Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1998-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Thursday 4 November 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 4 November 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 4th NOVEMBER

1
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many EU vessels, by nationality, are covered by agreements with non-EU countries for fisheries access; what is the total cost of these agreements to the EU budget; and if he will deposit the Commission Report on third country fisheries agreements in the Library.

(97521)

2
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what proportion of EU national fishing fleets are based in objective 1 areas, broken down by country.

(97525)

3
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he first received advice from the EU that full-time veterinary inspection in low-throughput slaughterhouses was not necessary.

(97541)

4
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when his Department first learned of the inclusion of sewage sludge in animal feedstuffs.

(97571)

5
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what discussions he held on the conservation of sand eels at the October Fisheries Council.

(97574)

6
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what funding his Department has provided for research and development into organic farming for each year from 1992 to date; and if he will make a statement.

(97280)

7
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on prospects for the dairy industry.

(95837)

8
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he plans to begin consultation on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board; and if he will make a statement.

(97381)

9
   Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he plans to introduce new arrangements under which (a) he will nominate the certifying local veterinary inspector who is to inspect an individual consignment of live farm animals destined for export and (b) he will pay the local veterinary inspector and recover the costs for this service through charges on the exporter; and if he will make a statement.

(97352)

10
   Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what support measures he plans to introduce for quarantine kennel owners during the transition period before the introduction of the pet travel scheme.

(97377)

11
   Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he is taking to discourage vessels which carry live farm animals from Dover to the continent from sailing (a) during severe weather conditions and (b) when severe weather conditions are forecast.

(97552)

12
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what reports he has received about the French response to the European Commission report exposing instances of the use of sewage sludge in feed for French livestock; and if he will publish them.

(97229)

13
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he can take to prevent the import of food and food products known or believed to have been produced using illegal methods.

(97230)

14
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has received regarding the Future Funding of the BBC; and if he will publish the results of the consultation.

(97557)

15
   Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what developments there have been in the transmission on terrestrial television channels of major sporting events in the last five years; what representations his Department has received on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

(97436)

16
   Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has been made in eliminating racist behaviour among spectators at football matches.

(97435)

17
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to introduce a common pay scale for the armed forces.

(97354)

18
   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of soldiers serving for three years extended their service beyond three years by (a) three, (b) six, and (c) nine years in each of the last five years.

(97518)

19
   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what effect the extension of the minimum commitment for soldiers from three to four years will have on pay differentials for those signing on for an extended three, six or nine years.

(97519)

20
   Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had concerning the implications for future British involvement in peacekeeping operations of ratification of the International Criminal Court.

(97515)

21
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contribution the armed forces made to the Patten Commission on policing in Northern Ireland.

(97558)

22
N   Mr Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the Government's latest estimate of the proportion of young people in England entering higher education at the beginning of the academic year 1999-2000 from (a) semi-skilled and (b) unskilled family backgrounds and (c) from disadvantaged localities; and what were the comparable figures for each of the last three years.

(97153)

23
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when he expects to make a decision concerning the application of Bolton Institute of Higher Education to become a university.

(97362)

24
N   Mr Cynog Dafis (Ceredigion):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will include in the new citizenship curriculum provision for the study of aspects of global citizenship, in particular sustainable development.

(96461)

25
N   Mr Cynog Dafis (Ceredigion):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures he is taking to ensure that guidance notes on the citizenship curriculum give attention to global citizenship.

(96462)

26
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what analysis his Department has undertaken of the impact of decisions by the Teacher Training Agency to withdraw funding from teacher training institutions on the number of primary and secondary school teachers completing initial teacher training courses; and if he will make a statement.

(97269)

27
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was, for every further education college in the Greater London area, for 1998-99 (a) the salary level of the college principal, (b) the staff numbers, (c) the student numbers and (d) the college's total budget.

(97271)

28
   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many places in after-school and holiday clubs there were in successful New Opportunities Fund bids up to and including the October 1999 awards broken down by local authority; and what percentage of children aged five to 14 years in each area this represented.

(97560)

29
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will estimate the number of mature students at universities and other higher education establishments for the years (a) 1989, (b) 1994 and (c) 1999; and if he will make a statement.

(97370)

30
   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many young people who have been in local authority care have completed the New Deal Gateway and left for (a) unsubsidised employment, (b) subsidised employment, (c) education or training, (d) an environmental task force, (e) the voluntary sector, (f) other benefits, (g) other known destinations and (h) unknown destinations.

(97303)

31
   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many young people who have been in local authority care have entered the New Deal; and what proportion this represents of care leavers aged 18 to 24 years who are unemployed.

(97305)

32
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the total amount spent by each local authority on discretionary awards to support access to further education in 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

(97547)

33
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the total amount top sliced from the SSA discretionary awards budget to pay for the educational maintenance allowance pilots in 1999-2000.

(97548)

34
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which body is responsible for monitoring complaints by air passengers regarding perceived dangerous in-flight incidents.

(97265)

35
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what powers he has to grant an extension of time beyond an orginal deadline to a water company to permit submission of its statement of case and list of documents in relation to an application for compulsory purchase.

(97542)

36
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, by what means the Government will define energy-intensive operations when deciding which firms will receive significant discounts on the climate change levy.

(97378)

37
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, with which less energy-intensive sectors the Government has started preliminary discussions on energy efficiency agreements; and to what extent those discussions have included the possibility of linking in with such agreements a mechanism for varying rates of climate change levy.

(97380)

38
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will instruct the inspector at the public inquiry on the future policy of waste disposal in Essex, currently being held at Chelmsford, immediately to make the written submissions to that inquiry available to the press and interested local parties.

(97130)

39
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on his policy towards publishing written submissions by interested parties prior to the holding of a public inquiry into local waste disposal projects.

(97131)

40
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what reports he has received from Railtrack plc as regards their preparation for the year 2000 and the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement.

(97272)

41
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what reports the railway industry has submitted to him an end-to-end validation of its computer systems for the year 2000; and if he will place copies of such reports in the Library.

(97301)

42
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if Railtrack has reported to him on the completion of its end-to-end validation of its computer systems in respect of the year 2000 millennium bug; and if he will make a statement.

(97300)

43
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the cost of road-improvement works in connection with the line of pylons from Lackenby to Shipton; and if he will make a statement.

(97375)

44
   Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to introduce legislation on leasehold reform.

(97434)

45
   Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to set targets for (a) investment in railways serving rural areas and (b) improvement in rail services in rural areas.

(97433)

46
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) deaths and (b) injuries attributable to accidents involving drivers using mobile telephones.

(97573)

47
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the consent levels are for emissions from the Edmonton and Lewisham incinerators for (a) carbon monoxide, (b) hydrogen chloride, (c) nitrogen dioxide, (d) particulates and (e) sulphur dioxide.

(97448)

48
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many unauthorised emissions, by types and quantities, there have been from the (a) Edmonton and (b) Lewisham incinerators since January 1996; and if he will make a statement.

(97449)

49
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what quantities of plutonium contaminated waste have been created to date in the production of MOX fuel for export at Sellafield; and what arrangements exist for the storage or disposal of plutonium contaminated radioactive wastes from MOX production.

(97453)

50
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what actions he plans to take following the judgement of the Divisional Court on 15th October in the case of Murtagh and Carter and Bromsgrove District Council concerning the licensing of private hire vehicles and cross boundary operation; and if he will make a statement.

(97274)

51
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to issue guidance to water companies regarding the provision of public warning notices at watercourses subject to contamination from combined sewer overflows.

(97387)

52
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to deal with the contamination of watercourses by effluent from combined sewage overflows.

(97388)

53
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the funding available for the current financial year in respect of the Rail Passenger Partnership Fund.

(97568)

54
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the eligibility of proposals to provide for the opportunity to retain an option of securing rail passenger services following the reopening of the Caldon Low line for freight.

(97570)

55
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will report on the progress of successful bids under the Rail Partnership Fund indicating in each case the location and amount granted.

(97569)

56
   Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to make Part M of the Building Regulations more accessible to people with a disability.

(97368)

57
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to ensure that the Boundary Commission completes a review of North Yorkshire County Council Divisions in time for the May 2001 county council elections.

(97551)

58
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with EU member states and the Commission regarding the harmonisation of excise duty on beer.

(97543)

59
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answers to the honourable Member for Buckingham of 27th October, Official Report, column 895, if he will list which organisations appear in which working party of the outline National Changeover Plan; and if he will make a statement on the activities and conclusions to date of each working group.

(97567)

60
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received from governors of central banks in Europe over the limiting of gold sales.

(97561)

61
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures he has taken to ensure that banks address issues of financial exclusion arising from branch closures.

(97128)

62
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what action he is taking to ensure that banks in England and Wales and Northern Ireland follow the lead of Scottish banks in offering basic bank accounts within minimal legal requirements to any customers who need and seek one.

(97127)

63
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will start rating the banks using post code information currently available on the basis of the extent to which they are providing credit and banking services to every part of the country.

(97113)

64
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the balance of the National Insurance Fund at (a) 31st March, (b) 30th September and (c) the latest date for which information is available.

(97359)

65
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the estimated annual amount of tax foregone as a consequence of the cross channel trade in (a) alcholic drinks and (b) tobacco products.

(97544)

66
   Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of Scots who have been resident in England in each of the last five years.

(97369)

67
N   Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the gold reserves of (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany.

(97152)

68
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list (a) British and (b) European Communities delegations to the conference on federalism at Mont Tremblant, Quebec, in October; which members of either gave speeches; and if he will deposit texts of the speeches in the Library.

(97523)

69
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is the (a) average and (b) longest recorded period of delay for a response to a parliamentary question from an MEP to the European Commission; and what representations he has made on this subject, with reference to (i) the time of response and (ii) the time to publish.

(97528)

70
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Hawk aircraft have arrived in Indonesia since the 16th September common position of the European Council; how many have been halted in transit; and what discussions he has held with representatives of (a) British industry, (b) overseas posts and (c) foreign agencies on the issue of halting Hawk transfers in transit.

(97575)

71
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will deposit in the Library a list of those areas which the Government has indicated a willingness to discuss as focus points for Treaty modification.

(97531)

72
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is the average length of the working week in hours, broken down by grade, of staff in his Department (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas.

(97532)

73
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is his policy on the establishment of a college of diplomacy of the European Union.

(97524)

74
   Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had concerning the implications for future British involvement in peacekeeping operations of ratification of the International Criminal Court.

(97516)

75
N   Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish the list of already appointed members of the EU's Charter Working Group and the names of other members on appointment.

(97154)

76
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what has been the cost of training, provided under the ASSIST programme, (a) in total and (b) to China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Croatia, Russia and Turkey.

(97511)

77
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many personnel have benefited from training, provided under the ASSIST programme, (a) in total and (b) from China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Croatia, Russia and Turkey.

(97512)

78
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what has been the content of ASSIST training courses provided to personnel from (a) China, (b) Malaysia, (c) Pakistan, (d) Nigeria, (e) Croatia, (f) Russia and (g) Turkey.

(97514)

79
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which NGOs have been involved in compiling ASSIST training courses for (a) China, (b) Malaysia, (c) Pakistan, (d) Nigeria, (e) Croatia, (f) Russia and (g) Turkey.

(97513)

80
N   Mr John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Cynon Valley of 28th October, Official Report, column 993, how many meetings between his Department's officials and the Metropolitan Police took place; on what dates; who was present at each meeting; for what reasons no minutes were taken at any of these meetings; if, as a result of these meetings, letters or memos were sent by his Department's officials to the police or vice-versa; and who represented the police at these meetings.

(97259)

81
N   Mr John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many meetings took place between his Department's officials and the Metropolitan Police in preparation for the state visit of the President of Hungary in June; on what dates; who represented the police at these meetings; and if minutes were taken.

(97254)

82
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Iranian Government concerning the trial of the students charged with insulting the Imam; when and at what level such representations were made; what assurances were received; and if he will make a statement.

(95783)

83
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the current human rights situation in Kashmir; and what representations he has made to the Indian Government.

(97581)

84
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on progress in the Middle East peace process.

(97580)

85
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to extend full British citizenship to cover the population of St. Helena; and if he will make a statement.

(97466)

86
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans has he to introduce fast-track treatment for macular eye disease.

(97356)

87
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in the United Kingdom suffer from macular eye disease.

(97357)

88
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures he plans to introduce to reduce alcohol abuse among juveniles.

(97353)

89
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish the results of the most recent NHS hospital and community health services recruitment, retention and vacancy survey, broken down by NHS region.

(97270)

90
   Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what has been the increase in nursing provision for regional health authorities in England since 1st May 1997.

(97358)

91
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 25th October, Official Report, column 752, on residential accommodation for elderly people, what representations his Department has received on the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care for the Elderly; and if he will make public a summary of representations received.

(97563)

92
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to conclude his review of long-term care; and if he will make a statement.

(97553)

93
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many representations from (a) organisations and (b) individuals he has received on the subject of long-term care since the publication of the Royal Commission's report.

(97382)

94
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on the Iceni Team Midwifery Group in Colchester; and if he will make a statement.

(97447)

95
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many team midwifery groups have been disbanded in each of the last three years for which figures are available, indicating the reasons given in each case; and if he will make a statement.

(97452)

96
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on team midwifery groups.

(97451)

97
N   Mrs Gillian Shephard (South West Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many copies of the report of the Centre for Policy on Ageing Standards for Care Homes' he has made available to consultees; and if he will make a statement.

(97155)

98
   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the total level of resources he spent in the (a) current and (b) previous financial year to support 16 and 17 year olds leaving local authority care.

(97304)

99
   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the total level of resources he spent in the (a) current and (b) previous financial year to support 16 and 17 year olds in local authority care.

(97302)

100
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received regarding the length of the consultation period on the national required standards for residential coma care; and if he will make a statement.

(97367)

101
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will extend the period of consultation on the national required standards for residential and nursing homes.

(97366)

102
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Hampshire Coma Association can expect a response to its letter to the Minister of State of 6th October.

(97360)

103
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to address the backlog of cervical smears waiting assessment by cytologists.

(97439)

104
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the remuneration of cervical cytology technicians.

(97440)

105
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the (a) pay levels and (b) structure of laboratory scientists and technicians working in the NHS.

(97438)

106
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his plans for the School Nursing Service.

(97437)

107
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what reduction there has been in the numbers of school nurses, broken down by health authority, over the last three years.

(97443)

108
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which health authorities have not vaccinated children against tuberculosis in each of the last three years.

(97442)

109
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of tuberculosis have been reported over the last three years, broken down by health authority.

(97441)

110
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidence his Department issues aimed at increasing awareness of the recognition and treatment of epilepsy in (a) schools and colleges and (b) the workplace.

(97468)

111
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the incidence of epilepsy (a) amongst those aged (i) under 16 years, (ii) 16 to 60 years, and (iii) over 60 years, and (b) in total in the most recent year for which figures are available.

(97470)

112
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the level of funding targeted by his Department on (a) the treatment of epilepsy and (b) research into epilepsy during 1999.

(97469)

113
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the mechanism by which Her Majesty's Government can rescind participation in Schengen.

(97527)

114
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, from which elements of Schengen Information System data, in accordance with Section 13 of the Commission Opinion on the request by the UK to take part in certain provisions of the Schengen acquis, the Commission recommends the UK remain excluded from access.

(97522)

115
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the Picking up the Pieces III report from local authorities dated 11th to 13th January.

(97273)

116
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was (a) the total cost and (b) the cost by force of running police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available in each of the 43 police authorities in England and Wales.

(97119)

117
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will state (a) what categories of complaints and (b) how many complaints were received in each category, by the police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available, in each of the 43 police authorities in England and Wales.

(97120)

118
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of days taken in investigating complaints for each of the police complaints and discipline departments in each authority in England and Wales for the last year in which figures are available.

(97121)

119
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers, broken down by rank, were employed in each of the 43 police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available.

(97122)

120
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many whole-time equivalent police officers, broken down by rank, were seconded to each of the 43 police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available.

(97123)

121
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many whole-time equivalent non-police support staff were employed to work in each of the 43 police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available.

(97124)

122
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of hours spent on investigations, broken down by category, by the police complaints and discipline departments in each of the 43 police complaints authorities in England and Wales for the last year for which figures are available.

(97125)

123
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (a) how many complaints and (b) in what categories, were supervised by the police complaints authority in each of the 43 police authorities in England and Wales for the last year in which figures are available.

(97126)

124
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers were serving in the Barnet and Hertsmere division of the Metropolitan Police (a) on 1st May 1997 and (b) according to the most recent figures available.

(97298)

125
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to announce the results of his examination of guidance on the exercise of powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 by the DETR and his Department relating to travellers.

(97384)

126
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the reparation orders made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 were imposed in respect of offences relating to graffiti; and if he will make a statement.

(97277)

127
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the use of (a) reparation orders made by the courts under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and (b) reparation orders imposed in respect of offences relating to graffiti; and if he will make a statement.

(97276)

128
   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish a breakdown of the offences for which (a) anti-social behaviour orders, (b) sex offender orders, (c) parenting orders, (d) child safety orders, (e) reparation orders, (f) drug treatment and testing orders and (g) action plan orders, have been made to date under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

(97361)

129
   Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions his Department has had concerning the implications for future British involvement in peacekeeping operations of ratification of the International Criminal Court.

(97517)

130
N   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish the conditions which police forces in England and Wales must fulfil before they can apply to his Crime Fighting Fund for money to recruit additional officers.

(97232)

131
N   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he had made, at the time of his announcement of 16,000 police recruits on 30th September, of the number of officers who would leave the service over the next three years.

(97234)

132
N   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what were (a) the total police strength, (b) the total number of officers available for ordinary duty and (c) the total number of constables for (i) each of the police forces in England and Wales and (ii) England and Wales as a whole on 31st March 1979 and on 31st March in each subsequent year to date.

(97231)

133
N   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with police authorities and chief constables regarding the allocation of funding for the Public Safety Radio Communications Project; and what estimate he has made of the project's cost in each of the police force areas in England and Wales.

(97233)

134
   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library the submissions made to the Home Office Working Party on Electoral Procedures by the two main consumer credit reference agencies; and if he will make a statement.

(97431)

135
   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimates his Department has made of the effect the proposals by the Home Office Working Party on Electoral Procedures on commercial access to the electoral register would have on (a) costs to and employment in the direct marketing and mail order industry and (b) fund raising by charities; and if he will make a statement.

(97432)

136
   Mr Jim Marshall (Leicester South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what options are available to visitors to the UK who are refused entry and who have no right of appeal against the decision; what steps are taken to make such visitors and their sponsors in the UK aware of those options before they are required to leave the country; and if it is the practice to stamp passports with a symbol indicating that entry has been refused before the visitor has had the opportunity to exercise such options.

(97446)

137
   Mr Jim Marshall (Leicester South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list for the latest period for which figures are available the number of people entering the UK from non-EU countries as visitors with permission to stay for up to six months; the proportion of these not permitted to pass immediately through passport control but subject to interview and the proportion of those interviewed refused entry.

(97445)

138
   Mr Jim Marshall (Leicester South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the average waiting time at (a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick airports of people wishing to enter the UK as visitors who are not permitted to pass immediately through passport control but are subject to interview.

(97444)

139
   Mr Jim Marshall (Leicester South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are taken to ensure that the Immigration and Nationality Directorate operates in a non-discriminatory way; and what monitoring is carried out of the Directorate's (a) operations and (b) statistics on immigration case decisions.

(97530)

140
   Mr Jim Marshall (Leicester South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the numbers of staff employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate who deal with individual casework excluding administrative staff, indicating the proportions from (a) black and (b) ethnic minority communities.

(97529)

141
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he has issued in respect of evidence in criminal trials from vulnerable witnesses in accordance with the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.

(97374)

142
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to implement sections 40 and 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.

(97371)

143
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he has issued to police authorities in respect of the concession in immigration law on the one year rule in respect of domestic violence.

(97372)

144
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he has issued to Women's Aid and other agencies regarding the concession in immigration law on the one year rule in respect of domestic violence.

(97373)

145
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) men and (b) women died as a result of domestic violence in each of the last three years for which figures were available; and if he will make a statement.

(97450)

146
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are currently detained under the Immigration Acts in (a) detention centres, (b) Prison Service establishments and (c) other accommodation.

(97576)

147
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to amend the draft Freedom of Information Bill to accommodate commitments on environmental information disclosure contained in EU directives and the Aarhus Convention on Access to Environmental Information.

(97364)

148
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to amend the draft Freedom of Information Bill to ensure that non-departmental public bodies are required to disclose information explaining the bases of their decisions to allocate financial resources.

(97365)

149
   Mr Neil Turner (Wigan):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many claims made for compensation for the surrender of handguns and ammunition have (a) been settled and (b) remain outstanding; what has been the total compensation paid to date; and what the final figure is expected to be.

(97545)

150
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has, at what cost, to upgrade the software used by the Probation Service; and if he will publish a detailed list of errors in and omissions from the specifications of the original software.

(97549)

151
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to seek compensation from the suppliers of software to the Probation Service.

(97550)

152
   Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth and Camborne):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many advisers the South African Sandmen's Institute employ, who are funded by her Department, to work with the San bushmen of South Africa.

(97264)

153
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid programmes her Department is supporting in the current financial year in Pakistan; at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1998-99.

(97582)

154
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid programmes her Department is supporting in India in the current financial year; at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1998-99.

(97583)

155
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when he expects to respond (a) to the Law Commission's Report of March 1998 on liability for psychiatric illness and (b) to the Law Commission's report of December 1997 on aggravated and exemplary damages.

(97540)

156
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, for each of the last three years, what is (a) the average, (b) the longest and (c) the median time taken by Social Security Commissioners between conducting an appeal hearing and reaching a decision.

(97538)

157
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, for each of the last three years, how many appeals were lodged with the Social Security Commissioners; and how many were successful (a) in full and (b) in part.

(97536)

158
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, for each of the last three years, what is (a) the average, (b) the longest and (c) the median length of time between the lodging of an appeal to the Social Security Commissioners and the hearing of the appeal.

(97537)

159
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, for each of the last three years, what is the (a) average, (b) longest and (c) median number of appeals (i) heard and (ii) decided by Social Security Commissioners.

(97539)

160
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what languages other than English have been used in advertising designed to convey the Government's message about Year 2000 compliance to ethnic minority communities.

(97279)

161
N   Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if, when he last met representatives of the Equality Commission, they discussed matters relating to the extension of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to incorporate (a) further education colleges, (b) universities and (c) university colleges of education; and if he will make a statement.

(96886)

162
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) statutory and (b) voluntary bodies there are in Northern Ireland which deal with substance abuse and rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement.

(97455)

163
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much money is spent per annum in Northern Ireland on substance abuse rehabilitation by (a) statutory and (b) voluntary bodies; and if he will make a statement.

(97456)

164
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what indicators are used by (a) statutory and (b) voluntary bodies in Northern Ireland to measure the success of programmes working with substance abuse and rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement.

(97457)

165
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what level of co-operation there is between (a) statutory and (b) voluntary organisations working in Northern Ireland on substance misuse and rehabilitation programmes; and if he will make a statement.

(97458)

166
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much money is ring-fenced by local health boards in Northern Ireland for substance abuse rehabilitation schemes; and if he will make a statement.

(97459)

167
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many legally held (a) shotguns, (b) rifles, (c) handguns, (d) air-powered weapons and (e) other types of firearms were used to commit (i) unlawful homicides, (ii) murders and (iii) attempted murders in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years and the current year to date; and, in each year, broken down by category, how many of the weapons were used in those crimes by (A) the person legally entitled to use them, (B) other persons of the owner's household and (C) other persons using weapons stolen from their legal owner; and if he will publish the same information in regard to firearms held by the security forces.

(97454)

168
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what sums were allowed in the RUC budget in each police subdivision in each of the last five years and the current year, for police overtime; how many hours these sums represented; and how many of these hours were actually used in each sub division.

(97559)

169
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what sums were budgeted for in respect of RUC overtime in each of the last five years and the current year; how much was expended on overtime in each of these years and the current year to date; what was the number of hours provided for in each of these years and the current year; and how many of these hours were actually used by the RUC.

(97376)

170
   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will publish the recorded assaults on social service personnel during the course of their work in each of the last two years for which figures are available.

(97275)

171
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the President of the Council, what means she has used to target small shopkeepers from the Asian community to ensure they are Year 2000 compliant.

(97278)

172
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Prime Minister, further to his reply to the honourable Member for Buckingham of 26th October, Official Report, column 772, on the Intergovernmental Conference, if it is his Government's policy to seek a review of the Common Fisheries Policy prior to 2002.

(97564)

173
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for North Tayside of 26th October, Official Report, column 876, on the state pension, what rates of increase in average earnings were assumed in calculating the cost of uprating the basic pension in line with earnings.

(97555)

174
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is the estimated cost of income support for pensioners in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02; and what levels of take-up are assumed, as a percentage of beneficiaries and potential expenditure.

(97554)

175
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is the shortest possible time between announcement and implementation of the annual uprating of benefits.

(97556)

176
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many cases of people incorrectly claiming incapacity benefit instead of the long-term unemployed benefit have been identified (a) this year and (b) in each of the last three years.

(97268)

177
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many women have claimed (a) incapacity benefit and (b) severe disablement allowance (i) this year and (ii) in each of the last three years.

(97266)

178
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many people have claimed the higher rate of disablity living allowance (a) this year and (b) in each of the last three years.

(97267)

179
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the current status of the draft Council Directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees; and if a blocking minority currently shares the Government's position.

(97565)

180
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has made to the European Commission about the accelerated tariff liberalisation proposed by APEC; and if he will make a statement.

(97151)

181
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what analysis he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of APEC's proposals in respect of accelerated tariff liberalisation of (a) chemicals, (b) energy products, (c) environmental products, (d) fish, (e) forest products, (f) gems and jewellery, (g) medical and scientific equipment and (h) toys.

(97150)

182
   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his Answer on 28th October, Official Report, column 935, concerning the calculations of costs arising from changes to the regulations governing care agencies, if he will (a) itemise the reasons his Department does not accept the calculations and (b) publish his own calculations.

(97386)

183
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to extend the Working Time Directive to the transport industry.

(97355)

184
   Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he expects to receive the result of the Competition Commission's investigations into supermarkets in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

(97299)

185
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if Dr Julian Baybrook, of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, wrote on behalf of the Weinberg Group Experts' Committee to all European Commissioners against an emergency ban on toys containing phthalates; and if he will make a statement.

(97463)

186
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what response he has made to the statement made by the European Union Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment on 28th September on the adequacy of the tests developed by the Laboratory of the Government Scientist, for toys containing phthalates; and if he will make a statement.

(97464)

187
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans the Government has to ensure that British children are not exposed to phthalates in toys and to support the temporary ban proposed by the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection; and if he will make a statement.

(97465)

188
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if Dr Julian Baybrook, of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, participated as a UK Government delegate in the European Commission's Emergencies Committee meeting on 14th July 1998; and if he will make a statement.

(97461)

189
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what role the Laboratory of the Government Chemist has played in relation to phthalates in toys and in (a) advising and (b) representing the Government on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

(97460)

190
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if Dr Julian Baybrook, of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, chaired an Expert Committee on phthalates in toys, set up by the Weinberg Group; and if he will make a statement.

(97462)

191
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which inspectors previously assigned to investigate the case of share dealing in Anglia TV by Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare are involved in the present investigation.

(97383)

192
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what restrictions apply to the public disclosure of information on the nature of the interview, by persons interviewed by his Department's inspectors in connection with an investigation under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986.

(97363)

193
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he expects to receive the European Commission's views on the proposed Objective 2 areas identified by the Government.

(97546)

194
N   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he expects to receive the results of the further investigation into the allegations of insider dealing by Lord Archer of Weston Super Mare in respect of shares in Anglia TV.

(97253)

195
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the impact of the National Minimum Wage.

(97578)

196
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate he has made of the number of the people who have benefitted from the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.

(97579)

197
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply to the honourable Member for Putney of 29th October, Official Report, column 1016, on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, if he will list the relevant companies and institutions to which he makes reference in respect of safeguards declarations.

(97562)

198
N   Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions he has had with the European Commission about the regulation of e-commerce; and if he will make a statement.

(95831)

199
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the European Commission draft review of the European Union Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste; and if he will make a statement.

(97473)

200
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures he proposes to ensure that (a) retailers and (b) packer and fillers take an increased share of the recovery and recycling obligation contained in the UK Packaging Waste Regulations 1997.

(97472)

201
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will estimate the cost to United Kingdom companies of increasing recovery targets from 50 per cent. to 75 per cent. as contained in the European Union's Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste.

(97474)

202
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will estimate the increased cost to United Kingdom packaging manufacturers following implementation of the UK Packaging Waste Regulations in 1997.

(97471)

203
N   Helen Southworth (Warrington South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action he plans to take to make it easier for British consumers to buy fairly-priced cars.

[Question Unstarred] (95846)

204
   Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what data he has collated concerning the numbers of 18 to 25 year olds moving from the North to the South of England to seek employment; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (97572)

205
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what research has been conducted into the impact on less energy-intensive firms and sectors of granting significant discounts to energy-intensive operations; and how this has affected the levels and extent of such discounts.

[Transferred] (97379)

206
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was the cost to date of running EU pavilions at international exhibitions; what was the function of these pavilions; how many staff were involved; what was the pertinent budget line; and if he will list (i) display titles, (ii) videos and (iii) publications present.

[Transferred] (97526)

207
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Buckingham of 26th October, Official Report, column 802, for what reason the information sought is not available.

[Transferred] (97566)

208
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what measures she proposes to (a) increase the standard of living of the residents of St. Helena and (b) improve access to St. Helena; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (97385)

209
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what percentage of immigration cases required DNA tests to prove family relationships in each of the last three years.

[Transferred] (97577)

210
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, what is the cost of refurbishing the Grand Committee Room for the Westminster Hall sittings.

[Transferred] (97520)