Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Thursday 18 May 2000

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 18 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.

THURSDAY 18th MAY

1
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make the transport of circus animals subject to the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(122699)

2
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many representations were received regarding the additional of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list prior to the closing date for the consultation.

(122776)

3
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the length of the consultation period prior to the addition of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list; and what considerations he took into account in determining the length of the period.

(122778)

4
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what factors he took into account in determining the level of charge levied on those wishing to make representations as part of the consultation regarding the addition of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list.

(122774)

5
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps his Department took to publicise the consultation on the addition of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list.

(122777)

6
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the effect of the charge for making a submission on the number of organisations making representations as part of the consultation regarding the addition of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list.

(122773)

7
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) the publicity given to the consultation and (b) the length of the consultation period on the addition of genetically-modified seed types to the national seed list.

(122775)

8
   Mr Roger Casale (Wimbledon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 16th to 17th May; and if he will make a statement.

(122768)

9
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121659)

10
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121863)

11
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122562)

12
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received from members of the House of Lords on the proposals contained in the Fur Farming Bill.

(122697)

13
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in her Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121650)

14
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many applications for information she received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121852)

15
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what system is used by the Deregulation Unit for monitoring the regulatory burden on the voluntary and charitable sectors.

(122818)

16
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will list the title of research studies, audits and surveys (a) being undertaken and (b) commissioned by her Department for completion within 2000, stating in each case when the results are due to be published; and when she will publish the Government's response to the Sixth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

(122116)

17
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will list the key buildings for which her Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122619)

18
N   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood and Ongar):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of Government task forces since May 1997.

(121383)

19
   Mr Roger Casale (Wimbledon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what was the outcome of the Culture Council held in Brussels on 16th May; and if he will make a statement.

(122767)

20
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121654)

21
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121848)

22
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122606)

23
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the Government's policy on Operation Danish Bacon; and if he will make a statement.

(122700)

24
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121652)

25
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121850)

26
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many warships have been (a) ordered, (b) laid down, (c) launched and (d) commissioned since 1st May 1997.

(122821)

27
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the part-privatisation of DERA will lead to (a) compulsory and (b) voluntary redundancies; and if he will make a statement.

(122978)

28
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance has been requested from the Ministry of Defence by BAE Systems to develop a US production base for the XM777 Light Weight Howitzer; and if he will make a statement.

(123002)

29
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on giving assistance to British companies seeking to locate production bases outside the UK.

(122976)

30
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest position in respect of the two new aircraft carriers planned for the Royal Navy; what is his assessment of the costs of the programme; if the programme is up to date; and if he will make a statement.

(122975)

31
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the requirement of armoured battlegroup support vehicles will be for transportation by air; what aircraft he plans for transportation of the ABSV; and if he will make a statement.

(122977)

32
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what arrangements have been put in place to meet the costs of possible redundancies at DERA following the part-privatisation.

(122979)

33
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's requirements are for the Alternative Landing Ship Logistics; what is the payload breakdown of the ALSL; when the final decisions on awarding contracts for construction will be made; what is the target price; and if he will make a statement.

(122980)

34
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will make an announcement on the preferred supplier for the short-term and long-term heavy lift aircraft.

(122144)

35
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will make an announcement on the preferred supplier for the BVRAAM.

(122145)

36
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122608)

37
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the planned timetable for his Department's shipbuilding orders this year.

(122901)

38
N   Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if it is DERA's policy to support the (a) Business Innovation Centre at Rosyth Europarc and (b) application for European funding.

(122399)

39
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme; and if he will make a statement.

(122928)

40
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many copies of the document entitled Respecting the Environment Conservation on the Defence Estate and the Role of the MOD Conservation Office were printed; how many were distributed; where they were distributed; and what the total cost was.

(122708)

41
N   Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many teaching posts are (a) vacant and (b) filled by supply, temporary and agency teachers in (i) state primary schools and (ii) state secondary schools in (1) Barnet Local Education Authority and (2) Greater London areas; and what proportions of the total the figures represent.

(122735)

42
N   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if personal advisers will be provided for pupils in independent schools through the ConneXions Service.

(122702)

43
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121649)

44
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121853)

45
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to ensure members of ethnic minority groups are not discriminated against in entry to universities.

(122787)

46
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps he has taken to assess the structural integrity of university buildings constructed in the 1960s.

(122696)

47
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the study by the Higher Education Funding Council on the likelihood of graduates from ethnic minority groups finding employment.

(122788)

48
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what performance indicators he will use to measure the employment of graduates.

(122789)

49
N   Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when he expects the Further Education Funding Council to publish its tariff value of courses for 2000-01.

(122734)

50
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much has been spent by his Department on the provision of nursery places since 1997.

(122605)

51
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much was spent in each year on the New Deal for Lone Parents; and how many lone parents have benefited from this scheme in each year.

(122602)

52
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much his Department has spent in each year since 1997 on the provision of playgroups; how many playgroups have been established; and how many children have used them.

(122603)

53
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, which (a) local education authorities and (b) organisations for which his Department has budgetary responsibility (i) have set up and (ii) are setting up projects to prepare for the UK adopting the euro; what these projects are costing each organisation; what the total cost to the Department is; and from which budget sums already spent have come.

(122812)

54
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122620)

55
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the system for reimbursing teachers under the Computers for Teachers Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

(122769)

56
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of the average time between the purchase of equipment under the Computers for Teachers Scheme and reimbursement.

(122770)

57
   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on gap funding; and if he will make a statement.

(122819)

58
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121644)

59
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121858)

60
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the mileage of (a) red routes and (b) cycle lanes in the Greater London area.

(122906)

61
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many applications for renewal of driving licences accompanied by Form D4 medical reports were received by the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999.

(122825)

62
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, on how many days during (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 has the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency experienced exceptional heavy workloads giving rise to delays in issuing renewal driving licences where applications for renewal were accompanied by Form D4 medical reports.

(122824)

63
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many successful claims for compensation for actual financial loss were submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency as a direct consequence of the Agency's maladministration during (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999.

(122827)

64
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many applications for renewal of driving licences accompanied by Form D4 medical reports were received by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in (a) April, (b) May, (c) June, (d) July , (e) August and (f) September 1999.

(122829)

65
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much compensation was paid to claimants by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency arising from claims for actual financial loss incurred as a consequence of the Agency's maladministration in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999.

(122828)

66
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the average period of time that the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency took to issue renewal driving licences when the application for renewal was accompanied by a Form D4 medical report in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999.

(122826)

67
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the progress of his review of the Motor Insurers Bureau agreements.

(122810)

68
   Mr David Faber (Westbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if his Department or the Highways Agency are the registered owners of the property known as No. 3, Upton Lovell, Warminster, Wiltshire; on what date the property was purchased; and for what reasons.

(122929)

69
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessement he has made of the extent to which the application of the EU Waste Incineration Directive complies with the Government's Better Regulation Guide.

(122947)

70
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the (a) average cost of a small incinerator and (b) increase in this average cost consequent upon the application of the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

(122951)

71
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the EU Waste Incineration Directive on UK compliance with the proximity principle of waste disposal.

(122948)

72
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which (a) local authorities and (b) other organisations for which his Department has budgetary responsibility (i) have set up and (ii) are setting up projects to prepare for the UK adopting the euro; what these projects are costing each organisation; what the total cost to the Department is; and from which budget sums already spent have come.

(122811)

73
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122610)

74
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps he plans to take in respect of the recommendation from the Park Homes Working Party regarding residential mobile home sites; and what is the timetable for such action.

(122616)

75
   Mr James Plaskitt (Warwick and Leamington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he proposes to begin the consultation on proposed changes to planning regulations in relation to small regional airports.

(122784)

76
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will introduce a night-time ban on the movement of all heavy goods vehicles in residential areas.

(122337)

77
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received concerning the trade in bushmeat in Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

(122339)

78
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the funds required to clear the current backlog of repairs to and modernisation programmes of local authority housing stock; and how much this figure represents per dwelling.

(123013)

79
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what percentage of total capital spending, government spending on housing and construction represented in each of the last 10 years.

(123007)

80
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to increase housing investment over the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

(123009)

81
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the link between investment in housing and directly and indirectly-related employment creation.

(123010)

82
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the priorities for housing in this year's comprehensive spending review.

(123008)

83
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will take steps to develop action zones in areas where the market has failed to provide sufficient housing in order to promote the development of additional housing.

(123011)

84
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will estimate the number of additional affordable homes required in each of the next five years; and how many are currently provided for under the Housing Corporation Programme and the local authority social housing grant.

(123012)

85
   Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth and Camborne):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures he proposes to promote enterprise within disadvantaged areas and groups in the South West Region.

(122900)

86
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121857)

87
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what exent the pay awards were staged.

(121647)

88
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the (a) total and (b) forecast level of expenditure on the working families tax credit; how many families have claimed the working families tax credit; and what estimate he has made of the projected number of claimants on a year by year basis.

(122601)

89
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the (a) forecast cost of introducing the children's tax credit and (b) projected number of claimants.

(122612)

90
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the (a) forecast cost of introducing the childcare tax credit and (b) number of projected claimants of the credit.

(122613)

91
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122623)

92
N   Mr Ian Taylor (Esher and Walton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on his policies for promoting manufacturing business.

(121375)

93
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place the terms of reference of the 13 cross-departmental reviews announced on 21st December 1999 in the Library; and if he will make a statement on their progress.

(122785)

94
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what reports have been made on sub-contractors registering C154 certificates; and if he will make a statement.

(122707)

95
N   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the security and safety situation in those areas of Kosovo to which refugees are returning from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

(122729)

96
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121646)

97
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121856)

98
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122563)

99
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what use he has made of the report entitled Cleaning Up? Stimulating Innovation in Environmental Technology, produced by POST in respect of his Department's support for the Joint Environmental Market Unit's work on promoting British clean technology commerce; and if he will circulate the report to British Embassies.

(122816)

100
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the Diamond High Council in Antwerp.

(122705)

101
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the UN Special Rapporteur's report on Sudan concerning the role of oil in the conflict.

(122338)

102
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the recent UN Report on the diamond trade in Sierra Leone.

(122704)

103
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with De Beers diamond company; and if De Beers have indicated the changes to their internal structures which they have made to ensure compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173.

(122703)

104
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress he has made in persuading the United Nations Security Council to amend resolution 1173 to require all diamonds to carry a certificate of origin.

(122706)

105
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received concerning airstrips and roads built by oil companies being used by the Government of Sudan for the purpose of bombing raids.

(122341)

106
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the members of the expert advisory group which will oversee the commissioning and running of the pilot sites for human papilloma virus testing.

(122786)

107
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to improve the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists in the NHS.

(122908)

108
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list (a) the commercial companies which have paid staff on secondment to his Department and (b) the projects on which each secondee is working.

(122909)

109
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many Department of Health employees are on secondment to commercial companies; and if he will list the companies concerned.

(122907)

110
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121849)

111
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121653)

112
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of cancer patients have received chemotherapy as part of their treatment for each of the last five years.

(122695)

113
N   Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representation of pharmacists there is on the NHS Modernisation Action Team.

(122118)

114
N   Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will publish the Government's pharmacy strategy.

(122117)

115
   Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Subutex (buprenorphine) will be added to the list of drugs that can be dispensed using forms FP10(HP)(ad) and FP10(MDA).

(122899)

116
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been spent on the provision of health visitors in each year since 1997; and if he will estimate how many children were seen in this period.

(122558)

117
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which (a) health trusts, (b) health authorities and (c) other bodies within the NHS (i) have set up and (ii) are setting up projects to prepare for the UK adopting the euro; what these projects are costing each organisation; what the total cost to the Department is; and from which budget sums already spent have come.

(122813)

118
   Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the role of the Royal Colleges in determining the number of students graduating as doctors.

(122806)

119
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122607)

120
   Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people each year receive financial assistance after appealing for help with NHS costs using an HC1 form.

(122783)

121
   Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many HC1 forms are incorrectly filled in each year.

(122781)

122
   Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people his Department estimates are eligible to claim financial help with (a) NHS prescriptions, (b) NHS dental treatment, (c) NHS wigs and fabric supports and (d) travel to hospital for NHS treatment.

(122780)

123
   Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people apply each year for financial help with NHS health costs using an HC1 form.

(122782)

124
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to publish its report on the use of beta interferon.

(122930)

125
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned into the potential health effects of chemical leakage from mobile phone handsets.

(122814)

126
   David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the pay of medical technical officers working in hospitals.

(122771)

127
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce national schemes to promote the training and recruitment of prosthetic and orthotic technicians.

(122340)

128
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to restore apprenticeship schemes in the NHS for prosthetic and orthotic technicians.

(122342)

129
N   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what financial support is being made available to Kosovan refugees returning from the United Kingdom to their home country; and if he will make a statement.

(122727)

130
N   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what financial support is available to Kosovan refugees who have applied for asylum after the expiry of their 12 months sanctuary in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

(122730)

131
N   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if it is his policy to allow Kosovan refugees receiving medical treatment from the NHS to remain in the United Kingdom pending completion of treatment in cases where treatment is not available in Kosovo.

(122728)

132
N   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is his policy on ordering the return home of Kosovan refugees; how many Kosovan refugees have been required to return home against their will in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

(122731)

133
N   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many refugees from Kosovo have returned home from the United Kingdom in each of the last 12 months.

(122733)

134
N   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for (a) an extension of stay and (b) asylum, have been received from Kosovan refugees in the United Kingdom in each of the last 12 months; and what proportion of each have been granted.

(122732)

135
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121648)

136
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121854)

137
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were convicted of tobacco smuggling in the last 12 months; and how many of them were (a) imprisoned and (b) fined.

(122903)

138
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures have been taken to ensure the protection of (a) private and (b) public property during demonstrations involving anarchist groups in (i) London and (ii) elsewhere.

(122614)

139
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from ministers outside his Department on the issue of hunting with dogs.

(122698)

140
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the police cells at Chorley will be brought up to Health and Safety Executive approved standard.

(122172)

141
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people arrested in Chorley have been detained in police cells in (a) South Ribble and (b) Skelmersdale, in the last year for which figures are available; and of those detained, how many were arrested in Chorley.

(122170)

142
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many times in the last two years Greater Manchester police have assisted in operations in Chorley.

(122173)

143
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at which police station the back-up custody suite to Leyland is located.

(122171)

144
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much was spent in each year since 1997 on the family support grant.

(122597)

145
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much has been spent in each year on the Fathers Fund.

(122598)

146
N   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will estimate the overall cost of the Lancet inquiry into alleged corruption in the Cleveland police force and breakdown the costs under their main headings; and if he will make a statement.

(122701)

147
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122621)

148
N   Ms Julie Morgan (Cardiff North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many inmates of young offenders' institutions (a) committed and (b) attempted suicide in each year since 1977.

(122747)

149
N   Ms Julie Morgan (Cardiff North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of self-harm by inmates of young offenders' institutions took place in each year since 1977.

(122726)

150
N   Ms Julie Morgan (Cardiff North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of (a) rape and (b) assault within young offenders' institutions were reported to the authorities in each year since 1997.

(122725)

151
N   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to bring forward a Bill, one of whose aims would be to ban hunting wild mammals with hounds.

(122749)

152
N   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has set the Burns Inquiry a deadline for reporting; and if he will make a statement.

(122750)

153
N   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Asylum Support Agency maintains the closest possible contact with local authorities in connection with the asylum seekers disperal policy; and if he will make a statement.

(122748)

154
N   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list for each region in England the contracts that have been entered into between the Asylum Support Agency and providers of accommodation.

(122751)

155
   Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) uniformed and (b) civilian staffing levels were in operation in each of the police stations within the Metropolitan Police Service Hillingdon Division for each shift on (i) 30th April, (ii) 1st May, (iii) 2nd May and (iv) 3rd May.

(122823)

156
N   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to reduce delays by the Forensic Processing Department in Chepstow in the processing of forensic information relating to recent burglaries in Devon and Cornwall.

(122615)

157
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many applications for information she received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121861)

158
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in her Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121657)

159
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the key buildings for which her Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122618)

160
   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the Citizen's Advice Bureaux report, entitled, Undue Distress; if he will review the powers and role of bailiffs; and if he will make a statement.

(122820)

161
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121645)

162
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121855)

163
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the estimated cost to his Department of administering the Public Trust Office for the financial years (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01.

(122803)

164
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what is the estimated additional cost to those individuals who have their financial affairs managed by the Receivership Division of the Public Trust Office of having their financial affairs managed by accredited panel solicitors.

(122802)

165
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when he will be able to provide the detailed estimated costs to the Lord Chancellor's Department of implementing the recommendations of the Quinquennial Review of the Public Trust Office.

(122805)

166
   Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what is the estimated cost to his Department of implementing the recommendations of the Quinquennial Review in developing supporting information and communications technology for the Public Trust Office, including the additional costs of training and monitoring external providers.

(122804)

167
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when he plans to appoint the Commissioner for Judicial Appointments; and if he will make a statement.

(122808)

168
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much of the legal aid budget has been earmarked to support cases (a) with a Human Rights Act 1998 element and (b) based on the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement.

(122809)

169
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many vacant posts there are for the High Court Bench; when he proposes to fill the vacancies; by what procedure he will fill the vacancies; and if he will make a statement.

(122807)

170
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much the Lord Chancellor's Department has spent since 1997 on (a) marriage support funding and (b) marriage counselling services; and how many people have been helped in each year.

(122600)

171
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the key buildings for which the Lord Chancellor's Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122622)

172
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many careless driving charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service in Essex were heard by magistrates in the 12 months from May 1999 to the end of April 2000; and how many were still to be determined by the courts on 1st May 2000.

(122902)

173
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121859)

174
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121655)

175
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122617)

176
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent measures he has taken to support the shipbuilding industry in Belfast.

(122772)

177
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the expenditure incurred on (a) the setting up and (b) the operation of web sites that are his responsibility, indicating the cases in which the expenditure has been above that budgeted; and if he will list for each web site (i) the topics covered, (ii) the average number of hits in the last three months and (iii) the estimated expenditure on each web site for each of the next three years.

(122115)

178
   Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    To ask the Prime Minister, on how many occasions honours have been been removed from those who received them, and for what reasons, in the last 10 years.

(122904)

179
   Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    To ask the Prime Minister, if a conviction for perjury constitutes grounds for recommending the removal of a life peerage.

(122905)

180
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121651)

181
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121851)

182
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122609)

183
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121862)

184
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121658)

185
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122559)

186
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is the (a) forecast cost of introducing the income support supplement to child benefit and (b) projected number of claimant families on a year by year basis.

(122611)

187
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what was the (a) total and (b) forecast level of expenditure since 1997 on increasing child benefit; and in respect of how many children payments were made.

(122599)

188
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate the effect on the solvency of the UK's pension funds of the EC ruling of 16th May on part-time workers' access to pensions; and if he will make a statement.

(122779)

189
N   Mr Paddy Ashdown (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to support the development of a post office universal bank; and if he will make a statement.

(121308)

190
N   Mr Paddy Ashdown (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he plans to bring forward detailed proposals relating to subsidies for post offices; and if he will make a statement.

(121309)

191
N   Mr Paddy Ashdown (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when his Department plans to bring forward proposals for developing the future business potential of the Post Office network; and if he will make a statement.

(121310)

192
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121680)

193
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121847)

194
   Mr John Cummings (Easington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger have been settled, in each area in (i) January, (ii) February, (iii) March and (iv) April; and when he expects all present claims to be settled.

(122817)

195
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122561)

196
   Ms Jenny Jones (Wolverhampton South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to take action on shareholders' remedies (a) within the wider review of company law and (b) as a separate issue.

(122822)

197
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the POST report number 136, published in April, entitled Cleaning Up? Stimulating Innovation in Environmental Technology; and what use his Department's Joint Environmental Market Unit plans to make of the report.

(122815)

198
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted.

(121860)

199
N   Dr David Clark (South Shields):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1999-2000; and to what extent the pay awards were staged.

(121656)

200
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March.

(122560)

201
N   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what was the cost of increasing the statutory paid holiday from three weeks to four weeks; and how many workers have benefited.

[Transferred] (122604)

202
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the number of small incinerators on farms that will close as a result of the application of the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

[Transferred] (122952)

203
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the average cost to a farm with a small incinerator of the steps needed to comply with the implementation of the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

[Transferred] (122950)

204
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to introduce a compensation scheme for farmers who may have to close their small incinerators following implementation of the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

[Transferred] (122949)

205
   Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if his Department will ensure that practising marine surveyors are professionally qualified and covered by professional indemnity insurance.

[Transferred] (123006)