Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1998-98
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Thursday 15 July 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 15 July of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

Notes:
* Indicates a Question for Oral Answer.
+ Indicates a Question not included in the random selection process but accepted because the quota for that day had not been filled.
[N] Indicates a Question for Written Answer on a named day, i.e. the Member has indicated under S.O. No. 22(4) the day on which he wishes the Question to be answered.
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

THURSDAY 15th JULY

1
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91678)

2
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Buckingham of 8th July, Official Report, column 626, on the Common Fisheries Policy, if his statement on the majority of fish discarded being undersize is based upon the (a) numbers and (b) weight of discard; and what estimate he has made of undersize discards as a percentage of total discards.

(91768)

3
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Buckingham of 17th June, Official Report, columns 216-8, on the Common Fisheries Policy, if alternative management measures include (a) the amendment of the existing quota and (b) the introduction of a permit system.

(91767)

4
   Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what research his Department is conducting into cattle to cattle transmission of bovine tuberculosis.

(91725)

5
   Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many cattle were slaughtered in 1997 and 1998 after testing positive in the tuberculin skin tests; and how many were found not to be infected on post-mortem and culture examination.

(91711)

6
   Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for what reasons badger culling in the randomised culling trial has not started in the proactive area of the triplet in the Forest of Dean.

(91706)

7
   Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many incidents there have been where his Department's field staff in the randomised badger culling trial have been (a) threatened and (b) assaulted.

(91712)

8
   Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many new staff have been (a) sought and (b) appointed for the randomised badger culling trial; and what procedures have been established to ensure the training of new staff.

(91705)

9
   Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when badger culling in the Krebs Trial started in the Hartland reactive area of the North Devon triplet.

(91707)

10
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, under what circumstances farmers are permitted to spray sulphuric acid on potato fields.

(91733)

11
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what criteria are used for determining the age of cloned animals; and if he will make a statement.

(91732)

12
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what reports he has received on research conducted in the People's Republic of China about (a) the yields of genetically modified crops and (b) the quantities of chemical treatments used for such crops as opposed to non-genetically modified crops.

(91731)

13
N   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the circumstances under which mink carcasses may be disposed of at (a) landfill sites and (b) incinerators.

(90074)

14
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91677)

15
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, what assessment he has made of the benefits of requiring the carrying of smartcards by persons seeking access to government services.

(91718)

16
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, what is the level of the lowest salary currently set by recommendation of the Senior Salaries Review Board.

(91517)

17
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, how many Government Car Service cars if run as privately-owned private/light goods vehicles would qualify for the lower rate of vehicle excise duty.

(91524)

18
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with representatives of the small cinema industry about the viability of independent cinemas; and if he will make a statement.

(91431)

19
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from the BBC regarding the provision of a free BBC Internet access service; and if he will make a statement.

(91432)

20
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the findings of Lord Attenborough's inquiry into the structure and remit of the Film Council.

(91433)

21
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the applications for the franchises to operate National Lottery-funded film companies.

(91434)

22
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91676)

23
   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to ensure that the Gedling Borough Council area receives a comparable share of the lottery money per capita to other parts of the country.

(91561)

24
   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to address the unequal regional distribution of lottery grants, with particular reference to the East Midlands.

(91560)

25
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91686)

26
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 30th June, Official Report, column 157, on the Chemical Weapons Convention, under what circumstances depleted uranium may be defined as a chemical weapon for the purposes of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

(91763)

27
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what decontamination work is taking place in Kosovo as a result of the use of weapons containing depleted uranium by US forces; what responsibility the US is taking for the cost of this work, and if (i) UK and (ii) other EU personnel are involved.

(91765)

28
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what investigations he is undertaking into the environmental impact of the use of weapons containing depleted uranium during the conflict in Kosovo and Serbia.

(91764)

29
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what contribution he and his Department are making to (a) the United States and (b) NATO post-Kosovo reviews.

(91576)

30
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will set out the regulations for payment of council tax by service personnel; and if he will make a statement.

(91569)

31
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many members of (a) the Yugoslav army, (b) the SAJ anti-terrorist police and (c) the PJP combat police forces he estimates have left Kosovo.

(91572)

32
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many personnel and at what grade or rank are currently reviewing the Strategic Defence Review following the Kosovo conflict.

(91575)

33
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Commander-in-Chief Land's paper, Building a Career of First Choice; and if he will make a statement.

(91568)

34
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what discussions (a) he, (b) British military personnel and (c) his officials, (i) have had and (ii) will have with (1) French, (2) German and (3) Spanish authorities to review operations surrounding the Kosovo conflict.

(91577)

35
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many redundancies there will be in Exeter following the removal of 43 Brigade to Bulford, Netheravon and Tidworth.

(91566)

36
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many troops Russia has committed to Operation Joint Guardian; how many Russian troops have been deployed; what is the deadline for the deployment of Russian troops to Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

(91571)

37
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what new regulations he has introduced about leave entitlement following postings outside the UK; and if he will make a statement.

(91567)

38
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what is (a) the purpose and (b) the cost of Project Aquatrine; how many of his Department's sites are involved; and if he will make a statement.

(91570)

39
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his policy is on the use of Kapton insulation in military aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

(91574)

40
   Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on preparation for the refurbishment that will be required for Trident early in the next decade.

(91565)

41
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91685)

42
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations he has made to A level examination boards concerning the A-level history syllabus.

(91559)

43
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to review the arrangements for issuing correspondence setting out departmental policy in his name from his Parliamentary Office.

(91670)

44
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the teaching of (i) pre-1066, (ii) medieval and (iii) post-1485 English history.

(91556)

45
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the average cost of (a) an assisted place and (b) an assisted place to age 13 years according to the most recent figures.

(91673)

46
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations he has received concerning the place of pre-1066 English history in the A-level history syllabus.

(91558)

47
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many children are in receipt of an assisted place.

(91669)

48
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many children in receipt of an assisted place due to end in the summer term of 1999 are attending the junior school of an all-through school.

(91674)

49
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to ensure that A-level history students have the opportunity to study pre-1066 English history.

(91557)

50
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of change in the proportion of A-level history students choosing to study (a) pre-1066 and (b) medieval English history in the last 20 years.

(91555)

51
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many pupils in receipt of an assisted place (a) applied for and (b) received an extension of their assisted place under Section 2(2)(6) of the Education (Schools) Act 1997; and in each case how many related to an extension to (i) age 13 and (ii) beyond age 13 years.

(91671)

52
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the average cost of (a) a place in a maintained school in the secondary sector and (b) a place in a maintained school in the secondary sector to age 13 years according to the most recent figures.

(91672)

53
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91684)

54
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the annual volume of carbon dioxide emissions which would be eliminated by the use of a 100mw tidal electric power plant.

(91646)

55
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the level of provision of fire extinguishers on the London Underground.

(91720)

56
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the shadow Wembley Task Force will be formally constituted.

(91702)

57
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what consultation the Wembley Task Force has had with (a) local community stakeholders, (b) Brent Council and (c) local community and business organisations.

(91700)

58
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what capital sums English Partnerships has allocated to the Wembley Task Force in 1999.

(91703)

59
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans the Wembley Stadium Development Monitoring Committee has to consult and involve (a) Brent Council and (b) local stakeholders.

(91704)

60
   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the (a) government departments and (b) agencies which have statutory reponsibility for the safety of the public on public highways adjacent to the River Severn in the Wyre Forest District Council area against dangers that can arise from the river.

(91580)

61
   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which (a) government departments and (b) agencies have statutory responsibility for promoting and ensuring the safety of the public using the River Severn in the Wyre Forest District Council area.

(91579)

62
   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what advice (a) his Department and (b) agencies responsible to his Department have issued for promoting and ensuring the safety of the public using the River Severn in the Wyre Forest District Council area.

(91578)

63
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the A5 Nesscliffe Bypass, Shropshire, will be built; and if he will make a statement.

(91540)

64
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to investigate the safety issues relating to Kapton wiring in planes; and if he will make a statement.

(91541)

65
N   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the landfill sites that have received mink carcasses in 1999 from (a) Windmill Farm, Blandford Forum, (b) Childe Okeford, (c) Crow Hill, Ringwood, (d) Buntshill Farm, Prochfield, (e) Cornyhaugh, Ponteland, (f) Sprotborough, (g) Kelbain, Onneley, (h) Swalesmoor, Boothtown, (i) Daisy Barn Farm, Longridge and (j) Woodview Farm, Bradworthy, indicating the farm from which the carcass originated in each case.

(90073)

66
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the total passenger capacity in either direction between Moorgate station and Kennington station of (a) Northern Line services between Monday 28th June and Friday 2nd July and (b) Northern Line replacement bus services between Monday 5th July and Friday 9th July.

(91518)

67
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if temperature levels on tubes during Thursday 8th July exceeded Health and Safety Executive limits.

(91526)

68
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many (a) English Partnerships and (b) Rural Development Commission offices (i) have closed and (ii) will close as a result of the creation of the regional development agencies.

(91512)

69
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if works on the Circle Line are running according to timetable; and if full Circle Line services will resume on 16th August.

(91520)

70
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received regarding the Oxford Transport Strategy.

(91426)

71
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what responsibility the Minister for Transport takes for operational performance of London Underground Ltd.

(91484)

72
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if works on the Northern Line are running according to timetable; and if full Northern Line Bank branch services will resume on 6th September.

(91521)

73
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much the Greater London Authority will pay to his Department for leasing Romney House until the London Bridge City building is ready for occupation.

(91511)

74
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many voluntary regional chambers he has recognised as regional chambers for the purposes of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.

(91515)

75
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many people travelled in either direction between Moorgate station and Kennington station or intermediate stations using (a) Northern Line underground services between Monday 28th June and Friday 2nd July and (b) Northern Line replacement bus services between Monday 5th July and Friday 9th July.

(91519)

76
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is his policy on air conditioning on London Underground trains; and if he will make a statement.

(91523)

77
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the official engagements of each of his Ministers for the week beginning (a) Monday 12th July, (b) Monday 19th July and (c) Monday 26th July.

(91527)

78
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many Single Regeneration Budget funded projects are underway in each of the Government Office regions of England.

(91510)

79
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the Civil Service code of conduct applies to employees of regional development agencies.

(91514)

80
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, of the new bus lanes created on (a) trunk roads and (b) non-trunk roads in England since 2nd May 1997, how many were additional to existing carriageway lanes; and how many reduced the number of lanes available to other vehicles.

(91522)

81
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the M4 bus lane will move from pilot to full operational phase.

(91483)

82
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many (a) regional development agencies and (b) regional chambers have offices in Brussels.

(91516)

83
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many new bus lanes have been created on (a) trunk roads and (b) non-trunk roads in England, since 2nd May 1997.

(91429)

84
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps he is taking to reduce the use of official cars by officials in (a) his Department, (b) executive agencies of his Department, (c) his Department's-sponsored non-departmental public bodies, including regional development agencies and (d) the Government Offices for the Regions.

(91452)

85
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many (a) English Partnerships staff and (b) Rural Development Commission staff (i) have moved offices and (ii) will move offices as a result of the creation of the regional development agencies.

(91513)

86
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many complaints were received by London Underground on Thursday 8th July about excessive temperatures on tube trains; and if he will make a statement.

(91525)

87
   Mr Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he will be taking to ensure that the new freedom being given to the Royal Mint to enter into the manufacture of jewellery and other non-coin products will not lead to unfair competition with private sector manufacturers.

(91688)

88
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of (a) Soviet era debt and (b) subsequent debt which the Russian Federation has defaulted upon to date; what is the amount of that country's current debt awaiting service; and if he will make a statement.

(91761)

89
N   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if, prior to the regulation of insurance companies being taken over by the Financial Services Authority, he will review the capital adequacy of insurance companies; and if he will make a statement.

(90035)

90
   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to receive Lord Alexander's Report on Shipping Taxation; and if he will publish it.

(91563)

91
   Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the cost of reducing NI contributions by 0.5 per cent.

(91648)

92
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the procedure for small companies registered for VAT in the United Kingdom to claim back VAT paid in Italy.

(91430)

93
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91679)

94
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the extent of the problem of Russian ships storing decaying nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.

(91770)

95
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what further plans his Department has for assisting with the safe handling of nuclear waste in Russia; and if he will make a statement.

(91769)

96
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received concerning the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's Operation Horseshoe in Kosovo.

(91762)

97
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Russian authorities concerning the case of Alexander Nikitin.

(91721)

98
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on progress towards an agreed formula for negotiations in the current session of the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Treaty; and if Russia remains a participating country.

(91730)

99
N   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if arrangements are to be made by his Department for a delegation of honourable Members, apart from the Foreign Affairs Committee, to visit Kosovo.

(91424)

100
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91680)

101
   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much expenditure his Department (a) has incurred to date and (b) has forecast that it will incur in the future, on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement.

(91554)

102
   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the performance of NHS trusts in complying with Government targets on payment of invoices.

(91723)

103
   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what sums have been appropriated from the Primary Care Modernisation Fund to support acute NHS trusts in London.

(91724)

104
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what records are kept of the drugs administered to children in care; and if he will make a statement.

(91714)

105
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, in what circumstances a parent of a child in care may refuse prescribed medical treatment for the child; and if he will make a statement.

(91715)

106
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what safeguards are in place to ensure that children in care are protected from receiving (a) inappropriate medical treatment and (b) incorrect prescribing of drug treatment; and if he will make a statement.

(91716)

107
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to include asthma as an illness which qualifies the sufferer for free prescriptions; and if he will make a statement.

(91428)

108
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to secure the supply of combined Hib/DTP, BCG and yellow fever vaccines; and if he will make a statement.

(91682)

109
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his target for the recruitment of nurse consultants; what estimate he has made of the impact on NHS employment costs of this initiative; and if he will make a statement.

(91543)

110
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will review the legal framework regulating the fluoridation of water supplies; and if he will make a statement.

(91552)

111
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans Her Majesty's Government has to make spinal cord injury a notifiable condition.

(91425)

112
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91683)

113
N   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his statement to the House on 24th May, Official Report, column 27, when he intends to publish the background papers leading to the publication of the Freedom of Information Draft Bill; and if he will make a statement.

(91422)

114
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Human Rights Act 1998 comes into effect in (a) Wales and (b) Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

(91687)

115
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 11th June, Official Report, column 434, on CCTV, which cameras, other then CCTV ones, have been granted type approval for providing evidence in speeding cases; and what assessment he has made of their reliability.

(91758)

116
   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish a consolidated list of criminal offences together with the minimum and maximum lengths of sentences which attach to each type of offence.

(91668)

117
   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the enforcement of the law in relation to pedal cyclists who ride (a) through red lights and (b) on pavements.

(91562)

118
   Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many allegations of sexual harassment have been made by female employees in Her Majesty's Prison Service in each of the last five years for which records are available.

(91553)

119
   Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of sexual harassment in Her Majesty's Prison Service have been settled by employment tribunals in each of the last five years for which records are available.

(91551)

120
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans she has to provide (a) loans and (b) other assistance to help (i) electrification and (ii) other projects in Bangladesh; what matters she discussed with the Bangladesh Prime Minister during his recent visit; and if she will make a statement.

(91760)

121
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the projects supported by her Department for the provision of potable water.

(91722)

122
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the small grants budget; and if she will make a statement.

(91713)

123
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the long-term needs of families in Albania which have provided accommodation for Kosovo refugees.

(91303)

124
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts with regard to increasing the proportion of EU assistance which is invested in low-income countries.

(91301)

125
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she had with (a) her European counterparts and (b) the European commission on the proposal that un-spent European Development Funds should be invested in debt relief.

(91305)

126
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the impact which the debt relief measures proposed at the Cologne summit will have on individual countries.

(91304)

127
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will set out her priorities for the forthcoming World Trade Organisation Round with regard to improving market access to developing countries.

(91302)

128
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what recent representations he has received regarding the use of the Welsh language in tribunal hearings; and if he will make a statement.

(91564)

129
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will place in the Library his paper on the Independence of the Judiciary prepared for the 22nd Conference of European Ministers of Justice.

(90005)

130
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on the current timetable for the private finance initiative project for Derbyshire's magistrates' courts.

(91542)

131
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list for (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 the number of crimes attributed to paramilitary organisations committed in Northern Ireland.

(91435)

132
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what were the total number of people (a) killed and (b) injured as a result of crimes committed by prisoners who were subsequently successful in their application for an accelerated release date.

(91439)

133
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many prisoners who successfully applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date have reoffended since their release; and what was the nature of their new offences.

(91437)

134
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list, for each prisoner who successfully applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date, the nature of their offence, the term of imprisonment to which they were sentenced, and the term of imprisonment that they served prior to their release.

(91451)

135
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list for (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 the number of (i) punishment beatings and (ii) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (1) Loyalist and (2) Republican groups.

(91436)

136
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many prisoners have to date applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date; in how many cases the Commission made a determination; and, for unsuccessful applications, what reasons were given.

(91440)

137
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what (a) policing costs and (b) other costs have been incurred through action taken to locate victims' remains under the Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999; what progress has been made; and if she will make a statement.

(91453)

138
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what proportion of prisoners who successfully applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date were released having served less than (a) a quarter and (b) one half of their sentence.

(91438)

139
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Prime Minister, what proposals Her Majesty's Government has evaluated on the (a) creation of new institutions and (b) enhancement of existing ones in respect of the application of international legal procedures to the determination of the justification for possible interventions for humanitarian reasons, with particular reference to the relationship between such authority and considerations of national sovereignty.

(91729)

140
N   Mr Ron Davies (Caerphilly):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his announcement of a new £50 million enterprise fund on 6th July, what provision is being made for Wales.

(91420)

141
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the impact which the proposed climate change levy will have on the Scottish agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement.

(91675)

142
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he has an official residence in Scotland.

(91649)

143
N   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if statements he made during the Scottish Parliament elections relating to the costs of a separate Scottish social security administration were made in his official capacity as Secretary of State for Social Security; and if he will make a statement.

(90945)

144
N   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list the location and number of remote access terminals for local authorities in Scotland; if it is possible to restrict local authorities' access to information relating only to claimants in their own local authority area; and if he will make a statement.

(91200)

145
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd July, Official Report, column 307, on pensions, how many claims for pension payments were not processed (a) within 20 days and (b) within 60 days and, of those not processed within 60 days, what was (i) the average time and (ii) the longest time, for processing in the 12 months up to 31st May.

(91482)

146
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how long an employee made redundant has to wait before becoming entitled to claim jobseeker's allowance; what other benefits are available during this period; if the same time limit applies if the employee has to make a claim to the Redundancy Board; what plans he has to review this system; and if he will make a statement.

(91427)

147
N   Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Perth, of 2nd July, Official Report, columns 305-7, if he will indicate the (i) number of staff employed, (ii) wage costs and (iii) running costs of each of the branch network offices of the Benefits Agency in the North East of Scotland Region.

(91201)

148
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what estimate he has made of the size of community which would be served by a 100mw tidal energy power plant.

(91647)

149
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how much expenditure his Department (a) has incurred to date and (b) expects to incur in the future on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement.

(91421)

150
N   Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will make a statement on the contribution of motorsport engineering to UK manufacturing competitiveness.

(90008)

151
N   Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans he has to review the operation of company law in the matter of (a) frequency of registering accounts and (b) penalties for late registration of accounts in relation to (i) trading and (ii) non-trading companies.

(91300)

152
N   Mr Ron Davies (Caerphilly):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what allocation the United Kingdom has received of European structural funds; and what percentage take-up he estimates there will be for each year in the programme.

(91454)

153
N   Mr Ron Davies (Caerphilly):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what principles will determine the allocation of EU structural funds to each of the UK's objective 1 areas.

(91455)

154
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will list the possible steps being considered by his Department under its proposals to liberalise further the postal market referred to at page 21 of the Post Office White Paper.

(91746)

155
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what powers will be given to the Post Office regulator to ensure that the debt : equity ratio of the Post Office non-monopoly services will be similar to those operating generally in the private sector of these markets, under the arrangement proposed in the Post Office White Paper.

(91755)

156
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what power the proposed Post Office Regulator will have to ensure fair competition by the Post Office in the area of those non-monopoly services which are still subject to the universal service obligation.

(91744)

157
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when he plans to introduce legislation to create the Post Office as a public limited company.

(91752)

158
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will list the studies carried out in Europe by the European Commission referred to on page 19 of the Post Office White Paper regarding the need for greater competition in postal services.

(91747)

159
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if, under the proposal for the Post Office outlined in the Post Office White Paper, the Government will underwrite any debt issued or raised.

(91739)

160
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, by what mechanism the company referred to at paragraph 18, page 51 of the Post Office White Paper will enforce the duties which it is proposed the directors of that company will owe to that company.

(91734)

161
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment he made of the compatibility of his proposals relating to the duties to be owed by the directors of the Post Office plc with the provision of the Companies Acts.

(91751)

162
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how the non-monopoly services of the Post Office will account for the cost of capital tied up in its fixed assets; and how such fixed assets will be valued under the arrangement proposed in the Post Office White Paper.

(91737)

163
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if the Post Office exemption from traffic regulations will apply to its non-monopoly service vehicles under the proposals set out in the Post Office White Paper.

(91753)

164
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if debt incurred by the Post Office under the proposals in the Post Office White Paper will be accounted for as Government debt.

(91743)

165
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what borrowing limits his Department will propose be laid down by Parliament for borrowing by the Post Office under the proposed arrangements for borrowing subject to Government approval set out in the Post Office White Paper.

(91754)

166
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what fee will be paid by the Department of Social Security to sub post offices for administering cash benefit payments under the arrangements applicable from 2003.

(91749)

167
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if, under the proposed public limited company status for the Post Office, it will be possible for the company to be put into (a) receivership by creditors, (b) voluntary liquidation and (c) compulsory liquidation.

(91740)

168
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if the Post Office will be included in the proposed Utilities Bill.

(91741)

169
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what additional government services the Government plans to deliver through the sub-post office network.

(91748)

170
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will list those countries included in his Department's analysis of the postal services of other countries in which the postal services have been reformed in a way similar to that proposed in the Post Office White Paper; and what system of price regulation was adopted, listing in each case the appropriate formula.

(91738)

171
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plan he has to ensure that following its conversion to a public limited company Ministers remain accountable to Parliament for the Post Office.

(91757)

172
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what safeguards will be incorporated in the measures proposed in the Post Office White Paper to ensure that the terms of the loan arrangement, other than the rate of interest, are on an arm's length basis.

(91742)

173
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if the Post Office's power to acquire land by compulsory purchase order will apply to its non-monopoly services following its conversion to a public limited company.

(91745)

174
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many community sub post offices there are in the United Kingdom.

(91766)

175
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, over what periods the Post Office will be permitted to borrow under the proposals in the Post Office White Paper.

(91750)

176
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if the Post Office Regulator will be required to publish details of internal transfer pricing arrangements under the proposals in the Post Office White Paper.

(91736)

177
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what measures he has implemented to ensure that the transfer of Royal Mail priority services to Parcel Force does not result in any monopoly services being delivered by Parcel Force.

(91735)

178
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, under the proposals in the Post Office White Paper, what measures will be put in place to ensure that charges between the monopoly service provider division of the Post Office and the non-monopoly service provider divisions are arrived at on an arm's length basis; what services will be included in these arrangements; and how they will be valued.

(91756)

179
N   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what financial support his Department has given the car industry since May 1997.

(90013)

180
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will make a statement about competition in the dairy industry.

(90015)

181
   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, for what reasons the honourable Member for Fylde was not advised directly on 13th July of his Department's future proposals for BNFL's financial arrangements.

(91710)

182
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, following his announcement of a stricter power station consents policy for a limited period while other reforms of the electricity market are put in place, what criteria must be met before he will relax the policy; and when he will carry this out.

(91573)

183
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

( 91681)

184
N   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what representations he has made to BP concerning the safety and maintenance of the Alaskan pipeline; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (91423)

185
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the setting-up of elected safety representatives and safety committees within the construction industry.

[Transferred] (91717)

186
   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many members of the public have died in (a) accidents and (b) suicides in the River Severn in the Wyre Forest District Council area in the past 10 years; and what was the cause of death in each case.

[Transferred] (91581)

187
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the level of misuse of international aid sent to Bosnia; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (91719)

188
   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to put feet on seats in public transport.

[Transferred] (91550)