Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Tuesday 14 December 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 14 December 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 14th DECEMBER

1
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, what estimate he has made of the costs of maintaining and repairing the Palace of Westminster in the current financial year.

(101266)

2
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the enforcement of the law with regard to (a) Halal and (b) Shechita religious slaugther; and if he will make a statement.

(102257)

3
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he intends to make it his policy to ensure that all meat from religiously slaughtered animals is labelled as such; and if he will make a statement.

(102256)

4
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will assess the extent to which meat from religious slaugher is sold to the general public without being labelled as such.

(102259)

5
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on his reasons for deciding not to pursue an early-retirement scheme for farmers; and if he will estimate the projected cost of such a scheme.

(102799)

6
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the expenditure profile of each head of expenditure under the Rural Development Regulation for each of the seven years of the programme.

(102800)

7
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which items of food are subject to overproduction within the EU; what quantities are involved; and what the change in the situation has been in the last year.

(102631)

8
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the expenditure by the EU and by member states of that organisation in subsidising the export of food to nations outwith the EU in the most recent year for which such figures are available.

(102630)

9
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money has been spent to date on each area of the Government's anti-drugs strategy announced following the comprehensive spending review.

(102662)

10
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will include in the Government's Annual Report dates of Cabinet meetings held and their duration.

(101563)

11
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a list of those invited to attend the Millennium Dome on 31st December, other than those described as ordinary members of the public, who have subsequently indicated they will not be attending.

(102255)

12
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Television Licensing Authority regarding the provision whereby sheltered schemes can lose their concession if residents include men between the ages of 60 to 65 years.

(102227)

13
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will review the rules on the eligibility of sheltered housing schemes for concessionary television licences to allow schemes which include some residents under pensionable age to qualify for the concession.

(102522)

14
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his policy in respect of the storage on private land of nuclear weapons by companies involved in their manufacture.

(102524)

15
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which NATO multiple-role aircraft took part in both combat air patrols and ground attack missions over Kosovo.

(102248)

16
   Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the categories of reserves, indicating in each case (a) the name of the category, (b) the numbers of (i) men and (ii) women in the category, (c) the amount of training obligations for the category, (d) the number of (i) men and (ii) women who fulfilled that training obligation in the last year, (e) the call-out commitment of the category and (f) the number of personnel in the category with whom there has been written communication in the last year to confirm (i) addresses and other personal particulars and (ii) continued availability for call-out commitment.

(102828)

17
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what proportion of the final costs of further education delivery was accounted for by staffing costs in the most recent year for which information is available.

(102463)

18
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what proportion of the final costs of higher education delivery was accounted for by staffing costs in the most recent year for which information is available.

(102462)

19
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the percentage of secondary school classes with (a) 31 or more pupils and (b) 36 or more pupils in January (i) 1990, (ii) 1991, (iii) 1992, (iv) 1993 and (v) 1994.

(102520)

20
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the percentage of nursery classes in primary schools with (a) 31 or more pupils and (b) 36 or more pupils in (i) January 1993 and (ii) January 1994.

(102519)

21
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the percentage of classes at Key Stage Two with 31 or more pupils in (a) January 1993, (b) January 1994 and (c) January 1995.

(102521)

22
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, to what extent the money contributed by TECs to the national legal fund established under the auspices of the TEC National Council is to be used to contest the distribution of reserves and assets upon the winding up of TECs; and if he will make a statement.

(102081)

23
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will take steps to require local councils to provide specialist schools to teach English to children who are unable to speak it and to prepare them for admission to state schools.

(102629)

24
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will take steps to ensure that local education authorities do not promote policies of encouraging schools to form group foundation bodies.

(102827)

25
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make it his policy to prevent party political appointments, other than local education authority nominations, to school organisation committees.

(102821)

26
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to ensure that school organisation committees are representative of local community interests.

(102819)

27
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will publish the political affiliation of members of school organisation committees.

(102822)

28
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his Answer of 6th December, Official Report, column 421W, on teachers, if the grants are payable to (a) the school of each training graduate or (b) the company contracted to provide the service.

(102844)

29
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to allow for appeals against the composition of school organisation committees.

(102820)

30
N   Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what guidelines and regulations are in place to regulate the disposal of sewage sludge.

(102571)

31
N   Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what advice he has given to water companies on the disposal of sewage sludge since the banning of such waste disposal at sea.

(102572)

32
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to strengthen legislation protecting wild bird species (a) in general and (b) with particular reference to the species hard hit by the illegal trade to Malta.

(102250)

33
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the illegal wild caught bird trade on British bird species; what steps are currently being taken to protect British species; and if he will make a statement.

(102251)

34
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make it his policy for the forthcoming Wildlife and Countryside Bill to cover aquatic animals; and if he will make a statement.

(102253)

35
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to assess the impact of small, fast, personal watercraft on the behaviour and welfare of small cetaceans; and if he will make a statement.

(102254)

36
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the changes made each year in determining standard spending assessments for shire counties since their inception, including changes made in the weighting given to different factors.

(102427)

37
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the standard spending assessment per head of population in (a) the local authority area containing the constituency of North East Derbyshire and (b) the City of Westminster; and what are the estimated figures for 2000-01.

(102431)

38
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the changes made each year in determining standard spending assessments for shire district councils since their inception, including changes made in the weighting given to different factors.

(102426)

39
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the percentage changes in (a) standard spending assessments and (b) revenue support grant for (i) shire counties and (ii) shire districts between the settlement for 1999-2000 and his proposed settlement for 2000-01, ranked and numbered in descending order.

(102428)

40
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the revenue support grant per head of population in (a) the local authority area containing the constituency of North East Derbyshire and (b) the City of Westminster; and what are the estimated figures for 2000-01.

(102430)

41
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list for 2000-01 the value per head of population of the proposed (a) revenue support grant and (b) standard spending assessments for (i) shire district councils and (ii) shire counties, ranked and numbered in descending order.

(102429)

42
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what changes will be made to the standard spending assessments of each shire district council in 2000-01 as a result of their enhanced population figures; and if he will rank and number the changes in descending order.

(102387)

43
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the standard spending assessment for 2000-01 for each shire county local education authority divided by the number of pupils and ranked and numbered in descending order.

(102721)

44
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what undertakings were given at the time of each privatisation of ports, where ports police forces existed, in relation to their future management and independence by the purchasers; and what scrutiny has been conducted as to the fulfilment of these undertakings since privatisation.

(102436)

45
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what responsibilities private police forces in (a) ports and (b) airports have under airports and aviation security laws.

(102435)

46
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the letter of engagement was signed and when the completed work was delivered for the PricewaterhouseCoopers report, London Underground: Bond Financing vs. the PPP.

(102644)

47
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what fee is payable to PricewaterhouseCoopers for its report, London Underground: Bond Financing vs The PPP, which was deposited in the Library on 8th December.

(102673)

48
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will provide the detailed assumptions and calculations used by PricewaterhouseCoopers in the preparation of its report, London Underground: Bond Financing vs The PPP, which was deposited in the Library on 8th December.

(102671)

49
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many chargeable hours were incurred by PricewaterhouseCoopers in the preparation of its report, London Underground: Bond Financing vs The PPP, which was deposited in the Library on 8th December.

(102672)

50
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 8th December, Official Report, column 541W, on GM crops, what research on the impact of GM pollen on wild or feral bee populations his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) received.

(102833)

51
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what research he has evaluated on leakage into soil from GM insect-resistant maize of the insecticide made by the plant as a consequence of its genetic modification; if he will instruct his officials to seek to follow up research of this kind; and if he will make a statement.

(102722)

52
N   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the members of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and National Bus Pension Fund are likely to receive the £356 million which he announced on 15th June would be returned to them; what the reasons are for the delay in making the payments; and if he will make a statement.

(102646)

53
N   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much has been spent on legal fees relating to the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and National Bus Pension Fund by (a) his Department and (b) the Government as a whole.

(102645)

54
N   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the £365 million which the Government is returning to the members of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and National Bus Pension Fund was handed over to the trustees for eventual distribution.

(102647)

55
N   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what public transport will be operational between Central London and the Millennium Dome on (a) 31st December and (b) 1st January.

(102801)

56
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what arrangements are being made to support care and repair initiatives by local authorities not currently in receipt of support.

(102823)

57
N   Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans his Department has to identify potential health hazards to civilian aircraft flight officers, cabin crews and passengers from exposure to organophosphate lubricants, in relation to the incident involving a BAe 146 aircraft in Sweden on 12th November; what steps have been taken by the Health and Safety Executive to improve precautions against such exposure since August; and if he will make a statement.

(102802)

58
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what analysis his Department has made of the potential impact on government revenues of a reduction in the duty on beer.

(102825)

59
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if it is his policy to encourage the Government of Russia to negotiate with the Government of Chechnya; and if he will list the names of those who are able to represent Chechnya.

(102258)

60
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations have been made to Spain about the incident on 29th November when a Gibraltarian was prevented entry into Spain on the basis that as a British passport holder he could not drive a Gibraltar-registered car; what undertakings have been received from Spain that similar actions will not occur again; and if he will make a statement.

(102434)

61
N   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the changes in charges since 1997 for visas for orphans visiting the UK for holidays from the former Republic of Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

(102464)

62
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the legal position in each overseas territory in relation to (a) capital punishment and (b) homosexual acts.

(102842)

63
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, in what capacity the immediate former Chief Executive of Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trust is currently employed; where he is located; and what requirements he is presently being asked to meet.

(102249)

64
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress is being made with respect to the building of a new breast cancer unit at Nottingham City Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

(102226)

65
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with Trent Regional Health Authority about the proposed new breast cancer unit at Nottingham City Hospital.

(102225)

66
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will reply to the honourable Member for South East Cambridgeshire's letters of 23rd August regarding Mrs G. Hague, and 29th September regarding Mr P. Hodgson.

(102798)

67
   Audrey Wise (Preston): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the extent of the practice by which organs have been removed from deceased adult patients without consent, indicating the number of institutions involved in the last five years.

(102826)

68
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to review the use of animals in drug testing, with particular reference to those used in anxiety models for drugs; and if he will make a statement.

(102252)

69
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th November, Official Report, column 239W, on the Prison Service drug strategy, if he will list those Prison Service establishments where CARAT services are available; if he will list the expected dates for the roll-out of services to those Prison Service establishments where roll-out is not complete; and if he will make a statement.

(102651)

70
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to change the title of probation officers; and if he will make a statement.

(102664)

71
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to change the restrictions on who can be employed in probation work; and if he will make a statement.

(102667)

72
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the total amount spent on prison education services in each Prison Service establishment and in total in (a) 1999 to date, (b) 1998, (c) 1997 and (d) 1992; and if he will make a statement.

(102660)

73
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the reasons were for changing the name of the Probation Service; and if he will make a statement.

(102663)

74
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the total amount spent on prison education services in each young offender institution and in total in (a) 1999 to date, (b) 1998, (c) 1997 and (d) 1992; and if he will make a statement.

(102657)

75
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will ensure that a statement of compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights is made by Ministers in all secondary legislation; and if he will make a statement.

(102654)

76
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 24th November, Official Report, column 125W, on trial by jury, if he will give a full breakdown of where the estimated savings to the criminal justice system from the Government's proposals to limit the right of defendants to elect for jury trial will be made, including savings to (a) the courts and (b) the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement.

(102649)

77
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th November, Official Report, column 239W, on the Prison Service drug strategy, how many staff have been recruited per Prison Service establishment and in total; how many vacancies there are to fill per establishment and in total; and if he will make a statement.

(102652)

78
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the organisations and individuals consulted on the name change of the Probation Service, and place their responses in the Library.

(102666)

79
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of hours of purposeful activity by each prisoner in each week in each Prison Service establishment and in total in (a) 1999 to date, (b) 1998, (c) 1997 and (d) 1992; and if he will make a statement.

(102659)

80
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of cleared-up crime was committed by (a) males under 18, (b) males between 18 and 25, (c) males over 25, (d) females under 18, (e) females between 18 and 25 and (f) females over 25 in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(102655)

81
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the options considered for the new name of the Probation Service.

(102665)

82
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the total number of (a) incidents of concerted indiscipline, (b) incidents of self harm and (c) suicides in each Prison Service establishment and in total in (i) 1999 to date, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1992; and if he will make a statement.

(102658)

83
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy for departments to publish their assessments of the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on all proposed new legislation; and if he will make a statement.

(102670)

84
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th November, Official Report, column 244W, concerning jury trials, if the material requested has been prepared; and if he will make a statement.

(102650)

85
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate the Prison Service has made of the total cost over three years of the Prison Service CARAT drug strategy; what is the breakdown of the estimate; and if he will make a statement.

(102653)

86
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government evaluated the name, community justice service, as a replacement for the Probation Service.

(102668)

87
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to publish the figures for (a) the number of police officers per police force and in total on 30th September, (b) the change in the number of police officers per force and in total between September 1998 and September 1999 and (c) the change in the number of police officers per force and in total between March 1997 and September 1999; and if he will make a statement.

(102669)

88
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the rules are governing the employment of responsible officers for the monitoring of curfew orders; and if he will make a statement.

(102656)

89
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99, (c) 1999-2000 and (d) as planned for 2000-01, was the (i) cash change, (ii) real terms change and (iii) real terms change from the previous year in each case after taking into account the cost of police pensions, in each case, for each police force and in total; and if he will make a statement.

(102648)

90
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if HM Inspectorate of Constabulary will conduct an inspection into the proposals to revise the size and management of the Port of Tilbury Police and its implications for the independence of each officer in the fulfilment of his or her duties as a constable.

(102437)

91
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when HM Inspectorate of Constabulary last inspected the Northern Ireland Airport Police.

(102439)

92
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if HM Inspectorate of Constabulary will conduct an inspection into the management of the Port of Liverpool Police in relation to the capacity of each officer to in the fulfilment of his or her duties as a constable.

(102438)

93
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many persons have applied for political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the five most recent 12 month periods; how many of those applicants in each year have had their request rejected; and how many have been deported in consequence.

(102626)

94
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which organisation within his Department has the responsibility for arranging the deportation of asylum seekers whose applications are rejected; and what assessment has been made of the manner in which these responsibilities are undertaken.

(102628)

95
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what records are kept of those persons who apply for political asylum and have their cases rejected; and how many such persons remain in the United Kingdom.

(102627)

96
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the economic cost of the Kosovo war to (a) Bulgaria and (b) Romania; and how much development assistance is planned for those countries from her budget for 1999-2000 and 2000-01.

(102642)

97
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department has taken to provide assistance for women in Nicaragua since Hurricane Mitch.

(102818)

98
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what debts (a) Honduras and (b) Nicaragua have paid to the (i) World Bank and (ii) IMF (A) before and (B) since Hurricane Mitch.

(102816)

99
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what mechanisms are in place to monitor funds pledged for reconstruction in (a) Nicaragua and (b) Honduras.

(102817)

100
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what response has been made by the Government of Burundi to the request by the United Nations Security Council that it should stop its policy of forced regroupment into recruitment camps.

(101522)

101
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on conditions in Burundi and the humanitarian response of the international community.

(101523)

102
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what discussions have taken place with the senior management of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors concerning the need for communication to all honourable Members on the progress regarding the backlog of outstanding cases, following the report of the Legal Services Ombudsman.

(102720)

103
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what proposals the Government has for changes to the laws preventing illegal abduction of children in tug-of-love cases, with reference to the Hague Convention and overseas courts' differing interpretation and with particular reference to decisions of the courts in Greece.

(102719)

104
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what value for money study has been made of the private finance initiative for Derbyshire magistrates' courts; and if he will publish it.

(102824)

105
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what responsibilities he retains in relation to the oversight of (a) security of airports in Northern Ireland and (b) management of the Northern Ireland Airports Police; and what responsibilities are devolved.

(102440)

106
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what undertakings were given by the purchasers at the time of the privatisation of the Northern Ireland International Airport in relation to the future management and independence of the Northern Ireland Airport Police; and what scrutiny has been conducted since as to the performance of these undertakings.

(102441)

107
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish the dates on which the Cabinet meets and the duration of each meeting.

(102643)

108
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer of 29th November, Official Report, column 58, on asbestos-related disease, if he will publish the advice he received from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on awards for bilateral diffuse pleural thickening.

(101621)

109
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he expects to make a decision regarding suppliers of the A3XX and A400m projects; and if he will make a statement.

(102523)

110
N   Helen Southworth (Warrington South): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will define those staff positions at the Daresbury Laboratory which will have a key role in the design and construction of the Diamond project.

(102718)

111
N   Helen Southworth (Warrington South): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which staff grades at the (a) Daresbury Laboratory and (b) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory have been directly involved in the design of the Diamond project.

(102717)

112
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Treasury about the operation of the Barnett formula; and if he will make a statement.

[Question Unstarred] (101218)

113
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the research projects being undertaken as part of the Government's anti-drugs strategy announced following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

[Transferred] (102661)

114
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Answer of 8th December, Official Report, column 541, on GM crops, if he will identify the evidence with which he has been provided concerning the quantities of GM pollen found in honey, indicating that on which he bases his assessment that such quantities are very small.

[Transferred] (102841)

115
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Answer of 8th December, Official Report, column 541, on GM crops, what consultations he has held with consumers on the acceptability of traces of GM pollen in honey, indicating the (a) dates and (b) manner of the consultation, and the advice he received.

[Transferred] (102829)

116
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Answer of 8th December, Official Report, column 541, on GM crops, if he has carried out an economic analysis of the impact of United Kingdom honey containing GM pollen on the British beekeeping and honey industry.

[Transferred] (102830)

117
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Answer of 8th December, Official Report, column 541, on GM crops, if he will list the research on which both ACRE and ACNFP based their advice to him that they do not consider the presence in honey of pollen from GM crops to pose a risk to health.

[Transferred] (102831)

118
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Answer of 8th December, Official Report, column 541, on GM crops, what consultations he has held with beekeepers on the acceptability of traces of GM pollen in honey, indicating (a) the organisations and individuals he consulted, (b) the dates of meetings and (c) the advice given to him.

[Transferred] (102832)

119
   Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, for each of the years 1982 to 1998, what was the number of people in households where one or more adults were in paid work where the income is below half mean income; what was the estimated number of children in these households; and what were the numbers living in families headed by (a) a lone parent and (b) a couple.

[Transferred] (102843)