Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2001-02
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Friday 22 June 2001

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Friday 22 June, of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

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

FRIDAY 22nd JUNE

1
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will review the availability of 'Mein Kampf' in public libraries; and if she will make a statement.

(58)

2
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will ensure that United Christian Broadcasting receives a radio broadcasting licence.

(15)

3
   Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much support the Arts Council provided for projects within each West Midlands local authority in each of the last three years.

(354)

4
   Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on his Department's inquiry into the use of service personnel for research at Porton Down supervised by Professor Ian Kennedy; if individual volunteers who have claimed compensation will be invited to contribute to the inquiry; if the conclusions reached by the Wiltshire Police and the information held by the honourable Members who have pursued the matter in the House will be noted by the inquiry; when he expects the inquiry to be complete; and if all the information that is obtained will be published in full.

(731)

5
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on progress of the review of British Forces Post Office, Mill Hill.

(56)

6
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what were the findings of the investigation into the death of his Department's civil servant found near Limassol, Cyprus on 17th May; what work he was engaged in at the time; and what conclusions have been reached by the Cyprus police.

(729)

7
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools and colleges in rural areas have closed in each of the last five years.

(64)

8
   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans her Department has to abolish application fees for teacher training courses.

(398)

9
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what arrangements her Department has made for the issue of a student's discount card; and on what terms.

(10)

10
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the class sizes for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools were in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) the City of York local education authorities on 1st May 2001 and projected for 1st May 2002.

(5)

11
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many students dropped out of university courses in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001.

(25)

12
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers were working in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) City of York local education authorities on 1st May and projected for 1st May 2002.

(34)

13
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many students were in higher education on (a) 1st May 2000 and (b) 1st May 2001; and what is the projected figure for 1st May 2002.

(24)

14
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many abattoirs closed in each of the last 20 years.

(66)

15
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effects of foot and mouth disease on businesses in the United Kingdom and the adequacy of existing government measures in responding to those effects.

(16)

16
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps were taken to inform veterinary surgeons of discrepancies between clinical diagnosis of foot and mouth disease on farms and subsequent laboratory tests; on how many occasions such discrepancies occurred; and if she will make a statement.

(47)

17
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps were taken to ensure that farmers were aware (a) of the law surrounding slaughter of animals as a result of foot and mouth disease control and (b) of their rights relating to property prior to the slaughter of their animals; and if she will make a statement.

(45)

18
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farms in Worcestershire are still on Form D restrictions around farms now known not to have foot and mouth disease as a result of laboratory tests.

(44)

19
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, of the contiguous culls in Worcestershire, how many have occurred around premises believed to be infected with foot and mouth disease, but which subsequently were shown to be negative in laboratory tests.

(42)

20
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will encourage county councils not to lift restrictions on the use of footpaths in areas where farmers remain unable to move their stock as a result of foot and mouth disease control measures; and if she will make a statement.

(39)

21
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many contiguous culls occurred in Worcestershire after negative laboratory tests for foot and mouth disease relating to the premises believed to be infected.

(43)

22
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many premises in Worcestershire were at any stage considered to be infected with foot and mouth disease; and of these, how many have subsequently been cleared following negative laboratory tests.

(41)

23
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of premises infected with foot and mouth disease as a result of allowing animals to enter the West Midlands via Penrith, Longtown, Welshpool and Ross markets.

(40)

24
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many laboratory tests for foot and mouth disease were negative after 24 hours, but were subsequently found to be positive.

(38)

25
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received concerning the reopening of footpaths near areas infected with foot and mouth.

(33)

26
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of a serious decline in agriculture on the tourist industry with particular reference to rural areas.

(348)

27
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received concerning the 20 Day Standstill Rule; what proposals she has to change it; and if she will make a statement.

(32)

28
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if livestock owners whose animals are being blood-tested by her Department's vets and officials will be allowed to keep a part of samples taken.

(346)

29
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the foot and mouth crisis on the veterinary sector.

(344)

30
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the extent to which the current foot and mouth virus type is spread by (a) air and (b) movements of people and vehicles.

(347)

31
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many veterinary practices there were in the UK on (a) 1st May 1997, (b) 1st May 1998, (c) 1st May 1999, (d) 1st May 2000 and (e) 1st May 2001; and what estimate she has made of the number of veterinary practices that will be operating on 1st May 2002.

(345)

32
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action she is taking to encourage energy crops.

(409)

33
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with the Financial Services Authority during the past year about the publication of negative levels of cash flow and rising profits at Independent Insurance Company.

(403)

34
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions the Financial Services Authority has had with KPMG about (a) their role as external auditors of Independent Insurance Company and (b) their assessment of the adequacy of Independent Insurance Company's reserves.

(402)

35
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the Serious Fraud Office's investigation into the Independent Insurance Company.

(401)

36
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what regulations he proposes to instigate through the Financial Services Authority to ensure that all claims against an insurance company are properly entered into the company's accounting system.

(420)

37
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what dates officials from the Financial Services Authority met Mr Michael Bright in his capacity as Chief Executive of Independent Insurance Company during the past 12 months; and what matters were discussed.

(404)

38
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to introduce legislation to reform the Office of National Statistics.

(18)

39
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to raise the VAT threshold for small businesses to £100,000; and if he will make a statement.

(28)

40
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received on the taxation of company cars; and what recent assessment he has made of the impact of taxation on company car use.

(31)

41
   Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, at what meetings of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers he plans to be represented at ministerial level for the rest of this year; and if he will make a statement.

(732)

42
   Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was his reply to the inquiry of the Latvian Chair-in-Office of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on the participation of parliamentarians in the national delegations to the General Assembly of the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the composition of the UK delegation at the forthcoming session.

(733)

43
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which of his ministers has responsibility for visa applications.

(253)

44
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list his special advisers and their division of responsibilities.

(254)

45
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what are the implications for UK foreign policy of the recent meeting between President Bush and President Putin; and if he intends to raise the issue of human rights abuses in Chechnya with them.

(735)

46
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's position regarding (a) Sino-US relations and (b) Sino-Taiwanese relations.

(255)

47
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to visit (a) Sierra Leone, (b) China and (c) Zimbabwe.

(256)

48
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the House of Lords will be responsible for arms trade to (a) Indonesia and (b) Sierra Leone.

(736)

49
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the special advisers in his Department together with their date of appointment and their responsibilities; which of them are authorised to speak to the media; and if he will make a statement.

(251)

50
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has had made to the Chinese Government about human rights abuses in Tibet.

(252)

51
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the areas of responsibility that have (a) been transferred from his Department to other departments and (b) been transferred to his Department from other departments since 8th June.

(257)

52
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the responsibilities of each minister in his Department.

(258)

53
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations Her Majesty's Government has made to (a) the World Health Organisation, (b) the United Nations and (c) the European Union in support of Taiwan's appeal to be granted observer status to the World Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

(352)

54
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into relative survival rates following diagnosis of cancer in the UK and the rest of Europe.

(63)

55
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to reform the law relating to medical negligence claims; and if he will make a statement.

(49)

56
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the need to empower hospitals to restrict the movement of infectious in-patients suffering from TB; and if he will make a statement.

(59)

57
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement concerning the risk to patients and the contraction of TB by a patient at Barnet Hospital from another patient.

(60)

58
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to include NHS scientific laboratory staff in the NHS pay review.

(349)

59
   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 8th May from the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. R. McMorris.

(343)

60
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what financial support his Department gives services for palliative care; and how such funds are to be distributed.

(12)

61
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he will give to the NHS Appointments Commission to ensure that suitable nominations are received from the voluntary sector.

(13)

62
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the (a) longest and (b) shortest waiting times were for (i) heart operations, (ii) hip replacements and (iii) cancer treatment (A) in North Yorkshire and (B) nationally in (1) 1997, (2) 1998, (3) 1999, (4) 2000 and (5) 2001.

(6)

63
   Mr John Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the range of services and specialties to be available at Solihull Hospital.

(62)

64
   Mr John Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the future of accident and emergency services at Solihull Hospital.

(61)

65
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action the Government is taking to recruit more (a) nurses, (b) physiotherapists, (c) occupational therapists and (d) GPs in London; and if he will make a statement.

(412)

66
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received about additional funding being given to London health authorities in recognition of the additional costs incurred by the health service in London; and if he will make a statement.

(417)

67
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what further action the Government is intending to take to tackle work-related stress disorders.

(415)

68
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action the Government is taking to recruit (a) more community psychiatric nurses and (b) more approved social workers in London.

(416)

69
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action the Government is taking to recruit more psychiatrists in London.

(414)

70
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the level of occupancy of all acute mental health units in London (a) in the last month for which figures are available and (b) in the same month in each of the previous five years.

(413)

71
   Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will introduce legislation to enable police and local authorities to prevent the occupation of parks, sports grounds and public open spaces by travellers and for their immediate eviction; and if he will make a statement.

(734)

72
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he proposes to write to the honourable Member for Hertsmere following the meeting on 3rd April between the honourable Member for Hertsmere, members of Hertsmere Borough Council and the former Minister of State for the Home Office, the honourable Member for Norwich South.

(3)

73
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions were brought (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully under (i) the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and (ii) the Dogs Act 1871, broken down by police authority, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

(57)

74
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to introduce an offence of corporate killing; and if he will make a statement.

(51)

75
   Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for a public inquiry into the fatal shooting of James Ashley by police on 15th January 1998; and if he will make a statement.

(263)

76
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements he has made for the evaluation of the drug treatment and testing pilot project at Stafford.

(14)

77
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers there were in North Yorkshire on (a) 1st May 1997, (b) 1st May 1998, (c) 1st May 1999, (d) 1st May 2000, (e) 1st May 2001, (f) projected figures for 1st May 2002 and (g) 1st May 2003.

(35)

78
   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list (a) suicide rates for each of the last five years at Winchester prison and (b) the national prison average for the same period.

(250)

79
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many items of correspondence from honourable and Right honourable Members are currently being processed by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; what the average length of time is in dealing with such cases; what action he proposes to take to assist IND in dealing with the backlog of cases; and if he will make a statement.

(9)

80
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many items of correspondence from honourable and Right honourable Members were dealt with by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what the levels of staffing were in each year; and if he will make a statement.

(8)

81
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on the future of the indemnity principle.

(53)

82
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the approach adopted by insurers to the recoverability of insurance premiums in CFA funded cases; and if he will make a statement.

(54)

83
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what recent assessment he has made of the value for money for fees payable in legal aid cases to (a) junior counsel and (b) QCs; and if he will make a statement.

(52)

84
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the Lord Chancellor proposes to set a discount rate under the Damages Act 1996; and if he will make a statement.

(48)

85
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans the Lord Chancellor has to deal with the problem of divorce in the Jewish community, when a husband refuses to grant his wife a get.

(50)

86
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what arrangements the Lord Chancellor is making to consult on the recommendations of the OFT report on the legal profession.

(55)

87
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the launch of the Children's and Families' Service.

(19)

88
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the Lord Chancellor will decide whether the maximum limits for the statutory legacy should be reviewed, so as to reflect changes in house prices and the rate of inflation.

(26)

89
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the terms of reference are for the monitoring project being undertaken by Consensia to observe the recruitment process of the Northern Ireland police service; how many volunteers have been tasked to participate in this scheme; what the personal specifications were for volunteers; how they were selected; what the composition is of the monitoring teams, broken down by (a) gender and (b) perceived community origin; and what discussions took place with the Civil Service trade unions concerning the use of volunteer staff.

(730)

90
   Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West):    To ask the President of the Council, if he will bring forward proposals to establish a departmental select committee to scrutinise the work of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

(353)

91
   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will seek an explanation from the Secretary of State for Health for not fulfilling his undertaking of 11th May to reply to letters to him from the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr E. Graal and Mrs E. Jones.

(399)

92
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Prime Minister, what role he plans for the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee; and if he has discussed this with the Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

(351)

93
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make it his policy to refer all recommendations for a peerage to the House of Lords Appointments Commission; and if he will make a statement.

(260)

94
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many post offices closed each year for the last 20 years.

(65)

95
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what powers she intends to take to control retail petrol prices in response to a fall in world supply prices.

(17)

96
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the Government will make transitional finance available for rural sub post offices before 2003; and if she will make it her policy that the Universal Bank will be post-office based.

(30)

97
   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to allow village post offices to issue road tax licences.

(249)

98
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the impact of foot and mouth disease on the foreign language school industry in Devon; and if she will make a statement.

(4)

99
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what further action she will be taking to encourage businesses to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.

(411)

100
   Gareth Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what research she is supporting into less polluting fuels.

(410)

101
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what her timetable is for taking forward policy in the light of the Consultation Paper 'On control of aircraft noise from civil aircraft'.

(2)

102
   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what powers are available to local authorities to compel private landowners to clear up derelict sites.

(23)

103
   Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will provide a breakdown of the companies and others to whom the claimed qualifying expenditure of £23,705,511 made by Walton Commercial Group Ltd now Walton Group plc, was made, indicating the reasons for payment and the amount paid to each.

(400)

104
   Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he will announce the 2000-01 housing transfer programme.

(22)

105
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what financial support his Department has given in the current financial year to community transport schemes.

(11)

106
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, in what circumstances he (a) requires and (b) expects an environmental impact assessment in support of an application for permission for development.

(21)

107
   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what action is being taken to reduce the levels of street homelessness in major cities.

(341)

108
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what recent initiatives have been taken in order to provide affordable housing in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

(27)

109
   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on plans his Department has to tighten planning controls on mobile phone masts.

(419)

110
   Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the road haulage industry.

(418)

111
   Clive Efford (Eltham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will exempt people on income support from charges for non-residential personal care; and if he will estimate the cost of doing so in each of the next five years.

(261)

112
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to extend the provision to permit benefit claimants to undertake therapeutic work.

(20)

113
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what evidence hs has about the impact of age discrimination in restricting employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement.

(259)

114
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the average weekly (a) underpayment and (b) overpayment in respect of (i) the state retirement pension and (ii) SERPS that are caused by problems with the NIRS 2 computer system.

(358)

115
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on what date he expects to publish the next edition of (a) Households Below Average Income, (b) Opportunity for All, the Government's annual report on poverty and (c) Income-related benefits - estimates of take-up.

(355)

116
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the number of pensioners who are currently receiving incorrect payments in respect of (a) the state retirement pension and (b) SERPS that have been caused by problems with the NIRS 2 computer system.

(356)

117
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the total amount of compensation that he expects to be paid as a result of the problems with the NIRS 2 computer system.

(360)

118
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the average number of newly entitled pensioners who are receiving incorrect payments in respect of (a) the state retirement pension and (b) SERPS that are caused by problems with the NIRS 2 computer system.

(357)

119
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the total amount of compensation that has so far been paid as a result of the problems with the NIRS 2 computer system.

(359)

120
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if JobCentre Plus and the Pension Service will have their own dedicated websites.

(369)

121
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much it is expected to cost to establish JobCentre Plus; and how much revenue is expected to be raised by selling off premises that are vacated as a result of the merger between the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency.

(650)

122
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many widowers whose spouse died prior to 9th April are estimated to be eligible for the new widowed parent's allowance; how many claim forms have been sent to this group of widowers; how many claim forms have been returned; and how many of these widowers already have the allowance.

(371)

123
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the Department's new name is estimated to cost in total, broken down into costs associated with (a) stationery, (b) signs, (c) moving fixtures and fittings, (d) redesigning the website and (e) other costs.

(372)

124
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many non-resident parents have been affected by the formula for the calculation of child support as outlined in schedules 1 and 2 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.

(368)

125
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the results of and submissions to the Pension Credit consultation process will be placed in the Library.

(366)

126
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the publication dates of statistics and reports due to be released by his Department and the agencies under his Department in the next 12 months.

(374)

127
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have bought a stakeholder pension in each month since they first became available; and what proportion of these were bought on behalf of someone else.

(376)

128
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to increase take-up of the minimum income guarantee.

(377)

129
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if life insurance cover may be included in the minimum contribution level needed for a group personal pension to be accepted as an alternative to a stakeholder pension.

(367)

130
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions are taking place between the Government and OPRA to ensure there is a clear set of guidelines by which to determine which companies are fined for breaking the new stakeholder rules; and if small firms will be offered more leeway than larger firms when the rules have been broken.

(365)

131
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what research his Department is undertaking to assess the income levels of people who invest in stakeholder pensions.

(375)

132
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will produce an updated set of tables in the same terms as those at the back of the last DSS departmental report (Cm 4614) to outline the future expenditure plans of his new Department.

(373)

133
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much it is expected to cost to establish the Pensions Service.

(370)

134
   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what proposals he has to improve regulations governing section 106 planning gain.

[Transferred] (350)

135
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what measures he proposes to take to reduce the incidence of high hedges overshadowing or encroaching on people's property; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (37)

136
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what measures he is proposing to take to ensure that green belt areas are not used for further housing developments; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (36)

137
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he expects legislation to be introduced to deal with high boundary hedges and trees in residential gardens; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (7)

138
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what increases in rent are being sought by the Crown Estate Commissioners from recreational clubs.

[Transferred] (342)

139
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received and what measures she has taken to ensure that the tourist coach industry is compensated following the effects of foot and mouth disease on the tourist industry; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (29)

140
   Clive Efford (Eltham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure consistency of charges among local authorities for non-residential personal social services.

[Transferred] (262)

141
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the total cost of the work that will be needed to fully rectify the problems with the NIRS 2 computer system.

[Transferred] (362)

142
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason war pensions assessors were issued with guidance to discuss cases with political sensitivities with an executive case worker.

[Transferred] (364)

143
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects the problems with the NIRS 2 computer system to be resolved.

[Transferred] (363)

144
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the total cost of the work that has so far been carried out to rectify the problems with the NIRS 2 computer system.

[Transferred] (361)