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Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Thursday 17 March 2005
(the 'Questions Book')
Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 17 March 2005
This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Thursday 17 March of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department. For other Written Questions for answer on Thursday 17 March of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper. For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Thursday 17 March see Part 2 of this paper.
Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office 1
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on permitting staff to take cameras into (a) 10 Downing Street and (b) the Cabinet Office. | | (222365) | 2
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on permitting staff to take mobile telephones which have built-in camera facilities into (a) 10 Downing Street and (b) the Cabinet Office. | | (222366) | 3
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many instances there have been of (a) Downing Street and (b) Cabinet Office staff being refused permission to bring (i) cameras and (ii) camera-enabled mobile phones into their respective workplaces, in each of the last three years. | | (222367) | Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 4
N | Mr William Cash (Stone):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what basis the Office for National Statistics defines current spending for repairs and maintenance on roads as capital expenditure. | | (222370) | 5
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what indicators his Department uses to assess the productivity performance of the United Kingdom. | | (221803) | 6
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the responses to the recent consultation on red diesel use for excepted vehicles. | | (222977) | 7
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what response his Department will make to the National Audit Office report on financial management of the EU, with particular reference to (a) persistent errors in transactions, (b) failure to comply with regulatory requirements, (c) delays in closing the 1994 to 1999 structured programmes and (d) poor forecasting of expenditure. | | (222985) | 8
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on how many occasions representatives of the European Anti-Fraud Office have visited the UK in the last two years. | | (222986) | 9
| Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total value to date is of secondary market equity sales in private finance initiative contracts. | | (222886) | 10
N | Charles Hendry (Wealden):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been raised through VAT on electronically published materials in each of the past 10 years. | | (222376) | 11
N | Charles Hendry (Wealden):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received from (a) universities and (b) libraries with regard to the level of VAT levied on electronically published materials. | | (222377) | 12
N | Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Government Actuary's Department will respond to the letter from the honourable Member for Yeovil of 20th December 2004 in relation to public sector redundancy packages; what the reasons are for the delay; and if he will make a statement. | | (221800) | 13
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the levels of long-term (a) adult and (b) youth employment in Edinburgh North and Leith in the last seven years. | | (222904) | 14
N | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated effect upon revenue would be if the 10 per cent. band of income tax were increased by (a) £1,000, (b) £2,000 and (c) £3,000. | | (221727) | 15
N | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated effect upon revenue would be if the lower threshold for income tax were increased by (a) £1,000, (b) £2,000 and (c) £3,000; and how many taxpayers would no longer pay income tax in each case. | | (221728) | 16
N | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated yield arising from levying income tax at a rate of 50 per cent. on all taxable incomes in excess of £50,000 per annum would be; and how many taxpayers would be affected. | | (221729) | 17
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the administration costs associated with each tax and duty were in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage of revenues raised by each tax and duty was accounted for by administration costs. | | (222909) | 18
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been paid out to date for each tax credit in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England and (d) Wales; how many households are in receipt of each tax credit in each case; and what the administration costs associated with each tax credit to date are (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of the expenditure on that tax credit. | | (222915) | 19
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people with income greater than (a) £15,000, (b) £20,000, (c) £25,000 and (d) £30,000 are in receipt of tax credits; what percentage of total expenditure on tax credits has gone to people in each category to date; and if he will make a statement. | | (222916) | 20
N | Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what powers he has to provide tax relief to the over-65s on savings and earnings for those earning between £18,900 and £23,070. | | (222364) | 21
N | Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip - Northwood):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has received the outline business case for the Paddington Basin Health Campus from the North West London Strategic Health Authority. | | (222669) | Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 22
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what role the Clerk of Council has in relation to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; and if he will make a statement. | | (222926) | 23
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what role the Duchy Council plays in relation to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Clerk of Council; and if he will make a statement. | | (222927) | 24
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many press releases have been issued by the Duchy in each month since January 2005; and if he will make a statement. | | (222928) | 25
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how much the Duchy has spent on (a) press advisers and (b) other consultants since January 2005; and if he will make a statement. | | (222929) | Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 26
| Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what percentage of the population was eligible for non-family civil legal aid in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (222729) | 27
| Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what assessment he has made of the level of successful appeals against convictions to the Court of Appeal Criminal Division between 2000 and 2004, with particular reference to the implications for the funding of the Criminal Defence Service; and if he will make a statement. | | (222735) | 28
| Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what estimate he has made of the difference in cost of permanently locating a High Court judge or judges in a large commercial centre such as Birmingham compared with the costs of the present system of visiting High Court judges. | | (222771) | 29
| Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North & Fleetwood):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what the rate of ineffective trials for (a) Crown and (b) Magistrates' courts was in each local Criminal Justice Board area in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2005. | | (222903) | 30
| Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will list those cases in which he has (a) awarded and (b) not awarded legal aid to families in inquests into deaths in custody since taking office. | | (222963) | 31
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, whether the proposed marriage of HRH Prince of Wales to Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles is morganatic. | | (222341) | 32
N | Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what criteria are used to calculate the cost-effectiveness of magistrates' courts. | | (221828) | 33
N | Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how much was spent per magistrate on basic training in each of the last five years; how much was spent in each of those years on providing training materials; and what advice is available to the Judicial Studies Board on learning styles in the context of training programmes. | | (221829) | 34
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will make a statement on initiatives taken through the British Irish Council to advance minority indigenous languages in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Ireland following the discussions at the Fifth Summit. | | (222849) | 35
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what support has been given to Iomairt Cholm Chille in promoting co-operation through the British Irish Council on minority language issues. | | (222850) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 36
N | Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Director of the Science Museum on the proposed closure of its library. | | (222369) | 37
| Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the revenue generated by theme parks in England in 2004. | | (222851) | 38
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Edinburgh North and Leith in each year since 1997. | | (222910) | 39
| Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the number of local authorities that offer free internet access in their public libraries. | | (222836) | 40
N | Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the possibility of the Cairngorms being designated a world heritage site; what the process for that would be; and if she will make a statement. | | (222653) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence 41
| Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Army Training Regiment will remain based at the Whittington Barracks near Lichfield following his review of his Department's property; and if he will make a statement. | | (222858) | 42
| Paul Flynn (Newport West):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average rent charged by his Department to farmers for land was per hectare in each county in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available. | | (222832) | 43
| Paul Flynn (Newport West):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list farmers and farm companies which rent land from his Department on Salisbury Plain; how much land, in hectares, each of these rent; and which of these farms have been used for military training purposes in the last five years. | | (222833) | 44
| Paul Flynn (Newport West):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will estimate the income per hectare in 2005 which would be derived from the rental of land owned by his Department to farmers at full market value. | | (222835) | 45
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces personnel have been (a) disciplined, (b) court-martialled and (c) dismissed for alcohol misuse or behaviour related to alcohol misuse since 1997. | | (222899) | 46
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces personnel have spent time in military prison since 1997 on charges of (a) assault, (b) sexual offences and (c) absence without leave. | | (222900) | 47
N | Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the terms of reference of the (a) Maritime Conference Study, (b) Submarine Acquisition Modernisation Study and (c) Surface Ship Support Study are; and when he expects each to conclude its work. | | (222438) | Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister 48
N | Mr David Amess (Southend West):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will use Department of Health patient registration figures as a measure of population for the purpose of calculating local authority grants for Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. | | (222346) | 49
| Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will break down by district council the allocation of neighbourhood renewal funds in West Cornwall. | | (222837) | 50
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what advice he provides to (a) local authorities and (b) private or independently-run sheltered schemes on how to use arbitration and consultation procedures in disputes between scheme managers and tenants and owners. | | (222952) | 51
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the role the Local Compacts with the voluntary and community sector will play in delivering his Department's five-year programme, Sustainable Communities: People, places and prosperity. | | (222953) | 52
N | Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the business rate for Chorley is forecast to be in 2005-06; and what the rate is in 2004-05. | | (222439) | 53
N | Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green & Bow):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many affordable housing units were built or procured through the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund in London in each year since 1997-98, broken down by (a) mixed funded social rented housing, (b) temporary social rented housing, (c) homebuy general market purchase, (d) homebuy general new build, (e) mixed funded general low cost ownership for sale, (f) miscellaneous works to registered social landlord (RSL) stock, (g) reimprovement to rented RSL stock, (h) works-only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (i) works-only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (j) intermediate rented accommodation for key workers, (k) homebuy market purchase for key workers, (l) homebuy new build for key workers, (m) the London Challenge Teacher Market Purchase Homebuy, (n) mixed funded sale for key workers and (o) starter home initiative. | | (222371) | 54
N | Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green & Bow):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund funding has been spent on (a) mixed funded social rented housing, (b) temporary social rented housing, (c) homebuy general market purchase, (d) homebuy general new build, (e) mixed funded low cost home ownership for sale, (f) miscellaneous works to registered social landlord (RSL) stock, (g) reimprovementments to rented RSL stock, (h) works-only rehabiliation of rented RSL stock, (i) works-only rehabiliation of RSL stock for sale, (j) intermediate rented accommodation for key workers, (k) homebuy market purchase for key workers, (l) homebuy new build for key workers, (m) the London Challenge Teacher Market Purchase Homebuy, (n) mixed funded sale for key workers and (o) starter home initiative in London in each year since 1997-98. | | (222372) | 55
N | John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what exemptions from council tax apply for narrow boats away from their moorings; and when guidance was last issued on this matter to local authorities. | | (221897) | 56
N | Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when Mrs Lea Rowles of Wylie Court, Sittingbourne will receive her refund from Swale Housing Association. | | (222368) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 57
| Mr Harold Best (Leeds North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment her Department has made of the funding gap between school sixth forms and further education colleges in Leeds; what the timetable is for taking steps to close the gap; and if she will make a statement. | | (222881) | 58
N | Mr Keith Bradley (Manchester, Withington):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when she will announce the funding allocations to local authorities for Sure Start for 2006-07 and 2007-08. | | (222674) | 59
| Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the change since 1997 in (a) capital expenditure and (b) staffing levels has been for each primary and secondary school in Cambridge constituency. | | (222834) | 60
| Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what research the Department evaluated prior to selecting the minimum standard bursary and other bursary schemes as mechanisms by which to minimise the deterrent effects of tuition fees. | | (222992) | 61
| Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate she has made of the percentage of total fee income which the payment of minimum standard bursaries will represent for (a) Russell Group universities and (b) mainstream universities. | | (222993) | 62
| Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance she has issued on the role of the Office of Fair Access in advising higher education institutions on levels of expenditure in relation to attracting under-represented students. | | (222994) | 63
| Mr Tony Colman (Putney):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, at what point in the academic year 2006-07 she expects (a) universities will be in receipt of additional fee income and (b) students will be in receipt of minimum standard bursaries. | | (223010) | 64
| Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment she has made of the financial implications for Dudley College of the funding gap with school sixth forms; and if she will make a statement on when she expects the funding gap to be narrowed. | | (222731) | 65
| Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether her Department will fully fund courses for adults at Level 3 at Dudley College in 2005-06. | | (222732) | 66
| Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will take steps to ensure that fee concessions remain in place for those aged 60 years who wish to attend Dudley College. | | (222733) | 67
| Ross Cranston (Dudley North):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether she expects fees for courses above Level 2 for adults to rise at Dudley College in 2005-06. | | (222734) | 68
| Sue Doughty (Guildford):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 24th February, Official Report, column 755W, on Learndirect, how many learners ceased to participate in Learndirect without completing the course. | | (222974) | 69
| Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much was paid to Jarvis plc for the sale of its equity in Wirral Schools Services Ltd. | | (222895) | 70
| Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children have entered higher education from school in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England in each year since 1997. | | (222775) | 71
| Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many people in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England have received education maintenance allowance. | | (222779) | 72
N | Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether her Department has investigated (a) the financial position of Harrop Fold School, (b) the progress of the school since it was placed in special measures and (c) the staff retention rate at the school. | | (222514) | 73
N | Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the future of the Harrop Fold School, Worsley, with particular reference to (a) its financial position and (b) any replacement school. | | (222515) | 74
N | Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what representations she has received from (a) parents and (b) Salford Metropolitan Borough Council about Harrop Fold School, Worsley. | | (222516) | 75
N | Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, who the members are of the School Improvement Partnership Board put in place to monitor progress at Harrop Fold School, Worsley; how often it has met; and to whom it is accountable. | | (222517) | 76
N | Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what her estimate is of spending per person on school lunches in each year from 1990-91 to 2005-06; and if she will make a statement. | | (222148) | 77
N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when she expects the Schools Adjudicator to announce his decision on the future of Alderman Knight School, Tewkesbury; and if she will make a statement. | | (222521) | 78
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the change in funding for universities in England will be in 2005-06. | | (222984) | 79
N | Steve Webb (Northavon):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many applications there were from school pupils for full-time courses at universities in England to commence study in each year from 2001 to 2004 inclusive; and how many applications have been made for enrolment in 2005, excluding applications for deferred entry in 2006. | | (222522) | 80
N | Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much funding has been provided in the 2004-05 financial year to (a) school sixth forms and (b) further education colleges to assist them in covering teachers' pension costs. | | (222722) | 81
N | Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much funding is withdrawn from (a) school sixth forms and (b) further education colleges when a student leaves a Level 3 course mid-term; and if she will make a statement. | | (222723) | 82
N | Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much an average school sixth form received as part of the real-terms annual funding guarantee in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04 and (c) 2004-05; and what the allocation will be in 2005-06. | | (222724) | 83
N | Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 21st February, Official Report, column 279W, on further education, to the honourable Member for Finchley and Golders Green, what proportion of the funding gap between school sixth forms and further education colleges is due to (a) base funding rates, (b) the annual real-terms funding guarantee, (c) differing funding of institutions when students drop-out, (d) the funding of teachers' pensions, (e) the differential in standards funds, (f) VAT which is able to be reclaimed and (g) costs of maintaining buildings and funding capital projects. | | (222725) | 84
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of school leavers entered higher education in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004, broken down by parliamentary constituency. | | (222857) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 85
| Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make the reduction of cetacean deaths in European fisheries a priority for the UK's Presidency of the European Union. | | (222859) | 86
| Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many UK fishing vessels are expected to start the deployment of pingers to prevent porpoise deaths in set net fisheries in the North Sea in June; and if she will bring forward the mandatory deployment of pingers to prevent porpoise deaths in set net fisheries in the English Channel and Celtic Sea. | | (222860) | 87
| Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total fishing effort in km/hours using gill net and tangle net gear in the English Channel and Celtic Sea, ICES areas VIId, e, f, g, h and j was in (a) the 12 metre and over sector and (b) under 12 metre sector in the last period for which figures are available. | | (222861) | 88
| Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many UK fishing vessels fish with (a) gill net and (b) tangle net; and what length of each type of net is deployed. | | (222862) | 89
| Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dead harbour porpoises have been stranded on the coasts of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset in each of the past five years; and what the cause of death was in each case. | | (222863) | 90
| Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department is spending in 2004-05 on deployment trials to test the practicality and durability of various pinger models in gill net and tangle net fisheries off southwest England how much was spent in each of the past three years; and when results are expected from these trials. | | (222888) | 91
N | Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10th March, Official Report, column 1936W, on harmful cargoes, if she will list the occasions since 1st May 1997 when monitoring of (a) fish stocks and (b) other marine wildlife has been instigated following the loss of a harmful cargo into the sea, giving in each case the nature of the cargo, the period of monitoring and the results of that monitoring. | | (222427) | 92
N | Gregory Barker (Bexhill & Battle):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the work of the Waste Resources Action Programme in the East Sussex region. | | (221512) | 93
N | Gregory Barker (Bexhill & Battle):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the funding of the Waste Resources Action Programme. | | (221513) | 94
N | Hugh Bayley (York, City of):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications of the Commission for Africa's report for her Department's work. | | (222444) | 95
| Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much land is occupied by zoological parks and gardens, broken down by individual park. | | (222852) | 96
| Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the revenue generated by zoological parks and gardens in England in 2004. | | (222853) | 97
| Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance the Government has issued regarding the keeping of animals in captivity. | | (222854) | 98
| Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her policy is on the expansion of zoological parks and gardens; and if she will make a statement. | | (222855) | 99
N | Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the outputs of the Water Savings Trust feasibility study; and what action she proposes to take following the Environment Agency's report to her Department on the outcome of this study. | | (222520) | 100
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to ensure that increases in water charges are used to (a) improve (i) reliability of supply and (ii) water quality and (b) reduce (A) sewer flooding and (B) pesticide run-off. | | (222975) | 101
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the level of area aid scheme inaccuracy was as a percentage of total claims in each EU country in the last year for which figures are available. | | (222976) | 102
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many exercises have been undertaken by (a) her Department and (b) the State Veterinary Service to determine policy to combat an outbreak of avian influenza. | | (222979) | 103
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the evidential basis was for the distances chosen for protective and surveillance zones under the strategy to fight avian influenza. | | (222980) | 104
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research she has commissioned on methods of reducing food miles. | | (222987) | 105
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many motor vehicles have been abandoned in (a) Leicester South, (b) Leicester and (c) England since 1997. | | (222896) | 106
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many homes in Leicester South constituency have benefited from the (a) Home Energy Efficiency and (b) Warm Front schemes. | | (222901) | 107
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of households in England which are at risk from flooding; and if she will make a statement. | | (222351) | 108
N | Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the over 30 months scheme will end. | | (222652) | 109
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she met a delegation of representatives from the waste management industry on 15th March; and if she will make a statement. | | (222966) | 110
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to ease the zero-tolerance policy towards contamination of sorted municipal waste. | | (222967) | 111
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to change the guidelines to local authorities on recycling and collection of sorted municipal waste to increase efficiency. | | (222968) | 112
| Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what reports she has received on practice in EU member states in applying the EU regulatory framework when drawing up policy on issuing bovine passports following late applications. | | (222772) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 113
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage democracy in Lebanon. | | (221802) | 114
N | Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Palestinian Authority (a) to allow Christian Arabs the right to pursue their religion, with particular reference to the right to pray on the Temple Mount and (b) to prevent encroachment on and inappropriate use of Christian holy sites. | | (222518) | 115
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Lebanese authorities on the planned withdrawal of Syrian forces; and what discussions he has had with representatives of the Maronite Christian community. | | (222954) | 116
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is regarding the Iranian authorities' use of enriched uranium; and whether the UK is participating in the US initiatives to encourage Iran not to undertake this process. | | (222955) | 117
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards discussion of conventional arms sales at the G8 summit in June; and what resolutions will be proposed regarding Iraq. | | (222956) | 118
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Chinese authorities on its new law with regard to possible conflict with Taiwan. | | (222957) | 119
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will encourage the Palestinian Authority to take steps to ensure that Christian Arabs are not driven out of the territories by the activities of extremists. | | (222971) | 120
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government made to the recent round table conference on the death penalty held in Zagreb. | | (222988) | 121
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish the instructions he gave to the UK ambassador to the UN in relation to UK policy on Rwanda in the months prior to the beginning of the Rwandan genocide. | | (222989) | 122
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Moldovan elections. | | (222990) | 123
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on consistency in the wording of the question in each country's referendum on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. | | (222991) | 124
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the security situation in Lebanon since the start of the withdrawal of Syrian military forces. | | (222889) | 125
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with which (a) newspaper, (b) television and (c) radio, (i) journalists and (ii) editors Sir Richard Dearlove initiated meetings following the war in Iraq during 1993 to discuss matters relating to (A) the conflict and (B) weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement. | | (222340) | 126
| Ms Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent negotiations have taken place between the EU3 and Iran on the future of Iran's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement. | | (222882) | 127
| Ms Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of progress made by the Palestinian Authority in reform of its security apparatus. | | (222883) | 128
| Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role the Government envisages for the UN Human Rights Norms for Business in clarifying the responsibilities of multinational corporations with regard to human rights. | | (222838) | 129
| Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will support the UN Human Rights Norms for Business at the UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in April. | | (222839) | 130
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the (a) G8 and (b) EU are taking to promote sustainable development, with particular reference to (i) climate change and (ii) Africa. | | (222969) | 131
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on progress made in addressing criticisms and recommendations contained in the report by the Council on Europe on UK implementation of its obligations as a signatory to the declaration of lesser-used and minority languages, with particular reference to Scottish Gaelic. | | (222848) | 132
N | David Winnick (Walsall North):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will reply to the letter of 26th January from the honourable Member for Walsall North regarding a constituent, reference 97610. | | (222513) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Health 133
N | Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he takes to ensure that the contents of inks used by tattooists do not contain chemicals at a level which is prejudicial to public health. | | (222402) | 134
| Mr Harold Best (Leeds North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the level of funding per head of population in each primary care trust in Leeds was in the last year for which figures are available; and what assessment his Department has made of inequality of healthcare provision in the city. | | (222879) | 135
| Mr Harold Best (Leeds North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to NHS dentistry in Leeds North West. | | (222880) | 136
N | Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 9th March, Official Report, column 1910W, on MRI scans, if he will set out for each month for which he has records the information on (a) number of scans, (b) number of rejections, (c) timeliness, (d) quality and (e) customer satisfaction. | | (222373) | 137
N | Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will revise his estimate of the cost of providing free personal care to take account of (a) the current review of eligibility for NHS continuing care and (b) changes to the amount of funding for free nursing care since January 2004. | | (222374) | 138
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the evidence of an increased risk of developing schizophrenia resulting from (a) early age and (b) chronic use of cannabis. | | (222978) | 139
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has established an inquiry into evidence linking early age and chronic use of cannabis to higher risk of developing schizophrenia. | | (222981) | 140
N | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the 2004-05 budget is for drug rehabilitation; what the budgets are for each year until 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. | | (222672) | 141
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will take steps to provide access for patients to the new treatment for diabetes on the NHS. | | (221801) | 142
N | Mr Frank Dobson (Holborn & St Pancras):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to make changes in the status of NHS Direct. | | (222533) | 143
N | Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford & Woodford Green):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent research he has examined concerning the effect of 3G phone masts on people's health. | | (222704) | 144
N | Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford & Woodford Green):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has received reports concerning the health effects of mobile phone masts which he has not made public. | | (222705) | 145
N | Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford & Woodford Green):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effects on people with heart problems of the radiation emitted from mobile phone masts, with particular reference to those with pacemakers. | | (222706) | 146
N | Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 4th March, Official Report, column 1467W, on drug rehabilitation, what measures he is taking to encourage community drug services' treatment protocols to reflect the advice on alternatives to methadone substitution therapy. | | (222519) | 147
N | Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he will take to ensure that cardiac patients awaiting transfer from the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate to London hospitals for surgery are able to travel expeditiously by ambulance. | | (222356) | 148
N | Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 27th January, Official Report, column 553W, on the Healthcare Commission, how the Healthcare Commission has increased its capacity to handle the increased level of referrals; and how many cases are outstanding. | | (222675) | 149
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will abolish parking charges for hospital visitors. | | (222776) | 150
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the car parking charge is (a) per day, (b) per week, (c) per month and (d) for a short-term stay at each hospital in England. | | (222780) | 151
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children have been diagnosed with asthma in (a) England, (b) the East Midlands and (c) Leicester South constituency since 1997. | | (222894) | 152
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 9th March, Official Report, column 1911W, on NHS spending, what the expenditure on hospital and community services in England is at constant prices. | | (222777) | 153
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Health Protection Agency's survey of data collection methods for the mandatory MRSA surveillance scheme is complete; and what assessment has been made of the consistency in data collection methods across NHS trusts. | | (222778) | 154
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many paediatric patients have received renal replacement therapy for kidney failure in each year since 1997. | | (222800) | 155
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people aged (a) under 26 years, (b) 26-50 years, (c) 51-60 years, (d) 61-70 years and (e) 71 years and over have received kidney dialysis in each year since 1997. | | (222801) | 156
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what central capital funding is being made available to support the expansion of kidney dialysis services. | | (222802) | 157
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Healthcare Commission on how it intends to audit the implementation of the quality requirements contained within the National Service Framework for Renal Services. | | (222803) | 158
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which elements of the extra funding made available to implement the public health White Paper, Choosing Health, will be ring-fenced. | | (222804) | 159
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the level of NHS income from charges was in each year since 1990-91, broken down by income from (a) fees and charges from health authorities, (b) fees and charges from district health authorities, (c) road traffic accident income, (d) fees and charges from NHS trusts, (e) NHS Supplies Authority fees, (f) dental charges, (g) prescription charges, (h) nursing home inspection fees, (i) subsidised dried milk, (j) Medicines Control Agency: licences and inspections, (k) youth treatment service income, (l) NHS Pensions Agency fees, (m) Medical Devices Agency fees, (n) Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority: licences fees, (o) English National Board for Nursing registration fees and (p) other charges. | | (222805) | 160
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons the compliance target for the maximum four-hour accident and emergency waiting time has been set at 98 per cent. | | (222806) | 161
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) NHS Direct, (b) the new general medical services contract and (c) the four-hour accident and emergency waiting time target on attendances at accident and emergency departments. | | (222807) | 162
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his policy that payments under the Accident and Emergency Capital Incentive Scheme should benefit the accident and emergency department itself; and whether he has issued guidance on the issue. | | (222808) | 163
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact of the four hour accident and emergency waiting time target on patient outcomes. | | (222809) | 164
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the rate of surgical site infection was in each quarter since October 1997, broken down by category of surgical procedure. | | (222810) | 165
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how he measures patient throughput in hospitals; and what the level of patient throughput has been in each year since 1991, broken down as in Table 3.9.2 of the Department's response to the Health Select Committee's 2004 Public Expenditure Questionnaire. | | (222811) | 166
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on its draft guidance which does not recommend Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl for treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. | | (222812) | 167
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his Department's policy that relatives of a deceased person on the organ donor register may refuse permission for the deceased's organs to be donated; and if he will make a statement. | | (222813) | 168
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his Department's policy to permit live donors to donate their organs to recipients who are not known to them. | | (222814) | 169
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many kidney transplant surgeons there have been in the NHS in each year since 1997. | | (222815) | 170
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients are waiting for a kidney transplant; and what estimate he has made of the number of patients who have died whilst waiting for a kidney transplant in each of the last five years. | | (222816) | 171
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) main renal units and (b) satellite renal units for dialysis there are in England; how many of these have been established since 1997; and what steps he is taking to improve patient access to renal services. | | (222817) | 172
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many kidney transplants have been carried out by the NHS in each year since 1997. | | (222818) | 173
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he intends to make estimates of the number of people expected to be diagnosed with cancer over the medium-to long-term to inform the NHS Cancer Plan, as recommended in paragraph 2.10, page 22 of the National Audit Office Report, The NHS Cancer Plan: A Progress Report. | | (222819) | 174
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he intends to establish a pilot programme for raising public awareness of the symptoms of cancer. | | (222820) | 175
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to complete the investment tracking exercise on funding for cancer services, as described in paragraph 1.10, page 10, of the National Audit Office Report, The NHS Cancer Plan: A Progress Report. | | (222821) | 176
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to define the roles and responsibilities of the constituent organisations of cancer networks. | | (222822) | 177
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that cancer networks (a) are fully staffed and (b) have adequate representation from NHS trusts and primary care trusts. | | (222823) | 178
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's work programme to support the aims of the public health White Paper, Choosing Health, as described in paragraph 28, page 41, of the Choosing Activity physical activity action plan published on 9th March. | | (222824) | 179
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he intends to complete the process of evaluating (a) local exercise action pilots, (b) the New Opportunities for Physical Education and Sport programme and (c) the Active England Programme. | | (222825) | 180
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support he is providing to the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust's National Obesity Helpline. | | (222827) | 181
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the optimal staffing levels for (a) level 1, (b) level 2 and (c) level 3 critical care beds; and what the average staffing levels have been in England for each level in each year since 1997. | | (222828) | 182
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding he has made available for research into kidney disease in each year since 1997. | | (222830) | 183
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to undertake unannounced inspections of hospitals accident and emergency departments to monitor compliance with the four-hour waiting time target. | | (222831) | 184
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS personnel have been employed on processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 since 1st January. | | (222524) | 185
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact on (a) costs to the NHS and (b) services to customers of the NHS of the coming into effect of the full provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 since 1st January. | | (222525) | 186
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of requests made to the NHS and its agencies under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 since 1st January. | | (222526) | 187
N | Mr Iain Luke (Dundee East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will meet a party of honourable Members and members of the Seroxat users' groups. | | (222409) | 188
| Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list gluten-free products available on an NHS prescription for patients who are intolerant of gluten. | | (222840) | 189
| Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance on gluten-free diets is made available by his Department to general practitioners. | | (222841) | 190
| Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information is provided to patients by the NHS on (a) symptoms, (b) treatment and (c) dietary recommendations for people with gluten intolerance. | | (222842) | 191
| Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people (a) were estimated to have and (b) had been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance on the latest date for which figures are available. | | (222843) | 192
N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will provide CCTV readers for visually impaired people through the NHS; and if he will make a statement. | | (222359) | 193
| Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the staff complement at the West Suffolk Hospital was in each of the last nine years; and what percentage of that total was made up of (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) ancillary staff and (d) administrative, managerial and clerical staff in each year. | | (222864) | 194
| Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) acute and (b) non-acute beds there were in West Suffolk Hospital in each of the last nine years. | | (222865) | 195
| Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the outturn against planned expenditure of the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust was in each of the last nine years. | | (222866) | 196
| Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the staff complement for his Department was in each of the last nine years. | | (222867) | 197
| Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which strategic health authority in England has the largest deficit; and what that deficit is. | | (222868) | 198
N | Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of differences in the (a) regulation and (b) supply of herbal products in each EU member state; and what steps he intends to take through the Herbal Medicinal Products Working Group to ensure that the requirements in respect of (i) quality standards and (ii) other matters for the registration of dossiers under the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive are set at a level appropriate to traditional herbal medicinal products. | | (222528) | 199
N | Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he intends to make it his policy in implementing the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive fully to use all the options afforded for national flexibility; and what account he will take of the potential regulatory burden on small and medium sized enterprises. | | (222529) | 200
N | Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency expects to issue a comprehensive assessment of the costs of implementation of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive. | | (222530) | 201
N | Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to consult on the fees for processing registrations under the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive; whether that consultation will assess the impact of the proposed fee levels upon small and medium sized enterprises; and whether in setting the date for that consultation he expects the Agency to take account of the need of such enterprises to assess the impact of those costs before deciding whether to submit registrations under the provisions of the legislation prior to the deadline of October. | | (222531) | 202
N | Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what arrangements are in place to compensate those who have incurred nugatory expediture as a result of the cancellation of operations. | | (222345) | 203
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many abortions were carried out in the UK in 2003-04; and how many of those were carried out between 22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. | | (222982) | 204
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research the Government has conducted on the likely effects on young women of reducing the time limit for legal abortion. | | (222983) | 205
N | Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip - Northwood):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his latest estimate is of the cost of the new hospital planned to be built at Hatfield. | | (222433) | 206
N | Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip - Northwood):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what provision he is making for the construction of homes for key workers and inpatients' relatives at the new hospital in Hatfield; and what the cost is of each. | | (222434) | 207
N | Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip - Northwood):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost to his Department will be of providing cancer treatment facilities at the new planned hospital at Hatfield; and what estimate he has made of the cost of provision of such facilities to an equivalent standard at Mount Vernon Hospital Northwood. | | (222435) | 208
N | Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip - Northwood):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to move the inpatient facilities of the cancer centre at Mount Vernon Hospital to a new hospital at Hatfield. | | (222436) | 209
N | Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip - Northwood):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his estimate is of the number of (a) cancer inpatients who could be referred to the new hospital in Hatfield from within a 15 mile radius of it and (b) cancer inpatients who can be referred to the Cancer Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, from within a 15 mile radius of it. | | (222437) | Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department 210
| Mr Harold Best (Leeds North West):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make provision for failed asylum seekers to be given temporary permission to work until they can be returned to their country of origin. | | (222878) | 211
N | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the average annual cost of (a) employing, (b) training and (c) developing a probationary police constable in the last year for which figures are available. | | (222670) | 212
N | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the 2004-05 budget is for prison education; what the budgets are for each year until 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. | | (222671) | 213
N | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many UK passports have been issued in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. | | (222673) | 214
N | Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to make available the resources needed to implement the Government's policy of increasing the maximum penalty for dangerous driving from two to five years' imprisonment. | | (222348) | 215
N | Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria are applied in granting humanitarian protection to individuals refused asylum; and by what means applications for such grant may be made. | | (222349) | 216
N | Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 10th March, Official Report, column 1959W, how (a) e-borders and (b) identity cards will enable more precise monitoring of the whereabouts of failed Iranian asylum seekers in the future. | | (222360) | 217
N | Mr Frank Dobson (Holborn & St Pancras):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the (a) police and (b) security services first requested that British citizens should be subject to control orders on the lines of those included in the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005. | | (222358) | 218
N | Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research he has commissioned on the variation in the rate of successful completion of drug treatment and testing orders between particpants maintained on (a) methadone and (b) buprenorphine in (i) Somerset and (ii) England. | | (222527) | 219
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) special constables and (b) community support officers there were in Leicester in each year since 2001. | | (222774) | 220
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans his Department has to reduce the level of violent crime in (a) Leicester and (b) England and Wales. | | (222887) | 221
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many anti-social behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) granted by the courts in Leicester, in each year since their inception. | | (222898) | 222
N | Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the cost of carrying out the maintenance and repairs to HM Prison Weare which would ensure it received its next certificate of seaworthiness. | | (222535) | 223
N | Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the maintenance costs for HM Prison Weare were in each year since 1997. | | (222536) | 224
N | Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost of holding the detainees in HMP Belmarsh has been to date. | | (222537) | 225
N | Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the costs of keeping the Belmarsh detainees under supervision following release on conditional bail. | | (222538) | 226
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether changes are planned to the format of (a) the UK passport and (b) the passport application form; and if he will make a statement. | | (222354) | 227
N | Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his estimate is of expenditure per person on lunches for prisoners being held in prisons in England in each year from 1991-92 to 2005-06; what proportion of the food utilised was UK produce in each year; and if he will make a statement. | | (222147) | 228
N | Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action he has taken in response to the Security Industry Authority's request to postpone the 20th March 2006 implementation date for vehicle immobilisation personnel licensing. | | (222343) | 229
N | Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resources have been provided to ensure that the 20th March 2006 deadline for licensing all security personnel can be met. | | (222344) | 230
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to increase diversity in the recruitment of police officers. | | (222964) | 231
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who the members of the senior management of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate are. | | (222965) | 232
N | Steve Webb (Northavon):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter of 10th February from the honourable Member for Northavon with regard to a passport application for a constituent, Sa-Sa Ho. | | (222523) | Questions to the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission 233
N | Norman Baker (Lewes):To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 25th January, Official Report, column 247W, on bottled water, what recent assessment has been carried out to determine whether tap water remains stale and undrinkable. | | (222534) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 234
| David Burnside (South Antrim):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the level of payment is for MLAs who are members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission; when the payment was authorised; by whom; and what the responsibilities of those individuals have been since the Assembly was suspended. | | (222917) | 235
| Mrs Iris Robinson (Strangford):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when Police Service of Northern Ireland candidates processed under Campaign 8 will be informed of the outcome; how many candidates there were, broken down by (a) religion and (b) gender; and if he will make a statement. | | (222877) | 236
| The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many overseas personnel were recruited to the NHS in Northern Ireland (a) directly by the Health Service and (b) through recruitment agencies in each of the last three years; and what the recruitment costs were in each case. | | (222930) | 237
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what proportion of school leavers in Northern Ireland entered higher education in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004, broken down by parliamentary constituency. | | (222856) | Questions to the Prime Minister 238
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):To ask the Prime Minister, which of his meetings with HRH the Prince of Wales during the period 1st to 10th February were not published in the Official Court Circular; and if he will make a statement. | | (222342) | 239
N | Hugh Robertson (Faversham & Mid Kent):To ask the Prime Minister, when he will answer the letter of 2nd March from the honourable Member for Faversham and Mid Kent referring to his Answer of the same day, Official Report, column 954, about the effect of the new Licensing Act 2003 on sports clubs. | | (222721) | Questions to the Solicitor General 240
N | David Winnick (Walsall North):To ask the Solicitor General, if the Attorney-General will refer the article written by Nasser Amin in the current student journal of the School of Oriental and African Studies to the Director of Public Prosecutions as incitement to racial hatred; and if she will make a statement. | | (222605) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 241
N | Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she will take to enhance the paternity rights enjoyed by fathers to bring them into line with the maternity rights enjoyed by mothers. | | (222355) | 242
| Nick Harvey (North Devon):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to implement the Energy White Paper commitment to a 2002 to 2012 solar photovoltaics demonstration programme in line with those of the UK's main competitors. | | (222972) | 243
| Nick Harvey (North Devon):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to increase support to the photovoltaic industry as proposed in the Energy White Paper. | | (222973) | 244
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what funding the Medical Research Council has made available for research into kidney disease in each year since 1997. | | (222829) | 245
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many workers in Edinburgh North and Leith have benefited from the national minimum wage. | | (222907) | 246
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps the Government has taken to help small businesses in Edinburgh North and Leith since 1997. | | (222911) | 247
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many new businesses have been established in Edinburgh North and Leith since 1997. | | (222912) | 248
N | John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will revise the regulations on the postal preference service to allow opting out of Royal Mail contracted leaflet drops. | | (221896) | 249
| John Mann (Bassetlaw):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many requests she has (a) received and (b) granted for the release of documents relating to Astra Training Services. | | (222931) | 250
| Ms Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to develop the trade relationship between the UK and Israel. | | (222884) | 251
| Ms Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on bi-lateral trade between the UK and Israel. | | (222885) | 252
N | Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she has made of the number of terrawatt hours of electricity generated from renewable sources required to meet the Government's 2010 renewables target. | | (222361) | 253
N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme on electricity prices in the UK. | | (222600) | 254
N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on progress made by the European Commission on its investigation into the setting-up and financing of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, with particular reference to state aid matters. | | (222601) | 255
N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the security of gas supplies in (a) winter 2005-06 and (b) winter 2006-07; when she expects to lay before Parliament the first report on the medium and long-term energy supplies as required by the Energy Act 2004; and if she will make a statement. | | (222602) | 256
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions took place with the devolved administrations prior to the ending of the newspaper registration scheme. | | (222845) | 257
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the cost of the newspaper registration scheme was to the Royal Mail in each year since 2000; and what percentage of Royal Mail turnover this represented in each year. | | (222846) | 258
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what consultations took place betwen the Royal Mail and her Department on the abolition of the newspaper registration scheme; and what representations she made as a result. | | (222847) | 259
N | David Winnick (Walsall North):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the letter to the honourable Member for Walsall North from the Parliamentery Under-Secretary of State, the honourable Member for Bradford South, of 17th February on the malfunction of PIN cards, when the chief executive of Post Office Ltd will write to the honourable Member. | | (222603) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport 260
N | Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the policy of the Government is in relation to the legality of (a) fitting and (b) using television equipment in cars which operate while a vehicle is stationary at traffic lights. | | (222347) | 261
N | Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking in support of the policy of the European Union to halve the number of road deaths across the EU between 2002 and 2010. | | (222350) | 262
N | Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department will be assuming powers previously exercised by the Strategic Rail Authority in respect of (a) waiving penalty payments for train operators involved in industrial disputes, (b) providing compensation to train operating companies for loss of revenue arising from industrial disputes and (c) authorising pay and conditions agreements in the 12 months of a franchise. | | (222532) | 263
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many incidents of trespassing on his Department's property have been reported in (a) Leicester and (b) England since 1997. | | (222890) | 264
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from Nottingham East Midlands Airport concerning its proposals for implementing noise controls. | | (222891) | 265
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many recorded (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries there were on railway lines resulting from trespass in (i) Leicester and (ii) England and Wales in each year since 1997. | | (222892) | 266
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's plans are for (a) expansion and (b) night flight capacity at Nottingham East Midlands Airport. | | (222893) | 267
| Mr Parmjit Singh Gill (Leicester South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many passengers used Leicester railway station in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005 in (i) morning peak hours, (ii) evening peak hours and (iii) off-peak hours. | | (222897) | 268
N | Charles Hendry (Wealden):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what targets he sets the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for responding to correspondence; whether the time taken is measured from the date when a letter is (a) received and (b) opened; and what steps he is taking to improve turn-around times. | | (222375) | 269
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in how many traffic-calming schemes introduced in England since 1998 speed humps have been constructed and later withdrawn or modified, broken down by local authority. | | (222352) | 270
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of speed humps, with particular reference to (a) air pollution and (b) noise pollution; and if he will make a statement. | | (222353) | 271
| Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list companies which have submitted accreditation questionnaires to the Department as part of the pre-qualification procedure for the operation of the new Great Western Franchise. | | (222773) | 272
N | Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what documentation a local authority sponsoring a major transport scheme is required to produce between the confirmation of compulsory purchase orders and the full approval of funding for the scheme. | | (222362) | 273
N | Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons an appraisal summary table for a fully worked up lower cost alternative in relation to the Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western by-pass has not been provided since 1994. | | (222363) | 274
N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason security staff at English airports are vetted by the Scottish Criminal Records Bureau; and for how long this has been the case. | | (222604) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 275
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many lone parents in Edinburgh North and Leith have gained work through the New Deal programme. | | (222906) | 276
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many senior citizens in Edinburgh North and Leith have benefited from the winter fuel allowance since 1997. | | (222908) | 277
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were in receipt of each state benefit in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England and (d) Wales in each of the last three years; and how much was paid out for each benefit in each case in each year. | | (222902) | 278
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the administration costs associated with each benefit were in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage of expenditure on each benefit was accounted for by administration costs. | | (222905) | 279
N | David Winnick (Walsall North):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of the population has estimated savings in excess of (a) £5,000, (b) £10,000, (c) £15,000, (d) £20,000, (e) £25,000, (f) 50,000 and (g) £100,000. | | (222440) | 280
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what initiatives his Department has taken to reduce differences in average income between men and women pensioners; and if he will make a statement. | | (222918) | 281
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average difference in pension income between men and women in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) England was in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. | | (222919) | 282
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to continue to use means-testing in the calculation of pensions; and if he will make a statement. | | (222920) | 283
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in, and what percentage of, the workforce were aged 50 years or above in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; what the percentage change was between those years; what his Department's policy is on numbers of workers aged 50 years or above; whether he plans changes to this policy; and if he will make a statement. | | (222921) | 284
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what initiatives his Department has taken to encourage business investment in worker pensions; and if he will make a statement. | | (222922) | 285
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the levels of jobseeker's allowance were in (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05; what plans he has to increase the levels of jobseeker's allowance in 2005-06; and if he will make a statement. | | (222923) | 286
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what changes took place in levels of pensioner poverty between (a) 1997 and June 2001 and (b) June 2001 and 2005; and if he will make a statement. | | (222924) | 287
| Pete Wishart (North Tayside):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the level of pensioner poverty (a) before and (b) after housing costs was in (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland and (iii) England in 2004; and if he will make a statement. | | (222925) | Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 288
| Mr Brian Wilson (Cunninghame North):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people resident in each parliamentary constituency (a) in June 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which information is available were in employment. | | [Transferred] (222844) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 289
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she intends to begin collecting data for children under the Survey of Participation in Sport and Culture. | | [Transferred] (222826) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 290
N | Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford & Southend East):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what quantity of fruit and vegetables was destroyed under EU arrangements in each of the last three years. | | [Question Unstarred] (222458) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 291
N | Charles Hendry (Wealden):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many rejected overseas student visa applications were (a) overturned and (b) upheld on appeal in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. | | [Transferred] (222378) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Health 292
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his plans for the Meat Hygiene Service. | | [Transferred] (222970) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 293
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England and (d) Wales live in households with income less than (i) £8,000, (ii) £10,000, (iii) £12,000, (iv) £14,000 and (v) £16,000. | | [Transferred] (222913) | 294
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) pensioners have and (b) children are in families with an income of less than (i) 40 per cent., (ii) 50 per cent. and (iii) 60 per cent. of average earnings in (A) the UK, (B) Scotland, (C) England and (D) Wales. | | [Transferred] (222914) |
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