Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2002 - 03
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Tuesday 11 March 2003

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 11 March 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.

TUESDAY 11th MARCH

1   Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the criteria are for classifying public and advisory bodies as (a) executive non-departmental public bodies, (b) advisory non-departmental public bodies, (c) task forces, (d) ad hoc advisory groups and (e) reviews; and what particular qualities or characteristics distinguish these bodies from each other.

(102521)

2
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the possible implications for the British economy of involvement of the UK in a war in Iraq.

(102500)

3   Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Luxembourg on 7th March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

(102511)

4
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) civil servants and (b) ministers would have had a pension entitlement in 2001-02 in excess of the limit proposed in the consultation document Simplifying the Taxation of Pensions—Increasing Choice and Flexibility for All.

(102492)

5
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the yearly taxation revenue accruing from the taxation of occupational pension fund surpluses since the tax's inception.

(102493)

6   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials from his Department have had with officials from the Department of Health concerning the borrowing limits on NHS foundation trusts.

(102584)

7   Mr Malcolm Moss (North East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she expects that funding will be available for HUBS allocated phase two status in the Renaissance in the Region Museum Funding Initiative; how much funding is available for the (a) phase two HUBS and (b) the phase one HUBS; what process the phase two HUBS will be required to undertake in order to receive their funding; and whether this process repeats the initial competition for phase one status and funding.

(102534)

8
N   Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the application of public procurement procedures in inviting tenders for the surface cleaning of glass-fibre reinforced materials in Royal Navy vessels.

(101623)

9
N   Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent on surface cleaning of (a) Royal Navy vessels and (b) glass-fibre reinforced materials in Royal Navy vessels since 2nd February 2000.

(101624)

10
N   Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many invitations to tender have been made to Farrow System Ltd in relation to the cleaning of (a) Royal Navy vessels and (b) glass-fibre reinforced materials in Royal Navy vessels since completing work on HMS Quorn and on the orlop deck of HMS Victory.

(101625)

11
N   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) British field hospitals and (b) other British medical facilities will be established in the Gulf in the event of conflict in Iraq.

(102374)

12
N   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) medical and (b) nursing reservists he expects to be called up in the event of conflict in Iraq; and from which clinical specialities these will be drawn.

(102380)

13
N   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the extent to which British forces will be dependent on hospital and other medical facilities provided by (a) the USA and (b) other countries in the event of conflict in the Gulf.

(102375)

14
N   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether medical and nursing reservists will be rotated in the event of conflict in Iraq.

(102427)

15   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 15th January, Official Report, column 636W, on General Dynamics UK, which company was contracted to provide the Defence Stores Management System; whether the programme is still running; and if he will make a statement.

(102566)

16   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the complement is of HMS Newcastle; and whether she is fully crewed.

(102551)

17   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether warships will be re-allocated to Atlantic Patrol (North) duties following the deployment of HMS Iron Duke in support of operations in Sierra Leone.

(102573)

18   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the French warships Aconit and Primauguet will join up with Naval Task Group 03.

(102550)

19   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons HMS Triumph is being put into extended readiness in 2004; and how many fleet submarines will be operational in 2004.

(102577)

20   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what foreign warships have been involved in Royal Naval training exercises in UK domestic waters in the past two years.

(102572)

21   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what training exercises have been cancelled as a result of Operation Fresco and Operation Telic.

(102571)

22   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on public relations agencies in the last year for which figures are available; which public relations agencies are retained by each service; and for what reasons such agencies are retained.

(102548)

23   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the tasks are of (a) 800 and (b) 801 NAS.

(102570)

24   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of Naval Service personnel are (a) deployed and (b) warned to deploy.

(102553)

25   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected unit price is of each A400M aircraft; and what effect on that price the withdrawal of Portugal from the project involves.

(102574)

26   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) establishment and (b) strength is of the Joint NBC Regiment.

(102555)

27   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Sea Harrier aircraft are being used in the Quick Reaction Alert role.

(102580)

28   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many reservists called up for duty in connection with Operation Telic have failed to respond to call up papers; and what plans he has for legal proceedings against reservists who have gone absent without leave.

(102554)

29   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what security vetting is carried out on consultants employed by MoD.

(102549)

30   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) establishment and (b) strength is of Tornado F3 navigators.

(102576)

31   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) establishment and (b) strength is of weapons controller personnel on the E3D AWACS fleet.

(102575)

32   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the operational status is of HMS Montrose.

(102552)

33   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the benefits of privatising the Defence Export Services Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

(102579)

34   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which operational warships are not (a) deployed on operations, (b) warned to deploy for operations, (c) preparing to deploy for operations, (d) allocated to duties for Atlantic Patrol (North), Atlantic Patrol (South) and the Armilla Patrol, (e) held in port as part of Operation Fresco and (f) at sea because crew are on leave.

(102565)

35   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on under-18s serving on Operation Telic; and if he will make a statement.

(102578)

36   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether members of the Armed Forces on deployment are entitled to council tax rebates; and if he will make a statement.

(102516)

37   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) the date of original build completion, (b) the date of acceptance into service, (c) the anticipated date of decommissioning, (d) the number of crew, (e) the stores-carrying capacity and (f) the ownership of RFA Sir Galahad.

(102513)

38   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 16th January, Official Report, column 7050, on field hospital volunteers, if he will give the most recent available figures.

(102563)

39
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton & Honiton): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he will answer question No 82518, tabled by the Honourable. Member for Tiverton and Honiton on 19th November 2002.

(102426)

40   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 24th February, Official Report, column 262W, on looked after children, if he will set out the reasons for the delay in publication of the Social Exclusion Unit report.

(102527)

41   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on support for victims of domestic violence.

(102541)

42
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when the final day is for additions to the electoral register with respect to the 1st May election.

(102316)

43
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the extra support recently given to homeless families.

(101668)

44
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many homeless families were placed in bed and breakfast accommodation in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003 to date.

(101669)

45
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, on how many occasions Articles (a) 4(1) and (b) 4(2) of the Permitted Development Order have been invoked by local authorities in Devon in each of the last three years in relation to telecommunications masts and telecommunications towers; and how many were approved by the Secretary of State to protect an interest of acknowledged importance.

(102037)

46
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will discuss with Network Rail the location of the telecommunications mast planned to be erected in front of a historic monument in Totnes.

(102038)

47
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the regional bodies which have the power to precept on local authority council taxpayers, indicating (a) which have a national power and (b) where they have specifically local powers; and to which areas they apply.

(102172)

48
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, which regional bodies to which he makes appointments; and which regional bodies require funding through grants from local authorities.

(102173)

49
N   Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster & Wyre): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list franchising arrangements between higher education institutions and associated colleges, indicating the proportion of student fees paid to each party.

(102318)

50   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the truancy rates from pupil referral units were in each academic year since 1997.

(102559)

51   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the circular documents that were sent by his Department to (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools between 1st September 2001 and 31st August 2002; how many were on teacher workload; and how many pages each document contained.

(102558)

52   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many special schools have been operating for (a) visually and (b) hearing impaired children in each year since 1995.

(102561)

53   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on academic achievement at (a) Key Stage 3, (b) GCSE and (c) A-level for pupils from pupil referral units in each academic year since 1997.

(102557)

54   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many maintained secondary schools taught (a) French, (b) German, (c) Spanish, (d) Italian, (e) Latin and (f) Greek at (i) GCSE and (ii) A-level in each year since 1995.

(102560)

55   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what recent estimate he has made of the average lifetime financial return of (a) a university graduate and (b) a person with two A levels.

(102539)

56   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the average lifetime earnings of graduates, broken down by degree subject.

(102533)

57   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the average lifetime financial return of (a) a single female, (b) a married female, (c) a married man, (d) a member of an ethnic minority and (e) those who were on full maintenance support at university.

(102531)

58   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what research the Government has carried out to compare lifetime earnings of graduates with those who had the qualifications to go to university but chose not to.

(102532)

59
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the likely impact on national milk production of the proposed removal of the daily 1 pint milk token for low income families with children under five.

(102431)

60
N   Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster & Wyre): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to determine the appeal of Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd under section 15 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 issued on 5th December 1997 in respect of Nightingale Hall Farm, Lancaster in relation to (a) the odour boundary condition and (b) the likelihood of increased spillage on surrounding roads.

(102317)

61   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the national noise mapping project, launched on 12th December 2002, will include the regular sounding of horns by trains at particular points on rail lines.

(102530)

62
N   Mr Paul Goodman (Wycombe): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what responsibilities (a) the Environment Agency, (b) county councils, (c) district councils, (d) unitary authorities, (e) the Highways Agency and (f) other public bodies have to (i) deal with and (ii) prevent flooding.

(102403)

63   Mr Hugo Swire (East Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to grant an exemption in relation to the six-day rule for animal movements for agricultural shows.

(102569)

64   Mr Hugo Swire (East Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential loss of marketing opportunities for major breeders unable to move from show to show without an exemption for on-farm isolation.

(102568)

65
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on investigations and legal proceedings against members of Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA for activities related to FARC in Colombia since 1998.

(101944)

66   Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge & Chryston): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the Canadian proposals on Iraq as the basis for a resolution at the United Nations Security Council.

(102535)

67
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what guidance his Department provides to officials in UK embassies and diplomatic missions overseas with regard to the arrangement and conduct of (a) meetings and (b) telephone discussions concerning commercial matters.

(102387)

68
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the difference in roles is between a Defence Attache� and a Defence Adviser in UK embassies and diplomatic missions overseas.

(102383)

69
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when Mr Peter Longworth left his post as British High Commissioner in Harare.

(102386)

70
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the role of UK embassies and diplomatic missions overseas in promoting sales of British military equipment.

(102384)

71
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the functions of the Office of the Defence Adviser in the British High Commission in Harare.

(102385)

72
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the EU enlargement negotiations on (a) the size of regional funds and (b) the role of (i) member states and (ii) the Commission in their distribution.

(102261)

73
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the enlargement negotiation in the EU on the (a) size and (b) method of distribution of EU regional funds will be concluded.

(102263)

74
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what negotiations are in progress on the regional funds of the EU.

(102262)

75
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the proportion of regional assistance determined by (a) the EU and (b) the UK Government.

(102260)

76
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK Government tabled proposals to repatriate powers to the UK from the EU in the Convention on the Future of Europe.

(102264)

77
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent estimates he has made of the level of fraud in the NHS.

(102135)

78
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of and how many PCG chief executives continued their employment after 31st October 2002 as a chief executive of a PCT.

(101946)

79
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many interpreters are used by the NHS to assist staff working with patients.

(102039)

80
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of (a) nurses and (b) doctors recruited from overseas in the latest year for which figures are available have hepatitis B.

(102136)

81
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the likely impact on children's health of the proposal to remove the daily 1 pint milk taken for low income families with children
under five.

(102430)

82   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many calls NHS Direct has received from callers reporting adverse drug reactions since 1st January.

(102525)

83   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the National Priorities Guidance target to reduce the per capita rate of growth in emergency admissions of people aged 75 or over to an annual average of 3 per cent. up to 2002-03.

(102523)

84   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 4th March, ref 99682, on the International Nurses Advice Line, if he will break down the calls by the type of caller's query or problem; in how many cases caller's information has been passed to his Department at the caller's request; where callers heard about the advice line; how many repeat callers there were to the line; what the outcome was of problem resolution; and whether calls are recorded.

(102562)

85   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the External Working Group on disabled children with special reference to children with palliative care needs.

(102542)

86   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the task group to review the needs of children with severe disabilities and complex life-limiting or terminal conditions.

(102543)

87   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the provision of sustainable funding for children's hospices.

(102544)

88
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many qualified pharmacy staff there are in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the UK.

(101666)

89
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps are being taken to increase the number of people becoming qualified and taking up pharmacist roles.

(101667)

90
N   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the impact on the NHS of the use of medical and nursing reservists in the event of conflict in Iraq.

(102428)

91
N   Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which hospitals are designated to accept potential casualties from any conflict in Iraq.

(102381)

92   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of 11 to 15 year olds smoke; and what progress his Department is making towards its objective relating to the incidence of smoking in this age group by 2005.

(102567)

93   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has commissioned into the cost of managers to the NHS.

(102520)

94   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many mental health beds are available at Chorley Hospital; and how many were available in each of the last 30 years.

(102545)

95   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the Audit Commission report on the alteration by NHS hospital trusts of figures on waiting times; and which hospitals in the North West have been accused of altering waiting time lists.

(102546)

96   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what penalties will be applied if registered bodies fail to correctly identify individuals applying for disclosure by the Criminal Records Bureau; and if he will make a statement.

(102524)

97   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employers in the UK were found to have employed illegal immigrants in the last year for which figures are available; how many have been successfully prosecuted; and if he will make a statement.

(102526)

98   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the type of disclosure needed from the Criminal Records Bureau for members of the clergy and other religious bodies.

(102522)

99   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what powers (a) police officers and (b) firemen have to require decontamination of members of the public in the event of chemical or biological attack in the UK.

(102519)

100   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hand-held chemical agent monitors are available in each police force.

(102517)

101   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what emergency planning has been undertaken in preparation for a chemical or biological attack in the UK; and if he will make a statement about the state of preparedness of the (a) emergency services and (b) local authority services.

(102518)

102
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers are residing in Coventry; and how many have been placed in Coventry in the last three months.

(101665)

103   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the percentage clear-up rate for crimes in Wales was in each year since 1997.

(102536)

104   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the level of (a) class A drug and (b) illegal drug use in Wales.

(102537)

105   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when (a) Newport asylum court and (b) Stoke asylum court were completed; when each concluded its first case; and if he will make a statement.

(102514)

106
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the findings of the Chilcott report into the break-in at Castlereagh police station on 17th March 2002.

(101945)

107   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much funding is available to each Northern Ireland Department in respect of Peace 11; how much has been (a) distributed and (b) committed; for how much applications have been received but funding has not yet been committed; how much remains for which the process has not yet begun; and how much the Department will be unable to process before the deadline.

(102564)

108
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the reply by the honourable Member for Liverpool, Wavertree on 25th February, Official Report, column 225-6W, how many of those constables who received firearms training in May and July 2002 were (a) recruits and (b) members of the force with more than one year's service; and if he will make a statement.

(102494)

109
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he will reply to questions (a) 90132, (b) 90131 and (c) 90130; and what the reason is for the delay in answering.

(102491)

110
N   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to encourage nurses to enter the neuro-surgical branch of medicine; and what (a) immediate and (b) long term steps the Government is taking to overcome shortages of neuro-surgical nurses.

(102036)

111
N   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many blue card holders there are in each Northern Ireland constituency.

(102035)

112
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what report he has received on the views of each of the four major parties in the former Northern Ireland Executive on which parts of the Belfast Agreement are (a) delivered, (b) partially delivered and (c) not yet partially delivered.

(102497)

113
N   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the President of the Council, what discussions he has had with the Lord Chancellor concerning the appropriateness of peers convicted of an offence resulting in imprisonment (a) retaining their title and (b) retaining their membership of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

(101814)

114   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with President Bush on the means by which it is intended to ascertain whether, in the event of war with Iraq, all weapons of mass destruction on Iraqi soil at the start of the conflict have been destroyed or captured intact; and if he will make a statement.

(102528)

115
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Prime Minister, what steps the Government has taken (a) to minimise environmental damage and (b) to restore environmental damage caused in the event of a war in Iraq.

(102498)

116
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on his policy relating to judging a veto in the UN Security Council as unreasonable.

(102496)

117
N   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Prime Minister, when he last discussed the Kyoto Protocol with President Bush; and if he will make a statement.

(102499)

118   Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask the Prime Minister, when he last had discussions with Mr Roger Parry of Johnson Press.

(102540)

119
N   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Prime Minister, what requirements there are for Lord Lieutenants to declare political affiliation.

(101886)

120
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the activities of Lord Birt as a member of the Forward Strategy Unit over the last 12 months; on how many occasions Lord Birt has travelled by public transport in the last 12 months as part of his work with the Forward Strategy Unit; and how much Lord Birt has claimed in expenses as a result of his appointment to the Forward Strategy Unit.

(102382)

121
N   Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon & East Chelmsford): To ask the Prime Minister, on what occasions he has (a) met and (b) spoken to (i) Mr Roger Parry, Chairman and (ii) Mr Tim Bowdler, Chief Executive of Johnston Press in the last 12 months.

(102489)

122
N   Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon & East Chelmsford): To ask the Prime Minister, on what occasions members of his Office have (a) met and (b) spoken to (i) Mr Roger Parry, Chairman and (ii) Mr Tim Bowdler, Chief Executive of Johnston Press, in connection with the Hartlepool Mail in the last 12 months.

(102490)

123   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to reform patent law to enhance the rights of inventors in relation to their employers.

(102529)

124
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated which assesses discriminatory treatment experienced by women at private members' clubs open to both men and women.

(102259)

125
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to end the exemption for private clubs in the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

(102258)

126
N   Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the reply by the honourable Member for Liverpool, Wavertree on 25th February, Official Report, column 567W, on what occasions since 1994 Checkpoint Eleven at Belfast International Airport has been subject to a Department for Transport Cargo Inspection; and if he will make a statement.

(102495)

127
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list the 10 locations of greatest railway congestion, indicating how many trains pass per hour in each 1-hour period between 6.00 am and 10.00 pm on a typical weekday (a) in total and (b) per available track.

(102256)

128
N   Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority on the reduction of train services to Macclesfield and Stoke as part of the Strategic Rail Authority's plans for a higher speed service between London and Manchester.

(101622)

129   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times the Pensions Commission had met by the latest date for which he has information.

(102556)

130   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the estimated take-up rate for the minimum income guarantee is in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04.

(102588)

131   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the projected cost is per annum of the pension credit.

(102591)

132   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of expenditure on the minimum income guarantee if there is (a) 100 per cent., (b) 95 per cent., (c) 90 per cent. and (d) 85 per cent. take-up of the scheme.

(102590)

133
N   Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the level of fraud in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04 and (c) 2004-05 in (i) income support, (ii) housing benefit, (iii) disability living allowance, (iv) the CSA, (v) national insurance, (vi) contractor fraud, (vii) jobseekers allowance and (viii) IC.

(102257)

134
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which organisations were invited to submit evidence to the Review on employers liability; and which organisations submitted evidence.

(102377)

135
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which sources of statistical evidence were used in connection with the Review of employers liability; and if he will publish the statistical evidence presented to the Review.

(102379)

136
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the terms of reference were of the Review on employers liability.

(102378)

137
N   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects the Review announced on 27th November on employers liability to be completed; and when he expects that a report will be published.

(102376)

138
N   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if his Department regards the Dreamland scenic railway, Margate, as a fixed object for the purposes of listed building content.

[Transferred] (102429)

139   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions officials from his Department have had with (a) the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority and (b) representatives of the pensions industry concerning revisions of rules regarding members leaving occupational pension schemes.

[Transferred] (102586)

140   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to relax the borrowing limits placed on NHS foundation trusts as the number of NHS foundation trusts increases.

[Transferred] (102585)

141   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Prudential Code setting out the basis for determining the serviceability of the debt levels requested by NHS foundation trusts will be placed in the public domain; and when the Prudential Code will be issued.

[Transferred] (102583)

142   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when revised rules introduced by the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, regarding members leaving occupational pension schemes, will come into force; and how long they will remain in force.

[Transferred] (102587)

143   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether (a) strategic health authorities and (b) primary care trusts will be able to guarantee the borrowing of NHS foundation trusts.

[Transferred] (102581)

144   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what limits the Independent Regulator may place on the borrowing of NHS foundation trusts.

[Transferred] (102589)

145   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether NHS foundation trusts will be able to use (a) regulated assets and (b) unregulated assets as security for their borrowing.

[Transferred] (102582)

146   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Indian Government on applications to the Portuguese consulate in Goa for Portuguese passports from Indian residents, and the use of such passports subsequently to facilitate entry to the UK; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (102515)