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 10 July 2001

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 10 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 10th JULY

1
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what public funds are allocated for the Space for Sport and Art Programme; how much has been spent on this programme to date; and on which projects.

(3255)

2
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to comply with the provisions of the Osborne Estate Act 1902 pending the reintroduction of legislation to amend that Act; what proposals she has for the future use of rooms at Osborne House formerly occupied by the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers; and what representations she has received on the future use of those premises.

(3261)

3
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department has completed the audit of UK sports facilities; and if she will make a statement.

(3179)

4
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the threat of attack on the Menwith Hill radomes that would result from UK participation in the proposed US Missile Defence system.

(3380)

5
   Mr Martin Caton (Gower):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the threat of attack on upgraded X-band radar sites at Fylingdales that would result from UK participation in the proposed US Missile Defence system.

(3381)

6
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many defence estates have been sold since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of training areas and accommodation space for British forces.

(3008)

7
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what multi engined pilot shortfalls were predicted at the 22nd November 2000 meeting of the Multi Engine Aircrew Training Steering Committee.

(2696)

8
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the into productive service requirement is for junior officers this year; and if the requirement will be achieved.

(2697)

9
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what target the Training Group Defence Agency set for into productive service multi engined pilots for 2001; and how many went into service in 2000-01.

(2698)

10
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he last made of the likelihood of a shortage of junior officer multi engine aircraft pilots in the RAF from the end of 2001.

(2699)

11
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what effect the lack of RAF flying personnel staying on past the 38/16 point will have on the supply of pilots for multi engined aircraft in each year up to 2012.

(2700)

12
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) the military units, (b) UK police forces, (c) UK authorities, agencies and private organisations and (d) overseas customers who have been advised by the Stanoc Centre over the past year.

(3015)

13
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, to which military unit the Stanoc Centre is attached; for what reason it was transferred from HQ Director Royal Artillery; what the annual cost or saving resulting from the move is; and how many personnel were employed in the centre in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001.

(3016)

14
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the comprehensive survey of the Service Volunteer programme at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, announced on 1st May, will gather evidence and recollections from staff who organised the experiments.

(3404)

15
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what dates the Ethical subgroup of the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee Medical Committee scrutinised the experiment at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, in November 1983, in which eight service personnel were exposed to sarin nerve gas; and if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes and other papers of the committee which relate to the discussion of this experiment.

(3405)

16
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report produced by the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, in 1989 entitled, 'The effect of Sarin (GB) on Contrast Sensitivity'.

(3400)

17
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 28th June, Official Report, column 133W, on Porton Down, what plans he has to assign more officials to carry out the comprehensive survey of the service volunteer programme.

(3406)

18
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if service personnel who took part in experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, are entitled to receive a copy of films recorded by the establishment of the experiment in which they participated.

(3403)

19
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library copies of communications from the Medical Research Council to his Department outlining the reasons why they believed an epidemiological study of the Porton Down volunteers is feasible.

(3408)

20
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 28th June, Official Report, column 133W, on Porton Down, if he will arrange for service volunteers to give their recollections of the Porton Down volunteer programme in a public forum.

(3407)

21
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer on 2nd July, Official Report, column 2W, on Porton Down, what the purpose was of the study involving RAF service volunteers at RAF Honington in 2000; what the conclusion of the study was; on what dates it was conducted; and for what reason it was conducted at RAF Honington.

(3409)

22
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer on 28th June, Official Report, column 133W, on Porton Down, if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes, agenda and papers of the meeting between his Department's staff and the Medical Research Council staff on 30th May.

(3402)

23
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the information pack which is being sent to academic researchers who submit an expression of interest in carrying out an epidemiological study of service volunteers who took part in experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down.

(3410)

24
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the protocol drawn up by the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, to carry out the experiment in 1983 in which service personnel were exposed to sarin nerve gas and involved the technique of single fibre electromyography.

(3399)

25
N   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how the Government's commitment to increase the level of funding for the lowest funded school sixth forms will be applied by the Learning and Skills Council to schools in the Mid-Dorset and North Poole constituency.

(2851)

26
N   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will take steps to increase the level of funding for post-16 school education in the (a) Poole and (b) Dorset local education authorities.

(2852)

27
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what her estimate is of the total cost of (a) design, (b) stationery, (c) new name plaques and (d) other costs of the naming of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

(3033)

28
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance her Department has given to local authorities on the role of external members of education committees in authorities with a leader and combined structure.

(3025)

29
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will publish the evidence submitted by her Department to Ofsted for its review of the inspection re�gime.

(3029)

30
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the remit of the new head teachers forums within local education authorities will be; what guidance her Department has issued to local education authorities on setting up these forums; and if she will make a statement.

(3024)

31
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what changes have been made to the Graduate Teacher Programme since 18th January.

(3028)

32
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will publish the evidence submitted by her Department to the SSRB on returner bonus payments for teachers.

(3020)

33
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many A level exam scripts were returned to schools for checking following publication of the results for the academic year 1999-2000; and how many results were challenged.

(3162)

34
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, which ministers and officials attended her Department's Away Day meeting; where the meeting was held; and what the cost of the meeting was.

(3161)

35
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when she will publish details of the basis of calculation for value-added league tables for the academic year 2001-02.

(3023)

36
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will list those who were consulted prior to the determination of the new Art A level and AS level syllabuses.

(3027)

37
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what criteria are to be used for assessing the eligibility of returning teachers for returner bonus payments.

(3022)

38
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance her Department gave to the QCA on the new Art A level and AS level syllabuses.

(3026)

39
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many advisers have been employed for the Connexions Service; and how many vacancies remain.

(3019)

40
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what range of payments is available to returning teachers as returner bonus payments.

(3021)

41
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what support is available for intercalating students; and if she will make a statement.

(3319)

42
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of graduates for each of the last five years receiving (a) first class honours, (b) ordinary and (c) third class honours degrees in subjects related to (a) physical sciences, (b) mathematical sciences and informatics, (c) biological sciences and (d) engineering and technology were (i) home students, (ii) EU students and (iii) overseas students.

(3318)

43
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will estimate the level of funding required if university grants had been maintained at their final level in (a) real terms and (b) actual terms for each of the years (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) 2001-02.

(3317)

44
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many academic staff, by university, left positions between 1st January and 30th March, who would have been included in the Research Assessment Exercise submission had they been in post on 31st March; and if she will make a statement.

(3316)

45
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many places have been accepted on the Fast-Track teacher scheme; and how many of these teachers on the Fast-Track scheme will be employed in (a) specialist schools, (b) city academies, (c) city technology colleges, (d) beacon schools, (e) grammar schools and (f) other maintained schools.

(3360)

46
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many trainee teachers (a) have been and (b) will be trained through the employment-based training route in each year from 2000-01 to 2004-05.

(3368)

47
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will outline the proposed timetable for the next curriculum and staffing survey.

(3364)

48
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will list the (a) type, (b) length and (c) value of contract of each private finance initiative in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.

(3362)

49
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment she has made of the impact of withdrawing social security benefits from adults unwilling to have their basic skills levels tested; and if she will make a statement.

(3370)

50
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans she has for greater integration between the Learning and Skills Council and the higher education funding councils; and if she will make a statement.

(3366)

51
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when the results of the asset management plans will be published.

(3361)

52
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many of the trainee teachers undertaking the employment-based training route are from (a) the United Kingdom, (b) European Union countries and (c) other countries, indicating in each case where appropriate which subjects they are training to teach; and if she will make a statement.

(3369)

53
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many advisors have been recruited to date, and how many more will be recruited by 2005, to operate the Connexions Service; and if she will make a statement.

(3365)

54
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many private finance initiatives have been underestimated, detailing in each case the amount by which the original cost expectation was exceeded.

(3363)

55
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans she has for learner representation on learning and skills councils.

(3367)

56
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the costs awarded to MAFF following the case of MAFF v TT Smith (Mink) Ltd (1999) have been paid by the defendant.

(3141)

57
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he will issue the order that will specify the deadline for the end of fur farming.

(3143)

58
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list the locations of incinerators in England and Wales (a) which are operational, (b) where permission has been given but they are not yet operational and (c) where a planning application has been submitted but has not yet been determined.

(3142)

59
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list, in order of rank, recycling rates achieved by each OECD country.

(3140)

60
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many fur farms are (a) licensed and (b) currently operating in England and Wales; and if he will list their locations by county.

(3144)

61
N   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on progress with international agreements on whaling.

(1534)

62
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her estimate is of the total cost of (a) design, (b) stationery, (c) new name plaques and (d) other costs of the naming of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

(3032)

63
N   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the future of the Horticultural Research Site at Efford near Lymington.

(1394)

64
N   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what genetically-modified crops are being grown at the Horticultural Research Establishment at Efford near Lymington.

(1395)

65
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on offshore financial centres and the steps he has taken in respect of their regulation and taxation.

(3030)

66
   Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of the United Kingdom's contribution to the EU was calculated to come from Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

(3397)

67
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd July, Official Report, column 67W, how long he estimates it will take to complete the preliminary technical work relating to an assessment of the five economic tests; if he will list the Treasury officials involved in this work; and if he will make a statement.

(3011)

68
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment of the extent to which other Government departments are performing in relation to the targets set out in their public service agreements.

(3012)

69
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much it would cost to allow widowers whose spouses have died in the past six years to claim widow's bereavement allowance.

(3181)

70
N   Mr David Chidgey (Eastleigh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last reviewed the aid budget allocated to assist the former Soviet Union with a programme to contain then reduce the hazards from deteriorating nuclear material in the Murmansk region.

(1513)

71
N   Mr David Chidgey (Eastleigh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met his Russian counterparts to agree a programme for disbursing aid to assist in containing and reducing hazards from deteriorating nuclear material in the Murmansk region; and when he expects that programme to commence.

(1514)

72
N   Mr David Chidgey (Eastleigh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) the extent of the hazards of deteriorating nuclear material (i) in the Kola peninsula and (ii) at other military establishments in Russia; and (b) the costs of eliminating these hazards.

(1515)

73
N   Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action his Department is taking to assist Amnesty International in securing the release of (a) U Ohn Maung, (b) U Sein Hla Oo, (c) Dr Than Nyein and (d) U Tun Kywe in Burma.

(3259)

74
N   Mrs Lorna Fitzsimons (Rochdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in allowing human rights monitors to enter Indian-occupied Kashmir.

(1517)

75
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on Government policy on pledging support to the Russian Federation Military Plutonium Disposition Programme; if he will place in the Library copies of (a) all UK submissions and (b) other submissions relevant to UK policy to the G8 meeting this month in Genoa, in respect of the deliberation of the Russian Plutonium Programme.

(3010)

76
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will provide a breakdown, by entry clearance post, of the number of family visit visa applications (a) received, (b) determined, (c) allowed and (d) refused in (i) April and (ii) May.

(3308)

77
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will provide a breakdown, by entry clearance post, of the number of family visit visa refusals in relation to which (a) an appeal was received, (b) the refusal was overturned by an entry clearance manager after receipt of an appeal and (c) an appeal was despatched in (i) April and (ii) May.

(3309)

78
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued to British embassies requiring them to report contact with companies which may be judged to fall within the sector of mercenaries and private military companies; and on what date this guidance was issued.

(3398)

79
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the nature of the assistance given by the British High Commission in Belize to KPMG during their visit to Belize while conducting the study commissioned by the British Government to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; when this assistance was given; and if this assistance included discussing and planning to arrange meetings with representatives of the two public investment companies.

(3376)

80
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to provide a new hospital in Liskeard, Cornwall; and if he will make a statement.

(3411)

81
N   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what Government funding is available nationally for (a) hospices and (b) children's hospices.

(2853)

82
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what studies his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on the impact of Ritalin on the long-term health of children.

(3018)

83
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he had with members of the Sussex Police Authority about his recent media release concerning the Chief Constable of Sussex before he released it.

(3134)

84
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions of MI5 employees have been instigated in each year since 1980 for crimes where the maximum sentence is six months imprisonment or greater.

(3138)

85
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what has been the cost of the internal police investigations which were established following the shooting of James Ashley.

(3136)

86
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason he did not seek to discuss his recent media release concerning the Chief Constable of Sussex with the Chief Constable before he released it.

(3135)

87
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of employees within MI5 are (a) of ethnic minority origin and (b) female; and what percentage apply within the senior grades, (i) for the latest year for which figures are available and (ii) for 1990.

(3139)

88
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what investigations have been initiated to discover the source of the leak of documents relating to the internal police investigations into the shooting of James Ashley; and if he will make a statement.

(3137)

89
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many operational police custody units there were in Devon and Cornwall in each year from 1980 to 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(3412)

90
N   Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are detained under the Immigration Act 1971, broken down by (a) nationality, (b) gender, (c) place of detention, (d) length of detention, (f) stage of application and (f) immigration status at the time of detention.

(3262)

91
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are under a formal witness protection programme; how many people in each of the last five years on average have entered formal witness protection programmes; and if he will make a statement.

(1516)

92
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police operations there were per police force in which firearms were issued; how many authorised firearms officers were involved; how many operations involved armed response vehicles between (a) April 1999 to March 2000 and (b) April 2000 to March 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(3253)

93
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum applicants have had their claims processed at Oakington detention centre since 20th March 2000; what was the outcome of each claim; how many of those refused asylum subsequently appealed; what were the outcomes of the appeals; how many appellants failed to attend the appeal hearing; how many were held in other detention centres pending determination on an appeal; and how many were removed from the United Kingdom.

(3307)

94
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for granting leave to remain for nurses recruited from abroad to work in the NHS after their initial contract has expired.

(3383)

95
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her Answer of 2nd July, Official Report, column 42W, on Belize, on what date her Department was informed that KPMG were the external auditors of the Belize Bank.

(3373)

96
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, on what dates KPMG visted Belize while conducting the study commissioned by her Department to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes.

(3379)

97
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment has been made of the amount of tax not paid since 1990 by the two public investment companies with regard to the study commissioned by her Department to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; if she will place a copy of these calculations in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

(3375)

98
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much debt owed by Belize has been written off by the British Government under the Commonwealth Debt Initiative in each year since 1997; how much debt owed by Belize is planned to be written off by the Government over the next decade; and if she will make a statement.

(3377)

99
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, on what dates KPMG received letters from the Public Investment Company, Sonisa, during its study to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; if she will place copies of these letters in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

(3374)

100
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her Answer of 2nd July, Official Report, column 41W, on Belize, if KPMG passed to her Department copies of the three letters from Carlisle Holdings during its study to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes.

(3372)

101
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if her Department asked (a) KPMG and (b) the Belize Government to calculate the amount of tax not paid since 1990 by the two public investment companies during its study commissioned by her Department to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; and if she will make a statement.

(3378)

102
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many family visitor appeals the Immigration Appellate Authority plans to deal with (a) at an oral hearing and (b) on the papers only in the financial years (i) 2001-02 and (ii) 2002-03.

(3310)

103
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time adjudicators are available to deal with asylum appeals.

(3313)

104
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many (a) oral and (b) paper-only family visitor appeals have been received by the Immigration Appellate Authority since 2nd October 2000 in which (i) the Immigration Advisory Service and (ii) a Citizens Advice Bureau has been identified as representing the applicant.

(3311)

105
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many (a) oral and (b) paper-only family visitor appeals have been received by the Immigration Appellate Authority since 2nd October 2000 in which (i) a solicitor or barrister and (ii) nobody has been identified as representing the applicant.

(3312)

106
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what is the average time taken by the Immigration Appellate Authority to process, from receipt to determination (a) oral family visitor appeals, (b) paper-only family visitor appeals, (c) asylum appeals and (d) other immigration appeals.

(3314)

107
   Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many spoiled ballot papers were received in each constituency in Northern Ireland at the (a) 2001 and (b) 1997 general election.

(3414)

108
   Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many spoiled ballot papers there were in each district council area in Northern Ireland in the (a) most recent and (b) 1997 local elections.

(3413)

109
   Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what representations he has received in respect of the law on abortion in Northern Ireland.

(3396)

110
   Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the prison population in Northern Ireland was on (a) 7th June 2001 and (b) 22nd May 1998.

(3395)

111
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of each Department of State in relation to the Dome.

(3254)

112
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral Answer to the honourable Member for Lewes of 4th July, Official Report, column 256, on what evidence he bases his statement that incineration is a cheaper option than recycling in terms of waste dispersal.

(3133)

113
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Prime Minister, which teacher trade union representatives were invited to participate in recent discussions on the future of public services held at No. 10 Downing Street.

(3160)

114
   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):    To ask the Prime Minister, on what dates he visited the United States of America in an official capacity since 1st January 2000; and on which of these occasions he met the President of the United States of America.

(3401)

115
N   Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent consultations she has had with the Turkish Government about the building of the Ilisu Dam.

(1549)

116
N   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to assist the Marconi employees in Mid Dorset and North Poole: and if she will take action to assist those due to be made redundant.

(3159)

117
N   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussion she had with Marconi prior to the recent announcement of redundancies.

(3158)

118
   Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations her Department has received on the homeworking company Capitol Publishing.

(3382)

119
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the anticipated lifetime is of Oldbury nuclear power station; and what the anticipated peak weight loss is of graphite in major locations in the reactor core at Oldbury by the time it reaches its planned lifetime.

(3009)

120
N   Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he expects to make a decision on the Trans Pennine rail franchise; and if the franchise will be determined on the basis of the guidelines to be issued on 16th July.

(3014)

121
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what his estimate is of the total cost of (a) design, (b) stationery, (c) new name plaques and (d) other costs of the naming of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

(3031)

122
N   Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many applications to challenge landlords' choice of insurers under paragraph 8 of the Schedule to the Landlord and Tenants Act 1985 have been received by leasehold valuation tribunals.

(3178)

123
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if pensioners will be able to use the long distance travel concessions announced on 4th July on cross-Solent ferries.

(3260)

124
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (St Helens South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans he has to extend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to place a duty on transport operators to allow disabled people to use all their vehicles.

(3258)

125
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if it is Government policy to allow indefinitely those who wish to do so to collect their state pension in cash at a post office.

(3180)

126
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on the nationwide implementation progress of the programme Recruit.

(3017)

127
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his estimate is of the cost of the recent renaming of his Department, including (a) design costs, (b) stationery costs, (c) new name plaques and (d) other costs; and if he will make a statement.

(3013)

128
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage and how many incapacity benefit claimants were re-tested after (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months, (d) two years and (e) three years in the period April 1995 to June 2001.

(3157)

129
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consultation he had with groups representing disabled people prior to his announcement of his plans to reform incapacity benefit.

(3156)

130
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of incapacity benefits have been subjected to a new capability for work test as a result of (a) section 61 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 and (b) the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1999.

(3183)

131
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what advice was given to the Rehabilitation Resource Centre at City University, London, regarding the application process for the evaluation of the New Deal for Disabled People.

(3182)

132
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of withdrawing social security benefit from adults unwilling to have their basic skills levels tested; and if he will make a statement.

(3371)

133
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (St Helens South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on access to membership of occupational pension schems for disabled people when they start employment.

(3256)

134
N   Mr Shaun Woodward (St Helens South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to extend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to cover private clubs.

(3257)

135
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the situation in the Balkans.

[Question Unstarred] (1548)