Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2001- 02
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Wednesday 17 April 2002

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 17 April 2002, of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL

1   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the implications for future broadcasting rights contracts of ITV Digital's stated inability to meet the terms of its agreement with the Football League.

(50897)

2   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Independent Television Commission concerning ITV Digital's entry into administration.

(50709)

3   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she had made of the implications of the collapse of ITV Digital for the provision of ITV franchise licence fees under the digital dividend of (a) Granada plc and (b) Carlton Communications plc.

(50712)

4   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the discussions she has had with football authorities on the impact on Nationwide League football clubs of ITV Digital's entry into administration.

(50675)

5   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings she has had with representatives of (a) Granada plc and (b) Carlton Communications plc since ITV Digital's entry into administration.

(50710)

6   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will review the terms of the digital dividend rebate offered to ITV companies for the promotion of digital television.

(50711)

7   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what involvement her Department and Sport England have had in the redrafting of PPS17.

(50979)

8   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to include private sector and schools facilities in the forthcoming national audit of sports facilities in the UK.

(50980)

9   Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of ITV Digital's collapse on plans for digital television take-up in the UK.

(50666)

10   Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the economic contribution of Football League football clubs to the (a) local and (b) English economy.

(50667)

11   Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the financial impact on football clubs playing in the Football League of ITV Digital's entry into administration.

(50665)

12   Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received from the Chairmen and chief executives of (a) Granada plc and (b) Carlton Communications plc since 27th March.

(50668)

13   Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Independent Television Commission concerning ITV Digital's entry into administration.

(50669)

14   Mr Peter Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she last attended a Nationwide Football League match.[R]

(50848)

15   Mr Peter Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with representatives of Granada plc and Carlton Communications plc since ITV Digital went into administration.[R]

(50847)

16   Mr Peter Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the football authorities on the financial impact on Nationwide Football League clubs of ITV Digital's entry into administration.[R]

(50846)

17   Mr Peter Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the implications for future broadcasting rights contracts of ITV Digital's stated inability to meet the terms of its agreement with the Football League.

(50898)

18   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on (a) the cause of death, (b) the circumstances and (c) the coroner's verdict on the death of Private James Collinson in 1995 at the Deep Cut Army Camp.

(51031)

19   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the incident that led to the death of Private Cheryl James in 1995 within the Deep Cut Army Camp took place; where the death took place; and if he will make a statement.

(51030)

20   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there was an MoD inquiry into the death of Private James Collinson in 1995 at Deep Cut Army Camp; and if he will make a statement.

(51033)

21   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the incident that led to the death of the soldier Shaun Benton in 1995 within the Deep Cut Army Camp took place; where the death took place; and if he will make a statement.

(51025)

22   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the incident that led to the death of Private James Collinson in 1995 within the Deep Cut Army Camp took place; where the death took place; and if he will make a statement.

(51032)

23   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there was an MoD inquiry into the death of Private Cheryl James in 1995 at Deep Cut Army Camp; and if he will make a statement.

(51029)

24   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on (a) the cause of death, (b) the circumstances and (c) the coroner's verdict on the death of Private Cheryl James in 1995 at the Deep Cut Army Camp.

(51028)

25   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on (a) the cause, (b) the circumstances and (c) the coroner's verdict on the death of Shaun Benton in 1995 at Deep Cut Army Camp.

(51026)

26   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there was an MoD inquiry into the death of the soldier Shaun Benton in 1995 at Deep Cut Army Camp; and if he will make a statement.

(51027)

27   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the evaluation criteria were in the selection of the preferred bidder for the roll-on roll-offs.

(50890)

28   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to sign the contract with AWSR Shipping Ltd for the provision of roll on, roll off ferries under the PFI.

(50884)

29   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what arrangements will apply for the crewing by British seafarers of the roll-on, roll-offs.

(50887)

30   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the reasons for the delay in completion of the contract with AWSR for the roll on, roll off ferries.

(50885)

31   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations were made to his Department by (a) the Scottish Office, (b) the Scottish Executive, (c) the Northern Ireland Office and (d) One NE prior to the awarding of the roll-on roll-off contracts.

(50894)

32   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what period of notice will be given to the supplier of the roll-on roll-offs for the use of each of them.

(50893)

33   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what options were given to the bidders for the roll-on, roll-offs for the provision of crews.

(50888)

34   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government's assumption from AWSR Ltd of responsibility for purchase of the two roll-on, roll-offs being built by Harland and Wolff counts towards the PSBR.

(50891)

35   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to transfer to AWSR Ltd responsibilities for the two roll-on, roll-offs being built by Harland and Wolff.

(50892)

36   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the preferred crewing option of AWSR Ltd was when selected as the preferred bidder for the roll-on, roll-offs.

(50889)

37   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assumption was made by his Department regarding (a) the provision of financial guarantees and (b) the ability of the preferred bidder to sign contracts by a specified date for the roll on, roll off ferries.

(50886)

38   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK military personnel are stationed in Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

(51016)

39   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the MoD facilities in Gibraltar; what the future of the MoD facilities in Gibraltar under the Brussels Process is; and what arrangements have been made under the Brussels Process for the continued use of military facilities in Gibraltar by UK forces in the event of a 'yes' vote in the referendum

(51017)

40   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the future of the RAF station in Gibraltar.

(51013)

41   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart regarding the future of the Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar under the Brussels Process; and if he will make a statement.

(51015)

42   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when drawings and specifications of the Blue Danube atomic bomb were placed in the Public Records Office; and if he will make a statement.

(51024)

43   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if HMG (a) has entered into and (b) intends to enter into talks with the Indian Government concerning the sale of Royal Navy Sea Harriers to that country.

(51018)

44   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent (a) representations he has received from the NATO Secretary General and (b) discussions he has had with his European counterparts concerning the possiblity for European countries to come together in order to obtain a fleet of C-17s and C-130Js to fill the gap until their orders for the A400M come forward; and if he will make a statement.

(51021)

45   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what aspects of the Blue Danube atomic bomb continue to be covered by exemption 1 of the code of pratice on access to Government information relating to defence, security and international relations.

(51023)

46   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from the US Government regarding publication of details of the Blue Danube atomic bomb.

(51022)

47
N   Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on progress on the Army's Future Rapid Effects System project.

(50004)

48
N   Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on future plans for British military involvement in the Balkans.

(50003)

49
N   Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement in progress in introducing a new intermediate-range air-to-surface weapon system for RAF strike aircraft.

(50005)

50
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received in the last 12 months regarding (a) arms exports to Sri Lanka from Britain and (b) their subsequent effect on the Tamil people; and if he will make a statement.

(49333)

51
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times he has met representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka to discuss arms exports in each of the past five years.

(49336)

52
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received in the past 12 months regarding arms exports to Sri Lanka from representatives of the Tamil people.

(49338)

53
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will next meet representatives of the Sri Lankan Government to discuss arms exports; and if he will make a statement.

(49342)

54
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Tamil people to discuss human rights issues in Sri Lanka.

(49341)

55   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of the funeral of HM the Queen Mother; and which departments contributed.

(50685)

56   Hywel Williams (Caernarfon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what arrangements are in place to test the blood and saliva of British nuclear test veterans for evidence of irradiation.

(50688)

57   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps were taken to ensure that the bidding process for contractors in respect of QinetiQ was conducted in accordance with his Department's rules; and if he will make a statement.

(50680)

58
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what response she has made to the recent SKILL research, Enhancing Quality of Life, on the extent of post-school education provision for people with profound and complex learning difficulties.

(48810)

59
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her Answer of the 26th March, Official Report, column 902W, regarding NVQ level II funding, what steps her Department has taken with the Department of Health to ensure that all those individuals who qualify for (a) grants and (b) funds have knowledge of and access to them; and if she will make a statement.

(50564)

60
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her Answer of 26th March, Official Report, column 902W, regarding NVQ level II funding, what (a) funds and (b) grants are available to individuals over the age of 24 years to obtain NVQ level II.

(50560)

61   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what shortages of (a) drivers, (b) signallers and (c) tracklayers exist within the railway industry; and how many vacancies there are within the industry for (i) middle managers, (ii) graduates and (iii) others.

(50904)

62   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her Answer of 10th April, Official Report, column 119W, on skills shortages in the railway industry, if she will place in the Library copies of the 'Framework for Skills in the Rail Industry' and the progress report; to whom, and where, she announced the funding for new adult apprenticeships; and to which significant skill shortages she refers.

(51034)

63   Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what progress is being made on lifting the cap on university enrolment.

(50674)

64   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will examine the case for subsidising councils to fund rural bus routes to schools and to help families furthest from schools.

(50922)

65   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans she has to increase the powers of teachers to deal with discipline in schools.

(50923)

66   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the future use of dyslexia teachers in schools; and if she will review the funding of dyslexia teaching.

(50921)

67
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will increase the level of support available for those students in higher education who are on longer courses and those with higher equipment costs with specific reference to medicine and dentristy.

(49806)

68
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the average level of graduate earnings, broken down by social class.

(49804)

69
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether figures are available which indicate the number of students who are eligible to pay tuition fees and who do not receive the required contribution from their parents.

(49803)

70
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps she will take to increase the number of applications to study medicine from social classes IV and V, between 1996 and 2001.

(49805)

71
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps she will take to improve full time applications for higher education from mature students since 1996.

(49807)

72
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the average level of graduate debt, broken down by social class.

(49808)

73   Mr Gerry Steinberg (City of Durham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the total income was from student tuition fees in (a) 1996-97 and (b) each of the subsequent five financial years.

(50981)

74   Mr Ivan Henderson (Harwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who was responsible for the crop management of the farm scale evaluation at Sunnymead Farm, Wivenhoe in 2000; when the GM maize, planted at Sunnymead Farm, was sprayed with herbicide; and when the crop was sprayed with glufosinate ammonium.

(50920)

75   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total expenditure on sea wall defences in England and Wales was in each year from 1990 to 2001.

(50983)

76   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many schemes for managed realignment of the coastline have been approved for England and Wales since 1995; and if she will make a statement.

(50982)

77   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total expenditure on sea wall defences in the county of Essex and the unitary boroughs of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea was in each year from 1990 to 2001.

(50985)

78   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many miles of sea wall were repaired in the county of Essex in each year from 1990 to 2001.

(50984)

79   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26th February, Official Report, column 1190W, to the honourable Member for York, if she will break down the CAP information shown by county in England and Wales.

(50679)

80
N   Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to reply to the letter dated 4th March from the honourable Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent Mr A. Rogers of Banff.

(50074)

81
N   Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Parliamentary Secretary intends to reply to the letter dated 25th January from the honourable Member for Banff and Buchan regarding the monitoring of quota uptake.

(50071)

82   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No.8) (Northern Ireland) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(50728)

83   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) (Amendment) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(50725)

84   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 8) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(50727)

85   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 9) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(50723)

86   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Interim Provisions) Order; and if he will make a statement.

(50719)

87   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Official Listing of Securities) (Amendment) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(50721)

88   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Commencement No. 6) Order; and if he will make a statement.

(50720)

89   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 9) (Northern Ireland) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(50724)

90   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Controllers) (Exemption) (No. 2) Order; and if he will make a statement.

(50718)

91   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) Order; and if he will make a statement.

(50722)

92   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Air Passenger Duty and Other Indirect Taxes (Interest Rate) (Amendment) Order; and if he will make a statement.

(50717)

93   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Gibraltar) Order; and if he will make a statement.

(50726)

94
N   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when he received the final Wanless Report.

(50664)

95
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and (b) representations he has received from the National Assembly for Wales, regarding securing (i) the full amount of European Structural Funds for the National Assembly for Wales above the Welsh block grant and (ii) full public match funding for the projects over and above the Barnett formula during the period of the next Comprehensive Spending Review.

(49813)

96
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has received from the Westfield shopping centre company since 1997.

(48809)

97
N   Paddy Tipping (Sherwood): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many responses he has received to his consultative document Modernising Annuities; and if he will list those who responded and place copies of the responses in the Library.

(50021)

98   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the (a) total cost and (b) cost per claimant of administering (i) working families tax credit, (ii) children's tax credit, (iii) child tax credit and (iv) working tax credit in the last 12 months.

(50991)

99   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the (a) total cost and (b) cost per claimant to businesses for administering (i) working families tax credit, (ii) children's tax credit, (iii) child tax credit and (iv) the working tax credit in the last 12 months.

(50992)

100   Tony Baldry (Banbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his policy on intervention in matters within the sovereign responsibility of foreign states.

(50695)

101   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 15th to 16th April; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

(50858)

102
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Tamil people to discuss human rights issues in Sri Lanka.

(49340)

103
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will next meet representatives from the Sri Lankan Government to discuss human rights issues and the state's policy towards the Tamil people.

(49334)

104
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received in the last 12 months regarding human rights issues in Sri Lanka concerning the Tamil people; and if he will make a statement.

(49335)

105
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received in the past 12 months regarding human rights issues in Sri Lanka from representatives of the Tamil people.

(49339)

106
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many times he has met representatives of the Sri Lankan Government to discuss human rights issues in each of the past five years.

(49337)

107   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he has received the UN Secretary General's Report to the Commisson on the Status of Women on discrimination against women and girls in Afghanistan (E/CN.6/2002/5 dated 24th January); and what action he will take to ensure the recommendations are implemented.

(50698)

108
N   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he next intends to meet his Spanish counterpart in the next round of the Brussels process.

(48851)

109   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to clear the backlog of cases being sent by entry clearance officers.

(50697)

110   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the appeal proposed in the case of Baljides Singh (post ref 819403/0115-New Delhi) arrived in London.

(50696)

111   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date the explanatory statement in the case of Mr Fuzal-Ur-Rahman post ref: ISB-/E4525 arrived from Islamabad in London.

(50701)

112   Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many human cloning research licence applications have been received to date by the HFEA; in whose name the applications have been made; who the grants organisations are financing the proposed research; and who the peer reviewers assessing the applications will be.

(50901)

113   Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority did not publish an annual report in 2001.

(50899)

114   Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many licences for donor insemination for (a) single women and (b) lesbians have been issued by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in each year since it was established.

(50900)

115
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much of its research budget is allocated for research into traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.

(48812)

116
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) electrically powered and (b) manual wheelchairs meet the health and safety requirements of their users in terms of their (i) inherent design, (ii) regular servicing and (iii) planned replacement.

(48817)

117
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition reviewing the available evidence in relation to salt in the diets of adults and children plans to report; and whether its report will be published.

(49811)

118
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for the publication of NICE guidelines on the handling of brain-injured patients; whether the guidelines will include long-term rehabilitation issues; and if he will make a statement.

(48824)

119
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information he collates into delays in prescription of electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs; and what service standards are set centrally in this area.

(48819)

120
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on progress in the development of a national alcohol strategy.

(48813)

121
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if the proposed National Service Framework for long-term conditions will include those arising from head injury; and what iterim action will be taken to improve rehabilitation services before publication of that framework.

(48814)

122
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many adverse incidents involving (a) electrically powered and (b) manual wheelchairs have been reported to the Medical Devices Agency in each of the past three years; and what steps he is taking to improve (i) the comprehensiveness of such reports and (ii) their utility in identifying and remedying systematic faults.

(48818)

123
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what evidence his Department collates on the cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation following (a) stroke and (b) head injury among persons of working age.

(48811)

124
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what statistics he collates on (a) the availability of specialist rehabilitation beds in NHS hospitals, (b) their occupancy and (c) the explanations for voids.

(48816)

125
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 19th March, Official Report, column 309W, on care homes, what information he collates on the length of time it takes for a care home to be built.

(50078)

126
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 8th March, Official Report, column 163W, on international recruitment, which agencies have not adhered to the code of practice for (a) internationally qualified medical staff and (b) other healthcare professionals.

(50077)

127
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 15th March, Official Report, column 1289W, on assaults on NHS staff, when he expects to complete the analysis of the reported violent incidents on NHS staff; when he expects to publish the report; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

(50079)

128
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, purusant to his Answer of 26th March, Official Report, column 931W, on nursing staff, how many posts have been filled in April.

(50501)

129
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 18th March, Official Report, column 172w, on nursing care, when he expects to publish the core contract; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

(50075)

130
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer on the 26th March, Official Report, column 943W, regarding the National Care Standards Commission, how many applications had been (a) received and (b) not received by the National Care Standards Commission by the 31st March, how many statements of purpose were (i) received and (ii) not received by 31st March; how many care homes should have completed the (a)statement of purpose and (b) applications; and what steps he is taking to ensure all care homes which should have completed their statement of purpose and application form but have not, will comply with the Care Standards Act 2000 Part 11, section (1) as soon as possible.

(50563)

131
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if the (a) NCSC IS infrastructure, (b) NCSC Registration and Inspection Package, (c) NCSC Finance Package and (d) NCSC pay and personnel system have been completed on time; and what the final costs of each project are.

(50070)

132   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 26th March, Official Report, column 942W, regarding free nursing care, whether she will also be writing to these care homes to inform them of the breach in national model contract.

(50860)

133
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of the 26th March, Official Report, column 942W, regarding free nursing care, what plans she has to provide additional funding to residents of the four homes she wrote to which have failed to receive financial benefit from their free nursing care payment.

(50562)

134
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of the 26th March, Official Report, column 942W, regarding free nursing care, which agencies have failed to pass on the free nursing care payment to residents.

(50561)

135
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received regarding people being placed inappropriately in (a) residential care homes and (b) nursing homes.

(50069)

136
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 26th March, Official Report, column 941W, regarding no secrets guidance, when he expects the Centre for Policy on Ageing to conclude its analysis; and if he will put this document in the Library.

(50500)

137
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of the 26th March, Official Report, column 942W, regarding free nursing care, whether she has received further representations regarding failures to pass on the free nursing care payments to residents.

(50565)

138
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 19th March, Official Report, column 310W, on care homes, when the booklet, 'Moving into a Care Home', was published; how much the booklet cost to produce and distribute; and what other means are being considered to ensure the widest possible circulation; and how much the new booklet has cost to produce.

(50076)

139   Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will implement a transparent process for the tender of supplies required for national security.

(50895)

140   Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what scientific assessments he has carried out of the differences between the Lister and New York strains of the smallpox vaccine.

(50896)

141   Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whom his Department has consulted as part of its consideration of whether to make recombinant available to all people with haemophilia.

(50850)

142   Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out the process by which the Government will determine whether to make recombinant available to all people with haemophilia; if he will outline the considerations being taken into account in coming to this decision; and if he will indicate when he expects this process to be complete.

(50849)

143   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many executives and managers have left each of the south eastern ambulance services in (a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001.

(50707)

144   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he plans to make an announcement on the future of Surrey Ambulance Service.

(50704)

145   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much was spent on the review of south-east ambulance services in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001.

(50708)

146   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the timetable for finalising agreement with the Epsom Riding for the Disabled Association for the sale of land in Epsom.

(50689)

147   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to tackle MRSA; and if he will make a statement.

(50687)

148   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people likely to require (a) residential care and (b) nursing care in a nursing home in (i) 2005, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2015 and (iv) 2020.

(50692)

149   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list those medical interventions which would allow an elderly person in need of nursing care to be treated free of charge in an NHS setting.

(50851)

150   Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations his Department has received from (a) Generics UK, (b) Kent Pharmaceuticals, (c) Regent-GM Laboratories, (d) Goldshield Group, (e) Norton Healthcare and (f) Ranbaxy UK regarding generic drugs in the past five years.

(50705)

151   Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what meetings his Department has had with (a) Generics UK, (b) Kent Pharmaceuticals, (c) Regent-GM Laboratories, (d) Goldshield Group, (e) Norton Healthcare and (f) Ranbaxy UK to discuss generic drugs in the past five years.

(50706)

152
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what controls exist to regulate the maximum amount that can be charged by private individuals and companies in respect of fines applied (a) for vehicles clamped on private property and (b) for the daily holding of those vehicles.

(50002)

153   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action is being taken to provide housing accommodation for prison officers working at London prisons.

(50879)

154   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many drug cases were dealt with in magistrates' courts in the Greater London area in each of the last three years.

(50876)

155   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many known illegal immigrants have reached the UK after travelling through the Channel Tunnel on freight trains in 2002.

(50878)

156   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers there were in the Wandsworth policing division on 1st April; and how many there were on 1st April (a) 2001 and (b) 2000.

(50875)

157   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many trained prison officers have resigned from the prison service in each of the last three years.

(50880)

158   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many street robberies there have been in each of the London boroughs in the last three years.

(50877)

159
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what powers he will gain under the proposed Police Reform Bill; if police authorities will be involved in directions given to chief officers and in the suspension of chief constables under the proposed reforms; what the role of the community support officers will be; what police powers will be given to accredited persons and what their responsibilities will be; what estimate he has made of how much the proposals on police reform will cost; and if he will make a statement.

(48850)

160   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when an announcement will be made on the long-term future of Northallerton Remand Centre.

(50690)

161
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many life prisoners have served their sentences but are yet to be released.

(48648)

162
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what statistics are kept on the number of life prisoners yet to be released who are claiming they are innocent of the crime for which they have been imprisoned.

(48649)

163
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with members of the Criminal Cases Review Commission about the treatment of life prisoners who maintain their innocence; and what the outcome was of these discussions.

(48650)

164
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to what extent a prisoner's insistence of innocence is taken into account when deciding whether to grant parole.

(48651)

165
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions he has rejected the advice given by the Parole Board to grant parole to a prisoner who has maintained his innocence since 1995.

(48652)

166
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many life prisoners who (a) maintain their innocence and (b) who admit their guilt have been granted parole on their first hearing in each year since 1995.

(48653)

167
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases regarding life prisoners who maintain their innocence referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission have been rejected; and if he will make a statement.

(48654)

168
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average number of prison moves has been for (a) a lifer and (b) a lifer who maintains his innocence in the last five years.

(48655)

169
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many lifers who maintain their innocence are denied access to education facilities.

(48656)

170
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prisoners eligible for home curfew detention are in prison; and if he will list the reasons for this.

(48657)

171
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration he has made of the ECHR judgement in Edwards and Another v UK application No 46477/99.

(48658)

172
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the reasons why he rejected the conclusions set out in the legal opinion obtained by Save the Children UK on the United Kingdom's Immigration Reservation to the United Nations Convention of the Child.

(48659)

173
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding is available for targeted policing initiatives.

(48660)

174   Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for reviewing the compatibility of the Official Secrets Acts with the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement.

(50918)

175   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what number and percentage of police officers in England and Wales who are entitled to retire early on grounds of ill health (a) chose to stay on in the police service in another role and (b) were offered and accepted a desk job in the last year for which figures are available.

(50681)

176   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what number and percentage of police officers in England and Wales retired early for reasons of ill health in each year since 1996; what pension entitlements apply in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

(50686)

177   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average length of service was for a (a) policewoman and (b) policeman in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available.

(50682)

178   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases with the Appeals Section have not been despatched to the IAT.

(50703)

179   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date the ASS of his Department forwarded the papers in the case of Fuzal-Ur-Rahman post ref ISB-/E425 to the IAA.

(50702)

180
N   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of South Africa regarding the New Partnership for Africa's Development.

(46059)

181
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the performance of the European Union has been in spending this year's budget line B7-6312 of 8.6 million euros on reproductive health.

(48991)

182
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the adequacy of supplies of condoms in fighting Aids in the developing world; and what steps are being taken to improve the supply.

(48999)

183
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the impact of the withdrawal of United States funds for reproductive health services in the developing world; and what steps have been taken to make up any shortfall.

(48998)

184
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much expenditure has been committed for this year of budget line B7-6211 (fight against poverty diseases) in the European Union; and what the projected spending under this budget is for this financial year.

(48995)

185
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what information she has received on how the European Union budget line B7-6211 on the fight against poverty diseases is to be spent.

(48994)

186
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement about (a) the budgeted amounts in the European Union for reproductive health spending in each of the past five years, (b) the actual spending and (c) steps being taken to ensure that budget allocation and expenditure match each other in the future.

(48993)

187
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on what assessment she has made of whether the European Union is adequately organised and staffed to spend budget line B7-6312 on reproductive health.

(48992)

188
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on steps that have been taken in the European Union to strengthen the administration of reproductive health programmes; what staffing provisions are in place to deal with reproductive health programmes; and what the budgeted amount for this financial year is for such programmes.

(48997)

189
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, under the Global Health Fund for fighting Aids, what role the provision of comprehensive reproductive health services will play.

(48996)

190   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the cost in 2000-01 was of (a) the maintenance of each of the Crown courts in England and (b) administering each of the Crown courts in England; and what the average cost per case heard was of each of the Crown courts in 2000-01.

(50693)

191   \Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when he last visited the Immigration Tribunal.

(50700)

192   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the backlog of cases in the IAA is; and what estimate he has made of how long it will take to clear the backlog.

(50699)

193
N   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Prime Minister, what Her Majesty's Government's requirement is of Iraq for the lifting of economic sanctions.

(49810)

194
N   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Prime Minister, what Her Majesty's Government's requirement is of Iraq to avert the threat of military action.

(49809)

195
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, whether Lord Levy is obliged to report gifts, hospitality and services he receives in the course of his duties to a (a) permanent secretary and (b) representative of the Cabinet Secretariat.

(49892)

196
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, how many Government press conferences Lord Levy has attended in his capacity as a representative of the Government.

(49893)

197
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, what are the official title and responsibilities of Lord Levy.

(49890)

198
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, if Lord Levy adheres to the Ministerial Code.

(49891)

199
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list (a) each foreign visit that Lord Levy has undertaken acting as a representative of the Government and (b) the cost of each trip to public funds since 23rd October 2001.

(49895)

200
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the speeches that Lord Levy has made since his appointment as a representative of the Government.

(49894)

201
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, if speeches by Lord Levy on foreign policy issues are cleared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

(49897)

202
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Prime Minister, if Lord Levy informs the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary before making any foreign visit on behalf of the Government.

(49896)

203   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she has met representatives of ITV Digital since it entered administration.

(50713)

204   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the impact of ITV Digital's entry into administration on the Government's plans for digital television provision in the UK.

(50714)

205   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what meetings she has had with representatives of (a) Granada plc and (b) Carlton Communications plc since ITV Digital's entry into administration.

(50715)

206
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to review the competition implications of the arrangement between Deloitte & Touche and Andersens UK in the accounting industry;if she intends to make a reference to the competition authorities; and if she will make a statement.

(50499)

207   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the cost to UK business of the draft EU Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive.

(50912)

208   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how the EU draft Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive will be applied in the UK in respect of (a) foreign manufactured equipment and (b) equipment personally imported into the UK from outside the EU.

(50915)

209   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the Government will seek to prevent adoption of the EU draft Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive in the form recently approved by the European Parliament.

(50913)

210   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what Government policy is on the financial impact on councils of the EU Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive.

(50914)

211   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the Government's policy is on (a) individual company responsibility, (b) collective industry responsibility and (c) community responsibility through the general taxation system for costs of collection and recycling of waste equipment as required by the draft EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

(50919)

212   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the impact on the economic viability of (a) individual businesses and (b) defined business sectors from the implementation of the EU draft Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive.

(50916)

213   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 18th March, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the Commission's proposal for a negotiating mandate to discuss a framework agreement with the European Space Agency.

(50996)

214   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 18th March, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the rules of participation and the specific programmes for the Sixth EU Research Framework Programme 2002-06 and Sixth EURATOM Framework Programme 2002-06.

(50997)

215   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 18th March, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the Commission's proposed action plan for Biotechnology and Life Sciences in Europe.

(50994)

216   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 18th March, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the Commission's proposal to amend the negotiating mandate on the legal aspects of a possible International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, in order to include possible site offers for ITER in Europe and cost sharing provisions.

(50995)

217   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 18th March, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the work of the expert group on Bioterrorism.

(50993)

218   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the outcome was of the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 25th to 26th March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

(50859)

219   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the spacecraft which the UK is (a) operating and (b) funding; who owns the spacecraft; and what the purpose of each mission is.

(50854)

220   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the Envisat project.

(50853)

221
N   Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make it her practice to collect and publish data relating to the pay gap between men and women by constituency.

(45862)

222
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations her Department has received from the Westfield shopping centre company since 1997.

(48807)

223
N   Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she expects to reply to the letter dated 4th March from the honourable Member for Banff and Buchan regarding Mr R. Roxburgh.

(50073)

224   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to what extent Wainstones Plc may transfer to a third party the licence to build a gas-fuelled power station at Langage, Plympton.

(50987)

225   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether the licence granted to Wainstones Plc to build a gas-fuelled power station at Langage contained a condition as to timescale for commencement of the project.

(50986)

226   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what powers he has to intervene in decisions on the installation of a telecommunication mast in a residential area once the local council authority has given permission for the installation of the equipment; and if he will make a statement.

(50861)

227   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, who the winner was of the Strategic Rail Authority's freight innovation competition; by when the winning scheme was required to be operational; what progress has been made to date with the winning scheme; and if he will make a statement.

(50907)

228   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list those groups and individuals from which he has taken advice in preparing the UK's strategy for mass decontamination in the event of (a) chemical and (b) biological attack.

(50857)

229   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Epsom and Ewell, of 26th March, Official Report, column 959W, on rail performance measures, when he intends to publish the benchmarks to which he refers; if he will list the benchmarks published to date; and by whom and how these benchmarks will be measured.

(51019)

230   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his reply of 25th March, Official Report, column 664W, on the Strategic Rail Authority, if he will list the (a) processes and (b) outcomes to which he refers.

(51020)

231   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what steps are being taken by his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that ATOC provide the Rail Passengers Council with information regarding how the decision regarding plans for the SouthEast Network Railcard was arrived at.

(50908)

232   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what public service agreement targets were due to be met by his Department by 31st March; how many of these have been met; and if he will make a statement.

(50909)

233   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 25th March, Official Report, column 675W, on the Fire Service, if he will place in the Library the criteria used by the Arson Control Forum to assess bids from local fire authorities for arson reduction initiatives.

(50988)

234   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many freight trains of each freight operating company (a) arrived late by (i) more than five minutes and (ii) more than 10 minutes and (b) were cancelled (1) in each month from January 2000 to April 2002 and (2) in each year for which data are available since 1990.

(50911)

235   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what steps have been taken by his Department and the SRA to introduce piggyback freight carriers on Britain's railways.

(50906)

236   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, on what date his Department expects to publish its Annual Report for 2002; and if he will make a statement.

(50905)

237   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 25th March, Official Report, column 675W, on awards made by the Arson Control Forum, if he will place in the Library the guidance provided to local fire authorities when bidding for funding from the Arson Control Forum.

(50902)

238   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what correspondence has been received by his Department or the Strategic Rail Authority from the Rail Passengers Council regarding ATOC's proposals for the SouthEast Network Railcard; and if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library.

(50903)

239   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what recent reports have been commissioned on effective methods of mass decontamination from (a) chemical and (b) biological (i) attacks and (ii) disasters; and if he will place the reports in the Library.

(50855)

240   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will place in the Library copies of guidance provided for (a) the public, (b) local education authorities, (c) local health authorities and (d) other public institutions in the event of deliberate release of (i) chemical and (ii) biological weapons; and where this information is available to the general public.

(50856)

241   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how (a) delays and (b) cancellations of freight train services are measured; and if he will make a statement.

(50910)

242   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the reasons for and provide an analysis of the factors which led to the proposal to detrunk the A585.

(50678)

243   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what his Department's definition is of (a) a trunk road and (b) a strategic route.

(50763)

244   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the reasons why the A683 link to the M6 is designated a strategic routeway; and if he will list the factors which determined the designation of the M6 Link Road Scheme to Heysham a proposal of regional significance.

(50677)

245   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment his Department has made of the prospects for electrification of the Waterloo to Exeter railway via Salisbury; and if he will make a statement.

(50852)

246   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green & Bow): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what information he has collated on the activities of commercial property companies offering local authority tenants a cash incentive to exercise the right to buy their home.

(50917)

247
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he will publish his Department's Annual Report; and if he will make a statement on the timing of publication.

(48805)

248
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what representations his Department and its predecessor has received from the Westfield shopping centre company since 1997.

(50080)

249
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans his Department has to alter planning guidance and regulations relating to shopping centre developments;and if he will list the changes to planning guidance and planning regulations relating to shopping centre developments since 1997.

(49001)

250   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what guidance he gives transport undertakings concerning the use of tropical hardwoods in renewing and repairing infrastructure.

(50683)

251   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what consideration he has given to the proposals submitted to him by local authorities in East Lancashire to tackle the problem of run down and abandoned housing in the region.

(50684)

252
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, on how many occasions in the last six months there has been a significant computer failure at National Air Traffic Services leading to the disruption of aircraft movement in UK airspace; what action he is taking to prevent such failures; and if he will make a statement.

(49000)

253   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he expects to publish the conclusions of the review of the Local Government Pension Scheme announced in Local Government Pensions Committee Circular No. 106.

(50883)

254
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many (a) site visits and (b) official openings (i) he and (ii) the Under Secretary of State for Wales have attended in each month since July 1999.

(49329)

255
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he had with the Treasury on ensuring that (a) the full amount of European Structural Funds is drawn down to the National Assembly for Wales above the block grant and (b) full public match funding for the projects over and above the Barnett formula is provided during the next period of the next Comprehensive Spending Review.

(49812)

256
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many foreign trade missions (a) he and (b) the Under-Secretary of State for Wales have attended in each month since July 1999.

(49332)

257
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what planned meetings (a) he and (b) the Under-Secretary of State for Wales have not attended in the National Assembly for Wales in the past month; and if he will state the reasons for non-attendance.

(49331)

258
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what meetings (a) he and (b) the Under-Secretary of State for Wales have had in the National Assembly for Wales since 17th March.

(49330)

259   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50753)

260   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Fraud 2001 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50745)

261   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (Commencement No. 12) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50716)

262   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Amendment Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50733)

263   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Amendment (Volunteers) Regulation 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50730)

264   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Income-Recorded Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment (Electoral Changes) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50761)

265   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Amendment Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50740)

266   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the New Deal (Lone Parents) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50755)

267   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security (Notification of Change of Circumstances) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50738)

268   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security (Loss of Benefit) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50751)

269   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50736)

270   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50749)

271   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Act 1998 (Commencement No. 13) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50750)

272   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Children (Leaving Care) Social Security Benefits Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50735)

273   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security (Literacy etc. Skills Training Pilot) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50756)

274   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50754)

275   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Disability Discrimination (Providers of Services) (Adjustment of Premises) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50739)

276   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Amendment (Residential Care and Nursing Homes) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50752)

277   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50737)

278   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Income Support (General) and Jobseekers' Allowance Amendment Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50741)

279   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50742)

280   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security (Incapacity) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50731)

281   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) (Scotland) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50748)

282   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50746)

283   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Persons Abroad: Benefits for Widows and Widowers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50759)

284   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50744)

285   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50757)

286   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (Commencement No. 10) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50758)

287   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Amendment (Capital Disregards) (No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50743)

288   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (Commencement No. 9) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50729)

289   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Maternity Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50762)

290   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Amendment (Personal Allowances for Children and Young Persons) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50732)

291   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Social Security Amendment (Students and Income-Related Benefits) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50747)

292   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Employment Zones (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(50760)

293
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to enhance input by psychologists into the vocational rehabilitation service.

(48820)

294
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action he is taking to harmonise and disseminate national definitions of disability for statistical and policy purposes.

(48815)

295
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Department has agreed the extended contract for medical assessment services with Schlumberger SEMA; and if modifications take into account the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee's Twenty Seventh Report (HC683).

(48822)

296
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a progress statement on the job retention pilot studies.

(48821)

297
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what studies he is collating in conjunction with the Department of Health into (a) the incidence of low back pain among those of working age and (b) its implications for loss of working time and costs to the benefit system.

(48823)

298   Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will propose amendments to the Liability Discrimination Act1995 to protect people with HIV from discrimination at the point of diagnosis.

(50694)

299   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if old-age pensions are paid by bank transfer in advance or in arrears; and what estimate he has made of the extra cost that would be incurred in beginning pensionable benefits on the relevant birthday rather than on the subsequent payday.

(50676)

300   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to improve access to jobcentres in rural areas under the New Deal arrangements.

(50845)

301   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of time is spent by personal advisers (a) on advising on benefits claims and (b) advising job seekers.

(50691)

302
N   Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he intends to reply to the letter dated 4th March from the honourable Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent, Mr Light, of Banffshire.

(50072)

303   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the (a) total cost and (b) cost per claimant of administering (i) retirement pension, (ii) winter fuel payments, (iii) free television licences for the over 75s, (iv) minimum income guarantee, (v) child benefit, (vi) family credit and (vii) housing benefit.

(50989)

304   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the number of people who had to make a claim for the 2001-02 winter fuel payment; and of that number how many failed to do so by 31st March.

(50990)

305   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioner units have savings below (a) £6,000, (b) £8,000, (c) £10,000, (d) £16,000 and (e) £20,000.

(50881)

306   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the cost in 2002-03 of increasing the weekly basic state retirement pension for couples by (a) £8 for those where the head is aged up to 74 years, (b) £18 for those where the head is aged between 75 and 79 years and (c) £28 for those where the head is aged 80 years and over.

(50882)

307   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 (Commencement No. 2 and Consequential Provisions) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (50734)