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 1 May 2003

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 1 May 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 1st MAY

1   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what preparations he has made for the distribution of information to the general public in the event of a civil emergency.

(111122)

2   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the percentage of voluntary organisations in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK who have had websites in each year since 1998.

(111294)

3   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how he plans to publicise the forthcoming launch of Online Nation.

(111293)

4   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to give those in low income households better access to the internet.

(111291)

5   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to encourage people who do not regularly use the internet to log on more often.

(111292)

6   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to give the long-term unemployed (a) better knowledge of and (b) better access to the internet.

(111288)

7   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what percentage of (a) households and (b) schools in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK had access to the internet in each year since 1998.

(111289)

8   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK (i) do not regularly use the internet and (ii) have never used the internet.

(111290)

9   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking (a) to inform families of the introduction of the working families tax credit and how this benefit can be claimed and (b) to ensure that families entitled to claim the benefit do so; and what assessment he has made of the ease of completion of the application form.

(111191)

10   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people living in the London Borough of Wandsworth are eligible to claim the working families tax credit; and how many award notices have been issued to families in the borough.

(111192)

11   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 10th March, Official Report, column 17W, on annuities, if he will establish an independent charitable trust charged with offering consumers non-compulsory free advice on the purchase of annuities.

(111266)

12   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department has consulted (a) industry and (b) consumer bodies about whether home reversion schemes should be regulated.

(111063)

13   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on whether home reversion schemes should be regulated.

(111064)

14   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households have taken out equity release products in each of the last 10 years.

(111066)

15   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints regarding equity release products have been received in each of the last 10 years.

(111065)

16   Mr Charles Hendry (Wealden): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of containers arriving at British ports are scanned for illegally imported meat.

(111186)

17   Mr Charles Hendry (Wealden): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he estimates will be raised by the extra 1p levy on red diesel; and how much it will cost to provide the reduced tractor duty levy in a full year.

(111267)

18   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on (a) setting up and (b) running the working tax credit and child tax credit helpline in each month since April 2002.

(111382)

19   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed by the Inland Revenue to process applications for (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit in each month since April 2002.

(111388)

20   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls have been fielded by the working tax credit and child tax credit helpline in each month since April 2002.

(111381)

21   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households eligible for (a) child tax credit, (b) working tax credit and (c) both.

(111392)

22   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households have received money under the emergency payment system for tax credits; and what the total value of such payments is.

(111385)

23   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue will publish a code of practice on overpayment of tax credits.

(111386)

24   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households have applied for (a) child tax credit, (b) working tax credit and (c) both; and how many of these households are eligible for (i) child tax credit, (ii) working tax credit and (iii) both.

(111391)

25   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households who submitted application forms before 31st January are yet to receive payments of (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit; how many payments of (i) child tax credit and (ii) working tax credit are overdue; and what the total value is of overdue payments of (A) child tax credit and (B) working tax credit.

(111393)

26   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to make an assessment of the performance of the working tax credit and child tax credit helpline; and if he will make a statement.

(111380)

27   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households' entitlements to (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit will be reassessed in the current financial year.

(111387)

28   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on publicising the emergency payments system for tax credits; and if he will list the media being used to publicise the emergency payments system.

(111384)

29   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households who have applied for (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit and who opted to receive four-weekly payments applied (i) before and (ii) after 31st January.

(111389)

30   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit are waiting to be processed.

(111390)

31   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has set a deadline for the payment of all overdue tax credits.

(11383)

32   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customs officers were permanently based at each of the UK's airports on 1st January.

(111120)

33   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when the findings of the Office of Fair Trading fact-finding study into the UK liability insurance market will be published.

(111031)

34   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 24th March, Official Report, column 64W, on sustainable timber products, what efforts are made to check that companies listed on the OGC buying solutions website as supplying sustainable furniture and timber products are in fact supplying sustainable furniture and timber products; and if he will make a statement.

(111013)

35   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 24th March, Official Report, column 64W, on sustainable timber products, on the basis of what information the list of companies supplying sustainable furniture and timber products is supplied; and if he will make a statement.

(111014)

36   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Government has made of legislation under EU directive 97/2001 on money laundering to tackle proceeds from the illegal timber trade; and if he will make a statement.

(111035)

37
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many couples that have applied for the child tax credit have opted for payment to (a) the mother and (b) the father.

(110938)

38
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families he expects will be eligible for the (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit in 2003-04.

(110937)

39
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families with children there are in the UK.

(110836)

40
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions on 2nd April 2003, Official Report, column 721W, on benefits, for what reasons information on the number of individuals eligible for (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit is not available.

(110936)

41
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she received, from whom and when, between 1st January and 20th April, regarding the threat of looting of antiquities in Iraq; what her response was; and if she will make a statement.

(110614)

42   Mrs Liz Blackman (Erewash): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to develop and promote the business case for inclusive design.

(111169)

43   Mrs Liz Blackman (Erewash): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with manufacturers of digital radios on improving the accessibility of this equipment for visually impaired people.

(111172)

44   Mrs Liz Blackman (Erewash): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department has taken (a) to publicise good practice in inclusive design and (b) provide data, guidelines and case studies relating to inclusive design to those involved in the design and production of (i) digital television products, (ii) digital radio products and (iii) telecommunications products.

(111170)

45   Mrs Liz Blackman (Erewash): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has produced a policy statement on inclusive design in relation to consumer equipment in the (a) telecommunications and (b) broadcasting sectors; and if she will make a statement.

(111171)

46   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will list (a) the films which have been certified by her Department since 1997 as a qualifying film for film tax relief, (b) the film production companies which have received film tax relief since 1997 and (c) how much film tax relief has been granted in each year since 1997.

(111155)

47   Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what financial support has been requested from her Department for the establishment of a national visitor attraction within the proposed Great British Kitchen development at Stafford.

(111184)

48   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Sport England regarding the closure of Buckmore Park Scout Centre; and if she will make a statement.

(111086)

49   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received from the All-Party Parliamentary Archaeological Group on the protection of archaeological artefacts in Iraq; and what steps she has taken to establish protection measures for Iraq's historical artefacts.

(111358)

50
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he received, from whom and when, between 1st January and 20th April, regarding the threat of looting of antiquities in Iraq; what his Department's response was; and if he will make a statement.

(110613)

51   Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to assess the exposure of Iraqi civilians to depleted uranium.

(111281)

52
N   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what developments have been made regarding the European Amphibious Initiative; and if he will make a statement.

(109082)

53
N   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what developments the UK has made in respect of the Nordic Brigade; and if he will make a statement.

(109083)

54
N   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from defence contractors regarding restrictions on moving armaments between EU countries; and if he will make a statement.

(109084)

55
N   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much money Britain contributes to each of the OCCAR projects; what proportion this represents of the total costs of each of the projects; and what proportion this represents of the total OCCAR budget.

(109085)

56
N   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated in-service date is for the (a) PAAMS, (b) A400M, (c) COBRA and (d) MRAV; what the original in-service date was of each; and if he will make a statement.

(109086)

57
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the future use of the three home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment.

(110791)

58   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many children, up to the age of 14, have been injured in the military conflict in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

(111189)

59   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, why British hospital ships were (a) withdrawn from the Gulf area and (b) not made available for injured Iraqi civilians.

(111060)

60   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will assist Landmine Action in their discussions with the government of Sri Lanka on the non-use of anti-personnel mines.

(111070)

61   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government will take to verify the origin of material linked to weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq.

(111113)

62
N   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what research work is conducted into (a) civil contingency planning and (b) anti-terrorist measures; which Department is responsible; what funds are allocated; who sets the research priorities; and if he will make a statement.

(110544)

63   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether all Type-45 destroyers will be equipped with Merlin helicopters.

(111321)

64   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to dispose of Royal Navy frigates and destroyers which are not scheduled for fitting with Sonar 2087.

(111312)

65   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his latest estimate is for the in-service dates for each of the proposed new aircraft carriers.

(111334)

66   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to equip Type 45 destroyers with Tomahawk land attack missiles.

(111333)

67   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many escort vessels (a) he expects will be needed to accompany each new aircraft carrier when it enters service and (b) are needed to accompany each existing aircraft carrier on deployment.

(111313)

68   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the firefighters' dispute upon (a) the operational capability and (b) the morale of the Royal Navy.

(111335)

69   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the ability of Type 45 destroyers to fulfil the role of the FA2 Sea Harrier after 2006.

(111340)

70   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what capacity the Royal Navy has available to protect merchant shipping in UK waters from possible terrorist attack.

(111310)

71   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Naval and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels remain on deployment in the Gulf; and what the scheduled dates are for the return of each.

(111337)

72   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to publish an official account of the role of (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Royal Marines and (c) the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in the second Gulf war.

(111339)

73   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what methods are planned to defend Royal Navy vessels and land-attack aircraft in a conflict occurring after the withdrawal of the Sea Harrier in 2006.

(111317)

74   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the submarines which are not available for deployment, together with the reasons for non-availability in each case.

(111338)

75   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what lessons he has drawn from Royal Navy operations in the Gulf in respect of (a) the number of escort vessels required to safeguard large units and (b) tactics to ensure security against suicide attacks against warships.

(111332)

76   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the (a) destroyers and (b) frigates which (i) are and (ii) are not fully operational together with the reasons for non-availability of each of the non-operational vessels.

(111318)

77   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Sonar 2087 sets (a) have been and (b) are scheduled to be ordered for Royal Navy vessels; and how many vessels, broken down by class, are to be fitted with them.

(111311)

78   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Royal Navy vessels are (a) listed and (b) scheduled for future withdrawal from the fleet.

(111319)

79   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will estimate the annual financial savings from a decision to dispose of a Type-23 frigate.

(111320)

80   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Royal Navy vessels are unavailable for deployment as a result of the firefighters' dispute; and what plans there are to relieve their crews.

(111309)

81   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to sell (a) Type-22 and (b) Type-23 frigates to Chile within the next 12 months.

(111316)

82   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels (a) are and (b) are scheduled to become non-operational because of manpower shortages.

(111314)

83   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many naval personnel man-hours have been expended as a result of the firefighters' dispute; and what the estimated cost has been to the Royal Navy.

(111308)

84   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Royal Naval and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels which have completed their deployments as part of the second Gulf war task force, together with the dates of deployment for each vessel.

(111336)

85   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the continuation in service of each of the (a) batch 3 Type-22 and (b) Type-23 frigates.

(111315)

86   Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many territorial army troops were sent to the Gulf during the last four months.

(111251)

87   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces serving (a) on vessels and (b) at bases near outbreaks of SARS.

(111001)

88   Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what correspondence he has received from Mr Abed Hassan Hamoudi of Basra; and if he will place copies of (a) such correspondence and (b) his response in the Library.

(111108)

89   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library copies of each battle damage assessment compiled during Operation Telic.

(111366)

90   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract journalists embedded with British forces involved in the invasion of Iraq were required to sign in advance of their placements.

(111363)

91   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his estimate is of the number of (a) Iraqi civilians and (b) Iraqi military personnel (i) killed and (ii) injured as a result of Operation Telic.

(111364)

92   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to evaluate whether depleted uranium dust arising from the use of depleted uranium munitions by Coalition forces in Iraq has been blown into urban areas of Iraq; and what assistance is being given to the current evaluation by the United Nations Environment Programme of the environmental impact of the invasion of Iraq.

(111241)

93   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when persons acting on behalf of the Government first entered Iraq this year without prior permission of the then Iraqi Government.

(111362)

94
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the objectives of Her Majesty's Government's policy towards NATO reform.

(110797)

95
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy objectives for a European security and defence identity.

(110795)

96   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether British Challenger 2 tanks are to be left in Iraq after the return of British troops; and if he will make a statement.

(110995)

97   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the basis on which decisions are taken to return British troops from Iraq.

(110994)

98   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans exist to release reservists serving in the Iraq theatre.

(111357)

99   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, by what means the Local Government Ombudsman is accountable to the public; and how his work is monitored.

(111193)

100   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on nominated insurance relating to leaseholders.

(111195)

101   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many responses were received from the North West of England on the consultation on regional government; and how many (a) were in favour of regional government, (b) were opposed to regional government and (c) expressed mixed views.

(111159)

102   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 7th March, Official Report, column 1263W, on council tax, if he will commission a report to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the different tax bands in Scotland, England and Wales, and whether a similar system might be of benefit in London.

(111074)

103   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood & Ongar): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many (a) staff (full-time equivalent) and (b) press and public affairs staff were employed by the Audit Commission in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 1997-98; how many are employed now; and if he will make a statement.

(111078)

104   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood & Ongar): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the outturn expenditure of the Audit Commission was in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 1997-98; what the estimated expenditure is in the forthcoming financial year; and if he will make a statement.

(111077)

105   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood & Ongar): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many (a) best value performance indicators and (b) Social Service Inspectorate performance indicators there are for which local authorities must provide information to central government.

(111079)

106   Mr Clive Soley (Ealing, Acton & Shepherd's Bush): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether his proposed planning legislation will require new developments to incorporate access rights for people with disabilities.

(111254)

107   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many responses he received from Suffolk to the public consultation on regional assemblies.

(111081)

108   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what criteria his Department uses to identify key workers in relation to the provision of affordable housing.

(111009)

109   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what classes of workers are included in the category of key worker.

(111010)

110   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to include prison officers in the category of key worker for the provision of affordable housing.

(111011)

111   Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much his Department and its predecessors has spent on food law enforcement for local authorities, by region, in each of the last 10 years.

(111101)

112   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many people enrolled in programmes of advanced and foundation modern apprenticeships in the three months prior to 1st January; and how many people were in programmes on that date.

(111282)

113   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to include small-scale learning providers within the ambit of a revised individual learning account scheme.

(111283)

114
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 12th March, Official Report, column 297W, on private/public boarding schools, what discussions he has had with (a) the Department of Health, (b) local authorities and (c) the Independent Schools Council regarding placing looked after children in boarding schools.

(110941)

115
N   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to establish a National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, and the level of funding to be made available for the scheme.

(110617)

116   Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what recent representations he has had with regard to the imposition of VAT on new school buildings used partly by the general public; and if he will make a statement.

(111369)

117   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what discussions he has had with (a) the Home Office, (b) the Local Government Association and (c) representatives of local education authorities on the implementation provisions contained in sections 36 and 37 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; and if he will make a statement.

(111082)

118   Martin Linton (Battersea): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the amounts that education authorities in London have budgeted above or below their education formula spending shares in the 2003-04 financial year.

(111042)

119   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the change in the proportion of students attending university in their home towns over the last five years.

(110997)

120   Mr James Wray (Glasgow, Baillieston): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to promote the benefits of (a) adult, (b) further and (c) higher education to school leavers, adults and those not in full time employment; and if he will make a statement.

(111148)

121   Mr James Wray (Glasgow, Baillieston): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment has been made of the number of adults unable to read and write to an adequate level; what plans he has to improve literacy; and if he will make a statement.

(111147)

122   Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action she and her European Union counterparts have taken to deal with Varroa mites.

(111004)

123   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will attend the Environment for Europe Ministerial Meeting in Kiev in May; and if the UK will sign the UNECE Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (Aarhus Convention) at that meeting.

(111103)

124   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on plans for incorporating annual emissions of pollutants from (a) local authority integrated pollution prevention and control sites (Part A(2) sites) and (b) local air pollution prevention and control sites (Part B sites) into the Environment Agency's Pollution Inventory.

(111104)

125   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list (a) the members of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency and their declared party political affiliations and (b) appointments made to the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency since 1st May 1997 and their declared party political affiliations.

(111105)

126   Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what facilities are available for controlling wood pigeons.

(111085)

127   Valerie Davey (Bristol West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the new rights of access under Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to commence in the Central Southern Region.

(111247)

128   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who has been appointed as project director of the multi-disciplinary operational task force to help advise local authorities on implementation of recommendation 28 of the Strategy Unit report, Waste Not, Want Not.

(111257)

129   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate she has made of the extent of fly-tipping; and if she will make a statement.

(111160)

130   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many furnaces fuelled from animal carcasses and animal by-products are operational in (a) the North West of England and (b) England.

(111161)

131   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations the Environment Agency has received from groups representing local government seeking a change to the system of cost benefit analysis used in flood reduction work.

(111071)

132   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department compiles records of flood reduction projects that have received the backing of (a) local authorities and (b) private companies but have not proceeded because they fail the Environment Agency's cost benefit analysis.

(111058)

133   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 2nd April, Official Report, column 764W, on flood reduction, whether the Environment Agency changes the cost benefit analysis used in assessing flood reduction works when local authorities and private companies have also agreed to provide funding for the project.

(111072)

134   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures she is taking to encourage catering sections of each Department to source and serve food which is (a) produced in Britain, (b) organic and (c) Fair Trade.

(111156)

135   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether farmers will be entitled to make retrospective claims for the collection and disposal of fallen livestock from her Department's subscription scheme for fallen livestock between May and August.

(111115)

136   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations and discussions she has had with (a) small abattoirs, (b) slaughterhouses and (c) independent butchers regarding the Animal By-Products Regulation.

(111111)

137   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the provisions relating to the separation of buildings in the Animal By-Products Regulation in relation to small abattoirs and slaughterhouses.

(111118)

138   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the impact of the Animal By-Products Regulation on (a) small abattoirs and slaughterhouses and (b) planning applications for small and medium-sized abattoirs and slaughterhouses since October 2002.

(111117)

139   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the materials by type that will be included through her Department's national subscription collection and disposal scheme for fallen livestock under the Animal By-Products Regulation.

(111116)

140   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures she is taking to (a) maintain and (b) encourage the development of new (i) small abattoirs, (ii) slaughterhouses and (iii) butchers under the Animal By-Products Regulation.

(111119)

141   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the Animal By-Products Regulation with regard to placenta and afterbirth materials on farm holdings; and what measures she is taking to reduce their incidence.

(111114)

142   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what advice her Department has given to those who undertake pest control on disposing of (a) foxes, (b) rodents and (c) mustelids.

(111349)

143   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28th April, Official Report, column 22W, on Animal By-products Regulations, for what reason remainders of wild animal carcases which have been used to produce game trophies are not exempt from the scope of the regulation.

(111395)

144   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what regulations will apply to the burial of pets from 30th April; and what information on burial she has provided for pet owners.

(111351)

145   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the EU Animal By-products Regulation will apply to the burial of (a) domestic cattle, (b) domestic pigs, (c) domestic sheep, (d) domestic poultry, (e) goats, (f) llamas, (g) ostriches, (h) members of the equine family, (i) dogs, (j) cats, (k) hamsters, (l) gerbils, (m) rabbits, (n) guinea pigs, (o) rodents, (p) farmed fish, (q) domestic fish and (r) wild animals killed on the road; and what advice the Department has given to owners of these animals.

(111352)

146   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what advice she has given to Wiltshire County Council about the disposal of TB infected badger carcases.

(111396)

147   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what regulations will be in force regarding the burial of horses on racecourses and studs following the introduction of the EU Animal By-products Regulation; and what information has been given to horse owners and trainers.

(111350)

148   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what advice she has given to local authorities in parts of the country where badgers may be infected with TB on the testing, collection and disposal of badger carcases.

(111394)

149   Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the recipients of exported EU tobacco by (a) country and (b) grade; what quantities are involved; what quantity of each grade is destroyed by the Communities; what the cost in 2003 is of (i) subsidy and (ii) destruction, broken down by grade; which countries are recipients of production subsidy; and if she will make a statement.

(111076)

150   Mr Charles Hendry (Wealden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that schemes to collect animal carcasses from farms will not result in the spread of disease.

(111185)

151   Alan Keen (Feltham & Heston): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the pollutants regarded as volatile organic compounds; and if she will make a statement on the health risks associated with the pollutants regarded as volatile organic compounds.

(111139)

152   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the constraints on rural diversification imposed by planning requirements; and what recent discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on a more permissive planning environment for farmers seeking to diversify.

(111270)

153   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has further to redirect Pillar 2, CAP funding to the Rural Development Regulation; and if she will make a statement.

(111269)

154   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of CAP Pillar Two funding.

(111273)

155   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Land Use Policy Group.

(111271)

156   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the EU Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development.

(111272)

157   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to prevent the death of dolphins caused by bass fishing in the English Channel.

(111212)

158
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) the consent reference number, (b) the six figure grid reference, (c) the size, (d) the date of planting and (e) expected period of harvest are for the GM crop trials in the UK which have been notified for the 2002-03 growing season but which are not part of the farm scale evaluations or the National Seed Listing Trials.

(110543)

159   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the environmental benefits of a free service for the collection of bulky items of waste from individual households; and what guidance she gives to local authorities on the advisability of introducing charges for the collection of bulky items of waste.

(111057)

160   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) the average level of fine imposed on those found guilty of fly-tipping and (b) the maximum fine imposable on those found guilty of fly-tipping are; and how many people were found guilty of fly-tipping in each of the last five years.

(111040)

161   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has carried out a cost-benefit analysis on changes in the collection of bulky items of waste from individual households; how much she has spent on addressing fly-tipping in local authorities that have introduced charges for the collection of household waste; and what the likely administrative costs are estimated to be of introducing a charge for the collection of waste items from individual households.

(111041)

162   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whom she plans to appoint to chair the Trades Union Advisory Committee on Sustainable Development.

(111367)

163   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on matters discussed at the Ospar officials meeting held in April; and if she will place in the Library copies of papers submitted to the meeting that refer to United Kingdom policy.

(111245)

164   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proposals are being put by the United Kingdom to the 11th session of the United Nations Commission on sustainable development in New York; what ministerial level meetings are being held; and if she will place in the Library documents submitted to the 11th session of UNCSD relevant to United Kingdom policy.

(111233)

165   Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the incidence of TB in cattle for (a) England and Wales and (b) the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire in the last five years was.

(111018)

166   Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the incidence of TB in badgers was in (a) England and Wales and (b) the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire in each of the last five years.

(111019)

167   Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many cattle were slaughtered in the last five years in (a) England and Wales and (b) Herefordshire and Worcestershire as part of the campaign against tuberculosis.

(111017)

168   Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to publish the results of the present research into the impact of TB in badgers on cattle.

(111016)

169   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to relocate parts of her Department to the West Country.

(110998)

170   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action is being taken at EU level to tackle the trade in illegal timber imports; whether the UK will support new EU legislation to ban the trade in illegally acquired timber and timber products; and if she will make a statement.

(111034)

171   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government procurement policy on timber includes timber used on and in the construction of Government building projects; and if she will make a statement.

(111033)

172
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what measures he is taking to ensure the identification and return of antiquities and cultural artefacts looted from Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

(110616)

173
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he received, from whom and when, between 1st January and 20th April, regarding the threat of looting of antiquities in Iraq; what his response was; and if he will make a statement.

(110612)

174   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether there will be a review within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to learn the lessons of overspend on the Focus programme.

(111214)

175   Mr John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Morocco regarding the recent arrest of Mr Sidi Mohammed Daddach; and if he will make a statement.

(111182)

176   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made regarding the holding of children in Guantanamo Bay.

(111046)

177
N   Mr Colin Challen (Morley & Rothwell): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of political detainees in Iraq still incarcerated in prisons and detention centres; and what steps his Department is taking to secure their release.

(110804)

178
N   Mr Colin Challen (Morley & Rothwell): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has received from the Committee for the Release of Hostages and Detainees in Iraq.

(110802)

179
N   Mr Colin Challen (Morley & Rothwell): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what formal structures will be created to gather evidence from former political hostages and detainees of criminality on the part of the previous Iraqi regime.

(110803)

180   Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has been informed of the names, the nationality and the age of all of the prisoners being held by the United States authorities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and if he will make a statement.

(111190)

181
N   Mr Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) President Mubarak of Egypt and (b) Mr Adek Ek Gazaar, the Ambassador for Egypt regarding (i) human rights in Egypt and (ii) the imprisonment of Shaiboub William Arsal.

(110830)

182
N   Mr Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received from NGOs regarding (a) human rights in Egypt and (b) the imprisonment of Shaiboub William Arsal in Egypt.

(110831)

183   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Israeli Government to have the wall removed that separates the people of Mawassi from the rest of the Gaza Strip.

(111259)

184   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Israeli government to ensure that humanitarian aid agencies have access to the people of Mawassi in the Gaza Strip; and if he will make a statement.

(111260)

185   Sue Doughty (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Israeli Government to ensure the safety of British citizens engaged in (a) peace campaigning and (b) humanitarian work in Palestine; and if he will make a statement.

(111258)

186   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he plans to have with the interim President of the African Union on the western Sahara.

(111354)

187   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Morocco on human rights in the western Sahara, with particular reference to its action against the Forum for Truth and Justice.

(111353)

188   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Moroccan Government on its proposal to increase substantially phosphate production in western Sahara.

(111355)

189   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on (a) the recent increase in the use of the death penalty in Sudan, with particular reference to the Darfur region and (b) the use of special courts to try people under sharia.

(111346)

190   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Algeria on the western Sahara.

(111356)

191   Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library the set of criteria established for the Information and Communication 2003 Multi-beneficiary Programme, as referred to in the minute of the 97th Meeting of the Phase Management Committee (7th February 2003); which organisations received funding under this process; and if he will make a statement.

(111075)

192   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the total cost was of providing the UK visas entry clearance service worldwide in the financial year (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02.

(111083)

193   Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on whether detainees at Guantanamo Bay are being treated in accordance with the terms of UN resolution 43/173 dealing with the body of principles for the protection of all persons under any form of detention or imprisonment; and if he will make a statement.

(111110)

194   Joyce Quin (Gateshead East & Washington West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he has collated on the extent of compliance by EU countries with the EU code of conduct on arms sales since its introduction.

(111252)

195   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of the annual global diamond trade he estimates is made up of conflict diamonds.

(111348)

196   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the Democratic Republic of Congo on diamond smuggling in the Central African Republic.

(111331)

197   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the Central African Republic's (a) annual production of diamonds and (b) annual export of diamonds.

(111343)

198   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Belgian Government on Belgium's annual import of diamonds from the Central African Republic.

(111341)

199   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with compliant participant countries in the Kimberley process regarding other participant countries who have broken agreements on the trade of conflict diamonds.

(111345)

200   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of international measures to break the link between the trade of rough diamonds and armed conflict.

(111347)

201   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with President George W. Bush regarding measures to combat the trade in illegal conflict diamonds.

(111344)

202   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what advice is being given to British nationals who reside in (a) China, (b) Thailand, (c) Japan, (d) Canada, (e) New Zealand and (f) Australia regarding the SARS virus.

(111302)

203
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to provide financial help for training of Afghans who wish to prepare for democratic elections.

(110340)

204
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which Iraqi women's organisations were invited to participate in the Baghdad Conference held in April to prepare the way for an Interim Iraqi Authority; and how many of the delegates were women.

(110805)

205   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will publish the gender strategy for his Department.

(111008)

206
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his Department's budget is for assistance in building democracy in post-conflict situations.

(110341)

207
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the names of the Executive Council of Baghdad working with the coalition; and which of the Executive Council's members are women.

(110342)

208   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library copies of submissions by (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other states relevant to United Kingdom policy, to the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, held in Geneva from 28th April; and if he will make a statement on compliance with the Treaty.

(111237)

209   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations were received by his Department from (a) the All Party Parliamentary Archaelogical Group and (b) the British School of Archaeology on the need to protect Iraq's cultural heritage in advance of the start of the invasion of Iraq; what steps were taken in respect of the representations; and what response his Department made to the representations.

(111360)

210   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he had with the former Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Tariq Aziz, between 1st January and the day he surrendered.

(111244)

211   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps have been taken to implement the total elimination of nuclear weapons as agreed by the United Kingdom and the other states signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which possess nuclear weapons, at the review and extension conference of the NPT in 2000.

(111368)

212   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to authenticate documents claimed to have been found in Baghdad by journalists working for British-based publications that purport to establish a link between the former Iraqi Government and Al-Qaeda terrorists.

(111243)

213   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether journalists operating in Iraq for British publications and broadcasting outlets have to have permission from General Jay Garner to carry out their reportage in Iraq.

(111240)

214   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) his United States counterpart and (b) other representatives of the United States administration, in respect of the appropriate way to interrogate and incarcerate former members of the former (i) government and (ii) military leadership of Iraq who are apprehended; and what discussions have taken place about the form of trial that may be necessary to deal with such prisoners.

(111239)

215   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether United Kingdom military forces are authorised to kill Saddam Hussein if they receive reliable and authenticated details of his whereabouts.

(111238)

216   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how British forces applied the Geneva conventions covering protection of (a) hospitals and (b) cultural assets in Iraq in the period following the immediate end of hostilities.

(111359)

217   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations Her Majesty's Government has made to the United States administration in respect of the incarceration of children under 16 at Camp X-ray in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

(111232)

218   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library copies of papers submitted by the United Kingdom to the Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention; and if he will make a statement on progress made with compliance with the Convention.

(111235)

219   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to encourage religious leaders from all sides in the Middle East to work towards a peace settlement in Israel and Palestine.

(110996)

220   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions took place among the drafters of the roadmap for peace in the Middle East concerning Israel and the Palestinian Authority's compliance with international law.

(111325)

221   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what measures have been put in place to exert pressure on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to comply with the roadmap for peace in the Middle East.

(111324)

222   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what independent monitoring mechanisms will be put in place to ensure compliance with each phase of the roadmap for the Middle East.

(111327)

223   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the UK has made to Israel to stop further settlement in East Jerusalem.

(111323)

224   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli government concerning the wall surrounding the West Bank; and what response he has received.

(111326)

225   Janet Anderson (Rossendale & Darwen): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on salt intake in food in the UK.

(111211)

226   Janet Anderson (Rossendale & Darwen): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the Food Standards Agency has spent in the last two years on research into (a) Basmati rice, (b) balsamic vinegar and (c) sodium alternatives.

(111206)

227   Janet Anderson (Rossendale & Darwen): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the Food Standards Agency has budgeted to spend on the Food Working Party when it is appointed.

(111208)

228   Janet Anderson (Rossendale & Darwen): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Food Standards Agency has to publish literature in support of its Balance of Good Health initiative.

(111209)

229   Janet Anderson (Rossendale & Darwen): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the Food Standards Agency spent on its Foodaware initiative in 2002-03.

(111210)

230   Janet Anderson (Rossendale & Darwen): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the Food Standards Agency spent on the Balance of Good Health campaign.

(111207)

231   Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the preparedness of primary care trusts to assume responsibility for specialised commissioning has improved since the Department of Health conducted a review last year.

(111146)

232   Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will protect spending on specialised services in real terms for a further year.

(111145)

233   Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the decisions of a commissioning consortium for specialised services will be binding on a primary care trust which declines to join the consortium.

(111143)

234   Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action will be taken if a primary care trust declines to join a commissioning consortium as recommended in the recent guidelines on specialised commissioning.

(111144)

235   Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how he will monitor and report the effectiveness of the new arrangements for specialist commissioning.

(111140)

236   Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether level 2 groups for specialised commissioning have scope to set up a national group for planning purposes.

(111141)

237   Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether regional specialised commissioning groups may continue to commission specialised services where constituent primary care trusts so determine.

(111142)

238   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many calls have been received by the International Nurse Advice Line in each month since the scheme was started.

(111043)

239   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many wards have been shut down to prevent the spread of healthcare-acquired infections in each of the last three years.

(111044)

240   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department had with the (a) Department for Education and Skills, (b) the Social Exclusion Unit and (c) local authorities regarding the revision of educational targets for looked after children.

(111045)

241   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the lack of a statutory obligation on private care homes to protect older people from abuses under the Human Rights Act 1998.

(111050)

242
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with (a) local authorities and (b) the Independent Schools Council regarding placing looked after children in boarding schools.

(110935)

243   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place a copy of the quarter 4 2002-03 emergency readmission and delayed discharge figures in the Library.

(111047)

244   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimates his Department has made of the amount owed to individuals following continuing care eligibility criteria reviews.

(111048)

245   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many local authorities are charging for services to disabled children; and what criteria they are using for doing so.

(111049)

246   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many nurses in (a) Sunderland Royal Hospital, (b) Hartlepool General Hospital, (c) North Tees Hospital and (d) University Hospital Durham are training to become nurse practitioners.

(111200)

247   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital-based doctors and consultants have left NHS hospitals in Sunderland in the last three years.

(111199)

248
N   Mr Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's review of infertility services.

(110833)

249
N   Mr Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to encourage research into curing and treating diabetes.

(110834)

250
N   Mr Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from West Gloucestershire primary care trust regarding provision of infertility services.

(110832)

251   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many doctors there are per head of population in (a) Lancashire and (b) the North West of England.

(111154)

252   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether money allocated to local authorities and primary care trusts and the additional extra funding announced as part of the package for the introduction of cross charging from next January will include funding for telecare and telehealthcare devices which promote independent living.

(111175)

253   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the number of NHS beds which could be released by programmes of earlier planned discharges.

(111180)

254   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the use of telehealthcare devices in the monitoring and treatment of chronic diseases; and if he will make a statement.

(111178)

255   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the financial and care benefits of the use of telecare and telehealthcare.

(111179)

256   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the potential savings to his Department of the use of telecare and telehealthcare devices.

(111181)

257   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he will issue to local authorities and primary care trusts in the use of telehealthcare and telecare units which monitor patients healthcare and the environment in which they live.

(111176)

258   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) other departments of state and (b) the commissioners and providers of community based health and social care about the use of telecare devices.

(111177)

259   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the use of telecare devices to promote early discharges and independent community based living.

(111174)

260
N   Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether all mental health hospital accommodation in Hampshire meets the criteria for the targets set in February 1998 regarding the safety, privacy and dignity of patients; and if he will make a statement.

(110338)

261   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information about ambulance waits at accident and emergency departments has been collected since 1st January; where this information is kept; and what actions have been taken as a result of the collection of this information.

(111084)

262   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, in what week the most recent NHS-wide assessment of A&E waiting times was carried out.

(111030)

263   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research the Government has done into the risks associated with telemedicine.

(111021)

264   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, where the scanned image of biopsies is in use.

(111025)

265   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what administrative support he envisages will be provided by medical assistants.

(111022)

266   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to use consultants to cover 24-hour emergency access to both medical and surgical care.

(111029)

267   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, where the Government is piloting the hospital models for local ambulatory care.

(111028)

268   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people on NHS waiting lists died before receiving treatment in the past 12 months.

(111020)

269   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the NHS Digital TV pilots.

(111023)

270   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to publish the Statutory Instrument on the Food Supplements Directive.

(111026)

271   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the next stage of appraisal of the pilots at the (a) Central Middlesex, (b) Bishop Auckland and (c) West Cornwall hospitals will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

(111027)

272   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the Modernisation Agency Emergency Services Collaborative Programme.

(111024)

273
N   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what treatments the NHS provides for patients with ME; and what rehabilitation courses the NHS offers to such patients.

(110837)

274   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will meet the British Asthma Society to discuss the Breath of Fresh Air Charter; and if he will make a statement.

(111112)

275   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the World Health Organisation recommends against screening by (a) interview and (b) body temperature at airports of entry of passengers returning from SARS affected areas.

(110999)

276
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the projected deficit is of North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust for 2002-03.

(110653)

277
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority have had about the finances of North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust with (a) chairs of other NHS trusts and (b) others; and when the discussions took place.

(110655)

278
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority were first informed of financial problems at North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust; and what action they took to address this.

(110654)

279
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were approached by Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority to assist with financial problems of North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust; who they were; and on what basis they were selected.

(110656)

280   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the risk of SARS entering the UK via (a) airports and (b) seaports.

(111002)

281   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list for each prison the average waiting time to see a dentist for prisoners (a) experiencing dental pain and (b) requiring a routine appointment.

(111107)

282   Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 14th April, Official Report, column 621W, on protective equipment, if he will make a statement on the mid-March review and assessment of readiness by NHS trusts for responding to incidents.

(111370)

283   Joyce Quin (Gateshead East & Washington West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS dentists have transferred wholly to private practice in each of the last five years.

(111261)

284   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what organisation would be responsible for coordinating health operations in the event of a largescale outbreak of an infectious disease in a major population centre.

(111305)

285   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures are being taken to prepare (a) airports and (b) other entry points into the United Kingdom to deal with future outbreaks of infectious diseases in foreign countries.

(111303)

286   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what programmes are planned to train airport officials in recognising potentially infectious persons before they enter the country.

(111304)

287   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the local government of Havering regarding contingency plans in the event of an outbreak of SARS in that area.

(111301)

288
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the amount of expenditure on the hospital building programme in each of the last five available years, excluding PFI contracts.

(110796)

289   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for the implementation of the new health funding system; when primary care trusts will receive their full target entitlement under the new system; and what the difference between target funding and allocation is for each primary care trust.

(111173)

290   Hywel Williams (Caernarfon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what provision there is in the prison health service for the delivery of mental health services through the medium of Welsh to Welsh prisoners held in jails in England.

(111106)

291   Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received from and discussions he has had with (a) the Food Standards Agency and (b) local authorities regarding food law enforcement.

(111102)

292
N   Vera Baird (Redcar): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to publish the report of the Home Office Coroner's Review.

(110801)

293
N   Vera Baird (Redcar): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will authorise community support officers to carry CS gas sprays for use in emergencies.

(110853)

294   Mrs Helen Clark (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research he has commissioned into the potential impact of making compulsory the reporting of (a) allegations and (b) suspicions of child abuse by persons in positions of authority.

(110993)

295   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support his Department has offered to promote the Pub Watch scheme.

(111204)

296   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many successful prosecutions there were for the dealing of drugs in the Easington area in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

(111202)

297   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total current annual remuneration is of (a) the Chairman and (b) the Chief Executive of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panels.

(111092)

298   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for compensation rejected by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority were referred to the CIC Appeals Panel in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many of these were successful.

(111100)

299   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the running costs were of the (a) Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and (b) Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel; and how much each body awarded in each of the last five years.

(111342)

300   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total annual remuneration is of (a) the Chairman and (b) the Chief Executive of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in 2003.

(111098)

301   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average award made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panels (CICAP) was in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what the budget for the CICAP has been in each of the last five financial years.

(111094)

302   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will commission and publish an independent review of the work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

(111099)

303   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total budget allocated for criminal injuries compensation was in each of the past five years for which figures are available.

(111097)

304   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was (a) the average award made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and (b) the total sum paid in criminal injuries compensation in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(111096)

305   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will commission and publish an independent review of the work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panels.

(111091)

306   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the criteria are for appointment as (a) a member and (b) a chairman of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panels; if he will list the qualifications of those currently appointed; and if he will make a statement.

(111093)

307   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total sum paid in remuneration and expenses to members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Fund has been in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

(111090)

308   Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for compensation were submitted to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many applications for compensation were rejected in each year.

(111095)

309   Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department (a) collects and (b) publishes on the number of children in asylum seeking families who are detained.

(111262)

310   Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research his Department has commissioned into the impact of detention on children in asylum seeking families.

(111263)

311   Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under what powers he detains children who are seeking asylum.

(111264)

312
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral Answer of 28th April, Official Report, column 10, on terrorism, for what reasons his Department's Press Office told journalists in April that Lord Falconer had not taken over from the Right honourable Member for Southampton Itchen the responsibility for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear co-ordination within his Department.

(110798)

313   Kate Hoey (Vauxhall): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when a constituent of the honourable Member for Vauxhall, ref G306128, will be sent (a) his status documents confirming his indefinite leave to remain in the UK, as indicated in letters to the honourable Member dated 21st November 2002 and 19th March 2003, and (b) the documents which he submitted to the Home Office in support of his application.

(111039)

314   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what conclusions the British scientists investigating the 1994 Israeli Embassy and Balfour House bombings reached on (a) the type and amount of explosive and mechanism used in the bombings, (b) where the explosives were made up, (c) where the car bombs were assembled, (d) who wrote the letters claiming responsibility and (e) who drove the cars; and what reports were received from Israeli scientists following removal of samples from the sites.

(111005)

315   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans there are to increase spending on the advertising and promotion of the firearms amnesty; how much has been allocated for the year April 2003 to March 2004; which the preferred medium is in which to promote the campaign; and on what basis he has reached this decision.

(111256)

316   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his Department's total spending was on the advertising and promotion of the firearms amnesty between April 2002 and March 2003; and what proportion was spent on (a) television, (b) radio and (c) print media.

(111255)

317   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many convictions there have been under the Intoxicating Substance (Supply) Act 1985 in each year since 1992.

(111188)

318   Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action the Government proposes to take following the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in 1995 that cigarette lighter refills be limited in size to about 25 ml; and if he will make a statement.

(111187)

319   Mr Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port & Neston): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the policy of the Metropolitan Police is on charging (a) victims and their families of road death or serious injury and (b) dependants for police reports, witness statements and collision investigation reports on such incidents in respect of incidents occurring (i) within the Metropolitan Police area and (ii) partly within the Metropolitan Police area and partly in neighbouring police authority areas.

(111197)

320
N   Lembit O�pik (Montgomeryshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people hold (a) a firearms certificate, (b) a shotgun certificate and (c) both of the above together; and if he will make a statement.

(110037)

321
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the number of asylum seekers last averaged 4,500 per month over a 12 month period; and what the total annual cost to the Exchequer was of the asylum system in that year.

(110792)

322   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are planned to reduce the number of asylum seekers who become unaccounted for after entering the country.

(111297)

323   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have gone missing after entering the country since 1st January 2001.

(111300)

324   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are being taken to encourage asylum seekers from Iraq living in the United Kingdom to return to their home country.

(111298)

325   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans are being made to reduce the percentage of refugees entering Europe who ultimately settle in the United Kingdom over the next decade.

(111299)

326
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the timescale for introducing the proposals to provide the police with increased powers to move on unauthorised traveller encampments which were announced on 5th July 2002.

(110657)

327
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply substantively to the letter from the honourable Member for the Isle of Wight dated 30th January, concerning Lawrence Gimblett.

(110967)

328   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the written Answer of 3rd April, Official Report, column 872W, on timber, if he will place certificates showing that purchased construction timber for the redevelopment of 2 Marsham Street has been sourced legally and sustainably in the Library.

(111015)

329   Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the costs were of policing the annual party political conferences in 2002; and how these costs were met.

(111163)

330   Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, from what sources of revenue the annual policing budget is drawn.

(111162)

331   Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what central funding his Department makes available to police forces to cover the cost of policing football matches.

(111164)

332   Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans she has to ensure the involvement of women and women's groups in the reconstruction of Iraq.

(111165)

333   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress has been made on the provision of an airport on St Helena.

(111253)

334   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has carried out of whether schemes similar to UNTAC's Operation Paymaster could be implemented in an interim administration in Iraq.

(111059)

335   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether the Government (a) is party to and (b) has been involved in negotiations to ensure that the wages of civil servants are guaranteed in an interim administration established in Iraq.

(111061)

336   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the needs of Iraq's civil servants in order to establish a working civil service in the country.

(111062)

337   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what role humanitarian mine action will play in supporting the peace process in Sri Lanka; and if she will make a statement.

(111069)

338   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on matters discussed, pledges made and decisions taken at the G-8 development ministers meeting in Paris on 24th April; and if she will place copies of documentation for the meeting in the Library.

(111234)

339   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the incidences of (a) cholera and (b) other diseases related to polluted water sources in Iraqi cities following the invasion of Iraq.

(111361)

340   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many members of her Department's staff have been seconded into the United States' Defense Department's Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance; and if she will make a statement on her Department's working relations with ORHA.

(111236)

341   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid her Department has pledged for immediate relief in the Occupied Territories and for the rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure, originally funded by the Department and the European Union.

(111322)

342   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much timber will be used in the redevelopment of Clive House; what types of timber will be used and for which purposes; from which countries it will come; and which companies will be providing the timber.

(111032)

343
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with Sinn Fein on the future use of the home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment in security duties in Northern Ireland.

(110789)

344
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the future awarding of the Royal Ulster Constabulary long service medal to members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve.

(110790)

345   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment has been made of the link between crime and drug addiction in Northern Ireland.

(111330)

346
N   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what measures are being taken by the Northern Ireland Office to mark the arrival of the Special Olympics Torch in Bangor, County Down on 13th June.

(110940)

347
N   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans the Northern Ireland Office has to bring forward legislation to amend section 46(1) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 to include the harbour and airport police within the remit of the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice.

(110939)

348   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the range of services provided under the NHS to those with fibromyalgia in Northern Ireland.

(111329)

349   Mr John Hume (Foyle): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will undertake a review into how the Water Service manages leakages in Northern Ireland; and if he will make an assessment of how far a stronger and more robust programme for energy efficiency in domestic and commercial premises would reduce wastage.

(111051)

350   Mr John Hume (Foyle): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of (a) the savings possible from water leakage and water efficiency measures and (b) the capital spending required by the Department of Regional Development and its Water Service for new water capacity.

(111056)

351   Mr John Hume (Foyle): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent measures have been undertaken by the Water Service in Northern Ireland (a) to reduce domestic water leakages and (b) to improve domestic water efficiency.

(111053)

352   Mr John Hume (Foyle): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many Hippo Bags have been issued in Northern Ireland; and how many have been installed in domestic and commercial premises in each of the last 12 months.

(111054)

353   Mr John Hume (Foyle): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the (a) rainfall in Northern Ireland and (b) the capacity of each of the reservoirs was in each of the last 12 months; what the capital building programme for water was in each month; and if he will make a statement.

(111055)

354   Mr John Hume (Foyle): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will list, for each of the last 12 months, the progress made by the Department of Regional Development's Water Service in reaching its water efficiency and leakage reduction targets.

(111052)

355
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Prime Minister, what representations he received, from whom and when, between 1st January and 20th April, regarding the threat of looting of antiquities in Iraq; what his response was; and if he will make a statement.

(110615)

356
N   David Burnside (South Antrim): To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with Sinn Fein on the future use of the home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment in security duties in Northern Ireland.

(110788)

357
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Prime Minister, who the Government Minister responsible for co-ordination against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attack is.

(110800)

358   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Prime Minister, what compensation he plans to provide to all surviving civilians from families whose members were injured or killed by the use of United Kingdom weapons during the invasion of Iraq.

(111242)

359   Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey): To ask the Solicitor General, how many complaints were made against the Crown Prosecution Service in each year since 1997 to 2003; and what the outcome was.

(111121)

360   Mrs Liz Blackman (Erewash): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions her Department has had with manufacturers of digital radios on improving the accessibility of this equipment for visually impaired people.

(111168)

361   Mrs Liz Blackman (Erewash): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps her Department has taken to publicise good practice in inclusive design and (b) provide data, guidelines and case studies relating to inclusive design to those involved in the design and production of (i) digital television products, (ii) digital radio products and (iii) telecommunications products.

(111166)

362   Mrs Liz Blackman (Erewash): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether her Department has produced a policy statement on inclusive design in relation to consumer equipment in the (a) telecommunications and (b) broadcasting sectors; and if she will make a statement.

(111167)

363
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how the distance criteria governing closure is being adapted under the Post Office urban reinvention programme to take account of (a) gradients of slope facing pedestrians, (b) the number of road crossings and traffic flows, (c) parking availability at remaining post offices and (d) expected waiting times at remaining post offices.

(110794)

364
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many sub post offices have been (a) proposed for closure by the Post Office, (b) referred to Postwatch on appeal, (c) recommended by Postwatch to remain open, (d) recommended by Postwatch to close and (e) subject to a closure decision by the Post Office under the Post Office urban reinvention programme.

(110793)

365   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to introduce a bill that will remove Crown Immunity from liability under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

(111196)

366   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received concerning the OFT report on Pharmacies from community based pharmacies; and if she will make a statement.

(111205)

367   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the value was of damages paid to sufferers of C B & E and vibration white finger who live in the Easington constituency in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, and (c) 2002.

(111203)

368   Valerie Davey (Bristol West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to undertake a review of the work of the Medical Research Council following the report of the Science and Technology Committee published on 24 March, HC132.

(111246)

369   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations have been made to her Department by organisations in the voluntary sector which have had problems in obtaining employer liability insurance.

(111109)

370
N   Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the effect of recent changes to paternity leave on small businesses.

(110630)

371   Mr John Grogan (Selby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received from the new owners of Arbre; and if she will make a statement on the sale of Arbre.

(111194)

372   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on (a) the involvement of One North East in the decision-making process which preceded Budget 2003 and (b) One North East's role in delivering commitments made in Budget 2003.

(111248)

373
N   Mr John MacDougall (Central Fife): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans her Department has to increase the UK's productivity levels in manufacturing industry; and if she will make a statement.

(110629)

374   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of the total amount of finance received by business in the UK through e-commerce transactions and sales in each year since 1998.

(111296)

375   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of the percentage of businesses in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK which (i) were broadband enabled, (ii) had websites and (iii) had access to the internet in each year since 1998.

(111295)

376   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of the percentage of businesses in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK which used the internet to sell their products in each year since 1998.

(111328)

377   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many broadband users there were in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK in each of the last 12 months.

(111287)

378   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to tackle the use of unsolicited e-mails.

(111286)

379   John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of the percentage of businesses in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK who have enabled customers to buy online in the last two years.

(111307)

380
N   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to increase productivity in UK manufacturing business.

(110625)

381
N   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of the prospects for the retail sector.

(110640)

382   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment has been made of the use of existing UK legislation to target illegal timber imports, with particular reference to legislation on stolen goods, fraud and forgery; and if she will make a statement.

(111036)

383   Mr James Wray (Glasgow, Baillieston): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions have taken place with mobile phone companies regarding internet access through mobile phones and exposure of children to inappropriate and illegal material; and what plans she has to address this.

(111150)

384   Mr James Wray (Glasgow, Baillieston): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures are in place restricting companies from marketing products to children under 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the regulations in place for responsible advertising.

(111149)

385   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement about the application for a Goods Vehicle Operators licence in the Caerwent area of Monmouthshire; what representations can be submitted by parish or community councils with respect to such applications; and what representations have been received by Caerwent Community Council.

(111284)

386   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to re-locate the Traffic Commissioner for Wales from Birmingham to Wales.

(111285)

387   Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures (a) are in place and (b) are proposed to ensure passenger safety in terms of the efficiency of aircraft cabin air-conditioning and filter systems.

(111038)

388   Alan Keen (Feltham & Heston): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the health risks associated with the impact of aircraft noise on people; and how many people he estimates have had their health affected by aircraft noise in the South East of England region.

(111138)

389   Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers and (b) the RAC Foundation regarding the proposed Active Traffic Management Pilot Scheme.

(111183)

390   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of passengers and crew of (a) airlines and (b) passenger ships against the SARS outbreak.

(111003)

391   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter of engagement between his Department and Schroders Salomon Smith Barney of 31st August 2001, concerning the future of Railtrack Plc; and if he will make a statement.

(111213)

392   Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much compensation has been given, and on what dates, by the Highways Agency to Buckmore Park Scout Centre as a consequence of the M2 widening; and if he will make a statement about outstanding claims.

(111087)

393   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) recommendations and (b) advice are issued by his Department to local authorities wishing to introduce 20 mph speed restrictions in certain areas.

(111080)

394   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance is given to Highways Agency staff on illegal camping on Agency property.

(111006)

395   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Highways Agency was informed of the illegal occupation of their land at Foston, Derbyshire; and when the Agency sought a notice to quit the site.

(111007)

396   Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many farms in Wales are affected by the radioactive fall out from the 1986 Chernobyl accident; and what land area they cover.

(111365)

397   Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Minister for Women, what steps she is taking to promote flexible working for women.

(111037)

398
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Minister for Women, what steps she is taking to ensure that Iraqi women play a full part in the leadership of Iraq.

(110339)

399
N   Vera Baird (Redcar): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria are used to assess the relative living costs of single pensioners and pensioner couples when setting the rates for the basic state pension.

(110850)

400
N   Vera Baird (Redcar): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, by what means home-related costs are estimated when assessing the rates for the basic state pension for (a) single people and (b) married couples.

(110851)

401
N   Vera Baird (Redcar): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the take up rates are for (a) male and (b) female pensioners for means tested benefits in the Redcar and Cleveland Council area.

(110854)

402
N   Vera Baird (Redcar): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to review the relative levels of the basic state pension for couples and for single people.

(110852)

403
N   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Health and Safety inspectors are being transferred from the Field Operations Directorate to the Hazardous Installations Directorate.

(110618)

404
N   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many contacts the Health and Safety Executive has had with businesses each year since 1997; what proportion of visits were made by fully qualified warrant-carrying Health and Safety inspectors; and how many were carried out by Workplace Contact officers.

(110620)

405
N   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many businesses recorded contacts carried out by the Health and Safety Executive since 1997 were made (a) on site and (b) through telephone calls.

(110619)

406
N   Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Workplace Contact officers were employed by the Health and Safety Executive in each year since 1997.

(110621)

407   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the take up rates for means tested benefits by pensioners in the Easington area were in 2002-03.

(111202)

408   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the promotional material for the pensions credit will make clear that products such as equity release affect any tax credits available.

(111067)

409   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to her Answer of 10th March, Official Report, column 95W, on top-up fees, whether his Department plans to commission independent research showing the likely impact of top-up fees on the ability of those under 40 years of age to make reasonable contributions to their pension funds; and when he will complete his annual review of future research projects.

(111073)

410   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on incentives to contribute to private pension schemes of the fact that student maintenance loans are paid from gross income.

(111068)

411   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland will benefit from (a) the increased state pension and (b) the additional winter fuel payments for over 80s.

(111250)

412
N   Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to take early steps to ensure that contractors and sub-contractors have employer's liability insurance.

(110799)

413
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to promote inward investment in the North West.

[Question Unstarred] (110631)

414
N   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister for Women, what measures she is taking to help women to set up their own businesses.

[Question Unstarred] (110651)

415   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of working-age (a) adults, (b) men and (c) women in the UK are members of a stakeholder pension plan.

[Transferred] (111158)

416   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what public funds he has made available for research into possible vaccinations against SARS.

[Transferred] (111306)

417   Mr Charles Hendry (Wealden): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many sniffer dogs are trained to find illegally imported meat at (a) ports and (b) airports.

[Transferred] (111268)

418   Mr John Cummings (Easington): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he intends to discontinue the visa requirements for Slovak nationals who wish to visit the UK.

[Transferred] (111198)

419   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of food sourced and served by the catering sections of each Department was (a) produced in Britain, (b) organic and (c) Fair Trade in each year since 1997; and what steps she is taking to increase those levels.

[Transferred] (111157)

420   Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to investigate Imperial Defence for possible breaches of UK sanctions against Iraq.

[Transferred] (111265)

421   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has to publish draft legislation on corporate manslaughter.

[Transferred] (111012)