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House of Commons
Session 2003 - 04
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The Questions Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Friday 14 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 Friday 14 May 2004
(the 'Questions Book')

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Friday 14 May 2004


This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Friday 14 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 Friday 14 May of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Friday 14 May see Part 2 of this paper.


Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
1
N
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will examine the recent steps taken by the German states to increase the tax on sport utility vehicles to assess the potential environmental effects of similar provisions in the United Kingdom.
(173144)
2
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what revenue he received from the Climate Change Levy in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04; and what proportion of that sum in each year was received from those companies receiving 80 per cent. discounts as part of sectoral climate change agreements.
(173463)
3
N
Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the percentage change in conceptions among girls under (a) 18 and (b) 16 years in Kent is since 2001.
(172214)
4
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what charges the Financial Services Authority will (a) incur and (b) charge following the introduction of the Insurance Mediation Directive.
(173761)
5
Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the membership of the cross-departmental committee on the 10 year investment framework on science and innovation is; on what dates it has met; if he will publish the minutes of the meetings; and if he will make a statement.
(173554)
6
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding he has made available for overseas aid in each year since 2000.
(173857)
7
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT.
(173714)
8
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year.
(173715)
9
Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list (a) the Office of Government Commerce Gateway Reviews conducted since January 2001, (b) the dates on which the reviews were completed and (c) further consequential Office of Government Commerce Gateway appraisals.
(173820)
Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs
10
N
Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what plans he has to introduce regulations in Northern Ireland to make provision for solicitors to offer their services on a no-win-no-fee basis.
(173423)
11
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what funding the Government makes available to (a) improve holding cells and (b) build new cells at magistrates' courts in Lancashire.
(173770)
12
N
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many people (a) applied for and (b) received legal aid in Greater London, broken down by borough, in each of the last seven years.
(173197)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
13
Mr Don Foster (Bath):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much grant-in-aid funding was given to the (a) Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites, (b) Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection, (c) Advisory Council on Libraries, (d) Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art, (e) Spoilation Advisory Panel, (f) Treasure Valuation Committee, (g) Working Group on Human Remains, (h) Advisory Group on Illicit Trade, (i) Live Music Forum, (j) Review of BBC's Digital Television Services and (k) Review of BBC's Digital Radio Services in 2002-03; what the administration costs of each were in that year; and what the projected grant-in-aid (i) is for each in 2003-04 and (ii) will be for each in (A) 2004-05 and (B) 2005-06.
(173705)
14
Mr Don Foster (Bath):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much grant-in-aid funding was given to the regional cultural consortiums and what the administration costs were, in 2002-03, broken down by region.
(173706)
15
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what consultations were held with the police about the effects of binge drinking on local alcohol and violence problems before the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003; and what consultations are going on now about its implementation.
(173665)
16
Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her assessment of the effect of food promotion on children's health takes into account the (a) quantity, (b) frequency and (c) scheduling of food and drink advertisements in addition to their content.
(173745)
17
Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has accepted the conclusions of the Food Standards Agency research, Does food promotion influence children? A systematic review of the evidence, conducted by the University of Strathclyde.
(173801)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
18
N
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the occasions since 1st May 1997 when radioactive material has been unaccounted for, broken down by (a) location, (b) volume and (c) radioactivity level of the material; and whether the material remains missing in each case.
(173142)
19
Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria are used by the Warship Support Agency's Maritime Support Strategy element to assess support through life for major future naval equipment.
(173701)
20
Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what items make up the Defence Logistics Organisation-sponsored support solutions envelope.
(173702)
21
Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to make an announcement concerning the Future Carrier Programme, the Alliance Strategy and the timetable for the demonstration and manufacture phases; and if he will make a statement.
(173704)
22
Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which members and former members of the UK's armed forces will be entitled to qualify for the Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) approved by Royal Warrant SR2002/224; and if he will make a statement.
(173529)
23
Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) weapons, (b) vehicles and (c) other equipment has been supplied to private security forces contracted to United Kingdom Government interests in Iraq; and at what cost.
(173472)
24
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will promote the benefit of Eurofighter to the Singapore Government.
(173771)
25
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many 16 to 18 year olds are serving in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy, broken down by sex.
(173773)
26
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) land and buildings owned or leased by the Department and (b) land that the Department has rights to use in (i) Chorley and (ii) Lancashire.
(173774)
27
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Air Force aircraft used RAF Gibraltar in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004 broken down by type; how many other air forces used Gibraltar in each year; and how many aircraft were involved in each case.
(173775)
28
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reports he has received on the incidence of (a) rape and (b) other sexual abuse of Iraqis by British personnel serving in Iraq.
(173655)
29
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the process is for the security clearance of (a) agency and (b) other staff working for TNT at the Departmental Records Office at Bourne Avenue, Hayes.
(173656)
30
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff including agency staff employed by TNT at the Departmental Records Office, Bourne Avenue, Hayes have sought security clearance; at what level they have been security cleared; how many have had clearance declined; and what the average length of time taken to obtain security clearance has been.
(173657)
31
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many complaints have been lodged against the performance of TNT in its handling of records based at the Hayes Departmental Records Office at Bourne Avenue, Hayes.
(173658)
32
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what mechanism he has put in place to monitor the performance of TNT at the former Departmental Records Office, Bourne Avenue, Hayes; and what system is in place to receive and record complaints about performance.
(173659)
33
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many complaints from former staff of his Department employed by TNT have been raised with regard to the new process for handling departmental records and their security.
(173660)
34
N
Mr John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has made to his US counterpart regarding the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by the Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq.
(173405)
35
Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions Ministers had with (a) Coalition partners and (b) the armed forces, and when, about the handling of prisoners in Iraq.
(173521)
36
Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow Govan):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the progress of the new aircraft carrier programme.
(173703)
37
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the balance of benefits and detriments arising from the sale of QinetiQ.
(173858)
38
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vehicles have been transported to Iraq for use by British armed forces, broken down by type.
(173860)
39
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's policy in respect of the proposal to build a high-powered laser facility at AWE Aldermaston has changed since 5th July 1999.
(173861)
40
N
Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions over the last 12 months the Secretary of State has seen reports by Amnesty International relating to the treatment by the Coalition forces of prisoners of war and other matters in Iraq.
(173400)
41
N
Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has made to the US Administration regarding the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
(173401)
42
N
Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq was handed to the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ); on what date the report was passed from PJHQ to the Department, and to whom; and on what date the report was passed to him.
(173402)
43
N
Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq was passed to the Foreign Office.
(173403)
44
N
Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the written reply to the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq was made by his Department; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
(173404)
Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister
45
N
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what meetings have taken place, and on what date, between representatives of Brighton and Hove Council and (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last two years.
(173143)
46
N
Sue Doughty (Guildford):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the letters and reports he has received from the Electoral Commission in relation to the Guildford Borough Council elections of 1st May 2003.
(173299)
47
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether the disabled facilities grant is subject to a review; and if he will make a statement.
(173864)
48
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to abolish means testing of the disabled facility grant.
(173865)
49
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will raise the level of the maximum grant in order to compensate for any loss incurred through the operation of the means test for the disabled facility grant.
(173866)
50
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on progress on the consultation on the operation of home sellers' packs.
(173867)
51
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what discussions he has had on the proposal by chartered surveyors to remove mandatory home condition reports from home sellers packs.
(173868)
52
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what research he has undertaken on possible legal and insurance claims against surveyors in advance of the introduction of home condition reports.
(173869)
53
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what charge he estimates will be levied for home condition reports.
(173870)
54
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the likely impact on property prices of the introduction of home sellers' packs.
(173871)
55
Clive Efford (Eltham):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps he is taking to assist teachers in London with housing costs; what the reasons were for changing from 1st April the criteria by which teachers qualify for assistance with housing costs in London; and if he will make a statement.
(173461)
56
Mr Don Foster (Bath):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what progress his Department's Neighbourhood Renewal Unit has made on developing a toolkit for delivering sport and physical activity in renewal areas; and if he will make a statement.
(173707)
57
Mr Don Foster (Bath):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what research the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit has commissioned into the barriers that stop sport and renewal working together more closely.
(173708)
58
Mr Don Foster (Bath):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much his Department's Neighbourhood Renewal Unit has spent on sport and physical activity, and who has received grants from that spending, broken down by (a) year and (b) region.
(173709)
59
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what recent representations he has received from fire and rescue authorities concerning the administrative costs of dealing with the paperwork generated by the contravention by their vehicles on emergency calls of speed limits captured on speed cameras.
(173808)
60
N
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many homeless families there were in each Greater London borough, in each of the last seven years.
(173294)
61
N
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much previously developed land was (a) vacant and (b) derelict in each Greater London borough, in each year since 1997.
(173295)
62
N
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many empty residential dwellings there were in each Greater London borough, in each year since 1997.
(173296)
63
N
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many evictions there were from local authority housing stock for rent arrears in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough during each of the last three years.
(173297)
64
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his estimate is of the total amount of debt write off (a) involved in housing transfers in 2004-05 and (b) actually paid out in 2003-04; how this is to be funded; and by what Department this is to be funded.
(173523)
65
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the cost was of gap funding for housing transfers in each year since it was introduced; and what the projected costs are for the next financial year.
(173666)
66
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his estimate is of the annual cost of the extra gap funding he has announced for housing transfers in areas with negative equity; and whether gap funding allocations will be increased for such areas already in the process of transfer.
(173667)
67
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much money has been committed to date for setting up arm's length management organisations for housing transfer; and on what basis this is allocated.
(173668)
68
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many houses have been brought up to the Government's Decent Homes Standards by (a) registered social landlords, (b) arm's length management organisations, (c) councils and (d) the Public Finance Initiative since targets were fixed; and what proportion these numbers constitute of each sector's stock.
(173669)
69
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his target was for the proportion of houses brought up to the Decent Homes Standard by 1st April; and what proportion was achieved by that date, broken down by housing sector.
(173670)
70
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how he has advised tenants who have rejected arm's length management organisations or transfers of housing stock to rethink their decision; what proposals he has for facilitating this; and what sanctions and resources he proposes to bring to bear to facilitate rethinking.
(173695)
71
Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he expects local authorities to be able to use the powers provided by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 to deal with high hedges.
(173530)
72
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year.
(173720)
73
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT.
(173721)
74
Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the average number of empty homes in the United Kingdom was in each year since 1997, broken down by area.
(173697)
75
Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many homes in the United Kingdom were classed as overcrowded in each year since 1997, broken down by area.
(173698)
76
Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the average number of homeless households living in temporary accommodation was in each year since 1997, broken down by accommodation type.
(173736)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills
77
N
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the recommendations made in the Better Regulation Task Force report on the Regulation of Child Employment; and if he will make a statement.
(173389)
78
N
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to ensure that existing guidelines and codes of practice regarding the employment of children are enforced at local authority level.
(173390)
79
N
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to propose new clauses to the Children's Bill relating to the regulation of child employment in England and Wales.
(173391)
80
Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much money has been allocated through the (a) Local Network Fund and (b) Children's Fund to the North East of England; what criteria his Department has laid down for the allocation of this money; and how the arrangements are audited.
(173699)
81
Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much money from (a) the Children's Fund and (b) the Local Network Fund has been allocated to projects serving Newcastle East and Wallsend parliamentary constituency.
(173700)
82
N
Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 29th April, Official Report, column 1253W, on broadband, if he will list the schools which (a) have and (b) do not have access to broadband connectivity, broken down by type of local authority in which they are located.
(173096)
83
N
Colin Burgon (Elmet):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many teaching assistants were employed in schools in (a) Leeds and (b) Elmet constituency for each year since 1996.
(173392)
84
N
Colin Burgon (Elmet):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the uptake of the educational maintenance allowance in (a) Leeds and (b) Elmet constituency.
(173393)
85
N
Colin Burgon (Elmet):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing the educational maintenance allowance in schools in England.
(173394)
86
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what public funding has been spent on adult (a) literacy and (b) numeracy in Wirral South in each of the last five years.
(173623)
87
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral 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 Wirral South in each of the last seven years.
(173624)
88
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the number of children in Wirral South who have gained from the National Childcare Strategy.
(173625)
89
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much public funding has been spent on repairing schools in Wirral South in each year since 1997.
(173626)
90
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in Wirral South were taught in classes of more than 30 pupils on the latest date for which figures are avilable.
(173627)
91
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much funding each school in Wirral South has received from the New Deal for Schools.
(173628)
92
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in Wirral South have benefited from the Excellence in Cities programme; and what the per pupil spending was in each year since the programme's inception.
(173629)
93
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools in Wirral South deemed to be failing since 1997 have since reached satisfactory standards.
(173630)
94
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many and what percentage of 11 year old pupils in Wirral South reached level four in (a) mathematics and (b) English in each of the last seven years.
(173631)
95
Clive Efford (Eltham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will reform financial support for adults to encourage learning.
(173894)
96
Clive Efford (Eltham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether it is his policy that funding for 16-18 year olds in colleges should match that provided to schools.
(173895)
97
Clive Efford (Eltham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps he is taking to assist (a) recruitment and (b) retention of staff in further education colleges.
(173896)
98
Clive Efford (Eltham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assistance is given to schools in areas where the cost of housing has been identified as a barrier to recruiting staff, with particular reference to (a) newly qualified teachers, (b) experienced staff and (c) senior managers.
(173897)
99
N
Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the resource implications for (a) schools and (b) local education authorities of maintaining surplus school places.
(173098)
100
N
Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, under what powers local education authorities may be required to reduce the number of surplus places in schools.
(173100)
101
N
Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when the schools categorised as (a) subject to special measures, (b) having serious weaknesses, (c) underachieving and (d) having inadequate sixth forms as of 9th April were placed in those categories.
(173139)
102
N
Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, which schools Office for Standards in Education categorised as (a) subject to special measures, (b) having serious weaknesses, (c) underachieving and (d) having inadequate sixth forms between 1st January and 9th April.
(173140)
103
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many students from (a) Chorley and (b) Lancashire are attending university; and how many (i) pay no tuition fees and (ii) pay partial tuition fees.
(173767)
104
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many teaching staff have taken early retirement in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) Lancashire, (ii) the North West and (iii) Chorley in each year since 2000.
(173898)
105
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many school governors have served for 25 years in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley.
(173899)
106
N
Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much of the 2004-05 budget for Modern Apprenticeships is allocated to large businesses to convert their existing training for young employees into Modern Apprenticeship qualifications; and what proportion this represents of the total Modern Apprenticeship training budget allocation.
(169467)
107
N
Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what targets he has set for the number of small and medium-sized enterprises engaged with the Modern Apprenticeship scheme in (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05; what measures he has developed for assessing employer engagement in Modern Apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement.
(169470)
108
N
Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether it is his policy for per capita funding for 16 to 18 years old students attending further education colleges to be the same as that for 16 to 18 year old pupils attending state schools; and if he will make a statement.
(169471)
109
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, which banks administer career development loans.
(173825)
110
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what criteria are used to decide whether an application for a career development loan should be accepted.
(173826)
111
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many people have applied for career development loans in each year since their introduction; and how many of those applications were successful.
(173849)
112
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average value of a career development loan was in each year since their introduction.
(173850)
113
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the Government's targets for the take up of (a) young apprenticeships, (b) apprenticeships and (c) advanced apprenticeships over the next three years.
(173747)
114
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate his Department has made of the number of 14 to 16 year olds that will register for young apprenticeships in each of the next three years.
(173748)
115
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps his Department will take to ensure the (a) young apprenticeship, (b) apprenticeship and (c) advanced apprenticeship schemes are successful in recruiting and retaining trainees.
(173749)
116
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how prospective (a) young apprenticeship, (b) apprenticeship and (c) advanced apprenticeship trainees will be matched up with appropriate employers.
(173750)
117
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the new apprenticeship schemes in the context of the recommendations of the Tomlinson report.
(173751)
118
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what minimum criteria will be required to start (a) young apprenticeships, (b) apprenticeships and (c) advanced apprenticeships.
(173752)
119
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much his Department has spent on advertising the new apprenticeships scheme; and how much it intends to spend in each of the next three years.
(173753)
120
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of re-naming and re-branding (a) foundation modern apprenticeships to apprenticeships and (b) advanced modern apprenticeships to advanced apprenticeships.
(173754)
121
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the funding streams available before the age of 16 for young apprenticeships students moving on to post-16 apprenticeships.
(173755)
122
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate his Department has made of the number of over 25s that will register for (a) apprenticeships and (b) advanced apprenticeships in each of the next three years.
(173756)
123
Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the total amount of financial aid provided to Liverpool City Council by his Department in terms of grants and the funding of capital projects was in each year since 1997.
(173661)
124
Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) new local authority schools and (b) school extensions and modernisations in Liverpool have been sanctioned by his Department since 1997; and at what cost.
(173664)
125
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the model of inspection proposed by HM Chief Inspector of Schools in his recent letter to all primary schools in England; and what assessment he has made of the accordance of that model with his Department's guidelines on earned autonomy and staged intervention in schools.
(173683)
126
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to instruct Ofsted to use a range of electronic and other performance indicators to undertake a distance review of a school before deciding on the most appropriate way to carry out inspection; and if he will make a statement.
(173684)
127
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to instruct Ofsted to send single inspectors to validate (a) schools clearly demonstrating success in a range of existing performance indicators, (b) school self-evaluation systems and (c) the evaluation of other processes.
(173685)
128
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will instruct Ofsted to make positive accreditation awards to schools following Her Majesty's Inspectorate or team validation visits.
(173686)
129
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to introduce the principle of minimum notice to the school inspections process; what assessment he has made of its efficacy in the day-to-day performance of schools; and if he will make a statement.
(173687)
130
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to introduce a two-tier system of reporting on schools to provide for professional confidentiality and staff anonymity; and if he will make a statement.
(173688)
131
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of (a) the level of understanding by school staff of Ofsted's use of the term satisfactory in its reports and (b) the term's effect on staff morale; and if he will make a statement.
(173689)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
132
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the out-turn budget was that she and her predecessors supplied to fund the Energy Saving Trust in each year from 1997-98 to 2004-05, expressed in April 2004 money.
(173464)
133
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what budget she provided to fund the Carbon Trust in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04 and (c) 2004-05, expressed in April 2004 money.
(173465)
134
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funds she supplied for the Warm Front programme in 2001-02, expressed in April 2004 money; and what the budget for the Warm Front programme is for 2004-05.
(173466)
135
Jane Griffiths (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action has been taken to reduce the (a) number and (b) severity of pollution incidents from underground tanks at petrol stations.
(173802)
136
Jane Griffiths (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent risk assessments have been undertaken of potential oil leakage from underground tanks at petrol stations.
(173804)
137
Jane Griffiths (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the proportion of underground oil tanks at petrol stations which have (a) double-skinned tanks and (b) remote wetstock monitoring.
(173805)
138
Jane Griffiths (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received on behalf of the UK motor industry regarding the energy costs of Government policy on reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
(173806)
139
Jane Griffiths (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of greenhouse gas emissions from aviation in (a) 2008, (b) 2012, (c) 2020, (d) 2030 and (e) 2050, assuming no fiscal or emissions policy changes; and what proportion of total UK greenhouse gas emissions it is estimated that these figures would represent.
(173807)
140
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of honey produced in the UK was for the UK market in the last year for which figures are available.
(173764)
141
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of (a) apples, (b) pears, (c) strawberries and (d) raspberries grown in the UK was for the UK market in the last year for which figures are available.
(173765)
142
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much EU funding was given to growing tobacco in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will list the countries which benefited.
(173772)
143
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of pensioners who would reduce their water bills if they switched to a metered supply in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley.
(173856)
144
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with EU Ministers on compulsory insurance for product recall costs; and if she will make a statement.
(173678)
145
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what cost there will be to farmers from the cattle passports scheme; and if she will make a statement.
(173679)
146
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on (a) the effectiveness of the British Cattle Movement Service and (b) delays in processing records from farmers.
(173680)
147
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the safety of imported chickens from South East Asia since the recent outbreaks of avian influenza; and if she will make a statement.
(173681)
148
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the procurement of British-produced food by public bodies.
(173682)
149
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of decoupling on co-operative dairy farmers; and if she will make a statement.
(173690)
150
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the future profitability of farms following the introduction of the single farm payments scheme.
(173691)
151
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the new schemes set up under Common Agricultural Policy reform will be simpler to administer; and if she will make a statement.
(173692)
152
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farms in Gloucestershire are under movement restrictions due to bovine TB, broken down by constituency; what the figures were in each of the last five years; what action she proposes to take to reduce these figures; and if she will make a statement.
(173693)
153
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what further research she proposes to undertake to investigate TB in wildlife; and if she will make a statement.
(173694)
154
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on her proposals for the Compensation Scheme Review.
(173876)
155
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the rate of take-up of training of farmers at entry level under the modulation scheme.
(173877)
156
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on proposals to examine the rules in relation to prescription-only farm medicines and the cost of administering them.
(173878)
157
Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon & East Chelmsford):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the labelling requirements for (a) milk and (b) meat produced from animals fed on genetically modified feed.
(173553)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
158
Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he has assessed on the treatment of Mr Simon Mann in Zimbabwe.
(173548)
159
Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the authorities in Zimbabwe have indicated that they consider Mr Simon Mann to be British.
(173549)
160
Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made about the treatment of Mr Simon Mann and his condition.
(173550)
161
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government on political prisoners being held in Turkish prisons; which individual cases were discussed; and if he will make a statement.
(173536)
162
Andy King (Rugby & Kenilworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to encourage Saudi accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights.
(173757)
163
Andy King (Rugby & Kenilworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Saudi authorities regarding the rights of members of minority faiths in Saudi Arabia.
(173758)
164
Andy King (Rugby & Kenilworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Iranian authorities concerning human rights, with particular reference to religious liberty.
(173759)
165
Andy King (Rugby & Kenilworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities concerning the recent resurgence of violence in Ambon, with particular reference to (a) the steps needed to stop the violence, (b) the need for the security forces to act in an impartial and professional manner and (c) the process by which the perpetrators of the violence will be brought to justice.
(173760)
166
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the progress being made in securing the rights of the Nuba people in the peace talks concerning the Sudan.
(173653)
167
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance is being provided to the Nuba people from the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool.
(173654)
168
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other United Kingdom representatives have (i) had and (ii) sought with (A) members and (B) representatives of the Government of Venezuela concerning the arrest of the Venezuelan National Guard Colonel Orlando Castro; and if he will make a statement.
(173814)
169
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other United Kingdom representatives have (i) had and (ii) sought with (A) members and (B) representatives of the (1) Government of and (2) the opposition in Venezuela concerning the arrest of 80 Colombian nationals on 9th May; what these individuals are being charged with; and if he will make a statement.
(173815)
170
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the possibility of a referendum in Venezuela this year.
(173816)
171
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last discussed Venezuela with his United States counterpart.
(173817)
172
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the claims of cross-border activity by the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia in Venezuela; when this assessment was last revised; and if he will make a statement.
(173818)
173
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make available to (a) the United States Administration and (b) Mr Paul Bremer a copy of the report prepared for his Department entitled A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management launched on 20th November 2002.
(173862)
174
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what further assessment he has made since his memorandum of February 2004 to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee of whether detention and treatment of prisoners by the United States in Iraq is in line with their obligations under international law.
(173863)
175
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the running costs were for the UK high commissions in (a) Australia, (b) Canada, (c) India and (d) Pakistan, and how many staff were employed in each of these embassies, in the last year for which figures are available.
(173647)
176
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the running cost was of the UK Embassy in (a) Japan and (b) China in 2003-04; and how many staff were employed in each of these embassies.
(173886)
177
N
Miss Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone & The Weald):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will support a pan-European ban on the clubbing of baby seals.
(173406)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Health
178
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dentists ceased providing treatment for patients on the NHS in each year since 1997, broken down by month; and if he will make a statement.
(173558)
179
Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the change in numbers of (a) residential care beds and (b) nursing beds has been in (i) Dorset Health Authority area and (ii) Bournemouth since 1997.
(173622)
180
Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will reply to the Written Questions tabled by the honourable Member for Altrincham and Sale West on 5th March.
(173579)
181
N
Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the percentage change in sexually transmitted infections among (a) girls and (b) boys under (i) 18 and (ii) 16 years in Kent is since 2001.
(172213)
182
N
Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the hospitals which (a) have and (b) do not have access to broadband-enabled internet, broken down by (i) London boroughs, (ii) metropolitan boroughs, (iii) shire districts, (iv) unitary authorities, (v) shire counties and (vi) other local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the benefits of broadband connectivity to (A) patients and (B) hospital staff.
(173097)
183
Mr Quentin Davies (Grantham & Stamford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dentists in England are accepting new adult patients to be treated on the NHS; and what the equivalent number was 10 years ago.
(173821)
184
Mr Quentin Davies (Grantham & Stamford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS dentists are practising in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) England.
(173822)
185
Mr Quentin Davies (Grantham & Stamford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many registered dentists in Lincolnshire are accepting new adult patients to be treated on the NHS.
(173823)
186
Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on progress concerning the relocation of the blood transfusion service at Edgware Hospital.
(173528)
187
Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have received care packages to enable them to stay in their homes in the Ribble Valley in each of the last five years.
(173471)
188
Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many referrals to care homes there have been in each of the last five years in (a) the Ribble Valley, (b) Milton Keynes, (c) the Isle of Wight and (d) Eastbourne.
(173473)
189
Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in Lancashire received more than £400 a week in domiciliary care packages in each of the last five years.
(173474)
190
Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people received care in care homes in the Ribble Valley in each of the last five years.
(173475)
191
Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with what frequency inspections are carried out on body piercing and tattooing establishments; what the nature of such inspections is; and by whom they are carried out.
(173810)
192
N
Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance has been issued concerning the (a) number of and (b) population covered by primary care trusts.
(173099)
193
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many men are being treated for prostate cancer in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley.
(173762)
194
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley suffer from asthma.
(173763)
195
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients failed to attend (a) hospital appointments and (b) general practitioner appointments in Chorley in each year since 2000; and what the estimated cost of missed appointments was in each case in each year.
(173854)
196
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people are registered with an NHS dentist in Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust.
(173855)
197
Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for NHS patients to be given a first appointment with a general practitioner was in each year from 1974 to 2003.
(173634)
198
Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the provision of 24 hour heart monitors to general practitioners' surgeries.
(173635)
199
Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost to the National Health Service in payments for general practitioners for maintaining a night call out service for patients was in each year from 1974 to 2003.
(173636)
200
Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many midwives were employed in the National Health Service in each year from 1974 to 2003.
(173637)
201
Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of nurses working in the National Health Service were supplied on contract by private agencies in each year from 1990 to 2003.
(173638)
202
Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many nurses were employed by the National Health Service in (a) the county of Essex in each year from 1990 to 1997 and (b) the county of Essex and the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock in each year from 1998 to 2003.
(173639)
203
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he will take to tackle increases in workload for NHS staff working in (a) pathology, (b) radiology, (c) oncology and (d) surgery arising from the bowel cancer screening programme.
(173829)
204
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to introduce a targeted and tailored recruitment national programme to increase participation in social groups in whom colonoscopy uptake is particularly low.
(173830)
205
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of introducing the national bowel cancer screening programme.
(173831)
206
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what type of diagnostic test will be used in the national bowel cancer screening programme; and if he will make a statement.
(173832)
207
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the national bowel cancer screening programme will become fully operational; and if he will make a statement.
(173833)
208
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to change the (a) lower and (b) upper age limit for bowel cancer screening.
(173834)
209
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will reduce the waiting time from four to two weeks for bowel cancer screening for symptomatic patients, as recommended in the pilot report of the first bowel cancer screening programme.
(173835)
210
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many staff are employed in the Workforce Development Confederation; and from where they were deployed into strategic health authorities.
(173836)
211
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the staff of his Department were absent from work due to sickness as a proportion of the staff time available in each year since 2000.
(173838)
212
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many of his Department's staff work in each of the English Government Office regions.
(173839)
213
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish the external evaluation of the first phase of the Department's policy collaborative programme.
(173840)
214
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the aggregate annual revenue payments from 2004-05 onwards are in respect of NHS private finance initiative schemes which have reached financial close.
(173841)
215
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many consultants had signed the new consultant contract by the end of April.
(173842)
216
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the percentage change in accident and emergency attendees was between 2001-02 and 2002-03.
(173843)
217
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many calls were made to NHS Direct in 2003-04.
(173844)
218
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost of NHS Direct was in 2003-04.
(173845)
219
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the New National Network will be extended to (a) all sites offering services to NHS patients, including independent health providers and (b) community pharmacies.
(173846)
220
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much of the £145 million in 2004-05 of capital funds received for other uses is set aside to cover the borrowing freedoms of foundation trusts.
(173847)
221
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what further purposes he has set aside capital funds in 2004-05 which are not allocated direct to NHS organisations.
(173848)
222
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to require healthcare professionals to establish a policy to reduce the number of deaths from severe asthma.
(173739)
223
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what percentage of patients with suspected cancer in Derby North saw an NHS consultant within two weeks in each year between 1997 and 2003.
(173740)
224
Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people aged over 60 in Derby North have benefited from the abolition of charges for eye tests; and what percentage this represents of over 60 years olds in Derby North.
(173741)
225
N
Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to (a) raise public awareness of osteoporosis and (b) reduce the number of avoidable hip fractures.
(169468)
226
N
Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what (a) number and (b) percentage of patients who suffered a hip fracture died as a consequence of the fracture in (i) 2001-02 and (ii) 2002-03.
(169469)
227
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many qualified radiographers have been employed at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in each of the last five years.
(173730)
228
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for radiotherapy treatment is in (a) East Berkshire, (b) the Royal Berkshire Hospital and (c) Wexham Park Hospital.
(173731)
229
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were waiting for radiotherapy treatment in East Berkshire in each of the last five years.
(173732)
230
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients waited for more than six months for operations within Nottinghamshire health authorities areas in each year since 1997.
(173522)
231
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS doctors were working within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.
(173524)
232
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS (a) nurses, (b) midwives and (c) health visitors were working within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.
(173525)
233
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients waited for more than 13 weeks for outpatient appointments within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.
(173526)
234
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of NHS patients were able to see a general practitioner within two days within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.
(173527)
235
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients waited more than nine months for operations within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.
(173551)
236
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prescriptions were issued to NHS patients within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.
(173552)
237
Mr Alan Meale (Mansfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients were waiting for (a) appointments and (b) operations in Nottinghamshire health authority areas on 1st January in each year since 1997.
(173555)
238
Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what advice and treatment is offered to those patients who are identified as being at high risk of developing osteoporosis.
(173541)
239
Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of what features are required in a fully integrated falls and osteoporosis service.
(173542)
240
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to increase the number of midwives employed in (a) hospitals and (b) the community.
(173580)
241
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many full-time midwives are employed in the NHS; and how many were employed (a) five years ago and (b) 10 years ago.
(173581)
242
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the availablity of rituximab for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
(173582)
243
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the costs to the NHS of (a) a Caesarean section and (b) a normal vaginal delivery was in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
(173583)
244
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) consultants and (b) clinical specialists he estimates will be appointed within the allied health professions in the next (i) 12 months and (ii) 12 to 24 months.
(173722)
245
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting targets for the number of consultants within the allied health professions.
(173725)
246
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) clinical specialists and (b) consultants there are within the allied health professions.
(173733)
247
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will provide (a) mortality and (b) morbidity statistics for (i) normal vaginal deliveries, (ii) Caesarean sections and (iii) other deliveries in the last five years.
(173734)
248
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of his Department's expenditure was allocated to diabetes mellitus in (a) 1984, (b) 1989, (c) 1994, (d) 1999 and (e) the latest date for which figures are available.
(173735)
249
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action is being taken to increase the input of front-line nurses into departmental policy formation.
(173737)
250
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the merits of permitting people to commence midwifery training without having to undergo prior training as a nurse.
(173738)
251
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of nursing students withdrew from university courses in each of the past five years.
(173766)
252
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) normal vaginal, (b) Caesarean section and (c) other deliveries there were in each of the last 10 years.
(173828)
253
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year.
(173718)
254
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT.
(173719)
255
Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many nurses were employed in hospitals in Liverpool in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003.
(173662)
Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department
256
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what change he has made in the police grant to take account of the enforcement of the ban on using mobile phones while driving.
(173557)
257
N
Colin Burgon (Elmet):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from the Prison Officers' Association regarding the retirement age of prison staff.
(173395)
258
N
Colin Burgon (Elmet):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from the Prison Officers' Association regarding proposed changes to the uniform worn by staff in young offender institutions.
(173396)
259
Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the written Ministerial statement of 30th April, Official Report, columns 63-64WS, on Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, if he will ensure that the results of the investigation recommended by Mr Shaw into two further allegations of assault are made public.
(173543)
260
Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what figures he has collated on the use of force at (a) Yarl's Wood detention centre and (b) other detention and removal centres; and if he will make a statement.
(173544)
261
Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints were made in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004 to date by those detained at Yarl's Wood about the escort service taking them to and from Yarl's Wood; how many are under investigation; and if he will make a statement.
(173545)
262
Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received concerning the workings of the escort system for detainees about to be removed from the UK; and if he will make a statement.
(173546)
263
Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints about the activities of those escorting detainees to and from detention centres and detention and removal centres he has received; how many are being investigated; and if he will make a statement.
(173547)
264
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women were serving a prison sentence of more than five years in prisons in England and Wales on 1st May.
(173531)
265
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) men and (b) women were serving a life sentence in prisons in England and Wales on 1st May.
(173532)
266
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) men and (b) women were serving prison sentences in England and Wales for sexual offences on 1st May.
(173533)
267
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals convicted by courts in the United Kingdom of being involved in the trafficking to and within the United Kingdom of women and children for sexual purposes have been sent to prison and upon their release have been, or will be, deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.
(173534)
268
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) male and (b) female foreign nationals convicted by courts in the United Kingdom of sexual offences and sent to prison have been deported on their release from prison in each of the last five years.
(173535)
269
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) male and (b) female young offenders were held in detention centres in England and Wales on 1st May.
(173537)
270
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the longest unresolved immigration case being dealt with by his Department is; when the person concerned in this case first arrived in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
(173538)
271
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) men and (b) women from the Ukraine have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many applications have been granted.
(173539)
272
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) male and (b) female foreign nationals were serving prison sentences in prisons in England and Wales on 1st May.
(173577)
273
N
David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much money has been spent by the National Asylum Support Service in each year since its inception (a) on subsistence only support, (b) on NASS accommodation and (c) in total.
(173399)
274
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the target time period is for entering records on the police national computer in relation to (a) arrests and summonses and (b) outcome of court proceedings.
(173776)
275
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of fines was collected by each local criminal justice board in the last year for which figures are available.
(173777)
276
Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received about the proposed transfer of prisoners convicted of sex offences to open conditions at Prescoed Young Offenders Institute; and if he will make a statement.
(173621)
277
Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to inform the general public of the precautions they must take to avoid contamination by a dirty bomb explosion; and if he will make a statement.
(173710)
278
Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what system is in place to alert the general public that a dirty bomb has exploded in an area in which they may become contaminated; and if he will make a statement.
(173711)
279
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations he has received from (a) police authorities, (b) fire and rescue authorities and (c) health service trusts concerning the administrative costs of dealing with the paperwork generated by the contravention by their vehicles on emergency calls of speed limits captured on speed cameras.
(173809)
280
N
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the future of the National Association for Neighbourhood Watch.
(173420)
281
N
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will ensure that public liability cover for local neighbourhood watch districts will be guaranteed if the National Neighbourhood Watch organisation goes into liquidation.
(173421)
282
N
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support and assistance he provides to Neighbourhood Watch districts merging into regional bodies.
(173422)
283
Glenda Jackson (Hampstead & Highgate):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time spent by immigrants in (a) Metropolitan Police Authority and (b) British Transport Police cells is in (i) Camden and (ii) Greater London.
(173872)
284
Glenda Jackson (Hampstead & Highgate):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many citizens of the new EU accession states, previously maintained as asylum-seekers, have (a) had that maintenance removed, (b) lost their housing and (c) applied for work registration.
(173873)
285
Glenda Jackson (Hampstead & Highgate):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many immigrants are being detained in (a) Metropolitan Police Authority and (b) British Transport Police facilities in (i) Camden and (ii) Greater London.
(173874)
286
Glenda Jackson (Hampstead & Highgate):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many failed asylum seekers families are awaiting removal in (a) Greater London and (b) the UK; and for how long each such family has been awaiting removal.
(173875)
287
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year.
(173712)
288
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT.
(173713)
Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development
289
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid projects his Department plans to develop in the Far East during the next three years; and if he will make a statement.
(173540)
290
N
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to his Answer of 28th April, Official Report, columns 1068-9W, on China (coercive population control), how and by whom the independent monitoring and evaluation of the impact of UN FPA's work in China is carried out; and if he will make a statement.
(172985)
291
N
Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of how the World Bank's Extractive Industries Review will influence future policy-making, with particular reference to (a) the link between extractive industries and poverty alleviation, (b) consultations with indigenous populations before extractive industries are set in place, (c) human rights obligations where extractive industries are about to be set up and (d) giving a higher profile and better funding to renewable energy projects.
(172986)
292
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid is being provided to projects to assist the people of the Nuba Mountains.
(173652)
293
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much (a) financial aid and (b) aid in kind his Department has delivered to (i) Africa, (ii) Central Africa, (iii) Uganda, (iv) Rwanda, (v) Burundi and (vi) the Democratic Republic of Congo in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.
(173812)
294
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what projects his Department has (a) run, (b) directly and solely financed and (c) directly financed with other contributors in (i) Uganda, (ii) Rwanda, (iii) Burundi and (iv) the Democratic Republic of Congo in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.
(173813)
295
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what programmes his Department (a) (i) runs and (ii) finances through the Inter-American Development Bank and (b) finances through the World Bank aimed at solving the social and economic problems of the native tribes in South America; which (A) countries and (B) tribes are included in each programme; when each was established; and what contribution his Department has made in each year of the programme.
(173819)
296
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what new measures he plans to ensure the safety of British civilians who are helping to deliver aid and reconstruction in Iraq.
(173648)
297
Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much aid was given to Yemen in each of the last five years; and what plans he has to increase such aid.
[R] (173746)
298
Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when he next plans to visit Yemen.
[R] (173779)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
299
David Burnside (South Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much Government investment in the (a) manufacturing and (b) non-manufacturing sector there was per employee in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.
(173649)
300
David Burnside (South Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what percentage of financial support to business from (a) the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland, (b) the Local Enterprise Development Unit and (c) Invest Northern Ireland was represented by (i) capital grants, (ii) grants for research and development, (iii) grants for training, (iv) grants for marketing, (v) loans and (vi) investment in equity in each of the last five years.
(173651)
301
N
Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to reduce the number of home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment; and if he will make a statement.
(173193)
302
N
Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff have been (a) employed by and (b) seconded to each of the North-South implementation bodies in each year since their establishment.
(173194)
303
N
Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Department for Regional Development has received the economic appraisal for a new bus station in Lisburn; and when a decision will be made.
(173195)
304
Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with what frequency inspections are carried out on body piercing and tattooing establishments in Northern Ireland; what the nature of such inspections is; and by whom they are carried out.
(173811)
305
Mr John Hume (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average expenditure on speech therapy services per head of population in the primary and pre-primary school age group in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland was in the latest period for which figures are available.
(173879)
306
Mr John Hume (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average waiting time for speech therapy services for children in the primary and pre-primary school age group in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland was in the latest period for which figures are available.
(173880)
307
Mr John Hume (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many primary and pre-primary school children are awaiting speech therapy services in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland.
(173881)
308
Mr John Hume (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the per capita expenditure on speech therapy services in special schools in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland was in the latest period for which figures are available.
(173882)
309
Mr John Hume (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average speech therapy provision was in terms of time per child in special schools in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland in the latest period for which figures are available.
(173883)
310
Mr John Hume (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the ability of the health trusts in Northern Ireland to recruit and retain speech therapists.
(173884)
311
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the (a) mortality and (b) morbidity rates were for (a) normal vaginal deliveries, (b) Caesarean sections and (c) other deliveries in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.
(173584)
312
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps are being taken to facilitate allied health professionals in continuing professional development and training in Northern Ireland.
(173585)
313
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what percentage of health funding was spent on diabetes mellitus in (a) the last year for which figures are available, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1995 and (e) 2000.
(173586)
314
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made towards meeting staffing targets set out in Agenda for Change, with particular reference to (a) nurses and (b) health visitors.
(173587)
315
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers work for the (a) Oversight Commissioner and (b) Police Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement.
(173588)
316
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the (a) salary and (b) expenses allowance is of (a) the Policing Oversight Commissioner and (b) each member of the Oversight Commissioner's team.
(173589)
317
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what funding has been allocated for the (a) start-up costs and (b) running costs in the first two years of the Office of the Northern Ireland Policing Oversight Commissioner.
(173590)
318
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what action will be taken against health trusts that fail to meet the European Working Time Directive targets by August.
(173592)
319
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which health trusts are compliant with the European Working Time Directive.
(173593)
320
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will break down the funding allocated to treat alcohol-related illness by (a) main budget head and (b) recipients.
(173594)
321
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which local health trusts have formally implemented the 1996 Enabling Agreement with regard to allied health professions.
(173595)
322
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much funding has been made available from the Police Fund to police widows whose husbands were killed on duty prior to 1981 in non-terrorist incidents; and how many individuals this involved.
(173597)
323
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many students began courses at Queen's University's Armagh campus in each year since its establishment.
(173598)
324
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what guidelines are followed by health trusts wishing to purchase private houses in residential areas for the sole purpose of integrating people suffering from mental health problems; what facility is made for residents in the area to enable them to express their views on the proposals; and if he will make a statement.
(173599)
325
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is being done to increase the involvement of front-line nurses in departmental policy formulation.
(173601)
326
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many full-time midwives were employed in the NHS in Northern Ireland (a) in 1999, (b) in 1994 and (c) on 1st May.
(173602)
327
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to increase the number of midwives in (a) hospitals and (b) the community.
(173603)
328
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what studies he has commissioned into speeding up the flow of emergency cases through local hospitals.
(173604)
329
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many patients are waiting to commence beta interferon or glatiramer for multiple sclerosis treatment; and if he will make a statement.
(173605)
330
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what funding has been provided to make beta interferon and glatiramer available to multiple sclerosis sufferers; and if he will make a statement.
(173606)
331
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many patients are receiving (a) beta interferon and (b) glatiramer for multiple sclerosis; and how many of each have commenced treatment since 1st January.
(173607)
332
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what actions are being taken to limit costs resulting from pressure ulcers.
(173608)
333
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the availability of statins in the NHS.
(173609)
334
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) normal vaginal, (b) caesarean section and (c) other deliveries there have been in each of the last 10 years.
(173610)
335
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many nursing students have (a) withdrawn and (b) been forced to withdraw from their course in each of the past five years at universities in the Province.
(173611)
336
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what criteria are used to prioritise patients to receive new anti-TNF drugs for rheumatoid arthritis; and if he will make a statement.
(173612)
337
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what obstacles prevent all rheumatoid arthritis sufferers deemed suitable for new anti-TNF drugs by their consultants from receiving them; and if he will make a statement.
(173613)
338
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what funding has been provided for autism services in each of the past five years in the (a) Northern Board area and (b) rest of Northern Ireland.
(173614)
339
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on child and adolescent psychiatry services in the Northern Board area, including provision of social workers.
(173615)
340
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what action he is taking to improve services for children with autism in the Northern Board area.
(173616)
341
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many individuals are awaiting an initial appointment with a hospital consultant.
(173617)
342
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) consultants and (b) clinical specialists he estimates will be appointed within the allied health professions in the next (i) 12 months and (ii) 12 to 24 months.
(173618)
343
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) clinical specialists and (b) consultants there are within the allied health professions.
(173619)
344
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what input frontline allied health professionals have in influencing departmental health policy locally.
(173620)
345
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many nurses from overseas were working for the NHS in Northern Ireland on the latest date for which figures are available.
(173742)
346
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the cost was of personal security measures introduced for individuals following the discovery of a Republican intelligence operation at Stormont in October 2002.
(173743)
347
Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions his officials have had with the Irish government on developing better shared use of criminal record information for child protection purposes.
(173744)
348
N
The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he expects health boards to introduce out-of-hours general practitioner cover arrangements as required under the new general practitioner contract.
(173094)
349
N
The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what (a) financial support and (b) other resources are available to each health board for help to groups assisting individuals who suffer from attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and what (i) support and (ii) resources are offered by each board to such groups.
(173095)
350
N
The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the role of the Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages; and how it is funded.
(173196)
Questions to the Prime Minister
351
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Prime Minister, whether he has undertaken a (a) comparison and (b) reconciliation with the results of the Iraq Survey Team of information supplied by Iraq in response to UNSC Resolution 1441.
(173837)
352
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Prime Minister, what matters regarding nuclear non-proliferation were discussed with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on 10th May.
(173859)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
353
N
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the occasions since 1st May 1997 when radioactive material has been unaccounted for, broken down by (a) location, (b) volume and (c) radioactivity level of the material; and whether the material remains missing in each case.
(173141)
354
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what timescale is being applied to the decommissioning of the B30 ponds at Sellafield.
(173462)
355
David Burnside (South Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much Government investment in the (a) manufacturing and (b) non-manufacturing sector there was per employee in each of the last 10 years.
(173650)
356
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the relative efficiency of energy generation by wind power in relation to (a) wave power, (b) nuclear, (c) gas and (d) coal generation.
(173632)
357
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the visual impact of wind farms currently in operation.
(173633)
358
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many redundancies have been made by (a) companies and (b) administrators in each of the last 10 years.
(173827)
359
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether administrators who take over a company following its liquidation are subject to the same redundancy regulations as other companies.
(173851)
360
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will take steps to ensure that employees made redundant by administrators following a company's liquidation have the same rights as those made redundant by companies.
(173852)
361
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will take steps to ensure that the administration of a company following its liquidation is used as an effective tool to safeguard the interests of shareholders and stakeholders, including employees.
(173853)
362
N
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the Answer of 4th May, Official Report, column 1404W, on ministerial meetings/visits, which people and organisations in Japan the Minister of State for Energy, e-Commerce and Postal Services plans to meet or visit; and what matters are to be discussed.
(173398)
363
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the aims and objectives are of the proposed European Research Council; and what areas of competence it will have.
(173640)
364
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, from which budget the costs of the proposed European Research Council (ERC) will be met; and to what purpose those funds would be put were the ERC not to be established.
(173641)
365
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the proposed (a) reporting structures and (b) organisational controls are for the proposed European Research Council.
(173642)
366
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she expects a decision to be made on (a) the creation of a European Research Council (ERC) and (b) the UK participation in the ERC; and if she will make a statement.
(173643)
367
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the (a) total cost and (b) UK contribution to the proposed European Research Council will be.
(173644)
368
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which (a) people and (b) organisations are involved in assessing the implications of the UK's membership of the European Research Council.
(173645)
369
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what co-ordination is envisaged between the UK research councils and the proposed European Research Council.
(173646)
370
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in what areas of research the European Research Council will be involved.
(173885)
371
Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many workers in Liverpool, West Derby have benefited from the national minimum wage.
(173663)
372
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 12th May to question reference 171781, if she will list the issues discussed at the meeting with representatives of Scottish Power on 11th March.
(173696)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport
373
Jane Griffiths (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will issue regulations to allow camera enforcement of bus lanes outside London; and if he will make a statement.
(173803)
374
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the (a) financial arrangements and (b) resources provided for the merger between the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network in 2003.
(173887)
375
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the Traffic Area Network's financial position was at the point of merger with the former Vehicle Inspectorate; and whether balances were transferred to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
(173888)
376
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total expenditure of the MOT computerisation project from its start was, broken down by (a) staff salaries, (b) office accommodation, (c) travel and subsistence and detached duty expenses and (d) fees to consultants.
(173889)
377
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether MOT garages were charged additional supplements for the MOT certificates they purchased from (a) the former Vehicle Inspectorate and (b) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
(173890)
378
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the monies raised from MOT garages as a result of increased MOT certificate fees have been used.
(173891)
379
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent on the SchlumbergerSema contract in the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, broken down by main expenditure category.
(173892)
380
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what impact on (a) services and (b) procedures of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency the award of the contract to SchlumbergerSema has had.
(173893)
381
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average period of the maintenance and renewals contracts let by Network Rail is.
(173726)
382
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria are used by Network Rail to determine whether maintenance and renewals work should be undertaken in-house.
(173727)
383
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much was spent by Network Rail on maintenance and renewals work (a) by external contractors and (b) in-house in 2003.
(173728)
384
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many hourly bus services were operating in rural areas in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
(173729)
385
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what action his Department is taking to promote the use of electric cars.
(173824)
386
Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) annual capital lease charge and (b) annual heavy maintenance charge made by rollng stock companies to train operators are for (i) a two carriage class 142 Pacer train, (ii) a two carriage class 143 Pacer train, (iii) a two carriage class 156 Sprinter train, (iv) a two carriage class 150 Sprinter train and (v) a four car class 333 train.
(173467)
387
Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the socio-economic make up of rail users (a) outside London, (b) in London and (c) in the South East.
(173468)
388
Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made towards the targets for bus services agreed between his Department and the Confederation for Passenger Transport announced on 30th April 2002 (a) in London and (b) outside London; and what further action he proposes to take to ensure that those targets are achieved.
(173469)
389
Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the sources are of the statistics published by his Department on (a) bus reliability, (b) bus punctuality and (c) bus patronage; whether independent audits are conducted to verify the source data and the methods used to produce these statistics; and if he will place source information and methodology statements in the Library.
(173470)
390
Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much capital expenditure has been invested by local authorities on measures designed to improve the quality and reliability of bus services outside London in the last five years for which data is available.
(173723)
391
Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the socio-economic breakdown of bus users outside London.
(173724)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
392
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year.
(173716)
393
Mr Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT.
(173717)
394
N
Steve Webb (Northavon):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new appointments have been made to his Department and its agencies in the last five years; and of these how many were aged (a) 60 years or over and (b) 65 years or over.
(173298)
395
N
Steve Webb (Northavon):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 4th May, Official Report, column 1461W, on pensions, if he will estimate the effects of this reform in 2006-07 on the number of recipients of pension credit.
(173397)
Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
396
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many magistrates are aged (a) 25 to 30, (b) 30 to 40, (c) 40 to 50, (d) 50 to 60, (e) 60 to 65 and (f) 65 to 70 in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Chorley magistrates' courts, broken down by sex.
[Transferred] (173768)
397
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is responsible for selecting new magistrates in Lancashire; and what process is used.
[Transferred] (173769)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills
398
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many separated parents have joint custody of their children; and if he will make a statement.
[Transferred] (173556)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
399
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of the number of mail items which were not delivered in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.
[Transferred] (173591)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport
400
Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether a senior citizen's pass with photographic image is an acceptable form of identity for security purposes when flying between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
[Transferred] (173600)

 
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