Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2002 - 03
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 21 November 2002

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 21 November 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.

THURSDAY 21st NOVEMBER

1   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham): To ask the Advocate General, whether she has been asked to advise the Scottish Executive on the human rights implication of an absolute right to buy under the Agricultural Holdings Bill.

(82450)

2   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he expects the suspension of Mr Terry Glossop, the Commandant of the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh to be resolved; what investigations have taken place; what further investigations need to be undertaken; how many written reports he has received; how many of his officials have been involved; and what reasons underlie the length of time the investigations have lasted.

(82656)

3   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much land in the Greater London area is contaminated; and if he will make a statement.

(82734)

4   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many offices the South West Regional Development has outside the UK; how many people are employed in these offices; and what the annual budget is for the overseas offices operated by the agency.

(82603)

5   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many funding commitments have been launched by his Department and across the Government following the publication of the Urban White Paper in November 2000; which (a) require bidding and (b) are linked to a set funding formula; and what the total amount available for each commitment is.

(81570)

6   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he plans to abolish the fifty percent discount on council tax for empty homes; and if he will make a statement.

(82715)

7   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what progress he is making with his analysis of the implications of civil partnership registration and associated rights and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

(82484)

8   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will place in the Library e-mails containing advice given by his officials to the Fire Services Employers since the beginning of 2002 regarding the pay dispute with the Fire Brigades Union.

(82687)

9   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood & Ongar): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the level of (a) total external support and (b) standard spending assessment was in each individual local authority in England and Wales in (i) 1996-97, (ii) 1997-98 and (iii) 2002-03.

(82812)

10   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood & Ongar): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what proportion of the standard spending assessments in each local authority in England and Wales was financed by total external support in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98 and (c) 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

(82816)

11   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood & Ongar): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what proportion of aggregate standard spending assessments across local authorities in England were financed by aggregate total external support in each year since 1993-94.

(82811)

12   Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many unoccupied domestic properties there are in the UK; and how many are in the ownership of local authorities.

(82725)

13   Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many homeless families there are in the UK.

(82724)

14   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he expects the Fire Cover Task Group to make recommendations to the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council following the Pathfinder trials; and if he will make a statement.

(82453)

15   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether the terms of reference for the Bain Review of the Fire Service took into account the findings of the Pathfinder trials; and if he will make a statement.

(82452)

16   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of fire cover requirements where the risk to life is rated higher than that to property, before establishing the Pathfinder trials.

(82454)

17   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the impact the creation of the proposed three new towns in the South East will have on public expenditure; what the cost will be of providing (a) transport, (b) schools, (c) housing, (d) health and (e) other infrastructure to the three towns; and what impact public funding for the new towns will have on other regions.

(82600)

18   Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the Government's policy is on the future number of tiers of local government in England; what assessment he has made of the effect of a review of local government on the stability of local authority finance and administration; and if he will make a statement.

(82729)

19   Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the ways in which elected regional assemblies will increase democratic accountability; what proposals he has to encourage voter interest in regional assembly elections; and if he will make a statement.

(82726)

20   Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to change the number of (a) local authorities and (b) elected representatives in reviewing local government in England following the establishment of elected regional assemblies; and what assessment he has made of the consequential effect of regional government on devolution.

(82728)

21   Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will estimate the population of each standard region of England; and for what reasons the standard region is being used as the basic unit for elected regional assemblies.

(82727)

22   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money has been spent in Workington from the sports action zone covering Allerdale, Copeland and Barrow; and on what projects.

(82447)

23   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received about the Restrictive Service Licence for Television in Taunton.

(82604)

24   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many planning applications affecting school playing fields were (a) referred to Sport England and (b) objected to by Sport England in (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02.

(82364)

25   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her Oral Answer of 18th November to the honourable Members for Surrey Heath and Ryedale, whether the commitment to maintain world performance funding applies to (a) those athletes who were in receipt of funding before the Sydney Olympics, and (b) athletes who will take part in the Athens and Beijing Olympics.

(82281)

26   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what work has been (a) researched and (b) implemented jointly by her Department and (i) the Broadcasting Standards Commission and (ii) London Arts through the use of seconded senior civil servants.

(81568)

27   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what sporting engagements she has attended by category in her official capacity since 7th June 2001.

(81573)

28   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the (a) median age, (b) youngest age and (c) oldest age is of the Regional Arts Council members; and if she will make a statement.

(82445)

29   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what percentage of the (a) Regional Arts Council members and (b) National Council members of the Arts Council of England are (i) from ethnic minorities, (ii) disabled, (iii) male, (iv) female, (v) under the age of thirty and (vi) over the age of sixty, and if she will make a statement.

(82770)

30   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the (a) median, (b) youngest and (c) oldest age of the National Arts Council of England members are; and if she will make a statement.

(82771)

31   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what regulations protect hand-painted street advertising, what plans she has to improve the protection of hand-painted street advertising; and if she will make a statement.

(82717)

32   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions and representations she has received from regional museums (a) individually and (b) collectively, regarding (i) free admission, (ii) funding by her Department, (iii) funding from other sources and (iv) other issues.

(82446)

33
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the funding for elite sportsmen and sportswomen will be in cash terms under her three-year future funding plans in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05 and (d) 2005-06; and if she will make a statement.

(82116)

34
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Oral answer by the Minister of Sport on 18th November, whether every sporting governing body which received funding before the Sydney Olympics and the Manchester Commonwealth Games will receive the same funding, adjusted for inflation, in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05 and (d) 2005-06; and if she will make a statement.

(82115)

35   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) School Sports Co-ordinators and (b) School Sports Co-ordinator Partnerships there are in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) Tyne and Wear and (iv) UK.

(82440)

36   Mr Stephen Pound (Ealing North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to simplify the licensing system.

(82669)

37   Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the recommendations made by the Radiocommunications Agency, in their report, 'Introducing Recognised Spectrum Access'.

(82723)

38
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has for the future of the Code Breaker Museum at Bletchley Park.

(81823)

39
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans there are to increase the independent production quota for broadcasting from 25 per cent. to 40 per cent.; and what plans there are to extend the 25 per cent. independent production quota in (a) radio and (b) websites.

(81824)

40
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans there are to (a) reopen the Museum of Moving Image; and (b) open a new Museum of Film and Television in London.

(81825)

41
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will place in the Library a copy of the documents issued in November 2000 that gave permission for the BBC to extend its range of new channels with Telewest under the UKTV joint venture.

(81827)

42
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the continuing viability of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

(82109)

43   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the value of land held by his Department which is surplus to requirements.

(82554)

44
N   Mr John Burnett (Torridge & West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who was responsible for the security of Devonport Dockyard on Friday 15th November; if he will make a statement on a breach of security involving Trident nuclear submarines at Devonport Dockyard on 15th November; what consequential action his Department intends to take; what the state of alert was at Devonport on that day; what the state of security of the nuclear submarines was on that day; and what Royal Navy and other personnel were on the vessel on that day.

(82278)

45   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the strength of the Royal Navy is.

(82735)

46   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to restore access to West Freugh airfield for storage of private aeroplanes.

(82591)

47   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to provide servicemen with personal back-carried water containers when deployed to warm weather theatres.

(82615)

48   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to equip servicemen with suitable personal kit for deployment to the Middle East in (a) winter months, (b) spring months and (c) summer months.

(82614)

49
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the periods of office for the last five (a) Chiefs of Defence Staff, and (b) First Sea Lords after 1972.

(82366)

50   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what risk assessment has been carried out on the side effects of recent inoculations given to armed services personnel posted to the Middle East.

(82691)

51   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19th November, ref 81662, which employment legislation is driving the abolition of the Retired Officer Scheme; what measures have been taken to recruit into Military Support posts; and how the terms and conditions of service of those that would have been recruited into the Retired Officer Scheme will be affected by the new arrangements.

(82881)

52   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many retired officer billets are empty.

(82813)

53   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when and which submarines were (a) commissioned, (b) decommissioned, (c) sold for continuing operational use and (d) scrapped since 1980.

(82550)

54
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what financial assistance his Department gives to the Gurkha Welfare Trust; and if he will make a statement.

(82225)

55   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the nuclear laundry facility at the former Chatham Dockyard, with particular reference to (a) physical and functional description and (b) outflow and drainage functioning.

(82501)

56   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how nuclear waste was transported (a) within the former Chatham dockyard and (b) externally; and how it was identified.

(82525)

57   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on refit network schedules at the former Chatham dockyard including removal and refurbishment of (a) the reactor/equipments and (b) associated pipework; and when these refits took place.

(82523)

58   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the (a) physical and (b) functional characteristics of the washdown facility for radiation workers at the former Chatham Dockyard.

(82503)

59   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for how long each of the outstanding claims for former Chatham Dockyard workers seeking compensation under the no fault scheme has been awaiting decision; how many compensation claims have been awarded in full to former workers or their families; and how many claims are being processed.

(82504)

60   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether unclassified workers at the former Chatham dockyard received the same training in respect of radiation exposure as classified workers.

(82526)

61   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how (a) solid and (b) liquid nuclear waste at the former Chatham dockyard was stored (i) within the nuclear complex and (ii) within the wider dockyard environment.

(82527)

62   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the radiation safety procedures were when workers were performing tasks in the dock at the former Chatham dockyard.

(82524)

63
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will make a further announcement about consultation and approval procedures in respect of his Department's three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge conditionally identified for development on 29th October; and what timescale and timetable he expects these projects to follow.

(82058)

64
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which areas of each of the three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge will be developed as announced by his Department on 29th October; and what the balance sheet value was at 31st March of (a) the land and (b) the buildings on each site.

(82060)

65
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the Civil Contingency Reaction Forces are operationally ready for service in the event of a (a) nuclear, (b) biological and (c) chemical attack on the United Kingdom.

(82156)

66
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under what circumstances members of the armed forces can cross trade union picket lines.

(82155)

67
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what procedures he intends to follow so that the programme for the development of his Department's three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge will be largely self-funding.

(82057)

68
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the implications for other parts of his Department's estate in London of the proposed development announced by his Department on 29th October of its three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge.

(82059)

69
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces are being trained to operate modern fire engines.

(82154)

70
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the Defence Medical Services are available for operational duty within the United Kingdom.

(82157)

71
N   Richard Younger-Ross (Teignbridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representation he has received regarding the minute between the UK and Thailand Government signed on 19th October concerning those clauses that will help Thai farmers to export to the UK and Europe.

(81205)

72   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 18th November, Official Report, column 310, on school standards grant, what adjustments have been made to the amount of standards fund grant payable to each Local Education Authority as a result of changes in the number of pupils in schools within each LEA area.

(82719)

73
N   Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, on what basis government funding is allocated for small specialist performing arts institutions in (a) music, (b) acting, (c) dance, (d) performance technology and (e) sound technology; and if he will make a statement.

(82110)

74   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many pupils of school age were educated at home in each age group in (a) Somerset and (b) Taunton in each of the last five years.

(82612)

75   Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to provide assistance to pupils with Asperger's syndrome to ensure that they can enter public examinations on an equal footing, with respect to part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

(82502)

76   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many school playing fields have been (a) leased and (b) sold under the Private Finance Initiative, broken down by education authority.

(82361)

77   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many applications (a) to sell and (b) to change the use of school playing fields have fallen under the General Consent Orders of Section 77 (5) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 in (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02; who determines whether an application falls under the Orders, and what checks his Department carries out on such applications.

(82362)

78   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many applications were made to dispose of school playing fields larger than 2,000 metres square in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.

(82363)

79   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the relationship between the National Council for Drama Training and Trinity College Examination Board; and if he will make a statement.

(82743)

80   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many awards made under the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme went to schools which were not members of the National Council for Drama Training in each of the last three years; what contracts and agreements his Department has with the National Council for Drama Training; and if he will make a statement.

(82742)

81   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what criteria applicants for the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme are required to meet; what representations he has received about the administration of the Awards Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

(82741)

82
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what projects he is funding within his Children and Young Persons Unit; whether these projects are on time and on budget; and if he will make a statement.

(82114)

83   Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what measures he is taking to support and develop the skills of teachers in specialist subjects.

(82736)

84   Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on his policy on pilot-free school bus transport for secondary school pupils living less than three miles from school, with special reference to Staffordshire.

(82441)

85   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the support available to children with mental health problems excluded from school.

(82745)

86   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on when the disparity in funding per student in higher and further education will be ended.

(82690)

87   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether the new system for funding schools will require local LEAs to spend at SSA level; whether it will link the ACA factor to real salary costs in schools; and whether it will narrow the funding gap between the highest and lowest funded schools.

(82428)

88   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will set up a review body to look at under-achievement and deprivation, and the funding system for education.

(82429)

89   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will introduce measures to help children from mining communities who underachieve.

(82427)

90
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools in Sittingbourne and Sheppey have refused access to children on grounds of the health and safety legislation since the beginning of the school year.

(82112)

91
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many pupils and students in Sittingbourne and Sheppey do not have places in schools; and if he will make a statement.

(82111)

92   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many acres of oil seed rape were grown in England and Wales in 2002.

(82733)

93   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average size of the dairy herd in Somerset was in each of the last five years.

(82608)

94   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many tonnes of (a) sheep, (b) cattle, (c) pig and (d) poultry offal have entered the UK from (i) Latin America, (ii) Africa, (iii) South Asia, (iv) East Asia, (v) North America, (vi) the EU, (vii) non-EU Europe and (viii) Australasia in each of the last 10 years.

(81571)

95
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been spent on the 'Don't Bring Back More Than You Bargained For' publicity campaign since 8th July 2001, broken down by country.

(82409)

96
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) seaports and (b) airports are being targeted by her Department for additional checks on passenger baggage and freight for illegal imports; and what assessment she has made of the work done in the last 12 months.

(82411)

97
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations on and discussions she has had with television companies and airline companies about showing her Department's information videos on illegal imports.

(82360)

98
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many illegal imports by type in passenger baggage and freight were identified at Heathrow (a) from 1st April 2001 to 16th September 2002 and (b) since 16th September.

(82412)

99
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what extended powers have been granted to enforcement authorities to search and seize illegal imports of animal products in commercial consignments and personal baggage; and when those powers were granted.

(82410)

100   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to amend legislation to enable National Park authorities to restrict entitlement to own domestic dwellings in their area; and if she will make a statement.

(82716)

101   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been carried out on the likelihood of rabies affecting bat colonies.

(82751)

102   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many EU regulations have been introduced in each year since 1997 relating to agriculture.

(82686)

103   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the reasons underlying her assessment of the likelihood of a further flood defence scheme in Shrewsbury.

(82872)

104   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with representatives of the paper industry on moderating the use of dyes in paper that render material unsuitable for recycling.

(82718)

105   Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on 16th November; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (a) during inspection for health certification purposes and (b) at Dover docks, and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments.

(82768)

106   Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in respect of climate change levy agreements, if she will list each of (a) those facilities whose targets set for them in the relevant underlying agreement have been met and for which there is not a tolerance band in the underlying agreement in relation to that target, (b) those facilities whose targets set for them in the relevant underlying agreement have been met and for which there is a tolerance band but the target has been met without needing to take it into account, (c) those facilities whose targets set for them in the relevant underlying agreement have been met, for which there is a tolerance band and the target has only been met by taking account of it and the qualitative requirements set for the facility have been met and (d) those facilities in respect of which such qualitative requirements have been met and the target set for the facility has not been met because of a relevant constraint or requirement which had a major impact on the performance of the facility operator and prevented the target from being achieved.

(82817)

107   Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what corrections to energy efficiency targets resulting from correction to baseline data she has discussed with sector associations; if she will specify the provisions of the umbrella agreements and underlying agreements under which such corrections are permitted; and what discussions or correspondence she has had with such associations concerning failure to meet such targets.

(82869)

108   Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which of the sector associations party to a Climate Change Levy umbrella agreement have supplied her with information specified in Schedule 3 of those agreements; what the dates were of each supply; and which of those sector associations have supplied her with information specified in Part 2 of Schedule 3 of those agreements.

(82871)

109   Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place in the Library copies of information supplied to her indicating that the proportional improvements in energy efficiency required by Climate Change Levy agreements have been maintained.

(82870)

110   Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place in the Library copies of (a) information supplied to her by sector associations party to Climate Change Levy umbrella agreements under part 2 of Schedule 3 of those agreements and (b) other information held by her relating to the reasons for sector or facility targets not being met.

(82814)

111   Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which targets under Climate Change Levy umbrella agreements and underlying agreements have not been met; of those, in respect of which targets she is considering whether they so appear; and if she will conduct a public consultation in advance of making a decision on such progress.

(82818)

112   Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) relevant underlying agreements and (b) qualitative requirements set for the facilities are of those sector associations party to a Climate Change Levy umbrella agreement which have supplied her with information specified in part 2 of Schedule 3 of those agreements.

(82815)

113
N   Paddy Tipping (Sherwood): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total amount of financial support allocated to local authorities for rights of way duties, excluding Countryside and Right of Way Act 2000 responsibilities, was in (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03, broken down by local authority.

(82365)

114   Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated cost is of maintenance of TB reactor cattle per day while awaiting slaughter; and if that cost is met by her Department.

(81569)

115   Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many food samples by type were tested for pesticide and other residues in each of the last 10 years.

(81585)

116
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reasons for the difference between the Budget projections of 2001-02 and the projection based on actual receipts in 2002-03 to 30th September 2002 for (a) income and capital gains taxes, (b) corporation tax and (c) stamp duties.

(82284)

117   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population of (a) Birmingham, (b) the West Midlands region and (c) the London region had an income (i) twice, (ii) three times, (iii) four times, (iv) five times and (v) more than five times the national average in each of the past 10 years.

(82874)

118   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers there were in (a) Birmingham, (b) the West Midlands region and (c) the London region expressed as a percentage of the total population of each specified area in each of the past 10 years.

(82873)

119   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer which categories of deaths have (a) increased and (b) decreased as a result of changes in the ICD-10 coding for cause of deaths in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the changes in coding.

(82685)

120   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people committed suicide in each year since 1992.

(82693)

121   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reasons for installing air conditioning equipment using hydrofluorocarbons in its office at Great George Street.

(82684)

122   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any of the Customs & Excise and Inland Revenue buildings sold to Mapeley or Mapeley Steps were liable for stamp duty; whether stamp duty was paid; and on how many of the buildings.

(82764)

123   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer which industries have (a) gained and (b) lost from the introduction of the Climate Change Levy.

(82602)

124   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of financial impact of the introduction of the Climate Change Levy tax on the glass industry.

(82601)

125   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the status of the peace talks in Somalia.

(82664)

126   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress is being made towards the setting up of a peace commission in the Ituri district of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement.

(82757)

127   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of unexploded landmines on the demarcation of the disputed border between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

(82663)

128   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress is being made towards the demobilisation of soldiers in Eritrea.

(82821)

129   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of unexploded landmines in Eritrea.

(82758)

130   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of the use of public funds by the ruling MMD party in Zambia during the presidential election in December 2001.

(82822)

131   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the military situation in the Central African Republic.

(82665)

132   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to find a peaceful outcome to implementing UN resolution 1441.

(82753)

133   Mr Stephen Pound (Ealing North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much EU structural funding was returned to the Commission, by (a) region and (b) organisational sector between 1994 and 2001.

(82667)

134   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which countries in the Middle East have purchased from the UK in the last 12 months protective clothing to guard against biological and chemical attack.

(82549)

135
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the United States Government about the use of US manufactured military equipment containing components manufactured in the UK and sold to Israel; and if he will make a statement.

(82226)

136   Keith Vaz (Leicester East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications of enlargement of the European Union for UK relations with Russia.

(82455)

137
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when Sir David Manning will take up his position as the new UK ambassador to Washington; and when Sir Christopher Meyer is due to retire.

(82113)

138
N   Mr John Baron (Billericay): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures are in place to enable those individuals who have a disability affecting their mobility to obtain repeat prescriptions via a general practice surgery or pharmacist (a) by telephone and (b) otherwise remotely.

(82280)

139   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when NHS Direct will be introduced in Northern Ireland.

(82754)

140   Mr Harold Best (Leeds North West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to monitor changes in home care charges.

(82810)

141
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people are waiting for in-patient treatment in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area.

(82061)

142
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish the Memorandum of Understanding agreed in December 2001 between his Department and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, setting out the arrangement between the Fire Service and the Ambulance Service to respond to mass contamination of the public.

(82162)

143
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many primary care trusts have fully developed plans to deal with (a) chemical, (b) biological, (c) radioactive and (d) nuclear emergencies.

(82163)

144
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what arrangements have been made to treat mass casualties arising from a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear attack.

(82158)

145
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many ambulance personnel have been trained in dealing with a (a) chemical, (b) biological, (c) radioactive and (d) nuclear incident in each ambulance trust.

(82159)

146
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what arrangements have been made in establishing (a) a national doctrine, (b) national standards and (c) national commonality of equipment to enable ambulance services to respond to a (i) chemical, (ii) biological, (iii) radioactive and (iv) nuclear incident.

(82160)

147   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what improvements in the outcomes for children and young people Quality Protects has delivered.

(82766)

148   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the ringfenced budget allocations were for (a) IT projects, (b) disabled children, (c) leaving care, (d) RDWs and (e) the main grant for Quality Protects for the last three years; and what the planned expenditure is for each of the next three years.

(82767)

149   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children seeking asylum who have arived in the UK in the last five years have been placed in (a) care, (b) foster care, (c) adopted care, and (d) bed and breakfast accommodation.

(82765)

150   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which primary care trusts and health authorities are making available digital hearing aids for (a) children and (b) adults.

(82485)

151
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to extend NHS choice throughout the country in specialisms only available in London; and if he will make a statement.

(82108)

152
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the level of capital limits with respect to the cost of (a) nursing home care and (b) residential care.

(82105)

153
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received about the proposed fee increases for the Health Professions Council; and if he will make a statement.

(82106)

154   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much money has been allocated annually to the Somerset Drug Service since its inception.

(82606)

155   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many individuals have been treated by the Somerset Drug Service through (a) self-referral, (b) court referral and (c) other referral in the last two years.

(82607)

156   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the action he has taken to protect titles for physiotherapists and chiropodists.

(81572)

157   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when NICE will issue final guidance on the use of photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement.

(82744)

158   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have suffered irreversible vision loss as a result of wet age-related macular degeneration in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

(82708)

159
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the additional capital expenditure that will be generated by the LIFT scheme.

(82283)

160
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the progress made in establishing the NHS Bank; and how much money it has lent.

(82282)

161   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his policy that the Medicines Control Agency should limit the maximum number of authorisations for imports of MMR SepVax (Mumps) doses; what the equivalent is in daily individual doses of the number of authorisations of MMR SepVax (Mumps) vaccines which the MCA is approving; and if he will make a statement on (a) the availability of MMR SepVax (Mumps) in relation to demand for vaccination and (b) the delays which customers are experiencing in obtaining supplies of MMR SepVax (Mumps) vaccines.

(82704)

162
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust and its predecessor, Warrington Hospital NHS Trust, spent on public relations in each of the last five years.

(82056)

163
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was of (a) the production and (b) the distribution of the leaflet entitled 'Your Guide to Local Health Services' recently distributed by Warrington PCT.

(82055)

164
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether, out of the baseline allocation for silicon cosmesis for artificial limbs (a) in 2001-02, £418,142 and (b) in 2002-03, £1,317,159 was not spent on such provision.

(82279)

165   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the likelihood of children in care being convicted and sent to prison as young adults.

(82749)

166   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of controlled medication for children with asthma; and what support is available to reduce the stress caused by the illness.

(86295)

167   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children suffered from asthma in each year since 1997.

(82700)

168   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of carers of mental health patients have been given a carer's assessment.

(82752)

169   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average length of detention was for deaf people detained under the Mental Health Acts in the last year for which figures are available.

(82702)

170   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of young children were classified as failing to thrive in each year since 1997.

(82746)

171   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of patients with schizophrenia suffered relapses within one year of receiving treatment in each year since 1997.

(82699)

172   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to expedite hearings of people detained under the Mental Health Acts.

(82694)

173   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what consultation his Department undertook before publishing the draft Mental Health Bill.

(82703)

174   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what residential care provision is available for deaf children with mental health problems.

(82696)

175   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of deaf children suffered sexual abuse whilst in local authority care in the last year for which figures are available.

(82697)

176   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many psychiatrists there were per 100,000 people in each year since 1992.

(82692)

177   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting times were for (a) children and (b) adults suffering from mental health problems to receive treatment in each year since 1997.

(82701)

178   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many young remand prisoners have mental health problems; and what steps he is taking to assist them.

(82750)

179   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) sign language workers, (b) social workers, (c) psychiatrists with sign language skills and (d) specialist psychiatrists for deaf children there were in each year since 1997.

(82698)

180   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many general practitioners in (a) Kent and (b) the south east are operating a closed-list policy.

(82740)

181   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the age distribution is of general practitioners in (a) Kent and (b) England.

(82739)

182   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the age distribution of general practitioners at retirement was in each of the past five years.

(82738)

183   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the results of the General Practitioner Recruitment, Retention and Vacancy Survey for 2002 will be published.

(82737)

184   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to encourage more GPs to set up practice in East Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

(82547)

185   Angela Watkinson (Upminster): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for funding the mental nursing needs of people suffering from dementia in care homes.

(82483)

186
N   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral statement of 18th November, Official Report, column 365, on benefit uprating, what the entitlement will be of a single person receiving contributory job seeker's allowance in 2002-03 and 2003-04 to free prescriptions; and what estimate he has made of the number of recipients of contributory job seeker's allowance who receive free prescriptions.

(82415)

187   Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many samples of poultry, by category, had a water content of (a) 0-10 per cent. (b) 11-20 per cent. (c) 21-30 per cent. (d) 31-40 per cent. and (e) 41 per cent. and more in each of the last 10 years.

(81584)

188   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to collect centrally information on where prisoners served previous sentences.

(82824)

189   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of prisoners in UK prisons under 35 years old have served time in young offenders institutions.

(82825)

190   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many UK citizens have their DNA profiles stored in the Home Office database; and what the net number of additions was in each of the last two months.

(82590)

191   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many incidents of (a) racially aggravated offences, (b) violent crime, (c) robbery of personal property and (d) drug offences were recorded in (i) Somerset, (ii) South West England and (iii) England in (A) 1997, (B) 1998, (C) 1999, (D) 2000 and (E) 2001.

(82609)

192   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many convictions there have been in the last 12 months for breach of anti-social behaviour orders in (a) Somerset, (b) South West England and (c) England.

(82610)

193   Dr Hywel Francis (Aberavon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent guidance he has sent to police authorities on policing priorities.

(82448)

194   Mr George Galloway (Glasgow, Kelvin): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who authorised the (a) recruitment and (b) use by (i) Special Branch and (ii) the security service of a paid agent codenamed Silver Fox in the National Union of Mineworkers during 1984-85; and if he will make a statement.

(82593)

195   Mr George Galloway (Glasgow, Kelvin): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who authorised (a) Special Branch and (b) the security service to place a field agent in the circle of Mr David Nellist whilst he was an honourable Member; and if he will make a statement.

(82592)

196   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements he has made for members of the public, with proper training, to be involved in the strategic management of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements; and when they will come into practice.

(82671)

197   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take measures to make the extended post-release supervision mandatory for ten years for sexual and violent offenders.

(82674)

198   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take further measures to ensure that released sex offenders are not re-housed near schools or children's play areas.

(82672)

199   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) sex offender orders, (b) disqualification orders and (c) restraining orders are in place, and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness.

(82673)

200   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

(82670)

201   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take further measures to prevent advances to children for sexual purposes (a) on the internet and (b) elsewhere.

(82675)

202   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women are in prison; and of these, how many (a) are on remand, (b) are from black and ethnic minority groups and (c) have no previous convictions.

(82876)

203   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average length of sentence is for women convicted of drug offences in the last year for which figures are available.

(82863)

204   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women are in prison for (a) drug offences, (b) drug trafficking offences and (c) supply offences; and of these groups of women, what percentage (i) have dependent children, (ii) are UK nationals and (iii) are non UK nationals giving countries of nationality.

(82861)

205   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to convert men's prisons to house the female prison population; how many (a) establishments are to be converted and (b) places will be provided, and when they are due to open.

(82880)

206   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the estimated number of women in prison who are drug users is.

(82862)

207   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) main categories of offence for women prisoners and (b) re-offending rates for drug offences among women prisoners were in each of the last five years.

(82864)

208   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for new women's prisons; how many (a) establishments and (b) places are planned; and when they are due to open.

(82879)

209   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women convicted in each of the last five years were (a) sent to prison and (b) given community penalties.

(82877)

210   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women were sent to prison on remand in each of the last five years; and how many where subsequently acquitted.

(82878)

211   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many incidents of self-harm there were in young offender institutions in each year since 1997.

(82748)

212   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his policy is on the practice of remanding 15 to 16 year old boys in prison.

(82823)

213   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many young offenders took their own lives while in custody in each year since 1997.

(82747)

214
N   Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what advice and other assistance has been made available to Mr Robert Brown following the recent quashing of his conviction; and if he will make a statement.

(82227)

215   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what investigations have been conducted by the Home Office regarding the issuing of work permits, before 1st September, to workers at the Marie Star Cafe�, Belfast; whether the Department of Employment and Learning followed Home Office practice with respect to work permits issued to workers at the Marie Star Cafe� before 1st September; and whether the application for work permits specify that they would be lap-dancers and pole-dancers at the Marie Star Cafe�, Belfast.

(82442)

216   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the paperwork relating to the issuing of and re-applications for work permits for workers at the Marie Star Cafe� has been passed from the Department of Employment and Learning to the Home Office.

(82443)

217   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what psychological resources are available in the Raven Wood House Medical Secure Unit to assess and treat Mr Marc Hodgkiss; and if he will make a statement.

(82451)

218   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in the Ituri district of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(82756)

219   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to tackle the funding shortfall of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Sierra Leone.

(82660)

220   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on bilateral aid to Eritrea following the agreement between the Government of Eritrea and the European Commission on 15th November.

(82759)

221   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps are being taken to improve the transport infrastructure in Eritrea.

(82760)

222   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress is being made in improving the judicial system in Sierra Leone.

(82658)

223   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance she has allocated for (a) police training, (b) investment in security communications equipment, and (c) police vehicles in Sierra Leone.

(82659)

224   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on efforts to distribute food aid in the northern provinces of the Central African Republic.

(82662)

225   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress is being made towards the alleviation of poverty in Sierra Leone.

(82661)

226   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the assistance given by her Department to increase the provision of clean water to the people of Malawi.

(82688)

227   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when the European Union plans to issue calls for projects in 2002 for budget line B7-6312 Aid for Population and Reproductive Health in Developing Countries.

(82807)

228
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the IMF and the World Bank's handling of the famine in Malawi earlier this year.

(81826)

229   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to (a) decommission and (b) preserve the Larne to Whitehead railway line.

(82681)

230   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many and what percentage of children in their immediate pre-school year places in Northern Ireland have not received departmental funding.

(82678)

231   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress is being made towards introducing a rural rates relief scheme to assist access to rural retail and Post Office services in Northern Ireland.

(82683)

232   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much has been spent by each Northern Ireland further education college on (a) consultancy fees and (b) audits in the last three years.

(82680)

233   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what funding the railway line between Larne and Whitehead will receive from the Regional Transport Strategy 2002-12; and what funding will be available for upgrading this stretch of line in the future.

(82682)

234   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many and what percentage of under three-year olds have been eligible for free pre-school education in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

(82679)

235   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make representations to the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries to (a) protect the livelihoods of County Down fishermen and (b) ensure that the Irish Sea remains open for cod and associated fisheries as a result of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

(82761)

236   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what additional resources will be available to the Social Security Appeals Service to address the backlog in cases awaiting tribunal hearings.

(82763)

237   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he will bring forward legislation on housing matters which had been subject to the legislative process in the Northern Ireland Assembly prior to suspension of devolution; and if he will make a statement.

(82820)

238   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many cases are waiting to be listed for social security appeals tribunals; how long these cases have waited; how many of these cases are for (a) disability living allowance and (b) incapacity benefit; what centres these hearings will be listed for; and if he will make a statement.

(82762)

239   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the timetable is for the implementation of the outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement.

(82668)

240   The Reverend Ian Paisley (North Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many weapons the IRA have reported as destroyed to General de Chastelain's International Independent Commission on Decommissioning.

(82819)

241
N   Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on changes in security at Northern Ireland's airports and ports following the Prime Minister's recent warning of terrorist attacks.

(82102)

242
N   Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on stockpiles of antidote serum against biological terrorist attack in Northern Ireland.

(82101)

243
N   Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the preparedness of Northern Ireland's hospitals for a biological terrorist attack.

(82100)

244   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the PSNI Aliens Branch checked individually the passports for workers at the Marie Star Cafe�.

(82444)

245   Mr George Galloway (Glasgow, Kelvin): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the undertakings given by successive Prime Ministers on surveillance of honourable Members, with special reference to Mr David Nellist.

(82594)

246   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations she has had from the Scottish Executive regarding plans to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns; and when she received them.

(82434)

247   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when she last discussed plurality in the Scottish media with the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport.

(82432)

248   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when she last met the Scottish Executive to review the role played by Scottish Enterprise in generating employment in Scotland; and if she will make a statement.

(82430)

249   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans she has to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns.

(82435)

250   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much of her Department's budget has been allocated to provide for celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns.

(82433)

251   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive about the human rights implications of an absolute right to buy land under the Agriculture Holdings Bill, and if she will make a statement.

(82449)

252
N   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on her policy towards debt swapping and the rainforest.

(81243)

253
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on preparations for a major incident at (a) chemical plants and (b) nuclear installations during the period of industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union.

(82413)

254
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has had with the Insolvency Service about this year's pay negotiations; and if she will make a statement.

(82103)

255
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the time it takes for industrial tribunals to hear individual cases; and if she will make a statement.

(82107)

256
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent discussions she has had with the National Federation of Newsagents; and if she will make a statement.

(82104)

257   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether a full-time sub-post office can increase its hours of business for each working day and cease to be regarded as fulfulling its commitment to core hours.

(82436)

258   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to review the system of core hours for the sub-post office network; and if she will make a statement.

(82438)

259   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many sub-post offices in (a) Dumfries & Galloway, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK are open for less than full-time hours.

(82437)

260   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what her assessment is of the trend in company insolvencies in Scotland.

(82431)

261
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what commitments have been made to banks concerning the number of (a) basic bank account and (b) post office card accounts that will be opened.

(82167)

262
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the take-up rate of the post card account needed to ensure the financial viability of the urban sub post office network once the Urban Reinvention Programme has been completed.

(82164)

263
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what guidelines have been issued on procedures for completing applications for post office card accounts in post offices.

(82169)

264
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether there is an upper limit for the number of post card accounts that can be opened.

(82168)

265   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimates she has made of the level of inward investment into (a) Birmingham, (b) the West Midlands region and (c) the London region in the period 1998 to 2002.

(82867)

266   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what progress has been made by the offshore oil and gas industry in implementing the requirements of the Working Time Directive for the sector, with particular reference to the issues of (a) holiday pay, (b) annual leave, (c) paid travel time, (d) work cycles, and (e) health and safety for offshore workers.

(82769)

267   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the funding for the rural Post Office network, announced by the Royal Mail Chairman on 13th November.

(82809)

268   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what support the Government has given to the British construction industry's recent focus on National Construction Week.

(82730)

269   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the role of the Scottish Executive in (a) collating and (b) responding to the recent consultation on the future of air transport.

(52589)

270
N   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, whether he expects the Strategic Rail Authority's indicative timescale for West Anglia Route Modernisation, as set out on page 53 of 'The Strategic Plan', including additional capacity at Cambridge Station, to be maintained.

(82414)

271   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what representations he has made concerning West Sussex County Council's bid for funding to improve the A24 between Horsham and Capel; when he will announce his decision on funding; and how many accidents there have been on this road in each of the past five years.

(82731)

272   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what levels of compensation are payable to homeowners affected by new motorway development.

(82285)

273   Richard Ottaway (Croydon South): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what steps he will take to ensure that sufficient funds are in place for the continuing requirements of London Underground under the PPP.

(82559)

274   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he expects the Channel Tunnel rail link to be fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

(82551)

275   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how much trunk road and motorway lane mileage has been closed to cars in the greater London area in the last 12 months.

(82657)

276
N   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement about progress with the A249 Iwade to Queenborough improvement, with special reference to the (a) start date, (b) finish date and (c) Compulsory Purchase Order required.

(82228)

277   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to implement the new assessment procedures at the Child Support Agency for (a) existing and (b) new clients.

(82571)

278
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much was spent on (a) contributory and (b) non-contributory benefits in the last 12 months.

(82062)

279
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of annuitants had annuitised over £100,000 of pensions savings in each of the last five years; and if he will estimate what the effect on annuity rates would be were the excess over £100,000 not annuitised.

(82063)

280   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people claimed (a) Job Seekers allowance, (b) child-related benefits, (c) winter fuel payments and (d) sickness-related benefits in (i) Somerset and (ii) South West England in each of the last five years.

(82611)

281
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consultations have been carried out with benefit recipients on the advantages and disadvantages of (a) the basic bank account and (b) the Post Office card account.

(82165)

282
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost per transaction will be of paying (a) the basic state pension and (b) child benefit through (i) the basic bank account and (ii) the Post Office card account.

(82166)

283
N   Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of (a) the likely take-up of the Post Office card account and (b) the cost to the Department thereof.

(82170)

284
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many reported deaths were investigated by the HSE in the last five years.

(82053)

285
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many dangerous incidents were investigated by the HSE in the last year.

(82052)

286
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many HSE investigations into the deaths of (a) people at work and (b) members of the public have resulted in the prosecution of a company director or senior manager in each of the last five years.

(82054)

287   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of the population in (a) Birmingham, (b) the West Midlands region and (c) the London region claimed housing benefit in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(82868)

288   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures he is taking to promote the take-up of the Post Office Card account as part of the migration to automated credit transfer.

(82666)

289   Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many men have been awarded incapacity benefit and have successfully claimed payments due to pneumoconiosis since 1992.

(82721)

290   Mr John Taylor (Solihull): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will publish his Green Paper on pension policy.

(82439)

291
N   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to how many recipients of his initial letter regarding changes to the rules regarding inherited SERPs he plans to send a further letter of clarification following the referral of one such letter to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

(82277)

292   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Cabinet Office, what advice his Department has given to the Fire Services employers on pay increases for firefighters in the last 12 months.

(82689)

293
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements have been made to deal with the disposal of corpses contaminated by a (a) chemical, (b) biological, (c) radioactive and (d) nuclear attack.

[Transferred] (82161)

294   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many persons were employed in the house-building profession in (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001 and (d) 2002.

[Transferred] (82808)

295   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the workings and implementation of the sections of PPG8 which relate to telecommunications operators consulting with the public; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (82676)

296   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will take measures to ensure that the sections of PPG8 which relate to telecommunications operators consulting with the public are consistently implemented; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (82677)

297   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers purportedly from Afghanistan and granted permanent settlement in the last 12 months have subsequently been found to have originated in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (82548)

298   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations she has made to owners of circuses on the welfare of animals.

[Transferred] (82732)

299   Laura Moffatt (Crawley): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the report on airport security by Sir John Wheeler; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (82875)

300   Mr John Taylor (Solihull): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he intends to introduce regulations bringing Part 2 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 into operation.

[Transferred] (82545)

301   Mr John Taylor (Solihull): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether, in the context of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, existing and properly constituted management limited companies may convert themselves into RTMs, limited by guarantee, by special resolution; and what guidance he has issued on the changes that might need to be made to their memoranda and articles.

[Transferred] (82544)

302   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she intends to make broadband available to every hospital, school, GP surgery and university; and what proportion of (a) GP surgeries, (b) hospitals, (c) schools and (d) universities can currently access broadband.

[Transferred] (82755)

303   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were (a) in employment and (b) unemployed, expressed as a percentage of the total population in (i) Birmingham, (ii) the West Midlands region and (iii) London region in each of the past 10 years.

[Transferred] (82865)

304   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the numbers of jobs that have been created in the past six years in (a) Birmingham, (b) the West Midlands region and (c) the London region.

[Transferred] (82866)