Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2004 - 05
Publications on the internet
The Questions Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Wednesday 9 February 2005

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 Wednesday 9 February 2005
(the 'Questions Book')

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Wednesday 9 February 2005

This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 9 February 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 Wednesday 9 February of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Wednesday 9 February see Part 2 of this paper.

Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office

1
Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Swan Hunter's ship yard.

(215820)

2
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215801)

Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer

3
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate how many people who pay national insurance contributions would not do so if the threshold for payment were to be raised to £10,000 per annum, in the first year following the raising of the threshold.

(215785)

4
N Mr William Cash (Stone):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, from whom the application under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for release of papers relating to the exit of the UK from the Exchange Rate Mechanism in 1992 was received; what the reasons are for the delay in responding to the request for the release of the papers; if he will place the papers in the Library; and if he will place in the Library the papers relating to the Government's policy on ERM and economic and monetary union as at 2nd May 1997.

(215485)

5
N Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many redundancies there have been in Coventry South in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

(214660)

6
Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East & Mexborough):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the (a) Financial Inclusion Taskforce and (b) Financial Inclusion Fund will be set up.

(215675)

7
Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East & Mexborough):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether existing credit unions will be included for support under the Social Fund loan scheme referred to in the report on Promoting Financial Inclusion.

(215676)

8
Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East & Mexborough):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the Social Fund loan scheme monies referred to in the report on Promoting Financial Inclusion will be apportioned; and which institutions will qualify for inclusion.

(215677)

9
Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East & Mexborough):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the report on Promoting Financial Inclusion on existing credit unions.

(215678)

10
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215655)

11
Mr Boris Johnson (Henley):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reduce the level at which further education colleges pay VAT to the level paid by schools.

(215622)

12
Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Clwyd South constituency, the effect on the constituency of policies pursued by his Department at the Council of Ministers since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(215719)

13
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of deaths were due to cancer in the (a) North East, (b) South East, (c) North and (d) South in the last year for which figures are available.

(215891)

14
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average level of unemployment in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland was in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2005.

(215948)

15
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of those unemployed are (a) under 18, (b) under 21 and (c) under 30 years.

(215949)

16
N Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people he estimates faced combined marginal tax and benefit deduction rates of (a) over 50 per cent., (b) over 60 per cent. and (c) over 70 per cent. in (i) 1996-97, (ii) 2003-04 and (iii) 2004-05; what estimate he has made of the figures for 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

(214812)

17
N Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost of reducing marginal deduction rates for taxes and benefits to 50 per cent. or less for all those on tax credits; and if he will make a statement.

(214813)

18
N Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will re-state Table 4.2, page 88, of the November 2004 Pre-Budget Report (Cmnd 6408) to include figures for the marginal deduction rates of over 50 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

(214815)

19
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215618)

20
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215800)

21
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Customs Co-operation Subcommittee -EEC-Bulgaria - met; when and there these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215906)

22
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Customs Co-operation Subcommittee - EEC-Estonia - met; when and there these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215907)

23
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Customs Co-operation Subcommittee - EEC-Hungary - met; when and there these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215908)

24
Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many pensions were sold in each of the past 10 years on the basis of (a) tied advice, (b) independent advice and (c) execution only; and if he will make a statement.

(215709)

25
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Folkestone and Hythe constituency, the effects on Folkestone and Hythe of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215963)

26
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Woodspring constituency, the effects on Woodspring of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215970)

27
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what matters were discussed and what decisions were taken at the G7 meeting of Finance Ministers on 4th February; and if he will place in the Library copies of papers submitted to the meeting by (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other countries, that affected matters of interest to the United Kingdom.

(215863)

28
N Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what grounds the Inland Revenue will remit tax credit overpayments in instances where they have not acted upon information received within 30 days.

(215186)

29
N Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to the honourable Member for Aberdeen South of 10th January, Official Report, column 129W, on tax credits, in how many cases concerning the 1600 people who have had their tax credit overpayments written off on grounds of official error, the Inland Revenue had failed to act upon information received within 30 days.

(215334)

30
N Steve Webb (Northavon):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints have been received by the MP tax credits complaints team (a) by post and (b) by telephone in each month since the service was set up.

(215536)

Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

31
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of the Duchy's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215685)

Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs

32
Vera Baird (Redcar):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will take steps to stop rape trials at Crown courts from being listed as floating trials.

(215689)

33
Vera Baird (Redcar):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will take steps to prevent personal cross-examination of victims by an alleged domestic violence perpetrator in (a) Crown court trials and (b) family court proceedings.

(215690)

34
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215654)

35
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215616)

36
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department and its predecessors; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215838)

37
N Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many British service personnel registered as overseas electors in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004.

(215284)

38
N Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many service personnel have been prosecuted for failure to register on the electoral rolls, in accordance with Regulation 23 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001/341) since February 2001.

(215333)

39
N Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, whether all service personnel overseas voters have received a written reminder of their obligation to re-register on the electoral roll in accordance with Clause 25 (2) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (SI, 2001/341).

(215487)

40
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to West Dorset constituency, the effects on West Dorset of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215973)

41
N Paddy Tipping (Sherwood):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time judicial officer appointments have been made in each year since 1975.

(215189)

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

42
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much has been spent on promoting London's bid for the 2012 Olympics; how much has been spent in London; and if she will make a statement.

(216002)

43
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the total cost of (a) promoting and (b) hosting the 2012 Olympics in London.

(216003)

44
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who the Ministerial design champion for her Department is.

(215643)

45
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215793)

46
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will list the works of art purchased by the Government Art Fund in each year since 1997; what the cost of each item was; and where each item is on display.

(215807)

47
Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with English Heritage concerning its budget to retain and restore houses and other structures deemed to be of historic value.

(215808)

48
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Maldon and East Chelmsford constituency, the effects on Maldon and East Chelmsford of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215974)

49
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Tatton constituency, the effects on Tatton of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215975)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence

50
Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29th November 2004, Official Report, column 354, on Gulf War related illnesses, if he will provide further details on the funding for the research programme on Gulf veterans' illnesses; which institutions are undertaking the research; and how the funding to carry out the research will be allotted.

(215710)

51
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will investigate whether there are salary disparities between staff at the same grades within the civilian security staff employed by his Department in Northern Ireland.

(215809)

52
N Annabelle Ewing (Perth):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list by nation and region of the UK selection figures for each of the services for the most recent year for which figures are available.

(214414)

53
N Annabelle Ewing (Perth):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the current location in the UK of each Army regiment; what the number of service and support personnel at each location is; and where available what the total running cost is for each site, including personnel costs.

(214415)

54
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215644)

55
Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to sign contracts placing orders for the two CVFs.

(215766)

56
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was spent on research by his Department in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) 2004.

(215888)

57
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of his Department's research spending was directed towards conflict prevention in 2003-04.

(215889)

58
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of his Department's research budget was spent on the development of new weaponry in 2003-04.

(215890)

59
Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the outcome of the investigation into the death of Sergeant Paul Connolly at Shaibah logistic base on 26th December 2004 was; on what date a Board of Inquiry was opened; where and on what date the funeral was; and whether there will be an inquest.

(215700)

60
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215615)

61
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215797)

62
N Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many British service personnel are serving overseas; and how many of these have submitted overseas service declarations to their electoral registration officer (a) in 2004 and (b) to date in 2005.

(215285)

63
N Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the financial value of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines' equipment which remains in the possession of the Iranian authorities.

(215486)

64
N Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the Advice contained in the Army Families Advice Bureau Factsheet 7.1 on the Ministry of Defence website states that a serviceman only needs to complete F/Vote/33 once during his career unless there is a change of circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

(215488)

65
N Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will estimate how many (a) direct and (b) indirect civilian jobs in (i) Scotland and (ii) the rest of the UK rely upon the Trident programme.

(214416)

66
N Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) the defence procurement contracts with a value of greater than £5 million in each year since 1999 and (b) the companies involved in each of those contracts, indicating how many have their headquarters in (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland, (iii) the rest of Europe and (iv) the US.

(214417)

67
N Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 20th January, Official Report, column 1080W, on military assistance following the tsunami, if he will list the costs his Department has recovered from the Department for International Development in relation to the relief effort following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

(214418)

68
N Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the costs recovered by his Department from the Department for International Development in the most recent year for which figures are available.

(214419)

69
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of its personnel budget for each financial year from 1997-98 to 2001-02 the Service Children's Education Unit spent in Scotland (a) in monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget for that year; how many personnel were employed in Scotland in each year; and if he will make a statement.

(215909)

70
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of its personnel budget for each financial year from 1997-98 to 2001-02 the RAF Training Group Defence Agency spent in Scotland (a) in monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget for that year; how many personnel were employed in Scotland in each year; and if he will make a statement.

(215910)

71
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of its personnel budget for each financial year from 1997-98 to 2001-02 the RAF Personnel Manning Agency spent in Scotland (a) in monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget for that year; how many personnel were employed in Scotland in each year; and if he will make a statement.

(215911)

72
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people worked for the Disposal Services Agency (a) in 2003-04 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available; how many were employed in Scotland in each case; and what the personnel costs of the agency (i) were in 2003-04 and (ii) are expected to be in 2004-05.

(215944)

73
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people worked for the Pay and Personnel Agency (a) in 2003-04 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available; how many were employed in Scotland in each case; and what the personnel costs of the agency (i) were in 2003-04 and (ii) are expected to be in 2004-05.

(215945)

74
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of its personnel budget for financial years (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04 the British Forces Post Office spent in Scotland in (i) monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; and if he will make a statement.

(215946)

75
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people worked for the Veterans Agency (a) in 2003-04 and (a) in 2003-04 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available; how many were employed in Scotland in each case; and what the personnel costs of the agency (i) were in 2003-04 and (ii) are expected to be in 2004-05.

(215947)

76
Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review the provision by his Department of military assistance and training to the Government of Nepal; and if he will make a statement.

(215938)

77
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Iraqi and (b) non-Iraqi nationals are held in prisons administered by United Kingdom armed forces; how many of these prisoners are female; how many are aged under 16 years; how many have been transferred from United States administered prisons; how many have been (i) tried and (ii) sentenced since March 2003; how old the (A) oldest and (B) youngest detainee is; and if he will list the offences under which detainees are being held.

(215865)

78
Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the objectives are of the Government's policy on the European Armaments Research and Military Capabilities Agency.

(215771)

79
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will reply to the letter dated 22nd March 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Mr Karel Bartosik.

(215634)

80
Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24th January, Official Report, column 50W, on Infantry Future Army Structure, what procedure will be used for a regiment with two or more battalions in deciding which Sandhurst officer cadets are to join which battalion; and whether the procedure is the same for all super regiments.

(215950)

Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister

81
Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many local authority-owned properties in Leicester South do not meet the Government's decent homes standard; and what the estimated cost of bringing them up to this standard is.

(215732)

82
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215645)

83
Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will ask the Housing Corporation to issue updated guidance on the use of Ground 8, Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 following Lord Justice Dyson's concluding remarks in the case of North British Housing Association v Snaith.

(215716)

84
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what representations he has received on the impact his proposed regional reorganisation of the fire service will have on services in North Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

(215953)

85
N Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what estimate he has made of the number of employees in England and Wales who will qualify for retirement under the 85 year rule of the Local Government Pension Scheme in each year to 2015; and what estimate he has made of the number of employees who would be affected by the removal of the 85 year rule in each year.

(215066)

86
N Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many members of the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales retired before the age of 55 in each year since 1997.

(215067)

87
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215620)

88
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by his Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215802)

89
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Maidenhead constituency, the effects on Maidenhead of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215971)

90
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Folkstone and Hythe constituency, the effects on Folkestone and Hythe of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215972)

91
N Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff are employed in each regional assembly; how much funding from council tax went to each regional assembly in 2003-04; and how much public funding the South West Regional Assembly has received since it was established.

(215544)

92
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he will reply to the letter dated 29th March 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Ms Kate Stone.

(215626)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills

93
Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will extend school premises' regulations to stipulate the (a) suitability, (b) condition and (c) accessibility of pupils' toilets.

(215712)

94
Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will introduce legislation governing toilet provision for pupils in schools to bring provisions into line with those governing the adult workplace.

(215713)

95
Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how adherence to the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 is monitored with regard to the number of toilets and washbasins provided for pupils.

(215714)

96
Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much capital funding has been invested in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in Dudley North in each year since 1996-97; and if she will make a statement.

(215788)

97
Mr Eric Forth (Bromley & Chislehurst):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Capita SIMS.net in schools, with particular reference to its effect on (a) schools' attendance reporting and (b) suppliers of schools' attendance recording systems.

[R] (215722)

98
Mr Eric Forth (Bromley & Chislehurst):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment she has made of the accuracy of the 2005 Pupil Level Annual School Census returns derived from Capita SIMS systems in schools.

[R] (215723)

99
Mr Eric Forth (Bromley & Chislehurst):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many secondary schools have reported problems with Capita SIMS.net systems.

[R] (215724)

100
Mr Eric Forth (Bromley & Chislehurst):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment she has made of the accuracy of the data provided by schools to her Department for the last three years regarding attendance.

[R] (215725)

101
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, who the Ministerial design champion for her Department is.

(215646)

102
Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when she will reply to the letter dated 30th December 2004 from the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Wrigh Robinson Sports College.

(215705)

103
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of those between the ages of 18 and 22 years from the constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland is studying at university.

(215871)

104
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the university drop-out rate was in (a) England and (b) the North East in 2003-04.

(215872)

105
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment she has made of the Increased Flexibility Programme.

(215740)

106
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much money has been spent (a) per school sixth former and (b) per student in a college of further education in (i) England and (ii) Buckinghamshire in each year since the establishment of the Learning and Skills Council.

(215741)

107
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of her Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215747)

108
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215792)

109
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Co-ordination Group to promote uniformity of application of the general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas (first general system) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215923)

110
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on medical training met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215924)

111
Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Reading West constituency, the effects on Reading West of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215832)

112
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Tatton constituency, the effects on Tatton of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215976)

113
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when she will reply to the letter dated 29th July 2004 sent to her predecessor by the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Ms Margaret Thomas.

(215625)

114
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when she will reply to the letter dated 5th March 2004 sent to her predecessor by the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Mr Christopher McMahon.

(215628)

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

115
N Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the Rural Payments Agency to start making payments under the Single Farm Payment.

(214712)

116
N Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on progress towards modernising rural delivery within the Department's strategy.

(214713)

117
N Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria she is using to determine the location of the new headquarters of the Countryside Agency; and whether premises in Cheltenham are under consideration.

(214714)

118
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who the Ministerial design champion for her Department is.

(215647)

119
Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd South constituency, the effect on the constituency of policies pursued by her Department at the Council of Ministers; and if she will make a statement.

(215721)

120
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effects of food miles on (a) congestion on the roads and (b) the environment, through emissions of greenhouse gases from modes of transport used; and what assessment she has made of the effects on the environment of production local to the place of sale.

(215866)

121
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to reverse long-term land degradation.

(215892)

122
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will reply fully to Question reference 211860 regarding civil contingency planning for major floods.

(215940)

123
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the REACH (Chemicals) Directive on UK industry; and if she will make a statement.

(215952)

124
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of her Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215748)

125
N Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the installations within England and Wales where materials contaminated with radioactivity may be incinerated; and what quantities of (a) materials and (b) radioactivity are involved.

(215187)

126
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215798)

127
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committee for the fisheries and aquaculture sector met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215917)

128
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Standing Committee on propagating material and plants of fruit gernera and species met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215918)

129
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Standing Committee on seeds and propagating material for agriculture, horticulture and forestry met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215919)

130
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for Community protection of plant variety rights met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215920)

131
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Witney constituency, the effects on Witney of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215977)

132
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to West Dorset constituency, the effects on West Dorset of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215978)

133
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions Ministers in her Department have had with counterparts in India on (a) sustainable development and (b) environmental scientific co-operation.

(215864)

134
Mr Ian Taylor (Esher & Walton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to publish the terms of reference of the agency to be created by the merger of English Nature and parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service.

(215679)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

135
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the attempt by some members of the Russian Duma to ban all religious and ethnic Jewish organisations as extremist.

[R] (215641)

136
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of levels of xenophobia and anti-Semitism in Russia.

[R] (215642)

137
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the Report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur.

(215658)

138
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on the referral of the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court in accordance with the findings of the UN Inquiry on Darfur.

(215659)

139
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the King of Nepal's recent political actions.

(215660)

140
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of Nepal on progress towards democracy, with particular reference to freedom of the press.

(215661)

141
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of South Africa about the promotion of democratic reform in Africa.

(215667)

142
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) the announcement of elections in Zimbabwe and (b) the prospect of opposition participation in the elections; and if he will make a statement.

(215668)

143
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan on the rights of civilians to express their political views, including holding public demonstrations.

(215671)

144
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of reports that security forces in Sudan opened fire upon civilian protesters from the Beja community in Port Sudan on 29th January.

(215672)

145
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what measures he plans to take to assist the African Union to deploy the full contingent of troops to Darfur without delay.

(215673)

146
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the capability of the African Union mission in Darfur to fulfil its mandate.

(215674)

147
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards Iran.

(215682)

148
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what measures his Department is taking to support the reform movement in Iran.

(215683)

149
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the views of the African Union's Chief Ceasefire Monitor, General Festus Okonkwo, concerning the build-up of arms and troops in Darfur.

(215744)

150
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of (a) Colombia and (b) Venezuela regarding the dispute over the arrest of FARC member Rodrigo Granda.

(215752)

151
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the decision by the EU to suspend sanctions on Cuba.

(215758)

152
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Venezuela on further entrenchment of democracy in the region.

(215759)

153
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on (a) relations within the ruling military Junta in Burma and (b) the position of the Junta leader Than Shwe.

(215760)

154
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Burmese regime on reported unrest within the region.

(215761)

155
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the future of democracy in Burma.

(215762)

156
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the statement of the Workshop of ASEAN Parliamentarians in November on the Myanmar Issue.

(215763)

157
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the UN Human Rights Commission regarding the Government of Burma's treatment of (a) Muslim Rohingya, (b) Christians among the Chin, Kachin, Karen and Karenni ethnic nationalities and (c) Buddhists who do not support the regime.

[R] (215764)

158
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had concerning Iran's nuclear programme.

(215770)

159
Denzil Davies (Llanelli):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what percentage of the total Iraqi adult population is estimated to have voted in the recent election.

(215829)

160
Denzil Davies (Llanelli):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the official estimate is of the percentage of registered voters who voted in the recent election in Iraq.

(215830)

161
N Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the recent problems in Port Sudan, Province of Sudan, with particular reference to (a) the actions of the Sudanese Army and (b) the arrest and detention of Beja Congress leaders.

(215068)

162
N Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will seek information on the demonstration in Port Sudan on 29th January, with particular reference to violence perpetrated by the police.

(215069)

163
Kate Hoey (Vauxhall):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2nd February, Official Report, column 935W, on EU Constitution Treaty, from which budget within his Department the cost of the Commentary on the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe was met.

(215966)

164
Kate Hoey (Vauxhall):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many staff within his Department are working on publications relating to the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe; and from which units within his Department they are drawn.

(215967)

165
Kate Hoey (Vauxhall):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19th January, Official Report, columns 1020-21W, on the European Constitution, if he will list the dates of meetings held with European Commission officials pertaining to the provision of information relating to the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe.

(215968)

166
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215648)

167
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the security situation in the east of Sudan.

(215847)

168
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has held with the Government of Sudan concerning its actions in relation to the unrest in the east of the country.

(215848)

169
Andy King (Rugby & Kenilworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Peruvian government concerning its implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, published in August 2003.

(215790)

170
Andy King (Rugby & Kenilworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Peruvian government concerning the pace of the trial reviews for men and women who may have been wrongly accused and convicted of terrorism in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

(215791)

171
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the High Commission in Islamabad sent to the Home Office the case papers on Mr. I. H., husband of Mrs. S. B. of Aylesbury, reference number ISB/747450.

(215727)

172
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215795)

173
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Committee (EEC-Estonia) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215928)

174
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Committee (EEC-Latvia) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215929)

175
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Committee (EEC-Lithuania) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215930)

176
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the call by the Government of Nepal on 7th February for unconditional peace talks with Maoist rebels; and if he will make a statement.

(215986)

177
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the possibilities for resolving the situation created by the Maoist revolt in Nepal; and if he will make a statement.

(215987)

178
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with members and representatives of the Government of (i) India, (ii) China and (iii) Bhutan regarding the current situation in Nepal; and if he will make a statement.

(215988)

179
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of (a) the number of civilian and military casualties of the Maoist revolt in Nepal per annum since 1997, (b) the social and economic impact of the Maoist revolt in Nepal and (c) the measures undertaken by the Government of Nepal to address the Maoist revolt since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(215989)

180
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with members and representatives of the Government of Nepal concerning (i) civil rights and (ii) freedom of speech in Nepal since 1st February; and if he will make a statement.

(215990)

181
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received on Government control over the media in Nepal since 1st February; and if he will make a statement.

(215991)

182
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps are being taken to recover documents lost by British citizens as a consequence of the tsunami in South East Asia; and what steps are being taken to prevent identity fraud.

(215704)

183
Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to (a) seek the release and (b) secure the protection of (i) political leaders and (ii) human rights activists following recent actions by King Gyanendra in Nepal; and if he will make a statement.

(215933)

184
Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to seek to secure the independence and integrity of the Nepali National Human Rights Commission and ensure the protection of its premises and documents; and if he will make a statement.

(215936)

185
Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will halt the provision of military equipment and training to the Government of Nepal following recent actions by King Gyanendra; what assessment he has made of reports of human rights abuses by the Nepali security forces; and if he will make a statement.

(215939)

186
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will reply to the letters dated 1st June 2004, 8th September 2004 and 25th November 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Indonesian Christians and the Indonesian Government's draft Bill on Religious Harmony.

(215627)

187
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will reply to the letter dated 13th May 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Mr John Clegg.

(215631)

188
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will reply to the letters dated 3th August and 20th October 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Mr John Bennett.

(215632)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Health

189
Vera Baird (Redcar):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to increase the numbers of female doctors who become forensic medical examiners.

(215686)

190
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's review of tricyclic drugs will take account of the safety of future classes of anti-depressant drug.

(215711)

191
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from NHS bodies on time taken to report (a) scans and (b) incidence of double reporting of scans for a second opinion under the mobile scanning contract with Alliance Medical; what assessment his Department has made of the effect of (a) and (b) on requirements for hospital consultants to undertake follow-up appointments after scans performed by Alliance Medical; and if he will make a statement.

(215715)

192
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been spent by his Department on encouraging safer drinking in each year since 1997.

(215846)

193
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 27th January, Official Report, columns 556-7W, on the NHS Bank, how the budget of £732 million will be spent.

(215992)

194
N Mr David Chidgey (Eastleigh):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to relocate the Accident and Emergency Department at the Royal County Hospital, Winchester.

(214573)

195
N Mr David Chidgey (Eastleigh):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve NHS dentistry in the Eastleigh area.

(214574)

196
Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of (a) recent research into the effects of the drug Nevirapine and (b) the consequences of that research for mother-to-baby transmission of HIV/AIDS.

(215965)

197
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he gave to the Merton, Sutton and Mid-Surrey NHS Trust during the recent consultation Better Healthcare Closer to Home, with particular reference to (a) publicising the consultation within the catchment area and (b) definition of the catchment area; and what guidance is available for NHS trusts performing similar consultations on each aspect area.

(215787)

198
Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the health expenditure per head of population in Leicester South constituency has been in each year since 1997.

(215733)

199
Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will encourage hospitals to discharge patients into the community for treatment as soon as clinically possible to reduce exposure to MRSA and other hospital acquired infections.

(215821)

200
Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he has given to primary care trusts on funding the treatment of patients once they are discharged into the community to complete their treatment.

(215822)

201
Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in each of the last 10 years.

(215823)

202
Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the life expectancy is of a patient with multiple myeloma.

(215824)

203
Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what treatments are available on the NHS for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

(215825)

204
Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his policy that patients suffering from rare cancers, with particular reference to multiple myeloma, should receive equal priority within the NHS as those suffering from more common forms of the disease.

(215826)

205
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215649)

206
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of outreach workers on the rates of re-admission for inpatient care by people with serious eating disorders living in the community.

(215958)

207
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department provides to primary care trusts on commissioning primary care services for people with serious eating disorders.

(215959)

208
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many strategic health authorities provide outreach workers to support people with eating disorders in the community.

(215960)

209
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many primary care trusts commission outreach workers to support people with eating disorders living in the community.

(215961)

210
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for surgery on the NHS was for patients in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in (b) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2005.

(215885)

211
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much was spent on research by his Department in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) 2004.

(215886)

212
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of health authorities in England and Wales are experiencing staffing shortages in midwifery.

(215954)

213
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of people in England and Wales training to become midwives.

(215955)

214
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of midwifery students left their course before completion in each of the last five years.

(215956)

215
Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was of each stage of the Shipman Inquiry, broken down by main budget headings; and what the cost was of legal fees paid to each party represented.

(215623)

216
Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hours the Shipman Inquiry sat in public; how many statements were taken by the inquiry; and how many witnesses were called.

(215624)

217
John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will assess the merits of introducing a respiratory syncytial virus preventative treatment programme for premature babies who are most vulnerable to that virus.

(215765)

218
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215614)

219
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215796)

220
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee of senior officials on public health met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215912)

221
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for the implementation of the Community action plan to combat cancer met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215913)

222
Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Reading West constituency, the effects on Reading West of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215803)

223
David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether NHS counselling and family support services have been made available to the relatives of victims and witnesses of the Indian Ocean tsunami who are resident in the UK.

(215638)

224
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many poeple have died from the adverse effects of vitamins and supplements in the last five years.

(215784)

225
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Government expects the European Food Standards Agency to publish its findings regarding dosage levels in the context of the Food Supplements Directive.

(215804)

226
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Government supports approprite labelling as a means of ensuring consumer (a) safety and (b) choice within the framework of the Food Supplements Directive.

(215805)

227
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of whether companies have moved businesses outside the European Union in response to the implementation of the Food Supplements Directive.

(215806)

228
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many vitamins and supplements have been removed from sale by the Food Standards Agency in the past five years due to safety concerns.

(215810)

229
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many representations he has received expressing concern about the Food Supplements Directive; which organisations that have made representations to his Department expressed support for the Government's policy towards the Directive; and which organisations that have made representations to his Department have informed the Department that they have changed their policy on the Directive since submitting their original representation.

(215811)

230
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research the Government has carried out on the effects of the Food Supplements Directive on small specialist manufacturers and retailers.

(215812)

231
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dossiers have been submitted for products to be included on the positive list under the Food Supplements Directive.

(215813)

232
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of putting together a dossier for inclusion in the positive list under the Food Supplements Directive; and what plans the Government has to provide financial assistance to small specialist manufacturers in putting together dossiers.

(215814)

233
Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which of the nutrient sources that are not on the positive list under the Food Supplements Directive his Department assesses as dangerous.

(215815)

Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department

234
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria are taken into account by police forces before suspending a police officer from duty.

(215931)

235
Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions there have been against people found doing graffiti in each of the last five years in (a) Essex and (b) Southend.

(215932)

236
Vera Baird (Redcar):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many specialist sexual violence legal advice lines are funded by his Department in (a) England and Wales and (b) the North East.

(215687)

237
Vera Baird (Redcar):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will increase the number of specialist sexual violence legal advice lines funded by his Department in England and Wales.

(215688)

238
N Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the civil and criminal provisions in the Sexual Offences Act 2004 to tackle grooming by paedophiles on the internet and other media; and if he will make a statement.

(215283)

239
Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how long candidates for the Metropolitan Police waited before the commencement of training after selection in the last period for which figures are available.

(215717)

240
Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether ethnic background is a factor taken into account when allocating training places to candidates who have been selected for the Metropolitan Police.

(215969)

241
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what meetings he has had with Sir Ian Blair to discuss proposed efficiency savings in the Metropolitan Police Authority.

(215697)

242
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much the Metropolitan Police Authority spent on counter-terrorism in each year since 1997, broken down by borough.

(215698)

243
Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department conducted an assessment of the impact that the measures in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill would have upon the activities of the Inland Revenue, including its use of third party members of the public assisting it in investigating taxpayers' compliance with Revenue law.

(215657)

244
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215650)

245
Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish the information he has received on the use of false identities by terrorist suspects.

(216004)

246
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans his Department has to outlaw the sale of knives to those under the age of 18 years.

(215873)

247
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many mentally ill people have died in police custody since 2001 in (a) the UK, (b) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland and (c) the North East.

(215874)

248
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to improve training of police officers to enable them to deal more effectively with mentally ill people.

(215875)

249
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the health risks posed by the taser guns to be used by the police.

(215876)

250
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what controls will be placed on the use of taser guns by police.

(215877)

251
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what circumstances taser guns may be used by police.

(215878)

252
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will introduce (a) a green card system and (b) an independent body to handle immigration requests.

(215893)

253
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will establish a body independent of his Department to compile immigration statistics.

(215894)

254
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to reform the laws of contempt.

(215895)

255
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has received from the High Commission in Islamabad case papers on the case of Mr. I. H., husband of Mrs. S. B. of Aylesbury, reference ISB/747450.

(215728)

256
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Vision for the National Offender Management Service was endorsed at the NOMS Performance Board on 24th January.

(215998)

257
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether comments are being sought on the Vision Statement for the National Offender Management Service from stakeholders.

(215999)

258
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any members of the National Offender Management Service Performance Board have resigned during the last three months.

(216000)

259
John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how he expects the introduction of contestability in the National Offender Management Service to contribute to the Vision Statement aim of working together to reduce re-offending.

(216001)

260
Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1st February, Official Report, columns 847-8W, on Private Mario Clarke, when a Home Office large murder inquiry system opened on the death of Private Mario Clarke; how many (a) officer hours were expended and (b) statements were taken (i) up to 31st January 2003 and (ii) in each month since January 2003; how many lines of inquiry were being pursued in relation to the death of Private Mario Clarke on 26th December 2003; and on what date a closing report was recorded.

(215701)

261
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215613)

262
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215794)

263
Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 7th February, on the Five Year Asylum Strategy, Official Report, columns 1181-98, what abuses he has identified in relation to the operation of family visit appeals.

(215827)

264
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on public contracts met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215921)

265
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee on checks for conformity with the rules on product safety in the case of products imported from third countries met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215922)

266
Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Reading West constituency, the effects on Reading West of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215818)

267
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Woodspring constituency, the effects on Woodspring of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215979)

268
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Wokingham constituency, the effects on Wokingham of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215980)

269
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter dated 14th October 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Ms Varsha Edeis.

(215630)

270
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter dated 13th September 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Mrs Helen Adumekwe.

(215633)

Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development

271
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the New Partnership for African Development peer review mechanism.

(215635)

272
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what measures his Department supports to improve the effectiveness of the New Partnership for African Development peer review mechanism.

(215636)

273
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment he has made of the level of corruption in Kenya; and what discussions he has had with the Kenyan Government on (a) tackling corruption and (b) establishing good governance.

(215662)

274
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what mechanisms his Department has put in place to ensure that effective delivery of aid is not prevented by corruption in Kenya.

(215663)

275
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether he plans to reduce aid to Kenya in response to its slow progress in tackling corruption.

(215664)

276
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress has been made by the Kenyan Government in (a) promoting and (b) implementing good governance practices.

(215665)

277
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of South Africa about (a) acknowledgement of the scale of the HIV/AIDS problem and (b) the allocation of resources and expertise to tackle the epidemic.

(215666)

278
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what measures his Department is taking to prepare for a possible food shortage in Zimbabwe.

(215669)

279
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the Zimbabwe Government's refusal to accept food aid from the United Nations.

(215670)

280
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with (a) the African Union (AU), (b) the South African Government and (c) the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) concerning the possible incorporation of NEPAD into the AU structure.

(215680)

281
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the effects of incorporating into the African Union the New Partnership for African Development.

(215681)

282
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the report of the United Nations Millennium Project, with particular reference to its call for results-based management of international aid.

(215753)

283
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what resources his Department plans to allocate to improve counter-disaster measures in the developing world.

(215754)

284
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with the representatives of developing countries on (a) preparing for and (b) improving their response to natural disasters.

(215755)

285
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the views of the UN head of humanitarian affairs on disaster prevention and preparedness.

(215756)

286
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will increase funding for disaster reduction.

(215757)

287
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Zambia concerning (a) good governance and (b) tackling corruption.

(215767)

288
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations he has made to the Government of Kazakhstan concerning (a) human rights and (b) the implementation of good governance practices.

(215768)

289
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with the Government of Kazakhstan about the use of oil revenues to promote sustainable development.

(215769)

290
Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what (a) humanitarian and (b) other aid assistance is being provided by his Department to Palestinian Lebanese refugees.

(215772)

291
Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment his Department has made of recent research into (a) the drug Nevirapine and (b) the consequences of that research for use of the drug in preventing HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to baby.

(215964)

292
N Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress has been made in the reconstruction of schools in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

(214661)

293
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215799)

294
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidencies of the EU the European Development Fund Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215935)

295
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidencies of the EU the Advisory Committee on the special system of assistance to traditional ACP suppliers of bananas met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215941)

296
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Expanding Exports Helpdesk on the (a) value and (b) volume of exports from developing countries into the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

(215942)

297
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will list the official initiatives in (a) the UK and (b) the EU to boost export opportunities for developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

(215943)

298
Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answers of 3rd February, Official Report, columns 1044-5W, on debt relief and 1049-50W on Tanzania, what additional debt relief is being provided by the UK under the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recently announced debt initiative; and if he will list (a) each recipient country and (b) the sum each is due to receive in each year up to 2015.

(215934)

299
Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans he has to modify his Department's development programme in Nepal following King Gyanendra's recent actions in the country; what assessment he has made of allegations of misuse of development funds by the Royal Nepal Army; and if he will make a statement.

(215937)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

300
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his plans are for changing the free transport to school system for children in Northern Ireland from September; and what assistance he will offer to parents who risk suffering hardship as a result of changes.

(215828)

301
N Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the Environment and Heritage Service will answer the letter of 10th December 2004 from the honourable Member for North Down in relation to the restoration of Rosebank House in Donaghadee.

(215188)

302
N Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on how many occasions he has held meetings with the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.

(215282)

303
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the operation of the Construction Industry Training Scheme in Northern Ireland.

(215742)

304
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many and what percentage of young people enrolled on Year 3 of a Jobskills Traineeship in Northern Ireland had found a full-time job by the end of that year in each year since 2001.

(215743)

305
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215833)

306
N Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many drivers have been caught speeding by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Traffic Branch since November 2004; and in which areas offences took place.

(214664)

Questions to the Prime Minister

307
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole):To ask the Prime Minister, when he will reply to the Question tabled by the honourable Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole on 24th January, reference 211247.

(215730)

308
N Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Prime Minister, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Prime Minister of Ukraine and (b) other EU members regarding EU membership of Ukraine.

(214662)

309
N Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Prime Minister, when he last met President Putin; and what matters were discussed.

(214663)

310
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with President Bush regarding military options should Iran continue to develop its nuclear weapons programme; and if he will make a statement.

(215997)

311
Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):To ask the Prime Minister, what the purpose was of his meeting at No. 10 on 2nd December 1999 with Mr Louis Gerstner Junior of the IBM Corporation of New York; which Department of Government suggested that he receive Mr Gerstner; on what date it was first sought to arrange such a meeting; and which (a) departments of Government and (b) advisers were present at the meeting.

(215746)

312
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Prime Minister, what his priorities are for the Presidency of the G8.

(215879)

313
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the long-term prospect of the US signing up to the Kyoto Protocol.

(215880)

314
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of whether the UK will meet its Kyoto targets by 2010.

(215881)

315
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Prime Minister, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Office's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215684)

316
Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the leading figures referred to by his official press spokesperson on 8th December 2004, other than those representing Her Majesty's Government or the Interim Iraqi Government, who dispute the estimate of civilian deaths in Iraq published in the Lancet.

(215962)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland

317
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215834)

Questions to the Solicitor General

318
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Solicitor General, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of the actions and policies of the Law Officers' Department on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215749)

319
Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):To ask the Solicitor General, whether the Attorney General considered initiating a prosecution against the producers of the play Behzti on the grounds that it was allegedly offensive to Sikhs; and if she will make a statement.

(215831)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

320
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who the Ministerial design champion for her Department is.

(215651)

321
Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Clwyd South constituency, the effect on the constituency of policies pursued by her Department at the Council of Ministers; and if she will make a statement.

(215718)

322
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what penalties have been imposed on companies found paying their employees below the minimum wage.

(215882)

323
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to review the penalties imposed on companies found paying their employees below the minimum wage.

(215883)

324
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the Department's policy is towards burying nuclear waste.

(215884)

325
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of her Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215751)

326
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215837)

327
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Committee of experts on the transit of electricity through grids met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215902)

328
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on Community policy regarding forestry and forest-based industries met; when and there these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215903)

329
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the EC-Republic of South Africa Joint Committee on scientific and technological co-operation met; when and there these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215904)

330
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the EC-Canada Joint Committee on scientific and technological co-operation met; when and there these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215905)

331
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for implementation of multiannual framework programme for actions in the reinforcement of international cooperation (Synergy) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215915)

332
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for implementation of multiannual framework programme for actions in clean solid fuels technologies (Carnot) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

(215916)

333
Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Reading West constituency, the effects on Reading West of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215816)

334
Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many people in Reading West constituency have benefited from the national minimum wage since its introduction.

(215817)

335
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency, the effects on Westmorland and Lonsdale of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215981)

336
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Havant constituency, the effects on Havant of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215982)

337
Sarah Teather (Brent East):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she will reply to the letter dated 3rd December 2004 from the honourable Member for Brent East regarding Ms Julia Frankl.

(215629)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

338
Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what action he has taken in relation to the illegal sale of international operators' licences for hauliers through the trade press.

(215789)

339
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215652)

340
Mr Boris Johnson (Henley):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research his Department has commissioned into headway control as a means of controlling traffic density and congestion.

(215621)

341
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps will be taken to prevent mannequins being used to deceive enforcers of the motorway car-share scheme when it is introduced.

(215899)

342
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles of road the Highways Agency plans (a) to build and (b) to repair in each of the next three financial years; and if he will make a statement.

(215729)

343
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the contract between the Highways Agency and Highway Services (UK) Ltd will allow for unforeseen additional works to be carried out; and if he will make a statement.

(215734)

344
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the contract between the Highways Agency and Highway Services (UK) Ltd allows for changes to be made to the per vehicle charge.

(215735)

345
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what provision he has made to allow for the review of the contract between the Highways Agency and Highway Services (UK) Ltd.

(215736)

346
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how environmental objectives and criteria were dealt with in the contract between the Highways Agency and Highway Services (UK) Ltd; and if he will make a statement.

(215737)

347
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what projections of (a) traffic volumes and (b) road noise were made in respect of the M40 through Stokenchurch and Lane End at the time of the road's widening in 1991; what the most recent figures are for each; and if he will make a statement.

(215738)

348
Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what priority the Highways Agency gives to environmental criteria in deciding whether to approve works on (a) motorways and (b) other trunk roads.

(215739)

349
N David Maclean (Penrith & The Border):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will announce the start of work to complete the upgrading of the A74 between Carlisle and Guardsmill.

(215533)

350
N David Maclean (Penrith & The Border):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on his plans to upgrade the A74 between Carlisle and Guardsmill.

(215534)

351
N David Maclean (Penrith & The Border):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries which have occurred on the A74 between Carlisle and Guardsmill in each year since 1996.

(215535)

352
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215617)

353
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215836)

354
N Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what budget has been allocated for Project Heathrow; and how the costs of the working groups will be apportioned between his Department, the airport operator and other parties that are financially involved.

(215492)

355
N Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department's policy on an additional full-length runway at Heathrow has changed.

(215493)

356
N Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timescale is for the work being undertaken by each of the planned working groups in Project Heathrow.

(215494)

357
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the EC-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Transport Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215925)

358
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the EC-Bulgaria Joint Transport Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215926)

359
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the EC-Hungary Joint Transport Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

(215927)

360
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Witney constituency, the effects on Witney of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215983)

361
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Havant constituency, the effects on Havant of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215984)

362
Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what major transport projects have been approved in the last year, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

(215839)

363
Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the necessary statutory processes and value-for-money assessments to be completed in relation to the Glossop Spur of the A628 Mottram to Tintswistle Bypass.

(215840)

364
Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the public funding approved for the outer harbour for Great Yarmouth will have to be referred to the European Commission for approval under provisions relating to state aid.

(215841)

365
Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the decision to approve public funding for the outer harbour for Great Yarmouth was based on (a) regeneration, (b) economic and (c) commercial grounds.

(215842)

366
Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to re-organise the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

(215843)

367
Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects negotiations for the construction of a new coastguard station at Swanage to be completed.

(215844)

368
Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the future of the Swanage coastguard operation.

(215845)

Questions to the Minister for Women

369
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Minister for Women, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of her actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215750)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

370
Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action he is taking in co-ordination with other Government departments to (a) disseminate advice and good practice on occupational health in the workplace and (b) clarify the official vehicles for doing so.

(215726)

371
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much council tax benefit remained unclaimed by pensioners in London in each year since 1997, broken down by constituency; and what plans he has to redistribute these sums to the relevant claimants.

(215639)

372
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures are in place to ensure pensioners are made aware of sums available to them through council tax benefit.

(215640)

373
Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many participants on the New Deal for Young People in Leicester South constituency have been placed on training courses for (a) up to one year and (b) over one year in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

(215731)

374
N Mr Paul Goodman (Wycombe):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the cost of the Pathways to Work projects in the year to March; and what the estimated cost will be in each of the subsequent four years.

(215286)

375
N Mr Paul Goodman (Wycombe):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average amount budgeted per claimant on Condition Management Schemes in the new Pathways to Work pilots is.

(215287)

376
N Mr Paul Goodman (Wycombe):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants have gone on Condition Management Schemes in the new Pathways to Work pilots; and what the average spend per client is.

(215288)

377
N Mr Paul Goodman (Wycombe):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) voluntary and (b) private sector providers are contracted to provide services which aim to get and keep disabled people into work in (i) the areas in which the Pathways to Work programme is operating and (ii) the next set of areas into which the Pathways to Work programme will be rolled out, broken down by area.

(215399)

378
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who the Ministerial design champion for his Department is.

(215653)

379
Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd South constituency, the effect on the constituency of policies pursued by his Department at the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

(215720)

380
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate how many disabled people will receive the personal budget for disabled people in the constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

(215896)

381
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners have received pension credit in the constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

(215897)

382
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners benefited from the minimum income guarantee in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each year of its operation.

(215898)

383
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures his Department is implementing to encourage those claiming incapacity benefit to return to work if they are able to do so.

(215951)

384
N Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for how long he plans to retain pension credit; and if he will make a statement.

(214814)

385
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

(215619)

386
Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped.

(215835)

387
Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Reading West constituency, the effects on Reading West of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215819)

388
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his estimate is of the number of accidents involving low voltage single phase generators since 1996-97 (a) in total and (b) in fair and amusement park sites; and if he will make a statement.

(215703)

389
Mr Chris Smith (Islington South & Finsbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Folkestone and Hythe constituency, the effects on Folkestone and Hythe of his Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

(215985)

Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer

390
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Confidentiality of Statistics Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (215900)

391
Angus Robertson (Moray):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee on the harmonisation of the compilation of gross national product at market prices met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (215901)

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

392
Alan Howarth (Newport East):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when the Ministerial Group on Better Public Buildings last met; what assessment she has made of the work of the Ministerial Group on Better Public Buildings; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (215656)

Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister

393
N Mr Michael Foster (Worcester):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will undertake a review of the methodology used to calculate Area Cost Adjustment.

[Question Unstarred] (214873)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

394
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the Government of Sudan's progress in implementing his Five-Point Plan for Peace within the agreed three months.

[Transferred] (215745)

395
Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the objectives of the Government are in relation to a common foreign and security policy in the European Union.

[Transferred] (215637)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

396
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many children living in East Londonderry constituency have been born since 1st September 2002.

[Transferred] (215786)

Questions to the Solicitor General

397
Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):To ask the Solicitor General, on what date the Director of Public Prosecutions received papers prepared by Sir John Stevens arising from her investigation into collusion between Crown forces and loyalist paramilitaries; what further action was recommended; and what action has been taken in respect of prosecutions of these cases.

[Transferred] (215699)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

398
Mr Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on local authorities' obligations to keep pavements and highways in a good state of repair.

[Transferred] (215957)

Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

399
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobs have been created in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland under the New Deal.

[Transferred] (215887)

400
Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average charge was for selling a pension in each of the last 10 years.

[Transferred] (215706)

401
Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what percentage of pensions were sold to each income decile of the population in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (215707)

402
Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the current level of stakeholder charges on the uptake of personal pensions by low income workers; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (215708)

© Parliamentary copyright 2005
Revised 9 February 2005