Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2003 - 04
Publications on the internet
The Questions Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 16 September 2004

Notes:
* Indicates a Question for Oral Answer.
+ Indicates a Question not included in the random selection process but accepted because the quota for that day had not been filled.
[N] Indicates a Question for Written Answer on a named day, i.e. the Member has indicated under S.O. No. 22(4) the day on which he wishes the Question to be answered.
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Thursday 16 September 2004
(the 'Questions Book')

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 16 September 2004

This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Thursday 16 September of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

For other Written Questions for answer on Thursday 16 September of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Thursday 16 September see Part 2 of this paper.

Questions to the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee

1
Tom Cox (Tooting):To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, what requirements were stipulated to contractors working on the refurbishment of Bellamy's cafeteria with respect to (a) hours of work, (b) noise levels of works and (c) dust levels; and if he will make a statement on when the work will be finished.

(189525)

Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office

2
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many information and communication technology specialists there are in full-time employment in the Office.

(189579)

3
N Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money the Government intends to spend on advertising on the internet in (a) the current financial year and (b) the next financial year; and if she will list (i) the departments concerned and (ii) the amounts spent in each case.

(189160)

Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer

4
Mr Keith Bradley (Manchester, Withington):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many 18 year olds were resident in the City of Manchester at the last census.

(189459)

5
Mr Keith Bradley (Manchester, Withington):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many 18 year olds were resident in the Manchester, Withington constituency at the last census.

(189460)

6
N Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average mortality rate for (a) professional groups and (b) manual groups in (i) Hartlepool Primary Care Trust and (ii) England was in the last year for which figures are available.

(189266)

7
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he will reply to the question tabled by the honourable Member for Orkney and Shetland on 22nd July on the value of applications made to the Crown Estate's Research Committee.

(189472)

8
N Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many eligible claimants of tax credit have been waiting for over six months for their milk tokens.

(189279)

9
N Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the tax credit appeal by the constituent of the honourable Member for Birkenhead, Mr Matthew Morrison of Beckwith Street, Birkenhead, lodged on 19th April, will be heard.

(189280)

10
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189597)

11
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost of collection of (a) national insurance, (b) income tax, (c) capital gains tax and (d) inheritance tax was in each year since 1997.

(189430)

12
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many appeals against rulings on tax credits have been lodged in the last 12 months.

(189431)

13
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many recipients of working tax credit have been refunded for underpayments in the last 12 months and subsequently told that the underpayment recalculations were wrong.

(189432)

14
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many jobs have been created in Mitcham and Morden since 1997.

(189338)

15
N Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will apply a zero VAT rate on allergy relief products; and if he will make a statement.

(189151)

16
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which (a) departments, (b) agencies and (c) public bodies will be affected by job losses resulting from his recent announcement in the 2004 Spending Review.

(189351)

17
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Civil Service jobs will be lost in Castle Point as a result of the recently announced cuts in Civil Service jobs.

(189352)

18
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189632)

19
N Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the level of taxation per litre is on diesel produced naturally from used cooking oil.

(189292)

20
N Mr John Taylor (Solihull):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement regarding the performance of the Tax Credits Office at Preston, and in particular its Disputes Team, with reference to the case of a constituent of Onslow Crescent in Solihull whose name has been communicated to him.

(189159)

21
Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) British and (b) European strategy is for combining economic growth while retaining the priority on social inclusion.

(189562)

22
Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Statement of 13th September, Official Report, column 1101, on the Lisbon Agenda, if he will list the 102 benchmarks.

(189563)

23
Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures the Government is taking to ensure increased employment and productivity in the UK.

(189564)

24
Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the annual Lisbon Agenda score cards will be introduced.

(189572)

25
Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures the Government is taking to deepen its cooperation with the US on trade and investment.

(189573)

26
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of total income tax in the last year for which figures are available was derived from pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the taxation of pensioners.

(189542)

27
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals to reduce the burden of taxation on pensioners' incomes.

(189543)

28
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of exempting the state retirement pension from income tax; and if he will exempt the state retirement pension from income tax.

(189544)

29
Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of making the first £10,000 of occupational pensions income subject to a taxation rate of 10 per cent.; and if he will make the first £10,000 of occupational income subject to a taxation rate of 10 per cent.

(189545)

30
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what incentives the Treasury offers to British businesses which (a) sell, (b) stock and (c) use fair trade products.

(189496)

Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs

31
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many information and communication technology specialists there are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189580)

32
N Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, whether he plans to publish information as to the number of solicitors willing to take on no win, no fee cases.

(189155)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

33
Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to develop the Renaissance in the Regions programme in the East of England.

(189486)

34
Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether it is her intention to fund in future the North West Renaissance in the Regions hub for improvements in the delivery of museum services to the same level as the pathfinder hubs in the North East, South West and the Midlands.

(189400)

35
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many information and communication technology specialists there are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189581)

36
N Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the lenders on securing the return of two bark etchings and an Aboriginal ceremonial headdress on loan to the Museum Victoria in Melbourne, Australia; why such items have not been returned; and if she will make a statement.

(189148)

37
N Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will prevent further loans of cultural artefacts to Australia in the light of the seizing of Aboriginal etchings recently on loan to that country from the UK.

(189149)

38
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what percentage of the population are able to access Freeview; and what steps she is taking to speed up the availability of Freeview.

(189442)

39
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden have received free television licences.

(189356)

40
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which services within her Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189643)

41
N Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department has allocated to digital television switchover (a) in the financial year and (b) for each of the next three financial years.

(189210)

42
N Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has been made towards the establishment of Switchco.

(189211)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence

43
N Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who defined the terms of reference of the RAF Board of Inquiry into the aircraft accident of Chinook ZD576 on 2nd June 1994; and who advised the President of the Board of Inquiry of the terms of reference.

(189324)

44
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason an American colonel has been appointed as base commander of RAF Croughton.

(189523)

45
Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30th June, Official Report, column 350W, on Defence Attachés, what the reasons are for the change in the amount of time devoted by Defence Attaches to supporting military exports from the 40 per cent. estimated in 1989 by the National Audit Office.

(189485)

46
N Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost was of the Saudi Armed Forces Project Office which was recharged to the Saudi Government in each financial year from 1997-98 to 2003-04.

(188598)

47
N Annabelle Ewing (Perth):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce the final decision on the end-to-end review as it relates to the Defence Aviation Repair Agency.

(189318)

48
Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the last three operational deployments were and what the length between each has been for (a) 40 Commando, (b) 42 Commando, (c) 45 Commando and (d) Head Quarters, Royal Marines.

(189402)

49
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the original date was for the re-commissioning of HMS Vanguard; what the current forecast is; what procedures have still to be completed; what the reasons are for the delay; what the (a) original cost estimate was and (b) what the current cost estimate is; and if he will make a statement.

(189384)

50
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will write to the honourable Member for Portsmouth South as promised in his answer of 1st April, Official Report, column 11W, on enhanced combat body armour.

(189385)

51
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will answer question 174196, tabled on 17th May, on the anthrax and pertussis vaccine.

(189386)

52
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189582)

53
N Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Iraqi detainees are held by British troops.

(189325)

54
Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for future use of Kenley Airfield.

(189399)

55
N Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7th September, Official Report, column 1176W, on Iraq, when the 11th October 2003 International Committee of the Red Cross working paper was passed to (a) UK service personnel and (b) officials of his Department.

(189289)

56
N Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list his Department's turnover for (a) the Defence Aviation Repair Agency for each of the financial years 2001-02 to 2003-04 and (b) the Army Base Repair Organisation for each of the financial years (i) 2002-03 and (ii) 2003-04.

(189192)

57
N Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list his Department's turnover for the (a) Meteorological Office and (b) UK Hydrographic Office for each financial year from 1997-98 to 2003-04.

(189193)

58
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what environmental impact assessment has been conducted on the planned hydrodynamics explosives testing facility at AWE Aldermaston; and what his estimate is of the cost of the facility.

(189341)

59
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189640)

60
N Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to sell its used cooking oils to overseas purchasers; and if he will make a statement.

(189290)

61
N Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to collect used cooking oils and sell them to be used in the manufacture of diesel.

(189293)

62
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the numbers of armed forces personnel HM Government will commit to the United Nations monitoring force in Sudan during the six-year interim period; and if he will make a statement.

(189546)

63
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will reintroduce the free parcel service to troops in Iraq.

(189488)

64
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the likely impact of proposed changes in defence spending on resources available to respond to UK civil emergencies.

(189499)

65
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of the deployment in Iraq on the ability of the armed forces to assist in UK civil emergencies, with particular reference to the flooding in Cornwall during August.

(189500)

Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister

66
Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will take steps to ensure that (a) local authorities and (b) parish councils are obliged to inform landowners of proposed changes to parish boundaries which might affect the prospect of housing development on their land.

(189530)

67
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189591)

68
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what his estimate is of the area of (a) brownfield land and (b) greenfield land that will be used to deliver his Department's household projections in England by 2021 published on 8th September.

(189340)

69
Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the effects of planning guidance on (a) B1 and (b) B8 categories in rural areas; and what plans he has to issue further guidance on these categories.

(189379)

70
N Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the schedule of maintenance and repairs for the Millennium Dome.

(189319)

71
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what criteria he considers in deciding whether to place a district or borough council which is judged as failing under administrative control; and if he will list the councils where this (a) has taken place and (b) is under consideration.

(189353)

72
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the objectives are of the head official from his Department who has been placed with Castle Point Borough Council.

(189467)

73
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many hours per week will be spent in Castle Point Borough Council by the head official from his Department (a) within the Council and (b) on the Council's business.

(189468)

74
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, for how long he has placed a head official from his Department in Castle Point Borough Council; and if he will list the names and job titles of the head official's direct support team.

(189469)

75
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, on how many occasions in each of the last five years a local planning authority has paid costs to the communications industry as a result of losing an appeal following refusal of permission for new or additional antennae.

(189558)

76
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, which services within his Office will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189631)

77
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many compulsory purchase orders have been (a) initiated, (b) successfully completed and (c) completed at the initial price in the last two years; and what the most common obstacles for completion of such orders are.

(189494)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills

78
Mr Keith Bradley (Manchester, Withington):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many students whose home address is in the City of Manchester went into higher education in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04 and (c) 2004-05.

(189458)

79
Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what content has been removed from the course of study required for mathematics at (a) GCSE level and (b) A level under each examination board since 2001.

(189355)

80
N Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the most recent figures are for the per pupil funding level for (a) schools, (b) sixth forms and (c) further education colleges in the Coventry South region.

(189157)

81
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what public funding has been spent on adult (a) literacy and (b) numeracy in (i) Greater London and (ii) each London borough in each year since 1997.

(189474)

82
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate the Government has made of how many registered child care places there were in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997.

(189475)

83
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary pupils on average were (i) permanently excluded from school and (ii) unable to access a place in school in each of the last five years in (A) Greater London, (B) each London local education authority and (C) England.

(189476)

84
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average total salary was in each year since 1997 of (a) a primary school teacher and (b) a secondary school teacher in (i) Greater London, (ii) each London local education authority and (iii) England.

(189477)

85
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of English domiciled students in secondary education aged 18 years from each local education authority were accepted through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service to full-time undergraduate courses in each year since 1994-95 for (a) each local education authority and (b) each region.

(189478)

86
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189583)

87
Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidelines are in place to assist local education authorities plan future schools provision to take account of housing targets.

(189540)

88
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many registered nurseries there were in each of the last five years, broken down by those (a) publicly provided, (b) privately provided and (c) provided by the voluntary sector.

(189404)

89
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) announced and (b) unannounced inspections of nurseries took place in each of the last five years.

(189405)

90
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many nurseries were de-registered by Ofsted in each of the last five years.

(189406)

91
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) nurseries and (b) nursery places have been closed in each of the last five years.

(189407)

92
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many looked-after children are in (a) foster care and (b) in children's homes outside the geographical area of the placing authority.

(189410)

93
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in England are looked after by local authorities.

(189411)

94
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children aged (a) under one, (b) one to two, (c) three to four, (d) five to 10 and (e) 11 to 16 have been placed for adoption in the last 12 months.

(189412)

95
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many adoption placements broke down in each of the last three years.

(189413)

96
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children were successfully placed for adoption by each local authority in 2002-03.

(189448)

97
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many registered foster carers there were in each of the last three years.

(189449)

98
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number of foster carers required to satisfy current demand.

(189450)

99
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children are accommodated in (a) public children's homes, (b) private children's homes and (c) voluntary organisation children's homes.

(189451)

100
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average cost of placement of a 15 year old in (a) private children's homes and (b) local authority run children's homes was in the last year for which figures are available.

(189463)

101
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the cost of implementation of the Children Bill to (a) central Government and (b) local government.

(189464)

102
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many complaints about childcare providers Ofsted has received in each of the last five years.

(189465)

103
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what new money is being allocated to extended school day programmes that are part of the extended schools scheme.

(189521)

104
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many new teachers were recruited in (a) 1997, (b) 2000 and (c) 2003.

(189522)

105
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average time taken to produce a statement of special educational needs is.

(189361)

106
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189644)

107
N Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the performance indicators and outcomes set for Sure-Start (a) in England and (b) on the Isle of Wight in each year since the programme's establishment.

(189322)

108
N Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what funding has been given to Fathers Direct in each year since 1997 by his Department and its predecessors with responsibility for children.

(189323)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

109
N Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what definitions of the 45 priority habitats identified under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan have been established and agreed within the statutory nature conservation agencies in each county of the UK; and where such definitions have been, or will be, published.

(189284)

110
N Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures she has taken pursuant to the Biodiversity Action Plan to integrate biodiversity considerations into policies and programmes affecting (a) agriculture, (b) water and wetlands, (c) woodland and forestry, (d) towns, cities and new developments and (e) coasts and seas; and if she will make a statement.

(189285)

111
N Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of assessments made in 2002 in relation to UK status and trends for the Biodiversity Action Plan priority species were based on (a) survey data and (b) estimates.

(189286)

112
N Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures she has taken to improve the (a) surveillance and (b) monitoring of biodiversity since the 2002 biodiversity reporting round; what plans she has for new measures; and if she will make a statement.

(189287)

113
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the continued presence of the four ghost ships at Hartlepool; and under what legal basis they remain there.

(189559)

114
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason the weather window afforded by summer has not been used to return the four ghost ships presently at Hartlepool to the US.

(189560)

115
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out the options she has assessed for the future of the four ghost ships, presently docked at Hartlepool, indicating the (a) timeline and (b) decision-making process that applies to these options.

(189561)

116
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to support the proposal at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species - Conference of the Parties 13 in Bangkok on 2nd to 14th October to list the Irrawaddy dolphin in Appendix 1; and if she will make a statement.

(189380)

117
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189584)

118
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many homes in Mitcham and Morden have benefitted from the Home Energy Efficiency and Warm Front Schemes; and how much has been paid in grants (a) on average and (b) in total.

(189335)

119
Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farmers have missed the deadline for cattle registration; and how many animals this affects.

(189479)

120
Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the operation of the cattle passport scheme.

(189480)

121
Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what scope the Government has to allow late registration of cattle under EU rules.

(189481)

122
Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to review the policy on cattle registration.

(189482)

123
N Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of how much of the money raised through import permits for hunting trophies is returned to support conservation in the country of origin; and if she will make a statement.

(189152)

124
N Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20th May, Official Report, column 1084, on cormorant predation, what additional measures will be introduced to help angling clubs and fishing owners protect fish stock in freshwater fisheries from cormorant predation.

(189283)

125
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out the Government's performance against its main environmental targets since May 1997.

(189343)

126
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which services within her Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189635)

127
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the saving would be of moving the over 30 month scheme to (a) over 36 months and (b) over 48 months.

(189619)

128
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what evidence she has collated that BSE exists in British cattle.

(189620)

129
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many BSE cases there were in 2003; and in cattle of what ages.

(189621)

130
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many cattle born after (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001, (d) 2002 and (e) 2003 have contracted BSE.

(189622)

131
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether the passport system has (a) prevented BSE and (b) been used to collect evidence of the age of cattle likely to be affected.

(189623)

132
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what evidence has been found of a link between cattle born in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003, and new cases of NV CJD.

(189625)

133
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much was spent compensating for cattle of (a) three, (b) four, (c) five, (d) six, (e), seven, (f) eight, (g) nine and (i) 10 and over years in each year since 2000.

(189626)

134
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the British Cattle Movement Organisation cost in each year since 2000.

(189627)

135
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in which other countries cases of BSE have been verified; and how many cases were reported (a) in the EU and (b) in the USA between 2000 and 2004.

(189628)

136
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of cattle herds are vaccinated against (a) bovine viral diarrhoea and (b) leptospirosis.

(189600)

137
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of breeding cows are vaccinated against (a) calf scour and (b) pneumonia.

(189601)

138
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of current (a) levels of preventable disease in UK farm livestock and (b) the provision of large animal veterinary services.

(189602)

139
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the non-legislative guidance issued by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons precluding veterinary surgeons from offering their services to farmers with existing arrangements for emergency and clinical care of livestock; and if she will make a statement.

(189603)

140
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many applications she has received for areas to be designated under Schedule 6 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; how many have been approved; and how many footpaths have been (a) closed and (b) diverted on the grounds of crime prevention as a result.

(189508)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

141
Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to protect current and former British passport holders in Zimbabwe.

(189344)

142
Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on reports of a large explosion in Yanggang Province in North Korea on North Korea's National Day this year.

(189345)

143
Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the cost was of printing the Government's recent White Paper on the EU Constitution; whether this document will be posted with the proposed Constitution to every household in the UK; and what estimate he has made of the cost of printing 30 million copies of the White Paper.

(189346)

144
Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of posting a copy of the proposed EU Constitution to every household in the UK; whether other Government literature will be enclosed; and when he expects this mass-mailing to take place.

(189347)

145
Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the EU directives outstanding without implementation (a) over two years, (b) over three years, (c) over four years and (d) over five years for each member state.

(189520)

146
N Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the coalition was consulted on the recent sale of 75 per cent. of Iraqi Airways to an Iraqi family; and if he will make a statement.

(188929)

147
N Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Mexican authorities in relation to legal proceedings following the death of Kirsty MacColl in a speedboat incident; what discussions he has had with Ms MacColl's family on the outcome of the case; what assistance the Foreign Office provided to the family during the legal process; and if he will make a statement.

(188930)

148
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Colombia on the murder on 5th August of trade unionists Jorge Chamucero, Hector Martinez and Leonel Goyeneche; and if he will make a statement.

(189382)

149
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189585)

150
N Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is with regard to the handing over to the Iraqi authorities of Iraqi detainees who could face the death penalty.

(189326)

151
N Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects to reply to a letter from the honourable Member for Kingston upon Hull North forwarded to the Foreign Office by the Prime Minister's Communications Unit on 18th August.

(189327)

152
N Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he was informed that post-war validation had raised serious doubts about the reliability of reporting from the sub-source referred to in paragraph 403 of the Butler Report.

(189278)

153
N Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1st September, Official Report, columns 683-4W, on Iraq, when the translation of Iraq's declaration of the status of its programmes of weapons of mass destruction was completed; and if he will place a copy of the translation in the Library.

(189288)

154
N Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what evidence he has reviewed on the (a) development and (b) use of (i) biological and (ii) chemical weapons and agents by Israel.

(189295)

155
N Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the level of threat faced by British missions and their staff in South East Asia following the Australian Embassy bombings in Jakarta.

(189267)

156
N Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the security arrangements in place for British Missions and their staff in South East Asia; and whether those arrangements have been reviewed following the Australian Embassy bombings in Jakarta.

(189268)

157
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189633)

158
N Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the extent to which British intelligence on relevant security issues and global terrorism is shared with the Russian authorities.

(189291)

159
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations the UK has made to the (a) US Administration and (b) United Nations on lifting the US trade embargo against Cuba.

(189495)

160
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment has been made of the human rights of women and children jailed in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime for misdemeanours who remain in prison.

(189501)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Health

161
Mr Keith Bradley (Manchester, Withington):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the projected cost is of providing free personal care for all elderly people for (a) 2004-05 and (b) each of the following 10 years.

(189461)

162
N Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many reconfiguration service reviews have been undertaken by Sir Ara Darzi, broken down by (a) date and (b) services covered.

(189263)

163
N Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average general practitioner list size is in (a) Hartlepool Primary Care Trust and (b) England.

(189264)

164
N Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many general practitioners per 100,000 population there are in (a) Hartlepool Primary Care Trust and (b) England.

(189265)

165
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme.

(189565)

166
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department is funding to develop a more reliable diagnostic test for prostate cancer.

(189566)

167
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to raise public awareness of prostate cancer.

(189567)

168
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to raise awareness of prostate cancer amongst (a) general practitioners and (b) other health professionals.

(189568)

169
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to regulate the sale of do-it-yourself PSA tests.

(189569)

170
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in tackling prostate cancer since 2000.

(189570)

171
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has undertaken into the different frequencies with which men and women access primary care for cancer.

(189571)

172
N Annabelle Ewing (Perth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many payments have been made by the Skipton Fund to Hepatitis C sufferers who were infected from NHS blood or blood products; and how many applications have been received.

(189320)

173
N Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will answer Questions (a) 187359, (b) 187360 and (c) 187361 tabled by the honourable Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on 22nd July for answer on 7th September.

(189269)

174
Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS dentists there were in Somerset in each of the last seven years.

(189401)

175
Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) care homes and (b) care home places were available in Somerset in each of the last six years run by (i) Somerset County Council, (ii) Somerset Care and (iii) the voluntary, independent and private sector in Somerset.

(189403)

176
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many beds are available for the elderly in care homes in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough; and how many were available on average in each year since 1997.

(189473)

177
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189586)

178
Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment is made of (a) proposals for increases in population and (b) housing targets when changes and amalgamation of NHS services are planned by health bodies; and if he will make a statement.

(189536)

179
Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the future of Battledown Ward at Cheltenham General Hospital.

(189537)

180
Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on NHS acute children's services in Cheltenham.

(189538)

181
Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the proposals (a) to downgrade Battledown Children's Ward at Cheltenham General Hospital into a paediatric assessment unit and (b) for the removal of acute children's services to Gloucester.

(189539)

182
Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what provision the Government is making to finance research projects into the (a) causes of, (b) consequences of and (c) treatments for mysthenia gravis.

(189529)

183
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of children suffering from heart disease.

(189394)

184
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children were detected with early signs of heart disease in the last year for which figures are available.

(189395)

185
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children are receiving treatment for heart disease.

(189396)

186
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many female doctors are employed in the NHS; and at what level (a) in real terms, (b) as whole time equivalent and (c) as a percentage of all doctors.

(189397)

187
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the rates of MRSA infections among patients in each hospital trust in each of the last five years.

(189408)

188
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many bed days were lost due to MRSA infection in each hospital trust in Sussex in the last year for which figures are available.

(189409)

189
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) psychiatrists and (b) community psychiatric nurses were (i) recruited to and (ii) left the NHS in each of the last three years.

(189418)

190
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the (a) cost and (b) purpose was of the recent trip to South Africa by the Right honourable Member for Barrow and Furness; what his official itinerary was; and which officials accompanied him.

(189419)

191
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of recent advice from the Chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board on potential dangers of radiation levels from mobile phones.

(189420)

192
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting times for sexual health services in the NHS are.

(189421)

193
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for (a) initial audiology appointments for digital hearing aids and (b) fitting of digital hearing aids is in each primary care trust in England.

(189422)

194
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to speed up universal availability of digital hearing aids.

(189423)

195
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for referral to psychiatric services in each mental health trust is.

(189424)

196
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the vacancy rates are for (a) psychiatrists and (b) community psychiatric nurses in the NHS.

(189425)

197
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to publish new guidelines on potential health effects of mobile phones.

(189433)

198
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to reduce the numbers of patients waiting for more than nine months for treatment at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

(189434)

199
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was of running the Healthcare Commission in the last year for which figures are available.

(189435)

200
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the responsibilities of the Healthcare Commission are.

(189436)

201
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many reviews have been carried out by the Healthcare Commission since its inception.

(189437)

202
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list hospitals in England whose primary cleaning contract is performed by in-house staff.

(189438)

203
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made on the effects on costs of cleaning contracts to (a) hospitals in England and (b) Worthing and Southlands Hospitals Trust of rises in (i) national insurance contributions and (ii) the minimum wage.

(189439)

204
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which publicly funded bodies carry out inspections of NHS mental health trusts; and how frequently such inspections take place.

(189441)

205
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was of the report commissioned by the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority into the death of Sarah Lawson in Worthing; and what the cost of legal advice to the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority in respect of the report was.

(189444)

206
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how he plans to monitor the progress of recommendations made in the report into the death of Sarah Lawson on improvement of mental health sevices in West Sussex.

(189445)

207
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he plans to take to implement in England the recommendations of the report on the death of Sarah Lawson in respect of mental health services.

(189446)

208
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much financial support has been allocated for the provision of disabled care for people in North Yorkshire in each year since 1997; and how much is projected for (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06.

(189328)

209
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what programmes the Government has in place to provide (a) care for disabled people and (b) support for the families and carers of disabled people.

(189329)

210
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what criteria were considered in deciding that the Wilf Ward Family Trust would receive less funding over the next three years.

(189330)

211
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action the Government has taken to ensure that the safety of disabled people is not jeopardised by the reduction in funding to disability charities.

(189331)

212
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many speech therapists entered training in each of the last five years.

(189359)

213
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many full-time equivalent speech therapists were employed in the NHS in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

(189360)

214
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many primary care trusts have (a) withdrawn and (b) reduced budgets for speech therapists over the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

(189367)

215
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost of a hernia operation is on the NHS.

(189549)

216
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many inguinal hernia operations were carried out by the NHS in each of the last three years.

(189550)

217
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether reference is made to political affiliation in making appointments to (a) health authorities and (b) primary care trusts.

(189551)

218
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many operations for breast cancer were carried out by the NHS in each of the last five years.

(189552)

219
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost is of an operation for breast cancer in the NHS.

(189553)

220
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many single practitioner general practitioner surgeries there were in each of the last five years.

(189554)

221
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital beds there were in (a) Southend Hospital Trust and (b) Basildon Hospital Trust in each of the last five years.

(189555)

222
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189638)

223
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the publication of advice to the Chief Medical Officer from the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health.

(189362)

224
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the next report of the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health on smoking and health will be published.

(189363)

225
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the latest annual statement from the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health will be published.

(189364)

226
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health has issued recent advice to the Chief Medical Officer on the impact of passive smoking on health.

(189378)

227
Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the progress of implementation of NHS Elect.

(189452)

228
Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of district general hospitals accepting patients with head injuries have a consultant who has undergone higher surgical training in the management of head injuries.

(189453)

229
Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of NHS hospitals undertaking joint replacement surgery have a consultant haematologist or orthopaedic surgeon with special training or interest in venous thrombosis.

(189454)

230
Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the prevalence is of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in England; and how much was spent on research into these illnesses in 2003-04.

(189455)

231
Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ensure that any spare capacity in NHS treatment centres is used before involving independent sector treatment centres at a higher cost to the NHS.

(189456)

232
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what work the Food Standards Agency is conducting on the over-30 month cattle scheme safely.

(189629)

233
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether Saudi Arabia is among those countries with which the UK has reciprocal arrangements for providing kidney dialysis for patients travelling abroad.

(189527)

234
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the levels of funding available for (a) researching, (b) treating and (c) raising awareness of dystonia in 2004-05.

(189528)

Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department

235
Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were convicted of shoplifting in Waveney in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003; and how many of these led to (i) a caution, (ii) probation and (iii) a custodial sentence.

(189462)

236
Mr Colin Challen (Morley & Rothwell):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assets have been recovered under the terms of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; and how these proceeds have been disbursed since the Act came into force, broken down by region.

(189466)

237
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will answer questions (a) 172324 and (b) 172328 tabled on 6th May on police officers seconded to work overseas.

(189383)

238
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many animals have died following procedures which broke International Air Transport Association regulations; and if he will make a statement.

(189390)

239
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will commission research into the effects of legislation in Denmark which require that applicants and sponsors, for the purpose of marriage, from outside the EU must be aged over 24 years.

(189391)

240
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action his Department has taken with regard to its contract with Imutran following the Home Affairs Select Committee's Report; and what representations he has received.

(189392)

241
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason his Department did not take action in respect of the case of the three primates found dead en route to Huntingdon in 1998.

(189393)

242
Mr David Heath (Somerton & Frome):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority and (b) the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the role of the Royal Parks Constabulary in maintaining security in the vicinity of the royal palaces.

(189531)

243
Mr David Heath (Somerton & Frome):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the role of the Royal Parks Constabulary.

(189532)

244
Mr David Heath (Somerton & Frome):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what reports he has requested from the Chief Officer of the Royal Parks Constabulary on events in St James' Park on 13th September.

(189533)

245
N Mr Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to bring forward a Corrections Bill; and if he will make a statement.

(189088)

246
N Mr Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to consult stakeholders, with specific reference to trade unions, about further developments in the National Offender Management Service.

(189089)

247
N Mr Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what way the creation of regional offender managers within the National Offender Management Service will contribute towards reducing the prison population.

(189090)

248
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189587)

249
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) adults and (b) children who volunteer in the UK.

(189398)

250
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when free passports will be available to all over 75 years old.

(189426)

251
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with the Treasury about the cost of providing concessionary passports to over 75 year olds; and how the scheme will be funded.

(189427)

252
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made by the Police Information Technology Organisation on developing new systems for alerting the public about child abductions.

(189428)

253
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children have gone missing in the UK in each of the last five years.

(189429)

254
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) acceptable behaviour contracts, (b) interim anti-social behaviour orders and (c) full anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in Mitcham and Morden.

(189354)

255
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what grounds a stateless person can be removed from this country.

(189557)

256
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189634)

257
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were stopped and searched by West Yorkshire Police during 2002-03, broken down by (a) age, (b) ethnicity and (c) sex.

(189503)

258
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reported injuries have resulted from police use of CS gas spray in each of the last five years; and how many of those injured were police officers.

(189505)

259
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints have been received in connection with the use of CS gas spray by police officers in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and what the outcome of each complaint was.

(189506)

260
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to publish statistics on the number of motorists found using hand-held mobile phones while driving since 1st December 2003.

(189507)

Questions to the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission

261
N Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many employees have been dismissed during the past three years; how many of those dismissals have resulted in a claim for unfair dismissal being pursued; how many unfair dismissal claims are current; and if he will make a statement.

(189161)

Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development

262
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189588)

263
Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the impact on the islanders of Tristan da Cunha of the changes in sailing schedules of the Royal Mail Ship St Helena; and if he will make a statement.

(189541)

264
Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will list water services (a) delivery and (b) consultancy projects his Department has supported in each of the last five financial years; what levels of financial support were given in respect of each project; and which UK based companies were recipients of funding.

(189348)

265
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189647)

266
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate he has made of the level of funding the Government will commit to the reconstruction of southern Sudan during the six-year interim period; and if he will make a statement.

(189547)

267
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much overseas aid the UK has provided to assist relief efforts following natural disasters in each of the last five years.

(189487)

Questions to the Leader of the House

268
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Leader of the House, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in his office.

(189592)

269
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Leader of the House, which services within his Office will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189645)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

270
David Burnside (South Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people are employed (a) directly and (b) indirectly by the Police Ombudsman's office in Northern Ireland.

(189470)

271
David Burnside (South Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the religious breakdown is of staff employed (a) directly and (b) indirectly by the Police Ombudsman's office in Northern Ireland.

(189471)

272
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much has been spent on (a) maintenance and (b) improvements to the rail station in Londonderry in each of the past five years.

(189604)

273
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress is being made in reaching the renewable energy targets set for Northern Ireland over the next five years.

(189605)

274
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many new dentists began work in Northern Ireland in 2003.

(189606)

275
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how long it will take to clear the backlog of planning applications in Northern Ireland caused by the recent industrial dispute.

(189607)

276
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how long it will take to clear the backlog of applications for MOT certificates in Northern Ireland due to the recent industrial dispute.

(189608)

277
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many self-employed people there were in Northern Ireland by the (a) end of 1998 and (b) end of 2003.

(189609)

278
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans Invest Northern Ireland has to ensure that more potential Inward Investors have opportunities to visit the East Londonderry constituency in 2005.

(189610)

279
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of the Northern Ireland Assembly regarding (a) seats and (b) seatbelts for all school children travelling to and from school in buses.

(189611)

280
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189590)

281
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people have been forced to leave Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist threat in each of the last five years.

(189556)

282
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which services within his Office will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189639)

Questions to the Prime Minister

283
Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):To ask the Prime Minister, when he will make a full reply to the letter from the honourable Member for Portsmouth South of 27th April on medals for veterans of the Arctic convoys.

(189381)

284
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Prime Minister, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in his office.

(189593)

285
N Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr):To ask the Prime Minister, whether the new sub-source referred to in paragraph 403 of the Butler Report was the source for the claim made in the September 2002 dossier that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction could be deployed in 45 minutes.

(189296)

286
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Prime Minister, which services within his Office will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189648)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland

287
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189637)

Questions to the Solicitor General

288
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Solicitor General, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189589)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

289
N Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether the lowering of the target rate in the public service agreement indicator for UK Trade and Investment to show positive assistance to new-to-export firms indicates a decreasing level of support to such businesses; and if she will make a statement.

(189294)

290
N Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, why her Department has lowered the minimum target rate to be achieved in 2004-06 from that most recently achieved by UK Trade and Investment in assisting new-to-export firms to improve their business performance.

(189315)

291
N Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the differences are between current UK copyright law and the draft of the proposed EU directive on software patentability for which the Minister of State for Industry and the Regions voted at the EU Competitiveness Council meeting on 17th-18th May.

(189316)

292
N Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to introduce (a) new and (b) increased charges for information, advice or assistance obtained by British businesses through the website of UK Trade and Investment.

(189317)

293
Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who authorised the public comments made by Adrian Gault on nuclear power; and whether they represent the policy of her Department.

(189524)

294
N Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what security lapses have occurred in respect of trains carrying nuclear material since September 2003; and if she will make a statement.

(188927)

295
N Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether nuclear material is transported (a) to and (b) from Bradwell Power Station; and if she will make a statement.

(188928)

296
N Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the cost was of support by the UK Government for the Airbus family of projects in each year since 1997-98 (a) gross and (b) net after loan repayments.

(188599)

297
N Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what projections her Department has made for funding citizens advice bureau in the UK.

(189158)

298
Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on discussions her Department has held with Ford Motor Company regarding the future of Jaguar Motor Car Productions in Coventry.

(189387)

299
Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions her Department has had with trade unions at national level about the future of Jaguar Motor Car Productions in Coventry.

(189388)

300
N Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when the Government's claims handlers expect to settle outstanding issues in relation to small mine employment and occupational respiratory disease issues.

(189156)

301
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans the Department has for evaluating the effect of Sunday trading on the family life of employees.

(189578)

302
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189595)

303
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the impact of the National Minimum Wage on employment in Mitcham and Morden.

(189337)

304
Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has had with Laura Ashley regarding the proposed downsizing of the workforce in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

(189613)

305
N Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the Answer of 11th February, Official Report, column 1478W, on nuclear waste, how much foreign spent nuclear fuel imported from abroad is stored at (a) Drigg, Cumbria and (b) elsewhere in the United Kingdom; what plans there are to send this spent fuel back to the countries of origin; and if she will make a statement.

(189150)

306
Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on discussions her Department has had with Ford Motor Company regarding Ford's future commitment to production in the West Midlands.

(189443)

307
Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the impact of energy price rises on the paper industry.

(189483)

308
Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the relationship between changes in wholesale gas prices and oil prices.

(189484)

309
Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much Government funding has been allocated for the Luneside East development in Lancaster.

(189509)

310
Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will break-down funding for the Lancaster District Economic Development Zone by location.

(189510)

311
Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment the North West Regional Development Agency has made of economic development at the Lancaster West site in Heysham.

(189511)

312
Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much funding has been allocated to the Luneside East Economic Development Zone by (a) English Partnerships and (b) the North West Regional Development Agency.

(189512)

313
Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what progress has been made regarding the Luneside East Economic Development Zone; and if she will make a statement.

(189513)

314
Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the preferred route is of the North West Regional Development Agency for the proposed Heysham Port/M6 Link.

(189514)

315
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much was spent on research and development in (a) nuclear energy and (b) wave power in each year since 1974; and what the subsidy provided to (i) operational nuclear power plants and (ii) wave energy power generators was in each year.

(189342)

316
N Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the appointment of the insolvency adjudicator.

(189153)

317
N Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the cost has been of the review of insolvency practitioners regulations.

(189154)

318
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which services within her Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189642)

319
N Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has held with the National Assembly for Wales Government on the proposals in its Technical Advice Note 8 consultation.

(189212)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

320
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his Answer of 13th September, Official Report, column 1389W, on US visas, what form representations to US authorities on the abolition of the crew list visa scheme have taken; what further representations the Government intends to make; and if he will make a statement on this proposal.

(189535)

321
Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the contingent liability in his Department's accounts of £21 billion principal for Network Rail's borrowing relates to.

(189447)

322
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent by the Government on capital works on the UK rail network since privatisation; and what the Department's estimate is of the amount to be spent by Government over the next 10 years.

(189574)

323
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what Government subsidy was given to rail providers for the last year for which figures are available; and what it was calculated to be (a) per passenger and (b) per passenger mile.

(189575)

324
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much it cost per mile to build the Birmingham North Relief Road; and what the latest average cost per mile to build a motorway is under conventional procurement procedures.

(189576)

325
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles of track in the rail network have been (a) modernised and (b) replaced since privatisation.

(189577)

326
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189596)

327
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles of track there are in the rail network.

(189599)

328
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who will be responsible for the regional planning assessments in the Rail Review; and how the Rail Review takes passengers' concerns into account.

(189332)

329
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on overcrowding on the London, Tilbury and Southend rail line.

(189365)

330
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the safety consequences of passengers standing on the London, Tilbury and Southend rail line; and if he will make a statement.

(189366)

331
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the impact on overcrowding on the London, Tilbury and Southend line of the removal of four 4-coach Class 357 trains from that line.

(189515)

332
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation he has (a) undertaken and (b) planned on the structure of the rail franchises in South Essex; and if he will make a statement.

(189516)

333
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to change the franchise structures of the (a) Fenchurch Street and (b) Liverpool Street rail lines.

(189517)

334
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189636)

335
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who employs motorway traffic officers; and what their (a) job description, (b) duties and (c) responsibilities are.

(189497)

336
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to introduce motorway traffic officers to the (a) M62, (b) M1, (c) M606 and (d) M621 motorway in West Yorkshire.

(189498)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales

337
N Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many staff are employed in the Wales Office; how many there were in 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(188997)

338
Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with Laura Ashley concerning the future of Laura Ashley jobs in mid Wales; and if he will make a statement.

(189612)

339
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, which services within his Office will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189646)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

340
N Annabelle Ewing (Perth):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 10th February, Official Report, columns 1337-9W, on Hepatitis C, whether the proposed housing benefit and council tax benefit regulations to which he referred have been laid before Parliament.

(189321)

341
N Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will arrange for those pensioners who continue to draw their pensions by way of Giros to have the option of having the Giros sent to the local post office where they will be cashed.

(189281)

342
N Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will make arrangements to pay the money owing to Jennifer Oakes of Noctorum Avenue, Birkenhead, paid to him in error by the Child Support Agency.

(189282)

343
Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department.

(189598)

344
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what changes in the number of Civil Service jobs have arisen from the introduction of jobcentre plus offices; and how many jobs have been contracted out to independent service providers.

(189414)

345
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what competitive processes were followed leading up to the sale of former Department of Social Security buildings to LandSecurities Trillium; and which other bidders were involved.

(189415)

346
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the refurbishment budget for Jobcentre Plus offices is.

(189416)

347
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the projected annual costs of his Department's contract payments to LandSecurities Trillium are.

(189417)

348
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average change in income for pensioners in Mitcham and Morden has been from pension credit; and what the total sum paid to pensioners in the constituency in pension credit has been to date.

(189336)

349
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the Mitcham and Morden constituency, the effects of changes in departmental policy since 1997 on the income of pensioners in the constituency.

(189339)

350
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden received the higher rate of winter fuel allowance for over 80s in winter 2003-04.

(189349)

351
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden received winter fuel allowance in winter 2003-04.

(189350)

352
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden are receiving an additional £100 in 2004-05 to help pay for increases to council tax.

(189357)

353
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) people, (b) lone parents and (c) people with disabilities in Mitcham and Morden have gained work through the New Deal.

(189358)

354
N Mr Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton North East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 13th January, Official Report, column 725W, on the Transitional Protection Scheme, whether local authorities will be provided by 1st January 2005 with (a) an estimate at an individual local authority level, based upon local authority certified estimate returns submitted to the Department by 31st August, of the likely financial consequences in the current financial year of the impact of the Transitional Protection Scheme and (b) estimates at an individual local authority level of the potential financial implications for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 financial years of the impact of the Transitional Protection Scheme.

(188780)

355
Hugh Robertson (Faversham & Mid Kent):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Faversham are claiming (a) jobseekers allowance and (b) incapacity benefit or their equivalents; and how many were doing so in 1997.

(189333)

356
Hugh Robertson (Faversham & Mid Kent):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in the Faversham and Mid Kent constituency are claiming (a) jobseekers allowance and (b) incapacity benefit or their equivalents; and how many were doing so in 1997.

(189334)

357
Bob Spink (Castle Point):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the Civil Service announced in the Spending Review.

(189641)

358
N Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is given to local job centre offices on responding to enquiries made by recipients of benefits and retirement pension who wish to continue collecting their payments by cash rather than direct payment; what the eligibility criteria will be for those who wish to join the Exceptions Service; and if he will make a statement.

(189127)

359
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of how job cuts proposed in the Spending Review will affect (a) his Department's staff and (b) services provided in Batley and Spen.

(189502)

Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer

360
Mr Keith Bradley (Manchester, Withington):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families resident in the City of Manchester claim child benefit for a student aged 18 years.

[Transferred] (189457)

361
Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his assessment is of whether the EU has made progress towards achieving the Lisbon Agenda aim of making the EU the world's most competitive economy by 2010 in the last two years.

[Transferred] (189518)

362
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many immigrants he estimates have entered the United Kingdom from the new EU countries since May.

[Transferred] (189534)

363
Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people who died in the last 12 months had hospital acquired infection attributed as the cause of death on their death certificates.

[Transferred] (189440)

Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister

364
Mr Mike Wood (Batley & Spen):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he will issue guidance to local authorities in respect of provisions to address problems with high hedges contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

[Transferred] (189504)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Health

365
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of new variant CJD have been identified in each year since 1999.

[Transferred] (189624)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

366
Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the total value is of applications to the European Commission to allow state aids that have been (a) approved, (b) approved with modifications, (c) declined and (d) considered but deemed not to fall within state aid rules, broken down by member state, for the last five years.

[Transferred] (189519)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

367
Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of vehicular access to Luneside East, Lancaster; and what estimate he has made of the change in traffic consequent on the Luneside East Development.

[Transferred] (189548)

© Parliamentary copyright 2004
Revised 16 September 2004