Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2000-01
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Tuesday 1 May 2001

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 1 May, of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

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

TUESDAY 1st MAY

1
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the results were of foot and mouth tests carried out at Ashes Farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire.

[R] (159941)

2
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if wild deer with foot and mouth disease are capable of infecting the farm animals with which they come into contact.

[R] (159945)

3
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what have been the results of foot and mouth tests carried out on wild deer since the current outbreak began.

[R] (159944)

4
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if foot and mouth tests have been carried out at farms adjacent to Ashes Farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire.

[R] (159943)

5
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if there has been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease at Ashes Farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire.

[R] (159942)

6
N   Mr David Curry (Skipton and Ripon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the efficiency of equipment to test live animals in the field for the presence of foot and mouth disease infection.

(159822)

7
N   Mr David Curry (Skipton and Ripon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what discussions he has had with the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright and Professor Fred Brown about the availability of equipment to test animals for the presence of foot and mouth disease since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

(159821)

8
N   Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he will take to reduce risks posed by the importation of meat products by passengers from abroad.

(159951)

9
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160024)

10
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160042)

11
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what measures he has taken to reduce the spread of future outbreaks of foot and mouth disease that may occur after the present outbreak.

(159955)

12
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on how many occasions during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease he has rejected suggestions made in representations from the NFU.

(159957)

13
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many reports were received of the illegal movement of livestock in (a) February, (b) March and (c) April.

(159956)

14
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will assess the results of recent vaccinations against foot and mouth disease in (a) The Netherlands, (b) Albania, (c) Macedonia, (d) Taiwan and (e) Algeria.

(159989)

15
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received from people living in the Church Stretton area regarding the firebreak cull of sheep which took place in All Stretton on Wednesday 18th April; and if he will make a statement.

(160076)

16
N   Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made as to the best materials to be employed in the construction of pyres for the incineration of dead livestock, to minimise the production of dioxins and furans, and in particular TCDDs and TCDFs, from such pyres; and if he will make a statement.

(159850)

17
N   Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment has been made and testing carried out to ascertain the levels of dioxins and furans present on agricultural land in proximity to the sites of pyres for the incineration of dead livestock, and in particular in respect of the presence of TCDDs and TCDFs; and if he will make a statement.

(159851)

18
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when movement restrictions on livestock in the Laye-de-la-Haye restricted area will be lifted.

(159986)

19
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what measures he will pursue to encourage transporters of sugar beet to use trunk roads for journeys to and from sugar beet factories.

(159987)

20
N   Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he next plans to meet the President of the European Commission to discuss transport of animals between EU states; and if he will make a statement.

(158640)

21
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make it his policy to apply the rate of compensation for animals slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme prevailing at the time of his oral statement of 26th April, Official Report, columns 456-59, to all animals (a) accepted and (b) entered for the scheme prior to his statement.

(160100)

22
N   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what tests for foot and mouth disease were made in the stock of Mr Philip Smith-Maxwell after the slaughter on suspicion of the disease that took place at Phepson Manor Farm, Worcestershire on 12th and 13th April; what the results of such tests were; and if he will make a statement.

(159847)

23
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make it his policy to review each application for the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme, and, where he is satisifed that animals will be slaughtered on or after 30th April as a result of errors made or delays caused by his Department or his agencies, to pay the higher rate of compensation prevailing before that date; and if he will make a statement

(160075)

24
N   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what instructions have been given to those slaughtering animals during contiguous culls about the report they should make and the steps they should take when they discover clinical symptoms of foot and mouth disease in the stock they are slaughtering; and if he will make a statement.

(159849)

25
N   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will investigate the reasons why the Chief Executive of the Intervention Board has not replied to the letter dated 6th April from Shropshire County Council's chief trading standards officer regarding concerns over the handling of the foot and mouth crisis.

(159984)

26
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for (a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons.

(160008)

27
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of (a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of London headquarters buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

(160007)

28
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which London headquarters building and premises owned or leased by his Department use (a) chlorofluorcarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs.

(160006)

29
N   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, under what circumstances RSPCA officers are prevented from witnessing the slaughter of livestock under the current foot and mouth arrangements.

(159841)

30
N   Mr Derek Twigg (Halton):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the largest single payment made to an applicant was in 2000 under the arable area payments scheme.

(159845)

31
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many special advisers worked in her Department from 1997 to date.

(160027)

32
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160039)

33
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many people from the North West visited the Dome.

(160098)

34
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160044)

35
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the entertainment budget was for his Department in the years from 1997 to date.

(160096)

36
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160030)

37
N   Mr Alan Williams (Swansea West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his Answer of 26 April, Official Report, column 336W, how many bedrooms and living rooms make up the apartment at Kensington Palace occupied by Prince Michael of Kent; on what date he started making a contribution to the cost of maintenance; for what reason he was granted the apartment; and if he is allowed to conduct business from these premises.

(159958)

38
N   Mr David Curry (Skipton and Ripon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what livestock the armed forces own other than for ceremonial purposes; and where they are kept.

(159823)

39
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160054)

40
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the combined cost of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160053)

41
N   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date veterinary surgeons from the RAVC were first made available for duties related to foot and mouth disease; and how many Army veterinary surgeons were made available (a) on that date and (b) subsequently.

(159818)

42
N   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what hazardous materials were transported through Lancaster on 13th December 2000 via the Halton Army Camp.

(159492)

43
N   Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what hazardous material was transported through the village of Nether Kellet to Halton Army Camp on 16th November 2000.

(159493)

44
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what progress has been made on the introduction of youth cards.

(159816)

45
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what the average class size was for each year of secondary school in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160080)

46
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160029)

47
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many (a) nurseries, (b) primary and (c) secondary schools (i) opened and (ii) closed in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160083)

48
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160045)

49
N   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if it is his policy to ensure that student contributions towards tuition fees should rise in line with inflation.

(159814)

50
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, which London headquarters premises owned or leased by his Department use (a) chlorofluorcarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs.

(160019)

51
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of (a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

(160017)

52
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for (a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons.

(160011)

53
N   Mr Derek Twigg (Halton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many students in each English local education authority area are in receipt of educational maintenance allowances.

(159812)

54
N   Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon and East Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of the proportion of maintained (a) primary and (b) secondary schools which require the wearing of school uniform.

(159953)

55
   Mr David Amess (Southend West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 23rd March, Official Report, column 391W, if he will identify the type of crash barrier in use at the time for each of the fatalities that were involved in accidents involving vehicles crossing over the central reservation on (a) motorways and (b) trunk roads in each year since 1992-93.

(160114)

56
N   Mr David Curry (Skipton and Ripon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if expenditure incurred by local authorities to fund the hardship business rate relief programme as a direct consequence of foot and mouth disease will be eligible under the Bellwin scheme.

(159820)

57
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the independent research to find alternatives to animal products used in traditional medicine, with special reference to bile from Asiatic black bears.

(160073)

58
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the average Band D council tax was in the North West for each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160078)

59
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160032)

60
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160049)

61
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when regulations will be laid before the House to remove the inconsistencies in legislation as a result of the provisions of Part II of the Local Government Act 2000; and if he will set up an inquiry to investigate the reasons for the delay in discovering the problem and alerting local authorities to the situation.

(159846)

62
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will place a copy of the full report entitled 'Travel Information and Retailing Policy Review: Final Response' in the Library.

(159946)

63
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to exchange imperial for metric measures for signs on public roads and for use in traffic laws.

(159991)

64
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the Old Bishopsgate goods yard will be redeveloped as part of the East London line proposals.

(159988)

65
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the honourable Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 24th April, Official Report, column 217, if he will set out the basis of the calculations for the cost per ton of carbon saved for (a) biodiesel and (b) road fuel gases compared with ultra low sulphur petrol.

(159992)

66
N   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, following the case in the Queen's Bench Division between L. Benson and Copeland Borough Council, what plans he has to seek to restore the previous position whereby the spouse of a licence holder could use a private hire vehicle for any purpose other than for hire; when the case was heard; and if he will make a statement.

(159863)

67
N   Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for North Cornwall of 26th April, Official Report, column 313W, whether the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating another incident of hazardous vapours from an engine lubricant seal leak into the cabin air in a BAe 146 aircraft on 18th April, flying between Jersey and Gatwick, and other similar incidents affecting this type of aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

(159842)

68
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he required Kent County Council to conduct a risk assessment before it took decisions to (a) close all footpaths and (b) keep them closed.

(159990)

69
N   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated loss to the Treasury was in unpaid duty arising from fuel smuggling from the Irish Republic into Northern Ireland; and if he will publish the tonnage of legitimate fuel deliveries on which duty has been paid in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

(159819)

70
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursant to his Answers of 26th April, Official Report, column 341W, if he will list by valuation office area the number of appeals (a) made and (b) decided at the most recent date for which the information is available

(160065)

71
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date the Valuation Office Agency began its consultation on the approach and timetable for determining appeals for a temporary reduction in rating assessments on the grounds of the impact of foot and mouth disease; and when the consultation will be complete.

(159961)

72
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what additional resources are being made available to the Valuation Office Agency to enable appeals for a temporary reduction in rating assessments on the grounds of the impact of foot and mouth to be decided quickly.

(159962)

73
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the combined cost of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160056)

74
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total combined tax revenue from petrol and diesel was for each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160077)

75
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160055)

76
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses have been given additional funding to ease cash flow difficulties caused by the payment of working families tax credit and disabled persons tax credit in each quarter.

(159699)

77
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on recent discussions he has had with the Chinese Government concerning animal welfare.

(160074)

78
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the entertainment budget for his Department was in each year from 1997 to date.

(160101)

79
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160048)

80
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160036)

81
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for how long on average a person who applied for entry clearance for settlement in (a) June 2000, (b) July 2000, (c) August 2000, (d) September 2000, (e) October 2000, (f) November 2000, (g) December 2000, (h) January 2001, (i) February 2001 and (j) March 2001 will have to wait for an interview in each queue at each post in the Indian sub-continent.

(160093)

82
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd April, Official Report, column 53W, on Mr Tatchell, if he will publish the representation made by the British Embassy in Brussels following the assault on Mr Tatchell.

(160090)

83
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply of 2nd April, Official Report, column 53W, on Mr Tatchell, on what date the British Embassy in Brussels raised the matter with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

(160091)

84
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives he has introduced to ensure compatibility of waiting times between health authorities.

(160069)

85
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received about funding for audiology services.

(160071)

86
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on funding audiology services.

(160070)

87
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the waiting times for initial hearing tests for (a) adults and (b) children.

(160068)

88
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to recruit more staff into audiology services.

(160072)

89
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) private and (b) local authority residential homes in the North West there were in the years from 1997 to date.

(160089)

90
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the waiting list was for those waiting for hip replacement operations on the NHS in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160086)

91
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160057)

92
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost of a hip replacement operation in the North West was in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160085)

93
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the waiting list was for those waiting for cataract operations on the NHS in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160088)

94
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160022)

95
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost of a cataract operation was in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160087)

96
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will reply to letters from the honourable Member for Woking dated 8th January and 16th March, regarding Mr J. Keddar, a constituent.

(159843)

97
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 23rd March on behalf of his constituents, Mr and Mrs McGuire.

(159870)

98
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which premises owned and leased by his Department use (a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs; if he will publish details of such use and the reasons for it; and what specific guidance on the use of these substances he has issued to NHS trusts.

(159965)

99
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for (a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons.

(160010)

100
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of (a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of premises owned and leased by his Department; what guidance on this subject he has issued to NHS Trusts; and if he will make a statement.

(160005)

101
N   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive does not impose upon traditional herbal remedies a technical compliance regime based upon criteria established in the Medicines Directive 65/65 and related legislation for pharmaceutical products.

(159947)

102
N   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the impact of the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive on product innovation and development in natural remedies.

(159948)

103
N   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress is being made by the Medicines Control Agency in discussions at the European Commission Pharmaceutical Committee in relation to the proposed Traditional Medicines Directive; and what assessment he has made of the likelihood of those discussions leading to a directive that would meet his objective of securing in European law a safe home for herbal remedies marketed under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 as medicines not requiring a product licence.

(159960)

104
N   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that the provisions of the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive do not restrict the ability to continue to market in the United Kingdom herbal products which are on the market as (a) herbal medicines exempt from licensing under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 and (b) foods.

(159959)

105
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) robberies and (b) violent crimes in the North West there were in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160081)

106
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160028)

107
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements are in place for consulting local authorities before people seeking asylum are placed in their areas under the NASS scheme; and under what circumstances authorities would not be consulted.

(159789)

108
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are in place to ensure there is fair and open competition for the provison of information technology systems and software to police services; and if he will make a statement.

(159694)

109
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are in place to ensure that information technology systems and software provided to police forces offer value for money; and if he will make a statement.

(159695)

110
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the development and provision of electronic custody systems for the police; when such systems will be available; what is the expected cost of such systems; what has been the total cost of their development to date; and what was the planned date for such systems to be available.

(159696)

111
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if NASS will publish an annual report.

(159771)

112
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the (a) private companies and (b) regional consortia that have entered into contracts with NASS to provide housing for people seeking asylum; how many bed spaces each one has provided; how many of those bed spaces are occupied; and how many of those bed spaces have been inspected by NASS inspectors.

(159772)

113
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 12th February, Official Report, column 57W, what evidence he has to support the conclusion that people seeking asylum are managing to combine their vouchers and cash to ensure they do not lose out; and what representations he has received to the contrary.

(159813)

114
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to monitor the numbers of people seeking asylum housed in each local authority area under the NASS scheme; and if these figures will be made publicly available.

(159773)

115
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance NASS has issued to providers of accommodation for people seeking asylum on encouraging partnership working and promoting good community relations.

(159774)

116
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the remit of the NASS Performance Monitoring Inspection Team; how many inspectors it employs; and what are the performance targets against which its performance is measured.

(159775)

117
N   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the results for the latest DNA tests in connection with the murder of Hilda Murrell were; and if he will make a statement.

(159985)

118
N   Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon and East Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers are located in Essex while awaiting determination of their application or appeal; and what estimate he has made of their total cost to (a) central government and (b) local government funds.

(159952)

119
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list, for the period between the commencement of the home detention curfew scheme and 30th April inclusive (a) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, (b) the number of prisoners convicted of each offence who were released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, including offences committed by prisoners normally classified under the categories (i) other homicide and attempted homicide, (ii) other violence against the person, (iii) drug offences, (iv) assaults and (v) other offences, including a breakdown of the prisoners normally classified in the sub-category of other offences called other offences, (c) the average sentence (i) received and (ii) served, and the average period spent on the scheme, in respect of each offence, (d) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, who (i) breached the conditions of the curfew, (ii) disappeared and were recaptured, (iii) disappeared and remain unlawfully at large and (iv) had their licences revoked with reasons, (e) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme while on the scheme, including offences committed, by prisoners who committed more than one offence and (f) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme who committed a further offence while on the scheme that was similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted, including offences committed by prisoners who committed more than one offence; and if he will make a statement.

(159869)

120
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average cost to his Department has been of answering a written question from an honourable Member asking about the effects since May 1997 of his Department's policies on a particular honourable Member's constituency.

(159969)

121
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Taunton, of 27th March, Official Report, column 594W, what the nature of the work undertaken by Lord Birt was; and if he will make a statement.

(159978)

122
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Airwave communications system.

(159975)

123
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many anti-social behaviour orders have been made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; and how many were made against persons under the age of 18 years.

(159972)

124
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many local authorities have applied for compensation under the terms of section D of RPA Circular 442; what the total amount claimed to date is; and if he will make a statement.

(159981)

125
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library copies of the research on crime undertaken by Lord Birt in his capacity as the Government's adviser on crime.

(159982)

126
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library the results of the surveys conducted by MORI for the Youth Justice Board on offending by children in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

(159968)

127
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to proscribe additional domestic terrorist organisations under the provisions of the Terrorism Act 2000; and if he will make a statement.

(159973)

128
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many child curfew orders have been made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

(159970)

129
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 25th April, Official Report, column 285W, what were the conclusions of Lord Birt's analysis of existing data on offenders, offences, victims and crime reduction; and if he will place them in the Library.

(159979)

130
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement about the operation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

(159980)

131
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reparation orders have been made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which required reparation of the type specified in Section 67(2)(b) of that Act.

(159971)

132
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Christchurch, of 27th March, Official Report, column 589W, on the Airwave communications system, if he will make a statement on the progress being made on the reviews being conducted by the Health and Safety Executive, the Defence Evaluation Research Agency, the National Radiological Protection Board and the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme; and when he expects the results of each review to be published.

(159976)

133
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what work Lord Birt has undertaken in his role as the Government's adviser on crime other than that which contributed to Criminal Justice, The Way Ahead (Cm 5074); and if he will make a statement on work being undertaken by Lord Birt.

(159868)

134
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in her Department from 1997 to date.

(160040)

135
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many special advisers worked in her Department from 1997 to date.

(160026)

136
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, to what extent her Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for (a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans she has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons.

(160012)

137
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department's policy is regarding the purchase of (a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs ofbuildings and premises owned and leased by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

(160016)

138
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which London headquarters building or premises owned or leased by her Department use (a) chlorofluorcarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs.

(160020)

139
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the entertainment budget was for the Lord Chancellor's Department in each year from 1997 to date.

(160095)

140
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160046)

141
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160037)

142
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160052)

143
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160033)

144
N   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many convictions for offences against children aged under18 years there were, broken down by sentence type in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01.

(159848)

145
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Prime Minister, what the entertainment budget was for Number 10 Downing Street in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160097)

146
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many special advisers worked at 10 Downing Street from 1997 to date.

(160038)

147
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Prime Minister, what was the combined cost of employing special advisers at 10 Downing Street from 1997 to date.

(160047)

148
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the occasions in the past two years when he attended (a) official and (b) other meetings with members of the Royal Family.

(159954)

149
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Prime Minister, what procedures are in place to investigate complaints of sub-standard accommodation from people seeking asylum who are living in accommodation contracted through NASS; how NASS monitors its performance in providing accommodation of a proper standard; and what performance targets are in place in relation to this.

(159776)

150
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will hold a public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak once it is concluded; and if he will make a statement.

(159844)

151
N   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Prime Minister, when he will reply to the letter dated 4th April from Mrs Frances Beatty, Regional Director of the Country Landowners' Association, regarding animal welfare concerns in connection with foot and mouth disease.

(159983)

152
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Prime Minister, how the work on crime undertaken by Lord Birt contributed to his speech 'Improving Your Local Environment', delivered on 24th April; and if he will make a statement.

(159967)

153
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Prime Minister, which of the proposals in his speech 'Improving Your Local Environment', delivered on 24th April, were put forward by Lord Birt in his capacity as the Government's adviser on crime; and if he will make a statement.

(159966)

154
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date.

(160050)

155
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many special advisers worked in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date.

(160035)

156
N   Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will allow the payment of widows/widowers benefit to be based on the national insurance contributions of deceased unmarried partners.

(159950)

157
N   Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what steps he is taking to ensure that unmarried partners are given the same recognition as married couples in all aspects of social security legislation.

(159949)

158
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many (a) children, (b) adults and (c) pensioners lived in poverty in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160084)

159
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160041)

160
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160025)

161
   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many claims submitted (a) prior to 31st December 2000 and (b) since 1st January for the winter fuel payment from men aged between 60 and 64 years are unresolved; and if he will make a statement.

(160092)

162
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for (a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons.

(160013)

163
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of (a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; what guidance he has issued on this subject to regional and local departmental offices; and if he will make a statement.

(160015)

164
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, which London headquarters building or premises owned and leased by his Department use (a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs; if he will publish details of such use and the reasons for it; and what guidance he has issued on this subject to regional and local DSS offices.

(160021)

165
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many complaints have been made about the administration of attendance allowance in each month since January 1997.

(159703)

166
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what the recorded rate of housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud was in Scotland in each year since 1997.

(159697)

167
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what work has so far been undertaken by his Department's Euro Programme team; what range of costs has been estimated by the DSS Euro Programme team for the cost of converting the social security system into euros; and when a report on the DSS Euro Programme team's work will be published.

(159700)

168
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what entitlement to inherited SERPS remains after someone who has contracted out of SERPS into an occupational scheme subsequently transfers to a personal pension plan; and what action his Department has taken to inform people that they could lose out by making such a change.

(159701)

169
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to use the information collected through the current census to help reduce the incidence of benefit fraud.

(159702)

170
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will place the responses to the pension credit consultation paper (Cm 4900) in the Library.

(159704)

171
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what evidence he has collated on the impact of the Targeting Fraud advertising campaign on the number of people reported for benefit fraud; and if he will make a statement.

(159698)

172
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to his Answer to the Right honourable Member for Maidstone and the Weald of 25th April, Official Report, column 273W, on Lord Birt, what the emerging findings of Lord Birt's work were; if he will place a copy of the briefing setting them out in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

(159977)

173
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action he is taking to protect apprentices and trainees affected by British Timken's proposed factory closure in Northampton.

(159815)

174
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action he is taking to investigate the impact of the closure of British Timken's factory in Northampton.

(159817)

175
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in what respects average prices for each of the categories of electrical goods subject to the Restriction on Agreements and Conduct (Specified Domestic Electrial Goods) Order 1998 have altered in each of the last five years in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms.

(159963)

176
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the impact of prohibitions in below-cost selling, with special reference to the recent Report of the Competition Commission on the trading restrictions of supermarkets.

(160099)

177
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160023)

178
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many post office closures there were in the North West in the years from 1997 to date.

(160094)

179
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date.

(160043)

180
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many people were employed in manufacturing industry in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

(160082)

181
N   Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent discussions he has had with EU colleagues on the Social Chapter.

(158611)

182
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of (a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

(160014)

183
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for (a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons.

(160009)

184
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which London headquarters building or premises owned or leased by his Department use (a) chlorofluorcarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs.

(160018)

185
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date.

(160051)

186
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many special advisers worked in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date.

(160034)

187
N   Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone and The Weald):    To ask the honourable Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, answering on behalf of the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how the Electoral Commission proposes to divide the sum of £1.5 million allowed in the Electoral Commission (Limit on Public Awareness Expenditure) Order 2001 between promoting public awareness of (a) electoral systems, (b) systems of government and (c) the institutions of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

(159974)

188
N   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Island of St. Helena.

[Question Unstarred] (158623)

189
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the Report by Dr Hans von Ko�chler on the Lockerbie trial at Camp Zeist.

[Question Unstarred] (158626)

190
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what change there has been in the retail price of audio visual equipment in (a) the last year and (b) the last five years.

[Transferred] (159964)

191
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many abattoirs there were in the North West in each of the years from 1997 to date.

[Transferred] (160079)