i) 1 per cent, (ii) 5 per cent. (iii) 10 per cent. and (iv) 20 per cent. of the income distribution in each year since 1979. [134101]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Meacher, dated 27 October 2003:

  Percentage shares of equivalised total gross income for ALL households1,2, 1979 to 2001–023

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Gross income

  Top 10 per cent

  24

  25

  25

  25

  25

  25

  26

  28

  Top 20 per cent.

  37

  38

  39

  39

  39

  39

  40

  41

  Bottom 20 per cent.

  9

  8

  8

  9

  9

  9

  8

  8

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994–5

  Gross income

  Top 10 per cent.

  27

  27

  26

  28

  27

  27

  28

  28

  Top 20 per cent.

  43

  43

  42

  44

  44

  43

  44

  43

  Bottom 20 per cent.

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  1995–6

  1996–7

  1997–8

  1998–9

  1999–00

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Gross income

  Top 10 per cent.

  27

  28

  28

  29

  28

  28

  30

  Top 20 per cent.

  43

  44

  44

  44

  44

  44

  45

  Bottom 20 per cent.

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  6

  6

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  1 Estimates for top and bottom 10 per cent ranked by unadjusted gross income up to 1986

  2 Ranked by equivalised disposable income from 1987 onwards

  3 From 1990 this includes company car benefit and beneficial house purchase loans from employers. From 1996–97 values are based on estimates for the sample grossed up to population totals.

  40W
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent request for estimates of the percentage of national income accrued to the (a) top and (b) bottom (i) one per cent., (ii) five per cent., (iii) 10 per cent. and (iv) 20 per cent. of the income distribution in each year since 1979. (134101)
  Estimates for national income are not available but estimates for gross household income are shown in the following table. These are produced from the Office for National Statistics' analysis "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income" and the latest analysis for 2001–02 was published on 21st October 2003 on the National Statistics website. Results for earlier years are also published in Economic Trends, which can be can be obtained from the House of Commons library. The analyses for each year since 1997–98 can also be obtained from the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/SearchRes2. asp?IPS = 5&CT = 6&Term = taxes%20and%20benefits
  The analysis includes measures of income inequality for the United Kingdom as a whole based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey (EPS), formerly the Family Expenditure Survey (FES). Results for each quintile (including the top and bottom 20 per cent) are published in table 26 of the analysis. The Family Resources Survey would have been an alternative source with a larger sample size, however it would only have provided a time series from 1994/5.
  The table shows the proportion of total gross income received by groups of households in different parts of the income distribution, where households are ranked by equivalised disposable income. Gross income includes income from earnings, occupational pensions and investments and cash benefits such as state retirement pensions and income support. It does not take account of deductions for taxes.
  For the data that you have requested, sample sizes are only sufficient to allow a breakdown to be given by deciles and quintiles of income distribution and not for the top or bottom one per cent. or 5 per cent. Equivalisation is a standard methodology that takes into account the size and composition of households and adjusts their incomes to recognise differing demands on resources.

  Investment Statistics
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of(a) non-residential business investment, (b) residential business investment. (c) public investment and (d) total investment in (i) 1995 market prices and (ii) current prices, as a proportion of GDP, since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [134134]

  Mr. Boateng
  Latest figures for investment by sector and GDP at current market prices were released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of the 2003 Blue Book dataset on 30 September. The ONS no longer publishes data at constant 1995 prices, having now replaced them with chained volume measures as indicators of growth in real magnitudes in the national accounts.

  Liquefied Petroleum Gas
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the calculations on which the 40 p per litre duty rebate on liquefied petroleum gas are based. [134365]

  John Healey
  The Government offers lower duty rates for less environmentally-damaging fuels by offering duty differentials relative to the main road fuels. These differentials are intended primarily to reflect the relative environmental benefits individual. In determining the size of the duty incentive for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the Government took into account principally the environmental benefits of the fuel, such as local air quality improvements. It also took account of the significant market barriers faced by LPG: it requires a dedicated and separate re-fuelling infrastructure and vehicles have to be converted or specifically designed to use gaseous fuels.

  In his 2003 Budget statement, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor announced that the Government would consult on support for road fuel gases beyond 2004. The Department for Transport, HM Treasury and Customs and Excise published a consultation document in June inviting key stakeholders and users to express their views on how to ensure that both the duty payable and the purchase grants available for road fuel gases continue to reflect environmental and other policy objectives.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the national minimum wage was introduced; what the level was; what the(a) level and (b) date was of each increase; and what each of these levels was as a percentage of the national average wage. [133852]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Meacher, dated 27 October 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about when the National Minimum Wage was introduced, what its levels have been over the years, and what percentage of the national average wage these levels represented. (133852)
  42W
  Details of the different wage rate levels and when they were introduced are given in the attached tables. UK legislation covering minimum wage rates for employees over the age of 18 was introduced on 1 April 1999 (Table 1). Since 1999, the rates both for 18–21 year-olds, and for those over 21 have been increased.
  Table 2 compares the threshold for the adult minimum wage with average pay for the nearest comparable age band for the New Earnings Survey, which is conducted in April each year.

  Table 1

  National Minimum Wage

  Period to which minimum wage rate applies

  Ages l8–21 (£)

  Age 22 + (percentage)

  April 1999–May 2000

  3.00

  3.60

  June 2000–September 2000

  3.20

  3.60

  October 2000–September 2001

  3.20

  3.70

  October 2001–September 2002

  3.50

  4.10

  October 2002–September 2003

  3.60

  4.20

  October 2003–

  3.80

  4.50

  Table 2

  Survey date

  Minimum wage rate of people aged 22+

  Average hourly pay of people aged 21+

  Minimum wage as percentage of average hourly pay (percentage)

  April 1999

  3.60

  10.13

  34.5

  April 2000

  3.60

  10.62

  33.9

  April 2001

  3.70

  11.30

  32.7

  April 2002

  4.10

  11.86

  34.6

  April 2003

  4.20

  12.16

  34.5

  Net Borrowing
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to review his forecasts for net borrowing before the forthcoming Pre-Budget Report. [135010]

  Ruth Kelly
  An interim forecast update for the public finances will be published as usual in the Pre-Budget Report.

  Occupied Territories
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total duty levied on goods marked as made in Israel but which originate from the Occupied Territories since the Treasury Statement of 3 April. [133958]

  John Healey
  Duty demands totalling £52,490.61 have been issued to UK importers since 3 April 2003.

  Personal Debt
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings have taken place in the last three months between the Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority to discuss(a) the sustainability of consumer debt and (b) house prices and mortgage lending. [134706]
  43W
  Ruth Kelly
  The Treasury, the Bank of England and the FSA hold regular meetings in a number of contexts to discuss important economic issues.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the percentage of all new capital assets used by the public sector and provided by private finance initiative in(a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05. [134006]

  Mr. Boateng
  PFI/PPP represented 11 per cent. of total investment in public services in 2002–03. Projected figures for investment delivered through PFI/PPP as a proportion of total investment in public services in 2003–04 and 2004–05 are 11 per cent. and 8 per cent. respectively.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in a private finance initiative contract including the use of physical property the property is retained by the private sector at the conclusion of the contract. [134007]

  Mr. Boateng
  The guidance issued by the Office of Government Commerce on the Standardisation of PFI Contracts makes clear that procuring authorities should consider whether or not retaining physical property at the conclusion of a contract offers the best value for money available.

  The decision is for the procuring authority and should be made in light of its long-term objectives and the nature of the property involved.

  Public Sector Pensions
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in relation to the estimation of the cost of pensions under the Whole of Government Accounts, what excess of the discount rate over the rate of price inflation has been applied to future liabilities; and what the typical corresponding rate is that is used by the private sector under FRS17. [130884]

  Ruth Kelly
  In my answer of 14 October 2003,Official Report, column 5W, I said on advice that the majority of private sector schemes reporting under FRS 17 used a discount rate clustered around 5.6 per cent. real. I have since been advised that this rate is, in fact, the nominal discount rate. The average real rate underlying this rate is 3.3 per cent. I very much regret having inadvertently given incorrect information in my earlier answer.

  Registration (Births)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in establishing a ceremony for the registration of births of children which records the mutual rights and responsibilities of the parents and the state. [134584]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the General Registrar. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Kidney, dated 27 October 2003:
  44W
  As Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what progress has been made in establishing a ceremony for the registration of births of children which records the mutual rights and responsibilities of the parents and the state. (134584)
  There is no specific proposal to establish such a ceremony. However, in January 2001 the Government published a White Paper "Civil Registration: Vital Change" (CM 5355) containing proposals for the reform of the civil registration service in England and Wales. These proposals include the potential for the civil registration service to both provide celebratory services and to signpost other service and information sources. It is intended that the White Paper proposals are taken forward by means of an order under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001. The first phase of this process involves a mandatory public consultation. This was completed on 24 October.

  Relocation (County Durham)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received, and from whom, on relocation of government departments to County Durham. [134652]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has received three representations about the relocation of public sector activity to the County of Durham. These were submitted by interested individuals.

  Retirement (Paid Employment)
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people who have retired in each of the last five years are still in paid employment. [133491]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Paul Flynn, dated 27 October 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about retired people who are still in employment. (133491)
  The attached table gives estimates of the number of people over state pension age who are in employment, for the three month periods ending August of each year from 1999 to 2003. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS does not collect information about the number of people who have retired in each of the last five years who are still in employment.

  People over state pension age1 who are in employment

  UK, Thousand, seasonally adjusted

  June to August

  Men aged 65 + and women aged 60 +

  1990

  806

  2000

  824

  2001

  853

  2002

  874

  2003

  956

  165 for men, 60 for women

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey (ONS)

  Stamp Duty Land Tax
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to business of implementing the stamp duty land tax regulations; and if he will make a statement. [134550]
  45W
  Ruth Kelly
  Businesses will notice little change in complying with the Stamp Duty Land Tax regulations as liability to Stamp Duty Land Tax should be reported and duty paid, as now, within 30 days of completion. The key change of Stamp Duty Land Tax will be that liability is notified by the completion of a Land
  46W
  Transaction Return. This removes the need to send documents to the Inland Revenue for the purposes of stamping. In addition, the regulations provide for the abolition of stamp duty on transactions involving property other than land, shares and interests in partnerships. This de-regulation will take many transactions out of stamp duty altogether.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Correspondence
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he will reply to the letter of 15 August from the hon. Member for Richmond Park on the Judicial Trustees Act 1896. [133990]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor wrote to the hon. Member on 22 October 2003.

  Defamation
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to reform the law on defamation to enable quicker and less costly resolution of claims. [133867]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Government have no plans for further reform of defamation procedure. The Defamation Act 1996 introduced procedures to enable quicker and less costly resolution of claims. The 'summary procedure' allows straightforward cases to be dealt with without a jury; damages are limited to £10,000. The 'offer to make amends' strongly encourages a claimant to avoid a jury trial on the level of damages where the defendant admits an innocent mistake. Both these procedures were brought into effect on 28 February 2000.

  The number of defamation actions started has dropped from 452 in 1997 to 128 in 2002.

  Departmental Establishment Costs
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate he has made of the costs that will be incurred in the setting-up of his Department. [125041]

  Mr. Lammy
  Further to my answer to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight), on 1 September 2003,Official Report, column 779W, the Department for Constitutional Affairs has incurred costs of £40,000 in changing the Department's name (covering email and website changes, stationery and signage). An estimated £412,000 has been incurred in respect of relocation from the House of Lords to Selborne House and all the consequential changes following on from this.

  Immigration
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many immigration appeals were heard by the Immigration Appellate Authority in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those were heard(a) within six months of and (b) over 12 months after the application was refused; and if he will make a statement. [134059]

  Mr. Lammy
  From the 1 October 2002 to the 30 September 2003 there have been 9,727 substantive Immigration hearings within the Immigration Appellate Authority. For the same period of time there have been 12,530 Family Visit Visa hearings (either oral or on 48W
  papers). The Immigration Appellate Authority does not hold information on the length of time from the Immigration application being refused to a substantive appeal being heard.

  Legal Aid
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to increase the accountability of the Legal Services Commission for its decisions on the granting of legal aid. [133361]

  Mr. Lammy
  We have no plans to do so. Decisions on the granting of public funding (formerly legal aid) in civil cases are a matter for the Legal Services Commission (LSC), which is an independent body, free from political and Government influence in handling individual cases. Individuals denied funding by the LSC are entitled to have the decision reviewed by a funding review committee, an independent legal panel whose decisions on legal issues are binding on the LSC. Further, if a LSC funding decision is erroneous it may be challenged in court through judicial review.

  Small Claims Courts
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the minimum fee for enforcing a judgment in the small claims court is; and whether the fees increase according to the value of the judgment. [134292]

  Mr. Lammy
  The fee for enforcing a judgment is dependent on the method of enforcement chosen by the litigant. Fees do not increase according to the value of the judgment or the amount to be enforced except for a warrant of execution, which is the most common form of enforcement. The current issue fee for a warrant not exceeding £125 is £30, for a warrant exceeding this amount it is £50. The current scale of fees for enforcing judgments is contained in the County Court Fees Order 1999 as amended and is shown as follows.

  Enforcement
  4.1 On an application for or in relation to enforcement of a judgment or order of a county court or through a county court:
  …by the issue of a warrant of execution against goods except a warrant to enforce payment of a fine

  (a) Where the amount for which warrant issues does not exceed £125—£30

  (b) Where the amount for which warrant issues exceeds £125—£50

  4.3 On an application for an order requiring a judgment debtor or other person to attend court to provide information in connection with enforcement of a judgment or order—£40

  4.4 On an application for a third party debt order or a charging order, or the appointment of a receiver by way of equitable execution—£50

  4.7 On an application for an attachment of earnings order (other than a consolidated attachment of earnings order) to secure payment of a judgment debt—£60.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Secretary of State's policy is on non-adjudicating staff in the small claims court giving assistance to parties to actions there. [134293]
  49W
  Mr. Lammy
  Court staff are not legally trained. They are, however, encouraged to be as helpful as possible to customers. They should not give legal advice or advise on procedures that are outside their normal jurisdiction. The distinction between legal and procedural advice can sometimes be very fine. Where the matter is difficult or complex, the distinction may not always be easy to grasp or to explain. In such circumstances, it is wholly proper that court staff should err on the side of caution and respectfully ask court users to seek legal advice.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Secretary of State has to reform the small claims court. [134301]

  Mr. Lammy
  As part of the Department's rolling programme of improvements to civil court procedures, a pilot exercise, from 8 July 2002 to 21 February 2003, was initiated in a number of county courts. The pilot examined whether it would be possible to allocate cases to the small claims track without the use of an allocation questionnaire. The pilot collected a considerable amount of information, which indicated areas where changes to procedures might be appropriate. The Civil Procedure Rule Committee will be considering procedural issues and the Court Service the operational issues.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the minimum fee chargeable by the small claims court for issuing a claim is; and what the sliding scale of fees for claims of increasing value is. [134304]

  Mr. Lammy
  The minimum fee chargeable for a claim issued under the Small Claims procedure is £30. The current scale of fees for claims up to and including £5,000 is contained in the County Court Fees Order 1999 as amended and is shown as follows. The Order also makes provision for fees to be remitted in full or reduced where payment of the fee could cause financial hardship.

  Commencement of proceedings
  1.1 On the commencement of originating proceedings using the Small Claims Procedure, to recover a sum of money…
  where the sum claimed

  (a) does not exceed £300—£30

  (b) exceeds £300 but not £500—£50

  (c) exceeds £500 but not £1,000—£80

  (d) exceeds £1,000 but not £5,000—£120

  1.3 On the commencement of originating proceedings for any other remedy or relief—£130

PRIME MINISTER

  Biofuels
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Department is responsible for the formulation of Government policy on biofuels. [134369]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a wide-ranging issue in which a number of Departments have an interest.
  50W
  The Department of Trade and Industry, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Transport work closely in promoting the Government's policy objectives for the increased use of biofuels.

  As with all tax issues, responsibility for the fiscal regime on biofuels rests with HM Treasury.

  Confidential Material
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what mechanism exists to regulate individuals who are neither Ministers or civil servants but who are invited to undertake tasks for him which involve access to confidential material. [134491]

  The Prime Minister
  Access to sensitive material requires the appropriate level of security clearance. The Official Secrets Act also applies.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 22 October 2003,Official Report, column 636, to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Alan Simpson), if he will place in the Library a note of the date when he was first informed that references in the Government dossier to 45 minutes and weapons of mass destruction were references only to battlefield weaponry. [134536]

  Alan Simpson
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 22 October 2003,Official Report, column 636, on Iraq, on what date he was first informed that references to the 45 minute warning about Iraq applied only to battlefield weapons. [134537]

  The Prime Minister
  As my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said on 28 January 2003,Official Report, column 769W, weapons of mass destruction are generally held to refer to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The term applies whether the weapons are delivered through battlefield or longer-range systems. As has been noted by the Intelligence and Security Committee in their report of 9 September 2003, the intelligence on the 45 minute point was issued by the Secret Intelligence Service on 30 August 2002. The Secret Intelligence Service report did not specify the particular delivery systems to which the time of 45 minutes applied. There was, therefore, no reference to battlefield or longer-range systems when the point was included in a formal classified Joint Intelligence Committee assessment issued on 9 September 2002, which I saw.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Central African Republic
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the diarrhoea epidemic in the north west region of the Central African Republic. [133765]

  Hilary Benn
  Several epidemics of diarrhoea have been reported in different regions of the Central African Republic. The most recent epidemic was confirmed
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  north west of the capital, where at least 40 people died in late September 2003. A similar outbreak was detected and contained in August 2003.

  Areas of the north were severely affected by six months of war between the Government and rebel troops, and this has adversely affected health and water facilities.

  In response, the EC Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and the European Development Fund (EDF) launched a €1.77 million emergency programme to revamp and re-equip health facilities in nine war affected provinces of the Central Africa Republic, disbursing resources through international NGOs. This has involved rehabilitation of health facilities and equipment, the mobilisation of medical personnel and medical supplies, as well as the establishment of an efficient management system. UNICEF is also jointly involved in a six-month health project combating waterborne diseases, including the disbursement of drugs to six war affected regions.

  A joint Government-NGO (Medicos Sin Fronteras MSF-Spain) medical team began work in July 2003, educating local leaders on water hygiene and providing local health centres with drugs to help fight the disease. Tests have also been undertaken on wells to check which need to be purified. Health authorities have since resumed the immunisation of children in the north west region of the Central African Republic.

  Clean water supplies have now been restored in Bozoum and its surrounding areas since October 2003, which should help halt the spread of diarrhoea.

  Democratisation
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how his Department is supporting the democratisation processes in poor countries considered to be committed to reform. [132097]

  Hilary Benn
  We support democratisation in poor countries in a wide variety of ways, both directly and indirectly. This includes assistance to Electoral Commissions, voter registration and awareness programmes and election monitoring; support for parliamentary Select Committees; assistance to strengthen financial and other accountability, and anti-corruption measures; programmes to make justice systems work better, especially for the poor; and work with the media and a wide range of civil society organisations to enhance their participation in public life and the political process.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the Department's budget in each of the last three years has been spent on programmes and projects with an explicit concentration on disabled people; and of that, what percentage has been concentrated on children. [133003]

  Hilary Benn
  These figures are not available without incurring disproportionate cost. We work closely with Governments, the voluntary and private sectors and the bilateral and multilateral donor communities to ensure 52W
  that disability is addressed in the context of the fight against poverty and the realisation of human rights for all.

  DFID's approach to disability issues was set out in a paper on 'Disability, Poverty and Development' in February 2000. An integrated approach is required, linking prevention and rehabilitation with empowerment and changes in attitude. DFID's approach is therefore to `mainstream' disability issues, so that the needs of disabled people are taken into account by all staff in all aspects of DFID's work, and also to investigate further the links between poverty and disability and how they interact with each other.

  Iraq
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many internally displaced persons of Iraqi nationality he estimates there are in UN administered camps in countries neighbouring Iraq. [133777]

  Hilary Benn
  Latest estimates indicate that the United Nations, in partnership with host Governments, currently supports a refugee caseload of approximately 210,000 in the countries neighbouring Iraq. The Department For International Development has provided £1.75 million to UN HCR since the start of the conflict to assist with their work in Iraq and neighbouring countries.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many internally displaced persons he estimates there are in UN-administered camps in Iraq. [133778]

  Hilary Benn
  A recent assessment by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) places the number of registered internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq at approximately 265,000. The full caseload of people displaced from their homes within Iraq has, however, been estimated at up to one million—the vast majority of these are long-term displaced and not as a direct result of the recent conflict. The majority of IDPs are unregistered and are not resident in organised camps.

  Millennium Development Goals
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on recent progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. [133140]

  Hilary Benn
  There has been mixed progress towards the 2015 targets associated with the Millennium Development Goals. The proportion of the developing world population living in absolute poverty, on less than $1 a day, fell from 28 per cent. in 1990 to 22 per cent. in 2000. Assuming global economic growth remains on track the headline target of halving absolute poverty between 1990 and 2015 will be met. However progress across regions is uneven. Good progress in Asia has been accompanied by little change in the proportion in absolute poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. The global target to halve the proportion of people without access to safe water between 1990 and 2015 is also on track.
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  Other targets, including universal primary schooling, gender equality in school, reductions in child and maternal mortality and combating HIV/AIDS, will require a significant increase in effort to be achieved. However, the substantial progress that individual countries have achieved demonstrates that the targets could still be reached with the right policies and political will.

  The MDGs will only be achieved through a partnership between rich and poor countries. The final goal covers action needed by developed countries to increase and improve aid flows and reform the trade system. The recent breakdown of talks in Cancun aimed at achieving a fairer global trading system was a particular disappointment, and the UK Government are working hard to ensure an agreement can be reached.

  DFID has put the achievement of the MDGs at the heart of its work, and we are working with our partners to do all we can to meet these targets. A particular concern is sub-Saharan Africa and supporting progress in this region is a priority for DFID.

  A more comprehensive assessment of progress towards the goals is provided in the UN Secretary General's 2003 report on the implementation of the Millennium Declaration: http://ods-dds-ny.un.org/doc/ UNDOC/GEN/N03/481/57/PDF/N0348157.pdf?Open Element.

  Reproductive Health
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 14 October 2003,Official Report, columns 70–71W on reproductive health, what the (a) structure(b) aims and (c) methods of each of the projects in Nigeria listed under annex A to his answer are; when his Department last assessed the progress of each project; what the main conclusions of each assessment were; and if he will make a statement. [133193]

  Hilary Benn
  I will write to the hon. Member for Moray with details of the projects and programmes in DFID Nigeria that have a policy marker for Reproductive Health or HIV/AIDS, as listed previously (ref: 131641).

  The health sector (including HIV/AIDS) continues to be our largest portfolio in DFID Nigeria in terms of financial commitment, and Reproductive Health and Rights are central to this. Furthermore, as we remain focused on helping Nigeria make accelerated progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, issues of maternal health, child health, access to comprehensive reproductive health services and the control of HIV/ AIDS will increasingly be addressed through other programmes in the areas of governance, rights, education, infrastructure, poverty reduction and economic development.

  Trade Liberalisation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will assess the effect of full trade liberalisation by(a) all countries and
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  (b) developed countries only on the distribution of welfare gains among (i) developed, (ii) non-least developed and (iii) least developed countries. [133416]

  Hilary Benn
  Estimates vary, but World Bank and IMF research shows that welfare gains from liberalising all trade range from US$250 billion to US$550 billion; one-third to two-fifths of these gains would accrue to developing countries. Because their economies are more highly protected, most studies find that developing countries gain more as a percentage of their GDP/GNP from liberalisation than industrial countries.

  Low-income countries (a group that includes the least developed countries) gain most from industrial country liberalisation of agriculture, because of the greater relative importance of agriculture in their economies. In contrast, the larger and more advanced developing countries gain most from liberalisation in industrial goods because of the greater importance of manufacturing in their production and exports.

  Uganda
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking to tackle the health problems in the Teso region of Uganda. [133764]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID provides support to Health services in Uganda primarily through general budget support. The Ministry of Health allocates its budget resources to districts based on relative poverty, burden of disease, and other exceptional factors. This approach has led to significant improvements in health service provision throughout Uganda. Recent insecurity in the Teso region resulted in an increased demand for health services and in response the Ministry sent additional health workers and medical supplies. In addition DFID has also channelled extra resources through its wider programmes with UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Uganda Red Cross Society to support those displaced by the conflict.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Colombia
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the(a) purpose and (b) cost was of military and civilian assistance provided by the UK Government to Colombia in each of the last five years. [132681]

  Mr. Rammell
  Aid given via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is listed as follows. Total figures given in each year are funds allocated to projects within that year, although funding shown covered some projects in subsequent years.

  1999: £1,545,000—on information services on sexual and reproductive health for internally displaced people; local initiatives for peace, strengthening NGOs in the rural sector.

  2000: £621,163—on child abuse issues; witness and victim protection systems; strengthening prevention management of human rights violations; promotion of sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction; public

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  service conflict resolution training; internally displaced people; strengthening indigenous community institutions; environmental work by indigenous population.

  2001: £344,712—rehabilitation of former child soldiers;promotion of sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction; strengthening of fire service; humanitarian aid; human rights city campaign; child soldiers; biodiversity projects.

  2002:£ 498,363—promotion of sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction; public service conflict resolution training; civil society study tour; education on parliamentary system; security sector reform; humanitarian action cooperation; protection of women's human rights; environmental conservation; biodiversity projects.

  2003 to date: £664,703—human rights training for Colombian Armed Forces; promotion of sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction; community defenders for vulnerable communities; street children project; environmental projects.

  During the past five years the FCO has also contributed over 3 million in counter-narcotics assistance to Colombia. We do not publicise details of such assistance to protect the safety of personnel involved and to avoid undermining its impact in future work in this area.

  On aid via the Ministry of Defence, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Ingram) gave on 16 October 2003,Official Report, columns 321–22W.

  On aid via the Department for International Development I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short) gave on 9 January 2003, Official Report, column 296W, and that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) gave on 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 940W.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter to him, dated 11 September 2003, from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. K. Qureshi. [133845]

  Mr. Mullin
  A reply was sent to my right hon. Friend on 10 October 2003. I regret that because of significantly increased workloads at UKvisas, the department responsible for the entry clearance operation overseas, this reply was not sent within the usual deadline of seven working days.

  Draft European Constitution
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the provision under Article IX of the draft European constitution for member states to withdraw from the constitution if no agreement is negotiated within two years would necessarily result in total withdrawal from membership of the EU and obligations under the treaties. [134142]
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  Mr. MacShane
  Article I-59 of the draft EU Constitutional Treaty sets out the arrangements under which any member state so desiring could withdraw from the EU. Paragraph 3 states:"The Constitution shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, decides to extend this period."

  The provision that the constitution would cease to apply to the member state in question would equate to total withdrawal from the European Union.

  EU Diplomacy
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what countries the UK relies on EU diplomatic representation; and what plans he has to rely on EU representation in two years' time. [134309]

  Mr. MacShane
  The United Kingdom's diplomatic representation overseas is carried out by British embassies, British High Commissions and British Consulates.

  European Commission delegations currently represent the EU overseas in areas of Commission competence—external trade, European external assistance and some external aspects of Justice and Home Affairs.

  The Inter Governmental Conference will consider proposals for Commission delegations to take on additional responsibilities to complement and work alongside national representations. No conclusions have yet been reached.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 13 to 14 October; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [134576]

  Mr. MacShane
  The information requested is as follows.

  Outcome of the 13 October General Affairs and External Relations Council
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Luxembourg on 13 October.
  Conclusions on Wider Europe, Iraq, Iran, and Western Balkans were agreed by consensus.

  General Affairs Session

  Progress of work in other council configurations
  The Presidency gave a standard progress report on work in other Councils (Agriculture, Finance and JHA).

  Preparation of European Council (Brussels, 16–17 October)
  This was a final discussion to confirm the annotated agenda for the European Council, the focus of which was on boosting growth. The agenda had already been agreed at the 29 September GAERC:

  Relaunching the European economy

  Strengthening the area of freedom, security and justice

  External relations

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  MEP Statutes
  Discussion centred on a letter from the President of the European Parliament on privileges and immunities. It was agreed that the Council should reply saying it was willing to work jointly for a solution but the EP would need to show flexibility.

  External Relations Session

  Wider Europe
  Enlargement Commissioner Verheugen briefed on the progress on the Wider Europe/New Neighbourhood initiative endorsed by the Thessaloniki European Council in May 2003. Action Plans are to be developed for Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and Israel. A package of proposals should be presented to the Council in spring next year.

  Middle East Peace Process
  Partners discussed their concerns over developments in the region, in particular the security wall. The Presidency called for high level attendance at the forthcoming EU/Israel Association Council.

  Iran
  Short Conclusions on the Iran nuclear situation were agreed without substantive discussion. Conclusions on Iran human rights were also agreed. These reaffirmed the Union's commitment to the human rights dialogue with Iran, the last round of which took place on 8–9 October 2003, as one of the means by which the EU can work to improve the human rights situation in the country. But Conclusions also stated that this dialogue was without prejudice to the possibility of promoting or co-sponsoring a Resolution at an UNGA session.

  Iraq
  The Council confirmed the indicative Commission pledge of 200m Euro for the 23–24 October Madrid Donors' Conference subject to budgetary process. Partners emphasised the importance of Madrid. The Commission indicated that this should not be seen as a standard donors' conference but more as an opportunity to agree on a multi-lateral framework for Iraqi reconstruction. The Presidency noted that aid and security improvements should be pushed forward in parallel.

  Western Balkans
  ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, made a presentation on co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal in Yugoslavia, based on 9 October statement made to the UN Security Council. She highlighted the connection between war criminals, organised crime, and support networks in the intelligence services, army, police and clerical institutions. Conclusions were also agreed on the launch of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

  EU-Russia
  There was a brief discussion of relations with Russia in the context of the forthcoming EU-Russia summit. The Council also took note of Trade Commissioner Lamy's briefing on his discussions with Russia on their WTO accession. Commissioner Lamy said that he would be returning to Moscow on 15 October to try to move some of these issues forward. There was no substantive discussion.

  Hong Kong
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of infringements of human rights in Hong Kong. [134204]

  Mr. Rammell
  The 1984 Sino/British Joint Declaration on the question of Hong Kong provides for the continuation in Hong Kong, after the handover, of the rights and freedoms previously enjoyed.
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  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary continues to report to Parliament on the implementation of the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong. These reports always contain a section covering basic rights and freedoms. The Foreign Secretary's last report (Cmnd 5864), which covered the first six months of this year, assessed that, in general, the basic rights and freedoms promised to the people of Hong Kong in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, were upheld during that period.

  Iran
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions with the Government of Iran about nuclear weapons proliferation. [131992]

  Mr. MacShane
  [holding answer 14 October 2003]: We have a regular dialogue with the Government of Iran on a range of issues of mutual concern. This includes discussion of Iran's nuclear programme.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, together with his colleagues from France and Germany visited Tehran last week for intensive discussion with the Iranian Government on the issue of Iran's nuclear programmes and the need for Iran to co-operate fully and actively with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

  The Foreign Secretary issued a written ministerial statement on 23 October about his visit.

  Iraq
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the UN Security Council to take steps to deploy human rights monitors throughout Iraq in line with General Assembly resolution 57/232 of December 2002. [133001]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) appealed in May for an initial US$1.5 million for the provision of Human Rights Officers in Iraq. The UK agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request, to fund 60 per cent. of the immediate start-up costs of deploying Human Rights Officers and supporting their work. Following the terrorist attack on the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, the UN's efforts in Iraq have inevitably been scaled back, and the five human rights monitors were withdrawn with other international staff. The majority are now deployed in the region or in Geneva and New York and working on Iraq-related human rights issues. We are in discussion with the UN on the security measures needed to ensure that the UN is able to strengthen its vital role in Iraq.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's support for the draft UN resolution on the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq. [134268]

  Mr. Rammell
  Security Council Resolution 1511, co-sponsored by the UK and unanimously adopted on 16 October, provides a further step forward in the
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  international community's contribution to the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq. The Resolution has three main objectives:

  to confirm and accelerate the transfer of power to the people of Iraq;

  to send a clear signal that the international community is committed to the rapid political and economic reconstruction of a free Iraq which is secure and stable;

  to ensure, as conditions permit, a strengthened vital role for the United Nations, in partnership with the Coalition and with the Iraqi people.

  In particular, the Resolution invites the Governing Council of Iraq to provide by 15 December a programme and timetable for the drafting of a new constitution for Iraq and for the holding of democratic elections. It also encourages farther international contributions to economic reconstruction, to the multi-national security force and to training and equipping of Iraqi police.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the draft resolution on the reconstruction of Iraq will be implemented by the United Nations Security Council. [134291]

  Mr. Rammell
  Security Council Resolution 1511, adopted on 16 October, sets out a number of areas requiring implementation by the Iraqi authorities, the Coalition Provisional Authority, the United Nations or the rest of the international community. The Security Council will regularly review implementation of the Resolution and the UK will work to ensure implementation by all those involved.

  Japan
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Japanese authorities concerning the imprisonment of Mr. Nicholas Baker; and if he will make a statement. [133626]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have raised Mr. Baker's case with the Japanese authorities at both official and ministerial level on a number of occasions. We continue to monitor the case and offer Mr. Baker consular assistance.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of(a) the conditions in which Mr. Nicholas Baker is being held in Japan and (b) his level of access to legal representation prior to his trial. [133627]

  Mr. Mullin
  Mr. Baker is being detained under the same conditions as others in detention in Japan. We continue our dialogue with the Japanese authorities about prison conditions in general. Officials from the British embassy visited Mr. Baker soon after notification of his arrest, gave him a list of lawyers and helped to arrange the appointment of Mr. Baker's chosen lawyer. We continue to monitor the case and offer Mr. Baker consular assistance.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which of the UK overseas territories he plans to visit in the next 12 months; [133205]

  (2) what official visits he plans to make during the next 12 months. [133207]

  Mr. Straw
  It is not my practice to announce visits until they are firm. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events, final decisions on my overseas visits are often not possible until very shortly before the day of travel.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to discuss Gibraltar's sovereignty with the Government of Spain. [133206]

  Mr. MacShane
  There are currently no plans to do so.

  Mr. Kenny Richey
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States Administration about the imprisonment on death row in Ohio of Mr. Kenny Richey; and if he will make a statement. [134819]

  Mr. Mullin
  Kenny Richey became a dual UK/US national with effect from 30 April 2003. Under international law we have no right to make formal demands on behalf of a dual national in the country of their other nationality. However, in cases of the death penalty, as a matter of principle, we will make representations in all cases at the appropriate time.

  We are in touch with Mr. Richey's lawyers both in the USA and the UK, as well as Ohio state officials. Our Acting Consul General in Chicago attended Mr. Richey's Court of Appeals hearing earlier this year. We will continue to monitor his case closely to determine what representations could be made on his behalf, and we will do all we properly can to try to prevent his execution.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the Government of Pakistan is a sponsor of terrorism; and if he will make a statement. [133066]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  President Musharraf has said that he will not allow Pakistan's territory to be used by terrorists. We welcome the steps which the Government of Pakistan has taken so far in fulfilment of that commitment, including its co-operation in the campaign against Al Qaida and the measures it has taken to clamp down on extremist groups in Pakistan, including the banning of five such groups. We remain concerned about militant violence in Kashmir and look to Pakistan to discourage such acts and fulfil its commitment to stop infiltration across the Line of Control. We also remain concerned that Taliban and other extremist elements are still crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan and we continue to encourage the Government of Pakistan to do all it can to prevent this.

  Student Visas
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many student visas were granted in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [132920]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information is as follows:

  Student visas granted

  year

  1998

  69,607

  1999

  75,607

  2000

  99,559

  Financial Year

  2001–02

  121,466

  2002–02

  132,890

  The table shows the number of student visas issued at entry clearance posts worldwide each year since 1998. Since 2001, statistics have been collated by Financial Year (1 April to 31 March) rather than calendar year.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the 20(a) further education institutions and (b) higher education institutions with the highest number of student visas granted for studying at that institution. [132921]

  Mr. Mullin
  We do not keep centralised records of further education and higher education institutions at which applicants for student visas wish to study. To obtain such figures would incur disproportionate costs.

  Working Holidaymakers
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the process for considering applications for entry clearance as working holiday makers is the same for applicants from every Commonwealth country. [133074]

  Mr. Mullin
  Yes.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Service Secondments (Science and Technology)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people from science and technology backgrounds have been seconded into the Civil Service following the recommendation of the Council for Science and Technology in its review in 1999 of Science and Technology Across Government. [133943]

  Mr. Alexander
  This information is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Flooding
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions he has had with DEFRA on contingency plans for autumn flooding. [133587]
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  Mr. Alexander
  My Department has held regular discussions with DEFRA about its contingency plans for flooding. It has contributed to a forthcoming DEFRA Plan for "Tidal and Fluvial Flooding in England". We are also working with DEFRA on a tabletop exercise to test its Lead Government Department responsibilities against a range of flooding scenarios.

  Charter Mark
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on Charter Mark awards. [133669]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Charter Mark scheme is an important element of the government's public service reform agenda.

  The scheme continues to recognise success. We have worked to enhance and further develop Charter Mark as a national standard for customer service and an important tool for public sector organisations to use in addressing customer service issues. The new content of Charter Mark was published earlier this year.

  In 2002, 949 organisations achieved the Charter Mark standard, taking the total number to more than 2,400.

  As well as modernising the content of the scheme to reflect our customer focus approach to public services we have redesigned the assessment process to better meet the needs of those using the scheme, offering real choice and better value. Following piloting of these new arrangements we will open the scheme for new applications from January 2004 onwards.

  The government strongly encourages organisations to strive towards the Charter Mark Standard as a means of improving customer satisfaction as an important element of delivering better public services.

  Official Cars
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the(a) make of and (b) engine size of and (c) type of fuel used by each official car, broken down by holder. [134366]

  Mr. Alexander
  The cars available to Ministers and others are set out in "Travel by Ministers". A breakdown of the car fleet is set out in the GCDA annual report and accounts which is available in the Library of the House. For reasons of security, it would not be appropriate to provide the details of cars used by individual holders.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what mechanism exists to identify the improper use of Government cars; what procedure is used to notify the user of improper use; and on how many occasions this procedure has been used since 1 May 1997. [134492]

  Mr. Alexander
  Guidance to Ministers on the use of Government cars is set out in "Travel by Ministers". Similar rules apply to other office holders. As Travel by Ministers makes clear, individual Ministers are responsible for justifying their actions and decisions to Parliament.

TRANSPORT

  Airport Capacity (South-East)
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport following the publication of the White Paper on the future of airport expansion in the UK, whether the chosen site for expansion in the South East will have to undergo a planning inquiry. [133335]

  Mr. McNulty
  No decisions have yet been taken on future airport capacity in the South East. The White Paper will not convey statutory authorisation for any development. That would need to be sought subsequently. Where an airport operator brings forward a planning application, under the major infrastructure projects provision in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill currently before the House, the Government will have powers to call in planning applications which it considers to be of national or regional importance. A Planning Inspector will then be appointed to consider the application and make recommendations to Ministers.

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the likely timescale between the publication of the White Paper on the future of airport expansion in the UK later this year and a final decision being taken on the location of expansion. [133336]

  Mr. McNulty
  The air transport White Paper will set out the Government's policies on any preferred locations for future airport capacity. Planning approval for any new capacity will need to be sought subsequently. For the purposes of the SERAS study, it was assumed that following the White Paper any new runway might require two years for detailed design and project definition and a further two years for authorisation.

  Biofuels
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he intends to put in place to meet European Union targets for biofuel use by(a) 2005 and (b) 2010. [134370]

  Mr. McNulty
  The European Union's Biofuels Directive requires member states to set their own indicative targets for sales of biofuels for road transport to be met in 2005 and 2010. The Government will be consulting early next year on the level of possible targets for the UK and on the steps it might take to meet them.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 14 October 2003,Official Report, column 165W, on biofuels, what assessment he has made of the costs if the UK were to set targets for sales of biofuels at (a) 2 per cent. by 2005 and (b) 5.75 per cent. by 2010. [134141]

  Mr. McNulty
  We have not carried out any detailed assessment of what the costs to the UK might be if we chose to set indicative biofuels sales targets at those levels. This sort of analysis will form part of the consultation paper on our plans for implementing the Directive which we plan to issue early next year, and will help inform the level of targets that we choose to set.
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  The costs to the UK will depend on a number of factors, including the level of Government support for biofuels. The Government currently provide a 20 pence per litre fuel duty incentive for biodiesel, with a similar duty incentive for bioethanol due to come into effect in January 2005. At these levels of duty incentive, if sales of biofuels were to reach 2 per cent. of total annual fuel sales (i.e. almost 1 billion litres), the fuel duty revenue forgone would be in the region of £200 million per annum. If they were to reach 5.75 per cent. of total fuel sales (or total sales of a little under 3 billion litres), the revenue forgone would be close to £600 million per annum. There may be other public costs too, including any grants that help support the production of biofuels, or any subsidies provided under the Common Agricultural Policy.

  Concessionary Travel Schemes
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with representatives of local government about the possibility of changes to the national minimum standards for concessionary travel schemes; and if he will make a statement. [134271]

  Mr. McNulty
  There have been no recent discussions with local authorities regarding the possibility of changes to the current national minimum standards for concessionary travel schemes.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the additional payments were in each year since 2001–02 from central Government to(a) local government in England and (b) each local authority and London borough to reimburse local government for the cost of the national minimum standards for concessionary travel schemes introduced under the Transport Act 2000. [134272]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Government have provided an additional £54 million each year since 2001–02 to local government for the cost of the national minimum standards for concessionary travel schemes introduced under the Transport Act 2000, with effect from June 2001. That expenditure, along with other costs falling on local authorities, is provided as part of the contribution that Government make to local authorities through the annual grant settlement.

  Figures for the amounts received by each local authority in England, including London boroughs, are not available, as the additional funding for concessionary fares has been included in the total amount of grant distributed to local authorities.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of concessionary travel schemes was(a) in England and (b) in each local authority and London borough for (i) the elderly and (ii) the disabled in each year since 2001–02. [134273]

  Mr. McNulty
  The amount spent by local authorities on concessionary travel schemes for older and disabled people in England as a whole, in London, the metropolitan areas and the rest of England in 2001–02 and 2002–03 is summarised in the table. The amount for each authority has been placed in the Libraries of the House. From the data available it is not possible to separate the concessionary spending for older people and disabled people.
  65W

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  England

  487

  515

  London

  162

  169

  English metropolitan areas

  203

  216

  English unitary, district and county areas

  122

  130

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the administration costs of implementing national minimum standards for concessionary travel schemes were for(a) local government in England, broken down by local authority and London borough, and (b) his Department in each year since 2001–02. [134274]

  Mr. McNulty
  Implementation of the national minimum standard for concessionary travel schemes is a matter for local authorities. Information on the administration costs of implementation is not held centrally.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the national minimum standards for concessionary travel schemes; and if he will make a statement. [134275]

  Mr. McNulty
  Last year the Department published the Transport Statistics Bulletin, "Concessionary Bus Fare Schemes England 2001", which provided a survey of the provision of all the concessionary fares schemes in England following the introduction of the statutory minimum standard in June 2001.

  This showed that over half of local authorities had a more generous concessionary fare scheme for elderly and disabled people compared with the position before the statutory minimum standard came into effect. This included 17 local authorities where there had been no concessionary fare scheme previously.

  Correspondence
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for West Worcestershire will receive a response to his letter of 26 June 2003. reference AD/MC/011086/03. [134331]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer the hon. Member to my letter to him of 10 July 2003, reference AD/MC/011086/03.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in respect of applications for entry clearance from working holiday makers, identical requirements and conditions are applied for applicants from each Commonwealth country. [133077]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have been asked to reply.

  Yes.

  Traffic Management Bill
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Regulatory Impact Assessment on local government and the utility companies of the proposed Traffic Management Bill will be made available to Parliament. [134102]
  66W
  Mr. McNulty
  As and when the Traffic Management Bill is introduced we intend to publish and make available to Parliament a Regulatory Impact Assessment at the same time.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the impact of the introduction of broadband has been taken into account in the Regulatory Impact Assessment on local government and the utility companies of the proposed Traffic Management Bill. [134103]

  Mr. McNulty
  In drawing up Regulatory Impact Assessments on the proposed Traffic Management Bill and secondary legislation flowing from it we will be taking into account, amongst other things, the possible impact on the rollout of broadband as well as on the work programmes of other utility sectors including gas, water and electricity.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the parties who have been asked by his Department to contribute to the Regulatory Impact Assessment on local government and the utility companies of the proposed Traffic Management Bill. [134104]

  Mr. McNulty
  We have consulted a wide range of different bodies on the measures under consideration for inclusion in the proposed Traffic Management Bill. In particular, in February this year we set up a working group, on which various Government Departments were represented, together with the utility regulators—OFWAT, OFGEM and OFTEL—and representatives of utility companies and local authorities. In drafting a Regulatory Impact Assessment for the proposed Bill, we are taking account of the different views put forward in the working group together with written contributions which we have received from utilities, highway authorities and others. We would also propose to consult widely on the secondary legislation which we envisage would be needed following the Bill to set out the detailed changes to the existing legislative regime.

  Vehicle Excise Duty Offences
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many unlicensed vehicles he estimates the DVLA will(a) wheel clamp and (b) crush in 2004. [134748]

  Mr. Jamieson
  So far in 2003–04, DVLA has clamped 46,302 vehicles. In addition, the 14 local authorities that now have devolved powers to clamp and impound on behalf of the Secretary of State have clamped an additional 6,601—a total of 52,903. We expect that to rise to 65,000 by the end of the financial year.

  The number of vehicles crushed by DVLA is 21,144 so far, with the 14 local authorities crushing an additional 3,052—a total of 24,196. We expect that figure to rise to 30,000 by the end of the financial year.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Direct Payment
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultations he has had with
  67W
  the Banking Association to ensure that pensioners required to open bank accounts to receive their state benefits do not incur extra charges on temporary overdrafts greater than their benefit. [132562]

  Mr. Pond
  Customers are being provided with detailed information on the account options available to them. It is for customers to decide which account best meets their needs and circumstances. 87 per cent. of benefit customers and 90 per cent. of pensioners already have access to a bank account. The move to Direct Payment will give people more choice about where and when they collect their money—including from the Post Office.

  Officials have had a number of discussions with the British Bankers' Association about the move to Direct Payment of benefits and pensions. The features of individual accounts (including charges and overdraft facilities) are a matter for the account provider. There is a wide range of accounts available which are free to operate and do not offer overdraft facilities. Some account providers do charge their customers if there is not enough money in their account to cover direct debits. Account providers make their customers aware of these charges and leaflets provided to benefits customers and pensioners also set out the possibility of charges in these circumstances.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many housebound, disabled and blind pensioners not in possession of a bank account he estimates will be able to receive state benefits over the counter after 2005. [132564]

  Mr. Pond
  With direct payment, customers can still collect their benefit or pension at the Post Office, if they choose to do so, by using some current bank accounts, basic bank accounts or the Post Office card account.

  Already 87 per cent. of all customers and over 90 per cent. of pensioners have access to an account that can receive direct payment. And for those who do not, the new easy to operate accounts, which are accessible at the Post Office, are widely available.

  We have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who we cannot pay directly into an account. We are developing an exceptions method of payment to pay this group, which can be accessed at Post Office branches. This will be based on an understanding of the individual problems such customers will face.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent consultations the Government has undertaken on the circumstances in which it will permit pensioners to retain their pension books under the direct payment scheme; and if he will make a statement. [133890]

  Mr. Pond
  The order book system is outdated, inefficient, open to fraud and abuse, and costly to administer. It needs to be modernised to keep in step with changing customer needs and to reflect the fact that most people now have and use a bank account. Already 87 per cent. of all customers and over 90 per cent. of pensioners have access to an account that can receive Direct Payment. And for those who do not, new easy to operate accounts, which are accessible at the Post Office, are widely available. Everyone who wishes to do 68W
  so will be able to withdraw their money at post office branches by choosing an account, which is accessible at the Post Office.

  We are consulting with Specific Interest Groups such as Age Concern, Help the Aged, Citizens Advice, and the National Pensioners Convention about an alternative method of payment, which is likely to be cheque based, for those who are genuinely unable to operate any type of bank account. Payment outlets for this exceptions method of payment will include Post Office branches. We expect this service will be in place from October 2004.

  Child Support Agency
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints were received per month from Child Support Agency clients(a) in the six months previous to the introduction of the new child support system and (b) in the last three months, in the latter case identifying how many of the complaints came from (i) clients of the old system and (ii) clients of the new system; what percentage of total clients the complaints represented per month; and if he will make a statement. [131447]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Doug Smith to Angus Robertson, dated 27 October 2003
  The Secretary of State, in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
  You asked about the numbers of complaints received by the Agency in the 6 months prior to the introduction of the new child support system and in the last three months (identifying the number received from clients on the old and new systems) and what percentage of our total clients these figures equate to.
  The figures you requested are summarised in the following tables:

  Complaints received prior to the introduction of the new child support system

  Month

  Number of complaints received

  Percentage of total clients

  September

  1,238

  0.11

  October

  1,318

  0.12

  November

  1,263

  0.12

  December

  958

  0.09

  January

  1,316

  0.12

  February

  1,515

  0.15

  Monthly Average

  1,268

  0.12

  In April 2003 we changed our complaints handling processes. This has ensured the more accurate recording of complaints and ensured the recording for the first time of telephone complaints. I have included below information on written complaints only. for a more representative comparison.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Child Support Agency has referred recipients of CSA payments back to their ex-partner in order to sort out future payments. [131469]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
  69W
  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. David Drew, dated 27Ooctober 2003.
  The Secretary of State in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
  You ask whether the Child Support Agency has referred recipients of child support payments back to their ex-partner in order to sort future payments.
  In all cases we aim to arrange maintenance payments through discussions with both the parent with care and the non-resident parent. If there is to be any delay in making these arrangements we would suggest to both parties that voluntary payments are made to avoid arrears building up.

  Disability Appeals Tribunals
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled people have sat as a panel member of a disability appeal tribunal in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [132565]

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

  Letter from Christina Townsend to Mr. Roger Berry, dated 27 October 2003
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the number of disabled people who have sat as a panel member of a disability appeal tribunal in 2000–01,2001–02 and 2002–03.
  We do not have information for the years 2000–01 and 2001–02. The first disability survey of panel members was carried out last year. During the year 2002–03 there were 226 disabled people who sat as on a disability appeal tribunal drawn from a total of 2074 members of the appeals tribunal.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Fibromyalgia Syndrome
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans the Government has to include fibromyalgia syndrome in the list of diseases which enable industrial injury payments. [133405]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We have no plans to recognise fibromyalgia syndrome as a prescribed industrial disease. A disease may only be prescribed if there is a recognised risk to workers in an occupation, and the link between disease and occupation can be established or reasonably presumed in individual cases.

  Food Expenditure
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on food by his Department and by each of the agencies for which it is responsible in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; what proportion of that food by value was produced in the United Kingdom; what guidance he has issued to encourage the procurement of home-produced food; and if he will make a statement. [129374]

  Maria Eagle
  Expenditure on food in DWP is mainly limited to official hospitality, working lunches and canteen subsidies. The expenditure figures that are available are in the following table.

  Our main canteen catering service provider has estimated that, where they have total control over the source and origins of products, approximately
  70W
  75 per cent. of fresh produce, by quantity, is of UK origin. It is not possible to provide a similar estimate for food provided for official hospitality and working lunches due to the large number of suppliers involved.

  DEFRA are currently working with DWP private sector partners and canteen catering service providers to raise awareness of sustainable purchasing practices and to highlight local sourcing issues. We are also working with our partners to develop an action plan to implement the Sustainable Food Procurement initiative recently introduced by DEFRA.

  1Official hospitality and working lunches (£)

  Canteen subsidies (£ million)

  2001–02

  726,000

  3.5

  2002–03

  569,000

  3.6

  1 The figures provided for official hospitality and working lunches relate only to that included in the former DSS financial management system. They exclude any expenditure funded by the former Employment Service as the current financial systems do not enable the spend on food to be identified. DWP is currently implementing a new financial management system which will identity all such spend in future.

  Full Employment
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress is being made in achieving full employment; what further plans he has to assist people into work; and if he will make a statement. [132946]

  Mr. Browne
  Our aim is to deliver work for those who can and security for those who cannot.

  We are well on cur way to getting three quarters of people of working age people into work—not just in one year but year on year. Through a combination of economic stability and radical labour market reforms, we have achieved a lot. There are more than 1.5 million more people in work now than in 1997 and unemployment is at its lowest levels since the mid 1970s. Both the UK employment rate and ILO unemployment rate are the best of all of the major industrialised (G7) countries. Claimant long term (one year plus) unemployment has been virtually eradicated for young people and has fallen by three-quarters for adults.

  But there is still more to do. High levels of employment are not enough. We need to provide employment opportunities for all groups of people who want to and can work in all parts of the country.

  Through Jobcentre Plus, we are providing everyone of working age—the unemployed, lone parents, sick and disabled people—with advice and guidance on the full range of support available to help them move into work.

  In areas with higher levels of worklessness we have introduced Action Teams for Jobs. From April 2004, we are also introducing a programme of intensive support in neighbourhoods with very high concentrations of worklessness. Local Worklessness Pilots will operate in 12 neighbourhoods for 2 years testing a new approach to offering intensive support to local residents to help them overcome barriers to employment.
  71W
  We are also providing more help for those who face the greatest barriers to work. We now have programmes to help, for example, former drug mis-users, the long term unemployed, people from minority ethnic communities and we are piloting reforms to Incapacity Benefit in order to give more opportunities to this group of people as well.

  Income Support
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will issue guidance for determining when it is reasonable not to be paid for voluntary work, in relation to entitlement to income support. [132678]

  Mr. Pond
  For benefit purposes, the legal definition of a volunteer is "someone who is engaged by a charity or voluntary organisation or is a volunteer where the only payment received or due is the reimbursement of actual expenses incurred during their activity". Volunteers need to continue to satisfy the conditions of entitlement to benefit but subject to this can do voluntary work. Actual expenses incurred or to he incurred can be disregarded for benefit purposes.

  Guidance relating to people receiving benefit who engage in voluntary work is contained in Volume 4, Chapter 21, Paragraph 21168 and Volume 5, Chapter 28, paragraph 28389 of the Decision Makers Guide copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents are in receipt of income support where the youngest child is 11 or above; and what the average weekly amount is of(a) income support and (b) housing and council tax benefits which are paid to such lone parents. [132486]

  Mr. Pond
  The information requested is in the table.

  Lone parents receiving Income Support whose youngest child is aged 11 or over, Great Britain May 2002

  Thousand

  £ per week

  Income Support recipients

  156,200

  —

  Income Support average amount

  —

  96.20

  Housing Benefit average amount

  —

  63.50

  Council Tax Benefit average amount

  —

  11.60

  Notes:

  1. Of the 156,200 lone parents receiving Income Support, 128,000 also received Housing Benefit and 114,000 Council Tax Benefit.

  2. Income Support recipients have been rounded to the nearest hundred, average weekly amounts to the nearest 10 pence.

  3. Figures are based on 1 per cent. and 5 per cent. samples and are therefore subject to sampling variation.

  4. Lone Parents are defined as single claimants with dependants not receiving the disability or pensioner premium.

  5. Housing Benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases, Council Tax Benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

  Source:

  5 per cent. and 1 per cent. samples of the benefit computer system

  Post Office Card Account
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have opened a Post Office card account since April. [133084]
  72W
  Mr. Pond
  Information is not available in the format requested. Key figures on the progress of conversion to Direct Payment are available in the Library updated every four weeks.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of customers his Department estimates will open a Post Office card account(a) in total, (b) for each benefit and (c) in each income decile. [133385]

  Mr. Pond
  It is impossible to predict accurately how many customers(a) in total, (b) for each benefit and (c) in each income decile, will eventually open a Post Office card account as this will be based on customer choice. However, the card account is proving very popular with customers. Over one and a quarter million people have already requested a Post Office card account, which suggests that customers are fully aware of the account's availability and how to open one.

  Key figures on the progress of conversion to direct payment are available in the Commons Library, updated every four weeks.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many inquiries about Post Office card accounts have been received; how many applications to open an account have been received; how many accounts have been opened; what the average time taken to process applications is; what steps are being taken to publicise the accounts; which organisations were consulted on the accounts; and how take up of accounts will be monitored. [133390]

  Mr. Pond
  We do not have the information in the format requested.

  Key figures on the progress of conversion to direct payment are available in the Library, updated every four weeks.

  Information regarding the number of Post Office card account applications received, opened, length of the application process and the development of the card account are matters that fall within the responsibilities of Post Office Ltd. (POL).

  The Departments information campaign, to support the move to direct payment, provides customers with all the information they need on all of their "account options", including which accounts can be used at Post Office branches. It will be up to the customers themselves to decide which type of account they wish to have their money paid into, and those people who want to open a Post Office card account will be able to do so.

  Poverty
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children in Leeds, West have been lifted out of poverty since 1997. [132742]

  Mr. Pond
  The fifth annual 'Opportunity for all' report (Cm 5956) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this strategy.
  73W
  Information in respect of Leeds West is not available, as data for these indicators goes down only to national or regional level. Below that, it would not be statistically robust.

  This publication is available in the Library.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents have(a) moved off income support and on to the working families tax credit and (b) left the working families tax credit to return to income support in each year since the working families' tax credit was introduced. [131092]

  Mr. Pond
  In April 2003, building on the success of working families tax credit, we introduced child tax credit and working tax credit to provide a single seamless system of support for children, and tackle in-work poverty and improve work incentives by making work pay.

  The information requested is in the table.

  Lone parents leaving income support (IS), moving to working families tax credit (WFTC) and subsequently returning to IS in Great Britain, 1 October 1999–31 March 2003

  All lone parents leaving IS

  Moving to WFTC within 90 days of leaving IS

  Subsequently returning to IS from WFTC

  October 1999–September 2000

  299,500

  120,900

  51,800

  October 2000–September 2001

  268,600

  111,800

  40,800

  October 2001–September 2002

  263,500

  110,300

  29,600

  October 2002–March 2003

  131,300

  56,200

  8,700

  Notes:

  1. Figures give lone parents leaving IS during the periods shown, while 'returns' refer to the whole lifetime of WFTC. Earlier periods will therefore show higher proportions returning to IS than later years.

  2. Figures include those who were classed as lone parents' on leaving IS but are no longer categorised as such on return to IS.

  3. As no new claims to WFTC were allowed after 1 April 2003, people leaving IS in this year had less opportunity to move to WFTC. However, some of these IS terminations may have since moved onto child tax credit.

  Source:

  IS and WFTC Computer Systems, 5 per cent. sample

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that the regulation of radio and television broadcasting is transparent and effective; and if she will make a statement. [134229]

  Estelle Morris
  The Communications Act 2003 puts in place a framework for the effective regulation of the communications sectors, including radio and television broadcasting, by the new communications regulator, OFCOM. The Act makes it explicit that, in carrying out their duties, OFCOM must have regard in all cases to 74W
  the Better Regulation Task Force's five principles of good regulation, which include transparency, and other principles of good regulatory practice.

  In addition, the process of reviewing the BBC's Royal Charter will begin before the end of the year. The review will cover the full range of the BBC's role, structure and function, including the arrangements for ensuring effective and transparent regulation.

  Departmental Expenditure (Official Residences)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Department spent on(a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [134683]

  Mr. Caborn
  DCMS has no responsibility for any such properties.

  Football
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many football clubs with grounds in inner urban areas(a) have relocated since 1997 and (b) intend to relocate to new sites on the urban periphery or beyond; and if she will make a statement. [134608]

  Mr. Caborn
  This is not a matter for the Government, and this information is not held by my Department. According to Football Association figures, there are approximately 40,000 amateur, semi-professional and professional football clubs in England. A high proportion of these are located in urban areas. The re-location of amateur clubs is a matter for County Football Associations; re-locations of professional clubs are matters for the Premier and Football Leagues.

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding she gives to support the maintenance of football pitches in public ownership in(a) England and (b) Kent. [134768]

  Mr. Caborn
  All public funding for football in England is channelled through the Football Foundation. The Foundation will receive approximately £60 million from each of the Government, the Football Association and the FA Premier League over the period 2000–04.

  Funding from the three partners is not hypothecated. However, since 2000 the Foundation has made 154 grants totalling £10.94 million in respect of projects involving football pitches in public ownership. Three of these grants, totalling £790,353, involved pitches in Kent.

  Licensing Act
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether, under the Licensing Act 2003, a licensing authority which is aware that a bar or pub has been a source of complaint by nearby residents because of the playing of noisy recorded music, will be empowered to impose a noise-limiting condition on such premises when the licensee converts his existing licence to a new premises licence during the transition period. [133946]
  75W
  Mr. Caborn
  No. Following an application for conversion of an existing licence or licences to a premises licence during the transition period, the licensing authority must grant the application if it is made in accordance with the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 8 to the Licensing Act 2003. This is unless an appeal is pending against a decision to revoke or reject an application for the renewal of an existing licence and the chief officer of the police to whom the application has been copied under paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 8 gives notice that he is satisfied that the conversion of the existing licence would undermine the crime prevention objective, or the chief officer of police is satisfied that there has been a material change in circumstances since the grant of the existing licence or its last renewal such that the conversion of the existing licence would undermine the crime prevention objective, in which case the application may be refused following a hearing.

  The new premises licence will be subject only to conditions which reproduce the effect of the conditions or restrictions in the existing licence or licences as well as the mandatory conditions.

  Following the second appointed day, any responsible authority or interested party, such as a local resident, may seek a review of the new licence, which could, if necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives lead to the imposition of new Department for Culture, Media and Sport Parliamentary Unit 2–4 Cockspur Street London SW 1Y 5DH

  www.culture.gov.uk conditions.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will issue the statutory guidance and regulations relating to the Licensing Act 2003. [133973]

  Mr. Caborn
  The statutory guidance relating to the Licensing Act 2003 will be presented to Parliament shortly.

  The regulations relating to the Licensing Act 2003 will be issued over the next few months.

  Travel Agents (VAT)
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she and her officials have met their counterparts in the Treasury to discuss the implications of the changes proposed by the European Commission to the special travel agents VAT scheme contained in Directive 77/388/EEC; what her Department's stance is on these proposals; and what recommendations were made to the Treasury. [133148]

  Mr. Caborn
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor officials have met HM Treasury counterparts on this issue. However, this Department has remained in close discussions with HM Customs and Excise who have the lead for this issue in Europe. My Department has listened and is sympathetic to the Tourism industry's concerns and we will continue to discuss this with HM Customs and Excise. HM Customs have met and discussed this issue with the industry and will continue to work hard to ensure that UK business interests are given full weight in EU negotiations.

  TV Licensing (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what system is used by TV Licensing in Northern Ireland to record and monitor where prosecutions are being brought. [133240]

  Mr. Caborn
  TV Licensing, who administer the television licensing system as agent for the BBC, record the total number of prosecutions for licence evasion in Northern Ireland but do not maintain a localised breakdown of these figures.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what therapeutic services are available for abused children; and if he will make a statement. [133134]

  Margaret Hodge
  A range of therapeutic services for abused children is provided by statutory agencies as well as by the private and voluntary sectors. If a child is assessed by social services as being a child in need (as defined in the Children Act 1989), social services, together with other relevant agencies, would provide help as part of that child's plan.

  Capital Projects
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Government capital projects for schools had as a requirement that the school reduce its size, in the last year for which figures are available. [134666]

  Mr. Miliband
  My Department has no records of having provided capital funding with the requirement that a school be reduced in size. Most capital funding is now allocated by formula to local education authorities (LEAs) or schools for them to invest in their school buildings. Decisions on building priorities are made locally, in the context of asset management plans and reflecting Government priorities. It is, therefore, up to LEAs to decide on their priorities in consultation with local schools, including where surplus places can he reduced where it is economical to do so. Overall capital investment is set to rise from £3.8 billion this year to over £5 billion in 2005–06, compared to under £700 million in 1996–97.

  Chemistry Teachers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were in training specialising in chemistry in each of the last five years. [133864]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information is not available in the form requested. Numbers of funded initial teacher training places are set annually by my right hon. Friend for science as a whole. The Teacher Training Agency's annual census of recruitment to initial teacher training also collects only aggregate recruitment data for science.

  The table shows the number of entrants to initial teacher training courses in science since 1998/99.
  77W

  Postgraduate

  Undergraduate

  Total

  1998/99

  2,058

  221

  2,279

  1999/2000

  2,149

  213

  2,362

  2000/01

  2,219

  191

  2,410

  2001/02

  2,444

  150

  2,594

  2002/03

  2,568

  133

  2,701

  2003/041

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1 The data shown above excludes trainees on the Fast Track scheme and employment based teacher training.

  Source:

  TTA

  Connexions
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2003 to the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Valerie Davey),Official Report, column 141W. on Connexions, what assessment he has made of whether Connexions is offering a universal service to young people who do not fall into the Not Engaged in Education, Employment or Training category. [134109]

  Margaret Hodge
  All partnerships will be inspected by Ofsted on a four-yearly cycle and are required to conduct an annual self-assessment of performance based on the Ofsted inspection framework. One question in the Ofsted inspection framework focuses on the responsiveness of the Partnership to the range and diversity of young people in the area. It addresses whether the partnership has effective strategies to enable all young people to gain access to support and provision responsive to their needs. Government Offices also assess this aspect by monitoring partnerships' self-assessment. Of the 12 inspection reports so far published, eight partnerships have been rated overall as good or very good.

  An independent survey of 16,000 young people comprising those with all types of need who had been in contact with Connexion services showed minimal differences in awareness of or ability to access the service. Only 12 per cent. of those requiring least intensive support disagreed with the statement, "It is easy to get hold of people at Connexions when you need to", compared with 11 per cent. of those requiring more intensive support and 13 per cent. of those requiring most intensive support. 87 per cent. of those requiring least intensive support agreed that: "Connexions helps me to see all the options available to me".

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of people aged 13 to 19 in England were(a) being educated in a school or college and (b) not engaged in education, employment or training in the last year for which figures are available. [134111]

  Mr. Miliband
  Participation rates are not produced by the Department for 13 to 15-year-olds. As at January 2002, there were 1,892,259 pupils aged 13 to 15 across all schools in England. The number of 11 to 15-year-olds being educated within local education authority areas otherwise than at school was 15,390. This will include, for example, pupils being educated at home, or non-statemented pupils in hospital.
  78W
  Participation rates are available for 16 to 18-year-olds. The proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds in England that were being educated full-time in a school, college or higher education institution at end 2001 (end of calendar year) was 55.5 per cent. A further 8.9 per cent. were in part-time education.

  The proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds in England not in education, employment or training at end 2001 was 9 per cent.

  Citizenship Curriculum
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will require responsible consumption and its effects on the environment and society to be included within lessons on citizenship. [131451]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Citizenship curriculum includes teaching pupils about issues that impact on the society and the environment. Pupils are taught about the rights and responsibilities of consumers, to recognise the difference between the economic choices they can make, and how they impact on society and the environment. Many schools explore this with pupils through activities which examine the impact of consumer behaviour on other people, locally, nationally and globally.

  QCA has sent detailed guidance to schools to help them to explore these issues, including a unit—`Choices' for use with 5 to 11 -year-olds. Similarly, "Consumer Rights and Responsibilities" is aimed at discussions with 14 to 16-year-olds. These units are available at: www. standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes

  Mental Health
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance his Department issues to(a) schools and teachers and (b) the Connexions Service on depression in children and young people. [134040]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Government are committed to promoting mental health of children and young people within schools. In June 2001, the DfES published guidance, "Promoting Children's Mental Health within Early Years and Schools Settings". The guidance is designed to help teachers and others, working alongside mental health professionals, to promote mental health and to intervene effectively with children experiencing problems. The guidance offers advice on specific mental health problems an. d useful approaches that schools can take. This includes emotional disorders such as depression.

  The Connexions Service National Unit issued guidance, "Making a Difference—Emerging Practice—Connexions and Mental Health Services", to Connexions Partnerships in March 2003 about supporting young people with mental health problems.

  Education Act (Innovation)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list schools which have
  79W
  applied for exemptions from statutory requirements relating to innovation under the Education Act 2002, giving in each case (a) the nature of the exemption sought and (b) the outcome of the application. [133941]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department plans to lay before Parliament its first annual report under section 5 of the

  Application

  Innovation facilitated

  Relevant Legislation

  Details of the order granted by the Secretary of State

  Date that the order was made

  Langley Junior School, Pendeen Crescent, Southway, Plymouth PL6 6QS

  The order permitted the school to extend the length of the school day mid academic year, rather than have to wait until the beginning of the new school year. The purpose of the innovation was to provide extra curricular activities for pupils on a Wednesday afternoon freeing up time for teachers to work on planning and preparation, and drawing up education plans for individual pupils.

  Changing of the School Session Times Regulations

  Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 3063 Langley Junior School (Change to School Session Times) Order 2002

  11 December 2002

  Grinling Gibbons Primary School, Clyde Street, Deptford, London SE8 5LW

  The order permitted the school to extend the length of the school day mid academic year, rather than have to wait until the beginning of the new school year. The purpose of the innovation was to provide extra curricular activities for pupils on a Wednesday afternoon on freeing up time for teachers to work on planning and preparation, and drawing up education plans for individual pupils.

  Changing of the School Session Times Regulations

  Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 716 The Grinling Gibbons Primary School (Change to School Session Times) Order 2003

  12 March 2003

  Norton College. Langton Road, Norton, Malton, N Yorkshire Y017 9PT

  The order permitted the school to change the timings of the school day without the requirements set out in regulations: to give the minimum of three months notice to parents; and to consult parents at a meeting (instead parents were consulted by correspondence). The order facilitated the college's plan to end the school day one hour early on alternate Wednesdays from September 2003, allowing staff to have a dedicated two-hour period once a forthnight for planning, preparation, assessment, and to hold meetings.

  Changing of the School Session Times Regulations

  Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 1671 The Norton College (Change to School Session Times) Order 2003

  2 July 2003

  As of 22 October 2003 two further applications have been received by the Department. These are currently being processed. Details are:

  Applicant

  Details of exemption, relaxation or modification of existing educational legislation sought

  Relevant Legislation

  Elloughton Primary School, Stockbridge Road, Elloughton, Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire HU15 1HN

  Seeking exemption from some elements of the KS2 SATs whilst replacing them with ongoing teacher assessment procedures

  The Education (National Curriculum (KS3 Assessment Arrangements) (England) Order 2003

  The Cardinal Wiseman School, Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 9AW

  To deliver the National Curriculum over four extended days freeing up Fridays to offer targeted activities.

  The Education (School Day and School Year) (England) Regulations 1999

  Examination Results
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the local education authorities in the(a) first decile and (b) tenth decile for results at (i) Key Stage 2, (ii) Key Stage 3 and (iii) GCSEs for each year since 1997. [133675]

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

  Foster Carers
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the national award scheme for foster carers envisaged in the Green Paper 'Every Child Matters' will be assessed; and what the scheme will award. [133123]

  Margaret Hodge
  A national award scheme for outstanding foster carers is one of the proposals in the Green Paper, "Every Child Matter" to improve the 80W
  Education Act 2002 on 30 October 2003. The report will outline details of the three applications that the Secretary of State has received during the first academic year of the Power and will detail for each application the nature of the exemption sought and the outcome of the application. These have been:

  recruitment and retention of foster carers. The Green Paper is now out for consultation until 1 December 2003 and we look forward to receiving views from the consultation both on the merit of this proposal and how such a scheme might best operate in practice.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what framework regulates private fostering; and what definition he uses of private fostering. [133132]

  Margaret Hodge
  Private arrangements for fostering children are covered in Part IX of the Children Act 1989, and The Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 1991.

  A 'privately fostered child' means a child who is under the age of 16 (or 18 if disabled) who is cared for, and provided with accommodation by, someone other than a parent of his; a person who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him; or a relative of

  81W
  his. A child is not a privately fostered child if the person caring for and accommodating him has done so for a period of less than 28 days; and does not intend to do so for a longer period.

  In practice, children in a variety of different circumstances will fall within this definition.

  GNVQ Courses
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 14 June 2003,Official Report, column 100W, on GCSE/GNVQ point scores, what the uptake was of full-time intermediate GNVQ courses in each year since 1996; and what percentage of pupils achieved (a) 5 A + -C grades at GCSE level and (b) the equivalent GNVQ level in each such year. [133492]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information on the uptake of full-time intermediate GNVQ courses has been provided by the Labour Force Survey and covers males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59.

  The number of people of working age1 working towards a GNVQ Intermediate

  England, 1996–2003

  GNVQ intermediate

  Total people studying towards a qualification

  1996

  47,335

  3,576,776

  1997

  55,514

  4,546,870

  1998

  52,900

  4,519,408

  1999

  42,722

  4,689,621

  2000

  41,936

  4,801,310

  Pubils achieving both GCSEs and GNVQs who:

  Pupils achieving GCSEs only who:

  Academic year

  Total number achieving 5+A*-C GCSE/GNVQ

  Achieved 5+A*-C without the help of a GNVQ

  Percentage

  Achieved 5+A*-C with the help of a GNVQ

  Percentage

  Achieved 5+A*-C

  Percentage

  1995/96

  264,537

  —

  —

  —

  —

  264,537

  100.0

  1996/97

  264,892

  1,095

  0.4

  0

  0.2

  263,193

  99.4

  1997/98

  266,431

  2,230

  0.8

  1,073

  0.4

  263,128

  98.8

  1998/99

  278,560

  3,696

  1.3

  1,676

  0.6

  273,188

  98.1

  1999/00

  285,718

  4,550

  1.6

  2,289

  0.8

  278,880

  97.6

  2000/01

  301,617

  7,962

  2.6

  3,597

  1.2

  290,058

  96.2

  2001/02

  312,739

  19,098

  6.1

  8,367

  2.7

  285,274

  91.2

  2002/03

  327,301

  40,747

  12.4

  17,582

  5.4

  268,972

  82.2

  Finance (Essex)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to respond to the request for additional financial resources made on 26 September by the Essex Secondary Headteachers' Association; and if he will make a statement. [134465]

  Mr. Miliband
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 October 2003,Official Report, column 500W.

  Key Stage 2
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will allow local education authorities to renegotiate their targets for key stage two. [134324]
  82W

  The number of people of working age1 working towards a GNVQ Intermediate

  England,1996–2003

  GNVQ intermediate

  Total people studying towards a qualification

  2001

  105,555

  5,387,468

  2002

  92,438

  5,475,155

  2003

  72,329

  5,436,972

  1 Covers males aged 16–64 and females aged 16–59

  The attainment figures for intermediate GNVQs and the 5 or more grades A*-C GCSE/GNVQ indicator are based on data collected for the secondary school performance tables and are based on 15-year-old pupils only.

  Number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils achieving intermediate GNVQs

  Academic year

  Number

  Percentage of 15-year-olds

  1995/96

  —

  —

  1996/97

  2,418

  0.4

  1997/98

  4,927

  0.9

  1998/99

  7,925

  1.4

  1999/2000

  10,397

  1.8

  2000/01

  16,178

  2.7

  2001/02

  36,197

  6.0

  2002/03 (Provisional)

  72,680

  11.7

  (a) The following table shows, the number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils who achieved 5 + A*-C grades at GCSE/GNVQ, and the route they took to achieve this.

  Mr. Miliband
  Changes to the Key Stage 2 target setting arrangements were announced in "Excellence and Enjoyment: A strategy for primary schools", published in May 2003. For 2005 onwards, primary schools will set their own targets for the achievement of their 11-year-old pupils in English and mathematics, with local education authorities (LEAs) setting their targets for Key Stage 2 performance afterwards.

  The Secretary of State has already approved Key Stage 2 targets for all LEAs for 2004, which form part of their Educational Development Plans. The Department has issued guidance indicating that LEAs may feel it appropriate to review their 2004 Key Stage 2 targets in the light of the changes to the primary school target setting arrangements. We expect this to apply to only a small number of LEAs.

  Languages Pathfinders
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Languages Pathfinders have been established in(a) West Sussex and (b) England so far this year; and if he will make a statement. [133828]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Pathfinders were established in 10 English regions (and one in the prison service) in September 2002 to run for approximately a year.

  There is not an ESOL Pathfinder in West Sussex (there was not a bid from West Sussex). However, there is a Pathfinder in East Sussex and some of its partners have been working with colleagues at the West Sussex Lifelong Learning Partnership. The locations of the 10 Pathfinder partnerships are as follows.

  Burnley and Pendle

  East London and Lewisham

  East Sussex, Thanet and Medway (South East Coast Pathfinder)

  Exeter

  Liverpool, Blackburn and the Wirral

  Norfolk and Buckinghamshire

  South Thames

  Walsall and Birmingham

  West London

  West Yorkshire

  Mathematics Teachers
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were in training specialising in mathematics in each of the last five years for which records exist. [134220]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following table shows the number of entrants to initial teacher training courses in secondary mathematics since 1998/99.

  Postgraduate

  Undergraduate

  Total

  1998/99

  928

  192

  1120

  1999/2000

  1,109

  198

  1,307

  2000/01

  1,142

  147

  1,289

  2001/02

  1,403

  150

  1,553

  2002/03

  1,527

  146

  1,673

  2003/04'

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1 The data shown above excludes trainees on the Fast Track scheme in 2001/02 and employment based teacher training.

  Source:

  Teacher Training Agency

  Ofsted
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Ofsted inspectors are qualified teacher trainers; and if he will make a statement. [134193]

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

  PFI Projects (Jarvis)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many PFI school projects operated by Jarvis have been halted because contractors have not been paid for work completed. [133836]
  84W
  Mr. Miliband
  We are not aware that any schools PFI projects involving Jarvis have been halted, for any reason.

  PGCE (Foreign Languages)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) places and (b) entrants for the modern foreign languages Post Graduate Certificate in Education course there were in each year since 1995; and if he will make a statement on the number of teachers trained to teach modern foreign languages at primary school level. [133827]

  Mr. Miliband
  The table shows the number of entrants to Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses in modern languages and the number of places allocated to institutions in England by the Teacher Training Agency since 1995/96.

  Places

  Entrants1

  1995/96

  1,980

  1,722

  1996/97

  2,128

  1,673

  1997/98

  2,239

  1,732

  1998/99

  2,161

  1,606

  1999/2000

  1,986

  1,431

  2000/01

  1,961

  1,610

  2001/02

  2,006

  1,689

  2002/03

  1,929

  1,725

  2003/042

  2,014

  n/a

  1 Does not include trainees on the Fast Track scheme and trainees on the Graduate Teacher Programme.

  2 The number of entrants to initial teacher training in 2003/04 is not yet available.

  Source:

  TTA

  No data are available on the numbers of teachers trained to teach modern languages at primary school level who are currently in service.

  Residential Care (Children)
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were in residential care in(a) England and (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the last two years. [134051]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest information available on looked after children in residential care in(a) England and (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire is shown in the table.

  Number of children in residential care1 in England and the East Riding of Yorkshire at 31 March 2001 and 20022

  2001

  2002

  England

  8,500

  8,600

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  35

  30

  1 Includes secure units, children's homes and hostels, residential schools and other residential settings

  2 All data are rounded—national figures to the nearest 100 and local authority figures to the nearest 5

  Rural Schools
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what has been spent since 1997 on projects to increase standards in rural schools. [133695]
  85W
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Aggregated data on funding to increase standards in rural schools is not collected in the form requested. Funding is focused on improving standards in all schools, irrespective of whether they are based in rural or urban areas.

  Specific contributions to rural schools have included some £56 million of funding for rural Excellence Clusters and rural Education Action Zones. Many rural schools are small schools and benefited from the small schools fund which was set up in 2001. The Education Formula Spending system includes a sparsity element to reflect the fact that rural and other sparsely populated areas face extra costs in providing a common standard of service.

  School Companies
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what approaches have been made to his Department regarding the establishment of school companies. [133938]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department has received many enquiries about school companies from school staff, LEAs and solicitors, and has accepted a number of invitations to address seminars. Information is not collected about the number and nature of specific inquiries.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the school companies which have been established under the Education Act 2002. [133939]

  Mr. Miliband
  No notification of the establishment of a school company, as required by Regulation 25 of The School Companies Regulations 2002 and Regulation 17 of The School Companies (Private Finance Initiative Companies) Regulations 2002 has yet been received.

  School Funding
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will make a statement on the future payment of educational transitional funds to Worcestershire county council. [134585]

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will take measures to compensate Hampshire schools for the loss of grant in 2004–05 and 2005–06; [134670]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the potential shortfall of schools' funding settlement for Hampshire for (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06. [134672]

  Mr. Miliband
  In his statement to the House on 17 July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State outlined the initial steps he is taking to respond to the practical concerns raised about the present system of funding schools, and promised a further report in the autumn. He expects to make that report shortly.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the funding increase is(a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage on 2002–03 for Hampshire schools this year, without transitional protection. [134669]
  86W
  Mr. Miliband
  The increase in Education Formula Spending in Hampshire between 2002–03 and 2003–04 was £60.3 million, or 11.6 per cent. This increase includes transfer of Nursery Education and class size grants and funding in respect of the increase in teachers' pension contributions into EFS for 2003–04.

  Schools (Earned Autonomy)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list schools which have applied for earned autonomy under the Education Act 2002, indicating in each case(a) the project covered by the application and (b) the outcome of the application. [133940]

  Mr. Miliband
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Green) on Earned Autonomy on 23 September 2003.

  Sector Skills Council Boundaries
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 17 September, reference 129985 what plans he has to harmonise reporting of work-based participation and success rates with sector skills council boundaries. [131571]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSCI. Mark Haysom the Council's Chief Executive will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Sixth Forms
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have(a) opened and (b) closed sixth forms since 1997. [133693]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Since 1997 73 new school sixth forms have opened and 26 school sixth forms have closed.

  Skills Councils
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which sector skills councils are(a) licensed, (b) due to be licensed by 31st December and (c) due to be licensed by 30 June 2004. [133422]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We are making good progress in setting up Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). I expect the network of around 25 SSCs will be in place by summer 2004, as outlined in the recently published White Paper, `21st Century Skills. Realising Our Potential.' Between April and October this year, four SSCs have been awarded full five year licenses to operate. They are e-skills UK covering I T, Telecommunications and Contact Centres; SEMTA covering Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies; ConstructionSkills covering Construction and Skills Active UK covering Active Leisure and Learning. A total of nine are expected to be licensed by o.he end of this year. Plans are well advanced to licence a further 16 SSCs including the five trailblazer SSCs by summer 2004.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of the total UK work force will be covered by each proposed sector skills council. [133423]
  87W
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  There are currently four SSCs that have been awarded full five year licences to operate. Together they cover approximately 20 per cent. of the UK workforce. It is expected that the full network of around 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) will be in place by Summer 2004 as outlined in the recently published White Paper, '21st Century Skills. Realising Our Potential'. This will provide a total coverage of up to 75 per cent. of the workforce. This is expected to rise to 85 per cent. over the next three years as the SSDA continues to work with other sectors to put in place suitable arrangements for engagement with the Skills for Business Network.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which sector skills council will have a remit for careers advice and guidance services. [133425]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  It is within the remit of each individual Sector Skills Council (SSC) to provide specific careers information for jobs in their sector. The former Employment National Training Organisation (ENTO) currently has stewardship of occupational standards for advice and guidance. No formal decisions have yet been taken on which SSC will represent careers advice and guidance employer interests in the Skills for Business Network.

  Specialist Schools
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2003,Official Report, column 783W, on specialist schools, if he will assess, with reference to sports specialist colleges, the finding in the report by Professc r David Jesson that small differences of up to plus or minus 2.5 percentage points between predicted and actual levels of performance are not statistically significant. [133415]

  Mr. Miliband
  In his report, Professor David Jesson found that 'small differences of up to plus or minus 2.5 percentage points between predicted and actual levels of performance are not statistically significant for schools of average size'. This means that differences of less than 2.5 percentage points are within the uncertainty of the predicted level and therefore should not be heeded at a single school level. Uncertainty in statistical estimates generally decreases with the square of the sample size. For example, increasing a sample 100-fold will generally decrease the uncertainty of estimates from that sample by a factor of 10. Given this, when comparing the difference in performance between groups of schools such as Specialist Sports Colleges with non-selective other schools (95 and 2,342 schools respectively), a difference of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points is statistically significant due to the large number of schools involved.

  Supply Teachers
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many supply teachers were employed in each year since 1997, and what proportion of those had qualified teacher status, broken down by local education authority. [133692]
  88W
  Mr. Miliband
  The table, which has been placed in the Library, shows occasional teachers in each local education authority in the maintained sector in January of each year and the percentage of those teachers who had qualified teacher status (QTS) in 2003. Data on the percentage of occasional teachers with qualified teacher status is not available for years prior to 2003.

  Teacher Costs
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his Department estimates to be the total average annual salary cost to(a) schools, (b) his Department and (c) local education authorities of (i) a newly qualified teacher, (ii) a teacher with five years experience in teaching and (iii) a teacher nearing retirement in 2002–03. [133668]

  Mr. Miliband
  For England and Wales, estimated average costs of the specified categories of teachers in England and Wales as at March 2002 (the latest available data) are as follows:

  Average salary of full-time qualified regular teachers in the maintained schools sector in England and Wales, March 2002

  Teacher group

  Average salary4 (£)

  On-costs in 20010–25 (%)

  Average cost as at March 2002 (£)

  (i) Newly qualified teacher1

  18,100

  14.2

  20,700

  (ii) Teacher with five years service2

  25,300

  14.9

  29,100

  (iii) Teacher nearing retirement age3

  32,900

  15.5

  38,000

  1 Includes all those gaining Qualified Teacher Status in 2001 who were then in full-time regular service in the maintained schools sector in England and Wales at 31 March 2002. Includes those with some previous experience before gaining QTS. Figures rounded to the nearest hundred pounds.

  2 Includes qualified teachers in full-time regular service in the maintained schools sector in England and Wales who had between 5 and 6 years' service in the maintained schools sector at 31 March 2002.

  3 Includes qualified teachers in full-time regular service in the maintained schools sector in England and Wales who were aged between 55 and 60 years at 31 March 2002.

  4 Average salary figures include any allowances paid. Figures are provisional.

  5 On-Costs were calculated using the 2001–02 Secondary Threshold, Lower and Upper Earning Limits and National Insurance Contribution Rates.

  Source:

  DfES Database of Teacher Records

  Schools responsible for their own budgets pay the whole employment cost of their teachers; LEAs pay the salaries of unattached teachers. The Department pays a number of grants which contribute to various teachers' salary costs, but these cannot be separated out in these figures.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of students(a) started and (b) completed teacher training courses for each yearly intake between 1995 and 2001. [134191]

  Mr. Miliband
  Course length data for new entrants is not available for all years and so it is not possible to match completers, entrants to give a meaningful proportion of completers to entrants in each year.
  89W
  The data which is available is shown as follows:

  Table 1: The number of entrants to postgraduate and undergraduate teacher training courses

  Undergraduate

  Postgraduate

  Total

  1995/96

  10,820

  18,010

  28,830

  1996/97

  10,110

  18,920

  28,430

  1997/98

  9,620

  18,100

  27,720

  1998/99

  8,790

  17,420

  26,210

  1999/2000

  8,510

  17,460

  25,970

  2000/01

  8,100

  19,620

  27,720

  2001/02

  7,830

  21,360

  29,190

  Note:

  These figures include trainees on the Fast Track scheme, but excludes the increasing number of trainees on employment based routes

  Table 2: The number of successful completers gaining QTS on teacher training courses

  Undergraduate

  Postgraduate

  Total

  1995/96

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1996/97

  9,267

  16,046

  25,313

  1997/98

  8,673

  15,364

  24,037

  1998/99

  8,907

  15,164

  24,071

  1999/2000

  6,847

  14,847

  21,694

  2000/01

  6,489

  16,153

  22,642

  2001/02

  6,415

  19,074

  25,489

  1 Data for 1995/96 from the Performance Profiles is not available

  Source:

  TTA Performance Profiles

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the pass/fail rate was of teacher trainees sitting the(a) basic literacy test and (b) basic numeracy test set by the Teacher Training Agency each year between 1996 and 2002. [134192]

  Mr. Miliband
  The numeracy skills test was introduced in the summer term of 2000 and the literacy test was introduced for those seeking qualified teacher status (QTS) from 1 May 2001. Of those who sat the tests, the statistics in the following table show the pass rates:

  Percentage

  2000/01

  2001/02

  Numeracy skills test

  98

  98

  Literacy skills test

  99

  99

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vacant teacher posts existed in(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) special schools in each year since 1997, broken down by local education authority. [133678]

  Mr. Miliband
  The teacher vacancies in maintained nursery/primary, secondary and special schools by local education authority in January of each year since 1997 are contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries.

  Teenage Pregnancies
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reasons 1998 was used 90W
  as the baseline year for calculating teenage pregnancy rates since the launch of the teenage pregnancy strategy. [133146]

  Margaret Hodge
  In 1998, the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) was asked by the Prime Minister to study the causes of teenage pregnancy and to develop a strategy to reduce the high rates of teenage pregnancy and parenthood in England. Following the publication of the SEU report on Teenage Pregnancy in June 1999, the Teenage Pregnancy Unit was set up in the Department of Health. 1998 was used as the baseline year for calculating teenage pregnancy rates as data for that year were the latest available at the time the Teenage Pregnancy Unit began implementing the Strategy's 30 point action plan in 2000.

  Training and Enterprise Council
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 1 September 2003,Official Report, column 774W, on the Training and Enterprise Council, when he intends to publish the consolidated accounts for the Training and Enterprise Councils for 2001; and if he will make a statement. [132858]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Only the TECs who operated Group structures produced consolidated accounts for the period April 2000 to March 2001, copies of these are held by the Department. The Department has only ever provided aggregate TEC/COTE Income and Expenditure Accounts (for England and Wales). The last set covering 1999–2000 were published and laid in the House on March 2002. Due to reduced resources within the TEC net work and the work being undertaken by many of them prior to entering liquidation, there was insufficient information available within the necessary timescale to provide the aggregate Income and Expenditure account for April 00 to March 01.

  Truancy
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children have played truant in each month of the academic year 2002–03 in each local education authority. [133694]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 30 April 2003,Official Report, column 413W.

  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what has been spent since 1997 on projects to reduce truancy in schools. [133699]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 30 April 2003,Official Report, column 414W.

HEALTH

  Assisted Death
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that medical staff do not perform procedures to assist dying; and if he will make a statement. [133201]
  91W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Medical treatment which is either omitted or given to a patient with the specific intention of hastening or inducing death, whether at the patient's wish or not, is an illegal act, and is subject to a charge of murder or manslaughter. Assisted suicide is unlawful in the United Kingdom. Anyone alleged to have undertaken it would be open to penalties of up to 14 years' imprisonment under the Suicide Act 1961. As such, there is an obligation on anyone, including health professionals, to report to the police any suspicions that a crime has been committed.

  The General Medical Council, The Nursing and Midwifery Council and other UK health care regulatory bodies place a requirement on health professionals to act to identify and minimise risk to patients and clients.

  Autism
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask th,2 Secretary of State for Health what research into autism has been supported financially by his Department in the last 18 months; and how much money was allocated in each case. [132584]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 20 October 2003]: In February 2001, the Department commissioned the Medical Research Council (MRC) to undertake a detailed review of the epidemiology and causes of autism. The MRCs report, published on 13 December 2001, outlines what scientific research has revealed about the occurrence and causes of autistic spectrum disorders, identifies gaps in knowledge and makes recommendations for the future research strategy on autism for the United Kingdom.

  The MRC spent £1.25 million on autism research in 2001–02 and £1.3 million in 2002–03. In February 2002, the Department allocated £2.5 million to the MRC to help it to take forward the recommendations in the report. These funds will complement and add to the MRCs current support for research in this field. Between December 2002 and July 2003, the MRC held a series of seminars and, jointly with the National Autistic Society, the first annual autism research forum, to stimulate further high-quality research proposals from the research community.

  This money will he used to further research into autism through the M RC's normal mechanism of a peer reviewed grants system. The MRC is aware that there are a number of research proposals currently being developed in this area, but it takes time to develop high quality research proposals in any area of research.

  Cancers
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of cancers caused by the emission of carcinogens from petrol and diesel vehicles in the latest year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [132839]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 21 October 2003]: The Department has not estimated the number of cancers caused by the emission of carcinogens from petrol and diesel vehicles. The number is expected to be declining as emissions of carcinogens from petrol and diesel vehicles are declining.

  Care Homes
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many publicly-funded care home places there were in London in each year since 1997. [133744]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information on the number of local authority funded care home places in London is shown in the table for 31 March, 1997 to 2001. Figures for later years have been collected by the National Care Standards Commission, which plans to publish the national data this autumn.

  Number of places in local authority care homes at 31 March, 1997 to 2001, London.

  Year (31 March)

  Number of places

  1997

  8,170

  1998

  7,740

  1999

  6,690

  2000

  6,350

  2001

  5,410

  Source:

  Department of Health form RA Part A.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 25 September 2003,Official Report, column 1268W, on care homes, what his assessment is of (a) the reasons for the drop in the number of care home places available since 1998, (b) future trends in the numbers of places available and (c) the impact this will have on (i) this sector and (ii) the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [133397]

  Dr. Ladyman
  There are a variety of reasons for the overall reduction in the number of care home places since 1998.

  The decline since 1998 is a continuation of a trend that began in the mid 90s with the implementation of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. Since then the care home market has been contracting. This trend has been reinforced by increased support for alternative models of care, such as intensive home care packages, introduced since 1997. Local councils are responsible for the commissioning of a range of care options that are made available for older and disabled people, and the availability of care home places, therefore, is a matter for local councils to determine.

  The Government believe that people should be given a real choice of care options as far as possible in each locality. While the number of available care home places has decreased since 1998, in the same period there have been 20,900 more households receiving intensive home care, a 34 per cent. increase. Additionally, we are investing in extra care housing in order to offer people greater choice in the future.

  Finally, the number of people aged 75 and over delayed awaiting discharge from hospital has reduced from 6,219 in September 1998 to 4,147 in September 2002 and 3,151 in June 2003. The downward trend should continue with the implementation of the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc) Act (2003).

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 20 October 2003,Official Report, column 453W, on care homes, how many (a) nursing home and (b) residential home places

  93W
  there were in Gloucestershire in (i) 1997 and (ii) the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [134708]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The table shows the number of care places in Gloucestershire, as at 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2001. Figures for later years have been collected by the National Care Standards Commission and are not yet available.

  Number of places in residential and nursing care homes at 31 March 1997 to2001, Gloucestershire

  31 March

  Residential car

  Nursing care1

  Total

  1997

  3,737

  3,881

  7,618

  1998

  3,643

  3,790

  7,433

  1999

  2—

  3,442

  2—

  2000

  3,988

  3,158

  7,146

  2001

  4,241

  2,966

  7,207

  1 Excludes places in hospitals and clinics

  2 Data are not available

  Source:

  Department of Health forms RAC5, RA Part A and RH(N) Part A and KQ36.

  I understand that Gloucestershire has worked very closely with all stakeholders to maintain the independence of service users. Following independent research by Laing and Buisson, which was joint funded by Gloucestershire county council, the council has made a three year commitment to allocate an additional £1 million per year towards fees over and above inflation. In the current financial year, fees have risen in some cases by 27 per cent.

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average unit cost of a cataract operation at each trust within the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority Area has been in 2003: and what the estimated average unit cost of a cataract operation to be provided by the proposed diagnostic and treatment centre for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire is. [131398]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer Tuesday 14 October]: The information for the average cost of a cataract operation at each trust within the Thames Valley area for 2003 is not collected centrally.

  However, the costs shown in the table represent the national average cost in the national health service for all NHS patients treated as an inpatient or day case. These costs are collected using healthcare resource groups (HRGs), which are groups of treatments that are clinically homogeneous and have similar costs. Therefore, the treatments the HRGs contain are less specific than those listed in the question. The most up to date costs published by the Department are for the financial year 2001–02.

  £

  HRG code

  HRG label

  Average

  BO2

  Phakoemulsification cataract extractions with lens

  671

  BO3

  Other cataract extraction with lens

  740

  It is not possible to estimate the average unit cost of a cataract operation to be provided by the proposed diagnostic and treatment centre as this is still under
  94W
  negotiation. However, the primary care trust will only pay the tariff figure for procedures carried out there. Value for money is one of the key concerns for the negotiators.

  Corneal Grafts
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what targets he has set for UK Transplant to increase the number of corneal grafts available for transplant in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [132510]

  (2) how many corneal graft donations there were in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [132511]

  (3) what measures his Department has taken over the last three years to increase the number of corneal graft donations available for transplant; and if he will make a statement; [132512]

  (4) what procedural reforms his Department has initiated over the last three years to increase the number of corneal grafts available for transplant; and if he will make a statement. [132513]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Although no specific targets have been set to increase the number of corneal grafts available for transplant in the United Kingdom, UK Transplant aims to provide sufficient corneas to allow 2,500 grafts per year. The transplant framework, published in July 2003, sets out the key aims for transplantation over the next 10 years and describes good practice, which the national health service, organisations and individuals can use to maximise the benefits of transplantation.

  The table shows the number of corneas donated and grafted in each of the last five financial years, from 1 April to 31 March. Not all corneas retrieved are suitable for transplantation. Medical contra-indications and endothelial deficiency account for the majority of corneas that are unable to be used.

  Corneas donated

  Corneas grafted

  1998–99

  3,434

  2,262

  1999–2000

  3,646

  2,245

  2000–01

  3,808

  2,264

  2001–02

  3,280

  2,056

  2002–03

  3,469

  2,299

  Dental Practice Board
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the Dental Practice Board. [132641]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Clause 177 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, currently before Parliament, provides for the abolition of the Dental Practice Board (DPB). The DPB will be replaced by a special health authority (SHA), established under section 11 of the 1977 Act by the Secretary of State and the Assembly. The new SHA will be cross-border, undertaking functions in relation to both England and Wales. The assets, liabilities and staff (subject to consultation) of the DPB will be transferred under section 11 powers to the new SHA. The new SHA
  95W
  will undertake monitoring and quality assurance functions in relation to the new primary dental services regime.

  The DPB is currently subject to the Lyons review, which is examining the scope for relocation of public sector work from London and the south east. The outcome of the review is expected at the end of November 2003.

  Dental Technicians
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial resources are allocated from the NHS budget for the recruiting and training of dental technicians during the next three years. [133245]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Local work force development confederations are responsible for commissioning education and training for dental technicians. Their aggregate business plans indicate that nationally they are forecasting to spend £1.5 million in 2003–04, £1.7 million in 2004–05 and £1.8 million in 2005–06 on pre-registration dental technician training. We value highly the contribution that dental technicians make to the dental team and are working with the profession to see how training opportunities might be expanded.

  Depression
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 11 to 17-year-olds are diagnosed as suffering from depression; what proportion or that age group this figure represents; and how many of those diagnosed are being prescribed anti-depressants, broken down by age. [134039]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 23 October 2003]: Information is not collected in the form requested. A study undertaken by the Office of National Statistics in 1999 found that 1.8 per cent. of children aged 11 to 15 suffer from depression.

  The table shows the estimated number of prescription items of anti-depressants issued in the community for children in 2001 and 2002. Children are defined as 0 to 15-year-olds and those aged 16 to 18-year-olds in full time education. They form approximately one per cent. of the total number of prescriptions issued for anti-depressants.

  Estimated number of prescription items of anti-depressant drugs dispensed in the community in England for children in 2001 and 2002

  Thousands

  Prescription items

  2001

  240.00

  2002

  260.00

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has commissioned into links between the consumption of anti-depressants by young people and the risk of suicide; and if he will make a statement; [134041]

  (2) what restrictions there are on the prescription of anti-depressants to under 18s. [134042]
  96W
  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 23 October 2003]: No antidepressants are licensed for the treatment of depressive illness in children and adolescents in the United Kingdom. Doctors are able to legally prescribe medicines outside their licensed indications if they consider it is in the best interests of their patient.

  On the basis of advice from their independent expert working group on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) has issued advice that paroxetine (Seroxat) and venlafaxine (Efexor) should not be used in the treatment of depression in children and adolescents under 18 years. This followed review of clinical trial data which suggested an increased risk of self harm and potentially suicidal behaviour in those treated with paroxetine or venlafaxine, compared with those given placebo.

  The safety and efficacy of other SSRIs in children and adolescents is under review by the expert working group. The working group is also providing input to the Europe-wide consideration of the safety of paroxetine, which is being led by the Netherlands and the UK on behalf of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products.

  As part of the review of the safety of SSRIs, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has commissioned a study using general practitioner records to investigate whether there is an association between the consumption of antidepressants, including SSRIs, and suicide. This study includes children and adolescents. Interim guidance has been provided to all doctors and pharmacists in the CSM's bulletin. "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance." The National Institute of Clinical Excellence is in the process of drafting guidelines on the treatment of depression in children and adolescents.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on(a) the Government's policy on tackling depression in young people and (b) the steps he is taking to raise awareness of depression in young people. [134043]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 23 October 2003]: The Department, together with the Welsh Assembly, has asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to develop a clinical guideline on the management of depression in children and young people in primary, community and secondary care for use in the National Health Service in England and Wales. The guideline will provide recommendations for good practice that are based on the best available evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness.

  The Department has also commissioned the "Mind Out of Mental Health" campaign to work with its partners in the voluntary sector, the media, employers and youth student organisations to raise awareness of mental health problems, as well as combating the stigma and sidcrimination surrounding mental health. They provide advice and information on a range of mental health problems including depression. The "Wired for Health website at www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk/ is another useful source of information.

  Diabetes
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce an insulin user's identity card for diabetics; and if he will make a statement. [133092]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There are no plans to introduce identity cards for people with diabetes who use insulin. However, such cards are available from Diabetes UK. We are also aware of companies that offer jewellery, such as bracelets, pendants and watches that can be used for the purpose of conveying medical information.

  Essex Ambulance Service
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the names of those people who were considered for the post of Chairman of the Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust. [132820]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The National Health Service Appointments Commission now has responsibility for all chair and non-executive appointments to NHS boards. The Commission owes a duty of confidentiality to all candidates for appointments. Only the names of successful candidates are published.

  Gosport War Memorial Hospital
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from relatives of deceased patients in the Gosport War Memorial Hospital in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [132643]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  In the last 12 months, we have received seven letters from relatives of patients who died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital. As the hon. Member is aware, there is an on-going police inquiry into the deaths of patients at the hospital and it would therefore not be appropriate for me to make any further comments.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards the target for extra hospital beds in the NHS. [132353]

  Primary care trusts

  Locations served

  Wave IA Approvals

  Salford PCT

  Lower Kersal and Charlestown

  Central Manchester on behalf of Central. North and South Manchester PCTs

  Ancoats, Blackley, Cheetham, Clayton, Newton Heath, (North Manchester) Burnage, Chorlton, Wythenshawe (South Manchester), Ardwick, Chorlton, Gorton, Levenshulme, Rusholme, Whalley Range (Central Manchester)

  Northumberland PCT

  Belford

  Wave IB Approvals

  Northumberland Care Trust

  Berwick-on-Tweed

  Lambeth PCT

  Across PCT

  Southwark PCT

  Across PCT

  Lewisham PCT

  Across PCT

  Camden PCT

  Somers Town

  Trafford North PCT

  Lostock

  St. Helens PCT

  St. Helens

  Blackpool PCT

  Across PCT

  Harrow PCT

  Stanmore South

  Wandsworth PCT

  Fairfield Ward

  Chesterfield PCT

  Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital NHS Trust

  98W
  Mr. Hutton
  The latest available statistics for 2002–03 showed that general and acute beds increased by 1,600 to 136,679 over the previous three years. This represents 75 per cent. of the target set out in the NHS Plan.

  Inpatient Treatment
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for inpatient hospital treatment in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area. [132931]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 23 October 2003]: The number of patients waiting for elective inpatient admission at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust was 8,120 at 31 August 2003.

  Source:

  Department of Health Form KH07.

  Local Pharmacy Services Pilots
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which services are included in Local Pharmacy Services pilots. [133269]

  Ms Rosie Winterlon
  All local pharmaceutical services (LPS) pilots include the dispensing of some prescriptions. Beyond that, the services provided vary from one pilot to another. Examples of LPS pilot schemes approved to date include provision of pharmaceutical services (including translation service where required) to a local ethnic minority, medication reviews for the elderly, liaison and support in medication taking upon discharge from secondary care, out-of-hours services, access to minor ailment schemes, provision of compliance aids and health promotion and advice, as well as needle exchange, dispensing and supervision of consumption for drug misusers.

  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Local Pharmacy Services pilots are running; and which areas they serve. [133270]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The tables show the locations of local pharmaceutical services (LPS) pilots which have commenced. 2002 was the first year of the scheme and there were two waves (1 A and 1 B) of LPS pilots. A further three pilots were approved and will start in the near future. Three proposals received preliminary approval and full proposals are awaited for these.
  99W

  Primary care trusts

  Locations served

  South Liverpool PCT

  West Speke

  Brighton and Hove City PCT

  Across PCT

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the comments of the Royal Commission on long-term care of 29 September 2003, with special reference to the Government's policy on means testing personal care; and what plans he has to meet the members of the Royal Commission to discuss the issues which they have raised. [132640]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Government have accepted each of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on long-term care except the recommendation to provide free personal care. We stand by that decision.

  Our decision has allowed us to invest an additional £1 billion by 2006 towards the care of older people in a variety of ways, including measures to support more older people to continue to live in their homes. If we had implemented the recommendation of the Royal Commission, we would not have been able to provide increased domiciliary care for older people, nor would we have been able to provide additional care home places and alternatives such as extra care housing or additional support for carers.

  I have no plans to meet the members of the Royal Commission to discuss the issues they have raised.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each primary care trust the number of mental health patients. [132220]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department does not centralise information about the diagnoses given to patients; exact information about the number of people with a mental health problem in each primary care trust is therefore not available.

  However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which is responsible for compiling, analysing and disseminating information relating to United Kingdom economic, social and demographic statistics, reports that about one in six adults were assessed as having a neurotic disorder in the week before interview. The ONS report. "Psychiatric morbidity among adults living in private households, 2000 ' is available at www.statistics.gov.uk. It gives an indication of the factors with which variations in the prevalence of mental health problems are associated.

  Midwifery
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether independent midwives will be included within 100W
  the scope of the NHS Litigation Authority; and if he will make a statement. [133329]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The NHS Litigation Authority administers the clinical negligence scheme for trusts. Advice to the national health service in "Health Service Guideline (96)48: NHS Indemnity, Arrangements for Clinical Negligence Claims in the NHS", states that independent midwives are responsible for making their own indemnity arrangements, as are other self-employed health care professionals. A review of NHS indemnity is about to commence and the status of all health care professionals under NHS indemnity will be examined. No decision has been made concerning independent midwives.

  NHS Senior Management
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his Answer of 1 September 2003,Official Report, column 948W, on NHS senior management, if he will list the headings of the record fields held in the database of senior leaders compiled by the NHS Appointments Commission; [133609]

  (2) pursuant to his Answers given on 1 September 2003, Official Report, column 948W, on NHS senior management and of 6 October 2003, Official Report, column 1345W, whether the NHS Appointments Commission records (a) the service of all chairs and non-executives to the NHS and (b) individuals who resign from the boards of NHS trusts. [133621]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have asked the Chairman of the National Health Service Appointments Commission to write to the hon. Member on these questions. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for West Worcestershire will receive a response to PQ1035099. [134328]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  This letter was transferred to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. My hon. Friend the Minister for Environment and Agri-Environment (Mr. Elliot Morley) wrote to the hon. Member on Wednesday 22 October.

  Patient Deaths
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of patients' deaths occurred within 30 days of surgery in Hull and the East Riding in(a) 2002 and (b) 2003. [132399]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Figures on the number and proportion of patient deaths within 30 days of surgery are compiled by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) and included on its website.
  101W
  Figures for 2002 for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust are available on the CHI website at http://www.chi.nhs.uk/Ratings/ Reports/AcuteTrustDetail.asp?TrustCode = RWA

  Data for the calendar year 2003 will not be available until the year is complete and will be published in the 2004 NHS star ratings.

  PDS Pilot

  Primary Care Trust1

  Bedfordshire

  Bedford; Bedfordshire Heartlands

  Buckingham—Aylesbury Vale

  Vale of Aylesbury

  Cornwall DAC

  West of Cornwall; Central Cornwall

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  Hammersmith and Fulham; Ealing; Hounslow

  East London and the City

  Tower Hamlets

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  Lambeth; Southwark; Lewisham

  Liverpool

  Central Liverpool

  North Essex

  Colchester

  Shropshire DAC

  Shropshire County; Telford and Wrekin

  South Cheshire—Ellesmere Port

  Cheshire West; Ellesmere Port and Neston; Ashton, Leigh and Wigan

  Southern Derbyshire

  Central Derby; Erewash; Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire

  South Lancashire

  Chorley and South Ribble; West Lancashire

  Tees

  North Tees

  Warwickshire

  Rugby

  South Derbyshire General Anaesthetic

  Central Derby; Amber Valley

  Bedfordshire Restorative Care

  Luton

  Bromley DAC

  Bromley

  Darlington General Anaesthetic

  Darlington

  East Yorkshire

  East Yorkshire; Yorkshire Wolds and Coast

  Gloucestershire DAC

  Cheltenham and Tewkesbury; West Gloucestershire; Cotswold and Vale

  Isle of Wight

  Isle of Wight

  Leasowe

  Birkenhead and Wallasey

  Manchester DAC—Kath Locke

  Central Manchester

  Sefton—Netherton

  South Sefton

  Northamptonshire

  Northampton

  North Derby

  Chesterfield

  Rock Ferry

  Birkenhead and Wallasey

  Salford and Trafford Homeless

  Salford

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  New Forest; Southampton City; Eastleigh and Test Valley South

  South Derbyshire Transitional

  Amber Valley; Greater Derby; Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire

  West Sussex

  Mid Sussex; Adur, Arun and Worthing; Western Sussex; Crawley; Horsham and Chanctonbury

  Swindon DAC

  West Wiltshire; Swindon; Kennet and North Wiltshire

  Wolverhampton DAC

  Wolverhampton City

  Worcestershire DAC

  Wyre Forest; Shropshire County; South Worcestershire

  Peterborough DAC

  North Peterborough

  Avon DAC

  Bath and North East Somerset; Bristol South and West

  Barnsley

  Barnsley

  Birmingham

  South Birmingham; North Birmingham; Heart of Birmingham; Eastern Birmingham

  Blackpool

  Blackpool

  Brighton DAC

  Brighton and Hove City; Eastbourne Downs

  Bury and Rochdale DAC

  Bury, Rochdale

  Camden and Islington

  Camden; Islington

  Macclesfield DAC

  Central Cheshire; Eastern Cheshire

  Crewe

  Central Cheshire

  County Durham Mobile

  Derwentside

  East Kent DAC

  Ashford; Canterbury and Coastal; East Kent Coastal; Shepway

  Eden Valley DAC

  Carlisle and District PCT

  Gamesley

  Tameside and Glossop

  Herefordshire DAC

  Herefordshire

  Hull and East Riding DAC

  East Yorkshire; Yorkshire Wolds and Coast; Eastern Hull; West Hull

  West Norfolk and Wisbech DAC

  West Norfolk; East Cambridgeshire and Fenland

  Lincolnshire DAC

  West Lincolnshire; Lincolnshire South West; East Lincolnshire

  Milton Keynes DAC

  Milton Keynes

  North and East Devon DAC

  North Devon; Exeter; East Devon; Mid Devon

  North Merseyside DAC

  North Liverpool; Central Liverpool; St. Helens

  North Merseyside

  Central Liverpool; St. Helens

  North Staffordshire DAC

  North Stoke

  Ordsall

  Salford

  Oxfordshire DAC

  North East Oxfordshire; Cherwell Vale; Oxford City; South East Oxfordshire; South West Oxfordshire

  Personal Dental Services Pilots
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which areas Personal Dental Services pilots have been introduced. [133271]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There were 95 personal dental service (PDS) pilots supplying data to the Dental Practice Board at the end of September 2003. The table shows the primary care trusts in which each of them were operating.
  103W

  PDS Pilot

  Primary Care Trust1

  Pendle

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  Plymouth DAC

  Plymouth

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire DAC

  East Hampshire; Fareham and Gosport

  Somerset DAC

  Somerset Coast; Mendip; South Somerset; Taunton Deane

  Chester

  Cheshire West

  South Staffordshire DAC

  South Western Staffordshire

  Tipton

  Rowley, Regis and Tipton; Wednesbury and West Bromwich

  Victoria Mill DAC

  Central Manchester; North Manchester

  Warrington DAC

  Halton; Warrington

  Warwickshire DAC

  South Warwickshire

  East and West Surrey DAC

  East Elmbridge and Mid Surrey; East Surrey; Guildford and Waverley: North Surrey; Woking Area

  North Cumbria DAC—Egremont

  West Cumbria

  Barnet, Enfield and Haringey DAC

  Barnet; Enfield

  Slough DAC

  Newbury and Community; Reading; Slough; Wokingham; South East Oxfordshire; Bracknell Forest; Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead; Chiltern and South Bucks Walsall

  Walsall DAC

  Leicestershire DAC

  Eastern Leicestershire

  Morecambe Bay DAC

  Morecambe Bay

  Blackburn

  Blackburn with Darwen

  Bedfordshire

  Luton; Bedford; Bedfordshire Heartlands

  North Norfolk DAC

  Norwich; Broadland

  Bury St. Edmonds and West Suffolk DAC'

  Central Suffolk; Suffolk West

  St. Helen and Knowsley

  St. Helens

  East Lancashire

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  Bradford

  Bradford City

  Leeds DAC

  Leeds West; Leeds North East; East Leeds; South Leeds; Leeds North West

  Newcastle and North Tyneside DAC

  Newcastle

  Northamptonshire DAC

  Daventry and South Northamptonshire; Northampton

  Scarborough DAC

  Selby and York; Hambleton and Richmondshire; Craven, Harrogate and Rural District; Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale

  Cornwall

  North and East Cornwall; Central Cornwall

  Nottingham DAC

  Nottingham City

  Sandwell

  Rowley, Regis and Tipton; Wednesbury and West Bromwich

  Preston

  Preston

  Solihull DAC

  Solihull

  1 All Primary Care Trusts the pilot operates in.

  Source:

  Dental Practice Board

  Pharmaceutical Products (Embryos)
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government has to require manufacturers of pharmaceutical products derived from human embryos or foetuses to label their products. [133145]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The statutory labelling particulars are set out in Title V of Council Directive 2001/83/EEC. These apply across all member states of the European Union. The unilateral imposition of additional labelling requirements by the United Kingdom would constitute a breach of EU and international law. To include a statement of the type proposed would therefore require amendment to all EU Directives that regulate labelling and packaging, plus amendments to any international agreements on labelling and packaging.

  The Government have no plans to introduce additional labelling requirements.

  Post-operative Deaths
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the research undertaken by University College, London., and Columbia University, New York, into the relative death rates between the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, and Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan. [129653]
  104W
  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 15 September 2003]: The research study reported that a comparison between two cohorts of patients undergoing major surgery between August 1996 and May 1998 showed 'risk-adjusted' death rates for major surgery in Portsmouth Hospitals that were approximately four times higher than Mount Sinai Hospital in the United States.

  Considerable caution should be exercised over these findings. There is insufficient information in the research paper to be sure that the two hospitals (in Portsmouth and New York) are truly comparable in terms of their patient mix. As the researchers acknowledge, conclusions about national differences cannot be properly based on a comparison between just one hospital in each country. Also, the number of critical care beds in the national health service has significantly increased since these patients were studied during 1996–98 and this is likely to mean that the mortality rates for Portsmouth found in the study would not be applicable today. For example, the Commission for Health Improvement 2002 performance ratings for Portsmouth had a 28 day post surgical death rate of 4.5 per cent., for patients admitted as emergencies. However, we recognise that there may be some lessons to be learned from this research, despite its limitations.

  Proton Therapy (Clatterbridge Hospital)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on investment in proton therapy at Clatterbridge hospital. [132279]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The cost of cyclotron equipment was approximately £5 million and originally installed by the Medical Research Council. The facilities to provide proton therapy for eye tumours were funded by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund at a cost of approximately £1 million.

  The cyclotron and the proton therapy facility were donated as a charitable gift to the Clatterbridge hospital, part of the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology National Health Service Trust. The equipment is not subject to capital charges arrangements, with its running costs met through income generated from the treatment of NHS and overseas patients. Income is also generated from the supply of radioactive isotopes to Christie hospital. The cyclotron equipment has also attracted charitable funding, which is used in part to re-develop parts of the equipment and to fund some of the research activities.

  Shropshire Central Services (Staffing)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff worked in Central Services for Shropshire County Council in each year since 1997. [132292]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  The number of staff working in Central Services for Shropshire County Council in each year since 1997 is tabled:

  Year

  Central Service

  1997

  1—

  1998

  1—

  1999

  412

  2000

  414

  2001

  418

  2002

  403

  2003

  415

  1 Comparable figures for 1997/98 are not readily available. Significant changes arose at that time because of Local Government re-organisation, when some 35 percentage of the Council's staffing transferred to Telford & Wrekin Council.

  Public Interest Disclosure Act
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's obligations under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998; how many complaints were made concerning his Department in the last 12 months; and how long it took to resolve each complaint. [132324]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 16 October 2003]: The Department has no record of any complaints under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

  Strategic Health Authorities
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Kent and Medway strategic health 106W
  authority will be required to passport to hospices in Kent all of the £1.5 million funding which he recently announced for palliative care; and if he will instruct the strategic health authority to consult with hospice managers on how that funding should be spent. [134323]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The additional £50 million per annum central budget, the allocation of which was recently announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State For Health, is for specialist palliative care services in their entirety and not for voluntary hospices alone. The level of funding for hospices, both from local allocation from the additional £50 million and from local resources, is a matter for local discussion and agreement.

  All 34 cancer networks were asked to submit their proposed investment plans for the use of their allocation from the £50 million to the National Partnership Group (NPG) for palliative care which is made up of representatives from the voluntary sector (including hospices), the national health service and the Department. The NPG set out clear criteria for the use of the funding, which included evidence of local consultation and partnership working between all stakeholders in deciding how the additional funding should be invested.

  Stroke
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of specialised stroke units are(a) acute care units, (b) rehabilitation stroke units and (c) both acute care and rehabilitation stroke units. [133010]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The most comprehensive source of information on stroke is the national sentinel stroke audit, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. 235 hospitals, 95 per cent. of those caring for patients after a stroke in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, took part in the third round of the audit in 2002. The audit shows that 73 per cent. of trusts who participated in the audit had a stroke unit. Of those, 46 per cent. only had rehabilitation stroke beds and three per cent. only had acute stroke beds. The remainder had both rehabilitation and acute stroke beds.

  Vehicle Emissions
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the common carcinogens emitted from petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK; and the tonnages of each emitted in the latest available year. [132759]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I have been asked to reply.

  Emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles are included in the National Atmospheric Emission Inventory. This inventory, available on-line (http://www.naei.org.uk/) compiles air pollutant emissions for the United Kingdom. The air pollutants emitted in 2001 from road transport that are known carcinogens or potential carcinogens are listed below, including the total emission and the percentage of the total UK emission from road transport for each pollutant.
  107W

  Pollutant

  Sector

  Emissions in 2001 in Kilotonnes

  Proportion of total (percentage)

  1,3-Butadiene

  Road Transport-Petrol

  2.33

  52

  Road Transport-Diesel

  1.15

  26

  Total (All sources)

  4.48

  —

  Benzene

  Road Transport—Petrol

  5.31

  34

  Road Transport—Diesel

  0.22

  1

  Total (All sources)

  15.39

  —

  Dioxins & Furans

  Road Transport—Petrol

  3.79

  1.1

  Road Transport—Diesel

  J0.42

  0.1

  (Total (All sources)

  1341.28

  —

  16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons2

  Road Transport—Petrol

  0.02

  1

  Road Transport—Diesel

  1.10

  52

  Total (All sources)

  2.10

  —

  1 Total excludes natural fires and vehicle fires)

  2 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of chemical compounds with a similar structure, although individual PAHs differ in their capacity to damage human cells. This data provides emissions of the 16 PAHs commonly found in ambient air. They include emissions of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and dibenz[a]janthracene, which are the three potent animal carcinogens that are classified as 'probably carcinogenic to humans'.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Contracts (Bechtel)
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list contracts for consultancy or work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997 stating in each case(a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [133898]

  Yvette Cooper
  Since the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established in May 2002, there have been no contracts with Bechtel.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter to him dated 15 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Sylvia Mason. [133840]

  Yvette Cooper
  I replied to the right hon. Member on 20 October.

  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the hon. Member for West Worcestershire will receive a response to his letter to the Minister of State for Local and Regional Government of 22 September. [134329]

  Phil Hope
  I replied to the hon. Member on 22 October.

  Council Housing Stock
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total impact on employment in local housing authorities has been where transfers of all or part of the housing stock have taken place. [133773]
  108W
  Keith Hill
  The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Large Scale Voluntary Transfer (LSVT) Staff Impacts and Implications Research Report suggests there is no evidence of job losses, rather that some local authorities need to recruit new staff to undertake their strategic housing role post transfer. However, where a local authority transfers all or part of its housing and the local authority considers the sale amounts to a transfer of undertaking, the authority and the new landlord would have to have regard to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protections of Employment) Regulations 1981 (as amended).

  Councillors (Tenure)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2003,Official Report, column 403W on councillors (tenure), whether this change will be enacted by primary legislation. [134724]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Local Government Act 2003 allows my right. hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, by order, to move the date of local government and Greater London Authority elections in 2004 so that they can be held on the same day as the European Parliamentary election, making voting more convenient for voters. The Government will shortly be consulting on the Statutory Instruments which give effect to the Government's stated policy as set out in my previous reply.

  Electoral Registration Departments
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the budgets allocated to electoral registration departments by each local authority(a) in total and (b) per head of population in descending order according to the amount spent per head of population. [133047]

  Keith Hill
  The latest figures for English local authorities are available in the Library of the House.

  Energy Performance
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he plans to set requirements for entire renovated buildings over 1,000 sq m as proposed under Article 6 of Directive 2002/91 on the Energy Performance of Buildings. [134545]

  Phil Hope
  Article 6 indicates that, when buildings with floor areas over 1000 square meters undergo major renovation, "the requirements may be set either for the renovated building as a whole or for the renovated systems or components when these are part of a renovation to be carried out in a limited time period". The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister shall decide on which of these options to pursue during the course of the review of the Building Regulations announced in the Energy White Paper earlier this year.

  Equity Loans Scheme
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social workers will benefit from interest-free mortgages under the equity loans scheme announced by his Department. [134835]
  109W
  Keith Hill
  The balance of products taken up by individual key worker groups will depend on the severity of recruitment and retention problems in their sector, the level of employer contribution and the personal circumstances of individual key workers. Full details of the operation of the scheme will be announced by the beginning of March.

  Ex-firefighters (Pensions)
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many ex-firefighters are being paid a pension because of early retirement through ill health; and what monitoring systems are in place to ensure that the ill health is not transient. [134547]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information concerning the number of ex-firefighters being paid ill-health pensions is not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost as individual Fire Authorities administer the Firelighters' Pension Scheme. Fire Authorities have discretion to review the payment of ill-health pensions to determine whether they should remain in payment for so long as firefighters are below the age at which they could or should have retired with ordinary pensions. The Office of theDeputy Prime Minister has recommended Fire Authorities to carry out regular reviews.

  Homeless Households
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish a summary of information being collected from local authorities on the(a) type and (b) sex of members of homeless households in bed and breakfast accommodation as at 31 March. [133862]

  Yvette Cooper
  Specific information about the household type and gender of homeless applicants, and those in various forms of temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfast, is included in an annual return supplied by local authorities, using the classifications as follows:

  Couples with dependent children

  Lone parent—female applicant

  Lone parent—male applicant

  Single person—female applicant

  Single person—male applicant

  All other household types

  No information is collected about individual household members.

  Final responses to the return are still being received. Data are currently being validated and provisional analyses are expected to be available before the end of the year.

  Housing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what financial allocations have been made to each of the housing renewal pathfinders in England; and if he will make a statement. [134402]

  Keith Hill
  All of the nine pathfinder areas have been allocated £2.66 million for preparation of a strategic scheme and where considered by the pathfinder appropriate some early projects.
  110W
  Birmingham Sandwell, East Lancashire, Oldham Rochdale, Merseyside, NewcastleGateshead, North Staffordshire, and South Yorkshire have been allocated £4 million to begin action on the ground ahead of scheme agreement.

  Manchester Salford is the first pathfinder to complete and agree their strategic scheme. They have been awarded £125 million over the next two and a half years to implement its scheme.

  Further funding for other pathfinders will be negotiated on completion of their scheme.

  Local Elections
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what percentage of the electorate in the North West Region all ward memberships will be up for election at the local elections scheduled for June 2004. [134280]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Approximately 80 per cent. of the electorate in the North West Region will be voting at the elections for local government in 2004.

  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many councils in the North West Region have elections of all members scheduled for June 2004. [134281]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are 18 local authorities that are due to have whole council elections in 2004.

  Local Government (Compensation Claims)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much compensation has been paid in claims against local government in London in each of the last six years. [135160]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Local Government Finance
  David Wright
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities in England and Wales were affected by the floors and ceilings in the local government settlement for 2003–04; and how much grant each one gained or lost. [132547]

  Mr. Raynsford
  All authorities in England were affected by the floors and ceilings in the local government settlement for 2003–04.

  In order to pay for the cost of the floor authorities are subject to a ceiling. However because the money raised from ceiling authorities does not entirely pay for the cost of the floor, middle authorities (i.e. those not subject to either the floor or the ceiling) are subject to a scaling factor on any increase above the floor. The amount raised from both middle and ceiling authorities equals the amount needed for floor authorities.

  A table showing the actual benefit from cost to authorities of the floors and ceilings in the local government settlement for 2003–04 is available in the Library of the House.

  Public Services (Co-payments)
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce co-payments for the public services for which he is responsible. [102201]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister aims to deliver high quality public services in the most cost-effective way. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister currently has PFI projects that deliver investment in affordable housing, fire stations and joint service centres. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will continue to consider PPPs and PFIs where they minimise financial risk and maxirnise benefit to the public.

  Regional Assemblies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will include maps showing options for the proposed new local government areas with the postal ballot papers to be sent out in the referendums on regional assemblies. [134590]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Once decisions have been taken about the options that are to be subject to local government referendums, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will consider how best to present those options to the electorate. As required by section 3(7) of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act, we will consult the Electoral Commission about the text of the options to be inserted in the question appearing on the ballot paper and any explanatory material, including maps, that is to be made available to voters at the time that they vote.

  Revenue Support Grant
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the revenue support grant per head for 2003–04 in each English county council. [134408]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A table showing revenue support grant per head is available in the Library of the House.

  Please note that the original mid-2001 population estimates have been used as these formed the basis of the calculations. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will in due course be making an Amending Report for 2003–04 which will take into account the revised mid-2001 population estimates.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Suffolk county council regarding the revenue support grant settlement in the past 12 months. [134409]

  Mr. Raynsfordr My right hon
  . Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has not had formal discussions with Suffolk county council within the last 12 months about the Local Government Finance Settlement.

  Surveys/Questionnaires
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) which local authorities have sent out surveys to their residents as a requirement by his Department in the last 12 months; and on what issues; [134815]

  (2) how many people in England have received questionnaires from local authorities as a requirement by his Department within the last 12 months; and at what cost. [134816]
  112W
  Mr. Raynsford
  It is important that all service providers have a clear understanding of the views of their users. Local authorities have for many years sought the views of residents on the quality and delivery of local services using a variety of different methods.

  Since 2000–01, authorities have been required to conduct a survey following a common methodology and containing a fixed set of questions. However, there is scope for authorities to include some questions on specific local issues. The surveys are run at three yearly intervals, the second full round is being run during 2003–04. The surveys provide authorities with a ready means to obtain the views of local people. By adopting a common methodology and common questions a national picture can be obtained on the issues of most concern to local people.

  The surveys measure the level of satisfaction with the general services provided by an authority and provide the opportunity for feedback about local community issues. In addition, specific questions are asked about residents' views on the benefits, planning, libraries and housing services.

  In order to ensure that the results of the surveys are statistically valid, authorities are required to ensure that a minimum sample level is achieved.

  As the surveys are conducted by local authorities, either in-house or through an external commission, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not have figures for the cost of the 2000–01 survey. However, as part of the information that is being collected on the operation of the 2003–04 survey, authorities have been asked to provide details of the cost of carrying out their survey. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have also taken steps to reduce local authority costs by setting up a dedicated website which, amongst other things, avoids the need for authorities to produce their own population sample database. It also provides guidance and templates for running the survey and carries a list of frequently asked questions.

  Tenant Management
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many tenant management organisations have been wound up in the last three years for which figures are available. [133979]

  Keith Hill
  In England there are currently in the region of 250 tenant management organisations managing around 80,000 council dwellings. To the knowledge of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister three have been wound up or have ceased to operate in the last three years. As a Welsh Member my hon. Friend will be aware that in Wales the responsibility for tenant participation and tenant management policy rests with the Welsh Assembly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers are held in detention under immigration law. [134171]
  113W
  Beverley Hughes
  As at 28 June, the most recent date of which published figures are available, there were a total of 1,690 individuals detained solely under Immigration Act powers. Of these, 1,355 were asylum seekers.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there was in the number of asylum applications between October 2002 and September 2003. [134174]

  Beverley Hughes
  In June 2003, the most recent month for which published figures are available, there were 3,610 asylum applications, 59 per cent. lower than the 8,770 in October 20021. Figures for July-September have not yet been finalised but we are confident that we will meet our commitment to halve intake in September 2003 compared with last October.

  1 All figures exclude dependants.

  Special Constables
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in each of the last three years. [134178]

  Ms Blears
  The latest police service strength figures for the year ending 31 March 2003 were published on 1 October 2003 in Home Office Statistical bulletin 11/ 03. The number of Special Constables in England and Wales was 11,037. The equivalent figures for 2002 and 2001 were 11,598 and 12,722 respectively.

  Border Controls (Northern France)
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the development of UK border controls in Northern France. [134179]

  Beverley Hughes
  The introduction of UK Border Controls in northern France should be viewed in the context of a wider package of measures, developed in close co-operation with the French government, aimed at reducing illegal immigration. The closure of Sangatte, for example, which 67,000 people passed through in the last three years, has also had a major impact, reducing illegal immigration into the UK and ensuring that fewer potential illegal immigrants are drawn to Northern France.

  In this context we are pleased with the further steps we are taking, in co-operation with the French, in extending UK Border Controls in France. Such controls have proved effective in the past in relation to rail routes, stopping many illegal immigrants before they reach the UK. Since August 2002 we have had UK immigration officers in Calais acting in an advisory capacity to the Police Aux Frontieres, and in February we agreed a treaty which will enable these officers to exercise their full powers at Calais and Dunkerque. This treaty will be implemented shortly. Boulogne will follow when services to the UK begin in spring next year.

  In addition to juxtaposed border controls we are also loaning UK personnel-detection technology to Calais port. As a result the port now has the capacity to screen
  114W
  100 per cent. of freight traffic embarking to the UK. We intend to roll out similar technology to other UK-serving ports in northern France in the New Year.

  Anti-social Behaviour
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the role of local communities in tackling antisocial behaviour. [134180]

  Ms Blears
  Local communities have a critical role. The Anti-Social Behaviour Plan places communities at the heart of its agenda. It seeks to shift the culture from one where people accept anti-social behaviour to one where communities are helped and supported to seek and uphold standards. Part of our work to support communities includes tackling those barriers which prevent victims and witnesses from coming forward.

  Communities should also hold local agencies to account for the way they address anti-social behaviour and how they use the wide range of interventions available.

  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what anti-social behaviour measures his Department will introduce to tackle the problem of abandoned cars. [134181]

  Ms Blears
  In our Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, launched on 14 October, we announced that we will establish trailblazers to tackle abandoned cars in London and Liverpool, in partnership with the Association of London Government and Liverpool city council respectively. From October 2004 these projects will ensure that all vehicles confirmed as untaxed or abandoned will be removed within 72 hours of reporting. This work will be shared with communities across the country.

  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of(a) producing and distributing the tackling antisocial behaviour action plan booklet and (b) related promotional costs for this initiative, including employment costs. [132580]

  Ms Blears
  An estimate of £11,000 has been made for the production arid distribution of the action plan booklet including design, printing and delivery and distribution. A total of £135,000 has been spent on the launch event and associated launch materials. This includes costs of support from the Central Office of Information (COI) Civil servants from the Home Office press office, marketing department and Anti-social Behaviour Unit produced the Action Plan and organised the event as part of their daily duties.

  Crime Detection
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's role in assisting the police to improve detection of crime. [134182]
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  Ms Blears
  Latest figures show that the number of detections rose in the last year, and that the detection rate remains stable. We are working with the police to improve rates. For example:we are helping the police to exploit the advances in Science and Technology;
  we have record police numbers—136,336 officers in England and Wales at the end of August 2003;
  with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), we are promoting intelligence-led policing. The National Intelligence Model is being implemented in all forces across England and Wales, and the National Policing Plan requires National Intelligence Model (NIM) to be implemented in all forces by April 2004.

  Asbestos
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent by his Department and its agencies on(a) asbestos surveys and (b) the management and removal of asbestos since 1 January 2001; and what budget is available to (i) commission asbestos surveys and (ii) manage and remove asbestos from buildings in (A) 2003 and (B) 2004. [130919]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  No central records are kept on the costs and budgets for asbestos surveys or the management and removal of asbestos. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate costs. However, we can more readily provide information on the costs that the Prison Service have incurred in undertaking asbestos surveys and the necessary remedial work.

  Since July 2001, the Prison Service has spent £1.85 million to manage their asbestos strategy, which has included undertaking surveys to identify the location and condition of asbestos on the prison estate and establish the risks. Since May 2002, the Prison Service has spent a further £1.7 million on remedial work on managing and removing asbestos where this was identified as being necessary by the surveys. In addition, asbestos will have been removed as part of various works projects to refurbish, demolish or upgrade existing accommodation. These costs would have been recorded in the relevant individual capital schemes and could be extracted only at a disproportionate cost. The Prison Service has a further £300,000 allocated for additional remedial work for the remainder of this financial year.

  Asylum and Immigration (Publicly Funded Work)
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the results of the consultation paper, Proposed Changes to Publicly Funded Immigration and Asylum Work will be published. [133850]

  Mr. Lammy
  I have been asked to reply.

  We received over 260 responses to the consultation paper. These have now been collated and analysed. The Constitutional Affairs Select Committee has also undertaken an inquiry into our proposals and is due to report shortly. We will be considering their report along with all other responses before any final decisions on future policy are made.

  Bechtel
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997 stating in each case(a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [132594]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 20 October 2003]: The available information held by the Home Office on contracts for consultancy and other work shows that the Home Office has not had any contractual agreements with Bechtel from 1997 to the present time.

  Charity Commission
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2003,Official Report, column 549W, on the Charity Commission, when the Charity Commission will write to the hon. Member for Aylesbury; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay. [130716]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 16 September 2003]: This is a matter for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Director of Operations wrote to the hon. Member on 5 August and a further copy of this letter will be sent to him and placed in the Library.

  Community Support Officers
  Mr. Bryant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the recruitment of community support officers. [134175]

  Ms Blears
  Last year 27 police forces made successful bids for a share of the £19.5 million fund which enabled them to recruit, train and deploy 1,222 Community Support Officers (CSOs). This year £41 million was made available to continue paying for these and to recruit a further 1,234 CSOs. We are on course to reach the target of 4,000 CSOs by the end of 2005–06.

  Recruitment standards are set by individual forces but there is comprehensive Association of Chief Police Officers, (ACPO) guidance available to assist them.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons were for the delay in transferring the letter of 3 July, on behalf of Mr. R. A. Forde, from the hon. Member for Christchurch to the Department for Constitutional Affairs. [133536]

  Caroline Flint
  The letter was received in the Home Office on 8 July 2003. The delay in transferring the letter to the Department of Constitutional Affairs was principally due to officials wrongly identifying the appropriate Department to which the case should be transferred. Additional delays were caused by a failure to obtain a swift response from the other Departments when they were invited to accept the correspondence.

  I am determined to see an improvement in the Home Office's performance in this respect. Officials are now reviewing the department's systems to prevent this sort

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  of unacceptable delay from recurring. More widely, the Home Office is working with other departments so that robust protocols are in place for dealing with the effective and timely transfer of correspondence.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter to him dated 11 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. Muhammad Rafique. [133838]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 23 October 2003.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 1 September 2003,Official Report, column 974W, on criminal records checks, how many representations he has received; and from what organisations. [130657]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 17 September 2003]: We have received written representations from 32 bodies in the voluntary and community sector, about the increase in fees charged by the Criminal Records Bureau.

  Representations have been received from the following:

  Adele House

  'Castel Froma' Royal Midland Counties Home for Disabled

  Catholic Children's Society

  Central Council of Physical Recreation

  The Chasely Trust

  Community Matters

  The CP Centre

  The Disabilities Trust

  Fair Play for Children

  Fareham (Home Help) MOPS

  The Fremantle Trust

  St. John's Hospice

  Leonard Cheshire

  Lincoln Cathedral

  National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service

  National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  National Council for Voluntary Youth Services

  People in Action

  Rethink Disability

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  Rugby Council for Voluntary Services

  Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations

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  Saint Francis House

  South East Regional Play Association

  2D Support from the voluntary and community sector in Teesdale and Wear Valley

  Volunteer Development England

  Voluntary Organisations Disability Group

  Watford Council for Voluntary Service

  Witten Hospice

  Youth Hostels Association

  YWCA.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003,Official Report, columns 141-42W, on Criminal Records Bureau unit costs, what the agency's latest estimate of unit costs in 2003–04 is. [131049]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 18 September 2003]: Based on the projections in the Criminal Records Bureau's Corporate and Business Plans 2003–04, the individual unit costs are estimated as:

  £

  Standard Paper Application

  25.00

  Standard Telephone Application

  20.00

  Enhanced Paper Application

  31.00

  Enhanced Telephone Application

  26.00

  Basic Disclosure

  n/a

  Standard and Enhanced Disclosures are issued free of charge to volunteers.

  Dog Thefts
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of the theft of pet dogs have been recorded in each of the last five years(a) in England and Wales and (b) in each police authority area. [132837]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 21 October 2003]: The requested information is not collected centrally.

  Extradition
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of evidence is required for an extradition order to be granted to extradite an individual(a) to the USA from the UK and (b) from the UK to the USA; and what plans he has to change such requirements. [132775]

  Caroline Flint
  Extradition relations between the UK and the United States of America are currently governed by the 1976 bilateral treaty (as amended in 1986). The present treaty requires that if the request relates to an accusation case (that is a case where the person has not been convicted) it must be accompanied by:"A warrant of arrest issued by a judge, magistrate or other competent authority in the territory of the requesting Party and by such evidence as, according to the law of the requested Party, would justify his committal for trial if the offence had been committed in the territory of the requested Party, including evidence that the person requested is the person to whom the warrant of arrest refers".

  On 31 March 2003, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the US Attorney General, John Ashcroft, signed a revised bilateral extradition treaty, which we

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  hope to bring into effect shortly. Article 8 of the Treaty provides that the evidential requirements in an accusation case are as follows:

  (a) a copy of the warrant or order of arrest issued by a judge or other competent authority;

  (b) a copy of the charging document, if any; and

  (c) for requests to the United States, such information as would provide a reasonable basis to believe that the person sought committed the offence for which extradition is requested.

  Firearms Offences
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many offences were committed in which(a) a firearm and (b) a replica firearm was used in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [133830]

  (2) how many crimes involving firearms were recorded in each police force area in 2002–03. [133968]

  Caroline Flint
  Final figures for firearms offences for 2002–03 will be published in January. While a provisional overall total for England and Wales for recorded crimes involving firearms other than air weapons was published on 16 October, the individual data are still subject to further checking, and so further details are not yet available.

  The numbers of recorded crimes involving firearms in England and Wales over the last 10 years are as follows:

  Firearms excluding air weapons

  Air weapons

  1992

  7,243

  6,098

  1993

  7,730

  6,337

  1994

  6,002

  7,165

  1995

  5,866

  7,568

  1996

  6,063

  7,813

  1997

  4,904

  7,506

  1997–98

  4,903

  7,902

  1998–99

  5,209

  8,665

  1999–2000

  6,843

  10,103

  2000–01

  7,470

  10,227

  2001–02

  9,974

  12,340

  It should he noted that there was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which tended to increase the number of crimes recorded. Also, some police forces implemented the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of its national implementation on 1 April 2002, and this will also have tended to increase the number of crimes recorded.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of gun crime is in the United Kingdom. [133996]

  Caroline Flint
  Provisional figures released on 16 October show that the total number of firearms offences in England and Wales in 2002–03 (excluding those involving air weapons) was around 10,250. This represents a 3 per cent. increase from 2001–02. The increase in the preceding year was 35 per cent. In 2002–03 the number of fatal injuries from firearms went down to 80, from 95 in 2001–02.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on gun crime in the United Kingdom. [133997]
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  Caroline Flint
  Although the incidence of firearms offences is low compared to recorded crime as a whole, too many people are still being killed and injured by firearms. This is unacceptable.

  We are taking forward a programme to tackle gun crime on a number of fronts. This includes:
  tackling the links to drug supply and crime through initiatives such as the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme and the National Crack Plan;
  reducing the supply and availability of firearms;
  effective police operations to drive down firearm offences; tough laws and effective enforcement;
  engaging the worst affected communities to address the underlying gun culture.

  The firearms amnesty during April this year resulted in 44,000 guns and over a million rounds of ammunition being handed in. This included 5,700 handguns, the weapons most often used in gun crime, and 795 other prohibited weapons.

  The Criminal Justice Bill includes proposals for a five-year minimum sentence for anybody convicted of illegally possessing, selling or manufacturing prohibited firearms.

  This will send a clear message that we will not tolerate the illegal proliferation of guns within our society.

  Gun Trade
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to prevent the illegal trade in guns. [134002]

  Caroline Flint
  We are taking forward a programme to tackle gun crime on a number of fronts. This includes:tackling the links to drug supply and crime through initiatives such as the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme and the National Crack Plan;
  reducing the supply and availability of firearms;
  effective police operations to drive down firearm offences; tough laws and effective enforcement;
  engaging the worst affected communities to address the underlying gun culture.

  The firearms amnesty during April this year resulted in 44,000 guns and over a million rounds of ammunition being handed in. This included 5,700 handguns, the weapons most often used in gun crime, and 795 other prohibited weapons.

  The Criminal Justice Bill includes proposals for a five-year minimum sentence for anybody convicted of illegally possessing, selling or manufacturing prohibited firearms.

  This will send a clear message that we will not tolerate the illegal proliferation of guns within our society.

  Gwent Police Authority
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a recommendation from Gwent Police Authority to issue a certificate of forfeiture for all or part of the pension of an employee whose name has been communicated to him. [132679]
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  Ms Blears
  Our records, which go back to 1987, show that the Secretary of State for the Home Department has received one application for a certificate of forfeiture of pension from Gwent Police Authority.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many investigations an employee of Gwent Police whose name has been communicated to him has been the subject of; and what the investigations related to. [132680]

  Ms Blears
  Based on previous questions tabled by my hon. Friend, and assuming I have understood your question correctly, Gwent Police informs me that there were five separate investigations regarding a former officer whose name has been communicated to the Secretary of State for the Home Department:three of those investigations concerned the officer's role as the disciplining authority and the oversight of complaints' investigations; and
  two concerned the officer's role as the disciplining authority and the oversight of discipline investigations.
  None of these investigations revealed any matters that required further action.

  Iraq
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the timescale for the secondment of the police personnel to Iraq; how many have been recruited to date; and what the costs of the programme are. [133160]

  Caroline Flint
  A pool of 200 volunteers from the police service of England and Wales has been created to assist in the reform of the Iraqi Police Service. The pool is intended to sustain the deployment of up to 100 police officers at any one time. I have agreed to a request from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Jack Straw) to the deployment of 75 of those officers before the end of the year to a secure training facility in Jordan for the purpose of training Iraqi police recruits.

  A further 24 officers are about to undergo training with a view to possible deployment to Basra, when the Regional Police Training Academy is ready to receive them. Officers will only be deployed to Iraq when we are satisfied that the security conditions are right. The security position will be reviewed regularly. The advice of the two secondees from the Association of Chief Police Officers presently serving in Iraq will inform any decision on the timing of a deployment.

  The full costs of the programme, which will be c. £10 million per financial year, will be met from the joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development (DFID), and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Global Conflict Prevention Pool. This includes reimbursing to police forces the full costs of training, equipping and deploying police officers.

  Jamaican Prisoners
  Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of women prisoners
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  are (a) Jamaican nationals and (b) Jamaican nationals convicted of drug-trafficking offences in each of the last five years. [132317]
  Paul Goggins
  The information on the percentage of women prisoners who are(a) Jamaican nationals and (b) Jamaican nationals convicted of drug-trafficking offences in each of the last five years is provided in the following table.

  Population in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales—as at 30 June each year

  Percentage of female prisoners who are:

  Jamaican nationals

  Jamaican nationals convicted of drug-trafficking offences1

  1998

  4.4

  3.1

  1999

  5.3

  4.0

  2000

  5.6

  4.4

  2001

  8.9

  6.8

  2002

  11.5

  9.9

  1 Drug-trafficking offences are defined here as unlawful import/ export, possession with intent to supply and unlawful supply.

  National Criminal Intelligence Service
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many staff at the National Criminal Intelligence Service have monitoring of allegations of bribery of foreign public officials is specifically as part of their job description; what percentage of time they are recommended as part of their job description to give such monitoring; and in which department of NCIS they are based. [132370]

  Ms Blears
  The National Criminal Intelligence Service has one member of staff who acts as the point of contact for allegations of bribery of foreign public officials. This role is included in the individual's job description although no recommended time is allocated to fulfil the role. These arrangements have been sufficient to discharge properly the responsibilities involved. The individual is a member of the International Division of the National Criminal Intelligence Service.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegations of corruption the National Criminal Intelligence Service has received since(a) 14 February 2002 and (b) January 2003 following the Memorandum of Understanding on Implementing Part 12 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; how many of these allegations have resulted in investigations; and whether any charges have been brought or arrests made under Part 12 of the Act. [132371]

  Ms Blears
  The National Criminal Intelligence Service has logged the following notifications of corruption:

  (a) Four in total since 14 February 2002.

  (b) Two since January 2003.

  One allegation has been forwarded for investigation. No charges have been made.

  Police Forces (DNA Samples Retention)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has
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  made of the extent to which the extension of powers for police forces to retain DNA samples of suspects could (a) help prevent miscarriages of justice and (b) increase detection rates. [134177]

  Caroline Flint
  Proposals in the Criminal Justice Bill to allow the police to take and retain DNA from persons arrested for a recordable offence will help contribute to the prevention of miscarriages of justice by eliminating suspects from police inquiries at an early stage of an investigation.

  It is estimated that in the first year of implementation using current National DNA Database statistics and police performance rates, there will be nearly 2,000 additional detections as a result of these proposed changes.

  Prisons
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether it is his policy that the Prison Service should promote the procurement of British food; what guidance he has issued to the prison service about food procurement; and if he will make a statement; [129363]

  (2) how much the Prison Service spent on food in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; how m uch food was wasted in each year; and if he will make a statement. [129365]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prison Service procures food using contracts awarded in accordance with European Union (EU) procurement regulations, taking account of quality of product, cost and availability. The EU regulations are designed to support fair and open competition, allowing British suppliers to compete for business with other members of the Community.

  The Prison Service is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Sustainable Food Procurement Initiative, which is part of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. This is intended to encourage the public sector to procure food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and does not discriminate against local and UK suppliers. As part of this, the Prison Service has developed an action plan that will be used to measure progress towards meeting the initiative's objectives.

  The Prison Service spent £40,155,638 on food in 2001–02 and £42,357,666 in 2002–03. We have no estimate for the amount of food wasted in 2001–02, but the indicative figures for the current year suggest that waste is currently about 8 per cent.

  Professional Footballers
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has issued to chief constables on invoking legislation relating to assault, violent behaviour and anti-social behaviour involving professional footballers during football matches; and if he will make a statement. [132833]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 20 October 2003]: Individuals playing in football matches and other sports events are subject to the same laws and police powers as other citizens. Following consultation with the football authorities and other agencies, the Association of Chief
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  Police Officers has issued guidance on the involvement of the police on the field of play. That guidance makes clear that while match officials are responsible for dealing with incidents on the pitch, the police retain the right to intervene should it be necessary in the interests of safety or the maintenance of public order. Incidents which may lead to the involvement of the police include violent or abusive behaviour directed to other persons on the playing surface and words or behaviour by players or club officials which are likely to inflame spectators. A decision on whether to intervene, or charge any individual for an offence committed, during a football match is an operational matter for the local police force concerned.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what powers professional footballers may be charged for offences of assault, violent behaviour and anti-social behaviour during a football match. [132834]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 20 October 2003]: Individuals playing in football matches and other sports events are subject to the same laws and police powers as other citizens. Following consultation with the football authorities and other agencies, the Association of Chief Police Officers has issued guidance on the involvement of the police on the field of play. That guidance makes clear that while match officials are responsible for dealing with incidents on the pitch, the police retain the right to intervene should it be necessary in the interests of safety or the maintenance of public order.

  Remand Prisoners
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 603W, on remand prisoners, (1) how many (a) unconvicted and (b) convicted unsentenced prisoners have been held in prison for more than 24 months in each of the last five years; [131768]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the reasons for the recent change in the number of prisoners held on remand for more than 24 months. [131651]

  Paul Goggins
  I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 16 October 2003.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in taking forward the recommendations on recruiting volunteers to provide support to victims in high crime areas made in the Committee of Public Accounts' 17th report of 2002–03 'Helping Victims and witnesses: the work of Victim Support'. [134176]

  Paul Goggins
  The Home Office is actively considering the recommendations made both in the National Audit Office Report 'Helping victims and witnesses: the work of Victim Support', and in the 17th report of the Committee of Public Accounts. Regular meetings are held between Victim Support and the Home Office to address these issues, including looking at how to increase the number of volunteers in higher
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  crime areas. We are considering ways to establish stronger links with minority ethnic and inner city community based organisations, making more effective use of paid staff and more imaginative approaches to volunteering, such as linking volunteering to accredited educational programmes.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Belfast Regeneration Office
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what approach will be taken to applications for Belfast Regeneration Office Action Plan funding which were solicited by the Belfast Regeneration Office and subsequently prepared by other agencies. [133030]

  Mr. Spellar
  The future of the Belfast Regeneration Office Action Plan has been under consideration by Government.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the draft strategy for Belfast Regeneration Office. [133031]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO) consulted widely on its draft strategy document between April 2002 and July 2002. The key issues to emerge from this consultation are relevant to the implementing of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, "People and Place" in Belfast.

  Child Care
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residential child care places there are in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency. [132791]

  Angela Smith
  The number of residential child care places in children's homes in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency at 31 March 2003, the latest date for which information is available, is shown in the following table.

  Number of residential child care places, by parliamentary constituency, 31 March 2003

  Parliamentary constituency

  Number of residential child care places

  Belfast East

  8

  Belfast North

  24

  Belfast South

  16

  Belfast West

  35

  East Antrim

  32

  East Londonderry

  8

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  14

  Foyle

  42

  Lagan Valley

  28

  Newry and Armagh

  10

  North Antrim

  12

  North Down

  33

  South Antrim

  11

  South Down

  6

  Strangford

  12

  Upper Bann

  18

  West Tyrone

  11

  Northern Ireland Total

  320

  Crime (Belfast)
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the clear-up rate is for crime in each(a) ward and (b) district council unit in Belfast in each of the last three years. [133239]

  Jane Kennedy
  The table below sets out the clear up rate for each of the District Command Units within Belfast in each of the last three years. Statistics in respect of clear up rates per ward are not readily available and the provision of such information would be disproportionate to the cost.

  2000–01

  Recorded crime

  Crimes cleared

  Clearance rate (percentage)

  East Belfast

  6,950

  1,623

  23.4

  North Belfast

  10,029

  2,245

  22.4

  South Belfast

  14,664

  3,288

  22.4

  West Belfast

  7,254

  1,810

  25.0

  2001–02

  Recorded crime

  Crimes cleared

  Clearance rate (percentage)

  East Belfast

  7,164

  1,240

  17.3

  North Belfast

  12,605

  1,265

  10.0

  South Belfast

  18,191

  2,399

  13.2

  West Belfast

  6,511

  1,191

  18.3

  2002–03

  Recorded crime

  Crimes cleared

  Clearance rate (percentage)

  East Belfast

  8,429

  1,395

  16.6

  North Belfast

  12,137

  1,899

  15.6

  South Belfast

  18,389

  2,917

  15.9

  West Belfast

  6,346

  1,253

  19.7

  Crime (Racism)
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of crimes committed in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997 were racially motivated; what steps he is taking to reduce these figures; and if he will make a statement. [133189]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  It is not possible to provide statistics in the precise format requested. However, the table sets out the number of racial incidents reported to, and the total number of crimes recorded by, the police in Northern Ireland since 1997.

  This Government condemns all racially motivated crimes and is committed to tackling such intolerance. Later this year I hope to publish a proposal for a draft Order in Council to enable the courts to deal more severely with crimes motivated by racist, sectarian, and homophobic hatred.

  This measure will send out a clear message that racism has no place in our society.
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  Number of racial incidents reported and total number of crimes recorded in Northern Ireland, 1997–2002/03

  Number of racial incidents reported

  Number of recorded crimes

  1997

  25

  62,222

  1998–99

  93

  109,053

  1999–2000

  237

  119,111

  2000–01

  260

  119,912

  2001–02

  185

  139,786

  2002–03

  226

  142,496

  Source:

  Police Service of Northern Ireland.

  Disability Rights Task Force
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force have been implemented in Northern Ireland and how many are still outstanding; and if he will list the recommendations in each case. [133238]

  Mr. Spellar
  It will not be possible to collate the information requested by the hon. Gentleman within the accepted timescale. I will write as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library.

  E-commerce
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland-based businesses he estimates trade using e-commerce website technology. [133868]

  Mr. Pearson
  It is estimated that 21 per cent. of businesses in Northern Ireland are trading online.

  Source:
  October 2002 DTI Annual Benchmarking Study, October 2002)

  In response to the e-commerce needs of client companies, Invest Northern Ireland has developed a portfolio of support solutions to assist clients with the adoption of e-business technologies. both advisory and financial.

  Fire Escapes
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what building regulations relating to fire escapes apply to(a) dwellings and (b) offices with three or more floors in Northern Ireland; [132089]

  (2) what requirements relating to fire escape equipment are placed upon property developers building multi-floored (a) dwellings and (b) offices in Northern Ireland. [132090]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 came into operation on 1 April 2001 and, with certain exemption, they apply to new buildings and existing buildings being altered or undergoing a material change of use, As such, they apply to dwellings and offices with three or more floors.

  The regulations impose mandatory requirements and Part E of the regulations relates to fire safety. Regulation E2 (c) (Means of escape) requires that a building must be so designed and constructed that in the event of a fire there is adequate means of escape, which can be safely and effectively used at all material times.
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  In addition Regulation 5 of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (NI) 2001 sets out the conditions to which employers must ensure emergency routes and exits in the workplace comply and the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 stipulates that District Councils should consult with the Fire Authority before approval is granted for certain planning applications.

  Fort George (Derry)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that the purchase of Fort George in Derry from the integrated development fund does not detract from the overall investment available for Derry. [133006]

  Mr. Pearson
  As announced, at the launch of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company on 9 October 2003, the Department for Social Development and the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission have reached agreement, in principle, on the purchase of Fort George and the case has been sent for urgent economic appraisal.

  This investment, if confirmed, will be a call on the Integrated Development Fund (IDF). Any further calls on IDF will be assessed on a merit basis in line with the principles of IDF and the overall resources available, and must be fully supported by accompanying business case and appraisal. The purpose of the Integrated Development Fund is to provide additional support to strong wide-ranging partnerships initially in a small number of areas, one of which is the north west. This will enable the production and implementation of agreed comprehensive plans to develop and rejuvenate the area and communities in an integrated way.

  I can confirm that the Fund's role is to remove blockages where there are no resources available from any other sources and it is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for existing mainstream funding which is in place or planned for Derry.

  GM Crop Trials
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on holding GM crop trials in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [134828]

  Angela Smith
  There have been no discussions with Ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on holding crop trials in Northern Ireland.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the organisation of(a) revised individual learning accounts and (b) career development loans in Northern Ireland. [132787]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information is as follows:
  Individual learning accounts

  You will be aware that provision was not made in the Northern Ireland budget for a replacement ILA scheme in the 2003–04 financial year. The development work on a replacement individual learning account (ILA) scheme

  129W
  will be taken account of in the light of the Review of Further Education and the development of the Skills Strategy. Consequently, the provision of adult learning in Northern Ireland will be reviewed in line with the recommendations contained in both documents. Despite the much-publicised difficulties with individual learning accounts, the approach proved popular and successful with learners and, for this reason, I anticipate that the model will be considered alongside other funding support mechanisms in the review of adult learning.
  Career development loans

  Work to date has indicated that the scale of potential demand in Northern Ireland for Career Development Loans Scheme renders a separate local arrangement unviable. Representatives from the Department have been in liaison with their counterparts in Great Britain to ascertain how we can work together to determine how Career Development Loans can be introduced into Northern Ireland. Great Britain has embarked upon a major review of adult learning that includes Career Development Loans. In light of this, I have asked the Department to keep abreast of developments, and await the outcome of the major review work prior to embarking on detailed plans to extend the GB scheme here.

  Integrated Development Fund
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of plans for the Integrated Development Fund announced in March 2003 and on the quality of engagement with local key bodies and individuals; whether there will be technical support provided by the Departments; and whether there are safeguards to ensure that the fund is treated as additional rather than mainstream spending. [133008]

  Mr. Pearson
  The purpose of the Integrated Development Fund (IDF) is to provide additional support to strong wide-ranging partnerships initially in a small number of areas. On 12 August 2003, I formally invited bids from the Integrated Development Fund in the context of integrated development plans for the North West, West Belfast and Greater Shankill and the South Down fishing villages.

  I can confirm that all the key local partner organisations have been engaging positively in each of the three areas to progress the development of integrated plans and identify the resources which may be required to support the plans.

  Relevant Government Departments, in their role as active partner organisations, are involved in providing the necessary information and support, and helping to ensure that plans are consistent with existing Government strategies.

  I have made clear that the monies available to the Fund are additional and intended to be used to remove particular blockages where there is compelling evidence that there are no resources available from any other sources, including Departments' own spending plans, for the purpose. The removal of such blockages should
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  be seen to enable the full implementation of plans to go forward. The Fund is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for existing mainstream funding.

  International Bodies
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost of(a) the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, (b) the British-Irish Council and (c) the North-South Implementation Bodies has been since April 1998. [132095]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  A breakdown of the costs in each year since December 1999, when these bodies were established, is set out as follows:

  (a) The information requested by the hon. Member for Strangford on the total cost of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conferences since 1999 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The expenditure of the British-Irish I ntergovernmental Secretariat is met by the two governments and the cost to the British Government since 2 December 1999 is as follows:

  £000

  1999–2000

  1232

  2000–01

  488

  2001–02

  554

  2002–03

  539

  2003–04

  2287

  1 The BIIGC was established on 2 December 1999. The figure for that year covers the period 2 December 1999 to 31 March 2000.

  2 Provisional figure (April to September 2003).

  (b) Each member of the British-Irish Council is responsible for the costs of its participation. The British and Irish Governments provide the secretariat for the Council, in co-ordination with officials of each of the other members, and bear the costs between them. It is, therefore, not possible to provide the total cost of the Council since its inception in December 1999.

  (c) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 596W.

  North/South Ministerial Council
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost has been since April 1998 of the North/South Ministerial Council. [132093]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested in respect of the North/South Ministerial Council is set out in the table.

  Period

  Total cost

  December 1999 to December 2000

  1,027,000

  January 2001 to December 2001

  2,025,000

  January 2002 to December 2002

  1,525,790

  The first meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council took place in December 1999. Financial information for the calendar year 2003 is not yet available.

  Pension Credits
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the take-up rate for pension credits is in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency. [132792]

  Mr. Spellar
  Take-up refers to the percentage of those eligible who are actually claiming pension credit. As the number eligible for pension credit is not known, the take-up rate is also unknown. The numbers currently receiving pension credit and the numbers of people of pensionable age are shown in the table.

  Parliamentary Constituency

  Number of Pension Credit Claimants

  Number of Persons aged 60 and over (Census 2001 data)

  Unallocated

  426

  Belfast East

  3,742

  19,076

  Belfast North

  5,848

  18,745

  Belfast South

  3,194

  16,989

  Belfast West

  5,867

  13,725

  East Antrim

  2,772

  15,329

  East Londonderry

  3,884

  15,216

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  5,330

  16,438

  Foyle

  4,974

  14,275

  Lagan Valley

  3,181

  17,928

  Mid Ulster

  4,722

  13,067

  Newry and Armagh

  5,514

  16,342

  North Antrim

  4,388

  19,296

  North Down

  2,796

  18,497

  South Antrim

  3,026

  16,126

  South Down

  4,370

  17,281

  Strangford

  3,410

  17,727

  Upper Bann

  4,654

  17,374

  West Tyrone

  4,779

  13,481

  Northern Ireland

  76,877

  296,912

  Police Service Training College
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been made available for the new Police Service of Northern Ireland training college; what progress has been made in identifying a site for the college., and if he will make a statement. [134821]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The project for the provision of a new police college is of key importance and has the Government's full commitment to see the project through to completion.

  The project is being progressed by the Police College Project Board (chaired by the PSNI and with representatives from the NIO and Policing Board) and an Outline Business Case was recently approved by Treasury, allowing the project to proceed to procurement stage.

  The procurement is to take the form of a Public Private Partnership (PPP), wherein the successful developer will incur all of the costs associated with the design, build and maintenance of the premises in return for an annual fee over the lifespan of the facility. Consultants have been appointed to project manage the scheme, for which full funding has been provided.
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  In relation to the site of the new college, the PSNI and the Policing Board have carried out an exercise to identify a suitable site for the location of the facility and this process is due to reach a conclusion shortly. Provision for funding has been made for the purchase of the site.

  Public Disorder
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many public disorder incidents there were in the Cluan Place/Short Strand area from 1 June to 30 September in(a) 2003 and (b) 2002; and what (i) police man hours and (ii) the number of arrests were during the two periods. [132950]

  Jane Kennedy
  The table below lists the statistics requested in relation to Cluan Place/Short Strand for the years 2002 and 2003.

  Year

  Incidents

  Arrest

  Man Hours

  2002

  673

  42

  57,280

  2003

  141

  5

  14,373

  School Pupil Statistics
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils have been(a) identified as persistent non-attendees, (b) suspended and (c) expelled from school in each of the last five years, broken down by education and library board. [133879]

  Jane Kennedy
  Information on the number of pupils who have been referred because of poor attendance or suspension has be collected, on an agreed basis, from the education and library boards since 2000–01. Data for 2002–03 school year are not available yet and the following table is based on returns provided for the relevant school years.

  BELB

  NEELB

  SEELB

  SELB

  WELB

  Referrals for poor attendance

  2000–01

  2,207

  2,344

  1,323

  2,634

  1,878

  2001–02

  1,837

  1,448

  2,588

  2,410

  2,808

  Pupils suspended from school

  2000–01

  783

  1,189

  803

  763

  919

  2001–02

  1,277

  1,107

  916

  914

  882

  Pupils expelled from school

  1997–98

  17

  14

  4

  20

  25

  1998–99

  6

  29

  6

  14

  18

  1999–2000

  19

  20

  3

  16

  25

  2000–01

  5

  29

  11

  22

  19

  2001–02

  7

  18

  12

  8

  16

  Skills Shortages
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) enrolments and (b) graduations there were in each of the last three years in Northern Ireland further education colleges in (i) construction, (ii) computing, (iii) software engineering, (iv) electronics, (v) manufacturing engineering and (vi) hospitality, tourism and catering. [132795]
  133W
  Jane Kennedy
  The following tables show a breakdown of the requested statistics. The tables are independent of each other. The enrolment data relates to all students within each academic year. The achievement information is for students who gained their qualifications in the courses which they studied over one/two/three year's duration and took their examinations in the years detailed.

  Achievements

  1999–00

  2000–01

  2000–02

  Subject Area

  Full awards

  Partial passes

  Full awards

  Partial passes

  Full awards

  Partial passes

  Construction

  1,872

  318

  1,845

  414

  2,624

  258

  Computing

  9,538

  919

  12,962

  1,204

  12,570

  1,182

  Software Engineering

  96

  0

  144

  20

  93

  1

  Electronics

  513

  155

  540

  159

  631

  121

  Manufacturing Engineering

  338

  57

  820

  47

  696

  35

  Hospitality, Tourism and Catering

  2,027

  507

  2,211

  459

  1,610

  275

  Total

  14,384

  1,956

  18,522

  2,303

  18,224

  1,872

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  Enrolments

  Subject Area

  1999–00

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Construction

  6,113

  7,482

  8,290

  Computing

  22,772

  31,661

  25,705

  Software Engineering

  321

  420

  478

  Electronics

  2,011

  2,198

  1,886

  Manufacturing Engineering

  1,120

  1,721

  1,904

  Hospitality, Tourism and Catering

  6,138

  5,987

  4,901

  Total

  38,475

  49,469

  43,164