Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Tuesday 7 November 2000

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 7 November, of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

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

TUESDAY 7th NOVEMBER

1
   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many primates have been imported into the UK for research purposes for each month since October 1999; of these, how many were imported through the Port of Dover; and if he will make a statement.

(137292)

2
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on his response to the Phillips Report as it relates to the procedures for specified bovine offal removal, for (a) knackers' yards and (b) hunt kennels.

(137248)

3
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what examination his Department has undertaken of the extent to which traces of BSE are present in animals resident in hunt kennels.

(137249)

4
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the value to the farming industry of the removal of dead stock by hunt kennels.

(137250)

5
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what deadline the Millennium Commission has requested for the conclusion of discussions with Legacy plc. over the prospective purchase of the Dome.

(137234)

6
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his Answer of 1st November, Official Report, column 476W, what undertaking was sought by the Millennium Commission from (a) the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office or (b) the New Millennium Experience Company in return for its most recent award of grant.

(137222)

7
N   Mr Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions (a) coalition aircraft and (b) UK aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly-zone in Iraq have released ordnance in response to violations from (i) 20th December 1998 to 17th May 2000 and (ii) 17th May to date indicating in percentage terms over said periods (1) the nature of the threat, (2) the category of the target attacked and (3) the tonnage of ordnance released on each category of target in proportion to the overall tonnage released in said periods; and if he will make a statement.

(136593)

8
N   Mr Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what tonnage of ordnance has been released by (a) coalition and (b) UK aircraft in operations to maintain the southern no-fly-zones in Iraq from 17th May to date; and if he will make a statement.

(136594)

9
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much time HMS Invincible had to alert other warships to the first Exocet attack during the Falklands war; what action was taken during that time; how much warning HMS Sheffield received of the attack; and if he will make a statement.

(137302)

10
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer from Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer to the honourable Member for Oxford East of 23rd October, Official Report, columns 73-6W, on ministerial directions, if he will place in the Library the text and supporting documentation of the directions made by Ministers in his Department in 1998 and 2000; and if he will make a statement.

(137298)

11
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what consultations he has held with (a) the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, (b) awarding bodies, (c) representatives of disability organisations and (d) others in connection with the early availability and special preparation of papers and tests for pupils who are blind or who have a visual impairment.

(137036)

12
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list for each local education authority (a) the amounts spent and (b) the full-time equivalent numbers directly employed in the Youth Service in each of the last three years, together with a projection of the proportion of that (i) expenditure and (ii) staff to be transferred to the Connexions Service.

(137032)

13
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what consultations he has held with the National Youth Agency and the Connexions Service on matters and activities of mutual concern.

(137034)

14
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the winding up of the National Advisory Council for Education and Training Targets and the transfer of its activities to the Learning and Skills Council.

(137035)

15
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on recruitment and training of personal mentors to date.

(137033)

16
N   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will estimate the additional cost as net saving to the Exchequer of increasing the cost of raising the threshold for repayment of income contingent student loans to (a) £13,000, (b) £15,000 and (c) £17,000 at real interest rates of (i) 0 per cent., (ii) 1 per cent., and (iii) 2 per cent., annually for the years up to 2004-05 assuming student numbers continue on current trends and the proportion of income taken remains at the current level.

(136976)

17
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, which areas of West Sussex are included in the West Sussex Coastal Plain unit for delivery of the New Deal.

(137063)

18
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much has been spent on the New Deal for young people in West Sussex since its inception.

(137062)

19
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when he last visited Thurlow Park School in Lambeth.

(137227)

20
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will set out the usual process for preparation of a school's PFI bid including details of the involvement of officials from his Department.

(137228)

21
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many of his Department's officials (a) have worked and (b) are working with Islington LEA on the submission of a PFI bid for schools; and at what cost to his Department.

(137207)

22
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what guidance has been issued to adjudicators and school organisation committees on the policy of inclusion for children statemented with special educational needs.

(137229)

23
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what discussions he has had with Lambeth Council about the proposed closure of Thurlow Park School.

(137225)

24
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many of his Department's officials have been seconded to work on the outsourcing of certain education services from Islington LEA; and at what cost to his Department.

(137226)

25
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what targets (a) were in place on 1st January and (b) he has set recently for the performance of (i) the London Underground and (ii) its contractors; and if he will make a statement.

(137303)

26
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the recent deprivation indices produced by his Department, by ward.

(136699)

27
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what action is being taken to ensure that area based initiatives target money to areas with the greatest need.

(136700)

28
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what provision he has made to ensure that funding arrangements for the new concessionary fares (a) are affordable and (b) are sufficiently flexible to operate in rural areas.

(137259)

29
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what sanctions his Department operates in respect of waste disposal authorities which do not include incineration as an option within their waste local plans.

(137247)

30
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will investigate different models of operation of concessionary fares in order to ensure that the available network is created between urban and rural areas.

(137260)

31
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish the guidance his Department issues to waste disposal authorities on incineration.

(137246)

32
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will launch national and local campaigns to ensure that there is maximum take-up of new concessionary fares.

(137262)

33
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if individual waste disposal authorities are permitted to export some or all of their waste to the areas of other waste disposal authorities within the same region.

(137245)

34
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish the timetable for the full implementation of new concessionary fares.

(137263)

35
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with the Local Government Association regarding the introduction of new concessionary fares arrangements, with particular reference to rural areas.

(137258)

36
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the guidance given by his Department to waste disposal authorities on the regional content for their activities.

(137244)

37
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the role of taxis under the new arrangements for concessionary fares.

(137261)

38
   Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress has been made by each energy conservation authority as defined in the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in improving the energy efficiency of the domestic housing stock in their area, at the most recent date for which figures are available.

(137326)

39
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 1st November, Official Report, column 451W, concerning the Single Regeneration Budget, if he will provide details of the geographical area covered by each bid.

(137117)

40
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 26th October, Official Report, column 172W, what the total cost was of his recent visit to China for all the members of his delegation; and if he will break down the costs.

(137235)

41
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the Answer from Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer to the honourable Member for Oxford East of 23rd October, Official Report, columns 73-6W, on ministerial directions, if he will place in the Library the text and supporting documentation of the directions made by Ministers in his Department in 1998; and if he will make a statement.

(137297)

42
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the Answer from Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer to the honourable Member for Oxford East of 23rd October, Official Report, columns 73-6W, on ministerial directions, if he will place in the Library the text and supporting documentation of the directions made by Ministers in his Department in 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(137296)

43
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the performance of NHS trusts and resigistered social landlords partnerships; if he will list the locations where such partnership schemes have been initiated; and what plans he has to further extend the partnership scheme.

(137230)

44
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes have been made to the English comparator that forms the basis of the Barnett Formula in each year since 1997; what consequential changes in allocations to (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales were made as a result; and what the cumulative effect of all such changes was in the current financial year.

(137027)

45
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his policy on the introduction of an employment tax credit in 2003.

(137060)

46
N   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the British Embassy in Dakar has been informed of the decision of the Appeals Tribunal in the case of Kadiatou Balde from Guinea; and if she will be permitted to enter the UK.

(137112)

47
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the representations he has made recently to the Israeli Government on behalf of Mordechai Vanunu.

(137243)

48
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a report to the House on significant events in foreign affairs between 1st August and 23rd October.

(135178)

49
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken with other European Union member states to resist efforts by the United States to create an exception for US nationals in the International Criminal Court Treaty.

(137324)

50
N   Dr John Marek (Wrexham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance he is giving to (a) Belize and (b) Guatemala to resolve problems relating to their common border.

(137061)

51
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd November, Official Report, column 603W, when he expects remedial action to be taken to bring the mortuary at Trafford General Hospital to the necessary minimum standard.

(137237)

52
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which organisation is responsible for setting the necessary minimum standard for hospital mortuaries.

(137232)

53
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the NHS hospital mortuaries which fail to meet necessary minimum standards.

(137236)

54
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to establish that NHS hospital mortuaries meet the necessary minimum standard.

(137233)

55
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd November, what funding will be provided to achieve the necessary minimum standards at the mortuary of Trafford General Hospital.

(137238)

56
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the NHS hospital mortuaries which have been visited by ministers in his Department since May 1997.

(137240)

57
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd November, Official Report, column 603W, what inquiries he has made into the reasons why expenditure on the mortuary at Trafford General Hospital in 1998 failed to bring the facility to the necessary minimum standard.

(137239)

58
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) alcohol and (b) drug related assaults on ambulance staff have taken place in each of the last three years for each relevant NHS trust.

(136443)

59
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list each (a) capital and (b) PFI scheme in the North East and Yorkshire region requiring (i) regional executive and (ii) national approval, stating in each case (1) when the outline business case was submitted, (2) when approval was given, (3) if the scheme was advertised for tender and (4) when construction was commenced.

(137022)

60
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much capital has been allocated to the North East and Yorkshire region as part of the national bidding processes in (a) the current financial year and (b) 1999-2000; and how much each NHS trust obtained for each national priority.

(137024)

61
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if the conventionally financed precursor scheme for the Newcastle Hospitals Trust PFI has been approved.

(137026)

62
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the block allocation is for discretionary capital for each NHS trust in the North East and Yorkshire region in (a) the current financial year and (b) 1999-2000.

(137023)

63
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the level of capital expenditure needed at each hospital site of the Newcastle City Health Trust to ensure they comply with Heath and Safety Excutive standards.

(137025)

64
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if hospices will be eligible for financial help as part of the Government's commitment to cancer services.

(137252)

65
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what resources he plans to make available to help fund hospices.

(137251)

66
   Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the progress of the Electronic Record Demonstrator Implementation Programme and progress towards achieving a national electronic health record database; what timescale he is working to; and if he plans to fund the chosen programme from (a) NHS funds, (b) a public-private partnership and (c) other sources.

(137273)

67
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will review the working of the Osteopaths Act 1993 and the composition of the Council.

(137118)

68
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that those persons who practised as osteopaths prior to the coming into force of the Osteopaths Act 1993 are not debarred from practising as osteopaths as a result of that Act.

(137119)

69
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) NHS nurses and (b) agency nurses were employed in London in each of the last 10 years.

(137224)

70
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much it cost the NHS to employ agency nurses (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London, between 1990 and 2000.

(137113)

71
N   Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) undertaken at (i) a local and (ii) a national level into potential clusters at vCJD cases in (A) Queniborough, Leicestershire and (B) Armthorpe, South Yorkshire.

(137115)

72
N   Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of establishing (a) a standardised protocol and (b) a dedicated core team for the investigations of potential clusters of vCJD.

(137116)

73
   Dr Peter Brand (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many convicted prisoners were transferred to private psychiatric hospitals in each of the last five years.

(137289)

74
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average length of time is of applications for (a) residence documents and (b) endorsements given to third country national spouses of EU nationals exercising Treaty rights who have been granted indefinite leave to remain.

(137823)

75
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for residence permits were made by EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom in 1999.

(137276)

76
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for residence permits or leave to remain as the spouse of an EEA national exercising Treaty rights were refused on the basis that he believed the marriage to be one of convenience in 1999.

(137274)

77
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what statutory measures the Government has adopted in the UK to give third country national employees of service providers based in another member state the right to provide services in the UK.

(137291)

78
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for residence documents by EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom were granted in 1999.

(137288)

79
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for residence permits for EU nationals exercising Treaty rights were issued for a period of less than five years, during 1999.

(137280)

80
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time was for consideration of (a) applications for residence documents and (b) evidence made by third country national family members of EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom in 1999.

(137284)

81
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many non-EEA family members who arrived in possession of entry clearance holding an EEA family permit were refused entry by the immigration officer at a British port of entry during 1999.

(137277)

82
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many residence documents and evidence of residence were granted to third country national family members of EU national exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom during 1999.

(137286)

83
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for (a) residence documents and (b) endorsements by third country national spouses of Community nationals exercising Treaty rights were refused on the basis that he considered the marriage to be one of convenience during 1999.

(137279)

84
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many EU nationals he estimates exercised Treaty rights in the UK during the period 1st January to 31st December 1999.

(137282)

85
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) passports and (b) identity documents purported to be issued by an EU member state presented by passengers on arrival in the UK were the subject of enquiries with the authorities of the member state to determine the document's genuineness and that issue to the holder was correct, during 1999.

(137290)

86
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average time for consideration of applications for residence permits for EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom in 1999.

(137285)

87
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many EU nationals were refused entry to the UK on grounds of (a) public policy, (b) public security and (c) public health during 1999.

(137278)

88
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for residence documents by third national family members of EU nationals exercising Treaty rights were made in 1999.

(137287)

89
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many letters were sent to Community nationals in the United Kingdom in 1999 advising them that they were no longer considered to be exercising Treaty rights and should therefore leave the United Kingdom.

(137281)

90
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the FCO concerning the publication of the Annual Human Rights Report 2000.

(137223)

91
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the average period of time taken to settle claims dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last three years.

(135334)

92
N   Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to publish the report of the Review of the proposal for a new police fund to assist the widows and families of RUC officers murdered as a result of terrorist action; and if he will make a statement.

(137114)

93
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many applications for attendance allowance have been received in each quarter of the last three years; and of those how many were (a) successful, (b) unsuccessful, (c) subject to appeal and (d) successful at appeal.

(136806)

94
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what the average processing time is for attendance allowance for (a) first-time claims and (b) appeals for claims to be reconsidered for each quarter over the last three years.

(136805)

95
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if an individual diagnosed as suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is eligible for industrial injuries disablement benefit.

(137241)

96
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will publish the criteria by which sufferers from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are determined to be in eligible occupations for the purpose of receiving benefit.

(137242)

97
   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer of 30th October, Official Report, column 261W, on benefits expenditure, if he will reproduce the table on the assumption that working families tax credit is a means-tested benefit.

(137300)

98
   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer of 30th October, Official Report, column 254W, when he asked the Government Actuary to undertake a report into the basic state pension and different methods of uprating.

(137301)

99
   Sir Peter Lloyd (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many claims for attendance allowance were received in the last 12 months for which statistics are available; how many were refused; and how many were subsequently granted on appeal.

(137275)

100
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what information he collects on the minimum incomes required by different categories of pensioner households to afford a minimum acceptable standard of living; and what proposals he has to improve its (a) flow and (b) accuracy.

(137270)

101
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what recent representations he has received on the provision of independent pensions for married women who have made full pension contributions; and what response he has made to them.

(137271)

102
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many applications resulted from his Department's most recent take-up campaign for the minimum income guarantee for pensioners; how many were successful; and what were the principal reasons for failure.

(137267)

103
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many carers over the age of 65 years he expects to claim invalid care allowance under the package for carers announced in October.

(136444)

104
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much additional funding he has allocated for the package of measures for carers announced in October.

(136445)

105
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many carers in receipt of their retirement pension do not qualify for the full amount of invalid care allowance.

(136446)

106
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many married couples who were carers, over the age of 60 years and both in receipt of the state pension, were not entitled to invalid care allowance in the last year for which figures are available.

(136447)

107
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many carers are in receipt of the retirement pension and do not qualify for the full amount of invalid care allowance.

(136595)

108
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many married couples who were carers, over the age of 60 years and both in receipt of the state pension, were not entitled to invalid care allowance in the last year for which figures are available.

(136596)

109
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much additional funding he has allocated for the package of measures for carers announced in October.

(136597)

110
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many carers over the age of 65 years he expects to claim the invalid care allowance under the package for carers announced in October.

(136598)

111
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the Answer from Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer to the honourable Member for Oxford East of 23rd October, Official Report, columns 73-6W, on ministerial directions, if he will place in the Library the text and supporting documentation of the directions made by Ministers in his Department in 1998 and 1999; and if he will make a statement.

(137295)

112
   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the UK patents which have been (a) applied for and (b) granted between (i) 1st July 1999 and 27th July 2000 and (ii) since 28th July 2000 in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals; and if he will make a statement.

(137293)

113
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the implications of EC Directive 94/25/EC on small businesses engaged in the modification, upgrading and conversion to LPG of recreational craft engines.

(137294)

114
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures his Department is taking to protect suburban post offices from closure in the Sutton and Cheam parliamentary constituency.

(136442)

115
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action is being taken to help people who are (a) aged 50 and over and (b) aged under 25 years, and who are not working to setup their own businesses.

(136698)

116
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent summit on household debt.

(137253)

117
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proposals he has to deal with irresponsible lending by financial institutions.

(137255)

118
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent discussions he has had with the Consumer Policy Institute.

(137257)

119
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions he has had recently with representatives of farming organisations regarding the division of Milk Marque into three separate processing companies.

(137231)

120
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions he has had with the Post Office regarding the proposals contained in the Performance and Innovation Unit report on the Post Office Network sub-post offices for a new role for Government general practitioners.

(137256)

121
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list those organisations invited to attend the recent summit on household debt.

(137254)

122
   Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has made to the EU in respect of the temporary tariff on imported fertiliser.

(137272)

123
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the Answer from Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer to the honourable Member for Oxford East of 23rd October, Official Report, columns 73-6W, on ministerial directions, if he will place in the Library the text and supporting documentation of the directions made by Ministers in his Department in 1998 and 2000; and if he will make a statement.

(137299)

124
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, in how many deaths in England and Wales in 1999 hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate, broken down between (a) all ages, (b) those aged 60 to 74, (c) those aged 75 to 84 and (d) those aged 85 and over.

[Transferred] (137268)

125
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many excess winter deaths there were in England and Wales in 1999-2000 (a) in all age groups, (b) for those aged 60 to 74, (c) for those aged 75 to 84 and (d) for those aged 85 and over.

[Transferred] (137269)