Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Friday 23 June 2000

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Friday 23 June, 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.

FRIDAY 23rd JUNE

1
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to review the fee for challenging the addition of a variety to the National Institute for Agricultural Botany approved list.

(127795)

2
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received concerning the proposal to add GM maize Chiodon LL to the NIAB approved list; and what plans he has to hold further consultations on this proposal.

(127796)

3
   Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the total value of organic food sales in the UK was for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what he estimates sales will be in each of the next five years.

(127790)

4
   Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how much money the Government has allocated for research into (a) organic farming, (b) biotechnology and genetic modification and (c) agriculture in total in the next three years.

(127791)

5
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many cattle were affected by BSE in each of the last two years for which figures are available; what the projected numbers are for the next five years; when he expects that BSE will be eradicated from the United Kingdom herd; and if he will make a statement.

(127842)

6
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on how many occasions he has deposited papers in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000.

(127439)

7
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 12th April on behalf of his constituent Mrs Eddy.

(127374)

8
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what percentage of EU funds provided for the promotion and marketing of high quality beef and veal was spent in Scotland in 1999-2000.

(127696)

9
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the amount of agrimonetary compensation for which farmers were eligible in each year since 1979 in (a) Scotland, (b) the UK and (c) Dumfries and Galloway region, broken down by farming sector; and how much was paid.

(127695)

10
   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) evaluated into the health risks associated with Lindane.

(127816)

11
   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what recent representations he has received about the health implications of Lindane.

(127817)

12
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what has been the cost so far of the Government's new Agenda computer system.

(127420)

13
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to her Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000 have not received substantive answers, excluding those not answered (a) citing disproportionate cost, (b) stating that the information is not available, not held centrally or not held in the form requested and (c) citing commercial confidentiality or other confidentiality.

(127441)

14
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement about visitor activity at Stonehenge on 20th and 21st June.

(127709)

15
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much financial assistance was made available by (a) the National Lottery, (b) the English Sports Council, (c) the Government, (d) the UK Sports Council and (e) the Football Trust to assist (i) the preparation of the bid to hold the 1996 European football championships, (ii) with the upgrading of stadia and other facilities for the 1996 European football championships and (iii) with the running costs of the 1996 European football championships.

(127698)

16
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the desirability of additional conference facilities in central London.

(127712)

17
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which royal palaces and other buildings occupied by members of the royal family are owned by the state.

(127711)

18
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he plans to have with British Aerospace about its plans for its defence manufacturing capability, with particular reference to the consolidated site option for the Royal Ordnance Factory, Nottingham.

(127589)

19
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent representations he has received with respect to job losses at British Aerospace.

(127592)

20
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of the recent announcement of job losses by British Aerospace on manufacturing capability in the defence industry.

(127590)

21
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent announcement of job losses by British Aerospace on the Royal Ordnance Factory in Nottingham; and if he will make a statement.

(127591)

22
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) the original in-service date, (b) the current in-service date, (c) the actual or estimated cost, (d) the years of peak expenditure, (e) the expenditure in (d), (f) the date of the initial gate, (g) the date of the main gate and (h) the prime contractor for the projects (i) ASRAAM, (ii) ASTOR, (iii) BVRAAM, (iv) Brimstone, (v) Eurofighter, (vi) FCBA, (vii) FGBAD, (viii) FOAS, (ix) FSTA, (x) Hercules Rolling Replacement Tranche 2, (xi) Merlin HM Mk1, (xii) Merlin HC Mk3, (xiii) Nimrod MRA-4, (xiv) STSA, (xv) CASOM and (xvi) SABR.

(127708)

23
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) the original in-service date, (b) the current in-service date, (c) the actual or estimated cost, (d) the years of peak expenditure, (e) the expenditure in (d), (f) the date of the initial gate, (g) the date of the main gate and (h) the prime contractor for the projects (i) Astute Class Submarines, (ii) CV(F), (iii) FASGW, (iv) FCBA, (v) LPD(R) and (vi) MCMU.

(127706)

24
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) the original in-service date, (b) the current in-service date, (c) the actual or estimated cost, (d) the years of peak expenditure, (e) the expenditure in (d), (f) the date of the initial gate, (g) the date of the main gate and (h) the prime contractor for the projects (i) BOWMAN, (ii) COBRA, (iii) FET, (iv) HARRV, (v) MRAV, (vi) Phoenix, (vii) Shielder and (viii) UK Attack Helicopter.

(127707)

25
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many written parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000; and how many have not received substantive answers, citing disproportionate cost as the reason.

(127440)

26
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many children have been turned down for their first choice of school, as a result of the limit on infant class sizes set out in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, who (a) have applied for a place at a denominational school, (b) have a sibling in that school, (c) are new to the area and (d) are in any other category.

(127487)

27
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many home-domiciled applicants aged under 21 there were to (a) full-time and (b) sandwich undergraduate courses in each of the last three years; and how many acceptances there were onto such courses, indicating (i) the proportion of the age group in each socio-economic group this represents and (ii) the proportion of acceptances that were (A) to former polytechnics and (B) accepted in an institution in the locality of the applicant's home address.

(127724)

28
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between the 19th October 1999 and the 20th April 2000 which requested information pursuant to his previous answers.

(127444)

29
   Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many people in Carlisle have (a) joined the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds, (b) gained subsidised jobs, (c) gained unsubsidised jobs and (d) started on the New Deal Gateway to date.

(127808)

30
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 11th May on behalf of his constituent Mrs Morgan.

(127371)

31
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the recent Engineering and Marine Training Authority report entitled Working in Engineering, with special reference to opportunities in engineering for young people from ethnic minorities.

(127721)

32
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many people in Morecambe and Lunesdale have participated in New Deal programmes.

(127637)

33
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the primary schools in Morecambe and Lunesdale which have received additional money to reduce class sizes.

(127635)

34
N   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many teacher vacancies in (i) maintained nursery schools, (ii) maintained primary schools and (iii) maintained secondary schools there were in (a) Great Britain and (b) each local education authority, for each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(127208)

35
N   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what the average class size was for classes taught by one teacher in (a) 1979 and (b) 1992, for (i) pupils in Key Stage 1, (ii) pupils in Key Stage 2, (iii) primary schools and (iv) secondary schools in each parliamentary constituency.

(127211)

36
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what has been the total cost to his Department of the setting up of the regional development agencies.

(127432)

37
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what his policy is in respect of GM maize trials in the future; and what views have been expressed to his Department at local residents' meetings on GM maize trials.

(127793)

38
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to consult local authorities concerning GM trial sites.

(127794)

39
   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make energy efficiency the priority in his policy on the environmental performance of refrigeration and air-conditioning technology; and if he will make a statement.

(127699)

40
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the total expenditure of UK local authorities on noise control in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

(127651)

41
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the effects of global warming in the next 50 years on the (a) area of agricultural land that may be lost and (b) number of people displaced by loss of land in the United Kingdom.

(127655)

42
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with (a) Lockheed Martin and (b) the New Zealand air traffic control system, Airways Corporation, on the future of air-traffic control; and if he will make a statement.

(127213)

43
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list for (a) Great Britain and (b) each local authority the percentage of waste recycled in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999.

(127207)

44
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if additional sums were allocated to county councils for the purpose of distributing copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the South East.

(127799)

45
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the South East were sent to Buckinghamshire County Council.

(127800)

46
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 14th June, Official Report, column 640W, on Regional Planning Guidance (South-East), if a copy of the draft regional planning guidance for the South East was provided for every branch library in Buckinghamshire; and for what reason copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the South East were not distributed direct from his Department to branch libraries in the South East.

(127832)

47
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much funding was allocated for distributing copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the South East.

(127798)

48
   Sandra Gidley (Romsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when a decision will be made on the resurfacing of the M27 with a quieter surface; and if he will make a statement.

(127646)

49
   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what recent representations he has received from mobile home owners and their organisations about the banding of properties for council tax purposes.

(127648)

50
   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to change (a) the number of council tax bands and (b) the ratio of payment rates between different bands of property regarding council tax liability.

(127647)

51
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much his Department has spent on the school travel resource packs launched in May; and what budget is allocated for this publication.

(127593)

52
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what account was taken of the outbreak of rhizomania disease at Sunnymead Farm in Essex when permission was granted to hold a GM crop trial there; what contact he has had with MAFF regarding the outbreak of this disease at this site; and if he will make a statement.

(127595)

53
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the level of funding necessary to meet the requirements of the 10-year transport plan.

(127594)

54
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many written parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000; and how many have not received substantive answers, citing disproportionate cost as the reason.

(127433)

55
   Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with Railtrack concerning the possibility of the Government taking a share in the company; and if he will make a statement.

(127805)

56
   Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that discarded domestic refrigeration appliances producing CFC gases are collected in Cumbria.

(127806)

57
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the reasons which caused him to overturn the CAA's Decision 4/99 of 23rd December 1999 in favour of British Airways.

(127366)

58
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the occasions, since 1st May 1997, on which he has upheld an appeal by British Airways against a CAA route licence decision, setting out, in each case, the route involved and the original CAA decision.

(127365)

59
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 10th May on behalf of his constituent Mr Page.

(127367)

60
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a a statement on the powers of the Rail Regulator with regard to fare increases.

(127643)

61
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the wards in Morecambe and Lunesdale eligible for (a) Single Regeneration Budget funding, (b) Objective 2 European funding and (c) regional selective assistance.

(127636)

62
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the World Bank and IMF will set up the joint committee for overseeing the implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative; and where it will be based.

(127713)

63
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was invested in individual savings accounts in their first year of operation (a) in total and (b) net of transfers from other savings instruments; how much was invested in (i) TESSAs and (ii) PEPs in their first year of operation; and if he will make a statement.

(127835)

64
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on how many days the HM Customs and Excise testing units for red diesel operated within Scotland during (a) 1997 and (b) 1998; and how many prosecutions were brought for illegal use of red diesel in each of those years.

(127661)

65
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many income tax demands for amounts under £5 were despatched in the last tax year; what the total value of the tax billed in these demands was; and what the estimated cost of recovering the tax was.

(127649)

66
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the net yearly costs in the first year of implementation of the climate change levy to (a) the dairy industry and (b) the agriculture industry in Scotland.

(127697)

67
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of GNP has been spent on (a) defence, (b) education and (c) health in each of the last 15 years.

(127640)

68
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the reduction in air passenger duty on economy flights within the European Economic Area will come into force; and what the reduction will be.

(127641)

69
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what actions he proposes to take to prevent the sale in the UK and dependent territories of diamonds and other commodities being used to fund conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(127704)

70
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the recent conflict in Kisangani.

(127703)

71
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will press for a mandatory EU arms embargo on countries involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(127705)

72
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made regarding the re-establishment of democratic government in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement.

(127836)

73
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000 have not received substantive answers, citing as the reason commercial or other confidentiality.

(127437)

74
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the proposed budget is for the UNAMSIL deployment in Sierra Leone for the year 2000.

(127659)

75
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many child soldiers have been demobilised by pro-Government forces in Sierra Leone since 8th May.

(127658)

76
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has (i) made to and (ii) received from the Presidents of (a) Nigeria, (b) Liberia and (c) Sierra Leone, regarding the ECOWAS bid to broker a ceasefire between Sierra Leone Government forces and RUF rebels.

(127652)

77
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the UN Secretary General regarding the recent UN Assessment team's visit to Sierra Leone.

(127653)

78
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many (a) British and (b) other western nationals have been evacuated from Sierra Leone since 8th May .

(127688)

79
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the UNAMSIL's authorised maximum strength is; how many UN troops (a) are and (b) were deployed prior to 8th May to Sierra Leone.

(127654)

80
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on (a) the Indian peacekeepers detained by the RUF in Sierra Leone and (b) the UN personnel surrounded by the RUF in the south east of Sierra Leone; and what the conditions for their release are.

(127657)

81
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the attendance of observers for the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe.

(127718)

82
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the work carried out to date by the CFS/ME Working Group.

(127701)

83
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to receive the final report of the CFS/ME Working Group.

(127702)

84
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many primary care groups have made representations against conversion into primary care trusts.

(127488)

85
N   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were waiting for admission to hospitals, including suspended patients but not including self-deferred cases, (a) in (i) Great Britain and (ii) each health authority, in (1) 1987 and (2) 1992 and (b) in (A) Great Britain and (B) each NHS trust in each year since 1995.

(127209)

86
   Mr Stephen Hesford (Wirral West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress he has made on compiling the National Plan; and if he will make a statement.

(127650)

87
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many outbreaks of MRSA there have been in each of the last five years for which figures are available in (a) Greater London and (b) Enfield and Haringey Health Authority; how many wards were closed as a result and what the average length of closure was; and if he will make a statement.

(127841)

88
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has to announce a further bidding round for health action zones; and if he will make a statement.

(127840)

89
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000 have not received substantive answers, citing as the reason that the information is (a) not held centrally, (b) not held in the form requested and (c) not available.

(127434)

90
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the national standards for access to cancer care services; and if he will make a statement.

(127656)

91
   Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the maximum waiting times are for a consultant appointment at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle; and if he will make a statement.

(127804)

92
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received with regard to government policies which affect general practitioners in the NHS.

(127717)

93
N   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the issue of retrospectivity of child birth registration raised in the 1998 review of the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Act 1990 by Professor Sheila McLean.

(127431)

94
   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received about the incidence of breast cancer associated with the use of Lindane.

(127815)

95
   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what (a) recent research and (b) evaluation of research his Department has undertaken into the possible health risks associated with the use of Lindane.

(127818)

96
N   David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the implementation of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease.

(127430)

97
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the effect of clinical governance on the continuing provision of in-patient surgical services at (a) smaller hospitals and (b) in general.

(127797)

98
N   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many fully trained prison officers are on duty at night in Portland Young Offenders Institute.

(127417)

99
N   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many juveniles have been sent to Portland Young Offenders Institute since 1st April.

(127419)

100
N   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons the number of places designated for juveniles in Portland Young Offenders Institute was reduced in May.

(127418)

101
   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representation he has received about transsexual men and women being treated in law as being of the same sex as when they were born.

(127645)

102
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the total clear-up rate of recorded crimes in each police force in England and Wales and in total in (a) 1979, (b) 1987 and (c) in each year since 1992.

(127210)

103
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the number of police officers in each police force in England and Wales and in total on (a) 31st March 1979, (b) 31st March 1987 and (c) 31st March in each year since 1992.

(127212)

104
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost was to (a) Wiltshire Constabulary and (b) English Heritage of police operations at Stonehenge on 20th and 21st June; if (i) public order and (ii) other offences were committed; and if he will make a statement.

(127710)

105
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations he has received concerning the introduction of compulsory voting; and if he will make a statement.

(127831)

106
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) Turkish and (b) Kurdish refugees have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; how many of these applications have been granted in each of those years; how many are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement.

(127829)

107
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions he has deposited papers in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000.

(127438)

108
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 20th May on behalf of his constituent Mr Berisha.

(127369)

109
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 9th May on behalf of his constituent Mrs Djukic.

(127375)

110
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 26th April on behalf of his constituent Mr Jones.

(127372)

111
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 13th April on behalf of his constituent Mr South.

(127377)

112
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 14th April on behalf of his constituent Mr Meakins.

(127370)

113
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 9th May on behalf of his constituent Mrs Putaj.

(127376)

114
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 11th May on behalf of his constituent Mr Block.

(127368)

115
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 2nd May on behalf of his constituent Mr Harris.

(127373)

116
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 15th May on behalf of his constituent Mr Sheeks.

(127378)

117
   Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter of 21st March and subsequent correspondence from the honourable Member for Broxbourne, concerning her constituents Ms K. Vertigans and Ms L. Coe.

(127809)

118
   Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne):    To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on the proposal to set up an Audit Committee for the Administrative Services Vote.

(127789)

119
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what measures the Government is taking to support Burmese refugees who have fled to (a) Thailand, (b) China, (c) India and (d) Bangladesh.

(127802)

120
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking to support the efforts of international aid agencies to facilitate the empowerment of women.

(127803)

121
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much aid from the Know-How Fund was provided for co-operative development in each of the former Soviet bloc countries in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

(127834)

122
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement regarding the Development Policy Forum held recently in Glasgow.

(127720)

123
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on progress with the trials of the new system for home buying and selling.

(127700)

124
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will place a copy of the report into QC and judicial appointments by Dr Kate Mallinson in the Library.

(127727)

125
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on the findings of the independent report commissioned by his Department from Dr Kate Mallinson into the system of appointment of QCs and judges.

(127726)

126
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many warrants of possession were issued in respect of residential properties in (a) Great Britain and (b) each county court, in each year since 1990 to date.

(127206)

127
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000 have not received substantive answers, citing as the reason that the information is (a) not held centrally, (b) not held in the form requested and (c) not available.

(127435)

128
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the decision of the Greater Belfast Coroner not to hold an inquest into the murder of Robert Hamill.

(127719)

129
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the role of his Official Spokesman in relation to party political activities.

(127428)

130
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he plans changes to the (a) contract and (b) salary of his Chief Press Spokesman.

(127429)

131
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, to whom the Strategic Communications Unit is answerable.

(127423)

132
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, if the Strategic Communications Unit has the power to veto announcements from government departments.

(127424)

133
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, what changes have been made to the duties and responsibilities of his Chief Press Secretary.

(127421)

134
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the work of the Strategic Communications Unit; and what plans he has to review its work.

(127422)

135
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many (a) special advisers, (b) permanent civil servants and (c) temporary civil servants are employed in the Strategic Communications Unit.

(127425)

136
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the Strategic Communications Unit is not engaged in party political activities.

(127427)

137
N   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Prime Minister, when he will make a decision concerning compensation to former prisoners of war who were held by the Japanese.

(127627)

138
N   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Prime Minister, which departments are involved in considering whether compensation should be paid to former prisoners of war held by the Japanese.

(127628)

139
N   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Prime Minister, if the final decision to pay compensation to former prisoners of war held by the Japanese will be made by him.

(127629)

140
N   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will have another meeting with the Royal British Legion over compensation for former prisoners of war held by the Japanese.

(127626)

141
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between the 19th October 1999 and the 20th April 2000 which requested information pursuant to his previous answers.

(127443)

142
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the economic impact of the Tall Ships Race in Scotland.

(127714)

143
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on changes to the payment of benefits and pensions and the effect on post offices (a) in Glasgow and (b) in Scotland.

(127716)

144
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the impact on the Scottish economy of the decision to place the mast order for the Royal Navy's Astute submarines with Pilkington Optronics in Govan.

(127715)

145
   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer of 8th June, Official Report, column 324W, on opinion research, what steps have been taken to ensure that his Department makes such results publicly available in the form required by paragraph 19 of the Cabinet Office Guidelines into Public Attitudes and Opinion Research.

(127792)

146
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be without any pension entitlement on retirement in (a) 2000 and (b) each five year period thereafter to 2050; and if he will make a statement.

(127837)

147
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to increase the level of the Social Fund; and if he will make a statement.

(127838)

148
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000 have not received substantive answers, excluding those not answered for reasons of (a) disproportionate cost, (b) information not available, not held centrally or not held in the form requested and (c) commercial or other confidentiality.

(127442)

149
   Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioners in the Carlisle constituency received winter fuel payments in (a) 1998-99 and (b) 1999-2000; and how much was paid in total in each of those years.

(127807)

150
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on (a) the special needs of people affected by epilepsy in applying for disability living allowance and (b) Government proposals to improve the application process relating to them.

(127722)

151
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many people over 60 in Morecambe and Lunesdale are eligible for the winter fuel allowance.

(127642)

152
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many (a) pensioners and (b) families in Morecambe and Lunesdale benefit from the minimum income guarantee.

(127633)

153
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he will announce the results of the review of the minimum funding requirement; and if he will make a statement.

(127801)

154
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much money was paid by his Department to the Financial Services Authority for its work on stakeholder pension decision trees.

(127416)

155
N   Mr Alan Williams (Swansea West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what would have been the difference in cost to the Exchequer if the state pension had been linked to earnings since 1st May 1997.

(127618)

156
   Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the schemes which provide financial help for the shipbuilding industry; how much financial support has been contributed to these schemes by the Government since May 1997; and if he will list the beneficiaries of the assistance.

(127830)

157
   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his Answer of 12th June, column 466W, on opinion research, what information is held centrally about the results of his Department's market and opinion research.

(127644)

158
   Jane Griffiths (Reading East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which organisations were consulted on Stage 1 of the Hawley Review Group; and if he will publish the responses of those who replied to the consultation on the stage one report.

(127723)

159
   Jane Griffiths (Reading East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which organisations were represented at the meeting on 23rd May to discuss the work of the Hawley Review Group; and what was the outcome of the meeting.

(127736)

160
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of each of the options outlined in the consultation document on the structure of the Post Office Users' National Council.

(127614)

161
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the community finance initiatives operating in England and Wales; what consultation has taken place regarding the Phoenix fund; what criteria must be met for CFI's applying to administer the funds that make up the Phoenix fund; and if he will make a statement.

(127839)

162
N   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19th October 1999 and 20th April 2000 have not received substantive answers, citing as the reason commercial confidentiality or other confidentiality.

(127436)

163
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the measures the telecommunications Regulator has taken to reduce the cost of Internet access.

(127630)

164
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what government help is available to provide access to the Internet for poorer individuals.

(127631)

165
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what help the Government is providing to small firms to encourage e-commerce.

(127639)

166
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what government help is available to increase access to venture capital for small companies in Morecambe and Lunesdale.

(127638)

167
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to introduce a producer responsibility regime for plastic bags.

(127725)

168
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many valid orange disability badges are currently held by individuals resident within Scotland, broken down by local authority area.

[Transferred] (127660)

169
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate how many people in Morecambe and Lunesdale have benefited from the national minimum wage.

[Transferred] (127632)

170
   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discounts are available for electronic filing of tax returns.

[Transferred] (127634)