Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2001-02
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Tuesday 3 July 2001

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 3 July, 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 3rd JULY

1
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department's responsibilities are in relation to (a) setting and monitoring the public service agreements of government departments and (b) holding each department to account; and if he will make a statement.

(1630)

2
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister is responsible for the Policy Delivery Unit based in the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement.

(1631)

3
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will set out his Department's responsibilities.

(1933)

4
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proposals he has for the People's Panel.

(1939)

5
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to increase the number of units run from within his Department.

(1940)

6
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make a statement on his Department's responsibilities in respect of the monitoring of the performance of departments against targets set out in public service agreements.

(1937)

7
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the cost of the People's Panel for each year for which the figures are available.

(1938)

8
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will undertake a review into the quality and content of religious broadcasting on (a) terrestrial and (b) satellite television.

(1660)

9
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with United Christian Broadcasters about their desire to obtain a new licence.

(1661)

10
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the football authorities on proposed changes to the transfer system.

(1662)

11
N   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her Answer to the honourable Member for West Lancashire of 25th June, Official Report, column 37W, if the review of the Wembley Stadium project being undertaken by Mr Patrick Carter covers the re-inclusion of an athletics facility.

(1789)

12
N   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish the funding made available to promote tourism in each regional tourist board area by its regional development agency.

(1780)

13
N   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to create a Shadow Office of Communications prior to reform of broadcasting and media legislation.

(1781)

14
N   Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the implications of Article 3 of the Treaty of Valetta for British archaeology, following the UK becoming a signatory to the treaty.

(2221)

15
N   Dr Robert Spink (Castle Point):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what will be the impact on children's hospices of the New Opportunities funds.

(1843)

16
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the risks posed by long range missile attacks.

(2296)

17
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the date of the offer and the amount received by his Department from SERCO for the purchase of the MoD site at Aston Down.

(1349)

18
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proposals his Department has for the future use of MoD Aston Down.

(1350)

19
N   Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timetable is for, and what progress has been made on, establishing a Defence Diversification Council.

(2202)

20
N   Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to establish funding to encourage technological innovation for defence diversification purposes.

(2201)

21
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will investigate the procedures by which companies and workforces can access the Rapid Response Fund.

(1678)

22
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when the post 16 capital allocations will be announced.

(1664)

23
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, under what criteria local authorities may set up pupil referral units.

(1667)

24
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on admissions procedures to secondary schools.

(1665)

25
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when the Sure Start proposals will be rolled out nationally.

(1666)

26
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the employment rights of teachers facing (a) redundancy and (b) redeployment.

(2200)

27
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many pupils entered AS level modules in January; and how many of those are re-taking those AS modules.

(1957)

28
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what analysis her Department has made of the impact of education maintenance allowances on staying-on rates post-16.

(1956)

29
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what procedures are in place to ensure consistency of marking for AS levels (a) within and (b) between examination boards.

(1959)

30
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the education maintenance allowance pilots.

(1958)

31
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many people were employed in (a) 1999 and (b) 2000 to mark A level papers; and how many people have been employed this year to mark (i) AS levels and (ii) A levels.

(1961)

32
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many pupils have entered for the AS level examination this year.

(1960)

33
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what qualifications will be required for teachers of each of the new vocational GCSE courses.

(1963)

34
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimates her Department has made of the number of teachers required for the new vocational GCSE courses.

(1962)

35
N   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will list the local education authorities where private sector consultants have been appointed to investigate the management and organisation of future service delivery following adverse Ofsted reports; if she will name the private sector contractor appointed in each case; and if she will publish the value of each of the above contracts.

(1786)

36
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average time is for compensation payments for those holdings that (a) lost stock, (b) lost fodder and (c) bore the costs of disinfecting their premises due to foot and mouth.

(1672)

37
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Soil Association.

(1673)

38
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government's position is on the inclusion of incineration within local authority waste plans.

(1676)

39
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the figures of those farms and holdings that lost stock due to the contiguous cull under foot and mouth provisions will be published.

(1671)

40
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the advice her Department is offering to local authorities on the re-opening of footpaths after the foot and mouth outbreak.

(1675)

41
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to remove all farms from D notice status within Gloucestershire.

(1670)

42
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she is expected to make a statement on the Government's policy towards air pollution.

(1674)

43
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will make a statement on the causes and transmission of the foot and mouth epidemic.

(1668)

44
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on slurry lagoons on farms affected by the foot and mouth outbreak.

(1669)

45
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what precautions have been in place during the foot and mouth crisis to help prevent the disease being carried across the English Channel by ferry and Channel Tunnel passengers; and if he will make a statement.

(1857)

46
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many animals were slaughtered in each week as a result of foot and mouth disease.

(1652)

47
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will amend VAT regulations to clarify the VAT status of care homes following the recent decision of the London VAT Tribunal in the Kingscrest case.

(1699)

48
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the impact of the decision of the London VAT Tribunal in the Kingscrest case on the implementation of free nursing care and the affordability of fee levels.

(1700)

49
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to review the age limit by which annuities have to be purchased.

(1361)

50
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on what advice is now being offered by individual Inland Revenue officers to those businesses that may be affected by IR35.

(1363)

51
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the current VAT regime affecting renewable energy materials and their installation.

(1365)

52
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had recently with the Professional Contractors Group over the subject of IR35.

(1362)

53
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to review the procedures for ballots which may result in the de-mutualisation of societies.

(1364)

54
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the constitutional implications of United Kingdom membership of the European single currency; and if he will make a statement.

(1861)

55
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the (a) dates and (b) membership of each meeting of the cross-policy committee on preparations for the European single currency over the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

(1862)

56
N   Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he estimates the Financial Services Authority inquiry into Equitable Life will be completed.

(1779)

57
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the impact of the euro exchange rate has been on UK competitiveness since the launch of the euro.

(2206)

58
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set up an inquiry into the regulation of Equitable Life for the 10 years prior to 1st January 1999; and if he will make a statement.

(1849)

59
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to introduce a tax through the Construction Industry Training Board; and if he will make a statement.

(1852)

60
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the change in ranking of the UK in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index; and if he will (a) make a statement on his plans to tackle money laundering and (b) introduce legislation to make bribery of foreign officials a crime.

(2275)

61
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tons of gold have been sold by the Bank of England since he instructed them to do so; and what has been the average price secured from these sales.

(1449)

62
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total number of euros purchased by the Bank of England is since he instructed them to invest 40 per cent. of the proceeds of gold sales in this currency; and what has been the average purchase price.

(1450)

63
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was spent on the childcare tax credit during 2000-01; how many families received it; what the average amount was per family; and what his forecasts are for each category for (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03.

(2269)

64
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) investigations of fraudulent claims, (b) penalties for fraudulent claims, (c) prosecutions of fraudulent claims and (d) successful prosecutions for fraudulent claims there have been in respect of the working families tax credit, since its introduction, broken down into (i) monthly and (ii) quarterly periods.

(2272)

65
N   John Austin (Erith & Thamesmead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he intends to introduce a bill granting British citizenship to the citizens of the British Overseas Territories; and if he will make a statement.

(1784)

66
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Russian Government concerning the proposed US National Missile Defense system.

(2295)

67
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what work has been done by his Department to assess the global reaction to a unilateral withdrawal from the ABM Treaty by the US.

(2297)

68
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of (a) the definition of rogue state, (b) the states that can be so defined and (c) the threat they present to the UK.

(2302)

69
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he or his Department has had recently with the Government of Sudan regarding the treatment of Sudanese Christians.

(1355)

70
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will delay ratification of the Nice Treaty until the Republic of Ireland can ratify the Treaty.

(2204)

71
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the clauses in the Treaty of Nice which are essential to EU enlargement.

(2207)

72
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact on the future of the Nice Treaty of one member state's inability to ratify it.

(2205)

73
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications of the outcome of the Irish referendum on the future of the Nice Treaty.

(2208)

74
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to hold a referendum on UK ratification of the Nice Treaty following the Irish referendum.

(2209)

75
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what policies his Department will adopt at the UN conference in New York in July on the trade in small arms and light weapons; and if he will make a statement.

(1860)

76
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement about the case of Mr Ian Stillman who was recently gaoled in Northern India.

(1855)

77
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the conference on The Global Economy of Illegal Drugs held in London on 25th and 26th June.

(2017)

78
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Colombian Government concerning paramilitary incursions into peace village communities in the Cacarica region of Colombia.

(2019)

79
N   Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations HM Government has made to the Government of India regarding the detention of Mr Ian Stillman; what assurances have been received from the Indian authorities about the health and well-being of Mr Stillman; and if he will make a statement.

(2219)

80
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 26th June, Official Report, column 75W, how much time will be allowed for public consultation following the publication of the Government's proposals for the future of the National Cardiothoracic Transplant Service; and what period of time he estimates will be needed between a final decision on the location of the national transplant units and implementation in April 2002.

(1848)

81
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to regulate the role of health visitors.

(1360)

82
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the review of student nurse methods of support, including bursaries, is expected to be completed and reported.

(1356)

83
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his discussions with care providers regarding the proposals contained in 'Fit for the Future'.

(1358)

84
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what additional help he intends to make available for independent hospices.

(1359)

85
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the number of care homes that have closed over the last year, by health authority area, and estimate the reduction in care places accordingly.

(1357)

86
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the career structures of women in medicine.

(1782)

87
N   Sandra Gidley (Romsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures the Government is taking to (a) improve hospital hygiene and (b) reduce hospital-acquired infection.

(1788)

88
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what definitions he has set for green, amber and red performance for NHS trust core targets for 2001-02.

(2210)

89
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which NHS Private Finance Initiative schemes have been selected to pilot the management of NHS ancillary staff from the private sector.

(2213)

90
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if it is his policy that all NHS Private Finance Initiative schemes should include transferring responsibility for the management of NHS ancillary staff to the private sector.

(2212)

91
N   Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting times for operations in each of the hospital trusts in England and Wales are; and what the equivalent figures were in May 1997.

(2220)

92
N   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he has issued to older people's champions on the discharge of their responsibilities under the National Service Framework for older people.

(2012)

93
N   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what response he has made to proposals he has received from Age Concern England for a pledge to be made by older people's champions.

(2000)

94
N   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to monitor and evaluate the role of older people's champions.

(2013)

95
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the possible health effects on people who live near (i) electricity pylons and (ii) telecommunications masts; and if he will make a statement.

(1858)

96
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been spent by the NHS on research into (a) the causes and (b) the treatment of MS in each of the last five years; what plans he has to increase this amount; and if he will make a statement.

(1859)

97
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to include health visitors on the Nursing and Midwifery Council; and if he will make a statement.

(1854)

98
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the development of suicidal tendencies in patients taking Prozac; if he will instruct the Medicines Control Agency and the Committee on Safety in Medicines to review this matter; and if he will make a statement.

(1853)

99
N   Dr Robert Spink (Castle Point):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of the proposed health authority restructuring for Essex.

(1844)

100
N   Dr Robert Spink (Castle Point):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the change to overall management costs in the NHS of his health authority restructuring proposals.

(1845)

101
N   Dr Robert Spink (Castle Point):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the children's hospices in England indicating for each the (a) level of government money provided for running costs and (b) proportion of each hospice's total annual running costs the government grant represents.

(1842)

102
N   Dr Robert Spink (Castle Point):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress he has made on restructuring health authorities; and when he expects the changes to be fully implemented.

(1846)

103
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in improving hygiene in hospitals; and how many hospitals have been visited by the Commission for Health Improvement in 2001.

(2018)

104
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many elective procedures have been cancelled by each hospital trust in the South East Region since 1st January 2000.

(1653)

105
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 27th June, Official Report, column 97W, on work permits, what enquiries were made to validate the information contained in the affadavit provided by a Trinidad and Tobago Football Association medical official.

(2087)

106
N   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has to reform the criteria for awards of medical pensions in the police.

(2224)

107
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the procedures for protecting the staff of Huntingdon Life Sciences.

(2020)

108
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many extra police officers have been recruited in (a) Chorley and (b) Lancashire since May 1997.

(2021)

109
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the impact in the reduction in the number of prison officers at HMP Garth on the rehabilitation programme for sex offenders.

(2023)

110
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on reductions in the number of prison officers at HMP Garth and HMP Wymott.

(2022)

111
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will increase the monitoring of the running of HMP Garth and HMP Wymott.

(2024)

112
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for changes to the double jeopardy rule to apply retrospectively; and if he will make a statement.

(1498)

113
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to announce his conclusions following public consultation on possible changes to the law on sexual offences.

(2217)

114
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library copies of the representations made to him during the period of public consultation on possible changes to the law on sexual offences.

(2218)

115
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what remarks were made concerning Oldham in the UK Periodic Report to the International Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

(2278)

116
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what further measures he plans to take to promote improved community relations in Oldham.

(2279)

117
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of progress in eliminating racial discrimination in Oldham.

(2277)

118
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the principal recommendations were of the 1993 report of the Commission for Racial Equality on the housing policies and practice pursued by Oldham Council; and what provisions were made for the monitoring of the five-year plan agreed between Oldham Council and the CRE.

(2276)

119
N   Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the numerical strength of police officers in the London Metropolitan Police area in (a) April 2000 and (b) April 2001; and how many officers (i) have been recruited to the Metropolitan Police and (ii) have left the service since 1st April 2001.

(1778)

120
N   Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list in descending order the greatest percentage change in the number of offences of drunkenness from 1990 to 1999 in each police authority in England and Wales.

(1934)

121
N   Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions for drunkenness there were per thousand head of population in each police authority in the last year in which figures are available.

(1936)

122
N   Dr Robert Spink (Castle Point):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on his proposed petty crime busting scheme; what assessment he has made of the impact of the scheme on Castle Point; and what proportion of the funding will go to Castle Point.

(1850)

123
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to reply to the letter of 31st May (Ref. 10266/1) from the honourable Member for Northavon regarding Mr Cameron McArthur.

(1790)

124
N   John Austin (Erith & Thamesmead):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of St Helena concerning improvements in transport services to and from the island; what further discussions she has had regarding a proposed airport for St Helena; and if she will make a statement.

(1785)

125
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans he has to review the sentencing policy individual judges whose sentencing he has reason to believe does not reflect the severity of the cases heard.

(1352)

126
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will re-examine his Department's advice to judges on how to avoid any display of partisanship which might be considered party political.

(1351)

127
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if Lord Justice Auld has completed his review of the criminal courts; and what arrangements the Government has made for the publication of his report.

(2216)

128
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will place in the Library copies of the evidence submitted to Lord Justice Auld's review of the criminal courts.

(2215)

129
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the Lord Chancellor expects to receive Lord Justice Auld's report on criminal courts.

(2214)

130
   Lady Hermon (North Down):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the extent to which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission can extend its powers under the Paris Principles of 1991.

(2251)

131
   Lady Hermon (North Down):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many additional appointments are to be made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and on what date these appointments will be made.

(2250)

132
N   Richard Younger-Ross (Teignbridge):    To ask the President of the Council, what the cost was of printing and publication of EDMs in the last 12 months (a) in total, (b) per week and (c) per day.

(2014)

133
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the economic and political implications of British participation in the US National Missile Defense system.

(2298)

134
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Prime Minister, what plans he has to bring forward proposals to define and limit the powers of European Union institutions; and if he will make a statement.

(1452)

135
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Prime Minister, by what date he will carry out a review of the new voting systems for elections to (a) the Scottish Parliament, (b) the National Assembly of Wales, (c) the European Parliament and (d) the London Assembly; and if he will make a statement.

(1453)

136
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Prime Minister, which department is responsible for overall monitoring of each department's performance in relation to its public service agreements; and if he will make a statement.

(1454)

137
N   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will establish an independent public inquiry into all aspects of the Government's handling of foot and mouth disease.

(2199)

138
N   David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make it his policy to agree to requests for him to give evidence before a select committee on the Government annual reports; and if he will make a statement.

(1847)

139
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire):    To ask the Solicitor General, if he will list the occasions on which First Junior Chancery Treasury Counsel were employed by the Department of Trade and Industry between 5th April 1999 and 4th April 2000, indicating the commencing dates, durations and purposes.

(1451)

140
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the potential increase in the market for gas arising from the expansion of the gas network.

(2299)

141
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will refer newspaper and magazine wholesaling and distribution to the Competition Commission.

(1680)

142
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the help she provides to sustain small rural sub-post offices.

(1677)

143
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will undertake a review of current arrangements affecting net metering for renewable energy.

(1679)

144
N   Stephen Hesford (Wirral West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps her Department has taken to increase the productivity of small businesses in the Merseyside sub-region.

(2015)

145
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to introduce further legislation to control the export of arms from the UK; and if he will make a statement.

(1856)

146
N   Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment has been made of the impact of the South West Regional Development Agency on the economy of North Dorset.

(662)

147
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will set up an investigation into the working of the new postal voting arrangements in the recent general election.

(1663)

148
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how the Government plans to take forward its cycling strategy.

(1658)

149
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on his Department's response to EU standards on noise pollution, with particular reference to noise abatement for those living close to motorways.

(1657)

150
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what discussions his Department has had with Rail Track on the re-doubling of the track between Kemble and Swindon.

(1656)

151
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he will make a statement on reorganising the planning system.

(1654)

152
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the status of greenbelts within planning guidance, with particular reference to those within key transport corridors.

(1655)

153
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the home zones currently in operation.

(1659)

154
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans the Government has to reform the allocation of take-off and landing slots at UK airports so as to introduce market mechanisms into allocating such slots; and if he will make a statement.

(1366)

155
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans he has to take forward the proposals in the Strategic Rail Authority's London East/West Study.

(2211)

156
N   Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Mayor of London's proposed congestion tax on retailing within the proposed congestion tax area.

(1777)

157
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what factors underlay his Department's inspector's recent decision to allow an appeal to build eight houses at Harbourside, Tewkesbury.

(1851)

158
N   Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will estimate the number of sleep-related motor vehicle crashes in each of the last 20 years.

(1935)

159
N   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he proposes to publish new draft regulations regarding the siting of mobile phone masts and base stations; and if he will make a statement.

(1787)

160
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what advice his Department offers to individual officers on how to treat benefit claimants who are also engaging in local exchange trading schemes.

(1353)

161
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what investigations his Department is undertaking into the effectiveness of annuities.

(1354)

162
N   Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what percentage of appeals against refusal of an award of disabled living allowance were successful; and how many appeals were made in each of the last three years.

(2203)

163
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has for a further promotional campaign on stakeholder pensions; and what provision for such a campaign has been included in the previously announced forecasts of current year spending.

(2258)

164
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of pensioner households paid (a) more than 5 per cent., (b) more than 10 per cent., and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their gross income in council tax in 1999-2000.

(2257)

165
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) letters have been sent out, (b) telephone calls have been made to the MIG claim line, (c) postal packs have been sent out, (d) additional claims have been made and (e) additional successful claims there have been as a result of the MIG take-up campaign to the end of May.

(2255)

166
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on what date the report of the quantative tracking research on the pensions education campaign will be published.

(2274)

167
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost is of writing to pensioners about their entitlement to inherited SERPS; if all the letters have now been sent out; and if he will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

(2264)

168
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have contracted back into SERPS from contracted-out money purchase pension schemes and approved personal pensions in each of the last three years.

(2267)

169
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff BASIS has employed in each area for each of the past 12 months; what is the full complement of staff at each BASIS office; how many of these posts are vacant; and how many staff at each area office have been with BASIS for 12 months or more.

(2260)

170
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons people who have responded to the minimum income guarantee take-up campaign have had their claims refused, indicating the number affected by each reason.

(2253)

171
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the second stage of the State Second Pension is expected to be introduced.

(2266)

172
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timetable is for publishing the results of the quantative tracking research on pensioners' awareness of the minimum income guarantee; and on what date the report on the use of the MIG claimline will be published.

(2273)

173
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to offer a search facility on the Department of Work and Pensions website in addition to the link to UKOnline.

(2262)

174
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners have become newly-entitled to the minimum income guarantee in each year since 1997 as a result of (a) benefit increases, (b) reduced capital and (c) reduced income.

(2256)

175
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) single and (b) married pensioners who have made a successful claim to the minimum income guarantee as a result of the take-up campaign have received an additional weekly income of (i) less than £5, (ii) between £5 and £10, (iii) between £10 and £20, (iv) between £20 and £30, (v) between £30 and £40, (vi) between £40 and £50 and (vii) over £50.

(2252)

176
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the last winter fuel payment for Winter 2000 was paid.

(2265)

177
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents will be published.

(2271)

178
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the estimates of housing benefit fraud detected, expressed as a proportion of housing benefit expenditure for each local authority for 1999-2000, will be released.

(2261)

179
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to require people to have their name on the electoral register as a requirement for receipt of benefit.

(2254)

180
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government will publish the revised reports from the Pension Provision Group on pension provision for self-employed people and the impact on pensions of changes in the labour market.

(2270)

181
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff have been employed at BFIS, on average, in each year since 1997; and how many positions are vacant.

(2259)

182
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if the 2001-02 edition of the Benefits Information Guide has been published; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

(2263)

183
N   Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he last met the Minister for Energy to discuss the current rate of completion of compensation claims made by ex-miners and their widows; and if he will make a statement.

[Question Unstarred] (2229)

184
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if energy suppliers can meet energy efficiency targets set under the energy efficiency commitment scheme by expansion of the gas network.

[Transferred] (2301)

185
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the impact of investment in (a) insulation and other energy efficiency measures in the home and (b) expansion of the gas network on (i) reducing greenhouse gas emissions, (ii) alleviating fuel poverty, (iii) upgrading housing stock and (iv) the creation of jobs.

[Transferred] (2300)

186
   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the impact of the House of Lords ruling on the pension rights of part-time workers on public sector pension schemes.

[Transferred] (2268)