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 8 May 2002

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 8 May 2002, 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.

WEDNESDAY 8th MAY

1
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether unpaid special advisers who are appointed for less than a year are obliged to sign the Official Secrets Act in circumstances where advisers, both paid and unpaid, who are appointed for more than a year are obliged to do so.

(54677)

2
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what regulations control the appointment of unpaid special advisers if they are appointed for less than one year; and if he will make a statement.

(54673)

3
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many unpaid special advisers who have been appointed for a term of less than a year there are in (a) his Department and (b) all departments.

(54675)

4
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the expense to (a) his Department and (b) all departments of appointing unpaid special advisers for less than a year was in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

(54676)

5
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, in what way selection criteria applied to unpaid special advisers differ from those applicable to paid special advisers.

(54674)

6   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will take steps to increase funding for culture; and if she will make a statement.

(55014)

7   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the distribution of the reserve funds for National Lottery good causes in the last two years; and if she will make a statement.

(55015)

8   Mr Mark Field (Cities of London & Westminster): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will reserve a place for a representative of the Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens on the board of trustees of the new non-departmental public body which is to replace the Royal Parks Agency.

(54994)

9   Mr Mark Field (Cities of London & Westminster): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her policy is on the representation of the interests of public users of the Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens on the new non-departmental public body which is to replace the Royal Parks Agency.

(54997)

10   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which films have been certified by her Department since 1997 as a qualifying film for the film tax relief introduced in the (a) 1997 and (b) 2001 budgets; and if she will make a statement.

(54982)

11   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if it is intended to place on sale copies of Pride of Place.

(54998)

12   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answers of 18th April, Official Report, column 1039W, and 1st May, Official Report, column 785W, what the intended destination is of the copies of Pride of Place that are not being sent out as complimentary copies to award recipients.

(55000)

13
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was (a) the estimated purchase price, (b) the overall contract price to lease the aircraft for five years, (c) the number of original target flying hours in the lease contract, (d) the actual target flying hours used to date, (e) the estimated number of target flying hours for the full five years and (f) the estimated additional cost for exceeding the target flying hours for the C-17s of 99 Squadron; and if he will make a statement

(54646)

14   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when a replacement scheme for individual learning accounts will be launched.

(55056)

15   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will compensate bona fide learning providers who can demonstrate they have been financially disadvantaged by the accelerated date of closure of the individual learning accounts scheme.

(55054)

16   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what her Department's definition is of higher education in the context of her Department's target for 50 per cent. of all 18-30 year olds to experience higher education by 2010; and if she will make a statement.

(55060)

17   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if the new individual learning account scheme will allow individuals to top-up the Government's financial contribution to their education and training.

(55055)

18   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many PhD students are studying in universities in England and Wales, broken down by (a) university and (b) course; and what the equivalent figures were in each of the last five years.

(55059)

19   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) applicants, (b) accepted students and (c) graduates there were in veterinary science in each of the last 10 years.

(54990)

20   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many veterinary science students have followed courses in epidemics, farm animals and disease control in universities in each of the last 10 years.

(54987)

21   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what PFI school building schemes have been approved by her Department; and, in each case, what (a) the date of approval, (b) the names of the schools covered by the scheme, (c) the actual or planned opening date of each school, (d) the capital cost of each school and (e) the capital cost per pupil place in each school were.

(55070)

22   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what documents have been sent to pre-schools by her Department since 1st July 2001; and how many pages were contained in each document.

(55076)

23   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much her Department had spent on vouchers for three year olds by 31st March.

(55085)

24   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what recent representations she has received on the transparency of the arrangements for post-16 funding by the Learning and Skills Council; and if she will make a statement.

(55086)

25   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what representations she has received from (a) schools, (b) local education authorities and (c) trade unions on the transition of post-16 funding from local education authorities to the Learning and Skills Council; and if she will make a statement.

(55087)

26   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many teachers were in service in Worcestershire in (a) January 2001 and (b) January 2002.

(54979)

27
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the reasons underlying her decision on the bid made by Gloucestershire County Council for a PFI for Cleeve School, Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham.

(54649)

28   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what requirements have been (a) placed on and (b) removed from universities in the last year for which information is available.

(55083)

29   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the annual percentage increase in teachers' pensions is in the next financial year.

(54981)

30
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Environment Agency regarding the safety of garden compost; and if she will make a statement.

(54906)

31   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's assessment is of the world's population of (a) Minke whales and (b) Sperm whales.

(54977)

32   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the natural reproduction rate is of (a) Minke whales and (b) Sperm whales; and what her Department's estimate is of the rate of change in their global populations if these whales continue to be hunted at current levels.

(54975)

33   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the timescale was set out in the voluntary agreement with SCIMAC in November 1999 for the Scientific Steering Committee to review the data and provide recommendations on the farm-scale biodiversity evaluations.

(54985)

34   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the data from the farm-scale evaluations of GM crops will be available for the advisers in ACRE and ACP; and when she will publish the data.

(54986)

35   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will announce her decision on the proposals put forward by the Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology Commission for public debate on the possible commercialisation of GM Crops.

(54984)

36
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has for the future funding of the National Scrapie Plan.

(54847)

37
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to introduce new regulations in respect of sheep identification and traceability.

(54849)

38
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she intends to introduce a compensation scheme for rams devalued owing to culling under the National Scrapie Plan.

(54848)

39
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many arrests there were in respect of the illegal import of foodstuffs in each of the last 12 months.

(54851)

40
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to provide financial support for research into electronic means of identification of sheep.

(54850)

41   Mr John Lyons (Strathkelvin & Bearsden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much compensation has been paid to farmers as a result of culling for BSE.

(55017)

42   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set up a public inquiry into Meat and Livestock Commission invoices sent to the Intervention Board in 1998 and 1999.

(55029)

43
N   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received about the cessation of public liability cover for local community groups; if she will provide a grant to BTCV to cover its public liability costs; and if she will make a statement.[R]

(54735)

44   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on intensive farming of ducks, with particular reference to (a) the number of ducks intensively farmed, (b) the size of cages used, (c) the type of food that is available to them, (d) the availability of fresh water and (e) the use of antibiotics to counter disease.

(54980)

45   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the money allocated to help local authorities deal with the storage and disposal of refrigerators has been distributed.

(55077)

46   Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will reply to the letter from the honourable Member for Congleton dated 29th January on behalf of Anthea McIntyre of Shrewsbury, concerning foot and mouth disease.

(54983)

47   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to encourage small firms to become limited companies; and if he will make a statement.

(55084)

48   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter to him dated 2nd April from the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr I. Hesketh.

(55002)

49
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date and by what means he plans to restore citizenship rights to the St Helenians.

(54909)

50
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 Commencement Order will be made.

(54908)

51   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government has made to the International Criminal Court regarding human rights abuses as a result of the on-going conflict in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement.

(54989)

52   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning the death of Dr Khalil Sulieman in Jenin on 4th March; what assessment he has made of the cause of death of Dr Khalil Sulieman; and if he will make a statement.

(55158)

53   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Belorussian Government about the meeting between President Lukashenko and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Iraq Hikmat al-Azawi in Minsk on 19th March 2001; what reports he has received about the (a) aim and (b) outcome of the meeting; and if he will make a statement.

(55155)

54   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what weapons export contracts have been signed by UK companies with Belarus since August 2001; what weapons and services were sold in these contracts; what each contract value was; and if he will make a statement.

(55156)

55   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Belorussian Government about the Iraqi military delegation visit to Minsk in October 2001; what reports he has received about (a) the aim and (b) the outcome of the visit; and if he will make a statement.

(55154)

56
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department takes to ensure that the export of arms is to countries which will only use the arms for approved purposes; and if he will make a statement.

(54904)

57   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Spanish proposal in the Brussells process that Gibraltar could have autonomous city status.

(55064)

58
N   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister for Europe on 16th April, Official Report, column 433, on pension scams and the Government of Gibraltar, if he will set out his policy in relation to this issue; and what discussions he had with the Government of Gibraltar prior to this statement.

(54907)

59   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he had with the Government of Gibraltar prior to announcing his intention to visit Gibraltar.

(55063)

60
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the offer of compensation made by Libya for the families of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing.

(54577)

61
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on relations with Libya with particular reference to sanctions.

(54578)

62
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he was informed, at the time of signing the contract with Powderject, that (a) the manufacturing would be sub-contracted to a further company and (b) it would be undertaken outside the UK.

(54659)

63
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons the Powderject contract for smallpox vaccines was handled as a matter of national security; and if he will make a statement.

(54655)

64
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what consideration his Department gave to tests on the (a) Lister and (b) New York strains in smallpox vaccines; and what conclusion they drew, with particular reference to the superiority or otherwise in relation to other strains in vaccines.

(54657)

65
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures were taken in awarding the contract for smallpox vaccines to Powderject, to ensure value for money.

(54658)

66
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list (a) the meetings between (i) ministers and (ii) officials in his Department with Powderject concerning the smallpox vaccine and (b) the names of those who attended those meetings; and if he will make a statement.

(54660)

67
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when (a) the first official contact between ministers in his Department and Powderject concerning the smallpox vaccine and (b) the signing of the contract was; and if he will make a statement.

(54656)

68   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Miscellaneous Food Additives (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54970)

69   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Opthalmic Services) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54962)

70   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Amendment (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54972)

71   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Assistance (Residential Accommodation) (Disregarding of Resources) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54946)

72   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54956)

73   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Care Homes Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54922)

74   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Dental Services) Amendment (No. 7) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54920)

75   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Preserved Rights (Transfer of Responsibilities to Local Authorities) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54971)

76   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Amendment (No. 3) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54928)

77   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Amendment (No. 4) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54965)

78   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Care Standards Act 2000 (Commencement No 8) (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54953)

79   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Abolition of the NHS Tribunal (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54967)

80   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Colours in Food (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54958)

81   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No 3) (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54952)

82   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Electronic Communications) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54939)

83   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Lowestoft Primary Care Trust Change of Name and (Establishment) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54933)

84   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Care Standards Commission (Registration) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54925)

85   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No. 7) (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54935)

86   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Treatment Agency (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54930)

87   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services and Misuse of Drugs) (Electronic Communications) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54940)

88   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Electronic Communications) (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54942)

89   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Care Standards Act 2000 (Commencement No 10 (England) and Transitional Savings and Amendment Provisions) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54936)

90   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Medicines (Sale or Supply) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54917)

91   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54969)

92   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54923)

93   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Care Trusts (Applications and Consultation) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54974)

94   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Family Health Services Appeal Authority (Procedure) Rules 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54968)

95   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Data Protection (Subject Access) (Fees and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54951)

96   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Feeding Stuffs and the Feeding Stuffs (Enforcement) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54955)

97   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No 2) (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54949)

98   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) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54937)

99   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Amendment (No 3) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54954)

100   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Dental Services) Amendment (No. 6) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54964)

101   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Care Standards Commission (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54926)

102   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Private and Voluntary Health Care (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54924)

103   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Southern Norfolk Primary Care Trust (Establishment) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54934)

104   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Medicines (Products Other than Veterinary Drugs) (General Sales List) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54932)

105   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Primary Care Trusts (Membership, Procedure and Administration Arrangements) Amendment (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54973)

106   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No. 6) (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54961)

107   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54919)

108   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Family Health Services Appeal Authority (Primary Care Act) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54966)

109   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Mental Health Act 1983 (Remedial) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54960)

110   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Assistance (Residential Accommodation) (Additional Payments) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54947)

111   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Prescription only Medicines (Human Use) (Electronic Communications) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54941)

112   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service Trusts (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54929)

113   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Foster Placement (Children) and Adoption Agencies Amendment (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54943)

114   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 1) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54938)

115   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Assistance (Residential Accommodation) (Relevant Contributions) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54948)

116   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Southampton Community Health Services National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment (No 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54950)

117   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) Amendment (No 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54944)

118   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Medicines (Pharmacies) (Applications for Registration and Fees) Amendment Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54921)

119   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health Authorities (Membership and Procedure) Amendment (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54931)

120   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Amendment Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54927)

121   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Care Standards Act 2000 (Commencement No. 9 (England) and Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54918)

122   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health Service Medicines (Information on the Prices of Specified Generic Medicines) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54916)

123   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) and (General Ophthalmic Services) Amendment (No 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54945)

124   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No. 4) (England) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54959)

125   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Medical Services Supplementary List) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54963)

126   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the National Assistance (Residential Accommodation) (Additional Payments and Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

(54957)

127   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will reply to the letters from the honourable Member for Ashford of 10th April 2001, 16th July 2001 and 17th December 2001, on Ehlers Dantos Syndrome.

(55069)

128   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of attendances at accident and emergency departments were alcohol-related in each of the last five years.

(54991)

129   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much central Government funding was allocated to preventative work in relation to alcohol misuse in each of the last five years,

(54992)

130   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent estimate he has made of the percentage of teenagers who (a) drink alcohol once a week and (b) drink more than the recommended benchmarks for alcohol in (i) each NHS region and (ii) England.

(54993)

131
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 23rd April, Official Report, column 120W, what discussions he has had with the NHS Appointments Commission on the reason the application from Mrs L. Irving of Culcheth, Warrington was not acknowledged; and if he will make a statement.

(54733)

132   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of (a) the cost to (i) local authority social services and (ii) North Yorkshire County Council Social Services, of the proposed bed blocking fines and new NI rates and (b) the increase in funding for social services for (i) and (ii).

(55028)

133   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce folic acid supplements into flour following the UK Health Department and Food Standards Agency meeting on 18th March.

(54999)

134
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many staff were employed by the NHS in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(54665)

135
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many staff have been dismissed in the NHS in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by (i) reasons for the dismissals and (ii) categories of employees; and if he will make a statement.

(54664)

136
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much NHS annual reports cost to produce and deliver in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(54663)

137
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what projections were provided by his Department to the Wanless Review Team for (a) the prevalence of diabetes in the years to 2010-11 and (b) the reduction in the number of people with undiagnosed diabetes by 2010-11.

(54653)

138
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assumptions underlie the Wanless report concerning the relationship between more effective care for diabetes and lower expenditure on coronary heart disease and renal disease.

(54650)

139
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the cost of implementing the NSF for diabetes, as projected by the Wanless Report, is attributable to (a) expanded treatment programmes and (b) an increase in diagnosed prevalence.

(54651)

140
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the principal causes for the increase in end-stage renal failure in the last five years.

(54652)

141   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has commissioned the website www.nhsonline.net to provide an internet directory of care homes.

(55003)

142   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to maintain the continuity of medical, epidemiological, financial and other data series in respect of (a) the former Isle of Wight Health Authority, (b) the former Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority, (c) other health authorities which have been abolished since 1997 and (d) other health authorities which may be abolished; what his policy is on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

(55082)

143
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the democratic control over Europol.

(54668)

144
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he plans to take to improve the democratic accountability of Europol.

(54667)

145
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many persons sought to obtain agreement from the Director General of MI5 to allow them to begin paid employment outside the service in each year from 1st May 1997.

(54670)

146   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement about the £1/2 million he has awarded in special grant to voluntary bureaux; and how it will be distributed to each individual office.

(55032)

147   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the changes in his Department's guidelines to the police relating to the seizure of alcohol from young people.

(54978)

148   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will answer the letters from the honourable Member for Ashford of 16th January and 21st March, concerning the site of the former Aldington prisons.

(55088)

149
N   Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letters of the honourable Member for Broxbourne of (a) 6th February, (b) 5th March, (c) 4th April and (d) 1st May relating to her constituent Mrs Kim Cannon of Wormley.

(54734)

150   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what reports she has received on the status of the Save the Children Fund water and sanitation projects in (a) Dura, (b) Anabta, (c) Jabalia and (d) Rafah; what the impact of the current campaign of the Israeli Defence Force has been (i) on the operation of the projects and (ii) on the piped water supplies, sewerage pipes and drains associated with them; and if she will make a statement.

(55160)

151   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has for providing (a) water, (b) food and (c) medication to the Palestinian civilian population once access to the whole of the West Bank can be secured; and if she will make a statement.

(55159)

152   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what medical supplies her Department has (a) pledged and (b) delivered to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society since 1st April; and if she will make a statement.

(55161)

153   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department has provided the Palestinian Red Crescent Society since 1st April; and if she will make a statement.

(55162)

154   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much money her Department has (a) pledged and (b) given to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society for the purchase of ambulances and medical supplies since 1st April; and if she will make a statement.

(55163)

155   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what further help she will give to Malawi to alleviate its famine.

(55001)

156
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, whom he has identified as the contact points in each department for human rights issues.

(54666)

157
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will arrange for the release to the Public Record Office of pre-1945 records relating to the Royal Family.

(54671)

158
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if his policy not to release into the public domain records which may embarrass living persons also applies to the impact of such releases on institutions.

(54672)

159   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the report into the break-in at Castlereagh Police Station on 17th March will be completed.

(55016)

160
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Prime Minister, how many applications were referred by the Cabinet Secretary to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments in respect of employees or former employees of (a) M15, (b) M16 and (c) GCHQ in each year from 1st May 1997.

(54669)

161   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to her Answer to the honourable Member for the Isle of Wight, Official Report, 30th April, column 635W, if she will provide equivalent figures for each year between the coming into effect of the legislation and April 2001.

(55080)

162   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Solicitor General, when she last considered extending the 28-day period for references back to the Crown Prosecution Service of unduly lenient sentences; and what her conclusions were.

(55081)

163
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much has been spent by the administration section of the Export Credits Guarantee Department under code B4 (Grant and transfers: current) in the appropriation accounts on consultancy fees in the last five financial years; how much was paid to each consultancy company; what the nature was of the project in each year; and if she will make a statement.

(54358)

164
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much has been spent by the administration section of the Export Credits Guarantee Department under code B4 (Grant and transfers: current) in the appropriation accounts on recruitment costs in the last five financial years; how much was paid to each recruitment company; what position was recruited for in each year; and if she will make a statement.

(54359)

165
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to which companies the Export Credit Guarantees Department has paid monies as part of its credit guarantees to that company in each of the last five years; in each case, (a) how much was paid, (b) what the project was against which the guarantee had been made and (c) which country had defaulted on its contractual arrangements; and if she will make a statement.

(54360)

166
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much has been spent by the administration section of the Export Credits Guarantee Department under code B4 (Grant and transfers: current) in the appropriation accounts on IT expenditure in the last five financial years; how much was paid to each IT company; what the nature of the project was; and if she will make a statement.

(54361)

167
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what (a) surplus and (b) deficit was passed to the Exchequer in the form of government receipts during the course of the ECGD's trading activities in each of the last five years.

(54362)

168
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what additional security measures have been ordered for the return of the faulty MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield as a result of the events of 11th September 2001.

(53140)

169
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on what date she expects the ships carrying the faulty MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield to enter UK territorial waters.

(53139)

170   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action she is taking to reduce the number of work-related illnesses and accidents that result in death.

(55006)

171   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 1st May, Official Report, column 792W, what discussions between Consignia and parties other than the Dutch post office regarding a possible sale of, merger with, or equity investment in, Consignia have taken place in the last 12 months.

(55012)

172
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to review the working of the Office of Fair Trading; and if she will make a statement.

(54661)

173
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement about increased powers which the Export Control Bill will give to her to ensure that exported arms are not used for purposes of which the Government does not approve.

(54905)

174
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will bring forward measures to allow companies which are complained about to the OFT to see the nature of the complaint made against them when the OFT decide not to pursue the case; and if she will make a statement.

(54662)

175   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which UK companies the ECGD is supporting in connection with (a) the Sual coal plant in the Philippines and (b) its associated transmission networks.

(55061)

176   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she will make her decision regarding ECGD support for United Kingdom commercial interests in the proposed BO NoS power plant in Thailand; and which companies have expressed an interest to her Department.

(55058)

177   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which United Kingdom companies the ECGD (a) is supporting or (b) has previously supported regarding (i) the Manban power plant and (ii) the transmission networks associated with the Manban power plant in the Philippines.

(55057)

178   Paddy Tipping (Sherwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will set out the policy issues which need to be resolved to enable final settlements to be made to chronic bronchitis and emphysema claims.

(55004)

179
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the approval documents he has issued to British Nuclear Fuels for the transport package which will be used to transport the faulty MOX fuel it supplied to Japan back to Sellafield.

(53137)

180
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if the approval process for the transport package which will be used to transport the faulty MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield has taken into account whether the package is filled with argon gas or water; and if he will make a statement.

(53138)

181   Mr Mark Field (Cities of London & Westminster): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans he has to (a) enforce and (b) improve the code which controls the distances between aircraft and customs that incoming and outgoing passengers are required to walk at UK airports.

(54996)

182   Mr Mark Field (Cities of London & Westminster): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, which body has the authority to enforce standards and rules on the maximum distances which incoming and outgoing passengers are required to walk between aircraft and customs at UK airports.

(54995)

183   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what recent guidance he has issued to the operators of public service vehicles in relation to reasonable precautions to be taken to ensure safety of passengers after they have entered a vehicle but before they have become seated.

(54988)

184
N   Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when the roadworks on Junctions 2 to 4 on the M27 will be completed.

(54845)

185
N   Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in completing the roadworks on Junctions 2 to 4 on the M27.

(54846)

186
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what research his Department has commissioned into planning guidance on the siting of mobile phone masts in other member states in the European Union.

(54654)

187
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he plans to introduce an internal audit requirement for parish councils; and if he will make a statement.

(54648)

188
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the financial impact on parish councils of the 1996 Accounts and Audit Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(54647)

189   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans he has to extend rural bus challenges to non-road transport; and what his reasons for his policy are.

(55078)

190   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what his response is to ATOC's proposals further to limit the validity of the Network Railcard.

(55079)

191   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans he has to issue new guidance on aggregates as a technical note to Mineral Planning Guidance Note 1.

(55073)

192   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he plans to review the guidance in Mineral Planning Guidance Note 6.

(55072)

193   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, whether minerals planning authorities may deviate from the production levels set in Mineral Planning Guidance Note 6, with particular reference to paragraph 105 of MPG 6.

(55074)

194   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the status is of planning policy guidance and mineral planning guidance notes issued by his Department.

(55071)

195   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what discussions he has had with West Sussex County Council on the provision of new aggregate sites at (a) Funtington, (b) Oving and (c) Duncton.

(55075)

196
N   Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Treasury about measures to assist small businesses in Wales.

(53144)

197   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what representations he has made to (a) ELWA and (b) QinetiQ about finding new funding for the training scheme at Aberporth; and if he will make a statement.

(55062)

198   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the applicable amount for housing benefit and council tax benefit will be increased to take non-pensioner tax credits into account.

(55030)

199
N   Mrs Betty Williams (Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about measures to assist small businesses in Wales.

[Question Unstarred] (53163)

200   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the total fees levied by the ISA were in the English liquidation of BCCI SA from 5th July 1991 to date.

[Transferred] (55007)

201   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what monies are held on deposit with the ISA in relation to BCCI SA.

[Transferred] (55011)

202   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the total retained interest earned on the monies held by the ISA since 5th July 2001 is.

[Transferred] (55009)

203   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what (a) the total amount of interest paid to the liquidation estate by the ISA on monies held and (b) the various rates of interest paid during the liquidation of BCCI SA were.

[Transferred] (55008)

204   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to which Government department, and to which account, the ISA's fees and retained interest are credited.

[Transferred] (55010)

205   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what meetings have taken place since 1st April between her Department and (a) Israeli officials and (b) members of the Israeli diplomatic staff in the UK with regard to securing the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories occupied by the Israeli Defence Force; what the outcome of these meetings was; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (55153)

206   Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what meetings have taken place since 1st April between members of the British diplomatic staff in Israel and Israeli officials, with regard to securing the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories occupied by the Israeli Defence Force; what the outcome of these meetings was; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (55157)

207   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her policy is on the 1946 International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling.

[Transferred] (54976)

208   Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations concerning the future funding of village halls she has received from Action with Communities in Rural England; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (55031)

209   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what progress has been made with discussions with the European Commission on the EU rules which forbid the governments of member states from subsidising banks in relation to the proposed Universal Bank Project.

[Transferred] (55005)

210   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the change in the number of people employed in the (a) public sector and (b) private sector since January 2000.

[Transferred] (55013)