Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2000-01
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Monday 26 March 2001

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Monday 26 March, of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

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

MONDAY 26th MARCH

1
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee, if she will introduce an audited scheme to recycle House waste paper.

(155945)

2
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the average income per farm for (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the region including the Lewes constituency in each year since 1979 was in current prices.

(155600)

3
N   Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he expects the post-slaughter clean-up to begin at Grange Farm, Little Chesterton, Oxfordshire.

(155438)

4
N   Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he expects Mr Adrian Wilcox of College Farm, Bletchington, Oxfordshire to be able to move his pigs.

(155437)

5
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many livestock farms there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

(155740)

6
N   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what response he made to the letter from Mr Lawrence of Ciel Logistics in May 2000 concerning the health risks associated with consignments of bush meat arriving at Heathrow from Africa.

(155560)

7
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155899)

8
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what recent assessment he has made of the findings on the report of the 1967 foot and mouth outbreak with regard to the time taken between cases being suspected and being confirmed.

(155561)

9
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of road mats treated with disinfectant as a means of preventing the spread of the virus causing foot and mouth disease.

(155074)

10
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what guidance he has issued on the effectiveness of disinfectant mats as a means of preventing the spread of the foot and mouth virus.

(155075)

11
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the time taken between diagnosing animals as being infected with foot and mouth disease and the taking of effective action.

(155076)

12
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for what reason it is taking five days for pigs in some areas to be slaughtered after being diagnosed as infected with the foot and mouth virus.

(155077)

13
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many vets were employed by his Department in (a) 1971, (b) 1975, (c) 1980, (d) 1985, (e) 1986, (f) 1987, (g) 1988, (h) 1989, (i) 1990, (j) 1992, (k) 1994, (l) 1996, (m) 1998, (n) 2000 and (o) 2001.

(155623)

14
N   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if healthy pigs can be moved to abattoirs for killing (a) under the Welfare Destruction Scheme and (b) for normal food purposes; and if he will make a statement.

(155621)

15
N   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received on behalf of pig farmers about the welfare implications for pigs on farms within areas under foot and mouth restrictions; and if he will make a statement.

(155622)

16
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to provide financial assistance to the forestry industry to compensate for losses incurred as the result of foot and mouth disease restrictions; and if he will make a statement.

(155784)

17
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment his Department has made of the job losses in the forestry industry which will result from the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

(155783)

18
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the economic impact of the current foot and mouth restrictions on the forestry industry; what discussions he has had with the forestry industry; and if he will make a statement.

(155782)

19
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what changes he forecasts in the subsidy regime affecting arable farmers from 2001 to 2005.

(155780)

20
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will issue a licence to Herbert Vallance of Ashburton, Devon, to move bullocks to Henry Lang's Abattoir, Ashburton; and if he will make a statement on delays in issuing such licences.

(155652)

21
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on the decision by the Radio Authority to award all regional digital multiplexes to MXR.

(155564)

22
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to release for (a) parliamentary and (b) public scrutiny the papers held by the New Millennium Experience Company.

(155472)

23
N   Mr Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East and Mexborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on his plans for Creative Partnerships.

(153875)

24
N   Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155339)

25
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155901)

26
N   Gillian Merron (Lincoln):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on the future programme of the New Opportunities Fund.

(153878)

27
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to compensate self-employed jockeys who have lost income as a result of the suspension of races during the foot and mouth outbreak.

(155440)

28
N   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list units in the armed forces on standby, as a result of a request from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to deal with foot and mouth.

(155599)

29
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans there are for the Manual of Military Law Part III to be (a) be revised, (b) reprinted and (c) reissued; and if he will make a statement.

(155920)

30
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the legal status is of the Manual of Military Law; and if he will make a statement.

(155915)

31
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Manual of Military Law Part III, is held by all military units; and what the policy is on Part III being held by units.

(155916)

32
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the most recent edition of the Manual of Military Law Part III was printed; if this edition is currently in use; and if he will make a statement.

(155918)

33
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if all members of the armed forces (a) have issued to them and (b) have access to the Manual of Military Law Part III; and if he will make a statement.

(155919)

34
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, Official Report, column 756W, if he will place in the Library copies of reports and representations made to him by the armed forces during the consultation period and drafting of the International Criminal Court Bill, with particular reference to those that set out concerns expressed by the armed forces.

(155921)

35
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155905)

36
N   Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list alphabetically by constituency those honourable Members who have been on visits organised by his Department outside the United Kingdom to armed services units based or deployed abroad in the last three years.

(154770)

37
N   Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made in establishing defence diversification councils.

(155093)

38
N   Mr John Swinney (North Tayside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost of the clean-up operation on the Holy Loch has been, broken down by component.

(155315)

39
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at what height the Chinook helicopter flew over Kew, Surrey, on 11th April 2000.

(155167)

40
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what instructions are given to military helicopters on training flights regarding low flying in built-up areas, with special reference to the Kew Bridge/M4 junction at Chiswick.

(155166)

41
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with military authorities concerning the behaviour of Chinook helicopters operating over Greater London.

(155168)

42
N   Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the establishment is for each branch of consultant in the Defence Medical Services; how many are serving in each branch; and what percentage shortfall there is in each case.

(155002)

43
   Mr Hilary Benn (Leeds Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what revisions to the Labour Market Statistics are scheduled for April; and what the impact of such revisions will be on (a) national and local statistics and (b) relevant Department for Education and Employment policies.

(155761)

44
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many unfilled vacancies for permanent members of teaching staff there were at each Fresh Start school on (a) 31st December 2000 and (b) 28th February; and when he expects them to be filled.

(155165)

45
N   Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many people were awarded postal status due to hardship incurred by travel expenses to sign on at the nearest job centre in the last five years, broken down by region.

(155094)

46
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of full time students stayed in education in the St. Ives constituency after the age of (a) 16 and (b) 18 in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001.

(155743)

47
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what the average class sizes for key stages (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 were in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001 in the St. Ives constituency.

(155744)

48
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many vacancies for teachers there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

(155741)

49
N   Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155340)

50
N   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many people in each London borough were in further and higher education (a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

(155003)

51
N   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of households have children in further and higher education in each London borough who do not have to pay full fees.

(155004)

52
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155903)

53
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to extend provision of resources to HM prisons for the purposes of education and training.

(155769)

54
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what guidance he issues in respect of participation in sport in further education colleges and sixth forms in addition to the academic timetable.

(155910)

55
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement about take-up of education maintenance allowances in Stoke-on-Trent.

(155909)

56
N   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel pellets from the Byker waste plant were delivered to the Cruddas Park residential and shopping complex in Newcastle in each year between 1979 and 2000; and what investigations have been undertaken into the combustion, air emissions and ash-handling at the Cruddas Park complex.

(155343)

57
N   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the sites which received Byker incinerator ash for use (a) in building bricks, blocks, paving stones and building materials, (b) in public and private roads and streets, (c) in compost, potting soil, growing medium and fertiliser and (d) on farms, livestock/poultry holding sites and feedstuffs companies, indicating the dates on which materials were received and the quantities involved.

(155337)

58
N   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the sites which have received ash from the Edmonton incinerator since 1996, for use (a) in building bricks, blocks, paving stones and other building materials, (b) in public and private roads and streets, (c) in compost, potting soil, growing medium or fertiliser and (d) on farms, livestock/poultry holding sites and feedstuffs companies.

(155314)

59
N   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the deliveries of (a) incinerator ash, (b) mixed waste containing organics and (c) compost to (i) Burnside Farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall and (ii) other farms by (1) Newcastle Council's Waste Department, (2) City Works and (3) Associated Waste Services from (A) domestic, (B) commercial and (C) institutional premises; and what tests have been carried out on animal feed for dioxin, furan and PCB content.

(155313)

60
N   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which firms have provided testing of (a) ash residues and (b) air emissions at the Byker, Edmonton, SELCHP, Tyseley and Teesside incinerators since 1996.

(155336)

61
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will seek to amend the law to permit local authorities to retain fines levied on people (a) dropping litter and (b) responsible for graffiti.

(155439)

62
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what has been the cost to date of introducing and operating the Quality Mark scheme in the pilot areas.

(154854)

63
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many builders and allied traders have (a) applied to join and (b) joined the Quality Mark scheme.

(154856)

64
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate his Department has made of the annual cost of operating the Quality Mark scheme nationally.

(154855)

65
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to extend the pilot Quality Mark scheme to the rest of the country.

(154857)

66
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many reduced price saver-type tickets were purchased (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of all rail tickets sold in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

(155734)

67
N   Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment has been made of the quantity and effect of emissions into the air of dioxins resulting from the burning of coal slag, railway sleepers and the other materials being used for the incineration of animals culled for the purpose of eradicating foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement.

(155435)

68
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155907)

69
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the expenditure of the Highway Agency was in Hull in each of the past five years, indicating the schemes on which it has been spent and the proposals for the next five years; and what the expenditure was for estuarial (a) ports and (b) cities, of a similar size and location to Hull.

(155386)

70
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions the Rural Task Force has had on support for the racing industry during the foot and mouth outbreak.

(155441)

71
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many supported housing places will be needed to meet the 2003 target set for the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Programme; how many such places have already been and are in the process of being provided; how many applications to provide new places have been received; and how many have been funded.

(155786)

72
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps his Department is taking to help local authorities reach the targets set by the National Waste Strategy.

(155764)

73
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what performance targets have been set for ENCAMS for waste awareness as a condition of funding.

(155763)

74
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the Are you doing your bit and Use it: Recycle it campaigns are active.

(155917)

75
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what funding sources will be used in order to deliver the National Waste Strategy.

(155765)

76
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the impact of the Are You Doing Your Bit, and Use It: Recycle It campaigns.

(155766)

77
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much his Department estimates it will cost to deliver the National Waste Strategy.

(155767)

78
   Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimates he has made of the number of workers in Scotland who have benefited from the introduction of the statutory minimum wage, broken down by employment sector.

(155777)

79
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, to how many HM Customs staff who left in 2000 compulsory early severance terms under the pre-1987 Agreement applied.

(155566)

80
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much money was received by St. Ives constituents under each of the New Deal schemes.

(155748)

81
N   Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155341)

82
N   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the (a) expected impact of the 2001 Budget and (b) combined impact of the Budget measures of 1998, 1999 and 2000 on (i) women and (ii) men in London.

(155007)

83
N   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many children in families with no-one in work (a) there were in 1996 and (b) there are in 2001 in each London borough.

(155008)

84
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the percentage of (a) full-time employees and (b) all employees who earned below £930 per week in 2000-01; and if he will provide corresponding estimates for each standard planning region.

(155477)

85
N   Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) personal computers, (b) servers, (c) printers, (d) fax machines and (e) vehicles were based with the Inland Revenue in (i) Scotland and (ii) the United Kingdom in (A) 1998-99 and (B) 1999-2000.

(155309)

86
N   Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employees of the Office for National Statistics there were broken down by UK region, indicating the wage bill (a) in total and (b) by region for (i) 1998-99 and (ii) 1999-2000 and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weighting.

(155311)

87
N   Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many buildings the Inland Revenue (a) owned and (b) rented in (i) Scotland and (ii) the United Kingdom in (A) 1998-99 and (B) 1999-2000; and what was the insurance expenditure to cover buildings and employees in those years.

(155310)

88
N   Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the number of Inland Revenue employees by UK region, indicating the wage cost (a) in total and (b) by region for 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weighting.

(155307)

89
N   Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the Inland Revenue spent on education and training of employees in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in (i) 1998-99 and (ii) 1999-2000.

(155316)

90
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what year of income is being used as the basis for assessing people's entitlement to the children's tax credit.

(155434)

91
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral Answer of 1st March, Official Report, column 1022, from the Paymaster General, on what evidence she based her claim that the majority of employers have welcomed the working families tax credit.

(155433)

92
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the competence of (a) the EU and (b) governments of member states in surveillance and interception-related matters.

(155468)

93
N   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he (a) has made and (b) plans to make regarding the imprisonment of members of the Jewish community and others from Shiraz; what plans he has to visit Iran; and if he will make a statement.

(155474)

94
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to alter his policy on arms exports to Morocco; and if he will make a statement.

(155732)

95
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many family visit visa applications were (a) received, (b) determined, (c) allowed and (d) refused since 1st January, broken down by entry clearance post.

(155570)

96
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many family visit visa refusals in relation to which (a) an appeal has been received, (b) the refusal has been overturned by an entry clearance manager after receipt of an appeal, (c) an appeal has been despatched, (d) entry clearance has been issued prior to the outcome of an appeal, (e) an appeal has been allowed and notified to the post and (f) an appeal has been dismissed and notified to the post, there were in each month in 2001, broken down by entry clearance post.

(155571)

97
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he has protested to the Belgian Government at the failure of its uniformed police and security officials to protect Mr Peter Tatchell against assault and to arrest his assailants.

(155754)

98
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he has protested to the Government of Zimbabwe over the assault on Mr Peter Tatchell by members of President Mugabe's entourage in Brussels.

(155753)

99
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will press the Belgian authorities to seek the prosecution of those responsible for assaulting Mr Peter Tatchell in Brussels.

(155755)

100
   Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what financial assistance he has provided to Chairman Arafat in seeking to control the violence in the Palestinian Authority.

(155756)

101
   Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding the presence of Hizbullah in Southern Lebanon.

(155759)

102
   Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the EU Commissioner's meetings with Chairman Arafat with particular reference to (a) violence and (b) corruption.

(155758)

103
   Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the percentage of Palestinians in the (a) West bank and (b) Gaza Strip living under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority.

(155757)

104
   Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Iran regarding the eligibility of members of the Christian, B'hai and Jewish faiths holding senior national positions in that country.

(155760)

105
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if the red tractor symbol meets his Department's requirements in respect of country of origin food labelling.

(155471)

106
   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to provide Driver 2 training under-blue-lights for ambulance operational staff.

(155787)

107
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS registered dentists there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

(155745)

108
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) private and (b) public sector residential nursing homes there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

(155747)

109
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients there were per general practitioner in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1987, (b) 1992, (c) 1997 and (d) 2001.

(155746)

110
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many vacancies for general practitioners there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

(155742)

111
   Sandra Gidley (Romsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on dispensing fees for contact lens and spectacle dispensing from 1st June.

(155736)

112
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155898)

113
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment was made of the long-term offset in savings for primary care resources prior to the issuing of NICE guidance on Orlistat for the treatment of obesity.

(155653)

114
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on the cost of production and distribution of the NHS Plan document.

(155912)

115
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost is of (a) publication and (b) distribution of the NHS Plan Document; and if he will make a statement.

(155752)

116
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of patients in the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Trust who have been recommended for treatment with beta interferon who are awaiting the NICE recommendation; and what has been the change between (a) the first decision to recommend the drug to NICE and (b) since the announcement of the postponment of the decision.

(155387)

117
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of persons who could have benefited from treatment with beta interferon and will not do so as a result of the decision to refer the use of the drug to NICE.

(155388)

118
N   Ms Julie Morgan (Cardiff North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the statutory right to advocacy for looked-after children.

(155467)

119
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what procedures will be put in place to ensure that patient forums will represent the diversity of the local population.

(155908)

120
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent reports he has received regarding the safety of continuing to use PVC bags to contain blood in hospitals.

(155775)

121
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set standards for the care of stroke patients across health and social care settings; and when he intends to publish the National Service Framework for Older People.

(155911)

122
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will establish for what reason assurances given by telephone by the office of the Minister of State to the honourable Member for Lewes on (a) 3rd January and (b) 15th February that a reply to the honourable Member's letter of 22nd September 2000 concerning his constituent Mr George Tripp, would be despatched shortly, have not been implemented.

(155563)

123
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason no reply had been received by 21st March by the honourable Member for Lewes to his letter of 22nd September 2000 to the Minister of State, concerning his constituent Mr George Tripp; and if he will make a statement.

(155562)

124
N   Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants awaiting processing of (a) immigration and asylum claims and (b) appeals, are qualified veterinary surgeons; and if he will list the countries of origin involved.

(155436)

125
N   Mr Tim Collins (Westmorland and Lonsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on pub-watch schemes; and if he will make a statement.

(155559)

126
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many vacancies there were for police officers in the Devon and Cornwall constabulary in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

(155738)

127
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155904)

128
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria are used to determine which asylum seekers should be sent to Oakington Reception Centre; what the qualifying nationalities for detention at Oakington are; how many and what percentage of new asylum seekers from each of the nationalities listed in the instructions were sent to Oakington in the last three months for which figures are available; on what grounds the nationalities listed in the instructions are selected; and if he will make a statement.

(155568)

129
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken was to make (a) an initial decision and (b) a final decision on asylum applications, in total and for (i) individual and (ii) family applications last year; what the average time for initial decisions was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(155574)

130
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the net income from fees for family visit appeals since 2nd October 2000 is; and what proportion of this net income relates to appeals which are outstanding.

(155569)

131
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passports were lost by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each of the last 10 years.

(155565)

132
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to achieve his targets for the time taken to process asylum applications (a) for initial decisions and (b) final decisions; and if he will make a statement.

(155575)

133
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which local authority secure units have been suspended from use by the Youth Justice Board; for what reasons use of those secure units has been suspended; which secure units which had been suspended from use in the past are being used by the Youth Justice Board; and if he will make a statement.

(155567)

134
   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) general guidance and (b) specific instructions are issued to chief constables on the contacts they may have with honourable Members in the run up to a General Election by (i) him and (ii) other organisations.

(155733)

135
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will examine with the Department of Transport and the Regions, and HM Treasury the impact on combating (a) organised crime, (b) incidental theft, (c) bootlegging and (d) illegal immigration of having (i) a dedicated ports police force for the whole of the United Kingdom's ports and (ii) the reintroduction of the British Transport Police at the UK's ports; and if he will make a statement.

(153922)

136
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Liverpool Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153925)

137
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Tees and Hartlepool Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153926)

138
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Tilbury Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153927)

139
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Bristol Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153928)

140
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Devon Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153929)

141
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Felixstowe Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153930)

142
N   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will issue guidance to political parties, agents and candidates on the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000 relating to breaches of the postal vote regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(155470)

143
   Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from fire services that have installed virtual reality training systems in the last two years on the effectiveness of the training; and what evaluation his Department has made of its effectiveness.

(155778)

144
   Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken to improve the quality of Operational Command Training in the Police and Fire Services.

(155779)

145
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the provision of education and skills training to inmates of HM prisons.

(155772)

146
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) provision of ITC skills training programmes in HM Prisons there is and (b) plans he has to extend such provision.

(155751)

147
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to encourage inmates of HM prisons to participate in distance learning.

(155770)

148
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to improve the provision of education to inmates of Her Majesty's prisons.

(155771)

149
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has plans to make the Internet accessible to inmates of HM Prison Service.

(155768)

150
   Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the countries which received UK overseas aid in each year since 1990, indicating the amount of aid given in each case.

(155785)

151
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what response she has made to the recommendations set out in the access report proposed on St Helena prepared by High-Point Rendell.

(155774)

152
N   Mr John McFall (Dumbarton):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she plans to publish the 2001 Departmental Report for her Department.

(155632)

153
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many (a) oral and (b) paper-only family visit appeals were received by the Immigration Appellate Authority in February.

(155572)

154
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many family visit appeals were (a) determined, (b) allowed and (c) dismissed by the Immigration Appellate Authority (i) at an oral hearing and (ii) on the papers only, in February.

(155573)

155
N   Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many members of the (a) Provisional IRA, (b) Real IRA, (c) Continuity IRA, (d) INLA, (e) UDA/UFF, (f) LVF, (g) Orange Volunteer Force and (h) Red Hand Defenders have been (i) charged with a terrorist-related offence and (ii) convicted of a terrorist-related offence in relation to crimes committed after 10th April 1998.

(155469)

156
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made of Belfast Harbour Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153923)

157
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Larne Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement.

(153924)

158
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) punishment beatings, (b) punishment shootings and (c) murders there were in Northern Ireland in (i) each week and (ii) each month from 1st January to 28th February; and if he will indicate for each week and month how many of those crimes were committed by (A) Republican, (B) Loyalist and (C) other groups.

(155913)

159
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of Jonathan Powell apearing before select committees.

(155473)

160
N   Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions in health, education and other services since 2nd May 1997.

(155338)

161
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will break down the disability living allowance awards for which deafness is the main disabling condition by (a) the rate of each component and (b) the age bands (i) 0 to 15, (ii) 16 to 24, (iii) 25 to 34, (iv) 35 to 44, (v) 45 to 54, (vi) 55 to 64 and (vii) 65 years and over.

(155475)

162
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will break down the disability living allowance awards for which deafness is the main disabling condition by (a) the age bands (i) 0 to 15, (ii) 16 to 24, (iii) 25 to 34, (iv) 35 to 44, (v) 45 to 54, (vi) 55 to 64 and (vii) 65 years and over and (b) type of award, including (1) care component only, (2) mobility component only and (3) combined care and mobility components.

(155476)

163
N   Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155342)

164
N   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what the average income of a family with two children in London was (a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

(155006)

165
N   Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what the average income is for a lone parent family in London (a) on income support and (b) where the parent is in employment.

(155005)

166
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155900)

167
N   Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the availability of the full regulations governing social security; and how many copies he holds which are available for consultation by the public.

(155001)

168
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Solicitor General, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155906)

169
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to introduce compulsory licences to reduce the price of drugs to treat HIV/AIDS and related infections under the TRIPs proposals.

(155479)

170
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what his policy is on the proposed introduction of TRIPs plus laws; and if he will make a statement.

(155482)

171
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has received regarding the introduction of compulsory licences to reduce the price of drugs to treat HIV/AIDS and related infections under the TRIPs proposals.

(155478)

172
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the use of WTO-sponsored trade sanctions against developing countries which produce and export cheap generic medicines used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

(155481)

173
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to support the reform of the TRIPs agreement to improve poor people's access to essential drugs and medicines.

(155480)

174
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what quantities of reprocessed uranium have been sold by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and for what purposes in each of the last three years.

(154420)

175
   Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on progress in establishing the Universal Bank.

(155914)

176
   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many former non-Crown sub-post offices there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

(155737)

177
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(155902)

178
N   Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to review the regulations governing the charging by telecommunications companies for telephone calls to charity events, with particular reference to Comic Relief.

(155258)

179
   Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what occupational standard of competence is required of senior members of the fire and police services in respect of directing response to major emergencies.

[Transferred] (155781)

180
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps his Department takes to promote renewable energy.

[Transferred] (155773)

181
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps he is taking to promote energy from off shore wind.

[Transferred] (155762)

182
   Sandra Gidley (Romsey):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to charge VAT rates on (a) medicine dispensing and (b) spectacle and contact lens dispensing; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (155735)

183
   Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the rate of compliance is with the Annual Business Inquiry Financial Questionnaire circulated by the Office for National Statistics; and what penalties exist for non-compliance.

[Transferred] (155749)

184
   Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the amount of time businesses are required to take providing data for the Office for National Statistics; and if he will examine ways of reducing it.

[Transferred] (155750)

185
   Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what action is taken by his Department to ensure that site operator employees are trained as required by the Control of Major Accident Hazards regulations.

[Transferred] (155776)