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House of Commons
Session 2003 - 04
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The Questions Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 6 May 2004

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.
 


 

Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Thursday 6 May 2004
(the 'Questions Book')

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 6 May 2004


This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Thursday 6 May of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

For other Written Questions for answer on Thursday 6 May of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Thursday 6 May see Part 2 of this paper.


Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
1
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many regulatory impact statements have been brought to his attention in the last 12 months, with particular reference to the Evaluation of Regulatory Impact Assessments Compendium Report 2003-04, March 2004, pages 25-26.
(171610)
2
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consultations have been conducted by the Shareholder Executive on corporate finance and governance; and which of these consultations have been published.
(171616)
3
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) resource budget, (b) administration cost and (c) staff numbers of the Shareholder Executive were for 2003-04; and when the annual report will be published.
(171617)
Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
4
Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many households headed by a person of pensionable age were estimated to be paying more in council tax than income tax in (a) 1997 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available.
(171712)
5
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the stoppage or reduction of payment of the childcare element of the working tax credit in response to earlier overpayments of child tax credit.
(171646)
6
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has (a) to raise the level for which stamp duty is not payable on domestic property transactions in deprived wards and (b) increase the number of wards which can have stamp duty exemption under his scheme; and if he will make a statement.
(171446)
7
N
Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent agreements he has reached with regard to the creation of an international tax avoidance prevention taskforce; and what contribution he proposes to make to such a taskforce.
(171040)
8
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171631)
9
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the average earnings of (a) men and (b) women in Hampshire.
(171634)
10
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the timetable is for the introduction of the EU Insurance Mediation Directive; and what consultation he has had with the insurance industry on its potential impact.
(171417)
11
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the definition is of the term insurance business as used on page 5 of the Financial Services Authority booklet entitled High street firms: application pack for mortgage and general insurance businesses, with regard to the introduction of the EU Insurance Mediation Directive.
(171418)
12
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures he is putting in place to protect (a) smaller companies and (b) individual brokers in the lead up to the introduction of the EU Insurance Mediation Directive, with specific reference to costs.
(171428)
13
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the rationale is for the introduction of the EU Insurance Mediation Directive; and how consumer choice will be guaranteed under its provisions.
(171429)
14
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what alternatives for a suitable regulatory body for the monitoring of the EU Insurance Mediation Directive were considered before the Financial Services Authority was appointed to this role.
(171430)
15
Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on which dates the (a) Standing Committee on Euro Preparations, (b) Scottish Euro Preparations Committee, (c) Wales Euro Preparations Committee and (d) Northern Ireland Euro Preparations Committee met; if he will publish the minutes of the meetings; and what the cost to public funds has been of euro preparations.
(171578)
16
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 1677W, on the Gershon Review, when he expects the first reductions in the number of civil servants to be made as a result of the Lyons Review.
(171393)
17
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 1677W, on the Gershon Review, when he expects the first reductions in the number of civil servants to be made towards the reduction of 14,000 civil servants in the Inland Revenue and HM Customs.
(171394)
18
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his estimates are for gross domestic product growth rates for fiscal years 2004-05 and 2005-06 in (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Japan and (d) the United States.
(171357)
19
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what he expects the size in percentage terms will be of budget deficits in fiscal years (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 in (i) France, (ii) Germany, (iii) Japan and (iv) the United States.
(171358)
20
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the percentage of the workforce employed in the public sector over the last 20 years in (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Japan and (d) the United States.
(171359)
21
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how income tax receipts as a percentage of the total tax take have varied over the last 20 years in (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Japan and (d) the United States.
(171360)
22
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what use of ion scanners is made by HM Customs and Excise.
(171619)
23
Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the additional revenue that would be raised, assuming no change in demand, if aviation fuel were taxed at the same rate as will apply to ordinary unleaded petrol for motor vehicles as from 1st September.
(171362)
24
Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the additional revenue that would be raised, assuming no change in demand, if VAT at 17.5 per cent. or a sales tax at 17.5 per cent. were imposed on all domestic and international airline tickets for flights departing from UK airports.
(171363)
25
Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the additional revenue that would be raised, assuming no change in the level of sales, if duty free concessions on alcohol, tobacco and VAT were abolished at UK airports.
(171364)
26
Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the forecast revenue from air passenger duty is for 2004-05.
(171365)
27
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many job vacancies there were in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003 in West Lancashire.
(171493)
28
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families in West Lancashire have received child tax credit.
(171494)
29
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many new jobs have been created in West Lancashire since 1977.
(171495)
30
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many job vacancies there were in Stockton South in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003.
(171464)
31
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many senior citizens in Stockton South qualified for the 10 pence rate of income tax in each year since its introduction.
(171465)
32
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families in Stockton South have received child tax credit.
(171466)
33
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses in Stockton South have benefited from the 100 per cent. tax exemption for the purchase of computer and internet equipment.
(171467)
34
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the level of unemployment was in Stockton South in each year since 1997.
(171468)
35
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171570)
36
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his latest estimate is of total public sector pension liabilities, broken down by major employers; and if he will make a statement.
(171581)
37
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his latest estimate is of the value of the Exchequer's liabilities to (a) the basic state pension, (b) SERPS and (c) the state second pension; and if he will make a statement.
(171583)
38
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many parents have (a) been eligible for and (b) received the higher child tax credit in respect of a child under one in each year since it was introduced.
(171600)
39
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many mothers in each cohort since 1945 have had three or more children.
(171601)
40
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many spot checks the Inland Revenue has carried out on childcare providers to check that the childcare tax credit has been properly used in each quarter since the introduction of the childcare tax credit.
(171603)
Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs
41
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171639)
42
Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what guidance is given to Crown courts regarding the provision of facilities for the press; and if he will make a statement.
(171573)
43
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will make a statement on the collection of fines imposed by magistrates' courts in Stockton South.
(171463)
44
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171558)
45
Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, who owns the unmade road at the bottom of Gordon Avenue and Harold Street in Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey.
(171384)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
46
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to promote adventure holidays and other outdoor pursuits in schools; and if she will make a statement.
(171605)
47
Mr Don Foster (Bath):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her estimate is of the date for the first appointed day, as specified in the Licensing Act 2003; and if she will make a statement.
(171396)
48
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money has been spent on the digitisation of content in libraries in Stockton South since 1997.
(171460)
49
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the work of regional development agencies in developing tourism in Stockton South.
(171461)
50
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Stockton South in each year since 1997.
(171462)
51
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will list visits made by each minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171560)
52
Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) board members and (b) head office based staff of the Arts Council for England have visited projects in West Bromwich East in each of the last five years.
(171596)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
53
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many windfarm applications his Department has been consulted upon; and to how many of these objections were made.
(171515)
54
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions have taken place between BAE Systems and the Department regarding the Saudi Armed Forces Project office of the Ministry of Defence between 2000 and 2002; when these discussions took place; what the nature of each discussion was; what the outcome of each was; and if he will make a statement.
(171609)
55
Mr Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his latest estimate is of the number of Iraqi civilians killed in consequence of military operations carried out by British forces since the invasion of Iraq began.
(171520)
56
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what qualifications armed forces personnel have in prison warder duties; whether the training they receive for such duties leads to a recognised qualification; and if he will make a statement.
(171586)
57
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his statement of 7th January, Official Report, column 139WH, on the case of Baha Musa, when he expects the investigation to be completed; whether its outcome will be placed in the public domain; and if he will make a statement.
(171623)
58
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the statement of 7th January, Official Report, column 138WH, on post-war Iraq, if he will list each unit involved in incidents of alleged or possible fatalities, broken down by (a) the number of cases recorded and (b) the state of investigation; how long the investigation has taken in each case; and what the outcome was of each completed investigation.
(171624)
59
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of whether the activities of (a) UK and (b) Coalition forces in Iraq fully comply with the Geneva conventions; and if he will make a statement.
(171635)
60
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171625)
61
Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the role of UK forces in protecting (a) tankers at ports and (b) oil terminals in Iraq.
(171419)
62
Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on current levels of (a) power generation, (b) water provision and (c) infrastructure construction in Iraq; and what steps have been taken to maintain provision of these services when contractors leave the country prematurely.
(171420)
63
Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he was first informed of investigations into activities of US personnel at Abu Ghraib prison; and what response he has made.
(171421)
64
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when a decision will be made on the support vehicle contract; and if he will make a statement.
(171574)
65
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the reliability of the Oshkosh support vehicles currently deployed in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
(171575)
66
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations his Department has received from the United States Embassy on behalf of US companies for the support vehicles contract; and if he will make a statement.
(171576)
67
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what meetings ministers in his Department have had with their US counterparts on the support vehicle contract; and if he will make a statement.
(171577)
68
N
Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the title of engineering artificer is to be replaced by that of engineering technician in the Royal Navy; what consultations were undertaken with non-commissioned Royal Naval personnel before the decision was taken; and if he will make a statement on the future of engineering apprenticeships in the Royal Navy.
(170227)
69
N
Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department received copies of a nuclear safety report by John Connor in (a) June and (b) November 2002; and what evaluation has been made of its contents.
(170228)
70
N
Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood that individuals involved in past nuclear submarine refits have (a) been exposed to cancer-causing levels of radiation and (b) developed cancer as a result.
(170229)
71
N
Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what monitoring programmes are in place to assess the health of present and former Royal Naval and MoD contracted personnel who have worked on nuclear submarine refits.
(170230)
72
N
Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimates have recently been made of the safety of levels of radiation regarded as acceptable when early generations of nuclear submarines were being refitted; and if he will authorise a new assessment.
(170231)
73
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 27th April, Official Report, column 873W, on Nuclear Installations (Aircraft Incidents), what reviews have taken place of the flight paths taken by RAF planes in United Kingdom airspace following the infringements he listed.
(171647)
74
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the future of the UK Air-Sea Rescue Service.
(171736)
75
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171562)
Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister
76
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 19th April, Official Report, column 348W, on the football stadium, Falmer, if he will define the nature of representations received following the closure of the inquiry into the proposal for a football stadium at Falmer, East Sussex, which he deems to be relevant in his consideration of the report from his planning inspector.
(171513)
77
N
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on how the change in the level of council funding for housing has affected the residents of South Ribble since 1997.
(171283)
78
N
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on how the Starter Homes Initiative has affected the residents of South Ribble.
(171284)
79
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to take steps to enable business rate income to remain with local authorities; how much business rate was collected by the London Borough of (a) Waltham Forest and (b) Redbridge in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
(171445)
80
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171630)
81
Mr Michael Foster (Worcester):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many complaints he received about the precepts of combined fire authorities for 2004-05 between 10th February and 28th April.
(171404)
82
Mr Michael Foster (Worcester):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many complaints he received about the Hereford and Worcester Combined Fire Authority's precept for 2004-05 between 10th February and 28th April.
(171405)
83
Bob Russell (Colchester):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether there is a time period after which a temporary structure is deemed to be permanent in respect of (a) planning legislation and (b) commencement of enforcement proceedings; and if he will make a statement.
(171737)
84
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many employees in his Department took early retirement in the last financial year; and at what total cost.
(171744)
85
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of how the change in the level of council funding for housing has affected the residents of Stockton South since 1997.
(171469)
86
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171572)
87
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much central funding was provided to local authorities in the (a) North West, (b) North East and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber regions in 2002-03.
(171497)
88
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what security the proposed regional assemblies would have to give in order to borrow cash.
(171498)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills
89
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when he last discussed access to outdoor and adventurous activities for young people with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
(171604)
90
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to promote adventure holidays and outdoor pursuits in schools; and if he will make a statement.
(171606)
91
Mr Joe Benton (Bootle):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in school sports in Bootle.
(171483)
92
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much public funding was spent per pupil in South Ribble in each of the last seven years.
(171655)
93
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many and what percentage of 11-year old pupils in South Ribble reached Level 4 in (a) mathematics and (b) English in each of the last seven years.
(171660)
94
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools in South Ribble deemed to be failing since 1997 have since reached satisfactory standards.
(171661)
95
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many and what percentage of pupils in South Ribble reached the (a) mathematics and (b) English standard in each of the last seven years.
(171662)
96
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much funding each school in South Ribble has received from the New Deal for Schools.
(171663)
97
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school children in South Ribble were taught in classes of more than 30 on the latest date for which figures are available.
(171664)
98
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much public funding has been spent on repairing schools in South Ribble in each year since 1997.
(171665)
99
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the number of children in South Ribble who have gained from the National Childcare Strategy.
(171666)
100
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many new nurseries have been established in South Ribble since 1997.
(171667)
101
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much money has been spent to develop school sports in South Ribble since 1997.
(171671)
102
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the building improvements in each school in South Ribble since 1997; and how much was spent on each improvement.
(171672)
103
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in schools in South Ribble.
(171673)
104
Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the criteria are relating to private sector colleges of higher education (a) for Government support for fees charged to individual students and (b) for acceptance of the institution for support from a funding council.
(171608)
105
Mr Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average truancy rate for secondary schools in Nottinghamshire was in each of the last five years.
(171517)
106
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps he is taking to (a) increase the percentage of pupils spending at least two hours a week on physical exercise and school sport and (b) increase the time children spend on exercise; and if he will make a statement.
(171447)
107
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171638)
108
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the annual budget is of the Music and Dance Scheme.
(171406)
109
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the remit of the Music and Dance Scheme.
(171408)
110
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what changes he has made to the fee structure for Level 2 courses in further education; and what steps he is taking to ensure the maintenance of employer contributions to those courses.
(171422)
111
Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of those aged 16 to 18 years are (a) unemployed, (b) in training, (c) in work and (d) in full-time education, broken down by (i) ethnic group and (ii) gender.
(171718)
112
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 19th April, Official Report, column 41W, how many headquarters staff there were in his Department as at 17th March.
(171391)
113
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 19th April, Official Report, column 41W, on headquarters staff, what information is being provided to staff regarding plans to reduce the number of headquarters staff in his Department; and if he will place a copy of that information in the Library.
(171409)
114
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 19th April, Official Report, column 41W, on headquarters staff, when he expects the first reductions in the number of headquarters staff in his Department to be made.
(171410)
115
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 19th April, Official Report, column 41W, on headquarters staff, what discussions he has had with trade unions regarding his plans to reduce the number of headquarters staff in his Department.
(171411)
116
Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether Croydon Council is in breach of its obligations in the provision of free nursery places for three year olds.
(171448)
117
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many teaching assistants there were in West Lancashire schools in each of the last seven years; and what the current figure is.
(171489)
118
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much public money was spent per pupil in West Lancashire in each of the last seven years.
(171490)
119
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many childcare places have been created in West Lancashire since 1997.
(171491)
120
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many residents of West Lancashire have undertaken apprenticeships in each of the last five years.
(171492)
121
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of childcare for (a) children from minority ethnic groups, (b) children with special needs and (c) children with disabilities.
(171366)
122
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of special educational needs co-ordinators.
(171367)
123
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many nursery managers are qualified to NVQ level 3 or above.
(171368)
124
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many students have (a) registered and (b) completed the two year early years foundation degree in each year since the course was introduced.
(171369)
125
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many new recruits he estimates will be needed over the next three years in the nursery and childcare sector to ensure the workforce is at full strength.
(171370)
126
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on recruitment and retention of staff in the nursery and childcare sectors.
(171371)
127
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many childminder inspections were carried out by Ofsted's Early Years Directorate in each year since 2000.
(171372)
128
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many teacher vacancies there were in Stockton South on the latest date for which figures are available; and what steps are being taken to reduce them.
(171450)
129
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many teaching assistants there were in schools in Stockton South in (a) each of the last seven years and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available.
(171451)
130
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) Sure Start centres and (b) Early Excellence centres have been created in Stockton South.
(171452)
131
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) free nursery and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) three and (ii) four year olds in Stockton South in each of the last seven years.
(171453)
132
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many new nurseries have been established in Stockton South since 1997.
(171454)
133
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many childcare places have been created in Stockton South since 1997.
(171455)
134
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many residents of Stockton South have undertaken apprenticeships in each of the last five years.
(171456)
135
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much money has been allocated to schools in Stockton South for information and communication technologies since 2001.
(171457)
136
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many women in Stockton South have visited an information and communications technology training centre in order to learn skills to return to work.
(171458)
137
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many Capital Modernisation Fund computer-learning centres have been established in Stockton South.
(171459)
138
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in school sports in Stockton South.
(171470)
139
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of 15 and 16 year olds in Stockton South achieved five or more GCSEs at Grade A* to C or GNVQ equivalent in each of the last seven years.
(171471)
140
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many and what percentage of 11 year-old pupils in Stockton South reached Level 4 in (a) mathematics and (b) English in each of the last seven years.
(171472)
141
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools in Stockton South deemed to be failing since 1997 have since reached satisfactory standards.
(171473)
142
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much funding each school in Stockton South has received from the New Deal for Schools.
(171474)
143
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in Stockton South have benefited from the Excellence in Cities programme; and what the per pupil spending was in each year since the programme's inception.
(171475)
144
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much public funding money has been spent on repairing schools in Stockton South in each year since 1997.
(171476)
145
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in Stockton South have gained from the National Childcare Strategy.
(171477)
146
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in Stockton South were taught in classes of more than 30 on the latest date for which figures are available.
(171478)
147
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171559)
148
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the funding streams and grants which are available to providers of childcare in respect of children over eight years; and for each one, what the expenditure was in each year for which the scheme has been in existence.
(171602)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
149
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what net change in the percentage of (a) area and (b) volume of glacier there has been in each of the last 10 years.
(171510)
150
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Written Statement of 20th April, Official Report, columns 7-8WS, on the flood defence finding review, what other substantial reforms to improve accountability and effectiveness will be introduced in the next 12 to 24 months as part of the Government's development of a long-term strategy on flood defence.
(171516)
151
Mr Joe Benton (Bootle):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many homes in Bootle have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes.
(171484)
152
N
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on farm income for farmers in South Ribble in the past five years.
(171286)
153
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by her Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171633)
154
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of parish and town clerks she estimates have achieved a relevant qualification in order to help qualify towards their council being a Quality Parish Council.
(171390)
155
Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to publish the revised Horse Passport Statutory Instrument.
(171387)
156
Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many representations have been received on the Environment Agency's proposed decision document relating to the operation of Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations Derby in the consultation closing in January; and when she will reach a decision on their proposals.
(171376)
157
Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether objections have been received to the Environment Agency's proposed new authorisations for Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations, Derby and the related decision to end authorisation of disposal of radioactive waste at Hills Quarry, Crich in the consultation ending in January 2004.
(171377)
158
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what target was most recently set by the Government for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2020.
(171522)
159
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government expects to achieve a 60 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
(171523)
160
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government first used the term some 60 per cent. by 2050 to define the target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
(171524)
161
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many homes in West Lancashire have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes.
(171496)
162
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what constitutes a moderate risk of release of leachate from a landfill site into a surrounding sea or land area.
(171526)
163
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risk to children on Two Tree Island of the accidental ingestion of dust or soil.
(171527)
164
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost was of the Halcrow Report into Two Tree Island; and what steps have been taken to publicise the report's conclusions.
(171528)
165
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is safe for the public to consume (a) vegetables and (b) fruit grown on Two Tree Island.
(171529)
166
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which areas of land on Two Tree Island may be subject to contamination from leakage from (a) old landfill and (b) old sewage works.
(171530)
167
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when repair work to Two Tree Island's sea wall was first identified as necessary; and when that work will commence.
(171531)
168
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what investigations have been undertaken by the Environment Agency into leachate seeping into the Thames from Two Tree Island.
(171532)
169
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what fines have been issued by courts following successful prosecutions for release of pollution from landfill sites in each of the last five years.
(171533)
170
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from English Nature regarding (a) contaminated materials on Two Tree Island and (b) the management of the site.
(171534)
171
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on how many occasions the Water Resources Act 1991 has been breached by release of contaminated material from Two Tree Island.
(171535)
172
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171569)
173
Mr Michael Weir (Angus):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations her Department has made to the European Commission regarding the impact on users of hearing aids of the proposed Batteries Directive.
(171353)
174
Mr Michael Weir (Angus):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from (a) organisations representing the hard of hearing and (b) manufacturers of batteries regarding the impact on hearing aid users of the proposed Batteries Directive.
(171354)
175
Mr Michael Weir (Angus):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from manufacturers of batteries regarding the proposed European Batteries Directive.
(171356)
176
Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who owns the sluice gates that lead into the tidal pond at the bottom of Borough Road, Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey.
(171383)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
177
Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent guidance he has produced for diplomatic posts on the issue of overseas bribery; and what plans he has to update that guidance.
(171395)
178
N
Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what means other than the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty the Government is seeking to use to (a) strengthen the inspection and monitoring of uranium enrichment facilities and (b) restrict the extension of such facilities.
(171037)
179
N
Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action the UK Government has taken to (a) support and (b) implement the Proliferation Security Initiative.
(171038)
180
N
Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps the Government has taken to prevent the proliferation of missile and nuclear weapon technology from North Korea.
(171039)
181
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what peace proposals are being taken forward to bring an early end to conflict in Darfur, Sudan.
(171388)
182
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 Sudan concerning (a) peace negotiations in the south of the country and (b) Darfur.
(171389)
183
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will reopen discussions with Japan under Article 26 of the 1951 Peace Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the status of those who were British passport holders in 1945 who have not received compensation payments from the Government.
(171392)
184
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning the arrest of the North Korean refugee Kang Byong-sop.
(171525)
185
Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the (a) timetable for the preparation of draft reports, (b) consultation period, (c) deadlines for submission to reporting bodies and (d) provisional dates and locations of public hearings to consider the UK periodic reports for each UN international obligation are; and which (i) department and (ii) officials have primary responsibility in each case.
(171373)
186
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on progress at the Preparatory Committee meeting for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference being held at the United Nations in New York.
(171651)
187
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list visits made by each minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171571)
188
Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Indian government regarding elections for the Indian parliament in Jammu and Kashmir this year.
(171380)
189
Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Pakistan and India regarding peace negotiations in Kashmir.
(171381)
190
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on (a) the transitional arrangements for voting and (b) the qualified majority voting requirements in the Council of Ministers.
(171499)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Health
191
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many anonymous complaints about care homes have been received since 1997; and if he will make a statement.
(171607)
192
Mr Joe Benton (Bootle):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what percentage of women in Bootle with suspected breast cancer saw a specialist within two weeks in each of the last five years.
(171481)
193
Mr Joe Benton (Bootle):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much public funding has been spent on health in Bootle in each of the last seven years.
(171482)
194
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what percentage of women in South Ribble with suspected breast cancer saw a specialist within two weeks in each of the last five years.
(171668)
195
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much public funding has been spent on (a) heart disease and (b) cancer care in South Ribble in each of the last five years.
(171669)
196
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the benefits for residents of South Ribble of the Health Development Agency.
(171670)
197
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much public funding has been spent on health in South Ribble in each of the last five years.
(171674)
198
Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what reviews of (a) professional executive committees (PECs) and (b) the role patients' forum representatives play on PECs has been conducted by the Government.
(171349)
199
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the (a) planned and (b) actual dates for each stage of new hospital projects approved by the Department were; when each scheme started on site; and when they reached financial close.
(171590)
200
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many general practitioner premises have been (a) replaced and (b) modernised in each year since 1997.
(171592)
201
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171620)
202
Sandra Gidley (Romsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 29th March, Official Report, column 1217W, on maternity services (asylum seekers) what (a) maternity and (b) antenatal services will be available to women who have had their application for asylum refused.
(171398)
203
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his Department's recent rejection of a Section 64 Grant Application by the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust.
(171407)
204
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what percentage of general practitioners (a) work part-time, (b) will retire in three years' time and (c) have indicated that they are prepared to work out of hours under the new general practitioner contract.
(171507)
205
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost of an NHS abortion was in each of the past three years; and what the total cost of NHS provision of abortions was in each year.
(171508)
206
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many of those classified as (a) senior managers, (b) managers, (c) clerical staff and (d) administrative staff within the NHS are eligible to join a royal college; and how many are not.
(171361)
207
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many of his Department's employees received counselling for drug use in 2003.
(171626)
208
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many of his Department's employees have been dismissed for drug abuse misconduct in the last five years.
(171627)
209
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many shared care schemes for drug misuse include workplace occupational health specialists.
(171628)
210
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what principles govern workplace drug abuse agreements with trade unions in his Department.
(171629)
211
Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of how a mandatory choice scheme for organ donation (a) would operate in the UK and (b) would be enforced.
(171653)
212
Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the impact on organ donation rates of a mandatory choice scheme, under which people would be obliged to register their intention whether or not to donate.
(171654)
213
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of essential services for severely affected sufferers of ME.
(171343)
214
Bob Russell (Colchester):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether there is a shortage of serum for (a) measles, (b) mumps and (c) rubella for children whose parents opt for individual inoculations; and if he will make a statement.
(171738)
215
Bob Russell (Colchester):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on ensuring that there is an adequate provision of serum for children whose parents opt for individual inoculations rather than the combined MMR.
(171743)
216
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last three years.
(171713)
217
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will, in the light of the recent Ombudsman's report on Mr Curran, assess the criteria used by the Castle Point and Rochford Primary Care Trust to determine payment of the long-term health and care costs; and if he will make a statement on their consistency with the principle of free NHS care for those with serious health problems.
(171717)
218
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will refund to families the costs they have been charged for the long-term care of their loved ones where these charges have been found to relate primarily to clinical care necessary because of severe illness; and if he will make a statement.
(171731)
219
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out his policy for increasing the productivity and cutting the costs of his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
(171732)
220
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to ensure that people with severe irreversible brain damage who need long-term health care are not required to pay for that care.
(171733)
221
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the strategic health authorities under which the long-term care of people with Parkinson's disease is (a) funded under the NHS and (b) not funded under the NHS.
(171734)
222
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the consistency among strategic health authorities' policies on paying for long-term care costs for people with Parkinson's disease and other serious health needs.
(171735)
223
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171567)
Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department
224
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in South Ribble in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 2003-04.
(171656)
225
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the percentage change in (a) overall recorded crime, (b) recorded violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts in South Ribble has been since 1997.
(171658)
226
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the percentage change in full-time police officers in South Ribble has been since 1997.
(171659)
227
David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had on reducing the standards of proof in trials of terrorist or other serious criminal offences.
(171480)
228
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171632)
229
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role there will be for local probation boards in the event of the creation of a National Offender Management Service.
(171412)
230
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many representations his Department has received (a) in support of and (b) against the setting up of the National Offender Management Service.
(171413)
231
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what processes he will put in place to continue to allow the Probation Service to have an active relationship with victims of crime in the event of the service's inclusion within the National Offender Management Service.
(171414)
232
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the decision to advertise the jobs of (a) National Offender Manager and (b) 10 regional offender managers (England and Wales) in advance of agreement to set up the National Offender Management Service.
(171415)
233
Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for the storage of health information on (a) blood group, (b) organ donor status and (c) HIV condition on the National Identity Register on (i) a voluntary and (ii) a compulsory basis.
(171597)
234
Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how the subsidy for the price charged for an identity card for those on low incomes will be funded.
(171598)
235
Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out the processes involved in reading the information stored on the proposed identity card.
(171599)
236
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what meetings Ministers have had with their counterparts from (a) Sweden, (b) Greece, (c) Belgium, (d) Denmark, (e) Finland, (f) Spain, (g) the USA, (h) Portugal, (i) Italy, (j) New Zealand, (k) Ireland, (l) Canada, (m) Jamaica, (n) the Netherlands, (o) Switzerland, (p) France and (q) Germany on drug abuse in the last two years.
(171622)
237
Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will estimate the cost of replacing the gymnasium at HM Prison Shrewsbury.
(171375)
238
Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the expected completion date is for building a new gymnasium at HM Prison Shrewsbury.
(171378)
239
Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects the design for a new gymnasium at HM Prison Shrewsbury to be completed.
(171379)
240
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much public funding has been spent on CCTV security cameras in West Lancashire since 1997.
(171721)
241
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the percentage change since 1997 is in West Lancashire in (a) overall recorded crime, (b) violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts.
(171722)
242
Mr Stephen Pound (Ealing North):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the outline business case and financial analysis of the privatisation of the Forensic Science Service will be published.
(171397)
243
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how his Department keeps track of asylum seekers who are evicted by local authorities from National Asylum Support Service accommodation following refusal of an application for asylum.
(171345)
244
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have (a) applied for and (b) been refused help under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
(171346)
245
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have applied for judicial review in the last 12 months; and how many have been (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in their application.
(171347)
246
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken is for the removal of asylum seekers whose claims have been unsuccessful following judicial review.
(171416)
247
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers in (a) the UK, (b) West Yorkshire, (c) Kirklees and (d) Huddersfield have exhausted the appeals process and have been refused on asylum and human rights grounds and are unable to be returned to their own country because it is not considered safe.
(171374)
248
N
Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge & Malling):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many clandestine entrants into the United Kingdom have been detected (a) on entry and (b) in the country in each month since December 2001.
(171253)
249
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171568)
Questions to the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission
250
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will place in the Library a copy of the review of environmental performance which the Commission has commissioned.
(171511)
Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development
251
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to increase the number of skilled birth attendants in sub-saharan Africa.
(171675)
252
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when he will report progress on the Millennium Development Goal for the reduction in the proportion of 15 to 24 year old pregnant women with HIV.
(171676)
253
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the progress of the National Small Arms Action Plans in Southern African countries.
(171677)
254
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the involvement of his Department is in the EU's Peace Facility for Africa.
(171678)
255
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will list the under five mortality rates for each of the 16 African countries covered by the Millennium Development Goal.
(171679)
256
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of children are enrolled in primary school in each of the 16 countries in sub-saharan Africa for which the Millennium Development Goal on enrolment has been set.
(171680)
257
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will list in ascending order of progress the 16 key countries in sub-saharan Africa for which the Millennium Development Goal on poverty reduction was set.
(171681)
258
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when the Department will report progress on its targets (a) to reduce maternal mortality and (b) to tackle HIV/AIDS in Asia.
(171682)
259
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when data will be available for the measurement of his Department's targets on HIV/AIDS policy in Africa.
(171683)
260
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make a statement on progress on (a) the reduction of the under five mortality rate and (b) the TB treatment rates in Asia.
(171684)
261
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, for what reasons his Department is off course to meet its health targets in Africa, as noted on page 180 of the 2004 Departmental Report.
(171685)
262
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the change in the under five mortality rate has been since 1997 in countries receiving his Department's health care assistance in (a) Asia and (b) sub-Saharan Africa.
(171686)
263
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether the re-organisation of the Commonwealth Development Corporation has been completed.
(171687)
264
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will list the members of the Poverty Environment Partnership.
(171688)
265
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when the analytical methods referred to on page 179 of the 2004 Departmental Report for the integration of poverty-environment issues into Poverty Reduction Strategy processes will be (a) finalised and (b) published.
(171689)
266
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when in 2004 he estimates the Department's objective of securing relief of unsustainable debt for all heavily indebted poor countries will be achieved.
(171690)
267
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of children are in primary education in the top 30 UK development partner countries.
(171691)
268
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the impact of EU sanctions on Burma.
(171692)
269
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the children's parliament in Malawi in influencing public policy there.
(171693)
270
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-drugs programmes in Tanzania.
(171694)
271
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the work of Plan UK in setting up day care centres in the Philippines to serve children of working parents.
(171695)
272
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations he has received about the activity of girls in Nepal highlighting the problems of school attendance, alcohol consumption and smoking.
(171696)
273
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the work of the New Generation Club on sexual health in Ecuador.
(171697)
274
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the contribution made by children to the improvement of sanitary practice in Bangladesh.
(171698)
275
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations he has received about the role of child-to-child clubs in Kenya in highlighting the phenomenom of female genital mutilation in Kenya.
(171699)
276
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what study he has made of the role of children in Haiti in highlighting domestic violence.
(171700)
277
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations he has received about the activity of ex-child combatants in campaigning against the use of child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
(171701)
278
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the value of the work of young filmmakers in India in drawing attention to (a) industrial pollution, (b) early marriage, (c) child labour and (d) prostitution.
(171702)
279
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of children is enrolled in primary school in (a) Bangladesh, (b) China and (c) India.
(171703)
280
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the changes in statistical methodologies are which make it impossible to measure firm progress on the target for sustainable poverty reduction in East Asia and the Pacific.
(171704)
281
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the changes are to survey methods and the revisions to statistical estimates in relation to the poverty reduction target for South Asia referred to on page 186 of the 2004 Departmental Report.
(171711)
282
Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many representations his Department has received in 2004 on political manipulation of EU-funded food aid by the Zimbabwean government; and when his Department will publish the results of the investigation announced in February into the alleged misappropriation of UK and EU aid.
(171350)
283
Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many representations his Department has received in 2004 on UK and EU aid to Zimbabwe not being spent for humanitarian purposes.
(171351)
284
Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many formal meetings his Department had in April with the World Food Programme regarding food aid to Zimbabwe; and whether the Zimbabwean government's refusal of food aid formed part of discussions.
(171352)
285
Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance his Department's overseas offices offer to UK-based recruitment agencies in the recruitment of education workers from overseas; and how many staff in his Department were involved in offering such assistance on the latest date for which figures are available.
(171500)
286
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171565)
Questions to the Leader of the House
287
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Leader of the House, how much has been paid to Sinn Fein since the decision by the House to pay allowances to Sinn Fein honourable Members who have not taken the oath.
(171739)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
288
Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps to assist small businesses meet insurance costs.
(171714)
289
Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps to reduce regulation on small businesses in Northern Ireland.
(171715)
290
Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether Northern Ireland has been included in the Employer Training Pilots.
(171716)
291
Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the status of Translink is; and what the membership is.
(171719)
292
Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who the members of the Transport Review Team are; and when its report is due to be published.
(171720)
293
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many visits have been made under the auspices of Invest Northern Ireland by potential inward investors to each constituency within the past twelve months; and how many jobs have been created as a result in each.
(171740)
294
N
Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what effect the designation of conservation area status has upon the protection of trees within its boundaries.
(170033)
295
N
Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on how the Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland has fulfilled its obligations towards The Priory in Holywood, County Down.
(170034)
296
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many employees in his Department took early retirement in the last financial year; and at what total cost.
(171728)
297
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171564)
Questions to the Prime Minister
298
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the peers appointed since 1997 who are members of Northern Ireland political parties, broken down by party.
(171741)
299
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Prime Minister, whether he raised the case of Dr Salim Abu Hunak, held in Abu Salim Prison in Tripoli, when he recently met Colonel Gadaffi; and what action the Government is taking to make progress towards the release of Dr Hunak.
(171645)
300
N
Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe):To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 19th April, Official Report, columns 21-3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, whether he raised in Washington the role of the British representative in Baghdad.
(171165)
301
N
Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe):To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 19th April, Official Report, columns 21-3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, what proposals were agreed with President Bush to improve the training and effectiveness of Iraqi security forces.
(171166)
302
N
Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe):To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 19th April, Official Report, columns 21-3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, what arrangements are being made to replace the Spanish contingent.
(171167)
303
N
Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe):To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 19th April, Official Report, columns 21-3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, whether he asked President Bush to designate the British representative as Ambassador Bremer's deputy.
(171168)
304
N
Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe):To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 19th April, Official Report, columns 21-3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, whether British commanders in Iraq have asked for reinforcements; and whether any such request has been made by the US Administration.
(171169)
305
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Prime Minister, how many employees in his office took early retirement in the last financial year; and at what total cost.
(171729)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland
306
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport in respect of the breach of the air exclusion zone around the Chapel Cross Nuclear Plant this year; and what steps have been taken to improve air security around the plant.
(171650)
307
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many employees in his Department took early retirement in the last financial year; and at what total cost.
(171730)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
308
Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action her Department will take arising from the collapse of the bus maker Mayflower; and if she will make a statement.
(171355)
309
N
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the effect of recent trends in investment in renewable energy upon residents of South Ribble.
(171285)
310
Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the (a) migration of information technology work overseas and (b) steps her Department is taking to reverse the trend towards migration of IT work overseas.
(171399)
311
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by her Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171637)
312
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the implications for the renewables obligation of the liquidation of Atlantic Electric and Gas; and whether its renewables obligation liabilities have been acquired by another going concern.
(171385)
313
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will assess the effectiveness of the mechanism of the trading of renewable obligation certificates (ROCs), with specific reference to the liquidation of an energy company possessing ROCs.
(171386)
314
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the resource budget of Invest-UK was in each year between 1999 and 2002.
(171593)
315
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how long the consultation period on the proposals to prohibit the possession of fireworks was.
(171594)
316
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 28th April, Official Report, column 1151W, on business regulation, how many regulatory impact statements have been issued by her Department in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.
(171595)
317
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 28th April, Official Report, columns 43-4WS on small business service, how much financial support her Department intends to provide for the Phoenix Fund Building scheme from April; and for what period.
(171611)
318
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the reasons were for the increase in the total net administration costs of her Department between 2002-03 and 2003-04 as set out in the Departmental Report 2004, Cm 6216, page 161.
(171612)
319
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the progress of the (a) measures in the Regulatory Reform Action Plan and (b) regulatory reform orders which her Department has proposed but not completed.
(171613)
320
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what powers the Insolvency Service's Prosecution Section has to investigate people in breach of (a) disqualification orders and (b) bankruptcy orders.
(171614)
321
Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many calls have been received by the Disqualified Directors Hotline of the Insolvency Service's Prosecution Section in the last 12 months; how many cases were taken forward by the Legal Services Directorate as a result; and if she will make a statement.
(171615)
322
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many businesses have started up in West Lancashire since 1997.
(171725)
323
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many workers in West Lancashire have benefited from the national minimum wage.
(171726)
324
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many residents of West Lancashire have benefited from a reduction of the compulsory working week to 48 hours.
(171727)
325
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps her Department is taking to protect consumers from unsolicited faxes.
(171348)
326
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what physical protection measures exist at the Berkeley nuclear research laboratories in Gloucestershire against the accidental or deliberate crash of an aircraft onto the site; and whether these have been enhanced since 2002.
(171649)
327
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171561)
328
Jon Trickett (Hemsworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many consumers she estimates have not received an energy bill from their current (a) electricity and (b) gas supplier over the last four years.
(171485)
329
Jon Trickett (Hemsworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what regulations are in force to ensure that consumers receive energy bills that are (a) on time, (b) in an understandable format and (c) accurate; and if she will make a statement.
(171486)
330
Jon Trickett (Hemsworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what percentage of households with electricity accounts she estimates the regulator has been successful in enforcing Standard Licence condition (Electricity) 17 in inspecting meters every two years.
(171487)
331
Jon Trickett (Hemsworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what percentage of gas accounts she estimates Ofgem has been successful in enforcing Standard Licence condition (Gas) 17 in inspecting meters every two years.
(171488)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport
332
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the profit levels of train leasing companies.
(171514)
333
Mr Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the construction of the A46 dual carriageway improvement between Newark and Widmerpool in Nottinghamshire to begin.
(171518)
334
Mr Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the construction of the A453 dual carriageway improvement between Clifton in Nottinghamshire and Kegworth to begin.
(171519)
335
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171621)
336
N
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library copies of the reports on the Central Railway project prepared for him by the Strategic Rail Authority.
(171282)
337
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects that the Strategic Rail Authority will have developed the November 2005 Performance Trajectory with the train operating companies and the National Task Force.
(171400)
338
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he expects the Strategic Rail Authority to achieve delivery of the Train Operating Company operational performance trajectory projections for November.
(171401)
339
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list the rail projects which have involved the establishment of enhanced Companies (EnCos) since the publication of the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan.
(171402)
340
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list the railway and land sites which have been identified by the Strategic Rail Authority as being suitable for disposal since 2002.
(171403)
341
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how often he meets officials of the Strategic Rail Authority to discuss improvements to the national rail network.
(171479)
342
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the Department's role was in the formulation of the Route Utilisation Strategy (Part One) for the East Midlands published in March by the Strategic Rail Authority.
(171504)
343
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he envisages the full restoration of passenger rail services between Coventry and Nottingham.
(171505)
344
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the Strategic Rail Authority's Route Utilisation Strategy (Part One) for the East Midlands.
(171506)
345
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171566)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales
346
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Defence and (b) the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on emergency planning procedures to deal with a serious nuclear incident since the release of information by the Ministry of Defence on 1st May on incidents involving military aircraft and the Berkeley nuclear installations.
(171648)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
347
Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.
(171636)
348
Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many absent parents paid maintenance to the Child Support Agency for their children which because of computer problems was not paid to the parent with care (a) three, (b) six, (c) nine and (d) 12 months ago; and what the figure is for the most recent period for which figures are available.
(171742)
349
Paul Holmes (Chesterfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people are on disability benefits, broken down by (a) benefit and (b) region; and if he will make a statement.
(171587)
350
Paul Holmes (Chesterfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of women were claiming disability benefits in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) benefit and (b) age; how long the average claim was in each case; and if he will make a statement.
(171588)
351
Paul Holmes (Chesterfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average payment from the Advisor's Discretionary Fund was in each of the last five years; how many people have been given payments from the fund in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
(171589)
352
Paul Holmes (Chesterfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been employed on 13 week casual appointments in his Department in the last 12 months, broken down by agency; and if he will make a statement.
(171591)
353
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 1638W, on staff reduction, what discussions he has had with trade unions regarding plans for a net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department.
(171423)
354
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 1638W, on staff reduction, by what date he intends to have reduced civil servant jobs in his Department by 30,000.
(171424)
355
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 1638W, on staff reduction, whether the intended net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department will include the reduction of 18,000 for which plans have been in development since 2002.
(171425)
356
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 1638W, on staff reduction, what the baseline figure is for the intended net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department.
(171426)
357
Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 1638W, on staff reduction, if he will break down the net reduction of 30,000 civil servants in his Department by reductions made through (a) the new business model being rolled out in Jobcentre Plus, (b) the Pensions Transformation Programme and reductions in staffing in the Pension Service, (c) the introduction of child support reform and (d) savings in back office functions.
(171427)
358
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many lone parents in West Lancashire have gained work through the New Deal programme.
(171723)
359
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many mothers in West Lancashire have taken up the Sure Start maternity grant.
(171724)
360
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many ME sufferers appealed after their initial claims for disability living allowance were rejected in the last 12 months; and how many of these were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in their appeals.
(171341)
361
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many ME sufferers were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in their applications for disability living allowance in the last 12 months.
(171342)
362
John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the overlapping benefit rule in respect of carers' allowance for (a) women over 60 years and (b) men and women over 65 years.
(171344)
363
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many eligible pensioners he estimates are not claiming (a) pension credits and (b) council tax credit in Devon and Cornwall, broken down by constituency.
(171579)
364
Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.
(171563)
365
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) median and (b) average income of pensioners was in each year since 1997.
(171580)
Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
366
Mr David Willetts (Havant):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out the distribution of original income, by quintile, in each of the past 10 years.
[Transferred] (171582)
Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs
367
Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, when he expects the appeal lodged with the social security commissioners by John Sheridan of Birkenhead to be heard.
[Transferred] (171444)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
368
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations have been received from the US Administration in respect of the proposed REACH legislation in the EU.
[Transferred] (171512)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Health
369
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in South Ribble are receiving drug treatment.
[Transferred] (171657)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
370
Mr Joe Benton (Bootle):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the effect of recent trends in investment in renewable energy upon residents of Bootle.
[Transferred] (171449)
371
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the budget of each of the regional development agencies for 2004-05 is; how much each has spent in each year since 1999; and how much of this was spent on (a) staffing and (b) administration in each case.
[Transferred] (171509)
372
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether she has initiated a review of the security of the sea transport of Mox plutonium fuels in response to the heightened international threat from terrorism.
[Transferred] (171652)
373
Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, for what reason community radio stations have to pay for music rights for both a radio and a restricted services licence.
[Transferred] (171382)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport
374
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 22nd April, Official Report, column 651W, how many of the Department of Transport's PFI projects listed on the Treasury website met the criteria for special purpose vehicles set out in the Strategic Rail Authority's strategic plan.
[Transferred] (171521)

 
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