Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Monday 15 May 2000

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Monday 15 May, 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.

MONDAY 15th MAY

1
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the incidence of animals being illegally slaughtered without pre-stunning in abattoirs.

(121957)

2
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many statutory instruments have been referred by Government departments to the National Assembly for Wales; and if he will list the dates on which a response was received from the Assembly in each case.

(122456)

3
   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what measures he will take to encourage take up of Lottery funds to regenerate seaside resorts.

(122364)

4
   Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many concessionary television licences have been withdrawn in Rotherham in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 in (i) council-run old peoples' homes and (ii) privately-run old peoples' homes.

(122450)

5
   Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the total cost was of administering the television licence system (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of BBC licence fee revenue in each of the last 10 years.

(122451)

6
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent per year since 1991 by the UK Government on ballistic missile defence research; and how much of each year's expenditure was on pre-feasibility programmes.

(121793)

7
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to Civil Service Appeal Board Case No. AB/6751, held on 13th April, concerning Mr A. J. Ely of Linlithgow and ABRO (MOD), what response he has made to the request by the Board to examine the implementation of the case, with particular reference to the rating of the offence in the charge letter, in their current review of disciplinary procedures.

(120836)

8
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cost of procurement of the Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar for the Royal Artillery; what is the time scale for this programme and the total cost; and if he will make a statement.

(122375)

9
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the development of an advanced amphibious assault vehicle; and if he will make a statement.

(122377)

10
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the name, size and location of DERA-owned sites within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

(122378)

11
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will ensure that the requirement for armoured battle group support vehicles will be met by UK companies and that the vehicles will be built in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

(122387)

12
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the (a) timescale for the delivery and (b) total cost of the contract for the support system for the Rapier FS132 surface to air missile system; if the contract was for a fixed price; and if he will make a statement.

(122376)

13
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the foreign representations that he received in respect of the DERA part sell off and privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

(122379)

14
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans there are to sell part of the land held by the DERA estate before the part sell off of DERA; and if he will make a statement.

(122386)

15
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the original estimated cost of the Hawk Trainer Replacement Airframe Programme; what is the cost expected to be on completion; what is the end date for this contract; and if he will make a statement.

(122374)

16
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cost of meeting the requirement for armoured battlegroup support vehicles; when this requirement will be met; and if he will make a statement.

(122385)

17
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under what terms and conditions staff from the DERA workforce will be transferred to a new organisation after the split of DERA; if the conditions of service for those who remain will stay the same; and if he will make a statement.

(122380)

18
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when and where the first two Type 45 destroyers will commence construction; and what will be their in-service dates.

(122465)

19
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the (a) Castle class and (b) Island class fishery protection and patrol vessels by (i) completion date and (ii) lay off date; and what plans he has for their replacement.

(122464)

20
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many days from 1st January 1999 to date the patrol ship 'Atlantic (North)' has been on patrol at sea.

(122463)

21
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS 'Endurance' (a) left the United Kingdom and (b) will return to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement about the length of this deployment.

(122466)

22
   Mr Kerry Pollard (St. Albans):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the projected costs of reconstructing his Department's building in Whitehall; and if he will make a statement.

(122310)

23
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many further education corporations have not yet cleared their 1998-99 accounts following external audit.

(121687)

24
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the funding available for individual students at further education colleges on similar courses when sourced by (a) the Further Education Funding Council and (b) New Deal programmes.

(121688)

25
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what the timetable is for the mapping of current provision of services to be undertaken by the ConneXions Service as referred to in paragraph 7.20 of ConneXions: the best start in life for every young person.

(122453)

26
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the optimum mix of delivery of the Connexions Service through private, voluntary and public partners as referred to in paragraph 7.12 of Connexions: the best start in life for every young person.

(122454)

27
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many of the 16 and 17 year olds in the Learning Gateway have entered learning and training.

(122349)

28
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his Answer of 19th April, Official Report, column 563W, on ConneXions, how many persons are employed in the National Unit of the ConneXions Service in (a) London, (b) Sheffield and (c) elsewhere; how many of them are from (i) Government departments, (ii) youth and voluntary work and (iii) the private sector; and what is the timetable for employing more persons in the National Unit.

(122473)

29
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if the textbook entitled, Minds and Machines--Britain 1750-1900, published by Longman, is an approved text for Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum.

(122348)

30
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much money was spent by his Department on youth services in the London Borough of Wandsworth in the last year for which figures are available.

(122388)

31
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment was made of the ability of Salter Baker Associates (Education ) Ltd., to meet Ofsted's quality assurance standards following an audit of the company in summer 1999; and what was the date of the assessment.

(121791)

32
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what discussions he has had with Ofsted on measures needed to monitor the financial viability of companies undertaking school inspections; and if he will make a statement.

(121799)

33
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps are being taken by the Contracts Division of Ofsted to ensure that companies undertaking inspections facilitate checks on their financial viability.

(121798)

34
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what concerns were recorded by the Ofsted Contracts Division during their quality assurance audit of Salter Baker Associates (Education) Ltd., in summer 1999.

(121797)

35
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps were taken by Ofsted to ensure that matters of concern raised during its quality assurance audit of Salter Baker Associates (Education) Ltd., were addressed prior to the awarding of inspection contracts for autumn 1999.

(121796)

36
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, on what grounds and on what date Ofsted decided to terminate 14 inspection contracts with Salter Baker Associates (Education) Ltd., in 1999.

(121795)

37
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the documents received by Ofsted from Salter Baker Associates (Education ) Ltd. in August 1999.

(121792)

38
   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the average class size in each infant school in Cleethorpes constituency since 1995.

(122347)

39
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of partnerships that have come together for the delivery of the Connexions Service.

(122455)

40
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to enforce the sharing of mobile phone base station sites; and if he will make a statement.

(122461)

41
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the Sustainable Development Commission will hold its first meeting; and if he will make a statement.

(122462)

42
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to change the planning regulations for mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement.

(122474)

43
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what consultations he had with (a) organic growers and (b) the Soil Association in Herefordshire about the siting of the GM trials at Kempley, Gloucestershire and Preston Wynne, Herefordshire; and if he will make a statement.

(122038)

44
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received from Herefordshire about the siting of the GM trial sites in Kempley, Gloucestershire, and Preston Wynne, Herefordshire; and if he will make a statement.

(122039)

45
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the GM trial sites at Kempley, Gloucestershire and Preston Wynne, Herefordshire on organic farms in Herefordshire within a six mile radius; and if he will make a statement.

(122040)

46
   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many leasehold residential properties there are in each electoral ward in Cleethorpes constituency.

(122351)

47
   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what statutory provisions govern the rights of family members to purchase the freehold of a leasehold residential property they have inherited.

(122352)

48
   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what guidelines his Department has issued on setting a price for the purchase of the freehold of leasehold residential properties.

(122350)

49
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd May, Official Report, column 4W, on Whitley Way, if he will list the representations he has received about this road.

(122300)

50
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement regarding government policy towards the ivory trade and elephant poaching, following the recent agreement of countries attending the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species meeting.

(122141)

51
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he plans to invite tenders for the construction of the A6 Rothwell/Desborough Bypass.

(122325)

52
   Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many households in (a) Scotland and (b) Paisley South which are eligible for the working families tax credit are (i) single parent families where the woman is the sole earner, (ii) single parent families where the man is the sole earner, (iii) couples, where the male is the sole earner, (iv) couples, where the female is the sole earner and (v) dual income families.

(122371)

53
   Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in work are (a) women aged between 50 and 60 years, (b) men aged between 50 and 60 years, (c) women aged between 60 and 65 years, (d) men aged between 60 and 65 years, (e) women aged over 65 years and (f) men aged over 65 years; and what percentage are in full-time employment in each category.

(122370)

54
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate the Treasury has made of the VAT revenue per annum from 2001 on (a) tampons, (b) menstrual towels, (c) panty liners, (d) light use continence pads and (e) heavy use continence pads.

(122102)

55
N   Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what evaluation he has (a) made and (b) commissioned of the potential health risks from the use of (i) high-energy and (ii) low-energy scanning equipment for the detection of smuggled goods and substances at ports of entry.

(121794)

56
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the average income per week per household in the London Borough of Wandsworth.

(122384)

57
N   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the take-up of the child care credit in the working families tax credit.

(120959)

58
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the total cost of the difficulties encountered with the NIRS2 computer system; and what percentage of that cost will be recouped from Andersen Consulting.

(122104)

59
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will hypothecate the proceeds from privatisations, semi-privatisations and outsourcing of services for the purpose of increasing the level of the basic pension.

(122105)

60
N   Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the average amount by which the incomes of families with incomes of less than £12,000 per annum have increased as a result of working families tax credit.

(120971)

61
   Mr Kerry Pollard (St. Albans):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to extend to unincorporated small businesses the new lower 10 per cent. starting tax rate levied on the initial £10,000 business profits.

(122357)

62
   Mr Michael Portillo (Kensington and Chelsea):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many press officers were employed by the Treasury in (a) May 1997 and (b) May 2000.

(122381)

63
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the number and value of unclaimed premium bond prizes for the last 12 months for which figures are available.

(122328)

64
   Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement about the grounds on which the United Kingdom breaks off diplomatic relations with other countries.

(122476)

65
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 8th May, Official Report, column 257W, what evidence he has evaluated of the extent of the financial interests of President Mugabe in OSLEG Private Limited.

(121617)

66
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government regarding the case of Abdullah Ocalan; and if he will make a statement.

(122382)

67
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the (a) meetings attended and (b) people met by Sir David Hannay since 1st January in relation to Cyprus.

(122383)

68
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he proposes to have with the Government of Turkey prior to the next round of talks on Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

(122372)

69
N   Mr Bruce George (Walsall South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the President of Georgia will visit the UK.

(121802)

70
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Bosniak refugees have returned to Zepa and Srebrenica since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

(122316)

71
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what final date has been set for the Kosovo municipal elections.

(122315)

72
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what percentage of pre-war Bosniak inhabitants have returned to Eastern Bosnia since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

(122313)

73
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Serb refugees have returned to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

(122317)

74
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how associate members and associate partners of the WEU will participate in European Union decisions and actions in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy.

(122321)

75
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Bosniak and Croat refugees have returned to the territory described as Republika Srpska since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

(122319)

76
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of progress in establishing an effective judiciary in Kosovo.

(122314)

77
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of progress in preparations, in advance of municipal elections in Kosovo, of regulations to define the function, powers and terms of, and limitations, on the municipal offices there; and what stage has been reached in the approval of these regulations by the UN.

(122318)

78
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the future of the WEU Assembly.

(122322)

79
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of progress in the electoral registration of Kosovar Serbs resident in Serbia.

(122312)

80
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the WEU Assembly proposal to transform the Assembly into a European Security and Defence Assembly.

(122320)

81
   Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on encouraging another country to offer Jonas Savimbi political asylum and immunity from arrest.

(122443)

82
   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is the EU's policy on the eligibility of Tunisia, Morocco and Libya for membership of the European Union.

(122446)

83
   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which targets announced following the European Council meeting in Lisbon on eEurope in March and agreed to by the United Kingdom have been fully implemented; and what is the timetable for implementing the remaining targets.

(122444)

84
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital admissions there were in the (a) Bromley and (b) North Cumbria Health Authority area in each month for the last five years that figures are available.

(122365)

85
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the percentage increase in hospital admissions for cold-related illnesses from December to March above the average for the rest of the year in (a) Bromley and (b) North Cumbria Health Authority area in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(122368)

86
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average cost of a single hospital admission in (a) Bromley Health Authority and (b) North Cumbria in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

(122366)

87
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many deaths were recorded in the (a) Bromley and (b) North Cumbria Health Authority area in each month for the last five years.

(122367)

88
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the reimposition of VAT on continence products is estimated to cost the NHS in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.

(122106)

89
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the proportion of patients in the last five years who knew that the drugs dispensed to them had been tested on animals; and if he will make a statement.

(122103)

90
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Stewart Committee on Mobile Phones and Health.

(122311)

91
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Professor Sir John Krebs was first informed about problems at Mead Webber; by whom; and what action he took.

(122067)

92
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason Mr Yogarathnam was withdrawn from day-to-day duties in the Mead Webber plant by the Meat Hygiene Service; and what were the specific grounds for suspending him from his current post in the Meat Hygiene Service.

(122050)

93
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what conclusions had been reached by Official Veterinary Surgeons in the five years prior to 10th April on the acceptability of trimming by meat inspectors at the Mead Webber plant.

(122060)

94
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, to whom Official Veterinary Surgeon contracts have been awarded by the Meat Hygiene Service in respect of the Merthyr Tydfil abattoir.

(122045)

95
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what instructions are given to official veterinary surgeons regarding the calculation of HAS scores; and what steps the Meat Hygiene Service takes to ensure the instructions are followed.

(122041)

96
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if Mr Yogarathnam of the Meat Hygiene Service had sole responsibility for the Mead Webber plant; to whom in the MHS he reported; what responsibilities he had in respect of other plants at the time he had responsibility for Mead Webber; and how many other plants he had responsibility for.

(122054)

97
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the status is of the HAS score recorded in Mead Webber's day book for 19th April.

(122062)

98
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what responsibilities Mr Ivor Pumfrey of the Meat Hygiene Service has had in respect of (a) Mr Yogarathnum and (b) the operation of the Mead Webber plant; and when he assumed those duties.

(122053)

99
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the Meat Hygiene Service's policy is on giving explanations of HAS scores.

(122061)

100
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which officials of the Meat Hygiene Service Mr Pumfrey informed on the day of or the day after the decision to close the Mead Webber plant of that decision.

(122069)

101
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if minor trimming by meat inspectors is permitted by the Meat Hygiene Service as long as it does not interfere with their official duties.

(122059)

102
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Meat Hygiene Service takes to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest affecting the work of Official Veterinary Surgeons.

(122046)

103
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the nature is of the investigation the Meat Hygiene Service is planning into official veterinary surgeon supervision at the Mead Webber plant since 10th April; and what the timescale is for the investigation.

(122042)

104
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason the faxed communication of 24th April from Mr Webber of Mead Webber to the Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service asking for an explanation of the changes in the MHS's trimming policy was not (a) acknowledged and (b) answered.

(122068)

105
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when, and for what reason, the St. David's Practice was awarded the Mead Webber contract by the Meat Hygiene Service; and how many other vets or vet practices were invited to bid for that contract.

(122049)

106
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, at what time and on what day the decision was taken by the Meat Hygiene Service to suspend Mr Yogarathnam.

(122063)

107
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what account the Meat Hygiene Service takes when undertaking checks on abattoirs of their need for repair and maintenance; and to what extent Meat Hygiene Service officials discount repair and maintenance defects when calculating HAS scores.

(122044)

108
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on relations between Mead Webber and Meat Hygiene Service staff up to 10th April.

(122052)

109
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what brief was given to Mr John Cartwright by the Meat Hygiene Service prior to his attendance at the Mead Webber plant on 26th April.

(122064)

110
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Mr Richard Turner was appointed by Official Veterinary Surgeon to the Mead Webber plant.

(122047)

111
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if it remains the Meat Hygiene Service's policy that Official Veterinary Surgeons, in consultation as necessary with their POVs, should determine whether it is acceptable for MHS staff to undertake minor trimming or rectification at their plants.

(122058)

112
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if the evidence and results of the inquiry into Mead Webber's closure by the Meat Hygiene Service will be published immediately on the Internet.

(122066)

113
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason the prohibition by Mr Turner of the Meat Hygiene Service on carcase trimming by the meat inspectors at the Mead Webber plant was reversed on 20th April; and by whom and for what reason the decision was subsequently changed again.

(122057)

114
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason a Regulation 10 (Prohibition) Notice was served ordering Mead Webber immediately to cease slaughter operations.

(122065)

115
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what Mr Yogarathnam's position in the Meat Hygiene Service was at the time he was appointed Official Veterinary Surgeon to the Mead Webber plant; and what his duties were in respect of the plant.

(122055)

116
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what official responsibilities Mr Richard Turner has had in respect of plants owned or operated by the St. Merryn's Group; and what contracts the St. David's Practice has had with the Meat Hygiene Service in respect of the provision of Official Veterinary Surgeons to plants owned or operated by the St. Merryn's Group.

(122048)

117
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many Official Veterinary Surgeons have attended the Mead Webber abattoir since the Meat Hygiene Service took over responsibility for supervising it; and when Mr Yogarathnam was appointed as OVS to the plant.

(122056)

118
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason a letter was sent by an Official Veterinary Surgeon to Mead Webber on 19th April concerning remedial works prior to the meeting planned for 26th April; and what account the letter took of remedial works and redecoration already agreed.

(122043)

119
N   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what were the (a) lowest and (b) highest HAS scores formally awarded to the Mead Webber plant since the introduction of HAS scores; what was the average score; and what were the (a) lowest, (b) highest and (c) average HAS scores awarded to the plant by Mr Yogarathnam.

(122051)

120
   Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate how many additional patients per month could benefit from taxanes for the treatment of breast cancer in the NHS.

(122470)

121
   Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate how many additional lives would be saved per month through use of taxanes to treat all breast cancer patients in the NHS who could benefit from it.

(122471)

122
   Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the organisations that have appealed against the final appraisal determination on the use of taxanes for the treatment of breast cancer in the NHS, indicating the patient groups among them.

(122468)

123
   Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects NICE to publish the guidance on the use of taxanes for the treatment of breast cancer in the NHS

(122469)

124
   Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the financial impact on health authorities and trusts of NICE guidance supporting the use of taxanes for the treatment of breast cancer; and what plans he has to ensure that sufficient funding is available in the NHS drugs budget to implement such guidance.

(122472)

125
   Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what reasons underlie the length of time taken by NICE to publish guidance on the use of taxanes for the treatment of breast cancer in the NHS.

(122467)

126
   Mr Kerry Pollard (St. Albans):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has commissioned on the health risks of (a) mobile telephones and (b) telecommunication masts; and if he will make a statement.

(122354)

127
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to provide mothers with vouchers for food supplements to help with the breastfeeding of their babies; and if he will make a statement.

(122142)

128
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement about the increase in the cost of phenobarbitone over the last three years.

(122143)

129
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the current percentage take-up for each childhood vaccination.

(122157)

130
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what childhood vaccinations have been withdrawn on safety grounds since childhood vaccinations were started.

(122159)

131
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what clusters of sufferers of leukaemia there are around (a) current and (b) past rubbish tips.

(122154)

132
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to monitor safety of childhood vaccinations; and if he will make a statement.

(122158)

133
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children have been severely damaged by vaccines for (a) diphtheria, (b) tetanus, (c) whooping cough, (d) polio, (e) measles, (f) rubella and (g) tuberculosis since 1970.

(122161)

134
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the potential side-effects for each of the current childhood vaccinations.

(122155)

135
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make respite care available for parents of children with severe physical, mental or physiological difficulties.

(120943)

136
N   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the budget is for the current public consultation regarding the (a) future and (b) reform of the NHS.

(122140)

137
   Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has undertaken into the reasons for the rate of suicide among Asian women aged 15 to 24 years; and what action has been taken as a result.

(122445)

138
   Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the number of asylum seekers placed to date in bed and breakfast accommodation in Bournemouth; in whom local authorities are required to notify before placing asylum seekers in such accommodation in other authority areas; and if he will make a statement.

(122477)

139
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his policy is on public accessibility of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate's databases on cost-benefit assessments.

(121958)

140
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the admission by the Metropolitan Police that some of its officers behaved unlawfully during the Chinese state visit of October 1999.

(121801)

141
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons the Metropolitan Police's review of policing of the Chinese state visit during October 1999 did not identify behaviour that it later found to be unlawful.

(121800)

142
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what evidence is used by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in judging whether a claimant's own conduct caused or contributed to the incident.

(122327)

143
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority are rejected on the grounds that the injured person's own conduct caused or contributed to the incident.

(122326)

144
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many anti-social behaviour orders have been implemented in the Greater London area in the last 12 months.

(122369)

145
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he intends to propose further amendments to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill.

(122287)

146
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if police response times are calculated on the same basis in each police force area in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

(122284)

147
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the manual explaining the new inspection model for HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has been published.

(122285)

148
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many officials in his Department were engaged in public relations and marketing work in (a) March 1997 and (b) March 2000.

(122286)

149
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the residential and non-residential training courses provided by the Police College at Hendon since January and the number of officers attending each course.

(122272)

150
   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what has been the average daily number of Metropolitan Police vehicles off the road for repairs in each month of this year; and if he will make a statement.

(122362)

151
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) interception warrants and (b) modifications of warrants he authorised in 1999.

(122280)

152
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many special constables were recruited by each police force in England and Wales, and how many left, between 30th September 1999 and 31st December 1999.

(122298)

153
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many special constables there were in each police force in England and Wales on 31st December 1999.

(122301)

154
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the police stations in the Metropolitan Police area which (a) closed and (b) reduced hours in 1999.

(122288)

155
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers are funded (a) in full and (b) in part by parish councils.

(122278)

156
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what wastage in police numbers has taken place since September 1999 in each police force; and if he will make a statement.

(122279)

157
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many civilian staff there have been in the Metropolitan Police Service in each month since January.

(122276)

158
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many press officers were employed by his Department in (a) March 1997 and (b) March 2000.

(122299)

159
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers in the Metropolitan Police have (a) resigned, (b) applied to retire on ill health grounds or have retired and (c) transferred to another force since 1st January.

(122273)

160
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the monthly recruitment intake target for the Police College at Hendon for 2000-01.

(122277)

161
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many officers applied to join training at the Police College at Hendon in the April and May intakes.

(122274)

162
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many traffic wardens there have been in the Metropolitan Police Service area in each month since January.

(122275)

163
   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many vehicles the Metropolitan Police had in (a) March 1997 and (b) March 2000.

(122363)

164
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the equal opportunities audit of the Extended Interview Process to attend Bramshill National Police Training will be completed; and if he intends to publish the report.

(122282)

165
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which police forces in England and Wales (a) invites and (b) requires their officers to give DNA samples; and if he will make a statement.

(122270)

166
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many constables have had less than two years police service in the Metropolitan Police in each month since January.

(122271)

167
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take steps to improve the attendance of (a) social services departments and (b) health authorities at meetings of crime reduction partnerships; and if he will make a statement.

(122283)

168
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the police stations in the Metropolitan Police area which are planned (a) to close and (b) to reduce hours in 2000.

(122289)

169
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers are planned to be recruited in each police force area under the Crime Fighting Fund in the first two years of the scheme.

(122281)

170
   Ann Keen (Brentford and Isleworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with local authorities on their interpretation of the definition of child in need contained in section 17(1) of the Children Act 1989, in respect of babies and children involved in begging; and what plans he has to establish national guidelines on this issue.

(122373)

171
N   Ms Julie Morgan (Cardiff North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 8th May, Official Report, column 314W, on police use of helicopters, how many of the 200 arrests led to successful prosecutions.

(122237)

172
   Mr Kerry Pollard (St. Albans):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the level of recruitment and retention of probation officers.

(122309)

173
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the scale of benefit fraud attributable to disability benefits and on action being taken to combat it.

(121686)

174
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what steps he has taken to ensure that women seeking to enter the labour market will benefit from the New Deal.

(120953)

175
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will review the level of financial support that the Benefits Agency gives towards burial costs.

(122323)

176
N   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what recent representations he has received on his policy in relation to pension provision for those over 50 years old who take early retirement; and if he will make a statement.

(120948)

177
   Mr Kerry Pollard (St. Albans):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assessment he has made of the extent of increased administrative costs imposed on small businesses by the processing of state benefits through the payroll.

(122358)

178
   Mr Michael Portillo (Kensington and Chelsea):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many new personal pension schemes were set up in each year from 1979 to 1999.

(122356)

179
   Mr Michael Portillo (Kensington and Chelsea):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many new occupational pension schemes were set up in each year from 1979 to 1996.

(122355)

180
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what compensation has been paid to children who have suffered severe damage by vaccinations since 1970.

(122160)

181
N   Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what outstanding cases for compensation for severe damage resulting from childhood vaccinations there are; and what measures he is taking to draw these claims to a close.

(122156)

182
N   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate he has made of the number of people who no longer receive (a) one and (b) more than one means-tested benefit due to the introduction of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.

(121743)

183
N   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer of 3rd April, Official Report, column 334W, concerning child poverty, what measures he will use to judge performance against his target of halving child poverty in 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

(121846)

184
N   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate he has made of the proportion of recipients of (a) council tax benefit, (b) housing benefit and (c) other means-tested benefits who are paid within (i) 5 per cent. and (ii) 10 per cent. of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.

(121746)

185
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is his Department's policy on the benefit position of widowers with dependent children prior to the introduction of the new system of bereavement allowances, following recent judgements in the European Court.

(122107)

186
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the honourable Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr to the Post Office, instructing subpostmasters not to issue forms encouraging customers to opt for benefit payment at post offices.

(122236)

187
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many press officers his Department employed in (a) May 1997 and (b) May 2000.

(122475)

188
N   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on what basis he monitors the performance of spin-off companies; and what makes a company eligible to be classified as a university spin-off.

(122163)

189
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the decision to place the synchrotron in Oxfordshire was based on a best value or similar review.

(122452)

190
N   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what analysis has been made of the volume of investment required in research infrastructure in universities to bring infrastructure in particular subject areas up to the standards of major international competitors.

(122166)

191
N   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many spin-off companies have been established in each year since 1994 by each university in the United Kingdom; how many such companies failed in each year since 1994, broken down by university; and what basic research and science underpinned each such company.

(122162)

192
N   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what his policy is on funding proposals which have not been successful in gaining an allocation from the Joint Infrastructure Fund.

(122165)

193
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what detailed assessment was made of the cost associated with building the new synchrotron at (a) Daresbury and (b) Oxford.

(122447)

194
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, for what reason ADD was chosen as the consultant to report on the suitability of the sites for the new synchrotron.

(122448)

195
N   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what provision will be made for financing research infrastructure once the funds from the Joint Infrastructure Fund have been allocated.

(122164)

196
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on progress with his discussions with the banking industry concerning charges levied on holocaust survivors in respect of conversion of pensions from deutschmarks to sterling.

(122449)

197
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the companies, organisations and public bodies he has consulted over the removal of geographic exclusivity of licensed areas for gas transporters.

(122324)

198
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the reference to the Competition Commission of British Energy and AES.

(122330)

199
   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when the Parental Leave Monitoring Group will meet.

(122359)

200
   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what are the terms of reference of the Parental Leave Monitoring Group and the review of maternity pay and leave and parental leave.

(122360)

201
   Ms Jenny Jones (Wolverhampton South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps he has taken to facilitate a meeting between representatives of petrol retailers and petrol wholesalers to discuss a code of practice.

(122361)

202
N   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has received on the introduction of paid parental leave.

(120974)

203
   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will investigate the sales methods used by suppliers of domestic gas and electricity for new residents who are taking over previous contracts.

(122353)

204
N   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate he has made of the change in the total number of (a) full-time equivalent employees and (b) hours worked due to the introduction of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.

(121745)

205
N   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what price elasticities of demand for domestic fuels were used in the document entitled Energy Projections for the UK, Working Paper, March 2000; and if he will make a statement.

(121747)

206
N   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate he has made of the (a) absolute and (b) proportional gross impact of the minimum wage on hourly wage rates for employees who were previously paid below the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.

(121744)

207
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate he has made of the loss of benefits suffered per week by a pensioner who is entitled to minimum income guarantee but is not receiving it.

[Question Unstarred] (120955)

208
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list those coastal areas of the UK in respect of which decisions have been taken since 1995 to abandon sea defences; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (122329)