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 23 January 2003

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 23 January 2003, 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 23rd JANUARY

1   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he will announce his decision on the revision of Crossrail safeguarding directions to prevent inappropriate development; and if he will make a statement.

(93142)

2   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many parish councillors he has been told have (a) retired and (b) resigned as a result of the Parish Council (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001.

(93266)

3
N   Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the proposals for new Thames river crossings east of Tower Bridge; what their current status is; what the timetable is for consideration; and which public authorities will be responsible for promoting and determining each case.

(92086)

4
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many people are employed by (a) SEEDA, (b) SEERA, and (c) GOSE; and what has been the annual budget of each organisation since its inception.

(91694)

5
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what criteria he applies in deciding to overrule public inquiry reports refusing permission for industrial development of environmentally protected sites.

(91696)

6
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his policy is on approving the development of non-brownfield sites for container port use.

(91698)

7   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the impact his plans for modernisation of the fire service would have on Shrewsbury fire station, with particular reference to manning levels.

(93114)

8   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he expects to receive the National Audit Office report on council stock transfers; and whether his review of council housing finances will be published before he has received the report.

(93327)

9   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his policy is on the provision of permanent sites for travellers; and what action he will take to ensure that all local authorities provide such sites where there is a need.

(93109)

10   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, by what date local authorities had to submit applications for financial support in the current financial year for the provision of permanent sites for travellers; how many local authorities made applications; how many were successful; what the total sum available for financial support was; and how much is unallocated.

(93107)

11   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what financial assistance will be given to local authorities for the remaining two months of the current financial year to establish permanent sites for travellers; what plans he has to continue such financial provision in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

(93108)

12
N   Helen Southworth (Warrington South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what action he is taking to ensure that planning of the siting of affordable housing takes into account infrastructure provision with special reference to (a) transport, (b) schooling (c) medical and (d) other local service needs of the residents.

(93003)

13
N   Helen Southworth (Warrington South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what action he will take to ensure that the PPG 3 sequentiality guidance is effectively applied to protect greenfield sites in the light of the judgment in the Court of Appeal in Rowlinson v Warrington Borough Council.

(93004)

14
N   Helen Southworth (Warrington South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will take action to ensure that housing designated as affordable housing when planning consent is given is (a) affordable in relation to the market in the planning authority area rather than solely in relation to the specific site land values and (b) retained within the affordable housing sector for a reasonable period.

(93005)

15
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to extend TUPE regulations to local authorities who transfer staff to contractors following contractual agreements.

(92546)

16
N   Mr Frank Doran (Aberdeen Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she plans to reform the independent production quota to make it a floor by ensuring that (a) the quota is calculated per channel, both by qualifying hours and spend and (b) exclusions to qualifying hours are minimised.

(93104)

17   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what qualifications the new Head of English Tourism has.

(93133)

18   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who made up the board that has the responsibility to appoint the Head of English Tourism.

(93132)

19   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money has been spent on the arts in Somerset in each financial year since 1999-2000.

(93130)

20   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who was on the short list for the appointment of the Head of English Tourism.

(93131)

21   Mr David Cameron (Witney): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what legal protection to return to their existing jobs is afforded to reservists called up by the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

(93320)

22   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel were transported around the United Kingdom by each of the armed forces by (a) road, (b) rail and (c) air, broken down by (i) number and (ii) distance travelled in the last year for which figures are available.

(93241)

23   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much equipment was transported around the United Kingdom by each of the armed forces by (a) road, (b) rail and (c) air, broken down by (i) type of equipment, (ii) weight, (iii) number of items, (iv) volume and (v) distance travelled, in the last year for which figures are available.

(93240)

24
N   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service people have been given warning orders for both Operation Fresco and possible operations in Iraq.

(92804)

25   David Hamilton (Midlothian): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of his Department's houses were sold last year in the United Kingdom.

(93308)

26   David Hamilton (Midlothian): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much investment was made by his Department in housing stock in 2002 in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other countries, broken down by country.

(93309)

27
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the responses given by naval personnel to Questions no 30 and 31 of the most recent Royal Navy Continuous Attitude Survey; how many personnel responded to Questions 30 and 31; and what percentage of respondents to the survey this represents.

(92799)

28
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the next continuous attitude surveys for the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Air Force will be (i) conducted and (ii) published; whether the questions to be asked will differ in any way from those asked in the last survey; and if he will make a statement.

(92800)

29
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which (a) exercises and (b) operational deployments were undertaken during (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003 by (A) HQ3 Commando Brigade, (B) 40 Commando Royal Marines and (C) 42 Commando Royal Marines; and if he will make a statement.

(92798)

30   Mr John Lyons (Strathkelvin & Bearsden): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether British troops have been given orders in relation to protection of oil fields in Iraq.

(93105)

31   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on British involvement in military strikes on targets in the Iraqi no-fly zones since 11th September 2001; what the cost of this involvement has been to Britain; and what (a) military and (b) civilian casualties have resulted.

(93217)

32   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what British armed forces have been committed to the Middle East.

(93147)

33   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the 10 largest current deployments of British armed forces broken down by country.

(93148)

34   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the strength is of British armed forces in Afghanistan.

(93146)

35   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many individuals have loans outstanding with the Student Loans Company; and how many are (a) compliant, (b) deferred, (c) overdue and (d) written off, broken down in each category according to current residence (i) in the United Kingdom, (ii) the European Union and EEA and (iii) elsewhere.

(93292)

36   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will give an update of progress on the foundation of Sector Skills Councils.

(93293)

37   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the Teaching and Learning Research programme, with particular reference to its (a) progress since its inception and (b) further development plans.

(93294)

38   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools have been de-designated from the Excellence in Cities programme since its inception; and how many schools remain in the programme.

(93198)

39   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, of the schools that have lost specialist status since 1996, how many were (a) arts, (b) business and enterprise, (c) engineering, (d) languages, (e) maths and computing, (f) science, (g) sports and (h) technology.

(93197)

40   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance is provided for headteachers and governors on counselling in schools.

(93120)

41   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what his Department's policy in respect of Early Years and Sure Start funding is in relation to funding for (a) Stoke on Trent and (b) Staffordshire; and who will take the lead in developing services.

(93160)

42   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether mechanically separated municipal solid waste organic matter used as a compost feedstock will be treated in the same way as source-separated feedstocks under the amendment to the Animal Byproducts Order.

(93275)

43   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been conducted (a) by and (b) for her Department on the effectiveness of RIMNET3; and if she will place copies of such research in the Library.

(93273)

44   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what contracts have been awarded by her Department to Logica since 1st August 2002, providing in each case the (a) title, (b) total cost, (c) timescale and (d) terms of reference on the contract; what the reasons were for awarding each contract; and if she will place copies of the contracts in the Library.

(93272)

45
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what use she has made of focus group research since June 2001; and if she will identify for each research project the (a) topics covered and (b) total cost.

(93102)

46   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's role is in the event of a nuclear accident.

(93274)

47   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place an updated list of FTSE 350 companies that report on their environmental performance in the Library.

(93271)

48   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the standards required for compost derived from mechanical separation of municipal solid waste organic matter for use on land.

(93276)

49
N   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action she is taking to prevent the illegal entry of meat into the UK.

(92880)

50
N   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will abolish the 20 day rule.

(92882)

51
N   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will reply to the letter from the honourable Member for Workington dated 10th December 2001, sent on to her Department in March 2002 concerning Mr Williams, a constituent.

(92879)

52   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 20th-21st January; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

(93155)

53
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her estimate is of the cost of the public inquiry into the creation of a New Forest National Park.

(91695)

54   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what control she has over the operation of waste disposal plants.

(93121)

55   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the maximum permitted levels of smell from a waste plant are.

(93124)

56   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what work has been done on assessing the effect of waste treatment plants on livestock.

(93125)

57   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much recyclable waste was collected in Somerset in 2002.

(93122)

58   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance she sets county councils when deciding on permission for waste disposal plants.

(93123)

59   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much farm waste was used in recycling across the UK in 2002.

(93126)

60   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what help is being given to rural areas to deliver energy efficiency in (a) homes and (b) offices.

(93129)

61   Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the lines of accountability are with regard to the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive in the event of a river basin management plan crossing borders between river basins.

(93269)

62
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what account the European Commission took of the impact of a 50 per cent. cut in the price of rice on the economy of Guyana in its proposals for reform of the EU rice regime.

(92725)

63   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment was made by HM Treasury of the economic consequences of joining the euro in the first wave; and if he will publish it.

(93118)

64   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how he proposes, within the assessment of the five economic tests, to verify whether present and planned levels of public expenditure could be maintained if the UK were to join the Euro.

(93117)

65   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to revise the operation of the landfill tax credit in Northern Ireland.

(93270)

66   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the speeches made by Peter Gershon in his capacity as Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce since his appointment; and if he will place copies of the speeches in the Library.

(93196)

67   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 21st January; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

(93156)

68   Mr Robert Syms (Poole): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the exemption date for vehicle excise duty on classic cars to vehicles made before 1st January 1973.

(92805)

69   Mr John Taylor (Solihull): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer who has assumed the (a) responsibilities and (b) potential liabilities of the regulatory bodies previously charged with regulating the affairs of the Equitable Life Assurance Society.

(93256)

70
N   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of married or cohabiting couples with children whose combined taxable income exceeds £34,515 but is less than £50,000 in 2003-04.

(93063)

71
N   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of married or cohabiting couples with children whose combined taxable income exceeds £42,450 but is less than £50,000 in 2003-04.

(93062)

72
N   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of married or cohabiting couples with children whose combined taxable income exceeds £34,515 but is less than £58,175 in 2003-04.

(93065)

73
N   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of married or cohabiting couples with children whose combined taxable income exceeds £42,450 but is less than £58,175 in 2003-04.

(93064)

74
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many working-age people not in full-time education were economically inactive in each year since 1997.

(91978)

75   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will seek an early meeting with the government of President Lula of Brazil to discuss debt and environmental issues.

(93116)

76
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his Department was first informed of the increased threat to visitors to Zanzibar.

(92169)

77
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam responded to the increased terrorist threat to visitors to Tanzania, especially Zanzibar; and what action was taken.

(92170)

78
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his Department updated the FCO travel advice concerning the increased terrorist threat to visitors to Zanzibar; and if he will make a statement.

(92171)

79
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department received from the (a) Russian and (b) US authorities concerning the increased terrorist threat to visitors to Zanzibar, and when.

(92172)

80
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those countries which intelligence indicates may be in possession of weapons of mass destruction.

(93101)

81   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions the Government has had with the US administration on US compliance with Paragraph 10 of UN resolution 1441.

(93322)

82   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish the parameters by which the Government defines whether a weapon falls into the category of weapons of mass destruction.

(93321)

83   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to ratify protocol 13 of the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; and if he will make a statement.

(93151)

84
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many representations he has received from UK nationals who are being prevented from making contact with their children in Germany and in other EU nations following divorce settlement in the UK which gave them the entitlement to have regular contact with their children; and if he will make a statement.

(93066)

85
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Bangladesh concerning the violation of human rights and persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

(92658)

86   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to address human trafficking in (a) Europe and (b) throughout the world.

(93145)

87   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the next Annual Report on Strategic Exports will be published.

(93144)

88   Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his Department's autumn performance report for 2002 will be published.

(93152)

89   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what account is taken of the age profile of the population in fixing financial allocations to PCTs.

(93115)

90
N   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Food Standards Agency will issue advice on the safety of eating meat from animals which have been vaccinated against foot and mouth.

(92881)

91
N   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures are being taken to ensure the take-up of increases in training support funds resourced from the Department of Health to local authorities; and how these funds are being targeted towards the voluntary sector.

(92883)

92   Jim Dobbin (Heywood & Middleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what provision (a) has been made and (b) is planned to support pregnant mothers engaged in (i) alcohol and (ii) substance abuse and to protect their unborn children from such abuse.

(93216)

93   Jim Dobbin (Heywood & Middleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many abortions have been performed on girls aged 12 and under in each of the last five years; at what age each girl having the abortion was; in which local area health authority each abortion was performed; in which NHS hospital or private clinic each abortion was performed; and at what stage of gestation each abortion was performed.

(93214)

94   Jim Dobbin (Heywood & Middleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many abortions have been performed on girls aged (a) 13, (b) 14 and (c) 15 in each of the last five years; in which local area health authority each abortion was performed; and at what stage of gestation each abortion was performed.

(93215)

95   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd December 2002, Official Report, column 619W, on Private Health Schemes, if it would interfere with the duties of an NHS body, if it allowed the use of beds by private health care funded patients for operations for which there is a waiting time longer than three months for NHS patients.

(93150)

96   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many vacancies there are for palliative care consultants in (a) Lancashire, (b) the North West of England and (c) England.

(93268)

97   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have completed training as a consultant in palliative care in each of the last three years.

(93267)

98
N   Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will which NHS posts in Kent are paid a salary in excess of £100,000.

(92085)

99   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 7th January 2002, Official Report, column 180W, on ambulance turnaround times, what information he collates on ambulance turnaround times.

(93195)

100   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prisoners with mental health problems are awaiting transfer to secure hospitals; and what proportion have been waiting (a) for up to three months, (b) between three and six months, (c) between six months and a year and (d) more than a year.

(93304)

101   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many beds were available in secure mental health wards in each of the last five years.

(93305)

102
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to ensure a smooth handover from the boards and management of the Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust and the South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust to the new Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust from 1st April.

(92806)

103
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will announce the names of (a) the Chief Executive designate and (b) the Directors-designate of the Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

(92807)

104   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dentists have retired in the past year in the constituencies of (a) Cleethorpes and (b) Grimsby.

(93312)

105   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dental pratices are taking on new NHS patients in the constituencies of (a) Cleethorpes, (b) Grimsby, (c) Scunthorpe, (d) Brigg and Goole, (e) Hull West and Hessle, (f) Hull East, (g) Hull North, (h) Haltemprice and Howden, (i) Gainsborough and (j) Louth and Horncastle.

(93311)

106   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with North East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust about the provision of NHS dental treatment in (a) Grimsby and (b) Cleethorpes constituencies.

(93340)

107   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many new dental practices taking NHS patients have opened in the constituencies of (a) Cleethorpes and (b) Grimsby since 1st January 2002.

(93313)

108
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what change there has been in the rate of death certificates showing Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and related diseases as a cause of death since 29th March 2001.

(92734)

109   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the system of licensing for sale of tobacco products by retailers.

(93111)

110   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will issue guidelines on standards of counselling for children who run away from home.

(93112)

111
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy to prevent cot death.

(92545)

112
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy on the development of paediatric pathology.

(92544)

113
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's recommendation of a nationally accepted information and consent form for hospital post mortem examinations.

(92547)

114   Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's expenditure on NHS patients treated surgically in the private sector was between 23rd December 2002 and 3rd January.

(93253)

115   Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which of the private companies on the Government's register of expertise for tendering to run NHS hospitals have experience in managing emergency services; and what safeguards are in place to prevent these firms recruiting the best managers from the NHS.

(93251)

116   Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many planned operating lists at (a) the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch and (b) the Worcestershire Royal Infirmary were cancelled due to staff shortages between 23rd December 2002 and 3rd January.

(93252)

117
N   David Winnick (Walsall North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the honourable Member for Walsall North will receive a reply to his letter of 9th December regarding a constituent, Ref P01021593.

(92801)

118   Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when his Department's autumn performance report for 2002 will be published.

(93153)

119
N   Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Probation Service workshops, Lewis Road, Cardiff.

(92803)

120   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th November 2002, Official Report, column 252W, on prisoner data, whether the Inmate Information System allows (a) prison service staff, (b) the social services and (c) his Department's officials to access information on where prisoners served previous sentences; and if he will take steps to improve co-ordination between the prison service and social services.

(93213)

121   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 28th November 2002, Official Report, column 428W, on prisoners, whether his Department will make it its policy to put systems in place in order for information on whether prisoners under 35 have served time in young offenders institutions to be centrally available; and what measures his Department will put in place to ensure that reconvicted prisoners who serve sentences in prisons other than the prison in which they served their initial sentence receive continuity with regard to programmes aimed at their rehabilitation.

(93218)

122   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for asylum were refused in an initial decision in each year since 1997; and how many of these were subsequently allowed on appeal.

(93325)

123   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers were serving in the Hertfordshire constabulary on (a) 1st January 2001, (b) 1st January 2002 and (c) at the most recent date for which figures are available.

(93323)

124   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many failed asylum seekers left the UK in each year since 1997, broken down by those (a) deported and (b) who left voluntarily.

(93324)

125   Mr Wayne David (Caerphilly): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he next expects to review the recruitment procedure for the police; and if he will make it his policy to re-examine the rule within the recruitment procedure relating to epilepsy.

(93264)

126   Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on his policy on possession of a replica gun in a public place.

(93211)

127
N   Mr Douglas Hogg (Sleaford & North Hykeham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter of 11th December 2002 from the honourable Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham regarding the possible use of Caythorpe Court, Lincolnshire for the accommodation of asylum seekers.

(92087)

128
N   Mr Douglas Hogg (Sleaford & North Hykeham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans his Department and its agencies have to use Caythorpe Court, Caythorpe, Lincolnshire for the accommodation of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement.

(92089)

129   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum appeals (a) between 1st April 2001 to 31st March 2002 and (b) since 1st April 2002 have been (i) lodged and (ii) heard; how many of these appeals have been refused; and, in relation to these refusals, how many applications for judicial review have been lodged.

(93334)

130   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women are held in each of the Prison Service mother and baby units.

(93296)

131   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the reason was for the delay in publishing explanatory notes to the Criminal Justice Bill.

(93338)

132   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff are seconded to his Department from the private sector; and from which companies they are seconded.

(93299)

133   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants under the expedited appeals process have received (a) legal advice and assistance in preparing their asylum appeal and (b) legal representation at the appeal hearing.

(93335)

134   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of women prisoners have been reconvicted within two years of release in each of the last five years.

(93302)

135   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many probation staff left the Probation Service in England and Wales in each financial year since 1997-98, broken down by grade.

(93301)

136   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police helicopter sorties were made in each of the last five years, broken down by police force; and what the annual cost was to each police force.

(93306)

137   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women received a custodial sentence in each of the last five years; what the average length of sentence was in each year; and what proportion were imprisoned for offences of violence in each year.

(93295)

138   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women prisoners applied for a place on a mother and baby unit in each of the last five years; and how many applications were successful.

(93298)

139   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to give the Chief Inspector of Prisons responsibility for conducting inquiries into deaths and serious injuries in prisons.

(93331)

140   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take steps to halt the rise in the numbers of (a) women and (b) young people in prison.

(93330)

141   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much was spent on each extradition case in the last five years, broken down by individual case.

(93337)

142   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken to reduce (a) delays and (b) late arrivals of prisoners from court; what steps are being taken to improve the information received by prisons from escort contractors; and what assessment has been made of potential benefits of placing the responsibility for escort services on the Prison Service.

(93329)

143   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of (a) men and (b) women serving community sentences in the last two years breached the terms of their sentence.

(93303)

144   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take steps to prevent immigration detainees who have not been charged with a criminal offence from being held in prison.

(93332)

145   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will bring forward proposals to reform custodial arrangements for 18-20 year old prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

(93339)

146   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff from his Department are on secondment elsewhere; and where they are seconded.

(93300)

147   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when (a) the British Crime Survey, (b) Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, (c) Prison Statistics, England and Wales, (d) Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System, (e) Control of Immigration Statistics and (f) the Home Office Annual Report were published in each year from 1992 to 2002.

(93333)

148   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) robberies and (b) snatch thefts were recorded each month by the police in each police force area in England and Wales between April 2001 and September 2002.

(93336)

149   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action he is taking to increase the number of mother and baby unit places for prisoners; and what estimate he has made of the number of mother and baby unit places in 2003.

(93297)

150
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether persons who fought against British and US troops in Afghanistan have (a) applied for and (b) been granted asylum; and if he will make a statement.

(92877)

151
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many accommodation and property companies he has commissioned to find properties with planning permission for use as hostels for the accommodation of asylum seekers; where properties selected for such use are located; what costs have been incurred by the Home Office in connection with such properties; what the anticipated (a) capital and (b) revenue costs are; what consultations have taken place with (i) honourable Members and (ii) other bodies; and if he will make a statement.

(92878)

152   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what financial assistance his Department has given to the National Missing Persons Helpline in each year since 1997.

(93113)

153   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance his Department issues to police forces on the supply of information on officer numbers, with particular reference to the inclusion of individuals (a) recruited but not yet receiving pay and (b) undergoing basic training.

(93307)

154   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with his colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about the impact of (a) the changes to the Area Cost Adjustment and (b) the new approach to Resource Equalisation on police funding in Essex; and what estimate he has made of the impact in financial terms.

(93286)

155   Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many vacancies there are for prison officers in prisons in England and Wales; and what the rate of sickness absence for (a) prison officers and (b) governors was in the last year for which figures are available.

(93314)

156
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what impact he estimates the withdrawal of asylum support for in-country applicants will have on the numbers of homeless people living in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

(92727)

157
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how he intends to monitor the impact of the withdrawal of asylum support for in-country applicants on asylum seekers in the UK.

(92726)

158
N   Tony Worthington (Clydebank & Milngavie): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to increase the percentage of applications for asylum at ports of entry.

(92728)

159   Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when his Department's autumn performance report for 2002 will be published.

(93158)

160
N   David Winnick (Walsall North): To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee, what progress is being made by the Library to bring out biographical details of honourable and Right honourable Members in book form to replace Stanton and Lees publications; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of (a) funding and (b) personnel for this purpose.

(92994)

161
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what donations to the Global Fund (a) have been received and (b) are expected, broken down by donor country.

(92657)

162
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of her Department's budget remained unallocated at the end of the last financial year.

(92659)

163   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what contingency plans her Department has made for humanitarian assistance to Iraq in the event of military action; and what funds the Government will make available for such measures.

(93149)

164   Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much was spent on aid to Afghanistan in 2002; and what will be spent in 2003.

(93143)

165   Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when his Department's autumn performance report for 2002 will be published.

(93154)

166   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the review of Further Education in Northern Ireland will be published; and what plans he has to change the number of Further Education (a) colleges and (b) campuses in Northern Ireland.

(93277)

167
N   Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many hares were netted in 2002, following the issue of the appropriate licences; and what happened to each hare netted.

(92088)

168   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many vacant (a) nursing care beds and (b) residential care beds there are in Northern Ireland, broken down by hospital board area; and if he will make a statement.

(93250)

169   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the line of command for the use of UK nuclear weapons.

(93110)

170   Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the Solicitor General, when the Crown Prosecution Service's autumn performance report for 2002 will be published.

(93157)

171   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her oral statement of 14th January, Official Report, column 547, on the Sizewell security breach, when the Government's preliminary conclusion from the inquiry will be acted upon.

(93254)

172   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which organisations were responsible for security at Sizewell B at 6.00 am on 13th January; and what their responsibilities are.

(93219)

173   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer to the honourable Member for Blaenau, Gwent of 20th January, Official Report, column 9, what lessons were learnt from the Greenpeace UK incursion to Sizewell B in October 2002; and what actions were taken as a result of those lessons.

(93220)

174
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what percentage of UK households and businesses are able to receive ADSL telecommunication services in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland.

(92724)

175   Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the outcome of her recent visit to India and Thailand, with particular reference to representations she made on behalf of the Scottish whisky industry.

(93265)

176   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what help will be given to rural communities to enable them to access broadband.

(93127)

177   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent discussions she has had with BT over the introduction of broadband in rural areas.

(93128)

178   Mr Mark Prisk (Hertford & Stortford): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many telephone enquiries the Business Link national 0845 telephone number received per week in (a) September 2002 and (b) December 2002; how many enquiries per week led to appointments for Business Link advisers; and if he will make a statement about the different categories of enquiries received between September and December 2002.

(93106)

179
N   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many subpostmasters have completed the training necessary for the operation of post office card accounts.

(92876)

180
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to promote the use of the Post Office card prior to the introduction of direct payments of benefits in April.

(92548)

181   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to review the effectiveness of the Rural Transfer Advisors referred to in the report by the Scottish National Rural Partnership of November 2002, Section B.13 of Implementing Services in Rural Scotland.

(93193)

182   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which post offices in Scotland referred to in the report by the Scottish National Rural Partnership of November 2002, Section B.13 of Implementing Services in Rural Scotland, received funding from the Sub Post Office Start Up Capital Subsidy Funding; how much each has received; and what proportion this represented of the successful applications from throughout the UK.

(93194)

183   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, where the six Rural Transfer Advisors referred to in the report by the Scottish National Rural Partnership of November 2002, Section B.13 of Implementing Services in Rural Scotland, are; and what progress they have made in preserving rural post offices.

(93199)

184   Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has had with energy regulators to ensure energy companies receive lists of vulnerable people who are a priority for reconnection in the event of a power cut.

(93319)

185
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the introduction of motorway tolls, other than on the M6, on (a) reduction of congestion and (b) encouragement of use of public transport.

(93103)

186   Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he has requested a copy of the independent safety report commissioned by Wales and the West Trains on the provision of rail services after the Wales v. England Six Nations rugby match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

(93255)

187   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the consultation paper on the introduction of VAT on privately operated tolls.

(93326)

188   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the total value was of (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis, by Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate, in each year since 1992.

(93229)

189   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what advertising is displayed on his Department's website from other government departments and agencies; on what other government department websites information from his Department is advertised; over what time this advertising has, or will be, displayed; and under what guidance, direction and agreements any such advertising is displayed.

(93239)

190   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 7th January, Official Report, column 108W, on Strategic Rail Authority (Consultants), if he will make a statement on the work conducted for the Strategic Rail Authority (a) by Booz Allen and Hamilton on the Virgin trains franchise negotiation, (b) by KPMG on financial advisers for Virgin Rail Group Negotiations and (c) by KPMG on the Virgin Rail Ltd scope review and the financial advisers for Virgin Rail Group Negotiations.

(93234)

191   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how much was spent by predecessor departments on external consultants in matters relating to transport in each year since 1997.

(93235)

192   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many staff were employed by (a) the Office of the Rail Regulator, (b) Strategic Rail Authority, (c) Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate, (d) other staff relating to railway matters within the Health and Safety Executive and Health and Safety Commission, (e) the (i) Rail Delivery Directorate and (ii) Railways Restructuring Directorates, or their equivalent, within his Department and (f) British Rail or shadow private companies within the railway industry, for those years where this is applicable (a) in each year since 1992 and (b) projected for future years.

(93222)

193   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what (a) court actions and other prosecutions have taken place and (b) fines or other actions have been imposed, against (i) UK ports and (ii) other marine organisations and activities in response to breaches of security which have taken place at UK ports in each year since 1997; and what the nature of the breaches were in each case.

(93245)

194   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 16th January to the honourable Member for Buckingham, Official Report, column 698W, on external consultants, if he will list the consultants used, and the nature and the cost of the work in each case.

(93236)

195   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the (a) technical consultants and (b) financial consultants used by the Strategic Rail Authority since 3rd July 2001 on a call-off basis, the total amount paid to each consultant; and the nature of the projects.

(93223)

196   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by (i) the Health and Safety Commission and (ii) Health and Safety Executive relating to railway matters since April 2002, the nature of the assignment for each consultant, and the value of work done by each consultant.

(93238)

197   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 7th January, Official Report, column 108W, on Strategic Rail Authority (Consultants), if he will make a statement on (a) the PLANET models, (b) the work by Nichols on Mark 1 rolling-stock, (c) the work by NDS Transmodal on innovation competition, (d) Project Tide, (e) the WARM(E) project and (f) Project Radar.

(93233)

198   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the technical and financial consultants awarded contracts by the Strategic Rail Authority between 3rd July 2001 and 31st March 2002, the nature of the assignment for each consultant, and the value of each contract.

(93224)

199   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by the Office of the Rail Regulator, since April 2002, the nature of the assignment for each consultant, and the value of work done by each consultant.

(93221)

200   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many illegal immigrants were recorded as entering the UK via UK ports in each year since 1997, broken down by region; and what the estimates were in each year.

(93242)

201   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many incidents of (a) terrorist activity and (b) suspected terrorist activity were recorded by (i) the Marine Accident Investigation Branch Transport Police and (ii) other organisations relating to marine and port activities, in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(93243)

202   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the total value was of (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis, by the (i) Health and Safety Commission and (ii) Health and Safety Executive relating to railway matters in each year since 1992.

(93230)

203   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 7th January, Official Report, column 108W, on Strategic Rail Authority (Consultants), if he will list (a) the total amount spent, (b) the technical and financial consultants awarded contracts of £25,000 and less by the Strategic Rail Authority since April 2002, (c) the nature of the assignment for each consultant, and (d) the value of each contract.

(93225)

204   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many official breaches of security have taken place at UK ports in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) region, (b) port and (c) type of breach.

(93244)

205   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the total value was of (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by (i) the Rail Delivery Directorate, (ii) the Railways Restructuring Directorate and (iii) other directorates within his Department carrying out work relating to the railways, in each year since 1992.

(93231)

206   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when the Departmental Investment Strategy will be published.

(93226)

207   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis, by Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate since April 2002, the nature of the assignment for each consultant, and the value of work done by each consultant.

(93228)

208   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the total value was of (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis, by the Office of the Rail Regulator, in each year since 1992.

(93227)

209   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 7th January, Official Report, column 108W, on Strategic Rail Authority (Consultants), if he will place in the Library copies of the (a) review of international rail services conducted by Steer Davies and Gleave, (b) study into why operational performance has failed to revert to pre-Hatfield levels, conducted by AEA Technology, (c) studies of Project Ariel, SPVs and enhancements, conducted by Lazards, (d) study of the financial adviser to Scottish passenger rail franchise relet conducted by KPMG, (e) study of Mark 1, strategic reserve vehicles conducted by Jacobs Gibb, (f) studies on due diligence of Railtrack and CLG bus plan, conducted by Booz Allen and Hamilton and (g) ELL provision of timetable validation study conducted by AEA Technology.

(93232)

210   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by (i) the Rail Delivery Directorate, (ii) the Railways Restructuring Directorate and (iii) other directorates within his Department carrying out work relating to the railways, since April 2002, what the nature of the assignment was for each consultant, and what the value of work done by each consultant was.

(93237)

211
N   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what estimate he has made of likely container port capacity at existing container ports over the next (a) five years, (b) 10 years and (c) 15 years.

(91697)

212   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when the Habrough to Stallingborough section of the A180 will be resurfaced with low-noise material.

(93310)

213   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the cost was of the largest transport infrastructure project in the United Kingdom constructed without recourse to public sector funding since 1973.

(93281)

214   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the costs of the Marinair scheme for a proposed new airport in the Thames Estuary.

(93257)

215   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on his policy on the public funding of airport infrastructure development.

(93285)

216   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 20th January, Official Report, column 30W, on foreign commercial vehicles, what plans he has for implementing routine checks at ports of entry.

(93212)

217   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he will respond to the MIDMAN multi-modal study; and if he will make a statement.

(93278)

218   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, when he expects work to start on widening the M6 in Staffordshire; and if he will make a statement.

(93280)

219   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of vehicles that use the M6 in Staffordshire each day.

(93279)

220   Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent representations he has received from the Foyer Federation regarding the support of 19 year olds wanting to follow a full-time training or education course.

(93159)

221
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disability living allowance awards there were to (a) disabled people and (b) people whose main disabling condition is deafness in each year since 1997; and how many of these were granted at (i) initial application, (ii) reconsideration and (iii) aural tribunal, in (A) England, (B) Wales and (C) Scotland.

(92723)

222
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disability living allowance awards have been made for which deafness is the main disability condition, broken down by (a) age and (b) type of award, including (i) care only component, (ii) mobility only component and (iii) combined care and mobility components.

(92721)

223
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disability living allowance applications by people whose main disabling condition is deafness were refused at (a) initial application, (b) reconsideration and (c) aural tribunal in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales in each year since 1997.

(92722)

224
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many deaf people were provided with a qualified British Sign Language interpreter when attending a medical assessment for disability living allowance in each year since 1997.

(92720)

225   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have participated in New Deal 25+; and how many people have left the scheme for work.

(93318)

226
N   Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the new system of assessment by the CSA will become operable; whether those who have been waiting for assessment or reassessment by the CSA will be assessed as if they were new claimants; and what plans he has to clear the back-log.

(92549)

227
N   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications have been received for a post office card account.

(92874)

228
N   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many post office card accounts have been successfully processed.

(92875)

229
N   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal invitation documents for post office card accounts have been issued.

(92873)

230   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the results of consultations carried out with stakeholders in housing allowance pathfinder project areas.

(93316)

231   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, at what points during the housing allowance pathfinder projects stakeholders will be consulted.

(93317)

232   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how he intends to consult stakeholders in housing allowance in pathfinder project areas; and if he will make a statement.

(93315)

233   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department's policy in respect of Early Years and Sure Start funding is in relation to funding for (a) Stoke on Trent and (b) Staffordshire; and who will take the lead in developing services.

(93161)

234
N   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on how his Department can protect employees' pension schemes if their employer goes into administration or bankruptcy.

(92732)

235
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people on the (a) New Deal for Young People and (b) the New Deal for 25 Plus have had their jobseeker's allowance reduced in each year by (a) two weeks, (b) four weeks, and (c) 26 weeks; and whether anyone has suffered more than one 26 week sanction.

(91977)

236
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases of suspected (a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit fraud have been discovered through a residency check, in each of the last five years.

(91979)

237   David Wright (Telford): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners in Telford benefit from the Minimum Income Guarantee.

(93283)

238   David Wright (Telford): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have benefited from the New Deal for Young People in Telford since 1997.

(93284)

239   David Wright (Telford): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people over 60 qualify for the £200 Winter Fuel Allowance in Telford.

(93282)

240
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Cabinet Office, what proportion of (a) GP surgeries, (b) hospitals, (c) primary care trusts, (d) health authorities and (e) the criminal justice system have broadband access; and what the target date is for full broadband access.

(92344)

241   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many maritime wrecks there are in the Bristol Channel; and where they are.

[Transferred] (93119)

242   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what future funding plans the Medical Research Council has announced for research into reducing the number of baby deaths through (a) miscarriage, (b) premature birth, (c) still birth and (d) obstetrics.

[Transferred] (93162)