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 27 February 2003

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 27 February 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 27th FEBRUARY

1   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when Sir Andrew Turnbull will reply to the letter of 22nd January from the honourable Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton regarding the conduct of Mr Peter Gershon CBE.

(99772)

2   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people work in the Forward Strategy Unit; what issues it is looking at; what its running costs were in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

(99884)

3   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people work in (a) the Regulatory Impact Unit, (b) the Office of Public Services Reform and (c) the Charter Mark and Beacon Unit; what the cost of each was in (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

(99979)

4   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) cost and (b) staffing were of the (i) Corporate Communication Team, (ii) Strategic Communication and Planning Team, (iii) Corporate Services Group, (iv) Government Information and Communication Service and (v) Media Monitoring Unit in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

(99897)

5   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people work in the Delivery Unit; what its purpose is; what its estimated cost is for (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

(99883)

6   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the costs of the Cabinet Office were in each year from 1998-99 to 2004-05 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

(99895)

7   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 7th January, Official Report, column 195W, on the Climate Change Levy, why no estimate is available of levy receipts the Exchequer anticipates to receive during 2002-03 from those companies covered by negotiated climate change agreements; and if he will make a statement.

(100081)

8
N   Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will answer Written Question 92347 tabled for answer on the named day of 28th January.

(98923)

9   Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the governance of the Bank of International Settlements, with particular reference to (a) member control and (b) access to information.

(99987)

10   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net saving to the Exchequer if all public sector employees retired at age 65; and if he will make a statement.

(99898)

11   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals were considered to be non-domiciled for tax purposes in the UK in each year from 1980-81 to 2001-02; and if he will make a statement.

(99900)

12   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implications of the report Meeting the Challenge: Economic Reform in Europe for the likelihood of entry to the euro.

(100096)

13   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to use the increased tax revenues resulting from higher insurance premiums to set up a fund to cover employers against remote risks.

(100087)

14   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has estimated the net change in value added tax revenue which would result from the proposed VAT exemption for welfare services provided by state-regulated private welfare agencies.

(100099)

15   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce higher capital allowances to encourage manufacturing investment.

(100086)

16   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to allow tax concessions for Britons who have been advised to leave the Middle East because of the political situation in the region.

(100089)

17   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that proposed increases in landfill tax do not disproportionately affect manufacturing industry.

(100088)

18   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his Department's approach to the discussion of economic reform and the goal of full employment at the forthcoming EU Heads of Government meeting in Brussels.

(100097)

19   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer whether UK entry to the euro is conditional upon economic reform in Europe.

(100095)

20   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials from his Department have had with representatives of state-regulated private welfare agencies concerning the proposed VAT exemption for welfare services provided by state-regulated private welfare agencies.

(100098)

21   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when the proposed VAT exemption for welfare services provided by state-regulated private welfare agencies will come into force.

(100100)

22   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if the five economic tests for determining whether there is a clear and unambiguous case for UK membership of the EMU will be applied separately to the economy of the Bailiwick of Jersey.

(100062)

23
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the outcome of the policy of instructing the Bank of England to sell gold reserves; and what percentage of total gold reserves have been sold.

(99462)

24
N   Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest estimate is of the number of Iraqi nationals resident in the United Kingdom.

(99689)

25   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the income receipts of the British Library were in each year from 1990-91 to 2003-04 (planned), excluding grant in aid; and if she will make a statement.

(99843)

26   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money has been distributed by the National Lottery in each year since it was established; and if she will make a statement.

(99837)

27   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her estimate is of public spending on her Department and its predecessors in each year from 1983-84 to 2003-04 (planned); and if she will make a statement.

(99836)

28   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the take-up of National Lottery grants in the Yeovil constituency since 1997.

(99842)

29   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the total cost to public funds of free admission to Department of Culture, Media and Sport sponsored museums and galleries was in each year from 1999-2000 to 2003-04 (planned); and if she will make a statement.

(99841)

30   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department spent on the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority (S4C) in each year since 1980-81; how many viewers the channel had in each of the last 10 years; what plans there are to transfer the funding of S4C to the Welsh Assembly; and if she will make a statement.

(99838)

31   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her estimate is of total government financial support for museums and galleries (a) in London and (b) in the rest of England, in each year from 1996-97; and if she will make a statement.

(99845)

32   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many visits there were to the British Museum in each year since 1996-97; what changes in the charging regime there have been since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

(99844)

33   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of visitors to the national museums and galleries sponsored by her Department were visiting the UK from overseas in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

(99840)

34   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in which museums and galleries sponsored by her Department free admission has been introduced; what the annual cost of free admission in lost income from charging was in each year since its introduction; how many more visitors have attended these museums and galleries since free admission was introduced; and if she will make a statement.

(99839)

35   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of expenditure on non-domestic tourism in 2002.

(99755)

36   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what costs were incurred in the clearing and restoration of Hyde Park following the Stop the War rally on 15th February.

(99942)

37   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what costs were incurred in the clearing and restoration of Hyde Park following the Queen's Jubilee Celebrations.

(99944)

38
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list those categories of weapons held by UK forces which will not be permitted for use in the event of a war involving UK forces and Iraq.

(99285)

39   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the delay in the Astute Submarine in service date will affect the Astute Class Training Service run by DSEI; what the cost will be to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

(99925)

40   Mr Peter Duncan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the disposal of minesweeper Pagham.

(99782)

41
N   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many British service personnel are stationed in Sierra Leone; what changes in numbers have taken place in the last month; and if he will make a statement on the current military situation in Sierra Leone.

(99453)

42   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10th February, Official Report, column 511W, on Middle East (Health Advice), what record is kept of health promotion advice given to individuals deploying to the Gulf.

(99983)

43   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what timetable has been set for a decision on the upgrade and use of (a) RAF Fylingdales and (b) RAF Menwith Hill as part of the US Administration's Ballistic Missile Defence System.

(99912)

44   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last discussed progress on the European Security and Defence Policy with the German defence minister.

(100061)

45   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent requests he has received from the United States Government to provide lead test assemblies for the United States military nuclear programme.

(100038)

46   Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces aged under 18 (a) are deployed and (b) are planned to be deployed in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.

(100108)

47   Hywel Williams (Caernarfon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what use has been made of munitions containing uranium in live firing training in the UK since 1986.

(99787)

48   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many council houses have been sold in each year since 1997 in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear and (d) the UK.

(99928)

49   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the costs of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister were since it was established; what the planned expenditure is for 2004-05; and if he will make a statement.

(99924)

50   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, who the winners were of the Public Servant of the Year Award 2002; what the cost was of this initiative; and if he will make a statement.

(99890)

51   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the purposes of the Deputy Prime Minister's Central Policy Group; how many people there are in the Group; and where it is based.

(99886)

52   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the remit is of the Women's National Commission; how many staff it has; what its total costs were in each year from 1996-97 to 2003-04 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

(99899)

53   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the cost was of the (a) Social Exclusion Unit and (b) Deputy Prime Minister's Central Policy Group in each year from 1997-98 to 2004-05 (planned).

(99885)

54   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on progress in his international work; and what overseas visits he made in the last 12 months.

(99888)

55   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the annual cost of the Women's Unit was in each of the past three years; what the projected cost is for 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

(99894)

56   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many people are employed in (a) the Devolution and English Regions Division and (b) the International and Policy Division of the Central Policy Group; what the cost of each was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(99887)

57   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will introduce legislation to reduce fragmentation of enforcement and inspection powers relating to residential properties, offices, commercial premises and transport locations.

(99988)

58   Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, (a) how many awards were made in the last financial year and (b) what their administrative costs were for the (i) New Deal for Communities Grant programme, (ii) Community Chest Grant programme, (iii) Tenant Participation Grant programme, (iv) Rough Sleepers Grant programme and (v) Special Grants programme.

(99945)

59   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to introduce further legislation to assist parish councils and other landowners whose land is illegally occupied by travellers.

(99780)

60   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what overtime hours were worked by firefighters, in each fire brigade area, in the last period for which figures are available.

(100124)

61   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the cost would be to the fire service employers of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Bain review.

(100122)

62   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to publish in full the Fire Cover Task Group's Pathfinder report.

(100119)

63   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the relationship between the projected cuts in the number of firefighters under the Bain proposals and the proposals of the Pathfinder report.

(100120)

64   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many (a) deaths in incidents attended by firefighters at night and (b) deaths in incidents attended by firefighters during day shift hours there were in each fire brigade area in the last year for which figures are available.

(100123)

65   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how the cuts in the number of firefighters envisaged by the Bain report would be broken down by Fire Brigade regions.

(100121)

66   Tony Baldry (Banbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what his policy is on Learndirect selling its products free of charge; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this on competition.

(100047)

67
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to reflect greater selectivity in the research authorities of the higher education sector, with particular reference to those rating above 5.

(99561)

68
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance he is issuing to higher education institutions on the assessment of academic merit without reference to social or cultural factors affecting an individual.

(99560)

69
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what extra contribution will be sought from fees for adult education courses with the new Learning and Skills funding formula for further education colleges.

(99562)

70   Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the expenditure per child in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) Westminster and (ii) Kensington and Chelsea was in (A) 1997-98 and (B) 2001-02.

(100071)

71   Jim Dowd (Lewisham West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 25th February, ref 99110, how many short-listed suppliers (a) could and (b) could not meet the terms.

(100051)

72   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what impact his federation of schools proposal will have on the availability and publication of each school's exam results.

(100049)

73   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much money the Government has spent on the replacement of old and worn-out school buildings in (a) England and (b) the Portsmouth area in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

(100104)

74   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the running costs of the Learning and Skills Council are in 2002-03; what the estimated figure is for (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05; and if he will make a statement.

(99813)

75   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much was spent on higher education in England, in real terms at 2000-01 prices, in each year from 1989-90 to 2003-04 (planned), (a) in total, and (b) per student; and if he will make a statement.

(99822)

76   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of his Departmental budget was spent on (a) pre-school education, (b) school age education up to sixth form level, (c) sixth form school and college education, (d) further education and (e) higher education in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement

(99819)

77   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many Sure Start programmes have been established in Somerset; if he will list them; and if he will make a statement.

(99821)

78   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what average (a) primary and (b) secondary school class sizes were in England in each year from 1980-81 to 2003-04 (planned), (i) broken down by local education authority and (ii) in total; and if he will make a statement.

(99820)

79   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Sure Start schemes; if he will list by Education Authority those approved to date; and if he will make a statement.

(99814)

80   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of primary school pupils in England are in classes of (a) 20 and under, (b) 24 and under, (c) 26 and under, (d) 28 and under and (e) 30 and under; and if he will make a statement.

(99817)

81   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of three year olds in Somerset have access to a free early education place; and if he will make a statement.

(99816)

82   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much was spent on schools in Somerset, in each year from 1990-91 to 2002-03, at 2001-02 prices, broken down to show (a) local government spending, (b) central government credit approval and (c) central government expenditure by each available category; and if he will make a statement.

(99823)

83   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many Sure Start schemes there are in (a) rural and (b) urban areas.

(99815)

84   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of teachers retire at or before age 60 years; and if he will make a statement.

(99818)

85   Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the grants funded by his Department for social care for which organisations may apply; how much funding was made in the last financial year; how many awards were made; and what their administrative costs were.

(99947)

86   Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the grants funded by his Department for which (a) LEAs, (b) primary and secondary schools, (c) further education institutions, (d) higher education institutions, (e) individual teachers and (f) students may apply; how much funding was made available in the last financial year; how many awards were made; and what their administrative costs were in each case.

(99946)

87   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what co-ordination has taken place with the Department for Trade and Industry to ensure that sufficient skills capacity is developed to deal with current and future volumes of radioactive waste through training in universities and research institutes.

(100043)

88   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when the most recent internal phone directory for the Department was published; how often it is updated; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

(100092)

89   Brian White (North East Milton Keynes): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if the funding mechanisms to deliver the proposals set out in the Future of Higher Education White Paper will encompass institutions whose students are not tied to a specific geographical location.

(100022)

90   Brian White (North East Milton Keynes): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what role he plans for the Open University to deliver the aims of the Future of Higher Education White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

(100021)

91
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what role the Minister of State for Environment and Agri-Environment has in the Government's consideration of policy towards GM crops.

(99286)

92
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the budget from that allocated to her Department under the Department Expenditure Limit set in the Comprehensive Spending Review of 2002 is for each year from 2001-02 to 2005-06 for (a) Environmental Protection; (b) Water Services; (c) Support for the agriculture, food and fishing industries; (d) flood defence; (e) support for hill farming; (f) regional/rural development; (g) support for countryside and wildlife; (h) nature and forestry and (i) animal health and disease control, including payments for BSE, FMD, TB and other zoonoses, broken down by (i) resource and (ii) capital.

(99288)

93   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average farm incomes, by sector, were in each year since 1992 for farms within the (a) Sussex Downs and (b) Sussex Weald.

(99915)

94
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her total departmental budget is under the Department Expenditure Limit set in the Comprehensive Spending Review of 2002 in each year from 2001-02 to 2005-06; and how much within each year has been allocated by activity and to each executive agency, broken down by (a) resource and (b) capital.

(99287)

95
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the principal components of the changes in the budget of her Department from 2002-03 to 2005-06; and if she will make a statement.

(99289)

96   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what actions she is taking to prevent dolphin deaths in European waters; and if she will make a statement.

(100070)

97
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of significant consents to discharge trade effluent to watercourses were reviewed by the Environment Agency in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002.

(98700)

98
N   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what checks are carried out on vegetables imported from Kenya to detect illegal use of DDT.

(99452)

99   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, why copies of the Government's annual report on implementation of its policies on sustainable development were not available to honourable Members in the Vote Office on its publication day.

(100118)

100   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to transfer responsibility for critical ordinary water courses from internal drainage boards and local authorities to the Environment Agency.

(99783)

101   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures her Department is taking to encourage farmers to (a) reduce run-off and (b) store floodwaters on their land.

(99784)

102   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many agreements were reached between the UK Government and foreign powers in 2001; and of those, how many were agreed without Parliament being informed.

(99917)

103
N   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects to decide on further official action and approaches to the United States authority seeking remedies, relief and an order for a new trial for Krishna Maharaj.

(99688)

104   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs since her appointment.

(99953)

105   Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he next plans to hold meetings with the Government of Spain under the Brussels Process; and what consultation with the Government of Gibraltar will take place in advance of such meetings.

(99952)

106   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he has on the number of Iraqis killed or tortured in each year since Saddam Hussein came to power.

(100059)

107   Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the (a) environment, (b) education and (c) human resources grants funded by his Department for which individual members of the public and organisations may apply; how much funding has been provided in the last financial year in each case; how many awards were made; and what their adminstrative cost was.

(99963)

108
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding means to assist Kurdish citizens in the event of a military attack on Iraq.

(99697)

109   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what United Nations resolutions have been passed on (a) Iraq and (b) Israel since August 1990; and if he will make a statement on their respective implementation.

(100074)

110   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the United States Government in respect of the United States registered companies shown to be suppliers to Iraq of military equipment and technology in the dossier provided by Iraq to the United Nations Security Council in December 2002.

(100076)

111   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his United States counterpart in respect of United States involvement in the democratic process in countries of Central America.

(100040)

112   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he has on when the government of Iraq first used chemical weapons against its own people.

(100072)

113   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received in respect of those countries that assisted Iraq in the development of the Al-Samoud-2 missile.

(100041)

114   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to press Israel to implement United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 of 1948 on the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

(100042)

115   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on paragraph 18 of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention opinion 16/2002; and what additional information his Department has sought from the authorities in Dubai.

(99941)

116   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations have been made to the Government of Dubai following the treatment George Atkinson received in Jumeirah prison on 30th July 2002.

(99936)

117   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the work of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in investigating cases of UK subjects imprisoned overseas.

(99935)

118   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Dubai following the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's opinion 16/2002 confirming their opinion 17/1998 that George Atkinson be released forthwith; and if he will make a statement.

(99940)

119   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made on behalf of George Atkinson to the Government of Dubai following the letter from the Jumeirah prison authorities of 19th March 2002 indicating that his sentence had been completed.

(99937)

120   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list British subjects imprisoned in the Middle East and the length of time that each has been imprisoned.

(99938)

121   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reason the Consul General in Dubai was replaced in November 1999; and what involvement his successor has had in making representations on behalf of George Atkinson.

(99939)

122   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has made to the Chinese government regarding the imprisonment of Catholic priests.

(99990)

123   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Israeli government on (a) the imprisonment of citizens for refusal to serve in the occupied territories and (b) Palestinians held in custody without charge.

(99999)

124   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his European colleagues on the final status of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

(100013)

125   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the US and European partners concerning women's involvement at all levels in the administration planned after military action in Iraq.

(100045)

126   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has made to the Algerian government on the condition of Moroccan prisoners in Algerian detention camps.

(99992)

127   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what preparations his Department is making for the July 2003 Biennial Meeting on national, regional and global implementation of the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.

(100007)

128   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the level of involvement of women is in the administration in Afghanistan.

(100000)

129   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Israeli government on compensation of the UN for the destruction of food aid supplies on 30th November 2002.

(99989)

130   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with his US counterparts on the reconstruction of Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

(100008)

131
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate how many instruments were retained after NHS operations in each of the last six years.

(98919)

132   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 24th February, Official Report, column 26W, on care homes, if he will place in the Library an anonymised copy of the letter he sent to care homes who failed to pass on the free nursing care payment to residents.

(99781)

133
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will reply to the letters of the honourable Member for Sutton and Cheam, references (a) Lammy/NSF/280103/MP, (b) StHelierfinance/090103/MP, (c) Specialised/061102/MP and (d) Blears/NSF/280103/MP.

(99455)

134   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what format will be used for the publication of the findings of the exceptional tracking exercise on the additional investment in cancer services.

(99926)

135
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent research his Department has carried out into the health implications of passive smoking.

(98921)

136
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to support legislation against smoking in the workplace.

(98922)

137   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the help available to medical students for meeting NHS prescription charges; and if he will make a statement.

(99918)

138   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to increase the support that the NHS Low Income Scheme gives to medical students; and if he will make a statement.

(99923)

139   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the appraisal by NICE of the treatment available for myopic degeneration which is not age-related; and if he will make a statement.

(99919)

140   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department is taking steps to monitor the long term effects of flu vaccines on the mental health of those inoculated; and if he will make a statement.

(100057)

141   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information he has received on the side effects of flu vaccines; when these were notified to GPs; and if he will make a statement.

(100055)

142   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has evaluated on possible links between flu vaccines and (a) Alzheimer's disease and (b) other brain function impairing conditions; and if he will make a statement.

(100056)

143   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 29th January, Official Report, column 901W, on private health schemes, whether his Department places restrictions on National Health Service bodies offering private patient services.

(100093)

144   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the progress of local health authorities against the National Service Framework for Older People's 2003 milestone on falls prevention.

(100110)

145   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many staff are employed within each primary care trust (a) within a general practice covered by that PCT and (b) without a general practice covered by that PCT.

(100109)

146   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what he estimates to be the cost of (a) all injuries as a result of a fall, (b) hip fractures and (c) osteoporosis to the National Health Service in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

(100115)

147   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much is spent on the funding of falls coordinator posts in 2002-3.

(100116)

148   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much was spent in England on the prevention of (a) all injuries as a result of a fall, (b) hip fractures and (c) osteoporosis amongst older people in 2002-03.

(100114)

149   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many designated falls coordinators are in post in England.

(100117)

150   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what percentage of admissions to care homes of people over the age of (a) 50 and (b) 65 in each of the last five years for which figures are available have been as a result of a fall.

(100111)

151   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what percentage of ambulance call outs to people over the age of (a) 50 and (b) 65 in each of the last five years for which figures are available have been as a result of a fall.

(100112)

152   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much money the Government is investing in researching motor neurone disease in 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

(100103)

153   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what actions he is taking to reduce waiting lists for neurologists; and if he will make a statement.

(100106)

154   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what targets are being set to reduce diagnosis time for people suffering from motor neurone disease; and if he will make a statement.

(100101)

155   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many neurologists are practising in England; what estimate he has made of the shortfall in neurologists; what action he is taking to encourage more neurologists to practise; what effect the shortfall of neurologists has on the speed of diagnosis for motor neurone disease sufferers; and if he will make a statement.

(100107)

156   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assistance is available from the NHS for people suffering from motor neurone disease; and if he will make a statement.

(100105)

157   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to place motor neurone disease in the national service framework; and if he will make a statement.

(100102)

158   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has for the expansion of smoking cessation services.

(100069)

159
N   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the general practice patient survey conducted by the National Centre for Social Research will be published.

(98918)

160
N   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the inpatient survey conducted last year will be published.

(98920)

161   Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) hearing aid users and (b) digital hearing aid users there were in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) Tyne and Wear and (iv) the UK on 1st February.

(99929)

162   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Home Office regarding the provision of extra resources to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust in order to treat prisoners at Chorley and Preston hospitals.

(99951)

163   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin & Harpenden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 11th February, Official Report, column 666W, on hospital mergers, if he will (a) name and (b) publish the study covering trusts in London.

(99451)

164   Ian Lucas (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the judgement in the case of R v Eurocare Environmental Services Ltd at Chester Crown Court on 14th February.

(99776)

165   Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the grants funded by his Department for health (a) protection and (b) promotion for which individual members of the public and organisations may apply; how much such funding was made in the last financial year; how many awards were made; and what their administrative costs were.

(99948)

166   Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the grants funded by his Department for social care for which individuals may apply; how much funding was made in the last financial year; how many awards were made; and what their administrative costs were.

(99949)

167   Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the grants funded by his Department for clinical quality for which organisations may apply; how much funding was made in the last financial year; how many awards were made; and what their administrative costs were.

(99950)

168   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the reasons for the Board of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital not approving a new diabetes centre.

(100084)

169   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many general practitioners there are per 100,000 people in (a) England and (b) each health authority.

(100083)

170   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) staff and (b) inspection staff have been employed by the Food Standards Agency in each year since 1997.

(99765)

171   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many staff were employed by the (a) Medical Devices Agency, (b) Meat Hygiene Service and (c) Medicines Control Agency in each year since 1997; and how many of these were inspection staff in each case.

(100017)

172   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance exists for NHS ambulance trusts regarding (a) procurement, (b) servicing and (c) lifespans of NHS ambulance vehicles.

(99911)

173   Mr Bill Olner (Nuneaton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what effect he estimates the Court of Appeal judgement of 29th January that a body has no legal personality will have on the NHS.

(99756)

174   Mr Bill Olner (Nuneaton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will require hospital trusts to set in place procedures to ensure that funeral staff are aware of infection that may be present in a dead body.

(99758)

175   Mr Bill Olner (Nuneaton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he will take to ensure that funeral staff are properly advised of risk of infection arising from the removal of an infected body from hospital premises.

(99757)

176
N   Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, who is handling the sale of the former Severalls Hospital site in Colchester; and when he expects the sale to be completed.

(99698)

177   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the reliability of animal experiments relating to behavioural neuroscience.

(99788)

178   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the capacity of non-animal neurological research to replace animal experimentation.

(99789)

179
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the properties acquired by the Angel Group and its subsidiaries from Government departments and agencies and the dates and costs of their acquisition.

(99703)

180
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the contracts which the Angel Group and its subsidiaries have agreed with local authorities for the provision of services for asylum seekers and other specific groups of individuals.

(99587)

181
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what allowances, benefits and support of other kind other than tax credits is provided to employees of the Angel Group and its subsidiaries from public funds.

(99704)

182
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the contracts let and the dates on which they were let by his Department and its agencies to the Angel Group and its subsidiary companies.

(99702)

183
N   Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for how many contracts the Angel Group and its subsidiary companies applied to the Home Office and its agencies, and with what results, in the last five years.

(99705)

184   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 24th February, Official Report, column 116W, what his assessment is of the change in (a) criminal convictions and (b) the custodial population between 1980 and 2000.

(99962)

185   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 24th February, ref 97598, what the role of his Department is in determining policy and guidelines relating to the deployment of police forces.

(100063)

186   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many young people in prison are on the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme (a) in each prison and (b) in total; and if he will make a statement.

(99786)

187   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many young people in prison have achieved a Duke of Edinburgh award (a) in each prison and (b) in total in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

(99785)

188   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in each quarter since January 1997, (a) how many applications for leave to remain on the basis of marriage were received, (b) what the normal time taken to full initial screening and decisions on straightforward cases was, (c) what the time taken to deal with those applications not considered straightforward was and (d) how many staff were employed in the relevant departments of the IND dealing with these applications.

(99779)

189
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding from (a) his Department and (b) any other government department has been provided to Drugscope in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99, (iii) 1999-2000, (iv) 2000-01, (v) 2001-02 and (vi) 2002-03; and what funding is planned for future years.

(99701)

190
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had about future funding for Drugscope.

(99699)

191   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures he is taking with the Department of Health to provide more resources to Chorley Hospital in order to cope with the number of prisoners being treated at the hospital.

(99909)

192   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prison officers have to accompany a prisoner being taken to hospital.

(99906)

193   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hours have been spent by prison officers from (a) HMP Garth and (b) HMP Wymott accompanying prisoners during visits to hospital; and what the estimated cost is of transporting prisoners to hospital from (a) HMP Garth and (b) HMP Wymott over the last 12 months.

(99907)

194   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the provision of a hospital wing at (a) HMP Garth and (b) HMP Wymott.

(99908)

195   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what types of cases prisoners are taken from HMP Garth and HMP Wymott to (a) Chorley and (b) Royal Preston Hospital; and how many overnight stays by prisoners have taken place at Chorley Hospital over the last 12 months.

(99905)

196   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many vacancies by grade there were in each Probation Service in England and Wales on 31st December 2002.

(99934)

197   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many persons by grade and function were employed at the National Probation Directorate on 31st December 2002; and how many of these were consultants.

(99931)

198
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many offenders have been given an extended sentence under section 85 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.

(99018)

199
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the impact on the prison population of the proposed changes to (a) sentencing and (b) the double jeopardy rule contained in the Criminal Justice Bill.

(99019)

200
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the work programme is of his Department's What Works Unit, and if he will make a statement.

(99020)

201
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under what circumstances an offender is classed as having been brought to justice.

(99021)

202   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter dated 29th August 2002 from the honourable Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey, with regard to the Crime Reduction Fund.

(99022)

203   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the level of recruitment was, including those starting and leaving, for each Probation Service in England and Wales in (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03.

(99933)

204   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what performance targets are set for the National Probation Service in England and Wales.

(99932)

205   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what sources of in-country information about (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Somalia are used in contesting appeals against refusal of an application for asylum from people leaving these countries.

(100058)

206
N   Mr Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their application have stated that they fought for or supported the Taliban.

(99568)

207
N   Mr Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who have stated they fought for or supported the Taliban have entered this country through the asylum system.

(99571)

208
N   Mr Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many rejected asylum seekers awaiting deportation have stated that they fought for or supported the Taliban.

(99569)

209
N   Mr Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many failed asylum seekers awaiting an appeal have stated that they fought for or supported the Taliban.

(99570)

210   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much was spent on administration by each English police authority in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(99880)

211   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police authorities there were in England in each of the last 20 years.

(99879)

212   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost was of telephone call-handling facilities for the public at each English police authority in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(99904)

213   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his estimate is of real spending by his Department in each year from 1980-81 to 2005-06 (planned) at 2000-01 prices; and if he will make a statement.

(99882)

214   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost of the Commission for Racial Equality was in the last year for which figures are available; what value for money assessment he has made of its work; and if he will make a statement.

(99806)

215   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the purpose is of the Community Policy Directorate of his Department; what its estimated costs were for each year from 1990-91 to 2003-04 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

(99805)

216   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total (a) cost and (b) staffing of the (i) Ministerial Secretariat and (ii) Communications Directorate was in each year since 1990-91; what the purpose of each is; and if he will make a statement.

(99808)

217   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) police officers and (b) police support staff there were in England in each year from 1980-81 to 2003-04 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

(99807)

218   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the increase in police numbers is in 2003-04, broken down by (a) Crime Fighting Fund and (b) locally funded additional officers; and if he will make a statement.

(99902)

219   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the percentage increase in the police precept for a Band D property in each English police authority area between 2002-03 and 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

(99901)

220   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the purpose is of the Criminal Policy Group within his Department; what his estimate is of its cost for each year from 1996-97 to 2004-05 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

(99804)

221   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the resident population of each English police authority was in the latest year for which figures are available.

(99881)

222   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his estimate is of the change in the volume of crime, in (a) total and (b) by major category, on (i) a British Crime Survey basis and (ii) a police statistics basis, comparing (A) 1978-79 with 1996-97 and (B) 1996-97 with 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

(99810)

223   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost of the Prison Service was in real terms at 2000-01 prices (a) in total and (b) per prisoner, in each year from 1985-86 to 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

(99809)

224   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers there were per notifiable offence in England in each year from 1977-78 to 2002-03 (estimated); and if he will make a statement.

(99812)

225   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the change in the volume of crime was between 1997 and the latest date for which information is available, in each police authority in England.

(99811)

226
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to take a decision on the case of Mr O Z of Aylesbury (reference Z1023416); and if he will make a statement.

(99558)

227   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the budget allocated to the North Yorkshire police force in 2003-04.

(100053)

228
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, consequent upon the withdrawal of the members of the Metropolitan Police panel formed to consider the case of John Redgrave, what consultation was extended to John Redgrave's counsel prior to a new date for the hearing being scheduled.

(99696)

229
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will require the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police to find a date for the disciplinary hearing of John Redgrave (a) which is convenient for all parties and (b) where he can be represented by his nominated counsel; and if he will make a statement.

(99693)

230
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Counsel for John Redgrave at his disciplinary hearing indicated his satisfaction with the composition of the disciplinary panel Membership prior to the withdrawal of two officers on the panel; and if he will make a statement.

(99694)

231
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why trial members of the Metropolitan Police disciplinary board scheduled to hear the case of John Redgrave withdrew their notices; what notice of their withdrawal was given to John Redgrave's counsel; and if he will make a statement.

(99692)

232
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when (a) John Redgrave and (b) his Counsel were advised of the need to reschedule the date of John Redgrave's disciplinary hearing before the Metropolitan Police; when they were advised of the revised date for the hearing; and what steps were taken to seek a mutually agreed date between all parties

(99695)

233   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many inspectors of HM Prisons were employed in each year since 1997.

(99761)

234
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will publish the Carter Report into the Criminal Records Bureau.

(99690)

235   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress made to update the national civil defence and anti-terrorist emergency plans.

(100077)

236   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of (a) the nutritional needs of prisoners in HM prisons and (b) the need for supplements to be issued; and if he will make a statement.

(99943)

237   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) material assistance and (b) protection is given to asylum seekers returned to their home countries.

(100012)

238
N   Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what preparations he has made for the internment of Iraqi nationals in the event of a war with Iraq.

(99691)

239   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Polish nationals, married to UK citizens, have applied for leave to remain in the UK in each of the last 12 months.

(99986)

240   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what total public spending on the House of Commons was in each year from 1992-93 to 2003-04 (planned), broken down by (a) honourable Members' salaries and allowances, (b) other staff costs, (c) building costs and (d) other costs; and if he will make a statement.

(99891)

241   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate he has made of the revenue foregone in each of the last five years from providing free parking for honourable Members and senior staff at the House; and if he will make a statement.

(99892)

242   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on foot and mouth disease in Zimbabwe and assistance from the UK in supplying vaccines.

(100050)

243   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what contingency plans have been made to assist the civilians of Iraq in (a) water supplies, (b) food and (c) medical treatment after military conflict.

(100082)

244   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representation her Department has made to the Government of Malawi regarding its decision to sell off 20 per cent. of its grain reserves; and what assessment she has made of the likely impact of this decision.

(100006)

245   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Afghans who suffered hunger-related deaths in 2001.

(100005)

246   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much was spent on (a) humanitarian mine clearance, (b) commercial mine clearance (c) military initiatives, (d) mine awareness, (e) victim assistance and (f) research and development for mine clearance in 2002.

(100011)

247   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the number of Liberians who have fled into Sierra Leone following the upsurge of hostilities between Liberian government forces and Liberian rebels; and what financial allocation has been made for the provision of shelter for Liberian refugees in Sierra Leone.

(100002)

248   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the number of people who will be displaced within Iraq in the event of conflict.

(99998)

249   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what financial resources have been allocated to HIV/AIDS projects in each year since 1992.

(100003)

250   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what measures her Department will take to support the Iraqi ration distribution system in the event of military intervention in Iraq.

(100004)

251   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Israeli Defence Force's activities on World Food Programme supplies.

(99993)

252   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the economic development of (a) Swaziland, (b) Malawi, (c) South Africa, (d) Tanzania, (e) Ethiopia, (f) Kenya and (g) Botswana.

(99994)

253   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made in Kosovo of (a) health services and indications and (b) education services.

(100014)

254   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department will take to aid the re-establishment of links between families in the aftermath of possible war in Iraq.

(99991)

255   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of a war against Iraq on the routes of humanitarian aid to the Occupied Territories; and what steps she will take to guarantee humanitarian aid routes to the Occupied Territories.

(99997)

256   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian situation in the refugee camps in Montserrado county in Liberia.

(100001)

257   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate the World Health Organisation has made of the number of doses of meningitis vaccine required and how many have been distributed in (a) Burkina Faso and (b) the Central African Republic.

(100046)

258   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the estimated amount of food aid in the Occupied Territories is; and how much has been distributed.

(99995)

259   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which HIV/AIDS education programmes her Department is supporting, broken down by continent.

(99996)

260   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, to which organisations the Government gave money for mine clearance in 2002-03; and how much was given in each case.

(100009)

261   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the expenditure was on humanitarian mine clearance in each year since 1997, broken down by country.

(100010)

262   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if she will make a statement on the procedure for the collection of outstanding fines imposed by magistrates' courts.

(99872)

263   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if she will make a statement on the success of warrant enforcement by the magistrates' courts committees since 1st April 2001.

(99873)

264   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what progress has been made in attaining performance targets for the collection of outstanding fines imposed by magistrates' courts.

(99871)

265   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if she will make a statement on the (a) maximum and (b) minimum penalties for non-payment of financial penalties imposed by magistrates' courts.

(99874)

266
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much has been spent by CAFCASS on new accommodation since 1st April 2001; and what proportion of this came (a) from the CAFCASS annual budget and (b) from initial start-up costs.

(99531)

267
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many of the records of children who are known to CAFCASS had been transferred onto the new IT system by the end of 2002; and how many will be transferred by the end of (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

(99530)

268
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the cost is of CAFCASS staff based in (a) headquarters and (b) regional offices in 2002-03; and what proportion this represents of the overall budget.

(99533)

269
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what proportion of the set-up costs for CAFCASS was spent on the new IT system.

(99529)

270
N   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many CAFCASS offices comply with all health and safety legislation; and how many will comply by the end of (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

(99532)

271   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, for what reason payment for jury service increases after five days' service.

(99876)

272   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much has been spent on publicly funded legal services in each year from 1989-90 to 2003-04 (planned), in real terms at 2000-01 prices; and if she will make a statement.

(99828)

273   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the market value is of each property owned by HM Land Registry; how many staff work in each office; and if she will make a statement.

(99826)

274   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many defendants have appeared before a Court in England in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

(99829)

275   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what reasons underlie the change in spending by the Northern Ireland Court Service between 1998-99 to 2003-04; and if she will make a statement.

(99827)

276   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on net government spending on the Public Records Office of introducing additional charging for access to records; and if she will make a statement.

(99824)

277   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what reasons underlie the change in total public spending on the Public Record Office between 1998-99 and 2003-04; and if she will make a statement.

(99825)

278   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much was spent on the House of Lords Reform Unit in each year from 2000-01 to 2003-04 (planned); and if she will make a statement.

(99830)

279   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Springvale Campus project Outline Business Case has satisfied the Treasury Taskforce Guidelines with respect to signing off criteria.

(100067)

280   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to legislate to regularise the legal standing of Stranmillis College under devolution.

(100065)

281   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if the pay settlement reached in the Review of Salaries for Principals and Vice Principals will be extended to (a) teaching and (b) non-teaching principals.

(100064)

282   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people from Northern Ireland have entered into the Walsh Visa Programme; how many of these dropped out early from the programme; and what the financial cost has been to the Government of running this programme.

(100068)

283   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions have occurred between the Department of Education and the Department of Employment and Learning regarding development of a strategy on educational provision for 14 to 19 year olds.

(100066)

284
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) verbal and (b) physical assaults on staff in general hospitals were reported in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.

(99563)

285
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of whether Belfast City Airport will exceed 1,500,000 seats for sale on Scheduled Flights in the next 12 months as specified in Article 40 Agreement dated 22nd January 1997 between Belfast City Airport, Short Bros and the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland.

(99567)

286
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the local community consultations procedures being followed in assessing noise consequences of growth in airport operations at Belfast City Airport.

(99565)

287
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) verbal and (b) physical assaults on staff in mental health and learning disability centres in Northern Ireland were reported in the last 12 months.

(99564)

288
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to change the night flights curfew of 9.30 pm to 6.30 am at Belfast City Airport; and whether changes require a full public inquiry.

(99566)

289
N   Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether serving officers in the Garda Siochana will be subject to the 50:50 Catholic: non-Catholic recruitment quotas if they apply to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland under the proposed arrangements.

(98558)

290
N   Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether serving officers in police forces in Great Britain are subject to the 50:50 Catholic: non-Catholic recruitment quotas if they apply to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

(98559)

291
N   Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many persons who at the time of their application were serving as police officers in forces in Great Britain have applied to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and of these, how many have been appointed.

(98560)

292
N   Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many persons classified as (a) male Catholic, (b) male non-Catholic, (c) female Catholic and (d) female non-Catholic were admitted to, and graduated from, each training course run by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to date; and what the maximum number of recruits was that could be accommodated on each of these courses.

(98561)

293   Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the prevalence and management of dysphasia in Northern Ireland.

(99766)

294   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the President of the Council, for what reasons there was a change in staffing of the Privy Council Office between 1998-99 and 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

(99889)

295   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Prime Minister, what rules govern speeches made to external organisations by his Director of Communications; and if he will make a statement.

(100018)

296   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech made to the Freight Transport Association by his Director of Communications on 18th February.

(100019)

297   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Prime Minister, what the (a) cost and (b) staffing of the (i) No 10 Policy Directorate, (ii) European and Foreign Policy Advisers Office, (iii) No 10 Press Office, (iv) Strategic Communications Unit, (v) Corporate Communications Division, (vi) Prime Minister's Office and (vii) Research and Information Unit were in each year from 1995-96 to 2003-04 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

(99896)

298   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Prime Minister, what action he has taken against United Kingdom companies which assisted Iraq in providing equipment and material in support of weapons of mass destruction.

(100113)

299   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the leaders of other members of the United Nations Security Council with whom he has had contact since 1st February broken down by date and purpose of communication.

(100075)

300   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Prime Minister, what proportion of recent letters and e-mails he has received are (a) in favour and (b) against military action against Iraq.

(100039)

301
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Solicitor General, if she will discuss with the Charity Commission (a) the appropriateness of charitable status for Drugscope and (b) Drugscope's policy on leaflets for schoolchildren.

(99700)

302   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Solicitor General, how many (a) investigations and (b) prosecutions by the Serious Fraud Office there were in each year since 1988; how many prosecutions led to a conviction in each year; what the total cost was; and if she will make a statement.

(99832)

303   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Solicitor General, what the reasons were for the change in total public spending on the Crown Prosecution Service between 1998-99 and 2003-04; and if she will make a statement.

(99831)

304   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Solicitor General, how many staff worked for the Serious Fraud Office in each year from 1988-89 to 2003-04 (planned); and if she will make a statement.

(99833)

305   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Solicitor General, what the reasons were for the change in the number of full-time staff working at the Crown Prosecution Service between 1995-96 and 1998-99; and if she will make a statement.

(99834)

306   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what environmental impact assessment process is in place in respect of oil and gas exploration and production activities in the North Sea.

(99795)

307   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many consultation exercises have been undertaken by Post Office Counters concerning proposed closures of post offices since 1st July 2001; and how many such exercises have resulted in the intention to close being withdrawn.

(99916)

308   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the environmental consequences of depositing carbon dioxide on the seabed.

(99794)

309   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the technical ability of gas plants to practise CO2 capture and storage and her policy thereon.

(99793)

310   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she makes of (a) the potential CO2 diversion and (b) the potential increase in oil recovery rates from the injection of CO2 into oil fields.

(99790)

311   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of (a) oil and (b) gas reserves on the UK mainland.

(99791)

312   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what has been the oil recovery rate from UK North Sea reserves for each year of production; and what steps she is taking to maximise this rate.

(99792)

313   Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many claimants have had final settlements through each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

(99964)

314   Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many claimants have had interim payments through each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claim for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

(99965)

315   Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much has been paid to claimants through each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

(99966)

316   Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much has been paid to each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

(99967)

317   Mr Colin Challen (Morley & Rothwell): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what contribution the UK Government is making to the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation.

(99927)

318   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 24th February, ref 98996, if she will list the official visits to (a) companies, (b) universities and (c) organisations by (i) the Minister for Science and (ii) the Chief Scientific Adviser in each of the last three years.

(99985)

319   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the financial impact on sub-post offices in Buckinghamshire of the change in payment of benefits from over-the-counter to direct bank transfer.

(99910)

320   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many (a) staff and (b) inspection staff were employed by the Office for Telecommunications in each year since 1997.

(99762)

321   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many (a) staff and (b) inspection staff have been employed by the Office of Fair Trading in each year since 1997.

(99764)

322   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many staff were employed by the Insolvency Service in each year since 1997, and how many were inspection staff.

(100015)

323   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the effect of the Competition Commission's proposals on mobile phone charges on the rollout of third generation mobile phones.

(100094)

324   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the response of mobile phone operators to the Competition Commission's proposals on mobile phone charges, seeking to reduce their charges.

(100091)

325   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the impact of implementing the Competition Commission's proposals on mobile phone charges on the mobile phone operators in the United Kingdom.

(100090)

326   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on levels of manufacturing investment.

(100085)

327   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, for what purposes the spent nuclear fuel at the Sizewell B nuclear plant is being stored.

(100037)

328   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to paragraph 4.3 of the Energy White Paper, Cm 5761, what resources she plans to commit to keep open the nuclear option.

(100080)

329   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what investigations her Department has conducted into the end use to which magnets sold by the British company Endshire Export Marketing were put by the German buyer.

(100073)

330   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which press and broadcasting outlets were briefed on the Energy White Paper prior to its publication; and if she will set out the reasons she gave interviews to the media on the contents of the White Paper prior to her statement to Parliament.

(100078)

331   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to paragraph 2.27 of the Energy White Paper, Cm 5761, what areas of liaison she expects to develop with the European Parliament to implement the proposals on emissions trading.

(100079)

332
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to establish a national standard for local authority low emission zones restricting the entry of highly polluting vehicles into Air Quality Management Areas; and if he will make a statement.

(98699)

333
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he will take to ensure that local authorities have up to date oil spill contingency plans in line with the National Contingency Plan following the second report of the Public Accounts Committee.

(98698)

334   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list the recommendations to his Department from the School Travel Advisory Group; and what progress has been made towards their implementation in each case.

(99768)

335   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) guidance has been issued and (b) requests have been made by the Department to the DVLA with regard to congestion charging over the last 12 months.

(99875)

336   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent changes there have been or are planned to (a) legislation and (b) directions and guidance to the railway industry and local authorities, relating to the presence of birds on railway property.

(99773)

337   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research has been conducted into the Future Integrated Transport LINK Programme; and if he will place a copy of findings in the Library.

(99770)

338   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library a list of stations which have Secure Station status.

(99778)

339   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Parliamentary Questions have been answered by his Department since June 2001.

(99777)

340   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on progress of the pilot network of child pedestrian training schemes in primary schools in deprived areas.

(99769)

341   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's estimate is of the cost to (a) local authorities, (b) train operating companies and (c) Network Rail of cleaning costs relating to the presence of birds on railway property in the last 12 months.

(99774)

342   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who is responsible for (a) erecting netting, (b) erecting deterrents and (c) cleaning costs, relating to the presence of birds on railway property, with specific reference to bridges over public highways.

(99775)

343   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Future Integrated Transport LINK Programme.

(99771)

344   Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he and his Department have had with the DVLA regarding congestion charging in London in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

(99767)

345   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many trains travelling from Worcester to Hereford have been prematurely terminated at (a) Malvern and (b) Ledbury stations in the past six months; what percentage of total journeys from Worcester to Hereford this represents; and if he will make a statement.

(99877)

346   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received concerning the European Commission's Air Transport Draft Regulation COM (2002) 521; and if he will make a statement.[R]

(100035)

347   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the viability of creating a third party insurance cover relating to British air transport.

(100052)

348   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the impact of Draft Regulation COM (2002) 521; and what the Government's policy is on the Draft Regulation.[R]

(100036)

349   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff were employed by the (a) Vehicle Certification Agency, (b) Maritime and Coast Guard Agency and (c) Driving Standards Agency, in each year since 1997; and how many were inspection staff in each case.

(100016)

350   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) staff and (b) inspection staff were employed by the Highways Agency in each year since 1997.

(99760)

351   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of likely traffic flows in East Lancashire following completion of the Bingley bypass.

(100044)

352   Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Minister for Women, what consultations she has conducted with women's organisations regarding the negotiations in the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

(100054)

353
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will reply to the letter of the honourable Member for Sutton and Cheam, reference Smith/PostOfficeCard/140203/MP.

(99454)

354   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what advice is given to employers about provision of smoke free working and rest areas for employees.

(99981)

355   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Government has to assess the number of workers exposed to second hand smoke in the workplace.

(99982)

356   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the replacement ratio is by (a) state pension only, (b) state pension and SERPS and (c) state pension, SERPS and private pension provision.

(99980)

357
N   Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what value of crisis loans were paid to benefit recipients experiencing delays in the administration of their benefits in each year since 1997.

(99559)

358   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people over the age of (a) 70, (b) 65, (c) 60, (d) 55 and (e) 50 years were in employment in (i) 2001-02, (ii) 1997-98, (iii) 1990-91 and (iv) 1980-81; and if he will make a statement.

(99835)

359   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) staff and (b) inspection staff were employed by the Health and Safety Executive in each year since 1997.

(99763)

360   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much and what proportion of European Social Funding was allocated to voluntary and charitable sector organisations supporting people and groups facing disadvantage in the labour market in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002; and what such funds have been committed for 2003.

(100060)

361   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have requested a pension forecast more than six months before reaching pensionable age, in each of the last five years for which records are available.

(99954)

362   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the differences are in the information sources and technology used to process individual pension forecasts upon request, and those automatically issued prior to retirement.

(99959)

363   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the practice of recording nil on individual pensions forecasts, when exact levels of entitlement are not known; and if he will make a statement.

(99961)

364   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional information is made available to individuals requesting a pension forecast more than six months before reaching pensionable age compared to those who receive the standard notification, About your Retirement Pension prior to retirement.

(99960)

365   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of information on entitlement to SERPS, which is provided by his Department to individuals via pension forecasts.

(99957)

366   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many reassessments have been requested in each of the last five years for which figures are available to pension entitlement on the basis of (a) pensions forecasts provided on request and (b) pension forecasts sent out automatically prior to retirement; and what proportion of those receiving forecasts this represents.

(99956)

367   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the number of people who have to make a claim for the 2002-03 winter fuel payment before the 30th March cut-off date; and of that number how many have yet to do so.

(99955)

368   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many lone parents were permitted by the Child Support Agency not to name the father of their child because of fear of violence in each year for which the concession has been available.

(100048)

369   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of information provided to individuals regarding their future pension entitlement (a) within pensions forecasts provided on request and (b) within pension forecasts issued automatically.

(99958)

370   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Prime Minister, what total spending on security and intelligence agencies was in each year from 1998-99 to 2004-05; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (99893)

371   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the honourable Member for Richmond Park will receive a reply to her letter of 14th January 2002 regarding the Pedler Family Judicial Trustee case.

[Transferred] (99930)

372   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much is being contracted (a) this year and (b) next year to the UN Relief Workers Association as aid for the Palestinians; what measures are in place to ensure this money is not directed from humanitarian assistance to other purposes, with particular reference to the purchase of arms; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (100020)

373   Mr Wayne David (Caerphilly): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve protection for individual airline passengers against the failure of scheduled airlines.

[Transferred] (99913)

374   Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell & Wishaw): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with scheduled tour operators in relation to seating arrangements on aircrafts over the last 12 months.

[Transferred] (99984)