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 30 October 2001

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 30 October, 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 30th OCTOBER

1
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on protection of employees' rights and conditions of service where PFI projects are introduced to the public sector.

(10717)

2
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11508)

3
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the (a) Scottish Executive and (b) Scottish Parliament are represented on the Advisory Group for his review of the UK's future energy needs.

(10654)

4
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make a statement on the progress of the Energy Review.

(10653)

5
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what action her Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11510)

6
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to introduce a deregulation order to allow more flexible liquor licensing during the football world cup finals in 2002.

(11552)

7
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessement he has made of the effects of the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan; and how many of these have been used in the conflict.

(11435)

8
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what stocks of cluster bombs are held by UK armed forces in the Afghan theatre of conflict.

(11434)

9
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of (a) military and (b) civilian casualties as a result of coalition forces bombing in Afghanistan.

(11436)

10
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the (a) use of and (b) preparedness to use napalm in Afghanistan of coalition forces.

(11448)

11
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the predicted total number of frigates and destroyers will be in the Royal Navy after the final Type 45 Destroyer comes into service.

(10116)

12
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received regarding the (a) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Defence Agency review of training of armed forces and (b) other intelligence agencies; and if he will make a statement.

(11453)

13
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made by his Department in implementing each of the decisions of the NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative.

(11454)

14
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the paper being prepared by the Defence Procurement Agency on the future of the defence industry to be published; and if he will make a statement.

(11455)

15
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the recent fatal helicopter accident in Kenema, Sierra Leone.

(11451)

16
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will make a down select decision on the Future Carrier Programme; and if he will make a statement.

(11452)

17
N   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many active servicemen successfully completed advanced driving safety courses in the last 12 months.

(11450)

18
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list each occasion on which pilots have temporarily lost control of RAF Chinook helicopters during an uncommanded flying control movement.

(10637)

19
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) by date and (b) by aircraft serial number, all incidents of uncommanded flight control movements in Chinook helicopters since 1st January 1999; and what their cause was.

(10638)

20
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his estimate is of the level of UK defence spending as a share of UK gross domestic product for each year from 1973-74 to 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

(10493)

21
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if units have adequate fresh rations for the purposes of Swift Sword II; and if he will make a statement.

(11504)

22
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what biological or biologically derived samples have been supplied by the Defence and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down to (a) USA, (b) France, (c) Belgium, (d) Sweden, (e) Australia, (f) Germany, (g) Austria, (h) Spain, (i) Netherlands, (j) Norway, (k) Italy, (l) Japan and (m) Canada since 1990.

(11502)

23
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Defence Annual Road Safety Report for 1999-2000 will be placed in the Library.

(11499)

24
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what nature of refit is required by HMS Ocean; and if he will make a statement.

(11497)

25
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the need for a light armoured vehicle for the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

(11500)

26
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment is being made of the impact of improved communications on the ability of subordinates to take the initiative; and if he will make a statement.

(11498)

27
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what action her Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11511)

28
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what inquiries her Department is undertaking into the premature disclosure of literacy and numeracy test results in September; and if she will make a statement.

(11141)

29
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, on what date she was first informed of complaints concerning the operation of the individual learning account; and what action she took at that time.

(11297)

30
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what allegations of criminal conduct have been received by her Department in relation to the operation of individual learning accounts.

(11459)

31
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps she is taking to discover the extent of the abuse of the operation of the Individual Learning Account scheme; and if she will make a statement.

(11296)

32
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate she has of the cost of the abuse of the operation of the individual learning account scheme; and if she will make a statement.

(11196)

33
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans she has to order an inquiry into alleged abuse of the operation of the individual learning accounts scheme; and if she will make a statement.

(11195)

34
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if arrests have been made in relation to the operation of individual learning accounts; and if she will make a statement.

(11460)

35
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what controls her Department put in place at the commencement of operation of the individual learning account scheme; how the scheme was monitored whilst it was in operation; and if she will make a statement.

(11194)

36
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many complaints had been received in relation to the operation of Individual Learning Accounts (a) before 31st July and (b) at the latest available date; and when the first complaint was received.

(11298)

37
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what evidence she has that the Individual Learning Account scheme was being abused by offering low value, poor quality learning; and if she will make a statement.

(11295)

38
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will list for (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99, (c) 1999-2000 and (d) 2000-01 each fund stream for which (i) primary schools, (ii) secondary schools and (iii) further education colleges could apply, setting out for each stream (A) the total amount available, (B) the amount awarded, (C) the number of applicants, (D) the number of successful applicants and (E) the average amount awarded to a successful applicant.

(11292)

39
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the critieria by which faith schools are determined to be inclusive.

(11461)

40
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidelines she plans to give to local education authorities on the establishment of new faith schools.

(11291)

41
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will abolish the surplus places rule.

(11294)

42
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance she proposes to issue on determining the need for the creation of new schools.

(11290)

43
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what criteria she will use to assess if a school should be given greater autonomy.

(11293)

44
   Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans she has to allow 12 to 13 year old pupils to drop history and geography as part of the curriculum.

(11545)

45
N   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary teacher vacancies there were in Surrey on 1st September in each year since 1997.

(11191)

46
N   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many foreign nationals were employed as (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers in Surrey during the (i) 2000-01 academic year and (ii) previous four academic years.

(11193)

47
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action her Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11520)

48
N   Mr A.J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations her Department has received in favour of treating the North of Northumberland as a foot and mouth disease free area; and if she will make a statement.

(11085)

49
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will claim the next available tranche of agri-monetary compensation by 31st October; and if she will make a statement.

(11300)

50
N   Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge & Chryston):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what powers she has to remove the (a) Chief Executive and (b) Chair of the British Waterways Board from their positions.

(11458)

51
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to visit rivers managed by British Waterways.

(11555)

52
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish data on volatility and volumetric flows on rivers managed by (a) British Waterways and (b) the Environment Agency.

(11556)

53
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of arrangements made by British Waterways to manage flood control on its rivers; and if she will make a statement.

(11554)

54
   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals to introduce an eco-system approach to the management of the oceans around the UK.

(11503)

55
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proposals she has to introduce legislation requiring the proposed New Forest National Park Authority to use its powers in respect of the commonable lands of the New Forest in consultation with the Verderers of the New Forest; and if she will make a statement.

(11562)

56
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11509)

57
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what national allowance he will make for unreturned Census forms; and how this allowance will be calculated.

(11145)

58
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the reasons for changes in the percentage of households that failed to return Census forms in the last 10 years.

(11143)

59
N   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list government and non-government departments that depend on Census information for the distribution of government funds.

(11144)

60
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will investigate the role of collections units of the commercial banks, with particular reference to their policies towards pensioners and those soon to become pensioners.

(10636)

61
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage share of (a) UK gross domestic product and (b) the total to be raised by the climate change levy, the UK engineering industry will contribute in the next financial year.

(10696)

62
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the impact of the aggregates tax upon the construction industry.

(10644)

63
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the impact of business tax and regulation upon the profitability of British manufacturing.

(10657)

64
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessments he has made of the costs of the climate change levy to British industry.

(10640)

65
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue was raised from the engineering industry by the climate change levy in the first six months of its operation.

(10650)

66
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what forecasts he has made on the level of investment into the UK over the next three years.

(10658)

67
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide an estimate of the revenues the Government will receive from the aggregates tax in the current financial year.

(10642)

68
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the effects of business tax and regulation upon the competitiveness of manufacturing.

(10656)

69
   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that taxes on motor fuel cover the congestion and environmental costs of motoring.

(11548)

70
   Angela Watkinson (Upminster):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received from interested organisations regarding public/private partnerships.

(11543)

71
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he will reply to the letter from the honourable Member for Northavon of 9th August regarding a lorry belonging to Westfield International Transport seized by HM Customs; and if he will ensure that the lorry is released as soon as possible.

(11140)

72
N   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what activities Her Majesty's Government have been involved with in Colombia in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

(9245)

73
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) representations he has received and (b) discussions he has held with the government of Australia concerning their approach to asylum applications from Afghanistan nationals.

(11445)

74
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what contacts were maintained by his Department with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan prior to 11th September.

(11442)

75
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan; what assessment he has made of their political aims; and if he will make a statement.

(11437)

76
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what ministerial contacts there have been since 1997 with Commonwealth countries suspended from membership.

(11440)

77
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Pakistan on restoring elected democratic government.

(11441)

78
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what arrangements the US has made with the UK Government over their use of Diego Garcia; what British forces are stationed on the island; what plans the Government has to increase the UK's facilities there; and if he will make a statement.

(10113)

79
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that representatives of Afghan women's organisations are involved in the discussions about the composition of a post-Taliban government.

(11302)

80
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with Fakhdar Brahimi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan.

(11303)

81
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11512)

82
N   Mrs Annette L. Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of endometriosis have been treated within the Dorset Health Authority in the last 12 months.

(10304)

83
N   Mrs Annette L. Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of endometriosis the NHS has referred abroad for treatment.

(10306)

84
N   Mrs Annette L. Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many endometriosis cases there are within the Dorset Health Authority.

(10305)

85
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of patients treated under the concordat with the private sector are at state retirement age.

(10489)

86
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessments he has made of future activity levels under the concordat with the private sector.

(10491)

87
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what has been (a) the total cost to the NHS of treatment under the concordat with the private sector, (b) the average cost of treatment per patient and (c) the average cost of similar treatment as in (b) above in the NHS.

(10635)

88
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact on delayed discharges in acute hospitals of treatment under the concordat with the private sector.

(10490)

89
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients have been treated under the concordat with the private sector since its implementation.

(10492)

90
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what details of the PFI proposals for the Whittington hospital will be published; and if he will publish his assessment of (a) its cost and (b) the cost of direct departmental funding.

(11447)

91
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the extent of bed blocking in each health authority and trust at the most recent available date; what was the basis on which the social services authorities with the most serious bed blocking problem, requiring extra priority allocations were identified; and for what reason the Newcastle City and North Tyneside Borough Social Services authorities were not on the priority list.

(10933)

92
N   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information he has concerning the possible continuing incidence of anthrax at the former Thanet Isolation (Haine) Hospital; and if he will make a statement on possible long-term contamination of the burial grounds.

(11142)

93
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to publish a consultation document on national standards for residential services for adults with disabilities and special needs.

(11551)

94
N   Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has received from the National Blood Service of the effect on the number of blood donors of testing for vCJD; and what plans he has to ensure the supply of blood to non-emergency patients who require transfusions as part of their treatments.

(10718)

95
   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average waiting time at (a) Chorley and South Ribble NHS Hospital Casualty Department and (b) Preston NHS Acute Hospital Casualty Department in the last six months.

(11546)

96
   Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to increase the provision of dentistry and the number of dentists in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) Boston and Skegness.

(11550)

97
   Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to reduce waiting lists in Boston and Skegness.

(11549)

98
N   Paddy Tipping (Sherwood):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the additional resources required to bring the Nottingham Health Authority up to 100 per cent. of its weighted capitation in (a) cash and (b) percentage terms.

(11306)

99
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what account he has taken of the findings of the High Court on 3rd May 2000 in respect of the actions of the Metropolitan Police in determining the appropriate level and nature of policing for the visit of the Chinese State Vice-President to the UK this month.

(10716)

100
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what meetings have taken place between the Metropolitan Police, his Department, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Chinese officials to discuss the policing of the UK state visit of the Chinese State Vice President, Hu Jintao; and what decisions were taken on the policing of this visit.

(10715)

101
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action his Office took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11513)

102
N   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the adminstrative handling of the case of Mr Aril Tuysug of North East Bedfordshire, with particular reference to the loss of his papers by his Department; and when he will reply to the letter dated 12th September from the honourable Member for North East Bedfordshire.

(11299)

103
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what, for each month of (a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001 to date, was the total number of Afghanistan nationals who have (i) applied for asylum, (ii) been granted refugee status, (iii) been refused asylum, (iv) been granted asylum on appeal and (v) been deported.

(11444)

104
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under what circumstances an immigrant or asylum seeker is able to have visits from family members abroad.

(10111)

105
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures will be introduced to prevent discrimination against those with criminal records when they apply for a job, following the Police Act 1997.

(10115)

106
   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much revenue was generated from fines for road traffic offences in the last 12 months.

(11563)

107
   Bridget Prentice (Lewisham East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what additional measures have been taken to guard Britain's (a) oil rigs and (b) nuclear power stations from terrorist attack, following the events in the USA on 11th September.

(11544)

108
N   Paddy Tipping (Sherwood):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out the budget for Nottinghamshire Police in (a) cash and (b) real terms for each financial year since April 1996.

(11305)

109
N   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 19th October, Official Report, column 1399W, on religious discrimination, if he will list the research participants who have been consulted; and if he will put copies of their evidence in the library.

(11066)

110
N   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers in Spelthorne borough are funded by the Government.

(11192)

111
   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when, and by what means, the former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards was consulted about possible re-appointment; and what advice he was given about the nature of the competition.

(11495)

112
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid projects in Papua New Guinea are supported by her Department (a) bilaterally, (b) from EU sources and (c) multilaterally; what is their value for each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

(11446)

113
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with Fakhdar Brahimi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan, regarding the involvement of women in the talks involving interested parties to a post-Taliban government for Afghanistan.

(11301)

114
N   Mr Hugo Swire (East Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

(8821)

115
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton & Honiton):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will (a) introduce and (b) enforce a smoking ban in jury rooms within the Courts Service.

(11139)

116
N   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North):    To ask the Prime Minister, further to his reply of 15th October, Official Report, column 818-9W, on the Prime Minister's powers, if he will list the 50 specific references in statute to Prime Ministerial powers.

(10546)

117
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Prime Minister, what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11514)

118
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with President Bush on the use of cluster bombs by coalition forces in Afghanistan; and what restrictions were agreed on their use.

(11443)

119
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will consult President Bush on initiating talks with the Government of Iraq concerning the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden.

(9873)

120
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what action her Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11515)

121
   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what support is provided by the Crown Estate to each of the Scottish estuary forums.

(11547)

122
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Solicitor General, what plans he has to review the process of personal injury claims, with particular reference to the role of insurance companies.

(10697)

123
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make a statement on the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to proceed with its case with regard to the Paddington Rail disaster.

(11457)

124
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Solicitor General, what powers he has to intervene in personal injury claims when it is clear that there is deliberate delay on the part of one party.

(10698)

125
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action her Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11516)

126
N   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which regulations issued by her Department since 27th November 2000 have been subject to a consultation period of less than 12 weeks.

(8775)

127
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the cost of purchasing vehicles in (a) the UK and (b) the rest of Europe; what recent measures have been introduced to reduce the cost of cars in the UK; and what plans she has to take further measures.

(10114)

128
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to introduce legislation to combat age discrimination; if she will outlaw mandatory retirement ages; and what powers the authorities will be granted to enforce such legislation.

(10112)

129
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on her policy on the proposals of the European Commission to allow state aid to the coal industry to continue beyond the expiry of the European Coal and Steel Treaty in 2002.

(11564)

130
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on her policy towards the renewal of the European Coal and Steel Treaty.

(11557)

131
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures she is taking to ensure that the UK remains attractive to foreign investment.

(10659)

132
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent representations she has received from industry about the effects of the climate change levy.

(10639)

133
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received regarding the new electricity trading arrangements.

(10647)

134
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the new electricity trading arrangements.

(10646)

135
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received from the Association of Electricity Producers concerning energy from waste in the Renewables Obligation.

(10661)

136
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the sites of the wind farm developments seeking sea-bed leases from the Crown Estate which have achieved pre-qualification status; and what the projected time scale is for their construction and commissioning.

(10235)

137
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received about the effects of the aggregates tax upon the construction industry.

(10643)

138
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the levels of inward investment in the UK.

(10652)

139
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the impact of the new Electricity Trading Arrangements on the generation of electricity by wind power.

(10118)

140
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement about the recent visit to China of the honourable Member for Cunninghame North.

(10119)

141
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent steps she has taken to promote investment in the UK from abroad.

(10651)

142
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received from the Renewable Power Association on waste in the renewables obligation.

(10695)

143
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent representations she has received about the climate change levy from the engineering sector.

(10641)

144
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to increase the target of energy generated from green sources.

(10649)

145
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what progress she has made on reaching a settlement with the energy regulator on the viability of combined heat and power projects under the new electricity trading arrangements.

(10648)

146
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd October, Official Report, column 11W, if he will list the location of the sites where tidal stream generators could be deployed.

(10699)

147
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the members of the joint working group of her Department and Ofgem to monitor security of supply; and what its terms of reference are.

(10236)

148
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the (a) benefits and (b) costs to the construction industry are of the aggregates tax.

(10645)

149
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she expects gasification and pyrolysis plants to be ready to operate commercially using mixed waste as a fuel.

(10660)

150
   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to encourage compliance by the fireworks industry with the voluntary code of practice on the sale of fireworks prior to 5th November.

(11507)

151
   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what checks are carried out by the Health and Safety Executive prior to the (a) registration and (b) licensing of premises for the storage of fireworks.

(11506)

152
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11517)

153
N   Mr A.J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority about the replacement of rail services with bus services by Arriva; and if she will make a statement.

(11084)

154
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will publish a chronology of (a) research undertaken by and (b) proposals for pedestrian protection standards for cars for the Transport Research Laboratory.

(11137)

155
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what parliamentary procedure he will adopt for (a) the proposed mandatory test standards for vehicles protection for pedestrians and (b) the voluntary proposals; and what procedure will be adopted by the European Parliament.

(11133)

156
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many (a) car occupants and (b) pedestrians were killed in car crashes since 1971, broken down into five-yearly intervals.

(11135)

157
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will publish the Transport Research Laboratory's estimate of the comparative effects of the full mandatory pedestrian protection standards for cars and the voluntary approach.

(11138)

158
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, which EC directorate proposed the voluntary proposals for pedestrian protection standards for vehicles; and if he will publish the scientific basis and assessment of the consequences of the differences from the mandatory Working Group 19 proposals.

(11134)

159
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when COREPER will discuss pedestrian protection standards for vehicles; what the UK objectives are at COREPER on this issue; when Ministers will next meet in the European Council to discuss it; and if he will make a statement.

(11132)

160
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make it his policy to adopt the highest proposed standard for pedestrian protection standards for vehicles.

(11136)

161
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, which major road schemes each highway authority has included in its full local transport plan and first annual progress report where funding is not being sought in the Local Transport Settlement 2001.

(10487)

162
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when (a) English Nature, (b) the Countryside Agency and (c) English Heritage (i) were and (ii) will be consulted on local road schemes being considered for funding in the Local Transport Settlement 2001.

(10485)

163
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he is presented with appraisal summary tables for each of the options before deciding whether to approve a major road scheme.

(10633)

164
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the major new road schemes submitted by local authorities for funding (a) by 31st July and (b) after 31st July.

(10488)

165
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if the New Approach to Appraisal applies to (a) national and (b) local major road schemes which are financed by private capital.

(10486)

166
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if his Department requires appraisal summary tables to be submitted for more than one option when a local authority seeks funding for a major road scheme.

(10634)

167
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if the new TransPennine franchise will include investment in new trains.

(11553)

168
   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, on how many occasions in (a) 2001, (b) 2000 and (c) 1999 services on the West Coast Main Line have been disrupted owing to collapse or other failure of the overhead power cables; and what average length of delay has been caused to passenger services as a result.

(11505)

169
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he expects to reach a final decision on the renewal of the Chiltern Line franchise; and if he will make a statement.

(11449)

170
   Bridget Prentice (Lewisham East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many lines on the London Underground were subject to delayed or cancelled services on Tuesday 23rd October; what the cause and length of the subsequent delay was for each line; and if more than one line was affected at any one time.

(11559)

171
   Bridget Prentice (Lewisham East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans his Department has to replace the current fixed block signalling system on London Underground lines with more modern systems; if the moving block computerised system has been considered as an alternative; and when new systems are likely to be implemented.

(11561)

172
   Bridget Prentice (Lewisham East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many delays on London Underground were reported to have been caused by problems with (a) track and signalling and (b) rolling stock in the latest year that figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(11560)

173
   Bridget Prentice (Lewisham East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many signal failures were reported on the Jubilee Line for the five days from Monday 22nd October to Friday 26th October inclusive.

(11558)

174
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will include travel concessions on Isle of Wight ferries in forthcoming legislation.

(11463)

175
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what information he has collated on the annual number of pensioner journeys (a) by train, (b) by coach, (c) by underground, (d) bus and (e) as foot passengers on ferries.

(11464)

176
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what further provision he proposes to make for travel concessions for elderly people in forthcoming legislation.

(11462)

177
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11518)

178
   John Barrett (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

(11519)

179
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what clarification was given on 24th November 2000 by DSS officials to representatives of the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region on the interpretation of which category of claimant could count as British in order to qualify for the ex gratia claims announced on 7th November 2000, following a meeting on 15th November between the DSS, the War Pensions Agency and other interested organisations.

(11304)

180
   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disability benefit claimants there are in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the constituency of Gordon; and how many disability benefit claimants will be liable to attend work-focused interviews as a result of the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001 in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the constituency of Gordon.

(11496)

181
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures the Government will take to prevent an increase in the level of child poverty in areas not subject to Government targets.

(10109)

182
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what further assistance the Government plans to give to those who cannot work owing to disability, health problems, caring duties and difficulties with child care or transport.

(10110)

183
   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will monitor the impact (a) nationally and (b) regionally of the revised definition of the single room rent on access to, and affordability of, privately rented accommodation for young people aged under 25 years.

(11501)

184
N   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what reason was given to him by the Social Security Advisory Committee for its decision not to enforce the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001; what discussions he had with SSAC prior to that decision; and if he will publish the minutes of such discussions.

(11190)

185
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Scottish (a) Executive and (b) Parliament are represented on the Advisory Group for the review of the UK's future energy needs.

[Transferred] (10117)

186
N   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the Government is committed to implementing Article 13 of the EC Employment Directive by 2nd December 2003; and what plans the Government has to ensure that faith schools comply.

[Transferred] (11065)

187
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on his policy on the charitable status of independent schools.

[Transferred] (11456)