Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2001- 02
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Tuesday 9 July 2002

Notes:
* Indicates a Question for Oral Answer.
+ Indicates a Question not included in the random selection process but accepted because the quota for that day had not been filled.
[N] Indicates a Question for Written Answer on a named day, i.e. the Member has indicated under S.O. No. 22(4) the day on which he wishes the Question to be answered.
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

TUESDAY 9th JULY

1   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Advocate General, if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68700)

2   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Advocate General, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68738)

3   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Advocate General, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68684)

4   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68702)

5   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68729)

6   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68690)

7
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps he is taking to increase the supply of independent housing available to young disabled people.

(67109)

8
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer regarding children in care of 1st July, Official Report, column 196W, what information he collates on children in care who are (a) homeless, (b) in bed and breakfast accommodation and (c) in temporary accommodation.

(67690)

9
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list for each English housing authority the level of (a) investment in new council housing and (b) public financial support through the Housing Corporation for the last five years.

(68617)

10
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, for each London borough for the latest available date, how many families were in bed and breakfast accommodation under homelessness provisions; and what the average cost was to the housing benefit budget for each family.

(68616)

11
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many English planning appeals in each of the past three years have resulted in increased social housing provision.

(68615)

12
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many (a) council and (b) RSL dwellings there were at the latest available date in each constituency.

(68614)

13   Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the numbers of homeless households in bed and breakfast accommodation.

(68660)

14   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will obtain a reply for the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton to the letter with regard to Mr Pat McGuinness that he sent on 13th March to the then Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and to which that Department sent a holding reply dated 25th April saying that the letter had been transferred to the Planning Inspectorate.

(68659)

15
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether planning authorities are obliged to take into account relevant sections of the Human Rights Act 1998 before reaching conclusions on planning matters; and if he will make a statement.

(67639)

16   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what statutory powers local authorities possess to (a) refuse housing to, (b) refuse services to and (c) return to their place of origin rough sleepers and homeless people.

(68663)

17   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001.

(68743)

18   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68686)

19   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68739)

20   Ann Keen (Brentford & Isleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the results of the additional funds allocated as core funding to theatre in 2001 are built upon.

(68667)

21   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68724)

22   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68696)

23   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the findings of the recent survey of the Inglis Barracks site, Mill Hill, of low level radiation.

(68668)

24   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to meet the official US delegation that is visiting NATO capitals next month with the aim of launching a round of discussions on co-operation in the US Missile Defense Programme.

(68669)

25   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of potential barriers to interoperability between Watchkeeper and (a) other elements of the ISTAR capability, (b) systems used by US forces and (c) systems used by other NATO forces; and if he will make a statement.

(68675)

26   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the results of the Watchkeeper tendering process will be published; and if he will make a statement.

(68674)

27   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria are in place to ensure (a) current and (b) future interoperability with (i) UK, (ii) NATO and (iii) US systems when making procurement decisions; and if he will make a statement.

(68677)

28   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated in-service life of Watchkeeper is; and if he will make a statement.

(68672)

29   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Phoenix UAV system will be upgraded; and if he will make a statement.

(68673)

30
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is (a) the original in-service date, (b) the current in-service date, (c) the original estimated cost and (d) the current cost of the (i) advanced short range air-to-air missile, (ii) advanced landing ship logistics, (iii) Astute class submarines, (iv) Bowman, (v) directional infra-red counter measures, (vi) future aircraft carrier, (vii) future carrier borne aircraft, (viii) joint tactical information and distribution system, (ix) landing platform dock replacement, (x) Link 16 joint tactical information display system, (xi) microwave landing system, (xii) mine counter measures vessels, (xiii) NATO submarine rescue system, (xiv) primary casualty receiving ship, (xv) remote influence minesweeping system, (xvi) SeaGnat DLH project, (xvii) Sonar 2087, (xviii) Sting Ray Life Extension lightweight torpedo, (xix) support amphibious and battlefield rotocraft, (xx) Type 45 destroyer, (xxi) airborne stand-off radar, (xxii) BattleGroup thermal imaging, (xxiii) combined arms tactical trainer, (xxiv) extended range ordnance/modular charge system, (xxv) future command and liaison vehicle, (xxvi) future engineer tanks, (xxvii) future integrated soldier technology, (xxviii) ground based air defence, (xxix) multi-role armoured vehicle, (xxx) Airbus A400M, (xxxi) beyond visual range air-to-air missile, (xxxii) deployable air command and control system, (xxxiii) Eurofighter, (xxxiv) future offensive air system, (xxxv) Nimrod MRA-4, (xxxvi) Skynet 5, (xxxvii) Storm Shadow conventionally armed stand off missile and (xxxviii) UK air command and control system.

(67632)

31   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the original estimated in-service life of the Phoenix UAV system that entered into service in 1999 was; and if he will make a statement.

(68671)

32   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the platforms offered by the firms competing in the Watchkeeper tendering process are mutually compatible; and if he will make a statement.

(68676)

33
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will pay no-fault compensation to former members of the UK armed forces suffering from Gulf War Syndrome, in accordance with the recent ruling of the Pension Appeals Tribunal in the case of Mr Shaun Rusling; and if he will make a statement.

(67638)

34   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68681)

35   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68732)

36   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001.

(68740)

37
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the availability of transition plans to young people over 14 with a statement of special educational needs with particular reference to the obligations and compliance of local education authorities.

(67110)

38
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what information the Government has collated on the number of teachers in maintained schools who have been the victims of serious assaults by (a) pupils and (b) parents in each of the last five years.

(68260)

39
N   Mr Charles Hendry (Wealden): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the total budget across all government departments was for spending on statutory education for 11 to 18 year olds in schools and sixth form colleges in England in the last year for which figures are available.

(68085)

40   Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many first preferences for (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were not met in the last five years in (i) Boston and Skegness, (ii) Lincolnshire and (iii) England.

(68661)

41
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many local education authorities have been inspected or reinspected in each year by OFSTED since 1997; and of those how many (a) were found to be failing, (b) were found to be failing on reinspection and (c) were found no longer to be failing.

(68651)

42
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools have been inspected or reinspected in each year since 1997 by OFSTED and of those how many (a) were found to have serious weaknesses; (b) were found to be failing, (c) were found to have moved from 'serious weakness' to failing, (d) were found to have moved from 'failing' to 'serious weakness', (e) were found no longer to have serious weaknesses and (f) were found no longer to be failing.

(68650)

43
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) courses and (b) chairs in British universities are funded by the EU; and what process ensures the academic rigour and impartiality of these arrangements.

(68648)

44
N   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will list by (a) year, (b) date and (c) examining body, each mistake in external examination papers at (i) GCSE, (ii) AS and (iii) A Level that has been reported to her since 1997.

(67476)

45   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68707)

46   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68680)

47   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68733)

48
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help farmers to develop a better relationship with supermarkets.

(67575)

49
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the compliance cost to poultry farmers in meeting the EU Welfare of Laying Hens Directive in respect of (a) capital expenditure and (b) additional annual revenue implications.

(68376)

50
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to ensure that egg importers meet the same animal welfare standards as those set within the United Kingdom and across Europe under the forthcoming EU Welfare of Laying Hens Directive.

(68377)

51
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she will take to ensure that poultry farmers in the United Kingdom meet the same standards of animal welfare as other EU nations following the implementation of the EU Welfare of Laying Hens Directive.

(68379)

52
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) variations and (b) additions she plans to introduce when the EU Welfare of Laying Hens Directive is transposed into UK law.

(68378)

53
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what volume of sheep or lamb intestines were imported into (a) the EU and (b) the United Kingdom in each of the last three years for which figures are available from (i) China, (ii) Turkey, (iii) Iran, (iv) New Zealand, (v) Australia, (vi) USA, (vii) Syria, (viii) Pakistan, (ix) Lebanon, (x) Uruguay, (xi) Chile, (xii) Morocco, (xiii) India and (xiv) all other countries.

(68497)

54
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she plans to seek derogations from the EU Animal By-Products Regulation to allow the on-farm trial of fallen stock in the upland areas of (a) Wales, (b) England, (c) Southern Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland.

(68618)

55
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what exports of sheepmeat there were to each EU country in each of the last five years.

(68270)

56
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much sheepmeat was imported into the United Kingdom from each of the other countries of the European Union in each of the last five years.

(68086)

57
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much sheepmeat has been exported to (a) North America, (b) Europe outside the EU and (c) other areas of the world in each of the last five years.

(68087)

58
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much sheepmeat was imported into the United Kingdom from (a) countries in Europe outside of the European Union, (b) Australia, (c) New Zealand and (d) other parts of the world in each of the last five years.

(68094)

59   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68728)

60   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68687)

61
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the VAT treatment of the services of home care agencies and home carers.

(67634)

62
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration is given by (a) his Department and (b) the IMF to the recent human rights record of the country concerned during the consideration of providing assistance under the HIPC initiative.

(68509)

63   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set aside funds in the comprehensive spending review to invest in waste minimisation.

(68670)

64   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68691)

65   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68720)

66
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps are being taken to improve diplomatic relations between North Korea and South Korea following recent incidents.

(67536)

67
N   Mike Gapes (Ilford South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when normal visa services will resume at posts in (a) New Delhi, (b) Mumbai, (c) Islamabad and (d) Karachi, and if he will make a statement.

(68383)

68
N   Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proposals he has to ensure that the European Medical Devices Directive is in accordance with the Furniture and Furnishing Regulations of 1988 with respect to flame resistance tests for furniture.

(67637)

69   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68692)

70   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68706)

71   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68721)

72
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children seeking asylum who have arrived in the UK in the last five years have been placed as children in care.

(67635)

73
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answers of 27th June, Official Report, column 1075W, and of 10th April, Official Report, column 519W, if he will make a statement on the correlation between the irregular dispensation of pneumococcal vaccines and the number of pneumococcal meningitis cases over the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

(67691)

74
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has undertaken on electro-convulsive therapy in the last two years.

(67636)

75   Mrs Helen Clark (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact on black and ethnic minority groups of the proposals contained in the Draft Mental Health Bill.

(68665)

76
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prescriptions were issued in 2001-02 for medicines used to treat mental illness.

(68052)

77
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department takes to ensure that it follows procedures for procurement in accordance with European law.

(68048)

78
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many places there were in the special hospitals at (a) Ashworth, (b) Broadmoor and (c) Rampton at the latest date for which figures are available.

(68057)

79
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he last met the (a) Chairman of the Council of the BMA, (b) President of the Royal College of Physicians, (c) President of the Royal College of Surgeons, (d) President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, (e) President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, (f) President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and (g) President of the Royal College of Nursing.

(68061)

80
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 25th February, Official Report, column 991W, on NHS-funded activity, if he will share the key findings referred to.

(68266)

81
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which prisons have mental health in-reach services.

(68054)

82
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 4th March, Official Report, column 127W, what the distribution to young offender institutions is; and if he will make a statement.

(68269)

83
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on 'The Management of Surplus Property by Trusts in the NHS in England'; and if he will make a statement.

(68059)

84
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what meetings have taken place between ministers in his Department and Home Office ministers since 27th February concerning mental health services in prisons.

(68053)

85
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 10th April, Official Report, column, 457W, on mental health, what conclusions have emerged from the work of the Homelessness Directorate as to the reasons for refusals of offers of help by rough sleepers in so far as they relate to health issues.

(68265)

86
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients have moved from high secure hospitals to more appropriate accommodation since 1st April 2001.

(68058)

87
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 13th February, Official Report, column, 470W, on prisons with no mental health in-reach services, if he will list the prisons for which mental health in-reach services are planned by 2004.

(68264)

88
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether PFI contracts for mental health service schemes valued over
£1 million have been signed since 13th February.

(68060)

89
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many places have been delivered at Rampton and Broadmoor for dangerous and severe personality disorder sufferers.

(68055)

90
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the Newcastle Declaration made on 25th June in respect of mental health and its treatment.

(68047)

91
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he last met the Home Secretary to discuss the training of prison nurses to carry out mental health assessments.

(68056)

92
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his assessment is of the quantitative risk of human beings contacting new variant CJD from consuming (a) lamb and matter from animals more than 12 months old and (b) lambs' brains.

(68498)

93
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the incidence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in the national sheep flocks of (a) EU member states and (b) non-EU countries which process and export natural sausage casings.

(68499)

94
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the traceability of natural sausage casings imported into the EU from third countries.

(68496)

95
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Food Standards Agency complied with its obligation to consult those directly affected in the case of its proposed ban on sheep intestine on its decision.

(68500)

96
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Natural Sausage Casings Association was first consulted by the Food Standards Agency about its proposed ban on the use of sheep intestines in food.

(68501)

97
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of mycobacterium bovis were found in humans in the United Kingdom in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001.

(68506)

98
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the risks to consumers of anti-biotic residues in natural sausage casings imported into the United Kingdom from non-EU countries.

(68495)

99
N   Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the honourable Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of 12th March, 11th April, 9th May, 6th June and 4th July relating to her constituent, Mr Gordon Thorne of Hoddesdon.

(68384)

100   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68725)

101   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68697)

102
N   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the (a) staffing structure, (b) works and (c) funding of the Biological Standards Institute in Northern Ireland.

(68262)

103
N   Mr James Cran (Beverley & Holderness): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when a substantive reply will be given to Mr D Warcup's letter of 25th March, ref 9075/2, concerning public sector pension schemes.

(68267)

104
N   Mr James Cran (Beverley & Holderness): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when a subtantive reply will be given to Mr M Egdell's letter of 17th April, concerning asylum seekers.

(68268)

105
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th February, Official Report, column 1239W, on prison hospital suicides if he will make a statement on the timetable for the Prison Service review of the suicide prevention strategy; and what progress has been made.

(68261)

106
N   Mr Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9th November 2001, Official Report column 498W, to the honourable Member for Hornchurch, how many applications have been made under the regularisation scheme for overstayers; how many applicants have had their cases decided; how many cases are (a) under consideration and (b) awaiting action; and how many applicants have had their cases refused.

(65239)

107
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role Baroness Blackstone has in overseeing the street crime initiative of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary; and if he will make a statement.

(67692)

108
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the (a) costs and (b) change in the levels of crime which would result from a compulsory national identity card scheme; and if he will make a statement.

(67693)

109
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he received the letters of 23rd January and 23rd March from the solicitors to Mr D M of Aylesbury (ref. M1002217); when he intends to reply; and if he will make a statement.

(68507)

110
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department has received the recorded delivery letter RB 6205 2931 OGB dated 1st May from Mrs O P of Aylesbury (ref. P404417) concerning her asylum application; when he expects to reply; and if he will make a statement.

(68508)

111
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions for illegal working have taken place in the last 12 months; and with what results.

(68644)

112
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what studies he has made of the use of barges to house asylum seekers in the Netherlands; and if he will make a statement.

(68621)

113
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many British Immigration or Customs officials are deployed at (a) Coquelles, (b) Calais and (c) Brussels Station.

(68626)

114
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have been released from Oakington Centre pending their appeals; and what proportion are at addresses known to the authorities.

(68632)

115
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many heart detector machines are installed at (a) Dover, (b) Folkestone, (c) Coquelles and (d) Calais.

(68625)

116
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will estimate the cost (a) to date and (b) in the next year to the Bedfordshire police, arising from the Yarl's Wood fire.

(68623)

117
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the re-offending rate of those leaving young offenders institutions was in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

(68630)

118
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many persons charged with criminal offences arising out of the fire at Yarl's Wood have received legal aid to instruct solicitors and counsel.

(68635)

119
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time has been between initial decisions in asylum cases and the hearing of appeals arising from them in the last 12 months.

(68637)

120
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many potential witnesses in relation to criminal trials arising out of the Yarl's Wood fire have been (a) removed and (b) deported; and whether arrangements will be made for their return to give evidence.

(68654)

121
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in relation to the fire at Yarl's Wood, how many criminal charges have been preferred; what the nationalities of those charged are; and what the charges are.

(68652)

122
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of lorries passing through Dover from France are checked by a (a) dog, (b) heart detector machine, (c) carbon dioxide stick and (d) X-ray machine.

(68628)

123
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to increase and improve the training of inital decision makers in asylum cases.

(68641)

124
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in relation to initial decision makers in asylum cases, what educational or legal qualifications are required; what period of training is required; and what the relevant salary scales are.

(68639)

125
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal entrants have been discovered at Waterloo Eurostar in each of the last six months.

(68646)

126
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions a heart beat detector machine at Dover has broken down or failed to function in the last six months.

(68627)

127
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many full-time staff are employed at (a) Dover and (b) Folkestone to operate a heart detector machine.

(68629)

128
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who took the decision not to install sprinklers at Yarl's Wood; and on what advice that decision was based.

(68634)

129
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many initial decision makers in asylum cases were in post in January of each year since 1997.

(68640)

130
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of (a) lorries and (b) other vehicles passing through Dover from France were not checked for purposes of seeking to discover illegal entrants over the last 12 months.

(68620)

131
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in relation to the fire at Yarl's Wood, what allegations of crimes against Kosovan women were reported which did not result in charges being preferred.

(68633)

132
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many child curfew orders have been imposed to date in Surrey.

(68631)

133
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) current asylum seekers and (b) asylum seekers who have been refused asylum but have lodged appeals are held in custody in detention centres or prisons.

(68638)

134
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to identify on French territory asylum seekers who might have a valid claim to asylum in the UK.

(68643)

135
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal entrants have been discovered at Dover in each of the last six months.

(68645)

136
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will commission studies to ascertain the comparative costs of housing asylum seekers in (a) Germany, (b) the Netherlands and (c) the United Kingdom.

(68622)

137
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his figures on removals of failed asylum seekers include dependants; and whether this policy has operated in each of the last five years.

(68636)

138
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in relation to the fire at Yarl's Wood, how many persons absconded following the fire; how many have been recaptured; and what criminal charges have been laid against those recaptured.

(68653)

139
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken was from first application to initial decison in asylum cases in each of the last six months.

(68647)

140
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many ASBOs have been made in Surrey in each of the last 12 months.

(68624)

141
N   Mr James Plaskitt (Warwick & Leamington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how criminal justice centres will assist in the processing of cases.

(65337)

142
N   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans he has to review salary rates for select committee specialists; and if he will make a statement.

(65348)

143   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68734)

144   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001.

(68741)

145   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68679)

146   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68678)

147   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by his Department since 8th June 2001.

(68744)

148   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68736)

149
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the mapping exercise of child contact centres (a) started and (b) is expected to be completed; how many whole-time equivalent staff are working on the mapping exercise; and what budget is provided for the mapping exercise.

(67633)

150
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if the Government will introduce legislation to ensure that it is always lawful to display the Union Jack.

(68049)

151
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on (a) the (i) timing and (ii) structure of the proposed review of the new voting systems in the devolved administrations and (b) the report of the Jenkins Commission.

(65572)

152   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68688)

153   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68705)

154   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68727)

155   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the President of the Council, if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68703)

156   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the President of the Council, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68694)

157   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the President of the Council, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68730)

158
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Prime Minister, for what reason he has declined to meet the Chief Minister of Gibraltar in the last three months; and if he will make a statement.

(68046)

159   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68685)

160   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68737)

161   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68699)

162   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Solicitor General, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68735)

163   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Solicitor General, if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68698)

164   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Solicitor General, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68683)

165   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68682)

166   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68704)

167   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68731)

168
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what system is in place to ensure that priority is given to applications for export licences in respect of goods which are urgently required by customers and where delay in making a decision will result in the cancellation of the order.

(68050)

169
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when a decision will be made in relation to individual export licence applications numbered 35307, 35313, 35315 and 35316.

(68051)

170
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what consideration is given during the deliberation of export licence applications to the recent human rights record of the country to which the items in question are being exported; and if she will make a statement.

(68510)

171   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proportion of the board members of each regional development agency were (a) living and (b) working in their respective region in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000, (iii) 2001 and (iv) 2002.

(68664)

172
N   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the reform of postal services in England.

(65168)

173
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent representations she has received from the (a) government of the Republic of Ireland, (b) National Assembly for Wales, (c) Northern Irish Assembly and (d) Scottish Executive on the transportation of nuclear waste to Sellafield by sea.

(68093)

174   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68693)

175   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68722)

176
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the development of a national framework of assessment of continuing medical competence to drive of those who have experienced trauma, illness or infirmity.

(67111)

177
N   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what steps he plans to take following the Health and Safety Report of 4th July into the Potters Bar rail accident; and if he will make a statement.

(68263)

178
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what steps are taken to prevent airline pilots from operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol.

(67571)

179
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many commercial aircraft have not met safety requirements in the past year.

(67573)

180
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many aircraft pilots and crew have been found under the influence of (a) alcohol and (b) drugs in the past year.

(67574)

181
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what recent assessment he has made of the likely impact of bull bars on pedestrians who are involved in collision with the front of vehicles at varying speeds.

(68381)

182
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what recent assessment he has made of proposals to ban the fitting of bull bars to the front of vehicles in the United Kingdom.

(68382)

183
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what discussions he has had with the EU on plans to introduce legislation and directives to make the front of vehicles safer.

(68373)

184
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans he has to introduce legislation to make the fronts of vehicles safer.

(68375)

185
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many vehicles with bull bars were licensed for use on United Kingdom roads in each of the last five years for which records are available.

(68380)

186
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many transport (a) surveys and (b) studies underway cover Fareham.

(68095)

187
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made as to the effect of changing the guidance issued to the SRA on the SRA's obligations under the funding package to be structured for the purposes of the SRA's accounts in such a way that disbursements under the funding package only constitute liabilities of the SRA for the accounting period in which the obligation to make disbursements arises, as issued on 22nd March in the letter to Richard Bowker; and if he will make a statement.

(68388)

188
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list outputs to be specified by Railtrack's successor, as negotiated by the SRA, in exchange for the provision of the funding package to Railtrack's successor.

(68390)

189
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the (a) statutory and (b) other powers of the SRA with regard to the control of Network Rail.

(68391)

190
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will publish the guidance issued to the SRA by the Office of National Statistics in relation to the structure of the funding package for Network Rail.

(68389)

191
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made as to the effect of changing the guidance issued to the SRA with regards to Railtrack, or any company which acquires its assets, becoming part of the public sector, as issued on 22nd March in the letter to Richard Bowker; and if he will make a statement.

(68386)

192
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made as to the effect of changing the guidance issued to the SRA with regard to Railtrack, or any company which acquires its assets, being consolidated into the SRA's balance sheet, as issued on 22nd March in the letter to Richard Bowker; and if he will make a statement.

(68387)

193
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made as to the effect of changing the guidance issued to the SRA with regards to Railtrack, or any company which acquires its assets, becoming an entity under public control, as stated on 22nd March in the letter to Richard Bowker; and if he will make a statement.

(68385)

194
N   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, with regard to his letter of 22nd March to Mr Richard Bowker concerning the Railtrack successor body, his letter of 21st June to Mr Nick Newton concerning the Railtrack successor body and his statement to the House of 27th June, Official Report, column 971 on Network Rail, what representations he received from (a) the SRA, (b) Network Rail, (c) the ONS and (d) the NAO regarding the initial guidance that the Government does not wish Railtrack or any company which acquires its assets to (i) be consolidated into the SRA's balance sheet, (ii) become part of the public sector and (iii) become an entity under public sector control; and if he will make a statement.

(68619)

195
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the seaworthiness of ships that will carry cargoes of nuclear waste from Japan to Sellafield.

(68090)

196
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the risk to coastal areas from ships carrying cargoes of nuclear waste to Sellafield.

(68089)

197   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68726)

198   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68689)

199   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 8th June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

(68701)

200   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

(68723)

201   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by his Department since 8th June 2001.

(68742)

202   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

(68695)

203
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a further statement on progress with the job preparation and retention pilots for disabled people.

(67108)

204
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made in the implementation of new computer systems in the Child Support Agency.

(68088)

205
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with eight coastal local authorities along the possible route of ships carrying nuclear waste from Japan to Sellafield on the subject of emergency planning.

(68091)

206
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the (a) government of the Republic of Ireland, (b) National Assembly for Wales, (c) Northern Irish Assembly and (d) Scottish Executive on the subject of emergency planning in respect of ships carrying nuclear waste to Sellafield.

(68092)

207
N   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when he plans to issue his consultation document in response to the OFT report on the reform of the QC system.

[Question Unstarred] (65347)

208
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the impact on costs to the sausage industry of a ban on the use of natural sausage casings.

[Transferred] (68494)

209
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact on the cost base of British abattoirs of a ban on the use of natural sausage casings.

[Transferred] (68493)

210
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what discussions she has had on the (a) development and (b) use of EU-funded Socrates material in schools.

[Transferred] (68649)

211
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many adjudicators were in post in January of each of the last 10 years.

[Transferred] (68642)